The Nation June 13 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

News Memories of June 12 across Southwest capitals Sport Yakubu Aiyegbeni seeks recall to Super Eagles Business Pension assets hit N2.2tr, says PENCOM boss

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VOL. 6, NO. 1789 MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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IN THE SPIRIT OF JUNE 12

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (middle), his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, former Military Governor of Lagos State Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (second left), Senator Olabiyi Durojaye (left), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lagos State Chairman Henry Oladele Ajomale (second right), and the former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa (right), during the 18th Anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election lecture with the theme, “Sustainability of democratic values: The Nigeria experience” at the LTV, Blue Roof, Agidingbi Road, PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Alausa, Ikeja ... yesterday. See also pages 2,4,5&6.

Jonathan’s cabinet list for Senate on Wednesday Aganga, Akinlabi, Kayode, Baraje, Ugochukwu, others listed

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet list is ready. It will get to the Senate on Wednesday, The Nation learnt yesterday.

But the Senate may not release the list to the public before it reconvenes after its two-week break.

The Ministers will be on probation for their first 100 days in office and whoever among them cannot score up to 50 per cent in his or her performance will be dropped. How performance will be measured was not immediately clear

SOME OF THE LIKELY NOMINEES

•Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala •Chief Onyema Ugochukwu •Mrs Ada Okwonu •Kawu Baraje •Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke •Suleiman Yusuf •Mr Odein Ajumogobia •Dr. Idi Hong •Adetokunbo Kayode •Mrs Fidelia Njeze •Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi •Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai •Godsday Orubebe •Prof. Rufa’i Alkali From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

last night.

The cabinet list comprises 50 per cent technocrats and 50 per cent politicians.

It was learnt that the President chose a 50-50 option, in line with his pronouncement that “it is time for action”.

Technocrats may be in charge of sensitive ministries

that can accelerate development and deliver “the dividends of democracy” to Nigerians.

A source close to the seat of power said the President will

have a “cabinet with a difference” as men of integrity will be mostly in charge.

But, where people who should not be on the list are found there, such names will

be expunged, even after the list must have been made public. If there is “any evidence of established corruption against any nominee”, such a person will be removed before the final clearance by the Senate, the source told The Nation.

Some of those nominated are the Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (the President is still finalising talks with her); ex-Managing Director of NDDC Chief Continued on page 2

EFCC grills Bankole’s deputy over N12b loan

F •Nafada

ORMER House Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada was yesterday interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is due to be charged today alongside former Speaker Dimeji Bankole over their management of the funds of the sixth House of Representatives.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

It also emerged last night that the Bankole-led House obtained another N12 billion loan, three days to the end of its tenure.

The EFCC said the former House leadership took the loan even as there was outcry over the N10 billion the House earlier obtained from the

United Bank of Africa (UBA).

It said Bankole’s leadership took N40 billion during its tenure.

New charges are expected to be filed today at another court against Bankole and Nafada.

The former Speaker is on trial on a 16-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Donatus Okorowo will rule

today on Bankole’s request for bail.

Although Nafada and five former principal officers were invited last week, he was released on administrative bail.

The former Deputy Speaker was invited again yesterday by the EFCC for interrogation, over records showing Continued on page 2

•CITYBEATS P25 •JOBS P43 •CEO P45 •LABOUR P49 •MONEYLINK P56

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

NEWS

•From left: Governors Theodore Orji (Abia); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Governors Peter Obi (Anambra); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Ralph Uwechue, during Southeast governors and Political Leaders Forum PHOTO: NAN in Enugu ... yesterday.

EFCC grills Bankole’s deputy over N12b loan

Jonathan’s cabinet list for Senate on Wednesday Continued from page 1

Onyema Ugochukwu; a top official of ADB, who is a professor; ex-Deputy Governor of Imo State Mrs. Ada Okwuonu; National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kawu Baraje and the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AllisonMadueke.

Also listed are a former Minister of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Odein Ajumogobia; and ex-Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Aliyu Idi Hong.

Others are the former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf; ex-Minister of Defence Adetokunbo Kayode Rufa’i; ex-Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze; ex-Minister of Youth Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi; exMinister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufai; ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe and PDP National Publicity Secretary Prof. Rufai Alkali.

The source said: “The cabinet list will be with the Senate by Wednesday or before the end of the week. The list

may not, however, be made public until Senators are back from recess on June 28.

“The President is expected to finalise talks with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala this week. She is still weighing options - whether to return to the cabinet or not.

“But if she accepts the offer, she may give conditions.

She wants to work in an environment where her advice will count, there will be transparency and it will not be business-as-usual.

“The President has left the nomination open too. Any nominee can be dropped at the dying minutes if there are proven allegations of corruption and misconduct.

“Also, the appointment of ministers this time around is on probation. They will be given 100 days to perform. A team of bureaucrats will then assess their performance in office. Whoever does not measure up to 50 per cent cutoff will be asked to go.

“The team that will assess the ministers will operate covertly to prevent being influenced by cabinet members.”

The President is said to have rejected pressure to drop three nominees.

They are a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, exMinister of Finance Olusegun Aganga and a former Deputy Governor of Imo State Ada Okwuonu.

The source added: “These three nominees have attracted more agitations against them than others. The opposition was so much that the President chose to be decisive by insisting on the choice of these candidates.

“Some stakeholders in the oil sector; some marketers and a few highly-placed individuals from the North are mounting pressure on the President to drop AlisonMadueke, but he has stood his ground.

“As for Aganga, powerful politicians from Lagos have impressed it upon the President to nominate another person but Jonathan has rebuffed that.

“It got to a ridiculous extent that a former governor of Imo State led a high-level contact to stop the nomination of Mrs Okwuonu. What has worked in favour of the ex-Deputy Governor is her decision to remain a party faithful, despite the humiliation she suf-

fered when she was not renominated as a running mate to ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim.

“The President believes an individual who believes in party discipline and supremacy will be good for a cabinet position.”

Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), empowers the President to constitute his cabinet to reflect the Federal Character Principle.

The Section reads in part: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.

“Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President, “Any appointment under subsection(2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of Section14(3) of this Constitution provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.”

•Bankole Continued from page 1

that the House obtained N12billion loan three days to the end of its tenure.

A source in the EFCC said: “Nafada will join his former boss to account for how they came about obtaining almost N40billion loan while in office.

“It became necessary to ask Nafada to appear before our team on Sunday, having got records showing that the

House got another loan of N12billion from First Bank Plc three days before the end of its tenure.

Nafada’s spokesman Bello Hameed said last night: “It’s true that my boss was at the EFCC today. He has since returned home.”

An official of EFCC said: “Where necessary, we may invite some officials of the affected bank for interaction on why the loan was given, for what purpose, on what terms and the collaterals relied upon.”

“The commission will file charges against Bankole and his deputy on Monday in another court for a separate trial on illegal obtainment of loans.”

A group, Youth Anti-Corruption League, four weeks ago, staged a protest to the EFCC demanding Bankole’s probe.

The League submitted a one-page petition to the EFCC through its President, Jumoke Iliyasu.

June 12 re-echoes across Southwest capitals

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CHOES of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election reverberated across the Southwest yesterday.

Activities marking the poll; described as the freeest and fairest in the country’s history, were held in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ado-Ekiti and Akure.

Other events on the 18th anniversary of the election believed to have been won by business mogul Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, will continue today in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital – where Abiola hailed from.

Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Rauf Aregbsola (Osun) have declared public holidays today to mark the historic election.

Abiola, the hero of the election died in detention on June 8, 1998. He was sent to jail by the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha for proclaiming himself president on the basis of the results.

In Lagos, Hon. Wale Oshun, a onetime Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, said the dream and decision that informed the voting pattern, that gave the late Abiola, a pan-Nigeria mandate, must be sustained to eradicate the nation’s diversity, which is always threatening

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

to break up the country.

Oshun said: “The Nigerian experience has shown that it is possible to sustain democratic values when leaders are driven to work in the interest of the people. Chief Abiola sought to work for the interest of Nigerians, but was denied the opportunity.”

His lecture titled: “Sustaining democratic values: The Nigerian experience”, was witnessed by exKaduna State Governor Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye and Governor Babatunde Fashola, among others.

Fashola said “June 12, 1993 election has become historic and memorable not because it produced the expected result, but because its sabotage produced a reaction that the saboteurs did not expect.”

The ‘June 12 lecture’ in Abeokuta was delivered by Dr. Sola Olorunyomi. It was attended by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, his wife, Funso, members of the Abiola family including his wife, Dr Doyin, son Jamiu and brother Mubashiru.

There was also a stage play.

Members of the Abiola family pleaded with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government in Ogun

state not to neglect them.

Members, who took turns to speak at the event said they had been finding it quite “difficult to survive” with the increasing cost of living in Nigeria.

Abiola’s brother Mubashiru said the last eight years were like a total period of “fasting” for the Abiola family following the “neglect” by the government in the state.

He said the last time the family enjoyed adequate support from the state government was during the era of Chief Olusegun Osoba as governor.

He urged Amosun to emulate Osoba whom he said, assisted the family immensely.

Son of the late Alhaja Kudirat, Kunle Abiola, said the family members are ready to break their fast if the state government could extend its milk of kindness to them by coming to their aid.

Dr. Doyin Abiola, said Ogun State will experience a new lease of life.

She described Amosun as “a promise keeper” who is out to improve people’s living standard.

Dr Abubakar Momoh recalled the annulled polls and the attendant significance saying it epitomises the resolve of Nigerians to jettison “sectarian interest” in order to rid the nation of common foes - military dic-

tatorship.

Momoh said the attendant mass struggle to actualise June 12 results brought out the fact that power reside not only in Aso Rock but also on the streets of Nigeria, where spirited mass protests against the annulment led to the collapse of dictatorship.

Remembering the heroes and heroine of the June 12 struggles, Momoh said the late Beko Ransome - Kuti provided the needed leadership and direction that opened the pro - democracy fighters that “alternative power to confront evil and injustice lies in the streets.”

He said this alternative power in the streets is being explored and •Oshun ... yesterday utilised today to topple corrupt, inept and sit - tight leaders in Egypt, the benefit of the people.

Bahrain and other parts of the According to him, this absence of Middle East. political class with clear - cut vision The varsity don spoke as a discus- for the country is the reason why sant at the June 12 commemoration the Nigerian government has no lecture delivered by Dr. clue as to answer to the “50million Olorunyomi of the Institute of Af- unemployed Nigerians” and “7.2 rican Studies, University of Ibadan. million out of school children” Momoh lamented the absence of a since 2006. political class in Nigeria.

Dr. Olorunyomi said Nigeria, unHe said the political class as it ex- like Asian countries, is not proacists in more advanced democracy tive hence it cannot rise against its are people-driven with ideology challenges. He called for regional inand coherence in thought and phi- tegration in the Southwest. losophy which guide how they Amosun said June 12 had become shape the course of governance for the Democracy Day in Ogun State.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

NEWS

‘As l struggled to protect my head, the cutlass severed my left wrist’ For his alleged refusal to sell on credit N50 Gari to a suspected mentally deranged man, the left wrist of a night guard with the Nigerian Legion office in Ado-Ekiti, Dada Seun, has been chopped off with a cutlass, reports Sulaiman Salawudeen

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HAT transpired between them that Monday night remains in the realm of conjecture because of their different accounts.

The victim, Dada Seun, claims that his left wrist was severed by Kehinde Omo Ajenifuja, who is suspected to be mentally deranged.

But Ajenifuja denied the allegation.

It all happened last Monday at Idolofin quarters, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Seun, 32, a night guard with the Nigerian Legion office in Ado-Ekiti, also sells food items in the daytime at his shop located in Idolofin. He retires to his security duty at night.

It was, therefore, not the right time for him to be at the security post by 7pm on Monday when the incident happened.

He had earlier in the day gone to the market to restock his shop, promising customers to make available their preferred items by a particular time of the day. He had returned from the Oja Oba Market and was relaxing. He had not slept after returning from the night duty.

Seun was inside his shop that Monday evening when the ‘customer’ that was to inflict the eternal scar came calling. That ‘customer’ was Kehinde Omo Ajenifuja, a bricklayer who also doubles as a herbalist.

Some residents say carrying a sack containing a cutlass has become part of 40-year-old Kehinde an indigene of Ido-Ekiti, who lives at Oriapata in the the state capital.

But the purpose for which he usually carries the sack about was unknown to residents, until that fateful Monday.

Seun recalled that he declined selling Gari to him because Kehinde was owing him N50, which he(Kehinde) would not even mention before making a new order on credit. His refusal to ‘sell’ to Kehinde degenerated into an argument which ended in Kehinde bringing out the cutlass to slash off Seun’s wrist.

He said: “On Monday, the man (Kehinde) came to my shop, asking me to sell Gari to him but because he was owing me N50, I declined his

Seun on his hospital bed

PHOTOS: SULAIMON SALAWUDEEN

‘I insisted I would not sell the Gari to him on credit. That was when he started abusing me and threatening to deal with me with the cutlass’ •Kehinde

request for another ‘book me down’.

He was carrying a sack which I had always seen with him. But, I did not know, until yesterday, the sack contained a cutlass.

“I insisted I would not sell the Gari to him on credit. That was when he started abusing me and threatening to deal with me with the cutlass. At a point during the hot exchange, I ran away from my shop but later I returned to him, saying “this is my shop. I told him he could not harm me. Suddenly, he brought out the cutlass and aimed at my head. As I struggled with him in an effort to protect my head, the cutlass severed my left wrist.’’

Seun, whose condition had been stabilised by doctors at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), AdoEkiti, where he was rushed to after the incident, opened a black polythene bag, exposing the gory content: his chopped wrist.

He went on: “Immediately he dealt the blow and I started rolling on the ground, Kehinde disappeared from the scene. I don’t know what befell him afterwards, until the following day (Tuesday morning) when the nurses informed me

that the man who inflicted the injury on me had been brought to the ward just before me’’.

Kehinde was not coherent in his account of the encounter. He also declined to accept that he was carrying a bag in which he had always kept a cutlass.

Below are the excerpts of this reporter’s encounter with him.

What is your name?

My name is Kehinde Omo Ajenifuja Eleyeloogun What do you do?

I am a bricklayer and I practise traditional medical healing. I live at Oriapata here. I am from IdoEkiti. When you get to Osekita Grammar School,that is my dad.

You will also get to Ifaki and you will have the Ifaki Market on your right. I had a wife before but she left me because I don’t have money again. My child is still with her. I want him to grow up before I claim him. I am just about 46 years old.

Why did you cut Seun’s hand ?

This boy (Seun) has been known to me for quite some time. He would always insist I buy cigarettes from him. But I normally told him that it is not good to buy cigarette. I

did not cut my manhood. He would say I had cut my manhood and I would reply him I did not cut my manhood. Oga, you too can see (trying to open his trousers) can you see Oga, have I cut my manhood?

He would then say I should buy cigarette from him.

Kehinde was consistent in his denial that he did not know who chopped off Seun’s wrist.

The police took Kehinde to the hospital after rescuing him from some enraged bystanders, who were moved by his actions.

The police were said to have identified Kehinde as a mentally imbalanced man in the entire community in the Okesha area, where he prowled, scarvenged through the rubbles and begged for money.

Seun is still in the hospital. Although, his condition has stabilised, courtesy of the principle of ‘safe his life and stabilise him first’ of the hospital. Seun will need more than the basic intervention as he has to undergo another surgery to dress the stump of his left arm.

About N35,000 will be needed.

Since Kehinde was admitted into the hospital, no one has come to see him.

Pension assets hit N2.2tr, says Pension boss

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ENSION assets have hit N2.2 trillion, Director-General of National Pension Commission (NPC) Alhaji Muhammad Ahmed said yesterday.

According to him, 4.7 million employees have signed into the pension scheme while 40,000 employees are already benefitting from the scheme.

Ahmed spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.

He said: “We have about 4.7 million employees that have signed into the scheme, pension assets have gone to about N2.2 trillion as at the end April, which is about $13 billion.

“In terms of employees retiring, we have close to about 40,000 employees that have started retiring under the new scheme and getting their benefits as at when due,’’ he said.

He said that the Federal Government had paid over N200 billion to those that retired under the new scheme.

“This is how far we have gone and we are moving gradually.’’

He said the Commission worked had last year to increase the number of invested instruments.

According to him, the instruments include; private equity, infrastructure fund and GDR as an additional instrument.

This, he said, was to encourage Nigerians to come up with the instrument and to invest pension assets in more diversified portfolio.

“PENCOM is a new industry, fairly young but I will say that we have achieved a number of things,’’ he said The contributory pension system was introduced to protect employees against old age poverty. The system provides income after retirement that could meet the basic financial needs of retirees.

The first public sector pension scheme in Nigeria was the pension ordinance of 1951, with retroactive effect from January 1, 1946. The law provided public servants with both pension and gratuity. Pensions Decrees 102 and 103 (for the Military) of 1979 were enacted, with retroactive effect from April 1974.

These Decrees remained the operative laws on public service and military pension in Nigeria until June 2004.

There were three regulators in the pension industry prior to the enactment of the Pension Reform Act 2004; namely Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Joint Tax Board (JTB).

SEC licensed pension fund managers while NAICOM is still the agency responsible for licensing and regulating insurance companies in the country.

The JTB approved and monitored all private pension schemes with enabling powers from Schedule 3 of the Personal Income Tax Decree 104 of 1993.

The Pension Reform Act 2004 is the most recent legislation of the Federal Government which addresses the problems of the old pension system.

It established a uniform pension system for both the public and private sectors.

Bail: Ex-Speaker Bankole knows fate today

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FEDERAL High Court, Abuja, will today rule on the bail application filed by the embattled former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole.

Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contract inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Donatus Okorowo had adjourned ruling on the application till today after hearing Bankole’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and that of the EFCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo on Friday.

The Judge, who expressed his willingness to decide the application on time, said due to time constraints and the plethora of authority cited by parties, he needed time to give a con-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

sidered ruling.

Awomolo had urged the court to admit Bankole to bail on self recognition.

He described as hearsay and speculative claims by the EFCC that the accused will jump bail if granted him.

Awomolo argued that the fear that an accused will run away or jump bail is not a reason in law for denying bail because jumping bail has its own criminal consequences.

Urging the court to discountenance the EFCC, Awomolo cited a Court of Appeal decision in Ibori Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria which overruled such claim by holding that an

accused person will only jump bail at his own peril.

But Keyamo urged the court to refuse bail as the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Bankole and that many of the paragraphs in the bail applications did not meet the requirement of law in considering bail application.

Besides, he said “the world is now a global village where criminals have no hiding place”, adding that court can only act on legally admissible evidence whether orally or documentary.

Awomolo contended that certain claims in the EFCC counter-Affidavit deposed to by one Oriogun Folajinmi offended Section 76, 86, 87, 88 and 89, saying all facts except content of a document could be proven by oral evidence.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

NEWS JUNE 12...18 YEARS AFTER

Mimiko seeks masses-oriented programmes ONDO State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said political leaders must initiate and complete poverty eradication programmes in the spirit of June 12.

Mimiko, in a statement in Akure, the capital, yesterday said more than the rituals of annual celebration, the initiation of the right programmes by governments would restore the hope of the people.

The governor said the cardinal point in the campaign of Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 election, was hope.

He said the state has ensured that projects that would bear positively on the people are initiated.

His words: “Around us, on our streets and neighbourhoods, there are several Nigerians who have lost hope.

“Institutions that cater for these Nigerians must therefore receive the attention of government as well as the affluent in the society.

“No time is more auspicious for such than the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 election.”

Fashola, Oshun, Kanu others salute June 12 heroes L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN); former Chief Whip House of Representatives Olawale Oshun; former Lagos State military administrator Ndubuisi Kanu and other progressives, yesterday met to honour heroes and heroines of the June 12 struggle.

The event, which was held at the Blue Roof, Lagos State Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, also had in attendance Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; state Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chief Henry Ajomale, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; Dr Amos Akigba; Gen. Alani Akinriade (rtd); former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa, human rights and civil society groups, among others.

Delivering his lecture entitled: “Values: The Nigerian Experience”, Oshun described the June 12 story

•List strategies to sustain democratic principles

By Miriam Ndikanwu

as a story of an election in which the sovereignty of all Nigerians was traduced.

He said the dream and decision that informed the voting pattern in the last elections must be sustained to eradicate the nation’s diversity .

Oshun said: “The Nigerian experience has shown that it is possible to sustain democratic values when leaders are driven to work in the interest of the people.

“Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola sought to work for the interest of Nigerians, but was denied the opportunity, when his election was annulled on

June 23, 1993.

“We must not forget this and for this we must continue to remember his supreme sacrifice.

“We should remember also those other fallen heroes and heroine, Chief Alfred Rewane; Mrs. Kudirat Abiola; Chief Adekunle Ajasin; Chief Anthony Enahoro; Chief Abraham Adesanya; Chief Bola Ige; Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti and Chief Gani Fawehinmi and over 100 youths slaughtered on Ikorodu Road in July,1993 and others still living.”

He said 18 years after the nation is still unsure about dealing with the fundamental issues of demo-

cratic rights and culture.

“Those who annulled the election led Nigeria on a path of infamy, destroying one of the crucial elements of the fledgling democratic values that were being put together then through the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

Fashola said the event is a commemoration of the Nigerian struggle for freedom and choice.

He said the annulled poll was a historic election that promised so much for Nigeria but delivered little.

The governor said: “The June 12, 1993 election has become historic and memorable not because it produced the expected results, but because its sabotage produced a reaction that the saboteurs did not contemplate.

“It produced a platform for the expression of the need for change, a better life, true democracy and responsible governance by

Group calls for sovereign national conference

By Sunday Ogundugba

SOME civil society groups, under the aegis of JUNE 12 Coalition for Democratic Formation (CODEF), have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a sovereign national conference.

The groups also urged the President to look into the 29-point resolution of the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) to avoid revolution and crisis in the country.

Addressing reporters in Lagos to mark the 18th anniversary of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, its Chairman, Baba Omojola, said the Federal Government, from Independence, has erroneously dominated the states.

He said JUNE 12 CODEF would work with individuals, and organisations to restore Nigeria to true federalism.

His words: “JUNE 12 CODEF believes that the only way to ensure a sustainable nation is through the establishment of true federalism.

“The era of the unitary nation state has gone into history, it has no future.

“It is our demand that President Goodluck Jonathan should look into the PRONACO resolutions for the imminent restructuring of the Nigerian state.

“Relying on a geopolitical system that has not produced any successful leader would not help the country.”

millions of Nigerians.

“The elections ignited in Nigeria, the biggest human force known in our history – the consensus of millions for one common purpose.

“The annulled election produced heroes and martyrs. It is to them that this day is dedicated. A day to salute their courage and selflessness. A day to honour them and to keep the flame of hope alive.

“A day to remind those of us who hold public office that we are trustees of legacies of hope created by the sacrifices of others.”

“The evidence of work yet to be done is manifested in the mindless orgy of violence that followed the recently concluded general elections.”

Kanu said the federal foundation upon which the Nigerian union was originally built has been destroyed.

He said to achieve the objective of Nigerian democracy, there is need for considerable consensus of reconstructing our constitutional foundation.

He added that the reconstruction, considering the raging debate going on at the National Assembly, can only be settled through a body with sovereign constituent powers.

Musa urged the present crop of leaders to stand by what is right , pointing out that the fallen heroes of the election stood and sacrificed their lives for it.

‘Make June 12 national holiday’

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•Jide Jimoh (right) with Alhaji AbduLateef Abdul Hakeem at the event...yesterday

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Yoruba leaders call for unity

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ROMINENT Yoruba leaders have called for the unity of the people, if they must overcome the socio-economic challenges confronting them.

They made their position known yesterday when prodemocracy groups gathered at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, for the18th anniversary of June 12, 1993 elections.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the division among Yoruba people has created multifaceted effects, posing new challenges to their standing in the political equation of the country.

•Say June 12 is democracy day

By Musa Odoshimokhe

He said June 12, which has become a watershed in Nigeria, should foster this unity.

His words: “June 12 can never be abolished, as far as NADECO leaders are concerned; it is the democracy day in Nigeria.

“I have said this recently that May 29 is the military democracy day, this is the day they transferred power to civilians.”

Adebanjo said if June 12 had not come up there could not have been democracy in Nigeria.

He urged those comparing the recent elections and that of June 12 in term of fairness to reflect deeply because there is no basis for that.

“They can never be the same, the circumstances are different, the result is different, and the compositions are different.

“June 12 was the day Nigerians put behind them religious and ethnic differences, to vote for the candidate of their choice, Chief M.K.O Abiola.”

The organiser of the event, Otunba Gani Adams, said the gains touted in the

new democratic dispensation are minimal because the country is still enmeshed in politics of jealousy, wanton destruction of lives and property andgross abuse of office by political leaders.

He urged the Yoruba to unite as one in the pursuit of peace in the country.

Adams said those fingered in the alleged case of fraud in the House of Representatives should be prosecuted .

This, according to him, would make the fight by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against corruption more acceptable.

ENOWNED constitutional lawyer Prof. Itse Sagay yesterday urged the Federal Government to declare June 12 a national holiday.

In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sagay described June 12 as a “watershed” in the nation’s political history.

The election, believed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola, was annulled by the military government on June 23, 1993.

According to him, honouring past heroes, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Moshood Abiola with national holidays is a befitting way of acknowledging their contributions to the nation.

He said the decision of some states to declare June 12 as “Democracy Day” was indicative of the autonomy of states in a true federalism.

On the nation’s judiciary, Sagay said the ‘bench‘ could still boast of men of integrity and honesty who pursued equity, fairness and justness in their judgments.

“I believe that the current wave of intimidation of some of our jurists will not deter their commitment and pursuit of what is right.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

5

NEWS

JUNE 12...18 YEARS AFTER

Why I still weep, by amputated June 12 victim I

T was a few minutes before noon on July 6, 1993. Offa, Kwara Stateborn Abiodun Mustapha, encountered an ordeal he would not wish his enemies.

If you want to “extort” tears from him, mention June 12, which, ironically, has now become his nickname around Ilupeju, Lagos State, where he lives with members of his family.

Like many others, Mustapha became a victim of the callous decision taken by military president Gen Ibrahim Babangida to annul Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.

On that day, Mustapha left his tailoring shop at Awoyokun, Onipanu, where he lived to be part of the spontaneous outburst against the annulment.

He stepped out to be counted among giant activists, including Mr. Femi Falana, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, who were already on a protest, near Alaka, Surulere, when the show turned bloody.

Suddenly, gunshots tore into the crowd of patriots.

The shots were fired by policemen trying to stop the protest.

Mustapha and Akin Orisagbemi, ex-personal assistant to the acclaimed heroine of democracy, Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, were in a pool of their own blood.

Dozens of bullets were extracted from Orisagbemi’s pubic region.

Mustapha would later find himself at the Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, where his right leg was amputated.

Out of the hospital, the experience earned the duo tickets for harder times as things turned unbearable for them.

Mustapha said: “There is nothing we have not done to seek the face of kind-hearted people in the society, including government.

“All has been to no avail.

Like my friend, I have been living from hand to mouth in a society with supposed human beings.

“Things have been hard since then. There has been no help from anywhere.”

Fortune, however, smiled on the duo in June 2007, when Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola hosted them alongside other “heroes of June 12, 1993 struggle.”

The popular Vocational Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was aglow for the show. Orisagbemi and Mustapha were recognised.

But the attendant relief of the occasion was short-lived for Mustapha and his partner-in-grief.

Falana, at a time, stepped in to make them smile by seeking the face of the authorities on their behalf.

“We owe Baba (Falana) a lot. He has always handled our matter with dispatch, especially at seeking ways to get Governor Fashola to help us. We trust him because he feels our plight,”

Every passing year since fate dealt him a deadly blow, this man has prayed for relief. The uproar that greeted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was won by the late MKO Abiola, did him the havoc. But the more he seeks the relief, the more it eludes him. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN, who shared a moment with him at the weekend, reports

IBB, others won’t escape judgment, says Bakare

C

ONGRESS for Progressive Change (CPC) vice-presidential candidate Pastor Tunde Bakare yesterday said those who annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election will not escape the judgment of history.

He described the historic poll as the freest, fairest and most credible election in national history.

Bakare spoke in a sermon to the members of the LatterRain Assembly, Lagos, during congregational service.

He unfolded plans to host a birthday party for people, who were born 18 years ago on June 12, 1993, saying in them rests the responsibility for propagating the ideals of free and fair elections in Nigeria.

His words: “Those who annulled the elections were the referees and linesmen, who manipulated subsequent elections in the country.

“They pretend to be righteous. They will not escape the judgment of history. They will pay for what they have done.

“Abiola’s blood will cry. A season of ill-wind will come to sweep them away.”

The cleric also reviewed the activities of actors, who participated fully in the politics of June 12, chiding many of them for a shortfall in principle.

He said the former ministers of Justice and Transport under the Abacha regime fell into this category.

Bakare lamented that 18 years after the June 12 1993 election, the April 16 presidential election was a wide departure.

He maintained that the poll was rigged in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the decision of the CPC to challenge his victory in the court was in order.

Bakare said: “When Buhari said that he would not go to court, nobody in the PDP knew that CPC was a legal

By Emanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

entity that could go to court.

“They rigged the election heavily. The court called for the ballot papers for forensic analysis. When they knew that the whirl wind was about to blow, they said the underaged voted for CPC. Who registered them; who accredited them?”

The vice-presidential candidate lamented that those Nigerians, who voted for their stomach, succeeded in installing a government of thieves.

He decried the systemic failure in the country, pointing out that it is shameful for Nigeria, which could boast of 12,000 mega watts in 1999 to now depend on 3,000 mega watts in 2011.

He defended his foray into politics, explaining that he was motivated by the desire to liberate the masses, who suffer in the midst of plenty.

Bakare said every right thinking Nigerian, who has good vision, should contribute his quota.

He said, despite the 2011 elections, it was not yet uhuru for Nigeria.

The cleric said: “After our case in court, we will rebuild our party because it is a force to reckon with.”

He said he would never join the PDP because it is a sinking boat, adding that he would also not accept a ministerial appointment from President Jonathan.

Bakare maintained that Buhari was not responsible for the violence that trailed the post-election violence in the North, clarifying that CPC went to court to douse the tension.

He said popular uprising against bad leaders are on the increase across the world because people are tired of oppression.

Bakare said: “Buhari did not want any court action. We prevailed on him to let CPC go to court to calm people down.”

Declare Abiola president, says SUN State Governor Aregbesola Ogbeni Rauf Areg-

O

•Mustapha at his home...yesterday

Mustapha said.

He dismissed rumours that he and Orisagbemi had been given millions by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“It never happened and God knows. All that each of us got was N200, 000; it was from our good governor, Fashola.

“Many always wonder how human beings can live where I live with my family. I just hope that one day, a helper will come to our rescue and give us a befitting

place to live,” he said.

Given the unsavoury experience, not a few would expect Mustapha to given up on politics and elections. But no, he remains actively in politics.

“I have always participated in any election held in the country since then. During the April elections, I was there. I canvassed vigorously and voted for candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), my dear party. We thank God that the re-

PHOTO: DADA ALADELOKUN

sults were favourable.

“Generally, there is nothing to show for Abiola’s death because the masses for whom he struggled and got killed for are still in the throes of multifaceted deprivations.

“And this is why I still weep each passing day. That is why I won’t smile on Sunday (yesterday). But we can only enjoy a good measure of hope in ACN-controlled states today. Honestly, we still have a long way to go.”

besola yesterday called for recognition of Chief M.K.O. Abiola as president.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, at a Democracy Lecture marking the 18th anniversary of June 12, 1993 presidential election organised by the Osun Civil Society Coalition, Aregbesola said the nation owes Abiola a huge debt of honour.

“I believe we owe the memory of MKO so much. It is not just to declare him winner of the June 12, 1993 election but also to officially acknowledge him as President posthumously.

“There were many hypotheses trying to explain or justify the annulment. However, no form of argument would justify the annulment of the election.

“After 18 long years of suppression of the truth of June 12, 1993, Nigeria still refuses to recognise and acknowledge its hero and late President, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abi-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

ola.

“The huge debt we owe him is not just to declare him as winner but to acknowledge him as well as president posthumously,” he said.

Aregbesola urged Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to the pursuit of true federal structure, saying the achievement of a true federation, where justice, equity and fairness prevail would be a service to the memory of the late Abiola.

Speakers at the programme held at the Osogbo City Hall, Olonkoro, Osogbo, recalled the remarkable and historic events leading to the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the large scale protests that greeted its annulment.

The speakers include Waheed Lawal, Gbenga Awosode, Rotimi Obamofin, Bashir Ajibola and others.

They called for the restructuring of the country to reflect true federalism.

6

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

NEWS JUNE 12...18 YEARS AFTER

Can the miracle of ‘June 12’ be repeated?

June 12, 1993 presidential election remains a reference point in Nigeria’s history. Nigerians were unanimous that it was the freest and fairest in the country. Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reminiscences on the annulment, which jolted the polity, the illusion of hope and utter damage done to national unity by military rulers.

L

IKE a flash of lightening, 18 years have passed since Nigerians thronged the polling booths across every nook and cranny of the country to elect Chief Moshood Abiola as the President, after a long period of military rule.

However, the exercise, described by many as the most credible poll in the history of Nigeria, was annulled by former President Ibrahim Babangida, the ‘Evil Genius’ .

Human rights activists and prodemocracy crusaders have described the cancellation as the greatest act of betrayal by the military. The illusion of hope fulfilled the prophesy of the frontline nationalist and first Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

When he was invited to participate in the discussion on the political future of the country by the Political Bureau headed by Dr Cookey, the former Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) leader declared that Nigeria had embarked on a fruitless search for democracy, adding that when they imagined that the new order had arrived, they would be terribly disappointed.

Awo’s belief was that the military regime could not sincerely and successfully organise a credible transition programme without glaring gaps and reservations.

Indisputably, he was highly suspicious of Babangida and his chameleonic style. After visiting the military President at Doddan Barracks, Lagos, the seat of government, he summoned the meeting of his supporters at Ikenne, his Ogun State country home. There, he reviewed the political situation in the country, contending that the military regime was not keen about transition to civil rule. Awo urged them to exercise caution and learn to deal with IBB with a long spoon. Few months later, the indomitable Awo passed on.

Between 1986 and 1993, Nigeria became another IBB laboratory, where various kinds of experiments were carried out. The Babalakin Panel, which the military set up, turned in a beautiful report.

It was buried by coup plotters led

by IBB. It was not exhumed. Cookey’s Bureau paled into a serious talk show. On three occasions, the transition programme was postponed

by IBB without any convincing explanation.

Babangida came up with more tricks to dazzle the political class.

He cajoled unsuspecting politicians into forming political parties, which, according to the guidelines, should have national spread.

When the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chaired by Prof. Humphrey Nwosu came up with their result sheets, they, by IBB’s reckoning, failed to measure up. The hammer fell on the 23 political associations. They were consigned to the dustbin of history.

Fears had been expressed when Nwosu’s predecessor, Prof. Eme Awa, was shoved aside, following the completion of the council polls on zero-party basis. Sources said that the old scholar’s mood could not accommodate the pranks of the power that be.

Up came two political parties established by the military and foisted on the scattered politicians.

Social Democratic Party (SDP), it was said, was a little to the left, and National Republican Convention

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chairman Otunba Oladele Ajomale and former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa at the June 12 lecture organised by the Lagos State Government at Ikeja, yesterday

Ondo State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs Bosede Daramola; Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof Femi Mimiko; Chairman of the occasion, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd), and Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, at the June 12 Lecture tagged: “June 12 and sustainable development: The Ondo State perspective” organised by the Ondo State government in Akure...yesterday

(NRC), was a little to the right.

Politicians struggled to join either of them.

The attention of Nigerians was on the programme. As the implementation of the electoral time table proceeded, there were distractions. New elements were included on regular basis. Politicians were banned and unbanned. Some of them were detained, released and re-detained.

In 1990, human rights groups were fed up. The political situation provided the basis for more transition monitoring groups to spring up. Fierce Lagos lawyer, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was hounded into detention by the administration, cried out that the entire transition programme was a fraud. He urged more commitment on the part of the military. He also enjoined Nigerians never to sleep on guard.

After a lot of pressures, state and federal parliamentary elections, and governorship polls were held without any hitch. It was evident that Nigerians had issued a quit notice to IBB and members of the Armed Forces Ruling Council

(AFRC) and Council of Ministers.

It remained one more hurdle to cross. The presidential election was the ultimate. Big wigs were in the race in both parties. However, after successful primaries, the exercise was cancelled and participants were banned. Suddenly, the parties were in want of candidates. it was at that stage that Abiola appeared on the scene.

Doubts were expressed because of his conservative antecedents.

Many did not give him a chance.

Within months, the gaps were closed. He became the choice and hope. Many people had a change of heart. They recalled his philanthropic activities. his message of hope, particularly the abolition of poverty was captivating. His rival, NRC’s Othman Bashir, his former colleague in the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), was no match.

Ahead of the poll, their fate were decided at the presidential debate.

The election made country where great feats were possible. The heaven withheld its showers. The weather was benevolent nationwide. Nigerians were united by the festival of political change. On long

queues, they were orderly as they cast their votes for candidates of their choice.

The electoral umpire was impartial. In fact, results could also be collated by party agents in that atmosphere of transparency and openness. However, as the election results trickled in, further announcement was abruptly suspended, following an order from above. There was suspense. There was tension. Democracy was truncated.

Almost two decades after, fond memories of the singular event that united the heterogeneous country have not fizzled out. Its cancellation has failed to wipe out its importance as a reference point in the nation’s quest for free and fair elections and political stability.

On June 23, 1993, when the historic presidential election was annulled, the journey to democracy was crippled. It was a dark moment in national history, which heralded a chain of events, including prolonged political crises, setting up of the interim contraception, enthronement of Abacha regime and renewed clamour for

popular rule by pro-democracy forces and masses, who are the true heroes of the titanic struggle for the restoration of civil rule.

Abiola did not go to sleep after the injustice. He fought the military without the gun. He resisted frantic attempts to compromise him. at Epetedo, Lagos, he declared himself President, based on the unofficial results. “On that day (August 27, 1993), the people of Nigeria, through their democratic expressionsn of June 12, 1993, expected me to assume the reins of government. I fully intend to keep that date with history”, Abiola said, vowing to fight the battle with the last drop of blood in his vein. On that day, what was in place was not Abiola Presidency, but Ernest Shonekan’s Interim Contraception, which Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) said was lamentable, but understandable.

The move angered the military.

Security operatives scout for him keep him in the cell. Weighing the options, Abiola jetted out of the country. At that time, the frontline propagandist, Uche Chukwumerije, who was Secretary for Information, derided him as the first Aare Ona Kankanfo to have deserted the battle. Abiola came back, struck the wrong deal with Gen. Sani Abacha, who promised to handover, but reneged on his hypocritical promise.

Gradually, the rank of June 12 travelers was divided. Eminent crusaders, including Lateef Jakande, Abubakar Rimi and Ebenezer Babtope, were trapped in Abacha Government. To save their lives, they retraced their steps and fully supported their new boss and military Head of State.

When Abiola made a frantic demand for the restoration of his mandate, he was sent into ‘prison’ without trial. He never returned alive. His wife, Kudirat, was murdered on the streets of Lagos. his businesses were crippled. His supporters were dispersed. But the spirit of ‘June 12’ lives on.

The question staring the country in the face is whether free and fair elections like June 12 are still possible. Opinion is divided. Many have doubted that possibility.

However, others believe that it is realisable, if there is the political will on the part of those occupying the highest echelon of government.

Lawyer and cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who reflected on the brutal murder of democracy, said that those who raped democracy would not escape the judgment of history.

“June 12 was the most freest, fairest and credible elections in the history of the country till date as a matter of fact. Those who annulled the election were the referees and linesmen, who manipulated subsequent elections in the country’, he added.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) paid tribute to the memory of Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, saying that they were martyrs of the titanic struggles, of which the current crop of elected officers are beneficiaries.

He said the greatest tribute the country can pay to the symbol of democracy is for the people to rededicate themselves to free and fair elections in the country.

7

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

NEWS

Unlawful detention: Court orders IGP, others to pay N10m damages

A

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and four others to pay N10million to seven men who were illegally detained for 30 days.

Justice Okon Abang, in a judgment on a fundamental human rights enforcement suit by the plaintiffs, held that the Police subjected the men to untold hardship, degradation and inhuman treatment.

He held that from evidence before him, the men were held in solitary confinement as hostages for 30 days.

The suit was filed early this year, following the failure of the Police to prosecute the detainees, whom the Police had charged with possession of seditious materials and

By Eric Ikhilae

constituting a threat to public peace.

They were also accused of being members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

Realising that the Police were unwilling to prosecute them, the detainees, then, through a group, the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigerian (MULAN), urged the court to declare the arrest and detention illegal.

Named with the IGP, as respondents, are the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Panti, Lagos; Sgt. John Gandonu; the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF); and the Director, State Security Service (SSS).

The plaintiffs are Sulaimon Alli, Abdul Ganiyu Sadu, Abdul Jelil Sanusi, Alimi Sulaimon, Abdul Hakeem Abdul Raman, AbdulKabir Shofidiya and Sulaimon Adebayo.

Justice Abang held: “There is unchallenged evidence before me from which I believe the applicants were in detention for 30 days and were subjected to untold hardship.

They were also subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment.

“They were in solitary confinement and held hostage for 30 days. They were moved from one Police formation to another at will. On record, they were moved to three different Police stations within Lagos State.

“The conduct of the first to

fourth respondents, in detaining the applicants beyond one day, as it is mandated in our Constitution - unless their case is charged to court - was aggravated in nature. I hold the view that the respondents were reckless, vindictive, high-handed and oppressive.

“It also depicts an abuse of official powers and gross indiscipline by our men in uniform. It is reprehensive to the extreme and showed a gross disregard for the rule of law.”

He held that, assuming the applicants were in possession of seditious publication - as alleged by the Police - detaining them for 30 days before the Police could ascertain that the applicants had no case to answer, was outrageous.

Activist urges Jonathan to declare June 12 national day

R

IGHTS activist and Convener of the June 12 annual lectures, Mr Moshood Erubami, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare June 12 a national public holiday to honour those who died for the enthronement of democracy.

He spoke at the 18th edition of the June 12 anniversary lecture organised by the Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS) in collaboration with some labour unions at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Erubami noted that democracy would not have been rooted in Nigeria without the supreme sacrifice by some people, adding that such people deserved to be honoured.

At the event were members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); the Nigeria

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State branch; National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ); senior journalists and the Federation of Women Lawyers.

Erubami urged Dr Jonathan to make public acknowledgement of June 12.

He said: “The June 12 should be declared a public holiday and should be included in the list of national holidays in Nigeria, just as Americans appreciate and remember Martins Luther King Jnr.” According to him, the late Chief MKO Abiola, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Pa Alfred Rewane and Pa Anthony Enahoro should be given posthumous awards for their contributions to democratic development.

Yakowa congratulates Kukah as Bishop of Sokoto From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

K

ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa has congratulated the former Secretary of the defunct National Political Reforms Conference, Monsignor Matthew Hassan Kukah, on his appointment as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto by Pope Benedict XVI. Until his appointment last Wednesday, Kukah was the Vicar General of the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese. He is expected to assume his new position in the next two months.

In a message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, Yakowa described Kukah’s appointment as a reward for hard work and dedication to the service of God and humanity.

He said: “The appointment did not come to us as a surprise, given his dedication and commitment to the work of God and the cause of humanity. This appointment goes to show that God rewards hard work and those who serve Him and humanity with total commitment will always be rewarded.”

UNIJOS appoints acting VC •From left: Company Secretary, Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Wole Ajimisinmi; Chairman, Chief Samuel Olaniyi Bolarinde; and Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, at the bank’s 2010 annual general meeting (AGM) at Orchid Hotels and Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos...at the weekend.

Kwara tertiary institutions’ workers begin strike

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ORKERS of Kwara State-owned tertiary institutions have begun an indefinite strike over the government’s failure to implementat the new salary structure.

The affected tertiary institutions are colleges of education in Ilorin, Oro and Lafiagi and the College of Arabic and Islamic Studies.

The workers, under the aegis of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), are demanding 100 per cent implementation of the consolidated polytechnics and colleges of education salary structure (CONPCASS) and the consoli-

•Govt: we’ve not reneged on agreement From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

dated tertiary institutions’ salary structure (CONTEDISS), effective from January 2009.

In a statement, the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee of Unions of Tertiary Institution (CUTI) in Kwara State, Alhaji Saad Hadi and Alhaji Abdulkareem Kanike, accused the government of reneging on its agreement to pay the new salary under the pretence that those who signed the agreement on March 29 did so under political tension.

They accused the government officials of deceit and insensitivity to the plight of

Group urges Ogun to develop Ifo

A

GROUP, Grassroots Action Forum, has urged the Ogun State Government to develop Constituency II of Ifo Local Government to redress its alleged neglect in the past 30 years.

At the end of its town hall meeting at the weekend, the group noted that the area, being the largest single internal revenue earner for the government, deserved to be developed.

The group’s meeting, held at the palace of the Alagbado of Agbado, Oba Adedayo Shyllon, noted that “Ifo Local Government Area is the largest of the 20 local governments in Ogun State, with a 2006 census figures of 539,170 people”.

It said: “Constituency II of Ifo Loca Government accounts for 400,000 of the population. In the words of Chief Sina Bamgbose, the Chief Convener of Grassroots Action Forum, the presence of about 15 obas and scores of white cap chiefs from various communities across the six wards of Constituency II underscores the importance of this town hall meeting.”

the union members and students of the affected institutions.

But the government said it was forced to sign the agreement because of the prevailing tension in the state at the time.

Its Head of service (HOS), Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako said: “The state government has not reneged on the payment of the salary as agreed but urged the striking workers to understand the financial position of the government at present.”

T

HE University of Jos (UNIJOS) has appointed the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Alhassan Ibrahim, as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

He takes over from the former Vic-Chancellor, Prof Sonny Tyoden, whose tenure expired yesterday.

Ibrahim was appointed following a court order, which barred Prof Hayward Mafuyai from assuming office today as the VC, pending the ruling on an interlocutory injunction sought by Prof. Innocent Ujah and members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over their alleged exclusion from the process that led to

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

the appointment.

His appointment was ratified at a meeting of the Governing Council held on Friday in Jos. The appointment is in line with UNIJOS Act of 1979, which, in the First Schedule Section 5 (4)(b), says: “A deputy Vice-Chancellor shall act in place of the ViceChancellor when the post of the Vice-Chancellor is vacant or if the Vice-Chancellor is, for any reason, absent or unable to perform his functions as Vice-Chancellor.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

8

NEWS Community begs Amosun for amenities THE people of Ilo Awela, a community in Sango Ota, Ogun State, have urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to deploy creative measures to tackle the challenges facing the state. It called on the governor to improve basic amenities in the area.

In a statement by its Community Development Association (CDA), it said: “We wish to express our appreciation to all Ogun State citizens and People of Ilo Awela Progressive CDA in particular for their sacrifice, maturity and the orderly manner they conducted themselves before, during and after the elections.

“The community cannot boast of good road, security and health care service. Our community has also been in darkness for several years due to the lack of a transformer. We have witnessed series of armed robbery attacks, killing and maiming. As we look forward to innovative and creative ideas that will pull the entire Ogun State and our community out of the socio-economic hole we have been for sometime, Ilo Awela Community prays that your mandate be full of achievements and successes.

“The Chairman of the CDA, Alhaji Moshood Fatai, wishes to commend your steadfastness and doggedness.”

UNILAG PG students hold lecture THE annual symposium/ award night of the postgraduate students of Educational Foundations, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, holds tomorrow at the Faculty of Education Auditorium, at 10am.

The lecture entitled: “Building a sustainable foundation for educational development in Nigeria, will be delivered by the Acting Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Dr S.O. Olusanya.

The co-speaker is Mr olu Darlynton, the principal Entrepreneurship Development Officer, Directorate of Employment, Lagos.

A statement by the organisers named the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, as the chief host.

•Wife of Oyo State Governor, Florence Ajimobi, wife of Ogun State Governor, Olufunso Amosun, her Ondo State counterpart, Olukemi Mimiko; founder, Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF) and wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of Lagos State Governor, Abimbola Fashola and Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka at the launch of EDF in Ado Ekiti... at the weekend.

How Akume emerged Senate Minority leader, by ACN

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday explained how Senator George Akume emerged as Senate Minority leader.

In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the ACN denied that there was crisis in choosing minority leaders in the senate.

It described the sponsors of such stories as those mortally afraid of the emerging robust opposition in the upper legislative chamber.

The statement reads: ’The so-called crisis exists only in the jaundiced imagination

By Joseph Jibueze

of unpatriotic elements within and outside the senate who cannot fathom the cohesion among the various opposition senators in the chamber and stories on such disagreements should be taken with a pinch of salt.’’ ‘’Those who will occupy the various posts have been chosen unanimously by the senate minority caucus at a fruitful and friendly meeting and no one who craves peace and harmony in the Seventh Senate dares reject such leaders, as has been insinuated by those sponsoring such nega-

tive stories.”

The ACN explained that the minority parties in the senate met in Abuja on June 8 to agree on the distribution of the positions as follows: ACN with 18 senators (Minority Leader and Minority Whip); ANPP with seven senators (Deputy Minority Leader); CPC with seven senators (Deputy Minority Whip), while LP with four senators, as well as APGA and DPP with one Senator each, are to be given special consideration when committees are to be constituted.

Following the agreement, the parties were asked to bring their nominees, who were unanimously approved by the minority caucus as follows: ACN (Senator George Akume as Minority Leader and Senator Ganiyu Solomon as Minority Whip); ANPP (Senator Ahmed Yerima as Deputy Minority Leader) and CPC (Senator Abu Ibrahim as Deputy Minority Whip).

“The sharing of the leadership positions assigned to the minority parties were based on the agreement reached by the parties at the

Alleged N3b fraud: Fed Govt withdraws charges against Citi Bank, Chairman, MD

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HE Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal charge it filed against the Nigerian International Bank Limited (Citibank), its Chairman and Managing Director, Chief C. S. Sankey and Mr. Emeka Emuwa and 14 others.

The office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation had, in the charge filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos, accused Sankey and others of involvement in fraud, tax evasion, denying the Federal Government money due

By Eric Ikhilae

to it as import duties.

They were also alleged to have conspired to induce some state’s official, defraud the Federal Government and corruptly enrich themselves to the tune of about N3 billion.

The 15-count charge, marked “FHC/ABJ/CR/122/2008” was originally filed in Abuja but transferred to the court’s Lagos division last year.

The reason for the AGF’s decision to withdraw the case was not made public. His decision was only communicated to Justice Fatimat Nyako via

a letter dated May 20 this year.

In the letter brought to the court last Wednesday by a female lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the then minister said he was exercising his powers as contained in Section 174 (c) of the Constitution. He said the withdrawal was in the public interest and the interest of justice.

The letter of withdrawal was preceded by another letter from the AGF, withdrawing the fiat granted in accordance with the provision of Section 174 (1) (b) of the Constitution, to a private lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) to

prosecute the case.

When the case came up last Tuesday, parties were absent when the case was called. They came later after the court had risen, following which the proceedings were conducted in the judge’s chambers.

Before the last adjourned date, the court had threatened to issue a bench warrant against the accused persons for their purported refusal to appear in court to answer to the charges against them. The realisation of the court’s threat was, however, frustrated by the AGF’s decision to withdraw the case.

Tinubu, ACN urge tribunal to dismiss petition

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ENATOR Oluremi Tinubu and her party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), have asked the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss a petition filed by the Labour Party (LP), challenging her election.

Senator Tinubu, representing the Lagos Central said the petition was defective and constituted an abuse of the tribunal’s process.

In her notice of preliminary objection filed by a team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), she

By Eric Ikhilae

challenged the petitioner’s locus standi to approach the tribunal.

Senator Tinubu argued that the two suits instituted by the petitioner against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at both the Abuja and Lagos divisions of the Federal High Court were yet to be decided.

The petitioner is praying the court, in both suits filed before the April 9 election, to compel INEC to conduct election in the Senatorial district

and include its name in the ballot papers.

The Senator and her party argued that the petitioner did not only fail to state his right to present the petition, as required under the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), he also violated the provisions of sections 4 (1) (a) and (c) and 4 (3) (b) of the First Schedule of the Act. They further argued that the LP failed to sponsor any candidate for the senatorial election conducted on April 9 in the Senatorial district as required by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

June 8 meeting. There was no imposition of any candidate as being erroneously put out by the sponsors of the crisis stories,” the party said.

The party said the choice of Akume as the Minority Leader has disappointed those who want the party to fall into the trap of being a regional party.

“Anyone who does not wish the Seventh National Assembly to be ungovernable should not dream of rejecting the Minority Leaders, who were unanimously chosen by the minority parties,” the ACN warned.

Conference sets agenda for Jonathan today

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HE National Think Tank, a non-partisan, capacity building forum in collaboration with the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Strategy, is organising a round-table to chart an agenda for President Goodluck Jonathan.

The theme of the conference is: “A Strategy to a Vibrant Nigeria.” The event is scheduled to take off at the Transcorp/Hilton Hotel, Abuja today.

Participants will be expected to brainstorm on ideas and ways to galvanise the President towards the implementation of his transformation programme for the country.

The roundtable’s agenda has been planned to help provide a strategic blueprint for the President that will tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges in areas, such as power, health, efficient public transport system, agriculture, education and youth employment.

Also, the conference will discuss how the President can secure inter-governmental collaboration among various arms of government, Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), international development partners, and improve overall governmental stability designed to tackle official corruption and administrative incompetence.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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NEWS Lagos coroner orders inquest into Police/Army clash

Oyo Assembly Election: How PDP lost out to ACN, Accord

By Joseph Jibueze

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AGOS State Chief Coroner Justice Yetunde Idowu has ordered an inquest into the killing of two senior police officers in Badagry by suspected soldiers.

She directed a district coroner, Ariyike Ipaye-Nwachukwu, a magistrate, to “please commence an inquest relating to the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased persons without delay.”

Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu’s court is Magistrates’ Court Six, Agbo-Malu, Apapa. She is expected to fix a date for the commencement of the inquest.

“I also request that you forward a copy of your findings and recommendation to my Chambers on conclusion. Please expedite action,” Justice Idowu said in a June 6 letter to Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, copied to Falana.

The directive was in response to a request by activist-lawyer Femi Falana.

Falana had said: “In view of the controversy surrounding the cold murder of a soldier, some police personnel and innocent persons in Lagos State, we request that you conduct an inquest into the incident, pursuant to Section 45 (1) of the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law, 2007.

“Take notice that if you refuse to accede to our request within seven days of the receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the Lagos State High Court to issue an order of mandamus to compel you to carry out your duty without further ado.”

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Badagry Police Station, Mr. Samuel Salihu, and the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Samson Okodusi, were killed on May 24, following a clash between policemen and soldiers. Other police officers and innocent citizens were also injured.

The killings reportedly occurred when the police officers approached the 424 Army Barracks for a meeting with the Commanding Officer, in connection with an earlier incident in which a soldier was allegedly killed by policemen at a checkpoint in Badagry.

Some suspected soldiers were said to have taken the law into their hands, killing five policemen, including the DPO and DCO.

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ACTS emerged at the weekend on how the “alliance” between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Accord brought an end to the ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to produce the Speaker of the seventh House of Assembly in Oyo State.

Of the 32 House members, PDP has 12, ACN 13 and Accord 8.

The Nation gathered that the swearing-in of the House of Assembly was delayed till last Friday because ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala (PDP) and his former boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja (AP), were almost ready to establish a cooperation between PDP and Accord lawmakers.

Ladoja is the leader and chief financier of Accord in the state.

It was learnt that Accord and PDP legislators initiated

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan series of meetings at a secret location in Ibadan, the state capital, on how to join forces to form a simple majority that would produce the Speaker, principal officers of the House and curtail Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Sources said the discussions were actually progressing, but they could not agree on which party to produce the Speaker.

Both groups insisted on producing the Speaker.

It was learnt that the old rivalry and supremacy battle between the duo, which started in 2006, was a major reason none of them was ready to cede the position to the other.

While their discussions lasted, ACN leaders laboured in vain to woo Ladoja to their side. Ladoja was said to have agreed to work with Ajimobi, who is

his cousin, but not the ACN. He finally succumbed to pressure last Wednesday, paving the way for an ACN Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, while his party settled for Deputy Speaker, Minority Leader and Chief Whip. The ACN took other positions, leaving the PDP in the cold.

A last-minute visit by AlaoAkala to Ladoja’s house last week failed to stop Ladoja from sealing a profitable agreement with Ajimobi.

A source close to Ladoja said: “What we planned initially was to give the people of Oyo State a taste of true democracy by working with the PDP to produce the Speaker, in order to check the ACN government.

“But Alao-Akala blocked his own fortune by being too greedy. He wanted to produce the Speaker at all cost, not minding that he desperately

needed Ladoja to accomplish his ambition. Ladoja was ready for him, but he was too greedy.

“At least, it was clear that both the ACN and PDP needed Accord more than we needed them. I expected that any good politician would read the situation critically and take the best decision.

His last visit had no meaning because it was too late for Ladoja to change his mind.

He had all the opportunities to achieve his aim but he failed to utilse them. Only God knows why it took him so long to come to terms with our offer.”

Mrs. Sunmonu was sworn in last Friday. Alao-Akala vowed to give the current administration a good opposition after his exit from office last month, but the latest development has whittled down his influence in Oyo State politics.

World Bank team visits Osun on food security plans

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HE Food Security programme initiated by Governor Rauf Aregbesola received a major boost yesterday, as the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD) began a week-long inspection of nine farm settlements across Osun State.

Leader of the Governor’s Advisory Team on Agriculture Dr. Charles Akinola received the World Bank team before it embarked on the field trip to Akinleye village, Iwo farm settlement and PATAARA FADAMA community.

The inspection was led by Mr. Nicholas Peltiter of the World Bank and the Regional Co-ordinator of Rural Access and Mobility Project, Ubandona Ularamu.

The team inspected prioritised road projects and FADAMA Agriculture Support Communities in Iwo. Akinola said the feeder roads were expanded to enable farmers convey their produce to the mar-

ket with ease.

He said: “This is a major push to increase agricultural production. Take cassava as an example, 80 per cent of it is water. If you load cassava into a tipper or truck, it will be very heavy. How much of it can a farmer carry on his motor cycle? This is why the governor’s decision to open up these roads is strategic to increase food production.”

At Ologun-Ebi village, where the World Bank partnered FADAMA to construct lock-up stalls for farmers to store their produce, the people thanked the team for the assistance.

FADAMA Project Officer Mr. Ganiyi Adediji and the General Manager of the State Agricultural Development Corporation, Adelere Oriolowo, said the farmers had been educated on how to reach their target customers through radio and television.

The World Bank team is expected to meet with the government today to fashion out modalities for further financial assistance on the Osun Rural and Economic Advancement Programme (OREAP), among others.

•From left: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife Funsho; Mr. Jamiu Abiola and Dr. Doyin Abiola at the Echoes of PHOTO:DAYO ADEWUNMI June 12 stage play & lecture, held at Abeokuta Cultural Centre, Ogun State...yesterday

Tokyo criticises Oyo police chief

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HE Chairman of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a.

Tokyo, at the weekend criticised the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, for declaring him wanted last week.

Describing Bolanta’s action as a ploy to put him behind bars, Tokyo said he would surrender himself only if Bolanta is transferred out of the state.

He alleged that Bolanta had been plotting to kill him.

Speaking with The Nation on the telephone yesterday, Tokyo dissociated himself from the Iwo road violence, in which several people were killed.

He said he was at a function in Lagos when he heard of the attack.

Tokyo alleged that the attack was carried out by loyalists of the late Eleweomo, led by Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila a.k.a.

Auxiliary, with the intent to implicate him.

He said it would amount to miscarriage of justice, if

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

he is linked with the crime.

Tokyo said: “I have no reason to claim the Iwo road park as alleged by some people.

The park is already under the control of my members, so why should I go to fight for what I already have. It is

not true.

“The truth is that Auxiliary and other loyalists of the late Eleweomo were bitter that they were no longer relevant in the state after their mentor and financier lost the governorship election.

So they went ahead to cause trouble, so that they can implicate me and put me be-

hind bars with the connivance of the Police under the control of Bolanta. That is their plan, but I know they will fail.”

He reiterated his call on President Goodluck Jonathan and the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) to redeploy Bolanta in the interest of peace.

Fayemi forwards FoI Bill to Assembly

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has forwarded the Freedom of Information Bill to the House of Assembly for passage into Law. He is the first governor to do so.

In a statement yesterday, Fayemi’s media aide, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu, said the Bill was one of the 13 bills forwarded to the House.

The Bill is expected to make information accessible to the people and ensure transparency in governance.

The statement said: “The passage of the Bill would facilitate probity, accountability, transparency and good governance.

“The Ekiti State FoI Bill is proof of this administration’s readiness to delivergood governance to the people. It is a clear signal that it will not be business as usual and will put public office holders on their toes.

“We believe it will reduce corruption and

•Speaker gets media aide strengthen confidence in governance.”

Also, Mr. Wole Olujobi has been appointed as the Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Olujobi, until his appointment, was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Speech Writing and Public Communication.

He hails from Ijan-Ekiti in Gbonyin local government.

Olujobi attended Ado Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti, and the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he graduated in 1986 with a B.A. in English Language.

He worked at The guardian, The Comet, The Anchor and Daily Independent newspapers, where he held several positions, including Deputy News Editor and Acting Group News Editor. He is married with children.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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NEWS Don’t compare governor’s performance, says Amaechi

‘ACN members voted for Tambuwal’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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ENATOR Chris Ngige has said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) instructed its members at the House of Representatives to vote for Aminu Tambuwal.

Also, a member of the House of Representatives, Isaac Osahon told reporters at the weekend that they voted for Tambuwal because he was not sponsored by external forces.

He said: “Among the three contestants, Tambuwal was not sponsored. Obasanjo was standing behind one of the candidates’ which we considered as evil. When all of them came, we decided that we will not give those being sponsored a chance. We also got to know that the First Lady was sponsoring a woman, which was not good for our our democracy.

•Akwa Ibom Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio at his wife’s Ekaette 40th birthday party...yesterday.

Delta communities sue Sanusi, AGF over withdrawal limit

US envoy advises youths From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

THE Consular General of the United States of America (USA) Joseph Starford has advised the Niger Delta Christian Movement and Global Network for Justice, Democracy and Good Governance to see dialogue as the only means of sustaining the country’s nascent democracy.

Starford gave this advice at Ughelli North local government of Delta State when he visited the group. He said as youths they are the representatives of the Niger Delta region and the future leaders of the county. He urged them to desist from all forms of anti- social vices.

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LEVEN communities in Riverine areas of Delta State have sued the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over the proposed daily withdrawal limit by individuals and corporate bodies of N150, 000 and N1, 000,000.

In the suit filed by their counsel, Mr. Jaro Movudu Egbo, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs are asking for an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the CBN and its governor from implementing the directives and policy which is supposed to take effect from June 1, 2012.

Joined as a defendant in the suit is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke(SAN).

The communities are:

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Akpakpa, Ogidigben, Madagho, Ijalla, Kantu, Omadino, Ogheye, Dheghe, Ajudaibo, Obaghoro and Okrigho.

The leader of the communities, Ayiri Emami, a businessman, averred in the affidavit in support of the originating summons that more than 50 per cent of his workers earn their wages on daily basis while the rest earn monthly salary.

He said the nearest financial institution to any of the communities is eight hours drive to and fro, adding that he pays over N1.500,000.00 to workers daily as wagess.

The directive, he said, if implemented would cause severe hardship to him and his

business interest.

Emami said the proceeds from his business which he deposited with various financial institutions are his property and that he reserves the responsibility to determine the volume of withdrawal he makes.

The communities are asking the court for the following reliefs: •A declaration that the policy/directive issued by the 1st and 2nd respondent to all financial institutions in Nigeria limiting cash withdrawal by individuals and corporate bodies to N150,000.00 and N1,000,000.00 is a gross violation of the fundamental right of the applicant under the 1999 Constitution as amended, is null and void.

•A declaration that the

Pressure on Omehia, others to withdraw petitions at tribunal W

ITH the May 29 reconciliation of former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, and his political son, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, there is pressure on the candidates close to Odili to withdraw their petitions from the Election Tribunal.

The governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and his counterpart in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sir Celestine Omehia, among others, are being pressured to discontinue their cases at the tribunal, for peace to reign and to ensure total reconciliation.

Sekibo is an indigene of Okirika, where the President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, hails from. He is also a former Transport Minister and the Secretary to the Rivers State Government in the Odili administration, which handed over to Omehia on May 29, 2007.

Omehia, who was sacked

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

by the Supreme Court on October 25, 2007 through its landmark judgment, is Amaechi’s cousin, from the same Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government.

The relationship between Odili and Amaechi became strained when he (Amaechi) insisted on retrieving his stolen mandate in court.

Odili and his wife, Mary appeared at Amaechi’s inauguration at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

It was learnt in Port Harcourt yesterday that to move Rivers State forward, most of the opposition politicians who filed petitions at the Justice A. A. Wambai-led tribunal, were being pressured to withdraw them, with promises of refunding their legal fees.

During the April 26 poll, Amaechi polled 1,178,529 votes to defeat Omehia of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate Abiye Sekibo.

The relationship between Odili and Amaechi became strained when he (Amaechi) insisted on retrieving his stolen mandate in court.

The former Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dawari George, who is now a member of the House of Representatives, representing Akuku-Toru/ Asari-Toru constituency, and an ally of Amaechi, gave hint on the reconciliation move.

George spoke with reporters yesterday.

He was dragged to the Tribunal by the ACN candidate, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, who alleged massive rigging and multiple thumb-printing, among other irregularities,

during the election.

George, who is of the rulng Peoples Democratic party (PDP), like Odili and Amaechi, said: “I do not see that case going anywhere.

Inko-Tariah and I are very close friends. For 29 years, we have been together.”

Acting Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Jerry Needam, yesterday confirmed tremendous pressure on Sekibo and Omehia, as well as National and State Assemblies’ candidates of the party to withdraw their petitions.

But he said they would not bow to pressures.

Needam said: “We will not yield to any pressure to withdraw our petitions at the tribunal. We have overwhelming evidence to show that Amaechi and other PDP members did not win the elections.

“We also have proofs that the results of Magnus Abe (representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District) and all other PDP candidates were written in Government House, Port Harcourt. There was no election in Rivers State.

policy/directive issued by the 1st and 2nd respondents to all financial institutions in Nigeria to charge a punitive fine of N100 for every N1,000 withdrawn from such financial institution is excessive, punitive, derogatory and a breach of the fundamental rights of the applicant under the 1999 constitution as amended and is null and void.

•An order of perpetual injunction restraining all the respondents whether by themselves, their servants, agents, privies or other representatives howsoever called from implementing the policy/directive limiting cash withdrawal by individuals and corporate bodies to N150,000.00 and N1,000,000.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

THE Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has urged Nigerians to exercise caution in comparing the performances and achievements of governors.

Governor Amaechi spoke yesterday at a party organised to celebrate his reelection by Prof Olusegun Okunu at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.

The Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the statutory allocation and internal revenue base of states are not the same, adding that it would be inappropriate to compare the performances and achievements of governors.

The governor noted that the level of performance would be dependent on available funds to each state.

Workers to get N18,000 minimum wage From Chris Oji, Enugu

THE Southeast governors yesterday rose from a meeting with a firm resolution to pay the N18,000 minimum wage.

They resolved to continue the agitation for a review of the revenue sharing formula to help states pay the new minimum wage.

At the meeting were the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, and the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ralph Uwaechue.

The governors hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Anyim the SGF and congratulated Ike Ekweremadu and Emeka Ihedioha on their victories as Deputy Senate president and Deputy Speaker.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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NEWS Amosun to announce new Chief of Staff OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun will name a replacement for Mr. Segun Ogunsanya who has been unable to assume duties as Chief of Staff. Ogunsanya, appointment was announced on May 31.

A statement by the Ogun State government said Ogunsanya was facing some challenges disengaging from his current job with CocaCola International.

He is the managing director of Coca Cola, Kenya and executive committee member of the East and South Africa operation.

The statement reads: “As a responsible government, we will not want to cause any strained relationship between Mr. Ogunsanya and his employers after he has risen to such a high position which makes him a pride to Ogun State and indeed the nation.

“As a government determined to be sincere and transparent with the people of Ogun State, even in its quest to hit the ground running, it is constrained to inform the public that a new chief of staff will soon be announced.”

Southsouth people seek appointments in Lagos

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HE Southsouth members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State have appealed to the leadership of the party to include them in political appointments.

Addressing reporters in Lagos over the weekend, state Chairman, Southsouth Traditional Council, Chief Charles Ogodo said having worked for the success of the ACN in the state, the Southsouth people

By Sunday Ogundugba

should be given exco slots and appointments in different agencies in the state as promised.

Ogodo, who praised ACN leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his visionary ideals, said the group had been marginalised and sidelined in many local governments unlike other ethnic groups in the state.

Ogodo said the Southsouth people worked for the ACN because they believed so much in the personality, integrity and political vision of Tinubu since he was elected governor of the state.

His words: “Other ethnic groups resident in Lagos have their appointed representatives in the state government.

Through such representatives, most of the social, cultural and mutual welfare

needs of their people are catered for without having to depend so much on the government.

“Having taken part in the actualisation of the achievements and successes of the party in the last elections, we want these successes to reflect in the lives of our people. Like other ethnic groups in our party ACN, we want Southsouth people to be given political ap-

Fashola hosts Imo governor

DPP accuses PDP, INEC of frustrating inspection of election materials

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ELTA State Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate the tribunal ordered inspection of 2011 Delta Governorship election materials.

It accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of complicity in the delays, warning that the DPP would press charges.

Chairman of Delta State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Ayo Abisoye had, on May 13, granted an application by the DPP to inspect election materials used during the April 26 governorship polls He ordered INEC to facilitate the joint inspection of election materials within seven days.

DPP Governorship candidate, Great Ogboru spoke at the weekend.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Ogboru, who was represented by his brother, Turner, accused the PDP of attempting to frustrate the inspection exercise because,”the discoveries being made are overwhelming”.

He accused the PDP of sabotaging the process by its continued refusal to be present during the joint inspection exercise.

His words: “Governor Uduaghan and PDP who are the 1st and 2nd respondents in the petition are holding us to ransom in collaboration with INEC. Despite the fact that we have complied with the Tribunal’s order to be here to scan, INEC has refused to give us the materials to inspect. PDP too has refused to come for the joint

OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT SECOND RURAL ACCESS AND MOBILITY PROJECT (RAMP II) OLD GOVERNMENT PRESS PREMISES TESTING GROUND AREA, OSOGBO RECRUITMENT OF CORE STAFF

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCIES ADVERTISEMENT Osun State Rural Access and Mobility Project (OSRAMP) Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) invites application from suitably qualified applicants from both Osun State Civil Service and the Public to fill the following vacancies of CORE STAFF position: 1. MONITORING AND EVALUATION SPECIALIST Qualifications * B.Sc. M.Sc. Econiomics or equivalent, Statistics, Engineering, Agric. Economics or Community Development. * Minimum of 8 years of post qualification experience in planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of Externally assisted projects and 3 years of which must have been with donor funded programme. * Computer literacy and competence in the use of standard software application for statistical analysis will be of utmost importance. * High level report organization, writing and editing skills * Ability to monitor and evaluate engineering works in externally funded project is also required.

Responsibilities: * Responsible to the State Coordinator * Responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of components of the project * Generation of project specific information on progress processes and performance * Analyses and aggregation of data generated at various levels to track progress, process quality and project sustainability. * Compilation and preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports * Other tasks as assigned by the SPIU Coordinator 2. INTERNAL AUDITOR: Qualifications: * Minimum of HND, B.Sc or B.A. Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration or Economics. * Registration with ICAN, ACCA or any other accredited Professional Certificate will be an advantage * Minimum of 8 years experience in auditing, at least three (3) of which must have been acquired after obtaining professional qualification; * Computer literacy and experience in a World Bank funded project and current financial management procedures will be an added advantage Responsibilities: As stipulated in the Project Financial Manual (PFM) REPORTING AND LOCATION; The position will be based in Osogbo, but may involve occasional travel to Abuja and other participating states.

GENERAL CONDITION OF THE EMPLOYMENT: An officer from the Public Sector shall be on secondment for two-year duration at the first instance and subsequent two year term renewals up to the life of the Project, based on performance and conduct. Furthermore, a candidate from the Public Sector who is disengaged from the project for whatever reason shall be reabsorbed to his/her parent Ministry in line with extant rules and regulations.

For a candidate from the Private Sector, the duration shall be for two years at the first instance and subsequent annual renewals based on performance and conduct in accordance with the terms of contract. Generally, the contract terminates at the end of the project life.

METHOD OF APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should send ten (10) copies of this application letters with Curriculum Vitae and photocopies of their credentials to: THE PROJECT COORDINATOR, Osun State Rural Access and Mobility Project, Old Government Press Premises, Beside Cultural Centre, Old Ikirun Road, Osogbo, Osun State.

Signed: Engr A. A. Oriolowo Project Coordinator

inspection .INEC has no right to refuse us the materials.”

He lamented that INEC has compromised its position by not allowing the inspection to go ahead due to the non-appearance of the 1st and 2nd respondents.

“We are very angry that INEC should be compromising with them (PDP) because INEC has no business to be in contempt of the Court order .INEC has brought the materials, the materials, as they claim, are here for inspection. We are already inspecting the materials….., all the personnel are here but we are being held to ransom by the 1st respondent ,Dr Ewetan Uduaghan and PDP , 2nd respondent. INEC is not allowing the inspection because it says the representatives of the 1st and 2nd respondents are not here.”

pointments and representation in the state government as commissioners, special advisers and board appointees.

“The essence of these benefits requested by the Southsouth people in Lagos however is basically for empowerment. The ultimate advantage of these benefits is in the interest of the state government and our party ACN.

•Okorocha

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday hosted his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha visited Fahsola at the Lagos House, Marina.

The Lagos governor said Lagos remains a place of succour and land of promise and land of opportunity for Igbo.

He said: “If there are policy issues by the government that affect any citizen, there are ways of redressing such policies, but those channels will not be pursued by first bringing forward the regional position, ethnic position or reli-

gious position. When this is done, the substance is lost”.

Fashola said states should be the laboratories of best practices.

“I believe that you have the opportunity to espouse some of these postulations at the various meetings like Governors’ Forum and Council of States with the freshness that you bring. This generation has the opportunity to demonstrate that Nigeria is not a lost cause,” he added.

Okorocha said he was in Lagos to explore the possibility of partnering with the Fashola administration.

He commended the determination of Fashola to serve the people and urged others to borrow a leaf from his exceptional performance.

The Imo governor also applauded the strong relationship existing between the Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos.

He also called for the strengthening of states and regions in the country.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

In business, I loved cars. I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning. Only in America can you decide to get a good education and pursue what you like.

- Lee Iacocca

Interbank rates rise on cash reserves hike

Two satellites for launch this month, says NASRDA

N

IGERIAN interbank rates climbed to an average of 12.50 per cent last week from 10.58 per cent the previous week after a new rise in banks’ cash reserve requirement came into effect, traders said last Friday.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) closed flat at 10 per cent, 200 basis points above the benchmark rate and 4.0 percentage points over the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement rose to 13.50 per cent from 10.75 per cent, while call money climbed to 14 per cent from 11 per cent.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced last May an increase in banks’ cash reserve requirement (CRR) to 4.0 from 2.0 per cent, citing a need to rein in inflation and control surging liquidity in the system.

The hike came into effect on June 8.

“Most banks made provisions for CRR this week, while cash withdrawal by the NNPC also impacted on liquidity in the system and caused rates to rise across board,” one dealer said.

The state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) sold about $400 million to selected banks last week and recalled part of the proceeds to its central bank account as part of its obligations to fund the federation account.

The market opened with a balance of N48 billion ($309.4 million), far less than the N149.19 billion in lenders’ central bank accounts last week, traders said.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$112.3/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N8.1 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES

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

By Adline Atili

T

• From left: Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah and Company Secretary, Godwin Samuel at the company's 2010 Annual General Meeting held at Golden Tulip Hotel PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE. Amuwo Odofin, Lagos ...on Friday.

I

Kerosene: Depot owners flay NNPC’s distribution channel

N furtherance of its ef forts to bring down the price of dual purpose kerosene (DPK), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has allocated 30,000 metric tonnes (MT) of kerosene to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) for distribution to their retail outlets across the country.

The vessel – MT Rhino, which brought the product was supposed to have discharged at the weekend at Apapa.

However, NNPC’s decision to give the product to MOMAN, is brewing conflict among stakeholders in the downstream sector as members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JEPTFON), have strongly opposed the step taken by the government.

The arrangement they said has excluded their members who account for 80 per cent of the distribution network

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

in the country.

A joint communiqué issued by the group after hours of meeting through the DAPPMA Chairman, Mr. Sylverius Okoli and JEPTFON Chairman Mr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, condemned the exclusion of the two groups, which account for 80 per cent distribution infrastructure in the country.

The communiqué read: “We have been informed about the meeting between NNPC and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) to the deliberate exclusion of other stakeholders on the revised guidelines on DPK handling and distribution and wish to state thus: We note the scarcity of DPK across the country with sadness. The scarcity is largely due to bottlenecks in supply and distribution caused by NNPC being the sole importer of DPK. “The scarcity is largely due to bottlenecks in supply and distribution caused by

NNPC being the sole importer of DPK. “The purported revised guidelines were drawn up without the input of all stakeholders as it was a meeting strictly between NNPC and MOMAN to the deliberate exclusion of other stakeholders. That the new guidelines were drawn to give undue advantage to MOMAN and will further exacerbate the scarcity of DPK across the nation.

“That distribution of DPK for decades has been largely through DPR licensed peddlers and surface tank resellers who buy from depots and not filling stations.

That any attempt to restrict distribution of DPK to MOMAN members only will be a disaster because other excluded stakeholders control about 80 per cent of infrastructure for the efficient reception, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

“We, therefore, reject these new guidelines and request that the GMD NNPC should

immediately convene a meeting of all stakeholders to stipulate guidelines that will genuinely address the problems of supply and distribution of DPK across the nation and in the interest of the common man.”

But the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of NNPC, Dr, Levi Ajuonuma and the Executive Director, Commercial, Products and Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC), Farouk Ahmed, told journalists that the full cargo of DPK was given to MOMAN to enable it mobilise its members to take delivery and ensure that within 10 days or less, it would get to their stations and the end-users.

The NNPC also set a monitoring committee comprising of NNPC, MOMAN, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to ensure the product is properly distributed and that it gets to the end-users.

Microfinance banks fret over proposed cash policy

M

ICROFINANCE banks (MFBs) in Nigeria are worried over the proposed cash withdrawal limit policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Addressing journalists in Abuja last weekend, Managing Director of Hasal Microfinance Bank, Mr Rogers Nwoke, said Microfinance Banks (MFBs) were concerned with the adequacy of the infrastructure that will be in place before the commencement of the policy in June next year.

The cash withdrawal limit

Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

policy billed to be effective June 2012 has since drawn a lot of apprehension from the general public and stakeholders. The policy seeks to discourage daily withdrawals and lodgments above the prescribed limits (N150, 000 and N1 million for individuals and companies respectively).

But Nwoke wondered if the CBN and indeed the industry have enough infrastructure to implement the policy and he implored the CBN to “tell Nigerians what infrastructure are going to be deployed for

the exercise.”

While supporting the policy, Nwoke said there was the need for sufficient quantities of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals to be deployed. He said all the banks have withdrawn their ATMs locations other than their premises whereas the consortium engaged to provide additional ATMs is not moving fast enough.

MFBs he said, are gearing up for a cashless Nigeria even though the policy poses a lot of challenges to operators who deal in large quantities

•Saved on Mac 72 - 15-16 Business West

of cash daily from their transactions with traders.

Already, the MFBs he said have launched a forum to educate customers on the cashless policy of the CBN but he urged the CBN to take into cognisance that traders in urban areas generate more than N150,000 daily.

Nwoke also condemned the manner in which the CBN announced the revocation of the licences of failed MFBs last year. His MFB Hasal Microfinance Bank he said, lost N15 million in deposits in one day following the announcement.

HE National Space Re search and Develop ment Agency (NASRDA) will launch two satellites into the orbit by the end of June, NASRDA officials have announced.

The satellites-NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X-will act as follow-ups and complementing spacecraft to NigeriaSat1, Africa’s first geosynchronous communication satellite, which was launched in 2003 but failed in orbit after running out of power due to an anomaly in its solar array.

The NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X are high-resolution satellites, designed for seven years and can produce imagery locally and internationally, the agency said.

At a press conference, NASRDA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Felix Ale, said the satellites’ mission is to provide a high-resolution map of Nigeria once every four months.

“The satellites would support the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) programme of the Federal Government by providing high quality data and enhance human resources in the use of satellite data,” Ale said.

NASB, NUC to collaborate on adoption of IFRS

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ETERMINED to deepen the reservoir of talents needed in the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Accounting Standards Board (NASB) and the universities are to collaborate on modalities of incorporating the studies of IFRS in accounting syllabus of universities.

This indication was given by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, during a courtesy visit to the NUC by the Chief Executive of the NASB, Mr Jim Obazee.

Okojie said the NUC would be convening a stakeholders’ forum on the introduction of the IFRS in the syllabus of universities to build the manpower needed for effective implementation of IFRS in the country.

In his address, Obazee requested that the NUC should direct all universities offering Accounting, Economics and Management Sciences to adjust their syllabus to accommodate the teaching and examination of the provisions of IFRS. He also advocated a movement away from the traditional model of accountants as ordinary bookkeepers, saying “the challenge for educators is to understand the requirements of preparing students for financial reporting as opposed to being bookkeepers.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

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LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

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LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

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LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00 08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

UAC Foods appoints new directors

U

AC Foods Limited, a joint venture company, follow ing the formalisation of the strategic partnership between UAC of Nigeria PLC (UAC) and Tiger Brands Limited (TBL) of South Africa, has announced the appointments of its directors.

The Board in a statement, announced the appointments of Dr Tawanda Mushuku as the Managing Director of UAC Foods and Mr Paul Okwudilichukwu Okeke as Finance Director of the Company. Until the appointments, Mushuku was the Supply Chain Executive of Tiger Brands Limited while Okeke was the Commercial Manager of UAC Foods Division of UAC. Also representing UAC on the Board are Mr Joe Dada, Executive Director, Corporate Services, UAC; Mr Abdul Bello, Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer of UAC and Mr Layi Oyatoki, Managing Director/CE of Grand Cereals Limited, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria PLC. The directors from Tiger Brands Limited are Mr Peter Matlare, Chief Executive Officer of TBL; Mr Neil Grant Brimacombe, Business Executive, Tiger Brands International; Mr Ian Wilson Martin Isdale, Group Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of TBL and Mr Gavin John Campbell, Regional Managing Executive, Tiger Brands International Division, West Africa Region. The Board is chaired

by Mr. Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director/CEO of UAC of Nigeria Plc. The appointments are effective Monday 6th June 2011.

Obi, Babalola, others bag CIBN’s awards

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

nance services within Nigeria, through a unique combination of global expertise and market-leading standards in aviation engineering and technical services with the best aviation engineers and maintenance resources in Nigeria.

The new arrangement will now have BHNL and PAAN have their own dedicated managing directors, focusing solely on each of the company’s business activities.

The statement reads in part: “The increased emphasis on Nigerian Content and on better separating BHNL and PAAN from an operational perspective both constitute substantial market shifts, which require each of BHNL, PAAN and the Group to recognise and respond to

12.15 12.45

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

1. IRS 2. Arik

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

them appropriately to remain a competitive critical part of the Nigerian oil & gas and aviation industries.

“We are, therefore, excited to announce that BHNL, PAAN and the Group have agreed in principle to make a number of important changes to their operating model, to properly and fully embrace those market shifts, at the same time as maintaining safety as each company’s number one priority”.

According to the statement: “BHNL and PAAN will now each stand on its own feet, utilising its own local resources, its own local people and its own local assets, whilst the Group (as their international technical support partner) will focus on being responsible for those elements where, as the leading global helicopter operator, it can provide the local entity on an arms’ length basis with a competitive/commercial advantage.

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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HE Bristow Group has an nounced the transfer of its shares in Pan African Airlines Nigeria (PAAN) Limited into Nigerian ownership.

The divestment was in compliance with the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Content Development Act and the Air Operators Recertification Process of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations To enable the effective take-off of this arrangement, the Bristow Group, according to a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, BHNL, Chief Ademola Edu, the Chairman, PAAN Ltd, Otunba Adekunle Ojora and the Senior Vice President – Global Operations, Bristow Group Inc, Richard Burman, has also set-up a new Nigerian entity – BGI Aviation Technical Services (BATS).

The new firm is to focus on providing technical aviation mainte-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Bristow Helicopters divest stake in PAAN T

• R-L: The Executive Director, North/Retail Banking of FinBank Plc, Mr. Adam Nuru presenting a prize to Mr. Benjamin Maaji, one of the winners at the FCT Zonal draw of the Finsplash promo. With them is the Divisional Head, Retail/E-Business of the Bank, Mr. Larry Olujitan, at the ceremony held in Abuja.

Porous borders liable for petroleum products’ shortage, says NNPC boss

T

HE Nigerian National Petro leum Corporation (NNPC) is targeting a daily supply of 12 million litres of kerosene per day to address perennial scarcity and to crash the price of the product, Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mr Austin Oniwon, has said Oniwon, who spoke during a working visit to the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company in Warri, Delta State, said the NNPC targets 12 million daily supply, even though the nation’s daily consumption of the product is about eight to nine million litres per day.

He explained that the additional four million litres was to offset shortage resulting from smuggling across the border to neighbouring countries.

“When you are a big nation surrounded by smaller nations at

Shola O’Neil, Warri

times they depend on you for so many things. What we try to do is to factor into what we supply their requirement and we know that in Nigeria, we consume about 8 to 9 million litres of kerosene per day; but what we are supplying into the system today, is about 12 million.”

In a veiled condemnation of activities of the various security agencies at the borders, he lamented that the NNPC was forced to factor the kerosene needs of neighbouring countries into its allocation because it was not its duty to police the borders.

Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his earlier promise to end kerosene scarcity within the next couple of days.

“We are going to flood the whole place with kerosene as never before.

As we speak, the first vessel that will

drop kerosene in Apapa is just waiting for the afternoon tide to go away and it will drop 11,000 metric tons into Apapa for the major marketers and from there, they will start loading; that is the first batch out of 30,000 metric tons that we are sending into Apapa.

“The refineries as you can see are running and they are making kerosene and so we are going to load massively from here, Port-Harcourt and Kaduna and IPMAN marketers, we are giving them kerosene from their NIPCO station and once they get it and take it to their own outlets and then there will be kerosene nationwide,” he added.

Oniwon revealed that the NNPC has 40 days sufficiency of kerosene, blaming the challenges of ineffective distribution for the scarcity that has persisted even after improvement in supply of the product.

Firm secures $225m to fund gas projects

S

EVEN Energy International Lim ited, an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas production and development company, says it has concluded two more rounds of financing for development of its projects onshore Niger Delta.

The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Septa Energy Nigeria Limited, said it has arranged a $150 million debt facility led by Standard Chartered Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The company also secured another $75 million investment from Petrofac.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Septa Energy said the fund would enable it to continue its fast track development of oil and gas projects, with particular focus on the supply of gas to the domestic market for power generation and industrial use and to reduce the country’s dependence upon imported refined petroleum products.

Chairman of Seven Energy, Phillip Ihenacho, said: “This is a strong vote of confidence for Seven Energy’s business and for Nigeria. The facility will add impetus to our push to develop

our oil and gas projects to meet local needs.”

Commenting on the ongoing gas projects, Managing Director of Seven Energy, Scott Aitken, said: “Seven Energy is currently participating in over USD1 billion development projects, which will supply over three trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas resources to the domestic market. These projects will result in 450 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of reliable long term gas supplies to Nigerian industrial and power sectors, the equivalent of the average energy consumption of 10 million Nigerians.”

T

HE Council of Chartered In stitute of Bankers of Nige ria (CIBN) will on Saturday, confer its prestigious Fellowship award (FCIB) on 96 members of the institute for distinguishing themselves in the various sectors of the economy.

A statement by the CIBN yesteday confirmed that the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and a former Minister of State for Finance and Chairman/ Chief Strategist of Alternative Capital Partners, a fund manager, Mr. Remi Babalola, will receive honorary fellowship award of the institute.

Obi was a director in Fidelity Bank Plc prior to becoming Anambra State Governor while Babalola was an Executive Director with First Bank Plc prior to his appointment as minister of state for finance by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The CIBN also stated that 94 others have been elected Fellows of the CIBN and would receive their awards during the 2011 Fellowship Investiture ceremony at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Among the 94 elected Fellows of the institute are the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Import (NEXIM) Bank, Mr. Roberts Orya; Yaro Musa Adah of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Godfrey Chukwudi Ogbonna of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Yusuff Yinusa of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Kayode Obasa of the National Planning Commission, and Habakkuk Bwakarshak of Unity Bank of Nigeria.

The Institute disclosed that the Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustapha Chika-Obi, would deliver a paper titled “AMCON as a Crisis Resolution Strategy for the Financial Services Industry.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

17

ISSUES

•Containers

In April, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) gave firms dealing in substandard products one month to remove the goods from circulation. The deadline expired on May 31, amid covert moves by the firms to get SON to reverse itself. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

Fake products: What next after expiration of SON’s deadline?

W HEN the Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, assumed office a few months ago, he promised to chart a new course for the agency and because according to him, “SON is Nigeria’s number one public sector organisation in mandate delivery.”

The institution under his leadership, he said would, demonstrate its commitment to zero tolerance for sub-standard goods.

At a gathering in Lagos, the SON boss said Nigeria was losing over N20 billion revenue to sub-standard goods yearly. Not only this, he said over 70 to 80 per cent of the goods in the market are sub-standard.

“Indeed, over 80 per cent of the goods cleared at the ports do not come with necessary regulation. And when we introduced some changes, they said we are causing congestion at the port. Some are asking for waivers till July. But, we are insisting that all sub-standard products must disappear from the markets or else those who deal in them in the supply chain would face pros-

ecution,” Odumodu said In pursuit of this, SON has not only been restructured, but has commenced strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including journalists.

Some of the steps taken by the agency are:

Meeting/collaboration with stakeholders SON has commenced another phase of its collaborative efforts. It held a meeting with some stakeholders in Lagos.

As for collaboration, Odumodu, accompanied by the organisation’s directors, met with traders from the Alaba International Market, Lagos, under the aegis of International Market Association (Electronics), Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), Balogun Traders Association and

Progressive Traders Association.

The SON boss, at the two-day parley, urged them to be ready to do the right thing.

He stressed that the leadership in the organisation will pursue, with uncommon determination and patriotism, its zero tolerance for substandard products.

Lamenting the prevalence of sub-standard products, compared to genuine ones, Odumodu insisted that some drastic measures were required to address the deplorable situation, saying, “enough is enough.”

At a briefing recently in Lagos, he said: “Between February and now, we have done a lot of work in reviewing the challenges facing standardisation and quality management in Nigeria. We have made a lot of domestic and international contacts and arrangements that would enable us give direction to this business of managing standards. Indeed, we have tested most of our

initiatives and are convinced that we are good to go.” He said the institution is set to demonstrate its commitment to zero tolerance for sub-standard goods in Nigeria.

His words:“ To achieve the success we desire in this area, we are seeking to collaborate with major market associations, such as ASPAMDA, Alaba International Market Association and similar bodies in major markets across the country, to get their members to buy into our project.

Very soon, we shall begin town hall meetings with the leadership of these bodies and their general assemblies, to get them to buy into this project and make them foot soldiers in our fight against sub-standard products.”

He pledged SON’s support in assisting genuine traders to develop required capacity for local manufacturing in collaboration with relevant agencies and organisations, just as he urged the traders to encourage importers of genuine products manufactured locally.

•Continued on page 18

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

18

ISSUES

Fake products: What next after expiration of SON’s deadline?

•Continued from page 17

“My emphasis is that, there is now zero tolerance for sub-standard products in this country. And we must all collaborate to ensure this. What Nigerian consumers deserve is value-for-money in all their purchases.”

Restructuring and re-organising of the agency Justifying the restructuring, Odumodu explained that there is the need to ensure that all members of staff have fresh perspectives of their responsibilities and appreciate their allegiance, first, to the organisation, but, more importantly, to the nation by a willingness to serve in any capacity and department with unquestionable loyalty.

“What we have done is to assess competencies, put square pegs in square holes, boost the morale and confidence of all staff, by demonstrating that merit and capability are what matter and nothing else. So, we moved people here and there, and decided to beef-up the marketing department and the laboratory, among others”, he explained.

To actualise its goal, the SON boss disclosed that, among other measures, the organisation would increase its staff strength in the next one year, just as it would establish SON desks in major markets to handle consumer complaints.

Significantly, Odumodu disclosed that the organisation’s staff strength would be tripled by next year, from about 1,000 presently, to about 3,000.

Establishing consumer desks in major markets Odumodu said the agency intended to stringently enforce compliance at the level where consumers come in contact with products, to ensure that no Nigerian is exposed to non-conforming goods anymore. But this can only be done through strategic collaborations and public enlightenment.

“We will create SON desks in collaboration with the Consumer Promotion Council (CPC), working in a complementary way, set up desks in major markets, within hundred metres of any market where consumers can inquire on the standards of the product.”

These measures, he said, will help check the influx of spurious products through a percentage compensation initiative for customers, whereby the customer will get back his money.

“Hence we have set up a structure to acquaint the public with its rights and the functions of SON, as well as garner public intelligence. This way, consumers can approach SON officials within their market vicinity to confirm the quality of products purchased before they take them away. While we do this in the interim, we shall also develop technology-driven devices through which such confirmations can be made in future.”

Collaboration with National Assembly Odumodu said SON will approach the National Assembly to review the enabling laws that mandate the agency, to allow for a more-effective policing against the proliferation of substandard products.

He said a bill will be sent to the National Assembly to make sure that unscrupulous importers were made to pay compensation for importing substandard products.

“In the new arrangement, the presence of SON officials at the various ports will cease to serve as mere formality, as we have witnessed in the immediate past,” he said.

He bemoaned the current law enabling the activities of the organisation, describing it as not in tune with the logistic challenges of

•Odumodu

•Mrs Umenyi

‘Indeed, over 80 per cent of the goods cleared at the ports do not come with necessary regulation. And when we introduced some changes, they said we are causing congestion at the port.

Some are asking for waivers till June-July’ enforcing the organisation’s mandate to stop the sale of unwholesome products in markets.

Engaging in bilateral agreement with other countries He maintained that as part of his initiative to rid the country of substandard products, the organisation will engage other countries in bilateral agreements and secure conditions that will ensure the safety of Nigerians.

Odumodu revealed that the planned Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on importation between Nigeria and China is pending because of the failure of the parties to come to a compromise on warranty and liability for unwholesome products.

“Because you have been specific about it, I will also be specific in saying that we must insist on warranty and certificate of free use on any agreement. That agreement has not met this condition and that is why it has not gone any further.”

He insisted that: “We don’t want goods that are not consumed in those countries.”

Issuance of certificates of free use Odumodu stated that, at the end of the onemonth ultimatum, products entering Nigeria will henceforth be issued with certificates of free use from the country of origin in addition to the SON’s Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP).

“Products not good enough for citizens of the producer countries must never again be dumped on Nigerians because we will no longer refrain from questioning what we buy and consume.

“We have had enough of the idea that Nigerian importers always request for lower standards from producers,” he said.

According to him, SON will also insist that importers of goods and their agents bring in goods that conform to standards through proper monitoring of all ports of entry.

Odumodu explained that after the expiration of the one-month notice, vendors of substandard goods would be made to explain

how such goods came into the country.

He said SON had worked out plans that would make sure that such foreign manufacturers were blacklisted from exporting goods to Nigeria.

Another area of concern for the SON director-general is promoting made-in-Nigeria products in other countries where they are often turned down for not meeting the acceptable standards.

He said part of the agenda of the organisation is to increase the competiveness of made-in-Nigeria goods abroad. This, he said, is achievable through addressing the infrastructural problems that have bedeviled the manufacturing sector of our economy.

According to him, “ There is the need to create global relevance of our activities, I found out that the SON - even though it enjoys collaboration with international standards organisation, African regional standards organisation, and other similar bodies - has not been accredited as a standards body by those agencies.”

Odumodu said the only way to improve the quality of Nigerian products and discourage imports is to get accredited. “We must get accredited; our processes must be accredited, our laboratories must be accredited, so that when a test is done in our lab in Lagos it will be acceptable by all globally.”

SON is the sole statutory body vested with the responsibility of standardising and regulating the expanding market for imports and exports in Nigeria.

Sadly, however, those who are opposed to positive change and bent on “business as usual” within and outside the organisation have commenced steps to stem the wind of change, including juicy promises and threats. But Odumodu has assured that he would not cringe.

“I have already received threats and some have sought for negotiation at a price, but I am not moved. This is a service to Nigeria”, he said.

Apparently aware of the criticisms and oppositions that would trail his avowed resolve to deliver on his mandate in a country like Nigeria, Odumodu said he would

justify President Goodluck Jonathan’s confidence in him for giving him the job.

“The President simply saw my CV, and said: ‘This man can do this job’. I cannot afford to fail! I have never failed, and will not fail! And no amount of threats would deter me!”

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, said there is an urgent need for all stakeholders in the industry to join hands with SON in tackling the problem of sub-standard products .

He said: “The problem of fake products, most especially, the incessant building collapse in the country is apparently a source of concern to many Nigerians as the aftermath of these incidents usually leave several persons either terribly injured or dead.

It is equally sad that the casualties keep increasing by the day as we still wake up to find the unpalatable news of collapsed buildings.

“Therefore, there is a need to address this issue, which requires immediate and strict measures to ensure that we achieve safer shelter for all. This is very important given that globally, shelter has been listed as part of the Millennium Development Goals.”

Also speaking with The Nation, the Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Ify Umenyi, said consumers have suffered enough from substandard products, stressing that these substandard products contravene human right to safety.

She commended Odumodu for the zero tolerance, saying it would go a long way in tackling the problems of substandard goods. “SON must ensure that products are safe for consumption. CPC must ensure consumers consume what is safe,” she said.

She stated that many consumers are still not enlightened about the hazards of substandard products and, therefore, called for support from different stakeholders in the country to help spread the dangers of substandard products.

Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN) Chairman Paul Okenwa said no country can develop properly and sustainably without proper standardisation, quality culture and practices. He noted that the Federal Government has a huge role to play in sensitising the Nigerian market.

He said the association’s interest in the progress of SON derived from members various positions as major suppliers, importers, distributors, exporters, manufacturers and retailers of all kinds of electrical materials that are traded within the Nigerian economic space.

However, on the May 31 deadline, discussions are ongoing between SON and traders on possible extension, according to a source.

But there are feelers that the deadline will likely be extended.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Back to square one

Massachusetts to the groundswell of states and localities opposing President Obama’s misconceived and failing immigration dragnet. Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Monday that his state would not participate in Secure Communities, the fingerprint-sharing program that the Obama administration wants to impose nationwide by 2013. Gov. Andrew Cuomo halted New York’s involvement last week. Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois rejected it last month. They join a long list of elected officials, Congress members and lawenforcement professionals who want nothing to do with the program for the simple reason that it does more harm than good.

The program sends the fingerprints of every person booked by state or local police to federal databases to be checked for immigration violations.

It was supposed to focus on dangerous felons. But it catches mostly noncriminals and minor offenders, as New York said, “compromising public safety by deterring witnesses to crime and others from working with law enforcement.”

For years Mr. Obama, like George W. Bush before him, has relentlessly pushed forward with immigration enforcement schemes while failing to give any relief to millions desperate to shed their illegal status.

Real reform requires a comprehensive strategy: stricter enforcement plus legalization for the millions whom it would be foolish to uproot from our society and economy. As Mr. Obama has driven deportations to record levels, he has gotten no closer to fixing a failed system. But he has made Republican hard-liners happy by bolstering the noxious argument that all undocumented immigrants are mere criminals, deportees-inwaiting.

This is a failure of decency and good sense. It merely punishes and does nothing to actually come to grips with the problem of illegal immigration.

Resistance has mostly been heard at the ground level, from immigrants and advocates who say families are being split apart, workers frightened and exploited, the American dream dishonoured.

So it’s good to hear powerful Democrats — Mr. Obama’s friends and allies from large states — telling him that with Secure Communities he has gone way overboard.

What these states’ actions mean, practically speaking, is unclear. States like New York signed contracts with the Department of Homeland Security to enter Secure Communities, and now the administration insists that they must participate. If they send suspects’ fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for criminal checks — as states must and will continue to do routinely — then the F.B.I. will share that data with the Department of Homeland Security. There is no way to opt out.

We’ll see about that. The idea that the federal government can commandeer states’ resources for its enforcement schemes seems ripe for legal challenge. And it’s wrong to make state and local police departments the gatekeepers of immigration enforcement. It should not be up to local cops to drive federal policy by deciding which neighbourhoods and people are the focus of their crackdowns.

We welcome the votes of no-confidence in Secure Communities. The message is clear and growing louder: Mr. Obama and the homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano, need to try something else. That something else is real immigration reform that combines a path to legality with necessary measures to secure our borders and deport real criminals who are here illegally.

Resistance Grows

•Negotiation, not desperate measures is required to get recapitalisation going

N

EARLY two years after Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor fired the executive managements of eight banks for running their banks into a hole, getting the banks on their feet isn’t proving any easier job than the business of getting the club of so-called delinquent bankers answer to alleged crimes has been.

A new chapter in the tussle over the banks’ recapitalisation was opened last Friday with the CBN Governor personally signing a public notice alerting Nigerians on alleged plans to derail the recapitalisation programme. He fingered “a small number of shareholders...purporting to be acting in the interest of the wider shareholders but most likely at the instance of some vested interests”.

He alleged that unnamed interests blocked four MoUs which would have brought restoration to the affected banks.

He also served notice that the CBN was

‘The CBN needs to go back to the drawing board if only to find a better strategy to accommodate the interest of these shareholders in the planned recapitalisation.

We see nothing in the interest of both parties that is irreconcilable’

“re-evaluating the options available to it under the Nigerian law”, with an ominous warning that the apex bank would not allow itself to be tied up in endless litigation with persons who have no stakes in these institutions.” Earlier, the CBN had set September as deadline for the recapitalisation of the rescued banks.

The CBN Governor’s frustrations with the relatively slow progress are not entirely without some justification. After all, no one could have expected that the process of restoration of the banks will take this long. Nigerians ought to be alarmed that the eight affected banks aren’t even anywhere getting out of the financial hole (the least is said to have a negative asset value of N27 billion while the highest has N330 billion), 15 months after the CBN appointed management took over the banks.

For us, however, the greater alarm is the indication that the CBN may not even be able to pull the recapitalisation exercise through, given the multiple litigations that have bogged down the exercise.

That explains the resort to the threat of the final solution of liquidation.

Of course, we consider the threat to liquidate the banks unnecessary. After shelling out N620 billion to bail out the banks, anything short of managing the process through would be disastrous – a monumental failure on the part of the CBN. Here, any suggestion that the apex bank failed to anticipate the challenges can only lead to the conclusion that it did not do its homework thoroughly in the first place.

There are clearly two sides to the current tango between the shareholders and

the CBN on the recapitalisation exercise.

Much as the apex bank would prefer to heap the blame on the so-called intransigent shareholders, its magisterial bearing, and one-sided settlement have certainly not helped the process any bit. The failure to distinguish between the delinquent managers responsible for running the banks aground and the thousands of passive shareholders who saw opportunity and invested in the banks has certainly not helped in promoting confidence between the two stakeholders.

Would anyone blame the shareholders for going to court to protect what they consider their group interests? As it is– not once or even twice has the CBN Governor pronounced that the shareholders have technically lost their investment.

Why should they fold their arms while awaiting the crumbs that would eventually fall from the table of the new investors – without putting up a fight? That seems to us as the crux of the matter.

The CBN needs to go back to the drawing board if only to find a better strategy to accommodate the interest of these shareholders in the planned recapitalisation. We see nothing in the interest of both parties that is irreconcilable.

The CBN desires stable, financially sound institutions that embraces global best practices; the investors want to be part of the process. They are as much victims of the crass mismanagement of the former executives as the depositors that the apex bank desires to protect. Pressing to be accommodated in the emerging structure of the banks is not asking for anything extraordinary. It is late in the day to resort to drastic measures.

All have sinned •Issues raised by Akingbola against bank chiefs deserve investigation

F

OR good or ill, the year 2009 represents a watershed for the banking industry. Apart from being the year big and prominent names in the banking industry were flushed out ignominiously, it was also the year when the socially ascribed prestige and status of the bankers plummeted. Many lost their hitherto plum and secured jobs, while some had to contend with diverse litigations arising from litany of allegations of fraud and or other financial improprieties.

The shareholders were not spared; many woke up to the rude shock, and reality of crashing shares’ values. The global liquidity problem, which some experts had claimed Nigerian economy was immuned, sneaked-in unawares and with all its negative implications on an already fragile financial services sector.

Mr Erastus Akingbola, the former MD/CEO of Intercontinental Bank Plc, was among the chief executives, managers, and members of the board of banks that were sacked in August, 2009. He fled the country, but has since returned to answer to the numerous charges of fraud, mismanagement, and other financial improprieties preferred against him. Interestingly, Akingbola has been talking through the media to whosoever

may care to listen about his innocence. Aside contesting his alleged illegal removal, he is presently raising dust over a so-called hidden agenda in the planned forced sale, or merger of Intercontinental Bank Plc with Access Bank Plc. To begin with, Mr Akingbola is entitled to redress in the court of law concerning various allegations of infraction of the law and unlawful abridgement of his fundamental rights by his accusers. However, the weighty charges of bad faith, violation of business ethics, collusion and lack of transparency he levelled against Messrs Aigboje AigImokhuede and Herbert Wigwe, managing director and deputy managing director respectively of Access Bank – two personalities leading the charge to acquire Intercontinental Bank Plc, is something that cannot not be wished away.

Far from holding brief for Akingbola, fair can only be fair.

Akingbola says that the two top executives of Access Bank were among the large number of debtors of Intercontinental Bank on the list published by the CBN, having used Capital Alliance as a special purpose vehicle to obtain loans valued at about N16 billion from the bank and later used the money to increase their stakes in Access Bank. By that

transaction, they became the largest single shareholders of Access Bank.

If there is any iota of truth in Akingbola assertions, even, the CBN has a case to answer. What has happened to the loan since Akingbola left the country? If paid up, when and how was the loan repaid?

The scenario of financial in-breeding, corporate capital windowdressing, though typical must be seen as truly disturbing. EFCC may want to check this out, as this may in part explain why most of the banks have not been able to re-capitalise. The CBN should start asking the right and pertinent question; why have foreign investors stayed back in spite of promises to invest in Nigerian banks two years after?

‘The CBN should start asking the right and pertinent question; why have foreign investors stayed back in spite of promises to invest in Nigerian banks two years after?’

A

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Recently, the president of Nigeria gave directions on the review of the country’s foreign policy. This is coming on the heels of Nigeria’s elections which was adjudged free and fair by local and international observers. However, the question that reverberates in the mind of this writer is why it has taken our foreign policy experts 50 years to take a bold step towards ‘strengthening of economic relations with the international community as a foundation for stability and growth of our country.’ Why is it that our foreign policy initiators since the time of Tafawa Balewa have refused to understand that the foreign policy of a nation must as a matter of fact have series of underlying economic interests and motives, no matter what the picture depicts?

As a one time student of foreign policy, we were made to understand that foreign policy is an extension of a nation’s domestic policy. In the case of Nigeria, the thrust of her foreign policy has remained within the African continent. This was a bold step as a far as the era of late Tafawa Balewa regime was concerned because the 1960s was a time when many African nations were either gaining their independence or were still under the shackles of colonialism.

For Nigeria to have extended her foreign policy towards her African brothers showed how far she was ready to go in becoming the big brother of the African continent.

The dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, the ending of Ian Smith’s UDI government in former Rhodesia, the fight against Portuguese rule in Russophobe Africa, the return to power of

S

IR: this writer still bleeds over the murderous onslaught meted on members of the youth corps by irate youths in particular sections of the northern part of the country. Those involved as promised by President Jonathan Goodluck must be fished

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

As Jonathan rebrands Nigeria’s foreign policy president Tejan Kabbah after a bloodless coup, the forming of ECOMOG and its success in the Liberia and Sierra-Leone wars among others clearly defined the efficacy of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

However, it should be noted that Nigeria’s foreign policy has always tilted towards her being seen as a political power. No doubt, Nigeria is not only a big brother, but also a military, economic and political power in the continent. It is no wonder that Nigeria can dole out dollars to west African neighbours who are cash strapped and even assist in training the Liberian army or help in engendering democratic ideals in places like Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Sao-Tome and Principe to mention a few.

Despite these, it behoves on this writer to say that Nigeria has gained little or nothing economically from her foreign policy. Our foreign policy formulators have failed to

understand that foreign policy actions are no Father Christmas.

You don’t give for free in international relations without getting something back in return.

The Bush Doctrine no matter how bullish it seems only seeks to pursue economic interest for the American nation. The doctrine argues that the United States would pursue a policy of preventive war if an unfriendly nation attempted to develop weapons of mass destruction or gave aid to terrorist organizations. The new policy also said the United States would act unilaterally if necessary.

Despite lack of evidence that Saddam Hussein did not have Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) or aided in one way or the other the Al-Qaeda network, the Baath regime was amputated from power. All these were as a result of the Bush doctrine, but the underlying result was to get free access to Iraqi oil. The next target

might very soon be Iran. It is for this reason that Jonathan’s effort at transforming the nation’s foreign policy to meet modern realities and international developments is a right step in the right direction.

Nigeria should begin to look at those nations where civil wars still eat deep and help in not only engendering peace like she did in both Sierra-Leone and Liberia, but also look for viable means to gain from them economically. The foreign policy blunder Nigeria made in the past was its inability to consolidate its economic gains in countries she had aided at some point in time. The Igbo are known for their economic potentials and if they had been made to storm the markets of these countries after peace had been restored, perhaps, Nigeria would be earning so much from Nigerians in diaspora.

Foreign policies are meant to drive the economy of a nation and

not straining it. This writer believes that what Nigeria must have spent since 1960 on her foreign policy actions would run to the tune of billions of dollars, yet she has nothing to show on the economic gaining side. Nigerians in South Africa should not be facing xenophobic attacks after aiding that country to majority rule. Nigerian nationals should not suffer in the hands of the megalomaniac leader of Libya, after all, Libyan strategic interests abound in Nigeria.

Lastly, since foreign policies are extensions of a nation’s domestic policy, Nigerian political leaders must ensure that these policies are commensurate with those policies within the Nigerian political space.

The nation’s foreign policy to many only seeks to aid outsiders without necessarily looking at how best such could be replicated or how can one explain the crises in the Niger-Delta and the North. If ECOMOG could bring peace to both Liberia and Sierra Leone, why is the JTF not doing its own part of the bargain or is there more to it?

It is time Nigeria got her foreign policy right else, it will only be like a bull dog who though can bite but whose injury will take long to heal.

• Raheem Oluwafunminiyi creativitysells@gmail.com

Please, heed our clarion call!

S

IR: I am using this medium to call on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Nigeria Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the good people of Akwa Ibom State nay

Nigeria to plead with the Management of Ibom Airport Development Company (IADC) owner and operator of Akwa Ibom International Airport (AKIA) to pay the staff.

Unfortunately, employees of the airport have not been paid any sal-

ary for the past three months. From the look of things, the non-payment of salary may linger except a rescue intervention takes place. Beside the fact that staff of the Airport are under-paid compared to what is obtainable in the Aviation indus-

Educating the North out and punished forthwith.

The killing of innocent youths under whatever guise is unacceptable. Such act is indeed a disease of the mind arising from crass illiteracy that is probably orchestrated by the hegemonic northern elite.

It is sad that the uneducated with

no prospect are out to butcher the educated with visions and daring desires.

This ugly trend must be halted if the unity of the country must be preserved. Justice should not only be done in this case but must be seen to have been done. The need

for proper education for these northern murderers should not be discountenanced. One is saying no to further killing of innocent youths.

• Oliver Eze Africa Youth for Leadership Initiative

try, the welfare of staff are not being taken care of. For instance, employees of the airport do not receive shift allowance and other benefits which are obtainable in the Aviation industry.

On behalf of my colleagues and with due respect, we are begging our employer to pay us as we are hungry. Our families are suffering.

Non-payment of salary at the airport is dangerous. It could lead someone to do anything at the airport just to get money and at the end of the day sabotage the airport.

Please pay us and God will bless the management.

• Friday Olumba.

Akia, Akwa Ibom.

21

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Don’t kill democracy at work

M

ULLING over the double talk of Nigerian politicians remains confounding. They mouth democracy but prefer to act dictatorially. Those who shout power to the people would only strive to accumulate all powers. Rather than serve the nation, they end up serving personal interests. Little wonder 12 years of the present political dispensation have seen more of civilian domination that democratic governance.

Yet, there is hope that as the years progress, the nation would be forced by circumstances to pick vital lessons from pitfalls and fallacies. With recent development at the take-off of the 7th National Assembly, especially at the House of Representatives, it is gratifying seeing democracy taking its stand against party politics.

The emergence of Aminu Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha as Speaker and Deputy Speaker against the zoning formula adopted by the Peoples Democratic Party is a welcome rebellion against autocracy.

For once, I agree with ex-dictator President Ibrahim Babangida’s endorsement, his motive notwithstanding, of the move that ran contrary to the zoning he once clinched to when his presidential ambition was still running high. Surprisingly, he expressed excitement about what he called “the bold and courageous step taken” through a show of independence. He commended the House for putting the Federal constitution above partisan interest, “putting to an end to month-long scheming and manipulation.” Being a key player in the nation’s political scheming and manipulation game, IBB should know.

The revolution experienced in the House demonstrates that the people are gradually becoming politically enlightened and uncomfortable with few privileged men determining the future of the majority. The PDP may have wanted to achieve a national balance with zoning, but not when selfish motives are being schemed to override national interest. As God would have it, He ensured that the same old game that has been dragging the nation back failed to work.

PDP leaders are now struggling to rescue their zoning which collapsed with the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the April elections, and the final burial of the unprofitable

I

NAUGURATIONS into elective offices in the country are over. Actions must begin. Promises have been made and in the coming days, weeks and months, Nigerians are going to watch closely whether those promises were real or empty.

The average Nigerian accustomed to politicians that are sometimes vain with unfulfilled promises maybe sceptical about the fulsome words that were gushed out over the last couple of weeks. I have for instance followed with interest the serialization of reminders by ace columnist, Mr Sonala Olumhense, on President Jonathan’s campaign promises.

In summary, Mr Olumhense is not convinced that President Jonathan’s many promises can be fulfilled in four years. It is certain that he wants by his reminders to refresh our minds and put the President’s feet as well as those of other elected functionaries over the fire. A smart politician should view this attempt as a warning that days of long promises and little deliverables are over.

The beauty of a stable democracy is that everyone including the voters retain extensive memory, to make appropriate disquisition in future on the performance of their representatives.

Where there is a mismatch, the chances are that with our election becoming cleaner and credible, it will become tougher to pull wool over the eyes of the people.

Questions will be asked and scorecard demanded. As all seasoned politicians know: the end of one election is the beginning of another.

So promises have to be a product of deep reflection and grasp of the range of possibilities. It must be made with greater sobriety than otherwise was the case previously.

Making promises cannot now be an exercise in histrionics—made to craft impressive sound bite and win popular support before partisan audience or look good for the cameras. All the same, Mr Olumhense’s disposition notwithstanding, for the sake of the country, it is hoped that the President does his possible best to address the many problems and fulfil several of the promises he made.

The country is in dire need of a great leap forward under his watch.

In Delta state, Governor Uduaghan has his work cut out for him. He has made great promises, some of which made the headlines the next day after he was sworn in.

In his best performance till date, Dr Uduaghan was sharp,

power sharing formula last Monday with the election of Tambuwal as Speaker.

Though a member of PDP, Tambuwal declined to step down from the race. He defeated the party’s candidate, Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola with 252 votes to 90. By zoning, the Southwest should have produced the speaker.

Until the Speaker and his deputy “apologised”, the PDP hierarchy did not congratulate them, and it was even rumoured that a scheme was being hatched to dethrone them. If it were so, that would have been the final nails.

PDP members of the House who voted for Tambuwal did so because the party did not carry them along on its choice of who to vote for.

A member opened up that their input was never sought.

“The party just announced a candidate and issued a directive,” Mr Godfrey Gaiya (PDP, Kaduna) said, and as such it was not binding. That is the beauty of democracy.

People must be free to have their say and make the choice as dictated by their conscience.

It’s needless pretending to want to compensate any region with political appointments. The nation has had enough of this to its disadvantage. It remains verifiable fact that beneficiaries hardly ever use any Federal appointment to benefit their people or region. Rather, such appointments have ended up being job for the boys to the detriment of the needy masses. If in doubt, ask the South West people what they benefitted from General Olusegun Obasanjo’s more than eleven years in office as the nation’s number one; Or the northerners, what they gained from the military in about 30 years of illegitimate reign when their own people were mainly in power. Afterall, Dimeji Bankole was Speaker of the House for more than three years. In the entire South West, the flyover in Ota, abandoned by Obasanjo, was the only project we are aware of his involvement in, and the pre-completed commissioning ended up in personality conflict between him and ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel. Please see the state of that road and the bridge today.

If at all a party must zone a position to a place, why not allow the people chose their own representative? The first failure of the South West PDP was the evidence of a failed leadership that still wanted to impose a crony. The PDP ought to know that it was swept out of South West due to bad leadership.

For sure, the poor performance of the party had worked against the zone’s chances of producing the Speaker. That the Speakership should be zoned to a place with only three representatives, apart from the difficulty in limiting

Udugahan’s next four years

By Paul Odili

focused and precise in his articulation of his vision for the state in the coming years.

In analysing the tapestry of challenges his administration faced, down from the turbulence in the Niger Delta with its devastating impact on oil production and the security challenges it entailed, the global economic and financial meltdown, persistent rise in public sector wages, Governor Uduaghan pulled together these strands to adumbrate on one singular issue that has become his rallying cry: “we must diversify our economy. We must create non-public sector jobs”.

From his famous three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital and Infrastructure development, Governor Uduaghan has shortened his agenda this term to one: job creation. As usual with his common sense approach of the last four years, Governor Uduaghan’s initial thrust to expand the economy of state and create new economic opportunities was ahead of its time.

Delta maybe rich in hydrocarbon but these are resources that are susceptible to third party interferences, has limited direct impact on the local economy and whose prices are controlled outside the shores of the country. So what is to be done? Build a state that is less dependent on oil, which he christened “Delta without oil”.

The first step was to revamp agriculture and make it viable. But in Delta with oil despoliation resulting from compromised oil infrastructure has made this economic activity difficult and impossible to fully harness, especially in the riverine areas. Efforts to rekindle interest in agriculture have not been easy, but fortunately the state government has done its bit to build attention. It has invested heavily in supporting peasant farmers, stimulating interest in youths to take to agriculture in particular the multi-billion Naira partnership with OFN. There are ongoing plans to revive oil plantations.

In his inaugural speech, Governor Uduaghan defined

the choice to just three persons, would never have been in the overall interest of the people of the zone.

Nigeria made her most remarkable strides when we had strong regional governments. That is the federal way to go now if we are serious about moving forward. Instead of scrambling to the centre, let each zone utilise their best talents locally to develop their areas. Let zonal competitions be in the phase of infrastructural developments and innovative administrations aimed at positively imparting goodness to the life of the people.

Let the courageous moves of the House of Representatives instil in the leaders the concept of participatory democracy. This will further strengthen the nation’s democratic structures and entrench a culture of separation of powers with its evident checks and balances. Let’s have a people-driven democracy.

June 12 ... alive forever!

W

HEN the time of the Lord Jesus Christ was up after He had completed His earthly mission, His perse cutors never knew they were mere tools in the process of fulfilling God’s purpose. They ridiculed Him by making jest of Him; they beat Him until blood started gushing out of the 49 stripes; they spat on Him and crowned Him with thorns in an effort to debase the King of kings. Eventually He died, went into the grave and wrestled with death.

On the third day, He rose from the grave and came out triumphantly in total victory. To replace the crown of thorns, the Almighty glorified Him by giving Him a name that is above every other name, at the mention of which every knee must bow.

The perpetrators of the evil of June 12, 1993 elections annulment must today be biting their fingers in regret. The story has remained unending.

Senate President David Mark, a key player during the dispensation has exonerated himself from being part of the conspiracy to the annulment. He said contrary to the general belief, he was retired from the military because he insisted that democracy must be restored in the country.

Mark then dropped a bombshell by blaming unnamed Chief MKO Abiola’s close friends and associates for working against his resolve to reclaim his mandate. According to him, “surprisingly, Abiola’s close associates were urging Abacha to take over. They dined with Abiola in the afternoon but, in the night, urged Abacha to sieze power and forget June 12. I never believed that human beings could be so treacherous, unprincipled and shameless.”

He denied recurring allegations that he and some other senior officers held IBB hostage and forced him to annul. “I was certainly not a party to it nor was I aware of it,” he was quoted as saying in a book.

Hmmmmnn! Where then are the annulers?

The truth is in the hand of God. Because the foundation of June 12 was on righteousness, the memory will linger and the whole truth will be revealed one day. Divine judgement may be delayed, it must surely come.

the thrust of his administration’s future plans as reducing unemployment. And here Uduaghan was clear about how he intends to do this. After explaining why he went into mega projects like airports, major highway grids, IPP and industrial park development, he added: “we are solidifying strategic alliance and partnerships to attract heavy investments into the state.”

We are getting results. A legally binding MOU has been signed between the federal government represented by NNPC, Saudi Arabian and Indian investors for a 10 billion dollars Petrochemical plant, the largest in Africa on our economy, a fertilizer and fertilizer blending plants.

The federal government has also approved feasibility studies for a gas central processing facilities Thankfully Mr President is solidly behind the success of these projects.

Imagine for a second the impact of these projects; just picture for a second the required services, infrastructure, man power, auxiliary services. Even the life of the roadside trader will be touched.

This is not mere words. With this alone, an estimated five hundred thousand jobs would be created alongside many support services and industries. Imagine the effect of this on economy of our state in a few years time.”

Mr Olumhense can be rested assured that in Delta there is clarity and Governor Uduaghan is determined to deliver on the solemn promise he made as he begins his second term in office.

• Paul Odili lives in Asaba

‘Delta maybe rich in hydrocarbon but these are resources that are susceptible to third party interferences, has limited direct impact on the local economy and whose prices are controlled outside the shores of the country. So what is to be done?

Build a state that is less dependent on oil, which he christened “Delta without oil”’

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HE roles of traditional rulers in governance have been in the front burner of debate and critical examination in recent times. Some people hold the view that they should have no constitutional responsibility while certain others opine that the government should take advantage of the professional competence and experience of some of them.

In the editorial comment of the Punch newspaper of Thursday, March 10, 2011, the point was made that “it is an abuse of power to grant undue privileges to unelected individuals through a spurious constitutional amendment”. It was also stated that “the creation of new chiefdoms and the elevation of petty chiefs to first class status are divisive and wasteful”. It was therefore advised that President Jonathan should drop the idea of giving traditional rulers constitutional roles to perform.

The editorial opinion in the Nigerian Tribune of Friday, March 4, 2011 makes the point that the creation of a constitutional role for the royal fathers cannot but draw them into the political arena and eventually into avoidable conflicts with politicians.” But traditional rulers, like all of us, are in politics! Which traditional ruler would not want to discreetly sell to his people a political party with manifestoes that appeal to him? Their political activities may not openly reflect partisanship since, as fathers of their subjects, politicians who wish to contest elections and other people who approach them for prayers must have their blessings.

As pointed out in the editorial column of the Punch newspaper of March 10, 2011, the colonial and military authorities brought traditional rulers into governance. This is true but it must be appreciated that Lord Lugard who introduced into Nigeria the system of indirect rule, and the military governments which relied on traditional rulers in governance would have failed in their objectives of holding the country together if they had done otherwise. And it must be remembered that legitimate and democratic governments had successfully used traditional rulers in past years. And this, indeed was because the attributes required for accelerated development were noticed in them by the governments in-power.

The impact made by Chief Obafemi Awolowo on governance in Nigeria between

Traditional rulers and governance

By Tunde Adeyanju 1952 and 1959, during his services as Premier of the Western Region, will always remain evergreen in the annals of the country. This was because his governing style was highly productive and hard to surpass. It is on record, for example, that traditional rulers and even chiefs of lesser status were made members of his executive council. And it must be recalled that it was his ardent desire to succeed in his task of governance that made him bring late Chief Rotimi Williams into the Regional executive council where he served as Attorney – General and Minister of Justice. Chief Williams was not a politician but his chieftaincy title of Apesin of Itoko, a township of Abeokuta, was made to qualify him, through constitutional processes, for a seat in the House of Chiefs from where he was invited into the Regional executive council. As expected by Chief Awolowo, Chief Rotimi Williams proved his mettle in all matters that related to his portfolio. He established the legal framework which enabled Local Government councils in the Region to take-off smoothly. It should also be recalled that several traditional rulers, including the late Odemo of Isara, Oba Samuel Akinsanya and the late Olowo of Owo, Oba Olateru Olagbegi, were Ministers without portfolio in Awolowo’s cabinet. They, too, performed creditably.

Apart from the fact that several traditional rulers have a sound intellectual and professional background which can be used to advantage in governance, the people at the grassroots believe very much in them as custodians of cultural values. Many people believe, for instance, that land matters are better handled by them than orthodox institutions. And the fact must be recognized that, even now, certain State governors and other policy formulators of government depend very much on them for their advice not only because they relate intimately and regularly with people at the grassroots level of the so-

ciety but because their suggestions have always been found unassailable.

The point made in the editorial comment that the creation of chiefdoms is “divisive and wasteful” should be examined from the perspective of socio-economic needs. A rational and judicious creation of chiefdoms, as it often happens, cannot set chiefs against one another if the traditions and customs of the areas in question are invoked in the establishment of their hierarchical relationships. The government-in-power should work this out in collaboration with the top traditional rulers of the areas concerned.

And when it is remembered that traditional rulers who, as a result of their closeness to the grassroots, can easily identify and expose criminals in their areas, the fact will be appreciated that if, for example, they are appropriately used for the prevention of crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery, the expenditure incurred on them in this regard can never be regarded as too much. Indeed, community policing which is often talked about cannot accomplish its objectives if traditional rulers are ignored.

It is true, as mentioned in that editorial that “obas, emirs, obis and chiefs add to the cost of governance”. And as noted by Mr. Zik Gbemre in his article on p.12 of the Punch newspaper of March 10, 2011, the expenditures incurred by the Federal Government of Nigeria on overheads in recent years are staggering. Why, for instance, should the Federal Government spend 60 per cent of its annual budget on overheads?

In a developing economy like ours, capital projects should take at least 70 percent of the annual budget while overheads should not gulp more than 30 per cent. In Chief Awolowo’s scientific management of the economy of the old Western Region, he ensured that he never spent up to 30 per cent on overheads as opined by him in his Valedictory Speech of

September 3, 1959 which he delivered at the Race Course, Lagos, just before the election of that year which took him to the Federal Parliament as Leader of Opposition.

Chief Awolowo spent a total of 73.3 per cent on capital projects and incurred only 26.7 per cent in the area of recurrent expenditure in 1958/59. This, indeed, is instructive. Indeed, in his first and immortal address to the Western Region House of Assembly on February 20, 1952, the sage, among other things, said: There should be no increase on establishment except in so far as such increase is due either to re-organization which makes for the distribution of a number of staff into the three Regions or for the inclusion of Lagos in the Western Region…

The question that one may now ask is: How many of our leaders in the saddle of power today believe that expenditure on the welfare, the health and the education of the people should be increased at the expense of any expenditure that does not answer to the same test?

As already noted, Chief Rotimi Williams was brought into governance through the House of Chiefs (Upper House) of the Western Region of Nigeria. He was not a politician but he laid a solid foundation for true and democratic local government system in Nigeria. Let us, therefore, in the interest of social and economic evelopment, opt for the assignment of constitutional roles to distinguished traditional rulers whose expertise and cultural background are impeccable.

• Tunde Adeyanju, retired public administrator, author and publisher lives in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

‘Western Region, he ensured that he never spent up to 30 per cent on overheads as opined by him in his Valedictory Speech of September 3, 1959 which he delivered at the Race Course, Lagos, just before the election of that year which took him to the Federal Parliament as Leader of Opposition’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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RDINARILY, I harbour no desire or inclination to comment on the World Bank and, least of all, its CEOs. Not after I saw in my adult life what that institution did to Nigeria and a long queue of blind developing nations led by blinder men. I felt compelled, however, to talk about Strauss-Khan and his sexcapades only because he has become fair game, which he richly deserves. When, however, the comments began to rain on him from Nigerians, especially Nigerian men, I felt I should just drop a few words of caution before everyone breaks bounds just to have him for dinner.

For starters, Monsieur Khan did the indefensible, and deserves every bit of the hiding he is getting. Should he be found guilty, the man should proceed to the gallows for all I care; or possibly rot in penal residence, as the law sees fit. Every real man should be able to keep his zipper up, be he a public figure or a street cleaner. Be he the President of the World Bank or proletariat cemetery keeper in Zimbabwe. My grandmother probably had the French politician in mind when she moralized: a man falls when his mouth craves to taste everything his eyes see!

‘To boot, no sexually-harassed woman even stands a miser’s chance of getting any protection from the law enforcement agents, even when a prima facie case can easily stand!

Should cases of sexual criminality in Nigeria elicit due attention, our courts will sit over little else. And our tardy jurisprudence would have since packed it in’

Strauss’ Khan of worm

By Mazi Austin Nwangwu The slightest mention that a poor, voiceless, defenceless black women – or so he thought – was the prey this time for the serial lecher is particularly revolting, and makes any flinch of sympathy for the French economist vaporize. All told, that is no reason for every Nigerian man to have a go at the confirmed sick man. Yes he must be very sick indeed to have been so unrestrained, thus allowing himself to be consumed by a craving for base, fleeting pleasure. For being so economical with sexual morals, the Strauss-man must be as much a world-class economist as a world-class idiot.

Sometimes one begins to wonder if the conspiracy theorists are not right after all.

Especially when insisting that cabals rule the world and favour only their members.

Otherwise how come a man like Strauss Khan is mentioned in the same context as President of a strategic World body, let alone being a front-runner in the premiership race for a frontline nation like France? To think that this man has been a serial sex offender all his life and yet never got stung by his opponents or caught by the long arms of the law.

Having noted the foregoing truths, it is time to give the Nigeria adult male the overdue shufti. Nigerian men, excluding none, have no right to overkill Strauss-Khan’s misery. Or we risk having the veil pulled off our faces and showing us for what we are: straight-faced hypocrites. No doubt, we will need the same measure of fastidious legislation under which the hapless man has lost his freedom for us to draw morals and get our acts right. For now, we live in glass houses and should not throw stones.

Nigerian males, and now women too, will take some beating when it comes to lusty living. This is one area where we

needn’t bother exhibiting our normal pretences for the certainty of disbelief. Our lechery is in-your-face, and not something anyone bothers to keep under wraps. In its more typical essence, infidelity is even something most of us brag about, and get thumbed-up for, rather than chided about.

For example, no public officer has ever been shamefaced enough to resign over accusations of unhealthy sexual conduct; not even the paedophiles among us, who happen to be in the majority and suffer no loss of face. To boot, no sexually-harassed woman even stands a miser’s chance of getting any protection from the law enforcement agents, even when a prima facie case can easily stand! Should cases of sexual criminality in Nigeria elicit due attention, our courts will sit over little else.

And our tardy jurisprudence would have since packed it in.

It is only in recent memory that a big Nigerian village chief was accused of allegedly ‘servicing’ a 21year-old female Youth Corper. And rather than hide his face in shame, begged profusely to be pardoned for straying outside his comfort zone. He unabashedly confessed his forte. Of course, we all know all about the ‘sweet sixteen’ craze among Nigeria grandfathers, which explains why nothing came out of the fiery campaign against a certain ex-governor of sharia fame who divorced a twenty-year-old Nigerian mother of his children for a juicier Egyptian infant, because he could afford the £20k asking bride-prize for the Arabian juvenile. Religious injunctions were even sited to exculpate him.

Is it a secret then that our chief executives are not happy with only several female consorts, but rather prefer a harem of them instead? Many authoritative economic criminologists believe that lechery

is the root cause of the entrenched culture of sleaze in Nigeria. For sure, impressing, indulging and supporting a hive of women is not the cheapest habit on Earth.

Or is it? Slush funds are thus earmarked for “man-no-be-wood” with as much gusto as developmental budgets. Abi man be wood? After all, all work and no play, they say makes Jack a dull boy.

I read a popular column in one of our local titles that all have consigned the hapless man into the garbage bin. Perhaps Mr Columnist is one of the very few Nigerian men with native scruples over ‘things of the skirt’. The columnist is not on record to have said much when OBJ was daily in the news, not even for giving his libidinous indiscretions a free reign too close to home. What then does he have against a Frenchman who probably had a sexual defect from birth?

Some of us prefer to treat religious injunctions the same way they do literature: with levity. Such men fail to read between the lines. Strauss-Khan has had his indiscretions reined in. He should also be allowed to have his time with the law without any goddamn Nigerian sermonizing needlessly. Perhaps what counts the most against the World Banker is that he happens to be born into a society with zero tolerance for human frailties; that is strict about, and demands, accountability and moral rectitude. Or at least pretends to, if Bill Clinton was so easily let off the hook after the Monica Lewinsky Tsunami.

Letting himself loose in the part of human civilization where a man can be adjudged to have raped his wife; or where a wife having a crush for a hunky neighbour can wake up one morning and decision her hussy out of a home he bought from his own sweat, Mr Khan lost his survival instincts and must pay for it. Women know better than trying that kind of stuff in “Naija”, anyway. They rather take their revenge and solace in the warm nubile loins of their toy-boys. Everyone, man and women, needs a short leash in Nigeria.

Otherwise here comes Sodom and Gomorrah.

Papilo vows to Yobo's Fenerbahce deal find another ‘Kanu’ hangs in the balance Pg. 41

Pg. 24

Nation Monday, June 13, 2011

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NFF/NFA SHOWDOWN

NSC urges Maigari to call congress Pg. 41

•Maigari

I'm not too old to play for Eagles —Aiyegbeni As West Ham join Yak race

Pg. 24

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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NATION SPORT Messi: I want more trophies with Barca , Copa America

LIONEL MESSI is as hungry as ever to carry on tasting success with Barcelona and Argentina as he aims to triumph in the Copa America, and enjoy continued glory at Camp Nou. The Argentine international scored 53 goals in all competitions for his club last term which helped them collect La Liga as well as the Champions League, and Messi is in no mood to rest on his laurels, as he

•Messi

highlighted his plans for both club and country.

"I want Barcelona to follow the same path of success [next season]. We are a team. Here no one wins by himself.

Here we all win together," he said in an interview with Sport.

"We want to carry on following the path we have taken in recent years and we have to keep to it in order to continue giving joy to the fans."

When asked what Barca's secret of winning is, Messi added: "The desire of the team, the coach pushes you to win and improve day by day.

"We are a team that only thinks about winning, we do not relax with what we have."

On Argentina's aim to win the Copa America on home soil this summer, the diminutive forward made it clear his side will be fighting hard to collect the trophy.

"I hope that Argentina can have the joy of returning to win the Copa America. We have a great group," he added.

"We have an idea on how we will go out to play and our desire is to win the Copa."

Ronaldo wants £400k a week from Manchester City

CRISTIANO RONALDO of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his 2nd goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and UD Almeria at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 21, 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

According to this article at Mirror.co.uk, the Real Madrid "Galatico" told friends City would need to pay him £400,000 a week in wages for him to even consider the switch.

Ronaldo also said he'd want the captaincy, the No. 7 jersey and a guarantee that he'd always be the club's highest-paid player.

Apparently, somebody connected with City owner Sheikh Mansour has already been in touch with Ronaldo— and offered him what the Mirror calls a "mind-blowing package."

The Portuguese international and former Ballon d'Or winner joined Madrid for £80 million in 2009 but is apparently losing patience with Jose Mourinho's tactics.

There's a suggestion the Spanish giants may decide to cash in on his current value, estimated to be at around £150 million, and invest the funds in new talent.

If Ronaldo is for sale, City are one of the few clubs—perhaps the only

club—with the financial clout to make it happen.

Whether the 26-year-old would seriously consider a move to United's city rivals—having enjoyed some great years at United—remains to be seen.

I'm not too old to play for Eagles –Aiyegbeni •As West Ham joins Yak race

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UPER EAGLES striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has declared his intention to play for the country once again. Yak whose performance at the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa had infuriated Nigerians opined that since he still plays good football for his club in Europe, he was capable and fit for the Eagles team.

In a chat with the NationSport, Aiyegbeni asked: "Do you think I am old or what? If I can still play football for my club in Europe, I think I deserve to play in the national team," he said.

Reacting to the jeers from the crowd on Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium while he played in the Kanu Testimonial match, Aiyegbeni said: "It is almost a year now, since, I faced the Nigerian fans.

Anyway it feels nice, I am enjoying my moment here which is great. Why would I feel intimidated, in Europe we get things like this, especially among the away teams, sometimes the fans like you and sometimes they don't, it is normal" In the same vein Aiyegbeni has expressed joy at playing ion the testimonial match: "I feel good, Kanu is one of the top Nigerian players,

By Stella Bamawo we respect him, and he gives the young ones experience, he gave the younger ones exposure, made them believe in themselves, he has done a lot for this country and the world of young ones so for me to be here it feels good."

Meanwhile, Yakubu could be caught in a tug of war between West Ham and Leicester City, but insists he will be coming back to Everton first However, Everton want more additional terms added to the transfer deal before allowing the switch, and this morning West Ham have said they want to take Yak to Upton Park.

“I still have a subsisting contract with Everton, I have to go back,” said Yakubu.

NSC urges Maigari to call congress •Wants to consult with NFF’s highest football authority •Meeting holds Wednesday in Abuja; Commission to foot delegates’ bills

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N what appears to be a doublespeak, chieftains of the National Sports Commission (NSC) have acknowledged the powers Nigeria Football Federation (NFF’s) Congress as the highest decision-making body despite utterances from the body’s Director General that the body is illegal and have directed its President Aminu Maigari to call

By Ade Ojeikere the meeting for Wednesday in Abuja.

The NFF Congress will hold at the Media Centre of the National Stadium with the arrival of the delegates expected to commence on Tuesday just as the NSC statement stated categorically that: “Reservation will be made for the

Yobo's Fenerbahce deal hangs in the balance

•Ronaldo

Suriname gifts pending to tell us what to do now."

Giskus outlined the details of what Sylvester gave the board and denied any form of bribery took place, saying the SVB will return all gifts if so directed.

"On May 11 we received a laptop, a beamer and a brown envelope with Suriname printed on it, containing four piles of $10,000, brand-new bills," Giskus said.

"CFU official Jason Sylvester responded to my questions saying the beamer and laptop were from Concacaf and the money came from CFU and was for the development of football projects.

"After rumors in Zurich, we requested the Fifa to be heard immediately on the gifts. On June 1 we confirmed and explained to the FIFA that after the meeting with Bin Hammen and 26 unions, we were all told to gather gifts at the CFU office in Hyatt Hotel."

Giskus said the SVB confirmed receiving the gift in a letter to the CFU. "The SVB reported the gifts in their administration and their banker, after it noted all bill numbers. The beamer and laptop are already put into use, and the money, put on hold, was going to be spent for next month Olympians games in Paramaribo."

HE proposed parmanent deal of Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo at Turkish side Fenerbahce, is no closer to going through and is now hanging in the balance. Everton are believed to be holding out for a £4m while Fenerbahce would prefer to pay only £3m. Yobo is said to be very keen on the move and with seemingly no other bidders Everton may have to lower their demands or risk the deal scraped.

It also understood that Everton will use the money from this sale, together any money brought in from the sale of Yakubu and the sale of James Vaughan to Norwich City to finance a move for Wigan Athletic midfielder Charles N’Zogbia.

Meanwhile in other transfer news Everton are reportedly interested in a loan move for Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata, a move that the player himself is keen on.

However one move that does not look like happening is Demba Ba, the striker’s wage demands have made a deal with Everton difficult and it is unlikely he will sign unless he lowers them.

•Yobo

Fashola to offer NFF support EPL clubs post

NFF/NFA SHOWDOWN

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FIFA ETHICS COMMITTEE:

FIFA's Ethical Committee has told the Suriname Football Union (SVB) to wait for instructions on what to do with gifts that could be part of the bribery scandal that has rocked FIFA. Caribbean Football Union (CFU) official Jason Sylvester presented the gifts, including $40 000, to the Suriname board after a meeting with Asian Football Confederation chief Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar.

Bin Hammam was among four people suspended by FIFA for alleged roles in the attempted bribery of 25 CFU associations in the build-up to FIFA presidential elections.

Bin Hammam challenged FIFA President Sepp Blatter for the top football post but bowed out after being charged. Blatter was re-elected unopposed on June 1.

As the FIFA investigates allegations of bribery, the SVB has offered all assistance and has faxed all official documents sent by CFU for the meeting with Bim Hammen in Trinidad on June 6 to the FIFA inquiry authorities.

"We are a small and needy country, but will never under any circumstances take bribes or material," SVB chairman Louis Giskus told AFP. "Now we just wait for the FIFA Ethical Commission

NATION SPORT

•Former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Olawale Edun and GoodFellows of Lagos teammates during The Dangote Cup after beating Lagos Caverton at the ongoing 2011 MTN Kano international Polo

Congress delegates at NICON Luxury Hotel, Area 11, Abuja. The National Sports Commission (NSC) will be responsible for the transport (to and from) of the delegates. Please acknowledge receipt.”

The directive dated June 10 NSC/ DG/GC/2011 and signed by Caleb Gidado for the Director General also stated that: (1) The recent happenings in football circles including the series of court cases has thrown the administration of the sport into a quagmire. The National Sports Commission as part of its statutory responsibility is seeking for an amicable way of resolving the issues.

(2) The Commission wishes to further consult with the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation being the highest football authority in the country. (3) in view of the above, I am directed to request you to convene an emergency Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation and also invite all former NFA Secretaries General and Chairmen/ Presidents to the Congress as follows: Arrival of delegates Tuesday 14th June, 2011.”

Feeler available to the NationSport in Lagos on Sunday night suggests that the Congress members hope to educate the DG and NSC men about what is appropriate with words rife that in the event that the NSC goes contrary to what was suggested by the Congress, the members would back the incumbent NFF board in its subsequent decisions.

There is also the possibility that the NFF President Aminu Maigari would disregard the directive on the premise that the NSC Director general went to town over the weekend stating that the body was illegal, a decision which has draw the ire of the NFF board members and its president.

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

Haye promises best ever Serena's Wimbledon comeback met by sniping campaign fight against Klitschko DAVID HAYE has promised to deliver his best ever performance against Wladimir Klitschko when the two go toe-to-toe as it could be his last ever fight.

The two rivals clash in Hamburg on July 2 and Haye has once again reiterated his intention of retiring on his 31st birthday, and insisted that even a match-up with Wladimir’s older brother, Vitali, will not change his plan.

Haye (9/1 with bet365 to win

by Decision or Technical Decision) told BBC Radio 5live’s Sportweek: “It could be my last fight. I’ve always said that I am going to retire when I’m 30.

“If there’s another fight (against WBC champion Vitali) that can happen quickly then let’s get it on.

“Otherwise, once I’ve unified the titles, there’s nowhere else to go – I’ve always anticipated retiring and have adjusted my life according to that.

“I’m training with that in mind, that this could potentially be my

last fight, so I need to make it my best.”

The Hayemaker turns 31 on October 13 and currently Vitali Klitschko is scheduled to meet Tomasz Adamek on September 10 (Vitali 2/9, Adamek 3/1 with bet365), making a potential clash with Haye unlikely.

•Haye

SERENA WILLIAMS has been missed. Like a hole in the head, according to some, and for all the right reasons by the fair-minded majority who care about, and forever will be enamoured of, women's tennis. What is not disputed is that her comeback at Eastbourne this week and the widely anticipated resumption of her reign at Wimbledon will energise her sport.

Whether or not she will be universally loved for her contribution is less certain.

The best player since Martina Navratilova is in the peculiar position of returning after a year away (with a hospital ward of complaints) and being hailed as an immediate favourite to win her 14th major, so parlous is the state of the women's game.

Yet, for all those who will flock to the south coast this week to gawp at her awesomeness on court, there will be the whisperers in the shadows who find her a pain in the neck.

She never engaged with those snipers. In fact, she took them on.

Critics who questioned her

41

commitment to her day job and her obsession with God, fashion and whole range of outside interests were met with a sarcastic shrug, a smug giggle, or a daft T-shirt that either proclaimed her higher purpose or laughed in their faces.

•Serena

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HE governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on Saturday expressed his full backing for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in its desire to lift Nigerian football to lofty heights in the international arena.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by a delegation of the NFF made up of Members of the Executive Committee and Management, at the State House, Marina, Governor Fashola assured the NFF of his best wishes and support.

“Nothing good comes easy, nothing good has ever happened without difficulties, abuse and without insults of all kinds.

“Those of us who find ourselves in positions of leadership must always realize that we would constantly be harrassed and face challenges from everywhere. Our actions would always bring cynicism, but once we have clear path and clear vision, we should never renege.

“It is the historic and defining things that we do that would always outlive us. People like Isaac Akioye, Sunday Dankaro and Orok Oyo, and other persons that you know more than myself contributed immensely to Nigeria football and their names would never be forgotten.

“One thing I should urge you people to do is to learn to play the politics of the game and to focus on developmental programmes. Don’t be distracted from your vision and mission by any present difficulties.

Nigerians derive a lot of joy from football.

“Being at the top is never a right, you have to work hard to remain

there. That is why you must keep working hard to give Nigerians positive results from the game.

“I believe you have the experience, youthfulness and the opportunity to make things happen”, said Fashola.

Earlier, NFF President, Aminu Maigari lauded the much-loved governor for his giant strides, particularly in the development of sporting infrastructure, and the employment of power of football to unite peoples across several dividing lines and borders.

“You are one State Chief Executive who not only believes in the power of football, but has shown in various ways and convincingly too, how the power of football can be employed to energize a population towards positive, meaningful development”.

Also on the delegation were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Executive Committee Members Barrister Chris Green, Dr. Shehu Adamu, Alhaji Muazu Suleyman, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf, Mr. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande, Mr. Felix AnyansiAgwu and Mr. Deji Tinubu, and NFF Acting General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

There were also special assistants to NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau and Umar Kontagora, chief media officer Ademola Olajire and senior sports officer Christian Emeruwa.

After the visit, the NFF delegation accompanied the ‘Action Governor’ to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, where Governor Fashola captained the ‘Super Eagles All-Stars’ in the muchpublicized Nwankwo Kanu Testimonial Football Match, in which he actually showed scintillating skills.

His team won the match 3-1.

Papilo vows to find another ‘Kanu’

E

RSTWHILE Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu has vowed to find a suitable replacement to fill the void his retirement from the national team might caused the country. Kanu told NationSport that he would fish talents from the grassroots to achieve his aim in ensuring that the game of football does not die a natural death in the country.

"Kanu is now the ambassador of Nigeria football and definitely Kanu is going to make sure Nigeria football progresses, I don't care how I am going to achieve this but I am going to do it.

I will be going to the grassroots, I am going to make sure that I get the likes of like Kanu and bring them out, "he said.

In the same vein, he advised the upcoming footballers while also encouraging them to be steadfast.

He said: " They keep their heads, it is not easy, there is no shortcut to success whatever you are doing, there will will be rough times and good times but no matter what it is, keep your

By Olusoji Olukayode head up and keep going. You have to believe in yourself because if you don't nobody would.

Meanwhile, Kanu has expressed joy at retiring when the ovation was still loud having achieved all he desired as a footballer.

"I have to thank God, my fans, supporters, and my family and finally, I have everything I would want to achieve and with this, I am happy fo that. I want to thank my fans, Nigerians and my God. I don't have any regrets knowing what I have gone through and still being able to play football, and still win laurels.

It was very easy for me to call it quits with football. I have to call the shots when I want, it is not when anybody wants. I believe, this is the time to say goodbye and that is what I did, like I said, no footballer can play forever and when it was time that was when I came out to call it quit with the round leather game," he said.

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

Expect the best presentation –Semenitari

A

S the zero hour to the National Sports Festival tagged Garden City Games swiftly approach, Rivers State Information Commissioner, Mrs Ibim Semenitari has given an insight into what to expect in the Games that would kickstart on June 27.

“We are going to present the grandest opening ceremony ever in the history of the Games. Nothing will compare to it. If you watched the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics, you will have an idea of what I am talking about. We'll blow your mind away on July 2. You will know that know indeed that we are Rivers and that we have a taste and touch of class”, Semenitari told NationSport Sunday in Lagos.

Though she refused to let the cat out of the bag as part of plans to 'blow' Nigerians mind on the opening ceremony, the Commissioner

promised that the Rivers State contingent have been well motivated to win the Games as a thank you gift for Governor Amaechi who has it made it possible to set standards for the Games.”

"We're not going to spend the kind of money and not prepare our athletes to win the Games. We've worked hard and deserves to haul the medals to present to the Governor at the end. But sports is beyond winning and losing.

Ours is going to be about showcasing the tradition and culture of our people.

It's going to be about tourism. We want people to come and see the magical things in Rivers, to feel, and to touch it”, the Commissioner emphasised.

She informed that the Sports Festival Torch would be lit on July 2 to flag off what promises to be the biggest and best sports Festival in Nigeria. 25 sports would feature in the Garden City Games.

all-time high losses of £445m

THE Premier League's 20 clubs lost close to half a billion pounds last year despite income soaring past the £2 billion barrier for the first time, according to a report by football finance experts Deloitte.

The clubs in the top division in the 2009-10 financial year generated total revenues of £2.03bn in the face of the economic downturn. This was principally due to broadcasting revenue increasing by seven per cent to £1.04bn to become the first £1bn revenue stream of any domestic league in the world.

However, pre-tax losses deepened by 62 per cent to £445m as 16 of the 20 clubs were in the red, with only Arsenal and the three promoted clubs - Birmingham City, Wolves and Burnley - generating profits.

The Premier League continues to be at the forefront of the global obsession with football as it maintained its dominance as the richest league in Europe, followed

by Germany (£1.4bn), Spain and Italy (£1.3bn each) and France.

The record revenues in England's top flight, which increased by two per cent year-on-year, were mostly used to pay ever-escalating players' wages and transfer fees. The Premier League's total wage bill in 2009-10 was £1.4bn, accounting for an all-time high of 68 per cent of the clubs' collective income, an increase of five per cent compared to the previous year.

The 20th Annual Review of Football Finance from Deloitte explains that cost control remains the key test for English clubs.

"The challenge for clubs continues to be converting impressive revenue growth into sustainable profits that allow for investment in both infrastructure and talent," noted Alex Byars, Senior Consultant in the firm's Sports Business Group. "The record pre-tax losses are a concern, particularly as credit is likely to remain less available to football clubs than it was two or three years ago.

Ferguson: Mourinho can't sign Chicharito JAVIER HERNANDEZ has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told old rival Jose Mourinho to forget about a move for his star striker this summer.

The Daily Mail claims that the Real Madrid chief has been impressed with the Mexican’s impact at Old Trafford this season and was prepared to offer Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain in exchange for the Mexican international, but Fergie has reportedly told the self proclaim “Special One” that he is not for sale.

The United veteran had previously been interested in French striker Benzema before his £40million switch to the Bernabeu, but Fergie is unwilling to sell the 23-year old who scored 20 times last season and has established an impressive partnership will United talisman Wayne Rooney.

•Ferguson

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

CITYBEATS THE NATION

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

F

OR many in search of accommodation in Lagos, estate agents have become a scourge. Though as agents, they hold houses in trust for their owners, they seem to have turned themselves to quasi-lords, fixing rents and terms for letting out houses. In most cases, the terms cannot be met by many would-be tenants.

For instance, Musa Sheriff, a tanker driver, who lives at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, has always dreamt of a more conducive and befitting accommodation for his large nuclear family.

He is tired of his one-room apartment at Mile 2, where he has lived for 12 years.

His intention was to secure a three-bedroom apartment with good facilities such as water and toilets. But after discussing with an estate agent, he settled for a room and parlour, as he could not afford the huge cost for the home of his choice.

His dream home would cost him N400,000 a year, and he was asked to pay for two years.

This is beside the agreement, agent’s commission and caution fees he was asked to pay.

He realised he would need N900,000 to fulfill

25

Will Tenancy Bill tame greedy landlords, agents?

By Oziegbe Okoeki and Sunday Ogundugba

his dream.

The room and parlour option was not cheap either as the yearly rent is N100,000. Beside the minimum of two-year rent, he is also required to pay additional charges for agreement and agent commission, which pushes the fees payable to N264,000.

According to Musa, he spent additional N150,000 to renovate the rooms before they could be habitable.

Musa’s plight represents the silent pains majority of Lagosians, who are tenants go through, to address their need for shelter.

The stressful search for accommodation is

compounded by the refusal of landlords to take one-year rent and the high hidden charges by estate agents.

From the Island to the Mainland, it is almost a impossible to secure accommodation without paying an advance rent. In highbrow areas such as Lekki, Ajah, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, accommodation hassle is worse, as many estate agents and landlords demand up to five-year advance rent.

Everywhere around the city, it is not uncommon to find posters and blackboards on major streets by half-baked agents, informing would-be tenants of available houses for let or lease. The professional ones advertise in major newspapers and multi media plat-

•How many residents can afford good accommodation like this?

Jonathan urged to carry youths along THE Chairman of Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd, Mr Bode Emmanuel, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to cultivate the youths as their tendency for exploration can help the country’s progress.

Emmanuel said youths were the greatest resources and they should be nurtured.

“Nigerian youths are always eager to break new grounds and such energy is what breeds growth and development in a nation,” Emmanuel told the News Agency of Nigeria.

He lauded Nigerian youths he had worked on international platforms, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the country.

forms, to attract prospective tenants. Often times these come with exorbitant offers. The agents are known for feeding fat on commission and high rents, promising to get tenants irrespective of the cost.

But with the passage of the tenancy bill by the Lagos State House of Assembly last week, it may no longer be business as usual for landlords and these agents.

As soon as Governor Babatunde Fashola assents to the bill, it shall become unlawful for a landlord or his agent, to demand or receive from a sitting tenant rent in excess of six months, in respect of any premises without prejudice to the nature of tenancy.

•SEE PAGE 26

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Customs to streamline cargo examination THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), will streamline the number of its units conducting cargo examination at seaports, its Comptroller-General, Dikko Abdullahi, has said.

Abdullahi spoke in Lagos at the opening of a Consultative Forum of the NCS and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

The Comptroller-General, represented by Mrs Mulikat Adegoke, one of his deputies in charge of Tarrifs and Trade, said customs was determined to eliminate delays in cargo clearance.

Abdullahi earlier directed that only resident officers from the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) should partake in cargo examination.

Power generation drops at Egbin POWER generation at the Egbin Thermal Station has dropped from 1,100 to 500 megawatts.

The Chief Executive Officer of the station, Mike Uzoigwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the drop was due to insufficient gas to power the turbines.

“We have not received gas supply from the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) and the water level is low,” he said.The station is at this time unusually witnessing low water level, which has made it impossible to generate the required level of power. Egbin power generation has dropped by about 70 per cent.”

Uzoigwe said power generation from the station would reach its full capacity of 1,320 before the end of the fourth quarter of the year.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

26

CITY BEATS Will Tenancy Bill tame greedy tenants, agents •Continued from page 25

Also it will be illegal for any landlord to receive more than a year rent from a new tenant and it will be unlawful for a new tenant to offer to pay more than a year rent as this will attract a fine of N100,000 or three years imprisonment.

The bill is tagged: “A bill for a law to regulate rights and obligations under tenancy agreement and the relationship between landlord and the tenant including the procedure for the recovery of premises and for other connected purposes in Lagos State.”

According to the bill, it shall be unlawful for a sitting tenant to offer or pay rent in excess of one year for a yearly tenant, in respect of any premises and any person who receives or pays rent in excess of what is prescribed by the law shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of N100,000.

The bill further indicated the rights of parties, which states that the tenant’s entitlement to quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the premises which includes privacy, freedom from unreasonable disturbance, noise, pollution and nuisance as well as exclusive possession of the premises, subject to the landlord’s restricted right of inspection.

The bill consists of 47 sections including jurisdiction of the courts, obligations of the tenant, obligations of the landlord, length of notice, services of notice among others.

Also, the bill will allow a

tenant to enjoy privacy as the landlord must give a written notice in a case where he/she needs to inspect the house being occupied by the tenant.

Many Lagosians have lauded the bill, describing it as end to exploitation by landlords.

Adeniyi Ojo, a tenant in Egbeda area of Lagos said: “I just hope they can implement this laws. This high fees has been a burden to many tenants and I am glad an end is about to come to our exploitation.”

Another tenant, Olabanji Adisa, who lives in Abule Egba, Lagos, described the bill as a good development but expressed concern it may not be well implemented His words: “That law has been long overdue but it is better late than never.

We’ve had similar laws in the past that were not implemented. This law might go the same way. Who will enforce it?”

Experts in the built environment said a lot still need to be done to ensure the success of such a bill. Among others, the bill, they held, should be complemented by an additional law controlling the rents prices.

An estate agent who identified himself as Yemi, expressed worries that the bill would flop at implementation and probably lead to increase in rents.

His words:“Most landlords tries to cover their cost of investment by demanding a two year rent. Even at that, many still run at a loss.

But if a law now limits them to collect only one year rent, it then means that they

•A typical busy street

‘

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUMI

That law has been long overdue but its better late than never. We had similar laws in the past that were not implemented

might increase the rent rates by as much as 100 per cent or more to cover their recurrent costs.”

President, FESTAC Resident Association, Comrade Jola Ogunlusi, also expressed fears that the landlords may want to circumvent the law.

According to him, the ultimate solution is for the government to provide more housing stock. Ogunlusi said the solution lies in addressing the root cause of inflated rents and ensuring affordable houses for the teeming population.

“The bill is good and I am very impressed. Even though I am a landlord, I was once a tenant so I under-

stand the case well. Some landlords go as far as demanding for five years rent from salary earners. The ultimate solution is for the government to invest more in housing, otherwise the landlords would want to circumvent the bill,” Ogunlusi said.

A legal practitioner Donald Omomowo said a task force needed to be saddled with the responsibility of implementing the law when finally assented.

His words: “The government should set up a task force to enforce it. This is the only way the law would be obeyed. You know those agents have no power again so it is up to the tenants to

’

report any breach of the law.”

Estate valuers intoned that the law has some salutary good sides. According to a valuer who simply identified himself as Olajide, the law will instill some sanity into the relationship between landlords and tenants in the state.

“By the time Governor Fashola signs it into law both parties will be more careful how they deal with each other, knowing full well that any action outside the law might land them in serious trouble.”

Among other provisions, the law provides that where the tenant effects repairs or improvements on the premises with the consent of

the landlord, “such a tenant shall be entitled to claim compensation for the effected improvements on quitting the premises.”

The tenant can, however, not make any alterations or addition to the premises neither can he assign or sublet any part of the premises without the written consent of the landlord.

The law mandates the landlord to pay all rates and charges for the premises as stipulated by law; keep the premises insured against loss or damage; effect repairs and maintain the external and common parts of the premises and he must not seize any item or property of the tenant among others.

Not a few Lagosians believe a faithful implementation of the law will improve the rating of the government in the estimation of the people.

I don’t want to die, kidney patient pleads for help

H

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

cure for his ailment.

His travail started in August 2009, when he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease with severe uremic systems. He ended up having dialysis twice a week at an average cost of N30, 000.

Ajiboye, 42, and an indigene of Ondo town, works with the Nigeria

IS present condition belies his hitherto robust and healthy look.

Until he took ill, Olurotimi Ajiboye was bubbling with life; he could move up and down with ease.

He can no longer do so again. His movements are now somewhat awkward and lazy. He has been ren-

dered immobile by renal failure, meaning his kidneys have packed up.

Ajiboye has been kept alive so far by dialysis. But there is a snag. He cannot afford the money for kidney transplant, which is the permanent

• Ajiboye... before

• Ajiboye, now parmanently on dialysis machine

1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 08023321770; 080-56374036.

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No: 080-77690200; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-776909201; 01-2881304 FRSC Emergency No: 070-022553772

Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Kofo Abayomi, Victorial Island, Lagos. Though stabilised for a while when undergoing the dialysis he relapsed, mid last year. The once bubbling and effervescent Ajiboye has lost much weight and is almost bedridden.

According to Dr Enechionyia of Life Support Medical Centre, Lagos, Ajiboye has end stage renal disease and both kidneys are permanently damaged.

“Since his condition was diagnosed, Ajiboye has been in and out of the hospital until May last year, when his health took a turn for the worse.

As an interim measure, he has been undergoing haemodialysis twice a week at an average cost of N30, 000 per session. The financial burden of the ailment is so much on his family and it calls for intervention from external sources.”

As a sustainable answer to the condition, doctors at the hospital have recommended a kidney transplant operation in India. It will cost N8 million.

The challenge however is that Ajiboye and his family cannot afford the required amount for the transplant.

His wife, Omolola Ajiboye, in tears appealed to Nigerians said:

EMERGENCY LINES STATE AGENCIES

3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 080-75005411; 080-60152462 080-23111742; 080-29728371 080-23909364; 080-77551000 01-7904983

4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 070-35068242 080-79279349; 080-63299264 070-55462708; 080-65154338

“The cost of dialysis is about N30, 000, but by the time we add the cost of blood transfusion and other injections, we will be talking about N50, 000 per session. Now, the doctors have recommended kidney transplant.”

She added that her husband would have gone for the transplant because already there is a donor, but, they have run out of cash. This is as a result of the weekly dialysis which is gulping all their resources. “There is no help from anywhere. We have been running from pillar to post in search of assistance,” she pleaded.

Mrs Ajiboye explained that the eight million being solicited for is for the surgery, cost of travel and post surgery treatment. She appealed to Nigerians to come to the family’s aid and save her husband’s life.

“I am appealing to well meaning Nigerians to assist my husband so that he will not die. We need the financial support. No amount is too small. As a result of his condition, my business has folded up. Right now I am unemployed and therefore cannot afford to foot the bill,”she said.

Touched by this story and want to assist? You can send your donations to: Skye Bank, A/c no: 176280561.

767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

27

CITY BEATS FROM THE GRASSROOTS

‘Teach your children the right values’

By Dada Aladelokun

IJORA

•Aromire

T

HE Ojora of Ijora land in Lagos State, Oba Abdul-Fatai Aromire, has appealed to parents and guardians to take active part in the moral upbringing of their wards in order to inculcate in them, the right attitude needed to build a good society.

The monarch, who bemoaned the erosion of moral values in the society, said it was high time concerted efforts are put in place to arrest the trend.

“What we are witnessing in our society today is in sharp contrast to what obtained in the past, where moral rectitude was held sacrosanct.

“Look back at those days; you will recall that our pupils would be in their classes when necessary

‘

What we are witnessing in our society today is in sharp contrast to what obtained in the past, where moral rectitude was held sacrosanct

T

’

HE Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, has pledged the support of the council to the achievement of a campaign by a coalition of civil societies for good governance, for the enlistment of the 37 local council’s development areas in the constitution.

Bamigbetan spoke at the council secretariat, during the presentation of an award to him by the Concerned Human Rights Association of Nigeria (CHRAN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Assuring the group that council chairmen in Lagos State will collaborate with civil societies on the

and out of there, they would most possibly be serving their parents, reading at home or busy at extra lessons. It is a different ball game today,” Oba Aromire said.

“Our youths regrettably now have a quick fix attitude to everything, including money. It is a disposition that derives from impatience and a bad detachment from the virtue of hard work and honesty. Our young ones must be made to realise that hard work is the only route to success.

“I have, therefore, made it a point of duty to encourage every parent and guardian in my domain to see to the proper upbringing of their children so that they can grow to be good ambassadors not only for their homes but for the society at large.

“Even my chiefs are not left out of the crusade. We have to build our homes to build the society.”

Commending the Lagos State government for its efforts so far in the direction, the monarch said: “I must express satisfaction over the multifaceted ways the government has been making to train our kids for the good of the society.

“Look at what the government, including local councils have turned the schools into. Look at the various programmes aimed at training the kids to see them become assets to the society in future.

One cannot but commend other disciplinary efforts that the government has been making to keep our youth in classes; get the older ones gainfully engaged and assist their parents. All these are worth complementing by parents and guardians,” the monarch said.

•Dr. Onasanya (left), Dr. Bashorun, Abdullahi and Mrs Oduh

Agency lifts physically challenged farmers T HE Lagos State Fadama Project Office has promised to sustain its assistance to physically-challenged farmers.

Speaking at the handing over of fishery, poultry and farming tools and equipment to the Fadama Community Association under its Fadama III project, the Coordinator, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, said the agency would continue to provide employment and assistance to the disabled persons via agriculture.

He said: ”We care for all the strata of the society and that is why we are doing this to assist the disabled farmers so that you too can be gainfully employed and reap bountiful harvest.

“I want to advise the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items. I want to assure you that the gesture would be more than this

By Kunle Akinrinade

IKEJA when next we are distributing another set of farming tools.”

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr.Olajide Basorun, said: ”I was stunned not long ago when I saw items produced by this group.

“This encouraged me to support the state coordinator of the programme when he intimated me of his plan to assist people with disabilities.”

He went on:“We are looking forward to doubling the support from the Lagos State Government and if you make good use of this gesture

you’ll get more in future.

“We are also looking at assisting you in the marketing of your produce. Today’s gesture is just the beginning of many good things to come, because Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has demonstrated his commitment to alleviation of poverty,”he added.

The Executive Director, Friends of the Disabled, a non-governmental organisation, which serves as the umbrella body for the farmers, Mrs.Aku Orduh, thanked the Lagos State government and the Fadama Office for the gesture.

“This gesture has shown that we have a responsive and responsible government in state. For the first time in Lagos, the authorities promised to assist our members and they fulfilled the promise in a jiffy; I shall certainly spread the news beyond the borders of Nigeria.

Council seeks recognition of Lagos LCDAs

By Duro Babayemi

EJIGBO campaign for the enlistment of the LCDAs by the National Assembly, he said the issue is two fold.

First, “There should be constitutional requirements that make the idea of local governments the business of state government, such that the long process of creating local governments will not be an issue subjected to political gerry mandering again.

“Secondly we are also insisting that the revenue allocation for-

mula which stands as 23 per cent out of 100 per cent, in favour of local governments be raised to 40 per cent, because the local governments where the people are living and any other tier is secondary to the condition of the average man on the street,” he said.

“By increasing the percentage that will accrue to local governments and reducing the percentage accruable to the centre, a lot of wastes currently going on in central government which seems not to have problem with money but how to spend it, will be seriously curtailed.”

•Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia (left) and Mr Alade Agbabiaka (SAN) during the Career Day 2011 talk at University of Lagos... last week

On the award given to him by the human rights body, the council chairman expressed his appreciation to members of the association, stating that he would not have been able to execute all the projects seen in the course of the assessment tour of the Ejigbo LCDA by the group, without the support of his party, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the good people of Ejigbo and the council’s workers.

He said the award is a challenge for him to do more and to work harder, to continue to justify the confidence reposed in him by

Ejigbo citizens.

Earlier in his address, the natural coordinator of the group, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, said his group in collaboration with coalition of civil societies for good governance decided to present the award for good performance to Kehinde Bamigbetan, based on the various outstanding developmental projects executed by his administration in Ejigbo LCDA, which they (the group) were able to confirm during their assessment tour of projects Lagos State in local governments in October 2010.

•From left: Mrs Oluwatoyin Adeniji, Principal, Govt Junior College, Ikoyi, Mr Kayode Akinboro, the book beneficiary, Godwin Ekwere, Mrs Mutiat okuwobi, of the NDLEA, and Mrs Moyosore Adejumo of the Ministry of Health.

PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

28

CITY BEATS FROM THE COURT

Court remands farmer for allegedly impregnating 14-year-old daughter

A

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has adjourned till June 27, for further hearing in a case filed against a 50-year-old farmer, Yesiru Onojobi, for allegedly impregnating his 14-year-old daughter.

The NaCourt t i o n a l ordered Agency for him the Prohibition of Traffic remanded

NGO trains youths on community UNDREDS of She said: “Prevention is policing better youths last week than cure, so the cost-

gathered at the Area D Police Command, Mushin, Lagos, to attend an interactive forum, organised by Cleen Foundation, a nongovernment organisation.

The event, held in conjunction with the police, aimed at enhancing their capacity in the war against crime.

Addressing the youth, the Executive Director of Innovative Strategy for Human Development, Mrs Olutoyin Falade, explained that the police and the youth are the custodians of a harmonious society and much is expected from them.

Mrs Falade maintained that the youth have to detect

By Musa Odoshimokhe early warning signals of crime, in order to forestall it. This, according to her, is a critical part and core element of conflict prevention and management.

She added that the forum became imperative because of the level of crime in Mushin traced in the mains to increase in youth exuberance.

She said the forum would afford them the opportunity to understand community policing and equip them for improved and effetive security of their various communities.

liest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war. Early warning helps to identify conflict in its latent stage and if given the right and appropriate attention will be averted.”

Onyinye Onyemobi, the foundation programme officer noted that the frictions between the police and the youth in the past were due to communication gap.

The forum, he said, is to enhance their skills on how to be proactive as well as disabuse their minds on the negative notion they hold about the Police Force.

Govt challenges cab operators on best AGOS State Governpractices rules.”

Drivers ment has challenged Alade listed

L

commercial cab operators on the need to embrace best practice to deepen the state’s tourism potential.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Inter Governmental Relations, Mr. Samuel Fadipe, made the call at a workshop on tourism management and transportation of foreign tourists and visitors.

He reiterated the government’s commitment towards harnessing the tourism potential, stressing that effective transportation is key to realising these objectives.

The guest lecturer, Mr. Jemi Alade, harped on the important role transportation plays in tourism development.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

“The way and manner visitors are treated begins from the moment they touched down and are being transported to their various hotels and destinations.”

He advised the drivers on good driving etiquette, adding that an acceptable behaviour in Nigeria may not necessarily be acceptable elsewhere.

“Driving can be frustrating and there are days you want to lose your cool, however, when you are behind the wheels, especially with foreign visitors, you need to stay focused on driving safely and following safety

advised on

some of the etiquette driving rules to be observed to include ensuring that their vehicles are clean in and out and in good working condition before setting out for the day and adjust headrest, mirrors and observe the traffic before moving.

Others are, staying off from using cell phone while driving; fighting the urge to sleep, especially at dusk and avoiding all distractions while on the road.

He also urged them to obey traffic rules and regulations, stressing that all traffic signs, traffic lights and instruction from traffic officers must be obeyed.

Pharmacists swoop on fake drugs outlets SSOCIATION of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (Ideal zone) has called on the government to be proactive in the eradication of fake drugs in the society.

Speaking after the closure of some unregistered drug outlets in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, an official of the association and former National Chairman, Mr. Deji Osinoiki, called on both the state and federal authorities to ensure that the menace of fake drugs are stamped out in the country.

He said: ”The activities of quacks and unregistered pharmacists and pharmaceutical outlets Quacks need to be are addressed threatening

by Nigeour rian aut h o r i t i e s . business

A

By Kunle Akinrinade

The laws regulating sale, distribution and dispensing of drugs are quite explicit and this culture of impunity must stop.

"When we left the university, we all swore to an oath to protect the people from being exposed to substandard drugs, but despite the effort to protect the consumers from being exposed to hazardous or substandard drugs, the government seem not to be concerned. Given the pliant nature of Nigerians these quacks will continue to have their way if their activities are not checked.”

Describing the trend as dangerous, Mr Chidi Anopueme, wondered why the Counterfeit Drug Decree 19 of 1997, which provides for strict regulation of the business is not being enforced by government.

plea taken because he had no legal representation.

He, however, asked the court for a short adjournment to enable him to get a lawyer.

Justice Pat Ajoku, granted his prayer and adjourned the case and ordered that he should be remanded in NAPTPRM until the next adjourned date.

Son beats father over N100

•Mrs Falade addressing the youth at the forum

H

in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTPRM) alleged that Onojobi seduced and severally had carnal knowledge of his daughter.

The agency, through its counsel, Mr Rotimi Ilori, said the crime was allegedly committed on January 20, 2010 at Bogije in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

Onojobi, who was present in court, could not have his

"When you go out, you will see all kinds of people selling drugs they are not supposed to sell in the first place.”

For example, you will notice that even Mallams who ordinarily should be selling daily need items now sell anti biotics; that is dangerous to the Nigerian society.

We won't fold our arms and watch quacks destroy our profession. That is why we decided to embark on the exercise to send a warning signal to all that the game is up."

Osinoiki advised consumers to always look out for the "Green Cross" sign on any drug outlet before purchasing drugs.

"The Green Cross emblem is meant to identify a genuine and registerd pharmaceutical outlet, hence, I want to advise consumers to look out for the emblem before making their order."

A

MAN, Olufemi Abidoye, has alleged before a Grade II Customary Court sitting at Agbado, on outskirts of Lagos that his 22-year- old son, Tope, beat him after he reprimanded him for taking his N100.

Abidoye, who wanted his marriage to his wife Elizabeth dissolved, said it was his wife who instigated Tope to beat him.

Abidoye also showed the court the scar on his arm, which he claimed emanated from the injury he sustained when he was beaten by his son.

But Tope denied that he ever beat up his father. According to him: “Whenever I check the pocket of my trousers, I would discover that my money is missing. I don’t, normally, say anything to my dad. But on this fateful day, I came back from work and was very hungry and there was nothing to eat at home. When I saw my

By Titilayo Banjoko

daddy’s pair of trousers, where he normally hangs it, I checked and I saw N800 in it. So I decided to take N100 from it.”

Tope further said: “I told my mother before taking the money and she warned me against it. Immediately, I

‘

I told my mother before taking the money and she warned me against it.

Immediately, I came back from where I went to buy food, I saw my father raining curses on me

’

came back from where I went to buy food, I saw my father raining curses on me.

So, my mummy gave me back the money to return to him. And he squeezed my neck threatening to kill me.”

Tope said his father had been owing him N25,000. He said he gave his father the money to help him seek admission into a polytechnic, but the man failed to do so and squandered the money.

He said he had been asking for a refund of his money but the father refused. So, that was why he took his money.

The wife, Elizabeth, told the court that her son never beat his father but was just trying to save her from the man when he wanted to beat her. But, according to her, in the course of his brutality, Abidoye mistakenly hit his hand on an iron bar.

The court president, Ayinde Adeyemi, said the family should settle amicably among themselves.

Four docked in N7m truck theft case

F

OUR unemployed men were arraigned in Lagos for allegedly stealing a truck valued at N7 million.

The accused Elias Ezalu, 37; Godwin Eya, 45; Ejike Chukwu, 42; and Obinna Ejikeme, 32, are standing trial before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, SP

T

Okoronkwo Okorie, told the court that the accused on April at Okokomaiko, Lagos, conspired to steal the truck.

Okorie told the court that the accused stole a Mark Truck with Reg. No. XX 745-KRD valued at N7 million, property of Green Gate Environmental & Engineering Consultant Ltd. He said the offence contra-

vened Sections 390(10A) (6) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Akintunde Isaacs, granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case to today for further hearing.

Two docked for alleged stealing

HE police in Lagos arraigned two miscreants at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into a house and stealing items worth over N800,000.

The accused, Moshood Ajayi, 28, and Mutiu Okpashino, 26, are standThey ing trial on a burgled three-count the house charge of conspiracy, and stole stealing and N800,000

burglary.

The prosecutor, Insp.

George Nwosu, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on May 29, at Eleseko Village, Lekki, Lagos.

Nwosu said the accused burgled the house of one Chinonso Nwaigwe and stole two vehicle brain boxes valued at N170,000.

“They also stole jewellery valued N 560, 000 and HP Laptop worth N85, 000; all items taken are worth over

N800,000,” he said.

He said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 390(9), 411 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

The two accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs Mulikat Alli-Balogun, granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

The case was adjourned to July14 for mention.

NAFDAC prosecutes three for dealing HE National Agency to interpret the charges to for Foods, Drugs Ad- in fake drugs the accused persons.

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ministration and Control (NAFDAC) has filed a four-count charge against three men accused of dealing in fake drugs.

The three - Titus Aniako, Joseph Orji and Nwokeji Ifeanyi were taken before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

They were said to have imported fake drugs into the country in September last

By Eric Ikhilae

year.

They frustrated NAFDAC’s effort to arraign them by claiming that they do not understand English with which the information against them was prepared.

The presiding judge, Justice Fatima Nyako, while adjourning the case to June 21 directed the prosecuting lawyer to provide an interpreter

In the charge marked FHC/L/32c/11, the accused were alleged to have committed the offence at D34, Rivers Plaza Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

They were accused of importing and storing of a fake drug known as “Funbact A” cream without registration and for the purpose of selling under unsanitary conditions.

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Ekiti

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

MONDAY JUNE 13, 2011

Page 29

Inside school for the less-privileged

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ROM the Garin Kurama Road in the Ungwan Shanu area of Kaduna State, the building looks like just any other in the area. But step inside, and you will find children and even adults in different stages of productive activity.

Some are learning their ABCs. Some are acquiring skills. All are of poor backgrounds. Some missed regular school because their parents could not send them.

Some of the girls among them ran away from their husbands to whom they were given in early marriage.

It is the Tatali Community Centre established to give education to needy children and vocation to less privileged adults .

The centre, run by the Tatali Women and Youth Organisation, was once the home of Hajia Saratu Nuhu Aliyu, the immediate past president of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) and wife of three-time Senator and retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Senator Nuhu Aliyu.

Hajia Saratu told Newsextra on the phone that her childhood was spent in the house which she eventually inherited from her parents.

“I grew up in that house,” she said. “I knew what girls in the area were passing through and how they were treated. I was actually the only female child in that area who went to school.

“So, when my parents died and we shared the assets, I decided to give it out for the training of girls since I knew that I would not come back to live in the house again.

That is why I gave it out and we are trying our best to train these girls who cannot afford to go to school”.

The story of the Tatali Community Centre is one of determination and resolve to give quality education to the less

290 receiving education, skills Centre needs support From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

privileged in the society.

Hajia Rukkayat Adamu who runs the centre told Newsextra that she was encouraged to set it up by Hajia Saratu’s benevolence.

There are currently about 250

children in various classes and 40 girls in its vocational arm, which has five teachers.

Hajia Adamu said the centre used to have about 60 girls who were either forced into early marriage and were not prepared to continue with it or want to avoid

being given away in such unions.

The number of girls at the centre, she added, however, has reduced due to pressure from the community.

“The parents of these girls used to come and harass us with police, and to avoid that scenario, we decided that before we take you at the centre, you have to come with your parent or guardian who will sign for you as a guarantor.

Continued on Page 30

Hajia Rukkayyat Adamu

Children and their instructors in the school

Ekiti demands more from doctors

E Dr. Olugboji

KITI State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wole Olugboji hasurgedmedicalanddental doctors in government hospitals to give their best in order to achieve Governor Kayode Fayemi’s vision of enhancing the health of the people.

Health is a crucial item on the administration’s eight-point agenda.

Speaking to journalists in AdoEkiti, the state capital, Olugboji said thatthestatechapteroftheNational

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMPD) will do well to justify the confidence Goveror Fayemi reposed in it by approving the 100 per cent Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) and Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) with a reduction in tax far lower thanwhatobtainsinotherstates.

Olugboji, observed that he had never been informed of any doctor’s absence from duty at any time since he assumed office. He added, though, that the system has a way of dealing with cases of absentee doctorswheneveritoccurred.

The Commissioner also observed that although the state experienced an exodus of medical personnel, includingdoctorsandnurses,dueto poor service conditions coupled with an incredibly intolerable low infrastructure in the hospitals, he

the trend has been reversed by the impressive strides of the Fayemi administrationinthehealthsector.

Olugboji cited as examples the upgrading of health facilities and improvementofdoctors’pay.

Olugboji said that “one evidence of this is the number of applications from qualified doctors who are even consultants in various fields of medicine and who now want to join thestateserviceinourhospitals.”

Continued on Page 35

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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Inside school for the less-privileged •Continued from Page 29

“But I am happy to say that the people of this area are beginning to appreciate what we are doing here because they have realised that we mean well for the girls and that is why they now bring their children to the school”.

This assertion is corroborated

by Jibril Suleiman Zakirai of Back to School Educational Initiatives. Zakirai is also an education consultant to the school.

According to him, the centre is primarily concerned with the training of women and girls most of whom were given out in early marriage.

Some of these girls, he said, consented to the marriage on the condition that their husbands allow them go back to school.

“But after the marriage, their husbands will go back on the agreement and refuse to allow them go back to school. So, some of the girls will run away from the marriage after being brutalised.

“Some of them come to the centre to get education and learn a trade. Sometimes, the parents or husbands of these girls will come to the centre with police to raid the place. That is why they have decided that before they accept you there, you must come with somebody who will consent to you being admitted at the place to learn a trade or get some formal education”.

Apart from providing basic education for children of the less privileged in the area who are not opportuned to attend the conventional schools, the centre provides adult education for women and men as well as vocational training in the making of soap, candle, pomade and air freshener.

They are also planning to introduce computer training at the centre.

When Newsextra visited the centre, its play-class, nursery and primary schools were in session.

Hajia Adamu said of the children: “I am happy to inform you that what these children can do, some of the girls that have come here from secondary schools cannot do it. I have seen a lot of girls who claim they are secondary school students and yet cannot even tell you the name of their school or spell their name correctly.

“But I thank God that we have been able to impact these children a little. The head teacher of the school, Abdulmunimu Isa said that apart from just bringing their children to the school, they have not received any form of assistance from the community.

He told Newsextra that “the people around here only come to drop their children here. They are not making any contribution towards the development of the place and I must say that it has not been easy taking care of them.

Before now, we had six teachers, but one left and now, we have only five of us left and the work is not an easy one at all.”

Hajia Adamu is convinced that the government is aware of the existence of the centre, but has not extended any form of assistance to the place in order to give the children quality education.

“We have attended several workshops and participated in several education related activities organized by the government and so, I believe that they are aware of the centre. But we have not received any form of assistance from them and we have not made any formal request for assistance from the government.

“We have relied on the goodwill of our President, Hajia Saratu and other good-spirited Nigerians to sustain the place, but right now, we are looking forward to assistance from other Nigerians who may have the passion for educational development”, she said.

Hajia Adamu said that despite being just above one year, the centre has been able to achieve a lot within its short time of existence.

•The centre’s children in session

Hajia Adamu said that despite being just above one year, the centre has been able to achieve a lot within its short time of existence.

She believes that they can achieve more with government assistance as well as support from donor agencies and other Nigerians She believes that they can achieve more with government assistance as well as support from donor agencies and other Nigerians.

“All the children and the girls at this centre are trained free and we need to sustain this centre,” she said. “We sometimes accommodate some of the girls when they come here and we also have to feed them.

So, you realise that the needs of this place are much and on our own, we cannot sustain it if help does not come from anywhere”.

While the children come to school in the morning, the adult classes begin at 3.00pm.

But Newsextra discovered that out of the four classes at the centre, only the one used by the senior bigger children had desk and chairs for them to sit on while the

•MTN official during their visit to Heart of Gold Hospice, Lagos to which they donated wheelchairs and other materials, as part of their Y’ello Care programme

remaining children merely sat on the mat and seems to be enjoying themselves.

However, the only thing that points to the fact that it is schools setting is the presence of black board in the classes. Teaching aides are lacking and one begins to wonder how the teachers cope with teaching the children.

As at the time of our visit to the centre, there were only two teachers on ground, one male and one female. However, their capability in handling quality teaching could not immediately be ascertained.

But one thing that was clear was the fact that the children, who may not have been opportune to attend any conventional school, were given the opportunity to get some form of education and can today boast of having some form of education.

Hajia Adamu is confident that the children at the centre can do better than many children attending government schools, saying “we have seen many of them and I can tell you that what these children are doing is far better than what those children in government schools can do.

But we lack the resources to expand what we are doing here. It is our wish to do better, but don’t forget, this is a private initiative.

But we are hopeful that help will soon come”.

It was gathered that Hajia Saratu Aliyu who freely gave out the house which she inherited from her parent for the operation of the centre heads the Board of Trustees of the organisation and is willing to help develop the place into a befitting educational institution.

A source close to the centre told Newsextra that “I learnt that she is willing to develop the place and that she has even promised to reconstruct the building. Don’t forget, it belongs to her. It is her inheritance from her parents and she willingly gave it out for free.

Now, she is hoping that some of the neighbours will agree to sell their houses so that the centre can be expanded to meet the growing demand.”

With the government resolve to develop the educational sector and made access to quality education available to the citizens, it is hoped that the government through the State Universal Basic Education Board will come to the aide of the institution soon.

THE NATION

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MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

•The school Principal, Patrick Ogundipe(middle) with teachers and the new prefects

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TUDENTS of St Joseph Secondary School in the Agege area of Lagos State have set a record. When the time came for the usual appointment of new prefects, the students simply told the school authorities that they, and not the school, would choose the new leaders.

The school obliged and the students went on to conduct what has gone into the record books as the best democratic election in the history of the institution.

As against the customary process which is usually selection by staff, students from Basic One (J.S.S 1) to SSS 2 were left with the decision to elect who their leaders-prefects-should be.

Majority of these voters would have been prosecuted for underage voting in elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since most of them fall under the age of 18 but at the St. Joseph pioneering elections, they were entitled to go to the polls.

And to the polls they went, deciding the personnel for the post of senior boy, senior girl, among others. While some of the candidates for the various posts were elected unopposed, others had to battle it out through the ballot box to decide who eventually emerged tops.

At the end of the voting exercise, Toluwani Ajewole emerged the school’s new Head Boy while Simisola Kehinde Ajetumobi became the Head Girl. Other prefects who made the list of the record-setting band were Oloche Lawrence Michael and Esther Omojola as assistant Senior Boy and Girl respectively, Abubakar Suleiman, Health Prefect while Ekeanyanwu Merit was adjudged to have merited the girl’s position. Also elected were Innocent Azubuike and Odeyemi Morayo as boy and girl Sports Prefects respectively, Nwankwo Gloria, Li-

How students set election record

By Olukayode Olusoji

brary while Oletubo Kolawole became boy Laboratory Prefect and Adeniran Mariam took the girl’s position for the same office.

Social Prefect boy was Solarin Jimmy and the girl was Ilesanmi Damilola while Eyenobong Ubong and Kojo Jane emerged Assembly Prefect boy and girl in that order.

Also on the roll call were Ifedi Chinedu as Counsellor’s Office Prefect, Abubakar Ibrahim, Muslim Assembly Prefect boy, Farida Ibrahim, Muslim Prefect girl, Nneka Paul, Home Economics Laboratory Prefect and Ogedegbe Abiola, Introductory Technology Prefect.

Speaking on his election as Head Boy, Ajewole remarked that he never knew he would become the school’s head boy.

He said: “I came to this school as any other student. I didn’t feel I was going to be (the Head Boy). I think God just made it happen.

Man proposes, God disposes.

“Though from the beginning of this (last) term, I knew I was going to be a prefect but I didn’t know it will be head boy. I bought the form because I was encouraged by a friend and my parents propelled the decision for the post of the head boy because they believed in my capability.”

And how has the decision to go beyond his limits helped? Ajewole replied: “It tells me that there is nothing I can’t do. I was thinking the head boy performs more responsibilities than other prefects but with God’s assistance, I will not disappoint the students and the school.”

They elected credible candidates. They know themselves. As I said they have chosen the best.

Some of the students elected offer my subject and they are a set of disciplined, obedient and respectful students. So, I think they will be good examples for other students to emulate

On her part, the Head Girl, Ajetunmobi, who told Newsextra that she wasn’t even considering picking up the form for the election at the first instance tells the story of her rise to the new unanticipated post.

She said: “I didn’t even think I wanted to buy the form if not that I was encouraged by some teachers and some of my friends. Then after purchasing it, I wasn’t sure that I will be the winner until they announced it.”

She revealed that her focus was even on a lesser post when she eventually decided to contest the pioneering election. “The position that was on my mind was either the assistant Head Girl or Library Prefect. I feel grateful to God and all the teachers,” she said.

But why allow the students choose their leaders and not resort to the customary pattern of staff doing so? The election committee’s chairperson who also teaches government at the institution, Mrs Olorunkemi Saidi said: “We believe the students interact and know themselves better than the teachers in terms of academics, behaviour and sports.”

She stated her belief that the prefects will enjoy the support of their colleagues.

“I think they (the students) are likely to submit themselves to those people (elected prefects), respond to their calls, respect and honour them.”

She went further to emphasise her belief that the students have elected credible leaders capable of making them proud in the society.

“They elected credible candidates. They know themselves. As I said they have chosen the best.

Some of the students elected offer my subject and they are a set of disciplined, obedient and respectful students. So, I think they will be good examples for other students to emulate,” she said.

NAFDAC intensifies fight against fake products

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HE Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has said the agency is resolute in the fight against fake and counterfeit products.

Orhii, who spoke in Lagos when he visited Unilever, said the agency is collaborating with other security agencies in the fight.

By Adejo David

He said the agency has its laboratories at all ports, adding that NAFDAC is introducing the latest technology, a radio frequency identification scan machine in the fight against fake and counterfeit products.

Dr. Orhii advised dealers in fake and counterfeit products to look for legitimate jobs

Dr. Orhii also commended Unilever for producing good and quality products that meet international standards. He said the agency has destroyed fake and counterfeit products valued at about N48b in less than two years

elsewhere since his agency will not be tired in the fight against fake drugs. The NAFDAC boss confirmed that the level of fake and adulterated drugs have dropped to five per cent, citing the survey carried out by an American agency. He said that Nigeria is a global leader in the crusade against fake and substandard products.

Dr. Orhii also commended Unilever for producing good and quality products that meet international standards. He said the agency has destroyed fake and counterfeit products valued at about N48b in less than two years.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Unilever, Thabo Mobe, said his company will work with the regulatory agencies in the fight against fake and counterfeit products, adding that the company has spent about 906m euros on research globally.

Mobe assured that protecting consumers and intellectual property are his priority in the ongoing fight against counterfeit products.

•Dr. Orhii

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

32

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•Fayemi

HE European Union (EU) has expressed its readiness to partner with the Ekiti State government to ensure the overall development of the state.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. David McCrae made this known in Ado-Ekiti while on a courtesy call on Governor Kayode Fayemi.

McCrae, who said that the visit was to reciprocate the governor’s interest in the EU and assess the situation in the state, pointed out that the body has particular interests in states which are embarking on reforms in governance.

The envoy stressed that the EU is keen on helping such states to achieve their transformational agenda through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He explained that special attention would also be given to public financial management because the people are interested in transparency and accountability

Edo seeks US support on development

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DO State government has solicited the support of the United States government in bringing meaningful development to the state.

The State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, made the plea in Benin City when he received the United States ConsulGeneral in Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Stafford, who paid him a courtesy call in Government House.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, Comrade Oshiomhole highlighted the landmark developmental efforts of his administration in just over two years and assured of more achievements with the support and cooperation of the United States.

The governor told the Consul-General that the style of governance in the state is anchored on the philosophy of “Let the people lead”.

The governor told the Consul-General that his administration has pruned down the cost of governance in the state as N5 billion was saved in 2009 from the cost of running government, adding that the state’s Internally

Edo Generated Revenue which was a mere N300 million has been shored up to N1.3 billion monthly.

Giving a breakdown of the developmental efforts of his administration, Oshiomhole said government has embarked on massive road construction,schools rehabilitation and construction of a 5-Star hospital in Benin City, among others in other parts of the state, saying the support of the United States Government would enable the government bring more in terms of infrastructure to the people.

Earlier, the Consul-General, Mr Joseph Stafford acknowledged the infrastructural development going on in Benin City, the state capital, saying: “the city is recognised at a historical level and plays a pivotal role in the economy of Nigeria.”

EU to partner Ekiti on development

Ajimobi seeks monarchs’ intervention on wage crisis

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has appealed to traditional rulers and leaders of thought in the state to intervene in the dispute with labour over the new minimum wage.

He also offered to adopt the Ekiti State salary model pending the resolution of the grey areas surrounding implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

He made the appeal at a meeting with traditional rulers who paid him a visit in his office. They were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, who was

Ekiti to ensure their resources are not squandered.

McCrae stated that the EU would assist Ekiti government in the areas of governance and water sanitation describing water as a “fundamental requirement for a healthy living”.

Governor Fayemi in his remarks, described the decision of the EU to partner with the state as positive, saying though the state is small, it has immense opportunities for the Union to make a difference.

He disclosed that four of 11 water projects funded by the EU had been completed while government would expedite action on the remaining seven.

The governor urged the EU to extend its support to the state in the areas of power production,road construction and infrastructural development which is part of his administration’s eight-point agenda.

Dr. Fayemi disclosed that other international development organisations such as World Bank, United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID) and Department for International Development (DFID) had expressed their readiness to support the state in the areas of healthcare, agro-forestry, public financial management and infrastructure.

Lagos begins Eko Fair

of urgent resuscitation,a non governmental organisation, Emergency Response Services Nigeria, has embarked on a crusade to enlighten the public on the need to imbibe the culture of resciscitation through basic knowledge of what to do in such circumstance.

President of the group, Dr.Nnamdi Nwauwa said: “We hear and read of disasters and catastrophe everyday. Therefore, we believe there is need for urgent intervention. More methods of saving lives are being formulated while existing guidelines are revised.”

“Resuscitation is the greatest thing people can do to a patient in a public space when they are in dangerous zone. We have lost a lot of people before they could be taken to hospital because there was no resuscitation right on the spot where the accident occurred.”

Quite true, accidents could occur in so many places like bus stop, oil rigs, public function, road, among others and in such situation where there is no doctor the patient usually suffers for it.

Speaking further on the motive behind the project, he said:” Those who work in oil rigs, gym houses and hazardous places, should know how to revive people in life-threatening situation. Emergency could occur anytime anyone could fall victim and that is why people should have basic knowledge of resuscitation.Its an issue for anyone to be equipped with the

A

Four communities agitate for councils

GITATION for more local government councils in Ondo State has intensified as four ommunities in Ose Local Government area called for the creation of Irekari Local Government recently.

The communities were Idoani, Afo, Idogun and Imeri.

Addressing a news conference, the spokesman of the communities, Major General Olufemi

•Participants at the programme

Lagos

By Kunle Akinrinade

knowledge of resuscitation during emergency.”

“Even if someone collapses in the house, people around should know what to do bring back such soul in order to save his life” In his comment at the end of the demonstration session, one of the medical instructors attached to the body, Dr.Innocent Okoawo explained that the kind of training given at the centre would empower people to take care of pathetic situation that can be contained through basic intervention knowledge. When everyone is empowered with the knowledge to save others the society will be better for it.”

A

Stolen car

Toyota Camry belonging to Mr Mafikuyomi Ogunbowale Abayomi has been reported stolen.

The toyota Camry marked BQ439EPE has 550345713 and JT25K11E6R0196597 as its engine and chasis numbers respectively.

Those with useful information should contact the nearest police station.

Mr Abayomi can be reached on the following telephone numbers, 08073016769, and 07040363690.

•From left: Mr Ola Tubi of Bailey Cole Consulting, Mrs Adewale Adefunke, Snr. Accountant, Lagos State Urban Road Autority and Mr Toyin Munis, Bailey Cole International at a threeday workshop on special skill enhancement on the use of Excel for finance managers and professionals at the Conference Hall CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The workshop was organised PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES by the Treasury office, Lagos State Ministry of Finance .

Amosun sets up taskforce on flood

O

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amsounhas set up a taskforce to combat imminent flooding of some parts of the state with the approach of rainy season.

The taskforce consists of Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Works, Environment, Water Resources and the Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning (BUPP) as well as their senior officers.

In a statement by Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Funmi Wakama, the putting together of the taskforce followed briefing of the governor by officials of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority who were invited for a discussion on the issue.

The governor urged the Ogun-Osun team to prepare a position paper and send same to the state task force which will then design measures to contain the expected flood.

He also instructed the taskforce to explore the possibility of collaborating with the Lagos State government and federal agencies in developing comprehensive preventive measures on the menaceof flood.

Governor Amosun further advised the people to stop blocking the drainage system with refuse so as not to clog the path of water, urging the people to cooperate with the government to arrest the

Lagos

• From left: President, Western Zone, National Council For Women Society, Mrs Adetowun Ogunsheye; Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, and a member, Mrs Priscilia Kuye, during a visit by the society to the governor’s wife in Ibadan,the state capital

NGO seeks promotion of life-saving ORRIED by the unpleasant stories of method Nigerians dying while in dire need

W

33

Ogun From Nwokolo Ernest

menace. It would be recalled that last year, flood wreaked havoc in Lagos and Ogun States due to heavy rains which led to the overflow of Ogun and Osun rivers, destroying properties worth millions of naira in the two states.

Fashola hailed

By Risikat Ramon i

I

T was all joy and fun recently as the KekereEkun family with friends and associates, came out to celebrate the inauguration of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. Orile-Iganmu was agog for the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, a leading member of the family, Alhaji Mustapha Kekere-Ekun advised the governor to redouble his efforts to provide more dividends of democracy for the teeming residents of Lagos State. He prayed for wisdom and strength to improve what Governor Fashola has done so that he can touch more lives.

Kekere-Ekun noted that the achievements of the governor can only be linked to his background as a member of the family.

The chairman of Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area, Hon Yomi Giwa, who was present at the event, urged the governor to continue his good work, adding that his projects have alleviated the suffering of Lagos residents.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

AGOS State government in collaboration with Perfect Care Systems Limited has flagged off the 31st edition of Eko Xpo Trade Fair as a strategy to revive small and medium scale industries in the state.

The Director of Commerce in the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hakeem Adeniji while flagging of the fair explained that the objective was geared towards providing platform for owners of small scale industries to exhibit their products.

Adeniji described the week long fair that is holding at the National Stadium Surulere, as a domestic fair with uniqueness of catering small enterprises.

“When the product of the small scale are showcased, they are in a better position to be well patronised and when they are patronised they can increase their productivity”, he said.

Chief Executive of Perfect Care Systems Limited, Mr. Gbenga Babatunde added that the fair would go a long way to promote the economy of Lagos.

He said: “A lot of people are making things but there is no avenue to showcase what they have. In abroad what you see is small companies coming together and showcasing what they have and people coming from various countries to come and patronise them. It is also going to increase the revenue of Lagos State because the more participation we have in Eko Xpo, the better for the government.”

Besides Ikeja, Babatunde said that the rally would spread to Ogba, Agege, Isolo, Ojuelegba, Surulere, Ajah, Lekki, LagosMainland, Apapa, Alaba and China Town Ayuba on his part expressed optimism that the fair would not only showcase material products but also the musical talents that were abound in Lagos.

L

Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Olutoye (rtd), said the creation of the proposed local government became necessary to facilitate development.

According to him, the agitation started since 1949, urging the present Mimiko’s administration to make them realise their long time dream.

Already, the government had set up a committee on creation of additional local governments in the state headed by a retired civil servant, Hon. Ola Ajetunmobi.

The committee members are presently on tour of the 18 local government areas of the state to examine the need for additional creation of councils.

He said: ” the drumbeats of our agitation which became too loud to ignore and those of other communities that genuinely deserve their own local governments must have informed the wise and statesmanly decision to set up the committee on the creation of additional local government areas in the state”.

Olutoye added that the quest for the agitation predates Nigeria’s independence and has remained unmet for 62 years, stressing that the demand for Irekari Local Government was made principally by nine towns including Idoani, Idogun, Ifira, Afo Ikun, Oba Akoko, Sosan and Ipesi.

But following the various activities on local government creation, the Akoko towns of Oba, Ikun, Ipesi and Sosan have been excised to other local government areas in Akoko.

Briefly

Oyo CNPP advises Ajimobi on May salary THE factional Conference of Nigeria Political Parties(CNPP) in Oyo state yesterday advised Governor Abiola Ajimobi to devise ways of paying the state workers their May salaries in a bid to end the current hardship being experienced by the workers.

The former governor Adebayo AlaoAkala had few days before his exit approved the N18,000 national minimum wage ostensibly to create problem of payment of workers salary for the new governor Ajimobi.

The total amount required to pay the new minimum wage is N4.4billion whereas the entire monthly revenue of the state is N4.2billion , leaving a deficit of about N200million on salary payment alone.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting which took place in Ibadan, the Oyo CNPP urged the new Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) administration in the state not to subject Oyo workers to unnecessary hardship, adding that “labour deserve the wage for their sweat”.

Oyo represented by the Otun Olubadan, Chief Omowale Kuye. They were also joined by religious leaders and leaders of thought.

Ajimobi said his government wished to pay the new minimum wage but that he was constrained by several factors which included the fact that the new wage bill exceeds the total monthly revenue of the state.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communication, Dr Festus Adedayo, the governor further stated that he had explained in an earlier meeting with labour leaders in the state that while statutory allocation accruing to the state was, on the average, N2.4 billion monthly, the state’s Internally Generated Revenue nets about N1 billion, which, if added

•Ajimobi to VAT and other revenues accruable to the state government, pushes the state’s monthly income to about N4.2 billion on the average.

Iwo PDP reposes confidence in party exco

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Iwo town Osun State, has dissociated itself from an alleged call by a chieftain of the party, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, for the dissolution of the Osun State executive counncil of the party and his comments on nominees of the party in the state for federal appointments.

In a statement signed by the chairman of the party in Iwo Local Government Area, Mr Kola Asimolowo after a meeting, the entire members of the party in the town dissociated themselves from Ogundokun’s comments.

Asimolowo said that the statement of the chieftain to the effect that the executive of the party in the state be dissolved and his comments on federal appointments as well as Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the former governor of the state did not receive the support of the party in Iwo town.

Ogundokun had, in a publication by one of the national dailies, advocated for the dissolution of the Osun State executive of the

Osun party. He also urged President Jonathan to disregard the list of nominees sent to him for political appointments by the party in the state, adding that the President should consult with the elders caucus of the party in the state for an authentic list.

He accused Oyinlola of mismanaging the state and the party saying that the President should not consider him for any appointment because according to him, the former governor did not work for Jonathan during the presidential primaries for the fact that he thought the President ought to have influenced the court of Appeal’s decision which removed him from office.

The party in the town thus expressed its confidence in the Osun State party executive under Chief Ojo Williams and the leadership of Prince Oyinlola as a credible chieftain and leader of the party.

Aregbesola inaugurates committee on sanitation

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12-member committee to restore sanity to the cities and towns in Osun State has been inaugurated by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The committee named Urban Renewal Project is expected to come up with recommendations on bringing back order, hygiene and proper planning of settlements in the state.

While inaugurating the committee held at the Executive Council Chamber in his office, the governor said though many across the country may see the Osun as a tiny state, “ our history makes us unique. Our state has the highest concentration of cities with over 500 years of existence.”

Aregbesola, who described the current situation in the state as deplorable, said it was possible to guess the degree of poverty in the state with the quality of the houses and the entire environment.

“When we are classified as under-developed, when you look at the environment, this is indisputable. We can see the evidence of the prosperity of some of our people with the pattern of the houses they dwell in and the nature of their environment. We can also observe the poverty of the masses by their dwelling.

“Nothing demonstrates the skills and

Osun From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

competence level of our artisans more than the environment since the environment is splattered with their signatures, for good or bad. We can also see the level of organisation and the pattern of lawlessness of a people in their surroundings. What we call technology is the imposition of culture on the environment.Everything is the environment.

According to the governor the terms of reference of the committee include carrying out status quo analysis of the target renewal programme.

The governor also said the committee will carry out feasibility studies of the state urban renewal programme in the target cities and develop a detailed master plan for same.

He further said that the committee will develop a detailed work plan for the Urban Renewal programme in the Target Cities and give detailed report of the land requirement for the urban renewal and the existing properties that will be affected by the Urban Renewal Programme.

Okogie criticises minimum wage THE CATHOLIC Arch Bishop of Lagos Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie has described the N18,000 minimum wage promised by the Federal Government as unrealistic.

Okogie who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos, said many states were too poor to pay it.

“About five states or so may be lucky to conveniently pay the minimum wage but if forced on others, gross unemployment is imminent.”

He further stressed that state governments should not be forced to pay as to avoid terrible consequences.

He, however, admonished President Jonathan to appoint patriotic and peopleoriented Nigerians as ministers.

“Jonathan should endeavour to pick people who have Nigerians at heart and as a father of the nation he should know that he is accountable to God and mankind”he said

•Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Verveide (left) with the winners Ubong Ekpe, Akaaimongu Marcellinus and Nsude Martins with the key of their car at the Gulder promo prize presentation at the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Iganmu , Lagos PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

THE NATION

35

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

Community honours its leader Ipole-Iloro, a rustic community in Ekiti State was in a happy mood as the people celebrated a grassroots politician and community leader, Prince Oladele Babatola Asaro for his contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the town. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

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HE weather was cool. Visitors from far and near savoured the breeze and customary hospitality of the natives. Many visited the waterfall, which has imprinted the town on the world map as a tourist haven. On that happy day, Ipole-Iloro, an agrarian community in Ekiti State, also counted its blessings.

It was the day the Ipole Youth Forum hosted dignitaries who came to celebrate a prominent grassroots politician, businessman and philanthropist, Prince Babatunde Asaro, who until recently, was the Supervisor for Health in Ekiti West Local Government Area.

Asaro, accompanied by associates from all walks of life, rode into the uncompleted Town Hall, in the heart of the town, with pomp. Old men and women waved at him and youths carried him shoulders high as he alighted from his four wheels.

Drummers intensified the beating of traditional drums and the singing train of women chanted his eulogies and

cognomen, linking him to his ancestors, who founded the town many centuries ago.

The insignias of the award were a beautiful plague with fascinating inscriptions underscoring the honour, a portrait and flowing wreath befitting the neck of a royal. As he stepped forward to receive the ‘outstanding award for community development,’ the people rose in his honour.

The celebrator beamed smiles as he raised up the plague. He demonstrated gratitude and promised never to let Ipole down in his life time. “This is a happy moment for me. The greatest honour one can get is the one bestowed by one’s community. I feel highly honoured,” Asaro said, after collecting the insignias from the leader of the forum, Comrade Kehinde Ojo. Ojo explained that Asaro, a prince from Ekitikalesobe Ruling House, was being honoured for his philanthropy, which he

He revived the grassroots health centres, lifted the morale of doctors and nurses and other health workers and embarked on sensitisation programme targeted at pregnant women and villagers. The goal was to create a culture of hygiene and stem the mortality rate

improved upon when he became the Supervisor for Health in the local government.

Before he returned to participate in politics in Ekitiland, Asaro was a prominent member of Afenifere, Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation (BATCO) led by Chief Rauf Aregbesola, now governor of Osun State.

In Ipole, he is a household name. Miffed by the plight of his people, he had sponsored some indigent students in schools, donated medicine and consumables to households, empowered widows and donated power generators to streets, artisans and peasants. Before he joined the local government, he had taken up the responsibility of grading township roads and organised youths for rational community work.

Asaro, who vied for the chairmanship of Ekiti West Local Council, was validly nominated to occupy the vacant throne of the Olu of Ipole-Iloro, following the demise of Oba Owoseni Bright. He was allegedly denied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the state of his entitlements because he refused to defect from Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Despite this setback, he stuck to his principles.

As a consistent and progressive politician, he stepped down for his colleague, Hon. Fakanle, who won the election. A humble operator, he accepted to serve under him as a supervisory councillor. To him, service to the council was more important than the position.

As a supervisor, he revived the grassroots health centres, lifted the morale of doctors and nurses and other health workers and embarked on sensitisation programme targeted at pregnant women and villagers. The goal, he said, was to create

•Asaro

a culture of hygiene and stem the mortality rate.

However, the town marveled at his patriotism recently when he personally took on the huge responsibility of grading the township roads and paths. Asaro said that he could not wait for the government to do it, stressing that governance is a collective enterprise.

Comrade Ojo said that “such acts of patriotism are rare,” urging others to emulate the ACN politician “who always put his community first in whatever he is doing.

“It is an important lesson that we have learned in this town. This is the greatest gospel of philanthropy, goowill and solidarity. Ipole will not forget you,” he added amid applause by guests and towns people.

Asaro thanked the forum for the gesture and promised to dedicate his existence to the growth and development of the ancient town.

He also appeal to the well-to-do individuals to remember home, adding that outsiders would not come to develop their town for them.

At the ceremony were elder Tope Fajumeye, Isaac Faseesin, Peter Faseesin, Amos Odunayo, Alfred Adeniyan, Akinsuyi Akinlade, Ahmed Akerele, Biodun Fajimeye, Diran Fadipe, Akinboyede Ojo, and Abiola Suluka.

Ekiti demands more from doctors •Continued from Page 29

•Mrs Gana making the donations

Police commissioner’s wife lifts babies’ home

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HE wife of Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mrs Moye Gana has donated cash and food items to the state’s Children Reception Centre, Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin, the state capital.

Mrs Gana, a barrister, has been giving freely to children in need across the country in the last 20 years.

Cash donated this year amounted to N100,000

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

in addition to food items and beverages.

“It is something I have been doing for almost 20 years now,” she said. “Everybody has a pledge to God. I made a pledge to serve God as a Nun. Along the line, I decided to leave the Monastery. Since then, I made that decision to always visit the motherless babies’ homes in

any state I find myself to make donation from my salaries which I save over the years.

“Assisting the less privileged is something that comes to mind and my appeal to individuals, groups and corporate bodies is that if they have the means, they should help the less privileged. You didn’t have that means because you are better than others. You have that means because God gave them to you.”

He also informed that the state University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti was about to be given full accreditation as a full-fledged University Teaching Hospital as the accreditation team which came to inspect facilities in various departments of the hospital expressed satisfaction with the facilities already in place.

The Commissioner of Health disclosed that the administration of Governor Fayemi has, again, started a free health programme regime for the children who are below five years, all pregnant women, the elderly over 65 years of age and the physically challenged poor anywhere in the state.

“The free health programme for the physically challenged is meant only for those who are actually physically challenged but who are really poor and cannot afford the cost of healthcare in government hospitals.

“Let me advise our people that the time when every test had to be conducted in Ife or Ibadan is over as our hospitals are now fully equipped. I advise the people anywhere in Ekiti State to think first of the government hospitals whenever they are in need because whatever they used to go for in far places is now with them,” Olugboji said.

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

36

NERICA project which was one of the projects under ADB had contributed significantly to the reduction of poverty and enhanced food security by improving farmers’ access to high yielding NERICA rice seeds varieties

Fayemi hails agric development programme

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KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has commended the senior and management staff of the Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) for their efforts in the implementation of the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) and the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) projects in the state.

The Governor made the commendation through the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Adio Folayan, when he received the monitoring team from the African Development Bank (ADB) who came on inspection of Ekiti State ADB programmes.

Dr. Folayan appreciated the African Development Bank for their role in the development of agriculture in the state, promising the cooperation of the state government in the provision of counterpart funds and other necessary logistics for smooth implementation of the banks laudable programmes. He however appealed to the bank to expand the sites to other local governments that were currently not benefitting.

Folayan informed the ADB Team that the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had demonstrated its readiness to partner with the bank with the payment of all the State’s share of the counterpart funds for all externally financed projects, adding that in appreciation of the Governor’s gesture, the bank had also released twelve tractors to the state which would soon be commissioned by the state Governor.

The leader of the visiting team of the ADB, Dr. Tolu Onaleye, expressed thanks to the state ADP for its seriousness and commitment in the way she was implementing the National Programme for Food

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PERATIVES of the of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State have seized about 860kg of substances suspected to be Indian Hemp concealed in a truck.

The cannabis which was hidden in planks was intercepted in Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area when the drug barons were trying to move it to Lagos.

The barons however took to their heels when they spotted the men of anti-drug agency.

Disclosing this to reporters in Akure, the state capital, the Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Walter Nicholas said the agency seized the cannabis when the owners deceived the people by packaging it in planks, stressing that with the collaboration of Nigerian Police they were able to secure the cannabis.

Nicholas noted that the agency has discovered that the planters of the Indian Hsemp have moved their goods to forest in order to prevent any notice by the NDLEA officials.

According to him, the drug problem in the state requires a collective and timely approach. It was the threat of nuclear extermination that occasioned the formation of United Nation.

The NDLEA boss stressed that a clear and objective mind would have thought that our effort so far should have exhausted the issues involved in the drug problem, saying that their effort are, on daily basis, challenged by the drug barons.

He said: “This is why the Agency, where it stumbles on any form of strategy adopted by these drug baron immediately exposes it to the public so that collectively

•The farmers From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Security and the NERICA Projects in the state.

Onaleye observed that from the Team’s interaction with the farmers during farm visits, Ekiti State Government indeed placed high premium on the development of agriculture in the state, promising continued cooperation of the bank (ADB) with the state government given its demonstrated commitment to the bank’s programmes.

Onaleye again observed that unlike in some other states, real farmers were the

ones being made to benefit from both the NPFS’ and NERICA’s agricultural initiatives in Ekiti State.

In his remarks, the State Programme Manager of the ADP, Mr. Olusegun Fadare, appreciated the ADB for her support in the development of agriculture in the state, adding that the NERICA project which was one of the projects under ADB had contributed significantly to the reduction of poverty and enhanced food security by improving farmers’ access to high yielding NERICA rice seeds varieties.

Fadare told the team that about 65 NERICA groups comprising over 3,500

farmers were currently participating in NERICA rice project and that work had started on the 75 km NERICA farm roads across the state.

The ADB team visited two NPFS sites and inspected ongoing works on the opening up of rural farm roads.

One of the farmers, chief Amoran, told the team that the farmers in the nine participating sites had benefitted tremendously from the NPFS implementation in the state, thanking the bank officials for acceding to the request of the farmers that fund should be disbursed to sites at the onset of rainfall.

NDLEA impounds cannabis in Ondo Now that their next plan was to move their goods to the forest for security reasons, if they failed to bring out the cannabis, I will relocate my office from Alagbaka in Akure to forest. My men are ready to fight the drug barons and remove the dent image on the state

•The cannabis inside wooden chambers From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

enough, we can provide surveillance that may remedy the interception of actions.

“I must commend the effective collaboration of the Ondo State Commissioner of

Police and the resilient commitment of his men towards this fight. The Agency in the state has benefited immensely through this collective effort.”

He, however, urged the drug barons

change their attitude and look for legitimate work that could bring quick development to the nation.

NDLEA said his men are battle ready for drug barons in the state, saying that the agency would continue to prevent their business.

“Now that their next plan was to move their goods to the forest for security reasons, if they failed to bring out the cannabis, I will relocate my office from Alagbaka in Akure to forest. My men are ready to fight the drug barons and remove the dent image on the state,” Nicholas stated.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

37

CITY BEATS

CRIME

F THE COURTS SROM ECURITY TIPS

Witness indicts EFCC official

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N Assistant Superintendent of Police, Chris Attah has told an Ikeja High Court how an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official, Davis Ibrahim, allegedly defrauded one Mrs Augusta Eleshin.

Attah was testifying at the resumed trial of Ibrahim and an alleged accomplice, Olusegun Somorin, before Justice Joseph Oyewole.

Ibrahim, an administrative Officer with the EFCC and Somorin, a GSM repairer, are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain N55,000 through pretence, forgery and tendering of false documents.

Led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor Mr Ben Ubi, the witness claimed that the two accused persons demanded N5 million from Mrs Eleshin to compromise a purported investigation of her husband.

The witness said Mrs Eleshin, a police inspector, had informed him in August 2008, of the petition allegedly given to her by Ibrahim who posed as one Sadiq Bello.

‘

• • •

“In the petiOn tion which was on the conspiracy EFCC letter to obtain head, they N55,000 claimed that they were investigating her husband, Saka Odofin, and that she should pay N5 million to stop the investigation.

“I told her that the petition dated August 12, 2008 must be fake because it had no minutes but that she should play along with them,’’ Attah told the court.

According to Attah, he later met with the two accused persons posing as an elder brother to the man who was being investigated during which he was also shown another copy of the purported petition.

He further told the court that Ibrahim drove them to the EFCC office in Lagos on a weekend to buttress the authenticity of their claims.

“I told him we cannot pay the N5 million they were demanding and asked Mrs Eleshin to give them N55,000 which she had on her,’’ he said.

Attah said while he was

He failed to arrest the alleged culprits even when it was his duty as a police officer to do so and he also failed to report the alleged incident but instead went to Osogbo

’

• • • • • • • •

•Mrs. Waziri

MISSING PERSONS

away in Osun State, a few days later, Mrs Eleshin called him, complaining that the accused persons were still demanding for more money from her.

He said this finally prompted him to call his contacts at the EFCC office in Lagos, who later arrested the duo after Mrs Eleshin made a written petition against Ibrahim.

However, during cross-examination, Ibrahim’s counsel Mr E.D. Onyeke disputed Attah’s testimony, arguing that it did not correlate with the account given earlier before the court by Mrs Eleshin.

“He failed to arrest the alleged culprits even when it was his duty as a police officer to do so and he also failed to report the alleged incident but instead went to Osogbo,’’ Onyeke said.

He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the testimony, claiming that Attah was a “fabricated witness.”

Oyewole adjourned the matter till today to enable the prosecution to call more witnesses.

Police arraign man for alleged breach of HE police have ar- bail condition He urged raigned one Sanni the court to Docked for

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Abdulahi, at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly failing to produce a suspect, Christopher Ejikoye, whom he bailed from police custody.

The accused is standing trial on a one-count charge of failure to produce a suspect on request by the police in an alleged case of stealing.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on November 20, 2010.

Ibrahim alleged that Abdulahi stood as surety for Ejikoye who was being investigated by the police for stealing.

The prosecutor said part of

•Alkali

the condition for the bail was that the accused would produce the suspect any time the police needed him.

c o m p e l failing to Abdulahi to produce a suspect explain why he did not produce the suspect on request by the police. “ The accused should also state why he should not forfeit the sum of N6 .5 million to the government being the bail bond amount, “ he said.

He said the alleged offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. A Ogunbowale, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She then adjourned the case till June 23 for mention.

Motorcyclist docked for assaulting COMMERCIAL moBalogun, told the policeman Oladejo torcyclist, Segun court that the accused com-

A

Reuben, has been arraigned by the police in Lagos for allegedly assaulting a policeman.

Reuben is accused of beating Police Constable Okoh Ojechenemi, and tearing his uniform while the officer

‘

was performing his lawful duty.

The accused, 27, is standing trial on a one-countcharge of assault at the Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Cpl.

Reuben is accused of beating Police Constable Okoh Ojechenemi, and tearing his uniform while the officer was performing his lawful duty

’

Be cautious when entering private vehicles that operate as taxis Avoid spending the night with free women In crowded bus stops, hold tight to your bags and pockets in order not to be robbed by pick pockets Do not leave your children with strangers, especially in religious places of worship.

Always secure your residence by locking up the place.

Do not allow a stranger to embrace you in the public as such person may be out to pick your wallet Mind how you leave your car with strangers as some may be robbers.

Be observant inside and outside bank premises in order not to be trailed by robbers.

Provide adequate security for cash in transit, including the use of police escort, also stop keeping money or valuables inside your car.

Help the police to help you. Let us join hands to rid our society of crime. It is our collective responsibility.

Report suspicious movement within your vicinity to the Police, never confront crimi nals as your life is very important, call the police on the following numbers: Police Control Room 1 emergency/distress call telephone numbers 07055350249, 07035068242, RRS Control 2 Alausa 08065154338, 07055462708, Control Room 3 SHQ: 08079279349, 08063299264 and 767 Toll free line.

mitted the alleged offence on June 6 at about 8 a.m. at Pipeline Junction in the Ijegun area of Lagos.

“The policeman was assaulted in contravention of Section 356 Cap 17, Vol. II of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State,” he said.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in the like sum.

Magistrate Maimunat Folami, adjourned the case till June 29 for further hearing.

1.

One Kenneth Madubike ‘m’ aged 68yrs old about 5ft tall dark in complexion speaks English and Igbo languages fluently. If seen contact one Onyinyechi Madubike ‘f’ of Emma Ugest House, onilewuna Street, Egbe Lagos or Ikotun Police Station.

2.

One Akinbode Toyin ‘f’ aged 28yrs old about 5ft tall fair in complexion, speaks, speaks Yorub. If seen contact one Akinbode Suleiman ‘m’ of 27, Abeokuta Street, Agege, Lagos or Pen Cinema Police Station.

3.

One Fatimo Olubukola ‘f’ aged 23yrs old about 4ft tall dark in complexion speaks Pidgin English and Yoruba languages fluently. If seen contact one Akinsile Olufunmilayo ‘f’ of Opposite Tololope Nur/Primary School Topa Ajara, Badagry or Badagry Police Station.

4.

One Nneoma Grace Ogba ‘f’ aged 14yrs old about 3ft tall, fair complexion, speaks English and Igbo language fluently. If seen contact one Chima Obuma ‘m’ of No. 8, Abimbola Odunsi Street, Ifako Ijaiye Lagos or Ikeja Police Station.

5.

One Folake Godonu ‘f’ aged 27yrs old about 6ft tall dark in complexion speaks Yoruba and Egun languages fluently. If seen contact one Joseph Godwin ‘m’ of Ikoga Zebbe Badagry Lagos or Badagry Police Station.

6.

One Benjamin Onuikpu ‘m’ aged 30yrs about 4.8ft tall fair complexion, speaks English and Hausa Languages fluently. If seen contact one Monisola Adetola ‘f’ of Block 94 Flat, 1 Jakande Estate Isolo or Festac Police Station.

7.

One Fayisara Oyindamola Shittu ‘f’ aged 32yrs old about 5ft tall, dark in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba Language fluently. If seen contact one Mr. Shittu Kamoru ‘m’ of No. 6/ 8, Rufai Street, Onipanu Shomolu Lagos or Onipanu, Police Station.

STOLEN VEHICLES

1.

One Toyota Camry S/Car with Reg. No. AR 700 KUJ with Chassis No. 4T15KIZESPU1803 and Engine No. 551818765. If seen contact any nearest Police Station.

2.

One Toyota Camry and Reg. No. RZ 435 AAA Colour Grey with chassis No. J4T1BG22K8WU267091 and Engine No. 556469891. If seen contact any nearest Police Station.

RECOVERED VEHICLES

The Lagos State Police Command recovered a total number of 28 vehicles from 18th - 23rd May, 2011 suspected to have been stolen from different location in Lagos and the vehicles can be located at the station mentioned against each of the recovered vehicles as follows:S/NO

NAMES OF VEHICLE

REG. NO

COLOUR

LOCATION

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA SIENNA HONDA ACCORD HONDA ACCORD HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA COROLLA TOYOTA COROLLA MAZDA 232 HONDA CIVIC PEUGEOT 306 MERCURY VILLAGER OPEL OMEGA TOYOTA COROLLA HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA SIENNA TOYOTA COROLLA TOYOTA CAMRY TOYOTA COROLLA FAN PICK UP TOYOTA COROLLA HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA COROLLA HONDA ACCORD NISSAN PATHFINDER NISSAN QUEST NISSAN QUEST

FP 401 LSR LP 291 KJA EQ 467 LND CX 586 MUS BU 236 BDG BH 609 BDG CN 122 FST CC 385 AKD CP 807 KTU AJ 586 KWL NK 826 AAA DC 470 MUS BW 624 AKL EY 442 APP TU 730 KJA BZ 638 KSF PP 856 RBC EE 809 KJA DG 491 GGE ET 398 APP SM 974 KJA EP 61 KRD SD 242 KJA DY 489 AAA DN 623 LSD FW 449 LSR DE 934 RBC NW 137 AAA

ASH GOLD GREY ASH BLACK --ASH RED L/BLUE ASH S/BLUE WHITE M/GREY WHITE ASH BLACK BLACK GREY GREY BLACK BLACK GOLD GREY ASH BLACK BLACK GOLD L/BLUE

YABA DIV. RRS HTQR. LAYENI ORILE OJO OJO AJAH OJO IPAKODO TRADE FAIR OJODU AGO-OKOTA ALADE ALAPERE OJOKORO AGUDA V/ISLAND OJO LAYENI SHOMOLU RRS HQTR AREA ‘D’ ILASAMAJA DENTON IJESHA LAYENI GOWON ESTATE SABO

Members of the public who have claims to the recovered vehicles should check at the police station mentioned against each recovered vehicles with original documents.

Claimants should endeavour to check the engine numbers as the original registration numbers may have been tampered with.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

38

CITY BEATS Police desert Activist wants invasion Lagos Seme Badagry road of residence probed R

IN what looked like fear of possible attack on policemen by soldiers on the Badagry Lagos Road, Policemen from Mile 2 have abandoned their duty post following the recent clash between soldiers and police personnel.

It is evident that the usual police patrol vehicles which can be seen on these roads which give confidence to both motorists and travellers across the border had been withdrawn leaving the road to be porous for criminals to operate.

A commercial motorist, Nnawa Jude, who plies the route daily, said the absence of policemen on Badagry Seme roads was first noticed last Sunday morning and up till the time of filling this report.

“In the past, we have suffered untold hardship on the route due to robbery road, but we experienced relief when more check points were mounted by the police.

“We don’t want to suffer further losses as a result of the withdrawal of policemen from the road,” he stressed.

Groups seek review of lawmakers’ pay SOME civil rights group and political parties have said there is the need for Nigeria to reduce the remuneration of the federal lawmakers in the new dispensation.

The huge sums being paid as salaries and allowances to the members of the National Assembly generated a lot of controversy nationwide in the last dispensation.

The Lagos State Chapter of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr Ehi Omokhuale, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the remuneration of the lawmakers should be reduced.

“In most parts of the world, legislative business is not a full-time job as it is in Nigeria,” he said.

“If the remuneration is made unattractive, it will immediately reveal those who truly have the real interest of the nation at heart, as many of them will likely withdraw.”

Police arrest developer THE Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested a property developer for allegedly defrauding more than 125 home seekers of over N45million.

Chinwike Asadu, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the SFU, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suspect was arrested on May 24, following complaints by some of the victims.

He said the suspect had collected between N600,000 and N740,000 from each of the victims to rent out a two-bedroom apartment.

IGHTS activist and President of Nigerian Renaissance Movement (NRM), an NGO, Comrade Agba Jalingo, has called on the police to carry out a thorough investigation on the invasion of his residence by one Mrs Eyitayo in company of eight soldiers.

Jalingo made the call at a press conference he addressed at De-Jade, Ogudu, Ori-Oke, Ketu, Lagos.

According to him, Mrs Eyitayo who claims to be the owner of the house located at NO 3, Ifesowapo Street, Ogudu-Ori Oke, where he has lived since 2006, came in the company of one Sunday Adeniyi, who is the caretaker with eight soldiers, threatening to kill him if he does not evacuate the property immediately.

He said: “On Friday, 20th May, 2011, at about 9.00am, Mr. Sunday

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Adeniyi and Mrs Eyitayo along with eight soldiers invaded my residence with big sticks, cudgels and other dangerous items threatening to beat and/or kill me if I don’t vacate the property immediately.”

The soldiers, he said, were not wearing name tags neither was there any means of identification on them, but Mrs Eyitayo told him they were from Ikeja Cantonment and assigned to her by one General Ajana.

Jalingo, who said he was neither owing rent for the apartment nor given quit notice at any time, wondered how he could be ejected just like that from an apartment he has occupied since 2006 without due process.

He also said Mrs Eyitayo is about the fifth person the caretaker, Adeniyi, has brought in

the last three years as the owner of the bungalow where he is the sole tenant.

Apart from writing a petition to the Area Commander, Area H of the Nigeria Police on the 21 st May, he has also lodged a formal complaint at the Ogudu Police Station and even after the woman was invited for question she was left to go free without even knowing her residential address.

“The police are compromising the investigation, they did not take any statement from her neither did they take her address,” Jalingo said.

“In view of prevailing events in the country particularly the gory events in Badagry, Lagos, I fear that my life and that of my wife along with several others working with me are threatened. I do not know what Mrs. Eyitayo has up her sleeves and I

Expert urges egg diet for children

A

CALL has been made to parents to

ensure that they feed their children with egg regularly for stable growth.

Speaking at an event marking this year's children day in Lagos, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mr.

By Kunle Akinrinade

Dotun Agbojo, said it was good for children to take one egg per day to sustain their growth and to strengthen their intellectual development.

He said:"There is need to counsel parents on the need to feed their children with egg for healthy growth. Egg contains all

Children are unique gifts, says council chief

C

HILDREN have been described as a unique gift that no nation desiring to be great can afford to underutilise or waste.

The Chairman of IfakoIjaiye Local Government Area, Demola Doherty, said this during the Children’s Day activity organised by the council at the LASU Museum play ground on Oba Ogunji Road, Agege, Lagos.

Doherty, who lamented that today’s children are being confronted with growing incidences of social vices such as child abuse, child labour, neglect, rape, street hawking among others, urged guardians and parents to pay more attention to the preservation of their rights.

He said: “Our obligation as parents, guardians and government under whose care they are is to avoid any upbringing capable of preventing the full realisation of their potentials and values.

He said his administration has distributed customised school bags and procured plastic tables and chairs for all kindergarten pupils in all public primary schools in the council area.

The council he added have also distributed desks and benches for all primary schools, while bursary awards have been extended to all brilliant tertiary school students of Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Area studying in tertiary institutions across the country.

To 20 improve pupils’ psychomotor domain, the council has provided play-swings, rigmarole and other equipment to public schools, while government has contin-

By Yinka Aderibigbe

ued to sponsor students to participate in the yearly spelling Bee competition.

The chairman said the council has also constructed blocks of toilets at Coker Primary School, Idi-Agbon and St Kizito Primary school, Oluwole Memorial Primacy School, Iju road, as well as constructed a block of six classrooms at Fred Williams Primary School Fagba and at IjuOgundimu Primary School, Iju. The council Doherty added also organizes regularly free extra moral

want to use this opportunity to draw public attention to this threat to my life.

“I have no intention of taking over someone’s property. But I know there is due process of evicting an unwanted tenant and soldiers have no role in that process”, Jalingo said.

According to him, his lawyers, Ubani and Co are already in court over the matter.

When Mrs Eyitayo was contacted on phone for reaction she said she can’t talk because she was in a meeting.

The Area Crime Officer in charge of the case, one Chioma Ajunwa, when contacted on phone also declined comment.

classes for students preparing for GCE, WASCE, NECO and JAMB examinations.

Doherty assured that the council will continue to complement the state government’s effort in providing conducive teaching-learning environment comparable to what obtains in the private sector.

He therefore charged parents complement these efforts by giving necessary home training and moral rectitude that will guarantee their wards growing into responsible adults.

“I urge you children to learn to live a responsible

life by conducting yourself as good ambassadors of your parents and the local government at all times,” Doherty said.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of a cheque of N150,000 cheque to Mrs Ubong Edet who won laurel as the best athlete for 2010 in Lagos State.

The cheque, according to Doherty, in the total sum of a five-year scholarship of N10,000 monthly stipend for Edet formerly of African Church Primary School, Ifako, now a JSS I student of Fgba Junio Grammar School, Iju.

the essential amino acids and nutrients to help the intellectual development of a child, hence, we have decided to reawaken the campaign on egg meal through this programme.

In Canada it's compulsory for children to take proteinous food especially egg and Nigerian children shouldn't be exception."

A representative of Neimeth Pharmaceutical Plc, Dr. Ike Ajusiogu commended the organisers of the programme for embarking on a laudable campaign that would change the perception of parents on egg as being hazardous to health.

He said: "There has been a lot of misinformation about egg as being dangerous to health.”

Egg as a poultry product isn't bad as some people erroneously believe. On the contrary, it enhances healthy growth in children and buoy good health living in adult" Packs of egg were later distributed to school children on the occasion.

•Doherty (left), flanked by his wife, Motolani and his Vice, Kayode Aremo, while presenting a scholarship cheque of N150,000 to Miss Edet of former African Church Pry School, Ifako.

PHOTO: YINKA ADERIBIGBE

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

39

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

40

CITYBEATS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “OPC is not about violence, thuggery and vices. It is about social justice. I founded OPC to rouse the Yorubas to self-realisation. This why we are goind all we can to reposition the organistion.”

Founder, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr Frederick Fasehun during the inauguration of new ID card for members of the group in Lagos.

Community rescues mentally ill undergraduate

M

EMBERS of Arowojobe Community, Oshodi, Lagos have moved to rehabilitate a 32-year-old undergraduate, Miss Khadijat Oluwatoyin Sanya, who suddenly became mentally ill midway into her studies.

They are appealing to members of the public to donate to the cause of saving the 300-Level Business Administration student of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. It was gathered that the woman, described by many as brilliant and promising, is also a student in a private school of aviation, where she is studying air transport.

Khadijat allegedly ran amok in school in 2009 and was brought home by some of her classmates.

According to a source, her poor parents broke down and in the race for a solution to the baffling ailment, her father fell down from a Molue bus at Oshodi.

“The injury he sustained did not only land him in the hospital, he also underwent surgery that has kept him virtually bed-ridden

‘

Khadijat ran out of her home to walk the streets of Oshodi and its environs

P

’

OLITICAL leaders have been called upon to draw inspiration from the selfless lifestyle of Jesus Christ as they fully assume the mantle of leadership for the next four years.

Apostle Ayodele Abiola, the Lagos State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) , stated this at the Ascension service organised by the body penultimate week, at its secretariat, at the CBD, Alausa, Lagos.

He said with the inauguration over, Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the fulfilment of those campaign promises that earned them the people’s mandate.

In his sermon at the service, which was held to mark the ascension of Jesus Christ 40 days after he rose from the dead, Apostle Abiola said leaders must take a cue from the life of Jesus Christ whose imprints on the sand of time remain eternal, despite his very short earthly life.

According to the cleric, time has come for the nation to join the league of developing nations, adding that this is only possible if our leaders truly lead by example.

He said: “Time has come for the nation to move ahead. What we need now are new crop of leaders who would put others first and themselves last. Leaders who would put the commonwealth in service of the common people, who would ensure that the basics of life are given to the masses of the people. Leaders who would waste no time in wiping out the tears from the eyes of the poor, just for the sake of moving the nation on the path of sanity.”

Apostle Abiola said the nation has suffered for long in the hands of visionless leaders who plundered the wealth of the nation, and catered for self rather than the majority.

Speaking on the significance of ascension, the cleric said the event marked the crystalisation of the

By Jude Isiguzo

since then,” the source said.

It was learnt that Khadijat ran out of her parents’ house and was walking the streets of Oshodi and its environs.

In a collaborative effort, the Adeyemi/Arowojobe Community Development Association (AACDA) and Aiye-Gbesin Central Mosque opted early this year to rescue her from her embarrassing state. They took her to a Lagos hospital, where she has been undergoing treatment. It was gathered that she is responding to treatment.

Rev. Joshua Oguntulu, General Overseer, Christ Light House Church and an official of the Adeyemi/Arowojobe CDA, said: “In fact, God has answered our prayers. The young lady has been responding positively to treatment.

Those who knew her about three months ago when we took her for treatment from the street will not recognise her if they see her now.

She has recovered significantly. We are optimistic that she would be completely healed soon.”

But beyond her treatment, Khadijat would need to be rehabilitated, sheltered and, eventually, sent back to school to complete her studies.

Her medical bills and rehabilitation would cost N850,000, an amount the mosque and the CDA have found

impossible to source on their own.

The Imam of the Aye-Gbesin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Abdur–Raheem, said: “Raising such a huge amount has been a very big challenge to us and this has slowed down her recovery as we could not pay the medical bills needed to rehabilitate her. We are already overstretched and finding it difficult to carry on. To stop at this stage would not only be bad for Khadijat, it would render our efforts so far useless.

“This is why we are appealing to all good-spirited people, churches, mosques, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate institutions to come to our aid and get Khadijat revived and returned to school to complete her studies.

“With the approval of the community, we have opened a current account in the name of Khadijat Oluwatoyin Sanya Trust Fund with FirstBank of Nigeria Plc. The Account number is 4802010014517.

What we are asking for is not too much, just N850,000 to enable us to fully carry out the treatment of the young lady, provide her with accommodation. With her mother dead, she has nowhere to stay when she is discharged. We want to rehabilitate and possibly send her back to school to complete her studies, which was differed since her crisis,” the cleric said.

• Khadijat

•CAN Chairman Abiola (2nd right), his wife, Mojisola, and other CAN leaders at a recent event

PHOTO:YINKA ADERIBIGBE

CAN admonishes leaders to be selfless

By Yinka Aderibigbe

Christian faith. “In the ascension,” he said, “Christians are reminded that Jesus not only rose and moved among the brethren for 40 days, but at the end of that, he ascended

and was accepted into heaven.

“The ascension represents the icing on believers’ faith. One knows that Jesus not only rose but mingled with all men and later ascended to heaven with a promise that he would soon come back

‘

Time has come for the nation to move ahead. What we need now are new crop of leaders who would put others first and themselves last

’

the same way, to take believers with him into his father’s kingdom, where they would be rewarded by reigning with him eternally in the new world,” Abiola said.

He added that a Christian who forgets to mark the ascension, forgets a very critical part of his Christian faith, as it remains the bedrock and the very basis of his call into the faith.

Abiola commended all those who attended the service for their diligence in the faith, adding that their reward is already assured.

He added that Stop the the Christian race is one in suffering of which one must the masses be eternally vigilant.

The highlight of the service was the sharing of the eucharist among the Christian faithful present and an evangelical procession soon after round the Alausa CBD and later to the state house, where they were later received by government officials who expressed the governor’s best wishes on the activities of the Christian body.

SEND YOUR STORIES, VIDEOS AND PICTURES TO CITY BEATS at ynotcitybeats@gmail.com OR SEND AN SMS TO 08033054340

SLIDING TACKLE

“Do you think I am old or what? If I can still play football for my club in Europe, I think I deserve to play in the national team. Its almost a year now, since I faced Nigerian fans and in Europe we get things like this, especially in the away teams. Sometimes the fans like you and sometimes they don’t, it is normal” Monday, June 13, 2011

42

AHEAD NIGERIA/TANZANIA TIE

Super Eagles’ striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni insisting he is still qualified to play for the national team

Eguavoen hands late invitation to Ehiosun

Edo craves total support for Dream Team V N

•Back injury rules out Ahmed Musa

•Tickets pegged at N700, N200

E

•Ehiosun

DO state governor, Adams Oshiomhole has urged all soccerloving Nigerians to head to Benin City this weekend in total support for Nigeria’s U23 national side ‘Dream Team V’, which is seeking to conquer Tanzania in the latest round of qualifiers for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Oshiomhole, who spoke through Sports Commissioner, Hon Iziegbe Anita Evbuomwan, said the battle-cry has become necessary, because the opposition is going to be stiff and there is need to mobilise Nigerians in and outside Edo State for the task of overwhelming the East Africans in the June 18 battle inside the new look Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

According to Hon. Evbuomwan, ‘the team needs our unflinching support because their clinching this match is our only chance of participating in the 2012 Olympics in London, soccer event, which is the most glamorous event in the Olympics. We can not afford not to come and cheer up our players in this mustwin match”.

Sports Ministry Spokesperson, Precious Igbonwelundu, stated that the gate fee has been placed on a flat rate of N700 for V.I.P. and N200 for Popular side.

The Commissioner pleaded with all and sundry to be at the stadium on that day as it is the only way to show support adding that the players will be motivated to spank their opponents if Nigerians troop out en-mass to watch them play.

NSF: Ondo athletes to undergo dope test

A

S Nigerians prepare for forthcoming National Sports Festival in Cross River State, the Ondo state government at the weekend said all its athletes will be undergo dope testing before the commencement of the competition.

Disclosing this, the state Sports Council Chairman, Hon. Bamido Omogbehin while briefing reporters in his office, noted that they will not allow any athlete to dent the image of the state.

He stressed that athletes who believe in drugs for success would not be

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure allowed to represent the state in the forthcoming sports festival.

Omogbehin who also hinted that the Festival touch would be arriving the state on June 16th said, the state government is putting all resources in order to ensure the athletes bring glory to the state.

The Chairman, however, said over 300 athletes are presenting in camp with their various officials, saying that he could assure the citizenry of the state that the athletes are going to bring medals to the state.

His words "Presently due to

the on-going reconstruction of the state stadium most of our sportsmen and women have been moved to other local governments so that they can have access to the necessary facilities that can make them victorious at the end of the festival.

Some of the the athletes are in Owo, Ondo Okitipupa where they are camped.

"Presently their feeding and accommodation allowances have been improved by the state government, the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko who is a sport loving governor has already

charged the athletes and the officials that he only want medals. I can assure you that most of these field and track events we are going to exile during the competition".

He, however, urged the athletes to show more commitment and also ensure they bring the state name on the medal table.

Meanwhile, Omogbehin also disclosed that the state stadium which is under construction will soon be set for commissioning, saying that the government has already charged the contractors to meet up with the specific time.

ATIONAL U-23 Coach Austin Eguavoen on Sunday invited Warri Wolves and Super Eagles striker Ekigho Ehiosun to the Dream Team V Prestige Hotel camp in Benin ahead of the team’s must win London 2012 Olympic games qualifier against the Vijana stars of Tanzania.

Ehiosun was dropped for the first leg following his invitation to the Super Eagles by national team Coach Samson Siasia. The striker who has scored four goals in the qualifying series for the Dream Team V is expected to hit camp on today.

Also invited is Enyimba of Aba striker Maduabuchi Josiah and Sunshine stars midfielder Otekpa Eneji. Aberdeen of Scotland striker Sone Aluko on Sunday arrived the camp of the team while Vietnam based striker Ganiyu Oseni is expected to hit camp on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, VVV Venlo of

Holland striker Ahmed Musa has been ruled out of the Nigeria Tanzania game following a back strain he sustained while in action for the Super Eagles.

Also ruled out of this Saturday’s encounter is PSV Eindhoven midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim who according to his new club is yet to fully recover from the knee injury he sustained during the Liberia Nigeria All Africa games qualifier in Monrovia.

Granada of Spain Striker Odion Igalo, who featured in the first leg of the Nigeria Tanzania game, remains a major doubt for this Saturday’s game at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.

Twenty players are presently in camp including new entrant, Babatunde Micheal who plays his club football with FC Kpnbgac of Ukraine. The Dream Team V must beat Tanzania with at least two unreplied goals to make the final qualifying phase for the London 2012 Olympics.

Taiwo Ogunjobi teams up ORMER Technical Committee Chairman of with 1 GAME

F

the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Taiwo Ogunjobi has added his voice in support of the 1 GAME: Football without Violence campaign, describing the antiviolence scope as “a noble venture” in football.

The Osun State Football Association Chairman told 1 GAME’s China Acheru that he was delighted to be part of an initiative that aims at changing the face of football for better.

“I have heard of 1 Game and have read about it in the papers.

I want to say I believe it is a noble venture and want to add my voice to it.”

“Having served so long in Nigerian football from being a player of IICC Shoting Stars and Green Eagles as well as administering clubs like Shooting Stars, Gabros, Julius Berger and the national team, I want to say I am used to seeing violent conduct and it is not good for our football.” He said The football administrator

further spoke on the need for football fans to unite and create more awareness on the threats violence poses to football.

“It is my sincere belief that Nigerians must come together and educate each other on the dangers of violence in football.

Whether we are watching at a stadium or viewing center let us remember that the best football is football without violence and support 1 GAME.” Ogunjobi has been involved in football for more than three decades, first as a player for IICC Shooting Stars and the Green Eagles in the 1970s and early 1980s and later as a club administrator in the 1990s.

He had once served as Secretary General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) between 2002 and 2004.

He is the third former Green Eagles to announce his support for the 1 GAME campaign after Union Bank coach Henry Nwosu and Heartland Technical Consultant Christian Chukwu.

Ocean Boys in goalkeeping crisis

N

IGERIA Premier League (NPL) side, Ocean Boys, are currently in a difficult situation in the goalkeeping area, with only one fit keeper in Ospino Ogbe.

SuperSport.com was informed that the team’s first and second goalkeepers are currently absent from the side due to international duty and injury.

One of the goalkeepers of the team, Iboro Akpakpan, has been out of the Ocean Boys squad since their home game against Enugu Rangers due to an injury.

On the other hand, Olufemi Thomas, who has commanded the number one shirt at the club has become an integral part of the Nigerian Under-23 team.

Head coach of the Nigerian Under-23, Austin Eguavoen, has decided to keep Thomas

in camp for the qualifiers of the Olympics and the All Africa Games.

The situation has left Ocean Boys with Ogbe as their only goalkeeping option with coach Samson Unuanel having to pencil down a number of players as reserve goalkeepers for their recent league games.

Ocean Boys have officially written to the NPL to allow them sign an additional goalkeeper as backup for Ogbe since Akpakpan and Thomas are unavailable due to international duty and injury respectively.

The club are hoping that the NPL will grant them the special request to sign the keeper outside of the normal transfer windows.

Ocean Boys will play host to Warri Wolves on Sunday at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa in a Week 27 game.

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Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

43

•Participants at a workshop on real estate

Property maintenance job in high demand In the property market today, a category of workers stands out.

Known as maintenance officers, their designation explains the kind of job they do. They are being sought after despite the downturn in the subsector. Reason: their job does not require high proficiency quotient. AKINOLA AJIBADE reports.

• STORY ON PAGE 44

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

JOBS

Property maintenance job in high demand T

HESE are certainly not the best of times for most professionals. A careful observation of the labour market shows that many from areas, such as legal, health, manufacturing, education, banking, insurance, capital market and others are still combing the streets for jobs.

Many have lost their jobs. Some are under-employed while a good number have been forced to accept pay-cut. But they need to go on with life. Some acquired additional skills to survive. Yet, life is not in anyway better. They have resigned to fate.

Also experts in estate management are not finding things easy.

Many have quit the job market, and can no longer enjoy the boom that once characterised the business of selling or leasing property. The economic pendulum is not swinging in their direction anymore. Estate management firms are bracing for the challenges ahead.

They are hoping that the economy would rebound soon so that employment opportunities will improve. However, while other workers in the sector are bemoaning their fate, property maintenance officers are in their element. They are in high demand. The industry appears not to get enough of them. They are being snapped up as soon as they enter the job market.

In recent times, estate management firms have been using maintenance officers to secure their investments and take care of properties.

The Nation learnt that many estate management companies have been employing people with considerable level of interest in the job. It was further gathered that companies are giving tutorials to people who are willing to work, and offering them good conditions of service.

The Chief Executive Officer/ Project Manager, Choice Ville Properties, Mr. Akanbi Kolawole, confirmed these assertions.

Kolawole said the reason for providing in-house training for property maintenance officers was to acquaint them with the happenings

in the field. He said companies believe that the officers can easily adapt themselves to any situation, given the level of their educational background.

He said firms were eager to employ property maintenance officers because they are not required to have specialised skills.

Kolawole said the job of property maintenance officers is not demanding like that of estate valuers, adding that any educated person can maintain a property.

He said holders of West African Secondary School Certificate (WASCE), Ordinary National Diploma (OND), National Certificate of Education (NCE) and its equivalent are usually recruited to work as property maintenance officers.

Kolawole said people with Higher National Diploma (HND) or university degree are also employed to work as property maintenance officers. He said property maintenance officers are saddled with the responsibility of preventing the wear and tear of a building.

He said such officers are required to keep information about the marital status, tribe and the nature of business of tenants or buyers; collect rents; ensure that electric wires are not disconnected; meters are not removed; and also keep files of all the properties being managed by their employers. They are also expected to ensure that rent defaulters are arrested by the police and furnish lawyers with relevant information, in case of litigations.

Kolawole said estate has a life cycle that must be protected, adding that the development informed the decision of estate management firms to employ officers that would maintain properties. He divided

the life cycle of an estate into three parts; functional, economical and physical.

He said the functional life cycle has to do with the location, and the purpose of erecting a building, while physical life cycle deals with the beauty or aesthetic nature of a building. The economic life cycle deals with the financial values of the area where the building is located.

He said: “There is no way one can talk about the economic life cycle of a building, without mentioning the issue of social stratification.

You talk about the class of people resident in that area. They can be categorised into higher, middle and lower income groups. Later, you consider their tastes/preferences, or the building designs they would like to adopt.

The designs that fit into a particular area, and the nature of patronage is important. For instance, a house in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Ikorodu all in Lagos, may have the same design, but attract different prices. The house may cost N60 million in Victoria Island and Ikoyi respectively, but may go for as low as N20 million in Ikorodu. Ability to buy the house depends on the economic status of people living in that area. On the issue of functional and physical life cycle of a building, the purpose of erecting the building and its beauty is of great importance to the estate management firms”.

Kolawole said firms are looking for lasting values for their properties, and therefore employ people who can maintain them.

He said property maintenance officers help in keeping updates, and thereafter make them available to their employers as at when due.

On the issue of remunerations, he said salaries and conditions of ser-

• Afolayan

• Akomolede

vice of property maintenance workers vary from one company to another.

“Two major considerations are involved when its come to the issue of fixing of salaries of workers assigned to maintain properties.

The academic qualifications of the candidates that are looking for jobs, and the profiles of the estate management firms that want to employ them. For instance, an HND or university graduate earn between N100,000 to N150,000 per month, while somebody with Ordinary National Diploma certificate earn N70,000 per month. Some firms provide accommodation and official cars for such workers. Many were given Blackberry mobile phones to aid their jobs”, he added.

He said the jobs of maintaining houses are demanding and risky, adding that its requires facilitating the arrest of defaulting tenants. He said estate management firms are interested keeping maintenance officers who perform well.

Also, the President, Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Chief Olabode Afolayan, said estate management firms must be able to manage their properties well to win more patronage.

He said people do confuse the roles of Property Development Company, and Property Manage-

ment Company together, arguing that they perform different functions.

Afolayan said the former requires erecting buildings for office use or accommodation, while the latter is about to manage properties on behalf of clients. He said the two companies are separate entities, and therefore handle issues differently.

He said somebody must be on ground before a property can be well maintained, adding that estate management firms have been employing people to meet such needs.

Afolayan said property maintenance officers are primarily required to prevent the wear and tear of a building, and further facilitate the growth of their companies. “ It is not capital intensive, or challenging for an organisation to maintain a building of between N5 million to N10 million.

In a related development, the Managing Partner, Sola Enitan & Co, Mr Sola Enitan, said people are employed based on the fact that they can do the jobs assigned to them.

“If the services of property maintenance officers are needed, why can’t you employed them’, he asked rhetorically.

From all indications, the estate management firms employ property maintenance officers to achieve certain goals. This is a good development for the real estate industry, given the fact that the industry is facing challenges. However, property maintenance officers need to improve themselves to meet up with the day-to-day challenges posed by the labour market, or remained at the level of junior workers.

‘Two major considerations are involved when its come to the issue of fixing of salaries of workers assigned to maintain properties. The academic qualifications of the candidates that are looking for jobs, and the profiles of the estate management firms that want to employ them. For instance, an HND or university graduate earn between N100,000 to N150,000 per month, while somebody with Ordinary National Diploma certificate earn N70,000 per month’

CAREER MANAGEMENT

B

EFORE receiving a job offer from an employer, you will typically have a series of interviews. The first interview is a screening interview conducted usually written in Nigeria.

Screening interviews are brief, usually lasting between 30 to 60 minutes.

If the employer is impressed with your performance in the screening interview, you will be invited to a second (and perhaps third or fourth) interview. The second interview is longer, lasting anywhere from two hours to a whole day. It could include a variety of questions, some form of testing, lunch or dinner, a tour, as well as a series of interviews with various employees.

You should come away from the second interview with a thorough understanding of the organisation’s culture and environment, job responsibilities, and have enough information to decide on a job offer - if one is extended.

The warm-up Each interview follows a rather predictable pattern of warm-up, information exchange, and wrap-

The structure of a job interview

By Olu Oyeniran

up conversations. During the first few minutes of the interview (the warm-up), an employer will be formulating a first, lasting, impression of you. The way you greet the employer, the firmness of your handshake, and the way you are dressed, will all be a part of this initial impression. An interviewer may begin by asking common-ground questions about shared interests, the weather, or your travel to the interview. Some interviewers might start by saying “Tell me about yourself.” This is an opening for you to briefly and concisely describe your background, skills, and interest in the position.

The information exchange The information exchange will be the primary part of the interview. This is when you will be asked the most questions and learn the most about the em-

ployer. In screening interviews, many employers will spend more time describing their opportunities than asking you specific questions.

The reverse will be true in second interviews. Interview questions may range from “Why did you choose to pursue a business degree?” to “What are your strengths/weaknesses?” and “What are your long-range career goals?” If you are prepared for the interview, you will be able to emphasise your qualifications effectively as you respond to each question. By practicing for interviews, you will gain confidence and have more polished answers.

The wrap-up Eventually the employer will probably say, “Do you have any questions?” This is your cue that the interview is moving to the wrap-up stage. Always ask questions. This demonstrates your research and interest in the job. Your questions might be direct, logisti-

cal questions such as, “When can I expect to hear from you?” (if that has not been discussed); questions to clarify information the employer has presented; a question regarding the employer’s use of new technology or practices related to the career field; or a question to assess the culture and direction of the organisation such as “Where is this organisation headed in the next five years?” or “Why do you like working for this organisation?” Do not ask specific questions about salary or benefits unless the employer broaches the subject first.

The employer may also ask you if you have anything else you would like to add or say. Again, it’s best to have a response. You can use this opportunity to thank the employer for the interview, summarise your qualifications, and reiterate your interest in the position. If you want to add information or emphasise a point made earlier, you can do that, too.

This last impression is almost as

important as the first impression and will add to the substance discussed during the information exchange.

The follow up It is not finished until it is finished. This is much more so in job search situation. First ask during the last stage described if you can contact the employer and the time frame for this. Two, write ‘Thank you’ letter to those involved in interviewing you, especially theman-with-the-power-to-hire-you.

This is done within 24hours of the interview, using the opportunity to re-state your case and improve on areas you think you did not handle well during the interview. Followup at least by phone to enquire about the situation after a decent period. You have nothing to lose, but your unemployment!

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

THE CEO

After 117 years in business, FirstBank remains first among equals. It is waxing stronger in the industry in which many late entrants have fallen by the wayside.

What is FirstBank’s magic? It is hard to tell. But currently, it is implementing a far-reaching transformation programme aimed at enhancing its service delivery and performance. Its Group Managing Director/ CEO, Bisi Onasanya, speaks on this and other issues.

Excerpts:

• Onasanya

Our plans for the future, by FirstBank GMD W

HY has transformation remained a recurring theme in the history of FirstBank?

At FirstBank, we believe in continuous implementation of strategies that will enable us sustain our number one position in the industry and we have consistently achieved this over the years. After a century of landmark operations, the bank flagged off the “Century II” business transformation project in 1996.

The goal was to reposition the brand to align with constantly changing features of

the market place. This project was revalidated in 2001 with the theme, “Century II – The New Frontier”. The transformation theme again played out in 2004, after we flagged off a fundamental brand transformation launch that unveiled a new chapter in our existence. The new corporate identity, logo and official colours were unveiled to signal a bold plan by the bank to redefine the service delivery landscape of the financial services sector.

Through the transformation project, FirstBank has successfully revolutionised its

operations, strengthened its brand equity, enhanced customer satisfaction and established itself as a dependably dynamic global brand.

What is the outcome of the transformation agenda?

The result of the robust transformation is evident in the bank’s standing as a symbol of trust, stability and superior performance in the financial services sector. Today, we have an amalgam of attributes that traverse agility, dynamism, cutting edge technologydriven processes, and constantly evolving

mindset that puts us firmly above other players in the sector across all parameters. There are refreshing and innovative changes in the bank right from the profile of our people to the efficiency of our processes. FirstBank, is redefining service excellence in the sector and that has given us an edge.

How much gain have you recorded so far?

I must say the achievements have been enormous. Our corporate transformation strategy has brought marked changes that are • Continued on page 46

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

THE CEO

Our plans for the future,

by FirstBank GMD • Continued from page 45

enhancing our value proposition to all our customers and stakeholders. You will find these changes in the refreshing new-look of our banking halls, innovative product packaging and offering; vibrant workforce; and enhanced service delivery.

In terms of branch transformation, we are creating a new experience within our banking halls by improving their ambience and creating a friendlier environment for customers to enjoy hitch-free transactions. After successfully completing a facelift on the Sanusi Fafunwa branch in July 2010, as the pilot of the branch transformation project, the wind of change is blowing across other branches nation-wide.

To drive Channel Migration and Optimisation, we made huge investments to provide convenient alternatives for customers who would rather not go to a branch.

Today, FirstBank has one of the largest Automated Teller Machines (ATM) networks in Nigeria and an array of debit and credit card options that give customers access to their funds 24/7, anywhere within Nigeria and in the world.

In the last few months, the Bank’s ATM availability (uptime) has increased to an average of 90 per cent and transactions per day have increased to more than a million and still counting. In 2010, we moved to revitalise our ATM performance to achieve enhanced ATM uptime and encourage more customers to use our ATMs. At the end of the year, the bank successfully moved its ATM uptime from 52 per cent to 90 per cent, and increased its migration rate from 35 per cent to 50 per cent.

How far do you intend to go in the current year?

We expect to significantly increase our migrations rate in 2011, given the marked improved uptime of our ATMs, increased efficiency in tackling ATM issues, enhanced security of our EMV cards, and other targeted interventions.

In fact, customer confidence is at an all-time high and the bank remains determined to maintain this level of customer satisfaction.

We have a FirstContact Centre that gives customers 24-hour access to the bank. The centre provides world class customer service on several transactions via phone and e-mail interactions. The transformation programme has also led to the introduction of a Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) that creates more opportunities for front line staff to provide customer satisfaction and effective relationship management. FirstBank has recorded improved cycle time including a 71 per cent reduction in account opening cycle time. In terms of Channel Migration & Optimisation, we have succeeded in getting more customers in off-branch transactions through the provision of alternative channels.

Will the transformation agenda enhance the bank’s human capital profile?

Our people have always been our greatest asset. Most of the celebrated professionals we have in the industry today either cut their teeth at FirstBank or benefitted from the robust human capital platform that is widely acclaimed in the sector. We have a rich mix of experienced and young professionals who are responsible for the emergence of the new FirstBank.

As part of the transformation programme, we developed a strategic ‘People-First’ theme to address three key elements – people, performance and productivity.

This is the framework that drives

our talent management and development initiatives and by extension, enhances the achievement of our strategic aspirations on growth, service excellence, and performance management.

The People First project, is having a huge impact on our staff performances, competencies and productivity. Our training interventions are structured to assist employees respond more quickly to changing requirements of the business units and personal needs development. In 2010, the bank achieved 438,175 training hours and surpassed the budgeted 402,107 hours for the year. On average, this translates to 57.7 hours per staff member. A total of 7,506 staff were trained, representing about 98.6 per cent of core staff, while a total of 703 programmes were run which included in-house, open and overseas training in banking operations, information technology, customer service, products and channels.

Some of our initiatives include FirstAcademy which was developed to provide an appropriate framework for implementing a competency-based learning and development system, FirstLearn, an e-learning platform, which as of now, drive e-learning courses in information security, credit, e-business, operations and internal control; ‘I Develop’ campaign, which encourages individual capacity building and development.; and Workforce Planning and alignment, which helps the bank determine quantity and quality of staff we need to recruit, retain and develop in order to stay ahead of competition. We are committed to building a strong employer brand for the bank and also to ensure that the FirstBank remains a hub for industry talents.

What are the bank’s achievements in ICT? At FirstBank, we are committed to using the platform of robust technology to drive service excellence and product innovation. We have improved the reliability of our service platforms to improve customer experience across branch and electronic channels.

The bank has significantly improved the reliability of its delivery systems and deployed new products to simplify the process of banking. We have a variety of epayment platforms such as EPS, ePay, Paydirect, Remita, Autopay, and FirstCollect, among others which serve as secure, efficient and reliable collections platforms for corporate and institutional banking customers. We also have workflow automation to support new process initiatives such as Centralised Processing, Contact Centre and Salary processing.

In addition, FirstBank provides robust online banking through the introduction of token-based two factor authentication, cheque confirmation and email statements. In the sector today, our leading posi-

• Onasanya tion in IT deployment is evident in the introduction of the first Biometric ATM in Nigeria and strategic deployment of cash and cheque accepting ATMs. The deployment of the new biometric solution, provides convenience and security to the bank’s diverse customer segments, and aligns with financial inclusion strategy of the Central Bank of Nigeria to address the unbanked population.

Another key area of our IT dominance, is in the empowerment of our employees with new tools to facilitate work in and out of office.

This ensures speedy response to customer requests, while giving all tiers of management hitch-free access to qualitative and timely information for decision-making and strong risk management.

Are there changes in your product offering initiatives?

FirstBank is known for its unique products and services that are always designed to meet the peculiar needs of every customer. Our product offering, transcends the regular lending, deposits, trade and treasury products, to the development of customized financial solutions that provide our customers with robust financial platforms for serving their clients efficiently, and making informed financial decisions for sustained business

success.

Besides our generic high-yield deposit accounts (current, savings, domiciliary and fixed deposit), premium variants of these are available to suite varying consumer and business preferences.

Which market segment do these products target?

These include FirstCurrent Plus a zero COT current account targeted at corporates & upwardly mobile professionals. We have the FirstSavings Plus, a premium checking savings account targeted at individuals, traders/SMEs; HiFi Young Savers Account targeted at children from birth-18; and FirstDom plus, a premium domiciliary account targeted at BDC operators, individuals & corporate entities that earn income and transact in foreign currencies.

We have the highly accessible retail / Consumer UFirst loans that empower individuals and businesses to acquire assets and meet other financial needs while our short term Loans & overdrafts empower Small and Medium Enterprises to meet their business expansion and working capital requirements.

The beauty of these facilities is that they are available in all our branches nationwide and come

‘Our people have always been our greatest asset. Most of the celebrated professionals we have in the industry today either cut their teeth at FirstBank or benefitted from the robust human capital platform that is widely acclaimed in the sector. We have a rich mix of experienced and young professionals who are responsible for the emergence of the new FirstBank’

with highly flexible and favourable terms and conditions As part of our commitment towards the development of the real sector, FirstBank offers bespoke product programs to manufacturers and their vendors/distributors to meet both their local and international financial requirements at highly competitive rates.

Have you factored agriculture into any of these schemes?

At FirstBank, we recognise that agriculture provides the surest pedestal for sustainable economic diversification and growth. This is why we offer a wide range of agricultural financing solutions to support the entire agricultural enterprise value chain from input supply and primary production to storage, processing and marketing.

What is the state of your money transfer service?

FirstBank pioneered the International Money Transfer services in Nigeria 16 years ago through our partnership with Western Union.

With our over 600 branches nationwide, we have made it convenient for relatives of Nigerians abroad to collect funds remitted through Western Union and Moneygram.

We have also introduced the local money transfer services to enable both banked and unbanked Nigerians to send and receive money domestically with flexible cash payout options.

What are your future performance projections for the next five years and what should shareholders be expecting from FirstBank?

Due to volatility of the business environment we operate in, it is standard practice to restrict performance projections to three years.

Consequently, the bank has set ambitious medium term targets, a reflection of its industry dominance aspirations.

For the period 2011-2013, FirstBank will continue to sustain its industry leadership position in terms of size. FirstBank will continue to grow low cost deposit to fund prudent loan growth ahead of the market and retain its position as the biggest provider of credit in the Nigerian economy.

We will maintain our number one position in term of Total assets and Deposit.

We will also extend our performance to attain leadership position in profitability, efficiency and service/operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The bank will aggressively grow revenue to exceed market growth rate. To satisfy shareholders expectation and beat market, the bank has set a pre-tax Return On Assets (ROA) and pre-tax Return on Equity (ROE) targets of 3 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. We will drive ongoing transformation initiatives across the bank to conclusion in this planning period. This will help us achieve a twin objective of improving our service delivery system and efficiency. The Bank aims to achieve a top 5 position in customers’ satisfaction survey and have a cost-to-income ratio of 55 per cent at the end of the planning cycle in 2013.

The bank aims to achieve market leading position in each strategic business it is involved in and extend our franchise into select promising markets in the sub-Saharan Africa. The recently approved Non-operative Holding Company status will enable FirstBank achieve its long term goal of being the premier one-stop financial supermarket in the Nigeria, and ultimately the sub-Saharan African space. It will also position us to respond to the financial service needs of an increasingly sophisticated market as the sub-Saharan Africa region continue in its economic growth trajectory in the medium to long term. This model will ensure that the shareholder’s earnings potentials are well diversified to take advantage of the new growth areas in other financial services.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

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CAPITAL MARKET Bond and Money Market Review

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APITALISATION heightens by 0.57 per cent. The bond market activities witnessed an improvement as volume of market transaction increased from the bearish response recorded fortnight ago. Market capitalisation reached N1.763 trillion to end last week transaction as against N 1.757 trillion observed in the penultimate week.

The index direction showed a turnaround in market performance and bond prices from the previous weeks’ impressions. The positive signal was as a result of the peaceful inauguration that engendered investor confidence.

In relative terms, the market appreciated in response to the rising prices of most long term instruments. For instance, the FGN bond Index began the week at 1,446.36 and closed at 1,452.57 points, rising by 621 basis points, as against a drop of 394 basis points a fortnight ago. It ended the week at 1,452.57 points.

Average index stayed at 1,450.18 points, compared with 1,450.27 points the previous week. There was therefore a slight decrease on the average evaluation by 9.2 basis points. The 30-day, 60-day and 90day indices dropped by 9 bps, 24 bps and 28 bps to 11.21 per cent, 12.01 per cent and 12.33 per cent respectively.

Among the 15 traded bonds, nine had their prices increasing in the weekly movement while two remained unchanged. Other categories witnessed stumbled prices. The top price gainer was the 20-year bond, 12.49 per cent FGN May 2029, which appreciated by 70 basis points to close at 95.74. The lowest was the three-year bond, 10.50 per cent FGN May 2012 which slightly rose by 35 basis points to end the week at 97.77.

Figure 1 illustrates the year-to-date change in the bra FGN bond Index.

The bra FGN bond index is a market value weighted index and is designed to measure the performance of the Nigerian investment-grade fixed income market.

Although the index remained flat during most of January and February as seen, it recorded a sharp drop in March as investor outlook turned negative in the bond market in anticipation of elections.

The FGN index fell 108 points in March losing roughly seven per cent of its value. We observe the stabilisation of the declining trend in April and a gradual recovery in May. The index increased by 1.1 per cent in May recovering some of its losses since mid March.

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold foreign exchange worth $400 million to authorized dealers at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) window as against $400 million a fortnight ago.

The dealers had demanded $467.68 million before the auction while the actual amount offered stood at $400 million.

Investors in treasury bills also parted with N120.33 billion on three financial instruments maturing between three and 12 months. The bonds comprised the N29.6 billion (91-day), N40.6 billion (182-day) and N50.0 billion (364-day) tenors at the stop rates of 8.62 per cent, 9.39 per cent and 10.99 per cent respectively.

The public subscriptions were N58.017 billion, N74.017 billion and N178.773 billion for the 91-day, 182day and 364-day coupons.

The over-the-counter bond market notched up by 2.59 per cent last week, yielding N160.43 billion with a turnover of 197.8 million units in 1,301 deals.

The amount compared favourably with the N157.84 billion invested on 192.8 million units in 1,296 deals a fortnight ago. The activity was boosted by the 20-year bond, due in July 2030 with 10.0 per cent coupon rate.

It traded 41.95 million units valued at N31.30 billion in 316 deals.

Capitalisation hits N1.76 trillion Table 4: Key Statistics of Market’s Stock Performance as of June 09, 2011 S/N

Company Name

Share Price Gain (‘N)

% of Shares’ Gain by Investors

TOP FIVE GAINERS BY PRICE 01

Nigerian Bottling Co. Plc

39.13

4.99%

02

NAMPAK Plc

4.01

4.97%

03

UPL Plc

5.51

4.95%

04

CCNN Plc

10.40

4.00%

05

Nigerian Breweries Plc

93.00

1.63%

International Breweries Plc

6.12

-4.96%

02

Cadbury Nigeria Plc

19.20

-2.73%

03

Oando Plc

50.50

-2.43%

TOP FIVE LOSERS BY PRICE 01

04

Guinness Nigeria Plc

246.00

-1.99%

05

U.A.C of Nigeria Plc

39.99

-1.25%

Source: NSE and bra Limited Indicator Turnover Value Deals FGN Bond Index Market Capitalization Index Weekly Returns (%) Index Year-to-Date Returns (%) 1-Month Returns (%) 3-Month Returns (%) 12-Month Returns (%)

CurrentWeek 197.8 million N160.43 billion 1,301 1,446.36 N1.763 trillion 1.73 5.21 0.64 5.24 18.40

PreviousWeek 192.8 million N157.84 billion 1,296 1,446.36 N1.755 trillion 1.70 5.20 0.63 5.22 18.38

% Change 2.59 1.64 (0.27) 0.57 1.76 0.19 1.58 0.38 0.11

Source: BRA Figure 2: Nigerian T-bill Primary Market Auctions

Source: FMDA Primary Market Auction

Figure 3: Nigerian Interbank T-bill True Fixing Yield

Source: Financial Markets Dealers Association This was followed by the 3-year bond, 5.5 per cent FGN Feb 2013 which traded 33.55 million units valued at N30.04 billion in 281 deals.

Sixteen of the available 34 FGN bonds were traded during the week, compared with 12 the previous week.

In May there was no issuance of new NTBs in the primary market yet there were two issues of OMO bills in the fourth week of the month with subscription rates well above the amount offered. The true yield on the four-month NTB

was 9.37 per cent and on the six-month one was 9.84 per cent.

In the mean time, the Federal Government issued two FGN bonds in May both with 35 billion Naira face values. The yield on these three and five year maturity new issues were 11.04 per cent and 12.05 per cent. These rates suggest an increase in investor demand for the FGN debt since in April the three-year FGN bonds yielded slightly higher at 12.14 per cent and the five-year ones had a yield of 13.19 per cent. Figure 23 shows the volume of the NTB and FGN Auctions

in the Primary Market.

Nigerian yield curves We observe an increase in the the short-end of the Nigerian Interbank Treasury Bills True Fixing Yield (NITTY) curve in May compared to April and the beginning of the year.

The yield on the 30-day T-bill increased to 6.83 per cent up more than 100 bp compared to 5.25 per cent in April but relatively less than the record yield of 8.03 per cent in March. The yield on the 1-year Tbill stood at 10.52 per cent down

from 11.74 per cent a month earlier.

This is substantially higher than the yields seen at the end of February when the one-year NITT Yield stood at 8.98 per cent. Figure three shows the NITT Yield curves for the last three months.

The increase in the short-end of the yield curve as well as the drop in the long-end suggests investors’ appetite for holding short-term debt has moderated while 6-month and 1-year bills have become more attractive.

We believe this is a sign of improving political risk conditions in Nigeria.

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LABOUR Delta: Primary school teachers begin indefinite strike

Casualisation is evil, says Minister

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INISTER of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has received the report of the Technical Work Group (TWG) on Casualisation and Contract Staffing in the oil and gas sector.

The group was inaugurated on August 13, last year, to look into the unsatisfactory work conditions of contract staff in the sector.

It was charged with the responsibility of evolving guidelines for the protection of the rights of workers in the sector with a view to reducing industrial disputes that had characterised the industry.

Receiving the report from Mr Anthony Ozodinobi, the leader of the technical group and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Wogu frowned at the unregulated practice of casualisation in the sector.

The minister promised that regulatory guidelines would be drawn from the report to bring sanity into the workplace in the industry.

He added that the report could be

• Committee submits report Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

adopted by other sectors of the economy with similar challenges.

He described the report as timely as it would address the disadvantages associated with casualisation of labour at all levels.

“From our records, most of the cases that have been either conciliated or resolved arose from issues of casualisation and the use of contract labour.

“This has created a situation where there is resentment between workers.

“Also, contract workers are employed under less favourable conditions than those of the workers employed by the oil companies”, he said.

Ozodinobi, while handing over the report, said the group “reviewed existing MoUs’’ on the subject and the

recommendations of the stakeholders forum, organised in March 2010.

He said the group designed acceptable guidelines on negotiations and collective bargaining for contract and outsourced staff.

Ozodinobi said the report also proffered implementable solutions to unfair labour practices in the oil and gas sector.

He said the 40-page report with seven chapters focused mainly on “distinguishing between contracts and fixed permanent jobs and migration from contract to permanent employment.”

He said it also addressed unionisation and collective bargaining, dispute resolution and job security as well as capacity building for contract staff.

Ozodinobi added that it looked at the reduction of the productivity of the workforce or inadequate and

F

• Wogu

sometimes total lack of social welfare package needed to ensure labour practices.

He said the labour practices and decent work were jeopardised by these factors.

The committee members were drawn from the organised labour and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector and government.

Bank gets ultimatum on retirees’ benefit

OLLOWING the expiration of the 14-days ultimatum given the Delta State Government by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state over non-payment of N17,000 harmonised salary of the primary school teachers, the teachers have commenced an indefinite strike.

NUT, Delta State, rose from its emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) on Wednesday in Asaba, directing the teachers to stay away from work until the government meets their demand.

The communiqué, signed by the union’s Secretary, Mr Eddy Uloho, stated that the action was based on government’s non-chalant attitude toward the welfare of the teachers.

It noted that the action was called after reviewing the 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on May 17, over some vexatious issues bordering on the welfare of the teachers.

The issues, the communique added, included the non-payment of N17,000 harmonised and consolidated salary structure to primary school teachers in the state.

It also includes the withdrawal of the negotiated Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance (TPA) from their monthly emolument.

The communique also stated that teachers in secondary schools would join the strike after two weeks.

It noted that “it was a pity that after additional seven days of grace to the government, no meaningful progress was made in addressing the issues.’’

It further stated that the SWEC-insession considered the Delta government’s action as “a total disregard for the welfare of teachers and an illwind for the educational development of the state.’’

It, however, urged teachers in the state to remain calm and wait for further directives from the state NUT.

Swiss women observe ‘Equality Now’ Day tomorrow • Union Bank MD Mrs Funke Osibolu (third left) in a negotiation meeting with workers at the Labour Minister's office. With them is the Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu (in cap).

T

HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUCN) has urged Union Bank of Nigeria Plc to expedite action on payment of its retirees’ severance benefits.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Chief John Kolawole, the Congress alleged that the bank management had been foot-dragging on the negotiations, even as it alleged that

the workers’ disengagement is unlawful.”

It said the negotiation must be concluded on June 22, failing which it will embark on mass protest.

“Given this unco-operative attitude of your management and your track records, the TUC is left with no option than to insist that negotiations on the unlawful sack and

payment of amputated gratuities to 2,710 retired staff of your Bank be concluded on the new date 22 nd June, 2011. As the previous meetings had resolved that we should only discuss and agree on the parameters to which all the affected staff would be keyed into and as the sum of N103 Billion has already been set aside for the purpose; there

is no room for further procrastinations.

“The TUC warns that if by June 22, your Management maintains its lack of willingness in this case, the Congress shall be left with no option than to take all the necessary industrial actions to resist and respond to your current hide and seek game.”

Kaduna NUJ floats revolving loan scheme for members

T

HE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council has introduced a revolving loan scheme to assist its members.

Its Chairman, Mallam Yusuf Idris, saidthat the council initiated the idea to

assist its members especially during emergency.

He said the initiative was intended to improve the welfare of members and enhance productivity.

Towards achieving this, Idris said the

council had earmarked more than N500,000 for the programme.

He said members can access a maximum of N20,000 at a time to be repaid within two months.

He said the council would soon up-

date its membership register to ascertain its members in 12 chapels in the state.

The chairman appealed to members to cooperate with the council, to improve on their welfare.

Unity Schools, teachers strike indefinite, says union

T

• Education Minister, Prof. Rukayat Rufai

HERE seems to be no end in sight to the strike embarked upon by teachers in Unity Schools nationwide, as the teachers union said it is indefinite.

Secretary-General, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr Solomon Onaghinon, said parents should keep their children at home until the government meets their demands.

“Academic activities have been put on hold, while parents have also been advised to withdraw their children and wards with immediate effect.

“There is no going back until a concrete agreement on various issues that triggered the strike is reached,” he said.

Teachers in the 104 Federal Government Colleges nationwide went on strike on May 27 over lingering teachers’ welfare and development issues in the schools.

Onaghinon said the teachers went on strike after the expiration of the association’s 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Education on the issues.

He listed the issues to include outstanding allowances for staff and the restoration of JSS 1 to 3 in the schools.

“I wish to categorically state here that until the Federal Ministry of Education restores JSS 1 to 3 classes to the Unity Schools, the strike will subsist,’’ Onaghinon added.

It is worthy of note that the teach-

ers had on January 7 embarked on an indefinite strike over a purported plan by the government to privatise the schools.

“I think the foot-dragging by the Federal Government over this particular issue is a ploy to enable them to have their way with plans to phase out the Unity Schools.

“What we are saying is that all the points in dispute should be addressed now and for the schools to be allowed to operate as in other countries,” he said.

He warned that the government might have to redeploy teachers and other employees in the schools to other Federal Governmentowned institutions if it failed to meet the teachers’ terms.

T

OMORROW, June 14, marks 30 years since equality of the sexes was enshrined in Swiss law, and 20 years since the first women’s strike in the country. The date also coincides with the expected adoption of an ILO Convention for Domestic Workers’ Rights, arguably the most precarious and lowest-paid work sector.

About 100,000 women from over 45 organisations will, therefore, observe a national day of action and strike, calling for equal rights for women workers. Hundreds of activities will be held marking the protest.

An online statement issued by UNIA, an affiliate of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Union, said events in each of Switzerland’s main cities will educate and agitate around the issues of the gender gap in wages and in national legislation. Public administration buildings and main landmarks will be coloured with purple, including Geneva’s water jet fountain, the jet d’eau.

In Switzerland, women are said to earn on average, 19.8 per cent less than men in performing the same job.

Nurses are especially low paid, in relation to men performing similar roles, and the Swiss Nurses Union will be actively involved in tomorrow’s protest.

“Not only are women paid less than men in Switzerland, but they take on twice the amount of un-paid work, with a much higher challenge than men to coordinate family and professional life. Many women see their careers halted by family requirements.

And an extremely low proportion of top-level managers in Switzerland are women, leading many in the movement to call for quotas enforced by law,” said the statement.

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MONEY LINK

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XTERNAL auditors have absolved themselves of any wrong doing in the series of insider abuses perpetrated by many of the top bank executives in some of the rescued banks.

The accounting firm, Akintola Williams Deloitte, Oduware Uwadie, said external auditors acted based on information given to them and could not be held liable for any abuse of office in firms where they audited.

Speaking during a media briefing at the weekend, Uwadie, said auditing work can only be objective if management and other interested parties give accurate and undiluted information to the auditors.

“Now, if the same management that you are supposed to get information from decides to give you false information, you are limited somehow in terms of the extent of investigation you can do. So, if they choose to provide you with false or inaccurate information, it takes, beyond normal audit procedures to be able to detect such malpractices,” he said.

He said, it is only after investigations that an auditor will be able to find out what happened. “For instance, if a bank CEO decides to maintain separate account aside the bank, unless there is a whistle blower, one can never find out.”

He stated that some bank management collapsed bad loans against deposits and took them off their general ledger, making it difficult for auditors to detect.

These are high level discrepancies, he said, which

‘Blame management for bank failure’ Stories by Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

are difficult to unravel.

There were also other cases where huge funds were deposited in fictitious account.

Still, this can be discovered, but it becomes very difficult to find out when the fund in question has been removed totally from the books of the bank.

Akintola Williams Deloitte, a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), handled many of the failed banks’ ac-

counts which CEOs were sanctioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the wake of the banking crisis of 2008.

Uwadie, who is the Head of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at Deloitte, unless the auditor had a benefit of hindsight to know that the information was falsified, all his works will be dented.

But it becomes more difficult if the information is coming from top management of banks, because of

the positions such persons occupy. “If it were at the low level management, it will be easier, but coming from top management of institutions, it will be difficult to detect,” he said.

He explained that bank managements are the true custodians of control, while the auditors just monitor. “ So, in nutshell, though auditors are expected to do due diligence and all that, which we do, but if you have a management that has made up its mind that it wants to give out false or

AMCON CEO, others to attend CIBN bankers’ fellowship

T

HE Managing Direc tor/CEO, Asset Man agement Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustafa Chike-Obi, is expected to attend the Fellowship of the Institute award organised by the Cahrtered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

The AMCON boss, would deliver the Keynote address titled: ‘AMCON as a Crisis Resolution Strategy for the

Financial Services Industry’ CIBN, would use the occasion to confer fellowship on bankers who have distinguished themselves in the country. The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, the former Minister of State for Finance, Remi Babalola, Roberts Ungwaga Orya, Chief Executive of Nigerian Export-Import Bank and Clement Isikwe, Managing

Director, UBA Mozambique, are among eminent bankers who would be formally conferred with the Fellowship of the Institute.

Out of the 95 awardees to be honored at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, two would be Honorary Fellows, while 93 Associates would be made Fellows. According to a statement by the Head of Corporate Affairs of the Institute,

F

INBANK has won the 2010 Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 2nd Best Processing Bank award for Kano Zone. Kano zone is reputed for large volume cash movement and the award is a reward for the bank’s detailed and thorough management of its cash in the zone within the period

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

in 2010.

In a statement, the bank said the award is in recognition of it’s strict adherence to and compliance with the apex bank’s rules for cash management as well as integrity of cash deposited at the CBN. “It is considered that this award has become a major

motivation in ensuring that lodgments are done within the time allowed for deposit money banks by CBN.” The CBN undertakes assessment of the activities of the 24 deposit money banks nationwide across their network and thereafter announces those banks that distinguished themselves for

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 10-6-11 SYMBOL NBC NAHCO PZ INTBREW FCMB CONOIL PRESTIGE SKYEBANK HONYFLOUR ZENITHBANK

O/PRICE 39.13 8.20 35.70 6.12 7.35 39.89 1.72 8.13 4.50 15.00

C/PRICE 40.08 8.41 36.11 6.42 7.50 40.00 1.80 8.20 4.55 15.05

CHANGE +1.95 +0.41 +0.41 +0.30 +0.15 +0.11 +0.08 +0.07 +0.05 +0.05

LOSER AS AT 10-6-11 SYMBOL GUINNESS UNILEVER DIAMONDBNK FIRSTBANK ETERNAOIL NASCON COSTAIN PRESCO UAC-PROP ASHAKACEM

O/PRICE 246.00 28.46 5.85 13.65 4.71 6.70 4.06 8.00 18.16 23.65

C/PRICE 245.00 28.00 5.57 13.41 4.48 6.49 3.86 7.80 18.00 23.52

reflect the right denomination and amount and that there is no tampering with the strapped bundles.

“The award is a reflection of FinBank’s core values of integrity, creativity and innovation as well as professionalism and service excellence,” the bank said in a statement.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

the year under review.

The exercise, it explained, entails ensuring that cash is in the right denomination wrappers with each wrapper properly identified in the Bank’s processed stamps. It also involves all the mechanisms associated with making sure that the packing slips are well completed to

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 467.7m 400m 452.3m 500m 499,8m

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

The event would attract other stakeholders, including captains of industry, top government and diplomatic officials .

The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Laoye Jaiyeola, will be the Chairman of the occasion, while Segun Aina, 1st Vice President will be the Chief Host supported by the Registrar, Dr. Uju M. Ogubunka.

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

Ben Igbokwe, the honour is in recognition of the awardees’ services, commitment and contributions to the industry in particular and the nation’s economy in general.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, and Chairman, National Pension Commission, Oluwole Adeosun, would be the Special Guests of Honour.

Finbank wins CBN’s best currency processing award

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

inaccurate information, it becomes very difficult to arrest such situation,” he admitted.

He said aside auditing problems, many of the banks failed because of poor corporate governance practices, adding, that explains why none of the foreign banks were affected by the banking crises.

“If you also look at the technical review of banks that failed, how many of the foreign banks here failed in Nigeria? If it were the local banks that failed, then the

key source of failure is corporate governance. It was strictly failure of corporate governance,” he emphasised.

Within the framework of cooperate governance, an organisation usually has different people charged with specific responsibilities to get the best result.

The Management, internal auditors, audit committee, the board of directors, and external auditors are involved.

They are expected to operate as a team to ensure that the organisation does not fail. And in all of this, the only one that is outside the organisation is the external auditors.

CHANGE -1.00 -0.46 -0.28 -0.24 -0.23 -0.21 -0.20 -0.20 -0.16 -0.13

Amount Sold ($) 400m 400m 499.8m

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

Date 25-5-11 23-5-11 16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

03-06-11 N8.322tr 25.995.54

Name

January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.00%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.3%

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

02-06-11 N8.273tr 25,875.31

% Change 0.5% 0.5%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.35 119.45 0.84 1,582.15 9.94 1.00 1.39 1.87 9,199.45 193.00

9.08 1.00 116.81 118.70 0.81 1,576.19 9.46 1.00 1.33 1.80 8,914.86 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 MAR, 2011

Current 07, MAR, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

57

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-06-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 2 10 13

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 7.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,000 4,000.00 200 100.00 217,350 1,709,131.90 225,550 1,713,231.90

Quotation(N) 2.42 8.61

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 19,523 49,588.42 276,461 2,360,474.76 295,984 2,410,063.18

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.41

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 54,246 27,123.00 35,449 85,579.96 89,695 112,702.96

Quotation(N) 7.30 1.09 5.57 3.70 7.50 2.62 13.41 0.54 15.90 10.22 0.93 1.20 0.84 8.20 0.91 1.79 6.25 2.07 0.80 0.98 15.05

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 12,489,054 91,763,617.54 6,907,634 7,529,321.06 2,756,394 15,612,753.13 115,200 412,784.00 4,840,756 36,264,763.79 6,258,109 16,337,335.04 16,250,048 219,436,944.65 5,121,571 2,626,388.18 13,419,549 214,464,513.09 2,453,040 25,032,227.59 4,944,756 4,603,523.84 23,553,218 28,263,861.60 2,337,796 1,963,748.64 5,014,263 40,272,532.57 101,204 92,095.64 1,292,580 2,305,350.19 4,180,236 26,084,527.68 5,058,585 10,471,270.95 3,336,526 2,669,220.80 3,497,758 3,479,483.35 30,848,292 464,392,177.65 154,776,569 1,214,078,440.98

Quotation(N) 4.05 245.00 6.42 93.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 800 3,080.00 306,544 75,135,171.17 438,057 2,725,626.79 302,926 27,915,870.68 1,048,327 105,779,748.64

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 41 43 AUTOMOBILE & TYRE

Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 8 10

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 194 26 75 10 50 67 510 80 489 67 54 173 43 79 2 24 164 70 48 42 249 2,516

BANKING

BREWERIES Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 45 22 91 159

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 55 38 19 30 142

Quotation(N) 23.52 10.40 132.00 47.27

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 319,934 7,529,294.15 1,090,362 11,448,393.84 738,322 97,443,849.34 188,173 8,917,246.25 2,336,791 125,338,783.58

Quotation(N) 3.16 10.97 30.96 1.52 10.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 3,010.00 30,121 314,162.03 58,038 1,886,235.00 465 674.25 9,469 103,442.17 99,093 2,307,523.45

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name AFRICAN PAINTS (NIG.) PLC BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 5 9 2 2 19

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 6 20

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.91

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 555,692 277,846.00 141,683 413,500.57 697,375 691,346.57

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 6.27

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 300 1,881.00 300 1,881.00

Bargain hunters rush NBC over delisting price

A

FLURRY of demand for shares of Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) pushed market consideration of the bottling firm up by about 16 per cent last week as bargain hunters sought to catch on higher delisting price.

The board of NBC had last Wednesday increased its scheme price for delisting of its shares from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) by 9.3 per cent from the initial proposed price of N43 to N47 per share.

The new proposed scheme price represents a premium of 26 per cent on the NBC’s closing price of N37.27 for the day.

The increase and insistence on further upward review of the delisting price, sprouted an upsurge in demand for shares of NBC, pushing it to the top of the gainer’s list with a gain of N5.58 or 15.72 per cent to close at N41.08 per share.

The board of NBC resolved last Wednesday to approve a Scheme of Arrangement between the company and its shareholders, pursuant to section 539 of the Companies and Allied Mat-

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

ters Act. The transaction will involve the cancellation of part of the paid up share capital of NBC and the subsequent delisting of the company from the NSE. The price per cancelled share represented a premium of 57 per cent to the closing price on December 13, 2010 and a premium of 50 per cent to the 30-day average share price prior to December 13, 2010 decision.

But shareholders have rejected the offer, describing the planned delisting and the offer as unattractive. Shareholders asked for a double of the offer price since it would amount to a forced sale.

Dr. Faruk Umar, President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), said the offer price was unacceptable to shareholders, stating that NBC is using its majority holding to muscle through the scheme of arrangement.

He conceded that Nigerian shareholders may not be able to stop the delisting of the company due to the ma-

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-06-11 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. OASIS INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

30 2 1 11 2 1 1 1 3 23 202

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

No of Deals 4 38 47 38 50 177

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 75 75

Quotation(N) 2.20 36.11 0.90 39.99 28.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 25,500 53,295.00 205,525 7,418,699.30 6,063,074 5,411,872.82 114,436 4,557,331.36 403,901 11,308,321.16 6,812,436 28,749,519.64

Quotation(N) 3.86 56.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 209,600 809,056.00 69,144 3,906,211.00 278,744 4,715,267.00

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 8 17

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 4 5

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 3 10

Quotation(N) 2.05 0.73

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 81,150 167,476.50 6,173 4,561.10 87,323 172,037.60

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 44 68 80 62 24 54 14 34 8 8 410

Quotation(N) 46.00 19.10 17.54 14.00 90.00 4.55 6.49 41.08 400.49 0.50 0.66

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 17,623 797,973.48 305,940 5,851,623.44 228,936 3,996,514.35 974,015 13,643,287.15 746,143 67,153,361.50 274,508 1,234,288.61 617,656 4,044,007.58 118,465 4,866,542.20 38,270 15,390,364.57 1,102,000 551,000.00 40,144 25,680.72 4,463,700 117,554,643.60

Quotation(N) 2.07 28.35 4.00 1.87

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,087,446 2,253,551.68 500 13,470.00 74,362 283,245.60 13,266 23,613.48 1,175,574 2,573,880.76

Quotation(N) 1.35 4.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 343,540 469,733.00 500 2,155.00 344,040 471,888.00

HEALTHCARE Company Name FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 1 11 3 25

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 17 1 18 No of Deals 1 4 1 11 17 No of Deals 1 12 13

Quotation(N) 7.75 8.20 0.54 6.00

Quotation(N) 1.30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 13,282 16,469.68 13,282 16,469.68

Quotation(N) 1.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,443,822 2,967,421.39 2,443,822 2,967,421.39

Quotation(N) 0.51 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,500 1,275.00 114,077,123 57,038,561.50 114,079,623 57,039,836.50

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 10 13

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.56

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.88 1.10 0.50 2.95 0.50 0.50 1.67 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.55 0.50 0.50

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 85,000 42,500.00 689,361 354,175.51 774,361 396,675.51

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 4 8 15

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.16 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 126,499 63,249.50 14,405 15,989.55 126,000 63,000.00 266,904 142,239.05

Quotation(N) 2.50 12.71 4.01 1.27 13.97

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 656,138 1,641,508.64 250 3,020.00 97,267 385,298.05 20,000 25,400.00 200 2,656.00 773,855 2,057,882.69

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC NAMPAK NIGERIA PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 33 1 7 1 1 43

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 29 4 5 29 16 13 124 5 225

Quotation(N) 21.35 0.50 72.00 40.00 4.48 163.49 50.50 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 172,219 3,606,452.74 168,073 84,036.50 2,283 164,376.00 302,362 12,095,039.15 263,992 1,205,057.91 8,867 1,384,412.43 3,166,757 160,020,541.02 2,066 406,893.32 4,086,619 178,966,809.07

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 15,500.00 20,210 165,722.00 20,000 10,400.00 329,600 1,971,525.00 371,810 2,163,147.00

Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 3 26 30

Quotation(N) 3.50 6.60 5.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,333 4,438.89 5,500 36,135.00 411,450 2,254,240.00 418,283 2,294,813.89

Quotation(N) 18.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 142,692 2,568,407.76 142,692 2,568,407.76

REAL ESTATE Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,000 50,000.00 522,100 292,376.00 622,100 342,376.00

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 51 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 6 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 4 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 20 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC 8 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 5 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 5 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 3 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 8 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 12 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 2 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 1

1,435,039.58 69,160.00 1,020.50 971,780.95 15,467.50 1,000.00 650.00 500.00 28,689.00 257,867.42 74,216,821.40

MEDIA

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

2,802,558 98,800 2,041 555,278 30,935 2,000 1,300 1,000 57,378 496,944 33,064,876

MARITIME

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMACO PLC B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

0.51 0.70 0.50 1.80 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53

LEASING

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

jority shareholding by CocaCola Hellenic, but he said capital market regulators should help shareholders to maximize their returns.

“Securities and Exchange Commission and NSE are not doing enough to protect minority shareholders. Once they succeed, then it means any other company will just come and delist, leaving long-term investors with loss of their investments,” Umar said.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa said rally in the share price of NBC was spurred by the news of shareholders request for increase of the offer price.

Meanwhile, the All-Share Index of the NSE depreciated by 267.04 points or 1.03 per cent to close on Friday at 25,696.46 while the market capitalization of the 194 firsttier equities decreased to N8.216 trillion.

The NSE-30 Index depreciated by 15.25 points or 1.31 per cent to close at 1,147.39.

One of the four sectoral indices appreciated during the week compared with two that so appreciated during the preceding week.

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 50 25.00 844,846 743,565.98 138,839 153,989.68 119,821 59,910.50 20,392,359 60,664,141.10 419,276 209,638.00 1,029,287 514,643.50 5,148,883 8,598,724.61 1,200 600.00 25,743 12,871.50 152,526 76,263.00 723,227 390,981.08 12,585 6,292.50 8,000 4,000.00

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 7

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 204,492 122,695.20 204,492 122,695.20

Quotation(N) 0.62

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 54 31.86 54 31.86

TEXTILES

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 23 23

Quotation(N) 15.78

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 46,011 710,728.74 46,011 710,728.74

4,263

330,040,285

1,930,677,314.60

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

58

PERSONAL FINANCE

Basics of personal financial planning (1)

Investor’s Worth

Chief Samuel Bolarinde: N637m

C

HIEF Samuel Bolarinde has built a multi-million naira portfolio working and managing Nigeria’s leading foam-manufacturing company.

With a current worth of more than N637m, Bolarinde’s publicly declared investments turns in an average of N30 million as cash dividends every year.

Over a course of 35 years as an employee at Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Bolarinde was unwavering in his focus and commitment on investments and future of the cushion company.

Now, he is the chairman and single largest shareholder of the company.

With about 13 per equity stake in Vitafoam Nigeria, Bolarinde’s gross dividend totaled N32m in 2010, about 19 per cent increase on N27m received in 2009.

Vitafoam Nigeria has maintained a stable dividend

payment trend over the years, with unbroken record of 14 years, distributing 25 kobo, 30 kobo, 25 kobo and 30 kobo per share for the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Bolarinde’s high-profile led to his appointment as chairman of Wema Bank Plc in June 2010. Although his declared interest in shares of the bank is negligible- just N13,423, he is believed to hold significant influence.

Besides, his emoluments as chairman of both Vitafoam Nigeria and Wema Bank ensure his nest egg continues to increase while enjoying a lush retirement.

An industrial chemist and astute manager, Bolarinde graduated in industrial chemistry from John Daton College, Manchester, England and obtained Master of Science (Msc)in Material Engineering from the University of Surrey, United

It is a matter of survival, of life and death, safety or ruin. Therefore we must study it and understand it. Sun Tzu

T

•Chief Samuel Bolarinde

Kingdom.

He served as managing director and chief executive of Vitafoam Nigeria for 19 years, having joined the board six years earlier.

Bolarinde is a perfect example of how a stable career and steady investments can lead to an enviable personal financial standing.

Ask a Broker What is the meaning and implication of a stock being marked ‘Ex-Div’, ‘XD’ or ‘Ex-Dividend’?

O

N the Daily Official List of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and many other offer documents, one of the key indicators to potential return to prospective investors is the mark ‘Ex-Div’.

‘Ex-Div’ and ‘XD’ are abbreviation of ‘Ex-Dividend’, which simply means without the current dividend.

‘Ex-Div’ is a globally acceptable disclosure requirement and failure to make such disclosure may lead to civil and criminal liabilities.

The importance of this sign or disclosure is underlined by its position on the Daily

Official List, occupying the fourth column after the name of company, public quotation price or nominal value and current market price.

Where the ‘X’ sign appears on the column or in any other offer documents, this directly draws the attention of the buyer to the fact that quote or price of the security excludes the payment of any declared dividend to the buyer and as such, the dividend goes to the seller.

This allows the buyer to evaluate the price and make informed judgment rather than being under illusion of expectation of dividend.

Many complaints from unsuspecting shareholders often time border on their inability to determine the ‘Ex-

div’ status of the stock. The ‘Ex-Div’ status takes effect on the indicated ‘Ex-div’ date, which is the day that the right to current dividend is not automatically transferable from the seller to the buyer. The ‘Ex-Div’ date is also related to the closure of register, which is a cut off period for current dividend payment. The Daily Official List of NSE and many other offer documents usually indicate the ‘Ex-Div’ date but in it is always advisable to specifically enquire about the ‘ExDiv’ status of a stock before consummation of the transaction. The exclusion of current dividend or in some cases, coming dividends, may be the difference between gain and loss.

Ways and Means

F

INANCIAL manage ment partly involves managing one’s cash flow-inflow and outflow, with the lowest possible costs while maximising opportunities to cover the costs of tr ansactions and in extremely successful management, grow the funds.

The Diamond SavingsXtra Account is one of the ways and means that a person can use to manage and grow his incomes.

Designed along the concept of gradual and steady savings, the account combines key characteristics of current account with that of savings account, without the costs and encumbrances of both.

Diamond SavingsXtra Account is an interest-yielding savings account but it allows the deposit of both cash and third party cheques.

With a minimum opening amount of N5, 000, the

•Alex Otti

saver secures free access to all electronic banking services.

Beside the convenience of depositing other banks cheques including dividend warrants into the account, the account allows the account holder to issue cheques to others which can be withdrawn from any

Diamond Bank’s branches nationwide.

Besides, cash can be withdrawn from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs. Diamond SavingsXtra Account carries a competitive interest of 2.0 per cent per annum on credit balances accrued daily and interest paid monthly. The account also allows cash deposit up to a maximum of N1 million in a month without any transactional charge.

Other benefits accruable, according to the bank, include free life assurance cover of N50, 000, access to VISA Credit Card, which gives the holder access to a credit limit of up to 75 per cent of his credit balance.

Additional bonus to account holder is the opportunity to win rewards in the seasonal promotion. In the SavingsXtra Season 3 reward scheme, N500 million would be given away over a 12 month period.

HE whole essence of human endeavours and his highest attainment is to achieve personal satisfaction, or self actualisation as described by psychologist Abraham Maslow.

But to be satisfied or reach the level of self-actualisation, people climb through a ladder of needs which, through economic boom and burst, employment, unemployment and other vicissitudes of life, the progress must remain constant.

From the primordial needs of food, water and shelter to attainment of basic security to group socialisation, honour and sense of freedom, human life is a journey of changing variables. But in all these, knowledge is the guiding light that illuminates the path to success. More than ever, there is the need for people to understand the basics of their financial management. Finance is the lifeline in an individual or group’s quest for attainment. As such, financial planning is likened to the heart that invigorates other parts of the body. Insolvency, or loosely bankruptcy, is a sign of poor financial planning and brings an individual or company to the point of death. This is the reason that in setting out with this column on personal finance, we are breaking the ice with basic fundamentals of personal financial planning.

Financial planning generally refers to a systematic process of ensuring adequate and sustainable stream of funds to meet financial needs.

For companies and individuals, financial planning forms the fulcrum of general planning and determines the success or otherwise of the entire planning. For individuals, the whole gamut of personal finance deals with management of cash inflows and outflows to create and promote sustainable living standard. Companies, on the other hand, engage in liquidity analysis constantly to ensure there are enough funds to meet emerging financing obligations. An individual suffering from consistent inability to meet his financing obligations will sooner than later be run out of town either by creditors or resultant killer sicknesses such as heart attack while a company with persistent illiquidity will end up with the liquidator. This stresses the importance of financial planning.

Hallman and Rosenbloom (2003) defined personal financial planning as the development and implementation of total, coordinated plans for achieving one’s overall financial objectives.

In other words, personal financial planning is the process of determining an individual’s total financial objectives, considering alternative plans for meeting those objectives, selecting the plans best suited for the person’s profile, implementing those plans, and then periodically evaluate the plan with a view

By Taofik Salako

to making necessary adjustments.

These outlines show that personal financial planning is a long-winded constantly evolving process that runs through the lifetime of an individual and beyond. From income generation to savings to investment management, risks management, budgetary control and estate planning, personal finance permeates the daily affairs of man. Besides, the individuality nature of the plan places the responsibility on each individual, although the services of various financial experts may be required in the course of personal financial planning.

Thus, financial experts agreed that personal finance is a person’s business irrespective of his occupation or professional calling. The first principle of wealth creation is personal responsibility, that is, taking charge of ones incomes and expenditures.

“Poor Dad, Rich Dad” captures this essence with this catching phrase: keep your daytime job and mind your own business.

How to start Financial planning is a systematic process, which implies presence of several steps and a graduation approach, from one step to another. A good way to start personal financial planning is to write down the reasons for making money. Since human activities are driven by motives, writing down your reasons stimulates desire, which energises your critical thinking faculty, gives clear focus to your planning and helps to correct your worldview. It could be a daunting task but it greatly helps to synthesise the reasons for all these hustling and prime time rush into few reasons, probably two lines or three.

Experts have outlined several approaches to personal financial planning but they all shared five basic steps. The starting point for personal finance is the review of current status or the information gathering stage. What do I have, what do I lack, what do I own, what are others’ properties (such as debts, trusts) in my custody? Current status review entails undressing your personal worth to determine your true worth. When carefully arranged in a tabular

‘From income generation to savings to investment management, risks management, budgetary control and estate planning, personal finance permeates the daily affairs of man.

Besides, the individuality nature of the plan places the responsibility on each individual, although the services of various financial experts may be required in the course of personal financial planning’

form, these information will result in personal balance sheet and personal income statement, similar to what exist in the annual reports of companies.

Setting objectives The second step involves setting goals and objectives.

Three defining characteristics of good goal-setting are that goals must be specific, detailed and achievable. However, it must be pointed out that financial objectives are dynamic and change with a person’s life cycle and circumstances. The two broad objectives of personal financial planning are usually protection against personal risks and capital accumulation. Individual’s financial goals thus may include protection of self and dependants against negative consequences of temporary or permanent absence as well as temporary or permanent disability. These include sickness or health problem, death, loss of job or means of livelihood, loss of assets and capital depreciation. While guiding against risks, an individual simultaneously seeks to accumulate capital to meet various needs including basic living requirements such as food, clothing and accommodation, education, leisure and social services among others.

Devt and implementation The third step is the development and implementation of the financial plan taking into cognisance the goals and financial position of the person. The plan should take into consideration possible motivating and militating factors.

For instance, if a person’s goal is to give his child a university education, then his plan will be focused on how to generate enough incomes to meet recurring expenditures and still accommodate the monthly savings and investment to meet that goal. As a necessity, financial plan should be crystal clear about destination, roadmap and deadlines. Where do I want to be at this particular period?

The hallmark of success is the attainment of objective and as such, the plan should be harmonious and congruent with the objectives.

Review and revision Fourthly, there should be periodic review and revision of personal financial plan to accommodate changes in the environment or personal development. Where necessary, amendments should be made to enhance realisation of the overall objective. The rule is to be disciplined, focused and unwavering in implementation and yet to be flexible enough to reflect changes and current realities.

Evaluation Lastly, like in every planning, personal financial planning ends with evaluation.

One must appraise his achievements vis-à-vis his goals, resources and timeline.

Evaluation plays critical roles as the determining factor and gauge for the measurement of the extent of correlation between the objectives and the end results.

•To be continued

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FOREIGN NEWS

Egypt backs Lagarde for IMF’s top job

Africa leaders launch talks on $875 b trade bloc

F

OREIGN Minister Nabil al-Arabi yesterday announced Egypt’s support for French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde’s bid to head the International Monetary Fund.

“The Egyptian government supports the candidacy of French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde for the post of managing director of the IMF,” the official MENA news agency quoted Arabi as saying, after talks with Lagarde in Cairo.

The French minister said she was pleased with the “very affirmative” support she received in Cairo.

“In this region, I have the honour of being supported by Bahrain, and of having the support of other Arab countries that have expressed themselves,” she told reporters.

She said that under her leadership, the IMF would be dedicated to economic development in north Africa and the Middle East, where pro-democracy protests have swept the region.

Lagarde said earlier that she was “confident” of her chances of heading the IMF, while declining to comment on her Israeli rival for the post.

“I am very confident, particularly after several meetings here in Egypt,” Lagarde told reporters after talks with her Egyptian counterpart Samir Radwan. “We have had excellent meetings.”

Egypt is on the 24-member executive board which is due to reach a consensus on naming a new IMF chief at the end of this month.

On Saturday, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer - an American economist who took Israeli citizenship and previously held the number two post at the IMF - announced that he was in the race.

Lagarde, who on Saturday was in Saudi Arabia where she also expressed confidence, declined to comment on Fischer’s candidacy, saying only: “He has past experience as the number two at the IMF... Everybody is free to file a candidacy.”

Libyan rebels renew fight in oil port of Zawiya

F

IGHTING has resumed in the western Libyan city of Zawiya between rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The town was seized by rebels in March, but government forces recaptured it in less than two weeks of heavy fighting.

The port city, about 30km (18 miles) west of Tripoli is the site of an important oil terminal.

Col Gaddafi’s forces are also struggling against rebels in the western port city of Misrata.

With Nato increasing its

Albertina Sisulu buried in South Africa

T

HOUSANDS of South Africans have attended the funeral of one of the leading figures of the anti-apartheid movement, Albertina Sisulu.

In a message read to the mourners, former president Nelson Mandela paid tribute to her as “one of the greatest South Africans”.

Mrs Sisulu was active in the woman’s league of the African National Congress and was married to Walter Sisulu, who brought Nelson Mandela into the ANC. She died last week at the age of 92.

President Jacob Zuma called her a “national heroine” who had mentored many of South Africa’s political and business leaders.

He had declared an official funeral with military honours.

Senior generals carried Mrs Sisulu’s coffin into the 40,000-seat Orlando Stadium in Soweto, the township outside Johannesburg that became synonymous with the struggle against apartheid.

Delivering the eulogy, Mr Zuma said: “An era has ended and the nation is devastated but we are proud to be associated with Mama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu.

bombing attacks on Col Gaddafi’s troops, rebel forces appear to be gaining momentum, says the BBC’s Wyre Davies in Tripoli.

Nato now says it has carried out more than 4,000 air strikes on Libyan government forces.

•Zuma

A

FRICAN leaders launched talks yesterday to create the continent’s biggest free-trade bloc, a $875 billion (597 billion euros) market that would boost

the region’s economic profile.

The so-called “Grand” Free Trade Area would cross 26 countries, stretching from Cape Town to Cairo, with a combined population of 700 million people.

“We meet fully conscious of the collective responsibility we bear towards Africa’s founding fathers to create a single continental market of real economic value,” said South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma during the opening.

The proposed free trade area (FTA) would join three existing, and sometimes over-

Ruling party ‘takes lead in Turkish general election’

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ARTIAL results from Turkey’s election suggest the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will win a third term.

With 75% of ballots counted the AKP had 51% of the vote, which local media said translated to 328 seats in parliament.

But that would be 39 seats short of the two-thirds majority needed to amend the country’s constitution unilaterally.

The secular Republican People’s Party (CHP) had 25% of vote and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 13%.

Both parties were therefore on track to exceed the 10% threshold required to enter parliament.

The AKP, which has Islamist roots, has presided over strong economic growth and a more assertive foreign policy since taking power.

It has also seen unemployment fall - down to 11.5% in March from 14.4% in the same period last year. The country is a member of Nato as well as a candidate for membership of the European Union.

The AKP has put its economic record at the centre of its campaign, promising an ambitious programme of new construction if elected.

lapping, blocs.

But each has different rules, with some countries belonging to more than one grouping, further complicating efforts to streamline trade.

The idea to unite these blocs was endorsed at a 2008 summit. It would bring together the continent’s most developed economies of South Africa and Egypt and some of its most energetic, such as Angola and Ethiopia.

“Programmes are being

developed involving all three regional economic communities, together with member states, taking us a step further towards the establishment of the envisaged tripartite free trade area,” said Zuma.

But the pact faces immense hurdles: tariff barriers, poor infrastructure, weak supply chains, and economies often largely reliant on natural resources rather than manufactured products.

PUBLIC NOTICE FOUNDATION FOR FEMININE VALUES The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied top the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Florence Nduka (Prof) 2. Dr. Ogedegbe Emmanuel M. 3. Lily Igoniwari (Mrs) 4. Valentine Igoniwari AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To unearth the feminine values 2. To mainstram women values for positive change 3. To support and to promote all local, national and global initiative on women development and feminine values.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse zone 5 Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: LILY IGONIWARI (MRS) Secretary

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform members of the Public, Our Valued Clients and other Stakeholders that with the approval of the Corporate Affairs Commission our company STC Starlite Insurance Brokers Limited has changed its name to QUANTUM INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED to ensure better service.

Management

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

SPORT EXTRA

2011 SHOWDOWN WITH OSAYOMI

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

Okagbare no-show stops R Pre-calabar

Sunshine, Kaduna Utd through to group stage

EIGNING national 1 0 0 m queen,Blessing Okagbare's no show in the 100m event at the addidas Grand Prix IAAF Diamond League meeting in New York at the weekend prevented what

would have been the first clash between the fleet leg and Damola Osayomi,the lady she succeeded as

•Okagbare

AFTERMATH OF APPOINTMENT AS AIDE TO IMO GOV ON SPORTS

Kanu promises fresh start for Heartland

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ skipper, Kanu Nwankwo who was last Saturday named The Special Adviser to the Imo Governor on Sports by Owelle Rochas Okorocha has hinted NationSport exclusively that he will use his new position to better the lot of sports and football especially in the Eastern Heartland.

Popularly dubbed Papillo, Kanu retired officially from international football last Saturday after leading the pack in a testimonial game held in his honour and one which heralded notable crème-de-la-crème of football in Africa and in his first official statement after the pronouncement by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, accepted the new appointment and stressed that Imo State will experience a turnaround under his stewardship.

“I am thrilled by the appointment and I will say it is okay by me. It is always an honour to be recognised by people who feel one is

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri suitable for a given position. Why not? I will accept the fresh challenge and I plan to use it to better bring sports out of doldrums to the center. I believe I can do it with the support of my people.

“Heartland is very dear to my heart and I will also use the new appointment to see what can be done to change the fortunes of the club in the league.”

Kanu called it quit with the Super Eagles formally last Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos when His Friends across the globe entertained some of his colleagues then and now in the Super Eagles.

Notable African stars who were present were Samuel Eto’O Fils who is the current African Football of the Year, Michael Essien, Sullley Muntari, John Utaka, the Uche brothers, Joseph Yobo, Benjamin Mwariwaru, Austin Okocha, Rigobert Song among others.

Nigeria's champion in 2009.

Many local athletics buffs have labelled their impending clash at the Calabar 2011 IAAF World Championships and All African Games Trials later this month at the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar as the mother of all battles following the incredible 10.99 seconds 100m run by Osayomi last month in Brazil.

The sub-11 seonds run has made Osayomi the favourite to reclaim the national 100m title she lost to Okagbare in 2009 in Abuja and a taste of what to expect in Calabar later this month was eargerly anticipated when

both athletes were confirmed for the 100m event of last Saturday's meeting.

It was not to be, however, as Okagbare opted to compete in the long jump albeit she was confirmed to race in the blue ribband event. In her absence, Osayomi came fourth running 11.59 seconds into a -3.9m/s headwind.

The race was won by USA's Myers Marshevet IN 11.36.

Okagbare did not fare better in the long jump,placing 12th with a leap of 5.86m into a -2.2 headwind.Triple jumper and Commonwealth Games king,Tosin Oke also failed to impress as he hopped,stepped and jumped into a mind boggling 15.90m into a 2.2 headwind to place sixth.

N

I G E R I A ’ s representatives in this year’s CAF Confederations Cup, Sunshine Stars and Kaduna United, are both through to the group stage of the competition.

Sunshine Stars defeated AlIttihad of Libya 1-0 in a onelegged match decided at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, while Kaduna United thrashed Entente Sportive de Setif 3-0 in a fourth round return leg match at the Kaduna Township Stadium.

Godfrey Oboabona converted a 50th minute penalty to send the Mimiko Boys to the money-spinning stage.

Kaduna United, on the other hand, took the lead in a balanced game through an own goal soon after the recess, before Rabiu Baita and Jude Aneke made the game safe for them late on in the clash.

By Akeem Lawal The last time, Nigeria had two clubs at this stage of the annual club competition was in 2007, when Dolphin and Kwara United did battle.

Kaduna United will thus feature in Group A along with the likes of Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire, while Sunshine are in Group B.

•Godfrey Oboabona

WHO SAID WHAT

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Those who annulled the election led Nigeria on a path of infamy, destroying one of the crucial elements of the fledgling democratic values that were being put together then through the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission WALE OSHUN (INEC)’

VOL. 6, NO. 1,789

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

H

IS ascent to office was like his fall from grace: sudden.

Dimeji Bankole, former speaker, who brought a boyish poise and juvenile grace to his office, must wonder what God meant by giving him a miracle of a job and taking it away so suddenly.

He is brilliant, well-spoken and apparently well-adjusted. With his frequent white cap and crimped smile, it was hard to look at him as the N10 billion man. But he is. That is how he will be defined. There were other ways to define him, though. Remember the near fisticuff with the ritualist from Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, over a minor infrastructural triumph around Ota? Remember the Ekiti saga where he turned minstrelsy about sending the army to the rerun election so that Segun Oni, the apostate with the phony Awo cap, could rig the elections? Those and others were important.

But who would forget N10 billion, especially if it was on that note that he made his exit?

But his story is a tragedy because it is the tragedy of the Nigerian political class. By implication, of the Nigerian society.

Anybody in political office of such significance as president, governor, minister, speaker, senate president, commissioner or director general and so forth is, by definition, a sinner in the eyes of the public.

But the sinfulness is not the province of my piece today. I am concerned with the portrait of the politician as sin bearer.

When the matter of N10 billion arose on the floor of the House of Representatives, Bankole reminded his fellow legislators that the loan was taken to fund their recklessness.

He knew they were reckless, and he bowed to them. He wanted to be a team player. He wanted to bear their sins on their behalf.

From the information available, the speaker and deputy speaker did not really enjoy these allowances. It went to the principal officers and other members of the House. But he acquiesced in order to be in their good books.

He did not want the proverbial banana peels to fling him forward in a surge of impeachment. Yet the same banana peels he tried to avert awaited him at the end of the road.

It is not just the issue of the loan alone.

There were other purchases padded extravagantly. Whether it was vehicles or television sets or stationeries, it was not Bankole appetite alone that was at stake. He had to cater to a collective greed.

As The Nation’s Yomi Odunuga asked in his column last Saturday, why was he the only one the EFCC had to pick up? It is the way it is. He is the sin bearer. He was the one who carried the sin for these fellow sinners. This is Nigeria where we subvert every noble principle. When someone bears another person’s sin, the aim is redemption. It is

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

samo@thenationonlineng.net 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009 (D.A.M.E) •Columnist of the Year 2009 (NMMA)

Bankole, the sin bearer ‘So, that is the nature of sin bearing in political office.

Anyone who occupies a political office suffers this burden. Yet when one of them is caught, we all act as though we are purer.

The sinners always are those up there’ •Bankole

usually prompted by the principle of love.

In the case of Jesus Christ, he bore the sins of humanity. In the case of Christ, the Bible tells us that he bore the sin for two things.

One, to cleanse them. Two, for him (Christ) to go to glory.

But in Nigeria, the story is a little different.

The sin bearer often goes away to material glory, just as spiritual glory is supposed to be the destiny of the sin bearer, sin being a spiritual matter. But the Nigerian leader who goes to material glory has many mansions that he prepares for himself, his wife, children, grandchildren, mother, father, siblings, girlfriends, et al. To an inferior degree, those who benefitted also have others who enjoy. They won’t have the same sort of mansions, or cars or fat-cat bank accounts,

RIPPLES JONATHAN’s PRESIDENCY WILL BRING SUCCOUR –Cleric

SUCCOUR, NA GRAMMAR....I NEED FOOD

but they are pretty happy with what corruption has dealt them.

Most of them are never caught or prosecuted, and their material glory is guaranteed. Even those who are caught, or appear to have been caught, are ruffled. A little blood is squirted from their fat, prosperous biceps, and they and their loots live happily ever after. They are arrested, the media makes a show of their humility and humiliation, the hand cuffs, the bowed head, the degraded fashion sense. They spend some nights in jail, no special wines, no big, sensational beds but flies and mosquitoes instead of the buzz of ADCs and retinue of advisers.

When the saga of Bankole just happened, I said while the case of Jesus as sin bearer took

HARDBALL

O

NE of most dangerous jobs you can have in Nigeria today is to enlist in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Back in April, ten corps members were murdered by rioters in Bauchi State as they carried out their duties during the general elections.

Last Thursday, kidnappers in Rivers State seized five corps members and spirited them to an unknown destination. The criminals now want either the state or federal government to pay N100 million as ransom to secure the release of the captives.

It is amazing that an institution set up nearly 40 years ago as an instrument for national healing; an organisation that very rarely gets caught up in controversies, has now taken full time residence on the front pages of national newspapers for all the wrong reasons.

Knowing the way the minds of desperate Nigerian criminals work, we should perhaps not be too astonished that NYSC members are now a target for criminal extortionists.

Let’s not forget that these same characters once gladly snatched the babies of oil company workers!

After their bitter experience in Bauchi, the Federal Government made a big show of

Cashing in on the NYSC compensating each of the 10 families who lost their children in the post-election violence with a cheque of N5 million each.

Not to be outdone, and in a bid to ameliorate the damage caused by his initial ill-judged comments on the killings, Governor Isa Yuguda announced a further compensation package of N2 million for each of the slain corps members.

Aside sending out the signal that the government, rightly, cares for the welfare of the young people in the scheme, all these cheques flying around are now being interpreted by warped minds to mean that the NYSC is the new gold mine.

It raises again the question of the propriety of throwing cash at every challenge we face in this country. Now, actions that were conceived with the best of intentions as palliatives for families that have suffered catastrophic losses are now being perverted for evil.

How the government reacts will determine

him to heavenly glory, the sin bearer Bankole would go to perdition. On reflection, I am not sure of the perdition part. What it usually indicates is the end of the career of the person. We have a few who went to perdition, like Bode George. Even he sought redemption in an elaborate, false glamour of an after-prison reception. But it was a nonstarter.

We must say that the situation is pathetic when you know that the rest of society takes part in this public ritual of crime and punishment. The public is part of the crime.

For instance, a minister pays some school fees of former neighbours and friends’ children, medical fees of an old uncle, pays the rent of a former classmate’s aunt, all of which might not have happened if the man did not dip his hand in the till. Sometimes the governor caters to as many as two thousand such cases every other day as well his other responsibilities. A lawmaker said the other day that her traditional ruler wants her to buy him a “jeep” now that she won the election. She asked him where she was supposed to get the money. The traditional ruler was not going to bother about that.

So, that is the nature of sin bearing in political office. Anyone who occupies a political office suffers this burden. Yet when one of them is caught, we all act as though we are purer. The sinners always are those up there. That is what Goran Hyden, political theorist, calls the economy of affection. It is a damper on development and progress.

Yet, those in political office sometimes give cynically, not out of mercy but a pragmatic crafting of a base for later victories. Many do it genuinely and see it as a way of helping other people with public money if available jobs and the emoluments cannot cater to the needs of the many poor.

So Bankole funded recklessness to keep his job. He kept his job, but he lost his name. He was a scapegoat of a system built by cynics for cynics.

On the Awolowos

M

Y writing last week generated much hoopla, and my intent was misunderstood by some who

looked at it from the viewpoint of insulting the matriarch, Chief H.I.D. Awolowo. I was misunderstood for insulting mama as a woman, grandmother and family leader.

The words I used as metaphor were taken literally. There is no way Papa Awo can come up from the dead today. I was not referring to the Awolowo family as a biological entity but as ideological.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above whether criminals would be deterred from further targeting NYSC members or whether the problem would be compounded. The authorities could take the low road and secretly pay the ransom.

Many state governments in the Niger Delta have made such payments over the past few years.

However, Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the height of a spate of kidnappings and cult clashes in the state in the past vowed never negotiate with any “criminal”. It remains to be seen whether he would stick to that principled position. Such a tough stance would mean tracking down the kidnappers and bringing them to justice while hoping that no harm comes to their victims. This option is fraught with all sorts of danger seeing as no one knows the mindset of the kidnappers.

The snatching of the NYSC members makes the reform of the tottering scheme even more of an imperative. Beyond the base debate as to whether participants should be posted outside their home regions, insurance arrangements that provide cover for loss of life whilst participating should be revisited. It would, at least, take the business of the monetary compensation out of the headlines.

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