June 13, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Olubadan stable after surgery

APC leaders back Odigie-Oyegun

NEWS

NEWS

Page 2

•Ex-governor may lead party

•Aide says monarch hale, hearty

Page 2

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2876 FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

EKITI 2014

N150.00

•Soldiers intercept election materials • AND MORE ON PAGE 10 •’Probe Ekiti violence’•Students, youths rally for Fayemi •APC’s sweeping of campaign venue angers Mu’azu

•Performers taking part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo...yesterday

T

World’s biggest party opens in Brazil

HE world’s biggest party – the 2014 FIFA World Cup —got under way last night with a colourful opening ceremony before hosts Brazil kicked off against Croatia.

Thousand of fans, including dignitaries watched as

a cast of 660 dancers paid tributes to the country’s nature, people and football with a show around a “living” ball

Brazil 3 - Croatia 1 on the Arena de Sao Paulo pitch.

The final act saw a performance of official World Cup song “We Are One” by Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull.

In the month-long tournament, 32 nations, including Nigeria, will compete in 64 games.

Many fans took to the

streets to sing and chant their support for Brazil as excitement built in the hours before the tournament began.

But there were also demonstrations from those unhappy with the cost of hosting the tournament by a country with Continued on page 59

PHOTO: AFP

INSIDE

•Omeruo: Nigeria is ready •Supporters’ club for Brazil today •NFF ‘will account for all monies’ •Ejike celebrates return to Eagles •Rematch: Ambrose ready for Messi AND MORE •Police, protesters clash PAGES 4-5 & 14-15

Obasanjo awaits Jonathan’s nod for Boko Haram talks ? F Sultan advises govt to swap Chibok girls with detainees

WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo is yet to get the government’s go-ahead to join the moves for securing the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

The former President met last month with a delegation which included Kaduna lawyer-activist Shehu Sani to prepare the ground for his in-

tention in the bid to get the girls, abducted on April 15 by Boko Haram, freed.

Obasanjo said he would only intervene if President Goodluck Jonathan

gave his permission.

Yesterday, he said he had a way of reaching the leadership of the sect but could not go ahead yet.

Continued on page 2

•EMIR SANUSI: SULTAN INTERVENES P2 •SENATOR KUTA DIES AT 64 P7

2

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

NEWS

•Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives led by Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (eigth left) after a meeting where they adopted Mr. Akin Ambode (ninth left) as Lagos APC governorship candidate in Abuja...yesterday. From left: Abayomi Ayeola, Babatunde Adewale, Hakkem Muniru, Abiodun Faleke, Aliu Kazeem, Yakub Balogun, Rafeequat Onabamiro, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Samuel Adejare, Adeola Solomon, Toyin Suarau, Jide Akinloye, Ganiyu Olukolu and Abayomi Ogunnusi.

APC leaders back Odigie-Oyegun for chairman

F

ORMER Edo State Governor Chief John OdigieOyegun appears set to emerge the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party’s convention will hold in Abuja today.

APC governors and key leaders reached a consensus on Odigie-Oyegun last night, it was gathered.

Also likely to emerge are Chief Segun Oni as Deputy Chairman (South) and Alhaji Kashim Imam (Nation Secretary).

The leaders were said to have prevailed on ex-Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, to step down for OdigieOyegun.

There were strong indications last night that Sylva and Jaja might not submit nomination forms to contest - in line with the “consensus agreement”.

But a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, is still pushing ahead with his ambition to become chairman.

A highly-placed source, who

T

Plot to scuttle convention uncovered

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday alerted the nation to the plan to use security men to stop some of its delegates from entering Abuja for today’s convention of the party.

About 6,855 delegates from across the country are expected to participate in the party’s maiden convention to elect the national executives.

The Chairman of the convention committee and Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko spoke yesterday of the plot to scuttle the convention, but he vowed that it would be successfully conducted.

Wamakko said: “We are not unaware of this sinister plot by the unscrupulous persons, working for entrenched interests, to scuttle this convention.”

He urged the security agencies to be vigilant in From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “After a series of meetings of our governors and leaders for about six hours, a consensus has been built around Odigie-Oyegun who has been a consistent progressive.

“Even from Edo State, OdigieOyegunis favoured ahead of Ikimi. His pedigree and sense of

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

nipping in the bud any breach of the peace.

“We urge all our members to remain steadfast while calling on the security agencies to be vigilant in nipping any disturbance of peace.

“They will try their best to ensure that this convention doesn’t hold by using security operatives to induce stop and search of our delegates into Abuja,” Wamakko alleged.

He, however, assured the party members that the committee would overcome the hurdle.

Wamakko said although the 2015 elections were eight months away, but APC will continue to work assiduously to ensure that Nigerians get the change they clamour for.

He stressed: “We want alternatives to vaga-

fairness over the years made the governors to settle for the exgovernor.

“As I am talking to you, most governors and leaders have bought into the Odigie-Oyegun project. Both Sylva and Jaja have been advised to concede to Odigie-Oyegun in order to move the party forward.They have agreed to step down.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “Ikimi is adamant

Continued on page 59

in vying for the office; we will meet at the convention ground to make a choice between him and Odigie-Oyegun.

“I think it is going to be an Edo affair; then the delegates will exercise their right.”

The source, who also gave details on the preparations for the convention, said: “About four hours ago, it was as if we were not going to hold the convenContinued on page 59

Olubadan stable after surgery

T

HERE was anxiety yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the state of health of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.

The palace was besieged by concerned people, including chiefs.

The palace had a hectic time handling telephone calls over fears on the monarch’s health.

The 40th Olubadan turned 100 last April. There were ceremonies to mark the centenary, one of which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was, however, gathered that the Oba was at the private suite at the University College Hospital

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan (UCH), recuperating from a surgery he underwent on Sunday.

It was also gathered that the monarch underwent surgery for a urinary ailment.

The Personal Assistant to the monarch, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, in a text message, said: “The reigning Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 is hale and hearty, contrary to the rumour circulating around. In fact, I was with Kabiyesi this morning when he was taking his breakfast. Please ignore all the rumours.”

Continued on page 59

Emir of Kano: Sultan, NSCIA members intervene

S

ULTAN Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III of Sokoto and members of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs(NSCIA) have waded into the impasse in Kano over the appointment of the Emir, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The NSCIA, including top Emirs in the North, have reached out to the Presidency to allow the choice of Sanusi by the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

kingmakers to stay.

It was learnt that the Sultan and NSCIA members might meet President Goodluck Jonathan “any moment from now” to resolve the issues involving the appointment of Sanusi.

In what appeared a response Continued on page 59

Sultan advises govt to swap Chibok girls with detainees

F

EARS of a plan to Islamise Nigeria are unfounded, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said yesterday.

Sultan Abubakar, who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider dialogue with the Boko Haram insurgents.

His Eminence spoke in Abuja while opening the 7th Annual National Conference organised by the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) in Abuja, with the theme: “Rule of Law and Social Justice: A Panacea for Unity and National Development.”

He insisted that the government could only win the war against insurgency through dialogue.

Alhaji Abubakar also called on Muslim lawyers to offer free legal services to detained Boko Haram suspects so as to ensure freedom for those who are not connected with the deadly sect.

He decried a situation where non-Muslims are kicking against the inclusion of Sharia in the Constitution at the ongoing National Conference, even as he urged Muslims not to oppose provisions that would be of direct benefit to non-Muslims in the Constitution.

The Sultan of SOkoto said: “I have said it one million and one times, as far as America, when I

Obasanjo awaits Jonathan’s go-ahead for Boko Haram talks Continued from page 1

Obasanjo, who spoke on the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored in Kaduna, also said many of the abducted girls might never return to their homes.

The former President said succeeding generations would continue to remember the 219 pupils still in custody of the insurgents, pointing out that only a few of the girls who would later get pregnant and find it difficult to cater for the babies in the forest, might be released.

He added that the abducted girls might have been separated by their abductors and kept in various places.

Obasanjo said: “I believe that some of them will never return. We will still be hearing about them many years from now.

Some will give birth to children for the Boko Haram members, but if they cannot take care of them in the forest, they may release them”.

Sani, President of Civil Rights Congress From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

delivered a lecture at Harvard University, that the problems of Nigeria is not caused by Muslims.

“I want to assure you that we have been doing our best to educate people on what Islam and Muslims stand for and want to do in Nigeria.

“I have said one million times, Muslims in Nigeria are not out

(CRC) said the meeting with Obasanjo in Abeokuta that was attended by journalist Musa Salkida and some family members of the sect members, was to open new channel of dialogue for the girls’ release.

He said the Federal Government’s indecision to swap the girls or storm the insurgents’ hideout is unhelpful.

Sani urged Nigerians not to vilify Salkida, who negotiated the botched backdoor deal between the government and Boko Haram.

In a statement after the meeting he had said: “The meeting was solely aimed at exploring the possibility of opening a new channel for dialogue or negotiation with the sect members towards securing the release of the abducted Chibok girls held in captivity for over a month.

“The meeting appraised the reportedly collapsed back door deal that was later cancelled by the government. I wish to also confirm that the report of the intervention of Mr. Ahmed Salkida in negotiating the

to Islamise Nigeria because it is not possible. We all know what is said in the Holy Quran. So why should anybody be afraid of the strength of Muslims in this country?

“When we come together and we are doing positive things or rightly it is got the development of that community and when a community is developed Muslims, non-Muslims and whoever within that community will be

release of the Chibok girls is credible.

“I personally introduced Salkida to the Government and spoke about him in many of my previous interviews. He has tried his best in the past and of recent to help in resolving the insurgency through dialogue but was on all occasions frustrated by the government.

“Mr. Salkida should not be vilified but should be appreciated. Mr. Salkida’s attempt could have actually seen to the release of the abducted girls.

“The meeting in Abeokuta was aimed at repackaging and salvaging the dialogue option: It was generally agreed that the initiative cannot take off without the consent of the government”.

Sani insisted on negotiation with the insurgents in the nation’s interest.

He added: “It’s significant for Nigerians to note that negotiation is the only safer option to get the girls back home. The consequence of the use of force to rescue

a beneficiary of that development.

“When you have good governance, you have good roads, you have good infrastructure; everything is working; it is not only for Muslims, anybody in that area will benefit.

“So why can’t we use our population, the strength, the number of Muslims in Nigeria to make positive impact and make positive difference in what we

Continued on page 59

do in this country?”

He insisted that no country could win insurgency war without dialogue.

He added: “Sometimes when we speak as Muslim leaders, somebody will say ‘look, His Eminence should not speak because he is not a politician.’

“We are the fathers of the politicians, we are the leaders, so we must tell them what is right and what is wrong. If they accept

•Sultan Abubakar

our advice, alhamdudilahi!. If they don’t accept, alhamdudilahi.

“But we will continue telling them until they see reasons why they should listen to us. So, as leaders at all levels, as Muslim leaders, we must keep on telling the government what they are doing rightly or wrongly because we need a society that will meet the challenges of the present day insecurity in our country.

“Because somebody who doesn’t want to say I am speaking to Boko Haram, therefore, somebody will say I am a sympathiser of Boko Haram. No. “If you don’t speak for people Continued on page 59

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

Contin

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

3

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

4

NEWS WORLD CUP SPECIAL

Police, protesters clash

R

IOT police carrying massive plastic shields and dressed head to toe in body armour clashed with thousands of demonstrators in downtown São Paulo near the Carrão station yesterday morning. Security forces fired tear gas into the crowd with many protesters injured.

“A bomb went off literally one meter from me and exploded right on my leg,” Bernard, a protester who refused to provide his last name. “We were doing nothing, we were just in front of them.”

Police fired flash bang grenades and tear gas into the crowd of about 200 protesters about 15 kilometers from the stadium which hosted the opening match of the World Cup. A number of the protesters, angered at the spending for World Cup projects, were injured in the melee in a confrontation with the civil police of São Paulo, who protesters said “were out of control.”

The protests continued later in the morning as workers from the city’s metro workers union and members of Brazil’s communist party clashed at the Tauapé train station.

Demonstrators lit fires in the street to crest a barrier between themselves and civil police forces firing more tear gas and rubber bullets into the group.

Police and military forces had been on standby to address any disruptions that threaten to mar the kickoff of the 2014 World Cup betwen host nation Brazil and Croatia.

Security has been one of the major concerns for the Brazilian government, as an estimated 3.7 million visitors descend on the South American nation for the world’s largest sporting event. Officials have deployed 170,000 security forces, including federal troops, police and private security guards, to the host cities – more boots on the ground than the U.S. had during the height of the Iraq war - but strikes and demonstrations and fears of violent crime still loom over the tournament.

“There are always security considerations when you have urban areas that aren’t used to having a concentration of people over a short amount of time and also where passions run so high,” Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, told Fox News Latino.

The Brazilian government has not skimped on the cost of protecting fans and citizens during the Cup, spending $855 million on security measures alone – five times more than the $175 million South Africa spent when it hosted the tournament four years ago.

And the security investment can be seen and heard in host cities across Brazil.

Naval vessels patrol the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, and police helicopters are on constant patrol over the city. In São Paulo, a heavy police presence has been established in tourist zones in an effort to deter protesters from disrupting any of the festivities surrounding the opening ceremony and Brazil-Croatia match.

The country’s defence ministry has Army, Navy and Air Force personnel on high alert for any disturbances and has declared the air space within an 11-mile radius of the stadiums a no-fly zone from an hour before matches up to four hours following the games.

“We hope there are no incidents during FIFA World Cup activities,

•Police forming a shield around a bonfire set up by protesters in Sao Paulo...yesterday.

•A protester being detained by police during a demonstration

‘

Every community had a bone to pick and say, ‘Well, wait a minute.

Why are hundreds of millions of dollars being poured into this stadium when we have these particular needs?

•A protester in Rio de Janeiro...yesterday.

but we have taken precautions and are prepared to do our part,” Celso Amorim, Brazil’s defence minister

said in a press release. “The integration between Defence and the Ministry of Justice is one of the pillars

‘

of this plan.”

Besides the stadiums, Brazilian law enforcement has also stepped

up its security measures at major tourist attractions. At Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue, the city’s municipal guard has added people to help protect the estimated 5,000 people who visit the hilltop site every day.

“We are taking many precautions to make sure everyone who comes here is safe and enjoys their stay here,” Jorge Murta da Silva, a spokesman for Rio de Janeiro’s municipal guard told Fox News Latino.

Petty crime, however, is still an issue in the city, with the area leading up to the statue being particularly dicey.

“We got mugged the other day hiking up the trail,” Suzanne McGavin of Australia, told FNL. “They took all our money and our cameras.”

The massive security spending – along with the enormous costs of building the stadiums and facilities to host the World Cup – is part of the reason why so many angry Brazilians have taken to the streets in the run-up to the tournament.

The protests that began in earnest last year around the time of the FIFA Confederations Cup, which was held in Brazil, and have diminished in size but not in frequency.

In Rio de Janeiro on Monday, the city’s teachers took to the streets in front of the World Cup’s media headquarters to protest low wages; subway workers briefly threatened a walkout and on Wednesday demonstrating taxi drivers blocked a section of Copacabana, causing major traffic congestion.

Also on Wednesday, check-in counter clerks, baggage handlers and janitorial staff who have been demanding raises of at least 5.6 percent for several months voted to strike. The work stoppage will affect Rio’s Galeao international airport as well as the Santos Dumont airport, which connects Rio to other Brazilian cities.

The airport strike came only hours after some 1,500 subway workers in the city voted against going back on strike over a pay dispute. They had suspended their walkout on Monday amid a popular backlash and government pressure.

In the northern city of Natal, where the United States plays its first game on Monday against Ghana, bus drivers seeking a 16 percent pay increase will stay home Thursday for at least 24 hours.

“The World Cup provided a kind of synthesis for all of these different issues, partly because the World Cup is a national tournament so the stadiums are going up everywhere,” Dave Zirin, author of “Brazil’s Dance With the Devil: The World Cup, the Olympics and the Fight for Democracy,” told FNL. “Every community had a bone to pick and say, ‘Well, wait a minute.

Why are hundreds of millions of dollars being poured into this stadium when we have these particular needs?’”

Some experts, however, argue that the unrest in the final hours before the World Cup starts will not hinder the celebration. Citing the problems that Russia faced before hosting the Winter Olympics earlier this year in Sochi, the Wilson Center’s Arnson said that despite the issues of security and infrastructure Brazil will be able to successfully host the Cup and eventually the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

“I think it was an enormous honor for Brazil to be chosen as the site for the World Cup 2014 and also as the site for the Olympics in 2016,”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

5

WORLD CUP SPECIAL

as World Cup kicks off •View of a huge banner against FIFA during an anti-World Cup protest in Rio de Janeiro ...yesterday.

• United States rapper Pitbull (centre), Brazilian pop singer Claudia Leitte (right) and United States singer Jennifer Lopez singing at the opening ceremony...yesterday.

• Performers taking part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA football World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo...yesterday.

• Performers taking part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo...yesterday.

•Performers led by Pitbull, Leitte and Lopez during the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup...yesterday.

PHOTOS: AFP AND GETTY IMAGES

Arnson said.

“And there are going to be many rough spots, but, at the end of the day, I think that the games will show Brazil as a country that is struggling on many fronts, but also has many capacities, as well as a vibrant culture, and a vibrant democracy.”

Demonstrations have been ongoing since last June as Brazilians vent their anger against £7bn to the Brazilian taxpayer, drawing more than a million people into the streets at their peak. It is not hard to see why, the poorest third of people in Brazil

receive less than 1.2 per cent of the national income.

Though several of the most highprofile protest leaders have said they will respect the players and the 60,000 fans who have travelled to the tournament and cease their protests, a hardcore angry nucleus remains, with Facebook groups calling for a march on the Sao Paulo arena ahead of the game, evading police by using thoroughfares intended for VIPs. “If the protesters try to keep fans from arriving, the situation could get ugly,” one official told Reuters

on condition of anonymity. “Police will keep the roads open, I guarantee.”

Still, the protesters could find that if violence flares during the tournament that brings humiliation to the country and its five-time-winners, public support will dwindle.

At its peak, 89 per cent of people supported the social justice protests, now that support has waned to around 50 per cent.

Brazil’s beefed-up police force has been given more muscle than Hulk.

More than 150,000 are on the streets of the 12 host cities. Roughly a

dozen protest leaders were taken to police stations to provide “information” on planned disruption, according to reports, but none were arrested or detained.

Human rights groups have expressed concern at the clampdown.

Atila Roque, Director at Amnesty Brazil, said: “Brazil’s deficient policing record, reliance on the military to police demonstrations, lack of training and an atmosphere of impunity creates a dangerous cocktail in which the only losers are peaceful protesters.

“The 2014 World Cup will be a

crucial test for authorities in Brazil.

They must use this opportunity to step up their game and ensure the security forces policing demonstrations during the tournament refrain from committing any more human rights violations.”

The protests have not been the only plague on the organisers. Because of lengthy delays and the tragic deaths of several workers, the new arena has never been match-tested at full capacity. Reporters on the ground claim that electrical work and lighting was still being installed last night.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

6

NEWS Kutigi overrules 100 delegates on proceedings From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HE leadership of the National Conference turned down yesterday some delegates’ request to limit the number of speakers during deliberations on reports of standing committees.

This happened as the leadership of the conference threatened to go tough on truancy, a development it said was becoming too much.

The conference is in the third week of considering committee reports. It has concluded work on about nine of the 20 reports before it, with less than five weeks to round off its job.

The decision of the leadership followed the rejection of a proposal it presented to the delegates on the need to save time following the delay associated with huge number of delegates willing to speak on the reports.

Col. Bala Mande (rtd), a delegate on the platform of a Northwest and 99 others sponsored a motion on proceeding to save time.

The motion proposed a number of representatives or groups to speak on reports rather than every delegate who indicates interest to speak.

The motion was similar to another one, which was earlier suggested by the leadership but was rejected after several delegates insisted that it was not unanimously adopted.

Another delegate, however, challenged the leadership for entertaining a motion about an issue that had been decided.

Deputy Chairman Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi said the leadership could not ignore a motion sponsored by 100 people.

Bansadim Leonard, a delegate representing the Northeast, agreed that the conference needed to save time to cover substantial grounds. But he regretted the nonchalant attitude of some delegates on the essence of the forum.

The delegate pointed at empty seats that featured regularly in the auditorium since the beginning of the week.

He said: “We seem not to be serious. In a conference like this, we do this country a great disservice when we look about and the seats are empty continuously.”

Ruling on the matter, Conference Chairman Justice Idris Kutigi said the motion would not be entertained because the issue had been ruled on.

He said: “We have been ruling on motions for two weeks. People would decide.

They go back, meet, conspire and come back. This motion was brought forward before and it was rejected. We have been taking this motion for the last two weeks. “...As gentlemen, when you make a decision, you should follow it up.

“This motion is based on representation that you should chose among yourselves; who to speak on issues at stake. But we made a ruling here before that we don’t recognise representation by delegates. And we ruled here that everyone is entitled to speak.”

P

Jonathan: anti-democratic forces working against 2015 polls

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said there are some anti-democratic forces working to truncate the 2015 elections.

The President spoke yesterday at the All-Political Parties Summit at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The summit was organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi. Jonathan urged Nigerians to ensure that such forces do not exploit the system’s weaknesses to perpetrate evils.

He said: “There are still very remorseless anti-democratic forces operating in the political system. They are ever ready to exploit lapses in the management of our political and electoral processes.

“Some of these forces may, indeed, during the forthcoming elections use their lifestyle to truncate the nation’s hardwon democratic liberty.

“But dear compatriots, with respect to the 2015 elections in particular and our journey as a nation in general, we must never allow these negative forces to prevail.”

Jonathan said the conduct and utterances of some prominent politicians were heightening tension in the land.

According to him, the security situation in Nigeria will better be addressed by a united political class.

He said: “The current national political outlook, with

•President hails Buhari’s patriotism From Augustine Ehikioya,

regards to inter-party collaboration, is less than salutary. Indeed, the conduct and utterances of leading politicians at home and abroad are rapidly creating and spreading unnecessary tension in the country.

“Such unguarded utterances, on their part, fester the embers of discord, bitterness and rancour. Such unfortunate developments play into the hands of extremist elements waging a vicious campaign of terror against the state.

“The recent mindless bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); in Jos, Plateau State; the killings in Adamawa State, including that of the traditional ruler as well as the heartless and criminal abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, are better addressed by a political class united in its commitment to defend the polity, irrespective of political differences.

“We must never politicise the fundamentals and core imperatives of defending the state.

Doing so can only embolden the terrorists and other enemies of our republic to employ any perceived political and social division for their nefarious ends.

“We must never give them such opportunity. Our political parties must remain positive and constructive in their en-

gagements as we seek to build virile and stable nation that can compete with other states in the world.”

The summit, the President said, must be an occasion for political rejuvenation and reorientation.

He added that its outcome must be a common stand against anti-democratic forces waging war against the state.

Jonathan said: “We must first build a nation before engaging in arguments on how best to run it. The system is not yet so shock-proof to withstand all unguarded and careless political statements and actions.

“If our state enterprise fails, no political party or politician can stand it. Hence, at a time such as this, when our existence as a nation is threatened by anti-democratic forces, we politicians and political parties must rise to the higher moral grounds in defence and protraction of our existence as one nation and one people.

“Our roles should not be limited to the struggle to win elections and acquire political powers but also to handling the demands of patriotism and statesmanship and restoring hope to the Nigerian people.

“We must reinforce and recommit our various supporters across the nation to the Nigerian project, irrespective of party affiliation, ideological

differences and alliances. History will not judge us kindly if this country fails as a result of our actions and inactions.

“We have no choice but to work together, and the time is now.”

The President expressed gratitude to all parties “that answered the clarion call”, particularly, former Heads of State and All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, Gen. Buhari has demonstrated statesmanship and patriotism and the willingness to put partisanship aside in the collective preserve of Nigeria’s nationhood.

Gen. Buhari warned parties against politicising the insurgency in the land, especially in the Northeast.

He urged all to unite and adhere strictly to the constitution and the Electoral Act. The APC leader called for proper funding of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that it is only an independent electoral body that can shape the polity and guarantee credible elections.

Former President Shehu Shagari, who was represented by one his sons, Aminu, urged the political class to shun violence and politics of bitterness.

•Jonathan (right) greeting Gen. Buhari at the summit in Abuja ...yesterday. With them are former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (left) and former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba PHOTO: NAN

T

I didn’t forge any certificate, says Suswam From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

B

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has said he did not forge any certificate to secure his seat or occupy any political office.

The governor said some people were plotting to discredit him because they opposed his senatorial bid in 2015.

Suswam said despite the “blackmail”, he would win the senatorial election any time.

The governor, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, assured that teachers’ six-month-old in the state would soon end.

He said: “I have never forged any certificate in my life.

I attended schools in Nigeria; anyone can go to and verify my studentship there. I am not a dubious person and I have never been.

“I will fight to the last to protect my integrity and name within the ambit of the law. I will not do anything outside the law. Some people are just out to rubbish me and bring me down politically.

“It all started in 2005, when I applied for admission for my Master’s. I was then in the House of Representatives. The university needed to see my original certificates before it could give me admission. So, I gave my Special Adviser (SA) then, who is still my SA, all my certificates. It was not only me; the former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Sam Ode, also gave my SA his certificates. We applied for admission together. We gave him all the certificates to take the university.

“But armed robbers took his vehicle and left with all my certificates. They were in one envelope; I lost all of them.

“I quickly applied to all the institutions: I applied to the Law School, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Of course, the certificates from Harvard, there was no way I could apply for those ones. So, those ones I did not bother myself about. I had photocopies; I made a police report to apply.

“The Nigerian Law School said they don’t reissue a certificate but they gave me a statement to any person who cares to know.

“Luckily, I had photocopies of all my certificates that I had sent to the University of Jos (UNIJOS) for another programme that I also applied.

I applied there to read Master’s in Law. So, I had photocopies.”

Rowdy session at National Conference over June 12

HERE was a rowdy session yesterday at the National Conference over a motion for the recognition of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Bashorun Moshood Abiola.

The motion, sponsored by Orok Otu Duke (Cross River), divided delegates along regions.

The rowdy sesseion was coming 21 years after former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.

Most delegates from the Southern backed the motion, which Duke brought under Matters of Urgent Public Im-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

portance. But delegates from the North vehemently opposed it.

Mallam Naseer Kura, a delegate on the platform of Civil Society Organisations, led the North’s group that opposed the motion.

Duke cited Order 7 (5) of the Conference Rules to back his motion. But Kura kicked against it.

The Northern delegate shouted “No, no, no, we will not allow this to pass”, as he jumped from his seat.

The development caused disorder in the chamber and disrupted the initial proceed-

ings.

But the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), intervened.

This doused the tension in the chamber from degenerating into fisticuffs.

The motion sought the leave of delegates to pay tributes to Nigerians who died for the nation’s democracy, as represented by the late Abiola, Duke prayed the conference to make those in authority to always remember June 12 as a watershed in the history of Nigeria.

He noted that a monument in tandem with what the conference had proposed for other heroes and heroines be recommended in honour of the late

Abiola, the symbol of the historical election.

The prayers did not go down well with some Northern delegates who became quite agitated.

Apart from Kura, Umar Mohammed Hadejia, representing Jigawa State, and many others, opposed the motion.

Most of them were seen shouting on top of their voices, apparently to express their disapproval over the motion.

Duke ignored what he described as unnecessary distractions but insisted that the country cannot carry on as if June 12 never existed.

He submitted, to the applause of his supporters, that

the country must recognise that many Nigerians died fighting for the 1993 presidential election.

Duke said: “June 12 is a preamble as to why we are here today. It is a continuation of unfinished business of 1993 that we are here. Moshood Abiola paid that ultimate sacrifice and it is not something we can wish away and assume that it never happened to us.

It did.

“I was an active participant, and some of the delegates here were victims of June 12. If we forget history, it will repeat itself as a tragedy. Those who fell for the sake of June 12 should be remembered today, if nothing else.”

7

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

NEWS Senate begs ASUP, COEASU to end strike

President to start tree-planting campaign in July

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

From Frank Ikpefan, Birnin Kebbi

T

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will officially start the environmental preservation campaign of the Great Green Wall Programme in July, Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, has said.

She said the campaign is aimed at promoting tree-planting to reduce desert encroachment in the North and the deployment of local efforts to check gully erosion across the country.

Mallam spoke yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, when she visited Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari.

The minister said the campaign will mobilise local action towards the sustenance of the Great Green Wall Project in the major Northern states.

The Great Green Wall programme is a pan-African project aimed at ensuring the planting of trees in the continent to battle desertification.

Hajia Mallam said: "The programme will check desertification in the North. Zamfara and Kebbi are among the 11 states that will benefit from this project.

"There is enthusiasm to see that this project succeeds. The President has put a lot of money into this programme. He will come and flag it off in July.

"The communities have a role to play by planting the seedlings, nurturing them to make sure that the programme succeeds.

"It is a collective activity for everybody to protect the environment. If the environment is not conducive, a lot of activities will be affected. We must plant trees to ensure we protect the north against desertification."

‘Don’t politicise power supply’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

A

FORMER Register of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Felix Atume, has urged delegates to the National Conference not to politicise power supply.

Spoeaking with our reporter yesterday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Atume noted that power supply remained epileptic all over the country.

The engineer said without it, devolvement and industrialisation, through which jobs would be created, cannot be accomplished.

Atume, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that South Africa produced 43,000 megawatts (MW) with 95 per cent sourced from coal.

He said Nigeria had coal in abundance but was not using it well to generate power.

According to him, Nigeria is producing only 4,000 MW of electricity, which is grossly inadequate for a nation facing escalating unemployment.

Atume said Nigeria should convert its coal deposits to generate more power to complement the current gas-based system.

The politician promised that if he becomes the next Benue governor, he would revolutionise commercial agriculture to tackle unemployment and create wealth.

He said current investments in agriculture were only for consumption and not enough for export.

•President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kayode Obembe (middle) addressing reporters on contemporary issues affecting the association in Abuja...yesterday. With him are: First Vice-President, Dr Titus Ibekwe (left) and Secretary, Dr PHOTO: NAN Aderemi Alayaki.

T

Jonathan, Mark, others mourn as Senator Kuta dies at 64

HE senator representing Niger East, Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, died yesterday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on his way to London for medical treatment.

The late senator was the Chairman of the Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

He was 64.

President Gooduck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba mourned his demise yesterday.

Jonathan said the deceased was a committed and forthright lawmaker.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President condolenced with Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu and the people of the state.

He also commiserated with Mark, Kuta’s colleagues, his family and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members on the death of the distinguished senator.

Jonathan said Kuta’s contributions to the Senate‘s lawmaking process would be greatly missed.

The President also said Kuta’s contributions to the development of politics and democratic institutions of governance in his state and country would stand to his eternal credit.

He prayed Almighty Allah to receive the late senator’s soul and grant him peaceful repose in Paradise.

The seventh Senate, last year, lost two members - Gyang Daylop Dantung (Plateau North) and Pius Akpor Ewherido (Delta Central).

Senate President David Mark reportedly wept yesterday when he heard about Kuta's death.

A statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh said Mark was unhappy that death had robbed the Senate and the nation of a "brilliant, vibrant and result-oriented

His death is a personal loss, says Aliyu

N

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has said the death of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, Dahiru Awaisu Kuta, is a big loss to the state.

Kuta died yesterday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He was 64.

In condolence message through his Chief Press Secretary Israel Ebije, the governor noted that Kuta’s death had increased the number of prominent Nigerians who died within a month.

He said: “Let me express with deep sense of loss the death of Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta. For me, it’s a personal loss. The late senator was a brother and a friend. For Niger State and Nigeria, he would be missed in the area of positive contributions on issues at the National Assembly.”

Born on April 16, 1949, the late senator was a seasoned politician and administrator who served his state and country for over 30 years.

A family member, who spoke in confidence with our reporter, said the two-term lawmaker died in Lagos on his way to London for medical treatment.

Kuta started his political carrier in 1983 when he was elected into the Niger State House of Assembly. He was also elected into the House of Representatives in 1993.

At the take-off of the current democratic dispensation, the lawmaker was appointed Deputy Director of Administration at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in 1998.

In 1999, the Abdulkadir Kure administration in Niger State appointed him as the Secretary to State Government (SSG).

The late senator was elected from Niger East to the Senate in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011.

He started his civil service career in the defunct North–Western State and had his service transferred to Niger State in 1976. Two years later, the late Kuta was appointed Secretary of the State Sports Council for three years before joining politics.

From Sanni Onogu, Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

lawmaker who distinguished himself in all ramifications".

The statement added: "Senator Kuta was a forefront parliamentarian. His views and positions unarguably represented those of the ordinary Nigerian.

Indeed, he stood for the masses.

That was why he enjoyed the sobriquet of 'Comrade Senator' on the floor of the Red chamber.

"His death has no doubt created a vacuum. We shall miss his humour. We shall miss his frankness, honesty and patriotism. He was a rare gem.

"Kuta's easy and calm disposition endeared him to all. He was a good mixer and everybody saw in him a true friend. He was simply a pleasant fellow.

"My heart goes to his immediate family, the government and people of Niger State as well as the National Assembly ...over this painful loss." Mark said he was consoled that late Kuta left a positive mark behind.

The Senate President prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.

The Senate, through its spokesman, Enyinnaya Abaribe, announced yesterday the death of Kuta.

It described him as a vibrant,

focused and dedicated lawmaker.

The statement said Kuta, who represented Niger East, died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Surulere, Lagos, in the early hours of yesterday.

The late senator, it said, was among the most resourceful lawmakers who loved his people dearly and worked assiduously for the good of his constituency, state and nation.

It said: "He was a Nigerian patriot par excellence. A development-oriented lawmaker and one who believed and worked for the unity of the country, a belief he amply demonstrated as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs."

The statement also said the late Kuta would be buried according to Muslim rites.

The Senate condoled with the government and people of Niger State, especially Niger East Senatorial District.

"The Senate prays for the repose of his soul and for God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss," the statement said.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu expressed shock and grief over Kuta's death.

He described the death as an "incalculable loss to the Senate and the nation," adding that the late Kuta was dependable and discharged his responsibilities creditable and efficiently.

Ekweremadu said: "Distinguished Senator Kuta was a brother, a friend and a paragon of integrity, principle, courage, and competence. He was a panNigerian who loved his country from the depth of his heart and worked selflessly for its development.

"His death truly hits where it hurts most and I am pained that he did not live to see the Nigeria of our collective dream, which he worked so hard for, fully emerge from the challenges of the moment.

HE Chairman of the Senate House Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije, has urged the striking lecturers of polytechnics and Colleges of Education to accept whatever resolution the Federal Government offers them to end the strike.

Chukwumerije, who was represented by a committee member, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, spoke yesterday in Ondo after inspecting facilities at the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The senator said the Federal Government had been holding series of meetings with the leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

He assured that the government would end the strike.

Chukwumerije urged the striking lecturers to consider the various security challenges facing the nation.

According to him, this was among the reasons the government could not meet the demands of the striking lecturers.

The senator advised them to take whatever the government was offering them.

He explained that the major concern of the Goodluck Jonathan administration was on how to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State.

Chukwumerije said: “Nigerians know the active role being played by the Senate during the industrial action of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the ongoing strike by ASUP and COEASU. We are deeply involved.

We had a meeting last week and we are going to have another one on June 23.

“What we want all Nigerians to appreciate is that we are at a very difficult time. Our nation is going through a very difficult moment. We all heard of the unfortunate tragedy about the school children slaughtered in Yobe State. They did not stop there; these convoluted evilminded people abducted our schoolgirls in Chibok.

“So, the President’s primary challenge is security. All institutions, all persons in Nigeria are supposed to give due recognition to this issue.

“In our negotiation with the government, we have to be mindful that the priority of this government is security. So, we are urging the ASUP and COEASU to be mindful of the security situation in negotiating with the government so that whatever that needs to be done should be done within the parametre of the challenge.”

He said the committee had directed the Chief Executive officer of NIEPA to write members on the propose merger of the institution on whether or not it is desirable for the Education sector.

Infrastructural development excites Nigerians, says Jonathan

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said the level of infrastructural development in the country has brought smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

The President said even the international community had been impressed by it that it announced, last week, that Nigeria was Africa’s biggest economy.

He noted that the testimony on his administration’s achievements had launched the nation into greater heights.

Jonathan spoke yesterday in Abuja at the ground-breaking

From Grace Obike, Abuja

ceremony of the contract for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), Phase 1 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said: “This event is a testimony on the achievements of this administration in launching this nation to greater heights through massive investments in infrastructure to fast-track infrastructural development. It is worthy of note to state that our concerted efforts are yielding positive reports and the whole world is

paying attention to us.

“For this reason, last week, the international assessment formerly announced Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy.

“As you are all aware, the growth and development of any nation depend largely on the level of its infrastructural development. It is the cardinal objective of this administration to spiritedly pursue the provision of infrastructure across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

Jonathan, who represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo,

also said: “You are aware that the present infrastructural works across the country has all brought smiles to the faces of Nigerians of all geopolitical zones.

“In our continuous drive for development, this administration is taking a step further by the rehabilitation and expansion of the present four-lane, two carriage way of the Outer Southern Expressway to 10 lanes. The scope of work also will run into 65 kilometres, comprising four interchange structures. The road project, when completed, will alleviate the hardship being ex-

perienced by FCT residents and other road users, as they commute to work daily.”

Minister of the FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed, who was represented by the Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said: “It may interest you know that the Outer Southern Expressway extends from the Villa Roundabout, passing through Kuje and terminating at the interest of Trunk Road A2 in Gwagwalada and has a length of 65 kilometres with several interchange.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

8

NEWS MEMORIES OF JUNE 12, 1993

My father was denied his mandate, says Abiola’s daughter •Civil society groups pour encomiums on MKO

M

RS. Hafsat AbiolaCostello, daughter of the late Chief Abiola MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, has urged Nigerians to bring those behind the annulment of the election to book.

She spoke yesterday at the late Abiola’s home in Ikeja, Lagos, during the 21st National Democracy Colloquium organised by the June 12 Movement of Nigeria.

Mrs. Abiola-Costello said: “My father won an election 21 years ago and was wrongfully denied his mandate. We should not allow them to get away with it, because this would send a wrong signal to the people. It would discourage people from stepping forward because nothing was done to right the wrongs that were committed against my father and the Nigerian people, who voted for him.”

She read out two poems for her father and mother, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was killed during the June 12 struggle.

Mrs. Abiola-Costello thanked those who stood by her family over the years, adding that the struggle was not about the late Abiola and his family, but about the aspirations of Nigerians for true democracy and more abundant life.

Lagos State House of As-

By Raymond Mordi

sembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji said: “MKO remains our man; he is our hero. He made the supreme sacrifice for us to have the democracy we are enjoying today.”

Ikuforiji, who later laid a wreath on the tomb of the late Abiola, said the annulment was an affront to the collective aspiration of Nigerians, which should not be allowed to happen again.

He said: “Never again should anybody take away our collective desire and aspiration; nobody can take away that which belongs to all of us and get away with it.”

Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) Debo Adeniran said the lessons of June 12 have been ignored by the current political dispensation.

He said zoning is the in-thing now and people consider religion, ethnicity and other primordial sentiments before they make up their minds whether to vote for a candidate or not.

Adeniran said: “The question of zoning has put credible leadership in abeyance because it is no longer about how qualified you are, but where you come from and what faith you profess. If you zone a particular post to a part of the country and you bring a dog to run for

•Adeniran (left); President/Founder, MKO Youth and Women Forum, June 12, Alhaja Aminat Irawo (second left); wife of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Ganiat (fourth left); Ikuforiji (in red tie); Hafsat (fifth right); Mohammed (third right); the late Abiola’s son, Abdul (second right) and others laying a wreath on the late Abiola’s grave...yesterday.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

that position, people would vote for the dog.”

Olanrewaju Suraju, who represented the Civil Society Network Against Corruption,

Democracy must be nurtured, says Aregbesola

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to protect their rights to choose their leaders.

He spoke yesterday at the Nelson Mandela Park in Osogbo, the state capital, during a rally organised by civil society groups to mark the 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

The election was annulled

by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Aregbesola said Nigeria “desperately needs true democracy”, which must be nurtured for it to develop, progress and be stable.

He said the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election dragged the nation to anarchy, “which it is yet to extricate itself of till today”.

Urging Nigerians to make sure that such does not repeat itself, the governor said: “What is important for us is that democracy must be nurtured in our society, if we are really interested in progress, security and peace. With the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, the nation teetered into a state of anarchy. That annulment set us back politically, economically and spiritually.

“There is an eternal struggle between the forces of light and darkness. So, there will always be a conflict in the society between those committed to serving the people and those who intend to serve themselves and their pockets. Therefore, those who have no agenda for the people are the ones who revel

said: “The essence of what we are talking about is that the phenomenon known as June 12 is beyond an annual rhetoric and has become a water-

shed in the political history of Nigeria, which can no longer be ignored. We need to understand the circumstances that revolve around it.”

The event was attended by members of civil society groups and Mohammed, son of the late human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

•Fashola names park after Kanu From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Miriam Ekene-Okoro in backwardness and retrogression.”

He said the essence of the June 12 celebration was to domesticate the consequences of “that obnoxious act of the military and guard against a recurrence”.

Aregbesola said the good governance that the late Abiola promised Nigerians is what his administration is offering Osun people today.

He urged the Federal Government to recognise the late Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and give him posthumous rights and privileges accorded expresidents.

The governor urged the people to come out en masse to vote and defend their votes on August 9, adding: “Nothing must intimidate or prevent us from voting and ensuring that our votes count. It is the power of the people that secures and protects votes. The force of the people is much more superior to guns. Therefore, do not allow anyone to hoodwink you into parting with your voter cards.

That is you power to choose who you want to lead you.”

Also yesterday, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola named a recreational park after a former Military Administrator of the state, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd.), for his

contribution to the June 12 struggle.

Fashola said the government chose the 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, “a symbolic date in the nation’s road to democracy”, to commission the park.

He lamented that anti-democracy agents were still around and were manifesting their tendencies as the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State approaches.

Fashola said Kanu was one of many Nigerians, who stood up for truth during the June 12 struggle, adding: “There is no occasion of June 12 that Kanu did not participate. He stood for June 12 and to restore democracy.”

He urged public office holders to remember that if those who stood up for democracy had not done so, they would

•Fashola (second right) inaugurating the park...yesterday. With him are his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right); Kanu (second left); leader of the Igbo Coalition in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Chris Ekwilo (left) and others.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

not have the opportunity to serve in the positions they hold in public trust.

Kanu thanked the government, urging those who use the park to always stand for what is right.

He urged Nigerians to pursue the objectives of the June

12 struggle, adding that the country would have been better, if the election was not annulled.

“There are more reasons to pursue the tenets of the struggle and put this country where it should be,” he added.

Commissioner for Environ-

ment Tunji Bello said the park was situated in Alausa to enhance the green culture, adding: “For many, it is a citadel of relaxation, family retreats, friendship reunions, excursions, a remarkable ground for all festivities and a place for individual relaxation and renewal.”

Falae: no peace without resolving June 12

F

ORMER Secretary to the Federal Government Chief Olu Falae has said there can be no peace in Nigeria without addressing the June 12 issue.

Falae spoke in Lagos yesterday during a programme organised by the Otunba Gani Adams faction of the Odua Peoples’ Congress (APC) to mark the 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

By Leke Salaudeen

He said the military committed “a great crime” against Nigeria by annulling what was globally accepted as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history, adding: “MKO Abiola won the election but those who thought they owned Nigeria annulled it. Until that injustice is addressed, there will be no peace in this country. A righteous God cannot bless an un-

righteous nation.”

Falae relived his ordeal during the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12, saying the late Gen. Sani Abacha put him in detention for two years.

He said the late Abacha promised to release and appoint him Prime Minister, if he renounced his membership of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), but he rejected the offer.

Adams said June 12 and Abi-

ola would “remain evergreen in our minds”.

He said the late Abiola is alive and can never die “as long as the fire ignited in us by the spirit of June 12 continues to burn”.

Adams warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against shoddy handling of the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, adding that the polls are “dress rehearsals” for the 2015 general elections.

9

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014

NEWS

Cervical cancer: Women urged to OMEN have been take vaccine

W

urged to go for regular screening and take vaccines to prevent cervical cancer.

Speaking yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a sensitisation programme on cervical cancer organised by the Women Committee of the Independent Marketing Branch (IMB), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Lagos Zonal Council, a doctor and cancer expert, Dr. Bridget Kolade, said prevention is the only way of fighting cancer.

The programme, which was held at the IPMAN building in Odo Ona, featured various health checks, including HIV screening, cervical cancer screening and blood sugar tests, among women.

Dr. Kolade said cervical cancer, which affects the mouth of the womb, is difficult to manage.

She said: “Cancer is difficult to manage; that is why it is called a terminal disease, but it can be prevented. That is why we are hammering on prevention because once it starts, it gets difficult and almost impossible to manage.”

Dr. Kolade said cervical cancer, which is caused by the Human Papilloma virus,

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

is the second commonest type of cancer affecting women in developing countries, after breast cancer.

Lamenting that many cases lead to death because of ignorance and failure to go for regular screening, which could have ensured early detection and treatment, she urged governments at all levels to raise awareness and make screening centres more visible and accessible.

Dr. Kolade said: “The government has a lot to do here too. People should be encouraged to go for screening.

The testing centres can be put in markets and other public places accessible to women.”

She said the anti-cervical cancer vaccine is very effective from age 10 to 65.

IMB Zonal Chairperson Mrs. Oyeleke Adejoke said: “Women are the mothers of the nation and they face various health challenges, one of which is cancer of various types. We have conducted programmes on other types of cancers and diseases affecting women and because of the seriousness of cervical cancer, we decided to focus on it this time.”

T

Ondo TUC pickets Indian firm

HE Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State shut yesterday an Indian firm, Tower Roofing Systems, on the IlesaOwo road in Akure, the state capital.

Workers in the factory protested the non-issuance of letters of appointment to them by the management since 2006, when the company opened for business.

The workers carried placards reading: “Indians must not enslave us in our fatherland”; “Letters of appointment is our right”; “Nigeria Labour Law must be re-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

spected” and “Nine years without appointment letter is exploitative”.

Speaking to reporters after locking the firm, State TUC Chairman Sola Ekundayo said the Nigerian Labour Law stipulates that any worker must have his or her letter of appointment within three months of employment.

He said the management’s refusal to give the workers letters of appointment deprived the workers the opportunity to be part of the Contributory Pension

Scheme (CPS) and National Housing Fund (NHF).

Ekundayo said the TUC leadership wrote to the management on the issue but got no response, adding: “When they did not respond, we approached the Federal Ministry of Labour, which gave the company seven days to release the letters. The management failed to meet up the ultimatum, but came up with a few letters dated April 1, 2014, instead of the first day of employment.”

He said the factory would remain locked until the management does the right thing.

Ekundayo said the union informed the Police Commissioner, Director of State Security Service (SSS) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters on the development.

The oldest worker in the firm, Mr. James Aladesua, said: “We started this company together in 2006 and uptil now, no letter of appointment was issued to me and others.”

The Company’s Manager, Wing Commander Lawrence Akinwumi (rtd.), said he was not authorised by the management to speak to the press.

Lawyers’ protest grounds Ondo courts

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE protest by lawyers in Akure, the Ondo State capital, entered its second day yesterday.

The lawyers have decided to boycott courts until the State Chief Judge (CJ) withdraws a circular which makes tax clearance a compulsory requirement for sureties.

According to a source, the circular implies that judges cannot exercise bail discretion in Ondo State.

The High Court premises were deserted by litigants. Judges stayed away from the premises.

No case was heard at the High and Magistrate’s courts.

It was gathered that lawyers in Ondo, Ore, Okitipupa and Owo have joined the boycott.

In a statement, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Akure branch, said the boycott would continue until the CJ withdraws the “unconstitutional circular”.

10 vehicles for Oyo security outfit

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has inaugurated 10 new patrol vehicles for the use of the state’s security outfit, Operation Burst.

Performing the ceremony at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Ajimobi said the vehicles would help Operation Burst combat crime effectively.

He lamented the security situation in the country, urging Nigerians to be security conscious and cooperate with security agencies to curb crime.

At the event were the Chairman of the State Security Trust Fund, Olatunde Ayeni; Operation Burst Commander Brig.Gen. Laz Ilo; service chiefs and members of the State Executive Council.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (third right) presenting a cheque to the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Osun chapter, Chief Oluyemi Olukiran, at the annual seminar organised by the Osun Broiler Out-Growers’ Production Scheme (OBOPS) at the Royal Spring Holiday Inn in Osogbo...yesterday. With them is the governor’s wife, Sherifat, and others.

I’m not wanted by police, says Tokyo

F

ACTIONAL leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a.

Tokyo) has said he is not wanted by the police.

In a statement yesterday, Akinsola’s lawyer, Mr. Debo Adeleke, said his client was never on the police wanted list.

D

The State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) also thanked the governor for his support.

Thanking the state government for donating two patrol vehicles, the State Commandant, Shem Obafaiye, said: “Your Excellency has once again exhibited practically your spirit of liberality and egalitarianism. This gesture is demonstrated in the receipt of two Ford patrol vans from the state government in fulfillment of your earlier promise. This will enhance our mobility towards the performance of our mandate. We have no doubt that you place premium on security.”

Ibadan

Adeleke said: “To set the records straight, our client, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo), was never wanted and he is still not wanted in connection with the mayhem and unfortunate violence that occurred at Iwo road on June 4, 2011.

“Shortly after the incident,

the police invited our client for interrogation, after which our client approached the Federal High Court, Ibadan, where he was not only exonerated but discharged and acquitted of the unfortunate incident.”

He said the ruling was delivered by Justice J.E. Shakarho (rtd.) on December 20, 2011.

Adeleke said it would be

wrong for anyone to insinuate that his client was involved in any murder case or violence of any sort, adding that doing so would denigrate his client.

Many people were killed on June 4, 2011, during a clash between NURTW factions at Iwo road, Ibadan.

Many others were injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed

Fayemi, wife bag Lions Club’s highest award

Ekiti doctors hail governor on welfare

OCTORS in Ekiti State, under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), have thanked Governor Kayode Fayemi for paying specialist allowance to consultants and approving 80 per cent Internal Revenue retention by facilities.

In a letter signed by the Association’s Chairman, Dr. Joseph Ogunseye, and the Secretary, Dr. Ajogbeje, the doctors hailed the governor for paying gratuity and pension using the 80 per cent consolidated salary scale.

They urged him to approve tax uniformity among health workers.

From Tayo Johnson,

•Fayemi

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, are to receive the highest honours of the Lions Club International - the Melvis Jones Award- for their “selfless service to humanity”.

The Melvis Jones Award is bestowed on people of impeccable character, who have impacted positively on the society.

In a letter to the governor, the Eko Lions Club, a branch of the Lions Club International, said Fayemi has boosted the standard of liv-

ing of Ekiti people.

The letter was signed by the Projects Director of Eko Lions Club, Mr. Oluwadare Abimbola.

The club said Fayemi did not disappoint the electorate, adding that he has proved himself to be a political leader who is “civil, amiable, courteous, respectful, yet principled, firm and resolute in his commitment to the oath of office he swore to uphold”.

It said people-oriented programmes executed by the Fayemi administration, such as free health care services for children under five years, expectant mothers, the physically-challenged and the elderly; and the social security scheme for the aged, have made life easier for Ekiti people.

The letter reads: “Your achievements in many fields, despite the fact that Ekiti receives second to the least funds from the Federation Account, recommend you as a prudent manager of resources and someone driven

‘We dare say that Erelu Bisi Fayemi is one governor’s wife who has added to, rather than detract from, the honour and integrity expected of those in leadership positions’ by the passion to leave your society better than you met it.

“Of particular interest to us as a public-spirited organisation committed to the uplifting of the helpless and downtrodden in the society is your heart of gold, from which flows the milk of human kindness, like the ageless, never ceasing Arinta Waterfalls and the Ikogosi Warm Springs, both of which, incidentally, are in your domain.”

The club said Mrs. Fayemi complemented her husband’s developmental efforts through the activities of her non-governmental organisation, the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF).

It said EDF’s donation of cash to women groups and children’s homes, school bags and instructional materials to pupils and food items to beneficiaries of the Ekiti Food Bank have reduced poverty, adding that her support for women and the girl child has improved their lot.

The club described Mrs. Fayemi’s establishment of Ekiti Soup Kitchens in the 16 local government areas as “innovative”, adding: “We dare say that Erelu Bisi Fayemi is one governor’s wife who has added to, rather than detract from, the honour and integrity expected of those in leadership positions.”

The date for their investiture would be announced soon.

10

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014

NEWS EKITI 2014

T

Barely 10 days to the June 21 election in Ekiti state, soldiers deployed to monitor the election yesterday intercepted a truck load of election materials at Itawure in Efon Local Government Council.

The truck bearing the materials including ballot papers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 2007, 2008 and 2011, reflective jackets and 2014 stamp were diverted back to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh, said the Mercedez Benz Truck with registration number APP 952 XL was arrested with three occupants. He gave their names as: Oluwafemi Ose, Segun Akanbi and Abiodun Erinfolami.

Brig. Gen. Momoh, noted that his men on examination discovered that the items which the occupants of the vehicle described as waste materials, were election materials.

He said: “My men are on ground in the state. Whoever is caught with offensive weapons will be brought down.

What we expect to see on the election day is your voter cards and not weapons.

He said the individuals caught, the truck and the materials would be handed over to the Department of State Services.

During interrogation, the driver of the truck, Ose, said someone contracted him to come to Akure Garrage in Ado-Ekiti to carry beans, saying “but before I got to Akure Garrage, someone was said to have carried it. The person

´Soldiers Soldiersintercept intercept election election materials •Fayemi’s, Fayose’s groups trade words

•The intercepted truck with the INEC’s voting materials.

•Occupants of the intercepted truck with INEC’s voting materials in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

then told me to carry another load at the INEC office”.

Ose said the materials were loaded into his truck as waste materials for him to transport to Lagos.HE Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation (KFCO) and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose have called for a thorough investigation into the controversy surrounding alleged interception

of voting materials belonging to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State yesterday.

KFCO, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dimeji Daniels, said though INEC claimed the intercepted materials were waste which auction was sanctioned by its national commission, but “it remains curious that 2014 stamps were found” among them.

While briefing journalists, Brig-Gen. Aliu Momoh, whose men intercepted the voting

materials, had said there was 2014 stamp on some of them.

Daniels urged security agencies to be on the lookout for agents of rigging, who were bent on reversing the progress that had been witnessed under the Fayemi’s administration.

“APC does not have the culture of rigging. We know many plans are being put in motion and hatched by the opposition to rig this election because the opposition knows it is not popular and not on ground at all. This is why no stone should be left unturned in preventing agents of retrogression from

taking Ekiti back 100 years like they did between 2003 and 2006.”

But Fayose said the “arrest of a truck loaded with ballot papers at Ita-Awure by soldiers is a vindication of our stand that the APC was planning to rig the election.”

A statement by the Director General of the Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, said at about 11a.m yesterday, soldiers on Ita Awure - Ilesha road arrested a truck with inscription “Adewole F. Odunayo Enterprises,” together with two occupants.

Anisulowo quoted the governorship candidate as praising the soldiers for allegedly refusing overtures of two state commissioners to release the truck. The PDP candidate demanded that “there must be no cover-up of this heinous crime.”

“Since the vehicle is marked, the public must know who is the owner of Adewole F. Odunayo Enterprises is, those behind the production of the ballot papers, their possible collaborators in INEC and the purpose for which the ballot papers were produced.”

APC demands probe of Ekiti violence T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the police hierarchy to urgently launch a comprehensive investigation into the violence unleashed by armed policemen on innocent members of the party during a peaceful procession in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, last Sunday.

APC argued that the probe would unravel the cause of the unprovoked attack.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also demanded that the killer of one of

the peaceful marchers, Mr. Taiwo Akinola, be identified and brought to justice.

The APC emphasised that no one has the right to take the life of another for whatever reason.

It said investigating the violence and punishing those responsible would send a clear signal to other trigger-happy and partisan police personnel that the force would not tolerate such acts of brigandage and impunity.

“It will also go a long way in reducing the tension that has been heightened in the state by the senseless police action, ahead

•Party seeks punishment for Akinola’s killer of the June 21 governorship election in the state,” APC said.

The party said several days after the clearly-unprovoked attack on defenceless citizens who were only carrying brooms, singing and dancing, Nigerians have continued to wonder why the police, who are paid to protect citizens, would turn around to unleash violence and mayhem on them.

It warned that failure to “unravel the cause of that irresponsible, unprofessional, shocking

and obviously-premeditated action by the police may send the wrong signal to the people that those paid to protect them will not do so, and in fact, will not hesitate to turn their weapons against the people.”

“When the people lose confidence in the police or other security agencies because of the unpunished actions of a few hooligans in uniform, the society risks descending into anarchy,” APC warned. The party said the police must be neutral,

professional and above board in the discharge of their duties, especially ahead of the two key elections this year and the general elections next year.

“The police should not play politics with their profession.

They should not support one party against the other, even when induced to do so. The moment the police descend into the arena of politics, as they have done in Ekiti, they lose the authority to carry out their professional duties.

Mu’azu: APC’s sweeping at our campaign venue provocative

T

HE National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmadu Mu’azu, has described the sweeping of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, by the All Progressives Congress (APC) members last Sunday as “provocative”.

PDP used the stadium for flag presentation to its governorship candidate Ayodele Fayose earlier on Saturday.

Police and PDP supporters attacked APC members during the sweeping of the stadium and major streets in the state capital.

Governor Kayode Fayemi was teargassed by the police. An APC member was also killed during the encounter.

Fayemi had described the encounter as an assassination attempt on him and lodged a complaint with Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abu-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

bakar at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

But Mu’azu, who spoke at the All Party Summit in Abuja yesterday, described the APC supporters’ action as provocative, wondering why “men should be carrying brooms”.

He said: “I wonder why the APC would use brooms to sweep off our footprints each time our party goes to campaign in states under their control.

“It was equally wrong for the APC to go to the stadium in Ekiti State immediately after our rally in the state to sweep off our feet. I was worried about such conduct and I don’t know when men started carrying brooms”.

The PDP chairman also alleged that the “Bring-Back-OurGirls” protests were being spon-

•Abubakar cautions politicians sored by the opposition, saying the ruling party had since dismissed the protest as an affront against the government.

“Initially, I thought the ‘BringBack-Our-Girls’ protests were well intentioned. That was why I asked my Chief of Staff, the former FCT Minister, to represent us and for two days, he was there.

“Little did I know it was opposition’s protest against the Federal Government. But I want to remind us that the war against the abduction of the girls should not be politicised,” he said.

He advised participants at the summit to take a critical view of the security challenges facing the country and act with one voice in bringing the problem to an end.

Former Head of State Gen.

Abdulsalami Abubakar, who chaired discussions at the summit, praised the political class for playing a critical role in the successful transition from military to civil rule, which he superintended in 1999.

Abdulsalami cautioned the political class against blame game over the challenges of terrorism and insurgency in the country.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega canvassed amendment to the constitution and the Electoral Act. He warned politicians against engaging in acts that could promote electoral violence, adding that the win-at-allcost syndrome among the polit-

“This is why we are calling on the police authorities to move urgently to probe the police-instigated violence in Ekiti State, identify those behind the show of shame and their motives, and promptly bring them to justice. That will be in line with the global best practices,” it said.

The party again appealed to its members and supporters in Ekiti to remain calm, “despite the provocations, and ensure that the forthcoming election is conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.”

Students, youths stage ‘10,000-man rally’ for Fayemi From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

S

•Mu’azu

ical class has served to promote religious cleavages, tribal differences and unwarranted violence.

In the envisaged amendment, Jega said elected office holders should be made to lose their seats if they defect from their parties to other parties while still in office. The trend, he noted, breeds political instability.

TUDENTS and youths of Ekiti State under the umbrella of “#NoGoingBackWeWillReturnJKF” yesterday staged a “10,000-man rally” in support of the re-election bid of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. John Kayode Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

At the rally were student and youth groups, comprising the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Ekiti State), the Coalition of Community-based Youth Associations, NANS/Joint Campus Committee (Ekiti State), students’ associations in the state’s 16 councils, faithbased youth organisations, the Students’ Union Governments of Ekiti State Tertiary Institutions and others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

11

BUSINESS EXTRA Shell shuts EA field for repairs

NEC okays $1.6b for T transmission network

T

HE National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the disbursement of $1.6 billion for the enhancement of the national transmission network.

The Federal Ministry of Power said the fund would be sourced from the legacy assets of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) being privatised by the government.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo who spoke at a meeting with a delegation of the Bankers’ Forum yesterday in Abuja, said another $500 million from the World Bank and $150 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) are also

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

expected. He said end had come to the ugly past of total neglect of the sector.

He said transmission is the life-wire of the electricity value chain and assured that Nigeria will soon attain 120 per cent capacity of power generation for transmission’s capability which ideally should be 150 per cent capacity ahead of generation target.

He said the banking sector will continue to play a lead role in the power sector, just as he argued that Nigerians should create wealth and enjoy such. Nebo said if foreign

interest are made to invest in the sector, they will repatriate their profits.

He tasked the bankers to participate actively in the unfolding opportunities that have been thrown up in the power sector, saying that banks should make loans available to those desirous of buying shares in the privatised companies.

Nebo expressed his excitement at the support of the banks to the ongoing privatisation process, and promised to leave no stone unturned to grow the nation’s economy through provision and access to power.

Responding to the plea of

the Forum on Gas, the Minister said the Power Ministry is forming a strong synergy with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to ensure adequate gas supply before the completion of on-going NIPP projects across the country.

Leader of the delegation, Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Ofie Sekibo commended on-going privatisation in the sector and appealed to the minister to help fast-track the coming on stream of an intervention fund that will provide banks with necessary muscle to fund power related projects.

FIRS raids NICON Insurance, NICON Luxury HE Federal Inland Revder this act or the laws listed in enue Service (FIRS) yes- Hotel over N90m tax debt the First Schedule to this Act,

T

terday raided NICON Luxury Hotel and NICON Insurance Limited in Abuja for alleged failure to remit over N90 million outstanding tax liabilities due to the government.

A statement endorsed by its Head, Communications and Liaison Department, Mr. Wahab Gbadamosi, said officials of both NICON establishments “are currently being held and interrogated by officials of the FIRS Special Investigation and Enforcement Unit.”

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

The investigation, he said, “is aimed at recovering arrears of taxes accruing to government from Companies Income Tax (CIT), Education Tax (EDT), Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).”

The statement read: “The service had served series of notices on the companies to pay their outstanding tax liabilities or being compelled to do so.”

However, the companies the FIRS official said “had admitted their outstanding tax liabilities when the enforcement team called at their offices.”

The enforcement carried out on the NICON establishments “is a warning to other organisations and individuals in the country on the need to comply with the tax laws.”

Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007 provides that; “Any person who being obliged to deduct any tax un-

but fails to deduct, or having deducted, fails to pay to the Service within 30 days from the date the amount was deducted or the time the duty to deduct arose, commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to pay the tax withheld or not remitted in addition to a penalty of 10 per cent of the tax withheld or not remitted per annum and interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria minimum re-discount rate and imprisonment for period of not more than three years.’’

HE Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) operated Joint Venture (JV) has suspended production at the EA field for repair of the soft yoke mooring platform (SYMP) which connects the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Sea Eagle with the mooring platform.

Its Corporate Media Relations Manager, Precious Okolobo said some 40,000 barrels of oil per day production (bpd) has been deferred as a result of the sus-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

pension.

The company said recent bad weather offshore damaged the SYMP bearing thereby necessitating the shutdown of the facility.

He said SPDC declared force majeure on off-takes for the EA blend until the work programme is completed and production resumed. The EA field is located south west of Warri in water depths of around 25 metres. First oil was achieved on December 14, 2002.

US places Nigerian vessels under watch

T

HE US has imposed Conditions of Entry (CoE) on vessels originating or calling from Nigerian ports.

Accordingly, it is required that these vessels are expected meet certain security measures prior to entering U.S. ports.

Twenty-two port facilities in the country are however, exempted from the CoE, as they have been found to have adequate security measures in place.

The U.S. Coast Guard has worked cooperatively with the Nigerian government to identify and address port security deficiencies observed during assessments of numerous facilities during the past six years.

Based on these assessments, it has determined that Nigerian ports have not fully implemented the provisions if the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, the

primary international security standard, and do not have effective anti-terrorism measures in place.

Twenty two Nigerian port facilities have demonstrated effective anti-terrorism measures and will not be subject to additional security precautions.

The CoE are not trade sanctions and do not ban Nigerian ships from entering U.S. ports. It does require ships, however, to take certain additional security-related measures while at non-exempt Nigerian port facilities, which will be verified by U.S. Coast Guard port security personnel prior to entering U.S. ports.

The CoE has no impact on shipping traffic entering Nigerian waters and/or berthing at its ports; it deals only with shipping traffic departing Nigerian ports that is destined for the United States.

12

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

13

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

14

NEWS WORLD CUP SPECIAL

World Cup brews

•From left: Group Head, E-Business, Sterling Bank Plc Mr. Fatai Amoo, winners of Verve - Sterling Bank Road to Brazil Promo, Mrs. Joy Brown, Mr. Nnodua Nnamdi Ndubuisi and Mrs. Taiwo Kolawole of the bank's E-Business unit at the presentation of flight documents to the winners in Lagos..yesterday.

As the FIFA World Cup 2014 kicked off yesterday, a crisis related to the competition is brewing between the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigerian Breweries Plc over the brewing giant’s alleged ambush marketing, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

A

• From left: Segun Akpata, James Maxwell, winners of Star Trip To Brazil tickets, Victor Famuyibo, Human Resources Director, Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, both of Nigerian Breweries Plc., Steph Nora Mba, another winner, Tokunbo Adodo, Marketing Manager, Star, Goldeberg and Exports and Timothy Victor, also a winner, at the farewell media parley of the winners of the Star Trip To Brazil consumer promo in Lagos.

•Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro (left), being welcomed by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Gu Xiaojie when he visited the embassy in Abuja.

PHOTO: NAN

•General Manager, Industrial Performance, Lafarge WAPCO Lanre Opakunle (left) speaking at a news conference on the company’s Ewekoro Plant in Ewekoro, Ogun State. With him are Corporate Brand and Sustainability Manager Temitope Oguntokun and Products and Development Manager Femi Yusuf (right).

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

projected eight billion viewers across the globe were last night glued to their television sets watching the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The opening match between the host, Brazil, and Croatia, sent the ball rolling. But unknown to many of the viewers in Nigeria, there is a crisis brewing between the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigerian Breweries Plc. The brewing giant is being accused by the country’s football governing body of engaging in ambush marketing, which according to the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), is a situation where a company ‘arrogates’ the status of official team sponsor to itself in the build-up to and during the World Cup. NFF believes the brewing giant has infringed on FIFA Marketing Law governing the World Cup sponsorship, a charge the company’s spokesperson have queried.

What really is ambush marketing?

The Nation learnt that it usually happens in two ways: by association and by intrusion. FIFA states that when it happens by association, the ambush marketer leads the public into confusion by unduly associating its business with the World Cup. By intrusion, the ambush marketer does not make a suggestion that it is related to the event directly but exposes its trademark and business and invests in publicity during the World Cup. This may take the form of a famous sportswear company that does not sponsor the event displaying its brand on billboards near the stadiums.

As a result, FIFA jealously guides its key brand assets, such as the FIFA World Cup Trophy and the Official Emblem, which are universally known.

With six official partners, eight World Cup trademark sponsors and National Supporters, both FIFA and some local football federations are worried over the activities of ambush marketers allegedly benefitting from where they did not sow.

Last year, the world football’s world governing body took action against 100 ambush marketers ahead of the tournament. The NFF says it will ensure Nigerian Brewery does not reap where Guinness is sowing.

According to a letter by the General Secretary of NFF, Musa to Nigerian Breweries, the Federation accused the brewer of launching communication materials which give an impression that it is the official sponsor of the Super Eagles.

•Maigari

Amadu stated that the campaign materials feature ex-players of the Super Eagles, which give an impression that NBL is the official sponsor of the team.

“Nigeria Breweries had launched communication materials across Nigeria featuring ex-players of the Super Eagles, giving an impression that you are an official sponsor of the team. We have equally noticed other outdoor materials with un-named faces in green and white jerseys all in an attempt to associate with the Super Eagles’ participation at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil and gain undue advantage,” he said.

The Assistant Director of Communication, NFF, Ademola Olajire, shed more light on the NFF’s position.

He said: “This time, the Federation has come out against beer-markers, Nigerian Breweries Plc for its deliberate infringement on the right of its sponsors, Guinness Nigeria Plc. We declare that this is nothing but blatant market ambushing and this is not only uncalled for, but highly unprofessional.”

However, the Federation gave the largest brewer in the country a sevenday ultimatum to remove the materials on billboards, failing which the NFF and the Seni Adetu-led Guinness would take legal action against it and seek appropriate damages.

But Nigerian Breweries seems to see the whole issue as much ado about nothing. In a text message and phone chat with this reporter, its Communication Adviser, Kufree Ekanem, and Communications Manager, Edem Vindal, wondered why an issue was being made out of Nigerian Breweries’ communication materials. Vindal said the materials were approved by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

He said: “I do not understand the issue of infringement of other people’s right. Besides, the courts are there to protect people’s rights.”

Ekanem urged The Nation to wait for informed position from the company, which would let the public know the truth.

Aside the issue of infringing on Guinness’s right, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria

THE NATION

15

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

WORLD CUP SPECIAL

ws crisis between NFF, Nigerian Breweries

‘

The Federation has come out against beer-markers Nigerian Breweries Plc for its deliberate infringement on the right of its sponsors, Guinness Nigeria Plc. We declare that this is nothing but blatant market ambushing and this is not only uncalled for, but highly unprofessional

(APCON) is also stepping into an allegation that Nigerian Breweries had violated advertising code by airing of alcoholic brands at prohibited times. The specific brands, The Nation gathered, were aired in the afternoon, evening and night. The brands, which were aired on Supersports, were tracked by a leading media monitoring agency.

“The exposed materials included screen flashes with bottle pack, advertising commercial with full pack shots showing bottle, all aired pre-watershed by Nigeria Breweries Plc,” sources told. Many of these materials said to have been aired include Heineken Beer full TV spot with bottle during Champion’s League matches; Star Beer Screen shot of bottle and spot advert during La Liga and Bundesliga matches.

Vindal said: “Star has for over two seasons now been sponsoring broadcast of La Liga on DSTV.” The media went frenzy last year when Guinness breached similar code and it was fined and mandated to withdraw similar materials showing pack with bottle during the EPL in 2013.

A source within the industry said: “Another fact is that NBL did not comply with APCON directives that no advert on alcoholic beverage should be shown during the day and

•Screen shot of Guinnes Fly with the Eagles commercial

•Nigerian Breweries chief Vervelde

‘

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

•Guinness chief Adetu

‘

I do not understand the issue of infringement of other people’s right.

Besides, the courts are there to protect people’s rights...Star has for over two seasons now been sponsoring broadcast of La Liga on DSTV

‘

NFF

before 10pm. Even though NB Plc was given directive to blank out the boards, all the boards in Lagos and pan-Nigeria are still carrying the material (as at press time). As you know, NBL has lots of billboards across Nigeria and they still have these materials that are supposed to have been blanked out.”

With both cases hanging on NB Plc, industry observers said the brewing giant may have deliberately flouted both NFF and APCON rule because the fine and penalties expected to be paid is nothing compared to how much mileage those two actions will earn their brands market penetration and top-of-the-mind awareness.

Also, an industry player, who preferred anonymity told The Nation, that “fine and penalties are not communicated to the stakeholders, hence, no one is sure if there are fines and penalties for these numerous and continuous infringement. It is easy for a big player to deliberately ignore the directives/APCON code and comfortably settle the fines.”

While The Nation gathered from a source in APCON that the council some days ago sat on the case against Nigerian Breweries, Olajire said if the brewing giant failed to obey its directive, the Federation would be forced to institute legal action against it in accordance with FIFA sponsorship

law enacted to protect its partners.

He said the most annoying part of the matter is that since NFF wrote to Nigerian Breweries, there has been no response from the brewer.

Guinness’ benefits The Aminu Maigari-led NFF recently renewed its contract with Guinness for another four years.

Guinness’ benefits as a result of its sponsorship of the Super Eagles include declaration of its various drinks, such as Malta Guinness, as the official drinks of the team.

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout has been the official sponsor of the Super Eagles for over 7 years. It has created the #flywiththeeagles which will be used across all campaign phases throughout the world cup.

Guinness has partnered Optima Sport Management International as the official TV broadcast Sponsor and Brilla FM for the 2014 World Cup in Nigeria.

The brewer has released a video to support them in their world cup campaign. It has also afforded it the right to push out a musical television commercial employing the inspirational sounds of Waje, Bez, Flavour and Ill Bliss calling on Nigerians to cheer on the Eagles. The Eagles will also wear materials promoting the company during the World Cup and

NB Plc

billboards and other campaign materials have been launched at strategic points in the country.

What FIFA says According to FIFA on its official website, “Due to the enormous cost of staging such a large event, FIFA would not be able to organise the tournament without the significant support of its Commercial Affiliates.

They make vital financial contributions to ensure that this privately funded event can be staged. In return for this vital support, FIFA’s rights holders are guaranteed an exclusive association with the competition, especially through the right to use the Official Marks (e.g. the Official Emblem and the Official Mascot) in their promotions and advertising.

“FIFA’s rights holders will only invest in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ if they are provided with this exclusivity. If anyone could use the Official Marks for free and create an association with the 2014 FIFA World Cup, there would be no reason to become a rights holder and as a result FIFA would be unable to secure the funding necessary to stage the event.

Therefore, FIFA is obliged to act when non-affiliated entities do not respect FIFA’s intellectual property and conduct activities that commercially associate with the 2014 FIFA World

Cup.” However, a specific law regarding the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil (Law No. 12,663/2012), also called the World Cup Law, provides for measures to keep ambush marketers away from the competition venues.

These measures comprise setting restricted areas around the stadiums where it will be forbidden to sell or promote products or services that do not carry the mark of an official sponsor. The law also provides for compensation for losses and damages for unauthorised advertising activities around or related to the event. The same law also provides that FIFA can present a list of marks that will automatically be declared as famous by the Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (National Institute of Industrial Property) (INPI).

A high profile brewer also broke the rule during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010. A famous Dutch beer company, which did not sponsor the event, hired more than 30 attractive models, dressed them in short, low-necked orange dresses (the company’s colour of choice) and took them to a match between the Netherlands and Denmark. Much attention was afforded the models. The stunt created the idea that the Dutch beer company was in some way related to the event, which diverted attention away from the beer company that was the official sponsor of the Cup. In 2013, during the FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA’s marketing director, Mr. Thierry Weil announced that FIFA handled approximately 100 cases of ambush marketing. In 80 per cent of those cases, the ambush marketers were caught selling small amounts of products depicting FIFA’s marks, such as images of the World Cup trophy.

What lies ahead?

The last certainly has not been heard of this matter. With the NFF insisting that the matter will not be swept under the carpet and the Nicholas Vervelde-led Nigerian Breweries seeing nothing special in the allegation against it, the stage seems set for an epic battle. As the next phase of the squabble unfolds, the attention of Nigerians and the world is on Brazil. So, let the matches go on.

16

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

17

18

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

19

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIAL

LASU fees reduction •The real question is how to handle frictions according to due process and standards

T

HE burden of educating Nigeria’s young shot into prominence in the past month with protests from students of Lagos State University, Lagos, who expressed, sometimes through vandalism, their objection to the school fees regime.

The fees, seen as elitist by the students given the indigence and their parents’ resistance, spotlighted the struggle between funding good education and satisfying mediocrity. This backwoods standard marks the present decline evident in the rankings of our tertiary institutions not only in Africa but also in the world.

This constraint played into the decision by the Babatunde Fashola (SAN) administration to appoint a body to examine the way forward for the institution that had been wracked by intestine disputes among the administrators and lecturers as well as student discontent in the early days of his administration. The body recommended, among others, a hike in school fees given the deficiency of infrastructure and other areas where the school lagged. The contentious regime of school fees that sparked the hubbub on campus and streets of Lagos resulted from that recommendation.

Given the restive reaction and other signs of opposition, the Fashola administration set up another body to review the fees. The result was a reduction of the fees to as low as 60 percent of the contentious figure. The administration responded to popular clamour, and that is one of the cardinal traits of a listening government.

But we must add that the fee reduction throws up existential worries among those who ponder financial books of the institution. It raises questions as to how much should a government spend in the midst of conflicting exigencies of development.

Governor Fashola has often insisted that the government owns the university but it does not have to run it. The university has a governing council as well as the regular administrative machinery. They should handle the sublime tasks of originating and marshalling ideas to run the university. Added to this is the fact that the private sector, especially the corporate world, should invest heavily in the education of the young and restless. This disdain of a helping hand from the centres of commerce reflects a philistine decay in the policy of the makers of profit towards the generations lurking at the future.

This is the challenge universities, including LASU, have to live up to and turn into positives. Once we come to terms with this reality, students can be cushioned from what has been seen as the tyranny of fees. Now that the government has reduced the fees, we shall have education but what standard? We realise that education around the world at that level is never cheap even with the stoutest of government subvention, whether in Europe or North America.

With regards to the other concerns in the university, rules are rules. The clamour to step up the retirement age above 65 years should follow due process. Most of the clamour arises from lecturers who had already signed up to the rules only to exercise a pirouette.

We therefore agree with Chief Fatai Olukoga, special adviser to the governor on education, to the effect that, “employees cannot unilaterally extend their retirement age, unless the employer concedes total control of the institution to employees…”

The LASU governing council will still have to meet to batten down details of the new regime of fees, and it is hoped that the humility and sensitivity of the Fashola administration’s approach to the fees will set the stage not only to normalcy but also for a societal contemplation on the cardinal philosophical burden of the day: Shall we run our university for standards or sacrifice standards to churn out a generation of graduates without proper education?

‘The LASU governing council will still have to meet to batten down details of the new regime of fees, and it is hoped that the humility and sensitivity of the Fashola administration’s approach to the fees will set the stage not only to normalcy but also for a societal contemplation on the cardinal philosophical burden of the day: Shall we run our university for standards or sacrifice standards to churn out a generation of graduates without proper education?’

Monsignor Pedro Ayodele Martins (1910-2014)

I

N range and durability, the career of Monsignor Pedro Ayodele Martins, whose remains were buried last Tuesday, was one of the most remarkable of our time. It was a career of many firsts, spanning 70 years and ranging from the secular to the ecclesiastic.

Monsignor Martins was the first Lagosian to be ordained a Catholic priest, first Catholic chaplain for the

‘He was religious without being dogmatic or doctrinaire.

He made friends across the faiths, was open-minded, tolerant and accepting. With his inevitable pipe, he cut the figure of a man who felt as comfortably at home in the rectory as at a social gathering.

We can only speculate about how Monsignor Martins thought of the present situation where every issue, whether social, or political, is examined through the prism of religion’

A man with many firsts departs Nigerian Army, and first director of the Nigerian Army Chaplain Services (Catholic). After military service, he served as vicar-general to the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Olubunmi (as he then was) Okogie.

Previously, he had taught at St Gregory’s College, Lagos. In and out of the military, he showed promise as a writer and painter, and as an all-round athlete.

It is a measure of the confidence he earned during his military service and the humaneness he brought to bear on all his assignments that he was appointed chairman of a committee to review the wholesale dismissals from the public service that the military regime of General Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo carried out in a well-intentioned purge that was perverted in execution.

Monsignor Martins carried out the task with his accustomed fairness.

Born in Lagos in 1910, he was the grandson of a Brazilian slaver. His paternal grandmother was an ethnic Hausa. He grew up in a household that observed Christian and Moslem traditions. This background would seem to explain his approach to his work as a priest, soldier, and public

servant, indeed his entire life.

He was religious without being dogmatic or doctrinaire. He made friends across the faiths, was openminded, tolerant and accepting.

With his inevitable pipe, he cut the figure of a man who felt as comfortably at home in the rectory as at a social gathering.

We can only speculate about how Monsignor Martins thought of the present situation where every issue, whether social, or political, is examined through the prism of religion even in his beloved Lagos, which used to be a bastion of inter-faith engagement and community.

Given his own background, he must have been distressed that religion has been turned into a wedge issue by all manner of aspirants, to be exploited for personal or group advantage, and not an instrument for forging common purpose.

In his personal life and throughout his remarkable career in the secular and ecclesiastic spheres, Monsignor Pedro Martins taught us that we can adhere to different faiths or subscribe to no faith and yet maintain civil discourse and seek common purpose.

The Middle East’s mounting danger

F

OR YEARS, President Obama has been claiming credit for “ending wars,” when, in fact, he was pulling the United States out of wars that were far from over. Now the pretense is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

On Monday, a loathsome offshoot of al-Qaeda, the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, captured Mosul, one of Iraq’s most important cities, seizing large caches of modern weaponry and sending half a million civilians fleeing in terror. ISIS, which can make the original al-Qaeda look moderate, controls large swaths of territory stretching from northern Syria into Iraq. On Tuesday, militants advanced toward Baghdad, capturing Tikrit and other cities.

If Iraq joins Syria in full-fledged civil war, the danger to U.S. allies in Israel, Turkey, Jordan and the Kurdish region of Iraq is immense. These terrorist safe havens also pose a direct threat to the United States, according to U.S. officials. “We know individuals from the U.S., Canada and Europe are traveling to Syria to fight in the conflict,” Jeh Johnson, secretary of homeland security, said earlier this year. “At the same time, extremists are actively trying to recruit Westerners, indoctrinate them, and see them return to their home countries with an extremist mission.”

When Mr. Obama defended his foreign policy in a speech at West Point two weeks ago, he triggered some interesting debate about the relative merits of engagement and restraint. But the question of whether Mr. Obama more closely resembles Dwight D. Eisenhower or Jimmy Carter is less relevant than the results of his policy, which are increasingly worrisome.

In Syria, where for three years Mr. Obama has assiduously avoided meaningful engagement, civil war has given rise to “the most catastrophic humanitarian crisis any of us have seen in a generation,” Mr. Obama’s United Nations ambassador Samantha Power said in February.

In Libya, Mr. Obama joined in a bombing campaign to topple dictator Moammar Gaddafi and then declined to provide security assistance to help the nation right itself. It, too, is on the verge of civil war.

In Iraq, Mr. Obama chose not to leave a residual force that might have helped keep the nation’s politics on track, even as the White House insisted there was no reason to worry. Denis McDonough, then deputy national security adviser and now White House chief of staff, told reporters in 2011 that Mr. Obama “said what we’re looking for is an Iraq that’s secure, stable and self-reliant, and that’s exactly what we got here. So there’s no question this is a success.”

Now Mr. Obama is applying the same recipe to Afghanistan: total withdrawal of U.S. troops by 2016, regardless of conditions.

At West Point, the president stressed that “not every problem has a military solution.” That is obviously true. In fact, a goal of U.S. policy should be to help shape events so that military solutions do not have to be considered. The presence of U.S. troops in South Korea, for example, has helped keep the peace for more than a half century.

Total withdrawal can instead lead to challenges like that posed by Iraq today, where every option — from staying aloof to more actively helping Iraqi forces — carries risks. The administration needs to accept the reality of the mounting danger in the Middle East and craft a strategy that goes beyond the slogan of “ending war responsibly.”

– Washington Post

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

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

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

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: June 14 of every year is designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as World Blood Donors’ Day. It started in 2004 to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion, and to thank and celebrate voluntary non-remunerated blood donors.

The day, June 14, also commemorates the birth of Karl Landsteiner who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his seminal discovery of ABO blood groups in 1907.

This year’s theme is “Safe blood for saving mothers”. While this is a pointer to the need for timely access to safe blood and blood products as part of comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths, it echoes the need for increased volunteer donors for women giving birth and a clamour for a reliable and save blood banking transfusion services.

More people in high income countries donate blood than other countries. The main reasons for this are low awareness on the importance of blood donation, lack of

S

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

Tomorrow is World Blood Donors Day motivation and encouragement caused by social and economic issues.

Basically we have three categories of blood donors: voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBD); paid donors, and, family or relatives/replacement. Most blood donations in this part of the world are from either paid donors or family or relatives/replacement. Whereas blood donation rate in high income countries is put at 36.8 donations per 1000 population, in the middle and low income countries, the rate is 11.7 and 3.9 donations per 1000 population.

This is why many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Going by the

prevalence and challenge of combating malaria complicated by severe anemia and malnutrition especially among women and children in low and middle income countries, there is therefore greater need for timely and accessible safe blood, especially for pregnant women and children to reduce mortality rate and other related complications.

Transfusion save lives and improves health and it is used to support various treatment. A single unit of blood can benefit several patients, because separating blood into its various components allow a single unit of blood to benefit several patients and provide a patient only with the blood compo-

nent which is needed.

One of the major issues is the transmission of blood borne infection among the donors. This is particularly rampant among paid and family/ relatives replacement which is the major source of blood recruitment in this region. Testing is not reliable in many of the countries because of irregular supply of test kits, poor quality test kits or fake or expired or poor storage of test kits, shortage of staff, unqualified laboratory staff and lack of facilities in the laboratory to screen blood.

However, testing and laboratory errors as a result of unqualified personnel are not sufficient to prevent transmission of infectious

geria Economic Summit Group, (NESG) and former minister for information, Frank Nweke (Jnr).

Ever since Nweke declared interest to run for the position, councillors from the area who saw him as the right man for the job and paid him solidarity visit have been suspended by those that see him as a threat to their ambitions. Even men of yesterday who have lost relevance and are constant visitors to the courts of justice for fraud, mismanagement and other heinous crimes are still intolerant of a new order as exemplified by Nweke.

Interestingly, Enugu east senatorial district is comprised of six local government councils made up of three Enugu metropolitan councils, and three rural council areas.

Winning elections in the senatorial district could be as challenging as interesting because the urban population is mainly non-natives.

It is also remarkable that since 1999,

no Senator has represented the zone twice in quick successions.

Nweke Jnr stands out distinctly as a technocrat. He is said to be the new kid on the block, without blemish and with confidence. As one who had wealth of experience in public and private sector, he is expected to do well in legislation that will drive growth in government.

It is even said in some quarters that stakeholders in and outside the zone wanted him for governorship in 2007, but that he declined to pursue further studies that has now equipped him better for a national assignment. In 2011 also he was tipped for Senatorial seat, but for some arguments then that he did not want to engulf himself in the fray, he stayed away.

Within and outside the zone, Nweke jnr is dear to the hearts of progressives and the grassroots.

Many see his foray in the contest for the senatorial seat as a paradigm

shift from the old order of godfatherism. His youthful exposition, exposure and intellectual prowess speaks for him.

At the moment, he seems to be the man of that will effectively represent Nkanu land. He is not among those who see senatorial seat as retirement benefit or consolidation of a captured territory. He is viewed as a detribalised Nigerian who has always got it right with whatever he sets out to do.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Enugu east senatorial zone who will be electing candidate for the Senatorial position should live above boards to decipher that they will not be electing just a Senator for the zone, but a national player who has crisscrossed the divides of the country.

One of such men is no other person than Frank Nweke Jnr. • Ikechukwu Ogbodo, Enugu

Nweke’s quest for Enugu East Senatorial seat

IR: As 2015 general elections draw nearer, all manners of Dick and Harry are jostling for various elective positions without stating who they are, where are they coming from and what they can do for the people and the country at large.

It is of utmost important that the track record of aspirants be properly scrutinised before supporting such people in the elections. The political parties should see themselves as channels for good governance that owe the nation a duty of producing the best materials for the good of the people.

This is major task before political parties and the people of Enugu East senatorial district as the countdown to 2015 elections begin in earnest. The cacophony of voices among aspirants in Enugu East senatorial district are becoming louder by the day. Among them is the outgoing Director General, Ni-

agents but the window period of the infection still remains a source of concern. One of the strategies for ensuring safety, quality, and availability of adequate and reliable blood supplies is by stable and regular voluntary non-remunerated donors (VNRBD) base.

Year 2020 is the target year for all countries to obtain 100% of blood supplies from voluntary unpaid donors; we expect our ministries of health to take concrete steps towards ensuring that health facilities improve access to safe blood and blood products from volunteer donors for women giving birth.

• Ayodeji Faremi, State Hospital Management Board, Osogbo, Osun State.

SOS to Ajimobi

S

IR: This is to bring to the notice of the amiable and dynamic Governor Senator of Oyo State, Mr Isiaka, Ajimobi the deplorable condition of our roads in the following areas: Amosander road to Awe to Abaapata, Emi-abata to Odo-oba which is the boundary between Oyo and Osun State.

The above mentioned villages are the food basket of Oyo State. I am sure the governor is quite aware of this.

The governor of Osun State Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has done his part from Ejigbo to Odo Oba the boundaries of the two states. We the people of this area therefore appeal to our listening governor to please use his good offices to ensure that remaining parts that belong to Oyo State that lead to the above mentioned villages are tarred so that this people of the area can, without difficulty, harvest their produce and take them to the city for sale.

The people of Amosander, Awe, Aba-apata and Emi-abata will not forget you and your government if these roads are tarred.

• Mustapha Aremu Taiwo, Aba Emi-abata Oyo, Oyo State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 16

21

COMMENTS

Slaves eternally (1)

(The ‘nigger’ in CNN’s Isha Sesay and Nigerian public officers)

Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

I

SHA Sesay is adorable. The management of Cable News Network (CNN) must love her; the youngster undoubtedly measures up to and glamourizes the news organization’s established style of grilling perceived and verified nincompoops or nitwits amongst African leaders. And gradually, Sesay, is perfecting her skills at showing up fellow Africans as nitwits and predominantly ‘black monkeys’ incapable of self-governance and leadership. My bad, Sesay would never identify herself as an African.

Though of Sierra Leonean parentage, she is “Briton.” But this is hardly about Sesay; this is more about Nigeria’s crop of contemporary public officers and their irascible lust to appear on CNN. The motive is always clear, being interviewed by CNN is expected to bolster their political and social profile. Hence in the wake or heat of any topical happenstance, it has become fashionable for the Nigerian President, Ministers, Governors, Ambassadors and even Special Advisers to pose and speak for the camera during interviews with any CNN anchor or correspondent.

It becomes instructive to note that while the nation’s ruling class hustle to be interviewed by any CNN or BBC news anchor, they treat with disdain, requests for similar interviews by local journalists and me-

dia. This is why it is exceedingly difficult to read and watch interview sessions granted by the Nigerian ruling class to local journalists or media.

In rare instances, when the nation’s president decides to hold the familiar charade of the “Presidential Media Chat,” participants, comprising a docile and fawning panel of pro-government media practitioners are carefully selected by Mr. President’s media advisers.

Throughout such interview sessions, the nation is subjected to a boring and highly patronizing ‘media chat’ devoid of the essential requirements of professional media practice and truthful disclosure by Mr. President.

Had it been that the country’s public officials accord local journalists and media the kind of obsequious deference they accord Sesay and her ilk, the country’s lot may improve remarkably; particularly in its need and use of vital information in times of tragic social and political crisis foisted on the country by terrorism masterminds like Boko Haram.

In the wake of the crisis, particularly the terrorist sect’s recent abduction of over 200 secondary school girls, the Nigerian leadership, predictably, has behaved true to stereotype; President Goodluck Jonathan, his aides, Doyin Okupe

‘The citizenry is guilty of the same inanity as indicated by the widely broadcast documentaries on Niger Delta militancy, the insidiously “professional” and manipulative “This is Lagos” and “Law and Disorder in Lagos” documentaries on Lagos which glorifies the city’s shanty and street ‘area boys’ malaise’

W

HEN the media broke the news of the death of Maya Angelou, I felt a deep sense of loss.

I was grieved in my spirit because she was a legend, who greatly inspired me through her memoirs and poetry.

While I was growing up, her books and songs were spiritually and intellectually inspiring. In the last one year, I had been hatching plans to eventually meet her physically and was almost on the verge of achieving that before the news of her death broke.

Death played a fast one on me this time but I have learnt a lesson from this– Never procrastinate.

All my heroes, who are still alive and whom I have been yearning to meet physically are in for a hard time from me. I will push until they grant me audience.

The late Maya Angelou was born in 1928 at a time when blacks and other minorities had limited rights and were voiceless, especially in the United States of America and other Western countries. She was born into hardship; she was raped when she was eight; shunned by the society and surrounded by acute racism-induced hatred; she, along with many other minority children went through enormous deprivation and lack.

Maya Angelou was not deterred by her circumstances: rather, she knew the place of good education and put herself through school. It was through education that she became empowered enough to break the shackles of oppression and racism that held down many minority persons.

When she hit the literary scene in 1969 with her book: I know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the world was forced to notice her. That book was the beginning of what she had for humanity as she went on to traverse many vistas. However, in all she did, she excelled as she zealously saw every step as an opportunity for further success.

She received over 30 honorary doctorate degrees and many international awards for her great performance on and off the stage. She was first among equals- a pacesetter in an era when she was supposed to be seen and not heard. She was indeed a trailblazer and a pathfinder as she trod where many others of her race and gender never did and led the way for others to follow.

I cannot forget her contributions to the numerous struggles for the emancipation of the minorities and the downtrodden in the United States through the liberation movement championed by the Civil Rights Movement.

It was not only her great writings that inspired people. She was actively present on the streets, the picket lines, and the numerous protests and rallies that were organised to liberate blacks, Hispanics and the entire American people from the gyres of ignorance which had driven them into the evil of segregation and racism.

Her commitment to that struggle was anchored on her strong

and Labaran Maku, have granted interviews to CNN’s Sesay. During such interviews, it was amusing to see Sesay summon her element to rip President Jonathan and his aides’ farcical invisibility and dignity to shreds. Her latest victim was staff of a Nigerian consulate in the United States; Seshay treated him the same way she treated Mr. President and company.

While they struggled to answer vital and significant questions asked by her, Seshay bullied them with frequent interruptions and forceful emphasis on veiled insinuations in her questions that suited CNN’s agenda. More horrifyingly, she rolled her eyes and casted side glances to chuckle and sneer at their desperate and futile attempts to answer coherent and sensible answers to her questions. Of course they could muster none and Seshay wasted no opportunity to show them up for the ineptitude as leaders and timidity as interviewees.

That was quite pathetic.

Seshay’s body language, her tone, manic sneer and dismissive manner of cutting them off chanting: “We do not have time. We do not have time anymore, we will probably invite you back later,” revealed among other things, CNN’s gross disrespect and disdain for Nigerian leaders. And like an over-excited predator closing in for the kill on hapless preys in its sight, Sesay pounced on the Nigerian public officers and made mincemeat of them all.

I am happy for Sesay, for with such brutish elegance and approach to her job, she will rise on the totem pole of CNN’s celebrity news anchors and correspondents, until she hits her head on the glass ceiling.

Yet I cannot help but feel sad for the exuberant CNN staff. Essentially, Sesay epitomizes and perpetuates the kind of slavish mentality that drove black African, my bad, “African-American” slaves of old to be-

tray and despise their fellow workers on American slave plantations in previous centuries.

Sesay and the Nigerian leadership epitomise everything that is wrong with the black race. So pronounced is their inferiority complex that the tragedies of their civilization perpetually wail in its littlest details: like the Nigerian leadership’s desperate quest for approval of the Western world in its shoddy handling of the nation’s terrorism affliction and Sesay’s maniacal, feverish quest to measure up to her employer’s expectations and institutionalized disdain for African leaders.

Who will uninvent the Nigerian as a pitiful nigger? Who will unschool Seshay’s mind and forelock of the retrogressive ideals she has learnt to bandy as knowledge and survivalist tactic in her mad, desperate search for applause and political correctness?

Sesay and her victims amongst the Nigerian leadership could be likened to fellows gifted with the mentality of the hyena and the sensibility of the guinea fowl. The same may be said of those who approve the misguided CNN staff’s attitude among the country’s citizenry.

Their lust for unearned dignity, acclaim and the west’s approval clearly illustrates their shallowness and ignorance among other weaknesses symptomatic of their awfully preadolescent, or to be more candid, undeveloped minds. It reiterates a very shrill cry for help that’s at once self-seeking, infantile and retrograde.

It is what makes Nigerian leaders pilfer and deplete the nation’s treasury to embark on idiotic trips abroad to learn western-european governance styles to be ineffectually applied back home. It is what makes Nigerian leaders throw their doors open to every visiting foreign cub reporter even as they deny seasoned journalists back home,

similar opportunities even as they persistently expose themselves to ridicule, presenting themselves as inveterate idiots by their comportment and utterances which are tailored to glorify the disturbing plots and agenda of the foreign newshounds.

The citizenry is guilty of the same inanity as indicated by the widely broadcast documentaries on Niger Delta militancy, the insidiously “professional” and manipulative “This is Lagos” and “Law and Disorder in Lagos” documentaries on Lagos which glorifies the city’s shanty and street ‘area boys’ malaise. Such media fare reveals contemptible plots to fulfill derogatory news agendas to the delight and pitiful acquiescence of the news subjects.

I am yet to see a Nigerian journalist travel to the United Kingdom or the US for instance, to enjoy similar courtesies and stupidity from the countries’ leadership and citizenry. It is even more worrisome to note that the incumbent leadership has never enjoyed and will never enjoy the kind of respect accorded the late Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo and their ilk at independence due to their inexplicable greed, complacence, degeneracy, shallowness of thought and character.

The kind of inferiority complex projected by the ruling class and passed down to generations of Nigerian youth affirms the western belief that we are not as mentally proficient as they are. Consequently, they see us as irredeemably ignorant, inept, corrupt and susceptible to inexplicable violence and inferiority complex. Unfortunately, the average Nigerian’s prodigal nature manifests to further serve as evidence of a collective idiocy and inferiority complex of a crude race that recognizes and accepts and glamourizes its intolerable limitations.

Maya Angelou: A life lived for others

By Adeyemi Ikuforiji belief that once the mind is free, man is free. It was therefore not surprising when she took up residency in Ghana to oversee the Ghana School of Music, through which she sought to affect and mould young Ghanaian minds and the black race through music. Her accomplishments in that school are still there for all to see today.

Despite all the accolades she received, she said her greatest reward and joy was seeing the hitherto downtrodden minorities in America rise to occupy the pinnacle of power in the American society. Maya Angelou said that was a culmination of all the years of struggle and the pains and anguish that the people collectively experienced. According to her, it was a fitting reward that washed away the tears that were shed and the lonely cold nights endured so that the people- both blacks and white would see the light and sit together as one to build a strong and united country.

Her life was remarkable because it was completely spent giving joy and happiness to others: she made freedom possible for people. Angelou lived a selfless life devoted to her people and country.

She saw the victory of the minorities not from the parochial prism of “we have done it” but from the standpoint that the American society had once again conquered one of the many shibboleths that threatened its existence and blighted all its achievements as the summit of human civilisation at that point.

Maya Angelou lived a life that was full of zest and verve. Hers was a life lived many times over because she was a woman of many parts. Her accomplishments would take other equally great men and women many lifetimes to attain.

Death ought to be terminal. But in Angelou, death is but the beginning of a new chapter. While she was alive, she triumphed over death: transcending all the thresholds and breaking all the chains, limitations and finality which death had brought over others. She has become immortal. One of the greatest of the last millennium! She will forever live in our hearts.

Are there lessons to be learnt from the way Maya lived her life?

Yes, there are numerous lessons. Her determination and courage in the face of daunting challenges should be a source of encouragement to all Nigerians today, given the many challenges confronting us, especially the youth. Maya’s character is proof that we should not allow ourselves to be held down by anything. We all possess the innate ability to rise from the ashes and emancipate ourselves as well as the entire Nigerian nation.

Her life should speak hope to many struggling and oppressed souls all over the world: do not give up. Oftentimes, the choice is ours – whether to say NO and arise or to say YES and remain in servitude. As a nation, we can break the bonds of backwardness and stagnation through our commitment to the Nigerian project.

It means we cannot sit in our houses and expect others to fight for us; the civic responsibility is in our hands. We must arise and make a difference through the ballot or through cooperation with other like minds.

Maya Angelou’s life speaks to us all to rise up as responsible citizens of a nation and refuse to be cowed by the misdeeds or terror, which some few individuals have decided to mete out to us.

Maya marched, we can march; she wrote, we can write; she sang, we can sing; she acted, we can act. It is our call. Who says we cannot surmount our country’s security challenges if we all decide to take the right step today?

Maya Angelou gave herself and her resources; she never sought personal glory or benefits. Her focus was entirely on ensuring the rights of her people were respected, protected and enforced.

Our motivation should therefore be the liberation that could be enjoyed by the masses and the various peoples of Nigeria: by the good that we can truly make possible for Nigeria and Nigerians. This is the source of everlasting joy that we must all seek so that we can outlive our times, just like Maya.

She neither held any political office nor was she one of the richest persons in the USA. However, she was one of the very few who received America’s highest award possible for civilians - the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was regarded by the United States as one of the best the country ever produced.

A life lived for others and the society is eternal, it remains the source of perpetuity and not the quantum of resources that an individual is able to amass to the detriment of the society. Anyone who aspires to make a name must first help Nigerians to live their dreams; it is through this that we can achieve immortality. That was Angelou’s niche.

She was a gift to the world and not just the black race; she blessed humanity through her musical talent, oratorical and acting prowess.

Her memory will remain evergreen. In her music, we see her passion; in her literary works, we see her zeal and commitment and in her public speeches and statements, we beheld her courage and drive. These virtues never die for they are immortal.

• Rt. Hon. Ikuforiji, is Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

22

COMMENTS ‘In testy times, we fight for ideas and newspapers are our fortress’--------Heinrich Heine HIS is indeed, a testing period when beleaguered Nigerians deserve nothing short of complete rescue from the clutches of Boko Haram insurgents, by the Nigerian military. But quite sadly, the institution has once again chosen to re-enact its sordid past. In five days beginning from last Friday, our soldiers have sustained a ridiculous feat: What they are incapable of achieving in Sambisa forest and other notorious hangouts of the insurgents, they (albeit temporarily), have unleashed on some of the leading newspapers in the country, including The Nation, Daily Trust and Leadership.

During the better forgotten five gruelling days, the military unlawfully unleashed its notorious fangs on newspaper circulation vehicles, agents, vendors and even innocent readers across the country. Rather than deploy its best brains to the battle-field of Boko Haram, the military high command chose to deploy, in a barbaric manner, its soldiers in several states of the federation, hounding newspapers’ operational vehicles, the newspapers, agents and vendors, to impede circulation of news stories. And their mission: To attempt to impede constitutional rights to freedom of expression.

In a country where cosmic unemployment rears its ugly head, it is worrisome that the military and its Commander-in-Chief could be so insensitive to the implications of their action on the businesses of affected media organisations and the likely fate of their employees. The seizure of newspapers, arrest of circulation drivers of several of their publishing companies as well as depriving the reading public access to information by operatives of the Nigerian military and other security agencies is reminiscent of the gory military era in this clime.

Yet, under this democracy, the 1999 Consti-

T

‘Has Mr President forgotten so soon the selfless patriotic pursuit of truth, in his favour, when late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s cabal attempted to circumvent the intent and spirit of the constitution? Has the president forgotten how the media stabilised him in power by exposing the secrets of then northern cabal that were averse to a south-south person assuming the presidency?’

T

HE shocking and painful death of Prof.

Dora Akunyili, former Minister of information and Communication on Saturday, June 7, is a personal loss to me. She was a friend and a sister; but most importantly, a true national reputation icon, who through her national service enhanced significantly the image of our country inside and outside.

She was immensely passionate and honest in everything she did. Oh, death is so cruel!

One day in July 2004, I dedicated my column in BusinessDay to analyze the personality of Dora, at that time Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). It was titled: “Dora Akunyili: A Public Relations Case Study.” That same day, my telephone rang, and behold, it was Akunyili on the other end. I didn’t know how she got my telephone number since we didn’t have any personal relationship.

“Is that Jossy?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Yes, who am I speaking with?” I asked. “My name is Dora Akunyili. I am calling to thank you immensely for your article today. You have lifted my spirit today with every word you penned in that article. Daalu nwannem, daalu (thank you my brother, thank you!”) I was deeply touched by such action of a public officer who took out time to appreciate a kind word.

As part of my heartfelt tribute to this unforgettable woman of our time, I wish to recall hereunder an excerpt from that article I wrote 10 years ago: “We have said several times that Public Relations is not about telling lies to present a bad person, government, organisation, product or service in good light. Telling people that black is white; deceiving people into believing that something is good when actually it is not.

“Public Relations helps governments, organisations and individuals to build a good image and reputation through good character, good behaviour, people-oriented policies

07011117777

Mr President, let newspapers be!

• Jonathan tution (as amended) generously provides in Section 22: “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people”.

In a democracy, it is sad that while the onslaught lasted, most vendors, against their will, were forced to reject The Nation and other newspapers for fear of being arrested or beaten up by soldiers. The few audacious ones amongst them were mercilessly dealt with for displaying especially The Nation newspaper in a show of what this column views as misplaced military bravado against free and lawful dissemination of information.

The tepid response by Defence Headquarters that newspaper circulation vans were stopped based on security reports that they were to be used to ferry bombs from the North East to other parts of the country could not stand the test of commonsense. One is forced to ask whether the current top military hierarchy has intelligent people that think for them otherwise, they would not have come up with such

infantile alibi. If newspaper circulation vans were to be used, as alleged, to transmit bombs from the north east to other parts of the country, the Defence Headquarters should come out and tell Nigerians how many of the detained circulation vans were coming from the north east at the time of its savagery conducts against the affected newspapers ? Were the harassed and brutalised vendors, agents, readers and drivers also coming from the north east to distribute bombs to other parts of the country?

What a jejune reasoning from a military that is daily proving to be incapable of rescuing the country from internal insurrection! What happens if an external aggression against the country surfaces?

May God save our dear country from this highly corrupt and politicised military relishing in an abyss! More saddening is the fact that the presidency has not uttered a word of condemnation against this attempt at fettering the human mind. Why do men of power forget the history of the significant role of media in enthroning good governance and dethroning bad governance so soon? The answer is simply because men of power in pursuit of self greed/ inordinate ambition surround themselves with people that tell them only what they prefer to hear.

A rare leader like Thomas Jefferson had decades ago realised the significance of the media when he purportedly declared: “Were it left to me to decide if we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” The current commander-inchief and his military top brass must realise the futility of criminal official onslaught against the media through the counsel of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte when he admitted: “Three newspapers are to be feared than a thousand bayonets.”

The import of these momentous words has been well amplified in contemporary history of the country. No matter how hard a tyranni-

Akunyili, an icon exits

By Jossy Nkwocha and programmes, excellent products and services, sincerity of purpose, honesty, integrity and transparency.

“Today, let’s use Dr. (Mrs) Dora Nkem Akunyili, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) as a case study in Public Relations.

On Wednesday, July 14, 2004, she clocked 50 and the birthday anniversary was more of a national celebration and a time to pray for a woman who has shown in more ways than one that things can actually work in Nigeria.

“She has shown that people who are sincerely committed to national service can actually make a difference in public life. And everyone sees what she is doing. Without fear or favour, without sentiment of tribe or religion, and without pandering to the sweet smell of money, she has done her job creditably.

In Nigeria today, the fear of NAFDAC is the beginning of wisdom for producers of drugs, cosmetics, beverages, canned foods and even “Pure Water”. Does that medicine have a NAFDAC Number? What is the expiry date?

Is that product fake or genuine? Almost all Nigerians now ask these questions before they buy or consume any of the products regulated

by NAFDAC. Even the poor, thirsty man on the street would not buy a sachet of pure water unless he is sure it has NAFDAC certification.

“Before the Iron Lady came on board, NAFDAC was almost moribund. Producers and importers of fake, adulterated or substandard drugs and food items had a field day – killing millions of innocent Nigerians and smiling daily to their blood money. Nobody

dared the barons because they were regarded as deadly and untouchable.

“But when Akunyili came, she dared the dangerous lions in their dens. Several times, they tried to kill her but the collective prayers of Nigerians saved her life. I have not seen any other Nigerian who is so genuinely loved by the public as Dr. Mrs Akunyili. I wonder how Nigeria would be if there were 50 other persons in executive positions in government who are like Dora Akunyili.

“Some other person in NAFDAC could have just sat back to become a multi-billionaire by conniving with criminals at the expense of 140 million Nigerians. Such a person could buy pages of newspapers or airtime on radio and television to tell us that he is our messiah.

He or she would pay for chieftaincy titles to glorify himself or herself. It is not so with our dear Dora!

A Public Relations delight “You may be wondering where Public Relations comes in here. Oh, everything! Dr. Mrs Akunyili is a PR delight. Marketers of the old school say that a good product sells itself. This is quite true of our NAFDAC boss. She does not need anyone to lie that she is doing something positive. What she is doing is there for all to see! What she has achieved so far is not hidden. No gimmicks. No white-washing. No magic. No abracadabra!

“As an analyst, I can place Akunyili’s success story on seven pillars: firstly, Dr. Mrs Akunyili, a consultant pharmacologist at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka was quite qualified for the job she was given. So it was not just a case of manknow-man. Secondly, she came to NAFDAC with a clear vision of what she wanted to do.

cal leader might try to decimate the media, it is on record that the Nigerian media, like its counterparts in different countries of the world, has weathered the storm and in the end, survived such tyrannical inclinations. The Buhari/ Idiagbon administration in 1984 tried so much using iron cast power to intimidate and suppress newspapers and the entire media. Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor of the Guardian newspaper were prosecuted and jailed for publishing the truth. In the end, the media had the last laugh. During the infamous reign of Ibrahim Babangida as Head of State, courageous Dele Giwa, then editor-in-chief of Newswatch was murder in 1986 via a parcel bomb with inscription C-in-C, and delivered by a dispatch rider. Notable newspapers and magazines were proscribed and closed down. But the media surged forward and in the end outlived that better forgotten government of the self styled evil genius.

Late General Sani Abacha was not a better ruler when it comes to allowing freedom of expression/ideas and free dissemination of information. This column asks: Where is he today even when the Nigeria media is still thriving and sitting in judgment over his tenure in power and those of other dictators like him?

In case President Goodluck Jonathan has forgotten, this column wants to remind him that but for the Nigerian media, he would not be president today. Has Mr President forgotten so soon the selfless patriotic pursuit of truth, in his favour, when late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s cabal attempted to circumvent the intent and spirit of the constitution? Has the president forgotten how the media stabilised him in power by exposing the secrets of then northern cabal that were averse to a south-south person assuming the presidency? What about the favourable coverage that was given to his supposed pan-Nigerian mandate in the 2011 presidential election? Does he expect the Nigerian media to still be celebrating him now that he seems bereft of the required ideas and capacity to move the country out of the woods?

Nigerian media will continue to criticise and raise justifiable questions when governance is going awry because Wilbur F. Storey once counselled that: ‘It is the newspaper's duty to print the news and raise hell.’ The president and all his service chiefs and soldiers’ phobia for newspapers despite their awesome powers cannot stop it from performing these functions.

President Jonathan needs the words of Richard Kluger to fully realise that he is sliding into despotism. The latter once said: “Every time a newspaper dies, even a bad one, the country moves a little closer to authoritarianism…” His latest siege on newspapers operations is just a pointer in that regard. But this column wants him to reflect on what becomes of previous tyrannies in Nigeria’s history. Your guess is as good as mine. Mr President, it is not too late for you to retrace your increasing wrong steps against the media. A word is widely believed to be sufficient for the wise!

With her experience as a pharmacologist, she knew what to do right from day one.

Thirdly, she set a goal for herself and has been working assiduously to achieve that goal.

Fourthly, she seems to be a team player, the manager who carries his subordinates along; who gives them a sense of belonging; who gives them their own tasks to perform and follows them up with supervision; who motivates staff, rewards excellence and honesty and disciplines erring staff.

“Fifthly, she seems to be one who leads by example. No double standards. When she says “don’t take bribe,” she too abides by it. She does not recognize sacred cows. She is not corrupt. She is diligent and hardworking. Although she is cheerful, she is firm and decisive in her actions. She is sincere in her dealings.

She is a no-nonsense personality.

“Sixthly, she seems to be a good family woman – a wife and mother.

Seventy, and most importantly, she is godly.

This is important for genuine success (The Bible calls it good success!) and divine protection. She does not need to pay the so-called prayer warriors and powerful men-of-God to receive divine protection.

“I don’t think Mrs Akunyili is a saint, though. As a mortal, she cannot be perfect. In fact, she has never claimed to be perfect but if we put her and others on a scale, we can say without fear of contradiction that she is, indeed, good!

Her tract record, her character and her achievements have earned her good image.

Today, she has a good reputation she worked for. Criminals dread her. The godly honour her. Everyone respects her. Happy belated birthday, madam!”

In the same vein, may I humbly say, adieu adorable Dora. May your very gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen!

• Dr Nkwocha, is head, Corporate Communications Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL), Port Harcourt.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

Why port charges are high, by licensed agent

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

N

ATIONAL President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Lucky Eyis Amiwero has decried the lack of infrastructure at the ports, saying it contributes to the high cost of clearing at the ports .

He said the ports lack the appropriate operational process and procedures, including ineffective legislative framework to facilitate port operations.

Amiwero, who spoke at a National Dialogue on Shipping Gridlock organised by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in Lagos, said in other countries, the ports perform crucial role in promoting international trade.

He lamented that the nation's ports have failed to play this role, despite the reform.

The objective of reform, he noted, is to improve port efficiency, reduce cost of cargo clearance, boost service quality, eliminate congestion, and facilitate the emergence of Nigeria as a hub for West and Central African sub-region.

The reform, he said, was also aimed at generating wealth and creating employment, reducing bureaucracy, attracting foreign investment and facilitating further development of the transport infrastructure.

25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Bank loans to economy drop to D N15.2tr, says CBN

EPOSIT Money Banks’ (DMBs) aggregate credit to the economy stood at N15.2 trillion in April, an Economic Report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the month has shown.

The apex bank said the April figure represents a drop of 0.4 per cent, on month-on-month basis, in contrast to the growth of 1.2 and 3.7 per cent at the end of the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2013, respectively.

It said the development reflected wholly, the 20.9 per cent decline in net claims on the Federal Government, which more than offset the effects of the 1.4 per cent increase in claims on private sector.

However, it said as at endDecember 2013, aggregate banking system credit (net) to the domestic economy rose by 1.6 per cent, due wholly, to the 3.1 per cent

By Collins Nweze

growth in credit to the private sector.

Banking system’s credit (net) to the Federal Government, on month-on-month basis, fell by 20.9 per cent, in contrast to the increase of 4.3 and 12.6 per cent at the end of the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2013, respectively.

The CBN explained that the drop followed the decline in the banking system holdings of government securities.

The banking sector regulator, said banks’ foreign assets stood at N7.7 trillion, representing a 1.4 per cent rise, compared with 0.7 per cent recorded at the end of the preceding month. This was attributed, wholly, to

the increase of 3.8 per cent in net foreign assets of the CBN. Other assets (net) of the banking system, on a month-on-month basis, increased by 3.3 per cent to negative N7 trillion, compared with the increase of 2.0 per cent at the end of the preceding month.

Also, CBN data indicated mixed developments in banks’ deposit and lending rates during the review month. With the exception of average savings, sevenday and 12 months deposit rates rose by 0.04, 0.01 and 0.39 percentage points to 3.42, 4.89 and 9.69 per cent, all other deposit rates of various maturities declined from a range of 8.30 to 10.28 per cent in the preced-

ing month to a range of 8.19 – 10.07 per cent.

The average term-deposit rate fell by 0.14 percentage point below the level in the preceding month to 8.59 per cent. Also, the average maximum lending rate fell by 0.17 percentage point to 25.63 per cent, while the average prime lending rate rose by 0.01 percentage point to 16.70 per cent.

Similarly, the margin between the average savings deposit and maximum lending rates, widened by 0.05 percentage points to 22.47 per cent.

At the interbank call segment, the weighted average rate, which stood at 10.50 per cent in the preceding month, remained unchanged during the review period.

‘Insurance creates wealth’

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

C

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

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

The weighted average rate at the open-buy-back (OBB) segment fell by 1.64 percentage points to 10.61 per cent while the Nigeria interbank offered rate (NIBOR) for seven-day and 30-day tenors, declined to 11.41 and 11.80 per cent.

The figure was a decline from 12.77 and 13.11 per cent, respectively, in the preceding month, reflecting the liquidity condition in the market.

With the headline inflation rate at 7.9 per cent, most rates were positive in real terms with the exception of the savings and seven-day rates.

The value of commercial paper (CP) held by the DMBs fell by 2.7 per cent to N10.47 billion, compared with the value of N10.76 billion at the end of the preceding month.

The development, the CBN said, was due to the fall in investment in CP by the commercial banks during the review month. Thus, CP constituted 0.15 per cent of the total value of money market assets outstanding, compared with 0.16 per cent at the end of the preceding month.

•From left: Deputy Group Head, (programmes) Bincom ICT Solution, Bode Adesemowo; Head of Strategy, Sterling Bank Plc, Ighodalo Aimienwanu, and Head of Social Media, Sterling Bank Plc, Kelvin Steve-Igbodo, at a press briefing on Sterling Bank Plc Social Media Banking in Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

Lawmaker blames govt for importation of generators

C

HAIRMAN, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Public Account (State), Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla said the increasing rate of importation of generating sets into the country is as a result of the ineptitude of Federal Government to provide adequate power supply to the populace.

The lawmaker who spoke at a weekly programme organised by the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly correspondents at the Assembly complex, said generator dealers were capitalising on the lapses of the Federal Government to import generators, having

Cement battle shifts to TV commercial.

- P 26

By Oziegbe Okoeki

known that people have no other choice than to patronise them.

He said: "The Federal government is to be blamed because it has failed to provide electricity; the generator dealers only have 10 per cent of the blame. If the federal government had done the right thing, the dealers would have no other choice than to stop the importation."

The lawmaker, who is also a generator dealer recalled the ENRON project that was initiated by the former Governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Tinubu, saying that ex-president Olusegun

Obasanjo scuttled the innovative idea.

He pointed out that playing politics with the idea was responsible for the setback in terms of electricity generation in Lagos State, saying government is expected to run irrespective of the political party that is in power.

Ayinla, who is representing Mushin II constituency, said majority of Nigerians are living below one dollar per day because of epileptic power supply.

He argued that lack of electricity supply is responsible for the lacklustre interest in self employment as people can not work independently to

Why shoppers are useful for brand building

- P28

provide jobs.

He said the problem of power also contributed to failure in the manufacturing sector.

"If you want to go into manufacturing sector, you must be very careful because diesel will finish you out of business."

Reacting to the proposed part time legislature proposed by members of the National Conference, the lawmaker said "though, it sounds like a good idea, I don't think it is good for us here in Nigeria."

He was of the view that making legislative work to be on part time, will make it difficult for government to achieve much in terms of legislation.

HAIRMAN of NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN), Chief Chris Ezeh, has described insurance as a tool for wealth creation and a key to economic transformation of the country.

Eze, who spoke ahead of a public lecture on insurance slated for Wednesday, 18 June at the Henry Fajemirokun Hall of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria Island, explained that the lecture, which will focus on ‘Insurance as a Tool for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Economic Growth,’ was organised with a view to deepening insurance culture among Nigerians, “particularly the vast poor and rural dwellers in conjunction with government and other stakeholders.”

Giving further insight into NBGN intervention in the insurance sector, Chief Ezeh posited that with a population of over 150 million, Nigeria is far from fully maximizing its huge insurance potential.

“The insurance sector has the key to the transformation of the entire economy as it presents vast opportunities for citizens, the industry and the financial services sector,” he stated, adding that there would be no real growth or development unless the insurance industry is strong, reliable, and plays its role as a major mover of the economy.

Building residence to climate change through indigenous knowledge - P38

25

26

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

BRANDS & MARKETING

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

A new TV commercial by one of the major players in the cement industry appears to have further drawn the battleline as it highlights the dangers in using low-grade and the merits of switching to the upgraded brand of cement, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

T

Cement battle shifts to TV commercial

HE cement market has continued to heat up since Dangote Group upgraded its cement to 42.5R. The development has been generating heated debate on whether the upgrade is really the solution to the incessant building collapse.

With the media war among cement manufacturers on the quality of the product and sponsored-published communiqués at various fora by those, who perhaps feel the new product could reduce their market share, the series of communication has continued to make the cement market exciting. They believe the new cement has created a value proposition that users have long been waiting for to avert collapse of their properties.

To sustain the communication solution to the new brand with a campaign theme – Big Oga – a new Dangote Cement TV commercial is taking on market forces to drive its brand equity than responding to competition reaction.

Created by X3M Ideas, a creative agency that handles Etisalat advert creatives, the 60-second television commercial (TVC) profiles a known model, Segun Remi with Kanran as his stage name. The character, which appeals to market forces (block makers and building contractors) that influence purchase decision saunters into his factory. A thunderous applause welcomes him. Yet, the applause was a mockery of him. Kanran has lost all his customers for using low-grade cement in molding his block.

Curious about why he was being mocked, he spies across the fence that separates his factory from his competitor. A long queue of customers stares at him. He sees the difference between his market position and his competitor’s. The situation changes his mood as he is left dissatisfied. To ensure better viewing angle, he stands on one of the blocks that he produced. What the pint-size model

• Kanran, lead model in the Dangote TVC

sees is amazing though unpleasing: his competitor’s business is booming – trucks off-loading sand, blocks looking stronger and customers taking deliveries with satisfaction written on their faces -thanks to the Dangote cement Grade 42.5R. Furious, he steps down from the block upon which he stood, he falls with his legs stock in the block. Flat on the ground, he yells at his workers, smacks them with his cap asking why his block crumbled.

His foreman retorts: “Don’t use your money to buy Wahala (trouble)”.

The foreman’s response resonates the current market trend which ne-

cessitated the upgrading of the cement by Dangote to stem the tide of building collapse as a result of the use of substandard cement.

The X3M Ideas TVC, which is a communication solution beyond the brand advert, sells a key message that to stop the loss of lives and properties to building collapse, all, from high to low end professional rankings, should upgrade to 42.5R cement.

The TVC also reveals how the use of quality cement can increase output, patronage, customer satisfaction as well as profit.

The 60-seconds TVC also demon-

National rebranding not funded by govt, says APCON chair

T

HE Chairman of the Advertising Practi tioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, said the failure of the rebranding was due to resistance from several quarters and attacks.

Akinwunmi, who was the secretary to the Federal Government-led Good People; Great Nation rebranding campaign team, spoke while addressing members of the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria (NIMN) during the unveiling of a new logo for the marketing body.

He said the project became a subject of attack because of the feeling in some quarters that it was another jamboree of the Federal Government.

He said the government did not fund the project. “Being a part of the Good People; Great Nation committee, especially one that worked tirelessly with the former Minister, the late Dr. Dora Akinyulli to make the project a success, the rebranding was met with stiff resistance and suffered severe attacks and probe by Nigerians as well as foreigners alike. It was assumed wrongly to be another government’s jamboree to pilfer and waste media funds, especially when the country was plagued with infrastructural, economic, security and corruption issues.

He said: “It was never funded by the Federal Government and was therefore enmeshed in several controversies and criticisms throughout its short lifespan. And like other rebrand projects

that had been attempted in the past, it ended untimely before it saw the light of dawn.”

With the stalemate, Akinwunmi wondered if any Nigerian would back the idea of any rebranding project now when the nation is faced with several challenges that undermine its image globally. He said the country needed rebranding now more than ever before as many investors had continued to come in spite of all the challenges.

“Now the question arises: Does Nigerian still need another rebranding project given the spate of negative developments we have experienced in our polity and social environment over the last two years? We have been plagued with an upsurge in poverty, kidnappings, robbery, intense corruption, weakening of our constitution, collapse of infrastructure, Boko Haram and others. Is there any opportunity for a rebranded and repositioned Nigeria against these backgrounds?” he asked rhetorically.

“I think so, in fact more than ever. Interestingly despite these crippling challenges, Nigerians have continued to attract an unprecedented number of foreign investors which have in turn grown and expanded our economy significantly which has led to Nigeria being the fastest growing economy within the continent. Though we may be a country of good people a number of social, political and security issues strongly suggest to the outside world that we are not.” he said.

T

strates that consumers are going for quality.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the Federal Government was targeting an increased production capacity in the cement sector from about 28.5 million metric tonnes last year to over 39 metric tonnes in 2014.

He said: “We have had a major success in the cement sector. For the first time ever in the history of Nigeria, we exported cement in 2013. We had capacity of 28.5 million metric tonnes. Our current demand is between 18 to 20 million tonnes. This

year, it should be about 39 million metric tonnes.”

The minister believes Nigeria should have one of the largest cement factories in the world in the near future. The major factor that will continue to drive the growth of the cement industry is quality production because absence of this will result in importation, a development which will drastically affect the economy.

However, with the seriousness of these trend, X3M Ideas decently and cautiously explored humour in the TVC to get the message across without losing the core message intended for the target market.

UBA unveils Next-Gen to sustain brand equity

HE United Bank of Africa (UBA)Plc is set to capture the new generation of customers with its Next-Gen Account.

The lender said the product is aimed at building a new generation of loyal customers, such as teenagers, students, graduates and life-starters, who the bank believe will help expand its brand equity.

The Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, Femi Olaloku, who represented the bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips Oduoza, said: “Next-Gen is about capturing and engaging the next generation of educated and enlightened professionals, employees, entrepreneurs, self employed persons, from all walks of life, early in their financial life cycle.”

He said the account was designed to appeal to the educated and enlightened teenager and young adult from age 13 to 34, hence, making the product with features that resonate with the core needs of customers based on their ages.

“This is a product that grows with the customer from his or her teenage years to when he or she becomes a young adult. Next Gen is unique in the banking industry because it is not really a product. It is a part-

nership where the bank is taking on a mentorship role to guide customers into a future life of prosperity,” Olaloku explained.

He also said that the Next Gen account has been designed to take care of every young person’s unique needs from when he or she first breaks into his or her teenage years at 13 to when he or she is on the border of full adulthood at 34.

He said: “It takes care of the unique needs of teenage customers when they are in secondary school through university to when they get their first job, start a family and even consider building their first house. At each of these critical stages in their lives, the Next Gen account provides financial options and opportunities to make life more comfortable for them and their family.”

The Head, Current Accounts and Credit Products, UBA Plc Idukpaye, also explained that Teenagers who open a Next Gen account will become part of the UBA Teen Fan Club, which offers great opportunities and great networking.

He also said as teenagers with a Next-Gen Account grow and gain admission into tertiary institutions, they will enjoy great mentorship, internships and career advisory reserved for account holders.

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

Brandnews

Expert advises practitioners on effective approach to brand building

T

HE Regional Managing Director, Impact Porter Novelli, Mr. Tim Walmsley, has urged PR professionals to adopt story-led communication when designing messages for the brands in their portfolio and depart from brandled communication approach which often bores the target audience.

During his visit to Nigeria recently, Walmsley observed that most PR practitioners are led by brands architecture to communicate messages to the target market.

According to him, this trend is fast fading out as researches have shown that story-led communication have proved to resonate with consumers better.

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

“Now, communication agencies are moving to the idea of story-led communication through multiple led channels into communication ecosystem, which surrounds individuals and consumers,” said Walmsley.

He said this method would make brands more compelling and powerful in their communication because the brands are put in a story to project its value and propositions, thus putting the brand in the centre of communication.

Walmsley view contradicts the norm in the country where PR experts bore consumers with the brand stories which are rather overhyped with unnecessary adjec-

tives. To change this trend, he said: “We need to think of the content we are creating and how the content fits in the environment. Essentially, we need to think the way journalists think which is the primacy of the story, dialogue and consumer feedback. When you think in that form, we will act differently as Communication Company.

“If you look at advertising done by creative agencies, they believe that brands are the story teller, they believe that the brands are the centre of communication, but we all know that the consumers are the end of brands. It is what we think about the brands that make the brands to work.”

Winners emerge in StarTimes’ promo STARTIMES has rewarded the first set of winners in the ongoing extra time promo.

The loyalty promo has produced five winners of 32-inch digital LED television and a winner of the grand prize – 2014 Toyota Yaris car.

During the draw, Mr Farouk Mohammed, from Kebbi, Mr Alade Yinusa, Warri, Mr Salami Femi, Lagos, Mr Muyibi Dotun, Lagos, and Lazarus Igwe, Benin, won LED TV. The Public Relations Manager, NTA-Star Network, Mr. Irete Anetor, said the promo gives customers the chance of winning, and also enjoy extra viewing day on the StarTimes’Soccer.

Anetor said the purchase of the StarTimes recharge card qualifies subscribers for the promo’s monthly draws, where they could win cars or 32-inch digital LED television.

He said: “The Extra Time promo comes in parts. We will give an extra

viewing day on our soccer card and the Extra Time promo card, sell our soccer card specially designed to cheer the Super Eagles for the FIFA World Cup season, and give out instant prizes through our Extra Time promo card. Customers can scratch and win instant prizes on its purchase.

“Customers will automatically qualify for the Extra Time monthly promo draws on the purchase of our recharge cards – be it the usual cards, the soccer card or the Extra Time promo cards.

“Instant gifts like the 32’ LED Digital TV Set or units of Viju Milk can also be won on the purchase of our Extra Time promo cards. The Extra Time promo card comes with a scratch and wins section for instant prizes. Instant prizes can be redeemed at our redemption centres.

Our monthly promo draws would hold at our Lagos head office at the end of every month, starting from May when the promo begins, until it ends in August.”

Dufil’s search for next Heroes begins

•L-R: Partner, Steward Redqueen, Dr. Rene Kim; Corporate Affairs Manager, Standard Chartered Bank, (SCB) Joke Adu and Head, Corporate Affairs SCB, Diran Olojo, at a briefing on the SCB Africa report road show, at the PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID bank’s new head office in Lagos.

Stakeholders canvass vetting of political adverts • AAAN, APCON partner INEC to ensure compliance

W

HEN the Advertising Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria (APCON) embarked on massive campaign against unvetted political advertisement during the last general election, the effort only produced little compliance. This time, the effort might yield greater result with the involvement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to increase the level of compliance.

INEC has partnered with the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and APCON to hold an international seminar on political advertising, perception building and voter education as part of the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

The partnership is aimed at setting the standards for the coming electioneering period in terms of advertising as well as equipping voters with the needed information.

AAAN President Mrs. Bunmi Oke said: “Political parties are the primary participants at this discourse focusing on electioneering process towards 2015. For us at the AAAN, we are desirous of promoting voter education and political advertising. This informed our in-

volvement in putting together the international seminar.

“In the face of the present realities, it is our firm belief that all hands most be on deck to help our nation achieve an enviable election that Nigerians will be proud of. To this end, it is our responsibility to educate the citizenry as well as redefine parameters for electioneering advertising. The only way to attain this level of professionalism and memorable campaign concepts is to involve registered AAAN practitioners/members in the planning, development and execution of advertising for election.”

APCON Registrar/CEO Alhaji Bello Kakanrofi said it was an effort to expand the frontiers of voter education and awarenes.

“Ours is an effort at voters’ education and a knowledge-based electioneering that ought to translate to informed voting which will benefit the political parties greatly in their quest to delivered the right messages about their manifestoes to the electorates. Therefore, as a regulator we advocate decent advertising which can be guaranteed by vetting all political campaign materials by APCON. Hopefully, we look forward to a situation where the political parties will

commit to this pledge at the end of the seminar,” he said.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, who will chair the seminar, is expected to give the keynote address. The keynote speaker is Mr. Craig Smith,; a former Campaign Adviser for President Bill Clinton’s 1992 election. Smith was later appointed White House Political Director, and played a prominent role in Clinton’s 1996 re-election. Currently, he is busy with “I’m Ready for Hillary, a pro-Senator Hillary Clinton-for-President grassroots mobilisation group. He sure has stories to tell on running a successful election campaign.

The panel of discussants is drawn from government regulators in election and communication as well as bodies involved in electioneering process in Nigeria. They are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) as well as a representative of civil society groups.

DUFIL Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Noodles, has begun the seventh edition of the Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA) where three new heroic children are expected to emerge.

The award is the corporate social responsibility initiative of Dufil Its Head of Marketing, Manpreet Singh, at a press conference said: “Our motivation rests firmly on the fact that a lot of kids are out there who do the extraordinary day by day, yet are unsung heroes who have never been celebrated, that is why Dufil has resolved that every year we would not relent in our search all around Nigeria for children who have performed unique acts of bravery/heroism, worthy of celebration.”

The Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, said the last six editions were immensely successful, at-

tracting strong commendations from various quarters across the nation.

“Spurred by these remarkable successes and the lives we have touched who have continued to be role models to other kids, Dufil is now more than motivated to make this 7th edition which is a unique number, an even more memorable one for all.”

Ashiwaju said: “In reinforcing our brands commitment to corporate social responsibilities, Dufil feels that it is very important to help ensure that kids are set in the right direction very early in their lives. The award has so far recorded huge success in the last six editions producing a total of 18 winners in all who have been rewarded with scholarship prizes ranging from N1,000,000, N750,000 and 500,000 for the first, second and third winners respectively.”

Safeguard soap drives campaign on family fitness TO enhance family fitness, Safeguard Soap, a Procter & Gamble brand, has intensified a family healthy living campaign through its Family Fun Fair.

During the Fun Fair, held at Fun Factory, Lekki, recently, the brand brought families together for an aerobics and fitness exercises led by ex-Super Eagles Mutiu Adepoju and Peter Rufai which was aimed at showing its care for its customers.

The Brand Communications Manager at Procter & Gamble, Ayotomiwa Ajewole described Safeguard as a family companion that cares about the total health of the home. “Safeguard is all about ensuring good health and safety from diseases. Our Family Fun Fair was aimed at not only killing

germs but promoting a healthy lifestyle for all families,” he noted.

A former Super Eagles team member, Mutiu Adepoju described the experience as fun and lively. “From my days on the Super Eagles team up until now, we have always learned and practiced all round fitness to ensure our health is not compromised” he said “good and active living as well as all round fitness is the first step to success in whatever career path you choose.”

The Project manager of the Family Fun Fair, Dare Amokeodo expressed his pride at being involved in the project. “We are glad and excited about this project; it is a day for sports, health and general fitness.”

Standard Chartered Bank rewards customers THE Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has awarded two customers, Mrs. Teniade Macaulay and Erefaa Emine Tom-Jack, an engineer, in the ongoing Mega Reward promotion draws at the bank’s corporate head office in Lagos.

Macaulay and Tom-Jack won N1 million.

Other prize winners areAjayi Oluyinka Timothy and Kess and Rilwan Momoh, each winning iPads. Also, Eyitemi Mojuetan and Margaret Kitchener both won Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

The head of Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered, Diran Olojo during the presentation of prizes assured customers the brank has a history of “transparency, integrity and an uncompromising stand in corporate governance.

What we promise, we deliver.”

The Mega Promo will climax in August 2014 with a Cayenne Porsche SUV car up for grabs.

Olojo stated that the “more times a customer deposits the eligible amount, the better his or her chances of getting rewarded.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

28

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Delhi Mall ranked 21st in shopping centre development

D

• Shoppers patronising a store.

Most brands are becoming increasingly conscious of the place of shoppers in building brand equity. Most of them have resolved to using insights –driven marketing and merchandising initiatives to satisfy targeted customer needs to achieve growth. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

Why shoppers are useful for brand building E XPERTS say that successful retail campaigns go beyond delivering increased sales; they improve relationship between the brand, the shopper and the retailer. This explains why companies spend a large chunk of their budget driving awareness amongst consumers. It is also the reason why, over the years, brands use shoppers as strategic approach to enhance in-store experiences in order to increase sales, ensure brand equity as well as create brand appeal.

Today, retailers have resolved to using insights –driven marketing and merchandising initiatives to satisfy targeted customer needs, enhance the shopping experience, and optimize business results for themselves and their suppliers.

To build brand, the shopper is engaged more meaningfully at the point of purchase so as to increase sales and loyalty even when he isn’t the one to consume the

product.

Companies that have integrated the shopper into their workflow have not forsaken him at all; instead, they have integrated him as they know there is a place and need for him in building their brands successfully.

The Center Manager for Ikeja City Mall, Sander Norman, describes a shopper as “One who passively develops a relationship with a brand and actively seeks out that brand.

He focuses on overall messages and aspiration and looks for convenient solutions that will provide more value and differentiation while he is in front of the shelf.”

Experts say that considering the fact that 76 per cent of buying decisions are made inside stores, more attention should be paid

‘Companies that have integrated the shopper into their workflow have not forsaken him at all; instead, they have integrated him as they know there is a place and need for him in building their brands successfully’

to what happens in this context.

Sometimes, majority of grocery purchases are unplanned but, luckily, this brings retailers and brands closer, as they are both interested in the shopper. Retailers are constantly looking for shopper solutions that will set their stores apart, which is why brands focus on shopper-centric merchandising ideas.

For instance, Belinda Inuanne, a regular shopper at Ceddi Plaza, one of the shopping malls in Abuja, finds it difficult to remember the particular brand to buy once inside a store. She has problem making choices most of the time. She is also easily attracted to the competition either by price or impulse.

Indeed, as retailers come up with more innovations, number of products and brands increase simultaneously and new rules are also set up to push sales and satisfy consumers. That is why the Chief Executive Officer, Delightsome Gifts Concepts, Gbagada-Lagos, Modupe Shopeju has demanded more brand participation as well as in-store promotional vehicles, saying it has become one of her major sources of income over the years.

Also, Internet shopping has contributed to creating more deal-conscious shoppers who have no problem in substituting brands or changing shopping habits.

In short, it is useless to spend too much energy in building brands that shoppers cannot find or are overwhelmed by the competition at the moment of purchase inside the store.

ELHI-NCR ranks 21st in the global list of cities with maximum shopping centre space under construction in 2014, according to property consultant CBRE. India continues to see a wave of new shopping mall development despite some developers pushing back completion dates due to financing issues, CBRE said in a statement.

“New Delhi is ranked 21, Hyderabad 23, and Bangalore 31, among global cities with maximum shopping centre space under construction in 2014,” the consultant said, quoting from CBRE Research’s latest report ‘Global Viewpoint’.

It said 39 million square metres of shopping space is under construction across the world’s major cities, and out of that, India accounts for nearly 1.5 million square metres.

Around 5,00,000 square metres of new retail space is under construction in New Delhi. The largest two projects - DLF Mall of India (204,385 sq. metre) and Logix City Centre Mall (1,11,483 sq. metre) - are both located in Noida.

Among tier-II cities, Hyderabad is the most active market with a current supply pipeline (4,83,000 sq. metre), which is three times greater than its existing stock.

Chennai was ranked 15th in the global list of most active shopping centre development markets in 2013.

“Globally, a total of 39 million sq meter of shopping centre space is currently under construction across the world’s major cities, representing a three million sq metre increase from 2013,” CBRE said.

“Most of this development activity for shopping centre space around the world is focused in China.”

According to the report, more than half of the shopping centre space under construction in the 180 countries surveyed is taking place within China’s borders.

Shanghai takes the first position with 3.3 million sq. metres of space under construction, which is more than the combined space under construction in the total 86 European cities, excluding those in Russia and Turkey.

Just behind Shanghai is Chengdu with 3.2 million sq. metres, followed by Shenzhen and Tianjin with 2.7 million sq. metres and 2.5 million sq. metres under construction, respectively.

“Strong economic growth in many Asian markets has been attracting an increasing number of cross-border retailers. Even though China remains by far the most active market for shopping centre development, the tier I and II cities of India are also among the most active globally,” CBRE South Asia CMD Anshuman Magazine said.

“Unfortunately, however, there continues to exist a dearth of quality shopping space in many of our market places. Along with the large-scale urbanisation of our leading cities and a burgeoning middle class population, it is this that has been driving shopping center development forward,” he added.

This is the third year that CBRE has measured the level of shopping centre development in the world’s 180 major cities.

The survey was based on new centres of over 20,000 sq. metres and excluded retail warehousing and factory outlet centres.

- Source: Google

• East Delhi Mall in India

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

AKWA IBOM

EKU HOSPIT AL HOSPITAL OVER four years after the Delta State Government took over a comatose Eku Baptist Hospital, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has inaugurated the renovated and re-equipped medical facility. But there are fears about the need to maintain the facilities.

•Uduaghan

•PAGE 32

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

CR OSS RIVER CROSS

AKWA Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications Aniekan Umanah says some overly ambitious politicians are overheating the system ahead of the 2015 general elections. He says ultimately the people will have the final say.

•Umanah

•PAGE 34

PAGE 29

THE next phase of development in Cross River State must be centered on entrepreneurship, a governorship aspirant, Mr Francis Bullem, has said. Bullem is one of the two aspirants who have declared their desire to clinch the top job.

•Bullem

•PAGE 30

Edo community battles ‘300-year-old curse’

•The final resting place of Queen Iden where nobody must step on

‘

It is their business to remove the curse. Ikoka people are conversant with this historical background. They should come together to remove the subsisting curse. If they are saying there is nothing like that, they are lying. These things happened

‘

SEE STORY ON PAGE 30

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

30

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Ikoka...Edo community ba Could a curse supposedly placed on a community still have efficacy after over 300 years? That was among many questions OSAGIE OTABOR sought answers to when he visited Ikoka village in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

I

T is a community in Edo State. Ikoka is its name.

Several movies and music have told its story. The long and short of the story is that it is suffering as a result of a curse placed on it 300 years ago by Oba Ewuakpe who ruled Benin Kingdom between 1700 and 1712.

To many Bini indigenes, Ikoka is a cursed community where women are the well-todo and the men not prosperous.

Fast forward to the 21st century, natives of Ikoka are not happy with such story associated with their community, especially as it is being told by movie makers and musicians.

To them, there was no curse and even if there was one, it was no longer effective after so many years.

According to the story, Oba Ewuakpe ascended the throne after Oba Ore-Oghene died without an heir. He was said to be too young, inexperienced and impatient which caused him many problems. His major trouble started after the death of his mother, Queen Ewebonoya.

To ensure that that his mother had comfort and people to attend to her in the other world, Oba Ewuakpe ordered the killing of many persons that would serve his mother in the after world. The killing of natives was an act described as abominable and the kingdom turned against him.

Oba Ewuakpe’s subjects revolted. His wives, slaves and servants were chased away by palace chiefs who equally refused to pay homage to the monarch.

That brought hunger and

B

untold sufferings within the palace walls. The only person that remained with him was Queen Iden who did not leave when the chiefs chased other wives away.

Having been left to his fate, Oba Ewuakpe went to Ikoka being his mother’s village to ask for food and shelter. His visit to Ikoka was rather unsuccessful as he was reportedly spurned and given some task to do. Ikoka’s elders, according to historians, told the Oba that they were equally suffering and asked the Oba to join in menial labours, such as clearing of access roads and roofing of their houses.

The Oba was said to have in anger placed a curse on the village that suffering would never end in the village. He said the men would never do well and that only woman would be successful in the village. Oba Ewuakpe was also said to have cursed that as the villagers were clearing their access road, the grass would be growing behind them and that their houses would be falling as they were building them.

Upon his return to his palace, Oba Ewuakpe met a palace almost in ruins and had to clean a little portion for himself and Queen Iden to stay.

Several writers said Iden sold her properties and used the proceeds to consult a seer who said the only way for the Oba to regain the respect of his subject was to perform a makebelieve ceremony and a human sacrifice.

Queen Iden talked her husband into using her for the needed sacrifice. After performing the make-believe party, Queen Iden chose a spot near the Oba market where she

•Ikoka village

‘My village not cursed’ Ikoka’s village head, Pa Nomwansaye Asomwonriri, spoke with OSAGIE OTABOR.

I

S it true that it is only women that are well to do at Ikoka?

I am known as Alhaji. I am 98 years old. The issue of women being the bread winner in Ikoka is the words of other people. I cannot say I am not well to do. I grew up at Ikoka. That was where I grew up before I went to learn a trade. I have not seen an Ikoka women taking charge of the home. I have three wives and 22 children.

I am the one taking care of them. They are not in charge of feeding. I have four houses. There are many Ikoka indigenous having houses in Benin City. It is just that they are not building houses in the village.

It is only one woman I know that owned a house. The musicians and movie makers wanted to make money which was why they lied to the world. I cannot say I am not rich. I have two extra houses. That talk is mere story.

Is it true that your village was cursed by Oba Ewuakpe?

I was not there when it happened. I cannot say. My parents did not tell us that we were cursed. Ikoka is the village of Oba Ewuakpe so there is something we do for him in the village. I do not believe that Ikoka is a cursed place. Do I look like someone who is cursed?

would be buried. Oba Ewuakpe, who reluctantly agreed, eventually killed the wife but not before Iden decreed that anybody who stepped on her grave should be killed immediately. The grave is still standing till today.

Oba Ewuakpe regained his throne and never renounced the curse placed on Ikoka.

A visit to Ikoka last week revealed a community that is

lost in the jungle. There are no access roads to the village except through the vast rubber plantation belonging to a multi-national company. Most times, the villagers are searched thoroughly before they are allowed to pass through the plantation gates.

It cost between N300 and N400 to get to Ikoka on a motorcycle.

The only houses built with

The talk about the curse is all an attempt to give us a bad name. We are doing well at Ikoka. How can I believe what I did not see?

We heard you have been to the Palace to seek for the curse to be removed?

I did not hear that we went to the Oba to seek for revoking of the curse. I am the sixth person to become an Odionwere in Ikoka. I don’t know of anytime that Ikoka went to the palace. My father was an Odionwere. He lived up to 107 years. He did not say anything like that. My father married many wives.

How come Ikoka is in that undeveloped state?

That musician who sang about Ikoka is from a village that has quarrel with a neighbouring village. When some white men came to request for a land to build a school in that area, they went to other villages, they were not given land. My father was the Odionwere then. Other villages thought the white men were not sincere. We cleared the

cement mould blocks are two uncompleted churches; the others are mud houses. The borehole provided by the company is the village only source of water. The only primary school in the village was said to have collapsed over 20 years ago. The children had to trek over six miles to go to school every day until the company provided a bus that takes the children to school twice a

week.

There are no health centres in the village except at Udo town where the children attend school. Could the absence of modern day social amenities and lack of access road be as a result of the curse by Oba Ewuakpe?

No, said Mr. Polly Ahanwan, an elder in the village. He said the stories being peddled about Ikoka were un-

Bayelsa police move against bomb explosion

OMB. The dreadful four-letter word, which is a tormentor-in-chief in the lives of people living in the north-east and Abuja, is one thing the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State, Mr. Hilary Opara, does not want to hear.

The state he commands is strategic. It is the state of President Goodluck Jonathan and allowing a bomb to go off in any part of it will embarrass

From Mike Odiegwu Yenagoa

the President. So, Opara does not want to take chances.

The police boss recently held a security stakeholders’ meeting at the premises of his command headquarters in Yenagoa. The meeting was well attended. Representatives of hotels, motor parks, schools, markets, nightclubs, churches, mosques and other stakehold-

ers were all in attendance.

While all the stakeholders took turns to reel out their security challenges, the commissioner listened and later proffered solutions. But he had an objective of summoning the stakeholders.

He told them: “If you people here have been following the recent happenings all over the world, you will agree with me that the news is saturated with stories of all kinds of violence, to the extent that

only very few nations are free from some measure of bloodshed and brutality.

“Some parts of our great country, Nigeria, are presently having serious challenges as far as peace and security are concerned. That our state, Bayelsa, is relatively peaceful should not mean we should feel complacent and go to bed.

“Rather as a proactive measure, we should all endeavour

to put our efforts together towards strengthening the existing secured environment that we have here in our state”.

It was obvious to the stakeholders that Opara wanted them to be actively involved in policing their environment.

The police boss made it clearer: “The moment is now here when we should not leave the security of our homes and business areas to law enforcement agencies alone.

“Rather, we should all actively participate within the confines of the law, which of course will be in conformity with the concept of community policing, that is practised all over the world”.

In fact, Opara was particularly concerned about stakeholders whose businesses attract crowd of people. He is aware that areas like motor parks and markets are the prime targets of terrorists es-

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

y battling ‘300-year-old curse’

land and used wood to erect the school. It was covered with palms. The first teacher they brought is still alive. The first headmaster was Roland Owie. I know the names of many headmasters that came. Later, a man from Etete village orchestrated the relocation of the school to his village. The two schools are no longer working even though they still employ teachers in the schools. Nine teachers came and said they were posted to the school. We showed them the school but no pupils so they went back after staying for three days. There are no pupils in the school to teach.

The road to our village is about 15 miles from Egor village.

We have tried to attract development to the village but nothing is forth coming. Michelin only brings one bag of rice every Christmas. We heard they took two bags to neighboring villages that is equally on our land. Michelin acquired all our land. We need them to develop the land.

Did they pay any compensation?

I don’t know. I was in Kano then working. I heard they did not pay anything. I was told they paid little money for crops on the land. I have become the Odionwere after I disturbed them that they said they have been giving out scholarship. They have electricity in their camps but we don’t have water in our village.

We did not know they have been giving scholarship to people of Udo village. The scholarship is for seven students but it was usually collected by those at Udo before my intervention. We don’t get anything because we are in the bush.

•The place where the only primary school was located at Ikoka

true.

“If you want to know about Ikoka, it is not a one day affair.

I was born and brought up here. I moved out for so many years. I returned in 2001. This is an ancient village. Not all stories you hear about Ikoka is true.”

He, however, conceded that indigenes of the Ikoka are suffering. “Honestly, we are suffering from so many things.

Something like road is important to us. We don’t have road except through this Michelin road. The road we have has been blocked for many years now. We don’t have water, no school in this village. The school was abandoned over 20 years.

No clinic is in this village here.

At night, you cannot stay here because of mosquitoes and sand flies.

“During election time, politi-

cians used to come and we always cry to them for help and they promised to give us amenities. After election, we don’t see them again. Children in the school go to school by trekking until Michelin provided a vehicle to take the children to school. We go to Udo, a distant of six miles from here for medical help. It will be easier for us to go to Benin through this abandoned road than go through

Michelin forest.

“I don’t believe that the curse is affecting us. I have houses in the city. Many people here have houses in the city. It is not because of what happened that is stopping development from coming to Ikoka. It is what you are told that you believe. I don’t believe that, people may say it. The way you see Ikoka, you may think it is the curse but many

of us don’t come home to build houses, unlike others who develop their villages before going to other places.”

Prince Richard Omoruyi, who is the second-in-command in the community, said their problem was compounded by their land taken away by the mlti-national without compensation. He said they didn’t have land for farming anymore.

“Michelin Company collected our land and they are not giving us anything except bringing one bag of rice every Christmas. We did not know how they acquired this land.

We have being wishing to meet with journalists for us to cry out.

“The company gave the children a vehicle that does not come every day. The story that it is not women that are progressing in this village is not true. My father has three buildings in Benin and I have mine.

Our children are doing well.

“There is no backing for us to cry out and counter the lies being peddled about Ikoka. It will take a long time to correct what has happened in ancient times. We don’t have any means to tell our grief to the governor. The Oba even stopped the playing of that music about Ikoka. It is a false rumour that Ikoka was cursed.

We learnt that the story is not genuine. We don’t know if the incident actually happened.”

However, the Executive Secretary of the Institute of Benin Studies, Aiko Obobaifo, insisted that the curse by Oba Ewuakpe on Ikoka was still very effective.

“Inhabitants have subscribed to that possibility of the curse being still effective. Oba Ewuakpe was not well received at Ikoka village and in his anger decreed that there will be no prominent man from Ikoka and to a large extent I think it subsist but there is always the possibility of attenuating whatever curse placed on them. The Ikoka people should go and find out what to do to remove that curse from their lives. Those curses still subsist.

“It is their business to remove the curse. Ikoka people are conversant with this historical background. They should come together to remove the subsisting curse. If they are saying nothing like that, they are lying. I believe these things happened.

“Oba Ewuakpe was having a very hard time in Benin. He was found to be high-handed when the mother died. It was only the wife, Iden that remained with him after others left. A native doctor told him to sacrifice a human for the people to remain with him.

Iden gave up herself for the sacrifice. The husband in his grief sacrificed her and buried her at a spot close to the Oba Market. The place is marked out to this day.”

pecially having heard the bombings of Nyanya motor park close to Abuja and Jos terminal market in Plateau State by the Boko Haram terrorists.

He demanded timely information from the stakeholders and also asked them to pay gat attention to security of their workplaces. He appealed to them to concentrate on ridding their business premises of hoodlums and undesirable elements whose intention is to unleash terror on

law-abiding citizens.

He, however, acknowledged the primary responsibility of the police. He said: “As trained law-enforcement agencies, we are statutorily charged with maintenance of law and order as well as formal enlightenment of our citizens on security matters in our various states and communities”.

Opara went practical. He insisted that the stakeholders must put certain measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property in their respective

business and work places.

He mandated motor parks, market, religious worship centres, nightclubs and other stakeholders that record large turnout of people daily to establish a localised Security Committee.

He said the committee should be saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring movements of suspicious persons and existence of suspected objects and alert security agencies. It should also ensure that unwanted persons

in their premises are not allowed to loiter the area.

Such committee should further liaise with the police and other security agencies to sanitise their business premises and ensure that only persons with genuine and legitimate businesses are allowed in such premises.

“The committee should also ensure that vehicles and suspicious objects are not abandoned at their premises and workplaces. For motor parks, only registered vehicles, driv-

ers, park officials and genuine commuters should be allowed.

Perambulating aimlessly should be discouraged”, he said.

He further mandated hoteliers and managers of hospitality industry to ensure that all vehicles parked at their premises should be identified with their owners.

He said: “All lodgers must present one form of document or means of identification at the reception. All phone numbers written in lodgers’ iden-

tification forms must be verified by the booking clerks and security agencies must quickly be alerted on noticing suspicious movements or characters at hotel premises”.

Opara called on everybody in the state to be vigilant and timely report any suspicious person or object to the police. He said that the police would within seven days visit the stakeholders to ascertain their compliance with the directive on community policing.

•Mr. Ahanwan

•The only road leading to Ikoka village

•Obobaifo

32

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

N2.3bn gives new lease to Eku Hospital Over four years after the Delta State Government took over a comatose Eku Baptist Hospital, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan last Saturday inaugurated the renovated and reequipped medical facility, writes SHOLA O’NEIL

T

HE Eku Baptist Government Hospital in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State received a fresh fillip last Saturday when the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan inaugurated the revamp facility, brand new state-of-the-arts facilities and ultramodern complex.

The pomp and fanfare that heralded the ceremony underscored the importance of the 70-year-old medical facility, which had gone through very good and very dire times too, to not just the Eku, but people living in Delta and neighbouring states.

It was founded by an American Baptist couple, Mrs. Eleanor Katherine Hower, a Registered Nurse, and her husband, Mr. Milford However, in 1945 as a medical clinic. The hospital bloomed into a secondary medical health centre, which reputation spread far and wide. It was the standard in medical practice in its yore days and its fame turned the sleepy Urhobo community on the side of the River Ethiope into a Mecca for medical tourists. It was the referral hospital of choice for most medical ailments; so much so that people of then Bendel State believed that it was the appointed death time for any patient who died in the hospital. Bereaved families of persons who died outside the hospital were blamed for not taking them to Eku Baptist Hospital because ‘They wouldn’t have died if they had been taken to Eku.’ It attracted a hotchpotch of patients and visitors; the rich and the wealthy, the indigent and famous.

Some very prominent Deltans and Nigerians, including Dr God-dowell Avwomakpa, Southsouth Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation, Mr Sam Omatseye; some renowned politicians and technocrats among others took their first breaths in the hospital.

A very sick hospital That was before a medley of problems render the thriving health complex impotent. Recalling the glorious past of Eku Baptist Hospital, as it was then known, Prof Uvie Igun, a former Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, said: “This hospital, which is very close to the heart of every Eku descendant, was very sick and near death.”

This reporter’s finding revealed that the sickness of the hospital was caused by a dangerous concoction of local politics of the community leaders, change of polices of the Southern Baptist Convention, USA, and perceived egocentric policy of the state government under the Ibori administration.

When the School of Medicine of DELSU was accredited in 2000, it was widely expected that the state government would upgrade the

hospital and make it a teaching hospital. The hospital and the school seemed a perfect fit: They are separated by barely 15 kilometres; there is an extant School of Nursing and medical schools had used it for training and examinations in the past.

But that dream never materialised; instead, the former governor, Chief James Ibori, sited the Delta State University Teaching Hospital in his Oghara hometown, which is nearly 100 kilometers away from the DELSU. The decision led to widespread condemnation of the Ibori government, which had also influenced the location of an INEC training school, Airtel facility, the Nigerian Navy Logistics Command, a polytechnic and several other projects to the governor’s hometown.

Uduaghan, who was Commissioner for Health and later Secretary to the State Government during that tenure, however, explained that a prominent leader of Eku community at the time aborted the dream of making it a teaching hospital.

Oghara, Uduaghan, a medical doctor, said: “When I became Commissioner for Health, one of the first moves I made, seeing the condition of this hospital, was to talk to my boss to take over Eku Hospital because DELSU needed a teaching hospital. I said DELSU cannot run a teaching hospital; government should acquire Eku and make it a teaching hospital.”

Uduaghan said the proposal was strongly opposed by a late leader of the clan, who it was gathered, was at loggerhead with the administration and the governor.

“I had a very strong protest from a leader in Eku community here; I don’t want to call his name because he is no longer here; if he was alive, I would have mentioned his name.

He called me names, made publications against me. He protested; I backed down.”

In 2003 as SSG, Uduaghan said he had a request from the Nigerian Baptist Convention for government to take over the hospital and again “the same man attacked me; he wrote to the governor that I should be sacked because I don’t know what I am doing. He said why would I dare say that government should take over the hospital?

“At that time, we were already planning a hospital in Oghara; it was planned to be a specialist hospital and one of the best in the world that would be taking care of special cases. When the community leaders were saying no to Eku, we had to migrate to Oghara.”

Nevertheless, independent investigation revealed that the downward slide in the hospital’s fortune predated opposition to government’s takeover. It started as the early 1980s following a change in the foreign policy of the American Baptist missionary that established the hospital.

The hospital’s Medical Director, Dr William Odunvbun said the end of the lease agreement between the community and the US-based Southern American Baptist Convention, which funded doctors and medical staff payments through donations contributed in no small amount.

“Ensuring litigation between Nigeria Baptist Convention and Eku Community was the death knell,” the MD added.

The acrimonious relationship between the missionary facility and host community, coupled with lack of funding led to a steady decay of facilities and dearth in infrastructure, which ultimately culminated in desertion by health workers, including consultants, resident doctors and qualified nursing and other medical staff, who were mostly expatriates and from medical NGOs. The few (medical staff) that remained were owed arrears of several months of unpaid salaries.

The hospital management went cap in hand begging for aid from government and other donors due to the cut-off of funding from the SBC. In 2006, a daughter of the Mr and Mrs Orwell, Mary Kay Posey, rallied a handful of international NGOs, the Baptist General Convention of Texas and other Baptist families to ferry medical equipment, personnel and supplies to turn around the fast declining hospital.

The effort was merely a placebo; supplies soon ran out and the hospital relapsed to its comatose state.

Worried by the sorry state, the late Chief James Ogboko Edewor, one of the most illustrious sons of Eku, made entreaty to Uduaghan to take over the hospital. Unfortunately, the patriarch died before the key of the hospital was handed over to the governor by the community on Monday, November 2, 2009 by Okarorho of Eku, Ogisi Omoseohwofa Erhirhie.

In his address on that fateful November afternoon, Uduaghan assured that the high standards prevailing in the pre-rot days of the hospital would be restored and improved upon. He also assured that new and modern equipment would be procured to take the hospital to a higher height.

A transformed hospital It was in fulfilment of that promise that prominent Deltans, including the Ovie Of Agbon Kingdom, HRM Ogurimerime Ukori I, top politicians and members of Eku community returned to the a vastly improved and renamed Eku Baptist Government Hospital on Saturday, May 30.

Soon after the takeover, the government, through the Ministry of Special Duty saddled with infrastructure development, commenced a comprehensive renovation of all the old structure. In addition, the hospital was provided with an ultramodern accident and emergency complex and a modern refrigeration

‘Labour Party’ll win Edo governorship’ Chief Patrick Eholor, popularly known as One Love Foundation, is a chieftain of the Labour Party in Edo State. In this interview with OSAGIE OTABOR, he said the fight between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu would give victory to his party in the 2016 governorship election.

W •The Accident and Emergency Centre of the hospital

•One of the modern equipment at the hospital

mortuary. The Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Mrs Orezi Esievo was commended for the marvellous job that has restored the pride and hope of the hospital and Eku people and there was unanimity that the N2.3 billion poured into it was money well spent.

The facility now spots sparkly new and futuristic wards, theatres, walkways and equipments. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, said: “It is necessary to state that the governor had made a commitment to initiate and actualise special infrastructure in health that will enhance the health and wellbeing of its citizenry. I am particularly happy that this hospital which was equipped and renovated by the state government can now be rated among the world class hospitals in the West African sub-region.”

Speaking in the same vein, Dr Odunvbun said the health facility “boasts of state of the art equipment including a (Siemens) 16-slice CT Scan (which provides faster and clearer and more accurate results), ultramodern dental unit, laboratory equipment etc.

“It has a 150 bed space, maternity ward, and paediatric, male and female wards, private. Added to these are 20 beds in the new accident and emergency units. This transformed secondary health facility recently secured five years accreditation for family health training from both the National Postgraduate medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Physicians. For this we say we are grateful,” he added.

Furthermore, the MD remarked that in keeping with the governor’s programme of free antenatal and free medical care, patients in the hospital enjoy free health services, revealing that attendance from the antenatal clinics steadily rose from the monthly average of 300 in the pre-takeover era to 950 in 2014.

Similarly, he disclosed that the hospital now average 25 Caesarean Session (CS) operations against

seven per month. The figure for under-5 (free healthcare treatment for children less than five years) increased to 700 from 120, adding that the number of general outpatient attendance had also risen from 742 to 1,800 per month and inpatient from 109 to 310.

On the staff strength, he said: “As at today Eku Govt Baptist Hospital has 200 members of staff: 2 consultants, 14 resident doctors, three medical officers, two youth corps doctors, 44 nurses, 49 health assistants, four pharmacists, including two NYSC members, seven medical laboratory scientists, including four youth corpers, a radiographer and other admin staffs,” he added.

“It may interest you to know that the hospital currently plays host to large numbers of patient from outside Eku; as far as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa Benin City and the major towns in Delta State. This is largely due to the immense transformation that has taken place here.”

In his appreciation of the government’s magic wand in the hospital, Prof Igun told the story of two aged women, who took time to pray for Governor Uduaghan. The women, surprised by the turned around, he said, had inquired to know who was responsible. “When they were told that it was the governor, they started singing and praying for their governor.”

More rivers to cross Nevertheless, prominent Uku and Delta citizens expressed concern about maintenance of the facility.

The fear, it was learnt, was fallout of governments’ history and poor maintenance culture. Amid joy and fanfare, Prof Igun expressed concerns over what would be the fate of the Eku Baptist Government Hospital in the post-Uduaghan era “when a Pharoah who does not know Joseph come”. The governor’s tenure expires in less than one year.

Independent investigations by The Nation revealed that manage-

•The Children Ward

•Uduaghan with HRM the Ovie of Agbon, Ogurimerime Ukori I

‘

This hospital can become something else tomorrow if we don’t put that (process of facility management) into place. Although he disclosed that the government could enter into a five-year maintenance contract with the firm, there were fears that the incoming administration may not be as committed to the hospital as Uduaghan is

‘

ment and staff of the hospital are worried also about the fate that would befall the facilities when the consultant handling the renovation leaves. It was gathered that that task of maintaining the facilities had been of the private firm handling the renovation since the past two years.

Even the governor conceded that “facility management is very key”, adding, “This hospital can become something else tomorrow if we don’t put that (process of facility management) into place. Although he disclosed that the government could enter into a five-year maintenance contract with the firm, there were fears that the incoming administration may not be as committed to the hospital as Uduaghan is.

“The governor is a medical doctor, a Baptist and as he told us, he had been here with his aunt, the late Mrs Comfort Ibori, mother of former Governor James Ibori and he also did some of his examinations here while he was a student.

So, you see his commitment and sentimental attachment to the hospital. Are we sure the next governor would be as committed?” one of the medical staff asked.

It was further gathered that the Eku Baptist Government Hospital is currently understaffed as it is yet to recover from the mass exodus of some of the key management and medical staff who left during the trouble era. Worst affected, according to our findings, are in the area of consultants and resident doctors,

a development that now compels doctors to refer patients to UBTH and other facilities outside the state.

Confirming the development, the CMD said: “As a teaching centre in family medicine, the inadequate number of consultants has resulted in the osmosis of resident doctors to centres outside our facilities for their training thereby drastically reducing the quality of care available for our patients, resulting in frequent referrals to other tertiary centres.

Moreover, the fate of hundreds of former workers absorbed into the service of the hospital when the government took over still hang in the balance. Prof Igun and Dr Odunvbun expressed concern over the delay in payment of their pensions and gratuities.

“The problem confronting management is how to settle their entitlements”, the MD told Uduaghan, adding, “This is primarily as a result of the issue of accruals for workers that have been in the state for some times. These accruals have been difficult to calculate for this sort of workers.

To avert a future relapse, Eku leaders gave the government two options to secure the future of the hospital and the multibillion investments that have rescued the iconic health facility from the jaws of rot: The urged Uduaghan to make the hospital an annexe of the DELSUTH or to send a bill to the State Assembly to strengthen it with a board backed by constitution.

If they expected at outright response, they were disappointed. The governor said, “Exco will sit down, Ministry of Health will give us recommendation and we would look at what to do in going forward in keeping this hospital. This hospital has history; it is well known all over Nigeria because in those days.”

As they celebrate the rebirth and rechristened Eku Baptist Government Hospital, the fear of its future tempered their joy.

HAT would you say about the last APC congress?

It is very clear you will expect this in politics, especially the one that has disenfranchise its citizens politically. They have done a lot of awareness. I will not comment about their politics because I am not a member of APC. People have a right to choose who rule or who govern them. Unfortunately, we have more rulers than governors.

There is a difference between who rules and who governs you. Since 1999, we have had rulers. We never had democrats who will truly serve the people. It is a win-win situation for us who are followers because we can now make better decisions on whom to trust, whether to trust those decamping or those who remain. The choice is now with the electorate.

How prepare is your party for 2016 governorship election?

It will shock you that Labour Party is going to produce the next governor of this state. The TUC and the NLC came to meet us that they want to sincerely partner with us. They are not only doing it in the state but across the country.

They have a directive from their national body that it is only LP that can save this country. You will be surprised that Labour Party candidate will win the presidency. I know that political party is about inclusion and not exclusion. I want to be optimistic that they want to truly partner with us.

There has not been much of your party presence in the state.

Why is that?

By September, we •Eholor are going to have our congresses. We have not had our congress because we are democrats. We are not selective which is why we have been patient. That is why we are agitating that our national leader, Dan Nwanyanwu, has done 13 years. We are telling him we don’t want him anymore because his tenure has expired. Mimiko intervened that we should not create a vacuum in the LP leadership. He is there now more of an interim chairman because his tenure has expired. What happened at the APC Congress when the Governor said at the podium that the APC believed in internal democracy and other speakers including the deputy governor said the people were carefully selected? At congresses, you don’t select, you elect.

What are those things to get 2016 right in the state?

I have written ten points on how to defeat an incumbent governor. To beat an incumbent, you have to concentrate on the things the governor said he has done. Do we have roads? Are the pregnant women paying to see doctors? The underage children, do they have free medical care as promised by this government? The politics of Nigeria has been so monetised; people believed they can buy people with salt and sugar. That is why they think in their head that they are optimistic of winning the election.

The battle line has been drawn between Ize-Iyamu and Governor Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole said at the stadium that the PDP has one pastor that would rig for them. Pastor Ize-Iyamu is also telling the governor that ‘I know how you get

here; I will never allow you again’. While these people are fighting with themselves, the people must understand that their thumb is their power. They should ask themselves before voting. Have these people served my benefit? Have my family benefited from them? Do I have future and hope in them? Am I going to continue to look at men or institutions? Barrack Obama said in civilised country you have institutions but in a tyrant society like ours, you have men. Here, the individuals think they are greater than the institution. We must rise above those things to vote and for people to realise what is good for them.

Election is easy to win.

Will Labour Party opt for consensus candidate?

That is not democracy. Consensus is not democracy.

Some elder statesmen have started shopping for Oshiomhole’s successor?

There are no elder statesmen in this state. These are people who have sold their future. They have live the life of their children and want to start living the life of their grandchildren. There are no elder statesmen in Edo. Ogbemudia has not shopped around me. I am the mobiliser, the observer general. Those people cannot lead us to the right way. They have spent their time, their children’s time and they are about to spend their grand-children time. We are going to be the ones to mobilise for young people. These old men should stay away and rather advise us.

They should leave the younger generation to find solutions to the problem.

I have paid for a lot of enlightenment jingles for the people to understand the electoral process. Labour Party has the number and the population. The unfortunate set-back that Labour Party would try and overcome is that we don’t have the stolen money to pursue election. We are reaching out to people to contribute so that nobody would hijack the party so that no individual would come out and say he owned Labour party. We know who bankrolled Oshiomhole’s election.

Do you support the push for a Bini governorship in Labour Party?

I have never believed in this rationality called zoning or quota system. There is no way a white man in this generation can win elections in South Africa.

Elections are about numbers. The blacks outnumbered the whites in South Africa. In Edo, there were 1.6 million registered voters in Edo. About 900,000 did not vote. We are relying on those 900,000 votes in Labour Party to win the next election. We are not debating who we will bring out now whether he is an Urhobo and from anywhere. We are going to use congress to choose who becomes our candidate. However, it will favour a Bini candidate because the Binis have over 50 per cent of the voting population. If we are going to use tribalism, it means I am going to choose a Bini candidate. If every Bini man thinks like this, the Binis will produce the governor for a very long time. The Binis are very accommodative because civilisation started here. What we do for other ethnic group, they don’t do it for us. In Labour Party, everybody is a giant.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

34

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

‘Politicians are over heating th

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications Aniekan Umanah, in this interview with reporters, says some overly ambitious politicians are overheating the system ahead of 2015 general elections. KAZEEM IBRAHYM was there.

W

HAT effort is the state government putting in place to ensure we don’t have a repeat of the 2011 election violence in Akwa Ibom?

The pre-general election which happened on March 22, 2011 was the outcome of a misguided political adventure in Akwa Ibom. You know that it was the ACN that burnt the Presidential Campaign office and the vehicles at the Idongesit Nkanga secretariat.

The relics are still at the secretariat. In fact, in that circumstance, government showed a lot of restraint. It deliberately did not bring its might to bear in the situation.

There are live images of all the events that people recorded. You would have noticed also that the violence was targeted at destabilising the state. It was not about the governorship election. It was majorly buildings and vehicles owned by the government that were destroyed. The whole violence was prompted by desperation which still led them to failure.

So, election is about issues and campaigns, not about violence. This is because as far as violence is concerned, you can only know the beginning; you

can never really tell where it takes you to. We can only continue to urge those seeking positions to always seek God first and peace; so that if the position comes to them, they will know how to use it. People must realize that they cannot rule over a burnt society. Politicians must therefore always think about the followers, as they pursue their own plans.

2011 was a peaceful year, apart from the violence instigated by the ACN where over 500vehicles were burnt and houses destroyed.

After all the violence, the result was Governor Akpabio winning the election with 957,862 votes over Udoedeghe of ACN who had slightly over one hundred thousand votes.

I must use this medium to caution the media, particularly those who may not have all the facts that they inflame the society when they publish false reports. We are moving to an election and it is possible that people may also be showing their agitations and aspirations; which is normal. It happens across the 36 states of the federation. People align and realign to decide on steps to be taken. This does not in any way suggest tension. If there are security issues on how factions are reacting to issues that

is unlawful, of course the police will respond properly to this. But for people to go and begin to locate an unfortunate issue like the murder the late Engineer Ukpanah and so on; why would people say that because they are looking for political office, it now becomes the government; for what?

What will you gain in the man being dead or alive? So it doesn’t make any sense. This was a man who was the campaign coordinator for the Godswill Akpabio re-election in Ukanafun LGA and he was a state party official for several years and there was no problem. In any case, if anything he was rather benefitting from the Governor’s magnanimity, even up to his very closing days. So why will the government be against citizens. It really doesn’t make sense. So those who want to make political capital out of the unfortunate demise of another man should note that whatever you wish another person will also be waiting for you.

There are reports that an influential politician in Abak says they are being threatened to support Governor Akpabio’s senatorial bid or face possible death?

Again this does not make

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Onianwa, District 9140 said the project was in fulfilment of the club’s promise to the community in October 2013.

“Today marks the fulfilment of our promise to this community. What remains is for the chief and elders of the community to ensure that the community will not return to their old experience of scrambling for water.”

The resident doctor, Ngozi Omerajim, said the club has proved that it is developmentoriented.

She said: “I am extremely happy because water is a basic necessity and today, we have its source in the environment.

It is something that one should have access to, at home and

Excitement as Rotary Club provides water in umuekini

T

HE people of Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State rolled out drums in jubilation recently when the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, District 9140 inaugurated a water and sanitation project in the community.

Rotary District 9140 said the project was one of the club’s numerous developmental strides aimed at providing a healthy environment and infrastructural development to rural communities. It said it was determined to provide treated water for the people.

The President of the group, Sam Okoro, said the people would no longer have to go to

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) to get treated water.

He said: “I advise that the community should guide this project, protect and make good use of this opportunity. Some of the people in the rural community are development saboteurs. They don’t want progress and those who appreciate our effort today should try to guide the project. We are saying this because if they allow any body steal or damage it, the situation about water in this health centre will return.”

Chief Nze Anize, who inaugurated the project on behalf of Rotary Governor Charles

sense. The issue of the governor going to the Senate in 2015 was a decision of the stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and it was clearly stated, signed and published.

On the day the people of Abak federal constituency came for a meeting in Government House they unanimously passed a vote of confidence and resolution in a vote calling on the Governor to contest the Senatorial election and they said it was a reward for the uncommon transformation, hardwork and rescuing the area from the doldrums, so what is the question of killing or not killing anybody does not arise at all. When the Governor contested elections in 2007, 57 other aspirants contested. The Governor has not asked anyone not to contest election. It is the right of every citizen to do so if he wants. How anyone campaigns or strategizes to win election is the main issue. It is not in whether you want to contest. You can aspire and it ends as a dream. You can aspire and it ends as a mere aspiration. The reality of who you are and what you can do is what matters. But everybody is free to aspire. So that is an unfair statement. It is also inflammatory to say the least. This kind of comments should not

be coming from people who have held positions of high responsibility. I will expect that people who have held positions of responsibility should at least speak with some level of decorum. They should do this with the understanding that the society expects them to be in the fore front of moulding the society towards the path of peace, progress and safety.

On the issue of the murder of late Albert Ukpanah, it is being rumoured that till date, government has not gone to the family for a condolence visit…

How do you know that people have not visited them?

You have to go and ask the family. Did they issue a statement to say nobody has visited them?

Incidentally, one of the sons of the deceased visited me today and we talked about the funeral arrangements. The Governor has condemned the murder at different fora including one of the Town Hall meetings.

Can you put a number on the suspects arrested so far over the murder?

I can’t answer that. You have access to the Commission of Police and Police Public Relations Officer. If you contact them, they can speak on the is-

sue but I can tell you that they are on top of the situation.

Cases of attempted assassinations are showing up again in the state. What is government doing to deal with it particularly now that we are moving closer to an election year?

Government will support the security agencies to effectively carry out their functions.

Don’t forget that matters of security are primarily the concern of security agencies. Government can only be an enabler. Government is providing all the logistics, the ideas, support and strategizing. The only appeal will be for all the security agencies to step up the game.

There are allegation that government has spent N5 billion to buy vehicles that will be given out to primary election delegates. Is this true?

That is totally false, if government has free N5 billion, I can tell you that there are many projects to be funded. It is just part of the internet madness because those who published it just went to the internet culled that lie and published. If you charge the writers of that story to court, can they substantiate it? This

•Okoro and other members of the club

anywhere. In this profession, we also need water. When I came to this place, there was no water, but today we have water. I encourage other clubs to be motivated by this act.”

Responding on behalf of the community, Chief Promise

Akani thanked the club.

“I want to thank the club for starting from where the government has stopped. The community and the Health Centre will support the good work of the club by protecting and maintaining the project. I want

to use the same medium to call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the Rivers State government to provide health facilities needed at the health centre, electricity and even to complete the abandoned building in the hospital.”

‘Entrepreneurship key to Cross River development’

T

HE next phase of development in Cross River State must be centered on entrepreneurship, a governorship aspirant, Mr Francis Bullem, has said.

Bullem, who is one of two aspirants who have openly declared their desire to clinch the top job in the state next year, told The Nation in Calabar: “You can see the poverty index, so if you don’t begin to develop entrepreneurs who can on their own stimulate growth and the economy, then, we are going to have more problems going forward as a state.”

The aspirant, a banker with over 20 years experiences, said: “That is why

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

I always say if I blend my private sector experience with the public sector experience, it will give us a blend and with the financial management scheme that we have to take Cross River post 2015 to the next level. I have a desire and it translated into intention and now we are moving towards the direction of declaration. That can only happen when the guidelines are fully released.”

According to Bullem, who intends to run on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the next administration in the state should be that of continuity.

His words: “Like I have always said. Ours is for continuity. What is going on in the state is not something that is coming from the moon and we know nothing about. Certainly it should be for continuity, sustainability, good governance and accountability and that would ensure that the platform which the incumbent governor is going to leave behind is going to be accomplished.

“If you take it from the point of development, you will see that across the world, they are development indices that are set for growth. If you come down to Cross River, it has also developed its own plan and agenda for

development. It is going to be very unfair for anybody to think that the process that is already on-going should be altered midway, because there is a clear path and direction that has been laid.”

He said consultations were on-going and when the time is right, he would let the people know what he has to offer.

“We are working hard and have our eyes on the crystal ball. Except God says otherwise, but I am very sure that given the relationships we are cutting across, we should be able to convince people that we have something to offer.

•Bullem

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

35

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

ng the polity over 2015 elections’

•Umanah

is why we keep preaching for people to be professional and be objective in journalism.

That brings us to another

point I need to clarify. I read in one of the newspapers where somebody said the Secretary to the State Government held a

meeting with his kinsmen and they made a lot of insinuations against the governor, his administrative style and family. That again is false because last weekend, the SSG was in the United Kingdom. He was not in this country until Monday. So, why are we thriving on falsehood? The same goes for the story that the Deputy Governor was manhandled in Ikot Ekpene. We were all there, when did that happen.

So why are we thriving on falsehood. We must get out of this type of gutter journalism with due respect. How do we pull out falsehood from the internet and go ahead to publish.

So what is the way forward sir?

The way forward is that we should remain on the path of truth. Journalists should be professional, objectively cross check their stories and ensure that they have the facts before they go to the press. I will want to say categorically that there is no tension in Akwa Ibom State. Akwa Ibom State is safe and calm. The thing is that we are moving into a political year and people have aspirations which they are expressing. The point is the moment the primaries end and the general elections take place, everything will come down and you will begin to see reconciliation. There will be peace again and life shall return. So, there are really no issues and we shouldn’t try to create any.

About two weeks ago, Mr. Soni Udom also alleged that the government came to kill him; how will you react to this?

How can a man who was not there and who did not even know what happened; because he has a report, he now says government came to kill him.

You see it does not make any sense at all. Kill him for what?

I read in some of your reports what the police said. They said it could have been an armed robbery attack. Have we closely looked at this police report? It is not as easy as that; life is very precious. So we cannot just be looking and trivialising the issue of life. For what purpose will anyone be killed; so that government benefits what? It doesn’t make season. So that is again totally false. The Governor is God fearing, peace loving and will never superintend over the hurting of anyone, let alone take life. If people want to score political points, they shouldn’t use the misfortune of others because it could happen to anybody. People who do such things many also be inviting misfortune to themselves God forbid.

The state is now divided on ethic basis as far as the 2015 governorship is concerned.

What is the Governor doing about this?

Who is dividing the state and on which ethnic basis?

The truth is that the governor is more interested in leading

the state and the people aright.

He is committed to giving everyone a level playing field. So, I will advise politicians to eschew ethnic, jingoistic tendencies and stay focused.

If you are interested in public office, you contest for it. The constitution of Nigeria guarantees people with the credentials stipulated to run for office they want. The fact that a political party may have its preference does not take away from the issues of equity and justice. It started with the PDP at the national level. That is why when President Olusegun Obasanjo came out of prison, the first thing they said was for the presidency to go to the South. When the Western agenda for third term failed, President Yar’Adua from the North emerged. After this, he passed away unfortunately and his Deputy from the South- South took over. He is currently running the office of president in which the constitution allows him two terms.

The same thing happened in Akwa Ibom State. After Obong Akpan Isemin came in and his regime was truncated, when democracy returned, the people of the state and stakeholders also saw the need to ensure that, that assignment ended by electing a governor from Uyo senatorial district and that was why Obong Victor Attah from Uyo was elected Governor. It was to ensure that the truncated period of Obong Akpan Isemin did not just waste. After Obong

Attah’s tenure, there was a thinking that it should go to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and it was on that account that more people supported Ikot Ekpene senatorial district; not that people from other senatorial districts did not contest.

They all contested; but it leaned more towards that side.

It doesn’t mean that people from other senatorial districts won’t contest in 2015, but it is leaning more to Eket senatorial district because the people believe in strategic balancing, justice and fairness. As it were, the decision is that of the people and this is why if you drop any election today, the likely result is that it will favour Eket senatorial district.

Reaction has trailed the release of names of successful applicants in the Akwa Ibom Civil Service; what is government’s position on this?

I think the civil service commission is going to answer this because I don’t have a full brief. I have just seen the publication. Yu must have heard their criteria. But whatever the people are saying is another issue. All of this will be understood in the days ahead.

So what is your advice to Akwa Ibom people as we move towards the election year?

They should remain peaceful, focused, continue to support good governance; they should stay on the path that will bring peace and prosperity to Akwa Ibom State.

NDDC boss, experts concerned over Niger Delta’s environmental degradation

T

HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned that the region’s 20,000 km square landscape and its entire population of nearly 40 percent of Nigeria population is sinking due to environmental degradation.

A team of environmental experts assembled by the NDDC raised the alarm during the activities marking the 2014 World Environmental Day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They said there was need to fight the environmental war militating against the region.

Welcoming participants to the event to mark the day, the Managing Director of NDDC, Barr Bassey DanAbia said: “One of the most dreadful impacts of climate change is the unacceptable rising in sea level with its attendant implications for coastal and island communities.”

Dan-Abia, who was represented by the Executive Director, Project in NDDC, Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli, said this was why the United Nations designated 2014 as the international year for Small Island Development States (SIDS) to raise awareness and global consciousness.

The NDDC boss also said the theme of this year’s world environmental day, which is “Raise Your Voice not the Sea Level”, was chosen to draw the attention of the global community to these frightening effects of climate change and thus elicit appropriate actions.

He further argued that “we do know that our region will certainly experience widespread threat from climate change and rising sea level.”

Making their submissions at the event, environmental experts Dr

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

Justin Akankali, Chairman of Environmental Managers Association, Rivers state chapter; Professor Benjamin Ndukwu and Dr Bolaji Bernard who are both lecturers raised alarm on the vulnerability of the Niger Delta region to climate change, warning that global warming may cause the displacement of communities and destruction of socio-economic activities in the region.

Akankali, who spoke on “Impact of Climate on Island and Coastal Communities of Niger Delta”, said the climate change was real pointing out that the theme of this year’s celebration is relevant to the continued sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

Declaring that the region is more vulnerable to climate change and global warming, Akankali admonished that there should be a concerted effort among all stakeholders to stave off the impacts of climate change in the region.

He said the probability of climate change is higher in the Niger Delta where increasing ignorance and lack of confidence in organs of government has further deepened the mistrust of the citizens.

Speaking on the topics titled “Niger Delta and Rising Level: Fact, Fears, Future” and “Ocean Acidification, Consequences on Marine Biodiversity” Ndukwu and Bernard argued in the same vein saying that forces identified which may lead to raising the sea level, include, dumping of refuse in the

waterfronts and beaches, illegal refineries and bunkering, gas flaring and bush burning, pollution and environmental degradation as well as poverty, unemployment and inequality.

The National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND), which also marked the day, lamented that the environmental degradation in Niger Delta is further aggravated “by a reckless oil industry that ignored for far too long the tell-tale signs of climate change and continued to spill oil and flare gas without consideration for what this does to our fragile environment.”

Speaking on behalf of NACGOND, the National Coordinator of the group which is made up of 25 civil society groups including ethnic nationalities, Rev. Fr. Edward Obi agreed with the submissions of Ndukwu and Bernard adding that gas flaring which the government has refused to muster political •Dan-Abia will to implement, have contributed in depleting the hitherto their lands thereby causing urban rich mangrove and flora of the drift, which is environmentally region thus making “nothing biotic unsustainable. literally to survive in the area.”

The consequences of this grave Continuing, the NACGOND boss situation, he said is a serious climate also pointed out that the polluted change, which if not checked, would environment has impacted severely make the region to submerge by 2050 on the livelihood of the people of the adding that the flood of 2012 is a region as they can no longer farm on pointer to the fact that there is an

impending rise in sea levels.

Obi also stated that the inability of government to stop gas flaring by oil companies is contributing to climate change and extreme weather conditions that render the coastline amenable to erosion, is causing Nigeria to lose about $2.5 billion in potential revenue annually.

He, therefore, called on government to ensure the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and mete out punitive measures on polluters to encourage cleaner operations.

The environmental experts also enjoined the interventionist agency to give priority to a “major and minor island-based developmental initiative model” that would constitute a core blueprint for the planning and design of future developmental initiatives of the identified and characterised islands of the region.

They said the green energy initiative, including building of biogas plants for energy production and the promotion of use of eco stoves, as already being explored by NDDC should be pursued vigorously.

In addition, they advocated for adequate enlightenment and sensitisation programmes on climate change to be carried out routinely in the Niger Delta, while funding should be made available for climate change research programmes in the region.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

T was some minutes past midnight, that sort of moment when the only people you could see outside were reporters and production hands trying to return home after minding other people’s business or prostitutes lining the streets waiting for clients.

Four men emerged from a Toyota Corolla 2013 model. They made for the reception of Idia Hotel in the heart of Benin, the Edo State capital. Long before their arrival, four rooms had been reserved for them. But they would really be crammed in one of the rooms for the next four hours.

It was that sort of moment when food meant nothing. They needed something strong to think straight. The small fridge in the immaculately clean room was stocked with whiskey and brandy.

Idemudia, their leader, opened a bottle of a brandy and poured into four tumblers.

Shuaibu took a sip frowning his face. He soon found his voice.

He literally barked: “Gentlemen, we have to strike back. We must not take what our colleagues just did to us just like that. We were all elected into that House. Why should we allow them harass us that way?”

The last forty-eight hours had been hectic for them. And just that morning, their colleagues met and suspended them.

“We really must fight back,” Osaretin said, taking a chunk of the brandy and feigning a smile.

“But what do we do?” Osahon asked.

Idemudia scratched his head as if looking for an answer. He made for the toilet. His colleagues watched him go in and come out.

“I think we should suspend the speaker and others who had a hand in our suspension,” Idemudia said.

Osahon was quick to respond: “You know that is not possible.”

It was for them that sort of moment when truth had to be told.

“Yes, I know it is not possible. But we have to do it anyway and worry about its legality later. It really does not have to be legal. We just want to make a point that Uyi and the comrade governor cannot take us for a ride,” Idemudia said.

“So, how do we go about it?” Osahon asked.

Osaretin cut in: “ We will get four of our PDP colleagues and the nine of us will suspend the other 15.”

Idemudia laughed for the first time in 24 hours.

“In politics,” he said,” nine is greater than 15 and we have to show them that tomorrow.”

It was decided that the other five should be contacted on phone. A telephone conference was set up. The deal was struck and perfected. Then a vital issue arose.

“How do we get the mace?” Idemudia asked.

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Nine is greater than 15 ‘

•The mace

“Forget the mace. We don’t need it. Even if we get the mace, nine of us cannot form a quorum to legally suspend these guys. Aside that, four of us are even on suspension already making us not welcomed in the House. So, whatever we want to do his illegal and just meant to make a point. The suspension of the four of you because you defected was an infringement of your constitutional rights,” Osawosa said on phone.

Idemudia cut in:” The governor said we

I must use this medium to caution the media, particularly those who may not have all the facts that they inflame the society when they publish false reports.

We are moving to an election and it is possible that people may also be showing their agitations and aspirations...People align and realign to decide on steps to be taken. This does not in any way suggest tension

__

‘

Aniekan Umanah

‘

were given N50m each to sell our mandates.

The allegation is fallacious. The bribery allegation is false and baseless. We were offered money twice by Mr. Governor. But we refused. The money, which they said was meant for us, but we refused to take, is still with the bearer.”

They all agreed it was time to sleep. And moments later, they were snoring away in their different rooms. But Idemudia did not sleep deeply after dreaming that the comrade

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘

These bastards, they think they are smart.

What do they take themselves for? Who do they think they are? They think they own the Edo State Assembly. They are not serious. They are playing with fire. We will get them. We sure will. This is just the beginning. We know we are wrong morally but in politics, there is no morality. It is survival first

governor was pursuing him with a machete.

It was not surprising he was the first to wake up.

It was that sort of time when tiny rays of light had started peeping in through the window. He checked the time. It was 5.45am.

He woke up his other colleagues through the intercom and the other five were also called on phone. They were to get to the floor of the House before 7am.

On getting to the House, they broke through the entrance of the chambers.

Idemudia moved with a lot of swagger to the Speaker’s ‘cocoon’, opened the small wooden door and sat with confidence on the seat, addressing his colleagues on why their action was inevitable. Some minutes later, they had moved and adopted a motion for the suspension of the Speaker, the Majority Leader and six others without the mace. There was no need to bother about the other seven members of the G-15.

Unknown to them, the other party and their supporters were also prepared for them. The G-15 members soon swooped on them and chased them away from the floor.

Outside, a confrontation ensued between security agencies and some thugs, who tried to gain entry into the Assembly Complex.

Security agents fired tear gas canister, amidst sporadic shooting in the air to disperse the crowd.

There was also heavy presence of the police, SSS and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps at the premises of the Assembly Complex. The plan had not gone smoothly.

The group of 15, after outsmarting the G-9, called a press conference. Their leader declared: “The Deputy Speaker, who is their leader, has become so arrogant and dictatorial that he no longer sees the office of Mr. Speaker as one.

“He has created a parallel leadership and that leadership is aimed at destabilising Edo State House of Assembly and impeaching Mr. Speaker and the Comrade Governor. That, to a large extent, amounts to misconduct.”

Idemudia and co watched the clips of the news conference in his hotel room at night.

They could barely contain their anger. God knows if Uyi had been there with them, they would have snuffed life out of him in midpassage.

“These bastards,” Idemudia fumed, “they think they are smart. What do they take themselves for? Who do they think they are?

They think they own the Edo State Assembly.

They are not serious. They are playing with fire. We will get them. We sure will. This is just the beginning. It is going to be a fight to the finish.”

His final take was: “We know we are wrong morally but in politics, there is no morality.

It is survival first.”

•Last Word is Niger Delta Report’s verdict on Southsouth affairs

Cross River...For tomorrow to be better

F

OR three days last week, Cross River State government took reporters round some of its legacy projects. The tour started in Calabar and terminated in Ogoja, the far end of the state which is no less than five hours away from the state capital. was one of tempered expectations, In Ogoja, many of the state correspondents, who were conversant with the state of rural roads, were impressed with the transformation that has taken place between their last visit and now. Almost all streets in Ogoja have had their roads tarred, with good drainage channel.

Across the state, old roads have become new and non-existent ones, such as the Margaret Ekpo Bye-pass, have sprung up.

There is a deliberate effort to redress the neglect of the rural areas. It is a case of roads, roads everywhere and several to travel smoothly on.

The importance of water has not been lost on the administration too. Things that will sustain its status as the tourism headquaters of Nigeria have been deliberately targetted and given attention.

Through the State Investment Promotion Bureau, it has attracted foreign investment.

Top on the list is Wilmar International

Limited’s $400 million investment in agriculture and agro-processing. There is also the Brentex Petroleum $300 million pipe mills manufacturing; the $700 million Essar Power Limited 660MW Integrated Power Project; Southgate Cocoa, and the Artee Group’s investment in shopping malls.

All these are despite the fact that the state’s last derivation cheque in the sum of N345 million came in 2012 – the aftermath of the July 2012 apex court ruling terminating its membership of the oil-producing club. The ruling ceded its 176 oil-wells to its neighbour, Akwa Ibom State. The development came as dampener, but the state has risen beyond it.

The state may have lost close to N20 billion in the over 22 months of non-receipt of the 13 per cent derivation funds, it is making up through FDI. The world-class Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) not far from the Tinapa Resort –both in the domain of the sprawling Summit Hills – holds a lot of promises. It promises to make the state a force in global tourism.

On completion, the CICC will host a 200bed Convention Hotel under the state’s Public Private Partnership model.

Tinapa also stands to gain from the Summit Hills project, where a monorail will

link it with the CICC and end its current woes.

The Songhai farm complex in Abi and the multi-million dollar Wilmar farm complex in Akampka also hold promises of improving the state’s fortunes. The Songhai Farm is intended to train the youths in integrated farming system. In the farm, waste products from plants, birds, fish ponds, which are ordinarily disposed off, are recycled as inputs. The Wilmar farm is strictly for oil palm, the mainstay of Malaysia’s economy.

Cross River may as well become Malaysia all things being equal.

As good as what the state has to showcase are, they must be followed through. The CICC, the Songhai Farm and the Wilmar Farm are not at maturity stage yet. So, nothing must stop their destinies. They hold a lot of promises that will eventually pay off what the state lost to derivation funds. Cross River can be better and the key to its being better is in the oil palm farm, the CICC, the other parts of the Summit Hills project, the Songhai Farm and others, which if not followed through, can turn out to be white elephant projects. It is good Governor Liyel Imoke says all the funds needed to see these projects through are ready.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

37

SHOPPING

Hellofood fetes children

H

ELLOFOOD, an online food delivery platform, last week, organised a special party to celebrate children of Sisters Unite for Children (SUC) Transit Home, an orphanage in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. The children, aged between 1-15, were treated to a fun-filled lunch amidst entertainment and games.

James Gibson, Managing Director of the firm, said, “We are thrilled by this celebration with the kids at SUC Transit Home. As a company, we place great importance on giving back to the communities we operate in.”

Founded in 2007 by SUC, the Transit Home is a charitable organisation whose aim is to provide shelter and restore dig-

Stories by Tonia ‘Diyan

nity to local street children.

Mrs. Janet Ohiwerei, SUC Chairwoman, said, “It is wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces. Thank you Hellofood for making their day a special one.”

Hellofood is founded by Africa Internet Holding (AIH) with investment from Telecommunications Company MTN; It is an online and mobile platform where customers can order food from the most popular restaurants in their city.

Since its launch in November 2012, the firm has expanded to 11 countries across Africa, attracting hundreds of independ-

Gift galore for Dads on Father’s Day

T

HIS year’s Father’s Day is here again!

And as usual, not a few Nigerians are warming up to appreciate fathers with memorable gift items such as tech gifts to keep long lasting memories. Father’s Day, which is celebrated on different days in different parts of the world, is celebrated in Nigeria on June 15 every year.

Father’s Day celebration is a reflection of the contribution of fathers to the development of the individual members of the family, especially the children. It is a time to honour fathers and celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and a time to tell the influence of fathers in the society. The day was created to complement Mother’s Day, a celebration that honours mothers and motherhood.

Ahead of this year’s celebration, which is two days from now, neighbourhood stores, supermarkets, and online stores have come alive, as most of them stock a number of affordable gifts items for Dad’s.

T

By Oluwakemisola Iroju

Shoppers are already trouping to such places to buy memorable gifts this period.

For instance, at the Arena Complex, yesterday, a shopper identified as Oluwaseyifunmi Okuwa was seen buying motivational and inspirational books because they are his father’s favourite. For master Ayomikun Adeniji, a primary school pupil, frames and cards to express his love to his father, are more to it.

Another shopper, Oluwafemi Adesayo said his father is the type that has craving for wrist watches, which is why he would not hesitate buying him one.

Jumia Launches Fathers Day store

O make this year’s Fathers Day a memorable one, Jumia has launched a Fathers Day store. The store parades the best array of gifts ranging from an exquisite collection of cufflinks for those whose fathers are more formal in their dressing to latest technology tablets.

Trendy ties, belts and timeless wrist watches are also available in the store. There is also a selection of premium polo shirts, which the firm believes is a must have for all fathers this season.

• gives priority to male items The online firm also did not leave out those signature drinks some men hold in high esteem. There is also 60 per cent discount off all items in the Jumia fashion store in this month’s fashion clearance sale specially for men and some for women.

“To give back to those father figures in your lives, giving them gifts is one of the best ways to say a big thank you to the best dad,” the firm said.

• Children of SUC Transit Home in Ibeju Lekki.

Group holds maiden pre-Ramadan trade fair, conference

A

N Islamic organization, Sofasal-ElAsal Society of Nigeria (Sofasal) has completed arrangement to hold a tenday pre-Ramadan Trade Fair and Business Conference, to herald the 2014 Ramadan season.

The programme, which will hold at the National Stadium from Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd June is designed as a platform for all Nigerians, particularly the Muslims to source for items that are frequently in high demand during the Ramadan fasting period at affordable cost.

A statement by the group said it becomes imperative to reduce the increased level of spending during Ramadan period as Muslims will always ensure that they have adequate stock of food for early morning and the evening meals as well as those they will share with friends, family and the needy.

O

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

According to the organizers, the fair which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed Africa, would create opportunities for organisations (manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers) to develop a unique and enduring relationship with a key segment of the Nigerian consumers’ population.

More importantly, it is a forum for examining the meeting point between religion and commerce in line with the dictates of God and his provisions.

The exercise will involve government agencies, foreign missions, market men and women, multinationals, service providers food/beverages (Non-Alcoholic), financial institutions, healthcare, textiles/fashion, fast moving consumer goods, household/kitchen appliances, travel and tourism (particularly operators who provide Hajj Services) etc.

Kaymu.com.ng unveils new delivery initiative

NLINE marketplace leader, Kaymu.com.ng has introduced a stress free delivery initiative for sellers on the platform known as the Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off’ Initiative.’

According to the company, the initiative was introduced out of the need to solve the delivery challenges faced by business owners in the country.

At its inception, the firm operated as a platform that provided the opportunity for buyers and sellers to meet and make the best deals for products by aiding and encouraging sellers to be proactive with delivery and customer service. As the venture grew, it became imperative for additional delivery options to ensure prompt delivery of goods and services. This necessitated the birth of the Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller DropOff’ Initiative.

According to Evangeline Wiles, the Deputy Managing Director and Head of Sales of

Kaymu, “Many small scale online retailers deliver to buyers within their immediate locality but are constrained by delivery challenges from expanding nationally. With the Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off Initiative’ sellers are empowered to reach a wider client base across Nigeria.”

The Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off’ Initiative’ operates by providing sellers on the platform a central location to drop off items for inter state or intercity delivery at designated Kaymu drop-off centres. The items, which must contain accurate order details will be picked up from the drop off centres and delivered to buyers by a centralized structured delivery system achieved through partnership with reliable delivery companies in Nigeria.

Through this system, sellers are provided with a stress free means of expanding their customer base and providing a more effective customer service to buyers.

• Lisa Folawiyo (1st left); Deola Sagoe (2nd left); Tara Fela Durotoye (middle); Dayo Eweje (2nd right) and Funmi Daniel (1st right), during a panel discussion on Ecommerce Bridging the Gap into Commercialization of Nigeria's Fashion Industry.

38

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Building resilience to climate change through indigenous knowledge Farmers have resorted to the old days of traditional weather prediction because of lack of modern meteorological services .But, how effective is this, given the new technology involved in farming and the government’s wish to revolutionalise agriculture? DANIEL ESSIET writes.

L

ONG before the advent of modern technology, traditional farmers had devised

means of predicting weather conditions, especially as it may affect their farm year.This understanding, primitive as it may seem, is believed to have worked effectively for them.

For instance, high temperature at night is a sign for good rains and a long crop growing season, while low temperatures at night is an indication for late onset of rains and late planting season.

To the traditional farmer,appearance of dark cloud is an indicator for good rains coming within a few hours.

Where the cloud appearance is related to the coming of rains, also this traditional climate indicator could be kept to be related to scientific reasoning.

The hope is that by drawing from both indigenous knowledge and contemporary weather forecasting techniques, crop yields could be increased.

Using traditional indicators ,farmers also profit from weather forecasts provided by governmental institutions. This enable them make sound decisions on how to fully exploit the seasonal distribution of rainfall to improve and stabilise crop yields. The indicators cited included wind direction, cuckoo calls, and the timing of winged termites’ departure from their nests.

Farmers also observe bird migrations and other animal behaviour in their forecasts.

As meteorologists are coming to terms with to the concept of traditional forecasting methods in adapting to climate change, it seems climate change itself poses a threat to the sustainability of these methods. Mallam Usman Dahiru (Not real name), a septuagenerain has farmed for over five decades. From knowledge transferred over generations, Dahiru and other farmers are able to monitor the wind, clouds and other signals to predict the weather and improve agricultural practices.

Based on observations, he is able to delay planting of crops.

This is hinged on his personal forecast of the timing and volume of rains. For him and other traditional farmers, certain signs are expected in the skies for them to plant their most important crops.

In most situations, dependent on the vagaries of weather makes farmers helpless in determining the volume of farm yield to expect. This is exemplified by the seasonal rainfall distribution, shift of rainfall onset and cessation and occurrence of other extreme weather/climate events.

Traditionally, farmers,every where across the country see planting determined by climate and crop requirements. This also depends on the location, temperature and rainfall.

But making forecasts available to small farmers is constrained by scale, procedural and institutional barriers, and available choices.

Farmers complain they are not specifically taken care off by forecasts provided by the National Meteorological Service.

This is because the service does not provide enough coverage to

• A farmer needs to understand the weather to enable him plan when to plough the land

reach every part of the country.

Consequently, farmers in remote areas rely on traditional weather-related indicators to make choices on their farming activities.

Deputy National President, Administration and Operations, All Farmers Association of Nigeria(AFAN), Prince Ike Ubaka said seasonal prediction using indigenous knowledge is common place, boosted by increasing knowledge of local weather, crop suitability, selection and planting schedule in a particular season.

On the whole, farmers use indigenous knowledge to determine when and what to plant and interpret indicators within the environment. As largely, rural farmers are affected by climate change.

In line with this, Ubaka said there is a need for the nation’s weather service to work with farmers to explore indigenous knowledge to protect farming communities from extreme weather in view of its limitations.

This, he said, is important as Nigeria experience all forms of climate change impacts, including droughts and frequent flooding.

The need intensifies as it has been confirmed that there will be tremendous climatic change impacts in the approaching months, in most areas of the country that could threaten the availability of water for agriculture Ubaka maintained that indigenous knowledge can be combined with scientific methods to enable farming populations adapt to climate change, through the development of early warning systems and new planting techniques resilience to weather.

Researchers, he noted, need to create a process that integrates science and indigenous knowledge to improve the adaptive capacity of farmers. This is because projects linking scientific and indigenous knowledge have reduced the vulnerability of farmers by developing pest- and dis-

• Ubaka

• Abo

ease-resistant crop varieties, promoting genetic diversity, and establishing timely responses to natural disasters through local seed production and distribution.

In support of his views, there are increasing number of stakeholders seeking partnership between traditional and modern science to produce weather forecasts better suited to farmers.

Consequently, stakeholders want researchers to share information with farming communities to help create mitigation and adaptation strategies, and to encourage alternative practices.

Speaking with The Nation, the President, Lagos State Apex Fadama Community Association, Alhaji Mufutau Abiodun Oyelekan said farmers are now making valuable judgments based on observation of natural phenomena.

This, he maintained, was acquired from indigenous knowledge of weather patterns.

The knowledge, is based on environmental indicators based on experience and can be learned by anyone who listens to elders.

Generally, he said elderly farmers know more than younger farmers like him but expressed concern that indigenous knowledge is at risk of disappearing because fewer people are learning it, and its value for environ-

mental science is not widely recognised.

Canvassing the need to promote indigenous knowledge along with modern weather forecasting applications, Oyelekan said most farmers were not familiar with the application of weather forecasts/climate predictions for agricultural production, or with other science-based agro meteorological products.

So they rely on their experience and traditional knowledge for farming decision making. The indicators for traditional knowledge are demonstrated here in broad terms, relying on the stories and indications from observations and years of experience of their use by the farmers. These means of engagement with the natural environment, he maintained, are skills not well understood by most scientists, but useful to the farmers.

They range from the constellation of stars, animal behavior, cloud cover and type, blossoming of certain indigenous trees, appearance and disappearance of reptiles, to migration of bird species and many others. Traditional knowledge, he added , hold the ace over modern weather forecast in some areas because it is the knowledge of a group or a community from a particular area, based on their environmental understanding, interacting with nature and ex-

‘Long before the initiation of modern scientific methods for weather forecasting and climate prediction, farmers utilised indigenous knowledge in deciding on crop variety, planting dates, and other coping strategies, so as to produce good yields’

periences within their areas.

Though traditional weather forecasting may not be largely successful, he suggested that some short-term traditional forecasts/predictions could be merged with science-based climate predictions.

Speaking with The Nation, The Director, Research Operations Department ,National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) Badeggi, Niger State, Dr Myimaorga Emmanuel Abo said long before the initiation of modern scientific methods for weather forecasting and climate prediction, farmers utilised indigenous knowledge in deciding on crop variety, planting dates, and other coping strategies, so as to produce good yields.

According to him, traditional weather/climate knowledge is being used by farmers in the Northern part of the country.

He said there are natural indicators in indigenous knowledge that are used by farmers to forecast weather phenomena, predict seasonal climate behaviour, and use them in their decisions on agricultural activities.

Abo said scientists and local traditional farmers use different methods to forecast weather conditions and predict a likely behavior of climate in the planting season.

While agrometeorologists have, developed different types of science-based knowledge, to better cope with climate variability, operationally, this leaves for farmers much to be desired.

According to him, adaptation to increasing climate variability and to other consequences is essential to minimize consequences of new risks and therefore, introducing agrometeorological products to farmers creates a platform for the on-farm development of a new range of different adaptation strategies for different agricultural enterprises, tailor-made.

Right now, the major challenge for the researchers is how to combine indigenous knowledge and science-based products, and to actually train the farmers in interpreting and using the latter.

Farmers regularly experience devastating disasters that are weather and climate related, such as rainfall scarcity and irregularity, floods, untimely frost events, severe winds that also continue and intensify destructive wildfires, outbreaks of diseases and pests, difficult to control weeds, which require intensive labor, as well as severe drought conditions and overgrazed lands posing dangers of desertification.

The participating farmers realized from slowly improving yields that science-based early warnings, weather/climate related forecasts/predictions and other science-based agro meteorological advisories/services are able to protect farmers better than their traditional knowledge could, by new knowledge-based preparedness and decision making.

For now, integration of agro meteorological products with local knowledge on weather forecasting and climate prediction may improve adaptation strategies and ensure that new knowledge, products, and services are implemented at farm level.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

39

AGRICBUSINESS

How cassava industry can create three million jobs The cassava industry can create three million jobs in Nigeria, the Coordinator, Cassava Value Chain, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Regional Hub for East Africa, Tanzania, Dr Adebayo Abass has said.

Speaking with The Nation at the Cassava Adding Value for Africa (CAVA) Stakeholders forum in lagos, Abass said there are tremendous opportunities for the industry to create 30 million jobs across Africa.

These opportunities arise from demand for cassava starch and chips which is likely to increase strongly in local and international markets, auguring a bright future for the domestic cassava industry.

He said cassava has a huge potential and could turn from “a poor people’s food into a 21st century

Stories by Daniel Essiet

crop” if grown according to a new environment - friendly farming model.

According to him, cassava yields have increased due to the planting of new high-yielding varieties and the adoption of more sustainable production practices across the continent and many factories have invested in the upgrade of their production technology.

With tremendous support coming from the government, he said demand for cassava would continue to increase, adding that the domestic market would also see high demand for the products from cassava as raw material for enterprises.

He noted that cassava farming is a great business and that there is a

huge market for the commodity and can be grown in all parts of the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr AkinwumiAdesina said the cassava transformation project seeks to create a new generation of cassava farmers, oriented towards commercial production and farming as a business, and to link them up to reliable demand, either from processors or a guaranteed minimum price scheme of the government.

Represented by the Technical Adviser (Cassava Value Chain), Mrs Toyin Adetunji said the over reaching strategy of the cassava transformation is to turn the cassava sector in Nigeria into a major player in local and international starch, sweeteners, ethanol, HQCF, and dried chips industries by adopting

• From left: Managing Director, Thai Farm International, Ogun State, Mr Louw Burger; Abass; Project Director, CAVA 11, Dr Kola Adebayo and Sanni.

Livestock farmers confront rising costs of feed

R

ISING feed demand has pushed up costs of livestock production forcing producers to explore new feed ingredients, the Vice-President, Association of Small Business Owners (ASBON),Mr. Stephen Oladipupo has said.

He said livestock farmers are trying to substitute commercial feed for cheap alternatives and forages.

According to him, growth in feed consumption has increases and livestock farms transition to a more concentrated mode of operations that uses commercial feeds more intensively.

He said combined use of corn and soy meal for animal feed has risen as animals consume a vari-

ety of grains, protein meals, bran, and hulls and growing use of these commodities is pushing livestock producers sorely on imports of feed concentrates.

On the issue of high cost of feed, he said the challenge is low production of soya beans used alongside the excess maize being produced in the country .

He described high cost of poultry feed as the main challenge facing the local industry.

The livestock sector, Oladipupo, said was under pressure from rising costs, disease, environmental regulations and resource constraints.

He attributed the situation to the high cost of production and high cost of energy.

He called on the Federal Government to make effort to boost local production and cut down the country’s importation bill.

Oladipupo urged the government to ensure that raw materials and drugs imported for the poultry and livestock industry met standards.

He called on the Federal Government to provide maximum support for the poultry business as it currently cannot satisfy the volume of demand for poultry products in the entire country.

According to him, the sector needs transformation, but the internal and external reasons that its industrial potential has not been reached can be attributed mainly to the failureof policies.

‘Climate change not caused by greenhouse emissions’

A

specialist in cropping systems from the College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT),Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta, Prof Philip Adetiloye, has faulted the widely-held opinion that green house emissions are responsible for climate change.

The Don made this declaration during the 45th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled From Grass to Grace: An Exposition on Western and Traditional Cropping Systems.

According to Adetiloye, research findings had confirmed that climate change was caused by aerial bombing wars and not by green house emissions that western scientists had claimed to be the cause of climate change and that the analysis of climate data over the various latitudes in Nigeria had indicated that climate change became noticeable from the 1990s.

“The large variation continued

to date. This sudden change in climate exhibits a distinct pattern and was more in the Northern States than in the South. Temperature rise of nine and five degree centigrade had been recorded in the North and South respectively, due to climate change. In the South, the pattern of variations appeared more diffuse. These two major findings confirm my earlier press conferences (2011 and 2014) that climate change is caused by aerial bombing war zones in the Middle East as Africans suffer the effects of this climate change more than any continent,” he stated.

Adetiloye disclosed that agricultural research started from the colonial days by focusing on the Western mode of cropping systems, which was highly dependent on input of chemical fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides in mono-cultural cropping. “It was not until the early 70s that significant research efforts were directed

by scientists towards understanding why African farmers prefer complex, multiple cropping system to the relatively simple sole cropping method, that is commonly practiced in Western and highly industrialised countries,” he stated.

He enumerated the importance of agro-climatology, the role of crop physiology and goals of Cropping System to include improved productivity in terms of crop yield and income, achievement of sustainable yield and sustainable land use, increased yield stability with hazards of drought and equitable use of resources all year round.

He noted that agriculture; a multi-disciplinary science required a thorough understanding of various science disciplines that were required for a proper understanding of the performance, growth, development and productivity of crops and livestock.

improved production and processing technologies, and organizing producers and processors into efficient value-added chains.

To boost domestic production of cassava bread, the minister said the Federal Government, has given the Bank of Industry (BoI) the mandate to manage the N4.3 billion cassava bread fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), master bakers and large industrial cassava flour mills.

He further said that the Cassava Bread Development Fund would also be used to support research and development efforts on cassava bread, training of master bakers, support for master bakers for the acquisition of new equipment

for production.

The Country Manager, Cassava: Adding Value for Africa, and President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Prof. Lateef Sanni, called on the government to pass the bill regulating the institute to guarantee food safety.

Cassava, he noted is used as food, dried chips for feed, alcohol, and starch, and for industrial uses and is the staple food crop of the nation’s population.

Under CAVA, he said there is a roadmap,to increase the national average yield per hectare, taking cognisance of the bright financial prospect being offered by the cassava sector to the economy.

Fertiliser distribution: Agro-dealers, helpline staff warned against diversion THE Federal Government has warned agro-dealers as well as helpline staff selected to participate in the 2014 Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme in Bauchi State against diversion of fertiliser.

The Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, gave the warning in Bauchi ,at a one-day capacity training organised for the agro-dealers and help line staff by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC).

He said that any dealer caught engaging in fraudulent practices would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

He said that under the GES programme, each registered farmer would receive two bags of fertiliser at a 50 per cent discount and at a 90 per cent discount for a bag of seed.

He said that the ministry received

T

reports during the previous distribution that some agro-dealers diverted the product and sold it to unregistered members.

Mohammed stressed that stringent measures had been put in place to deal with any agro-dealer found guilty of such acts. “You are mostly young men and women and lucky to participate in this programme. We do not want to see anyone of you in EFCC net. “I, therefore, urge you to discharge your duty with the fear of God for a hitch-free exercise,” he said.

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Sani Wabu warned the agro-dealers and the helpline staff against turning the redemption centres into business centres.

“It has come to our notice that some of you connived with some agro-dealers to extort farmers or divert fertiliser meant for our farmers to unknown destination.

N4 b worth of Sesame produced in Bauchi in 2013

HE Programme Manager, Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme, Dr Illiyasu Gital said more than 100 tonnes of sesame worth N4 billion was produced in the state last year.

Gital made this known in an interview in Gadau, Headquarters of ItasGadau Local Government Area of the state.

Farmers in the state had in 2012 also produced 75,000 tonnes of the commodity.

“According to our statistics, over 100 metric tonnes of Sesame was produced in 2013 which translates to about N4 billion. “We did not cover the whole farmers of sesame in the state, because some farmers could not give us exactly what they have produced, some farmers took theirs to the market without us recording what they produced.

“The product was mostly sold in Azare Market of Katagum Local Government Council of Bauchi State.”

He said the commodity was mostly from Gololo and Miya Producing Centres supervised by the agency.

The Programme Manager expressed optimism that the production level would increase this year due to the successes recorded and the tremendous gains to farmers.

“Farmers are mastering the art of producing the Sesame and more land is going to be provided for the cultivation.

“When we perfect the system, more importers will come and export the commodity, and that means more money to our farmers.”

Govt to disburse N22m to farmers The Delta government has earmarked N22 million for disbursement to rural farmers under the National Programme for Food Security (NPFS), MrMisanUkubeyinje, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said.

Ukubeyinje said in Asaba that the fund disbursement had already commenced.

He said “I recently disbursed cheque to three benefiting groups from Ugbenu in Ethiop West Local Government Area, Ayokoromo and Abigborodo in Warri North and each of these groups received N3 million to support their farms.’’

The commissioner added that the disbursement, which had been on since 2002, was being sustained through a counterpart fund between the state and the federal government.

He noted that the state government recently paid its counterpart fund for the year, thereby creating an oppor-

tunity for participating farmers group to draw down on demand for the amount needed to boost food production in the state.

The programme is being managed by the state’s Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Ibusa, to ensure effective disbursement and efficient utilisation of the funds by participating groups.

According to Ukubeyinje, there are nine participating groups in the programme representing three communities from each of the three senatorial districts of the state.

“Graciously, the Delta Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, paid the state counterpart fund this year to enable farmers who met the obligations to have access to the loan.

“These funding is to uplift the poorest of the poor farmers across the three senatorial districts and it has impacted positively on the lives of the people in those communities.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

40

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

T

EU to investigate Apple’s tax affairs

HE European Commission is to open a formal investigation into Apple, Starbucks and Fiat in relation to tax arrangements with three EU countries.

The firms’ respective arrangements with Ireland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg will be investigated.

Announcing the move, tax commissioner Algirdas Semeta said that “fair tax competition is essential”.

Last year, a US Senate investigation accused Ireland of giving special tax treatment to Apple.

The European Commission will look at whether the companies’ tax affairs breach EU rules on state aid.

Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said: “In the current context of tight public budgets, it is particularly important that large multination-

als pay their fair share of taxes.”

Countries in Europe cannot allow certain firms to pay less tax than they should, Mr Almunia added.

The investigations will focus on “transfer pricing”, or whether the countries allowed the multinational firms to charge one part of the company over the odds for goods or services from another part of the company as a way of shifting profits.

Under Commission rules, companies must charge their subsidiaries market rates.

Sanctions for a breach of tax rules could include an attempt to claw money back from Apple, Starbucks and Fiat.

Apple said that it had not had “any special tax deal with the Irish government”.

“We have received no selective treatment from Irish officials,” the company said. “Apple is subject to the same tax laws as scores of other international companies doing business in Ireland.”

The Irish finance ministry said Apple “did not receive selective treatment and there was no ‘special tax rate deal’”.

“Ireland is confident that there is no state aid rule breach in this case and we will defend all aspects vigorously,” the Department of Finance said.

Last year’s US Senate committee investigation revealed that Apple had been able to funnel profits into Irish subsidiaries or “ghost companies” that

had no declared tax residency anywhere in the world, cutting billions from its tax bill.

The Senate committee hearing revealed that Apple designated its Irish entities as unlimited companies, which meant it did not have to publish annual accounts.

The Irish arrangement allowed Apple to pay just 1.9% tax on its $37bn in overseas profits in 2012, despite the fact the average tax rate in the OECD countries that make up its main markets was 24% last year.

In a 40-page memorandum, the Senate committee said: “Ireland has essentially functioned as a tax haven for Apple.”

Coffee giant Starbucks has been embroiled in a tax controversy for a number of years.

In 2012, the multinational admitted that it had a special tax deal with the Dutch government which allowed it to transfer money to its Dutch sister company in royalty payments.

Starbucks said on Wednesday that its Dutch tax arrangements conformed with financial law.

“We comply with all relevant tax rules, laws and OECD guidelines and we’re studying the Commission’s announcement related to the state aid investigation in the Netherlands,” a Starbucks spokesperson said.

Lufthansa shares dive 11% on profit alert

S

SHARES in German airline Lufthansa have fallen sharply after the carrier said it would not reach its profit targets for the next two years.

It blamed competition from other airlines, which is keeping ticket prices lower on its main European and US routes.

A three-day pilot strike in April also wiped 60m euros off its annual profit.

Lufthansa said it expected operating profits of 1bn euros this year, against a forecast of 1.3bn-1.5bn euros.

Currency restrictions in Venezuela preventing airlines from repatriating revenues from ticket sales there had lowered results by a further 60m euros, Lufthansa said.

At one stage, the airline’s share price fell as much as 11%. By mid-morning, shares were 7.5% lower.

Continue reading the main story Deutsche Lufthansa AG Last Updated at 11 Jun 2014, 13:21 GMT

Lufthansa, which is Europe’s biggest airline in terms of sales, also reduced its 2015 earnings target to 2bn euros from 2.65bn euros.

“The revenue risks mentioned when we presented the quarterly figures in early May have unfortunately materialised,” chief financial officer Simone Menne said.

In May, it said market conditions were tough and that yields - a measure of revenue per passenger - were coming under pressure at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Mr Menne said prices on European and US routes were under pressure because more seats were being offered by rivals.

It has previously complained that Gulf airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad enjoy competitive advantages because they are state-owned.

The profit warning comes just over a month after the appointment of new chief executive Carsten Spohr.

Group holds business seminar

T

HE Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, South West 3 District, is holding two seminars in this year’s edition of its annual business dialogue. The themes are: Maximising Contemporary Opportunities for Business Growth and Business and Careers Growth Essentials.

The seminars are coming up simultaneously at Sheraton Hotel and Towers and NECA House respectively on June 13 and 14.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the District Coordinator, Mr Fola Aguda, said the purpose of the seminar is to invite members of the business community to come and learn new tricks about how to succeed in their various endeavours. He said the pro-

By Bode Monogbe

gramme has been on for the past 15 years, teaching and encouraging their members on how to succeed in their business ventures but it is just about time to extend this to members of the larger business community.

Prof Pat Utomi, Director of the Lagos Business School and National Director of the group could not agree less.

He stressed the need to exchange and update knowledge as we live in a changing world. He said: “We live in an age of knowledge and we need to constantly expand this knowledge through interaction of this sort. The rate of learning is growing higher by the day, so if you don’t develop yourself, you expire. “

Money, others critical to business success, says Jumia chief

T

HE Managing Director of Nigeria’s biggest online retailer, Jumia, Jonathan Doerr has identified people, idea and money as the three most important elements entrepreneurs must have to start, grow and make a success of any business.

Speaking at the MTN Link Forum organised to bring successful businessmen and budding entrepreneurs in Lagos, he said entrepreneurs can take business ideas that have proven successful in America and Europe, and domesticate them in line with realities in the country.

He said: “For me, the three main things to grow a successful business are people, ideas and money.

You need the right people that you can trust; you need a great idea and money to become entrepreneurs.

“Online retail business had been thriving in America and Germany

before it was introduced into Nigeria where it had to be domesticated to conform to best practices and standards in the country.”

MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Larry Annetts said as a truly supporting brand, MTN is committed to developing and engaging budding entrepreneurs, and encouraging them to be better in various entrepreneurial fields of human endeavour.

He said: “A strategic focus for MTN is to, constantly, provide an engaging and supporting platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and the organisation has continuously demonstrated this through various initiatives.”

Other speakers on the occasion include the Special Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mr. Oguche Agudah, and the CEO of Palmas Company Limited Mr. Izuroa Okafor.

•From left: Country Manager, Nigeria, Mr. Kamar Abass; Marketing and Strategy Manager, West Africa, Mrs. Adeola Olasewere and Country Operations Manager, Mr. Anthony Adegbola, Ericsson during the presentation of the firm’s Mobility Report press briefing at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Emirates cancels 70 Airbus A350s order

D

UBAI’S Emirates Airline has cancelled an order for 70 of Airbus’s A350 wide-bodied aircraft, the planemaker says.

Airbus said the cancellation had followed “ongoing discussions with the airline in light of their fleet requirement review”.

In 2007, Emirates placed 50 orders for the A350-900 and 20 for the A3501000, with deliveries due from 2019.

UK engine maker Rolls-Royce said the cancellation would lead to a £2.6bn hit to its order book.

“While disappointed with this decision, we are confident that the delivery slots which start towards the end of this decade vacated by Emirates will be taken up by other airlines,” RollsRoyce said.

A spokesperson for Emirates said the airline was “reviewing our fleet requirements”.

Airbus said it was confident that new

E

orders “in the coming months” would compensate for the Emirates cancellation.

“There’s no impact on the programme as deliveries were scheduled to start at the end of the decade,” a spokesman said.

In a statement, the company said it was “very confident” in its A350 XWB programme, adding that it had 742 firm orders and it expected the order book to continue growing in 2014.

“Interest in the game-changing A350 has always been very high with customers,” it said.

Airbus added that Emirates had recently “reiterated its confidence in Airbus products, particularly by praising the A380”.

The airline ordered an extra 50 A380 superjumbo planes at the last Dubai Airshow.

However, investors took the news of the cancelled A350s badly, with Air-

bus shares falling almost 4% in Paris.

Rolls-Royce shares fell 2% in London.

The A350 long-range jet is a competitor to Boeing’s 777 and 787 Dreamliner planes. The design of the A350 was changed in 2006 after potential customers were not impressed by the original plans.

Emirates announced it had ordered 150 of Boeing’s 777X planes at the Dubai Air Show last year.

Sash Tusa, aerospace and defence analyst at Edison Investment Research, said the move by Emirates was real blow to Airbus, “with the loss of a 70 A350 wide-body plane order coming just as rival Boeing’s 777X has been launched”.

“It gives the unavoidable conclusion that the world’s largest and most influential long-haul airline sees the 777X as the wide-bodied twin of the future,” he said.

‘Local Content Act implementation key to poverty reduction’

XECUTIVE Director, Business Development of Concrete Design and Works (CDW) Limited Oladimeji Oganla, has said proper implementation and monitoring of the Local Content Act has the potential to reduce the poverty that is pervading the country.

According to him, if the Act is implemented, it will grow indigenous capacities, not only in the oil and gas sector of the economy but other sectors.

He said: “The implementation of Local Content Act has the capacity to reduce the high level of poverty in the country. it is a law that was passed with the best intention but as you can see, there is a difference between good intention and reality.

“I strongly feel the Job Creation Office of the Presidency should device measures to ensure compliance with the law. It will create employment opportunities for

By Adediwura Aderibigbe

Nigerians. Contracts will also come.

“Our government needs to do more for her people, Nigerians are hard working people and are not waiting to be spoon-fed, they just need laws that would favour them to tackle poverty and joblessness.

It is only a committed government at the centre that can do this. Governor Babatunde Fashola is doing a lot in Lagos State, so we need a serious government such as his at the centre to bring about significant change to the economy.”

Speaking on the high incidence of building collapse in the country, especially in Lagos State, Oganla said quacks and property owners are responsible for it. He said: “Most property owners believe more in using quacks for their building, they compromise standards.

“I am not saying everyone

should patronise professionals, but standards should be maintained, whoever does not have a name to protect can easily maximise profit by using irregular mixture, substandard materials and so on, “What is the essence of trying to save professional fees when eventually the building you have spent so much on would eventually collapse, or dilapidate before time. If you examine critically the standard and quality of pre-colonial houses in Lagos Nigeria, they are still very strong over 50 years after, it is because these houses were built by professionals and quality control measures were put in place.

“So it’s high time we started to appreciate professionalism in Nigeria, a tailor should avoid doing carpentry work just because he wants to save money, a mechanic should have nothing to do with a tape rule, a jack of all trade can never be master of anything.”

42

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

43

44

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

45

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13 2014

COMMENTARY

G

UESTS, everywhere in the world, are of different types. Some are of honour and treated with integrity because of their acknowledged dignity. Some are bereft of honour but merely tolerated for their nuisance value. Each time we talk of guests, people invariably think only of humans in the erroneous belief that no other creature could be qualified for that title.

What they don’t seem to know is that humans are just a fraction of Allah’s creatures. There are millions of others not often noticed by man. One of such creatures is environment of which season is a part. The phenomenon called season comes in different forms with different intensity and at different times of the year.

Seasons are like the tides of an ocean.

They roll out spirally in quick succession and reshape the world’s environment from time to time as they come in multiple of months. No one measures a season in the absence of months as there can be no seasons without months.

Europeans have so much respect for seasons that when they have an important guest they call him an ‘August visitor’. The month of August is the peak of summer season and the most comfortable month of hospitality for the Caucasian race of Europe hence the term.

In Islam, the most venerable guest is Ramadan. Its visiting time is not restricted to any particular season or Gregorian month. Its arrival in the world may coincide with that of any season. It is therefore a guest of all seasons.

With Ramadan as a guest, not only the Muslims but the entire humanity is consciously or unconsciously engaged in hospitable activities.

Those who cannot fast in it do take advantage of its presence to sell or buy some relevant needs and wants. Thus, there can be no indifference to the awful presence of Ramadan in any part of the world.

I recall the vivid description given this sacred month in ‘THE MESSAGE’ column sometime ago which is still as relevant now as it was then. It went thus: Once every year, something creeps into the world like the early morning light.

It moves kaleidoscopically into an arena where the centre becomes its stool. It lifts its veil and beams a focus on the world with an arresting attention in the days.

It envelops the nights in a shroud of covenant linking the dream of man with his fulfilment.

Its journey

No one knows Ramadan’s port of embarkation. No one knows its destination. All we know of it is that of a guest that is so vividly present in our world and yet so invisible. RAMADAN is the name by which it is divinely christened. Its coming is often heralded by a retinue of envoys. The months of ‘Rajab’ and ‘Sha’ban’ are the immediate escorts that alert us of its imminent arrival. Like the sun in the midst of stars, Ramadan ascends the throne in full regalia and all other months, (lunar and solar) quickly take their bow.

Call it the king where other months are chiefs and you will be dead right.

Call it the doctor in a world of sick people and you will not be wrong. Call it the compass in the wilderness of straying humanity and you would have spoken the truth. Call it the reformer of human soul; the steriliser of human spirit as well as the purifier of human body and you will not be disputed. In its entourage are equally invisible ministers like piety, knowledge, truth, justice and peace all of which usher it into the world with splendour.

Deriving its name from a natural healing phenomenon, this ninth lunar month is truly baking in effect. The word: Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramd (meaning baking). The name had been in existence before the advent of Islamic calendar. It was coined from a baking summer that immediately followed a freezing winter. Ever since, Ramadan’s mission has been to firm up all loose ends in the life of man. And it does that with a touch of perfection.

Its mission

The entire month of 30 or 29 days is spent fasting from dawn to dusk.

FEMI ABBAS ON

No lunar month exceeds 30 days and none is less than 29 days. Crescent or no crescent, it is very possible and easy to know when to start Ramadan every year.

The confusion often created by the sighting of the crescent is therefore avoidable. If Rajab is 30 or 29 days, no one looks for the crescent before starting Sha’ban. As soon as Rajab ends, Sha’ban starts.

Dynamism

femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Guest of integrity

•Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar

Such fasting is not about abstinence from foods and drinks alone. It is also about self restraint from all sinful acts. It is about repackaging one’s destiny through a new but sincere resolution.

Fasting during this month is believed to figuratively burn away all sins. It was in this glorious month that the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first began.

In this month, all gates of paradise, according to the Prophet, are open while those of hell are closed. The first ten days in it are blessings galore for those of the Muslim Ummah who need blessings and seek for them. The next ten days personify forgiveness for those who realise the gravity of their sinful acts, repent on them and resolve never to return to such acts again. Thus, Ramadan is far beyond a month. It is a season.

Its anchor leg

The last ten days form the anchor leg of Ramadan which is meant for the liberation of mankind from the manacles of Satan. Whoever is so liberated automatically becomes like a new born baby arriving in a new world with a tabula rasa (clean slate).

In these last ten days is a particular night (Laylatul Qadr) in which the secret of human destiny is encapsulated. It is otherwise known as the ‘Night of power’. Meeting that night consciously and spiritually is like securing the key to one’s own apartment in Paradise. But

one needs to remain awake throughout those nights to be fortunate to meet the D night.

Allah did not disclose even to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which particular night it is. But by asking the Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days, the Prophet has helped us tremendously. However, who can be so sure of the odd nights when the issue of sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan remains controversial?

Also, during the last ten days of Ramadan, some willing Muslims, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), do go for Umrah in Makkah or take to I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) locally, to reaffirm their total submission to Allah. Following this is a session of charity made compulsory for all Muslims irrespective of age, gender and status, to give to the poor and the needy. This is called Zakatul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. It is given in the very early morning of Ramadan Festival Day or the night before it to enable the poor and the needy celebrate the festival with the Ummah in a festive mood.

Anticlimax

The first day of the month of Shawwal immediately after Ramadan is the anticlimax traditionally spent in great celebrations with rejoice and observed as the ‘Festival of fast breaking the (Eidul Fitr).

Where else can one find a guest like Ramadan? Where else can one meet a guest that hosts his host and heals him of ignorance and diseases?

It was probably more to Ramadan than to man that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred when he said: “whoever believes in Allah and the ‘Last Day’ should venerate his guest” That guest is Ramadan. That is why Muslims often say in this unique month: ‘RAMADAN KARIM’ which means ‘Venerable Ramadan’.

Preparation

To start or end fasting in Ramadan, sighting of the crescent is just symbolic.

The indices of recognising when to start or end the month are naturally vivid to those who care.

Ramadan is preceded by two glorious lunar months of Rajab and Sha’ban for fun.

The number of days in those two months is to enable any serious Muslim know the time of arrival of Ramadan and prepare for it.

‘That Ramadan fasting is prescribed as a universal obligation for all Muslims in a particular month is deliberate.

Allah who did the prescription is not oblivious of the geographical variations in the world. Neither is He unaware of the possible invisibility of a new crescent to most eyes. The design is to allow for the reverberation of the effect of Ramadan across the world’

Islam is a dynamic religion and nothing should be rigid about the sighting of the crescent before starting Ramadan.

Sighting the crescent is not the only condition for starting the great month.

After all, the new crescent is not necessarily visible to all eyes at any given time in any locality. That is why a few who may be privileged to sight it are implored to invite some others to witness it and then inform the recognised authorities who will in turn, announce the arrival of Ramadan to the Muslim community in the locality or region.

Besides Faith (Iman) and Hajj (which are the first and last pillars of Islam), nothing else is really globally uniform in practical terms with regards to timing.

The variation in the geography of the earth has legitimised the variation of time in the observance of Salat, Sawm and Zakat. Iman is global because it resides permanently in the hearts of the believers, irrespective of their localities.

Hajj is equally global because it is performed in only one place at a particular time.

Geographical factor

Where a gap of about nine to eleven hours exists between one part of the world and another, talking of global uniformity in starting or ending Ramadan can only border on sheer ignorance. For instance it is impossible for the Australian Muslims living in Australia and their South American brethren residing in Brazil or Argentina to start Ramadan on the same day. Even within Nigeria, all Muslims can start Ramadan on the same day, only if they have equal access to information. And even with that, it is not possible for them all to start or end daily fasting at the same time of the day. That is why the announcement or publication of Ramadan timing according to the various localities is necessary.

That Ramadan fasting is prescribed as a universal obligation for all Muslims in a particular month is deliberate. Allah who did the prescription is not oblivious of the geographical variations in the world. Neither is He unaware of the possible invisibility of a new crescent to most eyes. The design is to allow for the reverberation of the effect of Ramadan across the world. And time variation in worship or celebration of festivals is not peculiar to Islam. Even in Christianity, neither Easter nor Christmas is globally celebrated in one day. And, there is no media noise about it.

What is global about Ramadan fasting is the month and not the time.

Dawn and dusk vary from locality to locality. It is therefore possible for the Muslims in one part of the world to be breaking their daily fast at a time when their brethren in another part are commencing theirs.

Thus, the genuineness or otherwise of Ramadan fasting is not to be judged by man. That is why Allah is reported by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying in a sacred Hadith (Hadithul Qudsi) that: “Fasting is mine and I am the One to grant rewards on it.”

Welcome to the coast of Ramadan. This sacred ‘ship’ must not leave the coast without you on board. Ramadan is like an institution of learning. A good Muslim must not just pass through it he must also allow it to pass through him.

Who knows when the last time to witness the month will be?

While waiting for Ramadan perch like an eagle, we still remember one of us who created a special clout for himself under the aegis of Ramadan. His sudden, unexplainable disappearance at the advent of Ramadan in 2012 remains indelible in our memories. But Allah knows best. We continue to pray for him and his family even while awaiting Allah’s justice.

RAMADAN KARIM IN ADVANCE!

46

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

47

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

48

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX -PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

A book, Petroleum Law and Sustainable Development, written by Dr Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) and Dr Oscar Nliam has been presented in Lagos, NNEKA NWANERI reports.

•From left: Dr Nliam; Dr Kolade; Mrs Adejoke Agaero; Rita Uriakpa; Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) and Dr Ajogwu (SAN)

•Mr Palti (left) and Mr Oyebode

•Mr Tijani (left) and Dr Ayoade

•Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia

‘That we may all prosper’ T

WO partners, Dr Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) and Dr Oscar Nliam, have launched their book, Petroleum Law and Sustainable Development. Agogwu and Nliam are of Kenna Partners, a law firm in Lagos.

The book launch in Lagos, last Thursday, brought together their friends, classmates, business associates, oil and gas experts, judges, politicians and Ajogwu’s students at the Lagos Business School.

Many of the guests were dressed in black suits.

It was well attended despite the heavy downpour. The hall was large enough to contain the guests.

The authors were not on the high table with other notable guests. They stayed among the audience with their wives.

Chairman on the occasion was the ViceChairman/General Counsel of ExxonMobil

Nigeria Unlimited, Mr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.

A former Foreign Affairs and Petroleum Minister, Mr Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), who wrote the book’s foreword, said it contains “clearly distilled principles and theories of law and practice in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“They have linked the relevance of each principle to the industry and to international law and convention, while highlighting other sustainable development pillars.

“The authors have eloquently argued the case that an appropriate focus on sustainable development is the necessary and effective measure to address the negative issues associated with oil and gas exploration and production.”

The reviewer, Dr Dayo Ayoade of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lagos, said

the book set out a most-balanced account of the challenges of the oil and gas sector from the authors’ perspective and conviction of a need for an alternate way to integrate the development of oil and gas with best environmental practices to ensure the sustainability of both.

Guests took turns to present their goodwill messages.

Mr Ernest Nwaka, who described Ajogwu as his elder brother, urged former leaders to write books on their experiences for the benefit of others.

“Let us not be like politicians but write to share with the younger generation.”

Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Uriel Palti described the author as a good friend of his embassy. He also spoke of his excitement on seeing the first oil well in Bayelsa State, which was discovered in 1957.

Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Mr Taofeeq Tijani, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), asked that the book be distributed well in the oil industry for stakeholders’ benefit.

Ajogwu, who spoke on his partner’s behalf, said they were inspired to write the book to bring in best practices in the industry.

He said: “This book was written so that we will not only prosper today but also leave some for the yet unborn.”

In attendance were Prof Pat Utomi; chairman of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr Alex Muoka; Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos; General Manager of Zenith Bank Adaobi Nwaka; former Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Christopher Kolade; Chairman of Access Bank Mr Gbenga Oyebode, among others.

49

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

SOCIETY Mrs Ayinke Ibidunni Odulana, sister of the late retired Auditor-General of the Federation, Alhaji Yekini Ahmed, has joined the nonagenarian club. She celebrated her 90th birthday at Nana’s Arena Events Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

‘She is a disciplinarian’ T HOUGH her parents were devout Muslims and brought her up in the Islamic faith, she became a Christian when she married her late husband, Nathaniel Tanimowo Odulana. She is a strong member of the St John’s Church, Ofada in Mushin, the popular Lagos suburb, where she holds the title of Iya-ijo. She often visited the Island Club with her husband when he was alive.

So, when she turned 90, Muslims and Christians celebrated Mrs Ayinke Ibidunni Odulana, sister of the late retired Auditor-General of the Federation, Alhaji Yekini Ahmed.

The street leading to Nana’s Arena Event Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, was filled with exotic cars.

Mrs Odunana’s children and some of their spouses were in white native attire with red head gear and cap. Guests wore dresses of their choice.

The hall was tastefully decorated in red and white; the tables and chairs were wrapped in gold and red fabrics.

The three-step birthday cake was placed on a stand on the right side of the hall beside the celebrator’s seat. She looked gorgeous in a pink dress with a white head gear and beads. She had a silver purse in her right hand. Her younger sister, Alhaja Adunni Adeyinka, was with her throughout.

Many came at intervals to exchange pleasantries with her.

The birthday was like an old school show; it began with prayers

by Rev Olamilekan Ogbonyomi of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Akowonjo, a Lagos suburb.

The popular birthday song, “Happy birthday to you” was rendered by guests. The Master of Ceremony, Oluwatosin Bakare a.k.a Aboki Jesu, was the compere.

Chairman on the occasion, Mr Fred Ohwahwa, Mrs Odulana’s sonin-law, said her life is worth celebrating because it was a rare one in a country where life expectancy is 47.

He described her as someone who does what is right.

“She will say white is white and black is black. She is a nice person, a mother indeed and I am very happy for her today,” he said.

Sir K Infinity, the life band, sang the celebrator’s favourite song, “Kokoma music’ (an old school song) and a minstrel, Mr Ayanmo Olasunkunmi, praised the birthday ‘girl’with chants in Yoruba.

Thespian family theatre and productions did a cultural presentation of songs and dance.

A documentary on the testimony of the life of the celebrator from her family members and friends was shown. Guests watched with keen interest, discussing in hushed tones as the documentary ran. At the end, they clapped and thanked God for her life. The celebrator was joined by her family members and other guests to cut the cake.

Her children took turns to dance with her, with other guests joining.

Mrs Odulana described the day as her happiest, saying: “I am very happy and I give all the glory to God for keeping me alive, healthy and sound. I am so excited that I am alive to see my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I am full of joy and the greatest thing is that my children are taking good

•The celebrator, Mrs Odulana (secondleft) assisted by son, Mr Folarin Odulana; Mrs Nuratu Balogun and Alhaja Adeyinka (right)

•Mr Bauce Malogo and wife Bola

•Mr Nosa Osemwengie

•Rabbi Joseph Aghasili and wife Pastor Rosemary

•Mr Abiodun Taiwo and wife Modupe

•Mr Tunde Thani and wife Folake

•Mr Abel Mukoro and wife Caroline

care of me in my old age,” she said.

Bodurin Odulana, her step-son, thanked God for her life, saying: “She is someone that will always stand for the truth, she will never follow you in the wrong way and she relates with people a lot; both the young and the old, she is a lover of people. She will always be there to settle all issues; I pray that God will continue to keep and give her long life, good health and prosperity.”

Alhaja Adeyinka described her sister as loving but strict.

She urged other mothers to take “good care” of their children, saying that the children will take care of them when they are old.

The celebrator’s first child, Adebayo Pitan, said his mum is always there, caring and ready to give.

Her first daughter, Mrs Abimbola Oduwole, said her mum is a disciplinarian.

“When I was small, mummy would not allow me to go out, if she sends you on errand, you stay longer than you should, talk or stand beside a guy. If you do, she sees you, you will get the reprimand of your life. If you are feeling cold, you can’t tell her because she will say you are pregnant. She is a disciplinarian to the core that I used to think she was not my mother, but when I got married, I began to ap-

•Mr Ohwahwa

PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

preciate her training and call her a good mother,” she said.

Her grandson, Wale Pitan, said: “You dare not go against whatever she tells you and this is why we are all very conscious whenever she is around. Besides that, she is humble, jovial and you can never be bored when you are with grandma because she will sing and talk about her background, and she will make you laugh.”

50

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

SOCIETY The open field of the Ejigbo Primary School, in Lagos was filled with family members and friends of Aminat Oseni and Amidu Arije when they got married last Saturday. ABISAYO AWOLEYE reports.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Elements of Impromptu Speech

I

•The couple, Aminat and Amidu

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLAMS

‘What Allah has joined together ...’

A

FTER months of courtship, Amidu Adeniyi Arije and his lovebird, Aminat Oluwatoyin Oseni, tied the nuptial knot in Lagos last Saturday.

Guests came from far and wide to share in their joy. They looked elegant in choice outfits including the colourful Ankara fabric chosen for the occasion and other attires.

The Nikkah between Aminat, daughter of the late Mr Trimisiyu Omotayo Oseni and Amidu, son of a politician and businessman, Alhaji Rabiu Abiodun Arije, was held at the Ejigbo Primary School, in Lagos.

The bride, Aminat, a graduate of Economics and Social Studies from Adeniran, Ogunsanya College of Education, in Ijanikin, a Lagos suburb, and Amidu, the assistant secretary of Ariori Ijaye Community Development Association, were the cynosure of all eyes.

Aminat was all smiles; she

looked beautiful in a cream Arabian outfit, socks and a pair of black shoe to match.

Arije was charming in Agbada of the colour and a fitting cap.

Tents were erected on the school field and decorated in gold and chocolate. Some Islamic clerics occupied one of the tents. To their right were men, and women on the left.

The event began with a prayer and recitation from the Quran by Sulaimon Quadri.

Mallam Luqman Gawata preached. He said time was crucial in the life of every man.

This time that the two families have come together, he said, was a time of thanksgiving.

He read from chapter 36, verse 36 of the Quran, saying marriage is a must in Islam.

“There is a big difference between the married and the unmarried. If you choose to stay unmarried you are a potential criminal and acting against what the Quran says because you will be messing

around, therefore, it is better to be married.

“A man should be happy when he sees his wife and the woman should be happy when she sees her husband. He must protect his wife at all times”.

One of those called to advice the couple, Ustaz Taheed Oladapo, urged them to be patient, with each other because patience solves all problems.

He told the husband that it was his responsibility to provide for his wife. To the wife, he said; “You must be contented and ensure that you arrange the house for your husband always”.

With smiles, Aminat said the day was special to her. She described her husband as a nice, caring, loving and understanding man, who knows how to handle a woman.

Arije, a graduate of Mass Communication from the Ogun State Polythecinc, said of his wife: “She is very calm,

understanding and intelligent”.

Alhaji Arije said his son is a man he can recommend to anybody to marry.

He enjoined the couple to see each other as one,.

The bride’s mother, Alhaja Alimot Muyideen, thanked God. She prayed the union will last. She said that marriage is a life long journey and prayed that God will bless them.

“Once you are married take your eyes away from other men or women. Whenever you have misunderstanding, you should call each other and talk about it, and should always remember the first day you met and let the love continue to be stronger,” she said.

The Adele of Wasimi Okuta, Imeko-Afo Local Government in Ogun State, Chief Alabi Adetunji, told the couple that the day marked the beginning of a new life which they should guard jealously.

AWARD

•Obaro of Kabba Oba Michael Olobayo presenting award to the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Director General, Mrs Dupe Atoki, during a reception organised by Kabba Development Union (KDU) to honour Owe indigenes on their recent Promotion, Election and Appointment.

T’S another great day on your column on public speaking. I have no doubt that you must have had several opportunities to practise what we have discussed so far. Last week, we had an introduction to impromptu speech, which is not a type of speech per se, but a type of AMODU LANRE OLAOLU presentation. It is the nature ( Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. of the speech that gave it its 07034737394 name; you never get to pre@lanreamodu pare for it as extensively as would other speeches. In fact, you may not have any time to prepare for it at all. Whatever be the case, you are still expected to do a good job at it. Last week, we established the need to value our own ideas enough to voice them confidently. We also said that we should always be mentally prepared to deliver a speech.

This week, we shall examine a few elements of impromptu speech. These elements will help us to identify what is expected of us and understand how to present it: • It is immediate: of course you know that impromptu speech is immediate. There are two ways to it- either you are informed a few minutes before you are to give the speech, or you are not even informed at all until you are called up to speak. On very rare occasions, you may be told a few days beforehand. Whatever be the case, from the moment you become aware that you will speak, the countdown begins.

All of a sudden, you can’t think fast enough. If you have not always been prepared, chances are that your mind will become immediately blank and not be able to think of any appropriate thing to say except, “I agree with the last speaker, thank you,” and you sit. On the other hand, too much information may flood your mind, leaving you with the challenge of sorting them out. The most important point, however, is that unless you think ahead of time, or think very fast on the spot, you may find yourself unable to manage the situation.

• It must be brief: considering that you are only called to make a comment in a programme that has a lot of other items planned, you should be as brief as possible. Don’t attempt to say too much. Also, don’t try to impress those who invited you to speak by saying as much as you can to justify the invitation. Actually, the more experienced and competent you are, the fewer your words should be.

• It should be based on the current situation/event: your speech must be based on the theme of the programme you are attending or on the joint experiences being shared at the event. Unless extremely important, don’t tell stories that are not directly related to the audience. The best impromptu speeches draw from what previous speakers have said. This is not the same as repeating what they said. You are just showing that you have been attentive all the while and you don’t consider yourself too intelligent to benefit from others.

• You are called because of your experience/personality: not everybody is asked to speak at an event. If you have not contributed to anybody’s life, you have not done anything outstanding or you are not a distinguished personality generally, you may not be asked to speak. What I am trying to say is that the more you contribute to other people’s lives, the more you will be recognized at events and asked to speak.

Please note that you don’t have to be as big as the governor of your state to be distinguished! Since there are different classes of events, there are also different classes of dignitaries. Even if it is a few people you can influence, to those people, you are distinguished. For instance, a teacher may attend the birthday party of his/her student and be asked to give a piece of advice to the celebrant. To that student and other guests, he/ she is a distinguished personality. So, we can say that you earn the right to make impromptu speeches either by your experience/qualification or your level of influence.

• It should be personal: the main reason you are asked to deliver an impromptu speech is because your opinion is needed. Hence, it is expected that your contribution should be personal. Offer you view briefly by applying your wealth of experience to the situation at hand. Don’t speak generally because anybody can do that; consider the capacity in which you were invited and speak accordingly.

• It should focus on others and not on yourself: yes, you were invited because of your experience. Yes, you are expected to speak from your personal experience; but no, it should not be all about you! You should be able to speak more for the benefit of your audience than blowing your own trumpet. Remember, we said you should speak from your wealth of experience and not to speak of your wealth of experience. Keep your attention on the subject at hand. Still using the illustration of the teacher and student above, you should use your years of experience as a teacher to speak of what you value about the celebrant and what he/she needs to do to achieve a brighter future. It is definitely not the right time to talk about your teaching skills and ability to get along with students; unless of course you intend to link it to the celebrant. Whichever way, the audience must end up thinking more of the celebrant than of the speaker.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

51

52

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

53

MONEYLINK

CBN orders return of excess COT charges

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged banks to follow the revised guide to bank charges issued last year to standardise charges for various products and services offerd by lenders.

In circular signed by Frankline Ahonkhai for CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, the apex bank accused some banks of charging Commission on Turnover at the rate of N3 per mille instead of N2 per mille agreed for 2013. It directed the affected banks to refund the excess COT charges to the customers within 30 days.

He said some banks are charging fees without following the guide.”For instance, some banks offer accounts that are supposed to

Stories by Collins Nweze

be COT-free, but impose a maintenance, or similar fee, stating that such banks should refund the money to the affected customers.

Meanwhile the CBN has said that fraud in banks and corruption in public offices are committed by those entrusted with positions or in control of public funds.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele who disclosed this yesterday at this year’s Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN), held in Lagos, said perpetrators often collude with officers of legitimate organisations and financial institutions to commit the crimes. He said they could also override controls

tive and adverse consequences of these crimes amongst others, that regulatory bodies, domestic and international, have set up standards and regulations to curb the menace.

He said the rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, but that could also open up the country to international fraudsters.

He said foreign investors see Nigeria as fraudster hub and that is affecting FDI flows.

Emefiele said Nigeria has adequate legal and regulatory measures that should address breaches to the Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Customer Due Dili-

to perpetrate the crimes.

Emefiele explained that while fraud and corruption are international in coverage, the incidence has become predominant in third world countries, including Nigeria as a result of perverse incentives.

Emefiele who was represented CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Adebayo Adelabu said that to overcome this challenge, financial institutions are required to keep close check on transactions involving high risk customers such as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and Financially Exposed Persons (FEPs).

He said fraud proceeds could be used in funding activities that are dangerous and injurious to society.

He said it is because of these nega-

Lagos inaugurates planning, budget committee

T

HE Lagos State Government yesterday inaugurated a Joint Planning and Budget Finance Management Committee to improve the synergy between the state and the local governments in the state.

In a statement, the government said the action would help in the implementation of the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP 2012 to 2025).

At the inauguration, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze, noted that going forward the development plans of the various Local Governments (LGs) / Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) would be designed in consonance with the State Development Plan as it affects them. This, it added,

would remove the risk of working at cross – purposes or duplication of efforts on a project which often leads to waste of human and material resources and sometimes conflict.

He said that a development plan predicated on proper study of the genuine needs of the people will ensure value for money and make impact of government felt at the third tier of government that is closest to the masses.

Akabueze said the terms of reference of the committee are to upscale planning reform process at the LGs/LGDAs; ensure that development plans are in conformity with the State’s vision through the writing process that will be used by the LGs/LCDAs; formulate the structure and co-ordinate func-

Skye Bank supports Rail on trains

tions of the Local Government Planning Team (LGPTs) for each of the LGs/LGDAs; ensure the Local Government Teams (LGPTs) are formed and functional in all the LGs/LGDAs and to provide technical support for the implementation and institutionalization of the planning reforms process.

A Technical Working Group (TWG) that will work on detailed strategies that will ensure a successful transformation of the planning process at the LGs/LGDAs level was also inaugurated. It is to be technically responsible for the implementation of writing the Local Government Development Plan (LGDP), The Medium Term Plans and develop the annual budget for each LGA/LCDA across the state.

KYE Bank Plc has lent its support to efforts aimed at transforming the operations of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) by providing funding support for the acquisition of two new sets of diesel multiple units passenger coaches for narrow guage track.

Skye Bank financed the project for its client, Kintech Nigeria Limited, which executed the job for the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who commissioned the two diesel passenger trains on Tuesday, said the event marked another watershed in the annals of the NRC as the government

S

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF

makes efforts to reposition it.

Sambo said other on-going railway projects in the country would be fast-tracked so that cheap means of transportation would be made available to members of the public.

He commended the bank for financing developmental projects and programmes and described it as a partner in national development.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kintech Nigeria Limited, Chief Fola Kuforiji, described the project as a laudable and transformational development in the Nigerian rail system and transport infrastructure.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

•Emefiele

gence (EDD) provisions. “It is the application of these KYC provisions that are meant to reveal illegitimate sources of funds and trigger investigation by relevant stakeholders that matters. Like in many developing countries, compliance has been a major regulatory challenge in Nigeria,” he said.

Price Loss 2754.67

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency OBB Rate

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

C/PRICE 65.98 4.23 0.84 3.07 1.77 2.35 4.53 38.50 2.97 4.90

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 12-06-14

SYMBOL O/PRICE CONOIL 59.85 ETERNA 3.84 ABCTRANS 0.90 JOSBREW 2.93 AVONCROWN 1.69 TRANSEXPR 2.25 CAVERTON 4.34 PZ 36.94 FIDSON 2.87 NAHCO 4.75

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change

Year Start Offer

CHANGE 6.13 0.39 0.04 0.14 0.08 0.10 0.19 1.56 0.10 0.15

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

SYMBOL

O/PRICE 1.80 0.80 179.00 0.82 1.26 1.92 0.54 2.50 12.00 230.00

C/PRICE 1.71 0.76 170.11 0.78 1.20 1.83 0.52 2.41 11.60 224.25

CHANGE -0.09 -0.04 -8.89 -0.04 -0.06 -0.09 -0.02 -0.09 -0.40 -5.75

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIGFUND INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND

Offer Price Bid Price 157.99 157.07 9.17 9.08 1.09 1.08 1.18 1.18 0.68 0.68 1.39 1.33 1,664.78 1,661.81 1,087.24 1,086.78 119.02 118.19 1,087.30 1,087.00 1.67 1.62 1.05 1.03

LEGACY FUND NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND • • • •

LOSERS AS AT 12-06-14

LEARNAFRCA WAPIC NB IKEJAHOTEL NEIMETH CUTIX MBENEFIT MANSARD NASCON DANGCEM

NSE

UBA BALANCED FUND UBA BOND FUND UBA EQUITY FUND UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

143.11

142.62

0.78 1,944.64 13.62 1.07

0.76 1,936.31 13.28 1.05

1.3379 1.3544 1.0146 1.1770

1.3271 1.3544 0.9967 1.1770

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

54

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-06-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-06-14

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

55

EQUITIES

NSE records N136 billion loss

N

IGERIAN equities suffered a reversal yesterday as losses recorded by the market’s most capitalised stock, Dangote Cement Plc, overwhelmed the otherwise widespread bullish sentiments and pushed the market to a loss of N136 billion.

While most equities recorded gains and the momentum of activity was on the average, a 2.50 per cent decline in the share price of Dangote Cement orchestrated the market’s biggest decline this week.

Other highly capitalised stocks, which moderate losses contributed to the negative market situation included Flour Mills of Nigeria, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Access Bank and Oando Plc. With 31 gainers to 22 losers, aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped by N136 bil-

•Stock market reverses to negative Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

lion to N13.614 trillion from its opening value of N13.750 trillion. The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), which also doubles as Nigeria’s country index, slipped by 0.99 per cent to close at 41,228.65 points as against its opening index of 41,642.55 points.

The steep decline yesterday wiped out the modest average-year-to-date return and left the market with a negative five months-and- a-half return of -0.24 per cent.

Dangote Cement led the losers with a loss of N5.75 to close at N224.25.

Flour Mills of Nigeria dropped by N1 to close at N77. National Salt Company of Nigeria (Nascon) and UACN Property Development Company followed with a loss of 40

kobo each to close at N11.60 and N17.60 respectively. Oando dropped by 10 kobo to N20. Learn Africa, Cutix and Mansard Insurance dropped by 9.0 kobo each to close at N1.71, N1.83 and N2.41 respectively. Access Bank lost 8.0 kobo to close at N9.83 while Dangote Sugar Refinery dropped by 6.0 kobo to close at N9.54 per share.

Meanwhile, most price changes ended on the upside with Conoil leading with a gain of N6.13 to close at N65.98. PZ Cussons Nigeria followed with a gain of N1.56 to close at N38.50. Guinness Nigeria rallied N1 to close at N180.

Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria rose by 80 kobo to close at N110.50.

Ashaka Cement gathered 69 kobo to close at N26.99. Eterna added 39

kobo to close at N4.23. Guaranty Trust Bank rose by 34 kobo to close at N31.25. Union Bank of Nigeria rose by 20 kobo to close at N10.26.

Caverton gained 19 kobo to close at N4.53 while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated rose by 16 kobo to close at N16.76.

Investors staked a total of N3.72 billion in 341 million shares in 5,344 deals. Financial services sector regained the momentum as the most active sector with a turnover of 255.57 million shares worth N1.57 billion in 2,523 deals.

On stock-by-stock basis, Wapic Insurance was the most active stock with a turnover of 72.73 million shares worth N56.51 million in 198 deals.

United Bank for Africa followed with 40.47 million shares worth 327.99 million in 332 deals while Access Bank ranked third with a turnover of 37.38 million shares worth N370.29 million in 128 deals.

US, emerging stocks fall on concerns over Iraq conflict NITED States (US) stocks slumped the most in three weeks and oil climbed to an eight-month high as violence escalated across Iraq. Treasuries rallied on signs the US economic recovery remains uneven.

Bloomberg reported that the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.8 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled one per cent. West Texas Intermediate oil rose two per cent to $106.53 a barrel, the highest level since September.

The yield on 30-year Treasuries dropped six basis points, the most in two weeks, to 3.41 per cent. The S&P GSCI (SPGSCI) gauge of 24 commodities jumped 1.6 per cent, the biggest increase in three months. Natural gas futures climbed the most in almost four months, while gold and silver advanced at least one per cent.

A surge in violence across northern and central Iraq, three years after US troops withdrew, has raised the prospect of a return to sectarian civil war in OPEC’s second-biggest oil producer. US energy shares rallied while Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. slumped more than 5.9 per cent. American retail sales rose less than forecast in May while jobless claims increased last week, reports showed yesterday.

“The Middle East may not matter as much as it used to for global energy markets, but the collapse of democracy in Iraq and the risk of extremists being the dominant political force in the region is already making some commentators question how long the US ‘hands-off’ policy will really be maintained,” Kit Juckes, global strategist at Societe Generale SA in London, wrote in an e-mailed note yesterday.

U

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014

56

NEWS

ACF: Sanusi’s appointment an act of God T HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Kano people to stop the protest against the appointment of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, said in a congratulatory message that the appointment was destined by Allah, who gives power.

The Forum asked the Emir to bring his experience to bear on the development of Kano and see his new position as the father of all.

The statement reads: “The ACF hereby congratulates the Emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on his appointment after the demise of

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Alhaji Ado Bayero.

“His selection was an act destined by Allah who alone gives leadership to whosoever He wishes.

“May Allah give the Emir the wisdom and courage to see this new position as the father of all.

“ACF has unflinching regard and respect for traditional institutions; we therefore call on Sanusi to uphold the sanctity of the institution and consider his appointment as an opportunity to serve his people.

“We pray that Almighty

Allah will protect and guide him and also bless his reign with peace, unity and development.

“The traditional institution of Kano is highly reverred and respected not only by Kano people but all Nigerians and even beyond our shores because of its rich cultural heritage and accommodation of all manners of people, irrespective of their religious, political and tribal inclinations.

“ACF therefore call on Kano people to accept what has been decreed by Allah and extend their support and cooperation to the emir for peace and tranquility to reign.

S

•Sanusi

“Violence and destruction have never been a panacea to problem solving, rather it aggravates the problem and retards our progress as a nation.

“ACF urges Nigerians to always seek for a peaceful and acceptable way of resolving disagreements or grievances for the overall benefit of the country.”

Court dismisses suit challenging Wada’s election

A

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by a chieftain of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kogi State, Mohammed Jamiu Audu, seeking to remove Governor Idris Wada from office.

Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati awarded N2million cost against the plaintiff on the ground that his suit was frivolous and meant to waste the court’s time.

The judge held that the case was the most frivolous and abuse of court process he had ever heard.

Justice Kafarati upheld the

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

preliminary objection of Wada’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN).

The judge held that the plaintiff had no locus standi to institute the case since he had nothing to do with Wada’s election.

He further held that the subject matter of the suit was Wada’s election and that a federal high court had no jurisdiction to entertain such a case.

Justice Kafarati held that the plaintiff filed the case six months after the election and that made the suit a post elec-

tion matter, which could only be entertained by the Governorship Election Tribunal.

The judge directed the plaintiff to pay each of the four defendants N500, 000.

The defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wada, the Peoples Democratic Part (PDP), former governor Abubakar Audu.

The plaintiff had claimed that the process which led to the conduct of the December 3, 2011 governorship election, from which Wada emerged as a major beneficiary, was allegedly manipulated by

Indigenous dwellers protest in Abuja

T

HE indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took to the streets yesterday to protest what they described as “alleged perennial threats by government officials and private land grabbers”, using the military and police officers.

The protesters from Zhayi (Jahi 1) community carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Our farmland taken”; “Our livelihood discriminated”; “Our homes destroyed”; “Our children violated”; “Our lives threatened.”

Old women with loads on their back were not left out of the protest.

National Coordinator

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Greater Gbagyi Development Initiative (NCGGDI) Gbaiza Gimba said since the vast land now known as FCT was taken over by the Federal Government in 1976, the indigenous people have been under “perennial terrorisation by government officials and private land grabbers”.

Gimba said last Friday, the Zhayi community was “ambushed” by a “detachment of the military officers” who came to demolish their homes.

He said: “For what purpose? Just to enable some powerful person take posses-

sion of land given him by the government.

“But for God’s intervention, many lives and property worth billions of naira would have been lost.

“Review or revoke all the improper allocations and bring racketeers to book and enact a law setting up a development trust fund to meet human development needs of the original inhabitants of FCT having taken over their means of livelihood.”

The protesting group did not go beyond Jabi. The peaceful protest lasted for about two hours without any disturbance from security operatives.

Smart Adeyemi endorsed for third term

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State have endorsed the senator representing Kogi West, Smart Adeyemi, for a third term.

The stakeholders said Adeyemi brought infrastructural and human development to the state.

The group, in a communique read by its

T

From James Azania, Lokoja

leader, Solomon Bello, said: “After extensive brainstorming, it was unanimously resolved that Senator Smart Adeyemi remains our preferred candidate during the next National Assembly election.

“The value of experience acquired could not be compromised unlike the position of executives where two terms of eight years is enshrined.”

Police repel attack on station in Kano

HE police foiled an attack on a police station yesterday in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State.

The insurgents, who came on motorbikes, fired sporadically into the air, creating confusion.

There was a gun battle for about 15 minutes, but the police repealed the attack as the insurgents fled.

Police spokesman Magaji Majiya said there was no casualty, adding that the police and members of the community

•Illegal movement in schools banned From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

were well protected.

Majiya said the police were working to arrest the fleeing suspects.

“Normalcy has already been restored and people have gone back to their businesses.”

The police have imposed a ban on all persons trespassing into boarding schools to play football or engage in other activities.

Magaji said the measure was to ensure security and safety of pupils.

“The measure has become necessary because unauthorised persons move into the schools in the name of playing games, but would end up in causing damage to facilities and act unruly.”

The police spokesman said all the divisional police officers have been directed to arrest anyone, who trespasses into these schools.

INEC in violation of the Electoral Act. The plaintiff, who said he participated in the ACN’s primary and emerged its deputy governorship candidate, with Prof Yusufu Obaje as governorship candidate prior to May 28, 2011, argued that he remained ACN’s legitimate candidate even when Obaje went to another party.

Audu, who queried the legitimacy of INEC’s decision to substitute him and Obaje with Abubakar Audu in the December 3, 2011 election, argued that the process that produced Wada as the PDP’s candidate violated the Electoral Act, particularly Section 33.

Seven policemen injured in clash with hoodlums

EVEN policemen were injured yesterday in a gun battle with hoodlums at Adekunle in Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

Eleven suspects have been arested according to the Lagos Police Command’s spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP).

She said some armed youths attacked the policemen while trying to execute a court order on the demolition of some structures in Makoko near Yaba.

The hoodlums took the fight to Herbert Macaulay Street and the Adekunle end of Third Mainland Bridge, vandalising vehicles, looting shops, dispossessing passersby and motorists of valuables.

Armed with guns and other dangerous weapons including stones, the hoodlums laid siege to the area for hours before the police came and returned normalcy.

The clash, coupled with the heavy rain, caused a terrible traffic snarl that lasted hours.

Some of the private companies, which did not observe the public holiday, were hurriedly shut.

F

•Eleven suspects held

By Jude Isiguzo

An eyewitness, Kunle Kolawole, said: “We were all going about our daily activities when the fracas started.

We waved it off at first because something similar occurred two weeks ago and was contained. But we got a rude shock when these hoodlums went on the rampage. Even when the police came and tried to restore peace, they resisted and fought back.

“It was a full-blown war between them and the police. We all ran to safety because they were shooting indiscriminately. Soon, the hoodlums started vandalising cars and shops. However, the police later subdued them, but the harm had been done.

“It was after peace had been restored that we saw some corpses around. I don’t know if they were of the hoodlums or innocent bystanders. The corpses were later taken away by the police.”

Braide said nobody died in the clash, adding that the injured policemen are in hospital.

Four arraigned for ‘sodomy’

OUR men have been arraigned at a Bauchi Upper Shariah Court, presided over by Abdul Ibrahim, for alleged sodomy.

Abubakar Alhassan, Sani Saleh, Misbahu Saleh and Shehu Ahmed were charged for criminal conspiracy and sodomy, contrary to Sections 126 and 133 of the State Shariah law of 2001.

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Police prosecutor Sgt A. Garba said the suspects were arrested on May 8 in Gumau town, Toro Local Government Area.

Alhassan, Sani Saleh and Ahmed pleaded guilty; Misbahu Saleh pleaded not guilty.

The court adjourned the matter till June 26.

57

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014

NEWS

‘Fake mace used by suspended lawmakers was stolen in 2010’

T

HE crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly is far from over as the four suspended lawmakers have vowed to resume sitting next week, despite a subsisting court order restraining them from entering the Assembly premises.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers said yesterday that the mace to be used for sitting by the nine lawmakers on Wednesday was stolen in 2010.

Eight of the nine lawmakers are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, except Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea, who was suspended with three others for alleged misconduct.

The lawmakers said the mace, which was in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, was stolen during the crisis that led to the removal of then Speaker Zakawanu Garuba.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youths and Sports, Kabiru Adjoto, who spoke at a briefing yesterday, said they were surprised when they saw the nine lawmakers, led by Ebea, at the hallowed chamber attempting to begin plenary with the stolen mace.

Adjoto urged the police to investigate how a mace stolen in 2010 was in the lawmakers’ possession.

Explaining what led to the brawl at the chamber on Wednesday, he said the nine lawmakers broke into the chamber at 6am but Speaker Uyi Igbe and other lawmakers came in to stop them.

Adjoto said they sought the court injunction after the suspended lawmakers failed to adhere to their plea on the need to follow the House’s rules and procedure.

He said it took the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, to prevent bloodshed.

Adjoto urged the police com-

Y

•We’ll resume sitting on Monday, say suspended officials •Youths protest against lawmaker Police arraign 37 for unlawful gathering

T

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

HIRTY seven persons, who were arrested for alleged unlawful assembly and attempts to enter the Edo State House of Assembly during a fracas, have been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate’s Court.

Police spokesman Uwoh Noble said the “political thugs” were arrested with five cutlasses, an axe, large quantities of broken bottles and stones.

Noble said the police were not against any form of freedom of expression through peaceful demonstration but would not allow such protest to be used to perpetrate crimes.

Those arrested include Osato Oghagbon; Marcel Nwokoye; Odion Igbinovia; Osemwenkha Walter; Richard Ihensekhien; Osazee Ediagbonya; Egharevba Nosa; Christian Ikegbee; Sunday Omokaro; Owen Agho; Chinagorum Onugugha; Taiwo Fashe; Kola Alabi; Frank Idahosa; Ereku Gabriel; Isaac Kufre; Osamede Agbontaen; Igben Osamede; Umata Moses; Oriaburie Otoide; Bright Uwadiae; Fidelis Erhabor; Osagioduwa Ogbeide; Austin Ekoma; Osabuohien Endurance and Edum David.

Also arraigned were Jolly Aiguehiven; Enofe Ahmed; Ikonmwen Godwin; Christopher Ugheoke; Best Omorowa; Ajayi Jackson; David Asekhomhe; John Okafor; Ighodaro Osaighbovo; Ernest Igberase and Iredia Ahama.

They were arraigned on a four-court charge of conspiracy to commit felony, punishment of riot, punishment of unlawful assembly, idle and disorderly person.

The Prosecutor, ASP Samuel Ogah, told the court that the accused conspired among themselves to commit felony.

The Chief Magistrate, Peter Edo-Asemota, granted each of them bail of N100, 000 with a surety each in like sum.

Edo-Asemota ordered that the surety must be a house owner, employed and resident within the court’s jurisdiction. He adjourned the case till June 23.

From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

mand to explain the presence of 20 mobile policemen, who aided the lawmakers to break into the Assembly.

His words: “They came in with the stolen mace. We saw them wanting to use it to sit.

“We seized it from them. The

mace which we use for sitting is with the Sergeant-at-Arms.

“The second one, which has “diabetes and a lot of injuries”, was stolen in 2010, when Garuba Zakawanu was removed.

“It is clear that some policemen aided these suspended lawmakers.

They brought them into the Assembly and assisted them to break in.

“We do not know if they are real

•Adjoto displaying the stolen mace...yesterday. PHOTO: OSAGIE OTABOR

policemen. The police are for the people and not for any party. One should expect them to be neutral and not support any side.

“What happened beats our imagination. The policemen who brought them attempted to stop us from entering the chamber.

“It was the Commissioner of Police who cleared the chamber and made way for us to enter. It was an eyesore.

“The police should investigate these officials, who were in mobile police uniform. But for the commissioner, there would have been bloodshed.

“We went to court because they refused to obey the rules of the House.

“If by Monday they decide to come here, it is now left for the judiciary to decide.”

But Minority Leader Emmanuel Okoduwa said the four suspended lawmakers would resume sitting on Monday because they were duly

Rivers PDP, Wike’s supporters protest

OUTHS suspected to be supporters of the Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) marched on the streets of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to support the appointment of Justice Daisy Okocha as the administrative Chief Judge by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The peaceful protest came barely 24 hours after a marmot crowd of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s supporters staged a similar march in Port Harcourt to express their displeasure over the “imposition” of Justice Okocha.

The protesters took off from the main entrance of the High Court complex on Station Road where they gathered as early as 5am and stopped at the gate of the Government House on Azikiwe Road.

The march was led by members representing Port Harcourt ( 1 & 2) in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda and Mrs. P. Nsiegbe, former Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Timothy Nsirim and the five anti-Amaechi law makers.

The protesters, numbering over a thousand, were given full security cover by the police.

They carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Amaechi respect the rule of law”; “Amaechi leave Justice Daisy to function”; Amaechi

•Support NJC, Justice Okocha •Reject judicial amendment law Students, youths vow to fight for Amaechi

S

From Clarice Azuatalam and Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

TUDENTS and youths have vowed to continue to support Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for being courageous and sensitive to public opinion.

Coming under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students and the Entire Students/ Youths Community in Rivers State, they praised Amaechi for assenting to the State High Court Amendment Law, saying “this will relieve litigants in the state and make way for quick dispensation of justice”.

In a seven-point communiqué at the end of their emergency meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday, the students and youths also lauded the governor for being a good “ambassador” of the Students Union because of his commitment to the rule of law.

In the communiqué, which was read by Comrade Lah Amabu, the Assistant Secretary General of National Association of Nigerian Students for Zone B which is made up of the Southsouth and Southeast, they vowed to defend democracy and the rule of law in the state.

They condemned the NJC’s action in appointing an administrative chief judge for the state.

Describing the NJC’s action as alien and unconstitutional, the students and youths said they would “oppose all moves that run contrary to the constitution” adding that they would not also “hesitate to fight against continuous impunity in the state because “enough is enough”.

Praising the lawmakers for amending the State High Court Law, the students and youths condemned the forceful entry into the state judiciary complex “when the workers are on strike.”

Also speaking, the Past President of the Students Union Government, University of Port Harcourt, Owhorkire Rhino, said all the past judgments coming from Abuja have never been in the interest of Rivers people.

The President of Youth Network for Democracy, Port Harcourt, Anselemi Ibrahim, appealed to the Chief Registrar to begin work by assigning cases to judges.

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

don’t pocket the Judiciary”; “NJC refuse Amaechi’s bribe”;

“Rivers people are in support of the NJC’s decision”.

The protest caused traffic jam on Azikiwe and Station roads,

resulting in passengers, especially workers and students, trekking to their destinations.

Addressing the crowd at the Government House gate, Chinda said the people would not accept any law that would empower the Chief Registrar to undertake the CJ’s functions and responsibilities.

He said they would do everything to frustrate any move to implement the law.

His words: “There is a difference between Government House and House of Assembly; we want to register this to our governor.

“We want the Rivers State Government to obey the constitution.

“The people are calling for rule of law, Rivers people are saying no to despotism. Rivers people are saying enough to lawlessness and dictatorship.

“We elected a governor that will rule us, today we have a governor that is ruining us. That is not what we want; we want to call on the governor to obey the NJC directive.

“We want a functional judiciary; we want a functional legislature; we want checks and balances; we want separation of power.

“The governor should please liberate members of the House of Assembly to come out and assume their functions.

“We want to put it on record that Rivers state is in support of the NJC’s decisions.”

elected.

He said the last sitting that lasted 13 hours adjourned till Monday.

Okoduwa said the alleged stolen mace was given to them by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

No fewer than 1,000 youths marched on the streets yesterday to protest against Friday Ogieriakhi, the suspended lawmaker representing Orhionmwon South.

The youths, who staged the protest at Abudu, the Administrative Secretariat of Orhionmwon South Local Government, said their confidence and support for Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Speaker Igbe remain unshaken.

Their spokesman, Nosa Izekor, said the lawmaker defected to the PDP without due consultation and he refused to relinquish the mandate given to him.

Another youth, Edomwonyi Netete, said the Oshiomhole administration has performed well in Orhionmwon.

Lawmakers remove N100m medicare from Pension Law From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State House of Assembly lawmakers repealed yesterday the contentious clause in the Former Governors and Deputy Governors’ Pension Law (2014).

The contentious clause, which generated public outrage, was the N100million and N50million medical expenses for former governors, deputy governors and their spouses.

The lawmakers expunged the monetary tag out of the bill though making Section 1 (d) of the bill, which provides free medical services for former governors, their deputies and their spouses open.

Ten of the 26 members, including Speaker Sam Ikon (Etinan), sat to consider the repeal of the Pension Law. The Bill to repeal the section of the law was sent to the House by Governor Godswill Akpabio on June 11 and read at yesterday’s plenary session.

The House after receiving the bill allowed it to pass through first and second readings and dissolved into committee of the whole and considered the bill clause by clause.

After careful deliberations, the Deputy Speaker, Udo Kerien (Oruk Anam), moved a motion adopting the committee report and was seconded by Ekong Samson (Mkpat Enin).

After the motion, the bill was read a third time and was passed into law.

Speaking after the passage of the bill, Ikon said lawmakers bowed to public pressure by amending section of the bill assent by the governor.

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014

58

NEWS

L

Don’t panic over rains, Lagos tells residents

AGOS State government yesterday warned residents to expect more rain this season, but not to panic.

Commissioner for the Environment Mr Tunji Bello said the state is wor2king towards ensuring the rain has minimal impact.

He allayed fears of flooding, saying the canals are in top condition. According to him, the high intensity rain in the last four weeks “has greatly slowed down the percolation rate of storm water and the high saturation level of the soil.”

By Joseph Jibueze

“Lagosians should be prepared for rains of high intensity, which is to be accompanied with occasional thunderstorm.

“But we advise our people not panic but if possible stay off the roads when they don’t have a very serious cause to do so, in order not to be caught in the traffic gridlock,” the commissioner said.

He said the ministry’s drainage engineers and attendants in the Drainage Maintenance Office are working round the clock

to ensure that canals are regularly cleaned and maintained in order to free them from all blockages.

“The State Government is prepared, and on the alert, as it will henceforth regularly inform our people of weather patterns and whenever the need arises for people in the flood plain areas to move or relocate when the need arises.

“The Commissioner urges our people particularly Community Development Associations/Resident Associations to relate effectively with Drainage

Maintenance Officers/Drainage Resident Engineers who have been posted to all the 57 Local Governments/Council Development Areas across the State, whenever the need arises,” Bello said.

The statement, signed by Fola Adeyemi, said the heavy rains being experienced is one of the peculiarities of a coastal city like Lagos.

He said it is normal to have storm water on the road whenever it rains consistently.

“Whenever it rains heavily across the state, this naturally

leads to a rise in the lagoon and ocean, which automatically locks up all the canals in the state.

“Until the water in the ocean and lagoon recedes, that is when our canals can discharge into theses water bodies.

“The after effect is that it takes a long time before water discharges into the Lagoon as well as the time it eliminates all backflows.

“However, it is pertinent to explain that water on the road after continuous rainfall is not fooding, but flash flood which

will definitely disappear in a matter of time because our canals are already functional.

“In view of this, therefore, Lagosians are advised not to panic but go about their normal business activities as our canals are regularly cleaned and maintained to contain storm water generated during the rains.

“Lagosians are also assured that we are intensifying our mid rain cleaning exercise in order to absorb storm water generated during this period,” the statement added.

Security operatives rescue businessman

S

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

ECURITY operatives and officials of the Abia Vigilante Service (AVS) have rescued an Aba businessman, Mr. Christopher Ndubuisi, two days after he was kidnapped by suspected gunmen.

Ndubuisi, who was abducted in front of his home at 26, Church Road, near Deeper Life Bible Ministry, on the outskirts of Aba in Abia State, was said to have been rescued by security agents after a search in a bush between Osusu Amaukwa and Umuafor in Obingwa Local Government.

A source, who could not confirm if the victim’s family paid a ransom, said the businessman was rescued about 5:30 pm on Wednesday.

A resident, who preferred anonymity, lauded the police, army and other security agencies for securing the businessman’s freedom.

Court restrains police, commissioner

A •Rights activist Ankio Briggs (left); Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Comrade Joseph Evah; daughters of the late Niger Delta matryr Isaac Adaka Boro, Esther and Mrs Pat Ngene, at the launch of a book to mark the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola and the anniversary of the late Boro at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos... yesterday.

S

LASU students reject fees reduction

TUDENTS of the Lagos State University (LASU) have rejected the proposed reduction of the institution’s fees by 34 to 60 per cent announced by the Lagos State government.

The students said they rejected the offer because it was done in superficial mathematics rather than in naira and kobo which they understood.

They wondered how the government wanted their “illiterate parents” to calculate percentage, saying any amount different from proposed figures they had presented to the government would not be accepted.

The students spoke through their leaders at a briefing held

By Wale Ajetunmobi

at International Press Centre in Ogba, Lagos yesterday.

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Nurudeen Yusuf, who read the students’ communique, said the government proposal was unrealisable because, if implemented, many poor students would drop out of school.

He said: “We do not accept the percentage reduction offered by the government, because when the fees were increased, it was not done on percentage method; rather, the government made the pronouncement in naira and kobo.

“We urge the government to come out in unequivocal

language as to how much will be paid by students in naira and kobo and not in percentage. How do they expect our parents in the market, who did not go to school to calculate the percentage?”

The students said the government committee that worked on the reduction did not consult them before it reached its conclusion, noting that the committee only presented government wishes.

The students said if there must be increment in fees, it should be the function of the institution’s Governing Council and not government’s Visitation Panel, which they accused of hiking the tuition fees “arbitrarily”.

Yusuf said students would only accept 67 per cent reduction irrespective of faculty, saying they were urging the government to reduce the fees on “compassionate grounds”.

“We recognise the fact that the Governing Council is statutorily empowered by the law that established LASU to consider school fee hike or reduction. Even if students must accept the reduction in percentage, we can only accept a 67 per cent reduction across faculty,” he said The students also condemned attack against them by the police during protests, demanding public apology from the state Commissioner of Police.

Boko Haram: Sri-Lanka’s Defence chief, CDS Badeh, meet

A

S part of steps to address Boko Haram insurgency, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh yesterday held a brainstorming session with a delegation of military leaders from Sri-Lanka.

The Sri-Lankan team was led by the country’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Jagath Jayasuriya.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the leaders compared note at the session on the handling of terrorists’ insurgency in the Asian country.

The statement said: “A high powered military delegation from Sri-Lanka on Tuesday held an exclusive brain-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

storming session on counter terrorism campaign with the military high command at the Defence Headquarters.

“Led by the Sri-Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Jagath Jayasuriya, the delegation also had the country’s Chief of Army, Chief of Naval Staff as well as Chief of National Intelligence and other high ranking officers, all of whom made presentations relating their country’s experience in handling terrorists’ insurgency in the Asian country.

“Opening the session of presentations that featured in the visit, the Sri-Lankan CDS said the delegation considered it a good opportunity to share their experience noting that

the situation in the country share a lot of similarity with what obtained in Sri-Lanka when it faced the problem of terrorism.

“Extensive security briefs were then delivered by the Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs from the Sri-Lankan Military to explain the concepts and strategies adopted by their military in the fight against terrorism.”

The statement explained that the Sri-Lankan delegation dwelt on the concept of “total security” with which insurgency was curtailed in the Asian nation.

It added: “The Sri-Lankan officers gave the details on how their country practised what they referred to as “total

security”, which involved the translation of all the nation’s assets into military power to counter the scourge of terrorism. “ They suggested that the military needed to enjoy the support of the entire country in its efforts to counter terrorism.

“The series of presentation were followed by an extensive interactive session between officers of both countries.

“In his closing remarks at the session, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh commended the visiting CDS and his delegation for identifying with the Nigerian Armed Forces in its efforts at ending insecurity in the country.

N Ogun State High Court sitting in Ota, has restrained Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs Abimbola Ibironke Akeredolu, and Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar from arresting a Lagos-based estate agent, Chief Tesilim Adeola Almaroof.

The court also ordered that businessman Bashorun Adebayo Ajao should not to be arrested.

The interim order was issued by Justice Mobolaji Ojo, It also restrained Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Police Area Commander, Sango Ota and Divisional Police officer, Agbado Police Station from arresting, prosecuting, detaining, torturing or harassing the two men pending the determination of a suit instituted against them, (the defendants) for allegedly violating their fundamental rights to acquire and own property at Agbado area, in Ogun State.

Justice Ojo also directed the respondents to maintain the status quo by not taking steps in respect of a letter purportedly written on April 25, 2014.

“I have read the application, the affidavits in support and the written address. There is merit in the application and legs 1 and 2 are granted as prayed. The motion on notice shall be served on the respondents within three days. Application is set down for hearing on Tuesday, June 17, 2014,” the court said.

Abia denies role in Ihejirika’s ambition

A

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

BIA State government has denied involvement in the ambition of former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika to replace Governor Theodore Orji next

year.

It described the purported involvement as not only laughable, but also a deceit, adding that it was malicious with the intention to deceive the people and cause disaffection.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa.

It urged the people to disregard such information making the rounds, saying his principal had not endorsed anybody for the post of a governor.

The statement reads: “Abia State government has described a report written in one of the newspapers (not The Nation), linking the Abia First Family to the purported governorship ambition of the former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika (rtd.), as deceitful and malicious.”

Forum partners Turkish firms

T

From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

HE Forum for Islam Education and Welfare (FIEW) yesterday in Lagos launched a business partnership with 15 Turkish companies.

The Amir of the forum, Alhaji Mobolaji Lawal, told reporters that the partnership would help Muslim youths to be selfemployed, adding that it would also enhance business partnership.

He said the companies on the platform of the DERSIAD in Turkey would boost development in Nigeria, urging people to support the collaboration of the two countries.

“It is obvious that the partnership between the two countries will help our youths to be self-employed,” Lawal added.

The companies’ delegate was led by the President of DERSIAD, Dr. Haci Kutlu. He delivered a keynote address. According to him, the collaboration between the two nations is an opportunity to employ and empower youths.

Kutlu said arrangement has been put in place to ensure that the partnership yields positive result.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

59

NEWS Muslims can’t islamise Nigeria, says Sultan Continued from page 2

that are deranged, wayward, who will do so? How will they ever change? And when people say you don’t dialogue with criminals, who said you don’t dialogue with criminals?

“You cannot fight criminals because you don’t even know where they are. About two weeks ago, the American Government exchanged one prisoner who was even a deserter for very senior five al-Qaeda leaders who have been in Guantanamo prison for years.

“They kept dialoguing with them for give years. For them to exchange him they must have been talking. There need for dialogue. You cannot win any insurgency by way of force. No where in the world that works.

“When somebody tells you that he is not a Boko Haram, please take it that he is not because if he is Boko Haram he will never denounce it. So if you have 100 suspects and one of them says ‘I am not Boko Haram’, please release him. The other 99 will say ‘yes we are, what can you do to us?’

“It is important for us as leaders, especially as Muslims to look at these issues in a broader perspective. Let us not just be opinionated because we must reach out to everybody.”

His Eminence cautioned those trying to plunge the country into another civil war and urged them to desist from such antics.

He said: “It is interesting to hear an eaglet lawyer saying that when the Civil War took place he was not born.

“I am happy to hear that and also to make a statement that it behooves on all of us - those who were not there during the Civil War, those who were there and actually took part directly or indirectly to make sure as Muslims and as Muslim lawyers we do whatever it takes to ensure no Civil War ever takes place in Nigeria again because we know the adverse effects of civil war in any country.”

The Sultan decried the low participation of Muslim lawyers at the event and wondered whether such adherents were shy of their the Islamic faith.

He said: “Why don’t we come out freely to participate in our activities. Are we shy of being identified as Muslims or are we afraid of being perceived or taken as somebody that poses a threat to the country? Are we shy or afraid or are we just indifferent to issues affecting Muslims in the country.

“In Islam, you all know what it means to be a leader. So, I am challenging you to wake up and

do what you are supposed to do.

Go round the prisons; there are so many Muslims locked up in prisons as suspects of insurgency.

“Why don’t you take up such issues to the courts? Is saying the truth now a negative thing in a country that hurts? We must say the truth.

“When you challenge people and say something is wrong it does not mean you are fighting somebody. You are saying it so that the authorities will look at it and mend their ways for the betterment of the society.

“Not that somebody will be labeled an extremist or a supporter of this and that or somebody who has a small compassion for a criminal. Of course, we have compassion for criminals because we believe when you are thrown into prison you come out a better person.”

The Sultan insisted that what the Muslims are demanding through the inclusion of Sharia in the Constitution is justice.

He urged Muslim lawyer to desist from politics when discharging their legal duties in court.

In his keynote address, former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, noted the need for good governance, which according to him remains

the best way to tackle corruption.

Gambari said: “Governance is about how the cultural habits, political institutions and economic systems of a society can be aligned to deliver the desired life for its people.

“Good governance is when these structures combine in a balance that produces effective and sustainable results in the common interest of its people.

“In Nigeria’s case, we must decisively tackle our most development challenges such as poverty, unemployment, security, and deplorable state of infrastructure through increased efforts to promote good governance in all ramifications.”

President of the MULAN, Mr. Abdul-Ganiy Bello, urged the Federal Government to reconsider the reports of the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu on Post Election Violence and the Minister for Special Duties, Taminu Turaki, (SAN), Committee on negotiation with Boko Haram for implementation.

Bello said, “It is our view that one of the major factors contributing to the incessant bomb attacks, sporadic killings and abduction of Chibok school girls is government’s failure to implement the reports of the various committees it had set up as well as recommendations by some individuals and organizations.”

formation, called me later and said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi had also heard the rumour.

I told them it was a lie. The governor told me later that we should not add to the false report by taking any major step to

quash it. But the truth is that people should get their facts right before spreading reports.”

UCH spokesman Mr Toye Akinrinlola also confirmed that the monarch was admitted at the hospital. He said he was hale

and hearty.

It was learnt that the monarch had been taking ill regularly before he was admitted for surgery.

Oba Odulana was enthroned on August 17, 2007.

government officials to accept Sanusi, The Nation learnt.

They reportedly pleaded with the Presidency to allow Emir Sanusi access to the palace.

It was learnt that the NSCIA waded into the crisis after it discovered that Sanusi was actually the kingmakers’ choice.

A source said: “I think Sultan and others in NSCIA have made progress in their overtures to the presidency to let Sanusi be and avert any further breakdown of law and order in Kano Emirate.

“The NSCIA members have reached out to all the powers that be in government. They are making peace between the new Emir and the government too.

“Sultan, some Northern Emirs

and NSCIA members are expected to meet President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue any moment from now.”

The source said: “I think the intervention has yielded positive result. Policemen at the Emir’s Palace have been asked to leave.

“On or before Friday morning, the policemen would have left the palace.”

In a statement last night by its NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the NSCIA asked politicians to stay away from Kano Emirate tussle.

The statement said: “The NSCIA appeals to politicians across the parties to stop making derisive and infuriating

comments on the appointment of the new Emir of Kano.

“The Emirship is both traditional and religious. The council therefore appeals to all politicians to leave the matter for traditional and religious institutions to see to the smooth completion of the transition in Kano.

“The council, under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the President -General of the NSCIA, is conscious of its responsibilities and it us doing everything possible to ensure the revered throne is not politicized and there us no rancour among the people of Kano.”

Olubadan stable after surgery at UCH

Continued from page 2 Prof Femi Lana, the first son of the Olubadan of Ibadan, said: “I was shocked to hear the rumour.

My brother, Gbade, who is the Oyo State Commissioner for In-

Emir of Kano: Sultan, NSCIA members intervene Continued from page 2

to the rapprochement from Sultan and the council, the Presidency was said to have ordered the police to withdraw its officers and men from the Emir’s Palace last night.

The evacuation of the policemen was being awaited as at press time.

But the NSCIA , in a statement through its Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, asked politicians to stop making infuriating comments on the appointment of the Emir.

The Sultan, top Emirs and other members of the NSCIA have reached out to key

World’s biggest party opens in Brazil Continued from page 1

a troubled economy.

Police in Sao Paulo used tear gas to break up one protest, which involved about 50 people. Striking airport workers in Rio de Janeiro blocked a road outside the airport, demanding a wage increase and a World Cup bonus.

The strike was to have lasted for 24 hours but union leaders called it off early for legal reasons.

Dancers dressed as trees and flowers paid tribute to Brazil’s nature in one of three acts of the opening ceremony.

However, there was no trouble within the 65,000-seater Arena de Sao Paulo during the opening ceremony.

Performers dressed as trees, flowers and various musical instruments all performed in three acts before the central ball opened to reveal singers Claudia Leitte, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull as they sang the official World Cup song as the finale.

No host nation ever lost their opening World Cup game, with the previous 20 producing 14

victories and six draws for the hosts.

Brazil defeated Croatia 3-1 in the opening match last night.

Neymar scored a brace after the Croatians went ahead.

Oscar scored Brazil’s third goal to seal it for the host nation.

The Super Eagles open their game on Tuesday with a match against Iran.

The team will play their second game against first timers Bosnia Herzegovina on June 22.

Nigeria’s final group game will be against group F favourites Argentina on June 25.

Hosts Brazil start as favourites to win the World Cup for a sixth time. Holders Spain are aiming to win a fourth major tournament in a row after winning the European Championship two years ago.

The other seeded teams are Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Argentina, Germany and Belgium.

Football governing body FIFA said it had sold more than 2.9 million tickets, but they were still available for several matches.

Earlier during the FIFA congress, the body voted against introducing age and term limits for its executives.

The referendum for age and term limits was one of the reforms listed by the former chairman of FIFA’s independent governance committee, Mark Pieth.

The resolution required a majority to take the proposals forward to next year’s FIFA congress, where they would have required the backing of 75 per cent of members to be passed.

With the proposals rejected, the position of FIFA President Sepp Blatter would appear to have been strengthened.

The Swiss spoke on Wednesday of his incomplete “mission” at the helm, although he stopped short of confirming his intention to stand for another term in 2015.

The 78-year-old Blatter also hit out at what he called “disrespectful” attempts to curtail his presidency, while speaking on the sidelines of the congress.

On Tuesday, the national associations of England and the Netherlands were among those to speak out against Blatter continuing as president.

The Swiss, who said originally that his current four-year term would be his last, said the apparent European revolt “was the most disrespectful thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life”.

APC leaders back Odigie-Oyegun Continued from page 2

tion, but wise counsel prevailed.

“Some external forces infiltrated the APC, but they failed in their bid to scuttle our convention. We know those being used and we decided to forge a common front.

“And since we have reached a consensus on the National Chairman, the rest offices are local affairs because they will be based on the zoning formula agreed upon by all our leaders.

“All the geopolitical zones are meeting to replicate the consensus formula to hold a rancourfree convention.”

Speaking with our correspon-

dent last night, Odigie-Oyegun said: “I am strongly and irrevocably in the race. Things are looking well. We urge God to answer our prayers.

“I pray that God should favour the man that would lift APC and make it the strongest political party in Nigeria. I think Friday is going to be unique; we are going to have a world-class National Convention.”

Pressed further on his chance, he added: “I think we have done a bit of our homework; it will be an interesting challenge.

“It is now for APC members and stakeholders to decide on who they want to lead the party.”

Plot to scuttle APC convention uncovered Continued from page 2

bonds. We want transparency in government. We want a government that can take full responsibility for the security of lives and property in Nigeria.”

According to him, the APC is cautiously taking steps to put all and sundry on board by going to the grassroots to reach out to everyone in the party, irrespective of their places of origin.

Wamakko promised that “by the grace of Almighty Allah, we hope to have a free, fair and transparent convention”.

The chairman said it was expected that the delegates’ convention shall ratify the party’s amended constitution and elect national officers to guide its affairs in the next four years.

He said that the committee had planned for the accreditation of delegates at six venues, according to the six geo-political zones.

Wamakko said the APC would depart from past experience of rowdiness, saying: “We have equally concluded arrangement for this convention live on television to demonstrate the transparency of our electoral process.”

According to him, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

which had been in power for 15 years, had not offered effective and commendable governance capable of bringing succour to the teeming population of Nigerians.

He added that there was rising corruption, nepotism and ineptitude in the nation’s political leadership.

The governor said the peril of Nigerians had been worsened by the absence of viable alternative by way of strong opposition political parties.

Continuing, Wamakko said: “Since the advent of APC in July, 2013, the leaders of the ruling PDP have become awakened to the cold fact of the presence of a viable alternative in respect of delivering of inspiring democratic governance within the Nigeria nation space.

“Like a child that refused to be aborted, the APC survived all the devious intrigues specially put together to truncate its birth.

The party’s registration exercise, conducted earlier in the year, reveals that tens of million of Nigerians opted to join APC as members. Without any doubt, this development, which poignantly showed PDP’s rejection

by Nigerians, has already sent jitters to its leadership.”

Obasanjo awaits Jonathan’s nod Continued from page 2

the girls is clear.

“The indecision whether to swap or to storm is also not helpful. Our children are our precious seeds for tomorrow’s harvest. We cannot celebrate de-

mocracy day with our children in chains.

“The ongoing insurgency is now part of our history and the challenge before us is not to allow it to be our fate. With national solidarity and resilient spirit we shall overcome.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

60

FOREIGN NEWS Russia to submit draft U.N. resolution on Ukraine

Kiev says three Russian tanks entered east Ukraine

U

KRAINE’s interior minister has said three tanks have crossed the border from Russia into rebel areas of the east and that fighting is under way.

The tanks entered Ukraine along with other armour through a checkpoint controlled by rebels in the Luhansk region, Arsen Avakov said.

The army engaged two of them and destroyed part of the column, he said.

Russia has rejected Mr Avakov’s statement as “another fake piece of information”.

Meanwhile, the Russian and Ukrainian presidents held talks on the crisis.

Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko, who was elected last month, had a “substantial” con-

T

versation by phone to discuss Kiev’s plan of peaceful settlement in the east, Ukraine’s presidency said in a statement.

Pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence after holding referendums last month which were deemed illegal by the government in Kiev.

Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of supporting and arming the rebels - a claim denied

by Moscow.

The rebellion began amid the turmoil which followed February’s ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, whose lastminute decision not to sign a landmark treaty with the European Union in November sparked mass street protests in Kiev.

Mr Avakov said the tanks had crossed the border from Russia along with armoured personnel carriers and artillery pieces in the Dyakove area of Luhansk region, before moving into the neighbouring Donetsk region.

There, Ukraine’s interior minister said, the tanks headed for the town of Snizhne on Thursday morning. Two then proceeded to the town of Horlivka and were attacked by government forces.

“The fight is under way,” Mr Avakov said. “I cannot say about its final outcome, but part of this column has been destroyed.”

Unverified video has been posted on YouTube of a battle tank rolling down a street said to be in Snizhne. The footage was shot from a flat overlook-

•President Poroshenko

ing the street.

A second clip, also said to have been recorded in Snizhne, shows a similar tank passing a roundabout.

The Russian foreign ministry told the BBC that Mr Avakov “was inventive and that the statement about Russian tanks and APCs crossing the border into Ukraine was another fake piece of information”.

There was no confirmation about the tanks from the insurgents.

U.S. drones ‘hit militants in Pakistan’

HE US has resumed its drones programme in Pakistan, with two strikes on militant strongholds in the North Waziristan tribal region overnight.

Reports say at least 16 suspected militants were killed in the strikes. They come days after a militant attack on Karachi airport - 39 people were killed, including the 10 attackers.

Washington agreed to sus-

pend its drones programme in December to allow Islamabad to pursue peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

But pressure has been mounting on the Pakistani authorities to launch a ground offensive in North Waziristan amid a breakdown in peace talks.

The two drone strikes took place within hours of each other, striking a compound in a

village near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan.

The first attack, carried out late on Wednesday night, is said to have killed four ethnic Uzbek militants and two Punjabi Taliban.

The second attack yesterday morning targeted another 10 suspected militants.

On Wednesday, Uzbek militants of the Islamic Movement

Chad peacekeepers killed in Mali’s Kidal region

F

OUR UN peacekeepers from Chad have been killed in a suicide attack on their base in northern Mali.

They died when a car packed with explosives was crashed into the entrance of a military base in the town of Aguelhoc.

Aguelhoc is 100km (60 miles) north of Kidal, which

rebels last month seized from Mali’s army.

Both ethnic Tuareg separatist rebels and al-Qaeda-linked militants remain active in northern Mali.

Troops from France and Mali’s neighbours, such as Chad, last year recaptured the region’s main towns from the

Islamist militants.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the latest attack would not diminish the resolve of the organisation to support Mali.

After last month’s fighting in Kidal, three Tuareg rebel groups agreed a ceasefire with Mali’s government.

Literature confab begins in Ivory Coast

T

HE 10th edition of International Society for the Oral Literatures of Africa began yesterday in the capital of Abidjan in Ivory Coast.

With the theme: Oral Literature and Education, African leaders were urged promulgate policies that propagate and promote the oral tradition and languages for continent’s growth.

Scholars advised that policymakers draw from the wealth in the continent’s culture and oral tradition in governance and policymaking processes, ob-

By Evelyn Osagie, Abidjan

serving that Africa’s folklore remains bedrock to world’s civilisation.

Ghanaian scholar Prof Esi Sutherland-Addy, who gave the keynote address, said education is a major requirement in building a balanced-knowledgebased economy. She, however, urged leaders to adopt curriculum and policies that would incorporate African folklore and culture into its educational system and technological develop-

ment.

Citing the technological and educational advancement of the Asians as a case study, she called on leaders to work towards developing their oral tradition to meet up with global innovation.

“Education must be transformative and relevant in answering the question of the day.

Leaders should think of orality for the future, that is they should think to preserve our oral tradition for the future generation.”

COMMENT & DEBATE Continued from back page

See Brazil and die

Coach Stephen Keshi has selected the best players available, which include three players from the home league. We hope for sweet soccer, we pray for good fortune for our Eagles. But most important, we hope to enjoy an exposition of one of the greatest genius of humanity; perhaps the greatest unifier of the peoples of the world.

Siege on media: if we be the problem…

I

R

F routine seizure of some national newspapers and their circulation vans by the military will help the now intractable fight against Boko Haram terrorists and also help free the Chibok girls perchance, please let us give them all the papers and vans they want.

If the seizure of some national newspapers and their circulation vans by the military will help gather preemptive intelligence about the financiers, finances, heavy arms shipments and training grounds of the terrorists, please let us give them all the papers and vans in the world.

If the seizure of some national newspapers and their circulation vans by the military will help the presidency wake up to some of the problems bedeviling our country, we will gladly move to banish newspapers for the sake of our dear country. Yes, we will gladly pay the ultimate prize for dear country if we be the problem of Nigeria. Yes, if we could, we will gladly morph into Boko Haram, just to grant the military instant victory… if we be Nigeria’s problem.

(An ode to the Federal Government of Nigeria which through the instrumentality of the military has been breaching newspaper operations in Nigeria since early June.)

Good bye Dora…

G

OOD bye Dora (Akun yili) our brief candle that burned with bright, beautiful flames. In your laughter, in your eyes, in your verve, you shined forth so beautifully, the colours of hope…

Goodbye Dora, the oriental queen who proved that it could be done. We can still hear the clack of your stilettos in the moldy corridors of bureaucracy; and where there were cobwebs, you hung bright pearls…

Goodbye Dora, though we will miss you sore, we draw from your well still…

of Uzbekistan (IMU) claimed to have carried out the attack on the airport, saying it was in retaliation for Pakistani military air strikes last month.

The group, which is highlytrained and has bases in North Waziristan, has previously carried out large-scale co-ordinated attacks with al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan.

Washington uses unmanned drones to carry out strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan’s border region with Afghanistan.

However, US strikes have not taken place since 25 December 2013 in response to calls by Pakistan to halt strikes and enable peace negotiations.

USSIA plans to submit a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council to put pressure on Ukraine to implement a “road map” to peace, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying yesterday.

The road map was drawn up by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in May to give impetus to a deal reached in Geneva by the European Union, Russia, Ukraine and the United States to try to end the crisis in Ukraine.

Lavrov accused Kiev of not abiding by the Geneva agreement or the road map and blamed it for the failure to end violence in east Ukraine, where

the Ukrainian army is battling pro-Russian separatists who control several towns and cities.

Russia has already submitted several draft resolutions on Ukraine to the Security Council which have been rejected.

“We have assigned our (U.N.) envoy in New York, Vitaly Churkin, to submit a draft resolution to the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine,” the state-run Itar-Tass news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

“That is because the lack of any progress in the efforts to end the violence ... is causing growing concern,” he said.

Pakistan court backs Musharraf request to leave country

A

COURT in Pakistan has backed ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s request to leave the country.

The Sindh High Court removed Mr Musharraf’s name from an exit control list yesterday. The former leader is currently barred from leaving Pakistan.

Mr Musharraf is currently on trial for treason. He denies the charges and has described the accusations as politically motivated.

The government has 15 days to appeal before the order comes into effect.

Pakistan’s military is watching the trial of the former general closely - correspondents say they are concerned over the precedent the trial could set in a country with a history of military rule.

This is a break for Pervez Musharraf in the decidedly ill fated story of his return last year from exile and his plan to return to political life. Yesterday’s ruling means he must stay in Pakistan for at least a further 15 days - but his lawyer hopes that in the spirit of the ruling the government might let him go earlier.

But there are new questions now. Given that Mr Musharraf faces charges ranging up to treason, if the government takes no further action to block his departure will it be severely criticised by those who want to see him convicted? The army on the other hand is unhappy about a former chief of staff being dragged through the courts. If Mr Musharraf leaves now does that deal with the army’s concerns?

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

61

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Teddy-A signed to Big-A Entertainment

Paul Omoruyi, CEO, PSI Multimedia, is a fast-rising Nollywood director, producer and screenwriter. In this interview with BABATUNDE SULAIMAN, he speaks on his new work, Aisha (My pain), which dwells on the issue of child abuse and early marriage, among other interesting issues.

Excerpts:

W •Teddy-A signing the contract with Big A Entertainment

”I

T’s takeover season!

Teddy-A is back with a new refreshing tune titled Ije Love,” says label boss, Anderson Obiagwu. The singer who is now signed to Americabased label, Big A Entertainment, is set to storm the entertainment industry in a big way. The talented singer/songwriter has released songs that could be

described as ‘total Nigerian’, as evident in his smooth delivery of English, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin in his songs.

“There’s definitely more to come from this talented young icon in-the-making,” said Obiagwu, CEO of the label, and organiser of the much talked about African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), holding next

month, in Texas, United States.

Teddy-A is the second artiste to be signed to the record label; the first being Ruffcoin.

According to Obiagwu, Teddy-A, who is currently based in Dallas, United States, is set to relocate to Nigeria, to further his music career. The team is scheduled to be in Nigeria, next week for some video shoots.

HAT’s your short film, Aisha (My Pain), all about?

Aisha (My pain) is an educative short film that tackles the issue of child abuse and early marriage, as it relates to our modern-day life. The movie was written by Abiola Omolokun, but it was produced and directed by me.

But so many other films also centre on this same theme.

So, what makes Aisha( My pain) unique, in terms of thematic pre-occupation?

The difference is the story line as well as the way the story was produced. We wanted an excellent cast and we got it. If you go through this particular story, you will go through the pains that Aisha feels in this movie. I don’t really want to say everything now, but this story is

2face’s dad diagnosed with cancer

N

IGERIA’s music icon, Innocent 2face Idibia has announced that his father has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The artiste reportedly gave the information during the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) cancer charity event, which held on June 8, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the cancer is in its early stages, and the 67-year-old man will begin chemotherapy soon.

At the event tagged Banquet of Stars against Cancer (BOSAC), 2face was joined by other A-list Artistes and one of Africa’s greatest music Maestroes, Sir Emeka Nwokedi, the conductor of the Lagos City Chorale, in a performance by the Choir and Orchestra of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON).

The benefit event served as an opportunity to raise funds in support of the war against cancer in Nigeria.

‘Producers must design strategic ways to make returns on investments’ different from any of such movies that have been done.

Who played the lead role?

The lead character, Aisha, was played by Lolade Badmus.

Other main actors are Eric Obinna( Adamu); Hannah Ojo(Fatima) and Victor Ugbekele(Chief Danjuma).

Why didn’t you feature any of the A-list actors?

With what I have in the script, there is no A-list actor who fits the description. So, I had to call for an audition to get these actors. Most of them are not beginners, especially the main actors.

Is it a low-budget film?

I can’t say the budget is low or big. The main thing was that, we got our hands on all equipment we needed for the shoot, we used the kind of location we wanted and the cast did a good job. If the question is if we spent a large sum of money for the shoot, then, the answer is yes. We shot at a location in Ikorodu and the movie will be out in a couple of weeks.

Is it your debut movie?

No, my first movie, Love is not Enough, was a feature film shot in 2011. Since then, I have shot two other movies, including The Mind Game and Indecent Past.

Certainly, you must have faced some challenges…

Most of the challenges we had while shooting bordered on power supply, which made us to use a noisy generator. Sometimes, there was also the challenge of location. But we were able to find our way around it without stress. It will be premiered soon, but no date has been fixed yet.

What have you learnt to do better as a producer and director, given the fact that you have earlier produced some other movies?

Being a producer is always stressful. But to ensure that the

Durban Film Festival’s opening film is Hard to Get

T

HE 35 th edition of Durban International Film Festival, South Africa, will open with Hard to Get, a feature-lenght film debut by Zee Ntuli, organisers have announced.

The festival, which runs from July 17 to 27, is one of Africa’s leading film events.

It enjoys about 200 theatrical screenings, full seminar and workshop programmes.

Last year, the event made news globally, when the Opening Night movie, Of Good Report, was banned by

the Film and Publications Board (FPB) of South Africa, on the account that a sex scene between a school teacher and a pupil amounted to child pornography. The ban was later overturned by the Board’s appeal tribunal and a 28 million Rand damages suit against the FPB. With the outcome of Of Good Report, a movie which has gone ahead to win several awards, including the Best Film diadem at the just concluded Africa Movie

Academy Award (AMAA), festival enthusiasts will no doubt look forward to the choice of Hard To Get, another arty South African film that bothers on youthful exuberance.

Produced by Junaid Ahmed and Helena Spring, the film tells the story of TK, a handsome young womaniser from a small community who falls for a sexy, reckless young thief named Skiets. Thrust into Joburg’s criminal underworld, TK realises that his best bet is to trust her and hang on for dear life.

The action romance explores the universal theme of love in the very specific context of contemporary South Africa. At its heart, it is simply a story of two young South Africans embarking on the universal adventure of falling in love, symbolically set against the dangerous, unpredictable, cruel and ruthless backdrop of Joburg’s criminal underworld.

According to the movie director, “the criminal gauntlet parallels the emotional journey of TK and

Skiets, providing a metaphor for how scary falling in love can be. Ultimately, it is a hopeful story, one which carries the message that love is worth fighting for.”

Talking about the film, Festival Manager, Peter Machen, said: “I am very excited about Hard To Get. It’s a beautifully made film that works on every level and will satisfy commercial and art-house audiences alike. I also think that it’s going to make instant stars of its two leads Thishiwe Ziqubu and Pallance Dladla, who are both electrifying, as well as director Zee Ntuli, who is virtually guaranteed a bright future on the global filmmaking stage on the basis of this first feature.”

Although, Hard To Get is Ntuli’s first feature, he has already made his mark on the local film scene. He has written for the award-winning hit show Intersexions and has directed a humorous 40sec advert entitled Grandfather for SterKinekor’s Vision Mission initiative. He has also directed music videos for the bands Crash Car Burn and Wrestlerish, as well having

worked on Soul City and the crime drama Mshika-shika.

This year’s edition of DIFF, according to organisers, will also include the Wavescape Film Festival, the Wild Talk Africa Film Festival, and various industry initiatives, including the 7th Talent Campus Durban (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 5th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

The event is put together by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Cheryl Potgieter) with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KwaZuluNatal Film Commission, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

work is started and finished is the goal, so you have to do all you can. But I am more passionate about being a director.

As an artiste, being a director allows me the freedom to create and that’s how it is for me when I am shooting. More importantly, I have learnt in both, but I think the creative part of me has grown in terms of directing.

Are you encouraged to produce more works, given your experience in the past?

Really, it has not been encouraging for me. But because I love the art, I still make efforts to. I have a movie in the market right now, which is selling. But up till now, the marketer has not remitted one naira to me. So, really, I think we need to find out more strategic ways that can enable us to make money from our sweats in sales of DVDs. How have your childhood and growing up influenced what you are doing today?

I have always been very artistic, especially in the area of drawing. Later on, I discovered I loved movies and I was so eager to know how it was done. So, I think that’s what pushed me into filmmaking.

Could you tell me briefly about your background?

I am a fine artist by training.

I graduated from the School of Art and Design, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, in 2002.

Then, I had my multimedia training at NIIT, Benin, in 2004.

Later, I worked as a graphic designer for a while before I set up my multimedia company (PSI Multimedia). I did a six-month course in Directing at PEFTI in 2011. Thereafter, I shot my first film. I am married and I have two children.

Tillaman, Phyno join The Beat concert train (Fri)

A

S the official launch/ concert of The Beat 97.9 FM Ibadan holds today, the management of the radio station has announced sensational singers, Tillaman and Phyno, as the new acts to join the list of previously announced music stars who will thrill at the event.

Some of the previously announced acts include D’banj, Surulere crooner Dr. Sid, Reminisce, Chidinma, K-Switch, Skuki, Saeon and Black Magic.

Also, celebrated comedians, Basket Mouth and Gbenga Adeyinka, had earlier been announced as hosts of the concert slated to hold at the Muave 21 Event Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The management of The Beat FM also stated that the station would be represented in full by its O.A.Ps: Victoria “Vickie” Alozie, Wale Ozolua, Dolapo Alade, Fortune Obeahon, Yinka “daddy Yinks” Oretuga, Lonii Oke and Yinka Oremosu (Tripple X).

THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014

62

NEWS

We’re proud of Abiola, says Amosun T

HE Ogun State government and the family of late Chief MKO Abiola held yesterday a prayer session to mark the 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, won by the late Abiola.

At the session, people prayed for the repose of the late Abiola’s soul.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun described the late Abiola as “the initiator of Nigeria’s democracy, who pitched his tent with the progressives”.

Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said if Abiola was

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

alive today, he would have been an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain.

The prayer session was held at the late Abiola’s compound in Oke Agbo, Abeokuta, the state capital.

In attendance were Commissioner for Information Yussuf Olaniyonu; Iyalode of Yorubaland Alaba Lawson; and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,

Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, among others.

Amosun urged Nigerians to learn from the June 12, 1993, election, “which teaches us that free, fair and credible elections should be encouraged for a better society”.

One of the late Abiola’s sons, Jamiu, urged the Federal Government to create an environment where citizens can feel free and safe to realise their potentials, adding that his father fought and died to better the lots of the masses.

Chibok girls: Jonathan meets Gowon, Buhari, Shagari,Shettima others From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•The late Abiola

One of the late politician’s daughters, Tudun, said her father was a kind man who gave without expectations, adding that he would have been a credible leader.

e-Eleven raises the alarm over alleged threat to members

A

GROUP of stakeholders in Ekiti State, the eEleven, has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to attack its prominent members.

Its Chairman Femi Ajiniran, in a statement yesterday, said the group received “credible information that a group of thugs and violent elements acting under the directive of a particular political campaign organisation have developed and are planning to implement plans to violently attack prominent members of e-Eleven.”

The statement said it was reliably informed that the plan was hatched at a particular hotel, which is reputed to be a haven of criminals, drug addicts and people of questionable character in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The group said two of its members had raised issues before the court challenging the competence of a candidate to contest the governorship election.

“Since the hearing commenced, various members have received a deluge of nuisance phone calls from anonymous callers, demanding that the case be withdrawn or they face severe consequences.

“We want to bring this to the notice of all stakeholders and the general public in our state, particularly the security

agencies, that we believe this threat to be credible.

“We will like to state categorically that our members who are the plaintiffs in the case have no intention whatsoever to withdraw the case, instead they will pursue it to its logical conclusion and to the fullest extent the law of the land permits. e-Eleven, as an organisation, is never known to withdraw from any cause it believes in and remain steadfast no matter the odds until the goal is achieved,” the statement read.

The group also used the opportunity to raise public awareness to the threat its members face and called on security agencies to ensure that violence and threats are eliminated from the country’s electoral process, “starting with the election in Ekiti now in its final days.”

It also added that rather than result to violence, “we call on all interested parties to give the judiciary a chance to perform its role as enshrined in our constitution. Let the court decide while we keep violence out of our political culture!”

INEC organises voter’s education in Nasarawa

T

HE Resident Electoral Commissioner in Nasarawa State, Ahmed Makama, said yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, that the Independent National Electoral

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

Commission (INEC) organised a quiz competition between pupils and residents as part of its voter education pro-

gramme.

The commissioner said the idea of organising the quiz was a way of inculcating democratic norms in the young ones.

His words: “If these young ones are properly nurtured and educated on democratic principles and electoral intricacies, they would not be easily lured into thuggery by greedy politicians.”

He urged the pupils to always be conscious of political development around them and learn good virtues.

Commissioner for Education Sani Yakubu Hauwa said:” There is no alternative to democracy and if politicians fail to do the right thing the future of the country’s democracy would be bleak.”

‘Don’t politicise power supply’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

F

ORMER Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) , Felix Atume, has appealed to delegates to the National Conference not to politicise power supply.

Atume, who spoke in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, said power supply remaines epileptic and without it, nothing can be done in terms of development and industrialisation.

Atume, who is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, said South Africa produced 43,000 MW and 95 percent is from coal, which Nigeria has in abundance.

He said Nigeria produces only 4,000 MW of electricity, which is grossly inadequate for a nation facing growing unemployment problem.

According to Atume, Nigeria has coal which should be tapped to complement power supply, which is depent on gas supply.

FOR about two hours last night, President Gooodluck Jonathan met with former Heads of State and Government on how to free the abducted Chibok girls.

The former leaders pledged to assist the Federal Government on how to rescue the 223 girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram.

It was however not immediately clear if the past leaders would spearhead negotiation or discussion with the insurgents.

According to findings, the meeting which started at about 8.30pm ended at about 10.30pm.

Ex-leaders at the session were Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Alhaji Shehu Shagari; Chief Ernest Shonekan; Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Governor Kashim Shettima and the National Security Adviser,Mr. Sambo Dasuki.

But ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who recently met with Boko Haram contacts, was absent at the session.

Also, ex-President Ibrahim Babangida sent apology to the meeting because he lost a relation Senator Awaisu Kuta.

It was gathered that the session focused on the abduction of the 223 girls and the way forward. It was learnt that many options were considered including the likelihood of opening up talks with the sect.

A source said: "The leaders were disturbed about the negative image the abduction has created for the nation and its implications for the economy.

"They pledged to assist the government on how to rescue the abducted girls. They promised to avail the President their experience and contacts to liaise with the sect to set the girls free.

"They will draw up options which they will execute in order to rescue the girls.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who spoke with our correspondent at about 10.50 pm on Thursday confirmed the meeting.

He said: "The leaders offered to help the government to rescue the girls and address insurgency."

World Cup: Fayemi sponsors state-wide free viewing

W

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ITH the beginning of the 2014 World Cup derby yesterday which coincides with Democracy Day, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, has sponsored free viewing of matches at some designated centres across the state.

Towards achieving this, some centres had been branded for free viewing and Dr. Fayemi who has paid the subscription and gate fees of viewers in those designated centres said he was doing so to encourage many football fans to go out and cheer the teams up at no cost.

According to the governor, the Super Eagles deserve a pride of place at the mundial and as many Nigerians as possible should be able to cheer them to victory.

The Governor said: “Football is our uniting sport. As many Nigerians as wish to watch the World Cup matches should be able to do so even if they cannot afford to travel to Brazil.

“We should be able to support the viewing centre operators to accommodate as many viewers as possible without hindrance”, he said.

Responding to the gesture, the Chairman of the Association of Viewing Centres Operators (AVECO) in Ekiti State, Mr. Ojo Abiodun, commended the governor’s gesture, asking football fans to troop out en masse to watch the matches at the designated centres, most importantly the Nigerian matches.

Alaafin to feature in boxing match exhibition

T

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE former national and African super middle weight champion, Prince Bamidele Disu has disclosed that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III is expected to storm the ring on Sunday, 16, June, to feature at the final of the maiden edition of the best four states inter-state amateur boxing championship in Ibadan.

He disclosed this while addressing journalist at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan to herald the championship, tagged ‘the return of the champion 2014, to be kicked off on Friday at the indoor sports hall, Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

According to him, Alaafin will feature in an exhibition bout with a yet to be named opponent, adding that the monarch will also announce prize money for the overall winner of the tourney at the closing ceremony.

According to Disu, who is the promoter of the show said, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta will feature in the three-day tourney being organized by Bamay 1 Sports in conjunction with the Oyo State Sports council.

“The monarch would also play host to the boxers during the threeday championship aimed at preparing the boxers for the 19th NSF in Calabar later in the year. At the event, the male boxers will compete in six weight categories: light flyweight, flyweight, bantam weight, lightweight, middleweight and light heavyweight while the female boxers will compete in the light flyweight and lightweight categories.”

Benue APC exco inaugurated

T

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

HE State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Benue State has been inaugurated in Makurdi, the state capital. Performing the inauguration at the state secretariat, the Chairman, Abbah Yaro, who was inaugurated in Abuja, urged members of the committee to work in unity.

Addressing reporters after the inauguration, the Publicity Secretary, Ayem T. Atsem, said: “The SWC has resolved to quickly settle down to business. We have prepared ourselves for the challenges ahead, particularly as we move into 2015.

“Our appeal is for members to remain steadfast while continuing work for the success of our party, which is a unification force for Nigerians. We are optimistic that we shall surpass our 2011 achievements.”

The Benue APC image maker said: “We are warning other parties from interfering in our activities by inciting APC members to crisis.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

W

HOEVER is in doubt about the self-regarding interest behind the opposition of the federal government, the party in power at the centre, and their agents to the decentralisation of policing and the establishment of state and local police by the 36 states of the country even after the events of the last two weeks is either naive, mischievous or in total denial.

The major argument against the establishment of state police has been the untenable one that governors and parties in control of the states will abuse their authorities and exploit the police for their political advantage against their opponents. The second argument, which is not quite different from the first, is that our democracy is not mature enough to recommend the decentralisation of the system of policing the state.

It doesn’t matter to the proponents of these arguments that since the return of democratic rule in 1979, when the federal civilian government took control of the police, we have witnessed an increasing abuse of authority on the part of the centre. It is common knowledge that in the Second Republic, the Nigerian Police was a potent instrument of oppression and harassment of opposition governors by the federal government. The Inspector General at the time was very clear about whose agent he was and whose interest he served.

The various military regimes need not come into this discussion because of the nature of the military unified command system. Needless to add, however, such a system is an anomaly in a civilian regime. But that is exactly what our milito-politicians have decided to embrace because it benefits them. Reasonable citizens should be concerned and alarmed. There are multiple levels of the alarm system that ought to sound off now: First, when you embrace the unified command system of law enforcement, and you embrace the military as part of that scheme in a civil regime, aren’t you sending them the wrong signal? Second, when you present your civilian regime as incapable of maintaining internal law and order without the involvement of the military, what message are you sending to the military? Third, when the centre exploits its authority with the use of law enforcement against the opposition, with a view to making peaceful change impossible, what kind of change is it encouraging?

From Friday, June 6, till Sunday, June 8, our armed forces staged a comeback to their old game of intimidation and harassment.

They laid siege on the media, disrupting the free flow of information. As widely reported by all the major media houses, the army

K

ICK off the fun! The month-long world’s fiesta of football is on. It is said that religion is the opium of the masses but was that in the past? Football may well be the emerging religion of the world’s people today. And the World Cup (WC) tournament, also known as the mundial which takes place every four years, must be the revival service. It is yet another season when men (and many women too) dream football, think football, talk football and would rather eat football. Football, the round leather object and game, also called soccer, is here to keep the world spellbound and a little quiet for a while. Football, especially the World cup, has become so transcendental that even those dark fiends who are in the business of holding the world hostage are sure to take a breather. Yes, we mean professional terrorists, warlords and even armed robbers would hold their fire while the WC lasts. This is especially so in the 32 participating countries.

The festival holds in Brasil, the South American combo of a nation where it all started in 1930 and which has over the years become the world’s basilica of the game. She last hosted the game in 1950 but has been the most successful in this queer art of kicking a round leather object around a field, winning five trophies. It has also given the world a football god - Arantes do Nacimento, better known as Pele of Brasil. There are other big Brazilian football cult heroes like Garincha, Zico and Ronaldo to name just a few.

VOL.9 NO.2,876

‘Has Mr President forgotten so soon the selfless patriotic pursuit of truth, in his favour, when late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s cabal attempted to circumvent the intent and spirit of the constitution?...’

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Politicising (in)security

placed soldiers in strategic locations throughout the country, especially in Abuja, Ibadan, Lagos, Benin, Jos and other northern cities, detained newspaper distribution vans and their drivers, and confiscated the newspapers they were to deliver. Apart from costing the publishers and distributors enormous losses, the exercise also caused many vendors and distributors legitimate means of livelihood.

What was the excuse of the soldiers and the presidency? On the part of the soldiers, it was not difficult to figure out that they were acting on orders. The reason for the order had to do with security. Of course, the army is concerned about security and if and whenever it has intelligence reports about the activities of a segment of the public with a great potential for causing harm to the country, it must take action. So the story goes. And it is not a new one. We heard it before during the era of brutal dictatorship. That we are hearing it now reminds us of those days when media houses were forcefully searched and editors and journalists were brutalised. Do we need to be reminded of those days that ought to be

conveyed to historical infamy?

What about the presidency? Never short of excuses presidential spokespersons quickly tried to parry the allegation of dirty tricks against the presidency. They reminded us that President Jonathan signed the Freedom of Information Act. How can a President who was so magnanimous with such a gift to journalists now turn around to scuttle the free flow of information? The President had nothing to do with the action of the military. But as Commander-in-Chief, he supports the action if it was the result of intelligence. This is double-speak at its worst: The president does not support the obstruction of information. The president supports military intelligence-based action against the free flow of information.

But what intelligence could be behind such harassment? Credible reports suggested, we were told, that newspaper distribution vans were being used to smuggle and distribute arms in the country! Incredible! Assume that this is the case. The military (not the police) swung into action. What should be the objective? Search suspicious vehicles for arms.

Release them if nothing incriminating is found. Let them go about their legitimate business. But that was not what happened.

All media reports suggested that vans were detained. Distribution centres were raided.

Drivers were detained. What was the reason for detention of those vehicles and their drivers if nothing was found on them? What was the reason for the siege on distribution centres and vendors? Were distribution centres also implicated in the intelligence report?

The Nigerian Police is not left out. Kano has a new Emir and the sky is still blue.

There has been no earthquake. HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano, received his instrument of office from the Kano State Governor. The kingmakers who included him on top of the list of three nominees for the governor paid him the traditional homage. The princes and princesses paid their

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

See Brazil and die Welcome to Samba country: Though football has its home in England, its soul is in Brazil. The rumbustious tropical rainforest country of South America seems tailor-made for football and football made for it. Not because it has the largest football stadium, the Maracana; not even because it covers almost half of the vast South American continent, no.

Brazil, with a population of about 250 million people and an economy larger than that of all her regional peers put together, epitomises the best, the worst, the most beautiful and the ugly too. A vastly rich country with a modern economy, it also boasts some of the poorest peoples symbolised by some of the worst slums (favelas) to be found anywhere. It is from the cauldron of these favelas that Brazil serves the world a thick broth of gangsterism, drugs, rape and football artistry. Brazil also boasts of great beaches, perhaps the best

carnival and absolutely the most voluptuous black women to be found anywhere (you may read my lips!). It is also a rich cultural environment, a rainbow country of Caucasians, Blacks, Hispanics and a beautiful mixture of all. Brazil, the samba country, looks to me like the picture of our future.

Every four years, the tournament gets bigger, better and more riveting. FIFA, the world body in charge of football also gets bigger and grows in importance as if it would form a world government someday. Such is the intriguing power of football which the numerous scandals in the world house of soccer have not diminished. In fact, it is feared that someday, countries may be rated by the number of World Cup silverware in their kitty. Countries not part of the four-yearly fireworks feel left out of the world community and great players not in the tournament

obeisance. But the Emir cannot enter his palace because a contingent of the federal police has laid siege on the place since Sunday.

What is the excuse? It is to protect the Emir.

But why does the Emir need protection and protection from whom? The presidency is unhappy. How can a person removed from office by the President be liked by his people to such an extent that they make him their Emir?

The President ought to have known better. He should have known that this is not something he can control. Political naivety brings unhappy consequences. We are still a federation. Traditional institutions are still local. The President doesn’t control the state government and given the relationship between him and the Kano State Governor, he shouldn’t have expected anything different.

It stands to reason that what Jonathan hates, Kwankwaso would like. If Jonathan didn’t want Sanusi to be Emir of Kano, a more revered position than the CBN governor, the President should have left him to complete his term. What to do now? It is clear that Sanusi is the ultimate winner. The President must count his losses, lift the siege on the palace and let the Emir be. Ranka de de, Your Royal Highness!

On Sunday, June 8, Ado-Ekiti was the scene of another in the familiar episode of federal security agents run amok. Since the days of its ACN precursor, APC has consistently engaged in a funny but symbolic act of sweeping off the footprints of opposition parties, especially PDP after the rallies organised by the latter in states controlled by the APC. That was what happened in AdoEkiti after the PDP rally on Saturday, June 7.

APC masses assembled at the stadium with their brooms. But the Mobile Police detachment would have none of that effrontery.

The Vice President was still in town and an opposition had organised a rally to sweep off his feet from the soils of Ado-Ekiti? How can any authoritarian regime allow that?

That is the root of our challenge as a democracy. We are not mature to have any other state security system because no one must challenge the authority of the President and his party. The Mobile Police actually disarmed a unit of the Nigeria Police that was assigned to Governor Fayemi. That was to demonstrate the superiority of the Vice President over the Governor.The circle will remain unbroken when a new party takes over in the centre. It will have its own authority to protect because the constitution that we have embraced since 1979 ensures that this vicious circle will be unbroken.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

walk with slouched shoulders throughout the show.

Eagles flying on a wing and a prayer:

Nigeria is represented by the Super Eagles in this contest, her fifth in the history of the tournament. Her first outing in USA 1994 was a glorious one and her best so far, having reached the second round of the competition and losing on penalties shootout to the finalist, Italy. Since then, it has been tales of woe with group stage ousting each time.

That seems to be the last golden era in terms of soccer talents in the senior team. It was the time of Nigerian legends like Rashidi Yekini, Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amunike and Stephen Keshi, to name a few. The only other time the Nigerian team had such array of talents was in the early 80s class, which had Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami and Adokiye Amasiemeka, among others. Though the current Eagles are African champions, the team led by Joseph Yobo has not shown character and style, the hallmark of champions. The team which has notable stars like goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Chelsea FC stars, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses is flying to the World Cup on a wing and a prayer. Most Nigerians can only hope that they will escape from their group, which comprises soccer super power, Argentina and minnows; Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

•Continued on page 60 •For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361.

Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO