The Nation June 10, 2015

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APC kicks as Saraki, Dogara emerge Assembly leaders •SEE ALSO PAGES 2,3&5

12 APC senators join PDP to elect Senate President Defiant Reps pick Dogara as Speaker Buhari: Constitutional process has somewhat occurred It’s unacceptable, says party

•Dr. Saraki...yesterday

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WELVE All Progressives Congress (APC) senators-elect yesterday teamed up with their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) colleagues to return Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki unopposed as the President of the Eighth Senate.

Hon. Yakubu Dogara was voted Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

•Dogara...yesterday

WE SAID SO PHOTOS: NAN

‘

The APC leadership is meeting in a bid to reestablish discipline in the party and to mete out ...sanctions to all those involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

But the APC, in a statement issued in Abuja, described the emergence of the duo as an act of “indiscipline” and

“treachery”.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerged Deputy President of the Senate.

Ekweremadu is the immediate past Deputy Senate President under the Senator David Mark Senate Presidency.

’

All the 57 senators-elect, mostly PDP members, present during the election unanimously elected Saraki. •The front page of The Nation Continued on page 4 ...yesterday

15 killed, 500 homes burnt as Boko Haram attacks village Maiduguri Airport reopens after six months

NEWS PAGES 57&58

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P23•POLITICS P45•SHOWBIZ P52 •MONEYLINK P55•FOREIGN P59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NEWS

The untold story of PD Despite some reservations, the new leaders of the Eighth National Assembly emerged yesterday.

Managing Editor YUSUF ALLI revisits some of the intrigues behind the choice of Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as leaders of the Red Chamber.

A •Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his deputy Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori (second left); Senior Vice President, Florida Hospital, Lt.-Gen. Mark Hertling (second right), Managing Director, International Facilities Services Group, Dr. Tunde Ayeye (left) and Director, International Facilities Services Group, Mr. Dele Ogunbayo when the hospital team visited the governor at the Government House, Osogbo...yesterday.

FTER two weeks of horsetrading, lobbying and outright conspiracy, the battle for the soul of the Senate climaxed in a coup d’etat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that led to the emergence of ex-Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki as the President of the Eighth Senate and the return of Chief Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President for the third term. With a configuration of 59 All Progressives Congress (APC) senators to PDP’s 49, the development saw the PDP regaining a little rebound from the devastating defeat it suffered in the hand of the rival APC on March 28 and April 11 elections.

Countdown to inauguration

•From left: Brand Director, African Artists Foundation, Wunika Mukan; Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Kufre Ekanem; Director, African Artists Foundation, Azu Nwagbogu and the winner of the 2014 National Arts Competition, Modupeola Fadugba at a news conference on Nigerian Breweries/African Artists' Foundation National Art Competition in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN.

Prior to the inauguration, there had been bitter straw polls in the APC which led to the selection of Ahmed Lawan and George Akume as the party’s candidates for the Office of the Senate presidency and and Deputy Senate Presidency.

Former Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila and Tahir Monguno also emerged as the party’s preferred candidates for the leadership of the House of Representatives. The outcome of the shadow elections created rumpus in the party with those defeated threatening to defy the APC leadership. Worried by the threats, APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, said: “I want to appeal to APC members of the National Assembly, both Senate and the House of Representatives, to please respect the party, the views of the party and the decision that they themselves took in selecting the persons that will be presented to the National Assembly as presiding officers.”

Buhari’s neutrality lacuna and G-7 meeting

•Managing Partner/Director of Arbitration & Mediation Center, Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), Mrs. Pricilla Ogwemoh flanked

by Senior Partner, OAL, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (left), Corporate Commercial Public Sector Group, Mrs. Olabisi Akodu at the unveiling of OAL new Arbitration & Mediation Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

•From right: Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, Guest Speaker, Prof. Esther Adegbite; his deputy, Prof. Duro Oni and Mr.Lateef Adekunle after Prof. Esther Adegbite's professorship inaugural lecture Series 2015, titled: "Financial development and real growth: Deciding the chicken and determining the egg" at the institution’s Main Auditorium, Akoka, Lagos.

Despite the choice of National Assembly leaders being a mixture of party politics and legislative duty, the aloofness, or the perceived neutrality of the President allowed the ‘fight’ wthin APC to fester until it went of hand. Until President Muhammadu Buhari left for the G7 meeting last Friday, the jostle for the Senate Presidency was still an open race between Saraki and Lawan. But pro-Saraki loyalists used the opportunity to work on strategists, friends, associates and relations of the President on why Lawan is loyal to APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

A respected source said: “In what appeared like a brainwash, they warned these people not to allow Tinubu to form a ring around the President. They even attributed some concocted statements to Tinubu to create a gulf between him and the President. The overall target was to instigate the relations and associates of the President to influence him. And these propagandists spoke with those who have the ears of the President.

In order to checkmate Femi Gbajabiamila, who enjoyed considerable followership, loyalists of the new Speaker of the House of Representatives dug into archives and recruited some elements to approach the court to hang moral issues on his neck over his alleged disrobing in the United States of America (USA). And the last straw that broke the Carmel’s back was the twilight propaganda among members from the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral that

Gabajabiamila is not a Muslim as being claimed. It was therefore not a surprise that Dogara, who could barely garner 56 votes among his APC colleagues went on to clinch the speakership position with 182 votes yesterday.

The hefty funding of the anti-APC project by some PDP governors, stalwarts and those who served as ministers under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan assisted in deepening the crisis over the scramble for power between the camps of Saraki and Lawan.

Huge funds were spent to camp and cater for potential voters such that those otherwise rated as conscientious lawmakers sold out in the end. “I think the highest bidder had an upper hand, “said a Senator from the Northwest. The target of these PDP moneybags is to prove that the APC is not prepared for governance at all.”

One major issue that dominated the pre-inauguration politics of the National Assembly leadership was the alleged marginalisation of members of the New PDP which defected from the PDP to the APC in the power-sharing formula of the Buhari administration. President Buhari’s delay in appointing key aides like the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chief of Staff also fuelled the suspicion of the New PDP elements that they might be completely edged out.

These fears were shared with new senators and representatives leading to leaders of the New PDP taking their destiny in their hands by hijacking the Senate and House leadership. By the time some APC governors convened in Abuja on Monday, it was difficult and too late to salvage the situation

Botched meeting with Buhari Against all predictions of a possible neck-to-neck contest between Saraki and the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, the PDP played a smart one on the ruling APC to “install” Saraki. The day began with suspense and a watertight security siege on the National Assembly. The militarisation left most mobile phones of Senators and members-elect, guests, workers and journalists buzzing, seeking intervention on how to gain entrance into the sprawling Assembly Complex.

No one was sure the election of the principal officers of the Senate would hold. In ensuing confusion, a terse statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed inviting the Senators and members-elect for a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Centre (ICC) provided some relief. The invitation was said to be at the behest of the President. The summons however provided the PDP an opportunity to act faster to install Saraki.

While 51 pro-Lawan Senators relocated to the ICC, Abuja for an emergency audience with the President, 57 Senators (mostly PDP) hurriedly left for the Senate Chamber for the inauguration of the Eighth Senate. The bewildered 51 APC Senators, who were waiting endlessly for the President in ICC, watched the proceeding of the inaugural session from a nearby TV box.

Before the 51 APC Senators could race down the five-kilometre stretch from ICC to the Assembly Complex, Saraki had emerged as an unop-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NEWS

y of PDP’s coup behind Saraki’s Senate presidency Omoworare, Abu Ibrahim, Bayero Nafada, Gbenga Ashafa, Sola Adeyeye, Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Ahmed Barau Jibrin and Isiaka Adeleke.

Others are: senators Nazif Suleiman, Nafada Ibrahim, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, Shehu Sani, Solomon Olamilekan, Kabiru Marafa, Fatai Buhari, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, Soji Akanbi, Bala Na’Allah, Umaru Kurfi, and Mustapha Sani.

Last-minute deal between Saraki and PDP

•Dogara (left) with Gbajabiamila...yesterday •Ekweremadu taking the Oath of Office...yesterday

SAN faults process A Senior advocate, Robert Clarke, has faulted the process that produced a new leadership for the Senate yesterday.

Clarke, who spoke on Channel Television, asserted that what the senators did amounted to disenfranchising 51 other members at a time they were not sworn in.

He noted that the rule of the Senate that the senators quoted to support their claim on quorum formation was equally wrong.

He called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fight the matter in court.

•Yusuf taking the Oath Office...yesterday

posed candidate. To add insult to injury, President Muhammadu Buhari neither showed up nor sent apology to the stranded Senators at the ICC. They were left at the mercy of troops from the Brigade of Guards, who had already been deployed in the centre ahead of the supposed arrival of the President.

Conspiracy and the Buhari factor According to investigation, the initial plan by the President was to delay the inauguration of the Senate by one hour for fence mending

by APC members of the National Assembly and re-strategise on how to stop the PDP from capitalising on the crack in the party. If the strategy had walked, the inauguration would have held at about 11am.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President had actually made up his mind to be at the ICC but there were feelers that some associates and strategists prevailed on him not to dabble in the selection of the Assembly leadership because he will portray himself as an inconsistent leader having promised not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Legislature.

“Probably acting pro-Saraki’s script, these associates/ strategists made the President to realise that his last-minute intervention would amount to dancing to the tune of one man: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“The joker probably made sense to the President and he chose to abandon the meeting at the ICC. Unfortunately, there was no communication between his office and the 51 APC Senators who heeded his invitation.

“It was around 10.35am, we saw

Saraki’s, Dogara’s emergence and the Buhari Presidency ANALYSIS

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LTHOUGH President Muhammadu Buhari is no stranger to coup detats as he was a direct beneficiary of the December 31, 1983 military coup, the one that played out on the floor of the Senate yesterday during the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly has serious implications for the success of his four-year tenure as a civilian President.

It is one thing to feign a sitting-on-the-fence posture on the pretext of allowing members to pick their leadership , it is another thing entirely to watch from the sidelines as the ruling All Progressives Congress, through errors of commission or omission, surrenders the pendulum of choice to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. No doubt the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central Senatorial District) as the President of the Senate in defiance of his party’s preference has thrown spanners in the works. The political dynamics have equally changed as the loyalty of Saraki may shift to the PDP lawmakers whose bloc support ensured a twist in the tale.

The same scenario played out in the Green Chambers where House of Representatives lawmakers on the platform of the PDP ensured that the APC leadership did not realise its dream of foisting its choice candidates on the 8th Assembly with the emergence of Yakubu Dogara as Speaker as against Femi Gbajabiamila. This well-rehearsed and perfectly hatched coup has thrown the ruling party into disarray even if the successful candidates belong to the fold. It not only questions the supremacy of that the inaugural session was already on and Saraki had been elected. If we were to be defeated, it should have been done on the floor.”

A battle of forces at play The forces behind Saraki were as intimidating as those for Lawan.

These include: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, some of the

From Yomi Odunuga, Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital

the party but also rubbishes the assumption that the APC had everything under control prior to yesterday and could always rein in its members when it mattered most. The outcome of the elections in both chambers in which Senator Ike Ekweremadu retained his seat as the Deputy Senate President has equally changed the political equation. In all of this, the APC has its nose bloodied and it will require enormous deployment of political dexterity for the Executive to perform with a legislature that seems to be adversarial right from the onset.

But what does this mean for the PDP that many believe would go into extinction with the loss of the Presidency and many states in the last election. Not a few observers believe that the party will be incapable of being a vibrant opposition to the APC being the very first time it would be out of power since the commencement of democratic rule in 1999. Is the PDP proving bookmakers wrong? Will the re- engineering of the party be initiated from the National Assembly ? Is Saraki being positioned as the arrow head of the resurgence of the party? Will Saraki mend fence with the APC leadership which yesterday disowned him ?

How will the Senate under his watch relate with the executive that may not indulge in settlement as was the case in the Jonathan era?

former G-5 governors (like Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wammako), who defected from the PDP. Others are former governors Ahmed Sani Yerima (Zamfara), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Theoodore Orji (Abia) as well as governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Dr. Rahman Mimiko (Ondo) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).

•Continued on page 59 As for Lawan, he pulled heavyweights from the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Asiwaju Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, APC governors, ex-governors Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi). They include: senators Kabir Gaya, Ajayi Borrofice, Gemade Barnabas, Adamu Abdullahi, Jide

The last-minute deal between the PDP and Saraki was sealed at the residence of former Senate President David Mark in Abuja. At the meeting which held Sunday night were PDP Senators and governors.

The meeting lasted till the wee hours of Monday. The session was tense on who to support for the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.

A top source said: “At the end of the day, we could not agree on bloc votes for any of the candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives. In fact, Governor Ayodele Fayose pleaded with party leaders to see the battles as one between PDP and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He begged the party to ‘clip’ Tinubu’s wings.

“But some senators-elect warned Fayose against going personal.

They queried the morality behind PDP supporting candidates who defected from the party to APC. They alleged that their defection led to the defeat of PDP at the Centre.

“The governors also split on who to back for the National Assembly offices. At the end of the day, we could not reach a consensus on casting our votes en bloc for any of the candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly. I can tell you that everyone was on his own.”

Notwithstanding, the PDP senators later opted to vote on Monday night on who to back in the Senate.

In the wee hours of yesterday, 28 opted for Saraki/Ekweremadu ticket and 17 consented to Ahmed Lawan/George Akume ticket. The same voting strength was taken to the inaugural session of the Eighth Senate.

A source added: “We were at a crossroads on whether to forgive Saraki for defecting to the APC or paying back the APC in its own coins for making Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the Seventh Senate, to defect in defiance of the PDP directive. We basically went for vengeance because all is fair in politics.

“Our assumption is that were it not for mismanagement of PDP crisis, the likes of Saraki are PDP in spirit and APC by circumstance.

When there is realignment of forces, we believe we can still work together.”

But findings confirmed that the choice of Saraki was with a cost. The new President of the Senate was ‘forced’ to sacrifice his favourite for the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ali Ndume, who was the arrowhead of Saraki’s campaign in the North. Although Ndume got a wind of the plot on Monday evening, he dismissed it as “distracting and impossible for Saraki to dump him.”

Another source added: “Till the last minutes, they sold a dummy to Ndume that he will be Deputy Senate President of the Senate if Saraki gets the ticket.

“But as soon as Saraki won, Ekweremadu was nominated for delivering bloc votes of the Senators-elect from the Southeast in collaboration with Senator Andy Uba.” •Continued on page 59

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

NEWS Buhari: Constitutional process has somewhat occurred

Buhari keeps APC lawmakers, leaders waiting

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday described the elections of the National Assembly leaders as being in line with constitutional process.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said he had taken note of the outcome of the elections.

The President said that he would rather have wanted the process of electing the leaders to follow the initiation and conclusion his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nonetheless the President took the view that a constitutional process has somewhat occurred.

The statement said: “President Buhari had said in an earlier statement that he did not have any preferred candidate

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

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HERE was confusion yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja as President Muhammadu Buhari, who was scheduled to address All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at 9.00am stayed away from the meeting. Majority of APC senators and members of the House of Representatives were waiting for his address.

Also at the Executive Hall of the Centre were members of the National Working Committee of the APC, led by National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and National Leaders of the party, including former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Abia State Governor Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former Interim National Chairman of the party Chief Bisi Akande and Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

As early as 7.30 am, presidential security detail and officers of the Brigade of Guards had taken positions within and around the centre

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PHOTO:

SOLOMON

ADEOLA

It’s totally unacceptable, says party

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MAJOR crisis has broken out in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party describing as “totally unacceptable and the highest level of indiscipline and treachery”, yesterday’s inauguration of the National Assembly.

Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Yakubu Dogara emerged as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

‘Bukola and Dogara, the party said, are not its candidates. Neither are they candidates of a majority of its National Assembly memberselect for Senate President and House Speaker, it said in a statement signed by its spokesman Lai Mohammed.

Abuja

for the Senate and the House of Representatives and that he was willing to work with whoever the lawmakers elected.

“That sentiment still stands.

Though he would have preferred the new leaders to have emerged through the process established by the party”.

According to the statement, the stability of Nigeria’s constitutional order and overall interest of the common man were uppermost on the President’s mind as far as the National Assembly elections were concerned.

The President called on all the elected representatives of the people to focus on the enormous task of bringing enduring positive change to the lives of Nigerians.

I will protect legislative independence, says Saraki

•United States Consul General Jeffery Hawkins during his visit to The Nation …yesterday.

Continued on page 60

From Augustine Ehikioya,

“The party duly met and conducted a straw poll and clear candidates emerged for the posts of Senate President, Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, supported by a majority of all Senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives. All National Assembly members-elect who emerged on the platform of the party are bound by that decision.” It said, adding: ‘’The party is supreme and its interest is superior to that of its individual members,’’ the party said in the statement. ‘’Consequently, the APC leadership is meeting in a bid to reestablish discipline in the party and to mete out the necessary sanctions to all those

involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration.’’

APC decried a situation in which some people, based on nothing but inordinate ambition and lack of discipline and loyalty, will enter into an unholy alliance with the very same people whom the party and indeed the entire country worked hard to replace and sell out the hard won victory of the Party. ‘’There can be no higher level of treachery, disloyalty and insincerity within any party,’’ the party said, vowing to resolve the matter using all constitutional and legal means available to it.

•Mohammed

The APC asked all its loyal senators-elect to please report to the Senate to be sworn-in in order to discharge their constitutional duties.

ENATE President Bukola Saraki yesterday pledged to protect the independence of the legislative arm of government.

Saraki stated this in his inaugural address after his inauguration as President of the Eight Senate.

“It will be my responsibility to protect the independence of the legislative arm of our government in the overall interest of our democracy,” Saraki said The Senate President said he will do so with the understanding that legislative autonomy must be embedded within the collaborative framework that allows government to function more effectively in bringing the greater good to the greatest number of the people.

He noted that their quest for autonomy must not lead them into pursuing adversarial relationship with other arms of government, especially the executive.

Saraki also said that their oversight duties must be constructive, supportive and productive, “believing that while we all have different

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

roles to play, we have a common responsibility to the people of Nigeria.”

He said: “I am immensely delighted that only a few months after we have witnessed an uncommon democratic transition in our country, we are witnessing yet again, a further consolidation of that lofty victory for our country and our democracy.

“I want to thank all members of the National Assembly, especially the distinguished Senators for your maturity and patriotism in the exercise that we have just concluded in electing the leadership of the eighth Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have demonstrated that even though we may belong to different persuasions and parties, we are ultimately united by our common desire to entrench democracy and allow its core principles guide the conduct of our political affairs.

Continued on page 60

APC kicks as Saraki, Dogara emerge Senate President, Speaker History again as defiant Reps pick Dogara

Continued from page 1

Saraki represents APC Kwara Central Senatorial District. Ekweremadu represents PDP Enugu West Senatorial District.

The election of Saraki and Ekweremadu ended the intense lobbying for the offices.

Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North) and Senator George Akume (APC Benue North West), who emerged APC consensus candidates for Senate president and deputy Senate president were not at the Senate chamber during the election.

The 12 APC senators who teamed up to choose Saraki included Saraki himself, Dino Melaye, Ahmed Rufai Sani, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi, Rufiu Adebayo Ibrahim, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Ohiare and Francis Asekhame Alimikhena.

Sources said a meeting of PDP senators in Mark’s home on Sunday may have sealed the plot for the sena-

H

ISTORY repeated itself yesterday as members in the Eighth House of Representatives defied the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Speaker.

On Saturday, the APC, in a mock election, chose Ahmed Lawan as the candidate for Senate President and Femi Gbajabiamila for Speaker, House of Representatives.

For two hours, 11 minutes, members voted to pick the number four citizen.

It was a keenly contested election.

The Clerk of the National Assembly at 4.38pm announced the result. Dogara polled 182 votes. Femi Gbajabiamila got 174. tors to vote Saraki in an arrangement that would also see Ekweremadu emerge as Deputy President of the Senate. The Nation reported the “intrigues” exclusively yesterday.

The election of Saraki started at exactly 10 am when the Clerk to the National Assembly (NA), Salisu Maikasua, welcomed the senators-elect.

He read the proclamation

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Two votes were voided; 358 lawmakers voted.

Dogara assumed his seat at 4.45pm.

Conceding defeat, Gbajabiamila caused a rousing applause as he went to hug Dogara after the votes were counted and validated by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa.

Dogara was presented with his certificate and sworn in by the Clerk at 4.40pm Dogara’s victory is a re-enactment of the 2011 scenario where members if the Seventh Assembly defied the Peoples

memo issued by President Muhammadu Buhari for the first session of the Eighth Senate to hold by 10am .

Maikasua reminded the senators-elect that they were free to vote for the candidate of their choice in a free and fair election.

The CNA mandated the Deputy Clerk to the Senate, Adedotun Durojaiye, to proceed with the roll call of the

Democratic Party (PDP) to elect Aminu Tambuwal instead of Mulikat Akande- Adeola who was the party’s choice.

As early as 7.00 am, the outer grounds of the National Assembly had been filled with people. Security was tight and access into the complex was restricted.

By 9:15 am, the doors of the green Chamber were thrown open. PDP members filed in Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin went round to give members copies of the House Rules.

Gradually, the Chamber was filled up. Dogara’s Camp raised a solidarity song.

senators-elect in alphabetical order.

The Deputy Clerk took the roll call and announced that only 57 Senators-elect were in the chamber.

He also gave the quorum required for the election as 37.

The remaining APC senators were at the International Conference Centre together with party leaders waiting to

Continued on page 60

hold a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The roll call and quorum established, the Deputy Clerk asked for a proposal to take the chair of the Office of the Senate President.

Former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Rufai Sani proposed that Saraki do take the chair of the Senate President.

Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) seconded Senator

Sani’s proposal.

Saraki was immediately called to accept or decline the proposal.

Saraki accepted to take the chair of the Senate President.

The Clerk to the Senate asked whether there was any further proposal or nomination for the Office of the Senate President. There was dead silence in the Senate Chamber.

The Clerk, once again, asked whether there was further proposal for the Office of the Senate President.

There was no response from any of the senatorselect.

The Clerk announced that Saraki had been duly elected as the President of the Eighth Senate.

Maikasua administered the oath of office on Saraki.

There was jubilation on the floor of the Senate as those in Continued on page 60

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NEWS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS

Dogara: what my emergence as Speaker means

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OUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has described his emergence as an assertion of independence of the legislature.

He said the legislature has run out of excuses to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

“What has been demonstrated here today is the resolve of Members of the House to assert the independence of the legislature as a co-equal arm of government.

“My dear colleagues, by electing me as Speaker you have demonstrated to the world that our legislature is living up to the dreams and aspirations of our founding fathers.

“You are leaving a legacy of an accountable, autonomous, focused, progressive and united House capable of playing its role as the stabilizing force in our polity. We have shown once again that this is a House of the Nigerian people.

“After 16 years of unbroken experiment in Constitutional democracy, it is right to say that the Nigerian legislature has come of age. The House

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

continues to remain the repository of the democratic hopes and ambitious of our people. This is a truly representative Chamber that can be relied upon to rise to the occasion when duty calls.

“It should be noted that we are heirs, to a long tradition of a House where debates are robustly undertaken, where radicalism flows as an institutional prerogative. We continue to be the bulwark for the defence of the rights and privileges of the “common man”. We shall continue to champion the rights of the weak and poor. We shall continue to be the anchor for the wellbeing of our people.

After the euphoria of today comes the difficulties of tomorrow. We take office at a period in our history when the morale of our people are at its lowest ebb. We take office when our economy is in shambles, when the living conditions of Nigerians are in poor shape, when infrastructures are nonexistent or at best decayed. Our people are no longer safe in their homes .We face a debt crises once

again.

“We are in a period of great social and political malaise.

Provision of basic necessities of life for our people are becoming increasingly difficult.

Long fuel lines, high cost of living, and epileptic electricity supply or in most instances complete darkness has become the order of the day.

“The health needs of the majority of our people are not being met. Extreme poverty still envelopes a large percentage of our population.

For too long, Nigerians have suffered degradation and neglect. The list is endless.

“It will be unfair to say that efforts have not been made by our past leaders to solve all these problems. Quite to the contrary ,a lot of progress has been made in many fields. But it appears as if we have not done enough, as the problems still remain.

“We are poised to use our new office to wage a mortal combat with the cancer of corruption, incompetence, insecurity, bad governance and infrastructural decay. We shall wage an unrelenting

legislative war on insecurity, unemployment, poverty, lack of power supply, educational inadequacies, health problems and social decay.

“We hope that our best will be good enough. I pledge to you my colleagues and Nigerians that we will play our part in this new opportunity offered us by Nigerians to recover our nation from the clutches of hunger, poverty, disease, social, economic, political and infrastructural quagmire.

“It is now our responsibility to fashion out the legislative instruments that will lead to Nigeria’s renaissance. Let the word go forth from here that it shall not be legislative business as usual again in Nigeria.

“We, as a parliament can only justify the confidence of our people by keeping faith with our duties of Law making, Representation and Oversight of the Executive arm of government. However, inspite of our responsibility for checking and balancing the Executive , good governance can only be effected when all arms of government are working in har-

mony and partnership to bring about the CHANGES voted for by Nigerians on March 28, 2015.

“We shall cooperate and work harmoniously with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to deliver on the mandate given to us by Nigerians,” he said.

He also unveiled a legislative Programme of Action and a legislative compass to guide his actions in office in the document.

“We further pledged that the 8th House of Representatives will concentrate on legislation that will bring the changes required and voted for by Nigerians. Legislative measures that will tackle the issue of endemic unemployment crises; insecurity of lives and property; poverty alleviation; health and education; Endemic Corruption; electricity and Energy crises; General infrastructure decay etc. We shall work closely and speedily to pass legislation that will tackle these matters.”

“We also propose to intro-

Suleiman is Deputy Speaker

Y

•From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Mr Sanusi Abdullahi, at the Conference of Chiefs of Defence Staff of the PHOTO: NAN Lake Chad Basin Commission's member countries and Benin in Abuja ... yesterday.

duce the following: Sectoral debates on various aspects of the Nigerian economy are some of the legislative measures we would introduce.

“This proposal envisages that the House will designate specific legislative sitting days or weeks in its calendar specifically for discussion on various problems facing the nation.

“Such identified themes, sectors, areas or problems include - Unemployment, Health, Education and Social Services; Power/Energy Sector, Oil and Gas, Science and Technology; Commerce and Industry; Transportation; Telecommunications; Agriculture; Mining; Manufacturing; Diversification of the Economy, Finance, Corruption, Security Matters, Infrastructure etc.

“We expect that these debates will lead to crafting of new laws or amendment to existing ones or indeed make recommendations on how to better manage the economy.

“We shall fine-tune this document and present it to the entire House for debate, amendments and adoption as soon as we commence legislative duties.”

USUF Lasun Suleiman (Osun) was declared Deputy Speaker after defeating Mohammad Monguno (Borno) with 203 votes to 153.

Suleiman was nominated as Deputy Speaker by Ibrahim Babangida (Zamfara) while Alhassan Doguwa (Kano) nominated Mohammad Monguno.

For more than 30 minutes, proceedings were delayed as lobbying prevailed on the floor with groups seen in consultation with Monguno and Lasun and other key supporters of the contestants on how to avoid an election that would run late into the evening.

Speaker Dogara later consulted with Gbajabiamila on the next step on the Deputy Speaker.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

At the end, voting got underway after Monguno accepted his nomination.

With the completion of the exercise, Lasun had 203 votes to defeat Monguno who polled 153 votes.

The oath of office and oath of allegiance was admitted on him immediately by the Clerk if National Assembly.

Afterwards, the Clerk of the House was asked by the Speaker to administer the oath of office and oath of allegiance on the legislators.

Fayose, Obi hail Assembly leaders

T PDP, Atiku, Ahmed, others greet Saraki, Dogara T HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed have congratulated the Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A statement yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, described the development in both chambers of the National Assembly as victory for democracy.

It assured that it would continue to partner with like minds in other political parties and groups to ensure that the nation’s democracy, was sustained in the overall interest of the people.

“What is paramount to the PDP is the sustenance of our democracy and the wellbeing of our people, irrespective of creed, class or ethnicity. The PDP is therefore willing and ready to partner with likeminded individuals in other political parties and groups to sustain our democracy, ensure good governance and

From Gbade Ogunwale,

Assistant Editor, Tony Akowe, (Abuja) and Adekunle Jimoh, (Ilorin)

promote the unity and stability of our dear nation. Nigeria as a nation belongs to all of us. Its interest therefore must be put over and above personal, partisan or group interests at all times.

“In this regard, the PDP notes with gratitude, the immense contributions of the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark for the decency and mature manner with which he ensured the smooth take off of the 8th National Assembly”, the party added.

The statement also commended the PDP Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus for “successfully galvanising” PDP members in both chambers of the National Assembly, which it said, contributed to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

The PDP charged its members in the National Assembly to continue to uphold the tenets of democracy and enforce the constitutionally

vested parliamentary role of check and balances to ensure the much desired accountability and probity in the polity.

It urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accept the will of the people, respect the independence of the legislature.

Atiku congratulated the newly elected leaders of the National Assembly, admonishing them to see their elections beyond the narrow interests of their political parties.

The former Vice President in a statement from his media office, said with the elections of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly should swing to work and put the overall national interest beyond the personal political interests of its members.

He said with the election of its presiding officers, the 8th National Assembly has prepared the ground work for a full legislative business and reminded every member of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of their responsibilities to their

constituents, which, he said, is to put national interest before their individual political interest.

Atiku added that Irrespective of the political mix through which the presiding officers emerged, the 8th National Assembly should never lose focus of its role as a partner in progress with the other arms of government, especially the executive arm.

“The Nigerian people look up to the new National Assembly to work with the executive arm in finding solutions to the problems of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and joblessness in the country.

Their election is indeed a call to duty, and it is a call for which they cannot afford to fail the nation,” he said.

Ahmed and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, hailed the emergence of Saraki as the Senate President.

Ahmed, in a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr Muideen Akorede, said: “On behalf of the government and people of Kwara State, I congratulate my leader, distinguished

Senator Bukola Saraki, the new Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly. His emergence not only reaffirms the supremacy of popular will, it also underlines our collective preference for a credible legislature and our confidence in Senator Bukola Saraki’s capacity and competence to lead it.”

Ahmad described Saraki’s emergence as liberation of the National Assembly and respect for sanctity of the Constitution.

Ahmed, in a statement by his media aide, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Sanni, said the senators have demonstrated maturity and zeal to deepen the country’s democracy by ensuring the independence of the first arm of government.

He expressed confidence that the National Assembly under the leadership of Saraki would serve as the voice of Nigerians, check and balance, and stabilise the nation’s polity, stressing that the Senators had demonstrated that the nation’s constitution supercedes any other sentiment.

HE Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has hailed the leaders of the National Assembly.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said: “In particular, the emergence of Hon Yakubu Dogara as the House of Representatives Speaker is a lesson of life that what goes round will definitely come round.

“Today, Nigerians demonstrated to the entire world that our country has come of age democratically.

“Also, President Mohammadu Buhari, by not interfering in the process through which the National Assembly leadership emerged today, further demonstrated that as he said in his inaugural speech, he is indeed for everybody, and he is for nobody.

“I congratulate Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Hon Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun for this well-deserved victory and I urge them to see their election as a call to the service of their fatherland.”

Obi reminded them that their positions were meant for service and urged them to see it as such.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

NEWS Alleged N627m scam: Businessman accuses EFCC of illegal detention

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HE Federal Government has been urged to investigate alleged torture and illegal detention of the Managing Director of Kafisto Oil and Gas Ltd, Mr. Uwem Antia and his business partner, Alhaji Suleiman Yerima by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos.

He was allegedly detained over a N627 million foreign exchange deal, which purportedly belonged to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

Yerima, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, said he had petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase on the alleged inhuman treatment and torture meted out to them while in EFCC detention for 80 days without trial.

The businessman alleged that his partner, Antia, was tortured, beaten and his legs broken by EFCC operatives in Lagos in an attempt to force him to confess to an offence he did not commit.

But EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren denied the allegations.

Yerima alleged that despite a court order that his lawyer be contacted any time the EFCC needed his attention, the oper-

•Buhari, IGP petitioned •Agency denies claim From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

atives went into his ex-wife house in Lagos, took her away with a Mercedes Car belonging to him.

He added that till now, the whereabouts of his former wife is unknown.

The businessman accused the EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, the Director of Operation of EFCC in Lagos, Iliyasu Kwarbai and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Joseph Mbu, of violating their fundamental rights over a business transaction that was legitimately carried out without any of the parties involved complaining.

The businessman said he was approached by Antia, who brought customers to him, to raise dollars for him, saying N627 million had been paid into his (Antia’s) account and that he should source the dollar equivalent.

Yerima said he raised $1 million that day and gave same to Mr. Gladys Aginwa and Dennis Ale, who acknowledged receipt in their handwriting.

He said the balance of $2.250 million was raised the following day and paid to Dennis and

Aginwa, which they equally acknowledged in their handwriting.

Yerima explained that he was surprised when the EFCC operatives invaded his house and that of his friend and arrested them on allegation that he defrauded some people in a forex deal.

He said it was in the course of investigations that the EFCC operatives alleged that the money belonged to the former

first lady.

The businessman added that the EFCC demanded the original copies of the documents regarding the transaction, but they refused for fears that they could be destroyed.

He said they insisted they would make them available only in court, adding that it was at this point that the EFCC operatives began to torture them.

Yerima alleged that his life and that of his partner were in

danger and urged the President to expedite action on his petition.

He described the leadership of the EFCC as corrupt, alleging that its top operatives demanded $500,000 dollars from them.

However, the spokesperson of the EFCC dismissed the allegations against top officials of the agency.

Uwujaren referred to an EFCC statement dated March 9, this year, saying Yerima and Antia are fraudsters and would

be arraigned accordingly pending conclusion of investigation.

He said the EFCC does not torture or maltreat accused persons.

He added that the duo were yet to pay the balance of $2.250 million dollars to the other businessmen.

Uwujaren alleged that it amounted to cheap blackmail on the part of the accused persons to petition the president that top officials of the anti-graft agency were demanding bribe from them.

OAU graduate sues Navy school

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GRADUATE of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, Mr. Seyi Oyinlola, has sued the authorities of the Nigerian Navy School of Health Science, Offa, Kwara State before an Ilorin Federal High Court, for alleged molestation.

Joined in the case are the Commandant, Cpt. J. A. Ajayi, Abubakar Shehu and Markus Sunday.

The plaintiff is claiming N10 million as damages.

The applicant alleged that the defendants violated his right, contrary to the order 2, rules 1 to 5 of enforcement procedure rules of 2009.

•Demands N10m damages From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

The applicant is a dealer of curtain materials at Maraba market on Sango Road, Ilorin.

At the beginning of the hearing of the case yesterday, counsel to the applicant, Abiodun Bello, sought an order for the enforcement of his client’s fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person and private and family life.

Bello sought the following reliefs: a declaration that the unlawful molestation and violent attack of the applicant by the first respondent when they

came to purchase curtain materials from his shop constitutes a flagrant violation of the applicant’s right to personal liberty; that the gross assault, mental and psychological torture, harassment and intimidation meted out to the applicant by the first respondent constitutes a grave violation of the applicant’s right to dignity of human person; that the unjustified seizure of the applicant’s phones, apple Ipad and the daily sales (including his personal documents) by the agents of the 1st respondent constitutes a violation of the applicant’s right

to private and family life.

Counsel to the respondents, Anthony Ebeh, argued that the police report made available to him indicated that it was the applicant who beat up a soldier, adding that his clients were on their way home from work, alighted and came to the rescue of the soldier.

Ebeh claimed that when the soldier was rescued, he took to heels, while the mob including the applicant pounced on his clients, beating him up to a coma.

He added that they were subsequently admitted at the Navy hospital in Offa and another hospital in Lagos State.

•Some of the allegedly recovered vehicles...yesterday.

Wike: I’ve recovered 10 stolen govt vehicles

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IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday said he has recovered 10 vehicles allegedly stolen by officials of the Rotimi Amaechi administration.

Wike, in a statement by his aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “ In a bid to recover gov-

ernment property looted from Government House, Port Harcourt, security agencies on Monday evening took possession of 10 vehicles stolen by officials of the immediate-past administration in the state.

“The looted vehicles were recovered from two locationsRumuokparali and Trans-

Amadi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.”

He gave the details of the recovered vehicles as: 1 Coaster Bus, 2 Nissan Urvan buses, 2 Higer vehicles, 1 Land Cruiser, 1 Toyota Hilux Pick Up, 1 Peugeot 607 Saloon and 2 Peugeot 406 cars.

Defence chief calls for joint action against Boko Haram

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HE Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has called for the empowerment of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to adequately confront the Boko Haram insurgency.

Badeh said this has become imperative for countries around the Lake Chad Basin currently being attacked by the insurgents.

The CDS who stated this yesterday at the meeting of Chiefs of Defence Staff of member countries, stressed that there were compelling reasons to operationalise the MNJTF. The Defence Chief observed that activities of the sect have heightened instability, underdevelopment and hardship among citizens of the affected countries.

“This, therefore brings to the fore the urgent need for closer collaboration among us to curb

ongoing exercise.”

He pledged that all stolen government property would be recovered and those found to have engaged in the criminal act made to face the full wrath of the law.

Wike, on assumption of duty, claimed to have uncovered massive looting of gov-

ernment property and facilities by the immediate past administration. Amaechi has denied the allegations, saying Wike was on a witch hunt mission.

The governor also took Rivers PDP leaders on a tour of the Government House, Port Harcourt.

What G7 promised Nigeria, by Buhari

T

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

this menace through operationalisation of the MNJTF”, Badeh stated.

The Defence Chief urged all partner countries to be resolute, focused, determined and cohesive in their response to the Boko Haram threat.

He expressed the hope that the forthcoming extraordinary summit of Heads of states of member countries would evolve fundamental decisions that would help in the operationalisation of the MNJTF. Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Aliyu Ismaila expressed worry over the threat from the insurgents.

He warned that if not properly handled, the security challenge posed by the terrorists could destabilise the entire West African countries.

He added that: “The security operatives who conducted the operation were accompanied to the locations by some Government House staff. Already, security operatives are quizzing those found at the locations where the stolen vehicles were recovered.

The recovery process is an

•Badeh

The Permanent Secretary recalled President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visits to Niger and Chad to further solicit support and cooperation in the ongoing fight against sect.

According to him, the conference was a follow up to the numerous meetings earlier held to work out the Modus Operandi of addressing the security challenge.

“It also reinforces the resolve of the LCBC member states, including Benin Republic to tackle the Boko Haram menace.

“It is the right course we are charting because if this security challenge is not addressed, the sub-region will soon be consumed,” he stated.

HE G7 group of industrialised nations has resolved to support President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement issued yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President, Garba Shehu, said that “at the end of the presentation he made on Monday, the G7 leaders said to him that they recognised the President’s massive amount of confidence and expectations behind his government.

“They acknowledged him as having emerged from an election adjudged to be the freest in the country’s electoral history, but regretted the severe handicaps his new government has to face from the outset.

“They told President Buhari that they took cognizance of the fact of the several handicaps, including the

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

lack of resources, leaving him with a government overstretched in capacity, itself riddled with mismanagement.

“The G-7 also noted that the country’s army lacked training and equipment with little or no will to engage.

“In recognition of the fact that the security threat of the Boko Haram had gone beyond Nigeria, equally affecting other countries in the region, the G7 conceded that no one country can tackle it alone.

“They expressed warm sentiments towards the Nigerian leader and praised him for reaching out to the country’s neighbours and the group of industrialised nations within a week of his takeover of government.

“In view of the seriousness he has shown in tacking this

problem, the group pledged that they would “engage, cooperate and collaborate” with President Buhari’s government in tackling the serious problems that Nigeria faces.

“They left it to President Buhari to come up with the specifics on his requirements, assuring that they would study the requirements either individually or collectively and offer help. They asked to know the nature and the scale of the problems in order to know the nature and the scale of the assistance they will provide. Suffice it to say that they assured President Buhari that ‘Nigeria will find a partner in the G7.”

Buhari, who had the privilege of being the first to address the G7 among the invited presidents and prime ministers, was warmly received at the summit. He returned to Nigeria in the early hours of yesterday.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUJNE 10, 2015

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NEWS Caretaker chairmen for Ekiti

Ondo Regent still missing

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has sworn in caretaker chairmen for the 16 local government areas.

They are to take the “stomach infrastructure” agenda to the grassroots.

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Fayose demanded absolute loyalty from them as members of the same political family.

He called for rapid development of the grassroots based on their experience.

All but one of the caretaker chairmen were returned. Paul Oluwole of Oye Local Government was dropped.

Fayose had last Friday during the inauguration of the House of Assembly requested to dissolve the caretaker committees and reconstitute new ones.

Represented by Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola, the governor urged the caretaker chairmen to bring their experiences to bear in the running of the councils.

“I appeal to you to be submissive to the governor. It is only a leader who follows well that can lead well. The stomach infrastructure is the baby of the governor and should be replicated and implemented in the local governments.

The new council bosses are Dauda Ajise (Ado), Peter Daramola (Efon), Falaye (Ekiti East), Olowo Joseph (Ekiti South West), Olasanmi Moses (Ekiti South West), Adebayo Joseph (Emure), Funke Odunlade (Gbonyin), Deji Odutola (Ido Osi), Owoeye Sesan (Ikere), Adeyanju Adeyeye (Ikole), Abiodun Dada (Ijero) and Ayo Oladimeji (Ilejemeje).

Others are Alade Toyin (Ise Orun), Sunday Olowoyo (Irepodun/Ifelodun) and Adeniyi Adebayo (Moba).

‘We can help Amosun’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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ARMERS in Ogun State, under the aegis of the Nigeria Agricultural Cooperative Organisation (NACO), have said they can augment the government’s job and wealth creation agenda.

They said they can expand existing farm projects and create new ones that can generate over 50,000 direct jobs.

The state Coordinator, Olatunji Abogunrin, appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to support his 8, 570 members with funds, saying it would turn out to be a win - win situation for both sides.

LASU refunds N162.5m

By Jane Chijioke

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HE Lagos State University (LASU) has announced the refund of N162, 500,000 excess school fees to students.

A statement by the management said students, who have not collected their refund, will receive bank alerts before Friday.

The management had refunded N209 million to the affected students.

The statement congratulated the government for fulfilling its promise to refund the excess fees. It praised parents and guardians for their patience and understanding.

•Oluboyo (right) congratulating Oba Aladetoyinbo and his wife...yesterday

Deji of Akure gets staff of office

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BA Kole Aladetoyinbo yesterday received his staff of office as the 47th Deji of Akure.

He succeeded the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida from Ojijigogun ruling house, who died in 2013 after ruling for three years.

The monarch, who is from Osupa ruling house, promised to promote participatory traditional governance within the kingdom.

Oba Aladetoyinbo said in the last 120 years, it had never been so stressful for kingmakers to choose among the 13 aspirants con-

•Erekesan market to be re-opened soon From Damisi Ojo, Akure

testing for the throne.

He declared his determination to promote peace, respect for constituted authority and the traditional institution.

The Deji warned that he would not condone thuggery, disrespect for law and order or any act of violence in the city.

Oba Aladetoyinbo added that the traditional institution would be used as an important agent of meaningful development.

The monarch thanked Governor Olusegun Mimiko for his spirit of justice, equity and fairness in the selection process.

Mimiko, who was represented by his deputy, Lasisi Oluboyo, said the occasion marked the beginning of a new era in Akure kingdom.

He said his administration cannot pretend not to know the aspiration of the people and their yearning for a new traditional ruler.

The governor said the process that led to Oba Aladetoyinbo’s emergence was

fair, transparent and conformed to the guideline of the constitution.

Mimiko urged the people to support the monarch in the discharge of his duties.

The caretaker chairman of Akure South, Adebayo Alarapon, said with the emergence of the monarch, the Erekesan market will be re-opened and economic activities restored.

He urged the youth to restrain from being used by disgruntled elements to foment trouble.

Ekiti community protests power outage

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ESIDENTS of IyinEkiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State have protested the prolonged power outage caused by disconnection of power supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

This has caused tension in the community as the youth are threatening to attack BEDC officials whenever they come to the town.

The community is demanding an immediate restoration of power supply, repair of vandalised transformers, investigation of persistent tampering with transformers and availability of pre-paid meters.

Addressing a briefing yesterday, the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, said the community had been in darkness since May 21.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

He called on Governor Ayo Fayose to intervene in the matter and prevent an attack on BEDC officials as witnessed in other communities.

The monarch, who spoke through the Odofinyin, Simon Ayodeji Esan, said many power installations in the community had been vandalised, with residents contributing money to rehabilitate them.

Oba Ajakaye said the community spent N477,000 to repair a transformer on Igede Road.

He said the community considered BEDC’s action as “unwarranted, embarrassing, highly provocative and a demonstration of insensitivity”.

The traditional ruler said

after the community was thrown into a six-day power outage, which began on April 7, two of the three high tension wires on the transformers were vandalised.

The latest vandalism, according to him, was “expertly done with clinical finesse” that raised suspicion that the incident may have been done with the input of (BEDC) officials”.

Oba Ajakaye said as community leaders were ruminating on what to do, another transformer on Ilawe Road “was not only vandalised but actually cannibalised” with nearly all sensitive parts removed.

The monarch regretted that about N850,000 would be needed to reactivate the “cannibalised” transformer.

Oba Ajakaye said BEDC officials came to the town on May 21 to begin mass

disconnection of electricity when residents thought that they had come to proffer solution to the problem.

He said: “In its punitive measures, at least so it appeared, BEDC thereafter disconnected the whole community putting the town in total blackout since May 21.

“We have never been this humiliated; all efforts made to make the company change its mind proved abortive.

“We don’t want be provoked to the extent of joining the league of towns that had their youths at loggerheads with the company.

“We challenge the company to check its records, residents pay their bills regularly and they have not prevented it from sanctioning erring consumers, despite the arbitrary and crazy bills.”

Ondo Assembly Elections Tribunal to hear objections

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HE Ondo State National and House of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal has ruled that the preliminary objection filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akure South Constituency II, David Olajide, will be heard with the substantive petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Olajide’s counsel Charles Titiloye said his client’s name is Olajide but the PDP called him Oladimeji in several parts of its petition.

He said the PDP’s application for amendment of the petition amounted to substitution of names.

Titiloye insisted that his

application challenging the competence of the petition be heard with motion for amendment filed by PDP counsel Remi Olatubora.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who represented the APC, urged the Tribunal to hear both applications together.

The tribunal granted Olatubora’s application to

inspect electoral materials used in Owo constituency and Akure Constituency.

The tribunal accepted the respondents’ counsel request to be present during the inspection of document by the PDP. It adjourned till Monday for continuation of the prehearing.

THE Regent of AkungbaAkoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, has not been found, eight days after she was abducted.

The 45-year-old regent and her aides were waylaid last Wednesday on the Owo/Oba-Akoko/ Akungba-Akoko Road on her way from Akure, where she attended a function at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

The community has since the abduction been fasting and praying.

Security personnel have been deployed on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke. Commercial and social activities are gradually picking up in the community. Shops and other public places, which were closed in honour of the abducted regent, have been reopened.

A community leader, Chief Awesu Seriki, said the community was yet to receive any information on the whereabouts of the regent.

He said the community would continue to pray for her release.

Seriki noted that the incident was strange to the community and called on security agents to ensure Mrs. Omosowon’s release.

IG petitioned From Damisi Ojo, Akure

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for Ilaje 1 and 2 constituencies in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Edema and Leke Adegboye, have petitioned the InspectorGeneral of Police, Solomon Arase, to probe the unlawful swearing in of Abayomi Akinruntan and Coker Malachi.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Segun Agbaje, had earlier declared the elections in the constituencies as inconclusive due to alleged irregularities.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew the certificates of return meant for the duo on May 5, when it presented certificates to the other 24 members-elect.

A petition dated June 8 noted that the Clerk confirmed the writ of returns and roll call of all 26 members-elect on June 1 with Akinruntan and Malachi as No 6 and 20 on the attendance list.

The petition reads: “We are aware that for a member-elect to be sworn in, the presentation of a certificate of return should be a precondition in compliance with the Electoral Act. “Based on this fact, we sought clarification from INEC on whether or not the certificates of return have been issued to the two lawmakers as at June 4 and INEC replied the second day that no certificate of return was issued to them.

“It is instructive to note that Section 75 of the Electoral Act 2010 makes issuance of certificate of return mandatory to any person who has won election in Nigeria before he/she could be sworn in.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUJNE 10, 2015

8

NEWS

Bayelsa RO forced to announce result, says Lagos REC •UNDP holds review sessions on last election

D •Mr. Olabamiji Ojo (second right) at his graduation at the Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State. With him are his father, Lolu, his mother, Bridget and his brother, Olajide

•From left: Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Prof. Olufemi Taiwo; Chairman of the ocassion, Prof. Phillips Olomola and Guest Lecturer, Dr Damilola Arawomo, at a seminar: Drivers of Intra-Industry Trade between Nigeria and the European Union in Ibadan...yesterday. -

Amaechi, ex-deputy in war of words

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ORMER Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said his former deputy, Tele Ikuru, lied against him.

The former governor denied a statement credited to Ikuru that he returned billions of naira to him (Amaechi).

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by his media aide, David Iyofor, the former governor said Ikuru’s statement amounted to blackmail.

Ikuru, at a thanksgiving last Sunday at St. Simon’s Anglican Church at his coastal Ikuru hometown in Andoni Local Government Area, accused Amaechi of treating him shabbily.

The former deputy governor said the thanksgiving was meant to thank God for His grace on him and his family during the eight years of service to the state.

He said: “I served this government for seven years and seven months under Amaechi, because I was with Celestine Omehia for five months. At the end of the seven years and seven months, Amaechi did not think that I deserve any parting gift. “ Despite the fact that in the

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

course of the administration, by reason of the office I occupied, I returned several monies to him, valued at over N2 billion cash at different times during one work or another.

“By reason of my contributions to this government, I also saved this government not less than N100 billion over the period. At the end of the seven years and seven months, my boss left me hard and dry; nothing and no penny to go home with.”

Ikuru said he did not expect a reward from man but from God for all he did for the state.

The former deputy governor noted that with the thanksgiving, he was sure God would remember him.

Ikuru was deputy for five months to former Governor Celestine Omehia before he was sacked by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment on October 25, 2007.

When Amaechi was inaugurated as governor on October 26, 2007, he retained Ikuru as his deputy.

But shortly before this year’s presidential and National Assembly elections, he defected from the All Progres-

LBS to hold entrepreneurship fair From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE Lagos Business School (LBS) has concluded plans to hold the inaugural edition of the LBS Entrepreneurship Fair.

The fair, scheduled for July 1 at the Pan Atlantic University Ajah, Lagos campus, will witness a showcase of various profitable business ideas and investment opportunities in MBA-led entrepreneurial ventures.

Academic Director, Owner-Manager programme, Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, said: “ Going by the theme of the fair which is ‘Transforming society through profitable business’, the fair will be showcasing many profitable businesses ideas, with the aim of attracting investors, encouraging replication and therefore accelerating social transformation and inclusive growth.

“The fair has also become imperative in the wake of the revelation by the National Bureau of Statistics, which stated that 112.59 million Nigerians, representing 69 per cent still live in poverty. We aim to use business to create a safer society, such that terrorism and crime become unattractive,” she said.

sives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ikuru teamed up with the then PDP’s governorship candidate Nyesom Wike (now governor) to fight Amaechi.

But Amaechi said: “Tele (Ikuru) is lying. He did not return any money to me. I am not aware that he returned any money to the coffers of the Rivers State government.

“My former deputy’s illadvised comments against me are indeed shameful and pitiable. His attack on me and his disgusting lamentation about parting gift only go to confirm what I have always known and said about those on the other side of the political divide in Rivers State (where my former deputy now belongs), that all they want is to share the resources and the commonwealth of Rivers people among themselves. This is why they fought me and are still fighting me.

“It is most unfortunate that Ikuru, who I kept as my deputy, in spite of the strong opposition against him - almost everyone was against him - but I retained him and even ran with him for a second term, against the advice of most of my political associates, would now attempt to hideously disparage and attack me.”

At Ikuru’s thanksgiving, Wike was represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Chief Kenneth Kobani.

Wike hailed the former deputy governor for his meritorious service to the state during his eight years of serving Rivers.

The governor described Ikuru as a wonderful servant of the state, adding that he finished strong, on the basis of his “outstanding legacies”.

Wike added that it was Ikuru’s track record that made it possible for him to head the transition committee that ushered in the present government.

ETAILS yesterday emerged that a Returning Officer (RO) in last Saturday’s re-run poll in Bayelsa State was forced to announce the result.

The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyii, said this at a DGD stakeholders’ forum on the review of the media and the general election organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He said hoodlums accosted the RO, broke a chair on his head and forced him to announce the result.

Orebiyi, who spoke on the challenges encountered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and how to improve the elections, called for the commission to have complete control of security during elections.

He said the hoodlums, who switched off the light before assaulting the REC, finished their mission before security operatives arrived at the venue.

“I just came back from Bayelsa State where we had gone to participate in the recently conducted re-run election.

“We had a situation whereby a Returning Officer had declared an election inconclusive in a particular area because of certain discrepancies.

“But some people in the hall just switched off the light. They broke a plastic chair on his head.

“They were still not satisfied so they took the broken leg of the chair and started hitting him with it.

“They vowed not to let him step out of the place even as they kept shouting that since they were not responsible for the inconclusiveness the result must be declared.

“The returning officer, a professor in theDelta State University, right there, re-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

canted his statement and declared the result, announcing the leading candidate as the winner. It was after the episode that security operatives emerged.”

Appraising INEC’s performance, Orebiyii said irrespective of some shortfalls, the commission performed well.

He assured that the gains recorded would be improved on, despite the fact the Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, will leave office this month.

According to him, Jega’s legacies have been institutionalised and INEC would keep improving on it.

Asked if the commission has disciplined its personnel who were found wanting during the polls, Orebiyii said a disciplinary committee was in place, adding that no compromised staff would go unpunished.

On how INEC intends to correct the mistakes of the last election, the INEC boss said there would be continuous registration and voter education.

Orebiyii noted that aside the issues with the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC), INEC also had logistical issues.

He also urged the Federal Government to inaugurate

the Electoral Offences Tribunal to enable speedy and efficient handling of electoral crimes.

An election expert, Prof Bolade Eyinla, advised the government to retain some of Jega’s men, including technical advisers.

He urged INEC to enhance the credibility of the voter register between now and the next election and ensure that the names of dead people are taken off and illegible voters are entered as they clock 18.

Eyinla also canvassed the sustenance and advancement of the gains of technology.

The don called on the media to live up to its responsibility by shunning hate speeches by politicians or comments that can heat up the polity.

Speaking on the media code of election coverage and other legal/professional frameworks, Dr. Armstrong Idachaba of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) denied claims that the commission only wrote some media houses that aired unethical messages after President Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner.

He noted that the NBC lacks power to exercise editorial control of broadcast stations.

One injured in building collapse From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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WOMAN, simply identified as Serifat, was injured yesterday when a building collapsed on Ajanla Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Serifat was said to be standing beside the building when it collapsed. It was gathered that the building was distressed and had been giving signs.

Neighbours initially raised the alarm that some people were trapped inside the building, which prompted announcements on a radio station.

An eyewitness said some bricklayers were working on the collapsed part of the building only to leave when they noticed that the ‘local’ warning signs.

People were seen searching for their valuables from the rubble.

APC seeks joint access to electoral materials

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S the pre-trial for the National Assembly election tribunal began yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in Oyo Central Senatorial Election, Sen Monsurat Sunmonu, have filed an application seeking joint access to election materials.

Accord and its candidate, Chief Bisi Ilaka, are challenging the election.

APC sought an order of the tribunal to allow the inspection and obtain Certified True Copy (CTC) of all documents used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Senator Sunmonu, through her counsel, Tola Oshuobi, asked the tribunal

These are very sensitive election materials which will be used in the course of trial and we think it will be fair for both parties to be present there From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

to grant them joint access to the electoral materials used

by INEC during the National Assembly election.

“We have also filed an application challenging the pretrial proceedings. We have filed an application challenging the competence of the hearing itself and our submission is that the hearing is entirely

defective and the matter should be dismissed and should not proceed to trial. Our application for joint inspection will be heard today.

According to him, “our position is that any inspection should be carried out by both parties instead of one party going to INEC office alone.

“These are very sensitive election materials which will be used in the course of trial and we think it will be fair for both parties to be present there. So we shall know our fate today and date to hear our other applications too will also be decided tomorrow The three-man panel-Justice J.G Abundaga, Justice G.C Nnamani and Justice A.H Suleiman- unanimously agreed to hear their applications today.

LAUTECH student collapses, dies

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STUDENT of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, died yesterday.

Fatai Kolawole Morenikeji, a 400-Level student of Chemical Engineering, was playing football with his friends, when he collapsed.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adeniyi Gbade-

gesin, who addressed the students in front of the Senate Building, declared three days mourning.

He inaugurated a panel to investigate the incident. The panel has 72 hours to submit its report.

The Director of Medical Services, Dr. Caleb Adegbosin, confirmed that although the deceased was dead on arrival.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Row over Ikorodu monarch’s selection deepens

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been asked not to present staff of office to the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi.

Some aggrieved aspirants are claiming that Shotobi’s selection did not follow due process.

In a June 3 letter to Ambode, Prince Tajudeen Odofin and Chief Joseph Aluko said Shotobi should revert to the Odofinship chieftaincy title he was holding before his purported selection.

The petition was copied to the Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs; Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo; Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro; Oba of Igbogbo, Johnson Fatola Adeboruwa; Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya; Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Executive Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government; Secretary, Chieftaincy Committee of Ikorodu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry

2007.

The petitioners claimed that as Odofin, “Shotobi witnessed the burial rites of the late Ayangburen”, adding: “This is a sacrilege.“As the Odofin, he has performed the traditional rites of lighting the Ofufu; is he going to light another which is sacred?” they asked.

They alleged that Shotobi refused to resign as Odofin as instructed by a committee set up in November 2014 by the Council of Obas and Chiefs Ikorodu Division, be•Ambode •Shotobi fore vying for the stool.

“It is also an established fact that petitioners claimed. meeting of the Lagos Council of he was never selected from the genThe selection, said they cannot Obas and Chiefs usually held on eral Lasunwon Ruling House, stund because the Oluwo, who is the last Thursday of every month, “hence he does not have the nomihe head of Osugbo fraternity the petitioners added. nation and backing of the whole (kingmakers) had distanced himThey said: “The Council of Obas house”. self from the exercise as “he was and Chiefs Ikorodu Judicial Divi“The same Prince Shotobi Kabiru never invited nor informed by sion did not preside or ratify Adewale is one of the kingmakers other kingmakers during the selecShotobi’s selection. To the best of in which case, he did not resign his tion process”. our knowledge, the executive proposition when they were constiThe process of authorising the cess was also boycotted as we have tuted in December 2014, hence he Oba-elect was not followed as it no record to that effect”. cannot be a judge in his own case. did not pass through the monthly It will be deemed under the law that he influenced the decision of the kingmakers,” the HE National Emersaid that NNPC had shut gency Management down the flows and locked Agency (NEMA) yesthe valves to stop further supply to the fire. terday said vandals had atFarinloye said fire service tacked petroleum pipeline tion. and other emergency serat Ije-Ododo community in The ITSSP president, vices had arrived at the scene Ijegun area of Lagos. however, said there might to put out the fire which was Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the pitfalls in the implementaraging at the time of this respokesman for NEMA in tion of the project. port.

South West, disclosed this to Adeoye identified one as He said the emergency serthe News Agency of Nigelack of a good address vice officials and fire fightria (NAN) in Lagos. codes in the country to ers were able to secure acFarinloye said the incimatch the equipment with cess to the scene. dent occurred at about 11.15 personal identification.

He also said the terrain p.m. on Monday.

According to him, the was difficult to access due to He said that the suspected state government has its swampy nature.

•Farinloye vandals severed a petroleum made a policy and all Ije-Ododo line is directly pipeline, forcing the Nigethe South West. stakeholders in ICT are from Atlas Cove which suprian National Petroleum The affected pipeline was plies products to Mosinmi waiting for more clarificaCorporation (NNPC) to shut reportedly vandalised four depot in Ogun which further tion from the governor. down the facility. times in 2014. distributes to other parts of Adeoye said the next The NEMA spokesman

By Adebisi Onanuga

of Justice.

The petitioners noted that since the creation of Ikorodu, an Odofin has never been made Oba and challenged Shotobi and the kingmakers to cite a precedent.

They maintained that the process adopted by the kingmakers was alien to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

The petitioners listed 17 reasons why Shotobi cannot be Ayangburen.

They said the May 22 ruling of Justice Akintunde Savage of Ikorodu High Court did not pronounce him the new Ayangburen but only stated that “the Adegorushen branch of Lasunwon Ruling House has the right to present the names of candidates for the stool of obaship”.

The law, they argued, was not allowed to take its course as there were two suits on the Obaship of the town and Shotobi’s selection.

The cases, according to them, include the appeal served on Monday, May 25, 2015 in suit number IKD/454/GCM/2014 and a sister case of allegation of fraud against Shotobi in suit number IKD/57/

‘Involve tech experts to track traffic offenders’

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HE Information Technology System Security Professionals (ITSSP) yesterday advised the Lagos State Government (LASG) to involve stakeholders in its bid to use technology to check traffic offenders.

Its President Rogba Adeoye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that government should involve stakeholders such as ITSSP and the Nigeria Computer Society in its bid to check errant road users.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last week read the riot act to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the

Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), telling them that he wanted a situation where they would use technology to arrest offenders rather than harassing them.

Adeoye said: “For this innovative project to work, government needs to put things in place to see to its success.

“Government needs to call stakeholders like Nigeria Computer Society, the ITSSP, among others, to a round table to deliberate on the right way to go.”

Adeoye said there were various methods which could be used for traffic management such as cameras and trackers, but said that this must be matched with personal identifica-

stage would be for the adviser to the governor on transport and the state ministry of science and technology to see what was on ground and to chart the way forward.

‘Erratic power supply crippling cinema business’

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PILEPTIC power supply has been identified as the major problem affecting the growth of cinema business in the country.

The Managing Director of 5D Cinema 9ja, Mr Kayode Owolabi, who spoke at the inauguration of the five-dimensional (5D) Cinema in Surulere, Lagos, said power failure should be addressed as it imposed significant costs on cinema business.

According to him, the envisioned growth of the cinema industry and the economy cannot be achieved without improved electricity supply.

“We hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will treat the issue of power supply as one of topmost priority to enhance the growth of cinema business in the country,” he said.

Owolabi described 5D Cinema as a multi-dimensional digital technology. It is more advanced than 3D and 4D. It has technology, such as rain,

By Wale Adepoju

smoke, lathing, air bubbles and sunlight, he said.

This 5D technology, he said, is different from the conventional cinema because viewers are part of the actions.

“The 5D experience is a computer technology that makes movie as interactive as possible. The cinematic technology is a relatively new experience in Nigeria and holds great promise for the digital entertainment in the country.

“The cinema will be opened throughout the day for families, groups and lovers who love recreation and adventures. The technology is open to everyone to experience. However, certain restrictions are to be emphasised. Children below the age of four, pregnant women and hypertensive adults cannot see the movies as it is not medically advisable for them,” he said.

He said a movie under 5D

technologies usually runs between seven to 12 minutes.

“The 5D technology is perfect for families and tourists who want to enjoy the innovations in digital cinematic entertainment,” he said.

Vandals attack Ije-Ododo pipeline, NNPC shuts facility in Lagos

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AGABAN Elders Forum, a nongovernmental organisation aimed at fostering unity of purpose among supporters of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, has sought concerted support for the party for the benefit of Nigerians.

Its Chairman, Elder M. A.Ogunmayin praised all its members for the commendable role they played towards the party’s victory at the recent polls.

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Forum seeks support for APC He also stressed the need for continued support for the party’s members, especially the elders, who are sometimes forgotten after elections are won.

Ogunmaying enjoined members to be the catalysts of the change mantra which the APC stands for.

“To win an election is one thing, to fulfill the promises made to the electorate is an onerous task that needs the cooperation of the party members,” Ogunmayin

said. He urged the members to support all elected APC politicians and political appointees at all levels to make Nigeria a better place to live in.

Prominent among those present at the Forum’s Secretariat, at 7,Osobu Street, Tabontabon, Agege in Lagos, were the General Secretary, Hon. Akinyemiju Omosileoza and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Prince Lere Aborishade.

•From right: Doctor of Law AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef; Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Mufti Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i; CIO Lagos Coordinator Abdullahi Shuaib and Mallam Luqman Balogun during CIO Pre-Ramadan Lecture at Beleke Smith Memorial Mosque Hall, Surulere, Lagos... yesterday

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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CITYBEATS A Bus conductor jailed 21 years for robbery

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

BUS conductor, Sunday Olalekan, was yesterday sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by a Lagos high court sitting in Ikeja for robbery.

The court presided by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye found Olalekan guilty of robbing one Nkong Remi on February 14, 2013.

The convict, 22, was arraigned by Lagos State Government on a onecount charge of robbery.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Akin George had accused Olalekan of robbing his victim, Remi, of her handbag, phones and other valuables on February 13, 2013.

He said the robbery took place at Gani Fawehinmi Garden Ojota, in the Ikeja Judicial Division.

During trial, Remi had told the court that she was driving an ash colour 4runner Jeep on February 14, 2013 going to drop her sister at the park around 6:15am when the robbery took place.

“There was small traffic jam so we slowed down. I heard a loud shout and as I turned to my side, there was a black boy with a mark on his eye, he was accompanied by two other boys, he came to the car window and forced it down.

The other two boys jumped in”, she told court.

Remi further explained that their assailants also robbed her sister, rough handled her and fondled her breast before she could drive off.

“I returned back to Gani Fawehinmi’s park around 7am and asked the boys at the park and they told me that some boys were caught and taken to Alausa Police Station.

“When I arrived the station, they asked me if I can recognise the boys and I said yes I will recognize the one with a swollen eye. They took me in and I recognised him

. A danfo bus

By Adebisi Onanuga

(convict),”she added.

However, Olalekan, who testified in Yoruba language, had denied all the allegations.

He claimed to have gone to 7up at Ojota to wait for his boss, one Tunde, but he failed to meet him at the appointed place.

“I met one Jelili, a co-conductor with whom I work with Tunde.

After waiting for Tunde till 6pm and we did not see him, Jelili

suggested that we should go to the new garage to see if we can see another motor to work with.

“We were approaching New Garage when we saw those PSP people at Owens Park and claimed that some people has robbed a motorist not quite long.

“They stated further that we are the people that robbed them. They started beating us and later handed us over to the police. I did not rob any person or persons,” the convict stated.

Delivering her ruling, the

presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, held that the testimony of the victim, Remi, was unshaken during crossexamination.

The trial judge noted that the victim was able to identify the assailant because he was close to her and put his hand in her dress to rough handle her and fondle her breast, looking for money.

“I have carefully considered the total evidence of the prosecution.

The essential ingredient is that there must be a robbery and the

accused was one of those who took part in the robbery. However none of the stolen items were recovered.

“I have carefully studied Exhibit 1, which is the statement of the defendant. The defendant was in the company of his friend (Jelili) when he was arrested on February 14, 2013.

“In the light of what I have said, I hereby find you Sunday Olalekan guilty of the offence of robbery and sentence you to 21 years imprisonment as stated by law,” the judge said.

Anglican Church rescues trapped patients

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ELIEF yesterday came the way of six indigent mothers who were detained for a month over their inability to offset their bills after receiving treatment in a hospital at Ajangbadi, a Lagos suburb.

Their joy knew no bounds when the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, Right Reverend James Odedeji, presented a cheque of N507,000 to Ilogbo Central Hospital, Ajangbadi, as payment for their medical bills.

The beneficiary women are: Tochukwu Faith from Abia State; Joy James, Benue State; Nkwuda Ikechukwu, Olamiposi Faith, Ogechi Ndubisi, 27, from Imo State and Margaret Ikpeme, Cross River.

The women had visited traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to deliver their babies but ended up having complications before they were referred to the hospital.

The hospital, it was learnt, magnanimously attended to them un-booked and they all delivered their babies successfully through Caesarean Sections (CSs).

Rev Odedeji said he was informed of the women’s plight by the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, the Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), after reading about their plight.

He said the church was concerned about saving lives, especially those of poor people.

Besides, the church is about the spiritual, physical and spiritual wellbeing of the people.

The cleric praised the hospital for attending to the women’s welfare, adding that health care is not free as somebody has to

By Wale Adepoju

pay for it. “The cost of maintenance in Nigeria is high.

He said the church is engaging pragmatic evangelism to touch lives, adding: “What we are doing is a social responsibility aimed at putting smiles on the women’s faces. That is why I brought my wife into the picture by becoming a nurse.”

Rev Odedeji said the essence of the church was to help the needy, adding that Jesus Christ wanted every believer to be his brother’s keeper.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ said ‘when I was hungry you fed me; when I was naked you clothed me.’ But when they asked Him when they did all that, He said inasmuch as they have done it to others, they have done it to

‘

Our Lord Jesus Christ said ‘when I was hungry you fed me; when I was naked you clothed me.’ But when they asked Him when they did all that, He said inasmuch as they have done it to others, they have done it to him

’

him. We are rejoicing because the babies are alive, even though their fathers have absconded,” he said.

The hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Femi Obideyi, said they admitted and performed CS on the women without asking for

money because to the hospital, life is more precious than money.

Obideyi, who was represented Dr Eluwa Chukwudinma said they had gone to the TBAs because they could not afford the cost of treatment in the hospital.

“But, we said we are a community hospital and as such, we should be able to render such a service,” he said.

The MD said the hospital had financial challenges too, which was why it asked the women to pay the cost of surgery.

“We are, however, thankful that the church has risen to support the indigent women,” he said.

The hospital’s matron, Mrs Risikat Oguntoye, said many of the women were unconscious when they were brought in.

“Some had eclampsia, while the babies came down with birth

asphyxia and were revived with oxygen,” he said.

She said some ladies who found it tough to pay their bills were 15, adding that the hospital allowed some of them to go without full payment.

Mrs Ikpeme said: “I feel happy.

I just want to thank God that has made this day possible using the Anglican Church. I want to also thank the hospital for saving our lives in the nick of time. It has been tough, but I thank God that our freedom is here.”

Mrs Olamiposi praised the church and the hospital, explaining that it was her motherin-law who introduced her to the TBAs, adding that she almost died at the TBA facility.

She said timely intervention of the experts in the hospital saved her life.

•President, Ecologistics Integrated Services Limted, Dr Paul Abolo (second left) assisted by his vice President, Mrs Feyisayo Abolo (left) to present some books to Vice Principal (Academics) Opebi Senior Grammar School, Mrs Olufunmilola Fadare at the school premises, Ikeja, Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NEWS

•Students of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic during a protest in Bauchi...yesterday

Police arraign 98 suspected cultists in Benin From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE police yesterday arraigned 98 suspected cultists before a Special Magistrate’s Court in Benin, the state capital.

They included 12 suspected cult kingpins, who were arrested recently, following the clampdown on cultism across the state.

The Special Magistrate’s Court, it was gathered, was set up by the Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Cromwell Idahosa.

One hundred and twentynine of the suspects were arrested by a combined Police Special Squad from Delta and Anambra states and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from Abuja.

They were deployed in the state by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase between June 2 and 3.

The suspects arrested this month were said to have been arraigned earlier before the court.

This brings the number of the suspects arraigned before the special court to 227.

They are facing various charges.

Police Commissioner Samuel Adegbuyi said after this year’s general elections, especially the March 28 presidential election, there was an upsurge in crimes, including cultism, armed robbery, murder and other social vices.

He said: “All these challenges became worrisome. I had no choice than to call the IGP, who swiftly drafted more personnel from Delta State, Anambra State and Federal SARS.” The police chief said following the completion of investigations, 129 suspects were arraigned on June 2 and 3.

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PHOTO: NAN

Bread vendor raped to death in Edo

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OME gunmen have abducted and raped to death a 23-year-old girl in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The victim, identified as Joy Okoh, sold loaves of bread at the Lucky Way Junction of Ramat Park, Oregbeni Quarters.

She was reportedly abducted when she was going home.

The bread vendor was said to have been found dead

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said their father hur•Teenager stabs mother’s lover to death ceased riedly left home that evening From Osagie Otabor, Benin

inside the boot of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) at Upper Mission Extension Road in Benin.

Her abductors reportedly snatched the vehicle and later abandoned it.

Also, a teenager, whose identity could not be ascertained last night, is said to be on the run after allegedly

stabbing his mother’s lover to death.

It was learnt that the teenager was defending his mother, who was engaged in a brawl with her lover, when the boy stabbed the man to death.

The deceased, Osayande Edoigiawerie, lived with his family at Zabayor Street, where his lover also lives with her children. the children of the de-

after receiving a call from his lover.

The teenager and his mother are said to be on the run.

The house where the incident happened has been abandoned.

Police spokesman Stephen Onwuchei, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incidents.

He said the police had begun investigations into them.

Tears as Edo lays off 12,000 workers

HERE were tears yesterday at various offices of the Edo State Government which sacked 12,000 workers.

At the state’s civil service secretariat, Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) workers were barred from resuming duties.

In a statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the YES programme, under the Rapid Response Agency, had been phased out.

The statement reads: “It is hereby announced for the information of all employees

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

of Edo State Youth Employment Scheme (YES) under the Rapid Response Agency that the government has decided to phase out the scheme.

“However, arrangements are being put in place for the State Civil Service Commission to interview all affected employees with a view to employing those qualified to fill existing vacancies in the civil service.”

Those employed under the YES programme as graduates were initially paid N17,000 but the stipend was increased to N30,000.

An employee, Fred Osahon, said the YES beneficiaries were informed that their names had been deleted from the government’s payroll.

Osahon said he was surprised that Oshiomhole could sack them without prior notice.

The former YES beneficiary said many of those affected broke down in tears when they resumed duties.

The sacked YES beneficiaries, led by their President, Comrade Victor Olusegun, protested to the Government House.

They urged the government to rescind its decision.

Olusegun said: “Oshiomhole employed 15,000 youths in 2009. A lot of graduates have been employed and have been doing the civil service work. We have families and children. There are 80 per cent of us in the civil service.

“Oshiomhole has been using us for cheap labour. We have not been given sack letters. We heard about our sack on the radio; no reason was given for our sack. That is why we want the governor to look into the issue and fuse us into the civil service.”

Another sacked beneficiary, Tina Enabulele, said she was sad and annoyed over the sack.

Edo council workers protest non-payment of salaries

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HOUSANDS of Edo State chapter’s members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) protested yesterday the non-payment of their salaries.

The workers marched on the streets of Benin, the state capital, singing various solidarity songs.

Only three of the 18 local government areas are up-to-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

date in the payment of salaries.

The three local government areas are: Esan South East, Owan East and Estako East.

Other local councils are said to be owing their workers between five and nine months’ salaries.

The NULGE members,

who were dressed in black attires, caused a heavy traffic on major roads in the city.

They prayed for God’s intervention.

The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions, such as: “We are slaves in our fatherland”; “Denying us our salaries is evil” and “Our salary is our right.”

Edo NULGE President Edward Ilenikhena said the pro-

testers took to the streets after several negotiations with government officials had failed.

Edward said the union would continue the protest in the three senatorial districts.

The union leader decried the payment of salaries to teachers and non-teaching workers of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from local governments’ monthly allocations.

Bayelsa protests exclusion from sale of OML 29

AYELSA State is angry over its exclusion from the sale of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line by the Royal Dutch Shell Plc. Shell was said to have sold the oil facilities, located in Nembe Local Government Area, to Aiteo Eastern E&P Company Limited for about $1.7 billion.

But the state said its expression of interest to acquire the oil assets was turned down by the multinational company.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Wodu Kemasuode yesterday led a team of his ministry’s officials to a protest at the headquarters of the Nigeria Content Development Management Board (NCDMB).

Kemasuode told the Executive Secretary of the

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

board, Mr. Denzel Kentebe, that the interest of the state was not considered in the bidding that led to the sale.

He said: “The Bayelsa State Government submitted its bid for OML 29 but we are not happy that our bid was not considered. We feel that the board did not consider the interest of the state in the bidding. Our interest was not protected.”

The commissioner said the state suffered from the environmental problems that arose from oil exploitation, adding that it should have been considered first in the sale of the oil assets.

He demanded an immediately relocation of oil companies’ head offices to oil-producing states, including Bayelsa.

Kemasuode said the gov-

ernment was considering legal options to compel oil companies to relocate their headquarters to the state.

The commissioner said the absence of operational offices of the companies had affected the economy and the environment of the state.

He said: “What we suffer from the absence of these offices in the state cannot be enumerated, even in terms of taxation and the economy.

Once they come, Bayelsa State will be something else.

“So, we are suffering tremendously as a result of the absence of these companies.

There is absolutely no basis, not even on issue of security.

“If the place is secure enough for everyone, then it is secure enough for them to have their offices to carry out their operations. The government is doing its best

to ensure that there is security. The government will still do more.”

Kemasuode accused the board of contravening Section 71 of the Act establishing it, which requires that it carries out its business and have its headquarters within the oil producing state.

He said against the stipulations of the law, the board undertakes most of its activities in its Abuja office.

According to him, if the board carries out its programmes in the state, as the Act stipulates, it would improve the programme of the state.

Kemasuode said: “The Act simply says you can have offices only in the oil producing states. You have your headquarters here; if you want branch offices, you can build them. As a government, we are calling on the board to close that office and

carry out its businesses here.

“The Abuja office of the board is illegal. It’s contrary to the provisions of the Act, established by Section 71. These are serious legal issues and the state is quite serious about it.”

Kentebe said the board would look into the demands of the state and reschedule meetings to discuss them.

He said: “...We will look into the issues you have raised and schedule meetings to discuss them further with you. So, we can continue to have that good relationship that we have had.

“I can assure you that we are a very responsible board. We will not do anything contrary to the interest of Bayelsa, most especially to contravene the Act that set us up in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Tension in Bayelsa as INEC upturns APGA’s poll victory From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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HE Bayelsa State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday overruled its Returning Officer, Mr. Perekemor Bertola, in last weekend’s rescheduled House of Assembly election.

Bertola, a lecturer at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), reportedly declared the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Alfred Watson, winner of the election in Brass Constituency II. He was said to have declared that Watson defeated the candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 849 votes.

The lecturer announced the result at 5am on Sunday.

According to him, of the 2,805 accredited voters, the APGA candidate polled 849; the PDP candidate got 380 and APC’s candidate got 476 votes.

But the INEC, in a statement by its spokesman Timidi Wariowei, declared that the Brass election was inconclusive.

The statement said: “The suspension of the result was due to the conflicting declarations by the Returning Officer and the circumstances surrounding the declaration.

“The reports by the Returning Officer have been compiled for the attention and further directives of the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.”

The confusion in INEC was said to have heightened tension and anger among politicians, especially APGA’s supporters.

Some of the party’s supporters claimed that INEC was unduly influenced by the powers that be to deny it the deserved victory.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Bertola caused the crisis by making two declarations in one election.

“The Returning Officer first declared that the election was inconclusive.

But when angry youths, suspected to be APGA supporters accosted and beat him up, he was forced to declare the APGA candidate the winner,” the source said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

iRep attracts foreign recognitions – PAGE 17

Eyeing history from a photographer’s perspective

– PAGE 18

• Shyllon

Intel’s bridges gender gap on Internet – PAGE 47

Shyllon: The engineer who’ll build a museum SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

History will be made today as Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) founder, Yemisi Shyllon, an engineer, and the Pan Atlantic University (PAU) Governing Council, sign an agreement establishing Nigeria’s first multi-billion naira privately funded public museum, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

Shyllon to build multi-billion naira museum •Engineer donates 15-foot bronze statue to Unilag Law Faculty

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T could not have come at a better time than now when Nigeria does not have any functioning national art exhibition edifice. From today, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon will begin the funding of a multi-billion-naira museum of art that will house all genres of Nigerian art and photographs.

Shyllon, who began collecting art as an undergraduate, using savings from his scholarship, has over 6,000 pieces of African antiquities, traditional and neotraditional pieces and contemporary Nigerian art in his collection. It is the largest private collection in Nigeria comprising music, traditional dance, drama, opera, tribes, paintings, sculptures, photography, folklore, oral tradition, poetry, literature, architecture, performing arts, general arts, embroidery, documentaries and weaving.

The facility, Yemisi Shyllon Museum Pan Atlantic University, that will be on Pan Atlantic University campus in Lekki, is one of the steps taken by Shyllon to fill the lacuna in the nation’s art space.

Shyllon said the project was a selfless effort by his family to establish a one-stop reference point of all the genres of art, including photography, traditional, modern and conceptual art. He said the museum set up for promoting Nigerian art. “It will be Nigeria’s first functioning privately funded, but public exhibition space that will contain all genres of visual art and antiques from part of my collection for the benefit of our country and the world,” he said. He disclosed that other major collectors of Nigerian art will be allowed to exhibit their collections in sections within and forming part of the museum.

According to him, the agreement includes, among others, granting the museum his art collections, funding of the seed money, providing 15 years of yearly funding of the running cost of the museum and electing some of the members of the museum management. He disclosed that the University Council and himself would agree on the design of the museum architecture, which will be undertaken by an international architect.

Shyllon has been worried by what will become of his treasured collections. Even after trips to renowned museums and galleries across the globe, seeking knowledge on how to run a museum, he discovered that it required more than erecting a building to run a viable museum. “It is an expensive venture as it involves insurance of collections, preservation of works, management of operating staff and logistics among others. Given all this, I was in a quagmire on how to preserve all my collections and what will happen to my works. I did not want my sweat to go the way of other collectors,” he said.

Shyllon recalled that for many years he had been thinking of what to do with his art collections, which he started as an undergraduate. “In my working career, I kept satisfying my passion by collecting art.

But, when I started to work for myself, I decided to take art collection serious. This led to the incorporation of OYASAF in 2007. The foundation held its first two art exhibitions: History of Nigerian art and Drums and Totems in partnership with Omoba Oladele Odimayo at the National Museum, Lagos. These shows caught the attention of the United StateS Embassy in Lagos and facilitated my selection for USsponsored International Visitors Leadership Programme to 22 institutions in the US in 2009.

• Shyllon

ture and traditions.’ It took the artist Adeola Balogun, who was supported by a bronze-caster Paul Omorodion three months to complete the sculpture.

The sculpture is a maiden holding the Eben of the Oba of Benin and the horse whip of Yoruba Kings. She is also adorned with the Jigida of the Efik culture around her waist and wears the famous Fura do Nunu attire of the Hausa/Fulani culture.

The Ileke of the Yoruba culture adorns her waist. The beads on her neck and the Udu on her two feet represent the Igbo culture.

Her hairdo (Shuku) and the bracelets on her hands are of the Yoruba culture. She is of the Negro (Nigeria) identity and blindfolded in tandem with the universal representation of the symbol of justice.

Online journal of art:The OYASAF Journal of Art (TOJA)

• Symbol of Justice

PROJECTS “My question all through the trip was how viable is running a museum? When I returned I was better informed and learnt that gate taking was only 5 per cent of museum income,” he added, noting that his search on who to partner with led him to Pan Atlantic University, which has foreign partners in Spain.

On why he chooses to initiate all this project, he said: “One thing that drives me is legacy. You can make all the money in this world, but if there is no legacy you left behind, when you die, people will forget everything about you. Whatever I

want to do must be legacy inspired. These projects have no profit motive behind them but to contribute to the society in my chosen passion.”

Donation of a 15-foot bronze statue to UNILAG Similarly, on Friday a 15-foot bronze statue donated by Shyllon to Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, will be unveiled.

Considering the concept of the new statue of justice, it is to revolutionise the design concept of the universal symbol of justice.

It is expected to project the different ethnic nationalities of Nigeria and redirect the representation of the symbol of justice as a people towards ‘promoting our cul-

‘One thing that drives me is legacy. You can make all the money in this world, but if there is no legacy you left behind, when you die, people will forget everything about you. Whatever I want to do must be legacy inspired.

These projects have no profit motive behind them but to contribute to the society in my chosen passion’

The third part of Shyllon’s intervention on art this month is the establishment of an online international journal of art, The OYASAF Journal of Art, under his endowed professorial chair at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), which he has committed funds. The journal is expected to make its debut by the end of July. He said: “I decided to set up this quality of journal because of the dearth of such journals in our academic space in Nigeria. What we usually have in Nigeria are stop gap journals published merely to get promotions after which the journals are often jettisoned. This is one of the projects initiated to enhance the appreciation and development of Nigerian arts and culture and to position us in the global art space. It will also give Nigerian art stakeholders something to be proud of.

It will be edited by the Chair of the Prince Yemisi Shyllon Professorial Chair of Art and Design of UNIPORT, Prof Frank Ugiomoh. There will be three professors from the US, two from South Africa, one each from Germany and the UK and four from Nigeria. The chair of the board of trustees is a Vice Chair of the UNESCO 1970 Convention, assisted by seven professors of international repute. The journal is expected to be published thrice year ly with a maximum of six and minimum of four papers per publication.

TOJA is an online journal for critical debate on African art and will publish •Continued on Page 17

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The Midweek Magazine

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iRep attracts foreign recognitions

BRIEFS

Jegede for Testimony concert

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concert.

According to the organisers Testimony is a solo concert that traces the musical journey from Bach and contemporary compositions. It follows the legacy of two worlds and two distinct classical traditions, that of Bach and the monumental solo cello suites with the Royal Court tradition of the Kora.

Jegede is an artist invariably stepped in both of these worlds. It is a unique collaboration the Samadhi Ensemble and the visual artist, Samura Begum whose evocative cinematic imagery re-imagines these distinct traditions. Testimony is at once a personal reflection and also a cultural expression that transcends boundaries. It is a meditative journey that touches on the essence of our being, through sound and image.

Born to a Nigerian father and Irish mother, Jegede learn to balance cultures and carves out an identity from an early age. Music was his refuge. Leaving England as a child, he traveled to Africa to train with master of Kora Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, whose family has held the ancient griot tradition since the 13th century. He says, “living between worlds allowed me to form my identity, embrace my path of a nomad.”

A

FTER a successful hosting of this year’s iRep International Documentary Film Festival in March, the iRepresent Documentary Film Forum has continued to attract international recognitions as it co-hosted the Dok.Network Africa programme at the 30th anniversary edition of the Dok.Fest Munich, Germany, one of the prime documentary film festivals in Europe.

The event, held at the prestigious Museum Funf Kontinente Munich, witnessed an impressive diverse audience. The special session screened among others the film by Camilla Nielsson (Denmark) The Democrats and Rehad Desai’s compelling work Miners’ Shot Down (South Africa) as well as La Sirene De Faso Fani by Michel K. Zongo (Burkina Faso.).

It also presented a dynamic panel discussion on documentary’s political role in emerging democracies in Africa. Rens van Munster of the Danish Institute for International Studies presented a talk with very interesting perspectives on the Political dimensions of Documentary filmmaking.

Co-founder and Executive Director of IREP Femi Odugbemi was a featured speaker. He also presented Miners’ Shot Down on behalf of South African director, Rehad Desai. The film was curated and recommended to Dok.Fest 2015 by IREP and had earlier featured as part of the screened films at the iREP 2014 edition.

The idea of Africa Day had been inspired by the collaboration between DOK.Fest and iREP, which began three years ago. The collaboration has also yielded another opportunity as DOK.Fest has asked iREP to send in one of its operation staff to once again undertake a six-week internship starting in November. The cooperation between iREP and DOK.Fest had been midwifed by the Goethe Institute, Lagos, which had also been the intermediary of the relationship between iREP and the Ag-Dok – the highly influential German association of independent film producers, which in the past four years, has brought groups of German filmmakers to every edition of the yearly iREP festival.

Also, the Forum got an invitation from Cape Town, South Africa to send a representative to the ENCOUNTERS Documentary Film Festival – a highly competitive international documentary film workshop and industry gathering, for a three-week training and internship that would usher collaborative programming. IREP 2015 Festival Manager Lanre Olupona has since left for South Africa on that attachment. He will work and understudy the programming team of Encounters Festival over an intensive 3-week, with a view to learning best practices in Festival Operations and management. It will be recalled that two years ago another IREP Festival Manager Toyin Poju-Oyemade was in Munich, Germany to understudy the operations of the Dok.Fest Documentary Festival as well.

All of these exchanges have strengthened IREP’s global

Shyllon to build museum •Continued from Page 16

articles, reviews, critical discourse based on studio experiences of artists and products such as product/industrial design, architecture, sculpture, painting and printmaking, photography and installations, exhibitions, curatorial practice. The journal will provide an on-line platform for documenting the arts of Africa, and similar cultural practices around the world. It will be published annually, every four months (March, July & November) as an on line publication with a maximum of six (6) and a minimum of four (4) annual outings. It will include global features on book reviews, review of art exhibitions, scholars’ forum, review of art fairs and others.

TOJA is set to occupy the position of a vanguard online forum that provides commensurate knowledge in art practice, discourse and related engagements in Africa.

It vision includes to contribute to an appreciation of visual literacy through discourse alternatives that engage practice, history, criticism and interpretation; to encourage discourse options that privilege diverse ideological perspectives and to create an enabling medium for the free expression and exchange of ideas.

Shyllon’s philanthropic gestures know no bound. He restored a failed Ben Enwonwu’s 1952 artwork for the University of Ibadan, donated a 25-feet sculpture Towards Distinction to the University of Ibadan, contributed to the redesigning of the University of Ibadan zoo, contributed to the refurbishment of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife campus (during the tenure of Prof Rogers Makanjuola), endowed a professorial chair at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, sponsored school competition in arts, sponsored the annual creative art workshop at the University of Lagos, donated sculptures to the Freedom Park, Lagos and runs residency programmes for arts scholars among others through his foundation.

ULTI instrumentalist and composer Tunde Jegede will on Saturday mount the stage at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Center, Lagos for Testimony

CCA presents Truth and Art

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• Odugbemi

FESTIVAL network and enshrined global best practices in its operations.

In June at the prestigious Sheffield Documentary Film Festival UK, Femi Odugbemi will also be a featured speaker on the subject of Imperialism Or Inquiry – How Fair Is Foreign Filming? a major panel of the Documentary Campus Industry Conference. He will as well be meeting several global documentary filmmakers to schedule films for the 2016 IREP Festival.

In July, Odugbemi will also be attending the People2People conference to be hosted by the 2015 Durban International Film Festival in South Africa. Odugbemi is on the Advisory Board of the People2People Conference and IREP is a founding signatory to the Documentary Network Africa, DNA, an influential documentary platform featuring filmmakers from 45 Africa countries.

Meanwhile, iREP will be resuming its monthly film screening programme at the Freedom Park Lagos this week with the tribute screening of the film Uncommon Service produced by Deji Adesanya on the unusual story of patriotism and community service by Dr Yombo Awojobi, a medical doctor cum inventor, engineer, philosopher, all rolled into one. Dr. Yombo Awojobi died a few weeks ago. The film screening event was held on Sunday, June 7 at 2pm at Freedom Park, Broad Street Lagos.

ENTER for Contemporary Art, Lagos in collaboration with Muson Center and Goethe Institut presents an evening of film, music and discussion at CCA Lagos on 9, McEwen Street, Sabo Yaba Lagos. A film, Truth and Art by Sunara Begum will be screened on Thursday 11 June by 3pm.

Chika Okeke-Agalu to launch book

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OETHE Institut, Lagos will on Thursday June 18 presents Chika Agalu’s new book Postcolonial Modernism: Art and Decolonisation in Twentieth century Nigeria.

Alhaji Abdulaziz Ude will chair the book presentation while Prof El Anatsui is guest of honour. Toyin Akinosho is book reviewer.

In his new book, Okeke-Agalu who is a professor for African Art at Princeton University, USA traces the artistic, intellectual and critical networks in several Nigerian cities particularly Zaria because it was there at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology that a group of students formed the Art Society and inauguration of post-colonial modernism in Nigeria.

Okeke-Agulu explores how these young Nigerian artistes were inspired by the rhetoric and ideologies of decolonization and nationalism in the early and mid twentieth century and later by advocates of negritude and pan Africanism. They translated the experiences of decolonisation into a distinctive postcolonial modernism that has continued to inform the work of major Nigerian Artists.

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Eyeing history from a photographer’s perspective

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he cover photograph of the catalogue for this special exhibition, Eyes of History, aptly personifies the metaphor that the camera-and-photographer is the ultimate eye that sees captures and records permanent visual documentation for posterity. This monumental photograph is a very touching human angle narrative of an extraordinary moment in an event of family history. Not surprisingly, many eyes and cameras are seen in the photograph diligently documenting the same once-in-a-lifetime moment and occasion!

We see Governor Fashola caringly holding a new-born baby, the mother of the baby is ‘captured’ excitedly taking a photograph of the Governor holding her prized baby; with her cell-phone camera and, other female maternity-hospital staff are also seen taking photographs of the precious moment with their own cell-phone cameras. The many eyes present are all on this event; witnessing it. However, it is Lukman Olaonipekun (a.k.a Lukesh); magnificently playing the professional role of an experienced and creative ‘super-eye’ who has brought into sharp focus, for posterity, the entire extraordinary moment and event!

This classic photograph and, many more in the exhibition, say a lot about Lukesh the photographer. The cover photograph demonstrates that he is very alert; a crucial hallmark for good photography and also has a keen eye for composition.

When a photographer over time develops an intimate and spontaneous relationship between his camera and himself; the camera eventually becomes an extension of him, his all-seeing eye! The eye is one of the greatest wonders of nature. It never tires of seeing, it can see far and near, wide and small, it can see in any manner of weather and light; from bright sunshine to darkness, it can see colours, shapes and literarily everything. In carrying out its natural functions, it seamlessly adjusts its focus to keep objects in sharp focus!

Hence, one of the top compliments you can pay a photographer is to say that he has “an eye.” In the case of Olaonikpekun, (Lukesh) his photographs in Eyes of History and, many others of his, are clear and undisputed evidence that he has, “a very good eye.” Lukesh has an “exceptional eye,” and this is evident in his huge body of works compiled over two decades of his career as a professional photographer.

He has a panoramic eye, a discerning eye for the unusual and spectacular and, a roving inquisitive eye! This is why Lukesh’s Eyes of History brings us marvelling sights of history, culture, lifestyles and landscapes. This exhibition simultaneously documents the history of a period in his photographic career and equally serves as a trajectory of how his eye has been refined, over time, in its development.

Where does Lukesh belong in the pantheon of photography in Nigeria? He definitely belongs to the documentary genre; with a difference. Whilst he might also be classified as a Photojournalist/ Press Photographer, he is again a different type of press photographer; more like a trailblazer as a Political Photographer. He has made history and distinguished himself as the first private photographer in Nigeria to have become the full-time official and personal photographer of an elected Governor, Gover-

•One of Lukesh works

By Tam Fiofori

PHOTOGRAPHY nor Babatunde Raji Fashola [SAN] of Lagos State, for two terms [2007-2015]. Usually, it is the official photographers in the State Ministry of Information and Government House who are assigned to cover the Governor’s activities.

Eyes of History is a vivid visual story of contrast and change from both an aesthetic and psychical points of view. We get a glimpse and understanding of the process of change unfolding; with the principal characters and machinery for change at work, the challenges that have been overcome and the new challenges clamouring for future and permanent solutions.

Incidentally, many of the photographs in this Eyes of History, exhibition are also published in Lukman Olaonikpekun’s new book The Fashola Years; a testimony of Governor Fashola’s successful efforts to transform Lagos State and chart the path towards Lagos becoming a megacity during his eight-year tenure.

It opens with the driver of the change process in Lagos State, Governor Fashola, addressing his ‘engine-house;’ the Permanent Secretaries and Directors of the Civil Service in 2014. Then we see him distributing free Eko Crops Exercise Books to students in 2011.These two photographs in particular and, some others in this exhibition exemplify that Lukesh has mastered the cardinal photographic principle of knowing the moment of decision; that fractional exact moment when you take a photograph. It is about precise timing to get the action; as in Fashola’s hand gestures around the microphone as he stresses a point and, the eye contact between a grateful admiring student and Governor Fashola! The vast Agric-Yes Songhai Farm in Badagry in 2013 tells of ef-

forts to make Lagos State more self-sufficient in food production.

The next series of photographs can be categorised as reflecting the phases of change in the infrastructure and transportation sectors in Lagos State. These aerial photographs include The Old Face of Oshodi; congested and chaotic, new and improved road networks, The Okota-Itire Link Bridge, The Maryland intersection, the old reliable Third Mainland Bridge, the new cable-stayed Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge; first of its kind in West Africa and commissioned on Democracy Day, May 29, 2013, and the same LekkiIkoyi Link Bridge at sunset. A picturesque photograph of a mother with her baby strapped on her back and paddling home in her dug-out canoe precedes the new phases of transportation in Lagos State. These are a line up of Bus Rapid Transport-BRT buses launched in 2007, BRT buses driving under overhead pedestrian bridges and, then The Lagos Light Rail Project under construction.

The photographs in this Eyes of History are taken from Lukesh’s point of view from the air, land and water. In the series that can be categorised as faces of change, we have an aerial photograph of the Makoko water community on the Lagos Lagoon; reputed to be one of Africa’s oldest fishing settlements, and, an aerial close-up shot of a colourful Makoko abode on stilts surrounded by dugout canoes. As a sharp contrast we have photographs of a first-of-its-kind housing scheme in Nigeria, the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme-HOMS. There are photographs of a HOMS Estate near completion with hordes of workers who helped build the estate lurking around, and another photograph of a completed HOMS Housing Estate at Shogunro, Ogba, with children confidently playing football in the blissful environment. Aerial shots of Lagos with its skyscrapers, Bar Beach and a night scene of an Ikoyi waterfront complete this segment.

In the heart of Things Fall Apart

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n the Heart of Things Fall Apart, a threeman collection will hold at two venues in Lagos and Nsukka. The exhibition, which opened last Saturday at the Quintessence Gallery, Ikoyi will run from today to June 17 at the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The group exhibition gives a human face to the happenings in Things Fall Apart, a globally acclaimed novel by Chinua Achebe. This is not the first time that the book will inspire visual artists, but for this time it will feature drawings and watercolors accompanied by critical texts that help viewers to understand and interpret the novel better and also relive the author the late Chinua Achebe.

It will feature works by three artists and scholars Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi, George

By Ozolua Uhakheme

VISUAL ART Oboh, and Henry Mujunga who have translated the operation of this novel into visual arts. Scholars such Ben Obumselu, Chike Aniakor, Emeka Nwabueze, Peter Ezeh and George Agbo have also documented and critically examined the works.

“Since culture is the way of life of a people, we must continue to tell our stories for generations to come. The philosophy of the life of Africans is cyclical as the future is in our past and our past is in our present. This is reflective in our names and our age grade systems. Our ethnic identities reflect our aspirations and must not be wished or washed away as we must take control of

our history and continue to make the best of our heritage.

“The works in this exhibition teaches us about continuity and change in our culture.

They show the cohesion, integration, and dysfunction in our society. They also serve as a landmark unto, and a window into, Chinua Achebe’s world as he narrates his story. In these works, one must not fail to recognise the Uli movement and the use of ink drawings and water-colours to translate the images of love, war, friendship, intrigues, loneliness, unity and strength. Uli is essentially the celebration of line, spontaneity, the deftly juxtaposition of negative and positive spaces, as well as the exploration abstraction and symbolism in the pursuit of iconography and meaning,” according to Moses Ohiomokhare.

By now a viewer of this exhibition would have noticed how Lukesh has artistically used natural light, the time of day and electric light to create different moods. The stunning photograph of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge taken at sunset gives the Lagos Lagoon a golden hue while the Lagoon of the Ikoyi waterfront has a shimmering blue hue thanks to the electricity-lit buildings. Nearly all the photographs in this Eyes of History, are in colour and the few black & white photographs like The Third Mainland Bridge and Badagry Traditional Drummers have their own peculiar mood and strength.

Then there are photographs that depict the wide diversity of the culture, old and new, of Lagos State. The Eyo masquerade, the cultural face of Lagos, is prominently featured.

There is a parade of dancers at the 2014 Lagos Carnival; supposed to be over 100 years old and another group of dancers. Two Badagry drummers drumsticks in both hands are photographed dancing around their traditional big high drum; this one with a painted robed figure carved on it. A photograph of participants in a boat regatta; featuring happy boisterous canoe-women performing at the 2013 Lagos Black Heritage Festival, captures one of the many aquatic attractions that have made Lagos State a vibrant tourism destination.

The Fashola administration during its eightyear tenure undertook a massive beautification project in Lagos State which involved trees, flowers and jobs. A split-frame photograph of what the Adeniji Adele Loop looked like in 2007 and 2008 before and after its beautification respectively, a photograph of the beautified Simpson Loop in 2008 and, a photograph of the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos, in 2011, attest to the success of this Lagos State Beautification Project.

With a population in excess of 21 million and 60 per cent of Nigeria’s industries located in Lagos State, the energy requirements of the State is about 10,000-12,000MW. This is in sharp contrast to the less than 1,000MW currently available on the national grid. The Fashola administration therefore embarked on a robust programme of Independent Power Projects-IPP and power from these IPPs are used in government institutions, light the streets and public spaces. Tinubu Square lit up at night its fountains glistering is simply warm and beautiful!

Eyes of History appropriately features Governor Fashola himself in the landmark exhibition. We see the politician, the person; charismatic, approachable by the elderly, adults and the young. A man of the people and for the people, he is comfortable with members of the Lagos State catfish marketers Association, a grandmother giving him a warm hug, and a bold young girl who has broken protocol to approach him. It is touching to see him exchange high fives with a young boy whose future he has definitely helped secure!

Eyes of History is another milestone in the photographic career of Lukesh, with much more to come.

BRIEF

Art Basel opens June 18

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OMING off of a record New York auction season, dealers are gearing up for this month’s Art Basel fair (June 18 to 21). “Basel is the Mecca of art fairs,” Shireen Gandhy, owner of Mumbai gallery Chemould Prescott Road, told artnet News “Basel is not a party city like Miami,” James Koch, Executive Director at Hauser & Wirth Gallery in Zurich, told artnet News referring to Art Basel’s Florida outpost.

“But the fair turns the city into a vibrant place with great energy.”

He pointed out that in addition to the fair and the city’s museums, Basel boasts works by distinguished architects like Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, and SANAA. Koch is also formerly managing director at Basel’s Beyeler Foundation.

Featuring nearly 300 galleries from cities such as Tel Aviv, São Paulo, and Beijing, Art Basel 2015 is in its 46th year.

Typically, art dealers aim to capitalise on their artists’ recent or upcoming museum exhibitions. After chatting with some of them about what they’re bringing to the fair and why, it seems this year is no exception.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

A father’s legacy •Savannah Bank’s failure to pay family its depositor’s entitlement ruins a family

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T was a pathetic story as told by Mr. Uche Ephraim, one of the victims of the sudden closure of the Savannah Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) some years ago. In his narration of the story, Mr. Ephraim lamented the loss of his father’s savings from the earned income, which was lost to the bank’s closure by the CBN. He lamented what the Savannah Bank had done to his family and how the bank’s saga led to the sudden death of his father: “All the earning of my father was saved in Savannah Bank for the purpose of the children but all turned to a disaster just at the

‘The Federal Government should take up matters of this nature so that people who had put their life savings in commercial banks do not forfeit them through bank liquidation or sudden closure. This is not only unfair and wicked; it is akin to sentencing people to death.

It is despicable and unacceptable, to say the least’

moment we needed it most. This act brought untold hardship to my family and the shock of the bank liquidation did not spare my dad’s life as he suffered shock and finally gave up the ghost when there was no hope!”

According to Ephraim, his father, a teacher and retired school vice-principal who married late, had children but could not enjoy his role as a father when he was in active service.

He planned and saved for his family as his “will” clearly suggested. He did that for the future. All his father’s earnings and savings for his children have gone into liquidation. Yet, the CBN has not taken a stand on recovering the depositors’ money from the defunct bank but instead “what it is interested in is N65 ATM charge” which, to Ephraim, is “nonsense”.

He further cried out: “let CBN act and give me my money inherited from my dad’s “will” locked up in Savannah Bank”. He threatened to go into legal battle with the owners of the bank for the damages they have caused.

Most certainly, Mr. Ephraim is not the only victim of Savannah Bank’s liquidation even as the bank is not the only bank affected by such liquidation. While we urge other victims of the banks who, for whatever reason, did not complain as Ephraim did

in order to get the matter resolved one way or the other, to speak up and together form a pressure group to force the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to help their cause. We are familiar with the stories of how some of the banks’ executives fiddled with depositors’ funds; how some of them lived like oils sheikhs at the expense of their depositors, all because the apex bank did not do its job well.

If it had, perhaps the situation where several depositors’ funds had gone with the winds would not have arisen and the harrowing experiences prevented. Now that the banks have collapsed and the creditors have complained publicly, we want the CBN to reopen the matter with a view to settling the hapless depositors. Otherwise, the depositors should explore the legal option to get their money out. Of course we are not oblivious of the snail’s pace at which justice travels in the country. That still appears the only option left to them.

The Federal Government should take up matters of this nature so that people who had put their life savings in commercial banks do not forfeit them through bank liquidation or sudden closure. This is not only unfair and wicked; it is akin to sentencing people to death. It is despicable and unacceptable, to say the least.

Android achievers

•Nigerian teenage boys display technological genius NCE again, Nigerian youths have shown that they possess all the capabilities to make meaningful contributions to their nation and to the world at large. Two brothers, Anesi and Osine Ikhianosime, who are 15 and 13 years of age respectively, have developed a mobile web browser for use on lowend Android phones.

Writing the programming code and developing user interface themselves, they developed the browser in response to the perceived gap in the provision of services to those who use socalled feature phones, which often do not have the comprehensive ease of use familiar to owners of smart phones.

The brothers have named their invention “Crocodile Browser Lite.” It is distinguished by its speed, simplicity and ease of use, and compares favourably with better-known competitors, which often assume the ubiquity of high-speed internet.

Anesi and Osine are self-taught programmers who built upon their familiarity with computers from a very young age, as well as the accessibility to computers and the internet provided by their school. Their parents intend to ensure that they are able to maximise their potential by going abroad for further studies. A new version of the Crocodile browser is to be released soon, and the Ikhianosime brothers hope to develop applications to tackle social problems, like those in traffic and communication.

Working in a country with problems of power, connectivity and unhelpful social attitudes to technological inno-

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vation, these two boys have demonstrated the Nigerian capacity to overcome obstacles and attain substantial landmarks. Rather than re-inventing the wheel, they have enabled those who use low-end phones to benefit from the internet just like those who own more expensive devices.

It is crucial that Nigeria builds upon the capabilities of talented youths like these. More must be done to encourage the efforts of individuals like the Ikhianosime brothers, especially in the way of competitions, financial grants, overseas trips, training and equipment. Greater publicity should be given to these achievements, as opposed to the current practice of paying attention only to athletes and reality-show winners. Far too often, what happens is that the lack of such assistance forces inventors to abandon their dreams.

A strong and flexible education sector is a critical starting-point. Anesi and Osine were able to develop their abilities because they attend a school where access to internet-enabled computers is a given. The nation’s primary and secondary schools must be equipped with viable computer laboratories which will enable pupils and students to become familiar with information technology, and thus better able to put it to constructive use Nigeria also needs to develop its capacity to leverage the entrepreneurial value of such inventions. The United States is noteworthy for the way in which many of its inventors have parlayed their talent into globally-renowned businesses: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg are promi-

nent examples. There is no reason why the same cannot be done here; indeed, the more such success stories emerge, the more attractive the technology sector will be to intelligent and ambitious young Nigerians.

Nigeria has to develop support services that will enable its inventors to attain their full potential, especially mentoring, office space, seed money, and access to potential investors. If an inventor has displayed the initial vision and determination necessary to the development of a prototype, it would be asking too much to also require that such a person also create a business plan, hunt for investors and rent office space.

With its huge population of youths, Nigeria is well-placed to take full advantage of tech-savvy young citizens like the Ikhianosime brothers. All they need is the proper encouragement and institutional support to put the country firmly in the constellation of global technological superpowers.

‘It is crucial that Nigeria builds upon the capabilities of talented youths like these. More must be done to encourage the efforts of individuals like the Ikhianosime brothers, especially in the way of competitions, financial grants, overseas trips, training and equipment’

On Amnesty International report

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IK: When Amnesty International was established in July 1961 by Peter Benenson in the United Kingdom, he claimed to have been motivated by the injustice meted out to two Portuguese students. According to him,he was travelling in the London Underground on November 19,1960 when he read that two Portuguese students from Coimbra had been sentenced to seven years of imprisonment in Portugal for allegedly ‘having drunk a toast to liberty’. Till date, researchers have never traced the alleged newspaper article in question. Will I be wrong if I say that the organisation was founded on falsehood since the said article that motivated the founder has never been traced by any researcher?

The lopsided report is akin to American government’s refusal to sell sophisticated military equipment to the Nigerian military in their fight against Boko Haram sect, citing human rights abuse by our military as their main reason. Are the rights of those alleged to have been abused by our military more than the rights of the children, aged mothers, pregnant mothers and other innocent citizens that were and are constantly being killed by the Boko Haram sect? Where was Amnesty when Boko Haram slit the throats of innocent and helpless school children at Buni Yadi, Yobe state? Where was your organisation when Chibok girls were kidnapped by the same Boko Haram sect?

Where was their report when the Boko Haram sect was winning the war because there was no sophisticated military equipment to tackle them?

When America invaded sovereign countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, where were Amnesty reports? Even in Nigeria,where was their report when there were massacres in Odi, Bayelsa State and Zaki Ibiam, Benue State ?

I want Amnesty International to tell me one country whose military does not abuse human right. I equally want to see any military in the world that uses court injunctions to liberate a town that is held by terrorists.

I will be glad if Amnesty International will show me any military in the world that fights wars without civilian casualties. While watching the online commentary on how the former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, was captured, I saw how the American soldiers used torture to force the bodyguards of Saddam Hussein to show them were Saddam was hiding. Why didn’t the soldiers use court injunction to get where Saddam was hiding?

Amnesty should map out the strategies how every country’s military should carry their operations without abusing human rights because I don’t see any possibility where the military can liberate a town held by terrorists without any civilian casualty because some innocent civilians must be trapped in the town held. I still cannot envisage a time when the military will extract information from a captured terrorist, who disguised as a civilian, with a court injunction. I still wonder if any military will be gentle with civilians who are either sympathetic to terrorists or help the terrorists in escaping/carrying out their nefarious activities.

If Amnesty International is sincere, they should be thinking of how to bring justice to the children, pregnant women, the aged and children that were murdered in cold blood by this deadly Boko Haram sect. What of the helpless and poor children who are now orphans due to Boko Haram activities or the innocent Nigerians that are daily sent to their early graves by this Boko Haram sect? What Nigerians want now is any report that will help us to exterminate this deadly Boko Haram in order to save the lives of innocent Nigerians that will soon become victims of terrorism. Having achieved that, we may then start addressing any alleged human rights abuse by our military. An Igbo adage says that one does not pursue a rat when one’s house is on fire.

• Dr Paul John Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: An evil is on the loose in Ogun State.The evil is walking on all fours. It is an evil that proceeds from misrepresentation and misconception.The governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is being perceived as antiworker! The warped impression, fueled by frustrated politicians who are still smarting from their recent electoral reverses, is fast gaining currency in the state.

Interestingly, the various proworker policies unfurl by the governor since he assumed office in 2011 doesn’t support such impression. Indeed, his policies are suggestive of a worker-friendly governor. The governor, for instance, cleared over N4.2bn backlog of unpaid cooperative and pensions deductions he inherited from the last administration. He also paid about N7bn being entitlements of retirees that was left unpaid since 2009.

In fulfilment of his campaign promise to organised labour, Governor Amosun donated a new secretariat to the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress. Despite the paucity of funds and daunting financial challenges, the government delivered on its promise and commmissioned the workers sec-

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Is Amosun truly anti-worker? retariat during his second year anniversary in office.

The governor also donated new buses and saloon cars to executives of each workers associations to facilitate their operations.

Besides, Ogun State remains one of the very few states where workers do not need to go on industrial action to press for the implementation of the 2011 National Minimum wage. They infact got N18, 250.

Determined to raise the well-being of its workers, the governor reintroduced the long-abandoned car and housing loans to its workforce.

The last time Ogun workers enjoyed such was in 2008. The Amosun government also built hundreds of low-cost houses for its workers at the AAK Degun workers estate.

He also beefed up the civil ser-

vice with the employment of over 10,000 workers.

Workers promotion examination which was frozen since 2008 was re-started with over 20,000 public servants already promoted.

The payment of workers salary was equally prioritised. Ogun is one the few states whose public servants are not being owed. Although skeptics might dismiss this feat with a wave of the hand, but the enormity of the commitment will be appreciated when juxtaposed with the fact that 24 out of the 36 states in Nigeria are behind in this monthly obligation to their workers.

The other 12 states include the mega-rich Lagos and the oil-producing states. The meltdown in monthly allocation coupled with the obnoxious directive of the Federal Governments that no bank

How ‘chemists’ are harming Nigerians IR: In as much as Nigerians across the divide have given NAFDAC a pass mark in the fight against counterfeit and fake drugs in Nigeria, little or nothing have been done by the agency as regard ridding the drug market of expired drugs. The expiration date of pharmaceuticals specifies the date the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of the drug. It is a fact that most drugs get expired even before their expiry date. This is occasioned by poor storage facilities, poor transportation, weather and climatic conditions and environmental factors.

It is important to keep in mind that the expiry date of a particular drug was determined through testing of previously unopened-products, stored in its original container and under a standard weather and climate condition of temperature. Once you open a bottle, or transfer it to another

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container (like a prescription vial), the manufacturer’s expiry date is no longer reliable.

Considering the harmful and toxic effects in the usage of expired drugs, NAFDAC should beam its search light on the activities of the local drug shops popularly called ‘chemists’ who handle and store drugs in ways that compromise the efficacy and potency of such medicines, making them dangerous for use even before the expiry date.

Pharmaceutics are meant to be kept and stored under a certain range of temperature and climatic conditions which are not always adhered strictly to by the chemists. Even though the expiry date inscribed by the manufacturer of these medicines states otherwise, one may not be wrong to conclude that about 80 percent of drugs in the local drug shops are already expired and dangerous to health.

Because of their spread and near-

ness to the people, most Nigerians patronize the ‘chemists’. Another factor is that their drugs are cheaper than the ones of the very big and sophisticated pharmaceutical stores; this makes them a destination of choice for low income earners and the notso-rich.

Hence, the need for NAFDAC to do more at safeguarding the health of the nation by constantly sending out their task force to flush out, sanction and close down any ‘chemist’ which fail to adhere strictly to standard in the storage of drugs, because the health and well-being of poor Nigerians are equally as important as that of the rich. The relevant department in NAFDAC should be adequately empowered by law to prevent poor Nigerians from consuming poison as drugs.

• Hussain Obaro, Ilorin, Kwara State

should advance any facility beyond N10m to any state in a month, conspired to ensure that 24 states couldn’t meet this ‘basic’ responsibility.

The state government also re-introduced training and capacity development among the rank and file of the workers and teachers. Over 30, 000 public servants have since

benefited from this capacity development effort while plan is equally afoot to send some civil servants abroad for training.

How then can anyone dub senator Amosun an anti-worker governor? Such description could only exist in the imagination of a sadist.

But for the financial meltdown that became crushing in July 2014, the government has been meeting all it’s obligations, including remittance of deductions. A governor that joyfully paid N4.2bn that he inheritted and has been meeting his obligations will surely not blink an eyelid to remit cooperative deductions.

• Olusola Balogun, Olomore, Abeokuta

Punish treacherous National Assembly members

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IR: The purported elections elected of both Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives is a clear transgression of both the tenets of democracy and party politics. The APC must come down strongly to mete out sanctions and punishments against treacherous members that perpetrated this ugly charade at this early stage of the party’s life and history.

Party discipline must be out rightly enforced at this stage to prevent selfish speculators from derailing the dreams of the party. Outright expulsion is not out of place to send forceful messages to those that will hope to profit from the kind of treachery that produced this leadership of the National Assembly.

As a party and given the circumstances of our present politics, the APC stands no risk of being eroded by this treachery. Rather, we see the clear road to enforce discipline in the treacherous conduct of some members of the National Assembly. We see the need for the party to wield the big stick now to send a message home that treachery will not profit those who might want to cash in on similar circumstances to spite the party and cash personal benefits in the long run. It is certain that these sell outs are not

members of the APC and we feel the party must weigh in now and discipline these betrayers.

We see this development as a blessing in disguise coming at the time it came for it will enable the party to do a thorough check of its membership and sieve the grain from the chaff so as not to allow those with heavy baggage to inadvertently drag Nigerians back to the PDP cesspool they overwhelmingly voted against in March. The party must respond to this challenge and weed itself of these traitors so as to pave way for party discipline.

As it stands now, those that connived with the PDP to ridicule and embarrass the APC must be shown the way to the PDP. The party must not blink or hesitate on this for the earlier the battle is drawn, the better for Nigeria and the APC. We call for comprehensive and far reaching sanctions on these treacherous members who are PDP but hiding under APC cloaks. We also charge the APC hierarchy to improvise legal means of removing this treacherous leadership of the National Assembly and instilling discipline on members of the party. This treachery must not be allowed to stand!

• Joe Igbokwe Publicity Secretary, Lagos APC.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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COMMENTS

Our Girls; ‘whistleblowers are everywhere- or they should be’

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Tony Marinho

UR Girls are still missing since April 15, 2014. And the Boko Haram bombs did not fall silent with the change of baton at Aso Rock. This is contrary to the belief of those who

vehemently and venomously claimed that President Buhari was a kingpin behind Boko Haram’s violent agitation and that all hostility would cease once he took over control. In fact there has been an escalation with the deaths and injury of hundreds from suicide bombers and actual assaults in Borno and neighbouring states. This increases the urgency of the proposed, and purportedly resisted, move of the Military High Command to Maiduguri which must not fall.

We pray Our Girls will return safely even as we bury the dead, blown up and shot, by an unrepentant Boko Haram.

The Amnesty International Report about the armed forces is a serious accusation about human rights abuses in the war zone and it requires investigation. ‘Our Boys’ are on trial for their lives accused of a number of ‘death sentence’ crimes and some have been sentenced. These issues will create a huge crisis of confidence in the military and need to be handled seriously to prevent a breakdown of the system.

The omens for corruption continuation worldwide are bad, bad, bad. Everywhere we turn, a new scandal breaks out and is ripe for dogged press revelation, restitution of ill-gotten gains, criminal prosecution and incarceration of the perpetrators in a ‘correction facility’. We pray also for protection of all whistleblowers who should by now have an international organisation- WBA –Whistle Blowers Association.

The new Presidency is opening up the nearly decade long Haliburton scandal and more revelations on other scandals should be in the murky pipeline. Almighty FIFA faces extinction if not a cataclysmic evolutionary upheaval. Sepp Blatter has stepped down just two days after such a scandalous

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T a time attention seems to be focused on the new President, Muhammadu Buhari and what his tenure portends for the country, Amnesty International, AI, the global human rights watchdog, has raised a serious issue about the activities and conducts of the Nigerian military in the ongoing war against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-east of the country. And the damning report is already drawing the ire of the Nigerian public against the global body.

Delivering its report titled: “Stars on their shoulders, Blood on their hands: War Crimes Committed by the Nigerian Military” at a press conference held in Abuja last Wednesday, AI said: “Since March 2011, more than 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention and more than 1,200 people were unlawfully killed since February 2012.” AI called for the investigation of certain senior officers and commanders in the Nigerian military, for allegedly participating in sanctioning or failing to prevent the deaths of more than 8,000 people in the course of the ongoing war in the North-east. The body then called on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the culture of impunity that has blighted Nigeria, and for the African Union, AU and the larger international community, to encourage and support efforts to “ensure the alleged perpetrators are brought to justice”.

AI is not alone. The United Nations, UN, has also added its own voice. In a report issued at its headquarters in Geneva last Friday, Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, the organisation’s top human rights official, asked the Nigerian president to investigate reports of

endorsement and boastful ‘election victory’ with the support of CAF and other developing countries. Were those votes ‘in return’ for financial largess from FIFA as those countries were beneficiaries of concealed, unannounced millions of FIFA dollars for ‘development of the sport’? Unfortunately this money was hardly ever seen in those countries on the sports fields of the youth, in football clinics, in equipment, coaching tours, talent hunts. Where there was a sign, the quantum has been tiny in proportion to the volume of funds being revealed as having been transferred. When FIFA pays or gives grants to Nigeria’s NFA, who knows and who gains –administrator or footballer or coach? It is always the administrators, first, second and third with footballers and coaches and facilities getting next to nothing. NFA has had a smell for as long as I can remember, reinforced by the infighting in the board. Nigeria did not even know that such huge dollar funds were available and flowing through some of the arteries of NFA. Even as we follow the money trail of Jack Warner through the bank trail led by the investigative reporters in the BBC, we must ask exactly how much has Nigeria received over the years from Sepp Blatter’s FIFA? Nigeria, being infamous for corruption, is unlikely to escape unscathed from any bribery accusations or scandals involving payments by South Africa, Qatar or even Russia.

Who is monitoring Nigeria’s ‘Other Money’, among nonoil incomes? The secret sources of the country’s revenue include the CBN’s malicious 13% interest rate on all loans, NPA’s private foreign currency fortune from shipping fees, FAAN and its near secret landing charges. The CBN is a real moneybag, NPA and FAAN take payment in dollars for sea and airport use.

Why did the electricity suddenly start working better on the June 29? Who is afraid of Buhari? The fear of Buhari is the beginning of wisdom. Already we can estimate the amount of money saved per day by not having a profligate President.

Nigeria estimates that about 50% of the budget has been lost year on year by greedy presidents allowing their equally greedy staff follow them down the greedy trail to also be greedy to cover up their own greed. In the last week, now 1460 -12days, we, Nigerians, have been saved by the Buhari

style of governance on airfares, entourage, feeding the minions. But much more has been saved by all government departments sitting up, crossing their ‘T’s and dotting their ‘I’s and stealing less and less because ‘whistleblowers are everywhere- or they should be’.

It is a pity that the yellow fever traffic wardens and police in many parts of the country including Ibadan are still taking bribes from taxis and danfos in broad daylight and at night.

Can they not see the importance of this moment in history?

Are they still clutching at the old ways even as the AntiCorruption Tsunami is gathering steam among the people?

One would have expected that the ‘Anti-Corruption Riot Act’ would have been read to everyone in uniform, or are they not a central and very public part of the new government efforts to clean up the country from the epidemic of corruption smiled on by successive evil kleptomaniacal governments?

It will be would be very stupid of APC to lose the Senate and House of Representatives leadership positions to PDP merely because the APC members could not agree among themselves, by consensus or by majority vote, after such a long a difficult and struggle since 1999. We expect much better of 2015 politics.

‘When FIFA pays or gives grants to Nigeria’s NFA, who knows and who gains –administrator or footballer or coach?

It is always the administrators, first, second and third with footballers and coaches and facilities getting next to nothing.

NFA has had a smell for as long as I can remember, reinforced by the infighting in the board’

Amnesty International’s gambit horrifying crimes by Boko Haram terrorists and alleged abuses by the Nigerian military. He cited evidence gathered by his office on atrocities committed by Boko Haram and also said that the military too, had carried out a lot of human rights violations which need to be investigated. The only difference between the AI’s report and that of the UN is that rather than narrowing its own report to cover the military alone, the UN dwelt more on the heinous crimes committed by Boko Haram and probably did a balancing act by touching on the atrocities of the military as well.

Since the AI report was made public, many prominent Nigerians and commentators on social media have taken the human rights body to the cleaners by accusing it of being one-sided and biased in its report. They have also demanded to know why, for instance, AI completely ignored the unspeakable bestiality, human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by the Boko Haram terror group itself. Based on past indictments by the global body which had become too frequent, the consensus of opinions is that AI has the habit of condemning the military, which has been trying to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria from the marauding antics of Boko Haram.

The feelings of several Nigerians were reinforced by the military, which also dismissed the accusations by AI by calling them a witch-hunt and a deliberate attempt

‘In actual fact, it is the Boko Haram leaders – Abubakar Shekau and his sponsors - who deserve to appear before the International Criminal Court at The Hague, to answer charges for human rights violation and other heinous crimes they have committed against humanity’

to tarnish the military’s image. In his reaction, Chris Olukolade, a Major General and the Director, Directorate of Information at the Defence Headquarters, condemned AI’s gruesome allegations against retired and serving senior Nigerian military personnel and the Armed Forces in general and described it as blackmail. According to him, “the action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose.” He stated that each of the allegations made in the past by the organization had been thoroughly responded to and cleared in the public domain and officially, adding that, the title of AI’s most recent report, down to the body of allegations, smacked of extreme bias, “which is disturbing, coming from an otherwise reputable organisation that is expected to be ‘just and fair’ to all.”

This column cannot but agree with Olukolade that the AI report was one-sided. In a war, two parties are involved. In this case, you have the senseless, mindless and bloodthirsty Boko Haram terrorists, on the one hand and on the other hand, you have the Nigerian military fighting on behalf of Nigeria and Nigerians to return peace and normalcy to the affected areas. In actual fact, it is the Boko Haram leaders – Abubakar Shekau and his sponsors - who deserve to appear before the International Criminal Court at The Hague, to answer charges for human rights violation and other heinous crimes they have committed against humanity. These are people whose bestiality knows no bounds. They have slaughtered quite a number of innocent people, including pregnant women, old people, school children, infants and all that.

For an upward of five gruesome years now, the country and particularly the military have been engaged in a fierce fight with these evil-minded terrorists. Operating under the guise of a pseudo-

religious belief which has been variously described by adherents of Islam as purely heresy, the group has declared a total war in the North-east of the country. In the three most affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, both social and economic lives of the people have become comatose. Also, majority of the schools and other government establishments in these states have either been burnt down or have remained under lock and key as a result of the prevailing insecurity in the areas. Killing, maiming, arson and wanton destruction of lives and property have become the order of the day.

Many of the villages and cities in the affected states have been frequently invaded by the terrorists who randomly kidnapped young, innocent girls and taken to their stronghold known as Sambissa Forest, an expanse of land almost the size of Belgium. The unlucky ones were brutally killed with gunshots to the head or had their throats sliced like rams.

Surprisingly, AI, now operating like the propaganda wing of Boko Haram, doesn’t seem to care a hoot about all these atrocities.

From a rag-tag fighting force in 2009, the terrorists have since become more sophisticated and daring, deploying weapons of large scale violence including Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and suicide bombers, among other lethal weapons. Till date, no one can rightly say anything about the fate that may have befallen the more than 230 Chibok school girls who were abducted from their school dormitories on the night of April 14, 2014. Unfortunately, AI seems unperturbed about the plight of the Chibok girls. Instead, they have focused their binoculars on the military who are doing all they can to put these marauders in check.

Mind you, this column is not trying to absolve the military of any wrongdoing or blame at all.

Dele Agekameh We are all witnesses to the unnecessary and needless brutality usually meted out to innocent Nigerians by some overzealous elements in the nation’s military even at peace time. And it cuts across the entire gamut of the uniform services. It is obvious that Nigerians are incensed because with Buhari coming to power on the crest of a modest posture and popular support, expectations are high that the new President will enthrone good governance in the country and this will surely be the starting block for many good things to come. Therefore, they see the timing of AI’s allegations against the military, as an unnecessary distraction for the new president and the military establishment.

At any rate, there is no smoke without fire. It is quite difficult to believe that Amnesty International just sat down and cooked up its report. In that case, we can only get to the root of this allegation by embarking on a painstaking investigation or public enquiry.

Before then, the military should learn to adhere strictly to the rules of engagement so as to avoid this type of mess, now and in the nearest future.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 2015

COMMENTS ‘Those who think President Buhari will perform magic within his 100 days in office should rethink because the situation on ground does not guarantee that. This is a country where everything was almost at the dead end before his arrival. The president should pray and watch his back because those who sucked the country are still very much around. The president should also not take Nigerians for granted because those who did it yesterday are nowhere to be found politically. It will be very disastrous if Buhari allows himself to be gagged by the vultures in the country. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos’ •Buhari For Segun Gbadegesin Buhari and Osinbajo have vision and mission to accomplish, let Nigerians give them time for restructuring of damages done by past government. From Gordon Chika Nnorom Nice piece, back page article of The Nation, but fighting corruption up to 774 LGAs, you indirectly said President Buhari cannot because he is not omnipresent. Bad publicity for the President.From Joe Amah Please, I’m worried about the current infighting in the APC by NASS members-elect over leadership positions. Please if you can get across to any of the party leaders, warn them that millions of Nigerians who voted for CHANGE will never pardon them for toying with the mandate freely given to them. Remind the leaders that it’ll be a tragedy if, because of selfish interest, they lose the leadership of the two houses to the opposition. They should be careful in dealing with most of those APC members-elect who only recently defected from PDP. Most of them are still loyal to PDP. Unless maturely handled, there may be surprises, but God forbid. Thank you. Anonymous Re: “Why Buhari should ignore the national conference report.” Your piece on the above made a good presentation of the matter quite alright. Yet I don’t think it is proper to reject the national conference report whole-hog simply on the assumption that its implementation would favour only a section of the country. Buhari, to the extent the constitutional power conferred on him as the president can allow, should cause the 8th National Assembly to look into the conference report holistically and then get back to him to crosscheck and assent. His Change and Transformation policy should include the revisitation of some of the projects past administration didn’t complete or do properly and making the best out of them in the interest of all Nigerians. From Emmanuel Egwu, Sir, President Buhari’s first week appears slow but your piece has unveiled its trail-blazing potency! The man is surely on his way to becoming one of the genuine fathers of this nation. He knows that power, corruption, militancy, the bad economy, etc must be frontally tackled. But negative elements such as near zero sense of our past history, lack of patriotism, eroded national unity, hopelessness, despair and laziness must be rooted out. Buhari

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VER since 1986, when we chose to ditch, as a nation, administrative control and its line of sight management, for a deregulated economy, the economy has always wobbled. Central planners, till date, remain confused as to whether to stay in the lazy comfort of the administrative setting, or go for the growth promise of deregulation.

All along, with the wobble, we have been driven by drivels from gobbledygook spewing economists, often lacking in common sense advisory, needed for critical change management.The effect of these partial and a la carte transformation programmes has been utter confusion. Schisms and disagreements within administrations have led to divergent policy directions, which have opened-up cleavages in the economy with devastating effects on domestic production.

President Muhammadu Buhari returns to the saddle into a yet undefined market economy setting. Gone are the administrative lines of control management he may have been accustomed to in the first coming, and so also are the co-administrators in whom he had faith and trust. That’s how fluxed the state of affairs are now that many do not know whether we are coming or going. The resulting hopelessness is written on the faces of citizens across the land.

Against that background, the burden of

has started well indeed!From ‘Tunde Smith, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State Re-The first week. I noticed that Mr President had swung into action by visiting countries like Chad and Niger in pursuit of solutions to the Boko Haram insurgents. The President was less bothered about ‘who would be the Senate President’. President Buhari is most likely going to live up to expectation as he does not veer into areas outside his purview.

He did not also interfere in the Ekiti saga. Were it to be some others, Governor Fayose would have gone! Pa Muhamadu Buhari really went for democracy tutoring before he became the President. Long live, Nigeria. From Lanre Oseni.

I agree completely with your piece. I believe so much in this president, whose sincerity of purpose is already exuding sweet breeze so magical and soothing. Can you feel it? I feel it every day. From Julia, Uyo. Hailing you, for your extra efforts on this affirmative and inspiring write-up, the First week. I don’t know why some Nigerians cannot wait a little bit, exercise patience, they have started complaining about Buhari,and it’s a contagious complains from his antagonists. He has not done this and that, then the question that crossed my mind was that for how many days? At least he should be given more time to settle down very well. Before any querulousness and inquisitiveness. Do they think Buhari is there for self-enrichment? What a great and grave mistake. Buhari is more contented and committed than that. Qualified intellectually.

Equally he is a man of his words, integrity, credibility, magnanimity, probity, honesty who fears Allah in his dealings, you can see, despite the notions and believes from many, that he will jail, intimidate, castigate, captivate, vilify and oppress Jonathanians. President Buhari has disappointed the fake-sooth sayers when he said “None of them should be harassed at the airport or at any points of entry and exit. From Surveyor Amidu Saheed, Ifo. For Olatunji Dare It is a done game for change of what Nigerians are looking for. Nigeria is going to have new look under the leadership of President Buhari. From Gordon Chika Nnorom As usual, a nice piece. An error, though. The PDP National Secretary is Prof Oladipo and not Olajide. Kindly keep it up sir. Anonymous Your piece: Matters miscellaneous, was both interesting and hilarious. First, you know as I do that when Yoruba Kabiyesis’ want to bless people, they don’t point their royal walking

sticks at the subject. They lay their usually lily white ‘Irukere’ (horse tail) on him or her.

Those walking sticks? Secondly, you can see how PDP is populated by the problems of Nigeria and not its solutions. Can anybody explain what a nuclear physicist is doing mounting a desk in a noisy political party office? How many of them do we have in Nigeria? That guy should be ashamed of himself! Regards. From Olu. Re-Matters miscellaneous. All is a lesson to us. The broom danglers are in power and positive changes are expected at its second year 2016 June. Mama Peace in future, will know that ‘Power should not corrupt, absolutely’.

The fuel prices had been let loose everywhere -N100-N170. Change is expected to help the masses! Citizens are difficult to predict now, in Nigeria as no political party could be a tin god henceforth. Voters remain the kings. Exgovernor Aliyu Babangida did not deserve the annoyance-misbehaviour of stone-pelters.

They are vultures perching where corpes are available. PDP will now learn that a decisive leader needs to lead. You meant to write ‘Oladipo’ instead of Olajide. My nominee is either Emir Lamido Sanusi or the Channels TV. From Lanre Oseni.

Sir, Wale Oladipo did Chemistry Education and not Physics and his sure name is Oladipo.

He was at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, OAU, Ile-Ife. Anonymous For Tunji Adegboyega Re: leading Nigeria aright: Tunji, your scintillating Sunday articles always hit my heart and portrays you as a genuine patriot.

Thank God almighty that the collective wish of Nigerians eventually metamorphosed to produce Buhari as president. This reminds me of a Yoruba adage that says “alagemo ti bi omo re, aimojo ku sii lowo” which literally translates that the people have convincingly given their mandate to Buhari; it is now left for him to make the best use of it or thwart the golden opportunity. It is now stale news to enumerate the destruction of our landscape with a ‘Tsunami’ magnitude under Jonathan.

If Buhari wishes, he can disappoint the masses by not taking immediate and drastic action to retrieve the ill-gotten wealth from PDP locusts. History will never be kind to him.

What further impetus does Buhari want when the main irritating PDP stalwarts are now the most vociferous by clamouring for a magic wand from Buhari? Is that not enough gratuitous insult on our collective senses? For

•Fayose how long will the stinking so-called PHCN continue to ‘rape’ us? What about the infectious NNPC? No wonder why an ordinary primary school leaving certificate holder at the Central Bank could amass opulent buildings, with N132million sleeping coolly in his bank account under a regime that qualified such as ordinary stealing. And what a sore situation when an elected governor sits in his bedroom to brazenly re-allocate state funds into his private pockets only to get reelected into the same office by “muguns’ (fools)? All said, what the ordinary people want now is real, I repeat, real action from our respected, urbane Mr. President. From Ch Soji Oniayiye, Ijabo Street, Igbemo-Ekiti.

So far, President Muhammadu Buhari, to me, has not faltered! He has begun by tackling insecurity headlong by visiting Chad and Niger Republic on Boko Haram. Secondly, he did not meddle in the choice of leadership of the National Assembly, showing that democracy is being nurtured. Finally, he did not interfere in the Ekiti 19 – 7 legislators’ imbroglio. All these show PMB as considerate, knowing the role Gov Fayose played during the electioneering campaign. We should know that 0.6 percent of four years is too early to judge.

From Lanre Oseni.

President Buhari should hit the ground running by keeping promises made during his campaign. Nigerians are full of expectations of taking the nation to the Promised Land despite the empty treasury he inherited. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Tunji, your piece on Buhari getting cracking seems too much in a hurry. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. All of us are anxious for a better life which has been denied us for too long. Mind you, it is easier to destroy than to build. From Olabode Majekodunmi.

Those who think President Buhari will perform magic within his 100 days in office should rethink because the situation on ground does not guarantee that. This is a country where everything was almost at the dead end before his arrival. The president should pray and watch his back because those who sucked the country are still very much around. The president should also not take Nigerians for granted because those who did it yesterday are nowhere to be found politically. It will be very disastrous if Buhari allows himself to be gagged by the vultures in the country. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

Hope is alive again

By Charles Iyore public expectation is high, and only a systematic challenge of each and everyone, to be the change that they desire, rather than a rabid rush to get a piece of the pie, will deliver hope to the hopeless, and put the nation back on the mend.

Late Professor Alan Walters, chief economic adviser to the late British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher got it so right, when he said that the problem with achieving economic growth targets, was largely due to civil servants and their political policy leaders who do not understand markets, and the considerable importance of money in their processes. A large number of classical economists, 364 of them, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer took him on, but he poured enough whisky for the Prime Minister, to stiffen her spine, and she stayed the course.

The rest like they say is history.

She privatized underperforming state assets, brought in imaginative ways of creating public assets through PPPs and PFIs, won the admiration of an equally focussed

American President, Ronald Reagan, and found a Russian leader with whom the West could do business, Mikhail Gorbachev. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her team proved that classical economics is not the issue but their application (the technology of it) as expressed in markets that work that matter. Put in her words “Men that can make things happen”.

Governance must focus, at all times, on the well-being of the individual by constantly creating opportunities for them to reach their aspirations. It must move away from extreme ideological positions of sharing without creating, or the belief that wealth created at the top will trickle-down.

The new executive and legislature must arm themselves with concepts of money and markets as veritable tools of analysis. Having acquired their tools, they should use them to drive their policy decision processes, in such a manner, that the public good is always defended against the exploitative tendencies of private interests. This is the only way to end the fits of starts and stops which has bedevilled our privatization programme and

the efforts to keep to the design plan of new cities.

If we are able to stay the course, while keeping to strict monetary targets, the markets and by extension the economy will equilibrate themselves. The levers of monetary control will begin to work again and hope will be restored. There are many underperforming and sub optimal markets in the economy.

Power markets without definition, capital markets lacking in confidence, government gilts that are tarnished, healthcare without cover, farmers exploited by buying agents, skill markets that are inappropriate, etc.

Any place, real or virtual, where goods and services are exchanged is a market. Economic deregulation, which allows private sector participation in hitherto exclusive areas of government play, does not mean the market space will not be regulated – regulated to extract value through competition, while keeping a watchful eye for anti-trust and manipulations.

• Iyore is of Dion & Associates CTA, United Kingdom.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

25 Commercial banks are not manufacturing-friendly as their interest rates are usually very high; therefore, commercial banks remain a major challenge to the sector. Even the Bank of Industry’s (BoI) framework, which pegs interest rate at nine per cent, only finances machinery acquisition; it does not cater for working capital.

BUSINESS THE NATION

-MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

BoI boosts SMEs with digital apps

By Lucas Ajanaku

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HE Bank of Industry (BoI) has released five digital applications that will enhance development among the over 2,500 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are linked to the bank’s website.

The digital solutions, which will address SMEs challenges in the digital age, is expected to also promote entrepreneurial business in the areas of funding and business exposure among SMEs. The products include SME Mobile App, SME Accounting Application (SAApp) Software, Online Loan Application Portal, Loan Application Tracking System, and SME Customer Portal.

Its Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, said the products were tailored to address new demand for digital solutions, occasioned by the increase in the number of internet users in the country, which include SME operators.

He said: “At BoI, we have repositioned our systems, processes and services to take advantage of this new digital and mobile world, in order to offer our customers the benefits of speed, mobility and convenience that came with it.”

According to him, in March this year, the lender upgraded its banking application from Equinox to a more robust version called Rubikon, in order to serve its customers better.

Its Group Head, Information and Strategy, Mr. Thomas Akphororo, said the objective of the apps is to provide members of the public, especially entrepreneurs, easy access to information on their mobile phones, about the key activities and products of the bank, as well as how to avail themselves of the bank’s services.

The mobile app gives overview of the bank and what it stands for, the category of customers the bank could assist, as well as list of the bank’s accredited business development service providers, with download features.

An official of Kinesis Consulting Limited, BoI’s partner, Mr. Philips Ikhile, who spoke on SME Accounting App, said the app would enable users keep proper accounting records of their business transactions, and generate requisite financial statements, without employing the services of an Accountant or Chartered Accountant.

Nigeria records 24 mergers, acquisitions N IGERIA recorded 24 mergers and acquisitions in 2014, driven largely by the continuing divestments by banks from non-core financial services.

Total value of the mergers and acquisitions was put at some N500 billion, according to one analyst’s estimate.

Official data on mergers and acquisitions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) obtained by The Nation indicated that three mergers and 21 acquisitions were consummated last year.

Mergers and acquisitions within the period were highlighted by major transactions such as the business combination between Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries, the acquisition of Mainstreet Bank Limited by Skye Bank Plc and acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigeria’s business by Oando Energy Resources, a subsidiary of Oando

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

Plc. The biggest transaction was the acquisition of Nigerian businesses of ConocoPhillips (COP)

by Oando in a transaction valued at $1.55 billion. In December 2012, Oando, through its subsidiary Oando Energy Resources (OER), had entered into an agreement with COP to acquire COP’s Nigerian businesses for a total cash consideration of US$1.55 billion. The payment and government signoff of the deal was concluded in 2014.

This was followed by acquisition of the entire issued shares of Mainstreet Bank Limited from Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)

by Skye Bank Plc for total consideration of N120 billion.

The report underlined the ongoing divestments by banks as major drivers for mergers and acquisitions with nearly

half of the transactions directly and indirectly related to the change in banking regulatory framework.

The Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters No 3, 2010 requires banks to fully concentrate on core banking functions. The new model requires banks to either sell all non-core banking businesses or form a holding company to hold such non-core banking businesses including activities such as insurance, asset management and capital market operations. Most banks opted to divest from non-core financial services.

Veritas Registrars Limited acquired 658.3 million ordinary shares, about 45.4 per cent equity stake, in Zenith General Insurance Limited from Zenith Bank Plc. Stacap Limited acquired 100 per cent equity stake in Union Capital Markets Limited, a subsidiary of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. Also, Greenoaks Global Holdings acquired 6.97

billion ordinary shares or 92.75 per cent equity stake in Union Assurance Company Plc from Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and its subsidiaries, including Union Homes, UBN Properties, Union Trustees and William Street Trustees.

Quad Capital Limited acquired FinBank Securities and Asset Management Limited, Oriental Capital Asset Management Limited acquired 100 per cent equity stake in FINBANK Insurance Brokers Limited, Capital Alliance Private Equity III Limited acquired 3.17 billion ordinary shares or 96.11 per cent equity stake in FIN Insurance while Capital Limited acquired 2.50 billion ordinary shares in FinBank Capital Limited.

Other transactions related to the banks’ divestments included Kaizen Partners Nigeria’s acquisition of the entire issued shares of Diamond Capital and Financial Markets Limited and Diamond Securities Limited, acquisition of 50 mil-

lion or 100 per cent equity stake of Citadel Registrars by Union Registrars Limited and acquisition of 54 per cent equity interest in Kakawa Discount by FBN Capital Limited and simultaneous redistribution of 20 per cent interest to FBN Holdings Limited.

Other acquisitions during the year included acquisition of 334.62 million ordinary shares or 94.7 per cent equity stake in Independent Securities Limited by Butterpot Capital Limited, the acquisition of 25 million ordinary shares of N10 and 29 million preference shares of N10 in SIM Capital Alliance Limited by ACA Holdings Limited from Sanlam Investments Holdings Limited, acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake by HBCL Investment Services Limited in Enterprise Bank Limited from Restructuring Company Limited and Eligible Securities Limited, and acquisition of 60 per cent equity stake in Penman Pension Limited by Mansard Insurance Plc.

LPG operators lose N6.6b to strike HE Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sub-sector of the oil industry may have lost an estimated N6.6 billion to the last oil workers’ strike.

Sources told The Nation that operators in each of the six geo- political zones lost an average of N1.1 billion during the two-week industrial action.

They said about 100 trucks of LPG are loaded daily from NAFGAS and NIPCO terminals in Apapa, Lagos and each truck costs N2.9million, which is approximately N300million for the 100 trucks.

“Lagos, where the bulk of LPG is loaded for onward distribution to consumers has recorded a loss of N4.2bilion.

This is aside the losses that were recorded in other

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• From left: Executive Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Dan Okeke receiving the Best in Extensive Compliance Category Award from Otunba Funsho Lawal, chairman, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) during the comission’s maiden awards in Abuja.

Dangote urges African leaders on job creation, Africa by Africans.

FRICAN leaders poverty reduction “Above all, there is the have been advised

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on job creation and poverty. Achieving real economic integration in Africa would require that Africans work together to ensure economic and political stability on the continent, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote said at the weekend.

He said efforts must be made to break the barriers and borders between countries to allow free flow of goods, services and people.

Alhaji Dangote spoke shortly before the Prime Minister of Ethiopia,Hailemariam

Nigeria misses out on women board membership in banks - P 26

By Chikodi Okereocha

Dessalegn inaugurated his (Dangote’s) 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) cement plant in Mugher, Ethiopia. The firm has a prospect of about 7,000 jobs.

He urged African leaders to make the environment conducive for the growth of the real sector as a sure way of creating jobs to reduce poverty in the continent.

He stressed the need for a genuine collaboration between the private sector and governments at all levels for

the much needed real sector growth, noting that there must be deliberate efforts to encourage Africans, not just foreigners alone, to invest in Africa.

“Take, for example, my company, Dangote Cement, is currently investing in 16 African countries, with plans to invest in many more over the next few years. There are a number of other successful pan-African brands today such as MTN, Shoprite and Ecobank. We need to encourage this trend to see more investments in

Online stores turnover hits N1.5b monthly - P27

need to encourage the private sector to collaborate with governments across Africa, to address the issue of infrastructure deficit, which has plagued the continent for decades,” he said.

Dangote pointed out that manufacturing, and not trading, is the best way to grow an economy.

“This event, which we are witnessing today, attests to the fact that we took the right decision when we decided to transit from trading in our home country, Nigeria, into manufacturing,

parts of the country.

Altogether, about N7 billion was lost to the strike,” the sources said.

The President, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of Nigeria (LPGAN), Dapo Adesina, confirmed the report saying the sub-sector lost several billions of naira to the strike. He said it was difficult to specify the amount of money lost to the strike by the operators because the body has not compiled losses by its members.

He said: “There is no compilation of reports in that regard. What I know is that billions of naira was lost to the strike by marketers because they are unable to get the product for sale.

Marketers of LPG, also known as cooking gas are all over the country. There are marketers that sell cooking gas at wholesale and retail levels. They rationed the product during the strike, and indication that they did not make enough sales during that period. Based on this, the sub- sector lost billions of naira to the strike. Beyond this, is the fact that scarcity is yet to abate due to distribution hitches days after the strike was called off.”

He said three LPG distribution outlets, namely NAFGAS, NIPCO and the Product and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), are approved by the Federal Government, stressing that only one out of the three outlets supplies the product because of one problem or the other.

Catching them young with financial literacy - P38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Nigeria misses out on women board membership in banks W

HEN the list of countries implementing international and local directives that more women should be given chances to serve on banks’ boards was rolled out last week, Nigeria did not make it.

This is despite that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) directive that banks give 40 per cent board positions to women.

Major findings in the report, titled: Where are the Women? Inclusive boardrooms in Africa’s top-listed companies, which measured 2013 data for 307 companies in 12 countries, showed that African countries with the highest percentage of women on boards, include Kenya (19.8 per cent), South Africa (17.4 per cent), Botswana (16.9 per cent), Zambia (16.9 per cent) and Ghana (17.7 per cent).

The greatest sectoral champions for women on boards in Africa are the financial services, basic materials and construction, as well as automotive industries.

The Special Envoy on Gender of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, said Africa has a long distance to make sure its strong economic

Stories by Collins Nweze

growth includes its most talented women at the top, according to the first-ever study of female board membership in Africa, unveiled during the World Economic Forum Africa, by the AfDB, Commissioner.

“To break the glass ceiling in Africa, we urgently need to bring women on corporate boards, which we can do by fast-tracking them through middle and senior management in the private sector,” Fraser-Moleketi, said.

“We need to think and act differently and invest markedly in women’s leadership.”

The report said Africa has a commanding lead among emerging regions with 14. 4 per cent of women represented on the boards of bluechip companies (Asia-Pacific 9.8 per cent, Latin America 5.6 per cent, the Middle East one per cent). That puts Africa third behind the developed regions of Europe (18 per cent) and the US (16.9 per cent).

The companies with the highest percentage of women on boards are East Africa Breweries of Kenya (45.5 per cent), followed by two South African firms, Impala Platinum Holdings (38.5 per cent) and Woolworths Holdings (30.8 per cent).

It said to boost women participation in boardrooms across Africa, a list of recommendations should be sent to governments, civil society, the private sector, and African stock exchanges that includes baseline research on female board membership to track progress and setbacks, mandated public reporting by listed companies of board composition and board diversity as a listing requirement, and mandates for female board membership, starting with state-owned companies.

The AfDB said it was the first multilateral bank to appoint a Special Envoy on Gender in 2013, FraserMoleketi. The board study figures into the bank’s five-year Gender

Strategy, which focuses on economic empowerment, knowledge management and capacity building, and legal status and property rights.

CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade, had insisted that the CBN has drummed it into the banks that compliance was important.

She said there was an agreement that women on board should be increased for economic growth sustainability.

She said the sector made commitment to increase the critical mass of women in decision-making process, 40 per cent of top management positions and 30 per cent of board positions occupied by women last year.

She said the CBN has taken proactive steps and actions to promote gender equality and women economic empowerment.

FCMB disburses N122m to MSMEs

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IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has disbursed additional N122 million to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs). The amount is expected to grow in the coming months.

In a statement, the bank listed some of the latest beneficiaries which include, Health Products and Farms Limited, Midows Limited in Lagos, Everlasting Hands Limited, in Kaduna State and God’s Will Technical Services Limited in Ogun State.

The bank pledged support for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N220 billion MSMEs’ Development Fund meant to provide loans at lower interest rate of nine per cent and over a maximum period of five years to MSMEs’ operators.

FCMB said its support is in line with its objective to contribute to the success of such businesses considering the key role they play in driving national economic growth

and the well-being of the people, especially in the areas of employment and poverty eradication.

According to the bank’s Group Head, Business Banking, George Ogbonnaya, the lender realises that SMEs play critical roles in the growth of the economy.

As agents of growth, it is committed to helping these businesses thrive and contribute to the country.

He added: ‘’We understand that a number of factors combine to determine the success or failure of SMEs. We will continue to support our customers operating in the SMEs segment to overcome the challenges they usually face, especially at the take-off stage. We want to be part of their success story.’’

Ogbonnaya pointed out that with statistics showing that over 17million SMEs are registered in Nigeria and contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), FCMB realises the strategic importance of this sector.

Soyinka, Adeola urge OPS on education funding

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•Outgoing President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mark Anthony Dike (right) and Registrar/Chief Executive, Mr. Adefisayo Awogbade decorating the 12th President of CITN, Dr. Olateju Abiola Somorin with the insignia of office after her election.

Online stores turnover hits N1.5b monthly O

NLINE stores, such as Konga and Jumia have achieve about $2 million turnover per week (about N1.5 billion monthly), FBN Capital, an investment and research firm, has said.

In a report on the subsector released at the weekend, the firm said one roadblock in the online retail market is data security, reduces the frequency of online purchases. It regretted that many Nigerians still prefer the traditional retail channels because of this.

It said the retail industry has become sophisticated, evolving from open-air markets to modern malls and online shops.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are now primary drivers of growth for e-commerce.

Cost reductions and improved marketing reach are two of the main advantages which electronic platforms offer. Future growth will very much depend on the evo-

lution of internet penetration. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), active internet subscription via GSM was estimated at 83.2 million in February, equivalent to a penetration of 49 per cent,” it said.

It explained that based on reports, countries with highly successful ecommerce industries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Norway have correspondingly high Internet penetration rates of 87 per cent, 81 per cent and 95 per cent.

It said recently, online retail platforms, such as Konga and Jumia have been seeking ways to incorporate SMEs into their marketplace to drive business. This, it said, has assisted in bridging the gap between consumers and access to products.

It explained that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) cashless policy encourages electronic-based transactions and has been of great benefit to online retailers, given that they rely on e-payment portals to secure order placements.

The investment and research firm said further steps by the CBN could drive financial inclusion which would increase the retailers’ customer base.

“In the medium term, we expect e-commerce’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow to a mid to high single digit percentage (from approximately one per cent based on 2013 data).

However, the FGN will need to provide stable and high-speed broadband. For now, broadband speed remains low. The communications technology minister, Omobola Johnson, recently disclosed that the national average broadband speed stood at 4.7Mbps,” it said.

OBEL Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and Managing Di rector/ Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, have called on the organised private sector to assist the government in repositioning the education sector.

They spoke at the Third Convocation of the Kwara State University, Ilorin which coincided with the presentation of awards to winners of the Business Plan Competition sponsored by Sterling Bank Plc. They noted that with the rising challenges facing governments, the growth of the sector relies mainly on private sector participation through appropriate funding and provision of content.

Soyinka, who delivered the Convocation Lecture, advised on the need for private sector to take more interest in the sector, noting that thre was the need to develop the sector as it remains the bedrock of any nation.

Adeola, who was represented at the event by Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, the Regional Business Executive, South West, expressed optimism that the foray into the sector by the bank would encourage other financial institutions to see the need to contribute their quota to the growth of the sector for the benefit of students.

His words: “The challenges in the education sector are three fold – funding, capacity building and content. These have continued to hamper the development of the sector in the country leading to the outflow of foreign exchange as many Nigerians seek better and quality

education abroad.

“This informed our decision to set up the One Education Desk to constantly seek out and execute ideas that would champion the advancement of the education sector in Nigeria through strategic partnerships, service provision for students, parents, teachers/lecturers, vendors, school administrators and the non-academic staff as well as the provision of worldclass ICT solutions and other services with the ultimate aim of reducing unemployment in Nigeria”.

He added that the desk would serve as the platform “to achieve our objective of putting in place a one-stop shop for ICT infrastructure solutions and other services needed to take education to the next level, ultimately improving the quality of graduates churned out in Nigerian institutions”.

Adeola said the sponsorship of the competition was a confirmation of “our conviction at Sterling Bank that the MSMEs remain the catalyst of economic growth of any nation especially in a developing economy like ours. It also goes a step further to attest to our commitment to the sustainable development of the education sector in Nigeria”.

While praising the university for organising the competition, he said “it will serve as a starting point for the galvanisation of practical ideas towards the industrialisation of the country”.

Adeola enjoined the winners of the award to use their prizes on their projects to create value for themselves and the society.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

27

MONEY

CBN’s interventions for economic development On assumption of duties, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, promised to link price and financial system stability with economic growth and development. One year after, key interventions projects, including the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility and N213 billion Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility, have been put in place to strengthen the business environment and economy, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

T

HE strength of every economy lies in its ability to broaden the scope of development financing activities to boost living standard of the citizens.

Therefore, when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele came on board on June 3, last year, he recognised the crucial role to be played by the Development Finance Department (DFD) in stimulating the growth of the real sector.

He was determined to reposition the developmental financing initiatives of the apex bank, to boost specific enterprise areas in agriculture, manufacturing, health, oil and gas, among others.

Emefiele promised to establish the Secured Transaction and National Collateral Registry as well as a National Credit Scoring System that would improve access to information on borrowers and assist lenders to make good credit decisions. He also promised to build financial infrastructure that serve the needs of the lower end of the market, especially those without collateral.

Real sector facility Emefiele explained that the N300 billion Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) was established to unlock the potential of the real sector to engender output, value added productivity and job creation. He said the facility would support large enterprises for start-ups and expansion of the financing needs of firms upto N500 million and a maximum of N10 billion.

“The real sector activities targeted by the facility are manufacturing, agricultural value chain and selected service sub-sectors. The facility is expected to improve access to finance by Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to fasttrack the development of the manufacturing, agricultural value chain and the services sub-sectors of the Nigerian economy; increase output, generate employment, diversify the revenue base, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis,” he said.

Also, the N213 billion Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility was aimed at settling certain outstanding debts in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The facility covers legacy gas debts and the shortfall in revenue during the Interim Rule period (IRP).

It is expected that this will guarantee the take-off of the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM).

Already, N56.68 billion disbursed to five generating companies and five distribution companies. For Emefiele, the challenges in the power sector are interconnected with the large revenue shortfalls in the industry, which needed to be fixed.

Also, the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMA&RD) established the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) in 2009, to fast-track the development of the agricultural sector, generate employment and reduce the cost of credit for agricultural production by providing credit facilities for commercial agriculture at a single digit interest rate. Already, N38.65 billion has been disbursed to 113 projects, while N24.91 billion representing 64.45 per cent of disbursements were to focal commodities.

NYSC Entrepreneurship Training held in four centres,” it said.

Also, the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) was established to provide credit guarantees on facilities extended to farmers by banks up to 75 per cent of the amount in default net of any security realised. In the period under review, there has been an increase of loan limits for unsecured lending from N20,000 to N50,000.

There has also been an increase of loan limits for secured lending to corporate bodies under the ACGS from N10 million to N50 million.

Agricultural Credit Support Scheme (ACSS) was aimed at developing the agricultural sector by providing credit facilities to farmers at single digit interest rate to enable large scale farmers exploit the untapped potentials of the sector.

Banking and Payments System In conjunction with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), e-collection element of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) took off on March 1, 2015.

Real time remittance of government receipts directly into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account (CRF) to enthrone transparency and accountability in management of government receivables. Also, promotes effective monetary policy and reduce cost of liquidity management borne by the Bank.

The MDAs under the TSA platform has increased from 340 to 543.

In continuation of the bank Verification Number (BVN) for banks customers, enrollment increased from 15,000 as at June 3, 2014 to 11.1 million as at May 25, 2015.

Exchange rate stability Emefiele assumed duties when there was a pressure on the Naira as well as a decline in the country’s foreign reserves. Forty-eight hours after, he unveiled his vision for the financial sector, aimed at pursuing a gradual reduction in key interest rates, unemployment; maintain exchange rate stability and aggressively shore up foreign exchange reserves.

Others include strengthening risk-based supervision mechanism of banks to ensure overall health and banking system stability; build sector-specific expertise in banking supervision to reflect loan concentration of the banking industry, among others.

The CBN closed the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) foreign exchange window at the bank to check further pressure on the country’s foreign exchange, avert the emergence of a multiple exchange rate regime and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

He also proposed to abolish fees associated with limits on deposits and reconsider ongoing practice in which all fees associated with limits on withdrawals accrue to banks alone.

In spite of challenges, chief of which is the fall in the global price of crude oil, Emefiele and his team at the CBN, within the past one year, have regulated the operations of Bureaux de Change (BDCs) to check rent-seeking among operators, depletion of the nation’s foreign reserves, unauthorised financial transactions, dollarising the economy, the large number of the BDCs and the unenviable position of Nigeria as the largest importer of dollars in the world.

Of the 130 BDCs sampled based on volume of purchase from banks, durings the reforms, the bank found 121 BDCs, representing 93 per cent, to be in breach of the objectives and provisions of the guidelines.

To achieve the bank’s mandate of ensuring the safety and soundness of the financial system, it conducted a Risk-Based examination

Stakeholders speak

• Emefiele

of banks with High and Above Average Composite Risk Rating in June, last year and those with Moderate and Low Composite Risk Rating in last September.

Among other examinations, the bank also carried out the foreign exchange examination of all banks in September 2014 as well as the routine examination of all discount houses and financial holding companies in October 2014. In January 2015, it carried out the risk asset examination of 24 banks as at December 31, 2014.

In the period under review, the bank commenced the implementation of the Basel II Accord aimed at promoting financial system stability by ensuring that banks are adequately capitalised and have enhanced risk management systems.

The bank within the period facilitated the refund of over N4 billion to bank customers based on the complaints resolved and directives communicated to them following the Consumer Compliance Examinations and a spot-check conducted on the banks. It also concluded full deployment of the Consumer Complaint Management System (CCMS) with the migration of all banks to the live –platform of the system.

BDCs supervision The reform of the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment concluded on 31st July, 2014, resulted in 2,501 BDCs with caution deposits and

capital base of N35 million each.

The bank issued a final licence to the National Mortgage and Re-financing Company (NMRC) to commence operation in 2015 under the Housing Fund Programme (NHFP).

The apex bank also carried out further reforms of Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) where 32 PMBs capitalised as at June 30, last year, while 10 were in the category given up last December 31. Licences of 21 PMBs, which failed to recapitalise or had remained technically insolvent were revoked on November 12, last yaer. The CBN partnered the Federal Government and Development Partners to midwife the Development Bank of Nigeria envisaged to address the paucity of low interest and long-term funding for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The CBN also established a governance structure for National Financial Inclusion Strategy and completed the geo-spatial mapping survey of all financial access points across the country. It has also engaged seven State Governments on the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and ensured the gradual reduction in percentage of financially excluded adults from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 39.5 per cent by December, 2014. “Other schemes include the Power and Airline Intervention Fund (PAIF), Capacity Building programmes through the existing Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) and the CBN/

‘The Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) was established to provide credit guarantees on facilities extended to farmers by banks up to 75 per cent of the amount in default net of any security realised. In the period under review, there has been an increase of loan limits for unsecured lending from N20,000 to N50,000.

There has also been an increase of loan limits for secured lending to corporate bodies under the ACGS from N 10 million to N 50 million’

President, Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the confidence in new leadership and the peaceful elections have helped to lift the naira.

He expects the Naira to appreciate further, adding that though the market fundamentals, including the foreign exchange reserves and price of crude oil have not changed.

He said the CBN under Emefiele has curbed fear and uncertainty in the financial market.

Gwadabe explained that the some of the steps taken by the CBN has led to dollar glut in the market, despite the tight liquidity in the money market.

Analysts also insist that portfolio inflows jumped since last month’s presidential elections, easing pressure on the naira. There is more confidence that the economy will grow as the outlook of foreign investors is very upbeat, especially after peaceful general elections.

Financial analyst, Michel Okafor, said under Emefiele’s watch, there have been improvement in corporate governance as well as risk management processes in many of the lenders. He explained that the beauty of the banking reforms, which Emefiele inherited, remains that no bank has failed, no depositor lost money with the entire process executed with minimal cost.

“Banks have moved from buying government bonds and funding blue-chip companies to focusing on the middle part of the economy, where growth happens and jobs are created. The agricultural and industrial sectors of the economy, long neglected by banks are now receiving higher rates of credit,” he said.

The CBN under Emefiele has also been able to sustain low inflation rate in a single digit. There has also been a stable financial system, macroeconomic stability by maintaining zero-tolerance for infractions in regulatory requirements on data or information reporting.

Besides, the bank and all stakeholders have become conscious of the institutional relationships and market interactions among the various sub-sectors in the financial sector.

The CBN under Emefiele has also supported women entrepreneurs, who are underrepresented in secure wage employment, through implementation of gender sensitive policies as well as making them relevant in the CBN.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Investors jostle for Vono Products as merger plan boosts valuation T

HE share price of Vono Products Plc has risen by more than 86 per cent in the past three weeks as investors scrambled for shares of the foam-manufacturing company after a report that it could be merged with Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. Vono Products' share price had maintained the lead on the price gainers' list in the last two weeks of May, playing a contrarian stock in a market characterized largely by bearish sentiments.

Vono Products' share price had appreciated by 29.79 per cent in the week ended May 22 while the average market position at the stock market was negative at -0.49 per cent. By the week ended May 29, Vono Products also recorded the highest percentage gain of 38.52 per cent as against modest market's average gain of 0.11 per cent.

While the Nigerian equity market opened last week with average day-onday decline of 0.77 per cent, Vono Products' share price rose by 4.73 per cent on Monday, the highest percentage gain by any stock, to close at N1.77, 88.3 per cent increase on its share price of 94 kobo three weeks ago. It maintained a stable price and closed last week at N1.75 per share, 86.2 per cent above its threeweek's opening price of 94 kobo.

It opened this week unchanged at N1.75 per share as investors held on to their shares in anticipation of the merger.

"Investors are going after Vono Products because of the proposed merger between the company and Vitafoam

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

Nigeria, the trend you saw early was due to early movers from investors that believed the valuation then stands in favour of Vono Products and now, it's becoming more of public knowledge and investors are holding on to see final details," Sewa Wusu, investment advisor and head of research at Sterling Capital Markets Limited, said.

The Nation had reported exclusively that Vitafoam Nigeria, which holds slight majority equity stake in Vonou Products, has launched a bid to absorb the operations of its age-long competitor as the bedding and forma-manufacturing companies seek to unlock synergies.

A regulatory document obtained by The Nation indicated that Vitafoam Nigeria, which had in August 2010 acquired majority shareholding in Vono Products, has started pre-merger processes to absorb the operations of Vono Products.

Vitafoam Nigeria was said to be in the process of filing the requisite documents for the scheme of merger with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). SEC, the apex capital market regulator, is statutorily empowered to vet mergers and acquisitions and other primary transactions.

Both Vitafoam Nigeria and Vono

Products, which are quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), had notified the management of the Exchange about the impending merger. The business combination may however lead to the delisting of Vono Products, leaving Vitafoam Nigeria as the only quoted foam-manufacturing company.

With vast assets and similar business lines, Vitafoam Nigeria is seeking to absorb Vono Products to reduce operation costs and enhance the synergies inherent in the expanded business.

Vitafoam Nigeria currently holds 47.5 per cent in Vono Product after the former had increased its majority equity stake during a rights issue in 2012.

Market analysts said investors believed underlying assets of Vono Products would lead to favourable shareexchange ratio for shareholders of Vono Products. Vono Products opened yesterday with a market capitalization of N997.66 million with 563.65 million shares at N1.77 per share. Vitafoam Ni-

geria, which has declared a bonus share of one for five shares for its shareholders, has 982.8 million shares worth N5.11 billion at opening price of N5.20 per share.

Vitafoam Nigeria had in August 2010 acquired majority shareholding in Vono Products and took over the board and management of the company. Vitafoam Nigeria then held 24.96 per cent equity stake in Vono, giving it the majority but less than outright controlling equity stake. Other significant investors in Vono then were Enterprise Bank and BGL which held 5.56 per cent and 7.37 per cent respectively.

Vono Products in 2012 launched a N840 million rights issue to strengthen its operations and pursue expansion programme as part of efforts to emplace the company on the path of sustainable profitability.

Vono offered 525 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N1.60 per share to pre-qualified shareholders on the basis of seven new shares for every four shares held as at October 31, 2011.

Vitafoam Nigeria took advantage of the

rights issue to increase its majority equity stake to 47.5 per cent.

With the rights issue, Vono Products had raised the prospects of continuing as a stand-alone subsidiary.

The company had indicated that it would use the net proceeds of the rights issue to strengthen its operations and pursue expansion programme.

Specifically, the net proceeds were to be used to upgrade the factory, buy new plants and machineries and boost its working capital among others. The additional capital was meant to reduce the company's dependence on banks for funding to finance its operations.

Both Vono Products and Vitafoam Nigeria have continued to struggle with sluggish sales and depressed margins. First quarter report for the period ended December 31, 2014 showed that Vono Products grew sales to N215.15 million in December 2014 as against N193.16 million in comparable period of 2013. The company made a profit before tax of N570,000 as against loss of N4.52 million in 2013. After taxes, net loss stood

Pharma-Deko boosts capital base with N210m

P

HARMA-Deko Plc raised N210 million from its recent rights issue, recording a major lift in its efforts to deleverage its balance sheet and upgrade its production facilities.

Post-allotment report indicated that the healthcare company recorded 77.88 per cent subscription level in its latest rights issue. Shareholders subscribed for and were allotted 116.82 million ordinary shares of 50 Kobo at N1.80 per share.

The allotted shares have been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The additional 116.82 million shares increased the outstanding paid-up shares of the company by 118 per cent from 99.52 million shares 216.34 million ordinary shares.

Pharma Deko had sought to raise new equity funds from existing shareholders through the issuance of 150 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N1.80 per share on the basis of three new ordinary shares for every two ordinary shares held as at the close of business on September 9, 2013.

The rights issue, which opened on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, was initially scheduled to close on Friday, January 30, 2015 but the parties to the rights issue secured the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to extend the offer period by two weeks to Friday, February 13, 2015.

Pharma Deko would use the net proceeds of the rights issue to refinance existing loan and deleverage its balance, undertake a major upgrade and replacement of its production facility and support its working capital.

In a supporting letter to the rights issue, chairman, Pharma-Deko Plc, Mr Folarin Williams, noted that rights issue would further support the company as a formidable brand in the pharmaceutical and beverages industry.

According to him, as part of efforts to explore growth opportunities in the industry, the company intends to leverage on effective use of the proceeds of the offer together with renewed focus of both the board and management of the company to chart a course to prof-

itability.

"The board and management of your company are confident that with your support and an improvement in our working capital, there would be adequate returns on investment in the foreseeable future.

I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the rights issue presents a unique opportunity for you to continue to enjoy the benefits of your investment in Pharma Deko Plc. I therefore invite all existing shareholders to exercise their rights in full," Williams said.

Audited report and accounts of Pharma-Deko for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed a loss before tax of N228.6 million and a net loss after tax of N121.18 million.

Turnover was N1.06 billion.

•From Left: Mr. Kobby Bentsi-Enchill, Head, Debt Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited; Mr. Yinka Sanni, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc; Mr. Bola OnadeleKoko, Managing Director, FMDQ OTC Plc and Mr. Jibril Aku, Vice Chairman, FMDQ OTC Plc, during the listing of Stanbic IBTC Bank's N15.54 billion bond on the FMDQ OTC in Lagos

Global securities regulators move to curb reliance on credit rating agencies THE International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the global body which membership regulates more than 95 per cent of the world’s securities markets, has published its final report on good practices on reducing reliance on credit rating agencies (CRAs) in asset management, as part of efforts to reduce over-reliance on external credit ratings in the asset management industry.

The report stresses the importance of asset managers having the appropriate expertise and processes in place to assess and manage the credit risk associated with their investment decisions. To help managers avoid over-reliance on external ratings, the report lists eight good practices that they may consider when resorting to external ratings.

In the report, IOSCO notes that the use of external ratings by asset managers is mainly demanddriven, as various forms of reliance on external credit ratings remain on the investor side. References to external credit ratings may derive from regulatory requirements or an investor’s own internal rules.

This may result in mechanistic reliance, which could trigger forced asset sales in the event of downgrades.

To address these concerns, IOSCO recommends that the Financial Stability Board consider potential ways to reduce possible investor overreliance on external ratings as a result of references in regulatory requirements, such as those in the Basel framework or the Solvency regime.

The good practices address national regulators, investment managers, and investors, where applicable. To identify these sound practices, IOSCO drew on the feedback received from various stakeholders, including asset managers and their representative trade bodies, institutional investors, and their associations as well as CRAs. IOSCO noted that while the CRAs remain important in the financial firmament, the role of CRAs has come under regulatory scrutiny, mainly as a result of the over-reliance of market participants, including investment managers and institutional investors, on CRA ratings in their assessments of both financial instruments and issuers in the run-up to the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

In response to concern on overreliance, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published in October 2010 its report on Principles for

Reducing Reliance on CRA Ratings.

The goal of these Principles was to end mechanistic reliance on ratings by banks, institutional investors, and other market participants.

The eight-point sound practices included that asset managers should make their own determinations as to the credit quality of a financial instrument before investing and throughout the holding period.

Also, asset managers should have the appropriate expertise and processes in place to perform credit risk assessment appropriate to the nature, scale and complexity of any investment strategy they implement and the type and proportion of debt instruments they invest in, and should refrain from investing in products and issuers when they do not have enough information to perform an appropriate credit risk assessment.

External credit ratings may form one element, among others, of the internal assessment process but it should not constitute the sole factor supporting the credit analysis.

The manager’s internal assessment process should be regularly updated and applied consistently and where external credit ratings are used, asset managers should understand the methodologies, parameters and the

basis on which the opinion of a CRA was produced, and have adequate means and expertise to identify the limitations of the methodology and assumptions used to form that opinion.

The report also highlighted that asset managers should review their disclosures describing alternative sources of credit information in addition to external credit ratings and make available to investors, as appropriate, a brief summary description of their internal credit assessment process, including how external credit ratings may be used to complement or as part of the manager’s own internal credit assessment methods.

Besides, when assessing the credit quality of their counterparties or collateral, asset managers should not rely solely on external credit ratings and consider alternative quality parameters including liquidity, valuation and correlation among others.

Also, where external credit ratings are used, a downgrade should not automatically trigger the immediate sale of the asset and should the manager or board decide to divest, the transaction is conducted within a timeframe that is in the best interests of the investors.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

PAGE 29

Ogoga stool: Another claimant joins the fray

•The protesting women

The kingship crisis rocking Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State over the vacant Ogoga throne has assumed another dimension. One of the royal families, Olokunwolu, is protesting its exclusion from the selection. The family also maintains that Ikere-Ekiti has only two ruling houses and not three as believed in some quarters. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

T

INSIDE

HE struggle over who becomes the next Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti in Ekiti State among the community’s Ruling Houses and Royal Families is becoming more interesting by the day, as the various gladiators and their camps are deploying every arsenal in their armoury to win the coveted throne.

The throne became vacant on August 22, last year following the demise of its last occupant,

Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye from the Akayejo Ruling House after reigning for 43 years; having been installed on August 22, 1971.

His daughter, Princess Ayooye Adegboye-Oyinlola, is currently holding fort as Regent pending the selection, installation and coronation of a new Ogoga which is expected to come from another Ruling House.

A section of the kingmakers had selected Samuel Adejimi Adu as the Ogoga-elect but his selection

did not go down well with the princes and princesses of the Ikere Kingdom (the Omo Owas).

Attempts to fill the vacant stool have been marred by crisis of confidence, accusations and counter-accusations among interested parties in the kingship rumble.

There seems to be no let-up in the simmering crisis as the Olokunwolu Royal Family of the Agirilala Ruling House has cried foul over the selection process,

Construction firm has ruined my life, says patient

complaining of unlawful disqualification of its candidate, Adegbola O. Afuye and the exclusion of the head of the family from the process of selection and filling of the vacant stool.

The other two Royal Families in the Agirilala Ruling House are the Fasuba Royal Family and the Agunsoye Royal Family.

In a petition to the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi, dated March 9 this year, the Olokunwolu Family

insisted that the process which produced Adu violated the extant Chieftaincy Law and the Ikere tradition.

The Family is demanding a fresh, transparent and all-inclusive selection process which will be acceptable to all and guarantee the needed peace and tranquillity which will enable the next Ogoga to have a successful reign.

Continued on pages 32-33

Oba Akiolu showers blessings on Igbo

PAGE 30

Free eye programme excites Lagos residents PAGE 34

PAGE 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT Things were looking up for Okechukwu Ugochukwu until two years ago when he went to Ikorodu to conclude a business transaction. An accident involving a commuter bus and a Chinese construction company CECCE’s vehicle left him paralysed for life.

Assistant Editor, SEUN AKIOYE recounts his story.

Construction firm has

T

HERE were many items on the schedule of Ugochukwu Okechukwu on February 20, 2013 as he boarded the Hiace commuter bus from Ikorodu en-route Ketu for an important business transaction.

There was the burial of his mother in a few days and his thriving event and food business to attend to. The N123, 000 in his possession assured him that as the major bread winner of the family, preparations for the burial would go unhindered.

About 10 minutes into his journey, fate played a cruel joke on him, one that would change his life forever. It was an incident that confined him to a hospital bed for the next two years and destroying his hopes and dreams.

“You know the Chinese compa-

•Okechukwu on hospital bed

ny CCECC was doing the Ikorodu Road. As we got to Majidun by the edge of the bridge, the crane fell on the bus. I was sitting between the driver and another passenger. One of the passengers died on the spot. I noticed that I couldn’t move my

hands or body. Blood was oozing out from my body as a deep cut was on my forehead. Then people came and pulled us out. We were first taken to Ikorodu General Hospital but we were rejected and referred to Igbobi Hospital,” Ugochukwu said.

The crane driven by Makasuwa Haruna, a staff of CCECC was working on the expressway when the sheaf of the crane suddenly came off dropping on the commuter bus and causing horrific death to a passenger and life-changing injuries to oth-

ers. The driver, Abdulkareem Gbadegbeshin and Ugochukwu lay prostrate in the mangled remains of the bus. The driver, like Ugochukwu, was paralysed from the waist down.

A CHANGED LIFE In the male spinal cord injury ward

Pain, anguish pervade Oyo communities In about two months, six commercial motorcyclists have been murdered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. They are allegedly killed by criminals who posed as customers, OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

O

F late, no fewer than six motorcycle operators popularly called okada riders have allegedly been killed by criminals who camouflage as customers. This is a recent phenomenon since the introduction of commercial motorcycle popularly known as okada as one of the means of transportation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Many people prefer boarding it to commercial buses and taxis.

Their reason for its preference is its ability to ply narrow spaces, beat traffic and fastness. Added to these reasons is the joy of cool breeze that calms the nerves, especially during hot weather.

Notwithstanding its high rate of accidents, young and old see okada business as quick source of daily income, until recently when the operators became fear struck over the killings of members by armed men who thrive on okada theft.

Dotted many roads in the city are shocking discoveries of lifeless bodies, with severed limbs or heads in some cases.

A recent case was the discovery of a headless body in cold blood at Bembo Apata and a life-

less body with severed limbs at Bakatari areas of Ibadan. The two were commercial motor cycle operators who lost their okada and precious lives to robbers who boarded the motorcycles only to snatch them from the owners after killing them.

According to Mr. Taiwo Adisa, a commercial motorcycle operator who was at the scene of the discovery of the headless body at Bembo, Apata area of Ibadan, the victim was murdered in the early morning of the fateful day by his passenger who robbed him of his motorcycle and other belongings.

The victim, identified as a mechanic, used his okada to make brisk money early in the morning before going to his workshop.

“We saw him in his pool of blood there with cuts all over his body. The head was not there but some of his friends who are also okada operators were able to identify him through the clothes he wore.

“The okada has been snatched from him and maybe in the cause of struggling with his attacker and of course, knowing that if he escapes, he could identify him, the ‘passenger’ killed him. We have

•Agaba’s father

•Agaba

•Agaba’s relations

witnessed many cases like that when the passenger would suddenly turn to a robber and made away with the okada. And if the okada operator is lucky, he escapes unhurt, but if not, he might lose both his life and the okada.

“The case involving the mechanic was very pathetic and shocking as it is unfortunate. In fact, our union has recently alerted members to be vigilant by not taking passengers to secluded places and deserted and quiet roads. We have a long list of cases of okada theft and killings.

It is so frightening now that some operators are considering leaving the business as a result of fear of their dear lives,” Adisa said.

The police as at the time of filing this report have no clue on the gruesome killings and theft.

At Apata Police Station where the case was being handled, the police said investigation into the murder was ongoing.

A police officer at the station who confided with this reporter said the body has since been deposited at the state hospital mortuary, Ring Road, Ibadan.

The murder of Job Agaba, 31, on April 20, this year at Iyana Adeaga between Ilupeju and Orile areas of Ibadan is still fresh in the minds of residents of Bakatari. His dead body was sighted in a bush by a team of searchers at 7:00 p.m. the next day.

Our correspondent learnt that four other okada operators narrowly escaped death on the same spot where Agaba was murdered. They lost their motor cycles to the rob-

bers.

Agaba, a native of Adiko in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State was described as a gentle and a loving husband who got married two months before he was mauled down by his assailants who made away with his okada.

Daniel, a younger brother to Job narrated how his deceased brother left home and never returned.

“He used to ply Apata to Omi Adio to Bakatari route. He left home early morning of April 20, this year to work with his okada which was not up to two weeks when he bought it. We were all happy that morning, his wife, I and other members of the family had a good time. By 6:00 p.m., the time he usually returns from work, he was not at home.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

31

SOUTHWEST REPORT

ruined my life, says patient

•The vehicle in which Okechukwu was travelling

at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos, Ugochukwu occupied the fourth bed adjacent to the exit door. Save for his head and torso, other parts of his body were immobile.

Unable to pass out waste on his own, a large tube had been inserted into

his side which helped him to pass both solid and liquid unwanted wastes.

His legs are bent permanently and he has to constantly lie on his side. It was a position he has maintained for over two years. His disability has extended to his hand and his fingers are

“So, his wife started feeling unsettled and by 8:00 p.m. after all attempts to get him through his phone failed, we knew something has happened to him because it is not in his character to stay out late without calling his wife. That night, we could not sleep. We were busy contacting his friends, town’s people in Ibadan and some close friends. The wife could not sleep throughout the night even though people around were consoling and assuring her that nothing bad happened to her husband.

“The next day, a search party went out looking for him. It was around 7:00 p.m. when they told us that his body was found at Adeaga area of Bakatari. We were shattered by the news and till now we cannot compose ourselves,” he said.

Since the case was reported at Apata Police Station, no arrest has been made in connection with the murder.

The robbers have been described as a threat to the communities. A traditional ruler of the community, Balogun Olomi of Omi, Chief Mukaila Adebayo admitted that some reports have been lodged about the activities of the criminals who specialise in robbing and killing innocent people in the area. He listed the killing of Agaba and other three okada theft. “ I even heard that the deceased has been taken to his home town for burial. We got other two reports at Omi Adio and one at Bakatari where these people snatched okada from their owners. We have been educating okada operators to be vigilant and report any suspicious individual immediately to the police,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Bakatari, the Olu of Bakatari, Chief Yekini Ajagbe Ayodele urged law enforcement agents to mount surveillance on the areas where the cases were reported.

On the part of the community, the traditional ruler explained that a monitoring team has been raised in addition to a vigilance group to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crime and ensure that they bring the killers of Agaba to justice.

He noted other pockets of cases of okada snatching and continued assaults on the operators.

We are not happy with the activities of these criminals; we want to sleep with our two eyes closed.

We have asked people to help keep vigil at the scene where the criminals hide to commit this crime. We want to support the police as they make effort to flush out the perpetrators and ensure that the areas are safe for our people,” the traditional ruler said.

As the people and the police collaborate to thwart the plan of the criminals, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu assured the communities that all those involved in criminal activities would not go unpunished.

closed up. For over one year, he has been unable to open them.

“I have been in pains for over two years and the fact that I am still alive is by the Grace of God. These people are just wicked, I think the plan was for me to die but I am alive. Imagine they just dumped me here at Igbobi and I am suffering,” Ugochukwu told The Nation on his hospital bed.

Before the accident, Ugochukwu has been a successful entrepreneur, a specialist in event management, supplying ushers and security and other logistics. He also ran a chicken and chips buffet restaurant at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos. Every weekend was a celebration as he made an average of N150, 000 on all his investments.

Under him were two brothers who came to Lagos through his industry and a wife who, at the time of the accident, was heavily pregnant with their second child. She was later delivered of her baby boy while her husband dangled between life and death.

His journey to Igbobi has been long and brutal. On the second day, he was taken to Bamby Specialist Hospital in Ibadan where he underwent an urgent spinal cord surgery and a wiring implant was inserted into his body.

His stay at Bamby Hospital did not last long as he was subsequently returned to Lagos and “dumped” at Amodu Adesola Memorial Hospital in Ikorodu.

“They dumped me at the hospital as if I was nobody,” he said.

His stay at Amodu Adesola Hospital lasted over one year during which his condition gradually got worse. Ugochukwu alleged that the doctor in charge of the hospital was merely interested in his fees which were still paid for by CCECC. He said the doctor, Muhammed Adesola, was not qualified to treat him and merely piled him up with pain relievers and blood tonics.

It was at this point that fate brought him in contact with Alaba Odunlami, Principal Partner at Alaba Odunlami & Co who decided to take up his case with the Chinese company.

LEGAL BATTLE Odunlami tackled the case with frenzied enthusiasm. “His condition was so bad by the time we got into the case that it was evident he would have died if nothing concrete was done immediately,” Odunlami told The Nation.

The lawyers wrote the first letter to CCECC on August 30, 2013 asking for a better specialised treatment for the victim. The letter was allegedly rebuffed, forcing the lawyers to write a reminder on September 10, 2013.

“The lawyers to the Chinese company were asking for what we want as compensation but this is not a matter of compensation until we are sure of the state of health of this guy; the level of his disability and what can be done to remedy it. The victim’s health and saving of his life was paramount. That was what we wanted them to do at that time because the victim himself believed that his situation may still be remedied at the time,” Odunlami said.

Odunlami said he •Okechukwu before bore the costs of the the accident examination at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja but the result was bad news: He is quadriplegic and wheel chair bound, he has had 100 percent disability and would never be able to walk, stand or make use of his limbs again.

Ugochukwu was brought to Igbobi Hospital on September 19, 2014 by the Insurance brokers to the Chinese company I & S, and he stayed until May this year, but the case of ne-

glect was never completely out of the picture as Odunlami claimed that the victim was abandoned by the CCECC and its agents as they refused to give him adequate help, including a request for a caregiver.

DISDAIN FOR NIGERIANS Ugochukwu is convinced that his case is especially bad because the Chinese company responsible for his predicament places little or no regards for his life as a Nigerian.

“These people did not behave as humans at all. They just dumped me and we wrote so many letters to which they replied none. When I call them too, they do not pick the calls, the insurance company won’t pick my call and when they do, they do not treat me kindly,” he Continued on pages 34-35

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•Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Kolapo Olusola, appealing for peace at Ogoga’s Palace shortly after the women protest rocked the town. At his left is the Regent of Ikere, Princess Ayooye Adegboye-Oyinlola.

•Women of Ikere during their protest round the town against the alleged plan to impose Mr. Jimi Adu as the next PHOTOS: ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA. Ogoga of Ikere.

Ogoga stool: Another claimant joins the fray The petition signed by the family’s lawyer, Mike Okere, was copied to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Yemi Owoseni; Secretary to Ikere Local Government, Wale Olanipekun and the Sao of Ikere who doubles as the Head of Kingmakers, Chief James Omotoso.

The petition reads: “After a critical assessment of episode of filling the vacant stool of the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti as carried out by kingmakers between March 3 and 4 of this year wherein a candidate emerged fraudulently, steps and procedures adopted were clearly seen to be faulty thereby making the outcome of the whole exercise unacceptable to all candidates and various families involved especially, the Olokunwolu Family.

“The followings remain our areas of disagreement: .That from the approved Chieftaincy Declaration for the Ogoga Chieftaincy, the Kingmakers erred in law by collectively, without cognisance to the provisions as stated in the White Paper, disqualified candidate(s) based on principles and guidelines not within the contemplation of the approved Chieftaincy Declaration and any other law and provision in existence. . That the Kingmakers erred by failing to present ALL candidates before the Ifa Oracle for consultation, and or, for election as provided for, especially after the primary condition of Ifa Oracle must have been fulfilled. . That the Kingmakers erred by failing to invite all heads of families of each branch of the Agirilala Ruling House to witness the process of appointment of a successor in accordance with the provision as stated in Section F, Paragraph F of the White Paper on Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission of 1982.

“From the above stated facts, it will be in the general interest of the government of Ekiti State to see that the selfish agenda and interest of the few do not take precedent and dominion over the entire wish of the people of Ikere Ekiti.

“The Kingmakers have exhibited the willful desire to be unpatriotic and partisan (an attitude least expected from those entrusted with custody of Ikere tradition) to the ex-

tent of adopting an unpopular way and manner to rewrite the traditional history of Ikere Ekiti as it pertains to the throne of Ogoga.

“We therefore, urge you sir, to use your good offices to intervene in the process to the benefit of the good people of Ikere Ekiti by calling for a fresh process which will be acceptable to all and consequently guarantee peace and tranquillity which will enable the next Ogoga to have a successful reign.”

Contrary to the position of the Omo Owas that there are three Ruling Houses in Ikere, the Olokunwolu Family also insisted that there are only two Ruling Houses based on a plethora of authorities, including a Court of Appeal judgment, the White Paper on Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission released on July 30, 1981, Extracts of Intelligence Report of 1933

by N.A.C. Weir, the then Assistant District Officer, Ikere District of Ekiti Division of Ondo Province, the Recommendations of the Chieftaincy Committee of Ekiti State Council of Obas, among others.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, delivered on Monday, September 28, 1992, with Appeal Number CA/B/276/90, the appeal filed by Gabriel Jegede representing the Agirilala Ruling House was allowed to the effect that the two Ruling Houses allowed by law to produce candidates for the throne of Ogoga are the Akayejo Ruling House and the Agirilala Ruling House.

Chief Samuel Adetifa (the Akapinsa and Head of all Princes to the Ogoga Chieftaincy and representative of Agabaola and Ogbenuote Ruling Houses to the Ogoga Chieftaincy) had dragged Jegede to an Ikere Ekiti High Court presided over by Justice R.O. Fawehinmi.

The High Court ruled in favour of Adetifa on November 3, 1988 in a suit which also had the Governor of Old Ondo State, Secretary of the then Ekiti South Local Government, Ikere, Jegede and Chief Ebenezer Giwa (representing members of Fakanbi branch of Agirilala Ruling House) as Defendants.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Ikere High Court judgment, both Jegede and Giwa proceeded to the Court of Appeal, Benin which allowed their appeal and set aside the verdict of the lower court and placed a judicial seal on the prayers of the Appellants that the two Ruling Houses eligible to field candidates for the

Ogoga royal seat are Akayejo and Agirilala.

The Appeal Court verdict still subsists as it was not subjected to legal scrutiny at the Supreme Court.

The counsel to the family at the time was Owolabi Afuye but he died before the case was concluded at the Appeal Court in Benin.

The case was continued and won by a lawyer in his chamber who is also an Ikere indigene, Isaiah Olufemi Akeju, who is currently a Justice of the Court of Appeal (JCA).

The Enrolment of Order containing verdict obtained by our reporter reads: “Upon reading the record of appeal herein and after hearing S. F .Fajobi Esq Counsel for the 5th Defendant/Appellant, O. Fagbe, Director of Civil Litigation, Ondo State Counsel for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Appellants A.O. Akanle Esq of Counsel for the Plaintiff/Respondent.

“It is ordered that the appeal be and is hereby allowed and Respondent’s action before the Lower Court is struck out, No order as to costs.”

According to the White Paper on Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission on the Ogoga Chieftaincy Declaration, it was clearly stated at Chapter 49 that: “Government accepts the Commission’s recommendations as contained at Page 19 of Volume IV of its Report.

“The approved Chieftaincy Declaration for the Ogoga Chieftaincy shall be as set out hereunder: A. Number of Ruling Houses-Two, B. Names of Ruling Houses-1. Akayejo 2. Agirilala.”

According to the Extracts of Intelligence Report of 1933 by Mr. N.A.C.Weir, on Page 112 under the sub-heading: The Appointment and Election of the Ogoga, the two branches of the royal family that take their turn to find suitable men for the post are: (1) THE AGIRILALA and (2) THE AKAYEJO. The last document on the number of the eligible ruling Houses was a Memorandum of Understanding brokered by the Office of the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and Ikere Local Government on January 22, this year.

The MoU was signed by principal members of the Agirilala Ruling House; the Kingmakers, Wale Olanipekun who is the Secretary to Ikere Local Government; Olabanji Alabi, who is the Administrative Secretary,

,

Continued from page 29

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, delivered on Monday, September 28, 1992, with Appeal Number CA/B/276/90, the appeal filed by Gabriel Jegede representing the Agirilala Ruling House was allowed to the effect that the two Ruling Houses allowed by law to produce candidates for the throne of Ogoga are the Akayejo Ruling House and the Agirilala Ruling House

,,

Chieftaincy Department, Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and Owoseni Ajayi, the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice.

The document reads in part: “This Memorandum of Understanding is made today, the 22nd of January, 2015 between the Agirilala Ruling House of Ikere Ekiti and the Government of Ekiti State on the nomination and selection of candidate to the throne of Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti.

“Whereas, there are two ruling houses in Ikere Ekiti entitled to the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti Chieftaincy stool;

“Whereas, the two Ruling Houses recognised by the Government White Paper are: AKAYEJO Ruling House and AGIRILALA Ruling House.; “Whereas, the last ruling house was Akayejo Ruling House and the next ruling House in turn to present the next Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti is the Agirilala Ruling House.; “Whereas all the stakeholders to the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti Chieftaincy Stool have agreed to install the next Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti in accordance with the Government White Paper on the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti Native Law and Custom.

“Whereas parties have agreed to register the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti Chieftaincy Declaration after the installation of a new Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti; “Annexed herewith are the particulars of the respective branches of Agirilala Ruling House of Ogoga Chieftaincy in Ikere Ekiti.”

The families in the Agirilala Ruling House were accordingly briefed on the Memorandum and were represented at the briefing by Omolayo Afuye (Olokunwolu); Ezekiel Fatuki (Fasuba) and Oluwadare Adu (Agunsoye).

Members of the Olokunwolu Family wondered how some interest groups are claiming that there are three ruling houses in Ikere when documentary evidences showed that they are two in number as the Kingmakers also signed the MoU to the effect that the two Ruling Houses eligible to field candidates for the purpose of selecting a new Ogoga are Agirilala and Akayejo.

Meanwhile, scores of angry women trooped out on Saturday in the town to protest what they called an attempt to impose a candidate, Samuel Adejimi Adu, as the new Ogoga.

The women, who chanted war songs, marched from Uro Quarters to register their grievances with one of the high chiefs of the town and a kingmaker, Chief Sapetu.

The protesters were angry that the tradition of using the Ifa Oracle to select a new king is being allegedly eroded by the kingmakers.

The protesting women are also opposed to an alleged directive of the state government that the kingmakers should conduct an election among themselves to determine the new Ogoga of Ikere.

They held up traffic for some hours and condemned an attempt by powerful interest groups who don’t belong to any of the royal families to

influence the selection process of the new Ogoga.

One of the protesting women who declined to give her name said: “We are not happy with the way they are going about filling the vacant throne of Ogoga. Can you imagine, they are turning it to an election matter?

“This is not an election process where people cast ballots; it is the Ifa Oracle that determines who becomes the Ogoga in line with the tradition of our town and not for kingmakers to be voting.

“That is the way it is done since the foundation of our community and if such an exercise is reduced to voting, there is tendency for those who are voting to favour the highest bidder and that is what we are against.

“We want our kingmakers to follow tradition and if tradition is not followed, the community may not witness peace. It is the Ifa Oracle we want and not an election by kingmakers because this is not a political office; it is a traditional royal seat.”

Some youths in the community had, on Thursday, staged their own protest over what they called attempts by some prominent indigenes of the town, in collaboration with the government to impose a new Ogoga of Ikere.

The youth disrupted economic activities at the Oja Oba (King’s Market) during their protest.

Their protest lasted till late in the day with residents gripped with panic as they moved from one place to another with some of them wielding weapons.

They also harassed motorists and commuters passing through the town from Ado-Ekiti, the state capital and Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The situation was later brought under control by the police, Ikere Division.

Governor Ayo Fayose had, on Thursday, summoned a meeting of all ruling houses and royal families at the Government House where he expressed the concern of his administration on the crisis rocking Ikere on the Ogoga Stool.

Fayose appealed to the parties in the kingship crisis to maintain peace that would guarantee a peaceful succession to the Ogoga throne.

The die is cast on the Ogoga of Ikere throne as the town is on edge and tension is reaching a boiling point.

The town needs peace for it to develop and occupy its place of pride in Ekiti State.

N Association of Muslim men in Business and Professions, The Companion is adding its voice to the widely anticipated New Nigeria debate as the country just transited to another administration.

The group for the second time is holding a National Discourse on Sunday with the theme: “2015 General Elections: Setting Agenda For the New Government”.

According to a statement by The Companion National Amir (President) Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso, the lecture will be delivered by the Director General, The Electoral Institute, Prof Abubakar Momoh.

Oyefeso said the trio of Lagos based Human Rights Activist and Constitutional Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Comrade Isaa Aremu of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will deliver the keynote addresses.

The event, which will hold inside the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, will have All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser and former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Muiz Banire; a lawyer, Mr Wahab Shittu and Comrade Abiodun Aremu as discussants.

It will be chaired by the Pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Guaranty Trust Bank plc Mr Fola Adeola.

After the lecture, Oyefeso said, a special prayer for the nation will be conducted by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Garuba Akinola

Group sets agenda for new govt

•Momoh

•Falana

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Ibrahim.

The former Federal Capital Ter-

•Adeola

ritory (FCT) Minister and incumbent Kaduna State Executive Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai discussed the theme: “Corruption and the Chal-

lenge of Good Governance” at the maiden edition of The Companion National Discourse last year at the same venue.

We’re loyal to APC govt, say Ndigbo T

O further demonstrate its readiness to work in harmony with the ruling party in Lagos State, the Igbo United Political Coalition (IUPC) in the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated patrons to help steer the affairs of the party They are the Chairman, Council of Ndi Eze in Lagos State, Gordian Orji; Samuel Udoh; Rotn. Innocent Umeh; Agha Chukwumere Eze. Others are Fred Nwajagu, Ferdinand Eze and Gordian Ogidi.

The group, with other patrons, is to ensure that the united coalition work in the interest of the party and its members. They will also, from time to time, give advice and support as well as making sure that the Igbo were included in the affairs of government in the state The leader of the group, Chief Chris Ekwilo, said it was to demonstrate team spirit with the present administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, adding that “we did that to tell everybody that Ndigbo in Lagos remain committed and loyal members of the APC in the state”.

He said: “We members of the party did our best during the election to canvas for Igbo votes hence some of Igbo electorates gave us their sympathy votes against the backdrop of accusation that Ndigbo did not vote for APC”.

He explained that majority of the Igbo reasoned with the founding members and gave their block votes to the APC, adding that where one lives is where one should preserve and protect.

“The assertion that the Igbo did not vote for APC is not true.

Again, it is not all Yorubas that voted for APC, if all the Yorubas voted for APC why we should get 830, 000 votes whereas over three million people in Lagos registered

By Ambrose Nnaji

as card carrying members of the party” “If APC has the strength of more than three million registered voters and we got 830, 000 why should you now single Igbos out that they did not vote for the party”, he expressed He said though some of the Igbos gave sympathy votes to Jonathan but for the governorship they gave the block votes they were supposed to give to APC.

According to him, the inauguration of patrons was to show unity with the newly elected government adding that the government of inclusion given to Ndigbo in the state shall be followed without any bias “They promised us government of inclusion, we are still expecting the commissionership that is given to the Igbos, under no circumstance shall we be excluded as cabinet member of the present administration, it is not acceptable”, he uttered He said: “We are humbly re-

questing for continuity in being government of inclusion by carrying Igbos along into commissionership appointment and Igbo coalition in Lagos is solidly behind the Ambode government” Samuel Udoh said the united coalition will work in the interest the APC led government. He however urged the Lagos state government to use his office to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people living in the state including the Igbos

•From left: Leader, Igbo United Political Coalition (IUPC), in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Eze Igbo, Egbe Idimu-Alimosho, Samuel Udoh and his wife at the inauguration of patrons in Lagos

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•Some of the beneficiaries of the programme

•One of the beneficiaries being attended to by doctors

Free eye checks excite Lagos residents T

HEY came out in their droves; those who had one eye challenge or the other.

They had been living in pains for years with partial sight. They were those who had cataract or partially blind. They wished the programme would be a weekly affair as they benefitted from the free eye programme organised by the Rotary Club of Palmgroove, Lagos.

The beneficiaries could not believe that their health challenges could be treated free and their sights restored. It was a reality that stood not within the prospect of belief.

For 10 days, more than 700 residents of Lagos had the benefit of enjoying free eye screening and

By Nneka Nwaneri

cataract surgeries that cost N45 million. The Rotary Club embarked on the project in partnership with Indo Eye Care Foundation; Lagos State’s Ministry of Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health and the Indian Community.

Being the first of its kind, many residents trooped out to the General Hospital, Marina, venue of the event, to get their eyes screened. Critical cases were referred for surgery.

The theme of this year’s programme was “Vision for Nigeria.”

In a chat with reporters, the team leader of the Rotary Eye Institute of India, Mr. Yogesh Naik said either old age or hereditary problems could cause cataract. He added that it could result

from environmental issues; even as he said malnutrition, deficiency of vitamins, food habits and excess consumption of alcohol are some of the causes of the ailment.

He note that each surgery costs as much as 200 dollars, but the club’s passion for the well-being of the people informed their bringing in specialists from India to carry out the programme free.

The beneficiaries, who sang, danced and jubilated, praised members of the club for their kind gesture. They went home smiling, even though their eyes were bandaged.

Over 20,000 people have benefited from the project since its inception in 2005. Last year, it didn’t hold because of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease.

The District Governor of Rotary

Oyo women embrace family planning From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

S

OME women in Oyo State have commended the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), an NGO, for providing accessible family planning services for their communi-

ties.

The women, who spoke with reporters, said the intervention had led to increase in the number of women seeking such services in their communities.

A visit to Eleyele Primary Health Centre, Ibadan a 40-year-old mother of three, Mrs Sade Babalola said she uses the long acting method of family planning due to its advantage.

She said: “I have been doing the injectables for the past 15 years but it has failed me and I am just adding weight. So, I decided to change to the implant because I am of age and don’t need another child. Before the implant, I also used the loop, but the side effect was much and I had to go for scanning because the loop usually comes out by itself. My stomach was big and I was adding weight.”

Also, Alhaja Sekinat Alabi., a mother of three, said she went for the implant after realising that she was always sick when she took injections.

Continuing, Mrs. Alabi said:”Each time I take injection, I am always sick and I bleed; I am happy we got good orientation about the implant and I decided to embrace it because it has no side effect.”

But Mrs Kehinde Salawu, 25, and a mother of two, said she needed to space her children in order to live a healthy life.

“I was a teenager when I got married. I need to further my education; that is why I preferred the implant to injectables,” she said.

The Matron of Eleyele Primary Health Centre, Mrs. Bukola Ajala, said between 15 and 25 women access the family planning services.

She said the women were given orientation and counselling on family planning methods and other health issues.

“I commend NURHI for giving women an eye opener on how to space child bearing. Women now appreciate family planning more and if we can get groups such as this that will assist; the health sector will improve greatly. Women should plan their families for sustainable healthy living.”

Ajala said more women now prefer the implant, even as she added that the centre has enough commodities and other family planning services available for women.

W

9110, Dr. Dele Balogun, commended the Rotary Club of Palmgroove for going out of their way to make people comfortable.

Dr Balogun told our correspondent that a cataract surgery per eye costs about N200, 000 in a private hospital.

To many of the Indian volunteers, it has become a passion to save lives.

The community expressed optimism that the gesture will be a yearly event.

President of the Club, Ramesh Biswal, said the project begans three months ahead of time, to enable the team to screen up to 500 patients on Saturdays for a week. They patients were screened for HIV, Hepatitis B; blood pressure and for other ailments to ensure that they are fit to undergo the operation.

“We never sent anyone back. What

we have is 100 per cent result and 100 per cent success. We perform surgeries on patients from three 90 years old. The children, who were operated upon were well prepared and groomed to be confident for the operation,” he said.

About 3,000 eye glasses were recommended and given to patients during the exercise. Those who were operated upon were thereafter referred to the nearest hospital’s ophthalmologist government where all their questions will be answered.

So far, members of the club have donated 200 pints of their blood to the Lagos State Government and Nigerian Red Cross Society. Also, 50, 000 artificial limbs and white canes were donated to those who cannot see.

Naik, who also doubles as the Secretary of the Eye Institute said yearly,

Support APC govt, woman leader urges Nigerians

OMAN leader of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaja Sola Oyedele, has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him to succeed in moving the country forward.

Speaking to reporters in her Lagos residence while hosting some of the party’s dignitaries to mark the victory of the APC at both state and national level, she said the Buhari administration would succeed if Nigerians give him unflinching support, even as she said it will enable the President to take the country to greater height.

According to her, Nigeria is lucky to have someone such as Buhari as their President, saying the APC administration at both levels will bring development to the country.

She called on Nigerians to join hands with Buhari-led administration to succeed, adding that the APC will take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

Alhaja Oyedele urged President Buhari to ensure unity, peace and harmony in the country. According to her, he should regard all Nigerians as one irrespective of their political and religious affiliations.

“He should not discriminate against any part of the country, no matter the political party, religion, or the ethnic group they come from.

This, according to her, would promote the country’s economic growth and job opportunity.

She also advised the President to ensure that federal roads across the country are rehabilitated, especially federal roads that traversed Lagos State which successive administrations abandoned.

Lagos State, she said, is one of the largest cities in Africa as well as economic capital of West African sub-region.

She also urged the President to empower women and ensure they take part in his government. According to her, women are honest and easy to control. Their motherly disposition will bring sanity to the society if they are part of decision-making process.

She also advised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to build on and consolidate former Governor Fashola’s achievements.

Women are honest and easy to control. Their motherly disposition will bring sanity to the society if they are part of decision-making process.

•Oyedele

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he takes 20 days off from duty to monitor activities and help promote care for the eye.

He also stated that the Indian Community, with the support of the Lagos State Government, has been given a piece of land close to the airport to build a world-class eye hospital for Nigerians at little or no cost.

The hospital, which he said will be comprehensive, will be ready in the next one-and-a-half years.

He lamented that there were no good eye clinics in the country and the few available have become a profit-making venture.

He called on wealthy individuals, corporate organisations and nongovernmental organisations to help in ensuring that people’s well-being is taken care of.

ORRIED by the political misfortune the people of Badagry Division experienced in the just-concluded general elections during which a candidate of the now-opposition party; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won, youths of the division have pledged to close all ranks to enable them to enhance the division’s political fortunes in the coming years.

In the circumstances, thousands of youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Badagry Division, under the aegis of Glorious Badagry Division Movement (GBDM) have held prayer for the well–being of the party and its leadership. The prayers were organised for God’s guidance and protection of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Akinwnmi Ambode; the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Adebule and leaders of the party across the country.

The youth, drawn from 10 local government areas of Badagry Division of the party converged on Ojo Town Hall, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos, for this year’s prayer session.

Apart from prayers for the leaders of the party and for the party to succeed in its leadership role in the country, the youth used the session to appraise the socio-political situation in the division with a view to making amends.

Rev. Canon Samuel Amho, who led the prayers stressed that Nigeria, especially the youth, should pray for their leaders, for “God to control their hearts’’. He sought God’s intercession for the APC government. He also advised Nigerians against hasty criticism of actions of government, saying it was too early to make certain unhealthy and destructive criticisms. They need our unceasing prayers to succeed.

The youth prayed for divine guidance to enable our leaders to make right decisions that will bring positive change and relief to the people.

They also prayed for peace, asking God to intervene against Boko Haram insurgency.

The convener of prayer conference, Comrade Saheed Akanbi, said the prayer session aimed at bringing like political minds together after successful general elections and to appraise how people of Badagry fared during the just-concluded general elections in terms of their efforts, successes, losses and areas that need to be improved upon. It also an opportunity to pray for our party, leaders and our own sister, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State Mrs. Adebule for spiritual direction and understanding. He said any society that neglects its youths would have a bleak future.

“We believe prayers are important in the life of any organisation for its progress. We want to carry

Badagry youths pray for Nigeria •A cross section of the youth

•Akanbi (right) with one of the youth

The youth are the future of any country. Therefore, if they are given proper foundation, development and opportunities, they will be capable of turning the adversity of the country into prosperity…On the other hand, any country that fails to accord good education to the youth prepares to ruin its expectations in terms of progress and development. Since our youths have decided to organise this kind of prayer summit, elders have to support them in order to excel

By Emmanuel Udodinma

youths along in anything we do as the future is theirs.” he said.

The State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adebule who was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Kappo commended the youth for the laudable programme which she said would be a reference point in Badagry Division. She reminded the youth that the future belongs to them.

In her message entitled “Towards a Formidable, United and

Glorious Progressivism in Badagry Division,’’ she described the youth as leaders of tomorrow. “The youth are the future of any country. Therefore, if they are given proper foundation, development and opportunities, they will be capable of turning the adversity of the country into prosperity “On the other hand, any country that fells to accord good education to the youth prepares to ruin its expectations in terms of

progress and development.

“Since our youths have decided to organise this kind of prayer summit, elders have to support them in order to excel; knowing the importance of prayer in our daily life and nation-building.”

She further said it was important to hand over President Buhari’s and Governor Ambode’s administrations to God so that their steps would be guided by the Almighty.

Firm has ruined my life, says patient Continued from 30-31

said.

“During the doctors’strike at Igbobi, there was nobody to care for me; there was no food or money. My brother that was helping me lost his job. They have refused to see reason and it is like they are tired of me and would just wish am no longer here,” he added.

But more dramatic scenarios are still to play out on the case. On May 5, a medical report from Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital confirmed the earlier result from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) that the victim is 100 per cent disabled. A day earlier his lawyer alleged those representatives of CCECC and their insurance brokers had stormed the hospital in order to forcibly discharge Ugochukwu.

“They came here without inform-

ing my family. I asked them where they were taking me to and that I don’t have a house as I had been staying in the hospital for two years. They just refused to listen,” he said.

Luckily, the insurance brokers were prevented from taking him away. “You need to see the ramshackle ambulance they brought to take him away. We asked them which address they were taking him to and they said the one he gave. But they never verified if he was still living there, maybe the plan was just to dump him in the house to his fate,” the lawyer said.

The Chinese defence Attempts to speak to the management of CCECC were futile as The Nation was told at the company’s head office in Oyingbo that there were no interpreters to help in translation.

But a broker to the company, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in a telephone conversation with The Nation absolved

the company of blames.

Abdullahi said: “There are two of them, we gave the first one N18 million but this one we offered him N25million, and the lawyer refused, saying they want N100 million.

“So the matter is in court. I know that after the second sitting the lawyer will come around for dialogue.

The house the guy is staying in, I am the one that paid for the rent. We want to settle this amicably but our lawyer too is ready to go with him anywhere he wants to go. We will go to the court, just do your work,” he said.

The Medical Director of Amodu Memorial Hospital that treated the victim, Dr. Muhammed Adesola, is also defending himself. Apparently angry that such claims of incompetence were made against his hospital, he seemed determined on exposing all the pent-up ‘dirty secrets’.

“Don’t mind him. Somebody who

had an accident, spinal cord injury that is paralysed, such a person is prone to bed ulcer. So, when you have bed ulcer, the only thing you can do is to treat it,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “If we had not treated him, he would have died along the line. We know what we went through to be able to keep him alive; he also gave testimony to his people that we did our best.

So, if he developed bed ulcer, did we cause the bed ulcer?”

Adesola said he continued to treat him even when the Chinese company owed him for several months; he also accused Ugochukwu of being an arrogant and selfish person who refused to take his drugs.

For now, Ugochukwu lives at the mercy of others. His onceflourishing business has collapsed and his self-esteem gone.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Oba Akiolu showers blessings on Igbo

O

BA of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu has showered his blessing on Igbo in Lagos.

He spoke in his palace when he received some Igbo leaders at a victory palace to mark the victory of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The party was held to commemorate Ambode’s swearing-in, which held earlier that day at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

High Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu (Obosi) quoted the Oba as, among other thing, praying for the success of the Igbo in Lagos at the event in the presence of titled chiefs.

Different ethnic groups and religious leaders were also present.

Oba Akiolu began pouring blessings upon the Igbo. He said: “They said I hate the Igbo, as a royal father, I’m mandated by oath to show love to every person irrespective of the state or nation you come from; but what I’m saying is that they should not exceed their limit. As the Oba of Lagos, irrespective of my position, I have my limit and will never exceed it.

“Truly, Lagos belongs to all, but it has origin and owners. Therefore, what will not be acceptable to you, please do not do it in Lagos State.

“Ndigbo, it shall be well with you,

•Oba Akolu (middle), Hon Kuye, Commissioner of Chieftaincy Affairs/Local Government (second right), High Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu(second left), National Co-ordinator Igbo Coalition in APC, Dr Godian Dim (third left), Chairman Ndieze Igbo Lagos (fourth left), Eze Guy Okoli, ViceChairman Ndieze Igbo Lagos (third right), Hon. Paul Eze, Chaplain/Secretary Ndieze Igbo Lagos beside the Commissioner, Chief Chris Ekwilo (Anya), Chairman Igbo Coalition in APC Lagos and others.

and your childrens’ children, the fertile land of Lagos shall continue to bless you.

“You shall grow old, you shall not bury your children; instead your children shall bury you at old age. Most importantly, we shall live with love and in peace as one people without a

separate country, but only one nation Nigeria.”

Immediately after Oba Akiolu’s prayers, the crowd, including Ndieze Igbo, their titled chiefs and the Lagos State white cap chiefs went into dancing.

The Igbo monarchs were ushered

into the Oba’s living room where they were treated to different kinds of foods and drinks.

The leader of the delegation, Chief Ekwerekwu (Obosi) who is an Igbo stakeholder and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, said by the Oba’s statement, it is glaring that he never

hated the Igbo.

He added: “Kabiyesi is a philanthropist who has feelings for the downtrodden. He stands by his words and never pretends. And according to him, Kabiyesi has been helpful to so many Igbo in different areas, including himself.

Cleric canvasses support for Buhari Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan

A

From left: Mrs Jacke Kassim, Matthew Olonisaye, Mr Abidemi Oguntade and others at the occasion

FRSC urges parents on children’s safety

I

N its bid of reduce untimely death of children, the Ota Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Matthew Olonisaye (ACC), has urged the school proprietors to include child safety education as part of their curricular.

This, he said, would guarantee the safety of the young ones from various attacks and mishaps befalling them on daily basis.

Olonisaye spoke during a children’s safety and sensitising programme, organised by the command for the public, school owners and the pupils. It held at the command’s ground.

The theme of the programme was “Children’s Safety and Security: A Shared Responsibility.”

He said: “The theme was considered suitable because of the ugly trend of insecurity of children across the nation. He noted that the welfare and security

of Nigerian children need more improvement and requires urgent measures, including actions to curb road mishaps.

Olonisaye said: “It is imperative to be reminding the public that young ones are more prone to dangers of road crashes caused by factors of which human errors take the lead.

He urged parents and guardians to be more committed to the responsibility of ensuring the safety of their children/wards rights.

Olonisaye advised parents, guardians and drivers to consider these tips to enable them to achieve reduction or total eradication of maiming of children on the roads.

He said: “Every driver should be consistently educated on security and road sign consciousness while driving. Children also should be watchful and vigilant while in transit.

On vet domestic staff, he said

parents should ensure their domestic staff are properly examined and scrutinised before they are employed; noting that the domestic staff must always be studied. He further said that most incidents of child kidnapping have been traced to domestic staff.

Concerning child education and supervision, Olonisaye advised parents/guardians to “ensure their children/wards are taught on issues concerning discipline and moral behaviours, choosing the right friends and guide them against atrocities and other social vices that could jeopardise their future. As the Bible says ‘train up a child the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” the FRSC boss added.

The chairman and chairperson of the occasion, Mr Abidemi Oguntade and Mrs Jackie Kassim, requested that the FRSC should organise more orientation pro-

grammes such as this. They said most of the drivers lack adequate knowledge on road signs because some of them didn’t attend driving schools.

Mrs Jackie said a lot of orientation and enforcement need to be done by the FRSC, noting that majority of the commercial drivers are ignorant of roads rules and regulations. She urged the Corps to start the orientation from the scrap and to be strictly before issuing the driving licence to the drivers.

She urged the Corps to increase their enforcement on recalcitrant motorcyclist carry overloading and riding against traffic. These, she said is one of the major cause of crashes on the road.

Mrs Jackie appealed to the parents and private vehicle owners to always consider the safety of their children when loading their vehicles.

CELESTIAL Cleric, Senior Evangelist Aderemi Lawal has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against Boko Haram.

He admonished Christians to support him with prayers, adding that President Buhari has a good intention to rebuild Nigeria, even as he needs prayers.

The Shepard, who is in charge of Celestial Church of Christ, Jesu Durotimi Agbofeti, Apata Ibadan, made the call during a monthly prayer session held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

He assured Nigerians that the nation would witness positive change during the Buhari administration, even as he advised them to be patient with him.

The cleric said for the promises of God to manifest in Nigeria, Christians should assist the President with prayers for divine wisdom and knowledge.

“It is through divine wisdom that President Buhari would choose competent and God-fearing people for his cabinet. It is through the divine knowledge that the new administration would formulate and implement good policies that would transform all the sectors of the economy. He needs our prayers, especially in his quest to end the menace of Boko Haram. This is not the time to fight based on ethnicity or religious sentiments but time to support government in fighting Boko Haram and corruption. We voted for President Buhari because we know he is competent.

“Prayer remains the only spiritual weapon that will enhance the needed change Nigerians are clamouring for. All should endeavour to call upon God to take control,” he said..

Evangelist Lawal urged religious bodies to organise special prayers periodically for the success of the new administration.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

37

THE NATION INVESTORS

Investors waiting for sustainable foreign exchange policy, says StanChart

THE overwhelming majority of investors are still on the sideline waiting for tangible government direction and emergence of a more sustainable and liquid foreign exchange metrics before committing further funds to Nigerian securities, Standard Chartered Bank has said.

In its latest assessment of the Nigerian fixed-income market, Standard Chartered Bank stated that the greater flow of foreign investments into Nigerian government bonds would depend on the normalization of foreign exchange conditions.

StanChart believes such normalization and further realignment of foreign exchange rate will likely take place soon.

Standard Chartered Bank, in the “on the ground global research” report signed off by Samir Gadio, Head, Africa Strategy, FICC Research, said stakeholders will likely seek to preserve Nigeria’s inclusion in the JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets Indices (JP Morgan GBI-EM Index) noting that Nigeria’s potential exclusion from the GBI-EM indices is an avoidable outcome. There have been fears in some quarters that the country may be excluded from the index on the account of illiquidity and tepid Naira-Dollar exchange.

The JP Morgan GBI-EM Index serves as benchmarks for local currency bonds issued by emerging market governments. The index was launched in June 2005 and is the first comprehensive global local emerging markets index. The JP Morgan GBI-EM Index is widely regarded as reference point for foreign investors seeking to diversify their portfolios

•Nigeria likely to remain in the JPMorgan GBI-EM Index

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

by investing in sovereign bonds issued by emerging market countries.

Nigeria celebrated its admission to the JP Morgan GBI-EM Index on October 1, 2012. Nigeria was the second African country after South Africa to be included in the widely followed index.

Analysts at CardinalStone Partners Limited said Nigeria is at a risk of capital flight involving about $3.9 billion as possible reactions and impact of the previous downgrade and eventual removal on the local bond market could lead to significant capital flight.

Analysts noted that the total value of investor money benchmarked against the whole JP Morgan GBI-EM suite of indices is about $217 billion.

The GBI - EM Global Diversified Index is the most frequently used local emerging market index and Nigeria accounts for 1.8 per cent of its value, about $3.9 billion.

“Hence, Nigeria’s removal from the Index would trigger capital flight at a time when the country needs to attract capital inflow. Bond yields will also spike in reaction to the significant exit by funds which mirror the composition of the index and may subsequently lead to the exit of Ni-

geria from the Barclay’s Bond Index as well,” CardinalStone Partners stated.

StanChart said it expected Nigerian bonds to remain in the GBI-EM indices provided reforms are undertaken to normalise exchange rate conditions and move towards a pricedriven foreign exchange trading platform in the coming months.

“From the government and Central Bank of Nigeria’s standpoint, it represents a significant setback in the development of domestic financial markets and undermines the country’s external credibility. For the index provider, it may test the credentials of the GBI-EM inclusion process, while exclusion on account of foreign exchange liquidity-related factors is largely unknown territory. International investors would also likely prefer Nigeria’s GBI-EM eligibility to be reaffirmed,” StanChart stated.

According to the bank, as the public policy focus shifts back to the economy, Nigerian authorities will probably pay more attention to the needs of corporates and onshore market participants, and streamline the FX market operating environment.

“We see the authorities potentially reintroducing a more flexible price-driven foreign exchange

trading platform and moving away from the order-matching system in the foreseeable future.

This is likely to be accompanied by an upward adjustment to the exchange rate,” StanChart stated.

It noted significant foreign outflows in late 2014 and early 2015, pointing out that the investors’ interest in the Nigerian bonds remained slow.

“Assuming these conditions are met, we expect decent foreign portfolio inflows to resume,” StanChart said while calling for flexible price-driven foreign exchange.

The report pointed out that Nigerian government bonds may benefit moderately from the index provider’s decision, as market sentiment turns more constructive early this week.

However, it believed the extension of the GBI-EM review period has already been largely priced in.

Nigerian bonds appear to have found a new level in sub-14 per cent yield territory in recent weeks.

JP Morgan had last Friday extended Nigeria’s Index Watch status in the GBI-EM indices, providing the country with more room for policy reforms. Nigeria’s status review will now be be final-

ised in the coming months or before year-end at the latest. JP Morgan indicated in its notice that Nigeria’s index eligibility at the end of the extension period would be conditional upon a consistent record of a functioning and transparent foreign exchange market.

Specifically, JP Morgan highlights adequate foreign exchange liquidity and two-way flow trading to ensure that benchmarked investors can transact with minimal constraints. JP Morgan had placed Nigeria on Negative watch in the GBI-EM indices in January, citing difficulties for offshore investors to replicate Nigeria’s allocation in the benchmark.

“This extension of the review period is broadly in line with market expectations,” StanChart noted.

JP Morgan had placed Nigeria on “index watch negative” due to what the global financial company described as lack of liquidity induced by regulatory policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

JP Morgan hinged Nigeria’s downgrade to “index watch negative” on recent policies by the CBN, which limited liquidity in the spot foreign exchange market and local treasury liquidity market. The CBN had on December 17, 2014 reduced the net open position (NOP) of commercial banks from one per cent to zero per cent of shareholders fund, before subsequently revising it to 0.1 per cent in January 2015.

JP Morgan stated that this measure effectively resulted in a lack of liquidity in the spot foreign exchange market and domestic bond market thus hindering the ability of foreign investors to replicate Nigeria’s exposure to the GBI-EM Index.

NSE introduces guidelines for online stock trading

A

MID increasing number of stockbroking firms offering personalised online trading to individual investors, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued a seven-point guideline on the operations of online stock trading by individual investors.

In a circular dated June 1, 2015 and obtained by The Nation, the NSE noted that the launch of its new trading engine, otherwise known as XGen, in 2013 has resulted in the creation of online trading portals by stockbrokers. This provided the investing public with the opportunity to place orders for securities listed on the Exchange via the Order Management Systems (OMS) of dealing members from any location in real time.

The Exchange stated that dealing members that operate online trading portals must adhere to a sevenpoint guideline and all other extant laws and rules and regulations guding the operations of the stock market.

According to the guidelines, dealing members that intend to set up online trading portals shall implement and set up X-Net connectivity and an Order Management System (OMS) that is certified by the Exchange.

Also, no dealing member shall operate an online trading portal without subjecting the online portal to regular penetration tests, which shall be no less than twice a year with a reputable firm. The dealing member shall submit to the Exchange the certified Penetration Testing Reports from a credible Information Security company that the online portal platform is secured for usage.

The Exchange said it would also carry out independent routine spot checks to validate the Penetration Testing Reports on an annual basis and the dealers must be able to rectify any identified issues promptly.

"All trading activities on the portal must be duly monitored and supervised by an Authorised Clerk

employed by the dealing member.

Any trading errors or anomalies shall be duly and promptly reported to the Exchange in line with the Exchange's Error Trade rules," the guideline stated.

Besides, any dealing member that intends to operate an online trading portal is required to carry out a comprehensive "Know Your Client" (KYC) requirement on all clients registered through the online trading portal before an online trading account is activated, or any transaction is carried out by investors on the portal. The dealing member will also have to keep the records of the (KYC) and transactions for a minimum period of six years, or as may be amended from time to time.

Stockbrokers are also expected to disclose on its trading portal and account opening forms the risks associated with using the portal in addition to compliance with the Exchange's rules and regulations including those on communications, advertisement and publication.

According to the circular, applications used by clients to access the OMS system shall be protected with strong passwords, strong authentication in line with industry standards, optimised for performance and regular security testing.

The Exchange indicated that it may review the operations, guidelines and rules and regulations relating to the online stock trading as the new trading mechanism evolves.

Investment One Stockbrokers International Limited recently launched a high-end trading portal, which offers on-line, real time trading on the NSE to savvy investors.

The on-line portal known as 'Easy Trade' allows investors to buy and sell stocks directly on the NSE in addition to access to real time market data and back-up research and analyses. The sign-on fee is a one-off payment of N1, 000 while investors can open account and trade with any amount. Investment One Stockbrokers International Limited is a fully owned subsidiary of Investment One Financial Services Limited.

•From left: Director, Propertygate Development and Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Ogungbola; Managing Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi, and Company Secretary, Mrs. Tosin Aarinola, at the company's 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

Zenith Bank wins global awards in customer service, corporate governance ZENITH Bank Plc has won global recognitions for its quality services and strong corporate governance.

Zenith Bank won two awards in the Global Banking & Finance Review awards for the year.

Global Banking & Finance Review awards are given to institutions all over the world various categories covering Banking, foreign exchange, leadership, insurance, hedge funds, pension funds, and asset and wealth management among others. Zenith Bank emerged winner as Best Customer Service Bank and Best Corporate Governance Bank in Nigeria.

The best customer service award is an attestation to Zenith Bank’s

best-in-class customer-centric service delivery which made the bank the best in the KPMG Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS) in 2013 and 2014.

The KPMG survey, which confirmed Zenith Bank’s status as the most customer focused bank, focused on the perceived quality of customer service delivery by banks from the customer’s perspective across the retail, corporate/commercial and small & medium sized enterprises (SME) segments.

For the second consecutive year in the retail segment, Zenith Bank emerged as the most

customer-focused bank.

Similarly, a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to determine the most respected companies and chief executives in Nigeria in 2014, Zenith Bank emerged first among the banks. In arriving at the conclusion, PWC said a respected company is defined by these enviable parameters: A good corporate citizen, which is socially responsible with high ethical standards; a trusted company, which promotes good values with a unique and excellent leadership style, coupled with strong management principles and structure plus a smooth succession plan as well as a very resourceful company with excellent business culture.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

38

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

Teaching kids sound financial habits gives them the opportunity to be successful entrepreneurs, says Mrs Olakitan Wellington, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Seeds of Wealth Nigeria Limited. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Catching them young with financial literacy A

WOMAN entrepreneur Mrs. Olakitan Wellington is promoting financial literacy among children.

The campaign is aimed at teaching young Nigerians the ability to manage their money.

Mrs Wellington, who is Managing Director/Chief Executive, Seeds of Wealth Nigeria Limited, said there are opportunities for children.

For her, what Nigerians need is not only financial protection, but also economic empowerment and a generation of young entrepreneurs focused on creating wealth. She believes Nigeria needs children, who are fired with hope, esteem and opportunities.

A digital education marketer, she has been in Information Technology for over 20 years.

She is nurturing of a new generation of entrepreneurs who understand “the language of money”. She hopes to raise children who can become entrepreneurs, small business owners and those involved in self-employment.

Born into a wealthy home, Mrs Wellington explained that she never lacked anything in her youth until her father’s business empire collapsed and they suddenly found themselves in dificulties.

The financial crisis made them re-think money making and how they managed their lifestyles. She saw her peers struggling with debts they could not repay. She found that

•Mrs Wellington

they were in a mess because they were not financially literate. While her family had money, Mrs Wellington said they (the children) were not taught financial literacy,

otherwise, it would have been easy for them to survive the crisis.

Though she later became a successful entrepreneur and business coach, Mrs Wellington, who is President, Internet Marketers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), noted that financial literacy is one of the most overlooked yet vital life skills for children.

Subsequently, she learned how to make money online and a lot of marketing strategies from selling products. She enjoyed the mentorship of successful corporate chieftains on how to navigate her path to success.

Which is why her mission is to teach children financial illiteracy.

In few years, she hopes to help children learn about managing money and making big-time decisions.

Children, she said, need good information on how to earn, save, and plan their finances.

At the heart of the campaign are money skills and principles that children can master to become financially secure adults. She aims to help parents send their children into the world as financially savvy adults by identifying specific skills that can be mastered by children between three and 18. These include saving, keeping track of money, spending wisely, living on a budget, investing, handling credit responsibly, and using money to help others.

To further the cause, she has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with

some schools in Lagos State to teach children to save by offering savings education.

She hopes to motivate students and instill positive savings habits at a young age, creating a community of life-long savers.

By teaching pupils at a young age to understand budgeting and savings, she is giving them tools to not only think about how to best use their own money, but to also participate in family discussions.

Through programmes to be held at primary and secondary schools, Mrs Wellington encourages teachers to talk openly about money with children. The children are encouraged to ask questions. The programme tries to explain the difference between needs and wants, the value of saving and budgeting and the consequences of not doing so.

Children are taught to save, spend, invest, or give away, and that charitable giving is an important part of life. Her advice is for parents of every income level, adding that the same financial problems affect those with means.

Her major goal is to have a touch-point with every child and parent, and include them in the movement towards creating healthy attitudes around money. If they succeed in achieving that goal, they may be well on their way to helping society avoid the next big financial collapse.

‘Mentorship vital to export business’ Chief Executive, Thy Global Investment Limited, Mr. Ismail AbdulAzeez, is committed to the growth of small scale export companies. To actualise this, he has started a mentoring scheme for them. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

H

E has been exporting agro commodities and charcoal successfully to Asia and Europe for over than five years.

With ‘much’ experience in the trade, Mr Ismael AbdulAzeez is willing to help entrepreneurs access new markets by mentoring them.

New comers would be helped to take advantage of his expertise, deliver and adopt a strategy and take their businesses to the next level.

AbdulAzeez started from zero.

He established his firm Thy Global Investment Limited from his home in Sango in Ogun State. Today, he has a warehouse and some staff.

He has exported his products to countries where he had never met the buyers.

Though there are risks, AdulAzeez said there are steps to follow, claiming they (steps) have led him to hit big deals.

For new comers, Azeez suggets a mentoring programme. Such would match newcomers with veteran exporters. New comers must pick one market at a time and master it before delving into a new area, he advised.

Despite establishing a foothold

•charcoal

in the charcoal market, he is still looking forward to new opportunities to grow the business.

As the business grew, he repackaged his products, making them favourites in Southern Europe and other parts of the world. To him, exports bring unique challenges, but these could be overcome.

There are regulations which are tough and time-consuming, he noted.

AbdulAzeez has contended with foreign exchange challenges and

•AbdulAzeez

payments and negotiating the best rates for foreign exchange transactions.

He faced them with a positive attitude.

He has identified a gap in the market for organic produce. Since launching into it, his business has grown.

He said Europe is good for entrepreneurs. There’s been a good track record for entrepreneurs in Europe, especially those receptive to the natural and organic con-

cepts.

AbdulAzeez said buyers were looking for quality exports and Nigerians must respond to earn the reputation for value.

Before exporting, he said he does market research and takes advantage of all help and free advice he can get.

As a mentor, he suggests some potential partners that can aid one’s foray into new markets.

Besides, he runs an online club to provide answers to would-be-

exporters to meet their business needs in new markets, access practical information on export topics, and explore the latest international opportunities for their businesses.

He hopes the mentoring programme will help start-ups and grow their businesses to flourish.

With his seminars, he believes new entrants will translate the lessons they learn into action, the skills appropriate to succeed in export business.

Quotes to inspire you If you want to achieve greatness stop asking for permission. ~Anonymous Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. ~John Wooden If you are not willing to risk the usual you will have to settle for the ordinary. ~Jim Rohn Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. ~Swami Vivekananda Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusi-

asm. ~Winston Churchill Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value. ~Albert Einstein If you don’t value your time, neither will others. Stop giving away your time and talents- start charging for it. ~Kim Garst A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. ~David Brinkley

and genius is measured only by success. ~Bruce Feirstein When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you. ~Lolly Daskal Do one thing every day that scares you. ~Anonymous What’s the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable. ~Anonymous

The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it. ~Henry Ford

Nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. ~Anonymous Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. ~Steve Jobs

The distance between insanity

There are two types of people

who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed. ~Ray Goforth Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life. ~Dr. APJ Kalam I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. ~Thomas Jefferson The starting point of all achievement is desire. ~Napolean Hill Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out. ~Robert Collier •Culled from The Huffington Post

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

39

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

J

Japan’s growth revised higher

APAN’S growth in the first quarter of this year came in well above expectations Growth in the Japanese economy in the first quarter has been revised sharply higher, official government data shows.

The world’s third largest economy expanded 1% in the first three months from the previous three, up from an initial estimate of 0.6%.

It also grew 3.9% on an annualised basis, compared to a preliminary reading of 2.4%, and much higher than forecasts of 2.7% growth.

A jump in business spending helped boost growth well above expectations.

In the initial estimate, business

spending was up just 0.4% from the previous quarter. The revised reading was 2.7% higher, compared to forecasts of 2.3%.

The revised figures make growth in first quarter the best for Japan in two years.

The data is boosting hopes of a continuing recovery from the recession that the country fell into last year and is good news for the government and central bank which have both been trying to stimulate growth in the Asian giant.

But, not all economists are convinced that Japan is on track for a better outlook.

Marcel Thieliant, economist at Capital Economics, expects growth in the second quarter to

have slowed.

“Core consumer spending fell to the lowest level since last summer in April, and industrial output may well contract this quarter,” he said in a note. “We therefore expect a sharp slowdown in GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the second quarter.”

Other data on Monday also showed that Japan’s current account, a broad measure of trade, in April fell below expectations despite hitting a surplus for the 10th consecutive month.

The current account surplus was at 1.3 trillion yen ($10.5bn; £6.7bn), compared to a forecast of 1.7 trillion yen. In May, the surplus was at a seven-year high of 2.8 trillion yen.

Chinese exports fall for a third month

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XPORTS in China fell for the third month in May, while imports declined for the seventh month.

Exports in the world’s second largest economy, China, fell for a third consecutive month in May, highlighting slowing demand in the country.

Exports fell 2.5% from a year ago in dollar denominated terms, and 2.8% in yuan denominated figures.

Both figures were above expectations, but the slide in imports has sparked worries on the domestic end.

Imports tumbled 17.6% in dollar terms, while yuan-denominated imports plunged 18.1% - falling for the seventh month.

Zhu Haibin, economist at JP Morgan said Monday’s data shows that the economy will struggle to meet the government’s trade growth target even with the export rise.

“Imports are still much weaker than expected. Exports are doing fine, even though we are still talking about a year-on-year decline, but in terms of momentum they’ve rebounded a bit after the collapse in March,” he told Reuters.

“This year the government set up the target of trade growth at 6%, which at this moment, is still impossible to achieve, particularly with the weak imports.”

Domestic demand in China continues to be weak despite stimulus measures by the government and central bank to boost growth.

The central bank had lowered interest rates just last month, which was the third time in six months to spur lending and economic activity.

The drop in imports led China’s trade surplus to $59.5bn in May, up nearly 75 per cent from April.

SPAN to assemble products

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•From left: Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment, Hakeem Ogunbambi; Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gbolahan Dawodu; Pemanent Secretary, Office Drainage Services, Min. of the Environment, Ayodeji Adebayo Adenaken, at the World Environment Day in Ikeja.

Infinix Mobility unveils Zero 2 smartphone

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LOBAL leaders in the manufacturing of trendy smartphones, Infinix Mobility Limited, at the weekend at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), unveiled the Infinix Zero 2 smartphone into the Nigerian market.

According to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), it was designed in Paris and Shanghai, the Infinix Zero 2 comes on the heels of the successful roll out and impressive acceptance and patronage of the Infinix Zero.

The new product, which is specifically targeted at the students, youths and young professionals, is designed to address the demands of this segment of the market, which craves trendier variants of phones.

Speaking on the occasion, its Managing Director, Mr. Benjamin Jiang, said the Zero

•Jiang

2 which is positioned as a flagship killer, would adequately address the yawning gap noticed in the Nigerian market, which is a lack of trendy and lifestyle smart phones that young people within age range of 15 to 35 can use.

Its Head of Marketing,, Mr Peter Zhou, said: "Infinix Zero 2 is designed with innovative materials like Kevlar, which is lighter, tougher, and slimmer, to match the lifestyle of the target market in Nigeria. They are young, smart and trendy in outlook and product patronage. They want products that can seamlessly compliment them in every respect. At Infinix Mobility Limited, we have the mandate to provide telecommunication solutions through innovative, worldclass and trendy mobile smart phones. This new product is one of the manifestations of this mandate. ''It brings us tremendous joy that our products are actually meeting varying demands of the Nigerian market and we are pleasantly surprised at the rate and speed the market has responded to our range of products. Our pledge is that we would continue to introduce quality and functional products into the market."

While stressing that the phone offers even more exciting functions than its predecessor, the Infinix Zero,Jiang added that the

phone's screen measures 5.0" with a HD Samsung super Amoled Screen Resolution, 165k colours displayed, 1280x720 HD resolution and a dimensions measuring 6.7 mm thickness -118g which makes it light, easy and fun to handle.

Designed with a Kevlar back cover that is ultra-strong, light, flexible, five times stronger and lighter than steel and 118 g in weight which fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.

This premium device comes with other exciting special specifications like Samsung Super Amoled HD screen, Corning gorilla glass 3 with 0.55mm thickness which enhances touch screen fluidity, as well as a 2GB RAM and Octa core 2.0 GHz processor.

Other features of the phone include a 13MP + 5 MP Samsung camera with 85 degree wider angle and F 2.0 aperture which admits more light into the sensor to make for sharp and bright pictures.

A new Infinix Zero 2 phone comes with 1G data at the subsidised rate of N1,000 for 12 months on the Etisalat network.

Infinix's exclusive partnershipwith the region'slargest e-commerce platforms through a 'factoryto-consumer' model, significantly reduces channelcosts, meaningthatconsumers are able to enjoy this hightech device at discounted prices of N32900 and 35900 for 16GB and 32GB, available on ecommerce platforms.

LANS are underway to start the assembling of scientific products in Nigeria to reduce importation and boost the economy.

The President, Scientific Product Association of Nigeria (SPAN), Mr. Julius Famoriyo disclosed at the weekend during the body’s council meeting in Lagos.

He said the assembling and manufacturing of scientific instruments, laboratory equipments, laboratory chemicals, and laboratory furniture would help in reducing capital flights, and garner more funds to the economy.

He said the association is collaborating with manufacturers of scientific products in Germany and other developed economies with a view to produce the products in Nigeria.

Famoriyo said this would be made possible as a result of their participation in the upcoming trade exhibition organised by Achema, from June 15 to 17, following an invitation sent to them by Spectaris, a German high-technology association and the Ministry of Trade in Germany, as they would physically meet the manufacturers there.

Famoriyo said the 2015 edition of the scientific products fair in Ger-

many, which is the biggest in the world, would provide opportunities for the association to network, gain more knowledge on how to assembly the products locally to meet international standards as manufacturers of different components would be engaged.

Famoriyo said: ‘’Through the fair, local marketers of scientific products would meet manufacturers abroad, fashion out ways of developing components, and manufacturing them in the country, which is a major plus for us.’’

He said Spectaris, founded in 1881, is based in Berlin and has about 400 members in four branches, which are Photonics and Precision technologies, Medical technologies, Analytical and Laboratory technologies and Consumer optics, with SPAN belonging to the Analytical and Laboratory technologies where there are 80 companies On whether government delegation from Nigeria will be at the fair with SPAN, the treasurer, Mr Dapo Sonola said the recent change in government will not permit it and they are hoping that the new government will be actively involved in the scientific products industry.

Business seminar holds Friday

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HE Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, South West District 3, Lagos, is organising two business seminars for Friday and Saturday at the De Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja.

The first seminar, the organisers said, has as its theme: The 21st Century entrepreneur:Opportunities and challenges.

Its objectives include to let people understand that business is knowledge-based; to expose businessmen to the knowledge required; to know that business is client based and to teach people how to raise fund to establish business.

The District Coordinator, Mr Edward Endoro, said the event had been on for 17 years with many benefiting from its opportnities.

This year’s course content would focus on waste management and small scale export business and how to enjoy the emerging opportunities provided in that line of endeavour, he added.

Participants would be exposed to the challenges that might be encountered in the business and how to surmount them.

Sessions will be handled by scholars and professionals. They include Mr Ola Oresany, Managing Director Lagos Waste Management Agency; Mr Johnson Rotimi Ajayi, Managing Director Agri4all Nig Ltd; Dr Adebola Olubanjo, Principal, Adebola Shobanjo & Co, Mr Joko Okupe,

By Bode Monogbe

managing director/chief executive officer, Soulsite Advertising Agency, among others.

The venue for the second seminar is the NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja.

It has as them:Business excellence in a deregulated emerging market.

It is designed to equip the entrepreneurs with the right thinking and skill to perform excellently and effectively in a globalised market economy.

It is focused at accessing equity financing and achieving excellent client management.The course content will be on the maritime and oil and gas downstream sectors.

Participants will be exposed topics such as: thriving in a globalised economy; financing enterprises through risk equity and capital market ;investment opportunities in the oil and gas downstream sector; client management imperatives for business growth; investment opportunities in the maritime sector and the power to get wealth.

The topics will be handled by seasoned scholars, such as Prof Pat Utomi, Director Lagos Business School ,Dr Sam Uche Ogah, MD, Masters Energy Ltd, Pharm Lere Baale, Director, Business School Netherlands, among others.

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NEWS

‘Tafawa Balewa Square leased, not sold’

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AFAWA Balewa Square (TBS), a facility owned by the Federal Government, was not sold but concessioned to BHS International, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Otunba Olu Adenodi, has said.

Adenodi, who spoke with The Nation, said the complex remains the property and commonwealth of all Nigerians held in trust by the government, but leased to BHS under the privatisation policy.

He said the clarification became necessary because the statement of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola that the was sold sent wrong signals to the firm’s foreign investors and technical partners.

“The concession of TBS to BHS International Limited is for 30 years during which BHS is expected to make annual payment of up to N100million to the Federal Government,” he explained. He however declined to disclose how much his firm paid for the concession.

Adenodi recalled that before BHS International took over the TBS, the complex provided a haven for miscreants, street urchins and hoodlums, who used the place as a hide out to perpetrate various social vices in central Lagos.

Since the concession in 2008, Adenodi contends, his firm has been upgrading the facilities in the complex, creating employment for Nigerians in the process, paying taxes to the government, generating income for the Federal Government and keeping the environment clean and safe.

He said his company plans to transform TBS into a ‘world-class city’ centre which he reckons, would be the first of its kind in Nigeria and West Africa. He said the proposed city centre will be modelled after Sandton City Centre of South Africa and the Dubai Trade Centre.

The TBS, in its new form under BHS management, will be fitted

•The TBS.

with modern facilities, a huge shopping mall of about 1,500 shopping/office spaces; a three star hotel with all tourism and entertainment potentials that would provide accommodation for high brow customers; a 1,500 capacity auditorium; office complex; events hall with restaurants and snack bars; observatory towers; automated pre-fabricated two level underground car parks of about 10,000 spaces under the existing parade ground and two level underground car parks under the existing parking to the rear.

Adenodi disclosed that the project would cost $2 billion and would offer 10,000 jobs to Nigerians on completion. “We have foreign investors and technical partners who are eager to finance the project. The project will take three to five years to complete,” he said.

But seven years after BHS took

possession of the complex, nothing concrete, in terms of physical development, has been done on the complex, a situation that is of concern to other stakeholders.

So far, only the preparation of comprehensive perimeter and topographic survey plans of the entire complex; detailed site study on the relationship of the existing buildings to be retained and those to be demolished to give way for the new physical developments; preparation of schematic site development plan showing the new proposal as integral part of the existing buildings to be retained; and preparation of schematic architectural design concepts for all the building types as integral part of the building to be retained, are said to have been completed by BHS. Other steps it has taken include the preparation of the schematic civil/ structural engineering design concepts for all the building types as

integral part of the buildings to be retained; preparation of the schematic of electro-mechanical engineering design concept for all the building types as integral of the buildings to retain; preparation of feasibility/viability study reports; preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and construction of electricity controlled model.

It had all started like a mere passing comment by Fasola who while addressing a gathering at a book launch in Victoria Island, had assured that Lagos State would reclaim the TBS from the firm it was “sold” to by the Federal Government.

In line with the Federal Government’s privatisation policy, TBS was concessioned in 2008, with other Federal Government facilities nationwide, such as Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill, Kainji Dam, the National Trade Fair Complex and the National The-

•Adenodi

atre.

The TBS complex sits on 14.5 hectares of land, consisting a main bowl, large parade ground with stretched galleries and a 375shop/office complex.

Housing deficit: FMBN explores ‘renovation loan’ option

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HE Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has started giving loans to National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors for the renovation of their personal or family houses.

Section 14(2) of the NHF Act Cap N .45 of 1992 states that a contributor can access loan from the Fund for the purpose of building, purchasing or renovation of homes.

With this provision, FMBN deemed it necessary to develop some remedial measures to ensure greater access to the NHF. The initiative, known as the FMBN Home Renovation Loan (FHRL), will afford Nigerians an opportunity to access housing mortgages solely for the renovation or improvement of their existing homes or family-owned properties. The scheme is available to every individual, whether civil servants at the federal or state service, as well as workers in the private sector.

Basically, the FHRL scheme is designed for contributors to the NHF. With the contribution, the contributors can be granted credit facilities to the tune of N1million, as long as they keep contributing to

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

the Fund, and subject to the income limit of the beneficiary as well as the final cost of renovation.

Another condition for benefiting from the scheme is that an applicant must have an approved letter of undertaking from the office of Head of Service to deduct and remit monthly repayments to FMBN. Applicants are also required to provide two guarantors with verifiable sources of regular income, in case the beneficiary’s terminal benefit is not sufficient to offset the 1oan. Also, applications are to be submitted with certified Bill of Quantities indicating the amount required for the renovation. In addition to the above conditions, for employees in the private sector to benefit from the scheme, the requirement is a letter of undertaking from the chief executive of the employing organisation to deduct monthly repayment of the loan from the employee’s monthly salary and remit directly to FMBN. The loan, which attracts eight

per cent interest, will be recovered through monthly repayments within the maximum stipulated period and through deductions by the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) and the respective Head of Service or account office of the states, within three years or through the remaining service years of the

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employee. The renovation loan can be taken jointly by a couple, subject to the income assessment of both parties, while the loan can only be taken once in five years.

In specific terms, federal civil servants’ applications will be administered and accepted by the FGSHLB while at the state level applications are to be compiled by

the relevant authority and forwarded to FMBN through the state controller of the particular state. For private sector employees, including other government agencies and parastatals not covered by the activities of FGSHLB, the applications shall be aggregated by the Permanent Secretary or Chief Executive of the organisation.

Lafarge Africa wins award

AFARGE Africa Plc has received an award as the best been Complying Company of the Year 2014 by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The award, which has to do with the extensive compliance requirements of the Companies and Allied matters Act and industry regulations by the Commission.

According to the Chairman, CAC Board of Directors, Mr. Funso Lawal, the rationale for the award is to recognise performance and reward corporate excellence among companies operating in Nigeria, with the ultimate goal of improving the country’s rating in the global competitiveness index.

“To be eligible for consideration, companies must have complied with the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act and respective industry statutes and regulations. In addition, the companies must impact on their respective industries positively through credible performance in corporate social responsibility.”

Lafarge Africa was among 26 companies that made the final list from over 800 companies considered, with the building solutions company emerging as one of the eventual 9 winners. Former minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, presented

the awards to the recipients, while encouraging others to imbibe the best practices of the winners.

While thanking the regulatory agency for a well-deserved recognition, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Guillaume Roux, said: “Lafarge always ensures adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements for its activities everywhere it operates. This is the way we operate and it is ingrained in our Principles of Actions to which every Lafarge employee is committed.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

JUNE 12 ANNIVERSARY The June 12, 1993 presidential election was free and fair. Twenty two years after, those who annulled the historic poll won by the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, have not shown remorse. In recent past, the Jonathan Administration acknowledged him as the President-elect. But, the effort by the Federal Government to immortalise the symbol by naming the University of Lagos, Akoka after him was rejected because some stakeholders said it was a wrong move. Will the Buhari Administration immortalise Abiola according to popular wishes? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU revisits the June 12 saga and its lessons for the polity.

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OR the first time, Nigerians were united by the resolve to make the country a nation, contrary to its inherent contradiction as a plural social formation forcefully amalgamated in 1914 to serve the interest of the British. That moment of decision was June 12, 1993, when people trooped out to vote for the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the presidential candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Abiola, the Basorun of Ibadan and Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, was a Yoruba from Ogun State. But, he was endowed with an irrepressible national outlook. Thus, he was endorsed at the poll by millions of people across the over 250 ethnic groups.

The mandate given to him was to liberate the country from the yoke of militocracy. Unlike the elections before and after it, June 12, 1993 elections was not shaped by tribalism, religious animosity and ethnic suspicion. It was a big achievement for the military that was trying to midwife democracy. But, it was mismanaged because the military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, was reluctant to leave when the ovation was loud.

However, the mandate became Abiola’s undoing. He was arrested and hounded into detention like a criminal. He never returned alive. The death of his wife, Kudirat, who sustained the struggle when he was in detention, was also gruesome. The Amazon was killed along Seven-Up Junction, Toll Gate, Oregun, Lagos when she was on her way to the American Embassy.

Abiola never betrayed the import of his Oyo title: the Generalisimo. He was a man of valour; a great warrior and fighter.

He was harassed, abused and blackmailed. But, he refused to desert the battle field, That would have meant abandoning the people in their hour of great thirst for popular rule. To the progressives who rallied round him, it was a titanic battle for reshaping the country.

In detention, there was no hope that he would ever return. The circumstances surrounding his death has been in the realm of conjecture. What killed him? Who killed him? The answer has been elusive. Abiola’s slogan was the abolition of poverty. He was the hero of the masses who suffer from want and misery.

The military dangled carrots at him. But, the billionaire businessman refused to trade the people’s mandate for big contracts and mundane economic gains. His life was a lesson in determination, consistency and dedication to principles.

Abiola outlived his tormentor, Gen. Sani Abacha. But, his last goal-the assumption of office, was not fulfilled. Thus, he lacked self-actualisation. He died a martyr. His death marked the end of an era. His ghost is still hunting his alleged killers. His memory has endured. So were his grace, act of giving, meetle of speech, force of character, and love for the common man, which made him a reference point in history.

Abiola was mourned by the beneficiaries of his philanthropic activities, the universities where he instituted endowment funds, the churches and mosques he assisted, the indigent students he sponsored, the workers in his various industries and companies, the poor and the needy he courted, his political associates and the masses that voted for him to liberate them from poverty.

Besides, Abiola had another pastime. He led the fight for reparations in Africa. He said the descendants of the poorest of the poor; the hewers of wood and fetchers of water deserved compensation for slavery in Europe and America.

Twenty one years the annulment, the pain of the annulment lingers. On the day the results were cancelled, there were confusion, outrage and condemnation of the barbaric act. But, the military was adamant. Democracy, according to lb servers, was subjugated by the barrel of gun. The hope of a peaceful transfer of power to the democratically elected President was dashed. The rest is history.

Successive elections have been tainted with fraud. Pro-democracy groups believe that, if the historic poll had been affirmed, Nigeria would have laid a solid foundation for the sanctity of the ballot box. In 1999, the presidential election was resolved at the Supreme Court. In 2003, 2007 and 2007, it followed the same pattern. The major opposition candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, challenged the flawed processes in the court. Although the recent presidential election was perceived to be largely free and fair, it cannot be on the same pedestal like the June 12, 1993 election. The recent election was shaped by ethnicity and religion.

On June 12, 1993, when Abiola defeated the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Othman Bashir, the poll was peaceful nationwide. There were no malpractices, thuggery and violence. To domestic and foreign observers, Nigeria was coming of age. Also, voters issued a red card to the soldiers of fortune. But, the sit tight military rulers resisted the change, caged the symbol and consequently, the victor became the villain.

Babangida took the credit for the colossal assault on democracy. In the process, he dribbled himself into the dark corner of history, thereby missing a glorious opportunity to imprint his name in gold. Every year, he is remembered in connection the history of treachery and betrayal, which will be narrated from generation to generation. Posing as a populist leader, the former military leader elicited the support of the people for the longest transition process that was programmed to fail.

When Babangida unfolded his transition programme, the late

June 12 and illusion of hope

•The late Chief Abiola

Since the Federal Government has acknowl‘edged him as the President-elect, who was unjustifiably denied the popular mandate conferred on him, how should he be immortalised

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sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, cautioned against the illusion of hope. Weary of the prevailing political situation, he warned that when Nigerians imagined that the new order had arrived, they would be terribly disappointed. Awo also urged his followers to learn to eat and wine with the devil with a long spoon.

Babangida started to gamble with the transition timetable very early. He shifted the poll twice. The third attempt was resisted by the human rights community. On poll day, voters were determined.

According to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chaired

by Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, 14 million voters participated in the exercise. The contest showcased the potency of the Option A4, the open ballot system and the symbolic importance of the two party system. According to the poll results, Abiola scored 8,341, 309 votes, representing 58.36 percent of the total votes cast. Tofa, sources said, was ready to concede victory. In fact, the NRC National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Doyin Okupe, declared that the poll was free and fair, affirming that Abiola won a popular mandate. However, the game of deception by the military had reached the peak.

Former military Vice President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu’s media aide Mr. Nduka Iraboh offered a feeble and spurious explanation for the annulment. He said: “In view of the litigation pending in the various courts, the Federal Government is compelled to take appropriate steps to rescue the judiciary. These steps are taken to protect our legal system and the judiciary from being ridiculed and politicised, both nationally and internationally.

“In an attempt to end this ridiculous charade, which may culminate in judicial anarchy, the Federal Military Government has decided to: stop forthwith all court proceedings pending or to be

instituted and appeals thereon in respect of any matter touching, relating or concerning the presidential election held on June 12, 1993, the Transition to Civil Rule Political Programme (Amendment No 3, Decree No 52 of 1992 and the presidential election.

Irabor added: “Basic Constitutional and Transitional Provision Decree No 13 of 1993 is hereby repealed. all acts or omissions done or purportedly to have been done, or to be done by any person, authority etc, under the above named decrees are hereby declared invalid. The National Electoral Commission is hereby suspended. All acts or omission done or purported to have been done by itself, its officers or agents under the repealed Decree No 13, 1993, are hereby nullified.”

Later, Babangida said the process of authentication and clearance of the presidential candidates was not thorough. Intoxicated by power, he declared that although he knew those who would not succeed him, he did not know those who would succeed him.

Nigerians were taken aback when the military President boasted that “we are not only in government, we are in power.”

With the cancellation of the results, Abiola’s vision for Nigeria died. The businessman-turned politician had fought many personal battles, but the ‘June 12’ battle was the fiercest battle of his life. Rejecting the annulment, Abiola declared himself as the custodian of a sacred mandate. He said, having voted for him, the people of Nigerian expected him to assume the reins on August 27, 1993. “ I intend to keep that date with history,” he said.

Babangida knew the ability of his friend, Abiola. He could not underrate his gut. Courage and the resolve to succeed were the hallmarks of Abiola’s life. In a birthday message to him in 1992, Babangida acknowledge the rare virtue, stressing that “ a major feature of your life, so far, is the doggedness and determination with which you pursue any venture embarked upon”.

Abiola fought gallantly as an inexperienced politician. His strength was his mass following. When the military turned the heat on him, hje jetted out to seek international support. By the time he returned home, his party had split. The SDP leaders started to speak from the two sides of the mouth. Also, empire was subjected to torture. Former Information Minister Comrade Uche Chukwumerije mounted propaganda against the just cause. He said, by travelling abroad, MKO had gone down in history as the first Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yoruba to have deserted the battle field. As June 12 divided the polity, associates were changing allegiance. The Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) led by Senator Arthur Nzeribe, engaged in infamous deformation of the struggle, collating imaginary signatures of people against the election.

The late Admiral Aikhomu also said that Abiola was not fit to rule, explaining that the rich are not necessarily philosophical kings.

For Abiola, history merely repeated itself on June 12, 1993. On June 12 1982, he could not even collect the presidential nomination form from the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) National Secretariat . The gate of the party secretariat was shot against him.

The former Transport Minister, the late Dr. Umaru Dikko, told Abiola that “the Presidency is not for the highest bidder”. Two years before, he had also aspired to lead the NPN. But, he was defeated by the more experienced Chief Adisa Akinloye.

However, in the aborted Third Republic, the stumbling block, President Babangida, was too formidable, assumed full executive powers, without the accompanying checks and balances. But, Abiola was ready to lay down his life, which he eventually did.

In his famous Epe Declaration, the President-elect said: “Never before has there been such a cynical and contemptuous abrogation of solemn commitment and fixed programme.”

However, the collective resistance by pro-democracy groups failed. When Babangida stepped aside, he did not hand over to Abiola, but an interim government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan. Rationalising the option, Obasanjo said it was regrettable, but understandable. The interim contraption was short-lived.

On November 10, 1993, Justice Dolapo Akinsanya of the Lagos High Court dismantled the interim apparatus, saying that it was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. On November 18, 1993, the interim government was shoved aside by Gen. Sani Abacha, who proclaimed himself as the Head of State.

To the consternation of pro-democracy crusaders, Abacha abolished all democratic structures at the state and federal levels, disbanded the National Electoral Commission (NEC), banned the two political parties and set up the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC). Then, he promised to hand over to Abiola. In their naivety, credible politicians were cajoled to serve under the administration as ministers, thereby mocking their antecedents as June 12 travelers. The military Head of State later initiated a self-succession plan, which collapsed when he mysteriously passed on.

Few days after Abacha died, Abiola also died in detention in controversial circumstance. His death in detention provoked outrage and condemnation. Human rights activists alleged that he was killed in detention. The autopsy is still in the realm of conjecture.

As Nigerians celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the most credible election, there are some unresolved issues: Who killed Abiola?

How did he died? Also, since the Federal Government has acknowledged him as the President-elect, who was unjustifiably denied the popular mandate conferred on him, how should he be immortalised?

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2015

of people were made to exist in and unprecedented hardship while we read ‘andMillions hear in the news how Billions of Nigeria oil money could not be accounted for by the NNPC. Impunity was the order of the day; caution was an alien in the corridor of power...

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POLITICS Former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Adesina Adegbite advises Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to take decisive actions across major sectors and avoid some pitfalls as he settles down for governance.

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‘How Ambode can succeed’

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AY I use this medium to congratulate you on your most deserved and convincing victory in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Lagos State.

It is beyond doubt that it was a keenly contested election and the electorates have decided on who the paddler of their canoe in Lagos State will be at least for the next four years.

Victory they say has so many relatives; they come in different shapes and forms. It is therefore natural for you to have amongst your current well-wishers some of whom may even put up paid congratulatory adverts to celebrate your victory and show solidarity, people who were in actual fact your foes prior to and on the day of the election.

May I also make bold to say that certain individuals even within your party (APC) might have had some unholy alliances with the opposition during the course of the electioneering. What is however of utmost importance is the victory that the Almighty made possiblefor you at the polls. It was a tough contest and the last minute tribal sentiments that was introduced into the campaign did a whole lot of havoc to your chances of victory, but as God’s ordained candidate in the election, the majority of the electorates who were specifically directed by the spirit of God to vote for you, obediently carried out the directive and the consequence of their obedience was your divine victory.

I have chosen to emphasise the God factor in your April 11th victory to particularly appeal to your conscience and to re-echo in your consciousness the need for you to always put the people first in your policies as the chief administrator of Lagos State. It may interest you to note that the major problem that led into the scare of where the pendulum of the electorates’ favour will swing was actually not the tribal politics. That was to me a mere electoral gimmick but an irresponsible political campaign approach adopted by the opposition in their desperation to gain power in Lagos State by whatever means. The main issue that actually strengthen the opposition was the perceived high handedness of the outgoing Government of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN. It is unarguably that the administration of BRF can only be compared to the golden regime of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande in Lagos State, the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, in terms of performance. If I am to itemise and analyse the records of performance of BRF, certainly, I shall need to write a book and possibly in volumes. I will however limit my comments here strictly to the dos and don’ts your Government must observe to avoid falling into the same pits the BRF Government fell.

The truth is that any government with the focus to make serious impact in infrastructural developments must certainly step on toes, just as it may be difficult to enforce a decent environmental policy without a consequent destruction, dislocation or relocation of certain structures and or settlements. The outgoing government of BRF recorded a great feat in infrastructural developments in La-

gos State just as the government also recorded giant strides in the environmental renewal. Every true Lagosian will give pleasant testimony of the Oshodi of the Old and Oshodi of today, similarly Obalende of the old and Obalende of today will make any true Lagosian proud of his/her government. We can also not forget in a hurry the outlook of the old Yaba/ Tejuoso/Ojuelegba axis with the current onewhere decency has been restored and traffic flow is now seamless. Even the decency now easily noticeable on major streets that are hitherto known for clumsiness like Marina, Broad, Street, CMS, Oyingbo, Ikeja under bridge just to mention a few was as a result of the resolve of the BRF government to restore sanity to the Lagos metropolis. There is no doubt that such a feat cannot be easily achieved without protestations from the people who were already used to a disorganised and filthy setting. Certainly, there will be resistance and verbal bashing of the government by the affected populace majority of who are from the lower strata of the society. Some are even indigents who can barely feed sufficiently from their trade, so, it is understandable when some of these fellows get very dissatisfied with developmental/environmental projects of Government which ironically is in the overall benefit of the masses.

However, the very vital point I intend to pass to you sir via this open letter is that the agencies saddled with the responsibilities of enforcing some of the government policies have done great havoc to the image of Lagos Government. From KAI to LASTMA to the Special Task Force, all have been mostly inhuman in the manner they carried out their enforcement assignments. It may interest you to know sir that against my own personal policy, and in view of the decision of a pressure group of which I am a member (i.e. Lawyers4Change) to sensitise Lagosians on the need to for CHANGE in Lagos State, that is, to vote for APC in order to ensure that for the first time Lagos State changed from being an opposition State to a mainstream State; I alongside my colleagues in the group went on the streets of Lagos State to campaign for you and the APC. One very germane point that I garnered from nearly all the traders, artisan and motorists (both private and commercial) we spoke with at various locations in Lagos State was the complaint against the arbitrariness of the Task Force, KAI and LASTMA officials respectively.

While we cannot excuse the stubborn nature of our people who probably for reason of ignorance, lack of proper education, or deliberate act of wickedness or sabotage will keep occupying areas already prohibited for trading purposes, orparking, picking and or dropping of passengers at prohibited areas as the case may be, it is also a notorious fact that some of the officials of the aforementioned agencies are mostly unprofessional and sometimes irresponsible in the way they carry out their duties.

There is no doubt that it is a herculean task to enforce environmen-

•Adegbite tal and traffic laws in a place with high density population like Lagos State. However, the crude approach by the enforcement agencies has largely given the Government of BRF a lot of knocks and negative ratings among the populace. These acts of indiscriminate arrests and impoundment of hapless citizens wares and vehicles was so notorious that even the management of LASTMA had to put up public adverts to denounce the activities of some unscrupulous officials of the Agency. May I also state that in recent time, KAI officials have also become so reckless and sometimes very irresponsible in the manner they discharge their duties. Apart from the courses that their immediate victims will naturally rain on them, the greatest victim of their actions is the governor who is the face of the Government and who may find it difficult to be re-elected on the account of such high handedness of the State officials. I have personally witnessed such indiscriminate arrests by KAI officials on the streets of Lagos. A particular incident however is of utmost concern to me that I must particularly recount here. Although it had been the practice of the KAI officials to invade the premises of the High Court Premises to harass and extort money from the book sellers within the High Court Premises, they sometimes made away with their wares which had to be ‘bailed’ with substantial amount of money.

As the then Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, I wrote series of letters of complaints to the Ministry of Environment on the nefarious activities of the KAI officials.

AGOS State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Toyin Balogun, has advised Nigerians to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He urged them to be patient with the administration, assuring that the president will not let them down In a statement, he said governance is a collective enterprise.

He said: Is neither surprising nor shocking, but understandable, that Nigerians expectation of the coming government headed by the people’s general. (President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari) is sky high. We all should appreciate the fact that Nigerians have endured for so long in the hands of clueless leaders, and definitely there is a limit to what the oppressed can endure. It is a common knowledge that the outgoing government over stretched people’s endurance and tolerance.

“Millions of people were made to exist in and unprecedented hardship while we read and hear in the news how Billions of Nigeria oil money could not be accounted for by the NNPC. Impunity was the order of the day; caution was an alien in the corridor of power, our president (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) suddenly became the most powerful president in the world. Nigeria was fast coming to

her knees. Coming from this background genuinely rationalized the people’s demand. They really want and truly deserve a better country in no time.

Balogun added: “The coming government is expected to hit the ground running by the long impoverished people of Nigeria. From the first day in the office, Presidentelect (Gen. Muhammadu Buhari) is expected to turn stone to bread. To me, their demand is not totally ungodly, they believe they voted into power a government able enough to provide them succors and make them forget in no time the years of torture and anguish that characterized the government of the conservatives’, clueless leaders that could not provide us electricity for 16 good years.

“The problems confronting the nation are too many that no government can tackle in a little space of two years, except we want to distort the truth. The PDP government fed corruption so well in the last sixteen years that it has become a fully grown muster that only a relentless serious effort can cage.

“Unemployment is heart aching.

Millions of Nigerians able youths are roaming the street unemployed. Insecurity enveloped the nation, no place is secured from the North to the south, and we cannot even secure our territory.”

Lalong appoints former colleague as SSG

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LATEAU State Governor Simon Lalong has appointed Mr. Rufus Bature as the Secretary to the Government (SSG).

Bature was the Minority Leader in the House of Assembly when Lalong was the Speaker between 2001 and 2007.

Bature, a Berom, was also the Director-General of Lalong Campaign organisation, whose leadership in the campaign team led to the emergence of Lalong as the governor.

Lalong also appointed Mr. John Dafa’an as the Chief of Staff, Government House while Barr. Yusuf Hawaja as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House.

In a statement in Jos by the Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Studies, Izam Azi, others also appointed are Mr. Silas Vem as Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Prof. John Wade, Director General, Research, Mr.

’

•Lalong From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Cyril Tsenyil Accountant-General.

Also, Mr. Cletus Kangkum is appointed Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, while Mr. Emmanuel Nanle is the Director of Press Affairs.

The appointments was the first official act since inauguration last week.

•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (right) presenting the Proclamation Order to the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr Ganiyu Abiru before the Inauguration of the new House of Assembly at Alausa, Ikeja…on Monday

‘

The truth is that any government with the focus to make serious impact in infrastructural developments must certainly step on toes, just as it may be difficult to enforce a decent environmental policy without a consequent destruction...

’

‘Nigerians should be patient with the People’s General’

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

•

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

47

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

The Apapa Shopping Mall, wore a new look like cartoon walls. The mall colourful fairyland and balloon castle created an ideal ambience to celebrate, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.

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HE endorsement by parents and the elaborate preparations by shopping malls and fun centers are in sync with the essence of the Children’s Day celebration. At this year’s celebration, the tempo of activities in and around Apapa Mall was very high, an indication that the celebration was exciting and rewarding to children, parents in Apapa and it environment. Management of the mall left nothing to chance to ensure that parents spent quality time with their kids and drove sales in the process.

It was a fiesta of music and dance as the management of Apapa mall hosted children for the first time since its existence in less than a year. They have looked forward to this day being their first big event for children, working closely with partners and tenant stores to give children a memorable experience to last a lifetime.

The mall worked with some of its tenant stores to leverage on this period. It went one step further in ensuring it does not exclude working parents from sharing the special moment with their children.

Apapa Mall succeeded in creating an avenue for playing and learning. They were allowed to explore their creativity, dancing and playing. Kids went home with freebies packs. There were also varieties of games to engage children throughout their stay at the mall.

Parents and guardians accompanied their kids/wards to Apapa Mall, taking advantage of a plethora of fun-filled activities for kids during this exciting period. While parents had good meals, kids participated in dancing and drawing competitions, and burnt their energy in the compartment dedicated to them.

Mr Celestine Jeremiah, Assistant General Manager Finance and Business Development, Top Services Limited, management of the mall said, kids who at the mall were allowed to participate in different kinds of games.”This year’s Children’s Day is the first Apapa Mall will hold in less than one year of its existence and we are happy it is successful. We made provisions for children to paint their faces, do photography, dance to music, perform choreography, mime to their favourite songs, recite poems, current affairs and so on,” Jeremiah said.

He added that children went home with gifts that will be useful to them at school.

“The mall made available educational and motivational material for the children, provided children equipment like bouncy castle, train ride, merry-go-round, cho cho train ride for children to play with, popcorn, candy foss, face painting, dance competition, drawing competition, they were entertained by the ‘Era Of Legends’ and had favourite mascots entertain the children.”

•Pupils of Priscillia Nursery School at the mall.

Apapa Mall fetes children Azubuike Nwankwoala, Branch Manager Shoprite, Apapa said: “Shoprite loves children and have decided to partner with the mall management to host them today, as they are our leaders of tomorrow. We have supported this party with freebies to make this event a success. At Shoprite and Apapa mall, we know the importance of making every May 27 special for children and we intend to continue with this”.

Hephzibah orphanage, Badagry, attested that the children enjoyed themselves “We came with 16 orphans who have all being entertained, our children enjoyed themselves and participated in games provided for them by Apapa mall. At first, when we received an invitation from the mall to attend this children’s party, we were surprised.

We were not asked to pay a dime for anything. This is very unusual with shopping malls, many of them will ask you to buy from a store at the mall to enable you go home with gift prizes. Apapa Mall didn’t exploit us, they made fun here today very enjoyable and we are grateful to the man-

agement of the mall, all the tenant stores who made these wonderful and colourful provisions, we are also grateful to God and pray to him to always lay it in the hearts of people like these to remember us always.

Osagie advised parents and guardian, as she described children as adorable; “Children are divine gifts that parents get from the almighty. Their eyes are full of innocence. They smile when they receive love and admiration; they cry when it is their first day at school away from their parents; they giggle when they mingle with their peers, and they signify nothing but pure and faithful love. They truly symbolize God, therefore, let us as parents, guardians and mothers play our roles on their special day.”

He added that childhood memories are the sweetest of all; they can be savoured for a lifetime and that the celebration is fun for the little ones and important for parents too. “Every parent must understand the importance of Children’s Day. Parents should be well aware about the little desires of their angels” she advised.

According to Mrs. Chidinma Nwosu, a par-

ent, “With arrangements like this, I can only spend little to treat my kids and make them happy. Because I understand via hand bills and advertisements by these shopping malls that the whole exercise will be free. So I love to be part of it.” This perhaps, explains why for children, the event, is the perfect time to make requests from their parents. And their parents usually and immediately oblige them in the spirit of the celebration.

The children played round the mall, made new friends and had chocolate and ice cream stains all over their clothes; they had lots of goodies to eat Busy Brain Nursery and Primary school said; “I am happy to be part of Apapa mall’s party for children today and I wish Children’s Day can be every day so that I will continue to enjoy all these goodies here”.

Schools present at the event were; Priscilla Nursery and Primary school Apapa, Busy Brain Qafield International School, Dabet International Nursery and Primary school and ST Davilla Mont Nurse and Primary school Ajegunle, all in Lagos.

Intel’s bridges gender gap on Internet

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OMPARED to men, women’s access to Internet is low. A report commissioned by Intel on the access to, and use of the Internet in low and middle income countries indicated women are at a disadvantage.

The report shows 25 per cent fewer women than men are online in developing countries. Intel has emphasised its commitment to bridging this gap with its Intel She Will Connect Programme.

The programme has been in the forefront of educating young girls and women on maximum contributions toward economic and social development across the world.

According to Intel, the programme is a model that incorporates digital literacy with gender and development programming targeting women and girls, adding that it gives social networking and socioeconomic opportunities for young women.

At the concluded capacity building workshop on ICT for women journalists in Lagos, Nigeria, the country Managing Director, Intel West Africa, Mr Olubunmi Ekundare said Intel’s dedication to bring about positive change in the African Girl Child.

Stressing the importance of educating the

•From left: Mrs Yetunde Akin-Taylor, Mr Ekundare, Ehizefua Edeh and Oreoluwa Lesi at the at the training session in Lagos

By Evelyn Osagie

TRAINING girl child, he said: “Here at Intel, we believe, and I’m sure we all agree, that smart girls are the equivalent of a smart world. What we seek to do, more than encouraging you all; is to do your best in school and seize the opportunity to build a world where youth are inspired to be advocates for change.”

The Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr

Babatunde Akinola, explained that She Will Connect programme aims to close the gap for girls in terms of access to the internet and digital literacy. He reiterated that the company will provide technical resources and expertise to deliver digital literacy training, online peer networks and gender relevant content to empower young girls and women in Nigeria.

“Technology and access to the internet is essential to women’s empowerment across the continent, and it is key to overcoming

barriers such as poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination. She Will Connect hopes to have reached five million women and girls across Africa by 2020, empowering them to get and stay online and help others like them, thereby reducing the gender gap by 50%.

“It enjoys the support of NGO’s and organisations like; Zonta International Clubs in Nigeria, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, Nigerians Report Online and the United Nations Informations Centre, among others,” he said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

The Midweek Magazine My Hero... The sunny side of Mr President

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Twas a 40-minute documentary. Yet, members of the audience at its screening got more than a bumper harvest from it. Tagged My Hero… is a documentary on the life style of President Mohammadu Buhari, which was premiered recently at Abuja before some select audience such as General Paul Tafa (rtd) Mallam Isyaku Ibrahim, Alhaji M.M. Abdul, former Minister of Information, Mr. Tony Momoh, former Head of Civil Service, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, Director General, National Gallery of Art, Abduallahi Muku.

No doubt, many members of the audience at the premier may have been stunned by some of the revelations made in the film.

The 40-minute documentary endeared Buhari to many at the end of the show as the sunny side of a man misunderstood as a brute and unfriendly was captured in the documentary.

The film, produced by Ireti Bakare Yusuf in collaboration with Heavywind Studios, was premiered as part of activities heralding the dawn of Buhari’s administration. Executive Producer of the documentary, Ireti Bakare Yusuf said she got involved in the film through a voluntary work and that she was not certain Buhari would win the election. Yet many people supported her ambition and that was what led to the actualisation of the work.

On the choice of title, she said the dots after the word Hero was included after the election was won to capture the inputs that were gathered after the election. According to Yusuf, after four years of Buhari’s administration, those who do not believe in him now might come to agree with the title.

General Tafa, an age-long ally of Buhari who chaired the premier commended the effort of the executive producer. According to him, the fact that the documentary was single handedly financed by her was most commendable. Tafa said: “She traversed Nigeria with her team and at her expense to interview people, friends and relations of Buhari because of her belief in Buhari as somebody who will bring change to Nigeria. The documentary says it all but even before that, I want to say that Buhari is the man Nigeria needs now and my prayer is that all that he stood for and had said would be fulfilled in the next four years”.

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

DOCUMENTARY For about 40 minutes, audience were taken through interviews with prominent Nigerians on one hand and the general public who had not had any close relationship with him on the other, each giving his perception about the new President. Max Siollun, a historian, for instance, described Buhari as a very consistent person while others see him from the perception of honesty, consistent and integrity.

In fact, every aspect of Buhari’s life was captured in interviews with 29 Nigerians that comprised close associates, childhood friends, relations, family members, employees as well as the general public.

Among those interviewed are Musa Bello, Kunle Idiagbon, Captain Paul Tafa, Dr. Abiola Gyado, General Mohammed Magoro, Tunji Lardner and Chief Bisi Akande.

Ironically, even though they were interviewed at different times and in different places, every contributor had an impressive and positive description of the man, Buhari.

The highlight of the interview was where Buhari’s wife revealed how humorous he is. According to her, Mr. President also loves animal channels and local movies and could watch films for over 10 hours without getting bored.

Yusuf stated that although the task was very challenging, she got a little support from friends and that made her work more of a memorable experience than a challenge, adding, “It was challenging but also, I had support and that made things a lot easier.

However, that was not the most challenging task I have ever carried out. We live in Nigeria; we all have challenges but we always overcome those challenges. So, I like to see it as a journey and experience rather than a challenge “But it was good going to see all those friends of President Buhari. Some of the things I learnt from them behind the camera were greater than those in the film and as for whether it changed my perception about Buhari, I will say it did. Who would have thought that Buhari is into comic books? His wife said he sits down and watches animal

•Mrs Buhari and Ireti

channels for over 10 hours and he loves it to a point where he begins to cry. Who would have thought of that?

“The Buhari we all know is a man that is austere and straight looking. Nobody knew he also has a sense of humour. It was one of the things I learnt. So, a lot of my perception about him changed and I think a lot of people’s perception about him also changed through the documentary. It was very rewarding for me in many ways but definitely not financially.

“As a Nigerian, as a person and in my own development, it has enabled me to learn so much about the goodness of this country.

One of the things that became apparent to me is that there are honest, humble, Godfearing and law abiding men and women in this country who served the nation wholeheartedly without stealing a penny.

“These people are of different generations from ours and I hope that our generations would learn from that. A lot of Buhari’s friends I met have humble homes. It is a case of show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”, Ireti said.

Also at the event was the Director General, National Gallery of Art, Abdullahi Muku.

He said he would be taking away a lot of things from the documentary.

“I learnt that we have a leader that is disciplined. With a disciplined leader, the followers will have no option than to be disciplined. But the most important thing I have learnt from the documentary is that we as a people appear to be having our last chance to get things right. Hence, we must give our

‘Consume goods that use less energy, water’

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HE United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has urged Nigerians and other peoples of the world to shift their consumption patterns towards goods that use less energy, water and other resources.

According to this change can be better achieved if they would stop unnecessary wastage.

“In this year of transformation, when we hope to see great advances on sustainable development and climate change, let us think about the environmental consequences of the choices we make,” Ki-moon said.

The submission is part of the UN Secretary General’s message commemorating made this year’s World Environment Day. His message was delivered by the Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja at a symposium held to mark the day at the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) office.

Kayanja called for great advances on sustainable development and climate change consciousness. The Director of UNIC Lagos, who was represented by Ms Adeola Adedeji, said: “Let us celebrate World Environment Day by becoming more conscious of our ecological impact.”

To mark this year’s day, UNIC Lagos, with the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) and LAWMA held a cleaning exercise at Iddo Market.

The cleaning exercise, which involved the traders in the market, was meant to strengthen the culture of maintaining a clean environment, especially in the various markets where the rate of wastes generation is high, it was said.

Sensitising the traders, the representative of LAWMA, Mrs Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun, highlighted the health benefits of a clean en-

By Evelyn Osagie

ENVIRONMENT vironment and the importance of tree planting, noting that no tree was sighted in the market. She added that the traders should shun the habits of disposing wastes into the drainage as this could block the channels and lead to flooding with possible loss of lives and property.

Mr Olayiwole Onasanya, who gave the key-

note address, spoke on the minimal usage of resources, the purpose and benefits of re-usage, recycling and reduction of material in use.

NES Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Dr Eugene Itua, urged the public to contribute in ensuring cleaner air and a greener environment in Nigeria.

An awareness walk, tagged: The Green Walk, was also held to mark the day. It was organised by the International Living Africa with UNIC Lagos and the All Nigeria United Nations Students’ Association (ANUNSA).

•Rhesus Solution Initiative (RSI) Founder/President Mrs Funmilayo Banire flanked by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ola Oresanya (right) and former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commissioner Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso during RSI Walk for Life at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

maximum cooperation to ensure he succeeds and when he success, we succeed.

“In one word, I will say that he is a disciplined man with a tremendous believe in the country and committed to see that everything works well for Nigeria”, Muku said.

For the former Minister of Information, Chief Tony Momoh, the documentary has brought about the humane side of Buhari as told by friends.

He added: “It also brought out how humorous he is. How strict people thought he was but how very humorous he has always been.

“There were lots of things people did not know about Buhari, which came out in the film today - closeness to those who worked with him and those he worked with. There did not seem to be anybody who said anything evil about him or the so called bad side that the hate films said about him.

“As a person, I have known Buhari since 2003 when I was with him and I know he is the simplest man you can meet. He talks about the rules and expects everybody to obey the rules. He is very predictable, you will know what he will do; if you compromise any of the issues, you are on your own.

On what he expects of Buhari after inauguration, Momoh noted that the President should hit the ground running.

“Buhari said things have become so bad that it will take a lot of time to stabilise and he will pursue security, develop infrastructure and all of us will look forward to prosperity”, Momoh added.

UNIC, Dutch Embassy receive Dutch cyclists Evelyn Osagie

TRAVELS

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HE United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos with the Netherlands Embassy Office in Lagos received two Dutch cyclists of the Building Bridges team who had embarked on a 17,000 kilometres journey on their bicycles from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Cape Town in South Africa.

The cyclists, Jilt van Schayik, and Teun Meulepas, who stopped over in Lagos, took off four months ago from Amsterdam through 12 countries and two continents so far. They still have eight more countries, including Nigeria to reach their Cape Town destination.

The cyclists, which are of the Building Bridges cycling team that is part of the Building Bridges Project, connects, shares and inspires youths in Africa and Europe through youth consultations, debates and conferences to raise awareness for the urgent challenges that exist around the United Nations’ post-2015 development agenda and gender equality.

A briefing and a youth consultative forum was held in their honour at UNIC Lagos. The team of cyclists joined by their Nigerian counterparts later proceeded to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Iganmu Lagos.

According to UNIC Lagos the Building Bridges Project is an international youth initiative, seeking to promote the United Nations post2015 agenda from a youth-led perspective and seeks to improve the relationship between young people on the ground and decision makers at the United Nations. The project also draws attention to priorities of youth through constructive engagement with a view to strengthening their development.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

49

The Midweek Magazine Lawyer’s master trade tool

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

“T

O succeed in the profession of the law, you must cultivate command of language. Words are the lawyer’s tools of trade.

When you are called upon to address a Judge, it is your words, which count most. It is by them that you will hope to persuade the Judge of the rightness of your cause.

When you have to interpret, a section in a statute or a paragraph in a Regulation, you have to study the very words. You have to discover the meaning by analysing the words one by one to the very last syllable.

When you have to draw up a will or a contract, you have to choose your words well.

You have to look into the future, envisage all the contingencies that may come to pass, and then use words to provide for them. On the words you use, your client’s future may depend”.

- RT. HON. LORD AFRED THOMPSON DENNING, MASTER OF THE ROLLS. You have been told about the mass failure of law school students in the 2013/2014 August Bar 2 final examinations at the Nigerian Law School. You have also seen loads of our Nigerian graduates who cannot write good English grammar, despite their impressive University results.

This book about written English, as opposed to spoken or oral English, hopes to add a modest contribution to the dearth of literary effort (locally) towards improving our present educational crisis in Nigeria.

It is primarily intended to serve as a revision course in English grammar for lawyers but there is little doubt that all literate persons will derive immeasurable benefit from it.

Barrister G B Nkemnacho’s new international bestseller Basic English Grammar for Nigerian Lawyers is a must-read on the basic essentials in writing excellent English Grammar for both businesses and professional people. It is intended to stimulate the

S

BOOK REVIEW From Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Title:

Basic English Grammar for Nigerian Lawyers

Reviewer: Moses O. Orobor Pagination: Publisher: interest and curiosity of the mature spectrum of the reading public at which the book is specifically targeted. As such, various categories of persons; from literate persons, professionals and non-professionals alike, will benefit from this reference material.

The aim of this book is to assist in raising the standard of written and spoken English among our lawyers in particular and other persons in general, especially at this period of our history when the standard of education generally is admitted to be falling.

Barrister G B Nkemnacho has used his various experiences as teacher, Chief Legal Draftsman at the State Ministry of Justice, Administrator (High Court Chief Registrar) and private Legal Practitioner, to compile

this must read book for the benefit of readers and society in general.

The book has been very conveniently divided into 21 chapters, each of which can be virtually independent of the others with the result that the reader is at Liberty to read the chapters separately without dove-tailing one chapter with another in order to understand it.

In the opening paragraph, the author lucidly explains the primary roots of the English language, namely, the alphabet words, diphthongs, phrases, clauses and sentences, each of which he illustrates with clear examples He then proceeds to explain the various parts of speech with their unique grammatical amplifications. Of special interest is the author’s treatment of clauses and clause analysis, detailed analysis, figures of speech and punctuation.

The author explains the latter with the expertise of a legal draftsman who is also versed in the trade of printing. Copious exercises punctuate the chapters of the book and these are intended to enable the reader to test his comprehension of the chapter in question.

In the appendixes, the author demonstrates his mastery of the topics treated in the book; amazing in their variety, they are intended as an aptitude test for the reader.

The author was pleasantly surprised when in the course of a proceeding in a High Court in Nigeria, the Judge who was visibly embarrassed at a Counsel’s submission, admonished him in these plain words; “As a Lawyer, you can speak as you like, but you cannot write as you like”.

It is to be conceded that a good knowledge of the English language is not the exclusive preserve of Lawyers. Effective communication is a sine qua non in any process of knowledge dissemination. Excellent writers abound among authors of science, medical and engineering books and articles, as well as among journalists and other social scientists.

Indeed, experience has shown that Scienceoriented scholars make profound novelists.

Accordingly, the need for lawyers whose principal tool of trade is the English language, to communicate in writing, in perfect English, much more effectively than

The metaphors of life

HORT stories present to us the pieces of our lives in one single breathe; they illuminate our understanding of ourselves and illustrate the intricacies of existence and survival. They re-enact before our very eyes on the pages of paper, our struggles for meaning in a world riddled with derisive metaphors that sometimes make us want to cry, and other times they influence our reflections on the paradox of life. Halima Aliyu’s‘Fire On The Tip of Ice’ is a collection of short-short stories that present a portraiture of human hunt for existential gratification. In Aliyu’s stories, we encounter a recount of us, our desires for love, peace, happiness, sexual pleasure, and above all the search for purpose and meaning. The pieces are the metaphors of life-our lives. The characters and events are faced with the same challenges, desires and aspirations as us in the real world. In her characters we see us and our daily problems.

Fire On The Tip of Ice is a collection of nine stories told with a feminine elegance and though, their cadence attempt to be neutral they are however, betrayed by the sentiment and feministic undertone of the portrayal of struggling female characters depicted as being selfless and perhaps the most important pillars of the society.In fact, the female gender is shown as the source of life by the affection and nurturing of young ones as if to say the only thing a woman is good at is giving care. For instance, we are informed in ‘Irora’ that Adeola had right from time decided on becoming a professional housewife like her mother. This is what the narrator tells us of Adeola’s aspirations; By the time she wrote her last paper in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination, she already knew she wanted to become a housewife, like her mother. She planned on staying at home and raising her children. (p.13) Perhaps, Adeola’s ambition is conditioned by the parochial society she lives in that makes mothering seem like a profession or job to many young girls, who ordinarily should aspire for a higher education and well paid career and become a force in the society. Aliyu’s portrayal is questioning our values and how such values influence the decision of others. But of course, Adeola ends realising that marriage is not a career but just a necessary part of living.

Adeola is confronted with the obstacle of a

cheating and uncaring husband whom she despises but still manages to live with. She transfers her hatred of Bisi, to her innocent child,Titi.

The frustration and challenges faced by the young nursing mother is well registered in the story. While Adeola stays awake all night tending to Titi’s endless needs, Bisi snores away the night unconcerned with the happenings around him. For the first time,Adeola smiles as she watches Bisi who is a soldier, go away for a six months assignment, ordinarily, no woman would be happy to see her husband go away for such a long time but to Adeola, Bisi’s long absence makes no difference. In truth, he had never really been there for her even when his presence most mattered. The narrator informs us that, The day Adeola put to bed, Bisi was in town. He, however, did not follow her to the hospital, as it was difficult to him on his mobile. She had tried his number several times before giving up and going to wake Mama Caro. That was not the first time that he had been absent on occasions when she needed him. (P.1314) In the title story Fire On The Tip of Ice we meet Amina the wife of Alhaji, and her chance meeting with a dentist doctor, who rescue her from a situation at union roundabout and whom she eventually lusts after. Amina is sexually deprived by Alhaji who hardly satisfies her, even when he finally finds the time to make love to her.She desires more than what Alhaji offers but is afraid to complain, so he doesn’t feel insulted by her assessment of his performance in bed. And yet again, the vow of marriage forbids her from seeking the comfort of another man. She ends up masturbating and living in misery. Also, Amina transfers her aggression to her only son and often hits him for little wrongs that she could have mildly scolded him with words. One would wonder how a mother would find the gut to maltreat her own son because of the shortcoming of his father. Although, it is difficult to believe it but we see it in the character of Amina, and one can only empathise with her over her condition.

Sexual deprivation as can be seen in the character of Amina, is perhaps the worst nightmare of a married partner as it could lead to extramarital affairs that could in turn break the home and worst still, it could result to psychological complication for the deprived partner such as

BOOK REVIEW From Uzor Maxim Uzoatu Title: Reviewer: Author: Publisher:

Fire on the Tip of Ice Paul T. Liam Halima Aliyu Kraft Books Ltd, Ibadan

in the case of Amina.

It happened in a rush; as it always did. Amina had barely prepared herself when Alhaji slid into her. Then he began to move his bulky frame, with obvious effort.

She closed her eyes, trying hard to breathe under the weight of his body. And then, it was over. (p.30) The above passage describes the mating routine between Amina and Alhaji. We feel the pain the protagonist is passing through. Alhaji is portrayed as an insensitive and docile man, who cares less whether his wife is sexually satisfied or not, so long as his own needs are met.

What is Amina supposed to do with a situation as precarious as the one before her?

There are equally very psychologically stirring stories in the collection such as ‘Take a Step’ and ‘Soiled.’ The psychological and emotional stimulation makes them stand out in the collection as every critical reader’s favourite both in terms of craft and the depth of thematic manipulation. Suspense is better handled, the interaction between the characters is well handled and for once the reader confronts really thought provoking and emotionally draining thematic engagements.

those lawyers, arrogantly call “lay-men”, cannot be over emphasisised.

The book is a compendium of the rudiments of the grammar of the English language. The reader will find in this book a lot that is both revealing and instructive.

The author’s treatment of every topic is thorough, lucid and profoundly illuminating.

The book is astonishingly rich in content.

Its other high point is the simplicity of the language and style of the author which have enabled him to communicate effectively with the reader, thus justifying his literary philosophy that the best idea is that which is most simply expressed.

“The reason why words are so important is because words are the vehicle of thought.

When you are working out a problem on your own at your desk or walking home, you think in words, not in symbols or numbers. When you are advising your client in writing or by word of mouth, you must use words. There is no other means available. To do it convincingly, do it simply and clearly. If others find it difficult to understand you, it will often be because you have not cleared your own mind upon it. Obscurity in thought inexorably leads to obscurity in language”.- Rt. Hon Lord Denning The author belongs to what may be referred to as the “classical core of trained teachers” in this country and has richly drawn on his vast and varied experience both as a teacher of English in post-primary institutions and as a legal draftsman in producing this marvellous work which by any standard is in the tradition of Nesfield and Oliphant renowned authorities on the grammar of the English language. The book has been fashioned after the style of the immortal works of those classical authors.

The book will be invaluable especially to all categories of lawyers, whether on the bench or at the bar, as well as to teachers in higher institutions of learning, law students, mass communication practitioners, politicians and authors generally, in the English-speaking world. It is further recommended that the book will be an indispensable addition to institutional and private libraries.

It is intriguing to read a baby narrate the ordeal of his mother, as she fears that he may never walk. The storyline is simple but classic, Mama’s only son Junior, in Take a Step is due to walk but he still hasn’t started walking and it worries Mama that her only child may never be able to walk. This fear makes her grieve all the time and she employs the use of a walking tricycle with which she tries to teach Junior how to walk. The irony that makes this story exceptional is the simple fact that the story is narrated by the baby (Junior) and unknown to his mother it is his deliberate decision not to walk.Because he fears the danger in the world and therefore,he prefers to remain a baby forever, in order to avoid the ordeal of the adult world. Junior changes his mind after only listening to Mama and Mrs Taju’sconversation that he may become a ‘cripple’. Junior walks finally after much effort, he decides it is time for him to walk to avoid becoming a cripple and who can explain the joy of a mother on seeing her child take the first step of his life? None can.

Junior explains the last moment of joy as he takes the first steps of his life, “the next thing I knew, I was in Mama’s arms and she was laughing and crying and kissing me at the same time. “Oh Junior, you can walk. You can walk. You can Walk,’” the suspense and humour in the story is really gripping, an emotional reader might cry while reading this particular story.

‘Soiled’ is another well-crafted piece in the collection, it engages the contemporary issue of homosexual and rape in a different sense than the term is mostly associated with.

‘Soiled’ is the story about the rape of the innocence of a school boy known as Richard.

Richard is perpetually raped by a group of Senior Prefects, who molest him every night and day.This act of homosexual activity perpetuated against him traumatises him as he is regarded as a timid and retarded recluse who is also the subject of bully by many, especially Joel who saddles him with the duties of taking care of his homework. Unfortunately for Joel, Richard would end up using him as a bite to catch up on his assaulters as he stays out late at Richard’s bed copying an assignment and eventually falls asleep. Well, Richard succeeds in unravelling his predators. He finds out that Senior James and other seniors were his assaulters, when he switched on the light and caught them ripping Joel’s anus apart.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

The Midweek Magazine Studio of Mode unveils gallery in Lagos

By Evelyn Osagie

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

WHO IS LISTENING?

ART

S

OMETHING fresh would hit Lagos art space this June. It’s Lagosinspired “Studio of Mode”.

Art enthusiasts would find Studio of Mode a refreshing addition to the robust and thrilling Lagos city art scene. The gallery, which derived its building’s main character from the city, is stirred by Yoruba culture and aesthetic.

Determined to arrest the senses of sight and touch, the contrast between the outer white walls and the inner mud walls is sure to draw you in. The divergence epitomises the brash boldness and unpredictability that is Lagos.

Studio of Mode is the company gallery of a multidimensional artist, Mode Aderinokun. Like her father, the late Mr Olutayo Aderinokun, who was a philanthropist and patron of the arts, Mode is set to invigorate the art scene with her talent and experiences. She would be unveiling the gallery alongside an art store.

During her time at school and her work experience abroad, the artist has been able to amass enough experience, inspiration, skills, and techniques to prepare her for the journey she is about to embark on with the opening of this gallery and store.

According to Mode, the primary aim of the company, Studio of Mode, is to “create a space where the voice of a creative with various skills can be clearly heard and understood”.

“The gallery would be a place where creativity can connect and integrate into modern day society in an expressive, intellectual manner, without necessarily one’s creative aesthetic,” she says.

Mode believes deeply in creation and not emulation, and in creating and being inspired by what is true to you and not the western adaptation of the way things should be. Ideally, one would expect white walls in a gallery but Studio of Mode dares to be the exception. The terra cotta walls of the arcade are an ode to her Abeokuta roots and are meant to have guests feeling like they are under a rock, while the innermost blue room takes you back to a neutral space.

“The coloured walls with their deeprooted meanings embrace West-Nigerian culture, giving the native visitors a sense of home while giving the international visitors an education on our culture,” she says.

She dedicates the space which is set to unveil this Sunday to her late father, a patron of the arts and philanthropist.

•Mode

•PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Reminisce’s new video premieres on MTV Base

Timi Dakolo hints on new song

By Joe Agbro Jr

By Joe Agbro Jr

W

ITH Wish Me Well, still generating a buzz among his fans, Soul musician, Timi Dakolo, has hinted that he is working on another song.

The singer gave an inkling of this development on his Instagram account, yesterday.

Posting a picture of himself, hugging his wife, the singer who came into national limelight in 2007, after winning the first season of Idol West Africa, idealised his projections of a real man.

‘Real men show emotions,’ he wrote.

‘No be by 6 packs and biceps... Call for no reason... Saying I love you anyhow.’

Dakolo, however, ended his post on a different note.

‘Note,’ he wrote, ‘nu song loading.’

His new song, might just stem out of those lines; a love song for his wife.

P

• Timi Dakolo

Industry Nite to host Skales, others

• Skales

OPULAR local language lyricist, Reminisce is definitely showering in blitz, following his recently released album, Baba Hafusa.

Yesterday, a brand new video for Skilashi, a fast-paced song in the new album, premiered on MTV Base Africa.

A tweet from MTV Base’s Twitter account, @MTVbaseAfrica, which was retweeted by Reminisce read; ‘Brand new video for #Skilashi by @IamReminisce will première #FirstOnBase today at 16:00 WAT!’ The music video was produced by Sarz and directed by Frizzle and Bizzle Films. Reminisce, the self-titled Alaga Ibile and brand ambassador of Orijin, has been getting rave reviews since he dropped his latest album, Baba Hafusa last month.

Lamboginny laments unapproved sale of own song on iTunes

By Adewoyin Adeniyi • Lamboginny

By Joe Agbro Jr

R

AVE-of-the-moment music artiste, Skales, will tonight be hosted at this week’s edition of Industry Nite. The event takes place every Wednesday night, at Spice Route, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Skales, who recently released his much anticipated album, Man Of The Year, was excited about performing at the show.

‘Happening tomorrow Wednesday (today) y’all,’ he tweeted yesterday. ‘Industry Nite!

At spice route in V.I! Starting 10pm!’

While Skales who is under Baseline Entertainment will be headline act of the event, other artistes would also get a chance to grace the stage in the weekly event, which aims to promote showbiz.

Other artistes billed to perform at the event include DJ Spicey, Attitude, Kenny Wonder and GGB Sance Crew.

Ali Baba frowns at ‘indecent’ dressing

By Jane Kolade

A

lot has been said about the current trend of women baring their cleavage in the name of fashion, and veteran comedian Ali Baba seems to be deeply disturbed by the trend.

He tweets: “I have nothing against you dressing the way you like, but when you go above board, I am forced to ask, if she has a boyfriend; if she has advisers; if she has values? . . . But remember as African men, we do not like to eat food that is not covered. . . It’s unhygienic and unethical. But then again, it’s her body, wetin concern me? I may be wrong sha!”

Reacting to the comedian’s position, a fan said; “I understand you but there is relativity on the issue . . . Benin women baring their breasts is a perceived curse, in South African society, they have days when women go out with their breasts exposed, and on the day their king wants to choose a bride in full glare of the world. . . Because you see it as bad doesn’t make it so, it only shows the relativity in the way people see things.”

Ali Baba retorted, “Don’t differ to what you don’t know. Do you realize that it’s a curse when women go naked in protest? And do you recall that it’s only in extreme cases that women bare their breasts in public? “ The conversation continued with many

P

OPULAR Nigerian singer, Lamboginny, has said that his song, Meje, is being sold online without his consent, noting that the song carries the imprint of either Goge Africa or Kcee’s 5Star Music.

The singer said he was informed a week earlier that his new song is selling on iTunes but he didn’t take it seriously.

He said: “Sometime during the week, I was informed that one of my new music materials, Meje, is selling on iTunes but I thought it was just a joke because I just finished signing an international digital distribution deal with a Canadian distribution company for my songs, videos and my better part! I mean the

video cuts from my humanitarian projects, which I planned mid June. However, I went on iTunes and found my song selling at $1.29

by Goge Africa and 5Star Music, without my knowledge.”

Lamboginny revealed that he is not signed to either Goge Africa or Five Star Music, and as such, none of them has the right to sell his music.

“I am not signed under Goge Africa or 5Star Music, so why would they be selling my song; the leading single from my forthcoming album, and a song handpicked to lead my first digital sale online for that matter? We can’t make good money from Alaba Market, we give our songs out to bloggers for free download and iTunes which is our little hope of good record sales and now they are trying to take that away too? NO WAY! I AM GOING TO FIGHT THIS TO THE VERY END. My legal team is coming at you… Why rip me off my intellectual property! Kilode” He however said that 5Star artiste, Kcee, has called to disassociate the label from such act, “Yes! Kcee and Soso Soborekan have called to disassociate 5Star Music from the evil act and as well vouched to join in the hunt and bring the culprit to justice with their brand name being the signature behind the iTunes upload. But as far as my team and I are concerned, and if the information of upload on iTunes is genuine, then it is a shame that this is being done to us by one of us.”

The singer said he decided to make a case of the situation because ‘we need to join hands together to put a stop the problem of piracy and plagiarism. Goge Africa can as well come out to put up a public disclaimer on this if they truly know nothing about it as done by 5Star Music.”

Veteran DJ, Abbey Lincoln dies at 74

V • Ali Baba

buying into the argument of the comedian.

Shina Peller plans launch of Aquila Records

P

• Reminisce

OPULAR Night Club owner, Shina Peller, will on June 12, launch his much-anticipated Record label, Aquila Record.

The “Save the date” event will feature the label’s artistes and will be hosted by the trail blazing DJ Jimmy Jatt.

Aquila Record is another investment by the serial entrepreneur, coming under the Aquila Group.

Artistes already signed to the label include Tilla, Base One, and Que Peller. Tilla’s songs such as Mawobe, and Bad Man are currently making waves in clubs across the country.

The event is expected to begin with a press conference at the Oriental Hotel earlier in the day, while the main event will take place at Club Quilox, from 8:00p.m.

ETERAN disc jockey, Abiodun Okusanya, popularly called Abbey Lincoln has passed on. He was 74.

Reports say family members are planning to pay their last respects on June 13th 2015.

As an oldy in the entertainment industry, the late Lincoln whose works promoted popular attires, cultures and music of that burgeoning era, held sway at top clubs like Beach Comba and Classic, among others.

Scion to the late Chief Emmanuel Badejo Okusanya, Lincoln was one of the first indigenous owners of a music company in Nigeria.

A contemporary of Segun Sonibare, John Chukwu, and Eddie Ugboma, his life revolved around entertainment, from his school days at Fiditi Grammar School, through to his time at Molusi College, where he was the fastest mile runner in the whole of the then Western Region.

He also participated in several sporting activities like Javelin, Long jump and high jump.

His love for good music kept him around after passing on the baton of night-life to the

• The late Lincoln

new generation of DJs. He ventured into In-Car Entertainment, tapping into the general love for premium entertainment on the move to attract clients to his Surulere, Lagos workshop, to fix woofers, DVDs and different entertainment accessories in their cars. He was at the time popularly called Papa as he neared retirement.

Lincoln is survived by his siblings, Opeolu Okusanya, Olori Labisi Tejuosho, Yomi Badejo Okusanya of CMC Connect, and his children.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

53

BUSINESS EXTRA

NCC destroys N10b imported pirated materials

I

MPORTED pirated materi als, including books, artworks, musicals and cinematography valued at N10 billion stuffed in about 20 containers, have been seized in the last five years, the Director of Lagos Zone, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Chris Nkwocha has said.

Last year alone, the NCC, he said, seized and destroyed pirated works worth N6.5 billion in Lagos State, during over 400 anti-piracy operations.

Nkwocha who spoke during this year’s International Archives Day hosted by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), at its Magodo office.

The NCC chief stated further that within the period, over 50 convictions were enforced, while about 173 cases, including that of the Alaba King of

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Pirates, are in various competent courts, in its determination to chase the pirates out of business.

Describing pirates as despicable and economic saboteurs, Nkwocha said: “Section 38 sub-section 5 of the Nigeria Copyright Law gave copyright inspectors all the rights and powers contained in the Police Act or any other enactments in Nigeria to investigate and prosecute any copyright infringements in the country.”

He said though the agency is trying to amend the law to capture digital piracy which is more rampant today, it would however not be deterred as the present provisions is still adequate to try offenders and ensure that right owners enjoy the full benefit of their

creative effort and labour.

He said though the rights owner have a bundle of rights, chief among which are the economic and moral rights, enough awareness needed to be sustained for all property owners to seek the protection of their ownership to such through the copyright laws.

He said a rights owner has “a full and exclusive right including economic benefit to his works throughout his life time or to about 50 and 70 years lifespan of such works.”

Delivering a paper titled: “Copyright: Interpreting the Law for Archives and Allied Institutions,” Nkwocha said the NCC was established to help right owners secure the rights to their works, adding that copyright matters could be obtained for works of art, books or any other printed matter, photographs, music,

cinematography, or any works of creativity from which one could exact economic benefit.

He commended the Lagos State government for creating LASRAB as an institution for the archival of any information concerning the state, and asked other states in the country to take a cue and begin the process of documenting their stories.

Describing LASRAB as “the society’s memory bank”, the chief counsel in the state’s Ministry of Justice Mrs Adebukola Agbanimoja said archivists must define the extent of their roles in information management in order not to be overtly exposed to infractions that may make them liable for rights abuse.

She said libraries and archival institutions have often cited Section 107 of the Ar-

chives Act of the United States, which stresses fair use, yet, the question of what constitutes fair use have remained thorny.

The founder, Rhema Foundation and President of Institute of Information Management Amb. Oyedotun Oyewole called for more stringent anti-piracy laws to make the trade unattractive to people.

He described as a criminal anyone who wish to profit from another person’s efforts, arguing that such saboteurs must be severely sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others.

A lecturer in the Department of History and International Studies, Mr Habib Sanni urged the NCC to respond to the challenge of internet processed information, by coming up with appropriate punishments for people who infringe on works on such platforms.

‘How we became network of choice,

by Globacom

G

LOBACOM has ex plained why it became the preferred service provider for corporate Nigeria.

The Head, Corporate Sales of Globacom, Kamaldeen Shonibare, said last year’s massive network upgrade embarked upon by the telco, which was aimed at enhancing service delivery, and wide coverage, have culminated in its superior network services that have given it edge over its competitors.

The telco said many organisations which are key players across international agencies, oil and gas, manufacturing, banking, food and beverage, insurance and religion, amongst others, now have Glo as the provider of their voice and data needs.

The organisations include the United Nations in the international agencies segment, Dangote Plc in the manufacturing sector; Chevron, Seplat, Halliburton Energy, Addax, NIPCO, Sterling Oil and Septa in the Oil and Gas sector and Sterling Bank, Stanbic IBTC and FCMB in the banking industry. Others are Deeper Life Bible Church, Mansard Insurance as well as Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) and 7-Up Bottling Company in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.

Shonibare added that Glo was also popular in the public sector especially with the Presidency, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Ministries of Internal Affairs and Aviation, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy being some of the government establishments whose telecom needs are provided by the network.

He listed other factors, which he opined had endeared Glo to different industry players, to include the company’s very proactive and responsive sales team, its competitive tariffs, highly flexible packages and reliable connectivity for voice and data services.

“Globacom also has an efficient Account Management system which is complemented by a very courteous and effective team that puts a personal touch to customer service and relationship management,” he said.

•From left: Iranian Deputy Minister on Industry, Trade and Mining, Engr. Afkharni Pour, Executive Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Chief Segun Awolowo, First Deputy National President, NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Saeed Kuzechi and Nigerian Ambassador to Iran, Ambassador Tukur Mani at the first Iran Solo Exhibition in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Shareholders approve Skye Bank’s absorption of Mainstreet Bank

S

HAREHOLDERS of Skye Bank Plc have given the final nod to the acquisition and absorption of Mainstreet Bank Limited, paving the way for the emergence of the enlarged Skye Bank Plc. At the court-ordered extra ordinary general meeting held immediately after the bank’s 9th annual general meeting yesterday in Lagos, shareholders considered and approved Skye Bank’ proposed scheme of external restructuring which deals with the acquisition and consolidation of the operations of Mainstreet Bank with Skye Bank Plc. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria

By Taofik Salako

(AMCON) had on December 19 transferred full ownership of Mainstreet Bank Limited to Skye Bank Plc. The transfer of full ownership took place after a completion meeting where AMCON divested its interest and transferred full ownership of the bridge bank to Skye Bank. Skye Bank had successfully paid 100 per cent of the acquisition value and received regulatory clearance as the new owner.

Chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, yesterday confirmed that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), had given its clearance to the scheme.

He explained that after the clearance of the scheme by SEC, an application was filed at the Federal High Court which directed that the meeting of the shareholders of the banks be convened and the scheme be presented for their consideration and approval.

The Nation had reported that the full integration and switchover of the operations of Mainstreet Bank Limited to Skye Bank, including the adoption of the Skye Bank’s brand and flag in all Mainstreet Bank’s offices, would be completed this month.

Highlighting the benefits of the acquisitions, group managing director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said

the business combination would create a platform where significant synergies could be obtained for the benefits of the shareholders, , employees, customers and the economy as a whole.

He added that the combination would provide opportunity to reposition the enlarged Skye Bank as a tier 1 bank within the Nigerian financial services space based on the expected benefits arising from economies of scale and scope.

“A business combination of this nature will potentially lead to revenue enhancements and cost savings for the enlarged Skye Bank with a wider customer base,” Oguntayo said.

Our role in oil deals, by Sahara Energy

T

HE management of Sa hara Energy has stated the company’s involvement in the lifting of crude for refined products, which the economic czar, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The oil deals are card out under the product exchange (swap) and offshore processing agreement (OPA).

Swaps are are transactions in which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) supply the other party with crude oil in return for the other party supplying the NNPC with refined products for sale locally on a value-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

for-value basis. Under the Offshore Processing Agreements (OPA), the NNPC provides crude oil to another party who would refine the crude oil on behalf of the NNPC and return the refined products to the NNPC based on the yield slate of the party’s refinery while the NNPC provides the crude oil and pays the refining and other incidental costs.

The management said: “Sahara, amongst other operators, was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part

of a complete petroleum industry investigation. We made submissions to the EFCC, which showed that the Society Ivoirienne de Rafinage, Abidjan (SIR)/Sahara OPA contract has been fully reconciled and indicate a zero debt position to NNPC/PPMC in crude, cash or products. The receipts from expenses on jetty fees and port dues are being awaited and would be compiled for submission. “ It must also be reiterated that SIR/Sahara have always had a Letter of Credit (LC) in place to the full value of the

crude lifted and is still valid till date. The LC acts as a performance bond that can be called in by the NNPC at any point of the transaction in the event that the full contractual value of any outstanding products is not delivered. This is lopsided as we do not have any security against NNPC if there is a default on their part. “ It is important to stress the fact that Sahara, whenever the need arose, has always gone the extra mile to ensure product availability, often times pre-delivering in the absence of a corresponding crude allocation.

Flour Mills to raise N40b

By Taofik Salako

F

LOUR Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s most capitalised and largest flour-milling company, plans to raise about N40 billion from existing shareholders as the flour miller seeks to consolidate recent investments and support ongoing corporate restructuring with long-term funds.

In a regulatory filing yesterday, the board of directors of Flour Mills said it was calling shareholders to an extraordinary general meeting next month to discuss and approve resolutions on increase in authorized share capital of the company and a rights issue.

The board of director is proposing increase in authorized share capital of the company from N2 billion to N2.5 billion through the creation of additional 1.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The company then plans to raise up to N40 billion in new equity funds from existing shareholders. In the event of under-subscription, the board is seeking shareholders’ mandate to allocate unsubscribed rights’ shares to interested investors.

Shareholders are also expected to empower the board of directors to use net proceeds of the rights issue to meet the funding requirements of the company.

Flour Mills’ share price remained unchanged at N35 per share at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where the overall market trend was negative. The benchmark index at the NSE indicated average decline of 0.29 per cent yesterday. Over the past 52 weeks, Flour Mills’ share price has traded between a high of N73.55 and a low of N26.60.

In 2014, Flour Mills had distributed N5.01 billion as cash dividends on the basis of N2.10 per each ordinary share. Also, a total of 238.6 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each were also distributed to shareholders through a bonus of one for 10 shares.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Flour Mills for the year ended March 31, 2014 showed that turnover rose from N301.94 billion to N332.14 billion. Profit after tax however dropped from N7.54 billion in 2013 to N5.37 billion.

OUR ERROR The last paragragh of our story which appeared on page 54, titled, ‘Oil workers want AMCON’s chair sacked,’ asking the workers to approach Mike Igbokwe for payment of their salaries was in error.

We have since learnt that neither AMCON, nor Igbokwe is responsible for the payment of the affected workers’ salaries.

The error is regretted.

– Editor

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-06-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-06-15

Stanbic IBTC Bank lists N15.54b bond Managing director, FMDQ TANBIC IBTC Bank Plc OTC Plc, Mr. Bola yesterday listed its on FMDQ OTCOnadele.Koko said FMDQ

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N15.54 billion bond on the FMDQ OTC Plc, the overthe-counter (OTC) exchange for the trading of fixed-income, currency and money market securities.

Chief Executive officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said the listing demonstrated the bank’s commitment to the development of the securities exchange and provision of tradable securities for the investing public.

He said the success of the bond issue and the listing on the FMDQ OTC were significant and in line with historic roles of the bank as a major promoter of the domestic capital market.

According to him, the listing of the bond will enhance its liquidity and further attract investors as the transparent process at the exchange would ensure efficient price discovery.

“We expect to deliver decent returns to investors,” Sanni said, assuring that the bank has adequate capital that it needs for its immediate operations while it is in good position to attract further capital if required.

Sanni noted that the Stanbic IBTC bond is the second corporate bond to be

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

listed on FMDQ’s platform pointing out that the N15.54 billion bond issue was the first series issued under Stanbic IBTC’s Structured Note Programme and comprised of two tranches of fixed and floating rate notes.

According to him, the bonds have a tenor of 10 years and are notable for being the longest tenured bonds in its asset class to be issued in the Nigerian capital markets.

He outlined that the net proceeds of the issue was applied to fund the bank’s asset growth in the personal and business banking segment, while also boosting its capital adequacy as a Tier II capital, in line with Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulatory framework.

He said the growth in secondary market liquidity will contribute immensely to the growth in the overall domestic bond market, noting that FMDQ’s value proposition for the transformation of Nigerian markets will help deepen secondary market liquidity and transparency, thus further aligning Nigerian market with international best practices.

OTC recognises the growth potentials of issuers of debt in the Nigerian capital market and thus provides them with a remarkable opportunity to raise the profile of their issues and access a deep pool of capital.

According to him, FMDQ remains unwavering in its continuous provision and disclosure of pertinent information on debt issues listed on its platform including issue size, tenor, issue and maturity date, coupon, yield, issuer ratings, shelf prospectus, pricing supplement and issuer issue history.

“An efficient, transparent and well regulated market, which FMDQ promotes, will attract and retain investorsdomestic and foreign. Issuers have the opportunity to leverage on the provisions of this unique exchange to meet their long term funding needs, thus further developing the Nigerian financial market, and by extension, the Nigerian economy,” Onadele.Koko said.

FMDQ OTC had earlier listed its pioneer corporate bond with the admission of United Bank for Africa (UBA)’s N30.5 billion bond.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-06-15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

55

MONEYLINK AfDB puts intra Africa’s trade value at $110b

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NTRA-African trade is worth $110 billion, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has said.

The Trade Finance in Africa released by the bank explained that given the estimated rejection rates of trade finance applications, the conservative estimate for the value of unmet demand for bank-intermediated trade finance is $110 billion to $120 billion, significantly higher than estimated earlier figures of about $25 billion. These figures, it said, suggest that the market is significantly underserved.

It said that African banks face numerous constraints in meeting the demand for trade finance. “The survey reveals that the main constraints are limited dollar availability (by far the dominant currency in international trade, and by extension, trade finance) and insufficient limits with confirming banks for confirming letters of credit. Other constraints include small balance sheets, which tends

trade and provide financing to underserved African-based financial institutions and enterprises. The African lender said that despite its importance, there is a great deal it never knew about the trade finance market in the continent.

This includes the size of the market, the variations across sub-regions, the scale of financing gap, the trade finance devoted to intra-African trade, the relative importance of on-balance sheet versus off-balance sheet financing, and constraints faced by banks.

“It is based on a unique survey of the trade finance activities performed by commercial banks in Africa in 2011 and 2012. Our survey questionnaire was sent to approximately 900 banks on the continent.

We received a high response rate, resulting in a dataset that covers 276 banks across 45 countries. All the sub-regions on the continent are represented in the survey,” the bank said.

Stories by Collins Nweze

to make single obligor limits frequently binding. These constraints also suggest that the AfDB’s trade finance program, as well as those implemented by other international financial institutions, are needed and well suited to relaxing some of the most binding constraints,” it said.

It however, insisted that the outlook of banks for trade finance remains positive, with 72 per cent expecting to increase their trade finance activities in the immediate future.

“However, banks foresee obstacles to their trade finance portfolio growth such as low US dollar liquidity, regulation compliance, slow economic growth in some markets, and the inability to assess the credit-worthiness of potential borrowers,” it said.

Also, the AfDB Board has approved $1-billion trade finance (TF) programme to support African

Fidelity Bank’s ‘Fit 2 Bond’ boosts staff efficiency

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TAFF of Fidelity Bank Plc were at the weekend excited over the lender’s introduction of ‘Fit 2 Bond’ that enabled them engage in physical exercises outside banking hours.

The Managing Director/CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo, who along with other staff and management of the lender, participated in the physical aerobic exercises said physical fitness of the bank’s staff and others in the banking industry is crucial to the sector’s growth.

The bank chief who flagged off the second edition of the sporting activity for staff held at the weekend, said the “Bond 2 Fit” has come to stay, and will be held regularly across the country in all the branches of the bank.

Okonkwo said,”What we have done

hard.”

The bank’s Executive Director Shared Services, Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, said the programme was launched to keep staff fit, adding that only healthy staff will being out the best results.

She added that it is also healthy and fit staff that will be in a position to serve the customers and the nation better.

According to her, “Most of the cities in Nigeria are very stressful to live in. And we think that if our staff are able to come out once in a while in this fashion to walk together, there are benefits.” The sport activities carried out include aerobic exercises, including dance, and jugging of, which started as early as 5.30 am last Saturday.

is a team bonding programme we call “Bond 2 Fit”. The whole idea is to take a break from our normal rigorous schedule at work and have colleague at all levels participate. So, this bonding exercise is just one way of making sure that we interact in a relaxed atmosphere in a way that people can actually put name to faces while enhancing their fitness.

Continuing, the Fidelity Bank CEO said: “What we are doing today is to also draw attention to the fact that you need to be fit while doing your work. It’s actually driven by our philosophy in our social responsibility strategy that is based on environment, social welfare and education.

We will do this quarterly because the whole idea is that we are going to keep working hard and playing

ICAN elects Deru new President

•Deru HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has elected new officers to run its affairs for the 2015/2016 year.

During the election, Otunba Olufemi Deru, emerged as the 51st President. His investiture took place on June 2nd, 2015 after an election at the Institute’s Secretariat in

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Victoria Island, Lagos.

Also elected are Deacon Titus Soetan, as Vice President; while Alhaji Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari, and Alhaji Razak Jaiyeola, were elected first and second Deputy Vice Presidents respectively. Mr. Tayo Phillips emerged the Institute’s Treasurer.

The President, Otunba Olufemi Deru, is a fellow of the Institute and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of United Kingdom; an Associate member of the Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (ACIS); Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management and Justice of Peace (JP) of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Deru worked in various capacities in the United Kingdom -as a Chief Tax Officer in Her Majesty’s Tax Office in Grosvenor District, Central London and Barnet District in Hertfordshire, UK. He also worked as the Group Management Accountant of Berec Group in London.

Elumelu backs investment inflow to Africa

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HE Nigerian-based Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Oppenheimer family’s Brenthurst Foundation of South Africa – launched an important new book titled, “Africans Investing in Africa” on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Africa meeting in Cape Town.

In a statement, the Foundation said the book covers a range of important topics critical to Africa’s development. It provides a unique perspective of how Africans are leading the way through intra-African trade and investment, documenting how, where and why Africans invest across the continent. The book also identifies the economic, political and social experiences that hinder or stimulate investment, and highlights examples of pan-African companies and investors.

This book is the outcome of a project conceived in 2011 by the two foundations, and builds on a paper published by their respective principals – Tony O. Elumelu, CON, and Jonathan Oppenheimer – in which they first explored the depth and breadth with which African companies were expanding across the continent and contributing to Africa’s growth.

The foundations, have established records of scholarship and policy advice on issues impacting Africa’s economic growth and development.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

NASCON OKOMUOIL WEMABANK BERGER WAPIC ABCTRANS STERLNBANK CILEASING ACCESS ETERNA UNILEVER

O/PRICE 7.04 29.21 1.01 10.93 0.52 0.56 2.03 0.67 6.05 2.59 45.17

C/PRICE 7.75 30.67 1.05 11.36 0.54 0.58 2.10 0.68 6.10 2.61 45.50

CHANGE 0.71 1.46 0.04 0.43 0.02 0.02 0.07 0.01 0.05 0.02 0.33

LOSERS AS AT 09-06-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

AIICO 1.00 NEIMETH 1.28 VONO 1.75 AIRSERVICE 2.33 RTBRISCOE 0.73 MOBIL 156.30 NPFMCRFBK 1.14 DIAMONDBNK 4.44 STANBIC 28.95 FIDELITYBK 1.82 IKEJAHOTEL 3.80

C/PRICE 0.95 1.22 1.67 2.23 0.70 150.00 1.10 4.29 28.00 1.77 3.70

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

CHANGE -0.05 -0.06 -0.08 -0.10 -0.03 -6.30 -0.04 -0.15 -0.95 -0.05 -0.10

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

$28.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 09-06-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Tenor

16.5%

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices 27 May Statistics 5 May All Share Index 34,649.3 29,383.93 Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) 11.8 9,804.36 Deals 3,385 3,714 Volume (mn) 564,28 377,75 Value (NGN’mn) 6,087.80 6,568.66 GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m

400m 350m

399.97m 349.96m

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

57

NEWS

15 killed, 500 homes burnt as Boko Haram attacks Borno village

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IFTEEN people were killed when Boko Haram attacked a remote village in Borno State, opening fire and burning homes, residents told Agence France Presse (AFP) yesterday.

The attack happened at about 13:00 GMT on Monday in Huyum, in the Askira-Uba district of Borno State, which residents said has been hit repeatedly in recent weeks by the Islamist militants.

“The whole village was burnt

by Boko Haram gunmen. We lost around 500 homes,” said Bukar Zira, who fled to the commercial hub of Mubi in neighbouring Adamawa State as the rebels moved in.

Zira said the insurgents surrounded the village and opened fire before moving in, sprinkling petrol on homes, many of which are mud-brick with straw roofs, then setting them alight.

“We have so far lost 15 people and one was injured.

People in the whole village moved out to different parts of Borno and Adamawa,” he added.

Another resident, Peter Malgwui, said Boko Haram had mounted several raids against neighbouring villages in recent weeks, looting food supplies and homes.

“They completely burnt the whole village. Not a single

home was spared,” he added, giving the same death toll as Zira.

The attack is the 12th since Presdent Muhammadu Buhari took office on May 29.

A total of 109 people have been killed, according to AFP. Buhari, a former military ruler and retired army general, has made crushing Boko Haram a priority for his administration after six years of violence and at least 15,000 deaths.

There have been reported military gains in recent months by a coalition of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, but continued attacks underscores the ongoing threat from the rebels.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Alex Badeh

One Huyum resident, Ishaya Ayuba, said: “The attackers remained up to 4:00am this morning, until they withdrew.

“There were troops stationed about 20 kilometres away, but they didn’t respond. We have lost everything.”

Health workers suspend three-week strike

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EALTH workers under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Allied Healthcare Professionals (NUAHP) have suspended their three-week strike, ordering resumption of work.

NUAHP members include physiotherapists, radiographers, dentists, radiologists, medical laboratory scientists, dieticians, pharmacists and others.

The strike, which started on May 18, crippled the nation’s health sector.

NUAHP National President Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, who called on members to return to work today, said the National Administrative Council of the union on June 4, after assessing the impact of the strike through

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

responses from its branches, agreed that it was effective nationwide.

Dr. Ogbonna added that strike drew the attention of President Buhari to the pending issues in the sector that the immediate past government left unresolved NUAHP National President, who agreed that the union is yet to achieve all the demands that necessitated the strike, explained that the union’s leaders decided to suspend the strike in honour of Buhari.

He added that the union gave the new government till July, to resolve the crisis affecting the health sector.

He said: “The strike should

be suspended in honour of the newly elected government of President Buhari. The union is giving the government till July, starting from today, June 9, to see that issues under contention are dispensed with without further delay.

“The union also calls on Mr. President to intervene in the crisis in the health sector where medical practitioners are oppressing other health professionals through the instrumentality of the Ministry of Health/ Chief Medical Director, who flagrantly refuse to implement court judgments, collectively bargained agreements and promotions of stagnated members of our union according to scheme of service approved by government.”

Dr. Ogbonna, who addressed reporters with the union’s immediate past president, Dr. Felix Faniran and other executive members at the UCH branch, hailed his colleagues for their patience, tenacity and cooperation throughout the period of the strike.

He assured them that nobody would be victimised as a result of participating in the strike.

He also lauded the resilient of the union at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri in the face of intimidation, blackmail and threat by the Federal Medical Centre management and Federal Ministry of Health officials.

He directed that the strike in FMC Owerri should continue until justice is done to all the local issues and demands.

Story on marabouts hogwash, says Buhari’s aide From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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HE Presidency has condemned media reports claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari refused to move into the Presidential Villa because of advice from Senegalese spiritualists.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidency expressed “utter embarrassment at such suggestion,” stressing that President Buhari is a practicing Muslim who believes his fate belongs to God. According to the statement, no true believer combines faith in God and reliance on the power of ordinary mortals, who can neither protect themselves nor protect others from the hands of fate.

Shehu said the so-called “spiritual cleansing of the Aso Rock Villa by Senegalese marabouts before President Buhari moves into the villa” was the figment of the imagination of rumour mongers.

The statement said it was ridiculous to attribute Buhari’s delay in moving into the villa to any advice from fictitious marabouts.

According to Shehu, renovation works in the villa was largely responsible for the delay in Buhari’s movement into the place.

Power supply hits 3,281.84MW

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OWER supply by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) last Monday was 3,281.84 Megawatts (MW).

But 77.4MW was stranded from the 3,359.24MW, which the generation companies produced.

The Federal Ministry of Power stated this on its website yesterday, indicating that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) could not evacuate 77.4MW. The power statistics indicated that the electricity market hit a peak generation of 3,691MW same day.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

It added that power generation increased by 194.63MW from 3,164.61MW of June 2 to the current 3,359.24MW. The ministry noted that power supply increased by 190MW from the 3,091.72MW of June 2 to Monday’s 3,281.84MW. In the period under review, peak energy generated in the electricity market leaped from 3,537.2MW of June 2 to 3,691MW on Monday.

The peak energy generation increased by 153.8MW in the period under review.

NUJ election: Odusile plans to revive journalists’ forum, others From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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•From Left: Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Prof. Anthony Emeribe; Former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Heath Prof. Simon Ogamdi and Chairman, Governing Board of MLSCN Dr. Nathaniel Shidalli, at the 2015 World Accreditation Day in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Bamaiyi: Ex-court registrar fails polygraph examination

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POLYGRAPH expert, Mohammed Umar, yesterday told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that a former court registrar, Oluronke Rosolu, failed polygraph examination.

Rosolu is facing trial for allegedly conspiring with others to defraud a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of $330,000.

She is arraigned for allegedly aiding a one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, to defraud Bamaiyi of the said amount.

Umar, who is a quality control operative attached to the Polygraph Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja, was testifying before Justice Lateef Lawal- Akapo at the re-

By Adebisi Onanuga

sumed hearing of the matter yesterday.

The defendant, who is a former registrar to Justice Joseph Oyewole, now a Justice of the Court of Appeal, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences and obtaining money by false pretences.

The EFCC said the fraud took place while Bamaiyi and Ajudua were remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for separate criminal charges between November 2004 and June 2005.

The anti-graft agency said Ajudua obtained the money from Bamaiyi by claiming that it represented the professional fees charged by Chief Afe

Babalola (SAN) to handle his case.

He allegedly claimed that the money would help to facilitate Bamaiyi’s release from prison.

Afe Babalola chamber denied the claim made by Ajudua.

During yesterday’s proceeding, the witness, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, said he studied the video recording of the polygraph examination and other documents.

He said he was able to determine that the examinee was being deceptive during the polygraph examination.

Umar, who has a diploma in psycho-physiological detection of deception and also a member of the American Polygraph Association, said Rosolu’s poly-

graph examination was not the first of its kind conducted in the country by his team.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr. Bamidele Ogundele, the witness said his team did not carry out a polygraph test on Lt. Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi and a prison official ACP Abdullahi Garba to determine, if they were lying against the defendant.

The witness explained that polygraph test is not a lie detector, but a means to detect deception.

“Deception is a polygraph terminology where the examinee is not being truthful during the examination,” Umar explained.

The matter was adjourned till June 23, 2015.

FRONTLINE contender for the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) president, Mr. Abdulwahaheed Odusile, yesterday in Kano promised to reinvigorate the union’s yearly conference.

He said the move will instill the spirit of unionism, promote professionalism and ensure welfare of the country’s practicing journalists.

Odusile, the Managing Editor of The Nation, who was in Kano to solicit support for next month’s NUJ national election, said the idea behind the revival of the conference is to avail journalists the opportunity to appraise the state of the nation, look inwards and address challenges confronting their profession.

Rolling out his seven-point agenda for NUJ, Odusile promised to build on the legacies of the out-going administration of Malam Muhammad Garba, adding that the time has come when journalists should be accorded adequate respect.

He named his agenda as including introduction of special media salary structure, eradication of quackery journalism, sanitisation of the social media, focus on professionalism with emphasis on training and retraining, certification and registration of members.

Odusile also promised to establish an NUJ radio with a view to generate revenue for the union and also use it as a platform for training up-coming journalists in the country.

He added that if voted for, his administration will ensure the accreditation of the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) for better recognition and acceptance by employers of labour.

Other points in his agenda include the enhancement of welfare programme for journalists as well as the defence of press freedom.

He added that if given the opportunity, he will use his office to make NUJ a profit-making union where the culture of soliciting for assistance elsewhere will stop.

Odusile, who is contesting for the position against five others, also promised to fine-tune the NUJ insurance scheme to enhance benefit for professional journalists.

On the need for synergy between the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and NUJ, Odusile, who is a consensus candidate endorsed by the Lagos NUJ Council, said he will use his wealth of experience as a member of NGE and ex-officio member of NUJ to ensure harmonious relationship between the two organisations with a bid to bargaining better working conditions for all professional journalists.

Odusile and his campaign team left for Jigawa State immediately after his meeting with journalists at the Farm Centre Press Centre, Kano.

Vehicle owner gets ultimatum THE Lagos State Police Command has warned the owner of an abandoned and unregistered blue Honda Accord car parked at Adeniji Adele Division to remove it within 14 days of this publication or lose it to members of the public.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

58

NEWS

Two suspects arrested for Gombe bombing

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HE military has arrested two suspects for the bombing at the Gombe Line Motor Park last November.

They were reportedly arrested after a shootout with troops in Gombe on Sunday.

Defence spokesperson Chris Olukolade said in a statement: “The two suspected high profile terrorists

were arrested, following surveillance and intelligence operations, which tracked them to a check point at Bajoga in Gombe State.”

He said one of the suspects was injured during the shootout and was being treated at a military medical centre.

Olukolade said interrogation was ongoing.

Cereal Research Institute workers begin strike

W •Adamawa House of Assembly Speaker Kabiru Mijinyawa (right), taking oath of office before the Clerk, Mr. Francis Gbansenso, PHOTO: NAN at the inauguration of the 6th Assembly in Yola…yesterday

Speaker election ends in stalemate

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HE Eight legislative arm of the government in Plateau State has been inaugurated, but the members failed to elect the Speaker and other principal officers.

The election of the Speaker held after the inauguration ended in a stalemate, as the two candidates for the

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

position got equal number of votes.

They are Istifanus Muansat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Azi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Both polled 12 votes.

One of the contenders, Daniel Dem (PDP), stepped down to pave the way for Muansat to face Azi. The 8th Assembly comprises 24 members, of which 11 are APC members and 13, PDP lawmakers.

One of the PDP members voted for APC to cause the stalemate.

The legislators are expected to meet on a later date to conduct a rerun.

The Clerk, Ayuba Gongu, announcing the suspension of the election, claimed he was in receipt of a memo from Governor Simon Lalong to suspend the poll to douse tension and prevent conflict.

Six months after, Maiduguri airport reopened

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ORNO State Deputy Governor Umar Mustapha said yesterday that the Maiduguri International Airport, shut to commercial flights since December 2 last year, has been reopened.

He said the Federal Government has reopened the airport for commercial purposes.

Mustapha told reporters that he has received a letter from the Chief of Air Staff on the reopening.

The airport was shut, following an attack on military and air force bases near the airport. Since then, it has been restricted to official uses.

Mustapha said the reopening was the beginning

of “reprieve” coming the way of Borno people.

He expressed hope that with the renewed efforts by the military, Boko Haram’s insurgency would be surmounted.

“I’m happy to inform you that the Maiduguri airport has been reopened. We have received a letter from the Chief of Air Force to that ef-

fect. In fact, a commercial airline has indicated interest to start operation on Friday,” the deputy governor said.

He hailed the military for their efforts, dedication and patriotism in the face of challenges.

Mustapha urged the people to support the military in their counter-insurgency operation.

El-Rufai to oversee Ministry of Land, Survey

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ADUNA State Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday restructured the ministries, with the Ministry of Land, Survey and Country Planning coming under his office.

The governor reduced the number of commissioners from 24 to 13. Ministries were merged and scraped from 19 to 13.

A statement by El-Rufai’s Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, made available to reporters in Kaduna, said the decision was to reduce the cost of governance, spur efficiency and improve service delivery.

The statement said: “In continuation of his efforts to cut the costs of running government, Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has decided to reduce the number of commissioners to 13, as against the 24 that were appointed by the previous government.

The governor will also place limits on the number of aides the 13 commissioners can recruit to support the discharge of their duties.

“El-Rufai has stressed that the Kaduna State government must direct more of its resources to delivering public services, and that such a move requires a reduction in the proportion consumed by the government.

•Prunes commissioners, ministries down to 13 From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

“Accordingly, the Kaduna State government has announced the restructuring of its ministries from 19 to 13. This is intended to cut costs, spur efficiency and improve service delivery.

The machinery of government will be driven by the following ministries: “Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Min-

istry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

“Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.

“The realignment of mandates has also resulted in the emergence of two departments. The erstwhile Ministry of Lands, Survey and Country Planning is being moved to the Governor’s Office as a department.

Similarly, the former Ministry of Rural and Community Development becomes

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From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

ing and other offences capable of causing accidents.

He said: “Road users must take this seriously by respecting guidelines and traffic laws, to avoid accidents.”

According to Garba, “laws are meant to be obeyed and respected. They are to serve as a guide in the course of our operation.

“We will ensure that overloading and other offences are checked, for the

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

“Ogunremi single-handedly awarded a fraudulent contract to furnish researchers’ offices to the tune of N8,198,948.20 without the tenders’ board meeting. Investigation showed that no such items were purchased and supplied.”

The unions accused Ogunremi of denying the workers their 2014 promotion, saying: “Promotion interview of workers that is statutory, constitutional and legal was not done for 2014, even after knowing that the national promotion has been cancelled.”

Ogunremi denied the allegation of diverting the allocation of the institute.

According to him, “since September last year, the institute has not been given any allocation and since I took over last August I’ve not awarded any contract.

“I took over last August and the institute is owing over N24million. Since September last year, the institute has not received any allocation. I have never awarded any contract, let alone diverting the money.

If they have any proof, let them forward it to the appropriate authority.”

He said promotion would be effected whenever fund was available.

“We are ready to conduct the promotion exercise, but there must be cash backing,” Ogunremi concluded.

APCON chairman Ufot loses dad •El-Rufai

a department in the Deputy Governor’s Office.

“Also affected by the restructuring is the Ministry of Information, whose functions have been decentralised. Each ministry will henceforth have its public relations unit attached to the office of its chief executive.”

FRSC to end overloading, other traffic offences HE Sokoto State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has vowed to end overloading and other traffic offences.

Speaking in Sokoto yesterday when conducting a mobile court headed by Justice Raliya Muhammmed, the Assistant Commander in charge of road traffic operations, Aliyu Kanya Garba, said the aim was to discourage and bring to an end, overload-

ORKERS of the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badegi in Niger State yesterday began strike.

They are demanding the removal of the Acting Executive Director, Dr. Lawrence Ogunremi, for alleged financial mismanagement.

Leaders and members of the three labour unions in the institute, the Academic Staff Union of Research Institute (ASURI), the Senior Staff Association (SSA) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) stormed the institute, paralysing activities, to ask for their demand.

Addressing reporters, the leader of the workers and the Chairman of ASURI, NCRI branch, Comrade Wayagari Joseph Wayas, accused Ogunremi of misappropriating N110 million from the second and third quarters of the institute’s capital allocation.

The unions alleged that the acting executive director diverted N8million under the guise of fraudulent contract awarded for the purchase of furniture, which were never supplied.

Wayas said: “The Acting Executive Director, Dr. Ogunremi and the Head of Finance and Account, Mrs. I. F. Arogundade, were earlier petitioned on gross misappropriation and misuse of N110 million capital allocation for second and third quarters.

safety of our roads.”

Over 76,000 children under the age of one to five have been immunised in Sokoto South Local Government, according to a National Programme on Immunisation (NPI) official, Umaru Shehu.

He said the council was allocated 93,000 doses of vaccines for the exercise.

Shehu said the immunisation received parents’ support, noting that there were cases of non-compliance.

S

O&U bigwig and advertising guru, Udeme Ufot, has lost his father, Elder Onofiok Andrew Ufot.

Popularly called OAU by his friends, Elder Ufot was the pioneer registrar of the University of Calabar (UNICAL). He contributed to the establishment and growth of the institution as an offshoot of the University of Nigeria, Calabar campus The deceased was well known for his roles in educational institutions in Akwa Ibom State. He was an employee of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for 10 years and retired as the deputy registrar and exams controller.

Besides being a distinguished educationist, administrator and newspaper columnist, Elder Ufot contributed to the growth of the Qua Iboe Church in Lagos where he was the choirmaster and chairman of the Church Committee.

After retiring from the University of Calabar, he

By Sampson Unamka

was appointed the pioneer public complaints commissioner for Akwa Ibom State by the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida-ed Federal Government.

Funeral programme will begin with a service of songs at the Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar on June 18 at 5pm.

A commendation service will hold the next day at the UNICAL International Conference Centre at 10am.

A choral night holds the same day in his compound at Afaha Akpan Ekpo in Etinan Local Government by 5:30pm.

Funeral service and reception will take place on June 20 at Ishiet Erong Primary School, Etinan-Uyo Road, Afaha Iman from 10am.

The deceased is survived by his wife of 67 years, Deaconess Jenny Ufot and many children, among who is Udeme Ufot, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

59

NEWS

The untold story of PDP’s coup behind Saraki’s Senate presidency •Continued from page 3

Five reasons Saraki emerged as Senate President •Gang up against Tinubu and the Southwest.

The outcome of the results of the election of leaders of the National Assembly showed a deep-seated hatred for Asiwaju Tinubu. Some APC leaders were said to be angry that President Buhari at every forum had always acknowledged Tinubu as if he was the only hero of change in the country. A few ones assumed that the President was conceding too much to Tinubu and that former Lagos governor must be cut to size. Others also felt that with the Office of the Vice President, the Southwest has got more than its fair share of power. The amalgam of forces merely used Saraki as the springboard.

•Sheer politics of betrayal.

Many, who won tickets into the National Assembly on the goodwill of Tinubu, opted to betray him. They just keyed into the plot against Tinubu without weighing the consequences.

•Absence of a power-sharing formula in APC The refusal of the APC leadership to address this important index of power-sharing formula deprived its National Assembly members of the much-needed unity. If there had been an acceptable formula in place, the situation may not degenerate to this extent. What Saraki did was to be tactical in conceding the Deputy Senate President to the Southeast which is almost relegated to the background by the Buhari administration.

•Emerging politics of realignment.

Saraki’s election has signposted the looming realignment of forces between some APC and PDP leaders in the race to 2019. Ekweremadu has been saddled with the responsibility of repositioning the PDP and he is already reaching out to aggrieved APC leaders. In christening their group, pro-Saraki forces branded it as ‘Senators of Like Minds’. The successful alliance between PDP and loyalists of Saraki might be the beginning of what the nation should expect in the next few months. According to sources, one of the sections which the Eighth National Assembly might review is the one which makes defection unlawful. This will enable APC members in the National Assembly to romance the PDP, or engage in antiparty activities. Some APC leaders saw some hope in the proposed realignment and embraced Saraki.

•Saraki’s antecedents The records of Saraki has built a huge political network for him. The mileage includes being a former governor, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), his role in the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, experi-

Saraki’s, Dogara’s emergence and the Buhari Presidency •Continued from page 3 However, it is important to note that Buhari would not be the first President that would have to plot his way round such a delicately poised legislature to be led by Saraki and Dogara. He may need to pick some lessons from the experience of former President Olusegun Obasanjo passed through in his first tenure when Senator Chuba Okadigbo was Senate President and Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba was Speaker. In spite of several threats of impeachment especially by the House of Representatives under Na’Abba, Obasanjo escaped by the skin of his teeth and even got re-elected. Despite the mutual suspicion between them, Obasanjo Okadigbo related with each other.

Baba, as Obasanjo was fondly called, danced and rejoiced with Okadigbo at the dedication of the latter’s official residence , reminding all after consuming a bowl of pounded yam with the celebrant “ that except The Lord builds the house they labour in vain that build it . “ Few days later, Okadigbo died and was succeeded by Anyim Pius Anyim , a pliant law maker.

The immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan equally suffered a similar fate when Aminu Tambuwal defied his party’s directives to emerge as Speaker with the support of the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria and Congress for Progressive Change. History has simply repeated itself with yesterday’s election of two leaders who defied the wishes and directives of their party’s leadership.

While the APC has expressed deep shock over the outcome of the results in both chambers, it is important to note that the government at the centre has the responsibility of finding the right formula to work with the leadership that was freely chosen by members of both chambers. Of course, there is no denying the fact that egos have been bruised on both sides of the divide and it would take a lot of political maturity and understanding to weave a web of unity round the betrayal. As things stand today, the task before President Buhari is how to put into practical reality his promise to work with any leadership put in place by lawmakers without his interference. He must realise that he is now being described in some quarters as “ baba go slow”, equating him with a one- time governor of Lagos state, late Chief Michael Otedola whose administration was criticized for its tardiness and inaction.

Almost two weeks after his inauguration, he is yet to appoint key officials ence as a former presidential endowment with charitable war chest and now a two-term Senator.

Consequences of PDP’s coup for Buhari Responding to the emergence of leadership in the Senate, Buhari said “though a constitutional process has somewhat occurred”, he would have preferred that the wish of the APC leadership was respected on the choice of candidates. The agenda of PDP in supporting Saraki smacked of “vengeance.” The coup is a signal of of likely antagonism, criticisms and reckless opposition politics that Buhari should expect henceforth. At least, President Buhari will be kept on his toes by the PDP if he has the political temperament to withstand it.

The PDP is ready to hold him responsible for all his campaign promises and he might not have a rest of mind until he delivers.

What becomes of Saraki’s tenure? Will there be peace in the National Assembly?

Since yesterday, the debate has focused on the legality of the election of the President of the Senate by 57 Senators, the Speaker and other principal officers of the National Assembly. Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, who was

a former Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, said the election of Saraki was illegal and unconstitutional. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, however, said “37 Senators were needed to form a quorum.” The Constitution says any member of the National Assembly can lead any of the chambers with votes from one-third of members.

For a National Assembly that has been bankrolled from its first assignment, President Buhari may as well forget his anti-corruption agenda. A case of “money for hand, back for ground cannot be ruled out.”

But the APC raised moral issue on the emergence of Saraki.

In a statement by its spokesman Mohammed, the APC said: “APC decried a situation in which some people, based on nothing but inordinate ambition and lack of discipline and loyalty, will enter into an unholy alliance with the very same people whom the party and indeed the entire country worked hard to replace and sell out the hard won victory of the party. ‘’There can be no higher level of treachery, disloyalty and insincerity within any party,’’ the party said, vowing to resolve the matter using all

like Secretary to the Government, Chief of Staff, Political Adviser, nor has he given any clear direction of where he is headed. Nigerians are yearning for action, they are tired of promises. The President would also need to mend the broken walls within his party if he must prevent an anticipated encroachment by the PDP which now wields enormous influence in the legislature and may make his work difficult if it so wishes.

Being a coalition of strange bedfellows, the APC leadership should not delude itself that it has the overriding power over the NASS leadership as presently constituted. If anything, it should be at the forefront of calming frayed nerves by accepting the choices made by the lawmakers in a democratic setting. Doing anything contrary to this may throw the party into further crisis or even decimate its membership. Since Buhari has declared his intention to work harmoniously with any leadership that emerged, the party needs to respect that decision in order to foster democratic values.

In his reaction to the election, the President aptly stressed the point that his party’s preference need not necessarily translate into the lawmakers’ wish.

His party’s candidates’ loss notwithstanding, it is noteworthy that Buhari seems to have come to grips with the reality that what was demonstrated on the floor of the National Assembly was the triumph of a constitutional process over the wish list of the APC leadership. Do we take that Buhari was unfazed when he said his primary concerns remain “the stability of our constitutional order and overall interest of the common man” than the defeat of his party’s candidates by a coalition of forces in the National Assembly? Is it a sign of confidence that he would weather the storm and work harmoniously with the National Assembly?

The inauguration of the National Assembly, regardless of its shortcomings, offers President Buhari the opportunity to send the list of his team to the Senate for screening and approval. It also affords him the privilege to begin the process of sending relevant bills that would give legal teeth to his electoral promises for consideration. A President that promises to be for everybody should be able to live above his party’s intrigues and power play over who controls what at the legislature. He needs not join the fray by taking sides. As Presidency, his constituency is the whole nation and it is his responsibility to find right mix that would pull the various interests together for the benefit of the nation. constitutional and legal means available to it.”

Although the APC has directed the ‘dribbled’ 51 Senators to go to the Senate for inauguration, the nation might have not heard the last word on Saraki’s emergence and others. The PDP coup might lead to a change of leadership or distress in the Senate and House of Representatives. The extent to which Saraki is able to manage the aftermath of the election will determine his political altitude. But certainly, a counter-plot against his presidency is not unlikely by the PDP or even APC.

Is APC’s future bleak?

The tone of the reaction of APC suggested a looming crisis ahead. The APC is already threatening sanctions against some of its chieftains.

It said: “Senator Bukola and Hon. Dogara are not the candidates of the APC and a majority of its National Assembly members-elect for the positions of Senate President and House Speaker. The party duly met and conducted a straw poll and clear candidates emerged for the posts of Senate President, Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, supported by a majority of all Senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives. All National Assembly members-elect

who emerged on the platform of the party are bound by that decision. ‘’The party is supreme and its interest is superior to that of its individual members. ‘Consequently, the APC leadership is meeting in a bid to re-establish discipline in the party and to mete out the necessary sanctions to all those involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration.”

Unless an urgent reconciliation is put in place, the anti-party activities which led to Saraki’s Senate Presidency might cause a prolong crisis in the party. And with plans by the APC leadership to enforce discipline, some leaders might call it quit with the party.

Will Buhari now assert himself?

Even if President Buhari is not interested in a second term, he owes the APC a duty to keep the party intact.

The coup in the National Assembly

by PDP is a litmus test for his leadership prowess. The President may need to assert himself by playing a fatherly role to reunite his political platform that is in tatters. When some leaders met with the President after the coup in the Senate, he was said to “be hollow” without a solution to the crisis at hand. The time to act is now.

FOREIGN NEWS

Syria : Rebels seize major army base

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EBELs in Syria say they have captured a major army base in the south of the country.

The Southern Front, an alliance of rebel groups, announced that the base, known as Brigade 52, was “liberated” in an attack on Tuesday morning.

The base, outside the town of Harak, is one of the largest in Deraa province.

Officials have not commented, but if confirmed its fall would be the latest in a string of defeats suffered by the government in the past three months.

At the start of April, the Southern Front captured the Nasib border crossing with

Jordan, days after another rebel alliance seized the capital of the north-western province of Idlib.

The jihadist group Islamic State meanwhile took the strategically important central town of Tadmur and the neighbouring ancient ruins of Palmyra last month.

A spokesman for the Southern Front, Maj Essam al-Rayes, told the AFP news agency that at least 2,000 rebel fighters had overrun Brigade 52 in a “short and quick” assault launched at dawn on Tuesday.

“This base was one of the main lines of defence for the regime forces. It was a night-

mare, because they used it to shell all the areas to the east of the province,” he said.

The base also lies near a main road running from the capital, Damascus, to the Jordanian border.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said the battle had killed 20 troops and pro-government militiamen, as well as 14 rebels.

Government forces had now withdrawn to the nearby village of al-Dara, it added.

President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have suffered a string of defeats in recent months Ahmed al-Masalmeh, an op-

position activist in Deraa, told the Associated Press that the rebels had also captured the nearby village of Mleiha alSharqiya on Tuesday.

There were no reports about the status of Brigade 52 on state media.

However, the Sana news agency earlier said air strikes in the area had killed at least 40 members of al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, al-Nusra Front.

Rebel positions in Mleiha alSharqiya, Karak and Harak were targeted, and attacks elsewhere in Deraa province were repelled, a military source was quoted as saying.

11 weeks after Germanwings crash, victims’ remains head home

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FTER MONTHS of waiting, families of the 150 people killed when a Germanwings plane smashed into the French Alps in March will finally start burying their loved ones as the airline’s parent company begins sending home victims’ remains.

Lufthansa prepared Tuesday to ferry coffins with remains of 44 victims by cargo plane from Marseille, France, to Duesseldorf, Germany, where Germanwings flight 9525 from Barcelona was supposed to land March 24. Instead, authorities say, the co-pilot purposely slammed the plane into a mountainside. ”The families are in denial. They cannot and do not want to realize that their children are dead,” said Elmar Giemulla, a lawyer for families of 34 of the victims.

“It will be brutal when they see the coffins tomorrow, but it is necessary, because they need closure and that’s only possible if they accept that their children are dead.”Giemulla’s clients include relatives of 16 students from one high school in Haltern, Germany, who were coming home from a school exchange program when they died.s taken several months to return the remains in part because of errors on official death certificates that rendered them invalid.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NEWS I will protect legislative independence, says Saraki Continued from page 4

“I thank all those who have supported me and journeyed with me through the difficult road that has brought us here.

“I believe that the courage and the commitment that you have demonstrated go beyond your support for any individual’s ambition.

“I believe that what you have demonstrated is an unflinching commitment to the sanctity and integrity of this hallowed chamber as the primary bastion for the government of the people, by the people, for the people.

“Beyond any political party or personal victory, the 2015 general elections, in many ways, represent a major watershed in the political annals of our great country.

“And for long would that moment be remembered as the period when our democracy truly came of age.

“The uniqueness of that moment, fired by our people’s overwhelming desire for change would remain an inspiration for the future

generation of our country.

“However, the enormous responsibilities that it imposes on those of us who occupy leadership positions in our respective capacity at this time can hardly be overemphasized.

“The change that our people voted for is a change from a life of poverty, misery and hopelessness to a life of prosperity, happiness and confidence in the future; a change from a pervasive culture of fear to a life of security and comfort; a change from impunity and elite arrogance to a life of accountability and respect for every citizen, regardless of tribe, gender, religion, region or political persuasion.

“This is the change that all of us in this National Assembly must strive to bring about, if we must justify the privilege of representation conferred on us by our people.

“Nigerians want to see a proactive National Assembly that will devote itself to rigorous thinking, rolling up sleeves to forge a new and

prosperous Nigeria.

“As the President of the eighth Senate and the Chairman of this National Assembly, I shall be guided by the enormity of the responsibilities that this moment imposes on us all.

“As a first among equals, I shall strive at all times to be just, equitable and fair to all.

“I shall work with you all to build a National Assembly that will enjoy greater confidence and trust among the people that we represent.

We shall entrench greater openness and accountability.

“We shall strengthen our capacity for public engagement as well as broaden access for inclusion, recognizing that this temple of democracy belongs to all the people of our country.

“Modern democracy is built on the principle of separation of powers.

“It will be my responsibility to protect the independence of the legislative arm of our government in the overall interest of our democracy.

“However, I will pursue this duty with the understanding that our autonomy must be embedded within the collaborative framework that allows government to function more effectively in bringing the greater good to the greatest number of our people.

“Our quest for autonomy must not lead us into pursuing adversarial relationship with other arms of government, especially the executive.

“Our oversight duties must be constructive, supportive and productive, believing that while we all have different roles to play; we have a common responsibility to the people of Nigeria.

“At this juncture, permit me distinguished Senators, Honourable Members to salute the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for remaining steadfast in his defence of the right of the National Assembly members to choose its own leaders.

“With his principled position, he has laid a solid foundation for the stability of the 8th National Assembly and for strengthening our democracy.

“On behalf of my colleagues in the Senate (and the House of Representatives,) I promise that we shall reward the great confidence you have reposed in us by being worthy partners and dependable ally in the great task ahead.

“Similarly, I thank all the leaders of our party, the All Progressives Congress for the leadership you have provided and the efforts you have made in providing guidance and in managing the process that would lead to amicable resolution of the conflict and contention that any democratic process necessarily generates.

“Now we can move forward with renewed confidence in our efforts to build a stronger and virile party, where all members would find comfort and space to pursue their legitimate aspirations.

“Shall end this address by expressing the immense gratitude of all members of the 7th Senate and House of Representatives to His Excellency, David Bonaventure Mark, for the uncommon leadership that you have provided for us over the years, which has stabilized the National Assembly and paved the way for the enormous achievements that were recorded under your leadership.”

Defiant Reps pick Dogara as Speaker Continued from page 4

At 9:40 a.m., Dogara walked into the Chamber in a white dress. PDP members stood up to honour him, calling him “Mr. Speaker”.

By 10:21, there was wild jubilation by the Dogara Camp as the news was broken that Senator Bukola Saraki had won the Senate presidency.

At 11:03, Gbajabiamila stepped into the Chamber.

He was followed by a stream of APC members who went round, urging members to “ vote Gbaja”. They chanted “Sai Gbaja!” as a refrain.

Thereafter, there was a flux of movements as members criss- crossed the Chamber, trying to sell their candidates.

By 11:16, Imo State State Governor Rochas Okorocha was seen talking to some members in the Chamber.

The Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, entered, accompanied by his four wives.

At 11:58a.m., the Clerk of the House, Sanni Omolori, entered the Chamber in his full ceremonial regalia, pushing the tension a notch higher.

At 12:33a.m., the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, began pro-

ceedings by congratulating members-elect and wished them a successful tenure. He thereafter read the proclamation by President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurating the Eighth House.

Omolori called the roll of members-elect and the CNA announced that 358 members were present, one having died and another absent.

Thereafter, nominations began.

First to nominate was Hon. Abdulmunin Jibrin, who nominated Hon. Yakubu Dogara for Speaker. His nomination was seconded by a new member from Imo State.

Dogara said he wholeheartedly accepts his nomination.

Mohamed Abdul Sanni, who hails from the same state as Dogara, nominated Gbajabiamila. This was seconded by Hon. Isiaka Shuaibu from Edo State.

Gbajabiamila accepted the nomination “with a sense of humility and gratitude”.

At 1:21 p.m., Omolori announced that the election would be by secret ballot and read the guidelines to members.

Voting proper began at 1:20 pm in an alphabetical order of the names of states and terminated at 3:31 pm.

Buhari keeps APC lawmakers waiting Continued from page 4

in readiness for the arrival of the President.

But as at 10.30a.m. when the news was broken that Senator Bukola Saraki had emerged the Senate President, Buhari was yet to arrive at the venue and there was no word that he was on his way coming.

Members of the House of Representatives hurriedly left the venue and rushed back to the National Assembly to avoid being termed absent from the inauguration.

Senators gathered in groups, discussing the fate that had befallen them.

Odigie-Oyegun told reporters that the party will exam-

•Buhari

ine the situation later.

He said: “As soon as we assess what had happened, we will address the press. We just watched what happened and we will address you as soon as the situation has been re-examined by the party.”

APC kicks as Saraki, Dogara emerge National Assembly leaders Continued from page 4

Saraki’s camp launched into a victory song.

The next stage was the election of the Deputy President of the Senate.

The Deputy Clerk to the Senate called for proposal for the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate.

Senator George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East) proposed Senator Ike Ekweremadu to take the chair of the Deputy President of the Senate.

Senator Olaka Nwogu (Rivers West) seconded the proposal. Ekeremadu accepted.

The Clerk also asked if there was further proposal.

Senator Rufiu Adebayo Ibrahim (Kwara South) nominated Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who represents Borno South. Ndume accepted.

The voting for the Office of the Deputy President was by secret ballot. Senators-elect were handed ballot papers to

make their choice.

At the end of balloting and counting of votes at 11.55 am, the Deputy Clerk to the Senate announced that 75 senators-elect participated in the election.

He said Ndume received 20 votes. Ekweremadu got 56 votes.

One Senator-elected abstained from voting.

Maikasua inaugurated Ekweremadu as Deputy President.

Maikasua singled out Mark and inaugurated him as “a mark of honour.”

This is the first time in the past 16 years of the rebirth of democracy in the country that the President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate will be elected from two opposing political parties.

APC produced the President of the Senate. The Deputy Senate President was elected from the opposition political platform of the PDP.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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NEWS

I did not owe as governor, says Obi

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ORMER Governor of Anambra State Mr. Peter Obi has said he neither owed nor borrowed from any organisation, within or outside Nigeria, when he was in office.

Obi was reacting to a report classifying Anambra State as a debtor state with Obi’s name as the one who took the loans.

The former governor spoke through his media aide, Valentine Obienyem.

His words: “While we recognise that states owe under different governments, I make bold to say that under Mr. Peter Obi, Anambra State did not borrow any money nor raise bonds. The state only guaranteed N1 billion borrowed by farmers from Fidelity Bank.

Saipem worker kidnapped •Abductors demand N2m ransom From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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SAIPEM Nig. Ltd. official, Anthony Abomah, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Fubara Sam Banigo, said that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N2 million.

Banigo said Abomah was kidnapped while leaving for his office. He is the first worker to be kidnapped.

Efforts to reach the Commissioner of Police, Joshak Habila or the police spokesman, Ezekiel Onyeke, were unsuccessful.

Bewaji for burial

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HE remains of Madam Florence Oni Bewaji will be buried on June 6 at Ere-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State. She was 98.

The burial will hold at St. Stephens Primary School, Ere–Ijesa.

“The development loan offer from the World Bank for education and erosion control, which has a 40-year moratorium, was not drawn down by Peter Obi’s government. Not even one kobo was taken when Obi was the governor”.

Obienyem said the irony was that while other states raised bonds, borrowed money and still owed salaries and left big debts, Obi fulfilled his financial obligations without owing salaries or contractors and without raising bonds. Despite this, he still left N75 billion (cash and investment) for the state.

•Obi

He said the Debt Management Office (DMO) can confirm the financial situation of Anambra State during Obi’s time as governor.

Youth Corps member murdered in Imo

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YOUTH Corps member, Akpanika Hope Frampton, has been reportedly strangled to death by unknown assailants in Ezuhu Umuhu Okwuato autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise Council of Imo State.

The victim, whose body was discovered in his apartment by neighbours, was tied and his face covered with his shirt.

According to an eye witness, “neighbours became curious when they saw his door open, even when he had not been seen around the premises.

“When the neighbours entered the apartment, they found Akpan’s lifeless body in a pool of his own blood, with his legs tied. They raised the alarm, which attracted community members who then reported to the police”.

Apkan, who hails from Cross River State, was last seen fetching water from a nearby borehole.

Sources at Christ the Saviour Secondary School, Akpan’s place of primary assignment (PPA), said his death may not be unconnected to a threat from a rival over an alleged amorous affair with a woman.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General Brig. General Johnson Olawumi has condemned the murder. He sympathised with Akpanika’s family.

Speaking through the Director, Corps Welfare and Inspectorate, Mr. Michael Ahile, Gen. Olawumi wondered why a corps member would leave his home state and family and meet his sudden death while serving his father land.

He appealed to the security agencies, traditional rulers, and the people to do everything to safeguard lives and properties of corps members.

The DG called on employers and host communities to ensure the safety of corps members posted to their domains, warning that henceforth, the commission will not allow such to repeat itself.

Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem (DSP) confirmed the incident, saying that some arrests had been made and investigation was on. He assured the NYSC team that everything will be done to arrest the culprits.

Court dismisses suit against Mbu

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FEDERAL High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed the suit seeking the expulsion of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Joseph Mbu, from office over alleged abuse of powers.

Justice Ibrahim Buba dismissed the suit filed by a lawyer, Tope Alabi for want of jurisdiction.

Alabi had instituted the suit following a statement allegedly made by Mbu, threatening to kill 20 civilians in place of any policeman killed during the April general elections.

Justice Buba, in his judgment held that the case lacked merit and falls within the purview of the police.

He said it was the duty of the police to dismiss any officer of the rank of AIG, adding that no court has such powers.

He said: “If any threat is made against any person, it is the duty of the police to investigate and punish the officer who made it accordingly, even if it is an AIG. “No court in Nigeria can declare the office of such officer vacant, it is the duty of the po-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

lice.”

Alabi in the suit had sought a declaration that Mbu “is unfit to be a police officer in Nigeria.”

He prayed the court to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to declare Mbu’s office vacant and replace him without further delay.

Represented by Femi Falana (SAN) , Alabi said Mbu, as a senior police officer, swore to uphold the rule of law and abide by the constitution, but has allegedly behaved as if he was above the law.

In his defence, Mbu who was represented by Chukwu Agu, the legal officer of Zone two, denied ordering the police to kill twenty civilians in place of a policeman that may be killed during the general elections, urging the court to dismiss the suit with substantial cost.

Agu, further urged the court not to rely on newspaper publications tendered as exhibit to the suit because they contained

•Mbu

unverifiable facts, and not certified.

He denied Mbu ever made the alleged statement, adding that he only ordered that any policeman shot by any person could shoot back in self defence.

According to a counter-affidavit deposed to by one Olugbemiga Adeoye, the newspaper publication containing the said allegation was “completely false, exaggerated, twisted and totally quoted out of context.”

Adeoye said that he was at the briefing where Mbu made the alleged statement, adding that the AIG advised his officers to be law abiding.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

OPERATION CRUSH CHAD

No super star in Keshi’s team— Oboabona • Says his performances with club has been good

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• Oboabona

UPER Eagles’ and Çaykur Rizespor of Turkey defender Godfrey Oboabona has revealed that the secret weapon used by the Chief Coach Stephen Keshi to hold together the players as a united team has been his philosophy of not having a super star in his team.

“If you are called to represent your country you have to be ready and prove to the world that you are good and that is why yon were called.

Since I have been playing in the Super Eagles under the

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja Coach Stephen Keshi I have not seen anybody treated like Super Star.

Like the Coach keep saying there is no Super Star in my team.

“That is why there is discipline in this team. So if you feel too big tomorrow you won’t be in the team working hard.

So for me we are together and in the training we have been doing things together, eating together and doing everything together like we are from the same family.

‘I belief by the special grace of God our togetherness will take us far (in our quests for qualification for the 2017 Africa Nations Cup).

Oboabona also used the opportunity to correct the impression that he has not been doing well in his club.

“I am very happy with my performances so far with my club this season. I don’t have any problem in my team. My team loves me and respects me too. I just want to thank God for everything and keep working hard for the progress of my club”, Oboabona disclosed.

Under-20 players good for Eagles —Onazi

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UPER Eagles’ midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has predicted that some of the players in the current Flying Eagles would soon rule the world because they are endowed with innate football talents and skills that are needed to succeed in the round leather game.

In a chat with NationSport, the SS Lazio strong man in the midfield confessed his love and interest in the team and the abilities of the players to weather the storm when the chips are down.

“The Flying Eagles team that is currently playing at the U- 20 World Cup in New Zealand is a very strong team. I am also a fan of Nigerian football and the national teams because I support them anywhere they go. Personally I speak to some of the players of the U- 20 national team and the ones I know are Taiwo Awoniyi, Dele Alampasu and the rest of them.

“I speak to Awoniyi, Alampasu and others just to encourage them. They are bunch of young talents that the world needs to watch them. I am sure the guys will soon come and join us in the Super Eagles. They are very, very strong team.

“My message to the players of the team is that they should take every game very serious. This is a FIFA World Cup and I strongly believe that it is not going to be easy at all. That is how the tournament used to be. I want to encourage them to put in their very best to make sure that they come out with victories in every game they play at the ongoing FIFA U- 20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Onazi was of the opinion that the World Cup will seal some of the players fate to feature for the senior national team, the Super Eagles.

“Playing for the Super Eagles

RESULTS International - Friendly Uganda 1 - 1 Gambia Finland 0 - 2 Estonia Luxembourg 0 - 0 Moldova Georgia 1 - 2 Ukraine Women's World Cup France 1 - 0 England U-20 World Cup Today’s Fixtures Ghana vs Mali Serbia vs Hungary USA vs Colombia Ukraine vs Senegal

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja is all about being given opportunity and that is why I want the current Flying Eagles players to use this competition to prove a point that they can also play for the national team.

“It is all about opportunity. I

never knew I will be called up in the national team at a very young age and very fast (few years after playing for the Golden Eaglets) too. But it is because of the determination and zeal that I put into the football that has helped me to this stage.

When the opportunity came I

took it very serious and I never wanted to let it slip”, Onazi disclosed.

Onazi was however overlooked for selection for the 2011 FIFA U- 20 World Cup just two years after helping the Golden Eaglets to the final of the U- 17 world cup held in Nigeria then.

Okon: Half-time pep talk fired Falcons • Australia tie a 'must-win' • Coach to plug Falcons’ leaky defence

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UPER Falcons coach Edwin Okon has attributed the team's spirited comeback against Sweden in their 3-3 draw at the FIFA Women's World Cup to the pep talk he delivered at the interval.

"I told them that it was not over until it was over. It’s unfortunate that we conceeded those cheap goals, but we will go back and work on them before the next game," Okon told AfricanFootball.com.

"We are glad for the result, it’s a good one."

He insisted there are no pushovers at the World Cup and that what the players bring to the pitch on match day will decide the outcome of a match.

"I have said it that there are no small teams in this tournament.

Every team here in Canada are good teams. We are not under rating any team, but on every match day it is what happens on the pitch that would decide the game.

"By the special grace of God, we are done with Sweden match, my girls are fit and ready for every game. In fact, we could decide to change the entire 11 as those on the bench too are ready for matches."

He promised to work on the defence before the next game against Australia on Friday.

"I know we have problem in the defence today (Monday).

And we would go back to fix the problems so that the mistakes we made against Sweden won't be repeated against Australia. Our focus right from now is the game against Australia," he reassured.

However, Okon has described the side’s match day 2 clash against Australia in Winnipeg on Friday as a 'must-win' match

• Okon

for the Nigerians.

Okon said the African champions will have to go back to the drawing board after their 3-3 draw against Sweden.

"We will go back to the drawing board to make sure we correct those mistakes that saw us concede own goals and not being able to defend set-pieces.

"Our next match against Australia is a must-win match and we are moving forward from there. Nothing is going to stop us," Okon said to NFF website www.thenff.com.

Ngozi Okobi, scorer of the Nigeria's first goal against Sweden and Player of the Match, said she was excited over the individual award.

Okobi disclosed that beating Sweden was the plan but that the team was happy to have come away with the draw.

"I am excited about this game because this is my first World Cup goal and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to do this.

"I was not surprised with our performance because we had planned to win the match against Sweden. The goals they scored were given to them by us, so I think we did well," said Okobi.

Isaac Success pays Awoniyi bonus for Hungary brace

F

• Nigeria's forward Asisat Oshoala takes a shot at goal as Sweden's defender Nilla Fischer tries to stop during Group D match of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup between Nigeria and Sweden at the Winnipeg Stadium

Sokari, Matthew resume training

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NYIMBA midfielder Kingsley Sokari and Ifeanyi Matthew from El Kanemi both trained with the Flying Eagles ahead of Thursday’s U20 World Cup Round of 16 clash against Germany in Christchurch.

Sokari suffered a knock on his ankle in the team’s final group game against Hungary and was replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho in the 82nd minute.

He did not show any ill effects from the knock as he took part in all the exercises.

Matthew, on the other hand, has missed the last two games against North Korea and Hungary after he suffered a deep cut in the foot in the opening game against Brazil.

The El Kanemi Warriors star trained with the rest of the squad as they prepare to take on Germany, who topped their first round group in style by posting a +14 goals difference.

The squad rounded up their work out with all players taking part in the penalty shootout,

which could well determine the team for the quarterfinals should a winner not be decided even after extra time.

Goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo looked good at stopping and scoring from the penalty spot.

Taiwo Awoniyi, Bernard Bulbwa, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali easily put away their kicks.

• Sokari (right)

Sweden was lucky, says Okobi

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UPER Falcons ace Ngozi Okobi, who was voted player of the game in a six-goal thriller against Sweden, has said the Swedes were lucky to escape with the draw as they were not better than the Nigerians.

Okobi, who scored Super Falcons first goal in the spirited comeback, said costly mistakes on the part of the team gifted Sweden a point.

"We went into the game with the aim and determination to beat Sweden. It was not as if they played better than us, they were just lucky not to lose the game, they got their goals due to the costly mistakes we made," Okobi said.

The Delta Queens player scored a goal and assisted Francisca Ordega for the third goal with a sublime pass.

Nigeria face Australia in their next group game on Friday.

LYING Eagles’ striker Isaac Success has paid out a bonus of $200 to fellow striker Taiwo Awoniyi after his goals against Hungary.

Granada striker Success had promised Awoniyi the cash before the match and he made good his promise when the lanky striker hit a brace on Thursday in New Plymouth.

“He paid Awoniyi from his match bonus from the game,” disclosed a team official.

Asked who will be the next beneficiary of his generosity, Success simply smiled before he said, “We just have to wait and see.”

Awoniyi tops the goals'

chart for the Flying Eagles with two goals and two assists, while Godwin Saviour has two goals and a goal.

Success and Musa Yahaya have scored a goal apiece.

• Success

Falcons get win bonus for Sweden draw

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OLLOWING their superlative comeback against Sweden, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) approved for the Super Falcons to get their full win match bonus.

The Falcons came from two goals down to pull out a 3-3 draw and shock bookmakers, who had given Sweden this game.

NFF head of women’s football and chairperson women league, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, revealed to AfricanFootball.com "the girls got full compliment of their

bonus".

She said: "NFF president Amaju Pinnick surprised the girls after the game when he announced that he had ordered that their full win bonus be paid to them.

“He even came ahead of the team waiting for them in the hotel and expressed his satisfaction with their performance.

"And I must tell you that this gesture from the president has propelled the girls.

Remember that he had already promised them several other monies."

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO.3241

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘In actual fact, it is the Boko Haram leaders – Abubakar Shekau and his sponsors - who deserve to appear before the International Criminal Court at The Hague, to answer charges for human rights violation and other heinous crimes they have committed against humanity’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

N my column last week, I promised I would go into the greater details of why I said President Muhammadu Buhari should ignore calls that he should complete the job of amending our constitution, which was started by his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, in the twilight of his administration. I said I would do so in a not too distant future.

Instead, I have decided to go into those details today in spite of the fact that the elections yesterday of a new leadership of the National Assembly in total defiance of the wishes of the new ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a more immediate, if not more compelling topic for discussion. Those elections bode ill for our democracy, at least in my view. Certainly they suggest fears that, except for Buhari, little has changed with APC as the ruling party from yesterday’s Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) politics of self-aggrandisement and self-service.

This, however, is a topic for another day, possibly next week.

Today I’ll go into the details of why I believe Buhari should not waste his time heeding calls on him to finish the job of amending our constitution started by his predecessor. And these calls have come not only from Elder Chris Eluemuno, a chieftain of Ohaneze, whom I mentioned last week. Afenifere elders and militant Yoruba leaders like Dr. Frederick Fasehun in a two-page advert in The Guardian (May 31), and Otunba Gani Adams in an interview in Sunday Vanguard (May 10), have also made similar calls.

Perhaps even more importantly, the relatively restrained Guardian itself had made a similar call in its editorial of March 12. It argued that because, in its view, the content and conduct of the campaigns for Election ’15 were “disappointing”, the report of the National Conference “cannot but be factored into the process of governance by the next government.”

As the Americans say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I will be the last person to argue that our Constitution is not without its flaws; it is manmade and nothing manmade is, or can be, perfect. If nothing else our constitution is fundamentally flawed in its revenue and legislative allocation among the three levels of government, to the extent that local governments can be regarded as a level of government. It is also fundamentally flawed in the way it has stood our true federation of the First Republic on its head by turning it into a centralised system in all but name.

There are, of course, other ways in which our constitution is flawed. Still, I dare say it is not as broke as its loudest critics say it is.

Certainly it is not so broke that little or no good can be achieved without amending it or replacing it. I believe that in spite of its shortcomings Nigeria can be transformed into a prosperous nation under it if only we, leaders and led alike, strive to cultivate the right attitudes.

The definitive proof of this is America itself, whose constitution is universally adjudged as the most precise, eloquent and successful in the world because it has pro-

RIPPLES

BUHARI MUST DELIVER ON ELECTION PROMISES – Lamido, Aliyu

Yes... and all STOLEN MONEY must be RECOVERED

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Still on Buhari and national conference

•President Buhari

duced the most prosperous and freest democracy to date. Yet under the same constitution the country has in recent times deteriorated progressively into a gridlock between the executive and legislative arms of its central government, a gridlock that is already undermining its leadership of the world.

The difference has been a dramatic change in the attitude of its people, whereby its leaders have become increasingly selfaggrandising and self-serving while its common folks have been driven into indifference to politics as has manifested in their increasing low turnout during elections.

In other words, our problem as in today’s America is, in one word, much more a problem of attitude than of constitution. After all, no constitution in the world is, or can be, self-executing. Unfortunately it is difficult, if not impossible to legislate attitude. Ultimately, the solution to our problem therefore is to look inwards into ourselves and change our attitudes individually and collectively.

Meantime there are, needless to say, provisions in our constitutions that seem to need fixing, provisions like those of the size of our executive councils, especially at the cen-

H

ARDBALL was in a mirthful mode when he came upon the story of the ‘venerable’ Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose.

Well, let’s say her current story (there are quite a few to regale you with in the course of this journey) as told last Sunday at the Deeper Life Church Camp ground, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. Madam is of course the wife of the inimitable Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

But no true gentleman of Hardball, as Hardball has proved to be, would want to deride a member of the female gender; not by any hint. And not for that matter, a demure lady of the standing of a first lady of a state.

It is for this reason that Hardball held back his barbs otherwise the title of this piece was destined to be, Itan Feyisetan, which translates roughly to: the remarkable tales of Feyisetan.

We shall return to the meaning and import of that missed title later. Meanwhile, last Sunday at the thanksgiving church service

by Governor Fayose to acknowledge an obvious divine intervention in his vanquishing of his ‘enemies’, a fresh revelation emerged. Feyisetan had told the congregation that God had revealed to her

tre, the financial and administrative “autonomy” of our local governments and the justiciability of the fundamental objectives of state, etc. However, most of these can be dealt with without having to amend or change our constitution.

For example, with the right perception the problem of the big size of our Federal Executive Council where Section 147 makes it mandatory for the president to appoint at least one minister from each state can be dealt with.

Here the problem, on reflection, is clearly more of lack of frugality in our expenditures on offices than of their numbers as is also clearly the case in our humongous and unsustainable expenditures on our legislators. After all, our federal cabinets have been more or less the same size since the First Republic if you count the junior ministers.

So far I have given two reasons why I think our new president should ignore the calls on him to complete his predecessor’s initiative of amending our constitution, namely our beggar-thy-neighbour attitude among leaders and followers alike, but more importantly among leaders, and our all too often wrong diagnosis of problems arising from wrong perceptions of the problems.

There are at least two more reasons. One is the self-contradictions of some of the recommendations. The other is the fact that the

conference was convened in bad faith, composed in bad faith and was conducted in bad faith.

On the first reason, the same people, for example, who talk glibly about returning to the old autonomous regions of the First Republic, with, of course some modifications, also want at least 18 more states created out of the current ones. Similarly the same people who talk about the imperative of freedom of choice also simultaneously want power rotation and zoning entrenched into our constitution.

As for my second reason of the bad faith that surrounded the national conference, this much was obvious from its timing when the president knew he had only enough time and money to select its members rather than have them elected as should be the case, and from the way its membership was deliberately skewed heavily against Muslims and Northerners, in gross violation of the religious and regional composition of the country.

The bad faith was also obvious from the attempt by some key members to sneak in key provisions into its report that were never agreed upon by the conference and even title the reports Draft 2014 Constitution instead of amendments to the 1999 Constitution that they were.

Last, but by no means the least, the bad faith was obvious from a correspondence dated August 6, 2014 between Chinweizu, author and an unrepentant Biafran, and some key elements at the conference led

by Professor G. G. Darah, an intellectual fountainhead of militants from the Delta region, in which Chinweizu urged them to regard the excision of a section of the country as their main objective at the conference.

“Excise them by talking and voting”, he said. And if excising what he called “Caliphate colonialists” from Nigeria failed, he said, “at least get a resolution passed by the Greater South majority postponing the 2015 election till after a new constitution is approved by referendum.”

That Darah and his co-travellers failed in achieving either objective was not for want of trying. In any case their attempts framed the conduct of the national conference which, above all, is why it is not worth any serious consideration.

A CATALOGUE OF YET GREATER ERRORS Last week I apologised for a catalogue of errors I made in my column the week before, only to commit even more egregious ones at the same time. It was as if, as one elder friend said to me over the phone, I needed strong coffee to keep alert when writing!

The more egregious ones last week were the years I gave of the enactment of the constitutions of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. The first was 1988 not 1996 – by then the man had “stepped aside” by three years – and the second was 1995, not 1998, the year in which Abacha died in office.

Then there was my mix-up of homophones; words that sound similar but have different spellings and different meanings. In this case I wrongly used the word “seized” instead of “ceased” in the phrase “Unfortunately, our own federation seized...” in the last but four paragraphs of the column.

Once again my apologies.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

The story of Mrs. Fayose

her eni itan, that is one who came wrapped in wonderful tales, it would be quite apt.

But for the moment, let’s dwell on itan Feyisetan (I hope you don’t mispronounce this for Hardball will not be responsible for what would be a most inelegant error).

Speaking of tales, this remarkable woman of noted piety is reputed to have foretold the fall from grace of her husband during his first coming. She was also said to have prophesied that her husband would surely return to power. It came to pass.

So what would Madam see next about her ebullient and conquering husband who has roundly beaten flat his foes the way the tinker beats pan. The legislature, the judiciary and the opposition party he has flattened. He is yet hungry for more fights everyday as if he was born to feud.

Hardball is not a seer of any sort but he can only admonish that Madam would need more fervency in her supplications as her hero carries on like that fellow in a certain fable, who finding no other opponent to duel with, took on his shadow in a vicious contest.

And that, really, is the tale.

in a dream that the months of March and April would be most turbulent period for their tenure, but the good Lord never abandons His own. Hallelujah, somebody!

She did not mince words and for the avoidance of doubt, let’s hear it from Madam: “In the dream, God told me that March and April will be stubborn. He said we should get prepared for it. But God promised to see us through.”

Wow, Hardball feels ashamed each time he reads about so many Nigerians receiving so freely, celestial missives as if they were sms from a goodly friend. Let me confess that I have never ever received nary a hint from our father above, sleeping or awake.

Is one too sleepy-headed or too wakeful to hear our Lord calling out!

But Hardball is not in the class of Feyisetan in this business divine ministration from above. In fact, if you call

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