June 16, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Bomb blast averted at Winners in Owerri

PDP woos Ikimi, Sheriff, others

NEWS

NEWS

Page 4

Page 58

•Ruling party, APC chiefs in talks

•Okorocha bars night trips from the North

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2879 MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Keshi: Eagles ‘ll make Nigerians proud

N

IGERIA steps out tonight for her first game at the World Cup in Brazil.

The Super Eagles will slug it out with Head Coach Stephen Keshi said yesterday that his side will take it one game at a time.

Upbeat midfielder Mikel Obi vowed that the team would do well.

The Super Eagles will play Iran at 8.pm Nigerian time at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.

The Super Eagles will be hoping to better their two previous World Cup positions, where they failed to get out of the group stage in 2002 and 2010.

However, Keshi said, their focus is on Carlos

EKITI 2014

Quieroz’s side today and the team has ambition to make Nigeria and Africa proud.

Argentina and BosniaHerzegovina are the other teams in the group. ”Today, as I speak, I know we are going to play Iran on June 16. There are two other matches in the group phase, against Bosnia-Herzegovina Continued on page 4

AND MORE •Why we endorsed Fayemi, by labour leaders • ON PAGES •INEC is playing pranks with voters register 4 &9 •Plot to scuttle hearing of Fayose’s case uncovered

Chibok girls: U.S. ready for action against Boko Haram

Lawmaker: we await Jonathan’s approval ‘Establish Victims’ Fund’

U

NITED States troops may be deployed in the search for the over 200 abducted secondary school girls in Chibok, Borno State, it was learnt yesterday.

A US Congressional delegation made up of Representatives Steve Stockman, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Freder-

‘

We get briefed by the military and pending the approval of the government of Nigeria and our government, we plan to take action From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ica Wilson and Lois Frankel, told a news conference at the Unity Fountain in Abuja yesterday that the US planned to take action.

26 killed in Borno, Taraba violence

Stockman said: “We get briefed by the military and pending the approval of the government of Nigeria and our government, we plan to take action but I don’t think we are going into specifics this time;

it was a classified briefing. We stand ready to help and as soon as our government and Nigerian government approve, we will take action.”

In the meantime, US is helping Nigeria to train its military.

’

Jackson-Lee said: “What I want to say is that I think what it is right now is to work with the Nigerian government in training of the military. I want to emphasise again here that we have come all these miles

to say that our Congress stands ready to cooperate with the government in a manner that is appropriate and with the consent of Nigerian government. And I want to emphasise the need for the Victims Relief Fund because there is so much suffering going on by the young Continued on page 4

By Seun Akioye and Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

N

O fewer than 26 people were killed yesterday in attacks in the Northeast states of Borno and Taraba.

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed 15 residents of a Borno village and 11 died in ethno-religious violence in Wukari, Taraba State.

Dozens were also injured in the renewed violence in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Many homes were torched, as the crisis spilled to Ibi, Donga and other settlements.

Sources said 10 military men were injured in the crossfire when they attempted to stop the assailants, who were being repelled by the villagers.

Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji said four bodies were recovered when the fightWHERE ARE ing ended.

THE CHIBOK Kwaji said the violence GIRLS followed the burning of two KIDNAPPED Continued on page 4 ON APRIL 15?

?

•FOR A DEAR MUM: From left: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari during the PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH one year Fidau for Tinubu’s mother Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, in Lagos...yesterday. SEE ALSO PAGES 10-12

•SPORTS P23 •CEO P27 •INSURANCE P34 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P60

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

2

NEWS

Debt brews cr

• From left: Deputy Managing Director, GTBank, Mrs Cathy Echeozo, Managing Director, Segun Agbaje and Head, External Communication and Public Affairs, Lola Odedina at the GTBank Heritage Cup 2014 Season 3 finals in Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and the Ministry of Aviation are entangled in a web over the ministry’s debt profile. Ministry sources say the committee got its fact wrong.

OLUKOREDE YISHAU examines the crux of the matter

I

• From left: CEO, Profiliant Development Resources Ltd Oliver Nnona Nwagwu, HR Certifications Lead, Skills-Farm Ltd Benny Nwagwu and Executive Director (Middle East & Africa), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)Brad Boyson during a briefing on SHRM Certifications and Development in Nigeria in Lagos... at the weekend.

•From left: Marketing Director for West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser Silivrili Oguzhan, Chairman, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited Chief Olu Falomo; Second National Vice President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Barthy Okorochukwu and Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited, Mr. Rahul Murgai at the Dettol Walkathon at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

• Head Curator , African Artists' Foundation Ms Medina Dugger (left) speaking at a news conference to markthe 7th Annual National Arts competition organised by the Nigerian Breweries Plc in Lagos...at the weekend. With her are Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Mr Kufre Ekanem (middle) and Director, Mr Azubike Nwagbogu.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

T will not come as a surprise if any moment from now the House of Representatives, through its Committee on Aviation, begins a public hearing on the Ministry of Aviation’s debt profile. The hint to that effect came from the chair of the committee, Mrs Nkiru Onyejeocha, after oversight visits to the ministry and its agencies.

Mrs. Onyejeocha denied knowledge of the Aviation Master plan which has guided the reforms in the sector.

She said: “I wish to state here that the committee frowns at such debt profile because we know that monies have been appropriated for most of the projects that you have been doing in aviation. It’s scary to have a debt profile of N174 billion in the Ministry of Aviation.”

The committee added that most of the projects done were to remodel the airport terminals and not to provide equipment that would improve air safety.

The Supervising Minister of Aviation and Minister of State for Commerce and Trade, Mr Samuel Ortom, said he has not awarded any contract and does not intend to award any until the alleged huge debt profile has been addressed.

A document from the Ministry of Aviation show that the debts in question refer to the loan of $500m from China Exim Bank and the Eurobond loan of 100m which will be liquidated from the proposed Airport Development Levy of $10.00 (international passengers’) and N1,000(local passengers), with a 5 year projected income.

According to the document, funding sources for the reform in the aviation sector include BASA funds, Appropriations, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and other sources of funding, such as proposed Airport Development Levy and Security Surcharge.

For the BASA funds, there was a presidential approval for Presidential Priority Projects in Aviation, which conveyed approval for utilisation of N60m in the BASA Fund and was submitted to the National Assembly for appropriation to be supplemented by a further N14.6b from the IGR of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The Senate Committee on Aviation, through a May 16, 2011 letter to the Ministry of Aviation, approved the utilisation of the $60m from BASA Funds. The letter was signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation and the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation.

Also, the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Aviation in another letter dated June 10th, 2013 written to the former Minister of Aviation, MS Stella Oduah, conveyed its Approval/Appropriation of

•AVSEC staff testing one of the newly acquired metal detector machine

utilisation of the BASA Funds of N25b for the ministry’s project execution.

The letter was signed by both Senator Hope Uzodinma and Hon. Onyejeocha, as Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation and Chairman, House Committee on Aviation.

In the same vein, the State House, Abuja through a letter to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance conveyed approval for the procurement of critical infrastructure such as perimeter fencing, airfield lighting, water hydrant systems and fire-fighting equipment.

The letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the President reads: “$500 million earmarked for the Aviation sector in the negotiated loan from China EXIM Bank should be used for the construction of four new terminal buildings at Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports. The Current balance of N175billion Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF) N75 billion should be allocated to the Aviation Sector. Additional funding of N25billion from BASA Fund to be made available for urgent infrastructure upgrades (BASA Fund currently has accrued revenue of about N30billion).”

The document further shows that the Ministry of Aviation approved and awarded 15 projects in Phase I of the airport remodelling and facility development in 2011, amounting to N12, 808,150,598.30 Also, the ministry approved and awarded 91 contracts for Phase II and additional consultancy projects in 2011, totalling N97, 668,167,822.11 And in order to complement the goals of the Phases I and II of the projects, the ministry secured the sum of N43,149,077,670.50 in the 2013 Appropriation to implement the Phase III and approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) after submission by the MTB. Accordingly, the funding was to be augmented from the approved BASA Funds amounting to N25 Billion of which the sum of N14.3 Billion was already available. The project funding was expected to further be augmented with funds allocated to airport development projects in the Internally Generated Revenue Appropriation from its agencies in 2013,and subsequently yearly for all projects.

On the committee’s allegation that stakeholders were not carried along in policy formulation, ministry sources pointed at the several stakeholder meetings on key industry issues.

These include an interactive stakeholders meeting held on April 16, 2012, at Abuja Sheraton Hotel, Nige-

THE NATION

3

MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

crisis between Aviation ministry, Reps

rian and Foreign Registered Aircraft stakeholders meeting on April 22, last year at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, and Fresh Produce/Perishable Cargo Committee Meeting held on 22nd August 22, last year at the Minister’s Conference Centre, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Abuja amongst others.

A group, the Association of Aviation Stakeholders (AAS), believes Hon. Onyejeocha is playing bad politics with her position. According to the group, Hon Onyejeocha cannot claim ignorance of the $500million ChineseExim Bank loan for the aviation sector and other infrastructural projects of the Federal Government.

The body’s national president, Abubakar Dan Maikasuwa, in a statement, said: “Except she claims she was misquoted by the reputable media organisations that reported her comments, she was downright dishonourable and should be told so.”

Maikasuwa, in the statement titled: ‘Haba Onyejeocha, said members of his association and himself read with shock, the comments credited to the lawmaker that she was not aware of the loan.

According to him, Hon Onyejeocha is aware of everything about the loan, stressing that: “She was on the trip to China with President Goodluck Jonathan where the document for the loan was signed.”

The association’s president alleged that her trip to China was sponsored by one of the aviation parastatals.

•Mrs Onyejeocha

‘

I wish to state here that the committee frowns at such debt profile because we know that monies have been appropriated for most of the projects that you have been doing in aviation. It’s scary to have a debt profile of N174 billion in the Ministry of Aviation

‘

She was on the trip to China with President Goodluck Jonathan where the document for the loan was signed.

It is self-indictment for her to come to the open and say she is in the dark...Nigerians should ignore her and her cotravellers

‘

-- Mrs Onyejeocha “She was not sponsored alone; she went with members of her family,” he said. He added that: “It is self-indictment for her to come to the open and say she is in the dark, when she was carried along, especially concerning the four new international airport projects located in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja all financed by the Chinese Exim loan.

“We want to state categorically that Nigerians should ignore her and her co- travellers who see nothing good in

‘

•Samuel Ortom

-- Maikasuwa

the revolution going on in the aviation sector. We wonder why she is out to rubbish the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

Maikasuwa said the threat by her to hold a public hearing on the issue amounts to nothing but blackmail which at the end of the day is a waste of public funds, maintaining that ‘we will resist every attempt by the old brigade to arm-twist the wheel of progress in the aviation sector for ul-

terior motives.”

Significantly, for many years, the aviation sector was in a shamble. Poor equipment, decrepit airport facilities, unreliable revenue generating and collection system and unfriendly workforce, all combined to make the sector distressed.

To say the least, the state of the country’s over 22 airports owned by the Federal Government before the year 2011 was deplorable. And though attempts were made to reposition the

sector by the previous administrations, the conditions of the airports did not change much.

From dilapidated, crammed, antiquated, poorly-maintained, decrepit terminals to obsolete weather forecast equipment, the sector was in doldrums.

At the airports, conveniences, airconditioning systems, car parking lots, cargo-handling, luggage conveyor systems and other passenger handling systems and alternative power supply systems had become comatose.

But a little over two years ago the sector began to see a remarkable change. For instance, 22 airports across the country got needed facelift that changed travel experience for most passengers. Not only that, there has been a boost for infrastructure in the sector with replacement of obsolete equipment for modern one. To boot, global players were attracted as investors into the sector. The Chinese, for example, signed an MOU with Nigeria to finance the construction of 11 new state-of-the-arts airports across the nation. From Lagos to Yola, Port Harcourt to Enugu, the quality and pace of work took the aviation sector by storm. For once, the national pride of Nigerians was restored and the nation’s standing in the comity of nations was sustained. It remains to be seen how far the House Committee on Aviation can go with its position on the N174.6b loan incurred by the Ministry of Aviation.

Boko Haram attacks create refugee and food crisis

The resurgence of violent attacks by militant group Boko Haram in Nigeria has created a refugee crisis and disrupted food production within the country, according experts on the issue.

“T

HE refugees have already become a problem. Since the middle of last year, Boko Haram has seized effective control of 10 local government areas within the state of Borno itself. These people have now fled and aren’t going to go back as long as Boko Haram is there,” Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, said after testifying before a congressional committee Wednesday.

Boko Haram’s attacks have increased in frequency, causing 3,000 deaths and at least 250,000 people to flee their homes from May 2013 through March, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, which is affiliated with the Norwegian Refugee Council.

The House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organisations heard from experts who testified about the challenges facing the Nigerian

government in combating Boko Haram.

Boko Haram is an Islamist terrorist group that believes the Nigerian government has been seized by false and corrupt Muslims, according to the U.S. Institute of Peace. The State Department says travel to Nigeria carries a high risk.

The increasing number of refugees and internally displaced persons, or those who have been forced to flee their homes but remain in Nigeria, is the result of more sophisticated tactics being used by Boko Haram, Pham told the committee.

Nigeria had the largest displaced population in Africa and the third largest in the world behind Syria and Colombia, according to a report published by the center earlier this year.

“We are in a situation where families don’t feel secure anymore and in time this could create a new level of crisis,” Samuel Mbonu, executive director of the Nigerian-American Leadership

Council, said.

In prepared remarks for the hearing, Pham said, “Boko Haram has developed a very diversified and resilient model of supporting itself, and that, as it increasingly takes on more and more of the character of an insurgency, it can essentially ‘live off the land.’”

Many farmers refuse to plant crops out of fear they won’t be around for harvest because of Boko Haram attacks. This could result in a major food shortage, Pham said.

During the three-hour hearing, experts said they doubt the Nigerian government has the ability to accommodate an increasing refugee population or combat Boko Haram militarily.

“Current Nigerian security forces have never experienced anything like what it is facing with Boko Haram today,” said Robin Sanders, founder of the FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative and former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria. Her group promotes

food security, education and other issues.

Nigerian government security forces are outgunned and need additional resources such as vehicles, technology-based bomb detection equipment and better communication with neighboring countries that could help, Sanders said.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., the subcommittee chairman, has visited Nigeria multiple times. He called the hearing just days after 20 women were taken by Boko Haram in the Nigerian state of Borno and nearly two months after nearly 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped in the town of Chibok – kidnappings that garnered international attention. Smith called for more U.S. involvement that did not involve boots on the ground but did involve training and support.

“National and state governments in Nigeria have to be pushed to do more on development with money they already have,” Smith said.

4

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

NEWS Keshi: Eagles ‘ll make Nigerians proud Continued from page 1

and Argentina, but our focus for now is what we must achieve against Iran in Curitiba.” Keshi told Team Nigeria ”There would have been no reason to take part in the qualifying series if we didn’t believe we would make it to the finals, and there would have been no reason to prepare so hard for the finals if we knew we were only coming to Brazil to make up the number. ”I have a group of players who believe in themselves.

They want to go as far as they can in Brazil, and the formu-

la we will employ is to look at what is immediately in front of us and focus and plan on how to tackle it.”

While the Super Eagles boss believes inexperience grounded the Eagles in 1994 and 1998, he believes there is a good blend of youth and experience in the current squad. ”Both situations were unfortunate. That is why you must always focus on your immediate challenge. We definitely lost to inexperience in 1994. Here in Brazil, we have a mixture of youth and Continued on page 59

26 killed in Borno, Taraba violence Continued from page 1

•Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olufemi Fadiora (left) presenting award of meritorious services to Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola at GMT Event Centre Osogbo... at the weekend. With them is Chairman Hopelink Solidarity forum (HSF) Remi Popoola

B

PDP woos Ikimi, Sheriff, others

ARELY 24 hours after lauding the All Progressives Congress (APC) for conducting a peaceful National Convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to woo those uncomfortable with the emergence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as National Chairman.

The party has launched covert talks with ex-Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, exBorno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, a former National Secretary aspirant, Mallam Kashim Imam, and Borno State Deputy Governor Zannah Umar Mustapha.

The Deputy Governor told reporters in Abuja that he would rise and fall with Governor Kashim Shetttima instead of leaving the APC. It was gathered that some PDP stalwarts had been meeting with some APC leaders, who were displeased with the outcome of the National Con-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

vention.

Those targeted are in the Ikimi-Modu-Sheriff group whose nominees were asked to step down for consensus candidates.

Ikimi stepped down for Odigie-Oyegun. Kashim Imam, who had aspired to be the National Secretary, gave up his ambition for Mallam Ibrahim Gubi from Yobe State.

The group was said to have lost the National Vice-Chairman for the Northeast.

It was gathered that although the PDP had been wooing the affected APC leaders to pull out of the National Convention, it did not succeed.

The ruling party decided to take advantage of the outcome of the convention to reach out to Ikimi and others.

A source said: “We have got intelligence report that PDP is trying to cause disaffection in our party by wooing Ikimi and

others. Yet, the same PDP was the first to congratulate our party for holding a successful convention.

“Some PDP leaders have held discussions with some aggrieved APC leaders to prevail on them to defect to the ruling party in order to decimate the opposition.

“Their initial plan was to scuttle our convention but we buried our differences to speak with one voice. Now, they are infiltrating our ranks.

“They even went to the extent of courting the Deputy Governor of Borno State under the pretext that Borno was shortchanged by not producing the National Secretary of the party.

“The PDP cannot go far; we are united to keep our party intact. Those being wooed should have a rethink.”

Speaking with our correspondent yesterday, OdigieOyegun, said: “We have start-

ed our reconciliation, right from day one; we will extend our hands of fellowship to those aggrieved. In my acceptance speech, I called for forgiveness and healing of rifts.

“In one week or two, I will unfold my plans for the party, which will carry everyone along. This mandate is not about me; it is about changing Nigeria for better.”

On the felicitations from PDP, he said: “I welcome it but I hope it is a spirit that goes deep down. This is the time for politics of issues; politics of principle and politics that recognises that the cardinal preoccupation of government is service to the masses.

“Service to the people is the main justification for the legitimacy of any government.”

Mustapha told reporters in Abuja that he would rise and fall with the governor.

Mustapha said he had made Continued on page 59

kiosks in Sabon-Gari –a Muslim Hausa-Fulani dominated area of the town.

He said: “Some unidentified persons went and set ablaze two kiosks in Sabon-Gari -a Muslim Hausa dominated area in Wukari at about 6:00a.m.

“By 7:00a.m., there were sporadic shootings in the area. I can confirm that we have recovered four bodies so far.”

He added that security forces were deployed in the crisis

zones to “intensify patrol and closely monitor the situation”.

Continuous attacks in the Southern and Central districts of the state have left hundreds of residents including security personnel, dead in the last few months.

Thousands of residents, especially Tiv and Jukun farmers, have fled their homes while property estimated at billions of naira, including farmlands, have been destroyed.

Continued on page 59

Plot to scuttle hearing of Fayose’s case uncovered

T

HERE is a plot to disrupt the hearing of a suit by an Ekiti group, the E-11, seeking to stop Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Ayo Fayose from contesting Saturday’s election, sources said last night.

The sources said there was a plot to use thugs to create confusion around the court - a situation which will make the court to adjourn the hearing. Another source said the PDP candidate’s lawyer may tell the court that he was never served the hearing notice.

The E-Eleven – a group of professionals advocating the development of the state – is be-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti and Joseph Jibueze

fore a High Court sitting in AdoEkiti, the state capital, seeking to compel Fayose to explain the circumstances surrounding his 2006 impeachment.

The plaintiff is contending that that Fayose failed to disclose vital information regarding his impeachment in 2006 in form CFO1 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Last Thursday, the group alleged that its members were under pressure to withdraw the suit.

Continued on page 59

Chibok girls: U.S. ready for action against Boko Haram Continued from page 1

girls and the families that have been touched by this violence.”

The delegation also urged the Nigeria government to establish a National Victims Fund.

The fund, they argued, is necessary for the rehabilitation of all those who have suffered from the Boko Haram horrific violence.

Jackson-Lee said: “Collectively, we bring a wide range of special knowledge to Nigeria and to focus on a very important issue. We have come from the United States to focus on bringing the girls back and to focus on stopping the violence of Boko Haram.”

The group narrated the story of a woman who watched her husband, a police officer, decapitated by Boko Haram, her throat was slashed to a point that she cannot speak and her arms were slashed.

She received no compensation. “ So we come today with solution; we also come today in asking the North east and Nigeria to continue to accept international help and it is time to find a way to contain the Boko Haram and save the lives of so many,” she said.

The group urged the government of Nigeria to establish a National Victims Fund, for

L

Don’t play politics with girls, Falana advises govt

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised the Federal Government not to play politics with the lives of the abducted Chibog girls.

Falana, in a statement titled “How not to search for Chibok girls”, yesterday in Lagos, berated former President Olusegun Obasanjo for making what he described as unguarded statements over his intention to reach out to the Boko Haram sect, unlike other individuals and groups who have been working quietly to secure the release of the abducted girls.

The former President, according to him, reportedly said last week that “some of the girls would not be reunited with their families while others might have become pregnant”.

To the Lagos lawyer, the statement credited to Obasanjo is “callous and insensitive”. It dashed the hopes and accentuates the agony of the parents and friends of the missing girls, said Falana, stressing that “no individual or group should play politics with the tragedy of the abduction”.

The activist also lashed out at the government for resorting to cheap blackmail because of the global agitation for the missing girls.

“all of the victims who have suffered at the hands of Boko Haram, for the girls who are still missing, for the girls who escaped, for their families, for the father who spoke to us about his missing daughter, and the victims who have perished and their families. They need compensation.

By Adebisi Onanuga and Grace Obike, Abuja

“The Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, insisted that the “Bring Back Our Girls” rallies were being organised by the opposition. A few days later, some sponsored thugs unleashed violence on the unarmed protesters at the Unity Fountain at Abuja. The team of police personnel at the venue neither stopped the unprovoked attack nor made any arrest.

“Since the violent attack did not deter the protesters, the Police Commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Joseph Mbu, announced that the “Bring Back Our Girls” rallies had been banned with ‘immediate effect’. As the ban embarrassed the Federal Government, the Inspector-General of police reversed it.

Even though the ban has been challenged in court, the protests have since continued,” he noted.

He also lamented the manner in which some top officials of the Federal Government and influential members of the ruling party publicly denied that the Chibok girls were abducted, saying that it smacks of insensitivity.

“We thank President Obama and the United States Congress for its very keen interest on the question of bringing the girls back, and stopping the horrific violence of Boko Haram,” Jackson-Lee said.

She added that the mission speaks in unity about the crisis inflicted on the girls, wom-

“The official denial continued even after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was compelled to publish the names of 180 of the missing girls. But for the identification of the abducted girls in the video footage released by the terrorists, the official denial might have continued. It was at that juncture that concerned women and men in Nigeria began the “Bring Back Our Girls” Campaign through peaceful rallies. Many people have joined the campaign in many parts of the world,” Falana noted.

The activist noted that Boko Haram had continued to operate in the Northeast, despite the fact that the area had been under emergency rule for over six months, without any resistance from the security forces.

Falana said the on-going peaceful rallies would continue to remind the Federal Government of its responsibility to rescue the abducted girls and guarantee the security of every person in the country.. “Let the peaceful rallies continue to challenge the leaders of the satanic sect to release the abducted girls. Let the peaceful rallies

en and their families, who have been victimised by the terrorist acts of Boko Haram, admonishing the Northeast and Borno State to stop the Boko Haram violence.

“We also believe that it is important to focus on our children and to acknowledge that more than 10 million children

•Falana

education,” she noted.

The chairman of the humanitarian mission, Stockman, said the group hopes to join Nigeria in a comprehensive partnership to fight the crisis, adding that it will extend a hand of friendship to resolve the Continued on page 59 problem.

Frederica Wilson noted that in Nigeria are not in school, the United States stand with many of them are in the North- Nigeria in the fight against tereast. rorism, condemning the kid“It is time for economic em- nap of about 270 school girls powerment and jobs to take as “outrageous”. the children away from Boko ADVERT HOTLINES Haram, put them in schools and give the young people in 08023006969, the Northeast and in Nigeria 08052592524 the opportunity for jobs and

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

5

NEWS Father’s Day: Nigerians urge Jonathan to rescue Chibok girls

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A

NGRY Nigerians yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan on the popular social media, the facebook, for posting a picture of himself and four children in commemoration of the Father’s Day celebration.

Obviously from church, the President is seen in the picture flanked by his three daughters and a son. The photograph is captioned: “I wish all fathers in Nigeria a happy Father’s Day. GEJ.” The President’s post, which generated over 3,900 comments among facebook followers, might have offended some of them.

They queried Jonathan for not rescuing the abducted Chibok schoolgirls; others expressed appreciation to him for the marking the special day.

Those against the President’s greetings accused him of insensitivity to the plight of the masses while others called him unprintable names.

Women judges seek life jail for sexual offenders

W

OMEN judges from the Southwest have expressed worry over the increasing rate of domestic and sexual violence, particularly the rape of the girl-child.

They considered life jail for sex offenders to end gender-based violence.

The judges expressed concerns at a three-day conference of the Southwest branch of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) at the Vining Hall, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja.

The theme of the conference was: Justice For All. NAWJN President, Justice Helen Oguwumiju, cited a decided case of Posu vs the State(2011) to buttress her position.

In the case, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour “held emphatically that since the purpose of criminal law is to prevent harm to society, inadequate sentence for sexual offenders where the law provides for life imprisonment should be discouraged. A light sentence for the offence of rape as in the instant case must never be imposed. This may have the unsavory effect of turning rape into a past time by flippant youths”.

Justice Ogunwumiju noted that rape offences and defilement were violent offences perpetrated against vulnerable members of society, including the girlchild and women.

She noted that the perpetrators of the offences are usually in positions of power, by reasons of physical strength, use of offensive weapons or by virtue of their relationship with their victims.

The judge regretted that the increase in rape and defilement had grown in recent years because they were mostly not reported and because they were not successfully prosecuted, even when reported.

•From left: President Ibrahim Keita of Mali; President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic; President Macky Sall of Senegal; President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairperson, African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Zuma, at Dakar Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Dakar, Senegal...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

N20b libel suit: Obasanjo, Kashamu quarrel

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, have resorted to trading in invectives over the N20 billion libel suit the latter filed against the former.

While Obasanjo described Kashamu as a known debtor and an individual lacking in reputation at home and abroad, Kashamu referred to the former President as “a poverty-stricken dropout from school and otherwise, a social misfit”.

These are contained in court documents filed by both men in the suit now before Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital territory (FCT), Wuse Zone 2 Abuja.

Kashamu had sued Obasanjo for alleged defamation of character over his (Obasanjo’s) claim in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and the immediate past PDP National Chairman, Alhaji

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Bamanga Tukur that Kashamu was a fugitive wanted in the United States.

In his statement of defence filed on May 14, Obasanjo stuck to his claims, as contained in his letter to President Jonathan and Tukur, and said there was no basis for him to retract the words in the letter “because the statement/words are correct, true and justified”.

Obasanjo added that “the plaintiff has no iota of good reputation locally and internationally. Aside the plaintiff’s illicit drug business for which he was indicted and wanted in America, the plaintiff has penchant for taking loans from unsuspecting banks/financial institutions with intention to permanently elude/avoid repayment or liquidation of such loans”.

“Further to that, the plaintiff has been judicially adjudged/confirmed a debtor by a competent court of law in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

And the plaintiff presently occupies a choice position on the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria’s list of notorious bad debtors.

“The plaintiff is a person, who with his true name/identity supplied, will not be granted visa

by German government or any country of the world having good relationship with the United States of America,” Obasanjo said in the statement of defence of April 30.

He described the suit as “frivolous, speculative and gold digging” and urged the court to dismiss it for lack of jurisdiction and on the ground that it failed to disclose any reasonable cause of action against him.

In his reply on May 21, Kashamu averred that the exPresident’s reliance on his touted national and international acclaim to “malign more productive members of the society is uncalled for and could be symptomatic of megalomania”.

Kashamu said he was

aware “that the defendant (Obasanjo) ...eventually found fame and fortune by joining the Armed Forces of Nigeria and benefitting disproportionately from opportunism of military adventure into governance in Nigeria which led to an otherwise avoidable civil war and the corrupt and decadent sociopolitical system the nation struggles to be free of till today “When the vaunted international acclaim of the defendant was tested in his contest with a barely known diplomat from Egypt for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2008, the defendant was put in his place as he failed to fly the flag of the nation successfully and lost the contest disgracefully,” Kashamu said in the reply filed by his lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN).

Although hearing in the case is slated for July 28 and 29, Obasnajo’s lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole told the court on June 10 that his client will not attend court to testify in person.

Alleged incitement: NJC seeks compelling order against judge

T

HE National Judicial Council (NJC) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel former judge of the court, Justice Gladys Olotu, to appear in court and substantiate her allegation that the council has instigated anticorruption agencies to arrest and detain her.

Justice Olotu was recently forced into compulsory retirement.

The request is contained in a fresh application filed by the NJC in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Justice Olotu pending before Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

But NJC has denied the allegation in its counter-affidavit.

The NJC, on February 27, recommeded Justice Olotu for compulsory retirement on the ground of “gross misconduct”. President Goodluck Jonathan promptly accepted the recommendation.

Some days later, the judge was invited and quizzed for hours by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over some undisclosed transactions.

She went to court, following her interrogation by the anti-graft agencies, seeking, among others, to restrain the EFCC, the Independent Cor-

•‘NJC, AGF instigating EFCC, ICPC, others against me’ From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

rupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), the Police and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from further inviting or quizzing her.

Justice Olotu, in a supporting affidavit to the fundamental rights enforcement suit, accused the NJC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), of instigating the various security agencies against her for challenging her compulsory retirement in a separate suit.

She averred in the affidavit of March 24 that following the

service of processes (in relation to her earlier suit challenging her compulsory retirement) on them, the AGF and NJC “very unfortunately felt and indeed expressed anger against me”.

Justice Olotu said: “In fulfilment of these threats, the seventh and eighth respondents (AGF and NJC) ganged up with the ninth to the 18th respondents against me, and I was subsequently invited by the first respondent (EFCC) to its office on March 18, 2014.

The ninth to 18th respondents in the suit include former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Salifu Alfa Belgore, and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion - the Esama of Benin and father of

former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion.

Others are: Ponticell Nigeria Limited, Stolt Offshore Services S. A.; a vessel, M. V. Theo; the owners of the vessel, M. V. Theo; Elf Nigeria Petroleum Nigeria Limited; A.B.C. Maritime AG; a vessel, M.V.Lara and a vessel, M.V.Krysia.

Justice Olotu also averred that in honouring the invitation by the EFCC, she arrived its office at 10am on March 18 and was “arrested, interrogated and detained until about 4pm before I was released to go with instructions to come back on April 1, 2014, for another round of humiliation and detention”.

Nigeria’s blood deficit is 206,000 units yearly

N

IGERIA’S blood need is estimated at 1,336,000 yearly, representing 0.08 per cent of the nation’s population, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

But an estimated 1,130,000 units of blood are collected annually through donations, leaving a deficit of over 206,000 units, the global health organisation also said.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

This deficit, according to Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, results in numerous preventable deaths, especially among women and children.

Addressing stakeholders at this year’s World Blood Donor Day, Alhassan said: “The total number of blood units

needed by Nigeria each year is estimated at 1,336,000, representing 0.08 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

“However, approximately 1,130,000 units of blood are collected annually through the various types of donations, leaving a deficit of over 206,000 units. This deficit results in numerous preventable deaths, especially among women and children.”

‘National Conference failure’ll be disastrous for Nigeria’ From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

A

GROUP, the Southern Professionals, warned yesterday that the failure of the National Conference will be catastrophic for Nigeria.

It said delegates to the conference should unite and keep hope alive for Nigerians.

Its Coordinator, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, spoke in Abuja at an interactive session the group hosted for Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth delegates.

Ugwu-Oju noted that a successful National Conference would prevent the doomsday scenario in the country.

The group, its spokesman said, was interested in supporting the delegates to produce an acceptable outcome that can lay a solid foundation for a new Nigeria.

He said: “To our delegates from Southern Nigeria, my message and plea is straight and direct: please, keep hope alive for Nigerians. Many Nigerians believe that the current status quo of wealth sharing for the elite (poverty sharing for the masses), as against wealth-creating political structures in the country, is highly undesirable and unsustainable.

“To compound matters, the current insurgency in the country and the seemingly unbridgeable divide among the political class - with regards to the 2015 presidential election - creates a very likely scenario of total anarchy in Nigeria’s post-next presidential election.

“The average Nigerian now feels very insecure. By their actions, they are beginning to question the corporate existence of the country.

I am yet to come across any Southern parent who wants his child to go and work in the North.

“The outcome of this National Conference may be the only chance of rekindling hope in most Nigerians, that this country could still become a nation where its citizens could see any part - be it East, West, North or South - as a land of opportunity that should be explored.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

6

NEWS

APC to Fed Govt: bring back Chibok schoolgirls

Akunyili: we lost a nation’s pride, says Delta •Party thanks

By Olamilekan Andu

T

HE Delta State Government has said the death of former Information Minister, Prof Dora Akunyili, has robbed the nation of a major pride.

A statement at the weekend by the Commissioner for Information, Chike C. Ogeah, said Akunyili’s death shocked many Nigerians.

The statement reads: “The death of Prof. Dora Akunyili, undoubtedly one of the most vibrant women public servants in Nigeria as Minister of Information, came to us as a rude shock.

“We recall that under her watch as Minister of Information, Freedom of Information Bill was passed into law by the National Assembly. As a pharmacist and administrator per excellence, she gained international recognition and won many awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights, among others. And as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), she prioritised the eradication of counterfeit and expired drugs and foods, even at the risk of her life.

“Prof. Akunyili was a vibrant and visionary leader, erudite scholar distinguished citizen and patriot, a woman of rare courage and integrity whose passing on has left a very big vacuum at this time that the country needed to tap more from her wealth of experience.

“We take solace in the fact that while she lived, Akunyili affected many lives positively and contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Delta State and media practitioners in the state, we wish to express our heartfelt condolence to the Akunyili family.”

Nigerians for its successful convention

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has again urged the Federal Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, two month ago.

The party noted that the continued captivity of the innocent pupils of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok was the captivity of the rest of the nation.

In a statement yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said the Federal Government should “do everything humanly possible to secure the release of the over 200 schoolgirls ...abducted by Boko Haram on April 14”.

APC added: “It is now over two months since these girls were separated from their families and no one knows under what conditions they are being held. As long as these girls are missing, something is missing in all of us.

We, therefore, repeat our appeal to the Federal Government to leave no stone unturned in its efforts to bring back the girls safely “We hereby reiterate our support and cooperation for all the efforts that could re-

Mark congratulates party for successful convention

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterday congratulated the newly elected leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party held its National Convention at the weekend at the Eagles Square in Abuja, where it elected 48 national executive members.

In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President urged APC National Chairman John OdigieOyegun and other national executive members to put the interest of the nation above personal or party's interest.

The statement said: "Whichever political divide we may belong, what must of necessity be paramount is the survival of our country under a democratic dispensation. I know Chief Oyegun as a

By Olamilekan Andu

unite these girls with their families. We insist that only a non-partisan and concerted effort by all and sundry will help to galvanise a national front against Boko Haram, which is daily killing and maiming our people and stunting the country’s growth.”

The party thanked Nigerians for their congratulatory messages and words of encouragement, following the its hugely successful inaugural national convention in Abuja on Friday.

The convention led to the emergence of an elected National Executive Committee (NEC), led by the highly-respected former Edo State Governor John Odigie Oyegun, to guide the affairs of the party.

APC said: “We are encour-

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

patriotic Nigerian who would strive to make our society a better place.

"I can only remind him not to deviate from this path of honour. Whatever makes for good of the country and its people should, without compromise, be his watch word. The era of intra- or interparty wrangling should be discarded for good."

The statement added: "Senator Mark craves for credible, strong and viable opposition party that would reinforce government resolve to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

"What the nation needs now, he suggested, is a collective effort, irrespective of different political affiliation and not political differences, to take Nigeria to the next level."

aged and gratified by the goodwill messages from a cross section of Nigerians, many of them from outside our party, especially on the openness and transparency of our convention.

“This massive support from Nigerians has strengthened our resolve to continue with our efforts to move our country forward. Now, we are back to work and we will not look back until Nigeria has been rescued from the grip of a rapacious cabal intent on stifling the country’s progress.”

The party also thanked its members and supporters for their commitment to sustaining the nation’s democracy and uplifting Nigeria.

It noted that even when a rainstorm started midway into the convention, the delegates defied the weather to

protect the ballot boxes and cast their votes.

APC said: “When the entire public address system succumbed to the rains, our members moved from one state delegation to another to mobilise them to vote. When the rain started, they were more interested in protecting the ballot boxes than shielding themselves from the rain.

“It is also noteworthy that no cases of violence and pickpocketing were recorded, despite the massive turnout at the Eagle Square in Abuja for the convention. Not even the threatening text messages sent to the phones of many delegates at the convention, over a purported impending bomb attack, could shake their resolve. There can be no better testament to commitment to a cause, the cause of rescu-

Why we altered our revenue automation model, by FAAN

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

T

Stable power soon, says Nebo

N

IGERIA will soon have uninterrupted electricity supply, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said at the weekend.

Nebo spoke in in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital, during an inspection tour of projects for improving power generation.

The minister noted that with the current momentum in the sector, the objective would be achieved soon.

He urged the nation to support the government in meeting the target, adding that a situation in which communities physically prevented contractors from working on electricity projects or vandalised installations was the surest way of either preventing the train of progress from arriving at its destination or slowing it down.

Nebo stressed that communities hosting projects should support rather than disrupt them.

The minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Godknows Igali, and the Senior Special Assistant on Gas, Frank Edozie.

He said: "There is no doubt about President Goodluck Jonathan's position on this. He sees power as the pivot on which the economic growth of this country stands. That's why it is a major component in his transformation agenda.

“He sees it as realisable and is doing everything, sparing no effort and resources, to ensure that this dream comes true. This is because this is the only way the people of this country will be free from hunger and poverty due to the massive growth stable power will provide to the economy.”

ing Nigeria, than this.”

The party assured Nigerians that in the days ahead, it will provide more details of its road map for the creation of a new and prosperous Nigeria for the benefit of all the people.

It said: “The agenda we have placed in the public domain to showcase our party’s determination to change the face of the country includes job creation; war against corruption; free, relevant quality education; restoration of agriculture; housing, improved healthcare; social welfare plan for the less privileged; greater attention to roads, power and infrastructure; better management of natural resources and strengthening peace, security and foreign policy.

“But, based on the scientific poll we conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), we have identified three sectors that will command special attention. They are: job creation, war against corruption and security. These sectors will get immediate and special attention from an APC-led Federal Government, starting on May 29, 2015, by the votes of Nigerians and the Grace of God.” APC said the achievements of the governors in the 16 states controlled by the party would also be showcased to Nigerians, as part of efforts to make them realise that with its emergence, it will no longer be business as usual.

•From left: Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi; House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar Garba El-Kanemi and Etsu-Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, at the launching of N1.9 billion Appeal Fund for an International Islamic Centre in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO:AKIN OLADOKUN

Tambuwal seeks support for govts’ peace initiatives

H

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has called for support for the Federal, state and local government governments’ peace initiatives to fast-track the nation’s development.

The Speaker also urged Nigerians to support the security agencies with genuine information to reduce the insecurity in the land.

Tambuwal spoke at the weekend in Gombe, the Gombe State capital, during the constituency outreach programme of Hajia Faima Binta Bello, the member representing Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency in the state.

He said: “Our country is in dire need of peace, and without peace, there cannot be development.”

Tambuwal urged Nigerians, irrespective of the ages, tribes and religions, to embrace peace.

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

The Speaker noted that Nigerians are peace-loving and development-oriented people.

He hailed Bello’s initiative and urged other lawmakers in the National Assembly to empower members of their constituencies to become self-reliant.

According to him, this is the best way to assist government at all levels to provide democracy dividends and reduce poverty among Nigerians.

Tambuwal noted that besides their legislative duties, “members of the National Assembly ...decided to come up with constituency outreach programmes to ensure that we support, not only our governments, but even private individuals in addressing what we have as a challenge of poverty among our people”.

The Speaker called for the reelection of many members to the National Assembly.

He urged the people of Kaltungo/Shongom to ensure that Hajia “Binta Bello goes back to the House of Representatives in 2015 for her to continue with the good work she has started”.

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo hailed the lawmaker for putting together a unique constituency programme.

The governor noted that the lawmaker’s contributions to the development of her constituency and the state would not be forgotten.

He urged the other five House of Representative members in the state to assist their constituents.

Dankwambo urged the lawmakers to empower their constituents without considering the votes they got during elections.

Hajia Bello hailed the gover-

nor for his indiscriminate overall development of the state.

The lawmaker said the governor’s development strides inspired her to embark on her numerous outreach programmes.

She said her programmes were aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of her constituents through poverty reduction interventions.

Among the items she donated were 100 hospital beds, mattresses, pillows and bedspreads for the Snakebite Hospital.

Others are 10 wheel chairs, 200 sewing machines, 120 grinding machines, 100 hair dryers, 100 barbing kits, 100 generators, 40 irrigation pumping machines, 52 Keke NAPEP tricycles, 20 car washing machines and 50 taliya-making machines.

Hajia Bello urged the beneficiaries to use the items properly for the improvement of their lives.

HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said it evolved a new revenue automation system because previous models handled by a concessionaire concentrated on aeronautical sources of revenue.

The agency said the concessionaire’s model excluded its officials from knowing how much was actually earned.

This is coming as a branch executive of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) said the processes leading to the automation of revenue must be transparent, especially at the Lagos and Port Harcourt airports, where automation had not been completed.

FAAN said such an arrangement, where a concessionaire kept the authority in the “dark”, was no longer tenable.

The agency said it is important for it to know every amount that enters its account as well as the details of every financial transaction.

FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Communications Mr Yakubu Dati, spoke in Lagos at the weekend with our reporter.

The agency’s spokesman said FAAN’s earlier automation focused only on aeronautical sources of revenue, which concentrated on the large airports.

He said the current automation will focus on aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue.

Datti said there non-aeronautical would become higher in the next two years, if well captured by the automation.

He said: “The agency was largely kept in the dark by the automation carried out in the past because the concession model was handled by an external company in a black box to FAAN.” Dattii noted that the automation could not be said to be transparent.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

7

NEWS

Aregbesola kicks as Omisore alleges violence plan

O

SUN State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore has accused Governor Rauf Aregbesola of planning to cause violence during the August 9 poll.

He said the governor had bought 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which “would be used to cause violence during the election”.

In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Prince Diran Odeyemi, Omisore alleged that the APCs were parked inside the Government House in Oke Fia, Osogbo, the state capital.

He said: “Aregbesola has a premeditated strategy to release these APCs for questionable use during the coming election. Why did he fail to release these armoured tanks to the police, if they were purchased for the security of the state and the interest of the masses he claims to be protecting?

“Aregbesola has been preaching violence, even before the commencement of his campaign, and this is evident in his repeated calls on innocent citizens of Osun to arm themselves with charms and other traditional weapons when going to perform their

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

civic responsibilities on August 9.

“It is imperative on the part of the appropriate authorities to investigate this development because credible information at our disposal lend credence to the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate plans to deploy the APCs to tactical use during the election and his calls for charms’ use are a diversionary approach to achieving his inimical aims.”

Aregbesola’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said Omisore is ignorant, adding that he (Omisore) is afraid of his past.

He said: “In an apparent display of either ignorance or mischief, or both, Omisore said the acquisition of APCs is for the August 9 governorship election. In the first place, we do not know why Omisore is catching a fever over the acquisition of APCs and security patrol vans at this stage.

“If Omisore and his handlers have forgotten, this government did not have to wait for any election before putting in place adequate mechanism to protect the peace and security of our people. Perhaps, the PDP candidate and his hangers-on believe Osun people have short

memories like they do.

“They need to be reminded that on April 5, 2013, Aregbesol, with fanfare, handed over about 120 patrol vans and five APCs to security agencies at a ceremony witnessed by an Assistant Inspector-General, Ghandi Orubebe, who represented the Inspector-General of Police.

“If not for laziness, mischief and a determination to score cheap political point, we expect Omisore to have made inquiries in the office of the IG about what the APCs in Osun are meant for and whether the IG is aware of their presence or not.

“At the handing over of the last batch of security equipment – including patrol vans and APCs - to various security agencies last year, Aregbesola pledged to do more if that would guarantee the security of our people and make Osun an investor-friendly state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, below are the words of the governor at that occasion: ‘Our people will live in peace, happiness and joy under the full protection of the Almighty. The era of criminality has gone forever. It is to ensure that that era does not come back that we have done all these and we are going to do more. We have also paid for some APCs, which are

Stop buying used tyres, FRSC warns

T

HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Osun State has urged motorists to stop buying used (Tokunbo) tyres.

Addressing members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at the Ilesa/Akure Motor Park at Oke-Ijetu in Osogbo, the state capital, Osun FRSC Sector Commander Mohammed Husaini said used tyres can burst at any time.

He said: “Too little pressure in the tyre causes it to flex more, building up more heat, and excessive heat is the tyre’s worst enemy. Other abuses that contribute to tyre failure include speed, vehicle overloading and driving into ob-

S

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

jects, curbs and potholes.

“Tread wear, when it exceeds a certain limit, can cause hazard. Tyres with less than 1.5mm (standard is 1.66m) of tread are no longer safe for highway driving. Also, hot weather necessitates more frequent checking and re-inflation of tyres than cooler climates if tyre burst is to be prevented.

“Checking air pressure only when your car is serviced is not enough. All tyres, including the spare, should be checked for air pressure weekly. Tyres lose air pressure naturally through the rubber and regular checks and re-inflation to the recommended cold pressures will prevent over-heat-

Six die in road accident

IX people, including two students of the Bells Secondary School, Ota in Ogun State, died on Saturday in an accident on the Ife-Ibadan road.

It was learnt that pupils of the school were returning from an excursion to Abuja in a Toyota Hiace bus, marked Ogun AP 555 TP, when the accident occurred.

According to a source in the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osun State Sector Command, the accident occurred around 6:30pm in Ikire.

It was learnt that one of the bus’ rear tyres

O

ing, which results from under inflation.

“For best all-round car handling performance, tyres of the same size and type should be used on all wheel positions.

Tyre manufacturers do not recommend installing tubes in tyres, since this practice can lead to higher tyre temperature and premature tyre failure.”

On what to do when a tyre bursts, Husaini told drivers to “grip the steering wheel with both hands, let up on the accelerator, stay in one lane and not apply the brakes, turn on the emergency flashers and move slowly to a safe place to replace the burst tyre.

He urged drivers to obey traffic rules and cooperate with road safety officials to prevent accidents.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo burst.

The driver was critically injured.

FRSC officials and men of the Osun Ambulance Service were said to have taken the injured to the General Hospital, Ikire, and deposited the bodies in the hospital’s morgue.

An FRSC source, who did not want to be named, said the management of Bells Secondary School, in a telephone conversation, confirmed that some pupils went on excursion.

Ondo speaker canvasses state police

NDO State House of Assembly Speaker Mrs. Jumoke Akindele has supported calls for state police.

She said one of the ways to resolve the current security challenges is to allow states have their own police.

The Speaker, who represents Okitipupa Constituency 2, spoke to reporters at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

She said: “The current security crises rocking the country could be attributed to the

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor absence of state police and the failure of intelligence gathering.

“To effectively tackle the issue, we have to establish state police. It is only the people of a particular environment that know the thieves in their midst. If therefore, you send people to a place without the knowledge of that environment, as it is currently done in the country, we will not achieve the much desired result.

“If, for example, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, which are currently experiencing the Boko Haram insurgency have their own police, it would be easier to checkmate the sect.

“They would pay more attention and be more committed because their grandfather or mother could be the next victim.

“We have been equipping the army, police and navy without result? What we need is state police for proper intelligence gathering.“

S •Aregbesola more sophisticated than the ones we have now. We are about to order heavy duty motorcycles, the sound of which is enough to drive away criminally-minded people.

They will be here before the end of the year. Every street will have one.’

“Given the above statement

by Aregbesola over a year ago, what then is strange and in what way has the government deviated from what it promised to do to guarantee peace.

Omisore only reminds us of the popular Yoruba saying: Asebaje sebi toun lanwi, ase buruku e ku ara fu (meaning the evil-minded is permanently suspicious and agitated).

“We advise Omisore to concentrate on his campaigns and operate within the limits of the law and civility, because the current government will stop at nothing to bring the full weight of the law to bear on anybody who violates the law, no matter his status, including, of course, those who want to hide under the guise of electioneering to perpetrate evil.

Those who have no skeletons in their cupboards need not fear.”

Nobody can push us out of Ogun APC, says Senator

ENATOR Akin Odunsi (Ogun West) has said the Chief Olusegun Osoba faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State will not leave the party, despite the crisis rocking the state chapter.

He said the crisis could be resolved, if the national leadership does the right thing.

Reacting to speculations that Osoba and his loyalists are planning to dump the party, Odunsi said: “It is a wicked and unfounded rumour.

Though our group appears to be a beautiful bride for a lot of groups to approach, we are not leaving because APC is our party. We are not leaving APC. The landlord does not leave his house for the tenant. Nobody can stampede us out of APC. We are appealing to our members to remain steadfast and undaunted. Though we have been cheated, we should remain faithful to the party and we believe justice will come our way.

“It will be disastrous if the party insists on taking wrong decisions on the parallel congresses conducted by the Osoba and the Governor Ibikunle Amosun factions. Which of them followed the party’s guidelines that say only candidates with bank tellers are qualified to contest? The party leaders should be guided in their decision by the party’s guidelines on the conduct of congresses. If the party takes the bull by the horn, I assure you that a lot of our members who are drifting today will come

By Leke Salaudeen

back.

“The national secretariat seems not to understand the gravity of the problems at hands. If it decides to ignore the complaints of members of the National Assembly from the state, it appears the party leadership is treating the matter with levity. Before the matter got to where it is today, we intimidated the national leaders but nothing was done.”

Odunsi ruled out harmonisation between the two groups. He said it was the decision of the members that there should be no further harmonisation, adding: “What informed this position was the previous experience we had with the governor, who promised harmonisation during the congress but nothing happened.”

Osoba and his group boycotted the APC national convention held in Abuja. Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East) said he and his colleagues boycotted the convention because they were not formally invited. He said even though he had the right to be at the convention as a senator, he decided not attend because of perceived injustice.

Kaka said: “The moment the APC national leadership decided not to review the appeal committee’s report on the parallel congresses in Ogun and decided to recognise the Amosun faction, we lost interest in what was going on.”

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

8

NEWS

Buhari, Atiku, others pray for Tinubu’s mother

E

EMINENT Nigerians and thousands of Lagos residents gathered yesterday at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos to pray for the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Alhaja Mogaji died a year ago.

At the Fidau were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; Senator Gbenga Ashafa and the Asoju Oba of Lagos, Sir Molade Okoya Thomas, among others.

Many of the attendees were dressed in a pink branded attire.

Market women defied the rain, singing, dancing and

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro, Tajudeen Adebanjo and Olatunde Odebiyi

thanking God for the late Alhaja Mogaji’s life.

Sheikh Tijani Gbajabiamila, who stood in for the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim, led the recitation of the Holy Quran.

Special Assistant to the Lagos State governor on Islam Sheik Shakirudeen AbdulGafar, popularly called Mofeshaye, urged political leaders to re-dedicate themselves to the service of humanity.

He said: “I am asking you all – former leaders and present office holders –, was there not a time when you were not known by anyone?

Where were you 50 years ago? You were nothing. You started from nothing. You are something today but you are still coming back to

Three NDLEA men killed in Ogun

T

HREE operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were killed yesterday by illicit drug dealers at Yewa/Owode in Ogun State.

It was learnt that the NDLEA officials were on their way to raid some Indian hemp dealers when they were ambushed by the dealers.

NDLEA spokesman Abdullahi Sarduana confirmed the incident.

T

500 Lagos workers for honour

HE Lagos State government is to present Long Service Merit Awards to 500 public servants, who have served the state diligently for, at least, 30 years.

The Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Oluseyi Williams, broke the news at the weekend while briefing reporters on activities lined up for the 2014 Public Service Week, which begins tomorrow and ends on Monday.

He said the awards were in appreciation of the workers’ dedication to duty.

The week begins tomor-

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

row with a visit to orphanages, old peoples’ homes and rehabilitation centres across the state.

There will be a health talk and free medical screening for hypertension, cervical, breast and prostrate cancers, diabetes, hepatitis and eye tests on Wednesday.

A fitness walk holds on Saturday from Ikeja Local Government Secretariat on Awolowo Way through the State Secretariat and ends at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex.

Oyo, BAT warn against child labour

T

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Oyo State Steering Committee on Child Labour and the British American Tobacco, Nigeria (BATN), have warned against child labour.

They organised a forum to commemorate this year’s World Day Against Child Labour.

At the event held at Itesiwaju Local Government in OkeOgun, State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity Ayodele Olaniyi said children should not be allowed to operate machines or do hazardous work.

Deputy Director of Rural Development in the Ministry of Agriculture Ramoni Afeez said over 200 million children in the world are subjected to child labour.

He urged parents to stop exposing children to danger, adding that a study showed that children who carry heavy loads are “liable to suffer mental retardation”.

Azeez urged uneducated parents to enrol in adult education sponsored by the state government, so that they can be better informed.

Secretary of the State Steering Committee on Child Labour Pastor Marcus Williams said the agency has been fighting child labour since 1996, adding: “We found some children this morning labouring far away from their parents.

You buy groundnut from many of these children, but do you ask them where their parents are?

Head of Leaf, BATN, Iseyin Agronomy Ltd, Thomas Omofoye said children are not allowed to work on tobacco plantations, adding that any farmer who engages the services of minors would be punished.

•From right: Sheikh Gbajabiamila; Sheikh Adam; Baba Adinni of Lagos Sheikh Afeez Abou and Lagos Mainland Chief Imam Alhaji Salisu Lawal...yesterday.

be nothing.

“You started from being a drop of water in a woman’s womb and God turned it into something else. Allah gave you an opportunity to exist for a period of time.

What will you achieve during your sojourn on earth?

God gave you opportunities to benefit humanity,

despite the fact that you are not the best in the various circles you emerged from.”

Sheik Mofesaye urged leaders to touch lives positively like the late Dr. Mogagi did.

He warned them against the temptation to steal public funds and amass wealth, which he said amounts to

vanity, adding that death is “the ultimate end for all mortals”.

Sheikh Habeebulahi Adam urged Tinubu to be wary of his advisers and careful in making decisions, saying he cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians.

Other Muslim clerics led prayers for the repose of the

soul of the late Iyaloja-General, who they said was a mother to many people.

Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central District), said: “The large crowd here attests to her kind-heartedness, humility and caring attitude.

She was accommodating and prayed a lot.”

‘Yoruba elders should not be mistaken for leaders’

S

OME Yoruba elders should not be mistaken for Yoruba leaders, the Director of the Counselling Centre of the Covenant University, Ogun State, Dr. Kunle Oyeyemi, has said.

Oyeyemi was reacting to a media report that some Yoruba elders, including Pa Rueben Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae and others, are backing former Osun State Head of Service Segun Akinwusi for the August 9 governorship election.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, Oyeyemi said many of the “self acclaimed” Yoruba leaders have never contested an election, not to talk of winning one.

He said: “I have no doubt that Akinwusi knows very well that he is not contesting the August 9 governorship election to win. He is simply exercising his right as a citizen of Nigeria.

“The group of senior citizens reported to be backing Akinwusi are respected Yoruba elders, but they are not Yoruba leaders. Some of them are elected or se-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

lected leaders of Afenifere, but since majority of Yoruba people are not members of Afenifere, it is incorrect and misleading for them to parade themselves as Yoruba leaders.

“The difference between an elder and a leader is very clear. A leader of a team or group can be from any age bracket of the group; he or she does not have to be the eldest member of the group, but eldership is usually associated with age.

Afenifere no long has any relevance politically, culturally and otherwise in any part of Yoruba land.

“Afenifere Renewal, as a pro-progressive organisation, is more relevant to the current and future generations of Yoruba people than their own Afenifere, who now desperately seek relevance by all means. Some of these elders often reference their affiliation, followership or association with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but none of them has a fraction of Awolowo’s capacity, self-discipline and

higher standards of sacrifice for an egalitarian society.

“Chief Awolowo identified talented individuals, mentored them and assigned them responsibilities where they excelled, either as politicians or technocrats. Such people include Chief Simeon Adebo, Dr. Olu Fajemirokun, Prof. Sam Aluko, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, so far the one person who has demonstrated leadership qualities similar to Awolowo’s.

“Many of the so-called Yoruba leaders have never contested and won an elective political office. They cannot point to up to three individuals they have single-handedly discovered and mentored to a significant political office. Many of them still find it difficult to accept the reality that their times are over and that the honourable thing to do is to retire to their homes to watch today’s political players.

“If many of them failed to attain any meaningful or

significant political success in their own lives, I wonder where and how they will get sufficient support that will make any candidate, including Akinwusi, successful in an election.

They are not capable of backing a local government counsellor to win election in any Yoruba land, talk less of a governorship election in Osun State for that matter.”

Oyeyemi advised Akinwusi not to be deceived into believing that the support of the “so called Yoruba leaders” led to the re-election of Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

He warned the elders against unguarded statements, such as their description of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a war lord, adding that such statements should not come from elders.

Oyeyemi said: “These Yoruba elders should learn from their contemporaries in America, Europe and even Ghana how to live their lives after their political time has expired.”

Lawmaker: we haven’t learnt from June 12

N

IGERIA has not learnt any lesson from the annulled

June 12, 1993, presidential election, Lagos State House of Assembly Deputy Whip Rotimi Abiru said at the weekend.

The election, which was acclaimed to be free and fair, was won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. It was annulled by former Head of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Speaking with reporters at the Assembly complex, Abiru said: “June 12, 1993, is still held in high esteem because we know we held an election that was ac-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

claimed to be free and fair, which was annulled. Unfortunately, from what we have witnessed in our electoral process in the last 15 years, it does not appear as if we have learnt much. Elections are characterised by electoral malpractices and logistic problems.”

He said by now, one would expect elections to reflect the people’s wishes.

Abiru said June 12 should be recognised as democracy day, adding: “I want the Federal Government to admit that the annulled election is the best ever held in Ni-

‘Although Babangida has accepted responsibility for the annulment of the election, as an elder statesman, it is important for him to come to the open and apologise to Nigerians because we have not recovered from the effect of that annulment’ geria and recognise that date as democracy day in commemoration of that

event.

“Although Babangida has accepted responsibility for the annulment of the election, as an elder statesman, it is important for him to come to the open and apologise to Nigerians because we have not recovered from the effect of that annulment.”

To elected leaders, Abiru said: “It is important for us to see public office as a call to serve. Once that is appreciated, we should be able to play by the rules of the game, to the extent that we accept defeat and whoever wins elections should be magnanimous in victory.”

9

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

NEWS

EKITI 2014

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the weekend endorsed the reelection bid of Ekiti State Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi ahead of the June 21 governorship election.

Also, the state chapters of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have joined the list of groups and unions supporting the governor.

NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, leading a delegation of the union’s Central Working Committee (CWC) and several leaders of affiliate unions on a visit to the governor in AdoEkiti, however, asked stakeholders, including the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election is fair and credible.

Omar said Fayemi has “performed creditably well and deserving of a second term as governor of the state,” adding: “We hope that the governor will invite us for a tea party after June 21 election, by the special Grace of God.” The NLC President said Fayemi’s struggle in the labour movement was well-known, adding that his excellent performance as governor of Ekiti State in the last three and a half years did not come as a surprise to the union, hence the support for his second term bid.

“Your Excellency, if we choose to identify openly with you, we have very strong reasons to do so,” declared Omar.

He praised Fayemi for the peaceful atmosphere that pervade the state, the developmental strides of his administration and the attention paid to welfare of workers.

The NLC President also said that the union’s leadership had been under intense pressure from external bodies not to endorse Fayemi.

He added that the union refused to bow to the pressure, convinced that it was the right thing to do.

He said: “Ekiti is capable of not taking dictation from any quarters.

They (the people) are going to do justice to the election. We are surprised by a lot of attention regarding our coming here to hold our routine meeting. We don’t see any reason why anyone will interfere with that. Our consolation is that whether or not an election is going to take place, we know and can always identify with people who have identified with the movement.

INEC to deploy 7,941 ad-hoc staff From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

A

Governorship candidate, All Progressives Congress Kayode Fayemi; his running-mate, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and other supporters, during a labour rally for Fayemi’s second term in office at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti... on Saturday.

Why we endorsed Fayemi, by labour leaders

Omar warned those he called “external fo2rces” against meddling in the June 21 election, noting the electorate must be free to make their choice during the poll.

At the meeting with Umar were the former NLC President, Pa Hassan Sunmonu; Deputy President, Promise Adewusi; Acting General Secretary, Chris Uyot; Vice Presidents Isa Aremu and Lawan Dusima, among others.

Reacting, Fayemi praised the delegation for the sentiments expressed about his administration and the state. He promised to continue to meet the yearnings and aspirations of his constituency, including labour.

He described the NLC endorsement of his candidature as a challenge to do more for the state and the people.

“My partisanship in the present political dispensation is a product of my past as student and pro-democracy activist. I promise that I won’t disappoint this constituency with my conduct in gov-

ernance,” he said.

On fears about alleged plot to rig the election, Fayemi said: “The worst way you can incur the wrath of the people here is to wage war of rigging against them because Ekiti people will resist such. We are appealing to the labour leaders to continue to canvass one man, one vote so that whoever wins or loses can accept the outcome of the election.”

The state NLC and the TUC led by their chairmen, Comrade Ayodeji Aluko and Comrade Kolawole Olaiya, also held an endorsement rally for Fayemi at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in the state capital with thousands of civil and public servants in attendance.

The labour leaders pledged that workers in Ekiti would continue to identify with leaders who perform well in office to sustain the confidence the populace reposed in them.

Omar, who was represented at

the Ekiti workers’ rally by the former NLC President, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu and his team, said he could not attend the rally on account of the Central Working Committee’s (CWC) meeting holding same day in Abuja.

The workers’ unions said the state has witnessed unprecedented development which they would want to continue beyond 2014.

They urged Ekiti people to reelect Fayemi, saying the various policies executed by his administration has improved the standard of living of workers and the entire people of the state.

The thousands of workers, who defied the scorching sun, turned the stadium into a huge carnival where they danced, sang and cheered endlessly as the governor made his way to the stadium shortly after arriving from the APC’s national convention in Abuja.

The Ekiti TUC boss, who spoke on behalf of all labour unions in the state, noted that workers had no cause to embark on any protest or industrial action before they got what was due to them.

Sunmonu said the achievements recorded by Fayemi in the last three and half years have been acknowledged within and outside the country, urging voters in the state to use their votes to ensure continuity. The veteran labour leader, who served as the pioneer NLC President between 1978 and 1984, said he had known Fayemi for over 20 years, saying the governor had always made himself available for the service of the common man as an activist and human rights campaigner.

Addressing the rally, Fayemi, who was accompanied by his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and other top government officials, said his administration had made the workers happy, hence their resolve to back him for another term in office.

Voters Register: ‘INEC is playing pranks with certified true copies’

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of willfully withholding the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the voters’ register and the sample of the ballot papers to be used for the June 21 election in Ekiti State.

The party’s interim state chairman, Chief Jide Awe, in a statement yesterday, said INEC was playing pranks with such sensitive materials in a manner it did with the Anambra election.

The action of the electoral body, Awe said, was a worrisome impunity, as it contravenes the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, which makes it obligatory for INEC to provide the certified true copies of the voters’ register to a party upon request without fail.

He noted that the failure of the electoral body to provide the CTC on time before the election date gave it the latitude to manipulate the register, delete some names and make some names to appear twice.

“Already, the electronic copy of the register given to parties

Party: Presidency, police, SSS set to clamp down on Ekiti APC leaders •Police: allegation spurious, unfounded THE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday alleged that following a prompting from the presidency, a special squad of top police officers and the State Security Service (SSS) from Abuja have arrived Ekiti State to put the party leaders out of circulation ahead of the election.

But the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Victor Babayemi, denied the allegation.

Director of Publicity and Media, APC, Ekiti State Chapter, Segun Dipe, in a statement, alleged that the move was an outcome of a meeting held somewhere in Ado-Ekiti in the home of an opposition leader.

The party said the new development came following last Sunday’s attack on Governor Kayode Fayemi and members of the APC, which led to the killing of an APC member, Taiwo Akinola, during a peaceful rally of the party in the state capital.

As a prelude to the plan, the party said the Commissioner for Integration and Inter-governmental Affairs, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, a lawyer, From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

have again revealed such anomalies, with some names appearing twice and some names conspicuously missing out,” Awe

was assaulted and whisked away to Abuja on a trumped-up charge of shooting Taiwo Akinola, while attempting to absolve the alleged culprit, OC Mopol Gabriel Selenkere.

The APC said top on the list of those to be arrested on false charges as stumbled upon include its Interim Chairman, Chief Jide Awe; and the Chief Of Staff to the Governor, Yemi Adaramodu among others.

APC said it had all the while suspected that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would demonstrate such an undemocratic character to manipulate the electoral process following threats by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, that the June 21 governorship poll would be a war.

But Babayemi said: “It is one of many calculated attempts by the politicians to gag the police, prevent them from performing their statutory duty and undermine the commendable work of its personnel, all in the name of politics.

The PPRO, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna, maintained that the allegation was “spurious and unfounded”.

said.

Section 15 of the Electoral Act states that the “Commission shall cause a voters’ register for each State to be printed and any person or political party may obtain from the Commission, on pay-

ment of such charges, a certified copy of any voters’ register for the State or for a Local Government or Area Council or registration area within it.”

But according to Awe, “IN-

EC’s body language indicates that the electoral body is playing the ostrich, ignoring what is constitutionally obvious.”

Reacting to the allegation, the Spokesperson of INEC in Ekiti, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, disclosed that copies of the state voters register had been made available to all the 18 political parties on compact discs (soft copies).

He noted that the printed versions (copies) which the parties wanted to be certified would have to be verified and ascertained to be the true versions of what had been given to them in compact discs (CDs).

Gbadegesin maintained that it would be impossible for the Commission to certify page-bypage the printed copies of the voters’ register from the parties without verifying same as truly representing the versions sent to them in CDs. In respect of the specimen copies of the ballot papers, the PRO said the headquartres of the Commission had not given out the specimens. He said a of the specimen had also been given out to the parties in soft copies which they were free to print out.

TOTAL of 7,941 ad-hoc staff have been engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of next Saturday’s election.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai, who disclosed this at the weekend in a media briefing in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the adhoc staff are mainly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

Pai noted that the Corps members would be supported by students of Federal tertiary institutions in the state, adding that the commission believed only such a high number could enable it cope with a total of 766,132 persons duly registered as voters in the state.

According to him, of the 7,941 ad-hoc staff, 2,195 would work as Presiding Officers while 5,605 would serve as Assistant Presiding Officers.

He maintained that while some of the ad-hoc staff would be stationed at the 177 electoral wards and the 16 collation centres at the local government headquarters, the rest would function at the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.

The INEC Commissioner stated that the money meant for the payment of those engaged had already been sent to the bank accounts of Ekiti State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to avoid cases of delayed payment.

According to him, each Corps member would receive a sum of N11,000, made up of N7,000 as honorarium and N4,000 as basic transport fare.

Halilu disclosed that nonsensitive election materials had been sent to all the 177 wards across the 16 councils, adding that the sensitive ones will arrive three days to the election with special security cover.

We ‘ll not dent our credibility, says NSCDC From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

N

IGERIA Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has pledged to support and ensure fairness and equity in the conduct of the June 21 election in Ekiti State.

The Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin made this known at the weekend while addressing his officers in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Abolurin clarified that the Corps would ensure caution and care as attention is being focused on the election.

He urged officers and men of the Corps to “ensure neutrality, transparency and a display of non-partisan conduct throughout the period of the election”.

His words: “This is one of the elections that are very crucial as it is the only one holding throughout the country at this time. Focus and attention will be on it. I urge you all to display a sense of patriotism in the way you conduct yourselves during the election. We don’t want to dent our credibility so that at the end, the corps is given a clean bill of health”.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

10

NEWS

FIRST YEAR REMEMBRANCE OF IYALOJA-GENERAL ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI

•Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (middle) dancing to the music of Fuji maestro King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1) at the first year anniversary of his mother Alhaja Abibat Mogaji at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos...yesterday. With him are KWAM 1 and his band boys.

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu flanked by Ogun State Governor’s wife Mrs Olufunso Amosun (left) and Mrs Bintu Tinubu.

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (left), her Osun State counterpart Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori and Chief Executive Officer Emzor Paracetamol, Mrs Stella Okoli.

• Member, House of Representatives Oyetunde Ojo and his wife Folashade.

•Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Sarah Sosan (left); Osun State Governor’s wife Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola and her Oyo State counterpart Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

• Industrialist Alhaji Rasaq Akanni Okoya and his wife Shade

• Senator Ajayi Boroffice and his wife Bola

•Former Lagos State Commissioner Mrs Teju Phillips (left) and Lagos State APC Women Leader and one time Commissioner Mrs Kemi Nelson.

•Leader, Asiwaju Total Loyalty Alhaji Toyin Balogun (left)

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

11

NEWS

FIRST YEAR REMEMBRANCE OF IYALOJA-GENERAL ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI

•One time Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Mr Olawale Edun (right) and a member, House of Representatives James Faleke

•Eminent scholar Prof Adebayo Williams

•Hon Ismail Bello

•Former Minister of Industries Mrs Nike Akande (left); Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu

•Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa

•National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed

•L-R: Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Mr. Seyi Tinubu and Mr Lukman Edu

•Senator Babafemi Ojudu and his wife, Tola

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Mr Tunji Bello (right); Special Adviser on Media to Asiwaju Tinubu, Mr. Sunday Dare and Mr Jide Sanwoolu •From left: Former Police Inspector-General Alhaji Musiliu Smith; Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye and Industrialist Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas

•Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture Gbolahan Lawal and his wife.

•Hon Rahmatallahi Akinola-Hassan

•Former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture Alhaji Ibrahim Balogun (left) and Hon Folami Muslim.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

12

NEWS FIRST YEAR REMEMBRANCE OF IYALOJA-GENERAL ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI

•Hon Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet (left); Hon Risikat Adegeye and Hon Abibulabaq Ladi Balogun

•Justice George Oguntade and his wife

•Ogun East senatorial aspirant Mr Bayo Onanuga (left) and Hon Lanre Odubote

•Mr Bade Adesina and his wife, Nike

•Senators Mohammed Bindo Jibrilla (left) and Ahmed Hassan Barata

•Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Chairman, Chief Funso Ologunde (left) and Chief Pius Akinyelure

•Secretary to the Lagos State Government Dr Idiat Adebule (right) and Alhaja Fehintola MuriOkunola

•Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Hon Farouk Yabo (left) and Hon Dahiru Abdulahi

•The poet Odia Ofeimun

•Senator Babajide Omoworare

•Alhaji Abdulahi Nyako (left) and Dr Azu Ndukwe

PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE, OMOSEHI MOSES, SANUSI RAHMAN AND DAYO ADEWUNMI

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

13

14

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

15

16

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

17

18

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Friend or fiend?

T

•Police brutality in the Ekiti fracas has no place in a democratic order

HE show of shame in Ado-Ekiti on June 8 is an indication that democracy is still deformed in Nigeria.

Security agencies trained and armed to protect democrat ic institutions, leaders and the polity, interpret their roles as acting in partisan interests to defend the president and his appointees. It is no longer profound to submit that the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday would be a test-run for next year’s general elections. The display of partiality by the Ekiti State command of the police suggests that the institutions involved in election management have not really learnt the necessary lessons.

The practice of sweeping out the marks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is already a convention. It was therefore to be expected that following the mega rally held by the PDP at the Oluyemi Kayode Sta-

‘An attempt by Governor Kayode Fayemi of the state to intervene in the matter, reports have it, further provoked the Mobile Police Unit Commander Selenkere Michael to threaten him with arrest. His boss, the police commissioner, Felix Iyanna, did little to arrest the situation until it had got out of hand. It is interesting to note that Michael had served as aidede-camp to President Goodluck Jonathan when he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State’

dium the previous day, the APC would symbolically sweep out the stadium and adjoining streets. It is part of the political game and does not in itself provoke violence.

But the APC supporters got more than they bargained for when armed policemen accosted them, recklessly fired canisters of teargas at them, leaving one dead. Leaders of the party, including Senator Babafemi Ojudu, House of Representatives member Oyetunde Ojo and interim chairman Olajide Awe were not only harassed, others got arrested. An attempt by Governor Kayode Fayemi of the state to intervene in the matter, reports have it, further provoked the Mobile Police Unit Commander Selenkere Michael to threaten him with arrest. His boss, the police commissioner, Felix Iyanna, did little to arrest the situation until it had got out of hand.

It is interesting to note that Michael had served as aide-de-camp to President Goodluck Jonathan when he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State. The Mobile Police commander even threatened to get the governor arrested, a move that betrayed his ignorance of the law he was engaged to enforce. He was oblivious of section 305 of the 1999 Constitution that confers immunity on the president, vice president, governors and deputy governors. Besides, he displayed his ignorance of the role of the state governor as chief security officer of the state from whom his boss, the commissioner of police, ought to take orders.

It was also a demonstration of poor training and lack of professionalism. No one who bears arms on behalf of the state is allowed to turn them against citizens.

The police are only allowed to use the arms handed them in self defence or to prevent total breakdown of law and order. All the reports so far indicate that the rallying party men were engaged in peaceful procession. They needed no permission to do so and certainly did not deserve the savagery of the mobile police men.

The Fourth Republic is 15 years old. It ought to have matured to the point of embracing the due process and rule of law in settling all forms of contests. The forthcoming Ekiti election should be handled with great care; otherwise the fragile pillars of Nigerian democracy could cave in.

Nigerians desire stability, peace, progress and prosperity. We call on the police authorities in Abuja to thoroughly investigate the brutality, murder, and insubordination by the Ekiti State Police Command in general and the mobile unit in particular. As a first measure, we expect that the officer be removed from the scene, if only to prove that the claim that he was acting on orders was false. The history of elections in that part of the country shows that while the electorate could conduct themselves with decorum, they could also fiercely resist injustice.

Ahead of Saturday poll, we enjoin the politicians and supporters to comport themselves and submit to the ultimate power of the voters. Other actors involved in the conduct of the election, including the candidates, the electoral commission and the security agencies should realise that the image and integrity of Nigeria is at stake. History and posterity are waiting to return their verdict on the roles being played by all involved

Terrible tariff

T

•Why is govt making books more expensive to read?

HE recent imposition of a cumulative 62.5 per cent tariff on imported books is yet another demonstration of the policy inconsistencies that have come to define the Jonathan administration. A toxic combination of levies, duties and value-added tax, the tariff was approved in February.

It is difficult to imagine a more wrongheaded policy. At a time when Nigeria is beset by a multi-dimensional crisis in its education system characterised by significant percentages in functional and absolute illiteracy, relatively low school enrollment, and an entrenched antipathy to reading, the Federal Government decides to make the importation of books even more difficult than it already is. In so doing, it contradicts the goals of the National Book Policy, and violates existing international conventions, such as the 1950 United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Treaty, which commits members to facilitating the free flow of ideas by dismantling all barriers to trade in books and related materials.

The ostensible reason for the measure is that of reviving the comatose local publishing industry by raising tariff barriers to external competition. However, such reasoning becomes untenable when the uniqueness of books is considered. They are not just another manufactured product that can easily be replaced with a viable local substitute; books are the building-blocks of knowledge, enlightenment and understanding. In other words, their intrinsic value is so great as to place them virtually beyond price.

Like all badly thought-out policies, the new tariff strikes at unintended targets: it harms local publishers almost as much as it does the supposed foreign competitors. The relatively expensive and inefficient printing industry has made it very difficult for local publishers to produce standard-quality books at competitive prices. This has made it necessary for them to print abroad in countries like Dubai, China and Turkey. Now, they will have to choose between mediocre work at home and increased expense abroad.

The local book market is not that profitable, either. In spite of a huge population of an estimated 170 million people, there is a deeply-engrained antipathy to reading which has affected the demand for books. This has artificially reduced profitability by restricting the market to educational texts, religious books and the occasional self-help treatise; even such best-sellers are vulnerable to the depredations of the pirates and smugglers that abound in the country.

These shortcomings are worsened by policy issues that make long-term planning hard to implement: the lack of official support for local publishing; abrupt changes in prescribed books for educational institutions; unreliable school calendars; wildly-fluctuating costs of essential inputs like paper, ink and equipment, and the decline in bookshops, libraries and other outlets for books.

The consequences of the new tariff are obvious. The increased expense of books will further deepen the low esteem in which reading culture is held, and by extension it will worsen the already-formi-

dable challenges facing the education sector. This will in turn negatively affect Nigerians’ ability to properly prepare themselves for the knowledge economy which is the defining principle of development in the 21st century.

If this grim fate is to be avoided, then the Federal Government must take another look at its imposition of the tariff on book importation. Books are not luxury items; they are simply too valuable to be treated like any other import.

If the authorities are truly interested in building up the local book industry, they should consider a more nuanced approach to the issue by working with local publishers to see how cost-effective local production can be encouraged over time. This will include developing paper-production capacity, long-term financing for printing and publishing, and widening the market for books and related materials.

‘If the authorities are truly interested in building up the local book industry, they should consider a more nuanced approach to the issue by working with local publishers to see how cost-effective local production can be encouraged over time.’

Iraq in Peril – Prime Minister Maliki Panics as Insurgents Gain

W

HAT’S happening in Iraq is a disaster and it is astonishing that the Iraqis and the Americans, who have been sharing intelligence, seem to have been caught flat-footed by the speed of the insurgent victories and the army defections.

Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki is said to be in a panic. It is hard to be surprised by that, because more than anyone he is to blame for the catastrophe. Mr. Maliki has been central to the political disorder that has poisoned Iraq, as he wielded authoritarian power in favor of the Shiite majority at the expense of the minority Sunnis, stoked sectarian conflict and enabled a climate in which militants could gain traction.

With stunning efficiency, Sunni militants in recent days captured Mosul, the second-largest city; occupied facilities in the strategic oil-refining town of Baiji; and are now headed for Baghdad. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes and untold numbers have been killed.

The insurgency’s gains will not be a threat just to Iraq if the militants, who have also been fighting in Syria, succeed in establishing a radical Islamic state on the Iraq-Syria border. No one should want that — not the Kurds, not the Turks and not the Iranians.

The deadly surge is the work of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which grew out of Al Qaeda in Iraq and is considered even more violent than its predecessor. Since the United States withdrew from Iraq at the end of 2011, the group has steadily gained strength and recruited thousands of foreign fighters; it broke with Al Qaeda earlier this year and is now viewed as a leader of global jihad.

As this week’s events unfolded, it was alarming to learn of the swift capitulation of thousands of Iraqi Army troops who surrendered their weapons to the enemy and disappeared. After disbanding Saddam Hussein’s army in 2003 after the invasion by coalition forces and dismantling the government, the United States spent years and many billions of dollars building a new Iraqi Army, apparently for naught. The militants have captured untold quantities of Americansupplied weaponry, including helicopters, and looted an estimated $425 million from Mosul’s banks.

The growing violence in Iraq was apparent throughout 2013, when more than 8,000 Iraqis were killed, including nearly 1,000 Iraqi security forces; news reports say the militants planned a takeover for more than a year. Given the Iraqi Army’s cowardice, it is understandable that the Kurds, who operate a wellmanaged semiautonomous region in northern Iraq, on Thursday took control of Kirkuk, a disputed northern city with important oil resources. It signals one more step toward the breakup of the state.

The turmoil has revived a debate over whether President Obama should have left a small residual force after the 2011 American troop withdrawal. It’s an academic argument, because the Iraqis refused. Falluja was the militants’ first big target, and Mr. Maliki did a turnabout last year and sought help from the White House, which quickly provided Hellfire missiles and low-tech surveillance drones. Other Iraqi requests — for more drones, F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopter gunships — are still in the pipeline.

Last month, Mr. Maliki also asked for airstrikes. The United States has a strategic interest in Iraq’s stability and Mr. Obama on Thursday said America was ready to do more, without going into detail. But military action seems like a bad idea right now. The United States simply cannot be sucked into another round of war in Iraq. In any case, airstrikes and new weapons would be pointless if the Iraqi Army is incapable of defending the country.

Why would the United States want to bail out a dangerous leader like Mr. Maliki, who is attempting to remain in power for a third term as prime minister? It is up to Iraq’s leaders to show leadership and name a new prime minister who will share power, make needed reforms and include all sectarian and ethnic groups, especially disenfranchised Sunnis, in the country’s political and economic life — if, indeed, it is not too late.

– New York Times

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

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor 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

20

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: “Any government in Brazil that does not take football seriously cannot last 24 hours.” That was Chief Lekan Salami, the late football icon and former chairman of the Ibadanbased IICC Shooting Stars FC giving what, in today’s social media world, would have made a compelling tweet, a hashtag that would have trended for years. He was making a case, in the late 70s/early 80s, for greater commitment on the part of government to the game of football. Of course, he merely highlighted the primacy football in the Samba nation of Brazil.

How times have changed! Then it was “Give us the World Cup or we die”. Now, the placards read “We don’t need the World Cup.” Then, it was ‘we need money for football, football and football.’ Now, the aluta chorus is “we need money for hospital and education.” Then, it was “FIFA, please make Brazil home”. Now, the popular cry of death-daring protesters on the streets of Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Mendoza, Fortaleza, Salvador and Recife is “FIFA, go home!”

Time up! The game no longer wears the diversionary charm of inducing the giants of South

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

Football as diversion: Time up!

America to forget their problems – life-threatening problems similar to what obtains in the land of their brothers and sisters across the Atlantic. Brazilians are now much more concerned about poverty, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, monumental corruption, dearth of health, educational and transportation facilities and infrastructure and many more.

President Dilma Rousseff’s government has been rocked with jeers and violent protests to its very foundation. The million-man marches have not been to “earnestly yearn” for Dilma, but to register the people’s outrage over a 2014 football World Cup hosting at a whopping cost of $11.7b at a time when the lot, tears and sorrows of the ordinary Brazilian are graduating from difficult to unbearable.

Remarkably, a big supporter of the

millions has been the legend, threetime World Cup winner and Brazilian football icon himself; Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele. An update tweet has just been generated on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, venue of the +20 Earth Summit exactly two years ago: There has indeed been climate change; now, any government in Brazil that takes football too seriously may not last 24 hours!

That update apparently has yet to hit the newsfeed page of Reno Omokri, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on New Media. He still lives in the world of the old media. His act of chest-beating, in listing the African Cup of Nations trophy which the Super Eagles won in 2013 as a great achievement of the President in the last three years showed he has failed to use his position to prepare the

ground for the localization of the lessons of the Brazilian experience.

What a mean offside positional play within the prevailing socio-political circumstances in the country.

The era of deploying football to divert attention has landed in the dustbin of history. Football itself, as evident in more sophisticated systems, flourish better in nations waxing strong in political stability, socio-economic prosperity, infrastructural efficiency and general security. It is only when this is admitted and made to count that we can, in the long run, stave off the Brazilian experience. It is only then, even as the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and their likes are manipulating the ongoing 2014 World Cup festival to canvass for Goodluck, that any “good luck” could continue.

• Dele Akinola, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Celebrating pioneers of child and adolescent mental health

S

IR: By various accounts, majority of children in sub-Saharan Africa face a life of poverty, insecurity and poor mental health. These factors hinder their ability to develop into healthy adults, live an improved quality of life and fulfil their life aspirations.

Until recently, virtually all social and health interventions for children had focused on the major causes of mortality to the neglect of mental health issues and social problems that have serious consequences for children’s growth and development and the society at large.

Despite the identified burden of mental health problems in children, there are very few services for child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) care in sub-Saharan Africa

and a lack of trained professionals.

There was also no regular or coordinated training of health professionals for child and adolescent mental health care until recently.

What this means is that the majority of African children with disabling mental disorders go untreated and children within the community do not have access to mental health promoting services or environments. There is no doubt that with the present problems of insecurity and violence in several African countries including Nigeria, the mental health burden will be rising.

To bridge this huge gap in mental health care for children and adolescents, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provided funding to the University of Ibadan

to establish a Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. In the last 18 months, the centre has had the privilege to train mental health professionals from different regions of Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Today, Monday June 16, the centre will celebrate 13 successful students who completed a rigorous 18 month Master of Science programme in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (MSc. CAMH), first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. This landmark ceremony will hold in the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

Coincidentally, the milestone event holds on the occasion of the 2014 Day of the African Child, a yearly event to commemorate the

public killing of school children in a protest against apartheid-inspired education in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976. The Day also presents an opportunity to focus on the roles of all stakeholders involved in upholding the rights of the African Child, and to renew efforts towards eliminating the existing obstacles to the realization of these rights.

This year has as its theme – “Right to participate: Let children be seen and heard”, aimed at generating increased awareness about the need to promote emotional and mental health of African children.

• Olatunji Oladejo, Director of Public Communication, University of Ibadan

Amosun, the change agent

S

IR: My first contact with Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his amiable wife was in December, 2000 when he hosted the Students’ Union Executive of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to an end-of-the-year party at his house in Ikeja. A quick assessment of him revealed he would like impacting the younger generation.

Afterwards, I unconsciously joined those that see him as a role model and believe in his ideology. SIA, as he’s fondly called, has ideas that have been transforming lives in Ogun State and beyond. He identifies with and networks visionary people with worldclass strategies and policies that can transform their communities. This conscious and scientific method facilitates and delivers visible change in the shortest time frame.

A chartered accountant of repute, Amosun believes people are endowed with capacity for change. Therefore, Omo Oye Omo Ajiri (his epithet) took up the challenge to re-orientate and lead the people by courageously joining active politics in 1998.

SIA’s team has always consisted of dedicated professionals and other categories of people who are eager and ambitious to transform their environment.

Ogun State’s history has shown that its true sons and daughters are progressive in nature, imaginative and courageous. They are passionate about setting the pace by uplifting others, helping them to make a responsible choice in life.

My testimony about SIA’s character is visible to the world through his achievements in the last three years of his administration in Ogun State. No doubt, the tax payers, business community and indeed the prayers of the good people of the state have helped him to attain this feat.

Congratulations to the this generation for voting SIA as governor in the 2011 election and for giving him the overwhelming support to transform Ogun from ancient to modern state in such a record time in Nigeria’s democratic history.

• Seyi Enitan-Olubode Abeokuta, Ogun State

21

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

COMMENTS

Let this be Ekiti’s moment of wise choice

I

F anything, Ekiti State will be on national spotlight this week. This is the moment of an instantaneous challenge for all Ekiti citizens at home and abroad as Saturday’s gubernatorial election will be another vista that will determine the future of their state tagged as Land of Honour.

The decision will either continue to move the state forward or dump it back into the valley.

Will Ekiti people preserve the reformation of their state or will they permit reversal to dreadful governance? Will they prefer their tomorrow to be totally rescued from deficiency and rundown worth or allow themselves to be used through meager spurious hand-outs by external forces for fruitless self-seeking leadership?

Who indeed is the man of integrity that should lead Ekiti State to higher ground in the next four years? Will people’s vote be allowed to count? And are the voters also set to defend their votes? Questions upon questions!

Ekiti is a place where character is the honour and pride.

People in wisdom are those who know the different characters running to be the next leader of the state - who they are, what they have done and what they can do – especially the ones who had been tested with power given to them and the one presuming to have the honour that he does not have. Not that Ekiti has a contestant that is perfect, as in the word of Abraham Lincoln, “nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Ayo Fayose was once given power for close to one term before he was extracted out of office over harassing validations that were debunking the peace and glory of the state. When he sought to be senator of his district, his own people denied him of the aspiration so that they will not be replanted in dishonour and shame. Now, in desperation to retain the power being misused, he is picked as war tool to capture the Land of Honour by any means, not minding the will of his people.

Opeyemi Bamidele is another aspirant. He was once considered loyal and committed to the source of his blessings.

His resentment was the endorsement of the incumbent governor affirmed of fine performance. Bamidele’s deflection to another party might have been motivated by the same power now enforcing Fayose to deny Ekiti of further transformation and progress. Maybe he was anticipating a PDP support same way it occurred in Ondo and Anambra states when the party that couldn’t see itself winning, engaged in electoral manipulation to block the main opposition.

S

PEAKING about poverty is understandably easier than experiencing it, especially when the speaker is rich and powerful. So, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha may be forgiven for his apparent claim to knowledge of poverty at the fourth Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) retreat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on June 6. It was an appropriate platform to ponder poverty, particularly the pauperisation of the people, considering the fact that political governance should be concerned with the activation of “the Greatest Happiness Principle.”

There is no doubt that the ethical principle of working for “the greatest happiness of the greatest number”, promoted

by Jeremy Bentham in his 1776 book, A Fragment on Government, is eternally relevant in the context of politics in particular; and it is lamentable that individuals in the country’s structures of power noticeably trivialise the significance of the pivotal principle in their governmental perspective.

Interestingly, Okocha was quoted as saying that any governor shouldn’t be seen pretending to be poor since the position had nothing to do with poverty. He missed the point.

Though it is correct that governorship is not a position of poverty, the status has everything to do with preventing poverty of the governed. According to him, “I was poor and I decided to fight against poverty and nothing will make me, my family and my generation to go back to poverty again.

Poverty is worse than HIV. You can’t pretend to be poor.”

It is uncertain how he arrived at the conclusion that poverty is more terrible, or more terrifying, than HIV; but it was insensitive and uncharitable to allude to people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), described as “a disease in which there is a severe loss of the body’s cellular immunity, greatly lowering the resistance to infection and malignancy.” It is worth mentioning that, according to current statistics, the population living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is 3.1 million out of the country’s estimated population of 140 million.

It is this pitiable group that the governor flippantly compared with the poor; but there is no basis for such comparison because while HIV transmission is usually a result of specific high-risk behaviours or practices, the United Nations definition says, “Fundamentally, poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity.”

In other words, poverty has a deep political dimension, which is not necessarily the case with HIV transmission.

For a picture of the political element, the World Bank’s definition is clarifying. According to the institution, “Poverty is an income level below some minimum level necessary to meet basic needs. This minimum level is usually called the “poverty line”. What is necessary to satisfy basic needs varies across time and societies. Therefore, poverty lines vary in time and place, and each country uses lines which are ap-

Then, why should the incumbent desiring to stay on in power? Governor Kayode Fayemi who came to office with good agenda which he executed wants to finish what he has started. Fayemi’s activism is on ground, starting with exposition of his integrity. When sworn in as governor, he declared an eight-point agenda which he promised would be pursued with vigour so that the life of his people can become better.

Although perfection would still not be asserted, actualization of his promises can today not be denied. In hardwork, dedication and, above all, integrity, he has undoubtedly recreated the image of Ekiti. His agenda placed value at the heart of the state’s projects.

With his reputation as a civil society activist, it was not surprising that Fayemi’s opening achievements were to push the enactment of laws and upholding good governance beyond earlier administrations. Immediately he assumed power, he and his deputy declared their assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau in conformity with Federal Government’s directive to all public office holders. He became the first leader of Ekiti to have made public his worth in cash and assets. He also remains the first governor in Nigeria to sign into law the Freedom of Information Act. He has also enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Public Private Partnership law.

The Southwest Regional Integration agenda is his concept.

Beyond all these, Fayemi has made practical efforts to begin re-drawing the map of Ekitiland. Today, whoever enters the state from any angle will see undeniable infrastructural transformation, not only in the state capital, but in all the local government areas. He has moved beyond rant or mere talk to sensibly and prudently touch the state’s populace. He was not going into the street to eat plantain or corn to impress the poor, or join okada riders pretending link with the downtrodden.

Remarkably, he took off from where he met his predecessor, Engr. Segun Oni who laid the foundation for some road projects. He has ensured quality rehabilitation and construction of many roads across the state. In Ado-Ekiti, he completed several road projects in dualisation, positioning traffic lights for traffic control and with consistent street light making the capital city a place of pride to those who value goodness. He is turning former Ado-Ekiti prison into a Civic Centre which is being structured to have an art gallery and a modern library.

Fayemi has also touched the citizenry in other ways besides infrastructure. A remarkable scheme in human capital development is the regular monthly payment of N5,000 to no fewer than 25,000 indigenes who are 65 years and above. This has considerably helped empowering otherwise lessendowed elderly citizens.

Apart from rebuilding structures in schools, provision of solar-powered laptop computers to at least 33,000 students and many teachers has been building up the computer literacy skills of the younger generation and already positioning Ekiti

Poverty in the eyes of power propriate to its level of development, societal norms and values. But the content of the needs is more or less the same everywhere. Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter.

Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor.

Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.”

The obvious implication of this clarity is that governments have an inescapable responsibility to address poverty in society, which is why Okorocha’s personalisation of the issue is not only misguided but also tragically disappointing. Congratulations to him on having risen far above the poverty line, which is implied by his argument against pretended poverty in political office. However, he needs to appreciate that the genuinely poor also deserve opportunities that would raise them above penury, and that is a major purpose of governance.

Of relevance is the observation by the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim at the April IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, where he restated that Nigeria was among the top five countries with the largest number of the poor. Scandalously, the country ranks third on this list of infamy behind India (with 33 percent of the world’s poor) and China (13 percent). With 7 percent of the “wretched of the earth”, the country is ahead of Bangladesh (6 percent) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (5 percent). Together these countries are home to nearly 760 million impoverished people.

The portrait of indigence is a tragic and inexcusable irony

as the ICT capital of Nigeria.

The schemes of the administration have been facilitated by the reinvigoration of the internal revenue generation base.

At initiation, monthly internally-generated revenue was estimated at about N100 million. Now, through the blockage of leakages and other corrupt devices, the administration pushed the generation beyond N600 million, targeting about N1 billion monthly. This is why some civil servants are agonizing.

Ekiti tourism infrastructure has been revived. Whoever visits Ikogosi Warm Spring will see global tourist attraction, with further accessory of good lodging and conference facilities. Many more infrastructural restructuring and ongoing projects will ultimately boost the state’s economy.

Now, must the good works of a trustworthy leader be truncated and the state downgraded under hoodlum and agitator unable to accomplish what would develop the state beyond individual gifts? Why must it be Fayemi alone that has an agenda being implemented for the state? He is the man of integrity that should be chosen by Ekiti people with wisdom and desire for progress.

Feedback Re: Who really is Fayose?

Your piece on “Who really is Fayose?” is thorough, well researched and blunt. The people of Ekiti know the kind of peace and the level of infrastructural development they have been enjoying for the past three and a half years. They, like other Yoruba race know who are their authentic leaders and would spill with their votes on election day. However, my fear is that INEC should avoid another phantom ‘landslide victory’ a la 1983 governorship of the former Ondo State which plunged the state into crisis. From Dr. Tunde Obaoye The real question is how did Fayose got to power? If Obasanjo in his bid to control power in Southwest did not care about the character of people he rigged into power, then he and the obas, and indeed Ekiti elites deserve the treatment Fayose gave them. From Fadare Ranti Thanks so much for your well-informed write up. God will always be with you and your family. PDP decided to use criminals and murderers for their candidates in Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections. Simply they want to win by all means like Vice President Sambo has said that they are going to war in Ekiti and Osun elections. The likes of Fayose and Omisore have no good place in our history. From Tayo Tola Agbaje, Abuja.

Your views are as truly as they are - undeniable. Thank you for reminding Ekiti people of the evil claiming to be popular like Satan. From Oluwadare Only ignorant people who want to steal the glory of Ekiti State will support Fayose. Let the election be free and fair, Fayose will be a grand looser. From Peter G The answer is straight forward. Fayose is a noted liar, a thug and a first class 419. From O. Daodu

for an oil-rich country, and puts a huge question mark on the quality of governance at all political levels in the country. It goes without saying that the country’s poor deserve an urgent solution. Kim said, “It is imperative not just to lift people out of extreme poverty; it is also important to make sure that, in the long run, they do not get stuck just above the extreme poverty line due to a lack of opportunities that might impede progress toward better livelihoods.” The overriding concern is whether the people in power are sufficiently interested in providing poverty-reducing opportunities, or even whether they care about anything beyond their pockets.

Remarkably, the NGF event supplied useful insights into the poverty conundrum, especially through the contribution by a former two-term governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, who was represented by the Managing Director and Editorin-Chief of the New Telegraph, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo. Kalu told the governors: “Know that the burden you will carry as a former governor is for life. Even if you leave office poorer than you went in, a cynical public would never believe you.

They believe half of the public treasury is kept in your house.”

According to him, “They will come daily to line up, telling one tale of woe after the other. If you give them, they will say they only came to collect what belongs to them. If you don’t give them, they will say you are selfish and stingy.” In conclusion, Kalu said, “When you become poor, the same people will abuse you of being a foolish man. It is head, you lose; tail you lose. Public service is truly a thankless job in Nigeria.”

What a sob story! He missed the point pathetically. The questions are: What is responsible for the alleged public perception that political office holders deplete the public purse for personal prosperity? Is it not symptomatic of bad governance and progressive poverty that the people reportedly queue for financial assistance from past governors?

‘The portrait of indigence is a tragic and inexcusable irony for an oil-rich country, and puts a huge question mark on the quality of governance at all political levels in the country. It goes without saying that the country’s poor deserve an urgent solution...

The overriding concern is whether the people in power are sufficiently interested in providing poverty-reducing opportunities, or even whether they care about anything beyond their pockets’

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

22

COMMENTS

O

NE key challenge of the Nigerian state since the return of democracy in 1998 has been the resurgence of ethnic militancy and separatist tendencies.

From the South-south to the South-west, South-east to the northern zones, the same phenomenon has been evident. These are coming more than 50 years of our independence when national integration ought to have melted perceived differences inculcating in all, the culture of common belonging and identity.

It is due to the failure of this socialization process that rather than wane, these parochial tendencies are being reinforced in the most dangerous ways. Issues of equity, justice, fairness and the inability of the various groups to realize their full potentials within the federation constitute irreducible decimals that accentuate these irredentist feelings.

The ongoing national conference is in the main, aimed at redressing these systemic dysfunctions so that we can have the peace badly needed for any meaningful development to take root. But feelers emanating from there do not give sufficient comfort that we are prepared to part ways with our decadent past. That is the tragedy of a nation that has identified what it needed to do to make progress but for some selfserving considerations prefers to live on borrowed time.

It is perhaps this prevarication on matters of our national existence especially those dealing with our common ownership of this unity in diversity that accentuates separatist feelings. As things stand,

‘If the story told by the police is true, then some weird indoctrination would have played a bad role. For it is inconceivable that the calibre of matured men that were paraded can be easily lured into such a hazardous and suicidal mission if they were in the right frame of mind’

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Of pro-Biafra agitators the central authority is constantly in competition with primordial interests for the loyalty of the citizens. One of the groups that have been protesting the inequities of the Nigerian state has been the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB. Its leader Ralph Uwazuruike said it is a peaceful group aimed at securing the resurgence of the defunct state of Biafra through the principles of non-violence as espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.

The group has so far lived up to its nonviolent approach to its mission though its leader Uwazuruike has been severally arrested by law enforcement agencies and charged for treason. For the most part, the group has remained law abiding even as the task it set out to achieve has at best, remained largely controversial.

Of late, we have started hearing of another separatist group that goes by the name Biafra Zionist Movement BZM. It is led by a United Kingdom (UK) based lawyer Benjamin Igwe Onwuka with aims and objectives similar to that of MASSOB. This group came into limelight in March this year when the Enugu police command announced the invasion of the Enugu State government house by hoodlums whose mission was not precisely known. But a few days later, Onwuka addressed the press claiming responsibility for the action.

He claimed the BZM effectively occupied the government house for hours to underscore the point that they had taken over the former headquarters of the defunct Biafra.

He was subsequently declared wanted by

W

HILE the incidence of building collapses increases, same set of manufacturers and experts come up with new themes on how to explain away the shortcomings of the building sector. They bring up new ways to curb these incidences, organize seminars to sensitize the general public, blame substandard and shoddy planning, absolves the sector of blame (shifting it to a few bad, unregistered eggs) while, as usual in Nigeria, we move on and several more buildings join the queue. Maybe it is a conspiracy; maybe not!

Without mincing words, the standards we have come to assume for buildings have come from proselytized views milking our ignorance. For someone like me who have never taken the ‘cement talk’ very serious except for the price conspiracy, it is important to share my newfound understanding. To some, it will be elucidative while to others - who understand a thing or two about it – it will support whatever knowledge they already have. Let’s shoot!

What exactly is Cement? “Cement is a fine, gray powder which sets after a few hours when mixed with water, and then hardens in a few days into a solid, strong material.” Cement is made from the mixture of heated limestone, sand, clay and/or shale. Its usage as the major component in constructions means it has to be subjected to strict standards with each individual type/grade used according to the prescribed standards.

There are several types of cements with needs dictating their usage for specific purposes. Ultratech Concrete lists the types of cement as Ordinary Portland Cement 32.5, 42.53, 52.5 grade (OPC); 53-S (Sleeper Cement); Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), both Fly Ash and Calcined Clay based; Rapid Hardening Portland Cement; Portland Slag Cement (PSC); Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement (SRC); Low Heat Portland Cement; and Hydrophobic Cement.

Here, we are majorly concerned with the OPC and its three main grades namely 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5 as they are

‘It is important to note that one cannot say a certain grade or type of cement is the best because usage, construction environment, construction method, nature of work to be done etc. dictate the best type of cement to be used in constructions’

the police.

The same group was again in the news last week. This time, the police said they invaded the Enugu State Broadcasting Station with the primary objective of making a live broadcast to declare the republic of Biafra. They had invaded the broadcasting house and were frantically making efforts to come up with the live broadcast when they were dislodged by the police. A police sergeant and one of their members were said to have died in the ensuing melee.

The Police successfully arrested Onwuka and 12 others. And from what one gleaned from television footages and photographs, those arrested are very mature people some of them with grey hairs.

The fact of this brings to question what the suspects wanted to achieve by embarking on the hazardous venture of making a broadcast on a television station that is hardly received even within the city.

This is more so given that the area the group purports to be speaking for is made up of at least five states. What then is the value in broadcasting to those who will not get to hear the message? That is the big puzzle and it is at the heart of the folly in that mortal engagement.

By police account of the BZM broadcast message, they intended to call on locals such as residents of “Obiagu, Ogui, operators of KEKE NAPEP, students and all residents of Enugu to come out. All schools, markets, offices to be closed and all elected government officials to surrender all government property in their pos-

session. The people went there in a sense to overturn the government”.

We are yet to hear from the suspects as the police that paraded them before newsmen did no allow them to speak.

Be that as it may, it remains illusory what these messages were intended to achieve except to create some confusion in the minds of those who may manage to hear them. Even then, whatever successes they may have achieved through their action was going to be short-lived as they were bound to be dislodged by the law enforcement agents. So where is the sense in an action whose outcome was destined to fail?

What is the gain in calling out residents and for what purpose? At any rate, who will honour such calls in such a foreboding circumstance? Therefore it is either the group is not certain what it intends to achieve and therefore confused or their strategy as portrayed by the police did no tally with their real intentions. That is why the police that paraded them should have allowed their leader to speak at that occasion.

Without hearing from them, it may be safer to presume that what we have been told is the police angle of the story. We need to hear their own side of the story, the circumstances leading to their arrest and whether they carried arms and ammunitions with the intent to burn down the broadcast station as alleged by the police. We need to find out what circumstances led to the death of the police sergeant and their dead member as well.

But if the story told by the police is true, then some weird indoctrination would have played a bad role. For it is inconceivable that the calibre of matured men that were paraded can be easily lured into such a hazardous and suicidal mission if they were in the right frame of mind. It remains curious how they were goaded into believing that making a broadcast in that station was all it takes to give legitimacy to their dream or that all elected people will surrender power to them.

Governors of the South-east and other interest groups in the zone have condemned their action. This is without prejudice to their freedom of association, right to expression and protest against perceived wrongs in the society. But resort to lawlessness will defeat whatever case they may have.

Case for cement standardisation

By Kayode Olajiga mostly used in construction. It is important to note that one cannot say a certain grade or type of cement is the best because usage, construction environment, construction method, nature of work to be done etc. dictate the best type of cement to be used in constructions. Each type of cement has to be chosen based on usage.

The 32.5 grade OPC is suitable for general concrete works, block making and plastering where the structures are not taken to very high stresses. According to GharExpert, “It is not suitable where ‘Sulphate’ is in the soil or in the ground water”. 42.5 grade OPC on the other hand is notably “used in general civil engineering construction work i.e. brick masonry, plastering, pointing, flooring and in RCC Work”. 52.5 is used where high early strength in the first 28 days is required and it is basically utilized by builders of heavy infrastructure such as bridges, fly overs, large span structures and high rise structures where such structures take on high tensile strength.

There has been a raging storm in the country recently due to the request by professionals for Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to standardize the cement market. Cement is not cement as we were made to believe.

There are instances where 32.5 grade OPC (that several professionals are bandying against) is the best; there are also situations where cement much lower in strength than 32.5 grade OPC is advised. Such examples are majorly in non-structural usage like masonry and plastering mortals.

The unique Nigerian terrain also ought to be considered. Here is where I identify with and accept these clamours. In a country where adherence to standardization is not a common language, where professionals and hired supervisors cut corners to maximize profit, it is important to have minimum cement grade strength. With all the seminars and sensitization campaigns that have gone into this exercise in the past, the result of such aggressive campaigns have not been seen as most building engineers resort to the cheapest grade in the market for building projects they are not suitable for.

The Nigerian businessman is profit oriented. Profit is his first worry and as such, having two minimum grade strength of cement encourages him to prioritize profit by plucking for the cheapest which in most cases is ill-suit-

able for the construction he intends to embark on. Here is where SON’s 42.5 grade OPC standard makes the most sense. As we can see in the different usages highlighted earlier on, the 42.5 grade can effectively substitute in most cases where we may require the 32.5 grade.

As a template in the Nigeria terrain, policies are not what we lack but the required will to effectively make these policies work. How do we enforce the 42.5 grade strength when all the needs of standardization have been taken care of? Who enforces standardization in manufacturing plants? Who supervises building constructions to ensure that the policy on right grades are adhered to (test case is our aviation industry where we still struggle with enforcement)? Are there plans to involve insurance companies (to request for all standardization documents before insuring a building)? Should we be afraid that it would go the way of everything else in Nigeria, where with enough cash; you get all required documents irrespective of adherence to laid down rules or policy thrust?

We should all understand that cement standardization is the first step in a long list of procedures aimed at stopping the incidences of building collapses that must be taken serious. The government shouldn’t go to sleep thinking the job is done with standardization as the real war on misapplication of standards starts then. The public must be effectively enlightened on the new standards; made to understand that this policy is about safeguarding their lives and properties and as such must buy wholly into it.

Remember that in building and construction, it is SAFETY FIRST! All other considerations follow.

• Olajiga lives in Lagos.

‘In a country where adherence to standardization is not a common language, where professionals and hired supervisors cut corners to maximize profit, it is important to have minimum cement grade strength’

25

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

JOBS

CEO

Home charter: Boom for town planners, others - P. 37 News Briefing Govt evaluates NIPP’s projects THE Federal Government has constituted a committee to evaluate the cost of projects built under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

–Page 26

Diamond Bank seeks N50.4b DIAMOND Bank Plc plans to raise about N50.4 billion from its shareholders as it seeks to strengthen its capital base.

–Page 31

Turkish industrialists eye Nigeria’s market TURKEY and Nigeria are quite similar in more ways than one. Both are linked and lavishly served with water, a huge population they both have.

‘Europe is a good market for gas. Incidentally, Belgium has important terminals such as the Port of Antwerp through which Nigeria hopes to get its gas to the rest of Europe. We’ll start marketing our abundant gas resources to Europe,’ •Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu

‘We treat big and small farmers alike’ - P. 27

Total urges review of downstream oil sector

O

IL and gas giant Total Group at the weekend called for a thorough review of the downstream oil sector to engender transparency, stimulate competition and investments in the sector.

At a post-annual general meeting interactive session in Lagos, its President, Africa and Middle East, Total Group Mr. Momar Nguer, who also doubles as chairman, Total Nigeria Plc, said the current structure in the downstream is unfair, uncompetitive and could jeopardise the investments of shareholders in a publicly quoted company like Total Nigeria.

Nguer, who presided over the annual general meeting of the oil firm, said shareholders were concerned about many untoward developments in the downstream oil sector.

According to him, while the firm controls 12 per cent

•Decries unfair fuel import allocation

By Taofik Salako

market share of the petroleummarketing sector, it has not been getting a fair share of import allocation in relation to its investment and long-term standing in the market.

He said: “Nigeria today is a net importer of refined products and 80 per cent of the fuel is imported. So for marketing companies, everything depends on the allocations and today Total Nigeria is not getting its fair share of allocations to allow us to serve our customers well. Is it normal that with 12 per cent market share with 500 stations, three first class storage facilities, a proven record of compliance, Total Nigeria only gets about three per cent of the import allocations? We would like to advocate that the rules and criteria of allocation should be

made public and applied in full transparency and the companies’ performance with regard to the actual importation be made public.”

He noted that entrenching transparency and competition would serve the consumers better by bringing down costs and enhancing innovation and choices.

He pointed out that while the country has a very competitive landscape in petroleum-marketing, the regulator should provide a level-playing field so that the competition can take place and that standards are met by all, especially the ones that deal with safety of the stakeholders, protection of the environment and rights of the customers.

He added that the entire industry has also been suffering from stagnant margin over the past seven years in spite of rising cost

of doing business and some 70 per cent cumulative inflation.

According to him, the marketing margin, which is generating the cash flows has not been reviewed since 2007, seven years during which the cost of doing business has increased substantially.

“You know that besides being the chairman of Total Nigeria, I am the president for Africa and Middle East, which covers 45 countries. To my knowledge, there is no other country that has frozen margin for such a long time. This is not sustainable and the margin should be reviewed to really cater for the cost doing business in the Nigerian environment,” Nguer said.

He pointed out that not only is the industry suffering from a frozen margin, it also suffers from huge financial expenses as a result of delays in

‘Collapse of Omnicom/ Publicis talks won’t affect advertising’

–Page 39

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil

-$117.4/barrel

Cocoa

-$2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

- ¢132.70/pound

Cotton

- ¢95.17pound

Gold

-$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

-$163/lb

T

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE

-N11.4 trillion

JSE

-Z5.112trillion

NYSE

-$10.84 trillion

LSE

-£61.67 trillion RATES

Inflation

-8%

Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending

-15.87%

Savings rate

-1%

91-day NTB

-15%

Time Deposit

-5.49%

MPR

-12%

Foreign Reserve

$45b

FOREX CFA

-0.2958

EUR

-206.9

£

-242.1

$

-156

¥

-1.9179

SDR

-238

RIYAL

-40.472

the payment of subsidies noting that it takes eight months on the average for the government to pay back the subsidies on fuels.

He said the company was owed N12 billion as at the end of 2013 with the financial expenses of that debt representing 10 per cent of the company’s net operating income.

“It is the prerogative of a government to regulate an industry and we are not against the regulation per se, but in such a case, it should recognise the real cost of carrying on the business in Nigeria and be reviewed periodically to cater for the evolution of the macroeconomic environment, it should also be applied in a transparent manner be auditable, and it should be structured to encourage and provide for a return on investment. What is at stake is the short term and long term supply of energy of the country,” Nguer said.

•From left: Managing Director, Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olufemi Oguntade; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah and Company Secretary, Mr. Adeleke Yusuff, during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC, Lagos

Govt jerks up defence spending to fight insurgency

T

O fight terrorism and insurgency this year, the Federal Government significantly increased the budgetary allocation to all military establishments in this year’s Appropriation Act. The budgetary allocation to the National Security Adviser (NSA) was increased by N7billion from the N24,524,806,055 proposed to N31,524,806,055 in the final document.

An official of the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF) told The Nation that the Federal Ministry of Finance did not raise any eye brow over the increased allocations to almost all the military establishments.

Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor and Grace Obike, Abuja

The official also confirmed that “the increase was specifically endorsed to provide adequate equipment, logistics and moral boosting machinery to the fighting forces to defeat insurgents that have held the country to ransom.”

In the budget approved by the National Assembly in May, details of the budget shows that Federal Ministry of Defence - Main MOD got N22,827,718,513 as against N23,238,932,238 proposed in the budget.

The Nigeria Army, however, finally got N136,080,310,195, while the Nigeria Navy got

N72,629,224,510; Nigeria Air Force N73,886,028,660; Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) N8,566,641,587; Nigeria Defence College N7,435,507,424 Command and Staff College, Jaji N4,232,521,394; Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos N2,250,670,419; Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) N2,122,744,789; Defence Intelligence School N363,105,117; Defence Intelligence Agency N7,498,327,220; Presidential Committee on Barracks Rehabilitation N1,941,939,660; Defence Missions N6,859,056,900 and Military Pension Board with N188,250,034.

By this new arrangement, the

Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, defence intelligence community as well as their pension package for this will be N349,707,339,871.

In the budget, provision has also been made as follows for the NSA: procurement of Security Equipment, N837,307,610; Electronic Jamming Against Bomb System-N363,604,547; Computer Emergency Response (CERT) CentreN2,000,000,000; Digital Forensic Lab-N800,000,000; ONSA LAN Expansion-N100,000,000; NICEP II Security ElementsPhase II-N1,242,896,000 and for Enhanced and Specialised Security Equipment, Gadgets and Services-N11,000,000,000.

HE Managing Director of Noah’s Ark, Mr. Lanre Adisa has identified ego as the planned $35billion merger between Publics and Omnicon group failed expectation of many stakeholders within the global marketing communication industry. He, however, said despite the collapse, the marketing communication industry in the country will remain unchanged.

The merger between the US Omnicom and France Publics Group was announced last year and it was expected that it will create world’s biggest advertising and marketing group but the merger which was expected to also re-configure the marketing communication landscape was suspended few weeks ago.

Adisa said the battle for control among the top executives of both entities destroyed the plan ambition. ”There’s a whole lot of ego that plays out at the top of the chain. The hope is that the clients will benefit from these super structures. But then again, is that what we get?

The whole world thought the merger was bound to wobble or collapse at some point. The only thing is no one thought it would be this early.” He, however, affirmed that the collapse of the merger plan will not change anything in Nigeria advertising and marketing landscape. “As far as Nigeria is concerned, I don’t foresee any major change,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

26

BUSINESS NEWS How to properly manage wastes, by experts

By Muyiwa Lucas

A

N environmentalist and director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, has called on Nigerians to take waste management as a serious issue, requiring the involvement of professionals for effective management.

Bassey regretted that it is rather sad that the country has not handled waste management issues with the seriousness it demands. Apart from efforts in few places in Lagos, he explained, Nigerians tend to see wastes as nothing more than refuse.

“Our waste collection is haphazard; we don’t segregate them and everything is mixed together - household wastes, medical wastes, electronic wastes, all mixed together,” he said, adding that there is the need for all citizens to learn to how to separate their wastes by picking out those that can be recycled from those that are biodegradable, and then recycling the papers, plastics and the bottles, while organic wastes should be composited and used in agriculture.

According to the HOMEF boss, to improve on the situation, one thing that can be done quickly is abolishing polythene bags because its use has been abused by Nigerians, who often demand for and receive polythene bags even when they buy items already sheeted in polythene. Canvassing for the use of reusable cloth bags, Bassey said those interested in using polythene bags should be made to pay for the it, if their use is not outlawed outrightly.

A lecturer in the faculty of pure and applied science, Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Engineer Lateef Kolawole, corroborates Bassey’s views. Though he said recycling techniques, particularly for metal and plastic waste, are gradually being adopted and gaining ground in most states, however, human waste disposal is still problem in the rural area and urban centres.

He said Outdoor Defecations Free (ODF) is gaining ground in donor supported states in the some parts of the country, just as a recent publication of UNICEF suggests that Nigeria lag behind in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on sanitation.

Fed Govt evaluates NIPP’s intervention projects in DISCOs •Sets up assessment committee

T

HE Federal Government has constituted a committee to evaluate the cost of projects built under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company as intervention measures to boost power supply before the privatised assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were handed over to the new owners.

The committee, which consists of representatives of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), NIPP and distribution companies (DISCOs) will look at the power projects built in the 11 distribution companies before privatisation and cost them, after which the DISCOs will begin repayment.

Following the deplorable state of power supply during the PHCN period, which defied improvement despite funds being pumped into the sector, the NDPHC was directed to intervene to boost supply, a development that resulted in building of various projects in distribution companies across the country. The intervention projects included acquisition, installation and commissioning of injection sub-stations and transformers.

It was gatherd that the essence of the committee and assessment of the projects is to guard against over-pricing or under-pricing of the assets

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

hence the DISCOs have representatives there. From the outset, the intervention projects were built on the agreement that owners of the DISCOs must pay back as the funding of the NIPP was not only undertaken by the Federal Government but by the three tiers of government.

Besides, the government wants know the value of the cost of the projects before they are completely handed over to new investors. It was also learnt that the government has directed that all the intervention projects be handed over to the new owners of the DISCOs by the end of August this year. The government directed that any contractor that fails to complete his project within the period should hand such project over to the management of the DISCO where such project is located.

A source at one of the DISCOs told The Nation that after projects are fully handed over to new investors, they will pay back the cost within 10 years. He said: “The number of NIPP projects differs from one DISCO to the other but the projects include brand new in injection substations and new transformers. The projects will be transferred to us.

Different DISCOs have different number of projects.

“A committee has been set up by

the office of the Vice President comprising the NERC, BPE, NIPP and DISCOs to look at the assets, evaluate them, and they will agree on the price and we will now be paying back NIPP that amount of money. We are not going to pay in bulk. The payment will be spread over a period of 10 years. Some of the NIPP projects have not been completed while some have been completed and commissioned. The Vice President has directed that any of the contractor that fails to complete his project within the stipulated time, that contract will be cancelled and handed over to the DISCO where it is located to complete because they can’t go on and on without completion.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo had earlier given end of December last year as the deadline for all the contractors handling NIPP projects to complete their jobs but most of projects couldn’t make the deadline hence the extension of the deadline to August. Also with the privatisation of the power sector and planned privatisation of the NIPP power generating plants, government wants to conclude everything about the projects.

The three tiers of government had already agreed that every money made from the sale of NIPP projects including the 10 power plants, which are expected to generate 1500 megawatts (Mw), should be reinvested in the in power sector to boost output.

CBN issues Grand Towers PTSP licence From Grace Obike, Abuja

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued Grand Towers Nigeria licence to operate as the Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) in Nigeria.

With this licence, Grand Towers Nigeria will be able to provide the infrastructure, technology and to deploy POS (point of sale) systems in the country and transact with the banks and everybody else, it is a technology platform that requires accreditation from the CBN. Public Relations Officer, in Charge Corporate affairs of Grand towers PLC Miss Susan Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that “it is part of CBN cashless policy to get Nigerians to understand the PTSP, we have spent a lot of money in the development of the technology behind the POS because we found that part of the hindrance in the Nigerian market is actually with the technology and using it, we are ready to launch out our own contribution to this, we picked a device based on durability and we will announce the device at the launch in July, we are talking to certain banks and when things are finalised, the banks that we have chosen to work with will be announced during the launch of the device, we will introduce our technology partners and show that Grand Towers is about to come out with their own offering.”

•From left: Former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, Ambassador Plenipotentiary, Consulate General of Egypt, Amb. Abdel Halim, Economic Counsellor, Embassy of France, Mr. Patrick Lebraun, Vice President and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Wale Raji, during the public presentation of the 2014 Lagos International Trade Fair Prospectus in Lagos.

MAN laments backlog of unutilised NDCC

By Chikodi Okereocha

T

HE backlog of unutilised Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate (NDCC) has virtually paralysed the operations of manufacturers for export and simultaneously affected their image as reliable international partners, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said.

MAN said the shoddy implementation of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) created continued reluctance in the acceptance of NDCC for duty payment since 2010.

Under the EEG, benefitting exporters are entitled to some claims based on the value of export proceeds received, duly certified by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while the approved claims are paid to them by government through the use of a negotiable instrument known as the NDCC, which entitles the exporter to offset part or whole of subsequent Customs and Excise duties payable to the government.

To benefit from the scheme, exporters are required to register with the Nigerian Export Promotions Council (NEPC) after satisfying the requisite selection criteria, which include capacity to contribute to export and investment growth, boost local content, promote value addition to the economy, as well as generate employment in the priority sectors of the economy.

However, MAN in its annual MAN Economic Review lamented that it had at various times expressed concern as regards the administration of the EEG scheme, which created challenges for its members who are actively involved in the export business.

The association therefore called for timely policy pronouncement on rendering the backlog of unutilised NDCC by the Federal Government. “This will go a long way to stem the frustrations of majority of the genuine exporters who are desirous of growing their businesses and create value addition in the economy. It will also address the issue leakages in government revenue and bring sanity into the administration of the scheme,” MAN argued.

MAN also called on government to direct the NEPC, the agency responsible for the implementation of the EEG policy to adhere strictly to extant policy guideline on the scheme. “We appeal that the issues raised should be accorded priority and MAN will support government at instituting workable system that will be fair to government and the stakeholders,” MAN said.

On account of the shoddy management of the EEG, the Federal Government has put the EEG scheme on hold to enable it review the entire process and ascertain its sustainability and effectiveness. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said until the EEG policy is completely reviewed and sent to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval, it will be kept on hold.

30,000 farmers get N8b for cassava initiatives

T

HE Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has disbursed N8 billion to about 30,000 cassava farmers pursuant to the implementation of the government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) through the cassava initiatives.

According to a report by Resources and Trust Company (RTC) Advisory Service (a private economic consulting firm in Lagos), more than 30 bakeries and two international supermarket chains, Shoprite & Park n’ Shop now sell cassava-wheat flour bread.

The report signed by Senior Consultant/CEO of RTC, Mr Opeyemi Agbaje read: “The Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has made a significant positive outcomes, some of which are verifiable. The on-going efforts to es-

By Toba Agboola

tablish large scale cassava processing plant is yielding a positive result. Federal Government through the BoI and BoA has disbursed about N8 billion to about 30,000 cassava farmers.”

He said the private investment in agriculture also increased with over $4 billion in commitments in the last two years, adding that this has boost food production.

“Within two years, food production increased by 15m MT(metric tones) well ahead of four year target of 20m MT by 2015. Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data suggests food import declined from N2.9 trillion ($19.02 billion) in 2011 to N684 billion ($4.35billion) by 2013, while exports increased by N720 billion between 2011 and 2012.

“Agricultural lending as a share of total bank lending rose from 0.7 per cent to five per cent within two years of launching Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), while bank lending to seed companies and small agricultural input retailers rose from zero in 2011 to $10million in 2012 and $53 million in 2013 and lending to fertiliser companies rose from $100 million in 2012 to $500 million in 2013,” the report noted.

The report added that inflation has reached 7.9 per cent in May and may continue to face challenges with political transition, changes in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and pressures for growth and unemployment.

He said the plan by the new CBN governor to reduce the inflation

may not yield much result because of the political pressure.

According to the report: “The new CBN Governor’s objectives are laudable, but he will struggle to simultaneously reduce interest rates, grow reserves and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and sustain current exchange rates. We believe after the 2015 elections a willingness to trade-off some inflation and currency value may be more realistic.

‘The new CBN governor’s agenda of growth and employment, rather than his predecessor’s stability (at all cost) orientation is salutary. However he is yet to recognise and embrace the required trade-offs, which stimulating growth and massive employment may require. We believe that once political constrains and milestones are cleared, those trade-offs will become clearer.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

27

THE CEO

‘We treat big and small farmers alike’ Twenty-six years ago, the Federal Government established the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to provide cover for farmers at a subsidised rate to mitigate their losses. However, many farmers are yet to benefit from it, because of lack of awareness.

NAIC’s Managing Director Mr Bode Opadokun, in this interview with OMOBOLA TOLUKUSIMO, speaks on his plans to achieve the firm’s objectives and address its shortcomings.

D

ESPITE being in existence for long, many farmers are not aware of NAIC. What is responsible for this?

Insurance is not generally accepted and it is worse with agriculture. But it is a general problem and I would say, in terms of appreciation of the work and value of agric insurance, it is on the increase. Presently, the elite have taken insurance seriously. Gone are the days when insurers used claims and settlements to sell insurance. Today, what people are looking at is how quick and prompt you settle claims.

For example, in NAIC, what we are trying to do is to, first of all, have internal restructuring and change among our people, because, I believe that it is only a satisfied internal customer that can make the external customers happy. If the staff are not happy, there is no way they can give their best to the external customers. There is a reorientation and change going on among the staff of the corporation. For the first time, in the history of the organisation, we held management retreat for three days.

According to the information I gathered, the company had not had it in over 15 years. We need to stop thinking that because we are a public organisation, we can do anything we like. I am coming from the private sector and what I told them is that, yes, we are owned by the government but yet we must be accountable to the customers. It is not the government we are serving. We are set up for a particular purpose. We also discussed prospecting and maintaining new business.

What some NAIC staff do is to go after transactions that are bank related which is compelling on the customer. The reorientation we are now giving to the staff by looking at the dynamics and prospects of maintaining business is how to identify customers beyond those that took facility from the bank.

What about those that are operating their

• Opadokun

Profile Institutions attended

Lagos State Polytechnic; Delta State University, Abraka.

Qualifications

HND Insurance; MBA, (Business Administration); Fellow CIIN.

Previous positions

General Manager, Energy and Special Risk, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc.

Present position

Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC).

Experience

Over 20 years.

businesses with their own money; to what extent should we go to educate them to understand the benefits of such patronage.

We also discussed extensively the opportunity and role of NAIC in the new agricultural transformation agenda. We discovered that before the retreat; some staff did not understand some of the projects and are not aware of investments and other investors that are coming to the country. It is not pos-

sible to give what you don’t have. However, the good thing about our own business is that there is insurance opportunity from the reformative stage. From the moment a farmer or an investor agrees to invest in farming and bring equipment to plough the land, there is insurance opportunity. When the equipment arrives in Nigeria and they have to move them to the site, they’ll need guards in transit insurance and lots more.

‘On the database from the Ministry of Agriculture, we have 10.9 million registered farmers under the e-wallet fertiliser scheme. Our target is to at least provide cover for 50 per cent of these farmers; it will mean we have reached out to about five million farmers in Nigeria.

This is our target’

After planting, they will need to arrange cover against risk of flood and peril and even the yield needs cover. Presently there have not been arrangement on insurance based on inputs but we are partnering with Swiss Re which is the second largest reinsurance company in the world. We have an understanding with them to provide us with technical support on human capacity development and we will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with them soon. Part of the reason why I am partnering with them is to ensure our personnel are trained and retrained. We also want to see how we can improve on our products. Presently, we based insurance on input whereas we should look at it from the point of yield. What I mean about input is the total cost you will incur in the form of planting on a particular seed. Whereas in other deviation what they are looking at is, what is the projection of yield that you want to have which sometimes is being used as the basis of indemnity? But that is based on different factors which we are still trying to work on in conjunction with the Renaissance Partners.

Weather index has also been in high demand by the customers but the challenge we have is getting the statistics that we need for us to be able to project into the future and base the premium. We want to get some of this information from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in conjunction with the climate change agency. They are the ones to provide us with this information. But the good thing is that the present ministry of agriculture has been able to work on this project and a climate change committee has been set up where we are able to work on some of these factors. This project is very important. I stated it during my last •Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

28

THE CEO

‘We treat big and small farmers alike’ •Continued from page 27

meeting with the people anchoring the project and we discovered the role NAIC can play on the impact of the project.

What are you doing to ensure more farmers are aware of the scheme?

We are trying to sensitise farmers in the urban and rural areas properly through workshops and visits to farmlands to inform them of our services. This way, they will key into insurance voluntarily and not because they are compelled to do so.

What are your plans to realise the objective of the corporation?

From the feedback I got, now it is not how far but how well. There are so many things that we are trying to put together in the short time I assumed office. I found that there is not much awareness of NAIC generally. I found that not many people know it and if people don’t know the corporation as they should, how will they know the benefits, assistance or role it can play in the agricultural transformation agenda? We have noted all of these and are working on them, and I believe a positive result will be achieved soon.

Kindly give a brief insight into NAIC? The primary objective of setting up the NAIC, amongst other things, was to implement, manage and administer agricultural insurance scheme at a subsidised rate as provided by federal and state governments. It is also to carry out insurance on commercial basis and operate other types of insurance business as may be permitted by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). As at today, the corporation can be said to have an edge and greater opportunity over other companies that underwrites general business as they do not have access to subsidised premium on crops and livestock policies.

Moreover, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Transformation Agenda focused primarily in making agriculture a business and not a development project through the formation of different schemes and programmes, such as the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System (NIRSAL), Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), Rural Finance Institution Building Program (RUFIN), Staple Crop processing Zones and Agricultural Value Chain. The schemes opened a large vista of opportunities which, we must harness for the betterment of stakeholders.

In simple context, our objective is not only to mitigate but eliminate financial losses of farmers who have been affected by flood, drought and other natural hazard. If you cannot mitigate, you cannot eliminate the extent of financial losses from crop losses. For instance, in 2012, drought affected over 130,000 farmers. Unfortunately, not many were insured because they were not aware of the existence of such cover. Majority of those insured were the medium and largescale farmers, who invariably have accessed loans from the banks. These set of farmers insured their farms because the banks require that they have insurance before they can access loan.

What is the projection of the weather on farmer’s land and their produce?

We cannot give projections on weather.

NIMET is in the position to do so. We do not know it now and that is because we are not doing Weather Index Insurance yet. The only thing we should be guided on is the level of flood we should expect. We are all living witnesses of what happened in 2012. We are told the rain of 2013 will be far more than the flood we are experiencing in 2012. But it was almost a drought that we had last year.

The only thing we tried to do as a company is to see how we are going to support our portfolio properly by ensuring we have a good reinsurance in place. There are channels of distribution network that we are working on in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. It is really crop insurance but it is the process of selling the insurance that we are changing. It is going to be different because it will be ICT driven.

We will sell it through the e-wallet system.

We have advanced on it and we will distribute insurance to farmers through this system. The rainy season has started and the

• Opadokun

distribution of fertilisers has commenced.

Before now government gives farmers two bags of fertilisers free but it was agreed this year, that the farmers will pay certain percentage of money. It will no longer be 100 per cent subsidised. What they will pay is about N2,750 for a bag of fertiliser. From analysis, we discovered that a bag will take care of a farming of one acre of land and they are entitled to two bags so that means they will be able to plough two fertilisers on two acres of land. What we plan to do is to promote insurance cover up to the tune of N20,000 per acre even though this is not the worth of the crop that is on the field. But what we try to do is to base it on a compensation that was paid by the Federal Government to each of the farmers affected in 2012 flood. Each of them was paid N22,000 as a form of compensation. So we are not providing indemnity but compensation for each of the farmers against the listed peril. This means that a farmer buys a bag of fertiliser for just N300 for a sum insured of N20,000.

So as the farmer buys two bags and pay N600, he or she would have had insurance cover for N40,000. For instance, the flood that happened the other time or maybe there’s a fire, storm or drought, the farmer can go back to farming almost immediately.

We discover that it is the small scale farmers, micro farmers that are really affected.

These are people whose primary objective is to take care of their family and that is why we have to bring down the premium to as low as N300 for a value of N20,000 sum insured.

Do you have a reinsurance scheme?

The only way we can also support and strengthen our own business is to ensure we have a proper reinsurance in place. If the 2012 flood happens again, we will not be able to meet up to our obligation. This is part of what we went to do in Zurich with Swiss re. They have a good brand and they will help us develop our human capacity here in Nigeria and at the end of the day, we will have more knowledge of how to do the business better.

What is your target in terms of premium income generation?

For me, it is not the premium income target that matters but the level of coverage and impact we are going to make among the farmers. Our target is how farmers are going to be more aware of the benefits and how to take advantage of it. On the database

from the ministry of agriculture, we have 10.9 million registered farmers under the ewallet fertiliser scheme. Our target is to at least provide cover for 50 per cent of these farmers; it will mean we have reach out to about 5 million farmers in Nigeria. This is our target.

But in terms of premium income, the year 2013 ended with about N900 million and it is a far cry from what we ought to achieve.

Another good thing we discover is that NAIC is the only company that underwrite agric in West Africa because of the peculiar nature of the risk attached to the line of business. So we are looking at how to extend our services to some countries. We will not provide reinsurance for them but provide technical and consulting services. We have two companies that approached us from Ghana and Liberia. They had a farmland they wanted to insure. We sent our own personnel to the countries to do the risk survey; agree the pricing and guide them. Then we will encourage the local operators in their country to take a certain percentage of the risk and place the balance with another reinsurance company within their market or place it with Continental Re in Nigeria.

We will then charge our own fees. This and many more are what we are doing to improve our income.

Some farmers are complaining that NAIC is not present in their state. What are you doing to address the problem?

Part of our programme is how we will sensitise them more and partner with them through their various associations. We partner with cassava, fish farmers, and many others. We are also looking at many other states that we want to partner with and have branches in each of the zones. Presently we have branches in all the zones and if a farmer does not know us, that means the zonal officers have not been doing what they ought to do. The executives cannot be everywhere.

But we will ensure they do what is expected of them henceforth.

Also, some farmers that have insurance complain of not being paid cla ims.

I will take it from the point of how professional we are. If you follow our story, there is a claim of about N80 million that I paid when I resumed in February this year. That claim has been there and adjusted since December last year. Some of us still have the idea of parastatals kind of thing that is different from the private sector. I am coming

‘In terms of premium income, the year 2013 ended with about N900 million, and it is a far cry from what we ought to achieve’

from the private sector and for me; any claim that is settled is a form of advertisement. I believe a satisfied customer will always talk about you in a good way to others and even market you. I see no reason why a claim that has been investigated by a loss adjuster and reported back to you as true should not be settled immediately. There is no point delaying such claim because you will not pay it twice. The sum of N50 million valued today cannot be compared to N80 million in three months’ time. So if we keep the money in the bank, we may not get up to N1 million but the publicity we would have gotten if we had paid the claim on time will be more. I will like to say to every farmer that has insured their farms and other stakeholders that this current management will not hesitate to pay claims. Part of the thing we draw up is three strategic business initiative. These are the fundamentals that we are working upon to make us grow and have a good brand.

In branding ourselves, we discovered that we need to work on our communication channels, not only to the external customer but even within the Corporation. We believe that, the same NAIC that is based in Sokoto is the same one at Bayelsa. Based on this, we are doing so much in our information technology (ICT) so that our business communication will improve. We are also redesigning our website. In the next one month or thereabout you will be able to log on to the new one. The speed of managing your data and communicating with both internal and external customer when you have a good ICT platform to manual is quite different.

This affects our ‘Turn Around Time’ for our operation. Before now, it takes a long time to prepare policies. For example, from the understanding of our business central, everything from preparing and approving polices comes to Abuja. We are now going to have three head offices, one in Lagos, Kaduna and Port Harcourt. So some of the key people that are doing the authorisation in Abuja will be deployed to these three regions and will be empowered to underwrite.

This I believe will definitely reflect on the ‘Turn Around Time’. Policy preparation that takes two to three weeks to prepare should take at most 48 hours for an ideal company.

So by the time we centralise in authorizing this business, it will save the business process up to payment of claims.

It seems NAIC does not have the capacity to cover all agricultural risks. Recently, some fish farmers complained that the Corporation refused to provide cover for their juvenile and fingerling production. Why? The challenge is that we don’t have cover for juvenile presently. The reasons are one, the mortality rate for juvenile and the challenge also has to do with the knowledge gap of some of these farmers. For example, if you want to supply fingerlings, it is not the same morning that you want to go and deliver that you will pack them into a basket, leave them and put them in an open keg and take them out. They cannot survive because the temperature while they were in the pond will be different from when you will put them in the basket and almost immediately put them on transit. They are very fragile at the stage and the mortality will be very high.

Ideally, for you to move them tomorrow, it is like a baby that you handle with care. You suppose to take them neatly and preserve them in the new atmosphere for at least 12 hours for them to get used to it.

So, these are the areas we have serious challenge, where we also feel we need to re-educate some of these farmers. Then we have not been able to get reinsurance cover for fingerlings because of the extreme mortality rate in Nigeria. So what we have to do is partner with Swiss Re and it is part of the listed cover that we need for the farmers.

The Federal Government has banned fish importation, prompting many to invest in local production. But this is still without insurance which is supposed to cushion their loss. Does this not suggest that the initiative may not be successful?

Yes, it is going to be a challenge but I strongly believe it is going to get better.

From the recent sensitisation programme for fish farmers by an NGO whom we partnered with, we found out that some of them did not even know how insurance can be beneficial to their business. So from time to time, we intend to sensitise them in each states. We are going to Ogun State now. We have gone to Kwara State and the Governor called me that same day that they want to partner with us on Songai farms. They also want us to meet their ministry of agriculture for other programmes. So I believe that if we reach out more, we will see the gain not only to the Corporation but also to the farmers.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16 2014

29

MONEYLINK

NDIC seeks improved mobile banking services

T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called on stakeholders in the mobile money business to seek ways of extending the service to a larger proportion of the population.

NDIC’s chief, Umaru Ibrahim who made this known during a roundtable discussion on mobile money services held in Lagos, said that there are over 100 million mobile phone lines in the country.

He said: “According to Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFiNA) survey, the rural population is 71 per cent, while 76.2 per cent of the population remains unbanked. Mobile phone ownership is 55.6 per cent in the rural areas.”

He explained that effective rendering of mobile banking financial

•Finalises deposit insurance policy for subscribers Stories by Collins Nweze

services can be a key mechanism in achieving the objective of National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) based on the huge success recorded

by Kenya, Uganda and South Africa in enhancing financial inclusion through mobile financial services.

Ibrahim said mobile banking subscribers will soon get deposit insurance coverage, with each subscriber guaranteed up to N200,000, or N500,000 as applicable to Microfinance Banks/Primary Mortgage Banks and Deposit Money Banks(DMBs) respectively, in the event of bank failure.

He explained that if a bank fails, the insured mobile account can be

transfer funds to any recipient in the country and outside the country, as well as pay for their goods and services, using their mobile phones and other electronic devices.

“Mobile phones, in particular, are an attractive way to promote financial inclusion given their extensive use by the population and global reach. Mobile phones can serve as a virtual bank card, point of sale terminal (PoS), Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) or internet banking terminal. The confluence of banking technologies with mobile telephony leads to wider penetration and holds new promise of financial inclusion for the minority of the unbanked,” he emphasised.

He said the Central Bank of Ni-

transferred to another sound bank, to further engender public confidence in the system and promote financial stability. According to him, the framework for extending deposit insurance to individual customers of mobile payment services is being finalised.

He explained that mobile payment is operated under financial regulation and performed from, or through a mobile device.

“It is a convenient, secure and affordable way to send money to friends and family, using mobile phones and/or other electronic devices like internet facilities,” he disclosed.

Ibrahim stressed that with mobile money, all economic agents can

•Ibrahim

geria (CBN) issued a regulatory framework for the operation of mobile payments services in Nigeria in 2009, adding that the apex bank has also granted licences to 21 mobile money operators.

UBA launches ‘U-Direct Corporate’ solution for companies

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has launched a web based banking platform, U-Direct Corporate.

It’s a cash management and transaction services platform designed to help small and large firms maximise their payments, collections and liquidity position.

The bank explained that the product, operational in UBA Nigeria and across the 18 African subsidiaries of the group, offers an integrated, single sign-on product suite, through which the bank provides to corporate clients cash management and transaction banking services.

It said the new web-based U-Direct Corporate, designed for SMEs, large companies, institutions and governments, requires only one password to access all its eight

modules on the platform.

The modules include payments, collections, multi-bank multi-regional balance viewing, liquidity management, cash forecasting, eTrade, e-Treasury and value chain management.

U-Direct Corporate also offers a mobile app, the first of its kind for corporate customers in the industry and enables access to the plat-

ances, initiate or decline approvals even while on the move on business or personal calls. No important business has to wait until they get back to the office,” explained.

He said U-Direct Corporate will also enable companies speed up receivables processing, resulting in reduced financial exposure, lower borrowing costs and maximised cash flow.

form for payments and approvals on mobile phones. The mobile app is available for Android, IoS, and Blackberry smart phones.

The bank’s Product Manager for U-Direct Corporate, Emeka Uzoigwe said : “The mobile application offered by U-Direct Corporate is ideal for Executives who are always on the go. They can track and monitor transactions and bal-

Enterprise Bank’s Walk-for-Life goes nationwide

I

N continuation of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Enterprise Bank Limited would on Saturday June 21, hold the 2nd edition of its Walk-For-Life campaign.

In a statement, the bank said the programme would help in promoting healthy living for people

in its host communities.

It said the event is planned in such a way that it holds simultaneously across the ten regions of the bank nationwide, except in Ekiti State, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting a general election.

The bank, said the Walk-For-Life exercise, which will kick off at exactly 7 a.m. will underscore and promote the importance of good health and physical fitness among staff, customers of the bank and the host communities where the bank has outlets all over the country.

Explaining the modalities for the

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

Lagos version which will be flagged off by Mallam Ahmed Kuru, the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, the statement said that the Walk-For-Life campaign will involve participants walking through a distance of over eight kilometres on the Lagos, Ikoyi and Victoria Islands’ axis.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

The bank’s Divisional Head, eBanking, Yinka Adedeji said: “What U-Direct Corporate has done is to aggregate all the financial transactions of our corporate customers into a single platform enabling them to carry out all these transactions from the comfort of their offices or anywhere thereby boosting efficiencies, accountability and transparency.

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 “

CONOIL CAVERTON COSTAIN NEIMETH CUTIX ABCTRANS ETERNA CONTINSURE MANSARD CCNN

O/PRICE 65.98 4.53 1.17 1.20 1.83 0.84 4.23 1.03 2.41 10.35

C/PRICE 72.73 4.98 1.28 1.27 1.92 0.88 4.40 1.07 2.50 10.63

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 6-3-14

SYMBOL

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change

Year Start Offer

CHANGE 10.23 9.93 9.40 5.83 4.92 4.76 4.02 3.88 3.73 2.71

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 3.07 15.99 1.51 1.76 1.11 1.01 33.86 2.97 0.60 3.24

C/PRICE 2.79 15.20 1.44 1.68 1.06 0.98 33.00 2.90 0.59 3.19

CHANGE -9.12 -4.94 -4.64 -4.55 -4.50 -2.97 -2.54 -2.36 -1.67 -1.54

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 0.69 0.69 1.39 1.33 1,665.62 1,666.74 1,095.20 1,094.62 119.58 118.75 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 6-3-14

JOSBREW NCR VONO MAYBAKER DNMEYER WEMABANK OKOMUOIL FIDSON COURTVILLE AFRIPRUD

NSE

UBA BALANCED FUND UBA BOND FUND UBA EQUITY FUND UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

143.11

142.62

0.78 1,944.64 14.25 1.15

0.76 1,936.31 13.90 1.12

1.3472 1.3587 1.0193 1.1798

1.3363 1.3587 1.0012 1.1798

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

30

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-06-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-06-14

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

31

EQUITIES

Diamond Bank seeks N50.4b from existing shareholders D IAMOND Bank Plc plans to raise about N50.4 billion from its shareholders as it seeks to strengthen its capital base.

A regulatory filing obtained at the weekend by The Nation indicated that Diamond Bank plans to undertake a rights issue of about 8.69 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N5.80 per share. Diamond Bank’s share price closed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at N6.70 per share.

According to the report, the rights issue would be pre-allotted to shareholders of the bank as at the weekend, June 13, 2013.

Already, the bank has submitted application for the rights issue to the NSE. The Nation had recently reported exclusively that many

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

banks might be consider raising new capital to complement their balance sheet to place them in better position to increase lending and further their expansion.

Investment banking sources had told The Nation that although the average capital adequacy ratio in the Nigerian banking industry remains considerably high and most banks are above regulatory benchmark, banks have indicated they might seek new capital.

The banks were said to be considering raising new capital

mostly through debt and quasiequity instruments but some were also considering equity issues.

Sources said banks were being proactive to ensure adequate longterm capital plan for their expansion plans. Other banks that have initiated plans to raise funds included Skye Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Recent analysts report indicated that Nigerian banks were generally adequately capitalised with several banks.

According to analysts, most of the banks are adequately capitalised to absorb losses without requiring emergency capital injec-

tions in case of any further writeoffs.

Analysts however noted that the rebasing of the Nigerian economy has created lending space that banks will require more capital to fill.

Diamond Bank had announced a 16.7 per cent increase in profit before tax to N32.1billion for the full year ended December 31, 2013. The bank declared a dividend of 30 kobo per ordinary share.

Group managing director, Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, had noted that the pre-tax profit exceeded its N30 billion profit guidance pointing out that the result is rooted in the bank’s strength to attract low-cost deposits and deploy these into various assets at profitable yet acceptable risk lev-

els.

While the bank achieved a net interest income of N104.6 billion, an increase of 17.1 per cent from N89.3billion recorded in 2012, it generated interest and similar income of N143.1 billion, an increase of 27.3 per cent from N112.4 billion earned in 2012. Diamond Bank also achieved a 46.2 per cent increase in other income from N23.8 billion it recorded in the preceding year to an impressive to N34.8 billion in 2013.

Diamond Bank’s 2013 financial results also showed improvements in various areas of the group balance sheet with loans and advances to customers increasing by 17.8 per cent to N689.2 billion; deposits from customers increasing by 32.5 per cent to N1, 206 billion.

IOSCO intensifies efforts to strengthen capital markets

T

HE International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has set up a work agenda to strengthen and foster the roles of capital markets as trusted sources of capital with a view to encouraging greater use of capital markets as financing channels for transactions.

The board of IOSCO, which met in Madrid, discussed progress on a number of key initiatives to support the G20FSB efforts to restore stability in the global financial system and build economic growth.

The board, which included Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), also looked into methodologies for identifying non-bank global systemically important financial institutions or activities in the areas of asset management and market intermediaries.

IOSCO also discussed the role capital markets and securities regulators can play in supporting long-term finance, including infrastructure investment and small and medium enterprises (SME )financing.

The meeting also considered the implementation of IOSCO Principles on Financial Benchmarks, the IOSCO Principles for Oil Price Reporting Agencies and the IOSCO Principles for the Regulation and Supervision of Commodity Derivatives Markets.

Chairman, International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), Greg Medcraft said capital markets are emerging as a key source of the finance needed across the globe to drive economic growth.

“Through a work agenda focused on fostering markets as a trusted source of capital, IOSCO is playing an important role in supporting that growth,” Medcraft noted.

The IOSCO board also discussed audit quality and important initiatives to build confidence in global securities markets and to reduce the reliance of asset managers and market intermediaries on credit ratings as well as promote effective credible deterrence as a key element in improving investor protection and confidence in markets.

Members discussed the results of the IOSCO research department´s latest market survey on market trends, which emphasizes the growing leverage in securities markets, the impact of cross-border capital flows on emerging markets, financial risk disclosure, collateral management, and potential counterparty risk in central clearing houses.

Board members also examined policy measures aimed at building capacity in emerging markets and supporting the creation of strong regulatory frameworks for sustaining growth in both emerging and developed markets.

IFC acquires additional 4.6% stake in ETI

I

NTERNATIONAL Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, has acquired additional 4.6 per cent equity stake in Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc, the financial services holding group for all Ecobank banks, including Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

ETI, which is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and the BRVM, Abidjan, is issuing more than 838.32 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to IFC, through convertible loan deals involving two funds being managed by the corporation.

A document submitted to the NSE indicated that IFC is acquiring the shares through its managed funds-IFC ALAC Holding

Company II and the IFC Capitalization (Equity) Fund LP. Under the deals, both funds would convert convertible debts earlier granted to ETI to shares, with effect from July 1, 2014. The outstanding convertible loans of about $56.39 million for the IFC Capitalization (Equity) Fund LP and $18.10 million for the IFC ALAC Holding Company II will be converted to some 628.74 million and 209.58 million ordinary shares of ETI respectively.

Consequently, ETI will issue 838.32 million additional shares, increasing its outstanding shares by 4.9 per cent from 17.21 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to 18.05 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each. However, The Nation’s check at the weekend in-

dicated that ETI has 15.95 billion ordinary shares of 50kobo each issued and outstanding on the NSE. The conversions will automatically reduce ETI’s convertible debts by $75.180 million.

ETI has already initiated steps to issue and list the additional shares on the three stock exchanges in line with usual requirements.

It should be recalled that IFC had in 2012, through these two managed funds and another fund-Africa Capitalisation Fund Limited, acquired 8.63 per cent equity stake in ETI. It had acquired 1.25 billion ordinary shares at agreed price of 8.0 cents per share, totaling $100 million, about N15.6 billion. ETI then had 13.24 billion ordinary

shares outstanding. The supplementary listing of the additional shares issued to IFC increased total outstanding shares to 14.49 billion shares, giving IFC 8.63 per cent post listing.

According to the details of the acquisition, IFC Capitalization (Equity Fund) LP purchased 596.59 million ordinary shares for $47.73 million; Africa Capitalisation Fund Limited acquired 340.91 million ordinary shares for $27.27 million while IFC ALAC Holding Company II acquired 312.5 million ordinary shares for $25 million.

The investment followed the signing of share subscription agreements in July 2012 between IFC and ETI when IFC invested $100 million by way of common equity in ETI.

Portland Paints assures on sustainable growth

T

HE board of Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc has assured shareholders that ongoing investments would strengthen the company’s profitability as it recovered from a loss of N228.4 million in 2012 to a net profit of N107 million in 2013.

At the annual general meeting at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos, the company presented its audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2013 to shareholders amidst promises that the bottom-line will become better in the years ahead.

The audited report showed that while sales dropped marginally by 3.0 per cent from N2.87 billion in 2012 to N2.77 billion in 2013, profit before tax stood at N123.59 million in 2013 as against loss before tax of N199.17 million in 2012. After taxes, net profit stood at N107.5 million in 2013 compared with net loss of

•Bounces back with N107m profit

N228.37 million in previous year.

The company’s shareholders’ funds rose by 14 per cent from N776.57 million to N884.04 million.

Chairman, Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, attributed the turnaround in the fortune of the business to successful implementation of innovation and proactive policies.

According to him, the company had continued to implement its strategies for the enhancement of its service delivery through the restructuring of its operations and, in particular, the route to the market and focus on areas of its core competencies, enforcement of procedures and processes in tandem with the group’s policies.

He noted that the bold initiatives taken by the directors have reposi-

tioned the company for sustainable growth and improved performance in 2014 and in the years ahead.

“For our company, the future is indeed bright, as we are poised to reap the benefits of the investments we are currently making in the business,” Ettah said.

He however expressed concerns over the macroeconomic outlook urging that as the country moves closer to the forthcoming elections in 2015, it was imperative for political representatives and policy makers to ensure that their activities impacted positively on the business environment.

According to him, the security challenges in the Northern part of the country with the attendant consequences of loss of lives and properties, domestic constraints

such as increasing oil theft and piracy, depletion of fiscal buffers, dwindling foreign reserves, erratic supply of electricity and poor infrastructure - all made the business operating environment to be difficult.

He expressed optimism on the growth prospect of the Nigerian economy in the medium term pointing out that while most analysts expect foreign reserves to decline marginally due to Central Bank of Nigeria’s strategy of using the external reserve to stabilize the Naira and the likelihood of modest currency depreciation, there is reason to be optimistic on the growth prospect of the economy in the medium term due to the likelihood of continued sustenance of the Federal Government’s reforms in the power, transportation and agriculture sectors of the economy.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

32

ISSUES The proposed merger of three aviation agencies to form the Federal Civil Aviation Authority ( FCAA), is generating ripples. The government insists the merger would reduce overhead costs, enhance efficiency and streamline operations. But aviation unions , airline operators and other stakeholders argue that the proposal breaches international regulations.They say safety can be threatened if aeronautical services and civil aviation oversight are vested in one body, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

• Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja,Lagos

Much ado about planned merger of aviation agencies P LANS by the Federal Government to merge Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency ( NIMET) to form Federal Civil Aviation Authority ( FCAA), are being resisted by some stakeholders Leading the opposition are key stakeholders in the aviation sector, which include aviation unions and airline operator who continue to erect a road block against the realisation of the merger plan. this is despite the many benefits adduced by government for the proposed merger .

According to government, merging the agencies would save costs and enhance personnel efficiency.Government explained that the resolve to merge the agencies was the outcome of the white paper issued on the report of the Steve Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on the Restructuring and Rationalisation of

public parastatals, commissions and agencies.

The overall objective of government to restructure commissions and agencies is to achieve efficiency and cut down on overhead costs.

Speaking in a recent interview, the supervising minister of aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom said: "The Oronsaye Committee, I believe, considered all options and consulted widely with the relevant stakeholders even in the aviation industry before making the recommendations.

Government has also looked critically at the proposal and considered it in the interest of the sector to approve the proposal.

The merger, I believe, will improve efficiency and reduce waste and overhead cost

in the aviation sector. However, the President has set up an implementation committee to see to the merger process.

I don't believe the government would go all out to implement policies that would

hurt the aviation industry. The government considers the aviation industry very critical to transforming the economy, thus it wouldn't jeopardise that with aviation hurting polices.

Let’s trust the government to do what is right. This government is a listening administration, if at any point the gov• Continued on page 33

‘

The resolve to merge the agencies was the outcome of the white paper issued on the report of the Steve Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on the Restructuring and Rationalisation of public parastatals, commissions and agencies. ... The overall objective of government to restructure commissions and agencies is to achieve efficiency and cut down on overhead costs

’

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

33

ISSUES

Much ado about planned merger of aviation agencies

•Dr Samuel Ortom

•Steven Oronsaye

•Captain Nogie Meggison

•Captain Dele Ore

• Continued from page 32

ernment considers the merger detrimental, it wouldn't hesitate to rescind its decision.”

The Minister therefore, said government is going ahead to implement the recommendations of the Oronsaye committee report, a move which is now being resisted by aviation unions, airline operators and other stakeholders.

The airline operators and aviation unions argue that the proposed merger of the agencies contravenes the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the global civil aviation regulator .

Some of them also argue that attempts by government to fuse the three agencies would stunt the growth and development of the sector.

Already, aviation unions such as Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN) National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE ) and National Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers ( NAAPE ) have put their members on the alert in preparation for strike should government go ahead to merger the agencies.

The unions reason that their members could lose their jobs should government go ahead with the merger. This was why the aviation workers vowed to resist the merger, arguing that it is not healthy for the industry.

The unions affirm that allowing the merger to stand amounts to taking the aviation sector back. They argue that ICAO regulations prescribe that the provision of civil aviation regulations should be separated from air navigation services.

A source in one of the affected agencies told The Nation that the security and safety implications of the merger may force government to jettison the proposed merger.

The source hinted that three reports from the department of state services , two from Lagos and one from Abuja, indicated that the policy, no matter how lofty, may not augur well for the aviation sector because of its radical departure from standards and recommended practices of ICAO. Arising from the seriousness of the security reports, the Federal Givernment may have opened lines of communication with union members in the aviation sector.

This, The nation learnt, was sequel to warning by aviation unions last month that the Federal Government might be sanctioned by ICAO over the proposed merger of the agencies.

Addressing reporters, Spokesman of the unions, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, who is also President of ATSSSAN, said the planned merger of the agencies is in gross violation of international standards and regulations of ICAO. He said : " We strongly support the current model that makes for the autonomy and independence of the NCAA and feel it should not in any way be diluted, as doing so would attract dire consequences from ICAO and the FAA. Why are we in Nigeria reinventing the wheel ?

The current model of allowing the agencies stand alone is acceptable worldwide and it is working perfectly well” While the unions recognise the prerogative of the Federal Government to restructure and consolidate its parastatals for whatever reasons, we are of the opinion that government should have consulted widely on the issue and its consequences on the industry before taking the decision.

‘

While the unions recognise the prerogative of the Federal Government to restructure and consolidate its parastatals for whatever reasons, we are of the opinion that government should have consulted widely on the issue and its consequences on the industry before taking the decision

We say boldly that whatever savings the federal government intends to achieve through this merger will definitely compromise safety which we all know is priceless. You cannot quantify the cost of safety and efficiency, neither can we mortgage safety on the platter of reducing cost."

He further said: “This subject was extensively discussed at the 38th session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada and a resolution was passed with a directive to member states to endeavour through national legislation to separate civil aviation regulatory responsibilities from those of service providers.

The resolution became necessary because ICAO recognizes that a potential conflict of interest exist where a single entity performs both functions.

It is obvious here that the regulator cannot regulate itself because there will definitely be conflict of interests.

Why then would the Nigerian government make such a pronouncement having been part of the 38th ICAO assembly that took the referenced resolution? Out of the 197 contracting states, over 100 have CAA's that are independent of other Service Providers.

Other non compliant states are transiting into the ICAO recommended model. Even Ghana was in Nigeria to do a study to implement same in their country."

Okewu said with the proposed merger, government is going back to an arrangement that existed over 20 years ago in the days of the defunct FCAA He said :" That system was found to be unprogressive, dysfunctional and unable to project adequately the safety oversight responsibility of the then FCAA and Consequently, the Federal government scraped

’

the FCAA in 1996 .

He wondered why such a draw-back decision would be taken by the Federal Government when the government is fully aware that Nigeria overwhelmingly enjoyed the support of the world during the last ICAO council elections that produced Dr. O. B. Aliu, a Nigerian as president of the council of ICAO. “Should we continue to move backward when every other country is moving forward?" he asked.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), also described the merger as unacceptable Its Executive Chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison, said the excercise is at variance with ICAO regulation as contained in section 8335.

He said fusing the agencies would violate the regulations of the global aviation body , which specifically prescribes the separation of provision of aviation services from civil aviation regulations by same organisation .

He said over 110 countries have complied with the separation of regulatory functions from service provision by the same agency. He therefore, wondered why Nigeria should be taking steps backwards with the proposed merger of aviation agencies .

He listed the countries that have implemented this principle to include: Germany, UK, France, Russia, Ireland, Canada, and Ukraine . " Autonomy for the air navigation services provider and its separation from the regulatory oversight function is well established in ICAO guidance material. It is not right to have the NCAA as a referee and a player at the same time.

It is baffling that countries like South Africa and Ghana that came to Nigeria to un-

derstudy our independent agencies and how they operate in terms of ICAO regulations have gone back to their countries to implement what they came to learn from us. Unfortunately, Nigeria is attempting to go back to the obsolete form.

We know that government is trying to cut cost because of the recurrent expenditure but these agencies could be self-sustaining without government funding for their operations.

We therefore, implore the government to take a second look at the recommendation because of the danger it portends to the industry at large."

The former Airport Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu ( rtd), said whoever advised government to merge NAMA and NIMET with NCAA did not do so with good intentions.

The advisers, he said, probably forgot to include FAAN in the appropriation to further take us back to the era of self-regulator. " Oronsaye must have been wrongly briefed by some egg heads. How do you merge operators of the industry with the regulator?” he asked.

Instead, Ojikutu said :" We should get the private operators to invest more on the industry or commercialise government operators like FAAN and NAMA as recommended in the privatisation and commercialisation Act of 2000, government instead is appropriating the industry to itself alone."

General Secretary, Nigerian Aviation Professional Association (NAPA), Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu described the decision as unpopular .

He said government is only attempting to re- invent the wheel, because attempts in the past to merge aviation agenciesdid not achieve the desired result . "it didn't work under the former Minister, Retired Air Marshal Nsika Eduok; it was practised and it failed. Secondly, the recommendation of Steve Oronsaye cannot work in aviation industry because Nigerian aviation is regulated globally by ICAO," he pointed out.

President of Aviation Round Table , Captain Dele Ore, described it as one of the steps proposed by government to derail the development of the aviation sector. His words: "What the government is planning is wrong, it will take us back to the 1995 era and whether we like it or not, I give them two years, they will return back again."

"You don't merge a regulatory body with a service provider, NAMA and NIMET are service providers, you cannot merge them with NCAA which is a regulatory body,.This is at variance with international laws laid down by ICAO and other relevant international bodies.

"Who are the experts that did the report? did they even give consideration to international convention and international best practices? Those are the questions to ask and whatever they do may be a big slap to our face," he added.

He said the decision should be jettisoned.

Ore said :" Government has however, accepted this ridiculous state of affairs. To avoid any further embarrassment, the proposed merger should not be allowed to materialize. This is another wrong decision by the government and it should be rescinded immediately. We cannot be seen to be working at cross-purposes to ICAO's international standards.”

He further said that It would not matter what kind of amendment is anticipated in the establishment Acts of the affected parastatals, Nigeria will be in violation of international best practices.

According to him, "Section 30 of the Civil Aviation Act (2006) is very explicit and no matter how we manipulate that Act, the new FCAA will no longer be able to regulate the making of signals and other communication by or to aircraft and persons carried in aircraft. The new FCAA will no longer be able to regulate air traffic control and meteorological services. The new FCAA cannot be a regulator as well as a service provider.

"This whole exercise was done without wide consultation with the industry and the government was misinformed and misadvised by the so-called professionals to serve their own selfish end," Capt. Ore said.

Will the position of of experts like Ore and those of the aviation unions, airline opereators, and stakeholders hit the right chord in the ears of government? That is the big question, which only time will answer.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

34

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NAICOM to introduce market A conduct guideline

Zakariya’u calls for more govt’s support

I

NSURANCE policies are so complicated and packed with jargons that even the basics require a comprehensive explanation.

The policies are also usually in tiny prints and many insurance operators do not take time to explain exclusions and inclusions of the products they sell to policyholders until after a claim occurs.

This has created distrust among the insuring public and the insurers. It has also continued to dwindle the fortunes of the Nigerian insurance industry.

To address this lack of trust, among others, the regulatory authority, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), is in the process of releasing market conduct guideline to operators in the insurance industry to follow.

The guideline aims to ensure that insurers provide policyholders with enough information to enable them make the right choices in life and household products, which will meet their desires.

Besides, the guideline will ensure that all tiny prints are written boldly and shown to the buyer of the product.

The guideline will also require operators to state in a policy document how claims can be made and also show the names and addresses of authorities of whom an aggrieved policyholder can report to.

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel

• Daniel Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

while speaking with journalist said the measure will begin to restore confidence of insuring public and also drive brokers’ efficiency.

He said: “We are in the process of releasing the market conduct guideline. Before any insurance company introduces a product, we

must approve it and make sure the attention of the policyholder is drawn to every little detail of the policy.

“Also, any advert meant for publication in newspapers by insurance companies will be scrutinised and reviewed by our special unit that deals with public affairs where all these adverts are reviewed. In case they are unclear, the company will be asked to simplify any complexity within the insurance products.

“We discover that policy holders are sometimes, being treated unfairly and this must stop to improve people’s confidence.”

The NAICOM boss noted that before now, the general trend or saying is that insurance is very complex, but explained that the complexity and diversity of insurance products can be made simple by using languages people understand to communicate with them.

“Before now, it used to be complex but now the wordings of policies have changed. They have improved and that is what we do at the regulatory side. We go through each of these policy documents and ensure that they are as simplified as possible.

“Our planning and process in developing and coming out with the micro insurance and takaful guideline was to ensure that the languages, the words and all the terms and conditions that somebody will come up with are simplified.”

STI to raise capital through rights issue

S

OVEREIGN Trust Insurance Plc (STI) is set to raise additional equity capital by offering one new ordinary share for every three ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

This according to the underwriting firm, is in fulfillment of one of the resolutions reached by its shareholders at the 18th annual general meeting (AGM) held last year, which empowered the directors to raise additional equity capital by way of special placement or public offer/ rights issue or a combination of any of them.

The Mnaging Director, STI, Wale Onaolapo who made this known in Lagos, said the plan to embark on another rights issue is aimed at consolidating the ownership of the firm by its existing shareholders.

He said: “The rights issue, which is due to commence very soon will put on offer one new ordinary share for every three ordinary shares

of 50 kobo each held in the company as at the close of register during the last annual general meeting.

“Consequently, the management enjoins all shareholders of the company to take full advantage this second time around, by fully exercising their rights in the proposed rights issue as a way of consolidating and increasing their stake in the ownership of this very dynamic and forward-looking insurance company in the country.

“The company, more than ever before, is poised to take the insurance business to a greater height as it gravitates to the next phase of its growth agenda. The management has set a growth agenda, which is aimed at positioning the underwriting firm as one of the top players in the insurance industry, particularly, in the oil and gas sector where it has developed very

unique expertise and professionalism.”

Onaolapo called on shareholders to lend total support to the rights issue once it’s placed on offer. This will help in achieving the various objectives that have been set by the organisation.

He noted that the company is committed to creating exceptional value to all its shareholders.

In achieving the huge tasks, he said they have identified that a very robust capital base is critical to the success of the set agenda hence the need for shareholders to grow their investments in the company.

He said the firm is working towards being one of the most preferred insurance companies in the country for people to do business with, invest in as well as be the choice employer of labour.

Adherence to ethics, creativity ‘ll boost industry, says Shoderu

T

HE insurance industry in Nigeria will attain its desired height if practitioners adhere to ethics and creativity,the Managing Director of Man-Mountain and Company Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu, has said.

Shoderu who is also the President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), made the statement over the weekend while delivering an address at the 30th Anniversary of Man-Mountain in Lagos.

Highlighting the challenges of the industry, he said that the major challenge confronting practitioners is the dire need for them to play according to rules at all times.

He noted that if other service providers have made their products inevitable to the public, the insurance industry, which is the carrier of risks, does not have any excuse to be stampeded out of existence.”

Tracing the history of the company from inception, Shoderu said its vision was to redefine the image of insurance broking in Nigeria through provision of cutting edge services He noted that the company had not deviated from the norm since its formation 30 years ago.

• From left: MrAyodapoShoderu, Managing Director of Man Mountain and Company Limited in a handshake with the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, MrFataiLawal during the 30th Anniversary event of Man Mountain and Company Limited in Lagos. With them Mrs Mavis Shoderu.

He reminisces the teething period of the company when it was difficult to market insurance services to clients because of poor knowledge and bad image of some professionals at the time.

He said having just resigned from Femi Johnson and Company Limited where he held the position of Executive Director, he had to shuttle from one office and client to another

to persuade them to undertake insurance and to utilise the services of an insurance broker.

In his goodwill message, the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Mr. FataiLawal said Man Mountain and Company Limited had become the pride of the insurance world in Nigeria due to its adherence to ethics, innovativeness and professionalism.

FRICAN governments should minimise the risk they carry by insuring all of its assets and properties, Chairman, Niger Insurance, BalaZakariya’u has said.

Zakariya’u who made this call in an interview with The Nation at the just concluded African Insurance Organisation (AIO) conference in Rwanda stated that government is the major consumer of insurance service.

He urged insurers in the country to engage government officials by educating them on the need to ensure all assets and properties are fully insured.

He said although the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has done a lot to encourage participation of government in insurance as consumers, regulators and providers of an enabling environment, insurance operators also need to take advantage by having a good link to provide services to the government.

He said: “I think that there is wider awareness now in the government about what insurance companies can do to minimize the risk that government itself carry but insurers also need to engage the officials.”

Speaking on how the use of technology can help grow insurance, Zakariya’u noted that technology is presently the driver of all productivity.

He said Niger Insurance takes technology as a very important tool towards actualizing better performance.

“The AIO conference stressed that technology is the stash of development and I believe that the industry will benefit from it.

“If you put productivity before insurance companies, there will be more money for our companies and the industry generally,” he said.

Home insurance exclusions: What your policy won’t cover

N

O matter what type of home insurance policy you buy, there’s a list of common “perils” that most insurance companies will not cover.

Do you know which of these scenarios is not covered by your policy?

A car careens off the street and drives into your living room.

A skunk gets into your house and now everything you own stinks.

Knowledge is your best defence when you have a possible home insurance claim. Knowing exactly what your homeowner insurance policy covers and excludes also helps you determine whether you need to purchase additional coverage for your circumstances.

There are two important questions to ask your home insurance agent: What losses does your policy cover and not cover? In addition, what additional coverage might you need given your situation?

Are you familiar with the exclusions listed in your home insurance policy?

Since policies can differ by state and insurer, the best way to find out about exclusions is to read your own policy. If you come across something you don’t understand, ask your agent or insurance company about it. Here are some common scenarios about exclusions.

What happens if a wild animal sneaks into my home and wreaks havoc?

You’re covered. Technically, the animal vandalised your home. Vandalism is covered under most standard policies.

What if I need a building code upgrade?

Not covered. If your home suffers damage and you want to upgrade it when you repair, you’ll have to do it at your own expense. A standard home insurance policy pays only for what you originally insured. However, some insurance companies sell a “rebuilding ordinance or law coverage” rider. This extra coverage pays a specific amount toward upgrade costs but under this type of policy, you have to suffer a disaster before it will pay to upgrade.

• Tips by Insure.com

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

35

THE NATION

BUSINESS FOREIGN Nigeria’s drive for foreign direct investment (FDI) is getting the desired effects as Turkish industrialists, acting under the aegis of TUSCON, partner their Nigerian counterparts in joint ventures that will create jobs and boost the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). These facts were made known during a visit to Istanbul, the commercial hub of Turkey under the Turkish-Nigeria Businessmen Association. Group Business Editor, SIMEON EBULU, who was there, reports.

T

URKEY and Nigeria are quite similar in more ways than one. Both are linked and lavishly served with water, a huge population they both have, Nigeria being over 167million to Turkey’s 75million and a considerable large expanse of land. Turkey measures above 700,000sq2 miles to Nigeria’s over 900,000sq2 miles.

Within the last decade, about 2009, to be precise, both nations have taken deliberate and conscious steps to nurture and expand their scope of cooperation, not only in the diplomatic sphere, but more essentially in the industrial sector. And this is being driven essentially by the private sector.

The arrowhead of this integration, or rather cooperation, is TUSCON (the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey). Under TUSCON, there are seven federations and under that, you have thousands of other groups. Across Turkey, Nigeria and other affiliate countries, are over 140,000 members of TUSCON engaged in various businesses, amongst which is ABINAT. It is the acronym for the Association of Businesspeople And Investors of Nigeria And Turkey.

TUSCON President, Rizanur Meral, who spoke at a session with a delegation of visiting Nigerian Business Editors to Istanbul, Turkey, said Nigeria is of particular interest to the body and its membership, because it represents the biggest economy in Africa with the resent rebasing of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said Nigeria has a huge market potential, adding that Nigerian businessmen know what they want.

He said Nigeria is number one business country in Africa, stressing that if you want to make any success in business in Africa, Nigeria is key. Meral listed furniture, carpets, agriculture, fruit processing, construction and household items as among several areas the Turks are squaring to engage Nigerian businessmen.

He eulogised Nigeria’s Ambassador to Turkey as being instrumental to the steady growth in the business engagement between both nations.

Two Turkish members of the delegation from Nigeria, Yavuz Zemheri of ABINAT and Cemal Yigit of Ebru Television, explained that the Turkish body has always leveraged on their schools to make inroads to others countries.

School System As Yigit put it, “we are coming through education to present ourselves in a way that we really want you to know us transparently, because in the education field, you cannot play with people, because you have parents from every segment of society , from bureaucrats to businessmen, from officials to military men, that makes you to be extremely transparent, trustful and honest.

“Once you prove yourself in that area, whatever you offer to your partners in that country, they’ll accept you, like it happened to our group. Our schools gave birth to the university, and the university gave birth to the hospital, and so on.”

• Meral

• CAM

• Sakartepe

Turkish industrialists eye Nigeria’s market

He explained that the Turkish people mostly reach out to others through education, because as he put it, “we believe education is essential and key to everyone, so we are really happy to achieve this objective through the instrumentality of education. It triggers and ignites the appetite of Turkish business people too, because they could think that since there are Turkish schools, there could as well be Nigerians who speak Turkish too, so it could be an inducement for them to opt to come and do business.

He said through the schools, Turkish people start to come into the country, and before you know it, a relationship is already developing. So having the Nigeria Turkish business association was also part of it.

He said It is important to note that this group is re-investing every kobo it makes from this country back into the country.

“We have no intention whatsoever to carry our profit out of Nigeria,” Yigit added.

Zemheri, said ABINAT’s (Association of Businesspeople and Investors of Nigeria and Turkey) objective is to employ the visit to show to Nigerians the business opportunities in Turkey along with the culture and traditions of the Turkish people.

According to our understanding, the market of Africa in general and particularly in Nigeria, is abused by some monopolistic tendencies. We believe that Nigerians deserve much more better opportunities, and not just settle for some products from some other countries. They can-

found. You can reach a wide range of people, and direct to the manufacturers, which is the very good side of the association, he said.

Goals

Grundig, Beko products coming RUNDIG television and a range of other BEKO products would soon make their inroad into the Nigerian market, BEKO Sales Executive, International Sales, Central Africa, Selim Dumani, has said.

Dumani, who spoke when the delegation visited the firm, said the company which was originally a German entity, came under joint ownership with Koc, but added that the Turkish firm has bought-over the ownership from the German firm.

He said the company which churns out 20,000 television sets a day, is the biggest of its kind in Turkey, adding that the products

G

and the technology employed in the production process, are energy saving.

He said the firm has finalized plans to launch the product in Nigeria, stating that five agents have already been appointed for Nigeria in addition to about 200 distributors to market the products, which include the Grundig television, refrigerators and washing machines.

Dumani said about sixteen technicians have already been trained to undertake maintenance and repair works that may be required with time. He said the products are fitted with in-built stabilisers to check power sudge.

not really be satisfied with some couple of products, or items and prices they are getting presently from certain countries. They deserve to know the Turkish products’ profile and quality, since they are of high quality and standards, comparing favourably with American and European quality, and with prices much lower and profitable rates, so why not let Nigerians take another step to get acquainted with Turkish products, that’s the idea, Yigit, said, adding that the Nigeria-Turkish Business association has been around and functioning since 2009, and working

tirelessly every year, taking approximately between 300-500 Nigerian business people to Turkey every year and vice versa.

Success Yigit said the success rate of the Turkish –Nigeria cooperation is very high, stating that as of now, many people are having business interactions with Turkish companies. They are involved in all sectors of interest to the Nigerian people. No sector is maginalised, and this is how it should be, he stressed.

Under the umbrella of TUSCON, the range is very pro-

‘It would start at the beginning with export, thereafter, with the kind of result and the feedback, coupled with the accompanying incentives, such as tax holidays, improved power supply, it would graduate eventually to direct investment, as the environment becomes more attractive’

As to whether the collaboration will result in immediate establishment of Turkish firms in Nigeria, Yigit explained that the Turkish people are not scared in investing in any country, but they would start with trials.

He said: “They would first have to come to the country, feel the pulse, test the market, the people and see how it plays out. So it would start at the beginning with export, thereafter, with the kind of result and the feedback, coupled with the accompanying incentives, such as tax holidays, improved power supply, it would graduate eventually to direct investment, as the environment becomes more attractive.”

The one week tour led to visits to ESIDEF (The Federation of Aegean And The West Mediterranean Industrialist And Businessmen) in Izmir, the home city of General Mustafa Kermal Ataturk, who is largely credited for the economic and developmental strides synonymous with modern day Turkey.

The General-Secretary of ESIDEF,Murat Sakartepe, said there are Nigerians engaged in shipping business in Istanbul and others who are buying fruits, especially mangoes for the Russian market. Also, a visit to EKOPAN, makers of recycled panels, revealed the mastery of technology over waste. There, scraps from cartons, nylon and other paper wastes, are transformed into panels that are fire resistant and said to withstand bullet shots.

The General Manager, Caner CAM, demonstrated the fire-resistant ability of one of the finished products. He said he was hard-put meeting orders from customers, adding that it would require about $2.5million dollars to establish a similar outfit.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

36

NEWS

Cement: Nigerians, go to court!

IKE crude oil, cement is dirty business that ruins host communities and environments if strong control measures are not set up, enforced.

Lately, cement gained undue attention in national business debates, especially with the multitude litigations and accusations flying. And the issues are either or.

Are there cement standards; are they absolute or discretional; should manufacturers inform consumers on products potency, limitations and lapses or overrule such details; should operators maintain the status quo or move up with revolutionary strides in the midst of daily fatalities until empirical evidence prove that something is wrong with indiscretions. And more fundamental is whether government has rights to modify the rules or the operators may decide when, where and how changes should apply, if any.

The foremost and biggest cement manufacturers in Nigeria up to 2011 are Lafarge and associates (Group), representing the status quo. Dangote Cement (Group) emerged and changed the face of cement business with its Ibese Plant, Ogun State and since became revolutionary in more senses than one. Ironically, both Lafarge and Dangote are fullblooded oligarchies. It happens that Dangote is slightly more propeople!

Before the current tango, cement was just cement and importers and manufacturers were having a ball. Nigerians did not know that cement has grades signifying different strength, i.e., capacity to carry load. Of course, it should stand to reason that some cement types cannot carry certain loads. For instance, the materials used in building high rise structures should be stronger than what one needs for a bungalow.

On Lagos roads and most Nigerian cities are drainages (where they exist) eaten by the rains or rodents within one year of construction but piles on the Apapa and Lagos coast lines that are daily bashed by high sea waves are only slightly affected year after year.

Improper cement categoriza-

L

By Richard Anyamele

tion was raised by a group of professionals who stated that most Nigerians use cement indiscriminately, that is, for all manner of jobs because they are not properly advised or educated by manufacturers. And their protest bases on the hypothesis that manufacturers must inform users adequately as of duty. This could not be a frivolous protest given the serial injuries brought by numerous building collapses that have claimed hundreds of lives. And thereupon, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, was drawn into the fiasco as could not be otherwise. Consequently a technical committee was set up and several interests manifested but whatever their method, national health was the issue that could not be buried beneath their plots.

Nobody denies the fact that Nigeria has among the world's worst cases of building collapses.

Sometimes, soil condition was the culprit whereby builders ignore good foundation conditions.

Sometimes, deficient skill was to blame. But most importantly, core building materials - iron rod and cement are the chief culprits.

SON has duty on the quality of building materials and needed no extraneous advise to know that proper products labeling entails adequate user information as part of its duties.

With this development, Lafarge and associates want the court to stop the 'new standardisation' order from being implemented. No one can pretend to do the work of the court other or better than the court. The court of public opinion and public interests has moral duty also and here we try to represent the matter in the lights of business ethics, national values and respect for the larger citizenry and national interests.

The protesters, among them UNICEM Nigeria Ltd claims that the 32.5 grade is licensed for all purpose users. It further claims that the production is in public interest because the buyers demand it! Lafarge claimed that the Malaysian Towers was built with the 32.5 cement grade as well as

some globally renowned structures. Now, what utter deceit!

That some Nigerian cement manufacturers are determined to misinform cement users and lead them to ruin for selfish ends is no longer doubtful. The Malaysian Towers cited by Lafarge is masterpiece in steel works. There are similar structures in Nigeria including the largest church building on earth: the Winners Church, Ota, Ogun State. Cement use in the facility and similar others is not for load-bearing. Fibre could have been used without endangering the facility or life. The main works: walls and floors are steel and that is it.

Professor Taiwo Osipitan, representing Lafarge said his clients have a licence to continue producing the 32.5 grade until 2016 and SON must respect this.

I was in Imo State late May to early June and observed some construction works in progress: A soak-away pit being raised with UNICEM 32.5 grade cement.

The contractor said that it is what they have and have been using even in storey buildings. Some cement dealers said the UNICEM 32.5 grade is all they have.

There is an assumption that Lafarge and Dangote are at war to serve Nigeria but both are business hawks eager to consume any and every other prey. Nigeria is the first prey and already taken care of. Experts say that cement can sell below N1000 per bag and the manufacturers and importers still smile big to the banks but they take their advantages to the limit. Surely, it is not ethical business to inflict injury on unsuspecting consumers. And that is what manufacturers who fail to inform users adequately about products power, limitations and lapses have exploited to maximum effect over the years.

Dr. Joseph Odumodu, the director general of SON has positively affected several sectors of the economy. But getting values for hard-earned money is primarily the turf of the Consumer Protection Council. Unfortunately, CPC is not yet there; not in the class of the new SON or Dora Akunyili's NAFDAC. The headache consumers face

here is not standard per se. It is the attempt to make standard secondary rather than primary.

How Lafarge and co have labored to hoodwink Nigerian consumers to assume that cement is cement and standards do not matter but the method of application is key is sheer commercial deceit.

No one has said that the 32.5 grade is substandard. Government (SON) is saying that it will now be limited to plastering works only. The Lagos State Government banned motor cycles operators from major roads for public safety. The state did not say that motor cycles are substandard or illegal. No! The government in its wisdom said that given the clear and present dangers that motor cycles have impacted, their use should be limited. The Abuja Municipal Council and some state capitals have descended on tricycles. It is within the competence of the state to modify rules and regulations for greater public good. No operator, however big should pretend to dictate to the state on standards.

Impunity reigns in Nigeria because Nigerians endure insult upon injuries. And this tendency is ungodly. In more civilized societies, the state protects the citizens and if it fails to do so, institutions and individuals step forward to ensure that human values are not rubbished but preserved.

Only last week, SmithKlimGlaxo (SKG) of England was fined $140 million in the US for improper information on three of its drugs. Three weeks ago, Credit Swiss of Switzerland was fined $1.4 billion as the bank failed to give adequate information to US tax officials on some of their customers and caused tax revenue losses to America.

Dozens, if not hundreds of lives have been lost in Nigeria over the last decade from building collapses. Some came down in the process of construction and materials were indicted. In saner societies, not only the builders would by now be having a rethink but the materials producers and suppliers. Unfortunately, this is Ni-

geria where any and every impunity is borne by the populace without mitigation or recompense.

Indeed, CPC should have since risen to the occasion and filled actions against building materials manufacturers nationwide. According to Dr. Odumodu, incidents of building collapse rose from 2006 when local producers took control of the market. Between 2004 and 2006, the bulk of cement was imported and all the importers imported the same 42.5 grade. It was with increased local production that the 32.5 grade swayed its growth.

The greed of Nigeria's cement industry is excessive and must be redeemed. Experts say that ten percent marginal cost is needed to upgrade and produce the 42.5 grade from the 32.5 production line.

But ignorant Nigerian consumers pay about same price for both and that is part of the ploy: if 32.5 sells at same price as 42.5 and the manufacturers label both of them All Purpose, how can anyone say there is a world of difference?

Now will CPC file action or do we wait for the civil society groups? It does not matter whether they take up the matter. Here is an opportunity for discerning lawyers to make their name and fortune. Perhaps, it will take years and decades but ultimately justice will be done. The Nigerian cement industry purposely misled the buying public by failing to give details about their products strength and limitations under the guise of all-purpose to cause users to apply products wrongly causing the death of many.

US tobacco industry paid highly after decades of abuses - not warning consumers on the dangers of cigarette smoking. The battle was long and the industry did everything to deny justice but in the end, justice was done and has since prevailed.

Lafarge and associates have instituted several court processes to stop SON and Nigerians from making standard the standard. That is clear invitation to Nigerians to take our fate in our hands. Let the processes start in earnest. We can rest assured that justice will come by and by! •Anyamele wrote from Lagos.

IBM plans improved transportation system for future growth

A

TEAM of IBM experts completing a month-long pro bono consulting assignment today presented recommendations to Nigeria's Lagos State Government to ensure that private traffic and public transportation flows more efficiently in the city of Lagos.

Vice President, IBM Marketing Cloud & Smarter Infrastructure, Matt Berry said in a statement issued during the Edge 2014 conference held in Las Vegas, United States said the firm is working with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, the agency responsible for developing and implementing the state's transportation blueprint, and the Lagos State Ministries of Transportation, Works & Infrastructure, Science & Technology, the IBM team of experts proposed technology-driven strategies to make travel easier.

He said the city authorities predict a 350 per cent growth in the number of vehicles in the state over the next 25 years, with the population doubling to 40 million by 2030.

The potential of both rail and water transport remains largely untapped as they carry less than one percent of overall traffic in the state.

Berry who visited Lagos for the project said the recommendations included better coordination between agencies responsible for traffic management, police, fire and medical care. " Informing the decisions of these departments would be data gathered and analyzed from a variety of sources such as cell phones, call centers, cameras, and global positioning systems devices. More accurate and up-to-date information can help transport management agencies better manage the city's traffic flow.

It will also enable them to wirelessly provide travelers with information such as road and traffic conditions, as well as bus, boat and toll schedules, to help them plan their trips more effectively," he said.

Also on the list of suggestions was a single, integrated e-ticketing system for all modes of trans-

• From left: Publisher and CEO of EMEA Finance, Christopher Moore; Director and Head Project and Structured Finance FBN Capital Limited, Patrick Mgbenwelu; Deputy Managing Director and Head Investment Banking at FBN Capital Limited, Taiwo Okeowo and Editor EMEA Finance Magazine, Tim Burke, at the EMEA Finance Awards 2014 which took place in London UK recently.

By Collins Nweze

portation (very much like New York City's Metro Card or London's Oyster card system) and integrated fare management. The introduction of roadway toll rates based on traffic density would also be helpful for encouraging the use public transportation, cleaner air and enhanced revenue.

The state was also advised to create a single platform for all its traf-

fic and transportation-related data so each agency and mode of transport is integrated, helping passengers interconnect seamlessly.

Launched in 2011, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a threeyear, 100-city, $50 million competitive grant program.

IBM's single-largest philanthropic initiative, the program assigns a team of six top IBM experts to each winning city to study a key

issue identified by the city's leadership.

The program was inspired by the global migration to cities. According to the United Nations, in 2008 more than half the world's population began living in cities for the first time. These population centers are more economically powerful, politically influential, and technologically advanced than at any time in history.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

37

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

•Some of the structures built to implement the scheme

The aim of the Ogun State Home Owners Charter is to enable landlords regularise the ownership of their properties at a discount. The inherent benefit is that it has created jobs for town planners, architects and others who provide ancillary services, reports OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE .

Home charter: Boom for town planners, others I

NITIALLY, many did not see the ben-efit in the Ogun State Home Owners Charter Programme beyond its objective of regularising the title of landlords.

Following the launch of the programme last year, applicants were asked to collect forms for N5,000 and to return same on completion with N10,000. Applicants are expected to get their Certificate of Occupancy after their buildings have been assessed and the necessary payment made.

Now, this scheme has created jobs for many.

For instance, investigation conducted

by The Nation in Ifo, Atan, Owode, Iperu, Ikenne, Ilishan, Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-Igbo, Oru, Awa, Ilaporu, Ayetoro and other areas of the state showed that many homes do not have survey and buiding plans.

Government sources said less than 110 out of 50 houses in most of these towns have approved survey and building plans.

The Home Owners Charter initiative

of the state government, investigation revealed, has created jobs for thousands of surveyors, draftsman and architects who were contracted by the landlords to perfect their home documents.

The Chairman, Gift Architects, Alhaji Abduwaheed Adewale Adetona said the scheme has created jobs for many people within and outside the state.

“The truth of the matter is that many people have benefited from the scheme. I am aware that many suveyors were contracted through our office to help home owners perfect their tittle documents before submision to the government.

“Don’t forget that the government is aware that many homes in Ogun State don’t have all the necessary papers to help them secure loan from the bank hence, one of the reasons the government introduced the scheme was to assist the people,” he said.

To be part of the “Home Owners Charter” programme, he said, a home owner was expected to submit any proof of ownership in terms of receipt of payment for the land, survey plan, building approval

plan and others.

Findings revealed that the rush for the deadline given for the collection and submission of forms for the Home Owners Charter initiative was so tense that the state government extended it to March from its original December last year date to enable officials in charge of the programme enough time to attend to the huge crowd witnessed at the various centres.

In extending the deadline for the submission of forms, government created more centres rising above 1,000 centres across the state while major outlets had containers or cubicles constructed with iron by welders at an estimated cost of N50,000 per unit and also painted in their unique colours creating hundreds of jobs for painters.

The government also engaged 14 consulting town plavaluers who on their own had not less than 14 professionals and ad hoc workers that handled the collation and enumeration exercises.

Where any applicant had insufficient document such as the building or survey plan, they were usually referred to

the relevant professional for a fee. So, it was a boom time for construction professionals as the services required to drive the process was an integrated one with all their inputs required.

It was noticed that wherever the cubicles or big umbrellas existed, a small market usually spring up with people engaged in all manner of trading to support the services of either the officials of the Home Charter Initiative or prospective applicants who usually waited endlessly to be attended to.

One of the Consulting Town Planners who didn’t want his name in print said the exercise did not only created jobs for town planners but also for other professionals in the building sector. Jobless people who did not have basic skills in the sector were engaged as either office assistants or as back-up for field officials that worked across the state.

•Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

38

JJOBS OBS

Boom for town planners, others •Continued from page 37

Furthermore, he said the process created jobs for owners of business centres or those who simply bought photocopiers to photocopy documents, noting that none of those centres employed less than five workers to drive the process.

He noted that the multiplier effect of the programme in terms of job creation is huge as no applicant had less than 16 pages of photocopied documents including receipts, building and survey plans of more than 136,000 applications that were received for the scheme. It also created jobs for hundreds of food vendors and mini book shops where people sold envelopes used to submit the forms in the more than 1,000 centres.

Information Officer, Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Tunde Olayiwola, said the state government set out to patronise professionals and the less skilled to make the policy a success and also create jobs.

He said: “Government contracted consultants to help go round the Home Owners Charter scheme’s different locations across the state to gather the necessary materials and information needed to finish the job on schedule and efficiently too.

The process also led to employ-

•Gov Ibikunle Amosun

• Landloards queueing up to process their documents at one of the numerous centres opened for the initiative.

ment opportunities, absorbing over 480 skilled and unskilled labour and about 50 ad hoc workers that came to the data

room every day. If you multiply the number of consultants we have and also put into consideration the number of workers

they engaged, then you will agree that the programme is a win-win situation.”

An entrepreneur Mr. Tosin

‘The multiplier effect of the programme in terms of job creation is huge as no applicant had less than 16 pages of photocopied documents including receipts, building and survey plans of more than 136,000 applications that were received for the scheme. It also created jobs for hundreds of food vendors and mini book shops where people sold envelopes used to submit the forms in the more than 1,000 centres’

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Olagunju who had a make-shift business centre in Ibafo, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of the state said the initiative was a blessing for him. He said though he is not a landlord yet, he had the opportunity of making enough money to pay his rent and settle outstanding school fees for his two children.

He commended the government’s initiative saying that his wife, also an joined him selling phone recharge card.

Olagunju said he is looking forward to the second phase of the programme, promising to add more line of business to what he already has.

Politics in the work-place: Are you an owl or a fox?

T

O be effective and to survive, managers require leadership competencies which include envisioning, mental energy and stamina, a sense of purpose, ability to continue learning, ability to handle organisational politics, understanding and managing teams, facilitative in approach, being intuitive, change management, communication, stress management, balancing ambition and integrity, etc.

Countless hours of training, books upon books, academic and non-academic papers and vital units of business education curriculum have been devoted to one of the above competencies/skills or the other.

However, little has been written about organisational politics, either because many find the subject distasteful or perhaps because it is deemed to be worthy of study. Neither is it found in the syllabus of any management programme of MBA course that I have come across. What a waste! It is possible that more people’s careers flounder on the rocks of organisational politics than for many other reasons.

Yet it is an area of great interest to practising managers. An exceedingly high proportion of the extra-curricular questions (i.e. those asked in the bar at the end of the day) in most out-of-site training programmes centre on this thorny area.

Whether we want to admit it or not, the stark reality is that there is heavy, sometimes dangerous politicks, is going on in our establishments and corporations.

While it may not be surprising to find it in government institutions and corporations, the academia is not left out. Even the socalled blue chip companies are not left out, including the local subsidiaries of transnational corporations. In our environment, the basis of the politicking is a little more complex and the instrument of practice can be scary. Organisation politics here is complicated by unbridled nepotism, ethnicity and corruption. It is not unusual for promotions, appointments and postings to be done on one or more of the above con-

By Olu Oyeniran

siderations rather than merit and competence. And the instrument ranges from the absurd to the macabre-juju, assault, arson and, even, assassination!

So, how can politics be defined and, more importantly, how can it be survived?

If company politics can be described as ‘the way we do things around here’, then surely it can also be described as ‘the way that we do things to people around here’.

It is sad truism that whatever people gather to tackle a task, there will be tension, rivalries, jealousies, hidden agendas and plain old-fashion mischief. Not only do people want to achieve the task their own way, they also want the way that the task is approached to reflect glory in certain specific directions and to help the careers of specific individuals or groups. It may not be pleasant, but, whether your place of work is a merchant bank or a monastery, it is unavoidable. Indeed, there is evidence to show that the more senior and better educated the participants, the more prevalent and unpleasant will be the politics. At Marks & Spencer’s Head Office in London in the 70s, a number of highly qualified, talented individuals played fast and furious political games. The reasons?

The awesome organisation in its retail stores did not extend to Head Office, where many senior professionals were somewhat under-employed. As the saying goes, ‘the devil makes work for idle hands’, and the spare hours were filled with all sorts of intrigue.

The concept of political animals is a popular one, and the University of Birmingham has conducted intriguing studies on the nature of these beasts in organisations. Researchers identified two axes behaviour:

• That of being ‘well-read’ in what was going on politically within the organisation: having an interest in the different factions’ power camps and power plays.

The degree to which one was well-read could be high or low • That of having an interest in self and the promotion of one’s own aims versus that of having a prime interest in the fortunes and welfare of the organisation.

With these axes in mind, it then became possible to identify four discrete orientations and to label each with the name of the animal most representative.

Orientation 1: Here the individual was politically well-read and had a high interest in the fortunes of the organisation rather than self. This individual they labelled the Wise Owl. Owls are both liked and respected; furthermore, they are seldom hunted and usually survive. There is one downside, however: they do not often get to the head of the forest.

Orientation 2: In this box the individual was well-read and took an active interest in the politics; moreover, the individual promoted him- or herself actively within the organisation. Here we have the Crafty Fox. The fox is not always popular, for it hunts and it can create mayhem, but usually it is a survivor. Occasionally, it oversteps the mark and is hunted down, but even fox hunt in the area of southern England where I live are anything to go by, I’m glad to say!)

Orientation 3: In the first of the lower boxes is found the person who is politically ill-read, but who on the other hand has a high degree of self-interest.

The researchers contemptuously label this individual as the Donkey – both stubborn and stupid. The donkey is used as a beast of burden, resents it and is seldom thanked. It never reached the top.

Orientation 4: The final box contains those who are badly read politically, who have no interest in improving their knowledge or skills and yet who continually put the organisation before self, Loyalty, blind loyalty, is the name of the game, and these people are labelled Sheep, unquestioning naive. It is often happens that the sheep end up in the slaughterhouse.

So, where is the best position to be politically? Having put this question to a wide variety of executives from different countries and cultures, the answer is invariably ‘just to the right of the Fox/Owl divide (i.e. a combination of both, but being slightly more of a Fox). In other words, they were saying that you have to know the political forces at work and have to keep up to date with the trends and development here. In addition, you have to know how to play the game in order to appreciate the games was not worth the sacrifice or one’s own personal integrity and self-respect. So, to survive, the effective leader must be ‘aware’ and must learn to apply this awareness in ethical ways that reinforce the leader’s credibility rather than detract from it. All the essential skills of questioning, listening and above all intuition must be used to the full. Having the antennae out of all times is not being manipulative and does not sacrifice integrity. It is simply being smart.

Acknowledgement: we have relied heavily on John Maurik, Management Consultant and author, Discovering The Leader in You (McGraw-Hill, 1994) and The Portable Leader (McGraw-Hill, 1997).

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

39

BUSINESS NEWS Following exit of the United States (US) from the importation of the Nigeria oil and gas, the agitation BNP got high-level for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has heightened, reports JOHN OFIKHENUA. 2006 warnings on

Agitation over PIB heightens as U.S. stops oil importation T

HE need for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has now become more expedient than ever. This is so because according to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Madueke, the U.S. has finally stopped the importation of Nigeria’s crude oil and gas.

With this development, Nigeria is already seeking new markets to augment her sales. Stakeholders in the industry are mounting pressure on the National Assembly to pass the bill before the expiration of the present session.

Speaking at the Interactive Enlightenment Workshop on PIB organised by the Unite Consult Limited in Abuja, the Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Issa Aremu cautioned the National Assembly not to test the temperament of the Nigerian workers with the continued delay of passage of the bill.

The labour admonished the lawmakers not to wait till NLC pickets them before the passage. Should the lawmakers fail to pass the bill before the next general elections, all the efforts at lobbying for the passages would result in nothing. Therefore, he vowed that “we shall add our voices to already existing mass pressure.

Don’t forget that there has been a series of demonstrations by the nongovernmental organisations. NLC will add its voice to ensure that PIB becomes a law.”

Aremu who enumerated the benefits inherent in the bill for the workers, also told the stakeholders at the workshop that the bill is one of the progressive laws that the ongoing democracy can give the citizens. He, told the chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside that the National Assembly should not wait for it to be picketed over the issue.

“It is good that chairman House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) is here. I think they will not wait for us to picket them before they can pass this bill,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of what the workers would gain from the bill, the NLC Vice President noted that it could culminate in the creation of fresh 19 companies from the unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He was elated about the bill, which according to him, has made provision for local content. In other words, the PIB will lead to the engagement of Nigerians from different professional background. With that provision, he maintained that “Local content means we must have the value for Nigerians to operate the sector instead of being dominated by foreigners. So, any law that will engage Nigerian technicians and accountants is a progressive law. We will support it as much as possible. “ One may ask what the PIB seeks to achieve. The issue of PIB commenced in 2007 following the recommendations of a Presidential Committee set up to carry out oil and gas reforms in Nigeria aimed at making Nigeria become one of the most industrailised nations in the world by the year 2020.

However, for the country to accomplish this tall dream, it was envisaged that the major source of revenue to the Federation account, (the oil and gas sector) must be re-positioned for greater efficiency, openness, and global competitiveness.

The bill was designed to strengthen the capacity of indigenous Nigeria companies in the oil and gas sector to compete with international companies in search and acquisition of hydrocarbons in the Nigeria. The measure was also intended reduce exploitation in the sector and limit, to the barest minimum, Federal Govern-

•From left: Chairman Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Ledum Mitee; Peterside and PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE Aremu, during the interactive Enlightenment Workshop on PIB, in Abuja

ment’s exposure to oil and gas exploration and production through venture operations.

Given the controversy over the former PIB, the process started afresh and a new PIB was presented to the National Assembly by the Executive arm of government on 18 July, 2012 for consideration and passage into law. The 2012 bill has been adjudged to be one of the most important legislative bills in the history of the country due to the critical role of the petroleum sector in the Nigeria’s economy.

The objectives of the PIB are to create a conducive business environment for petroleum operations, enhance exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources in Nigeria for the benefit of the Nigeria people. Besides, the bill is to optimise domestic gas supplies, particularly for power generation and industrial development.

It is to establish a progressive fiscal framework that encourages further investment in the petroleum industry while optimizing revenues accruing to the government among other objectives.

In terms of structure, the PIB provides for the establishment of nine agencies that will be answerable to the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

The minister shall be responsible for the co-ordination of the activities of the petroleum industry and shall exercise general supervision over all operations and all institutions and all institutions in the industry. The nine agencies will comprise of two regulatory agencies, three funds, three commercial companies and one technical and support bureau.

From the lawmakers’ point of view, it was evident that the bill would do Nigeria a lot of good. Peterside , who spoke at the workshop said although the bill will not solve all the problems in the country, it is tailored to

tackle of corruption, the the virus in the industry. According to the chairman, should the PIB become a law, it would tackle the perennial environmental challenges in the Niger Deltathe base of oil production in Nigeria.

He announced that three years after the passage of the bill, gas flaring that has been the major environmental threat to lives and the flora and fauna of the oil producing states will become history consequent upon the implementation of the law.

There have however been questions about what is responsible for the delay of the bill. Peterside thus explained that although it has passed second reading in the two chambers of the National Assembly, the lawmakers want take time to do a thorough job. He added that since the bill concerns the economic mainstay of the country, the National Assembly would not want to commit grave mistakes and re-present it for amendment so soon.

Represented by the Group Executive Director ( GED) Corporate Strategy and Planning, Dr. Timothy Okon, the minister reminded the stakeholders that should the National Assembly now fail to pass the PIB all the efforts of the present administration will be in vain.

She announced to Nigerians that the country is in urgent need of the commercialisation and liberalisation of the petroleum sector. With a voice laden with concern, she announced that the U.S .which used to be the major importer of Nigeria’s crude oil has finally exited the market as a result of her development of Shale oil and gas. Therefore, the nation has to make haste to bridge the huge revenue gap the U.S. withdrawal has created. Madueke however revealed that Nigeria has begun the search for a fresh market for her crude oil. The minister urged the country to adopt

‘The global economy is changing and Nigeria must adopt sustainable economic strategy. I know many of you must have heard the Shale gas and the Shale oil revolution.

This has literally knocked-out Nigeria from the export to the U.S. So, Nigeria must adapt. We must change our ways and policies that we may hold dear which may cause us economic stress in the future’

sustainable economic policies in line with the changes of global economy.

The minister who sought the speedy passage of the bill insisted that the situation at hand calls for the change of present policies which may cause future economic stress no matter how dearly Nigerians hold them. Her words: “The global economy is changing and Nigeria must adopt sustainable economic strategy. I know many of you must have heard the Shale gas and the Shale oil revolution. This has literally knocked-out Nigeria from the export to the U.S. So, Nigeria must adapt. We must change our ways and policies that we may hold dear which may cause us economic stress in the future. So this market they call the Shale oil and gas has resulted in Nigeria seeking new markets for its oil.”

Madueke called for competitiveness in the sector, noting that there is need for new policies for strengthening the industry. The minister also urged Nigeria to look beyond oil and consider the importance of natural resources in economic transformation. She insisted that the time to diversify the country’s economy is now.

While making a case for the passage of the PIB, the minister explained that the country expects to attain a vibrant economy from its initiatives such as gas price reform, gas commercialisation, gas infrastructure framework and others policies that are enshrined in the bill.

Like Aremu, Mrs. Madueke noted that in terms of job creation, it is hoped that the bill would restore Nigeria’s industrial capacity by providing employment opportunities for all.

The continuous delay of the passage has however cast some fears among the stakeholders. As a result of the unanimous worry over the nonpassge of the bill before the end of the current session of the National Assembly, Aremu said he was giving the lawmakers the benefit of the doubt about the realization of the law. The NLC Vice President said he was still hopeful that this session of the National Assembly will pass it into law because the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal has “promised that by the end of this year the bill will become a reality.”

Thus, the National Assembly has less that a year to make or mar the PIB.

sanctions busting

F

RENCH bank BNP Paribas was warned in 2006 by a high-ranking U.S. Treasury official and in three reports by legal experts that it risked being penalised for breaking U.S. sanctions, according to Le Monde newspaper.

Since France’s biggest bank flagged the risk of a big fine in February this year, sources close to the affair have said it ignored early warnings of the risks it faced.

They pointed out that the alleged offending transactions being investigated by U.S. authorities continued until 2009.

The French newspaper’s report, written as talks accelerate towards a possible $10 billion fine and other penalties, said Stuart Levey, then the U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, made a visit to Paris in September 2006.

The paper, drawing on the findings of its own investigation, said Levey met the bank’s top officials, including Baudoin Prot, who has since become chairman, in its boardroom.

Levey was there not to talk about the legal risks, but to warn the bank to be vigilant, citing the names of a number of blacklisted Iranian banks, the Le Monde report said.

Former U.S. President George Bush, had called Iran part of an “Axis of Evil” and wanted European banks to stop working there.

Levey took the same “clear” message to other European banks, Le Monde reported.

A second set of warnings also came in 2006, the report said, this time from legal experts, after ABN Amro was fined $40 million for breaking sanctions against Iran and Libya in January of that year.

Until that point, lawyers Cleary Gottlieb had assured BNP Paribas it was not at risk as long as it operated outside U.S. territory, Le Monde said. However, the ABN Amro fine was a first - covering transactions done outside the United States. After it, Cleary Gottlieb changed its advice to say there was a risk in certain cases.

Two other expert reports commissioned by the bank came to a similar conclusion.

BNP Paribas was not immediately available to comment on the Le Monde report.

The bank has said publicly only that it is in discussions with U.S. authorities about “certain U.S. dollar payments involving countries, persons and entities that could have been subject to economic sanctions”.

It has set aside $1.1 billion for the fine but told shareholders it could be far higher than that. Last month it also said it had improved control processes to ensure such mistakes did not occur again.

The suggestion that Prot had a personal warning from the U.S. Treasury puts a new focus of attention on him after the bank announced the departure of chief operating officer Georges Chodron de Courcel.

U.S. authorities - five of them in all including the New York financial regulator - are investigating whether BNP evaded U.S. sanctions between 2002 and 2009.

Sources familiar with the matter say they are trying to establish whether the bank stripped out identifying information from wire transfers so they could pass through the U.S. financial system without raising red flags.

40

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

43

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

BUSINESS MOTORING

Though fully redesigned, Audi TT is set to debut next year. With its coupe and convertible essentially unchanged, the only noteworthy update is the addition of standard heated front seats, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

•Audi TT

New Audi TT unveiled

T

HE appeal of the 2015 Audi TT is easy to see. Nothing else on the road looks quite like it. Though Audi has softened and evolved it over the years, the avant-garde styling of both the coupe and convertible TT remains a strong reason for most buyers. One feature of the TT that is less evident, but perhaps an even more compelling reason for its consideration, is standard all-wheel drive. For those who cannot afford a small, sporty everyday driver (or weekend convertible) and a winter-weather war horse, the Audi TT stands alone as the model that satisfies both at an affordable price.

Offered as both coupe and convertible, the TT is powered by a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine generating 211 horsepower. It is sufficient enough to get you decent acceleration, but one will likely be more impressed with the TT’s high fuel economy. Shoppers who want just a little more of a caffeinated drive should check out the 265-hp 2015 Audi TTS variant.

The TTS is higher in price, however, and within the TT’s range, there are some competitors that offer stronger performance credentials. The Nissan 370Z is a little quicker and more nimble through turns, while a V8powered Chevy Camaro or new 2015 Ford Mustang posts even stronger acceleration.

These cars aren’t as refined as the TT, though, nor do they have its premium image. If these qualities are important, one might find the BMW 2 Series or Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class retractable hardtop roadster more appealing.

Overall, though, the 2015 TT should satisfy buyers desiring a peppy sport coupe or convertible with an upscale vibe.

Body Styles The 2015 Audi TT is a 2+2 coupe or a twoseat convertible, both of which are offered in

a single trim level.

Standard equipment includes 18inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights with washer jets and LED running lights; heated mirrors; cruise control; automatic climate control; heated leather front seats with simulated suede inserts and eight-way power adjustment (with four-way power lumbar), a tiltand-telescoping multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with a CD player, satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. The convertible features a fully powered soft top.

The optional navigation system plus adds rear parking sensors; a navigation system; real-time traffic; an iPod interface; a driver information display and a lap timer. The S Line Plus Carbon option yields 19-inch matteblack wheels, carbon-fiber exterior and interior styling and trim details, and upgraded leather upholstery (the convertible includes leather-wrapped roll hoops). Two special upholstery packages are additionally available: Fine Napa Leather or Baseball Optic Leather.

Powertrains Coupe and convertible versions of the 2015 Audi TT sport a turbo-charged 2.0-liter fourcylinder engine that produces 211 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission and allwheel drive are both standard. Audi estimates the TT will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds for the coupe and 5.6 seconds for the heavier convertible.

•Audi TT interior

Safety Standard safety features on the 2015 Audi TT include traction and stability control; antilock disc brakes; hill-hold assist; front knee airbags and front side airbags that protect occupants’ heads and abdomens. Models equipped with the optional navigation system also have rear parking sensors. A rearview camera is not available.

Interior Design and Special Features Like other Audis, the TT offers a handsome interior done up in high-quality materials. In general, gauges and controls are well laid out and straightforward to operate. The one exception is the optional navigation system’s dash-mounted control knob, a placement that makes it awkward to use.

Front seats are comfortable, and the prominent side bolsters and simulated suede inserts

offer good support during enthusiastic driving. The coupe’s rear seats are effectively useless for passengers, though they make a fine place to stash briefcases or handbags. The convertible’s soft top might not be as slick as the retractable hardtops on some competitors, but it is lighter, less complex and hard to find fault with a multilayer lid that does a flawless job of sealing out the elements. It also stows in about 15 seconds when it is time for some open-air motoring.

The soft top’s other advantage over flashier retractable hardtops is that it doesn’t greatly limit cargo capacity when it is down. While the convertible’s 8.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity might not sound like much, it is actually not bad by roadster standards. That said, the coupe offers greater flexibility by virtue of its large hatchback opening and 13.1-cubicfoot capacity. If that is not enough, simply flip the rear seatbacks forward to expand the cargo hold to 24.7 cubic feet.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

44

MOTORING

Fed Govt - Innoson synergy on skill acquisition

O

•PAN Nigeria Ltd. Head of Corporate Communication, Musa Bashir Usman (left) presenting a dummy Peugeot 301 key to Parent Teachers Association Chairman of St. Saviour's School, Mr Tolu Osinibi in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Electric Renault take 2,000-mile challenge A RENAULT Zoe electric car will soon cover 2,000 miles up and down the country to prove that a linked and functional network of electric charging points already exist in the Great Britain.

The full-electric supermini will take on the challenges and attempt to break records at the 17-day grand tour, all using public electric charging points.

Pod Point, the company behind the project, will install more points that are needed on its route around Great Britain.

The route will travel from London to John O’Groats and back down to

Land’s End, before returning to London. It is an epic round-trip that is set to generate a real buzz as it passes through 15 major cities on its travels.

On route, staff at Domino’s Pizza in Swindon will be attempting a new world record for how many people can be squeezed into the Zoe, while the public can enter the bizarrely-titled game with a chance of winning a prize.

The team will also be stopping

off at the Design Your Electric Car of the Future competition in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and staging a race between a speedboat and the Zoe across the River Severn.

In a statement, Pod Point said: “This is not just another race from one end of the country to the other.

This is a campaign with a purpose.

“Charging Electric Vehicles is not the same as refuelling, and is more akin to charging your mobile phone – with continuous top-ups.

Pod Point will show consumers that top-up charging is soon to become a part of everyday lives, and won’t interrupt your daily routine.”

FRSC challenges parents on child safety

F

EDERAL Road safety Corporation (FRSC), Lagos Mainland Unit Commander Arinze Igwe, has enjoined parents to be wary of their children’s safety while driving.

Igwe, at an enlightenment forum in Yaba said, Section 58 Sub Section 4 of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2004 makes it mandatory for occupants of vehicles to use seat belts for their safety. This provision does not affect adults alone, but children too.

Igwe accused parents of neglecting the use of seatbelts for their wards.

He reiterated the need for adequate

A

By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

measures to ensure safety of children.

Children, he said, are not attended to as evidence from patrols and enforcement activities shows that several children are not protected with seatbelts.

He said: “This act of negligence exposes them to great dangers especially in the event of road crashes.

Often you see mothers carrying their babies on their laps in between the steering and children standing while the vehicle is moving. This is wrong and must stop.

“The need to ensure child safety has attracted the attention of the en-

tire world. Several conventions have led to the emergence of interventions to ensure that the rising number of child deaths through road traffic crash is reduced or eliminated.

“Road traffic injury alone is one of the leading causes of death among children. It is global regulation that all children must be restrained in a car seat placed in the vehicle the entire time the vehicle is moving. Infants must be rear-facing car sect until they are 20 pounds, about 8 kilogramms”.

Igwe noted that injuries are preventable, but lack of commitment of most parents has continued to frustrate genuine efforts to address the issue.

New cars’ sales record grow NOTHER rise, last month, has taken UK car sales to their longest-ever period of

growth.

A total of 194,032 new cars were registered last May, representing a 7.7 per cent rise on the May 2013 figure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

The increase was the 27th consecutive monthly rise – beating the previous record of 26 months of growth between May 1987 and June 1989.

Sales for 2014 so far have reached 1,058,974 – an 11.6 per cent rise on the January-May 2013 total.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The new car market has now grown in every month since March 2012 - the longest period of growth on record and a reflection of the UK’s ever-improving economic conditions.

“Over the past 27 months, increasingly-confident consumers have been drawn to some fantastic new products, attracted by innovative tech-

nologies, improved fuel economy and competitive deals helping make a new car more affordable.

“With SMMT forecasting an overall rise of around 6 per cent over the year, the coming months should see some levelling off in growth rates as underlying demand stabilises.”

The best-selling 10 models last month are Ford Fiesta; Volkswagen Golf; Vauxhall Corsa; Ford Focus; Vauxhall Astra; Nissan Qashqai; Audi A3; Volkswagen Polo; Fiat 500 and Vauxhall Mokka.

VER the years, lack of basic skills

By Chukwudi Enekwechi among Nigerian youths and most job seekers has posed one of the greatest impediments towards addressing the perennial unemployment problem in the country. In most cases, the preference for the elusive white collar jobs by job seekers has tended to exacerbate, rather than ameliorate the problem.

It is, therefore, gratifying that the President Jonathan administration has opted to partner with Innoson Group, Nigeria’s first local manufacturers of vehicles, in the area of skills acquisition for Nigerian youths.

With the plan for some youths to undergo on–the-job training at the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Plant and other factories, there is no doubt that the youths will acquire necessary skills that will enable them to be gainfully employed in the future.

Similarly, the promise by the INNOSON management to offer employment to those that the Federal Government may not hire after the training period is also reassuring as it will go a long way to reduce the number of job seekers in the country. While this innovative approach by the Federal Government is commendable, the patriotic effort of the INNOSON GROUP in assisting the Federal Government to reduce unemployment in the country ought to be emulated by other big companies in Nigeria. By this, they have answered the clarion call by the Jonathan administration on the private sector to join hands in rescuing the country from the unenviable position of high youth and graduate unemployment.

If this novel method is replicated across the country and by most of the blue chip companies declaring jumbo profits yearly, there is no doubt that the scourge of unemployment will be significantly tackled. This assumption is hinged on the fact that government alone cannot provide jobs for our people, but with the concerted efforts by all stakeholders.

In this era of privatisation and public private partnerships, it is only natural that both the private sector and governments pull resources together, to address the menace of unemployment. And one of the best ways to achieve this is to ensure that job seekers possess the required skills that will enable them key into the evolving industrialised economy.

There is no doubt that with government divestment in public enterprises, the new owners will need workers with requisite skills to ensure the survival of their companies and adequate return on investments. Therefore, it is indeed, remarkable that the INNOSON Group has stepped forward to lead in equipping our youths with relevant skills towards driving the nation’s economy.

As a corporate entity, INNOSON Group has set a track record of not only discharging its social responsibility, but has remained in the vanguard of assisting the Federal and state governments in providing job opportunities for Nigerians.

The current vogue of producing thousands of graduates from our higher institutions with paper certificates and little skills knowledge cannot lift Nigeria from its dependent status in industrial development. From USA, to Europe, China and Africa, it is important to note that it is only the skilled group of workers that drive the economy. No wonder, most of the industrialised economies pay little attention to paper certificates; rather the practical application of one’s skills knowledge to secure him or her job is what matters in these societies.

The direct result of this approach is manifested in the output from the industrial sector. Therefore, it is a mark of patriotism that INNOSON Group is offering a window of opportunity to Nigerian youths to acquire relevant skills in their factories.

The plan by the company to build mechanic schools across the country for the purpose of imparting requisite modern technological knowledge to Nigeria mechanics is equally laudable. This innovative approach will greatly enhance the capacity of our artisans to learn modern technological trends, and ultimately bring such knowledge to bear in their service delivery to the general public.

It is common knowledge that many Nigerian motorists usually lament their unpleasant experiences in the hands of inexperienced mechanics.

Therefore, the plan by the INNOSON Group to improve their skills will no doubt reduce the frustration of Nigeria motorists who suffer incalculable damages to their vehicles as a result of the activities of half-baked mechanics.

In developed countries of United States, Europe and Asia, motor servicing, repair and maintenance is a serious business, which requires certification by relevant authorities. We will therefore save time and resources when we have our mechanics equipped with necessary skills as being envisaged by the INNOSON Group.

At the rate our army of unemployed youths is growing, only this kind of synergy between the Federal Government and INNOSON Group can help nip it in the bud. It is also a well known fact that government alone cannot solve the scourge of unemployment, but with the involvement of the private sector, who are first and foremost drivers of the economy, then a realistic solution will be found.

•Enekwechi is an Abuja-based journalist

•To be continued

SAFE DRIVING

Road safety and election manifesto (3) ... Hospitality – The customer of Hotels and other hospitality / recreational service providers is dead and gone forever. x. Transportation – A customer of Airlines, Shipping and Road Transport Companies is lost forever. xi. Housing – A Tenant or Landlord is gone forever. xii. Politics – A political Leader is gone forever. xiii.Development – If the person is a Technocrat, a person that would have contributed significantly to the development of the Country is dead and gone forever.

What would have been the situation in Nigeria today if today’s Captains of Industries died in road accidents about 30 years ago?

It is time to stop the wastage of the lives (Women, Leaders, Students, Traders, Policy Makers, Decision Makers, Farmers and other categories of people) on Nigeria roads.

Road accident is preventable. It requires the co-operation and support of all and Sundry. Everybody (man or woman) has a role to play. The view that multilateral approach to road safety including Drivers education, Cyclists education, Pedestrian enlightenment and enforcement programmes

among others is the sure antidote to Safety on Nigeria roads.

I hereby plead with all the political parties in Nigeria to demonstrate their passion for fellow Nigerians by infusing Road Safety Management into their Manifestoes for implementation when voted into power thereby making the government much more responsive to the problems of Nigerians that voted them into power.

I also use this opportunity to advice the President, state governors and local government chairmen to henceforth appoint Special Advisers on Road Safety to regularly moni-

tor road safety issues and advice accordingly for effective proactive executive policies and actions.

Research has shown that this is the best approach that can more effectively enhance the accomplishment of drastically reducing Road Accidents and Fatalities in Nigeria. It also enhances effective co–ordination of all the government ministries, departments and agencies and other stakeholders for the accomplishment of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, Accra Declaration and the Vision 20:2020.

A stitch in time saves nine.

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

•Concluded

POLITICS

45

MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION

APC NATIONAL CONVENTION Elder statesman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was elected at the weekend as the first national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at its national convention in Abuja. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the challenges that will confront the new party leadership as the main opposition party prepares for the next year’s general elections.

APC, Oyegun and 2015 challenge

W

HAT next after the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention? Six challenges, according to observers, may confront the main opposition party as the country prepares for the next year’s general elections.

APC and 2015 The bigger the party, the bigger the headache. As the party enlarges its coast, a clash of interests may be inevitable. In the APC, the struggle for ‘party power’ has generated tension.

Thus, the first task is the challenge of post-convention reconciliation to prevent its escalation. Apparently reflecting on this crucial task, the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, urged aspirants to the party positions who could not make it to make more sacrifices for the party.

This week, the party will face a major test in Ekiti State, where it wields an incumbency power. The governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has lived up to expectation in the last three and half years. But, as part of the agenda to capture the Southwest region, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on the prowl. Reminiscent of 2003, and 2007, politicians are beating the drum of war. In Anambra State, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had bungled the governorship election, the party is still in court. For Ekiti, it is a moment of anxiety, especially now that the campaigns have been marred by violence perpetrated by suspected PDP thugs.

Also, in less than two months, attention will shift to Osun State. The PDP, a source said, is desperate to displace the APC government by all means, despite the performance and popularity of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. “The PDP is planning to rig elections in Ekiti and Osun states. I urge you to be vigilant”, said Chief Bisi Akande, the Interim National Chairman, who stepped down. ‘There is no sanctity of the ballot box yet. That is why we are calling on the INEC to use electronic card reader. It will eliminate rigging,” he added.

If the party wins the elections in the two states, it will send a clear signal to the PDP that it has laid a foundation for power shift at the centre next year.

In the last quarter of the year, the APC presidential primaries may hold in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). There are indications that the slot may be zoned to the North. Six aspirants are said to be warming up for the exercise. They are former military Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, former governor of Kwara State Senator Olusola Saraki, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Nda Isaiah. More aspirants may join the race later.

Internal democracy Ahead of the exercise, prominent chieftains have been calling for credible primaries. “We will democratically choose our democratically our presidential candidate,” said Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the convention. Echoing him, his Imo State counterpart and Chairman of APC

• Asiwaju Tinubu, Chief Sylva, Gen. Buhari, Chief Akande and Alhaji Abubakar at the convention in Abuja.

Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, said: “Our party must observe and respect internal democracy”.

In agreement with these assertions, Buhari, who received the ovation of a moral voice and father figure, explained that the convention was organised to choose party leaders who will hold primaries from councillorship to presidential elections.

Observers believe that, if the party can hold presidential primaries without rancour, it will be well positioned to fight for federal power without being balkanised before the critical poll.

Delegates who spoke with our correspondent also agreed that how the choice of the presidential running mate is managed has implications. There are speculations that the slot may be zoned to either the Southwest or Southsouth.

“In our party, it is a sensitive issue. But, it is better to choose a man of worth who has made sacrifice for the party from the South as the running mate.

The APC should not listen to this propaganda that religion should shape the choice of the flag bearer and the running mate. Merit and competence should be our watchword. That is where I stand”, said a delegate from Katsina.

Also, between now and next elections, the APC must watch out for moles in the fold. The pattern of skeletal defections from the party has shown that there are few politicians who can still be bought by the PDP or jump ship, if their narrow aspirations are not met.

Quest for free poll But, the most salient challenge that will confront the APC is the challenge of free and fair elections in 2015. Peeping into the future, Buhari, Tinubu, Akande, Turaki Abubakar and Amaechi said that, for the APC to survive the rigging machinery of the PDP, the votes must count.

As the leaders and members converged on Abuja, these challenges were on the front burner. It was a carnivallike convention at Eagle Square. The crowd was huge. Party faithful from 37 chapters were in one accord. At the end of the historic national congress, the APC emerged as a better and more formidable opposition party. Not only did

has no controversy. He cannot be compromised,” added the source, who was a delegate from Lagos State. Although Oyegun ran as a lone candidate, the party still insisted on election in the spirit of internal democracy.

Many party chieftains, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state said they expect the same scenario to repeat itself during the APC’s presidential primaries.

A top party source said that the composition of the Board of Trustees (BOT) may take into cognisance the urgency of crisis resolution and reconciliation.

“Those who wanted to be part of the national executive committee but were not successful may become BoT members. I know that there is also a plan to have a Council of Elders primarily to serve as guardians and monitors of the party processes”, said the source.

A milestone

• Chief Oyegun and Alhaji Abubakar Audu.

the party passed the arduous test of internal democracy, it drew power and strength from compromise, consensus building and extreme self-sacrifice of its leaders.

The convention, which was witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, was devoid of large scale acrimony and intrigues. Unlike the last year’s convention of the ruling PDP, which led to a split, it seemed that APC leaders jettisoned personal interests for collective interest. Reality may have dawned on them that, for the party to dislodge the PDP from power in the next election, they must put their house in order.

Reconciliation However, crisis resolution is still work in progress. The post-convention reconciliation, party chieftains acknowledged, is necessary to prevent defection from the fold, ahead of the next election. At the convention, crises in some chapters reflected in the composition of delegates. In Ogun State, a section of the party loyal a national leader, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, shunned the event. Apart from Osoba’s absence, a contender for the national chairmanship, Chief Tom Ikimi from

Edo State, also refused to participate at the congress. In some state chapters, there were subtle cries of despondency over intra-party marginalisation and politics of exclusion.

Former governor of Edo State and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who emerged as the new national chairman, inherited the challenge of forging unity in the party.

The position was zoned to the Southsouth, his region of birth. Before the commencement of voting by delegates, another contestant, former Bayelsa State Governor Timpreye Sylva, had stepped down, citing the need to ensure unity, harmony and cohesion in the region. Some governors, who had formed themselves into a powerful bloc, bowed to the superior argument that the odd favoured Oyegun against Sylva, their candidate.

Giving hints about how he was endorsed by the majority of party leaders, a source said that the former Edo governor warmed himself into their hearts because of his pedigree. “He is a retired Federal Permanent Secretary.

He was a governor who served without blemish. Remember that he was a fighter for democracy in NADECO. He

‘Party faithful from 37 chapters were in one accord. At the end of the historic national congress, the APC emerged as a better and more formidable opposition party. Not only did the party passed the arduous test of internal democracy, it drew power and strength from compromise, consensus building and extreme self-sacrifice of its leaders’

Before the convention, which was presided over by Akande, there were fears that the convention may become the party’s albatross. In fact, accreditation and voting started behind schedule. The voting, which started around 12.30 am, was disrupted by a heavy downpour.

But, the delegates did not disperse. Thus, apart from overcoming previous hurdles triggered by the choice of party name, logo and symbol, and composition of the interim national executive committee, the APC held a free and fair convention, which gave a clear indication that it has a bright future. At the event, the main preoccupation of stalwarts was how to win power in future elections.

The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko, described the convention as a milestone and the first stage in its efforts to bail Nigeria out of distress. He reflected on the challenge of forging ahead into a future pregnant with possibilities. “In spite of our diversity, we have acknowledged that we have a common problem, which is the leadership”, he said. Therefore, for APC to wrest power, it must project itself as a viable alternative to the PDP, he added.

Wamakko stressed: “The critical issue is the economic regression. There is a drift in social infrastructure. There is insurgency. The Federal Government is preoccupied with scheming to retain power, creating mistrust through divide and rule tactics. The solution is leadership change in 2015”. He also refuted the allegation of religious bias, saying that the party cut across ethnic and religious lines, adding that it is dedicated to the building of one nation with justice for all. In the governor’s view, winning power is the ultimate goal. “With all legitimate and noble means, the APC must win power. We must make a choice and not compromise the survival of Nigeria. The time to make it is now. Nigeria is too large to be left in the manipulative hands of the few”, the governor added.

Hurdles However, Wammako said that the 2015 poll will not be a walk over for the APC. “It will require courage and determination of party leaders and members to effect change in Nigeria”, he said.

Akande, who gave a valedictory speech, thanked the members of the in•Continued on page 46

46

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

POLITICS Former Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke, who has just defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke with ADESOJI ADENIYI on his defection, the governorship poll and other partisan issues.

‘PDP can’t rule Osun’

•Adeleke

W

HAT is your reaction to the choice of Hon. Adejare Bello from Ede as the running mate to the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore?

I am no more a member of the PDP. I am now a member of the APC. So, whatever they do in the PDP shouldn’t be my problem. But, I must add that appointing Adejare Bello as deputy to Senator Iyiola Omisore is just like eating a fruit of a poisonous tree because the product has been tainted. There is no way you can get anything good from a tainted product. What I mean is that Omisore is tainted. I am not bothered about their action. I am a party man to the core. If you talk about politics of Ede, the best they could get from Adejare is for him to win his unit, not even his ward.

What prompted your defection to the APC from the PDP? Well, I don’t have much problem with the PDP, but I have problem

with the characters like Omisore, the violence prone individual. I was almost killed at the Ideal Nest Hotel.

That incident has revealed that the characters are really violent. While I was being attacked by some policemen, Omisore was shouting, saying: shoot him, take him out. One of them (the police) could have just obeyed him and shot me. That alone is an indication that those guys don’t have any value for human lives. And I cannot support such a character.

Haven’t you noticed all these before the primary election?

I did not support him (Omisore) from the onset. I don’t have problem with the PDP, but these characters. Not the party per see. Meanwhile, I didn’t say I wanted to become the governor before. I only said I wanted to go to the Senate. All of a sudden, I was constricted to aspire for the governorship position. I even insisted because I was once a governor and I know the problems associated with the position. I studied Criminology and Political Science and I know law making. So, it would have been very easy for me to thrive in the Senate where I have sponsored a number of bills. But, they just called me and said that they felt none of the party’s gubernatorial contenders could face the incumbent governor of the APC. They said, from their research, I have a better chance of defeating Aregbesola. That is how I decided to contest the governorship election. But, other contestants became jittery because of my popularity. In fact, the day that I was beaten up at Ideal Nest Hotel, I heard

‘Omisore cannot make it. He has a stigma and the stigma is still there.

The integrity is not there. Nobody wants a thug’ Omisore saying somebody cannot just come through the back door and throw away what they have been doing for the past three years. I don’t know that governorship is like a traditional position that nobody can decide to serve in.

What is your reaction to your suspension by the PDP? I have said it publicly that I am no longer in the PDP. So, the suspension doesn’t mean anything to me.

We are working seriously now to get Aregbesola re-elected.

At what point did you start having disagreement with Omisore?

I have never supported Omisore, even when we were in the same party. I prefer Akinbade to him because I was convinced that Omisore cannot make it. He has a stigma and the stigma is still there. The integrity is not there. Nobody wants a thug.

Now that you are with the APC, what is the way forward?

Well, I am going to be advising the governor to see how we can solve some problems. The government is doing well, with the capital devel-

opment and it would do more on human development. We will identify those areas where people have grievances and work on them.

When you declared for the governorship, the Timi of Ede promised to support you. Do you still enjoy his support till now?

Just look at the 2011 election. As bad as that election was, I still won two local governments convincingly. So, any day, I am a man of the people. When I was in the APP, the AD won the other local governments, but I still maintained my lead.

I won two local governments and that’s how Adejare Bello became the minority leader. So, I am for the development of Edeland and the people of the town are always behind me.

Your loyalists are wondering why you defected to the APC. Some are even saying that you are not among the APC first eleven.

I didn’t go to the APC to contest with their first eleven. As a politician, you have to sit down and think before making any serious decision.

The only two major political parties we have in Osun States are the APC and the PDP. So, it’s unwise for me to leave the PDP and join any other party other than the APC. Any reasonable person could have done what I did. Even, if the APC has some policies that I don’t like, I know the party members and I know what they can do and what I can do to correct those policies that I may not like.

When you were in the PDp, you said that you will work for the success of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll. Are you still supporting

the President?

As at that time, I have made up my mind that I was going to work for President Goodluck Jonathan. That was because I thought I would remain in the PDP. But the characters kept on behaving as if they were tingods. I wrote petitions about the attack on me by Iyiola Omisore, Jelili Adesiyan and Sogo Agboola, but nobody invited anybody. Then, I felt I don’t have a future in the party. That was why I decided to move on.

When they learnt that I had concluded plans to leave the PDP for the APC, they started calling me.

Even the Vice President called me.

Also, some ministers and my colleagues when I was in the Senate were begging me not to leave.

It was the last minute of the last day that they brought Omisore. I did’t even know that they were coming. My people drove them away while I was inside having my lunch.

I wish them well.

If at the end of the day the APC failed to meet with your expectations, what would you do?

How? What do you mean? Have I told you that I want to contest? I just told you that what we are doing now is to work seriously to ensure the re-election of Aregbesola.

What is your relationship with Peter Babalola? Don’t you think you have to contend with him as a giant in the Osun West Senatorial District?

Peter has never contested any election. He wanted to contest when he was in the PDP, but he eventually left the party for the APC because of Omisore.

APC, Oyegun and 2015 challenge

•Continued from page 45

terim executive committee for their loyalty, urging them to extend the same gesture to the new chairman. He said that he was bowing out with pride and satisfaction. He observed that the APC has started a steady and progressive march to Aso Villa, the seat of government. Tracing the history of the party, he said it was formed to serve as a credible alternative to the PDP’s misrule, noting that Nigerians have joined it in huge numbers. “Nigerians see the APC as the agent of change.

Our party is strong and our achievements have surpassed our expectation.

From 11 states, we now have 16 states.

Our strength in the parliament is also growing. APC has given hope to Nigerians”, he said.

The former interim leader alerted the party to future obstacles. Noting that the “over-confident PDP” is waking up to the reality of a formidable challenge and possibility of not forming the next government at the centre, he said the ruling party may lay mines on the way to power. He said part of efforts made to credit the APC by the PDP was to label it as a Muslim party and janja weed party. But, he assured that the party will reach the promised land.

Push for power shift For Akande, the PDP’s time is up in Aso Rock for other reasons. Lamenting that Nigeria is at its lowest moment, he said the country that was sending troops to help distressed African nations is now seeking foreign military assistance to combat insurgency.

In particular, he said that the kidnap of over 200 school girls in Borno State is a national embarrassment. Akande recalled that, while the APC proposed a National Stakeholders Security Summit to brainstorm and find lasting solutions to national insecurity, the Fed-

• Governor Amaechi (second left) and with other Rivers State delegates at the convention.

eral Government, which ignored it, blamed the party for sponsoring the insurgency. “It is unfounded, irresponsible and escapist. They believe that the insurgency is the ticket for the second term. Unemployment, infrastructural decay, poor power supply, corruption are on the increase. The President has distinguished between corruption and stealing. But, corruption is corruption.

Jonathan is celebrating the resuscitation of a locomotive railway in this century of bullet proof rail,” he fumed.

Akande shed light on the APC Roadmap, urging Nigerians to be hopeful. He assured that, if elected into power, the party will provide job, healthcare and security for the people.

The APC Governors Forum Chairman, Okorocha, chided the PDP for mismanaging the opportunities to take the country to greater height in the last 15 years. He said change is desirable next year. “In 2015, our victory is signed, sealed and delivered. This party will not fail Nigerians,” he added. But, Amaechi warned that change would not come

easily. “If we sleep in our houses and think that the PDP will release power, we are joking. There should be struggle for power”, he said, adding that mobilisation is essential. Besides, the governor stressed the need to vote and defend the votes.

The elder statesman from the Southeast, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, asked from the crowd: is there anybody who is happy with the situation in the country? The crowd chorused “No.” The former Abia State governor said that, since Nigeria has enough resources for development, the APC will harness them judiciously. But, he called for free and fair elections, saying that it should start in Ekiti and Osun states.

Former Bornu State Governor Modu Sheriff said: “Today, we are making history. This convention shows that we have come together for the APC. APC will solve all the problems we are facing in Nigeria.”

There was a wild jubilation when Tinubu stormed the convention. On the podium, he received applause for his

contributions to party growth. The former Lagos State governor flayed the Federal Government over corruption, abuse of power and gross ineptitude. Waving his broom to the crowd, he said: “The broom revolution is here.” He reflected on the journey so far, noting that the APC is on course.

“Tonight is a history making night.

They said it was impossible to form the APC. Today, we are existing. We are gathered here because of the life of our country. We are here, not because we want to occupy offices.

“This is commonsense revolution.

We need the commonsense revolution to fight insecurity, unemployment, hopelessness, the abduction of our children. It is a shame to all of us that our children are still in captivity.

But, the greatest shame goes to the President.

Storm of change “There is going to be a storm. It is not a storm of disaster. It is a storm of

positive change for a better and united Nigeria. The PDP has no positive idea to offer, but emotional lies. There is no end to pension scam. Barrels of crude oil are missing. They were even picking the pocket of our children during the immigration recruitment. We are here to give Nigeria hope. We will sweep out failure, corruption, insecurity. With brooms in our hands and with God on our side, we will sweep them away.”

To Abubakar, Nigerians have the opportunity to end the government next year because the President has no clue to the national problems. “This government has no business in office after 2015”, he said, berating the President for ineptitude. But, he cautioned against the elevation of self-interest over collective interest. “We must be different from the PDP. We must show that we are in a democratic party. We should not be seen as Christians and Muslims, but we must be Nigerians first. We must make sure that our party wins in 2015,” he added.

Buhari, who agreed with Abubakar, lamented that the PDP has done utter damage. But, he promised that the APC will reposition the country as from next year. He described the formation of the APC as a dream come true. “From 2005, we realised that no single opposition party could make an impact. We resolved to come together to liberate Nigeria. This convention is strategic to the development and survival of Nigeria”, he said. The former Head of State said that the APC will not rest on its oars after the convention. A Council of Elders will be set up to monitor the new executive committee and party processes, he added.

Buhari said, to get Nigeria moving, power must shift next year. “If you cannot sleep with your two eyes closed in your hundred million houses, what is the use of your money. This government has failed”, he stressed.

47

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSWORD

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

ACROSS

1.German City (6) 3.South American Country (4) 5. Top European City (6) 8. Republic, formerly of Denmark (7) 10. Country, SE of Europe (7) 13. World Power, abbrv.(3) 14. W/A Country (6) 15. Sovereign Entity (5) 16. First Capital of Nigeria (7) 17. Eastern Nigerian City (3)

DOWN 1.Western Nigerian City (5) 2.Where Julius Caesar Reigned (4) 4.Nigerian State (3) 5.Nigeria’s Commercial Capital (5) 6. Central American Country (9) 7. Fmr. US Colony (6) 9. Coca Growing Country (8) 10. Fmr. Unit of USSR (6) 11. Spanish City (6) 12. French W/A Territory (5)

WORDWHEEL Form as many words as you can with the letters in the wheel below.Proper nouns and 2-letter words are not allowed. Every word must use the letter ‘E’.There is a 9-letter word with an ‘orbicular’ meaning hidden in the grid. This is the star word.

SANDS OF TIME Venus Williams’ gorgeous rose dress pop eyes at U.S. Open

poetry Smile

If you're feeling down, turn your frown upside down.

Put a smile on your face, take the world in your embrace.

Ask for a little help from the man up above.

And remember you have your best friends love.

Success

JUMBLE WORD

-Jessica R. Dillinger

The road to success is not straight There is a curve called Failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, and caution lights called Family But if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, and a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success!!

Niderah

UNSCRAMBLE THE WORD JUMBLED UP IN THE GRID BELOWTO REVEAL A 10-LETTER WORD MEANING “INVIGORATE”

E T E N HS G N R T

HUMOUR Venus Williams was a vision in rose recently wearing a beautiful self-designed dress during a first-round rout of Bethanie Mattek-Sands at the U.S. Open The dress is beautiful from afar, but hardly an impressionist painting up close. It’s designed with red and black roses with background stem lines and “love” written all over in script.

To say it’s the best looking of Venus’ self-designed eleVen dresses could be damning it with faint praise.

She’s dressed like a can-can dancer and fireworks display in recent years, so it’s not as if it’s a high bar to clear. This is a step in a different direction. It’s not the best Venus has looked in years; it’s the best anyone has looked.

“It’s pretty fun for me to design this and actually wear it,” she told reporters after the match. “So it’s great.”

For once, Venus didn’t have the most interesting outfit on the court. Her opponent, American Bethanie MattekSands, had her typical tight tank top, wrist bands, high compression socks and eye black. This time, she added red hightops to the kit.

Sense of Responsibility.

A man goes into library and asks for a book on suicide.

Librarian looks him and says, Who will return the book back!

MINI-SUDOKU

Fill in the missing numbers in the grid to ensure that every row, column and 2 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 - 6.

2

Real Estate Salesman “This house,” said the real estate salesman, “has both its good points and its bad points. To show you I’m honest, I’m going to tell you about both.

“The disadvantages are that there is a chemical plant one block south and a slaughterhouse a block north.”

“What are the advantages?” inquired the prospective buyer.

“The advantage is that you can always tell which way the wind is blowing.”

Chess Playing Dog A man went to visit a friend and was amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He watched the game in astonishment for a while. “I can hardly believe my eyes!” he exclaimed. “That’s the smartest dog I’ve ever seen.”

“Nah, he’s not so smart,” the friend replied. “I’ve beaten him three games out of five.”

1 3

5

3

4

1

2 2

1

4

6

3

2

4

BRAIN TEASER

How can you throw a ball as hard as you can and have it come back to you, even if it doesn't bounce off anything? There is nothing attached to it, and no one else catches or throws it back to you.

To conquer oneself is the best and noblest victory; to be vanquished by one’s own Pep Talk nature is the worst and most ignoble defeat. Plato

48

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

49

NEWS

•Former Deputy Governor Lagos State Otunba Femi Pedro (left) and member, All Progressives Congress (APC) chietain Mr Akinwunmi Ambode at the APC National Convention in Abuja... at PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN the weekend.

•From left: Veteran Movie Producer Tunde Kelani, Managing Director/Chief Chef Labule Restaurant Mrs Binta Adisa and Managing Director Noah's Ark Communications Mr Lanre Adisa during the opening of Labule Restaurant in Ogudu, Lagos.

•Secretary to the Lagos State Government Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule (second right); Guest Speaker and Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Mr Babajide Alo (left); Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun and Director, Finance and Administration, Ministry of the Environment, Mrs Husainat Dawodu during World Environment Day at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

•From left: The Lord Bishop, African Church, Lagos Mainland Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ajayi; Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje; Lord Bishop, Lagos Central Diocese, Rt. Rev. Julius Abbe and Ex-Tell Magazine reporter, Rev. Gbenga Gbadebo during the 50th Birthday of Bishop Ajayi at the African Church Cathedral Salem, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

• Presenter, Femi and The Gang, Femi Obong-Daniels (left); ex footballer and Star Ambassador Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Obabiyi Fagade, Brand Manager Star, Nigerian Breweries Plc.; when the exfootballer visited Naija Info FM

From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Modupe Oguntuase; Chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Owowumi Edet and Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Pension Office, Mrs Folashade Adesoye at the opening of a 4-day workshop for officers in the Lagos State Public Service in Magodo, Lagos.

•From left:Mr Lucky Ofurum, Brand Manager, Blueband, Unilever Nig Plc, Mrs Ideezu Evelyn, Representative of SUBEB PortHarcourt, Miss Natasha Akure from Abijah Model School, Port-Harcourt, representatives of Children of Africa, Chidinma Obasi and Ifeanyi Nwandem receiving the gift of a Mobile Air- Conditioner, as second prize in the Blueband Essay Competition at the Blueband Children’s Day Fair .

From lett: Director, Channel Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ken Ogujiofor, President Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Bunmi Oke and Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Lucas Dada, at the 5th Etisalat Heroes Award in Lagos •Etisalat Heroes Club Distribution Partner/Chief Executive Officer, Sharubutu and Sms Nigeria Limited, Abba Shitu (left) receiving a gift from Acting Chief Executive Officer Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Matthew Willsher, at the 5th Etisalat Heroes Award in Lagos.

•Members of the Board of Directors of Kings College Ibadan (KCI) at the Award/maiden edition of the KCI Inter-School quiz competition for primary schools in Oyo State.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

50 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. The public may easily contact KAROTA for breakdown of vehicle(s), traffic congestion, accidents, and illegal/wrong parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, and 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888 and Street Light Committee 08037037131 to report fault.

153RD KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO. Friday 6th june, 2014 (8th sha’aban, 1435 ah) was the mercifully destined date for the ultimate passage of the emir of kano, late alhaji ado bayero to the life hereafter. The positively eventful, meritorious and glorious eighty-four (84) years of his copious lifespan was heralded as exceptional, especially the fifty-one (51) on the throne as the emir of kano.

Volumes on the achievements recorded in the kano emirate under the fatherly guidance of his royal highness late alhaji ado bayero are beyond this medium. However, the solemn meditation and unreserved prayers for the almighty allah to forgive his wrongs and uphold his rights and grant him eternal peace in jannatul – fir – dausi are not. The entire world prays for that.

May the almighty allah grant the courage for the immediate and extended family of the late emir of kano to bear the loss.

The entire world is with them in this.

As the tradition, a new emir was selected and turbaned in the person of malam sunusi lamido sunusi (former governor of the central bank of nigeria). Council prayed for the guidance of the almighty allah in the dispensation of the affairs of the kano emirate by the newly turbaned emir.

With this, the kano state executive council convened its one hundred and fifty third (153rd) sitting today, wednesday 11th june, 2014 (13th sha’aban, 1435 ah) under the chairmanship of governor engr. Rabi’u musa kwankwaso, fnse.

Ten (10) mdas submitted a discreet number of thirty-four (34) memoranda for deliberation by council of which seventeen (17) were approved for execution with an expenditure of three hundred and sixty five million, two hundred and nine thousand, one hundred and eighty two naira only (n365,209,182.00) covering thirteen (13) projects. The remaining four (4) memoranda were either informative or on policy issues.

The theme of today’s sitting was on training and human development of the public servants. Training/retraining as the central pillar of human development has been occupying the apex position on priorities pursue by the present administration.

The main thrust of the public service transformation overhaul is multi dimensional as it is based on the correct perspective taken from an informed standpoint that, “a trained public servant is a productive and efficient one”. This administration since inception has adopted the policy of transformation unseen before for the strengthening of the sector at all levels and ramifications.

This administration understands that just as physical and financial capitals, human resources make contributions to national income and development. Human resource, in fact, is central because other resources are passive factors of production and growth. Humans are the active agents that utilize the other resources for national development. The wealth of every nation depends on the development and effective utilization of its human resources. This explains the millions of naira being expanded on the establishment/construction of schools and retraining of public servants within and outside the country.

Investments on human beings through formal and informal outlets are justified in terms of the ‘rate of return.’ thus, the benefits to accrue from such investments outweigh the cost. A renowned philosopher’s statement is worth quoting for its relevant here: “a sacrifice for the sake of learning [retraining] today is rewarded tomorrow.” after all, humans are the most valuable and critical factor in the production and consumption of goods and services. Hence, a nation unable to develop the skills and knowledge of its people will remain underdeveloped.

In line with global consensus, the incumbent administration in kano state vigorously pursues and steers the transformation of the state public service in agreement with what is happening all over the developed nations and in cognizant of the peculiar requirements of the good people of the state so as to produce and sustain growth and development in the state. Through continuous training/retraining the state public servants are developed and are becoming useful to the system. For training develops staff knowledge, efficiency and capability for effective service delivery. Thus, training helps staff to achieve organizational and state goals, thereby attaining personal growth and increased productivity.

This administration’s continuous training of public servants is for the purposes of developing their skills, values, attitude, norms, motivations, opening access and sustained opportunities, improving productivity, growth, and empowerment. Below are the memoranda deliberated upon and approved at the 153rd sitting of the council.

1. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE The kano state ministry of justice submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberations by council of which three (3) were approved for execution as they concern the same issue. Thus: • council acknowledged three (3) of the five (5) memoranda submitted for deliberation from the ministry of justice were on requests for funds to enable the attendance of three (3) of its senior staff at three (3) capacity building conferences/seminars. Thus:

A) hon. Justice kabiru m. Auta – was recommended to attend international dispute resolution programme in london (12th – 16th august, 2014). The sum of n2,966,062.00 was requested for approved to enable the officer attend the programme.

B) magistrate halima wali – was recommended to attend commonwealth judges magistrates conference at livingstone, zambia (7th – 11th june, 2014). The sum ofn824,975.00 was requested for approved to enable the officer attend the conference.

C) magistrate salma ahmad dambatta – was recommended to attend a specialized course on juvenile offenders in london (9th – 13th june, 2014). The sum ofn1,263,425.00 was requested for approved to facilitate the officer’s attendance Congruence of the three (3) requests with the empowerment policy and resolve of the present administration to build the professional capacity of its staff across the civil service was considered as council approved the release of the aggregate sum of n5,054,462.00 to the ministry of justice for disbursement to the three (3) senior judicial officers for the stated purpose according to the details presented.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

1.

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Both memoranda submitted for deliberations by council from the office of the head of civil service were approved for execution as follows: A) presentation of request for approval to release sixteen (16) officers (civil servants) to proceed on studies abroad on study leave with pay (salary option):The kano state head of civil service tacitly reminded council that the state manpower training committee (smtc) under the auspices of his office, is assigned with the responsibility of identifying, assessing and evaluating relevant cases for training within the public service of the state.

The stmc judiciously identified sixteen (16) officers (serving civil servants) and recommended them as qualified for various courses in institutions abroad. This was endorsed as relevant by the head of civil service for equipping the state civil service with a well informed/skilled manpower for effective, efficient and reliable service delivery. Details were summarized and presented to council for consideration. Thus:

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the release of the sixteen (16) Officers to proceed for studies at various Institutions abroad on study leave with pay (salary option) according to the details presented.

Nevertheless, candidates with serial number 4, 10, and 14 (Hamid Aliyu Khalid, Ibrahim A. Sani and Ali Abdulkadir Abdulkadir) should seek admission in other institutions of their choice. a) Presentation of Report on the Conduct of the First (1 st) Batch (2014) Civil Service Examination in Conjunction with the Kaduna Polytechnic:The contents of this memorandum applauded Council for granting approval for the release of funds to enable the conduct of the cited Examinations. The examination, which is being conducted by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Kaduna Polytechnics, is part of the pre-requisites for the progression/confirmation of appointments in respect of certain cadres in the State Civil Service.

Reportedly, the Examinations were successfully conducted but with only 186 of the 200 earmarked participants in attendance.

Fourteen (14) of them were absent, which made the sum of N65,000.00 to be realized from the approved released fund for the exercise. This (amount) was returned to the State

51

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014 Government Treasury evidenced by copies of cheque No. 00002506, Bank Teller and covering letter presented to Council. Council acknowledged the presentation appreciatively.

2.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Secretary to the State Government submitted seven (7) memoranda on behalf of the Chairman and some MDAs for deliberations by Council. Two (2) of them were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Report on the Payment of Training Funds for the Kano State Indigenous Sponsored Candidates for Training at National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN):The Secretary to the State Government endorsed the cited report and presented its contents to Council for consideration. The three (3) – Member Executive Council Committee that comprised the Hon. Commissioners for Special Duties, Science and Technology and Projects and Monitoring submitted the report.

The contents of this memorandum respectfully reminded Council of its approvals granted to sponsor fifteen (15) and twelve (12) Kano State Indigenous candidates for training at NAPTIN for the academic sessions (2012/2013) and (2013/ 2014) respectively.

Details on the financial implications were presented to Council for notice and the possible benefits of such training for the State teeming youths. Council acknowledged the presentation. b) Presentation of Progress Report in Respect of Activities of the Office of the Kano State Auditor – General:The Office of the State Auditor General is constitutionally vested with the responsibility of auditing Public Accounts for the State Government and all its Offices and Courts for onward presentation/reporting to the State House of Assembly.

Sections 125, 126, 127 of the 1999 amended Constitution, as well as the Kano State Audit Law 1986 provide for this.

The content of this memorandum was a progress report from the office which covered the period of August, 2012 to April, 2014. Details on the issues covered in the report were summarized into seven (7) precise notations and presented to Council for consideration. The Report informed Council that the Annual Accounts of the State for the years 2010 and 2011 were submitted to the Kano State House of Assembly. In the same vein, during the period under review, out of 68 parastatals and agencies the Office received 58 audited accounts and reports, which will be submitted to the House of Assembly for consideration. Also due to its diligence examination of records the sum of over N40million was recovered from retiring officers for reason ranging from overstay, non-deletion of officers from payroll after retiring, outstanding car loan, etc. Finally the Report dwelt on the issues of the procurement of office furniture, equipment and laptops to improve standards in the performance of official functions and enhanced productivity.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation.

3. MINISTRY OF STATE AFFAIRS The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of State Affairs was approved for execution as follows: Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Compensation for Structures (Phase II) affected by Jakara Channelization (Wuju – Wuju Road) – Dausayi Quarters:The Hon. Commissioner for State Affairs submitted the cited presentation and request for consideration by Council. Council was applauded for granting approval for the release of the sum of N286,364,162.00 for disbursement as compensation to the individuals whose structures/land were affected by the Wuju – Wuju Road construction project under Phase I, which covered Sani Mainagge, Warure and some parts of Ayagi Quarters.

Pursuant to the effort to actualize this project, the Management Consultant; the Executive Council Committee on Compensation and the State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning agreed on the compensation valuation of Phase II of the Wuju – Wuju Road Construction Project, which covers Dausayi Quarters and affects thirty five (35) structures. The agreed compensation valuation of Phase II of the project was to the tune of N47,065,868.00, which was requested for release by Council for disbursement to the rightful owners/individuals of the thirty five (35) affected structures. Council acknowledged the presentation and approved the release of the sum of N47,065,868.00 to enable the payment of compensation for the structures.

4. MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The three (3) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution. Thus: a) Request for Funds for I.T.C. Maintenance and Replacement of 300KVA, 11/0.415KV Electricity Transformer at the Institute of Horticulture, Bagauda:The Institute of Horticulture, Bagauda is among the twenty two (22) Skills/Trade Acquisition Institutions established at different locations across the State, courtesy of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The cited project/request was presented to Council for consideration so as to ensure reliable supply of electricity at the Institution. The scope of work was assessed and estimated at the contractual cost of N5,401,765.00, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the project.

Council approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N5,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to enable the execution of the stated project under contractual arrangement supervised by the State Rural Electrification Board (REB).

b) Request for Approval and Release of Funds to Enable the Repairs/Maintenance of the I.T.C. and HT/LT Line in Karaye/ Rogo and Yanoko Area:The cited request was submitted to Council for consideration in response to the persistent problem of electric power outages experienced in Karaye and Rogo Local Government Council Areas.

The Kano State Rural Electrification Board assessed and estimated the scope of works to the tune of N17,150,382.00 if executed on direct labour basis, which Council was requested to approve.

Council considered the details presented as relevant and approved the release of the sum of N17,150,382.00 to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to enable the Rural Electrification Board execute the stated project on direct labour arrangement. c) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Potable Water Supply at Some Designated Villages under Bunkure Local Government Council Area:The cited request was submitted for consideration by Council cognizant of the resolve of the present administration to take the supply of potable water to all nooks and crannies of Kano State.

In this vein, five (5) villages in Bunkure Local Government Council Area that require the provision of potable water were identified.

Thus: • Four (4) villages (Danmagaji, Sabon Garin Bono, Yauta and Janga Fulani) will be provided with Hand Pump Water Boreholes = N800,000.00 x 4 = N3,200,000.00.

•

One (1) village (Gwaneri) will be provided with a Solar Powered Water Borehole at the sum of N5,500,000.00.

6. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION Only one (1) of the three (3) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Higher Education was approved for execution. Thus: Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Registration and Other Fees for Forty Seven (47) Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Various Courses at Abubakar Tafawa University (ATBU) for the 2013/2014 Academic Session:The Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education politely notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum that forty seven (47) Kano State Indigenous Students were admitted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi for various courses in the 2013/2014 academic session.

Details on the students, the courses and duration were submitted to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the sum of N5,358,000.00 to enable the payment for the following: i.

Registration fees – N22,000.00 x 47 = N1,034,000.00. ii.

Clearance fees – N2,000.00 x 47 = N94,000.00. x 47 iii.

Accommodation – N30,000.00 = N1,410,000.00. iv.

Up–keep allowances – N10,000.00 x 6 x 47 = N2,820,000.00.

Total = N5,358,000.00.

As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N5,358,000.00 for the stated purpose.

Council approved as requested.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 153RD EXCO SITTING

Council approved the release of the sum of N8,700,000.00 for the projects as requested.

5. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Five (5) of the nine (9) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment for 347,682 Litres of Diesel (AGO) Supplied to the Taskforce Committee on Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights in the Month of February, 2014:The good work executed by the Taskforce Committee on Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights needed no emphasis by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in submitting the cited request for consideration by Council.

As such, four (4) receipts that summarized the request for the release of the sum of N76,490,040.00 to pay for the cost of 347,682 litres of Diesel (AGO) supplied to the Committee in the month of February, 2014 were presented to Council for consideration. The diesel supplied was utilized in the running of generators for streetlights and some MDAs. Authenticity of the request prompted Council to approve as requested. b) Request for Funds for Roads Maintenance, Drainage Clearing and Repair Works:The Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA) submitted the cited request, which was endorsed by the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport and presented to Council for consideration.

Details on twenty one (21) roads of a distance of 45.10KM requiring either rehabilitation, clearing of drainage, etc. were presented to Council for consideration as identified and estimated to cost the sum of N302,749,800.00 which KARMA requested for release.

Council appraised the request and approved the release of the sum of N100,000,000.00 to enable KARMA continue with the commendable maintenance works on metropolitan roads across the State. c) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment for Diesel (AGO) Supplied to Some MDAs in the Month of April, 2014:The epileptic and grossly unreliable supply of electricity from PHCN compels continuous utilization of standby electricity generators at MDAs in Kano State so as to provide the required conducive atmosphere for service delivery in Government Offices.

Diesel (AGO) is required to power such electricity generators.

Details on sixteen (16) locations (MDAs) supplied with diesel in the month of April, 2014 were presented to Council for consideration along with sixteen (16) receipts totaled to the aggregate sum of N15,840,000.00 which was requested for release

by Council to enable payment for the supplied commodity. Council approved the release of the requested sum of N15,840,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the stated purpose. d) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Landscaping and Pedestrian Walkways to Connect Key Locations at the Northwest University Permanent Site:This request was submitted from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport cognizant of the fact that, the permanent site of the Northwest University, Kano deserves the project for many plausible reasons. Details of the requirements and scope of works were assessed and estimated to the tune of N62,912,230.36 which was requested for release. Council approved as requested. e)

Request for Funds to Enable the Procurement of Truck – Mounted Road Marking Machine:-

The cited request was submitted for consideration by Council due to the significance of the required machine in the provision of effective delineation of traffic lanes, zebra crossings and other relevant warning signs on our busy roads. The machine is simple and precise and achieves a lot within short periods without compromise to quality.

As such, due process was adopted in the selection of a suitable Contractor/Company for the supply of the required machine at the cost of N21,628,200.00, which was requested for release. The request was considered relevant by Council as approval was granted for the release of the sum of N21,628,200.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the stated purpose.

TRAINING AND PROVISION OF TECHNICAL 1.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT STAFF OF THE 37 MICRO FINANCE BANKS/FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN KANO STATE Council acknowledges the recent conduct of a two (2) weeks training session for Senior Management Staff of the thirty seven (37) Micro Finance Banks and other Financial Institutions in the State organized by the State Ministries of Finance and that of Planning and Budget held from 2nd– 14 th June, 2014. This was in preparation of accessing the N2,000,000,000.00 loan facilities under the CBN’s Micro/Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF). The CBN in association with the Kano State Government have secured the services of BRAC – Bangladesh Microfinance Bank to facilitate a robust capacity building and technical assistance programme for the PFIs in Kano State starting on Monday16 thJune, 2014.

2.

TRAINING OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS IN THE STATE BY SASAKAWA AFRICA Council appreciated the official working visit by Dr. Juliana, Head of SASAKAWA AFRICA to Kano State for the training of Agricultural Extension Workers across the 44 Local Government Areas.

3.

2014 SPORTS DAY CELEBRATION IN KANO STATE

Council noted the successful conduct of this year’s Sports Day Celebration in the State. During the celebration gifts were presented to State contingent/winners in different games/ sporting activities. The gifts given included Kits/Sports facilities and cash donations to 1,323 Clubs across the State ranging from non division clubs to Division I, II and III Clubs. Below are the gifts given out to individuals and clubs:1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

Training kits – 2,364 sets Jerseys – 2,097 sets Goal post – 880 sets Nets – 880 sets Training cons – 880 pieces Training balls – 3,512 pieces Match balls – 3,512 pieces Total Cash donations – N39,460,000.00.

Also donated are:1. Twenty (28) brand new Toyota Corolla to Kano Pillars Players and Officials.

2. One (1) Luxury bus for Kano Pillars.

3. Two (2) houses worth N15,000,000.00 to two (2) Kano States Indigenes who were members of Golden Eaglets that won world club in U.A.E. 4. Allocation of playing ground at Ma-ha-ha Sports Complex to clubs and other sporting activities’ association.

5. N500,000.00 cash donations to each of the three (3) Kano indigenes that won Gold Medal at the African Youths Championship in Bostwana.

6. Total Cash donation of N27,300,000.00 to some members of Kano Pillars, Para-Soccer, National Sports Festival, Handball teams & Judo teams.

THE SUCCESSFUL REDUCTION IN THE 4.

PREVALENCE OF HIV IN KANO STATE (FROM 2.8% IN 2012 TO 1.3% IN 2013) Council noted the reduction in the prevalence of HIV in the State from 2.8% in 2012 to 1.3% in 2013 as a result of the enlightenment effort of the State Government, Empowerment policy, Zawarawa Marriages, stepping up of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of the disease as well as improved awareness of the disease.

SIGNED: HON. COMMISSIONER, INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTH, SPORTS & CULTURE, KANO STATE

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

52

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Amaka Igwe: an artiste never dies, says President Jonathan

•The late Igwe's widower and her children

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said that one of the ways to immortalise the late movie icon, Amaka Igwe, is to uphold the standard created by the deceased, “so that our beloved Nollywood can attain its full potential.”

Jonathan, who was speaking during the funeral of the filmmaker in Ndiuche Arondizuogu, Imo State, last Friday, urged female practitioners, in particular, to “follow the all-conquering example of Amaka Igwe and strive for excellence in the full knowledge that, with hard work and dedication, there is no limit to what a woman can achieve.”

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Docu-

‘

Amaka Igwe was one of the exemplars of Nollywood, which is why her passing, at this time when she still had so much more to contribute, is such a huge loss. We mourn a creative genius, a visionary and star maker who had a knack for discovering talents, the diamond in the rough...

By Victor Akande

mentation, Molara Wood, President Jonathan said he deemed it important to condole with the Igwe family and show solidarity with the Nigerian film industry.

According to him, “Amaka Igwe was one of the exemplars of Nollywood, which is why her passing, at this time when she still had so much more to contribute, is such a

’

huge loss. We mourn a creative genius, a visionary and star maker who had a knack for discovering talents, the diamond in the rough. The stars created by the Nollywood system have become icons and they enjoy the adulation of millions of fans internationally. It is indeed worth noting that many of the biggest stars of the screen got their first big breaks in Amaka Igwe’s pro-

ductions.”

He noted that “like Professor Dora Akunyili, another great Nigerian woman we lost recently, Amaka Igwe was a tireless professional and an inspirational figure who worked till the very end.”

Igwe, 51, died of complications from an asthma attack, on April 28, in Enugu, where she was doing pre-production work on an Igbo television series. “One can only imagine the benefits of such a soap opera for production in the indigenous languages,” noted the president, who enjoined all to take solace in the knowledge that her legacy will live on. “An artiste never dies because the works are there to console us in totality,” he said.

The burial ceremony was attended by family friends and movie industry colleagues of the deceased.

Several Nollywood practitioners, family and friends of the deceased were at the event to pay their last respect. Amomg those present were CEO of Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, actor Bob Manuel-Udokwu, Yibo Koko, Julius Agwu, Ngozi Nwosu, Paul Obazele and Ebele Okaro.

Popular actress, Ngozi Nwosu, a prominent character in the late Amaka Igwe’s Fuji House of Commotion, reportedly created a scene, when the late Amaka was about to be interred. Wailing aloud and collapsing in the process, Nwosu’s action brought tears back to the faces of many at the ceremony.

Entertainers join Rosiji on Gaurapad charity

D

URING his time as president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Bolaji Rosiji stood out for several welfare packages and charities for members.

It was, therefore, not surprising when he played host recently to notable entertainers, who lent their voices to Gaurapad Charities, another project by the former PMAN boss.

The occasion was a retreat in Lagos for members from 39 newly established centres, where wellness and lifestyle products of the foundation are being sold.

The event, which had Gaurapad managers such as George Sakalis, Mrs. Mike Denis and Dr. Daniel Famutimi, was graced by veteran musician, Oritz Wiliki and Nollywood ac- •An awardee Madam Helen (second right),Tina Mba, Oritz Wiliki and Gaurapad MD, tress, Tina Mba, among George Sakalis others.

Wiliki, while praising the ers said the costs are next to dren and youths through lish their own independent initiative, said: “Bolaji has nothing, adding that the inischool programmes that sources of income,” said a generous heart and he is tiative had provided eminclude school feeding and Rosiji. concerned about the eman- ployment for several people. annual education summit.

The former PMAN boss, cipation of the people.”

Now, we are expanding.

“Despite how wealthy Niwho announced that the viAccording to Rosiji, geria is, there are people who God has given us a platsion of the group is to reach Gaurapad, which started as are hungry, homeless, jobform to bring all of these a billion people in the neara charity organisation, has less, ill and ignored. This together and to reach more est future, hinted that there since branched into the pro- fundamental belief is what people. Our target is to is more to come from the duction of wellness and life- gave birth to Gaurapad reach a billion people in coffers of the foundation, style products that will help Charities. The foundation is the nearest future and the which will also benefit the the group to reach more simply a platform for thoudevelopment of the entertainment and tourism people across the world.

Gaurapad products will sands of the unemployed, sectors.

“However, Although the products widows, students and profeshelp us to achieve this,” he Gaurapad Foundation has come with a price, promot- sional networkers to estabbeen reaching out to chilsaid.

I’m not begging for roles, says Pa Kasumu

W

HEN the news broke recently that popular Yoruba actor, Kayode Odumosu, alias Pa Kasumu, had picked up some movie roles, not a few of his fans, particularly those who have been following his story with interest, received it with a grain of salt.

The rumour mongers also went to town with the reports that the celebrated comic actor, who was in the news recently following the low-key wedding of his 37year-old son, Olatunde Odumosu, had been begging movie producers to feature him in their works in order to enable him meet his mounting needs.

However, when The Nation sought his reaction to the news of his hitting movie sets, he said though he had been approached by three movie producers, he had not gone to any location.

The actor, who now lives in a three-bed room apartment in Bode Olude, Elega area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, said: “It is true that I have been approached by two or three movie producers, including Tunji Bamisigbin and a woman.

Bamisigbin and I met in Abeokuta, where he told me about his forthcoming TV drama; so, we exchanged telephone numbers. He happened to have a meeting with the Governor on the same day I was invited to the Governor’s office for a different purpose. After my meeting with the Governor, he gave me N1million (in cash). That was in addition to the N2m he had earlier given me, which I used to buy this land (a half plot of land), which the owner had left only at the foundation level-I have personally developed it to this level, where it is now habitable.

There is also another woman who has approached me for a role in her work, though I don’t remember her name now.

“I wish you could come here to see things for yourself. You need to visit me, so you can see my state of health and my living condition. If I am not well taken care of, you will know when you come. You see, I have always warned journalists who derive pleasure in writing damaging stories about people to stop the habit. If they don’t, they will someday pay dearly for it. So, my brother, I will advise you to always verify your reports.

They may think it is a joke.”

Obviously, the doubts expressed by some of his fans bothered on his ill health.

Therefore, when asked if he could with withstand the ac-

By Babatunde Sulaiman

companying strain, stress and rigour of acting again, Pa Kasumu, who has been laid-up with both liver and heart-related problems for about five years, said he could act without any danger to his health. “Nothing is wrong with me as I speak with you. At least, you saw me at the wedding of my son recently and you could see that I played my role as the father of the groom very well. The producers and I have discussed the modality of my appearance. They have scheduled my roles in such a way that it won’t be too stressful for me. At the moment, I will say the problem area lies in my voice, which is not stable. Sometimes, it is loud and clear, while it is low and almost inaudible in some instance.

Apart from this, my defective sight has not been totally corrected, medically.

But I am not blind, contrary to the rumours. I will be going to India for a major surgery at the end of this month, if I am able to raise the money.”

He, however, declined to comment on the medical bill needed to undergo the surgery in India. According to him, “I know the name of the hospital and the amount needed already. But I won’t disclose it, so the public will not see me as a beggar. You see, I am not a lazy person and I am not a beggar either.

After this ailment developed in 2009, I had personally spent over N6million in search of a lasting cure, which I had planned to spend on another project. I had wanted to use the money to complete my house in Ogijo, until the ailment developed. I have always prayed to have a house in Abeokuta, Ogun State, but I didn’t know how God would do it.”

As he is now ready to go back to what he loves to do best, acting, the question on the lips of many is: will he still command a high price, since he may be at the mercy of film producers?

He didn’t mince words pooh-poohing this line of reasoning, adding that acting had become business for all practitioners. “Why won’t I be able to charge for any role I’m picking up? I am not cheap and I am not begging anyone for roles.

My children are taking good care of me and my loved ones have not abandoned me. Acting is business now. The practice of Ihelp-you-you-help-me, especially in the Yoruba movie industry, doesn’t work anymore.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

53

NEWS

New coaches rekindle interest in railways

The Nigeria Railway Corporation’s inauguration of eight new sets of rolling stock has generated excitement among Nigerians, despite fears concerning the maintenance of such sophisticated machines, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

O

NLY two other epochs could have had more overwhelming impact on Nigerians in the annals of train services in Nigeria. The first was the day the steam engine first took off on the nation’s tracks over a century ago and the second was the day the diesel engine locomotive, reputed for its ruggedness, was injected into the country’s train rolling stock to replace the coal engines in the 50s.

That was why many Nigerians attempted to gate crash into the Iddo Terminus waiting room, where the flagging off ceremony was performed last Monday. They did not only gate crashed, they rushed to enter the Diesel Multiple Unit rail car flagged off at the event and forced their way into one of the six 68-seater coach train for a ride with Vice President Namadi Sambo, who rode the new coach, to Ikeja, enroute Abuja.

One of such Nigerians was Mama Taoreed, a petty trader, 55, who was using the train for the first time in her life.

“I never ventured to enter the train before, she said, “because the cabins were usually over-crowded and stuffy with unending tales of pilfering and pick pockets, while rough necks eke a ride on the roof of coaches without any fear.

“When I heard this set would be different, I came to see things for myself and I must admit that I am surprised that the train is truly air-conditioned. If this is how our trains would be, then many Nigerians will soon opt for train service, rather than going through unending stress on the roads.”

Not a few Nigerians shared the woman’s sentiments. Her friend, Alhaja Mrs Rainat Olaegbe, who also spoke with The Nation, said she never really wanted to be part of the ride, but could not resist the air-conditioned cabins on the train.

Over the last three decades and even through independence, the nation’s flagship train provider-NRC, has not functioned optimally and has never lived up to the billings of its founding fathers to be the backbone of mass transit in the country.

But Sambo, while flagging off the new trains said those misgivings might as well have gone into oblivion. The administration, according to him, is determined to put things right and the new rolling stocks have set the right tone for such commitment. He disclosed that not only would the government continue to directly fund the corporation to enable it continue to serve Nigerians better, government has approved and would soon unveil a 25-year strategic economic development plan for the nation’s railway with the view of inviting the private sector to expand the present gains and sustain the giant strides of the corporation.

He disclosed that the federal executive council has approved an amendment to the Nigeria Railway Act 1955 with the view to repeal all obnoxious provisions that is impeding the growth of the rail sector, and urged the private sector to be prepared to play a pivotal role in sustaining the gains of the sector and provide more comfortable, reliable and cheaper commuting options for Nigerians.

The NRC Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur , who commended the government’s huge investment in the rail transportation, said it was in line with the realisation the development of any economy depends in the extent of development of its transportation system.

Tukur, who described transportation as “the life wire of any economy”, said the inauguration of the new trains is another watershed in the over 100 years history of the Nigeria Railway

• The air-conditioned train Corporation.

“This event marks another milestone in the over 100 year’s history of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, the construction of which started with a 193 km rail line from Lagos to Ibadan. The total railway length constructed by 1864 was 3505km of narrow gauge. In 1986, Federal Government commenced the standard gauge rail line from Itakpe to Ajaokuta to Warri totaling 235 km, while the second phase of the project started in 2011, with the construction of 187km standard gauge rail line from Idu, Abuja to Kaduna.”

Past in the present

Beyond the string of successes, which were inherited from the colonial masters and consolidated upon during the Ralph Emerson era, (October 1955 - May 1960), successive administrations had neglected and abandoned the corporation, leading to the gradual decline in its operations and rot.

The reactivation of railway operations which began with the military dictator late Gen. Sani Abacha, who added three locomotives to the aging stocks of the railway was however short-lived, as those equipment were later found to be inadequate for the local needs for which they were purchased, as one was eventually grounded.

The advent of the fourth republic saw a renewal in government’s determination to reactivate the railway with the then President Olusegun Obasanjo inaugurating new locomotives and a number of initiatives aimed at repositioning train services and improving the efficiency of the behemoth corporation.

This initiative was sustained by the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration and has been further deepened by the Jonathan administration which in the last four years has spent over N104 billion on the reactivation and rehabilitation of the railway as part of a transformation agenda to make train services readily available, at affordable prices, to the more commuting masses in the country.

Though the administration inherited a corporation with decrepit locomotives with equally shabby cabins, worn coaches and wagons, it was determined to lead a process of change which seems to be crystallising with the right leadership provided by Adeseyi Sijuwade and chairmen such as Alhaji Kawu Baraje and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Sijuwade, who became the Managing Director, five years ago, inherited an NRC that has only 84 locomotives, 800 wagons, and 170 coaches on its fleet.

Out of these, only 29 locomotives, 250 wagons and 120 coaches are in working condition, while about 550 wagons, 50 coaches and 55 locomotives are in various obsolete stages,

with many of these abandoned on an equally decrepit and worn rail tracks across the country.

Added to this burden was the huge doubt from Nigerians of the corporation’s capacity to deliver and take the stress off road transport system.

Such misgivings were not misplaced. Servicing the commuter needs of about 180 million people with 29 working locomotives is clearly not the right recipe for efficiency.

If this is added to the fact that only one of the two arterial lines – the western line (Lagos – Kano) has been working in the last three decades, while the other, the eastern line, (Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri), had been lying prostate, while no other part of the country had been charted for the benefit of being connected by rail services, then the picture becomes more depressing.

New path and the change

The Sijuwade team is, however, undeterred by the gloomy picture of the corporation. First thing it did was to revive the almost moribund Mass Transit Service (MTS), and within a short time, the almost dead culture was revived and is currently running eight round trips within the LagosIjoko corridor alone, carrying 16,000 passengers, while the Kaduna – Kano shuttle is also providing similar services up the western flanks.

Buoyed by the success of the MTS initiative, the corporation began in 2012, its Lagos–Kano inter-city shuttle, and last year, increased the service to thrice weekly with recorded success commuting 6,000 passengers weekly.

As appreciable progress is being made in passenger traffic, the NRC has also been improving its cargo handling responsibilities as it took delivery of a total of 40 wagons in the last five years which has increased its freight capability.

The corporation moves a monthly average of 3,570 tons of cement from Ewekoro, 3,170 tons of wheat from Apapa and 120 bonded containers from Apapa Port to Kaduna and Kano.

The new additions to its rolling stocks were novel in many ways. First is that the new equipments were all air-conditioned trains and coaches, the first time such would be de-

‘

ployed to the nation’s rail system.

While the two Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) built as a mass transit rail car to accommodate its first class commuters, would be deployed to heavy traffic urban areas beginning from Lagos, the six 68-seater coaches would be deployed to service the Lagos – Kano intercity route, Sijuwade said on Thursday.

Each of the DMU, Sijuwade said, is made up of three trailer cars (coaches) and one motor car at each end, which eliminates shunting at terminal stations, thereby reducing delays and journey time.

Speaking on the features of the machine he said: “The capacity of each car is 540 passengers (72 seating and 108 standing). Each is powered by 1200 HP Cummins engine and 166 HP Cummins Generator for auxiliary Power. Each has fully automated centrally-controlled doors, LED passenger information system comprising CCTV cameras and loud speakers, while for passenger comfort, each are equipped with roof-top air-conditioning system which circulates round all cabins, with a maximum speeding capacity of 100km/ph.”

Each of the six air-conditioned coaches, to be deployed as first class coaches on the intercity routes starting from Lagos to Kano, is fitted with a vacuum toilet system and pressurised toilet tanks which would be emptied at Iddo and Kano terminuses, where special sewage disposal equipment have been installed.

The direct impact of these new rolling stock, the cost of which was put at N4.2 billion, Sijuwade said, is the increase in the number of passengers moved on the Lagos – Ijoko corridor from 16, 000 to 22,000, and an increase in freight capacity due to the freeing up of heavy locomotives presently being used for passenger services to pull freight wagons, thus impacting on greater freight capacity.

On the inter-city route, there is expected to be an immediate increase in passenger traffic from 6,000 to 7,000 per week.

With the injection of the eight new machines, passenger traffic on both MTS and intercity shuttle is expected to move from the five million initially projected for the year to above eight million yearly.

Also anticipated are greater efficiency, better hygiene and sanitation, reduction in congestion, improved or

The capacity of each car is 540 passengers (72 seating and 108 standing). Each is powered by 1200 HP Cummins engine and 166 HP Cummins Generator for auxiliary Power. Each has fully automated centrally-controlled doors, LED passenger information system comprising CCTV cameras and loud speakers

‘

enhanced safety and more reliable and frequent services.

The significance of the new stocks, the Managing Director said is that the DMUs is manufactured to fit the narrow gauge presently used in the country.

“The consortium–CSR Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm and its Nigerian counterpart, Kintech (Nig) Ltd., were invited to the country and directed to build to specification using our narrow gauge. The result is the modern, air-conditioned world class rail car,” Sijuwade said.

Sijuwade added that with the strengthening of the corporation’s competence in passenger haulage, is the deepening of same in addressing the economic needs of the country through delivery of freight solutions to manufacturers.

“There is already before the Federal Executive Council an addendum to the rehabilitation of the Lagos – Kano rail lines with the rehabilitation of the rail siding to trap the economic lines of the country. There are quite a number of these in Apapa, all the line sidings to the tank farms, manufacturing companies are being rehabilitated and when we are done, you would see us reviving our economic routes and taking more of the stress off the road.”

The maintenance fear

Though cynics who had doubted that a modern train service could ever be used in the country have been silenced, critics still held that the modern facilities may still go down in rot due to the nation’s lackadaisical attitude to maintenance. The new trains they argued may not serve the commuters far into the future due largely to a large dose of this malaise.

But the NRC MD said such fears need not arise. According to him, not only did these new equipment come with more than enough spare parts that might be needed regularly to service them, the manufacturers he said were also going to be on hand and are being assisted by a local firm to carry out regular turn around maintenance and other oversight functions.

Besides, much of the auxiliary services regarding the new trains and coaches have been firmed out to private concerns, Sijuwade further assured.

“One of the areas that are being handled by an outside company is the ticketing. This is done in order to put in place appropriate best practices to ensure that the thing is properly run. If the government has invested this much in providing these equipments, we must ensure that it serves Nigerians optimally.

“Gone are the days when the corporation’s workers would abuse their privileges by reserving seats or sell more tickets than the number of seats available, or collect bribe, to allow hoodlums and miscreants ride on cabin rooftops.

“On the DMUS, for example, we know it can only take 540 passengers and our consultant would not sell above that per trip. On the inter-city shuttle on the other hand, we know it can only take 68 passengers and at no time would more than 68 tickets be sold,” he added.

He urged the middle class and business executives to take advantage of the corporation’s improved train service especially the first class option which has now been upgraded to world class standard.

Sijuwade disclosed that the eastern rail line would be open for service by August, adding that the corporation would be taking delivery of five additional 68-seater coaches with which to flag off operations, beginning from the Port Harcourt to Enugu train service.

54

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

55

CITYBEATS

Evangelist battles spinal cord injury

F

OR over five years now, Chidi Ucheana, a 32-year-old evangelist, who hails from Alor in Idemili South of Anambra State, has remained bedridden in acute pains.

Chidi, who is also a chorister at the Saint Barth’s Anglican Church, Satellite Town, Lagos State, broke his spinal cord in a road accident on January 8.

Overwhelmed with grief, the cleric spoke with The Nation last Saturday in the Maza-Maza area of the city, where he stays with his b r o t h e r - i n - l a w .

Sympathisers fought tears for him.

He said the accident occurred at Agbor in Edo State on his way back to Lagos from Anambra, after celebrating the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Chidi, who could not recall what led to the accident, said all he could recollect was that the bus’ driver drove into a petrol filling station at Agbor, bought fuel and drove out.

“The next thing was that I saw myself on the bed at the Agbor General Hospital where I was told that only five of us survived,” he said.

The evangelist said he regained consciousness at the hospital after the accident and ever since, he had been moved from hospitals at Onitsha to Enugu and various other places in search of succour to no avail.

He said his condition has worsened as he now has bed sores all over his back. Rea-

T

‘I have been taken to several hospitals including the Orthopaedic Hospital in Enugu.

There has been no improvement. The wounds I sustained five years ago have not healed. I have bed sores all over my body; I cannot stand up or walk ...’

By Uyoatta Eshiet

son: For lying down on a spot for five years!

Today, Chidi cannot stand or sit on a chair. And he must be assisted into a wheel-chair if he must leave his bed. He can no longer move his legs as the wounds on them grow more terrible by the day.

He said: “I have been taken to several hospitals including the Orthopaedic Hospital in Enugu. There has been no improvement.

The wounds I sustained five years ago have not healed.

I have bed sores all over my body; I cannot stand up or walk and I cannot sit down except I’m lifted unto a wheel-chair. Then, he pleaded: “I am tired; please let everybody help me.

Please tell my governor, Mr Willy Obiano, to help me.

He must not allow me to die.”

‘We’re tired of darkness’

HE traditional ruler of Itele, an Ogun State community, Chief Azeez Adegboyega Sadiku Ajiboye, has urged the state government to commission the community’s electricity project.

He said that all the necessary equipment, including electricity transformers, wires and poles had been fixed over five years ago, awaiting formal commissioning by the gov-

• Ajiboye

By Taiwo Abiodun

ernor.

Ajiboye, an engineer, said: “They have erected poles and connected wires while all necessary things like transformers are in place; we only need to be given light. We have spent a lot in contributing to the connection of the poles and wires. We wake up seeing poles and wires dangling in the air for the past five years, but no light!

“Now, many people are leaving here in droves, relocating to other areas because of this power problem. I am a trained industrial engineer. I know what it takes to have electricity. Having it will attract companies and engage people, while the community will be free from hoodlums.”

A resident, Kazeem Anibaba, echoed the ruler’s view, saying: “We were told that Governor Ibikunle Amosun was coming to commission the project, but we are still waiting.

Until the accident, Chidi was an active member of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) and the Evangelical Fellowship of the Anglican Communion (EFAC) of St Barth’s.

Now, he needs N5 million for an overseas trip to undergo surgery and eventual rehabilitation. Sadly, right now, he lacks medical attention for lack of funds.

Clinical analysis from Memcfys Hospital, Enugu, which was signed by Consultant Radiologist Dr. A.C Onu, noted that the man had spinal injury and paraplegia.

A former Vicar and Priest at the St Barth’s church, Satellite Town, who is now Vicar and Archdeacon at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Oke-Afa, Isolo in Lagos, Rev’d Chiedu Ekpunobi, said that until the incident, Chidi, apart from being an evangelist in the church, ”was into buying and selling, doing well.”

Describing the victim’s

case as “quite unfortunate,” he said: “He was one of my parishioners. He was very active and was the assistant choir master and was quite promising in his chosen field.”

Seeking help for the young man, Chiedu pleaded: “Ucheana needs urgent help to enable him have his life back. Arrangements are in progress with a health facility in Dubai for a surgery that promises to rehabilitate him.

“We have done the best in our capacity to help and sustain him, but we cannot do this alone. We need help.

We cannot allow him to waste away just like that. I urge the good people of Nigeria to urgently come to his aid.”

The evangelist said he could be reached on 0802 316 8259 or through an account domiciled in his name: Ucheana Chidi Anthony at Diamond Bank, with number: 0038992309.

• Ucheana

Six killed as hoodlums attack NDLEA officials

T

HREE operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and three villagers have been killed in a clash between security personnel and hoodlums in the Owode area of Idi Iroko, Ogun State.

The NDLEA officials were said to have stormed the village in search of some suspected drug dealers allegedly operating within the Idi IrokoOwode axis.

Trouble started when the NDLEA operatives arrived the sleepy village at about 8.30 am, firing sporadic shots into the air and killing three villagers in the process.

An eyewitness alleged that it was the death of the three yet-to-be-identified persons that triggered off a reprisal attack by the village youths.

T

By Jude Isiguzo

The youths alleged that the killing of the residents by security personnel posted to Idiroko border was becoming a recurring decimal.

“When the enormity of what happened dawned on the NDLEA operatives, they made a quick u-turn and headed back to base. Unfortunately, they ran into some irate youths who had gathered at the village square with the corpses of three of their community members earlier felled by the bullets fired by the security men.

“The youths opened fire at the approaching patrol van and in the ensuing exchange, three NDLEA operatives lay dead in a pool of blood. Other NDLEA officials in the team sustained

various degrees of bullet wounds. The NDLEA managed to escape with the bodies of their deceased colleagues,” the witness added.

Another version said it was the villagers who opened fire at the security men, killing three in the process.

The source said: “The swift response of the villagers and the number of guns in their hands shows that they were battle-ready” the source said.

Now, an uneasy calm is in the area as a combined teams of military men and riot policemen from Elewe Eran in Abeokuta are on ground to restore peace.

NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mitchel Ofoyeju, who confirmed the attack told The Nation that only three of their men were killed in the attack.

He said NDLEA officials got an intelligence report that some suspected drug dealers had shifted their operation to Owode.

Ofoyeju said based on the information, a team of NDLEA operatives were drafted to the area, adding: “I can confirm to you that our men were on an operation at Owode to recover and arrest some drug dealers. During the operation, three of our men were shot dead by some villagers.”

He said that the bodies of the deceased operatives had since been deposited at the mortuary, while investigations into the killing by both the police and NDLEA were ongoing.

Mitchel said a person had been arrested and was being detained at Owode.

Rotary, Flour Mills donate to schools

HE Rotary Club of Ogba, Lagos State, in conjunction with Flour Mills Plc, have donated more than 50,000 stationery items to students of Agidingbi Senior Grammar School and Oke-Ira Junior Grammar School in the state.

Besides, the Oke-Ira junior

By Nneka Nwaneri

school got a new desktop computer from the club as each pupil smiled home with five exercise books and pens.

The club’s president, Samson Omodara, said it had given a similar gesture when it donated waste bins

to the senior school, and a borehole with toilet to the junior one.

The team inspected the projects and discovered that the toilets at the OkeIra Junior School had degenerated pitiably.

Not only were they nonfunctional, there was water wastage as the pipes leaked

and water was gushing out ceaselessly, rendering the environment squalid.

Omodara urged the pupils to join the Interact Club, as a platform for the younger ones to imbibe the service of the Rotary to not only give back to the society, but also to network with people who can add value to their lives.

Outfit gives back to community

A

N events outfit, V14 Ventures, will today hold the third edition of its “Giving Back” programme. It will hold at the Federal Housing Estate Primary School, by Mobil House, Sandfield, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Its organiser, Valentina Chimonez, said it is an annual charity event aimed at promoting the spirit of community and building lives.

“It encourages members of the public and companies to join hands in giving back to

members of less-fortunate communities. We hold it same day every year. The programme’s theme is “knowledge.” It is not only about donating items such as clothes, computers, cookers, printers, generators and instructional materials to nursery students; we also teach them how to fish,” she said.

The programme, she added, would also feature practical workshop on catering services, fashion designing and photography among others.

• Founder of Akobada Foundation, Alhaji Ashimiu Akobada (standing 3rd from left), with his wife, Mojisola and some beneficiaries during an empowerment programme held at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

12

CITYBEATS

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

12

CITYBEATS

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

56

NEWS One die in Jigawa rainstorm

O

NE person has died in a rainstorm in Limawa, Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Four others were injured and over 100 houses destroyed.

A resident, Malam Rabi’u, said: “Most of the houses in our area were affected; I’m on my way to buy some roofing materials to repair my house.

“Four of my neighbours are

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

in the hospital. I heard that a wall collapsed on a boy; the boy unfortunately died. This disaster is the most devastating in the last 25 years.”

The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management agency, Aminu Waziri, could not be reached.

Police spokesman Abdu Jinjiri, however, said there was no casualty.

KEDCO, Ajaokuta Steel sign MoU

K

From Kolade Adeyemi Kano

ANO Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited signed a multi-billion Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) yesterday in

Kano.

KEDCO’s Managing Director Jamil Isayaku Gwamna said the pact will improve power supply received by KEDCO, which would cover the 110 megawatts from the thermal station in Ajaokuta.

Gwamna added that 85 per cent of the power generated from the Ajaokuta Thermal will be for KEDCO; the remaining 15 per cent will be for Ajaokuta town.

The Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Joseph Isah, said: “Reactivation works have begun and in the next 30 days, we will start generating power from the Ajaokuta Power plant for sale to KEDCO.”

O

•Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Osita Chidoka condoling with the Emir of Minna, Dr.Umar Faruk Bahago, over the death of Senator Awaisu Kuta. With them is Former Head of State Gen. Badamasi Babangida in Minna, Niger State.

Police shoot one in Kogi

NE person has been injured in a police raid on Lugard Road, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

It was gathered that the policemen were after a suspected criminal, who was traced to Lugard Road, where he

From James Azania, Lokoja

was shot in the leg.

The suspect was later taken to the hospital.

Police spokesman Emeka Emeh refused to comment on the issue.

T

UniAbuja Council to meet unions’ demand

HE Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has promised to grant all the demands of striking unions.

This, however, does not include the release of the 2012 Visitation Panel report, which it said was outside its purview.

The Council called on the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) to call off the strike and return to work.

The pro-chancellor, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, said this

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

at a briefing after a meeting with stakeholders.

The pro-chancellor, who was represented by a member of the council, Prof Edigba Agbo, described the unions as partners in progress.

He said the processes for the appointment of a new vice-chancellor were transparent.

Ogbemudia assured that

the Council will implement the White Paper, when it is released.

He assured that issues bordering on promotion, election of Senate representative to Council and remittance of deducted checkout dues will be resolved.

The pro-chancellor said: “The promotion arrears submitted to the Budget Office would be followed up by the administration speedily.

“The unions check off dues

would be restored immediately and Council will notify the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“Last year April’s check off dues, which were deducted, will be remitted to members.

“The payment of claims is being processed and the Bursary Department has been directed to bring same up for the VC’s approval and immediate payment.”

ASUU and SSANU had on June 2 and June 4 embarked on the strike to press forward its demands of better welfare for its members.

Taraba ex-commissioners petition NJC

F

ORMER Taraba State commissioners have petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what they described as “alleged murder of the judiciary and judicial process by the Chief Judge, Justice Josephine Adamu Tuktur”.

In the petition by Anthony Jellason (Agriculture), Emmanuel Bello (Information) and another official, Samuel Galadima, the petitioners urged the NJC to “in-

B

tervene” in what they described as “a systematic erosion of the judiciary, judicial process and rule of law in Taraba”.

The former commissioners said Justice Tuktur “systematically and deliberately obstructed, frustrated, undermined, thwarted and barricaded judicial process and court orders passed by the law court in her jurisdic-

tion.”

“It is incomprehensive that ‘contempt’ could willfully be committed by a judicial officer.”

The Taraba CJ, the petitioners alleged, did not rise to protect the “sanctity and integrity” of the judiciary when Acting Governor Garba Umar on October 30, last year and January 6 sent lists of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly, despite a court order re-

•Yuguda

the late Emir as a father and leader with the fear of God. He told the emir to emulate his father.

Briton ‘kidnapped’ in Plateau

ECURITY operatives said yesterday they were searching for a British construction worker, who they believe was kidnapped in Plateau State.

The search began after the man failed to show up for work on Saturday, said Captain

‘Carry all along’

T

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

“Nigeria is not the only nation with security challenges; I know that very soon there would be an end to these challenges, particularly the insurgency in the Northeast.

“I want to urge Nigerians to be patient and supportive of governments’ efforts to remedy the situation,” Yuguda said.

The governor described

straining him.

They said Justice Tuktur also ignored the screening of the commissioner-nominees by the House.

The petitioners urged the NJC to investigate their claims vis-à-vis the activities of Justice Tuktur, who they alleged has “ridiculed the revered image of the judiciary.”

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Yuguda: insurgency not defying solution

AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has said the security situation is not defying solutions.

He spoke when he visited the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, on the demise of his father and his coronation.

“I want to assure you that it is just a matter of time for the situation to come to an end. There is time to start something and there is time to end it.

S

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

Ikedichi Iweha, a spokesman for the Special Task Force (STF), which is made up of both military and police personnel.

Capt Iweha declined to give further details.

It was not known who the alleged kidnappers were.

HE Northern States Council (NSC) of the Ansar-ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN) has appealed to the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to forgive and forget the circumstances leading to his emergence.

A statement by the group urged the emir to see his emergence as an act of God. The group reminded the emir and other Nigerians that Allah alone gives leadership to whosoever He wishes.

“He should take solace in the sayings and deeds of the Prophet, one of which state that ‘be grateful if blessed; be patient if denied; overlook if cheated and forgive if offended.’

“We therefore call on the emir to uphold the sanctity of the institution and consider his appointment as an opportunity to serve his people.”

57

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

NEWS

I’ve prepared roadmap for Delta, says Orubebe

F

ORMER Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe has said he has developed a roadmap on all the programmes he will implement as governor.

He spoke at the weekend when he met with Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, led by Chief J.O.S Ayomike.

The Itsekiri leaders urged Orubebe, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant, to continue with dignity and honour that had characterised his interactions across the state.

Ayomike said the most important thing for them is to get a competent person to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

He said the Itsekiri and

Ijaw have a lot in common.

The PDP aspirant described the Itsekiri leaders as precursor and sustainers of peace in Delta State.

Orubebe assured them that he will pursue his ambition seriously.

The former minister assured the leaders that he would take his assignment seriously and impact positively on the people.

“I will develop infrastructure that will enhance quality living.”

He said his policies would guarantee jobs for the working class and provide a welfare package for the aged.

Orubebe thanked the people for co-habiting peacefully.

Police kill kidnap suspects in Edo

T

HE police in Edo State have killed six kidnap suspects in a forest on Igbanke-Evwohimi Road in Esan South East Local Government Area.

The suspects were killed during an exchange of gunfire between the police and the suspects.

Police Commissioner Foluso Balogun, who displayed the bodies, said operatives of the command stormed the kidnappers’ den with four

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

suspects, following the kidnap of a woman.

The commissioner said the woman was kept in the forest.

He said: “On getting to one of their hideouts, our operatives disembarked with the suspects but their colleagues opened fire on our men.

“The police engaged the gang in a gun battle and two of the kidnappers were killed.

“Simultaneously, the other four suspects, who fled, were killed in the crossfire.

“One pump action gun with four rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the assailants.

“Our men chased those who fled into the bush. We also searched the scene and a huge sum of foreign currencies and arms were recovered.”

Balogun said the bodies were pronounced dead on

arrival at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

He said policemen were still combing the bushes for those who escaped.

Items recovered at the kidnappers’ den included a Mercedes Benz C-Class car with registration Number AGL 133 CX, $8,200, 20,000 Francs, five Dirham, N8,500, 12 sim cards, four cut-to-size single barrel guns, 72 live cartridges and one locally made revolver pistol.

200 vehicles impounded

T

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bayelsa Sector has impounded 200 vehicles with fake number plates in its ongoing number plate verification.

Sector Commander Vincent Jack said the exercise tagged: “Please Don’t Promote Fake Drivers Licence and Numberplates” was designed to check the activities of fake numberplate syndicates.

He lamented that insurgents were hiding under counterfeit number plates to carry out attacks.

Jack said the exercise was critical to the war against terrorism.

His words: “Each time terrorists detonate car bombs, the first thing investigators do is to call FRSC for details of the plate number.

“Most times when we check our records, the number plates are not registered with us.

“So fake number plates pose a big challenge in the war against insurgency and we want to ensure that this does not continue.

“Barely three days into the exercise, over 200 vehicles have been impounded.”

But some of the motorists alleged that the FRSC failed to carry out adequate enlightenment before the verification.

Some others accused officials of the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) of issuing fake number plates to motorists.

But the allegation was dismissed by the board.

The Board Chairman, Torukuru Godson, said most car owners usually used agents to acquire their licences and number plates.

PRO-NATURA INTERNATIONAL (NIGERIA)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT A reputable Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) promoting sustainable community-led development through participatory approach in the Niger Delta region and other states in Nigeria requires an experienced and qualified candidate to fill the position of a Programme Manager.

REQUIREMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE: 1) University degree in any Social Science or Environmental Management field; 2) Masters Degree in development or any related field in development is a must; 3) Minimum of 5-7years relevant experience with at least 2 years middle management position; 4) Strong development background with experience in project management and community development; 5) In-depth knowledge of writing technically sound proposals to international donors such as USAID, DFID, WORLDBANK ETC.; 6) In-depth knowledge of writing comprehensive programme reports; 7) A professional with vast networks within Government agencies, oil companies, development practitioners, community leaders, etc.; 8) Ability to work under pressure in a conflict ridden environment; 9) Effective conflict resolution skills; 10) Proven presentation, writing and communication skills; 11) Computer skills; 12) People Management/Leadership skills; 13) An understanding of due process, financial transparency and accountability; 14) An understanding and awareness of conflict issues and causes as they relate to the Niger Delta would be an advantage and 15) Successful candidate will be required to travel to all project fields for monitoring and supervision.

ROLE SPECIFICATION: 1) Participate in the administration and coordination of programmes; 2) Supervise other programme assistants/facilitators; 3) Produce reports and contribute to fundraising and project proposals; 4) Liaise with governments and other key stakeholders at a senior level; 5) Interact with community partners and oversee progress of community programmes; 6) Provide technical advice when required to community partners in the fields of rural development and management; 7) Promote participatory decision making and participatory processes within community institutions; 8) Perform other assigned duties as delegated by the Executive Director from time to time; 9) Manages all fund development activities, including grant writing, cultivation and stewardship of donors, event planning, and identifying new resources.

Actively seeks and maintains a diverse donor base of individual, business, foundation and government segments; 10) Promotes the organisation’s visibility and welfare through participation and membership in community forums, civic organisations and activities that are aligned with its mission and vision; 11) Oversees and supports the development, design and delivery of program initiatives, assuring that the goals and objectives are aligned with the organisation’s overall strategic plan; 12) Oversees and supports the administrative components of all program services, including contract negotiations, contract and grant reporting and contracted work 13) Provides for quality assurance monitoring of the Organisations programs, assuring correction of any deficiencies in program services Interested candidates should send their applications with curriculum vitae by email to info@pronatura-nigeria.org Application closes on Friday, June 27, 2014.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan addressing traders when he inspected the Sapele Main Market, Sapele. With him PHOTO: NAN are Commissioner for Environment Frank Omare (left) and his Housing counterpart, Paulinus Akpeki.

A

Why I left my baby to die, by teenager

16-YEAR-old girl, who abandoned her 13month-old baby in an uncompleted building, has said she did so because she was abandoned by her family.

She was said to have put her baby inside a cement bag but he was saved by passersby.

The teenage mum, who said she stopped schooling at primary five, was among 42 suspects paraded by the police in Edo State for crimes

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

ranging from robbery, kidnapping, rape, murder and unlawful possession of firearms.

She told reporters that her father chased her away from home and asked her to go and look for her real father.

Her words: “I went to Umelu village and met a friend who told me to follow her to Abeokuta, Ogun State, and that I would work there.

“I did not know that she was going to introduce me to prostitution.

“It was in Abeokuta I conceived. I don’t know if the man is still in Abeokuta.

“He knew that I had a baby for him. I used to sleep with about 10 men in a day.

I spent six months as a prostitute.

“I left him at the uncompleted building because I didn’t have any money to take care of him.

“My elder sister came to

take the baby from me so that she can be collecting money from my mother but when I went to collect my baby she sent me away.

“I was arrested after I decided to go back and check on the baby. The people knew who I was and they took me to the traditional ruler, who handed me to the police.”

Police Commissioner Foluso Adebanjo said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.

How I’ll develop Akwa Ibom, by aspirant

A

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Akwa Ibom, Michael Onofiok, has said he will bring development to the state by developing its inland and territorial waters.

He said the state is endowed with maritime potentials which, if properly harnessed, would bring “overwhelming and eternal” benefits and end unemployment.

Onofiok, a maritime expert, said countries such as Great Britain, USA, China and Russia derive a high proportion of their annual earnings from maritime activities.

The mariner spoke in Lagos at an interactive session with Akwa Ibom indigenes, organised by a political group, the Ibom Big Deal Movement, Lagos Branch.

He said if elected governor, he would ensure an effective implementation of the regime, which will change Akwa from a predominantly civil service state to an industrialised one.

By Joseph Jibueze

His administration, he said, would establish a State Inland Waters Management and Planning Agency and a Security and Coastguard Agency to monitor and secure the state’s territorial waters.

Onofiok said his administration would also set up a State Marine University to train inland seafarers, oceanographers, coastguard security personnel, port and terminal management, territorial water management, maritime law, among others.

The aspirant said his focus on developing the state’s

T

maritime sector would lead to ship building and seafarer capacity production; acquiring technical know-how in ship management and maintenance; promoting investment in the local maritime infrastructure and trade; generating foreign exchange and increased freight earning, thereby boosting job creation and career opportunities in the maritime sector.

“Today, the avenues for providing jobs for millions of jobless youths, particularly in the maritime industry, have remained largely untapped,” he said.

National Coordinator of

the Ibom Big Deal Movement, Comrade Kendy Aduak, said the group was founded solely to mobilise, promote and project Onofiok’s governorship ambition.

“Governor Godwill Akpabio has done well, but we need a tested, trusted, dynamic and charismatic leader to succeed him.

“Onofiok is that man. His development plan for the state is unrivalled,” he said.

Guests at the event include President, Oron Union, Lagos Branch, Maurice Ukpon and President, Association of Akwa Cross Indigenes, Etubom Unyime Samson.

63 cult members arrested

HE police have arrested 63 suspected members of ‘Black Axe’ fraternity in Akwa Ibom.

Police spokesman Etim Dickson said the suspects were arrested during their initiation at Effoi village forest near Eket.

Dickson said the police acted on a tipoff from the public.

Two locally made pistols; five live cartridges; two axes and two drums were re-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

covered.

Other items are five black berets with ‘Aye’ insignia; three cars; one bus; two motorcycles; 10 phones; and one jerry can containing substance suspected to be blood.

Dickson said the suspects confessed to being ‘Black Axe’ members.

He said they would soon appear in court.

58

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 16, 2014

NEWS

T

HE police yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, uncovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the auditorium and the car park of the headquarters of the Living Faith Church, popularly called the Winners’ Chapel.

The bombs were said to have been planted by suspected terrorists.

The discovery prompted the bomb disposal unit of the police command to shut the church and order worshippers to relocate to another place for the Sunday service.

Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem said the IEDs were discovered by their men following a tip-off by the security guards attached to the church.

He said the explosives were already primed and could have detonated during the service, but for the prompt action of the police.

“The bomb disposal unit has removed the IEDs and defused them. It has also searched the church and the premises to ensure that no more bombs are there. It could have been a disaster, but for the prompt arrival of the police,” Enwerem added.

He said six people have been arrested and are assisting the police in their investigation.

Police Commissioner Mr. Abdulmajid Ali corroborated his statement.

When our reporter visited the church located on Winners’ Avenue, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, it had been reopened, but the gates were manned by stern-looking policemen, who frisked the worshippers before they were allowed in.

One of the security guards, who preferred anonymity, said: “We are grateful to God for saving our lives. We did not know when or how the explosives were planted. But the three bombs that were discovered were found at strategic locations on the church premises.”

Commissioner: plea bargaining unconstitutional From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

E

Police uncover bombs in Winners’ Chapel •The church in Owerri. Inset: One of the bombs.

Okorocha convenes emergency security meeting IMO State Governor Rochas Okorocha summoned yesterday an emergency security meeting for today at the International Conference Centre, Owerri, after a closed door meeting with heads of security agencies.

The governor, who briefed reporters at the Government House, Owerri after the meeting, confirmed that the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) found at the Winners’ Chapel, Owerri were primed to go off at 8:30am during the peak of the service.

He said: “I salute the efforts of our security men, who averted this bloodshed. It was an act of God that the bomb did not detonate because the casualty could have been massive, considering that the church is located in a densely populated area.”

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

The source, who decried power outage in the area, said the suspected terrorists, who planted the explosives, might have done so under the cover of darkness.

His words: “When we came to church on Saturday evening to prepare for the Sunday service, we saw an unusual object hidden under one of the chairs in the auditorium. We observed it and

•Bans night trucks from North From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Assuring the people of the preparedness of the government to tackle insecurity, Okorocha urged them to be vigilant and report any strange object or movement.

He said: “Let me assure the people that government is doing everything to ensure the protection of lives and property, but they should be vigilant and report strange movements and objects to the security agencies.

“Henceforth, no vehicles coming from the North will be allowed into the state at night. Government will provide a place where they will be searched.” discovered that it was a primed IED. We then alerted the police.”

Efforts to speak to the senior pastor of the church, Pastor Ayodele Moses, were abortive, as security guards

Police deny Boko Haram infiltration in Abia

Igbo declare seven-day mourning for Akunyili

I ili.

GBO communities have declared seven-day mourning to honour Prof. Dora Akuny-

They described the late Commissioner for Information and Communication as an Amazon, an illustrious daughter and a pillar of support.

The leaders of the communities met in Lagos at the weekend to discuss the issues affecting the Igbo nation and chart a way forward for the country’s development.

They noted with shock the death of Prof. Akunyili and condoled with the family, the Federal Government and the Igbo.

In a communiqué after the meeting of the Association of Ndiezendigbo Nuzoije at the International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, the Igbo leaders also deliberated on other issues of importance, including the beginning of work on the Second Niger Bridge, which they described

A

•To be buried August 28 From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

as a watershed in the Southeast.

They thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for recognising the importance of the bridge to Southeast’s economy, saying the people had suffered because of poor infrastructure.

In attendance were the National President, Association of Ndiezendigbo Nuzoije, Eze Ibe Nwosu; Eze Hycenth Ohazuruike (Lagos); Eze Alex Anozie (Oyo); Eze Pampas Nwahike (Niger); Eze Willifred Ibe (Taraba); Eze Adiele Maduagwu (Bayelsa); Eze Boniface Ibekwe (Kano); Eze Willy Ejimkonye (Ogun); Eze Obi Okechukwu (Osun); Eze Ebuna Obijiaka (Zamfara); Eze Peter Chukwu (Warri); Eze C.C. Okoli (Suleja); Eze Uche Dimgba (Ikeja) and others.

The meeting also lauded

President Jonathan for resolving the country’s problems despite the challenges.

They urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government in tackling insecurity.

The Igbo leaders enjoined politicians to play politics without bitterness, adding that they should not see next year’s election as a do-or-die affair.

Prof. Akunyili will be buried on August 28, the family has announced.

“Details of the funeral arrangements will be made available to the public in due course,” her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, said in a statement in Awka, the Anambra State capital, last night.

He thanked Nigerians for the love shown his wife and expressed his family’s appreciation to President Jonathan for the special valedictory ses-

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

T •The late Prof. Akunyili

sion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held in her honour.

Dr. Akunyili advised anyone who has a tribute or testimonial in honour of Dora to send it by e-mail to amazon4life@doraakunyilionline.org, amazon4laif@yahoo.com, or amazon4laif@gmail.com.

He urged people who wish to make enquiries regarding her funeral to call any of the following numbers: 08181333222, 08103198444, or 08098020976.

Nigeria has lost a gem, says ex-correspondent

FORMER correspondent with an Abuja-based agricultural magazine, Comrade Akeem Awokunle, has described the death of the ex-Director-General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, as a great loss to the country.

He said the country had lost

a rare gem.

Awokunle spoke yesterday in a statement in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

He expressed shock about the death of Mrs. Akunyili, a delegate to the National Conference in Abuja, describing her as a role model.

Awokunle said the former Minister of Information and

Communication was an enigma and a woman of virtue, who lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation, adding that she showed an uncommon courage throughout her service to humanity.

He hailed her commitment to service, fearless soul, transparency, accountability, intellectual prowess and commitment to

did not allow reporters access to him.

The Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Brig.-Gen. Lanre Bello, said the explosives could kill many people at a time.

the growth of democratic governance.

Comrade Awokunle recalled how he got close to the deceased when reporting NAFDAC’s activities for his magazine.

According to him, her enthusiasm made her to wage a war against fake drugs, despite threats to her life.

HE Abia State Police Command has denied the rumour making the rounds that Boko Haram insurgents have infiltrated the state. It said the command is alive to its responsibilities.

In a telephone interview with our reporter, police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna described the rumour as a false alarm to distract the public. He enjoined people to disregard it.

There was apprehension at the weekend in Umuahia and Ohafia when news filtered in that strange elements suspected to be members of the Boko Haram were spotted in parts of the state making enquiries about churches.

It was also speculated that arms and ammunition concealed in a lorry loaded with tomatoes were intercepted in Aba. The police dispelled this.

Ogbonna said they received calls from the residents seeking clarification on the rumour and that the matter was investigated and found to be a speculation sponsored by people to cause confusion.

He assured residents of the protection of their lives and property and warned the rumour peddlers to desist.

BONYI State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Dr. Ben Igwenyi, said at the weekend that plea bargaining was a misapplication of the legal system.

Igwenyi, a PhD holder in Criminal Law, spoke in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

He said the practice, which was copied from the American legal system, was originally used to punish and deter drug barons and save cost for the American prosecutors and not for corruption and embezzlement offences, as is being done in the country.

The constitutional lawyer advocated a passage of a law to domesticate the practice with stipulations and procedures spelt out.

Said he: “If you pick a copy of my book, “The crime of corruption in Nigeria, laws, issues and solutions”, you will see where I discussed plea bargaining. I said plea bargaining was not part of our legal system. It was used in America and Mexico to punish drug barons.

When they were caught, the drug barons would plead guilty to some charges to avoid government spending time and money to try them. Then the government would forfeit some of the charges, he would pay money and government would take a lot of money and leave him to go.”

Orji advocates prayers for 2015 From Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

A

BIA State Governor and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, Chief Theodore Orji, has advocated prayers of peace to ensure credible elections next year.

He said there is need for peace and corporate existence to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct free and fair elections.

Speaking at the weekend at a reception organised by Ngwa traditional rulers for Dr. Alex Otti, the Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, at EhiNa-Uguru in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government, the governor urged the people to use the position they occupy to touch the lives of the masses positively.

Orji expressed joy about the large turnout of reputable people, who came to celebrate with one of the indigenes.

He advised Otti not to relent in his good work.

Baptists’ praise revival

F

IRST Baptist Church, 12, Oremerin Street, Itire, Lagos State, a member of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, is organising a praise revival.

The annual praise revival, which began yesterday, will end on Wednesday. The revivalist is Evangelist Philip Adika.

The host pastor, Rev. A.P. Oyeyemi, said the revival was meant to celebrate Jesus, win souls for Christ through songs of praise and set people free from bondage.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

59

NEWS PDP woos Ikimi, Sheriff, others Continued from page 4

Chairman Afriland Properties Plc Mrs. Angela Adebayo (middle), CEO Mrs Uzoamaka Oshogwe (left) and Company Secretary, Obong Idiong, during the 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos...at the weekend.

Plot to scuttle hearing of Fayose’s case uncovered Continued from page 4

In a statementby its chairman Femi Ajiniran, the group alleged that since it filed the suit, its members had been receiving phone calls from people suspected to be Fayose’s loyalists, threatening to kill them or destroy their property.

“We are reliably informed that the plan was hatched at a particular hotel in GRA, Ado-Ekiti reputed to be a haven for criminals, drug addicts and people of questionable character.

“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 like to state categorically that our members who are the plaintiffs in the case have no intention whatsoever to withdraw

the case; instead, we will pursue it to its logical conclusion and to the fullest extent the law of the land permits.”

Ajiniran added: “E-11 as an organisation is never known to withdraw from any cause it believes in and remains steadfast, no matter the odds, until the goal is achieved.

“We nevertheless want to use this opportunity to raise public awareness to the threat we face and to call on security agencies to do everything possible to ensure that violence and threats thereof are eliminated from our electoral process starting with the election in Ekiti now in its final days.

“We have chosen the proper cause of action which is to seek relief from the courts when our interest is jeopardised and we expect all true democrats to support this line of action. This is part of why we have the judicial arm of government.

“Rather than resort 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.”

The court had ordered that Fayose be served the suit through the newspapers (substituted means).

According to E-11, the substance of Fayose’s impeachment has not been overruled by any court and, therefore, is still subsisting.

It added that by the fact of his allegedly supplying false information to INEC, the court was empowered to disqualify him.

The claimants through their counsel, Rafiu Balogun, of Crystal Chambers, brought three applications, one of which is for substituted service, having been unable to deliver same to Fayose physically at his known addresses.

The PDP and INEC, the second and third defendants, have been served.

The lawyer equally prayed the court to grant the suit accelerated hearing as the first defendant in the case, Fayose, is a candidate for Saturday’s election.

He said the essence of the mat-

ter would be defeated if it is heard after the election.Justice I.O. Ogunyemi adjourned the matter till today.

State Police Spokesman Victor Babayemi, said he was unaware of a planned chaos in court. “It is all lies”, he said.

According to Babayemi, the Police had always deployed additional men to the courts each time a special case (like today’s) is coming up.

His words: “This will not be the first time Fayose would be attending court and each time the police had always done the needful by deploying men at the entrances. This is for no other reason than to ensure that proceedings of the courts go undisturbed.

“Tomorrow (today) will not be an exception. We are aware that the (Fayose) case is coming up. However, we will not ignore this report of purported plans by politicians to make attempts to disrupt proceedings. We will alert other necessary divisions and they will rally round to do the needful”, Babayemi said.

Ikenya, also confirmed yesterday’s violence.

“I woke up fine this morning, but my constituency is on fire,” said the state’s opposition leader.

A member of the House of Assembly representing Wukari II, Daniel Ishaya Gani, said one of his houses was among the ones torched.

The lawmaker said the marauders invaded the town in large number, wearing military camouflage and shooting at sight any resident without provocation until military helicopters arrived at the scene to disperse them.

“As I talk to you, the military helicopters are still in surveillance of the area. The quantum of destruction this time is more than in previous violence.”

Gani said the killings had political undertone.

Another eye witnesses, who spoke with The Nation on tele-

phone, said the attack, which began around 8:am when many residents of Wukari were already in church quickly spread to Rafinkada town, less than 10 kilometers from Wukari before spreading to Ibi Local Government.

The attackers were said to be wearing black vest, which is the trademark of Boko Haram fighters. “When a call came through from Wukari, we could hear gunshots in the background, so there is no doubt that the fighting was fierce,” a source in Jalingo said.

It was also gathered that Christians retaliated, repelling many of the attackers. Several civilians caught in the crossfire were reported to have died.

The Nation gathered that soldiers responded swiftly to the crisis.

The Military High Command in Abuja was also informed. Air Force fighter

planes were sent to monitor the situation over Wukari town. But, as at 3: pm yesterday, the fighting was still on in Rafinkada and Ibi local governments.

In Maiduguri, the beleagued Borno State capital, suspected Boko Haram members killed no fewer than 15 people including traders.

The Boko Haram fighters, about 20 of them bearing rifles, petrol bombs and improvised explosives, invaded the Daku village market in Askira Uba Local Government Area. They also destroyed shops, houses, vehicles and motorcycles.

Askira Uba shares boundaries with Biu, Chibok, Gwoza and Hawul council in the southern part of the state.

The attackers rode on motorcycles and one Hilux Toyota vehicle. After detroying the market, they reportedly carted away food items.

26 killed in Borno, Taraba violence Continued from page 4

Acting Governor Garba Umar, a few days ago said he would bring down the insurgency in the state, after distributing about 75 patrol vehicles to the police, army, Civil Defence and other security agencies, and 180 motorcycles to vigilante groups.

Yesterday, passengers plying the Yola-Makurdi Road had a hectic time, as the vehicles conveying them to Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, were delayed in a traffic jam.

A commercial driver with Fair-Plus who was to travel to Port Harcourt said he attempted passing through MutumBiyu en route Bali to KatsinaAla but had to turn back when he was told “the road is not safe.”

A former Senator representing Southern Taraba, an indigene of Wukari, Joel Danlami

a decision that Shettima would be the last person he would work with as deputy.

He said he did not see himself contesting as running mate or working under any other person, except his boss.

He said: “I have worked with His Excellency, Governor Kashim Shettima in the last three years and I can tell you that he is the best boss any deputy governor can have in Nigeria. He is so humble, kind; he is a good listener and very consultative. He respects me and protects my integrity as his deputy. What more can I ask for from a governor?

“I will rise or fall with him; I will stand by him through every step of the way, no matter what. Insha Allah, he will be the last governor I will serve as deputy because I don’t see myself being a running mate to any serving or past commissioner or anyone at all.

“Wherever Shettima stays, I stay; wherever he goes I go.

This is my kind of person. I am an APC man and a committed one for that matter. My Governor is an APC man and I will support him.

“Together with leaders of the party at the national and state levels, we will move the party to a grand victory at all levels of the 2015 elections in Borno and the rest of Nigeria”.

On the APC congresses at

Keshi: Eagles ‘ll make Nigerians proud Continued from page 4

experience. We are ready to fly.”

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Aminu Maigari said the Super Eagles were ready for their World Cup opener, adding that the spirit in the camp is good. ”Our boys are ready for this task. I have been with the team all the way from London (friendly with Scotland) to their final camping in the USA and now here in Brazil.

“The presence of the Federal Government delegation, the kind words of the members of the delegation and the arrival of the NFF delegation have all boosted the morale of our team in a big way. The boys know that the government and people of Nigeria are with them and they know what they have to do to make Nigeria and Africa proud. The spirit is good and I believe they will go all out.”

Mikel Obi reiterated Nigeria’s ambition to do well. Having missed the previous showpiece in South Africa through injury, Mikel has admitted that he is keen to achieve something with the team, in his maiden appearance at the Mundial.

“This is my first World Cup. I want to make sure we achieve something coming here. We don’t just want to come and make up the numbers; we want to do well,” Mikel told FIFA’s official website before the team left for Curitiba.

“I have to make sure I lead

Don’t play politics with Chibok girls, Falana advises govt

Continued from page 4

continue to assure the parents of the abducted girls that we shall not cease to protest until the girls are brought back,” Falana said.

Also yesterday, security analyst Hussani Monguno accused President Goodluck Jonathan

and his leadership of protecting the sponsors of Boko Haram.

He said it is the duty of the army to protect the interest of all the states, including Borno if the President is not ready to do it.

Monguno also added that all

the budgetary allocations given to the military are enough to buy aircraft capable of taking clear pictures to determine the movement of the insurgents.

He spoke at the usual sit-out of protesters of the abduction of the over 200 girls of the Government Secondary School,

Chibok. He accused government of looking the other way and not using the intelligence reports submitted to it.

Monguno said: “It is either somebody is interested in promoting the insurgency for their own comfort or political reasons; otherwise, if it is the army

the state and national levels, the Deputy Governor urged those aggrieved to embrace peace.

He added: “It is God that gives power to anyone and it is also He that takes it or deny it to anyone.

“Politics is give-and-take and it is a game of strategizing and re-strategising. Sometimes, we don’t get what we want and sometimes we get it either as individuals or as groups, the important thing is for us to move forward.

“Those who win at every point in time should accommodate those who lost; everyone should be carried along so that we remain a family. We are always better together than being divided; we can always harmonise our interests - no matter how different.

“We must at all times put our country and our party first so that we commit ourselves to the values we stand for and move this country and our states forward.

“In Borno State, for instance, we had a very successful congress, but as we know only God is perfect. As humans, we are bound to make errors and at the same time make adjustments where there is need. It is the same with everything in this life. What is important, like I have said, is for us to forge ahead as a family, putting our past behind us.”

that I know, we are capable.

The Nigerian army is capable of foiling any attempt but the responsibility of whether this rescue is really important lies on the President. A couple of times he did say that he is going to withdraw the military.”

by example. We are all driving in the same direction. We all know what we want and, hopefully, we will have a good tournament.”

Just like in 1994, Nigeria came to the World Cup as African champions. Mikel believes that that achievement has given the Super Eagles extra motivation to do well and satisfy the weighty expectations of the continent. “We know we’re the African champions and people expect us to do well, to represent the African continent. That’s a bit more extra pressure but it’s pressure that we love. We love to be African champions,” he said.

Nigeria will be facing a side that is built around a solid defensive base but with few technically gifted players in attack. Iran will aim to frustrate a Nigeria side that is naturally better suited to counterattack out of its comfort zone.

Iran manager Queiroz sets up his side to defend, likely in a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 shape, relying on experience and discipline (11 of the 23 members over the age of 30) to maintain its defensive shape so that it is tough to beat. Highlighting the strength of this defensive unit, Iran conceded just seven goals in 16 qualifying matches on the road to Brazil; although the asterisk alongside this figure is the level of competition that Iran met during qualifying was usually of inferior quality to what it will meet at the World Cup. If there’s a plus in Iran’s attack, it is Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah, who will either start out wide on the left or in the hole behind striker Reza Ghoochannejhad of Charlton.

Nigeria’s front three will be charged with breaking down the Iranian defence. Mikel is usually deployed as the most attacking member of Nigeria’s midfield trio, lining up in a 43-3/4-5-1 shape.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

60

FOREIGN MUSINGS

A

Ukraine: Old wine in new bottle?

CCORDING to one scholar, (Arieli, 1982) ‘history is prophecy looking backward’’ The lesson s of Munich is one such history –prophecy that did much to affect and continually afflict the actions of Western leaders since World War II. British appeasement and or condescension led to Adolf Hitler’s ultimate success at the annexation and geo-political decimation of parts of Czechoslovakia. And Poland.

Germany, out of morbid quest for self-survival had no choice but grab a piece of the rest of Czez and of course part of Poland and according to John T. Rouke , substantive chunk of Europe. And the rest, as we say, is historical fatal conflagration which led to World War II. We are once again forced to this tragic path of historicism based upon the current events unfolding in our very eyes in parts of beleaguered Europe, specifically Ukraine.

For most discerning and concerned minds, the recent conflagration which had assumed tragic and fatal dimensions in that part of Europe are not out of the contextual conflict and quest for supremacy among the West and the Eastern spheres of global hegemony as represented by American led European Union ; call it neo-Western imperialism, if you may and Eastern mostly reactionary regimen.

The points on the ground as we write are basic. From the horrors and scourges of two

The good question to ask is whether our globe can sustain this dancing musical chair of the idyllic and the macabre amid so much poverty among so many people of the world. Some reasonability and rationality need to give. So help us God. world wars emanated a world welcome and relieving detente. Are we technically back on the trenches of global conflagration once again and now with a more economically emerging powers as China and other BRIS nations?

This is epochal in terms of containment. It is what the world did not do back in the 1930s that led to the rise and tragic travails of Hitlerism.

What way forward in this century for containment? The superpowers have learnt that their balance of power led to balance of ter-

FOREIGN NEWS

T

Afghan election: Taliban ‘removed voters’ fingers’

ALIBAN insurgents cut the index fingers off 11 Afghans who participated in this weekend’s presidential run-off poll, officials say.

The incident, a punishment for voting, occurred in western Herat province, police spokesman Raoud Ahamdi said.

The Taliban had warned people not to participate in Saturday’s vote.

The two candidates are former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

They have both pledged to improve ties with the West and sign a delayed security pact allowing nearly 10,000 US

A

troops to remain in the country for a further two years.

Voting in Saturday’s poll was described as relatively peaceful despite a series of Taliban attacks that officials said had killed more than 50 people.

The dead included five election workers killed when their minibus was destroyed by a roadside bomb in Samangan province.

Vote counting has begun and official preliminary results are due to be announced on 2 July, with the final results coming on 22 July.

Officials are also looking at dozens of electoral fraud complaints.

The United Nations Assis-

Sri Lanka imposes curfew after Buddhist-Muslim clashes

HE Sri Lankan authorities have imposed a curfew on two southern towns to quell clashes between a hardline Buddhist group and Muslims.

The latest violence began after a Buddhist rally in Aluthgama.

Several people are reported to have been injured, shops burned and stones thrown at Buddhist marchers there.

The curfew was later extended to include mainly Muslim Beruwala. Muslims make up around 10% of Sri Lanka’s predominantly Buddhist population.

Eyewitness accounts tell of Muslims being pulled off local buses and beaten. There are also reports of looting.

The clashes are said to have begun after the rally held by the BBS, the Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Brigade.

The gathering came three days after a smaller

T

tance Mission to Afghanistan condemned the mutilations in Herat.

“Like millions of their countrymen and women, these ordinary Afghans were exercising their fundamental right to determine the future path of their country through voting and not through violence and intimidation,” said Jan Kubis, UN special representative.

“By their vote, they already defeated those who promote terror and violence.”

The Independent Election Commission said initial estimates suggested that more than seven million Afghans voted on Saturday, about 60% of the country’s 12 million eligible voters.

clash between Muslim youths and a Buddhist monk’s driver.

After its rally, the BBS marched into Muslim areas chanting anti-Muslim slogans, reports say, and the police used tear gas to quell the violence. Unconfirmed reports say security forces also used gunfire.

Witnesses say Muslim homes and a mosque were stoned.

The situation is confusing and there is an air of danger as violence has spread to several areas, a BBC reporter in Aluthgama says.

Sri Lankan media appear to have decided not to report the violence, with sources saying outlets have received “orders from above”.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has announced an investigation.

“The government will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. I urge all parties concerned to act in restraint,” he tweeted.

Iraq conflict: US sends warship to the Gulf

HE US says it is sending a major warship into the Gulf to provide it with military options should the situation in Iraq deteriorate further.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the USS George HW Bush, which carries dozens of fighter jets, to be moved from the North Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, Iran says it

could be prepared to work with the US to fight Sunni insurgents in Iraq.

The insurgents have seized several cities and are threatening Baghdad.

Fighting under the banner of The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), they regard Iraq's Shia majority as "infidels".

But the BBC's Jim Muir, re-

porting from Iraq, says Iraqi security forces - bolstered by an increasing number of Shia and Kurdish militiamen - appear to be holding the advance

by Sunni militants north of Baghdad and have retaken a number of towns that had fallen to the rebels.

In one, Ishaq, security forces said they had found the incinerated bodies of 12 policemen.

Global Focus

ror and thus any push of the nuclear button is a mutually DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor assured destruction for all sms 08134230367 concerned and for our civilisation as we know it.

That alone is a good, ratiodaborgu@gmail.com nal starting point for global leadership.

West’s dependence on Russia’s abundance Second, the economic imperatives and posupply of oil and gas. litical dynamics of most of these nations now But the greater picture is whether Russia dictate cautionary approach due to their fraand the West are trying once again to renege gility. on detente, revert to their perennial hegeIn the days gone were the eras of perestroika monic rivalry and throw the world once and glasnost. The first democratically elected again into the unconscionable and despicapresident of the Soviet Union Mikhail ble whirlwind of the cold war.

Sergeyevich Gorbachev painfully ruminated The prospect are frightening because it is a In his memoir; The August Coup : The Truth And The Lessons: about the necessity, not to more peculiarly shaky and unstable world talk about the political risks he underwent with with so many non-state fringe elements, terhis family in this same Crimea, three days in rorist organizations and rogue nations now August of 1991. This same Crimea that is now in control of weapons of mass destruction. the epicentre of the political maelstrom and Much more importantly, the mechanisms turmoil in Eastern Europe. of peaceful reconciliation as in the United He suffered for the enthronement of democNations has been so weakened by irreconracy in a totalitarian society and history will cilable ideological differences as we have judge him for his uncharacteristic capitulawitnessed in the failure of reason in the Syrtion to Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatchian war and in so much hotspots of global er’s pontificating to tear down this wall, as disputations. in Eastern Berlin.

Only yesterday the violent protest continEnters Vladimir Putin and his spooky mindues with no end in sight. The Russian embasset of upsetting the applecart or reinvigoratsy was destroyed in Kiev, the Ukrainian caping a so-called rearranging a deteriorating, ital, which itself was a retaliatory move for fractionalised, cannibalised New Russia and killings and counter killings which have all hell were let loose. been ongoing now for weeks between the The Ukraine situation as it stands now gives feuding parties, leading to loss of numerous a new energy to President Putin to hide unlives and property. While Russia has been der this irredentist separatist pro-Russian claiming to be on the sideline, it is now ingroup; supplying them with ammunition to evitable that the battle line has been drawn attack Ukraine albeit claiming innocence or to effectively and openly involve Moscow as a master of fact knowledge of the existence in an open conflagration with Kiev with the of this group. west unpredictable intervention.

America and the Western bloc continue to The good question to ask is whether our vacillate on the need for a concrete, concertglobe can sustain this dancing musical chair ed and meaningful intervention modality beof the idyllic and the macabre amid so much cause of some reason or the other. In the mean poverty among so many people of the world. time, there are different leverages and counter Some reasonability and rationality need to leverages which both sides can bring to the give. So help us God. table both tangibles and intangibles. For inWell as our refrain, this is the only globe stance, the EU and the West threw up the sancwe have, let us keep it healthy for our collection cannons and Russia replied with the tive and continual good use.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

61

FOREIGN NEWS

P

Pakistan army launches 'major offensive' in North Waziristan

AKISTAN’s army says it has launched a “comprehensive operation” against militants in North Waziristan, near the Afghan border.

It comes hours after fighter jets carried out air strikes against militant strongholds in the area.

Officials said scores of insurgents were killed in the air raids but this has not been independently confirmed.

Among them was a suspected Uzbek leader of the deadly attack on Karachi airport a week ago, they added.

At least 28 people were killed in the airport attack, as well as all 10 gunmen.

The BBC’s Mike Wooldridge in Islamabad says a large-scale military offensive in North Waziristan has long been mooted and air strikes in the region have intensified since the attack on Karachi.

It is not clear how many ground troops will be involved, he adds, but military experts warn it will be a complex and challenging operation.

The US has long pressed for such an operation in North Waziristan, one of the last areas in the restive north-west where a large-scale push against insurgents has not taken place.

“On the directions of the government, armed forces of Pakistan have launched a comprehensive operation against foreign and local terrorists who are hiding in sanctuaries in North Waziristan,” a military statement said.

The statement said militants had been using North Waziristan as a base to “wage war” against the state of Pakistan, “disrupting our national life”.

The operation involves the air force, artillery, tanks and

ground troops, officials in the main North Waziristan town of Miranshah told AFP news agency.

Remote mountainous regions along the Pakistan-Afghan border are a Taliban stronghold A further statement from the office of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government had tried to resolve the crisis through dialogue - a reference to peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban that began earlier this year - but it had been frustrated by continued attacks.

Sunday’s air strikes that preceded the ground offensive were in the mountainous Dehgan area of North Waziristan.

About 80 insurgents were killed, officials said, including Abu Abdul Rehman al-Maani, an Uzbek believed to have helped organise the airport assault.

Al-Maani is considered a key

commander of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).

The IMU was formed in 1991 with the aim of setting up an Islamic state in the central Asian country of Uzbekistan.

However, it later broadened its ambitions to seeking an Islamic state across Central Asia.

The US State Department designated it as a foreign terrorist organisation in 2000.

Yesterday’s air strikes were the second in the region this week in response to the attack by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) on Karachi airport last Sunday.

The TTP said Uzbek fighters took part in the assault which was in revenge for the killing of their leader last year.

Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant grouping.

•The image appear to show captured Iraqi soldiers in civilian clothes being led away by militants ...yesterday

T

Images ‘show massacre in Iraq’

HE Sunni extremist group that has taken territory across Iraq has posted photos online that appear to show its fighters massacring Iraqi soldiers.

The army personnel are pictured being led away and then lying in trenches before and after their “execution”.

Iraqi military spokesman Lt Gen Qassim al-Moussawi said the pictures were authentic and depicted events in Salahuddin province.

But the images’ authenticity has not been independently confirmed.

The BBC’s Jim Muir, in northern Iraq, says if the photographs are genuine, it would be by far the biggest single atrocity since the time of the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Their emergence came as the Iraqi government claimed to have “regained the initiative” against the offensive by Sunni rebels led by ISIS - the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

Extremists captured key cities, including Mosul and Tikrit, last week, but several towns have now been retaken from the rebels.

The pictures, apparently posted by ISIS, are said to show what happened to soldiers after the group took over an army base in Tikrit following the surrender of the garrison there.

Video footage, apparently filmed earlier, shows many

hundreds of men being marched off from near the Speicher base, with the voice on tape saying they were soldiers who had surrendered at the facility.

Still photographs show large numbers of young men being transported away in trucks.

Captions on the photographs, which again appeared to have been issued by ISIS, said they were being taken away to their deaths.

What appear to be ISIS fighters are seen firing on their cap-

T

tives in some images.

Sources in the rebel movement, who do not belong to ISIS, told the BBC they believed as many as 1,000 personnel from the Speicher base had been executed.

They said the ISIS fighters had divided them into regular army conscripts, who were set free, and volunteers from Shia militias or from the government’s elite Golden Brigade, who were condemned to die.

Earlier, Iraqi army spokesman Lt Gen Qasim Ata, said the

military had scored successes against the militants in several areas, killing 279 of them. The figure could not be independently verified.

In continued fighting, there were reports of heavy clashes round the city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, with mortar shelling of some districts as militants tried to enter the city.

Government forces were reported to be building up in the city of Samarra, north of Baghdad, ready for a counter-offensive on Tikrit.

Tony Blair: ‘We didn’t cause Iraq crisis’

HE 2003 invasion of Iraq is not to blame for the violent insurgency now gripping the country, former UK prime minister Tony Blair has said.

He told the BBC there would still be a “major problem” in Iraq even without the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

He insisted the current crisis was an issue that “affects us all” and urged more western intervention in the area.

Critics have rejected the comments as “bizarre” with one accusing Mr Blair of “washing his hands of responsibility”.

Shias in Iraq have been urged to take up arms against the Sunni militants Mr Blair said the idea that Iraq today would be stable if Saddam had been left in place was “simply not credible”.

“Even if you’d left Saddam

in place in 2003, then when 2011 happened - and you had the Arab revolutions going through Tunisia and Libya and Yemen and Bahrain and Egypt and Syria - you would have still had a major problem in Iraq,” he said.

“Indeed, you can see what happens when you leave the dictator in place, as has happened with Assad now. The problems don’t go away.”

Where the extremists are fighting, they have to be countered hard, with force He also called for some form of intervention in neighbouring Syria, warning that inaction would result in a threat to UK soil.

Mr Blair was prime minister when UK and US forces controversially invaded Iraq in 2003 - on the basis that it had weapons of mass destruction -

with the last of Britain’s troops withdrawing in 2011.

Now, uprisings by the alQaeda breakaway group the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) have led to a surge of violence and sectarian killings in recent days.

The Sunni insurgents have advanced north of Baghdad.

And as Iraqi government forces attempt to hold them back, a US aircraft carrier has been deployed to the Gulf in response to the escalating violence.

Mr Blair said the idea that Iraq would be stable if the UK and US had not intervened “just isn’t true” and that the current crisis involved the wider region as a whole.

In an essay on his website, he said the violence in Iraq was the “predictable and malign effect” of inaction in Syria.

Israel accuses Hamas of abducting missing teenagers

I

SRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teenagers.

The students went missing on Thursday near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on their way back from lessons.

Hamas has denied it was involved in their disappearance.

The disappearance is being seen as the biggest strain on relations between the two sides since a Palestinian unity government was announced in April.

“Those who carried out the kidnapping of our youngsters are Hamas people,” Mr Netanyahu said.

Mr Netanyahu pointed to the

fact that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently announced a unity government backed by Hamas.

Benjamin Netanyahu: “Israel will act against the kidnappers” Israel suspended crisis-hit peace talks with the Palestinians when the government was announced and insists it will not deal with a Palestinian government backed by Hamas.

“Netanyahu’s statements are silly statements,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

“We believe the latest extensive arrests of Hamas leaders, legislators and ministers are aimed at breaking the will of the Hamas movement in the West Bank,” he added.

Ukraine crisis: Russia condemns attack on Kiev embassy

R

USSIA has reacted angrily to a violent protest outside its embassy in Ukraine, which saw windows smashed, the Russian flag torn down and cars overturned.

Russia accused Ukrainian police of doing nothing to stop the attack, and called it a “grave violation of Ukraine’s international obligations”.

Meanwhile Nato released images which it says back up Ukrainian claims that Russian tanks crossed into Ukraine.

Moscow has denied sending the tanks to help pro-Russian rebels in the east.

A range of images show the T-64 tanks first at a Russian military staging area near Rostov-on-Don, and then apparently inside Ukraine earlier this week.

Unlike Ukrainian armoured vehicles, the tanks have no markings or camouflage.

Nato says the pictures “raise significant questions’’ about Russia’s role in eastern Ukraine.

The evidence shown comes from Nato military sources and is not necessarily conclusive. But, despite Russian denials, it is strongly suggestive of the narrative that Nato is setting out.

It should be noted that Russian spokesmen have denied a number of things in regard to operations in Ukraine which have turned out to be untrue.

Saturday’s disturbance in Kiev occurred when several hundred protesters hurled eggs and paint at the Russian embassy.

One petrol bomb was also hurled, windows smashed and flags torn down.

The protesters - some wearing balaclavas - overturned cars with diplomatic plates. One protester held a sign saying: “Russia is a killer.”

The protesters destroyed diplomatic vehicles and smashed windows Russia’s protest against the incident was echoed by the US state department. “The United States condemns the attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev, and calls on Ukrainian authorities to meet their Vienna convention obligations to provide adequate security,” it said.

Colombia chooses between Santos and Zuluaga in runoff

C

OLOMBIANS have been voting in a runoff election between the incumbent president and a conservative rival.

The campaign has been dominated by discussions on the ongoing peace talks with the leftist Farc rebel group.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who launched the negotiations in November 2012, lost the first round of the vote last month by a narrow margin.

His opponent Oscar Ivan Zuluaga says he will impose tougher conditions in order to carry on with the talks.

More than 32 million Colombians are eligible to vote, but the turnout was low in the first round at just over 40%.

Mr Zuluaga, 55, is a former finance minister. He received 29% of the vote in the first round, compared to 26% for Mr Santos.

Their main disagreement between the two candidates seems to be on how to end a five-decade long conflict with the country’s main rebel group, the Farc.

Mr Zuluaga initially said he would pull out of the talks and boost military attacks on the

weakened rebel group.

That is the line adopted by his mentor, former president Alvaro Uribe, who was elected senator this year and is still one of the most influential figures in Colombian politics.

Later in the campaign he said he would continue to negotiate with the Farc provided the rebels renounced military action during the talks.

Mr Santos, 62, is aiming to conclude negotiations by the end of the year.

Government negotiators and rebel leaders have held several rounds of talks in the Cuban capital, Havana.

They have agreed on three points of the agenda drawn up in 2012: land reform, future political participation and drug trafficking, which is allegedly the main source of income for the rebels.

Three other points remain to be agreed on: the rights of the victims, disarmament of the rebels and the implementation of the agreement.

On the eve of the vote, Colombia stopped to watch the national team in its opening match in the football World Cup.

62

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

NATION SPORT

My goal is for my Fanny —Balotelli

M

ARIO Balotelli says his goal in Italy's 21 win over England was for his fiance Fanny Neguesha and stressed he would not get carried away over his side's prospects.

The AC Milan forward scored a 50th-minute header to give the Azzurri a 2-1 victory after Claudio Marchisio and Daniel Sturridge had both found the net in the first half of the Group D clash.

Balotelli expressed his delight with making his first appearance in a World Cup and dedicated his decisive strike to his Belgian fiance, who was watching the game in an Italy shirt from the stands after accepting an engagement proposal from him at their training camp this week.

"It's a unique experience," the

•Robben

A

RJEN Robben wants Netherlands' FIFA World Cup campaign to be remembered for more than just their stunning opening victory over Spain.

Robben scored twice and was a constant threat as the defending champions were hammered 5-1 in Salvador on Friday, but the Bayern Munich forward knows there needs to be concentration to ensure they win Group B. The attacking flair on show against Spain sent shockwaves throughout the tournament and they are ready to unleash similar threats in their second match.

Netherlands face Australia in their next game on Wednesday, and Robben knows they must not relax despite their convincing victory.

"This match will be remembered for a long time, but actually does not say much. We want more," he is quoted by AD. "This remains a cherished memory. We provide the world with a 5-1 thrashing, but we should not suddenly think that everything happens by itself.

S

PAIN defender Jordi Alba said fatigue was no excuse for their 'shocking' 5-1 FIFA World Cup defeat to Netherlands on Friday.

Things appeared to be going to plan for the reigning world champions as Xabi Alonso put them ahead with a penalty just before the halfhour mark, following good work by Diego Costa.

However, Robin van Persie levelled with an audacious header in the 44th minute and things only got worse for Spain.

Van Persie netted again after the break, while an Arjen Robben double and Stefan de Vrij effort completed the humiliation as Louis van Gaal's men were rampant.

In the wake of the defeat, Alba suggested that the team's tiredness may have contributed, but he claimed that was not an acceptable excuse for such a 'shocking' loss.

He said: "We are physically quite fit. All teams got to this World Cup in the same condition.

"It's the end of the season, it's true we might not be at our best in this sense, but that's not an excuse. We are all at the same level.

23-year-old was quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I've never played a World Cup. It was my first World Cup match and it was a wonderful sensation to experience.

"My goal is dedicated to my future wife who is here and my friends who are at home.

The Azzurri now appear favourites to top the group after Uruguay's 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica but the former Inter and Manchester City striker refused to dwell too long on his side's chances of attaining a fifth World Cup win.

"We do not fear anyone," he continued.

"But we have to play without getting ahead of ourselves, and only think of Costa Rica.

We must keep our feet on the ground otherwise we're going nowhere.

"The climactic conditions were just terrible tonight in Manaus," he added when asked about the heat and humidity of the Amazonian city.

"It was far too hot. Italy always suffer, but the important thing is to win."

Cesare Prandelli's men will now take on Costa Rica on June 20 and Uruguay on June 24.

RUGUAY coach Oscar Tabarez said Luis Suarez 'is no longer injured' despite the Liverpool striker staying on the bench against Costa Rica.

Suarez sat on the bench throughout Uruguay's 3-1 loss to Costa Rica on Saturday, prompting questions why the talismanic forward was there in the first place.

Tabarez explained Suarez had asked to sit on the bench to feel involved, while the 67year-old coach insisted the striker would need to improve his fitness considerably to be involved against England on Thursday.

Suarez had surgery on his left knee in the lead-up to Brazil 2014 after injuring his meniscus while training with Uruguay.

"Luis Suarez is no longer injured, because he wouldn't have been a substitute if he was," Tabarez said at his postmatch press conference.

"He has gone through the phases that we have foreseen in his recovery and we will have to see if he can find fitness.

"As we said from the beginning, if he meets the challenges, we will see how he can get into the team - and at which point. For us, he is a key player. He has great potential and has a lot to contribute to the team.

"We need him to reach a point where he can play in a match. It was he who demanded to be on the bench, not watching from the stands.

It would have been very difficult for him to play though.

"He was a serious doubt, you need to have a certain fitness level - you need to be able to reach the highest standard.

There were certain concerns

•Alba

"So the coaches are working well on this as they have always done in the previous years. What happened yesterday was an accident.

"We conceded silly goals that we normally haven't conceded in the past. It was a surprise for us as in the last two major tournaments we conceded two and one goal tops per game.

"So it is quite shocking we conceded five in our first one.

Anyway, we have to keep working in this sense and I'm convinced we'll move forward."

Jelavic: Croatia is better than Cameroon

•Mario Balotelli (l) and Fanny Neguesha

Tabarez: Suarez not injured only unfit

U Netherlands want more - Robben

Fatigue no excuse for ´shocking´ loss, blasts Alba

over his fitness and it was very improbable that he would play. We will see about England."

Tabarez also conceded he had been outwitted tactically

by Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

Uruguay's boss explained that after Costa Rica moved 2-1 ahead, they had let Uruguay keep the ball in areas that would not hurt the Cen-

•Tabarez

tral Americans and then stunned their higher-ranked opponents late in the match to wrap up the win.

"I don't know what Costa Rica's limit is but today they played well," Tabarez said.

"They were tactically better than us, which reflects well on their coach and players. When they took the lead, they gave us space and let us play where we couldn't do them any harm."

C

ROATIA striker Nikica Jelavic has no doubt his team's quality will be enough for them to overcome Cameroon.

Niko Kovac's men suffered a controversial 3-1 loss to Brazil in the FIFA World Cup opener and need a win on Wednesday to boost their chances of progressing from Group A. Jelavic, who is likely to be relegated to the bench as Mario Mandzukic returns from suspension, said his side should earn three points against Cameroon.

"We must forget as soon as possible about the game against Brazil, not talk about it and focus on our game against Cameroon," he told a news conference.

"I didn't watch the Mexico v Cameroon game, only the first part but we are better than Cameroon in every position and will win.

"It makes no sense to talk about Brazil, we must forget that game."

Croatia left-back Danijel Pranjic, who is battling an ankle injury, said the loss to Brazil made no difference for the

J

European nation given they expected to take nothing out of the clash.

He said Kovac's men could not afford a loss at the Arena de Amazonia in Manaus.

"It was expected that maybe we could lose against Brazil.

They were not points that we were counting on, although we played a really good match," Pranjic said.

•Nikica

Rodriguez urges repeat show from Colombia

AMES Rodriguez has called for more of the same from Colombia after Saturday's FIFA World Cup victory over Greece.

Rodriguez scored the final goal in a 3-0 win as Jose Pekerman's side got their Group C campaign under way with victory against an unfancied Greek outfit.

With games against Ivory Coast and Japan to come, the Monaco man has called on his team-mates not to take anything for granted.

Specifically, Rodriguez wants a repeat of the defensive responsibility on show at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo

Horizonte.

"I'm happy because we've won the game and because I scored and that was a dream come true for me," he told FIFA.com.

"Greece are a strong team defensively but we stayed solid and patient enough to wait for spaces to open up going forward.

"We scored an early goal and that helped us as well. Now we have two more games and we have to show the same responsibility and will to win as we did here."

Colombia can take another step towards progression when they face the Ivory Coast on Thursday.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014

63

SPORT EXTRA GLO TO EAGLES

You can’t afford to fail

T

•Super Eagles’Uche Nwofor and teammates celebrate a late equaliser against Scotland

NFF, Eagles debunk row over appearance fee, bonuses

A

S the Super Eagles step out against Iran in their opening game of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) officials and those of the Super Eagles have pleaded with the media and mischief makers to allow peace reign, so that

2014 W/CUP

Goal-line tech used in France win

F

RANCE defeated 10man Honduras 3-0 in a World Cup match that saw goal-line technology used to prove Les Blues' second strike was legitimate.

Karim Benzema broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, goalkeeper Noel Valladares scored an own goal before Benzema grabbed his second of the game in Porto Alegre.

France enjoyed the better of the first half, twice going close as Valladares palmed Blaise Matuidi's shot onto the woodwork before Antoine Griezmann's header also hit the crossbar.

Just before half-time, Wilson Palacios received his second yellow of the match after he bundled over Paul Pogba in the box.

Benzema stepped up and slammed home the penalty kick.

France doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. Benzema saw his shot clip the woodwork and bounce down off Valladares, who attempted to claw the ball out only for the goal to be awarded by goal-line technology.

Benzema did get his second goal before fulltime, though, as he lashed into the roof of the net, sealing three points for France in their opening Group E game.

WORLD CUP RESULTS Côte d'Ivoire 2 - 1 Japan Switzerland 2 - 1 Ecuador France 3 - 0 Honduras

•Team focuses on Iranian test •No stopping us-Enyeama the players can concentrate on the task at hand.

NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Chris Green, who is in Curitiba with the team, alongside Federation President Alhaji Aminu Maigari and other board members said it was disheartening to learn that some people were still harping on the long settled issue of bonuses and appearance fees for the players.

“When the Senate President, Dr David Mark came here to meet with us and the players, he was totally convinced at our sincerity with the players and what we have on board as the team progresses but some people are just hell

bent on ensuring that they raise issues that don’t even exist”, he said. Green explained that the NFF has agreed with the players to pay $10,000 winning bonus for first round games, $12,500 for second round game, $15,000 for quarter final and $20,000 for semifinal. That will also increase marginally to $25,000 if the team wins the trophy.

The percentage earnings from monies that may accrue to the players from what FIFA gives to the NFF was also put at 30 percent for the group stages, 40 for the second round, 50 for the quarter final, 60 for the semifinal and 70 percent for the final. “When we unveiled all these before the Senate President who represented

President Goodluck Jonathan, he was full of praises for us and promised that he would add a special bonus from government to the players and promised further surprises if the team goes far in the tourney”.

Team Coach Stephen Keshi also warned against distracting the team from its set goals, declaring that his players are focused on the game against Iran and will not tolerate any form of distraction. “The players may have issues but I think they have been settled amicably, so let them allow us to play.

Assistant Skipper, Vincent Enyeama said his teammates know what is at stake in the World Cup and will not allow personal need or greed to override national interest.

“We are ready for Iran and that is what is on our minds at the moment, every other thing will be settled after this competition”.

Mikel: We’re here to succeed

J

OHN Mikel Obi has reiterated Nigeria’s ambition to do well at the

2014 FIFA World Cup, saying the team is not in Brazil to make up the numbers.

Having missed the previous showpiece in South Africa through injury, Mikel has admitted that he is keen to achieve something with the team, on his maiden appearance at the Mundial.

“This is my first World Cup.

I want to make sure we achieve something coming here. We don’t just want to come and make up the numbers, we want to do well,” Mikel told FIFA’s official website before the team left for Curitiba.

“I have to make sure I lead by example. We are all driving in the same direction. We all know what we want and hopefully we will have a good tournament.”

Just like in 1994, Nigeria is

coming the World Cup as African champions, and Mikel believes that that achievement has given the Super Eagles extra motivation to do well and satisfy the great expectations of the entire continent.

“We know we’re the African champions and people expect us to do well, to represent the African continent. That's a bit more extra pressure but it’s pressure that we love. We love to be African champions.”

Maigari believes Eagles have prepared well

P

RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari says the Super Eagles are ready for their World Cup opener against Iran.

The two are set to lock horns at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba and speaking ahead of Monday's clash, Maigari believes the spirit in the camp is good.

“Our boys are ready for this task. I have been with the team all the way from London (friendly with Scotland) to their final camping in the USA

and now here in Brazil.

The NFF President also believes having the Federal Government delegation in Brazil will boost the morale of the squad.

Maigari added: “The presence of the Federal Government’s delegation, the kind words of the members of the delegation and the arrival of the NFF delegation have all boosted the morale of our team in a big way. The boys know that the government and people of Nigeria are with them and they know what they

have to do to make Nigeria and Africa proud,” “The spirit is good and I believe they will go all out on Monday.”

•Maigari

HE Nigerian national team, Super Eagles have been advised to work towards securing the three vital points in their first group match against Iran in the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil.

Major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and official sponsor of the Nigerian national teams, Globacom in a press statement in Lagos on Sunday stated that the Super Eagles should focus on winning the first match against Iran in order to give the team the necessary confidence to forge ahead.

“We urge our darling Eagles to start the campaign on a high note. Victory against Iran will not only increase their chances of qualification but will make subsequent matches easier to tackle,” the company enthused.

Globacom further stated that the team should remain focussed and work towards qualifying from the group,

adding that, with hard work, they will exceed the quarter finals record set by African teams at the World Cup. The leading telecommunications operator also advised the StephenKeshi-led technical crew to evolve a winning formula that would put the encounter beyond Iran.

“We wish to remind the Eagles and their handlers that, as African champions, they are the cynosure of all eyes.

Therefore, they cannot afford to fail the continent as well as their supporters from across the world. They should go for outright victory to put a smile on the faces of the fans,” Glo said, adding that other African countries are also encouraged to put in their best in their opening matches.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will lock horns with Iran in their opening Group F game on Monday, 16th June; face Bosnia on June 21st before ending the group’s games with Argentina on June 25th.

Eaglets to face Congo—Kinshasa

T

HE Golden Eaglets would face Democratic Republic of the Congo and not Burundi in next month's 2015 African U-17 Championship fixture.

Drawn bye into the second round of the qualifiers, the Nigerian Under-17 national team was originally scheduled to meet the overall winner of the first round fixture between Congo DR and Burundi but the latter according to the continental soccer governing body, CAF, has withdrawn from the competition.

The 2015 CAN Under-17 slated for Niger has already been bedeviled with spate of withdrawals including that of Kenya; Central African Republic; Liberia, Mauritania and GuineaBissau.

Gambia was disqualified following their suspension from all CAF competitions. Nigeria in the meantime, would travel to Kinshasa on the weekend of July 18-20, while the return fixture a fortnight later would be held on the weekend of August 1-2.

Speaking on the development, Golden Eaglets' Head coach,

Emmanuel Amuneke (MON), said his boys will be ready irrespective of the opposition:"We don't have the luxury of picking the team we want to play as such; we would be ready to play the Congolese." It would be recalled that the Golden Eaglets in 2013 defeated the Congo Brazzaville 7-0 at the CAN Under-17 in Morocco but Amuneke reckoned that the fixture against CongoKinshasa offers a different challenge. " Of course, CongoKinshasa would be different from Congo-Brazzaville that we met in Morocco but we know that the Congolese in whatever shape are a strong side but we would be ready," Amuneke added.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets according to Amuneke remain focused on the challenges ahead, revealing that series of upcoming friendly matches would be used to fine-tune the team's rough edges.

"I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only, as good as our opponents and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent."

Oyo govt opens free Viewing Centres for World Cup

O

YO State Government through the Ministry of Youths and Sports, has opened five free World Cup matches Viewing Centres across five towns in the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry,Mr Soji Eniade disclosed this yesterday in an interview with The Nation.

"The World Cup 2014 has started and Governor Abiola Ajimobi in his kind gesture want the state citizens to watch the matches on big screens in five designated centres in Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Eruwa and Saki.

"We are using all the stadiums in these towns, Ibadan we are using Adamasingba , Oyo; Durban, Ogbomomo; Township stadium, Eruwa; Eleruwa stadium, except Saki that

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan doesn't have a stadium but we are using OSADEP sporting centre" Eniade said According to him, These towns are are highly populated with students and we want to engage our youths so that they will have passion for sport and develop an interest in all sporting activities.

The permanent secretary said sport activities in the world has curbed youth restiveness, adding that it also serve as an avenue of employment for teeming unemployed youths.

In a bid to avoid violence at the centres, Eniade noted that alcoholic drinks are not allowed at the centres, promising that security operatives will be on ground

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 9 NO 2882

‘If the story told by the police is true, then some weird indoctrination would have played a bad role. For it is inconceivable that the calibre of matured men that were paraded can be easily lured into such a hazardous and suicidal mission if they were EMEKA OMEIHE in the right frame of mind’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

E

VERYONE has an eye on the time after him or her. No matter our cynicism, posterity haunts us, whether we are principals of schools, paterfamilias, mothers, kings, queens, governors or presidents. We love to be loved, even if such flattery comes from our enemies.

Those who ignore it in language do so only from the vanity of false self-esteem.

President Ronald Reagan of the United States often said before he receded into Alzheimer’s disease that he did not care what history wrote of him. But he worked hard on his legacy. Winston Churchill had an activist view of his own vanity. “History,” he crooned, “will be kind to me for I will write it.” He did but could not stop the censorious eyes of others who wrote about his times. Emperor Nero, the tyrant of Ancient Rome, hid his anxiety about the judgment of history. After making waste of the Christians, he said that by the time he had expunged the adherents from Rome, history would not be sure that the followers of Jesus ever existed.

But two recent developments compel reflections on legacy in our country. The one was the decision by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, to cut down the controversial school fees for students of the Lagos State University. The second was the decision by Governor Godswill Akpabio to exercise a pirouette on the pension law for governors and deputies and their spouses in Akwa Ibom State.

Both governors decided on their steps for two reasons. One, a mass clamour for reversal. Two, a consideration of the impact on posterity. Both have been praised for the courage to look at the policy in the eye and effect a turn to the old ways of safety. But what is instructive is that that singular step to impose high fees and enjoy high pension bore the mischief of defining all they did for their states for eight years.

It is the malevolent scorn of history. It is the burden of legacy. Both men thought their decisions were right for their states. But when public outcry dwarfed soft voices of their logic, they yielded. So, for the governor of example, the issue at stake was the odium of a generation. How could all he has accomplished in infrastructure, environment, security, be defined by a generation of young men by a decision to bar them from an education. They would write the history of his time, and they could seal it with an epitaph: he ran an elitist regime. Example: impossible fees.

The ebullient Akpabio may have done what many who visit his state see as massive infrastructural development as well as the nail he dealt the house boy and house

RIPPLES CHURCHES SHOULD PAY TAX-confab

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

Burden of legacy

•Fashola

•Akpabio

girl syndrome. Yet they would seal his glorious epitaph as governor with a single line: he gave himself N100 million pension. The details do not matter.

That is the tyranny of history. The LASU fees have been seen as high and they were.

Given the rampant poverty in our society and desperation of the average student to afford the constancy of a meal and nourishment of mind through accessible books, the school fees soared out of their ken.

That is the sentimental reason. But as Oscar Wilde said, human beings are not rational beings but sentimental. Whether in callow or advanced democracy, experience trumps reason. While the LASU fees go down, we still seek a good education. A good education is the root of a prosperous society. Do we want a cheap education that overshadows progress or an expensive education that restricts access? That is the dilemma of tertiary education in Nigeria. All

the great universities in the world are not cheap. But there is a reason why it is accessible to the brilliant and ambitious. The government invests, but the society plays partner with the plenty of its riches and the liberality of its hope. I know a Nigerian whose two sons are in upscale universities in the United States, but they pay a fraction of the fees that amount to about $40,000 a year. They pay less that $5000 a year, and even that is paid all year long. They are not enjoying government scholarships. They are bright students who feed from plenitude of corporate investment in the university. Whether it is Harvard or Princeton or Yale, students benefit from the money of business. In Nigeria, the rich are not invested in our education because they have no stakes. Their children school in Harvard and Yale and Imperial College and Cambridge and they can afford to pay the fees without a drip of sweat. Many American

W

Yes, because they operate like public LIMITED COMPANIES (PLC)

HAT was all that about — former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s prattling about Chibok girls: that most of them might never be found again; the few that might still be found might just be those pregnant but who could not be taken care of in the forest and that, in any case, most of the girls would have been married off to their crazed Boko Haram captors?

Haba Baba! Is this the voice of a reckless and callow youth or that of a sagacious elder who speaks painful truth with comforting tongue?

Except if Baba would play the callow youth in his grey years, it was a most reprehensible statement.

Yeah, the child could well be the father of the man, as the famous poet wrote. Still, aside from the innocence of the age, it is one father no adult worth his gumption would showcase. If he does, it would be a case of regression, which however appears as nothing but folly.

But what might have goaded Baba to such unwise prattles? An impatient push to be noticed by a somewhat sleep-walking Jonathan Presidency to wake up to the realisation that, if Baba, the messiah, did not bring

HARDBALL

Chibok: Haba Baba!

back our girls, no mortal born of woman could? Ha, is there no a limit to the politics of relevance?

If Baba, with all his busy schedule, his foreign travels and his eternal global demands, could deign to go into Sambisa Forest, when even Champs Elysees in Paris with its Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde would have stopped dead at the whiff of Baba’s coming, why hasn’t Jonathan dived from his presidential throne, rolling at Baba’s feet and professing his grateful approval? Or doesn’t Jonathan and his people want to bring back our girls? Such ingrates!

Or, after the famous letter, is the Chibok girls’ kidnap another opportunity for public spat between estranged godfather and godson, with godfather spoiling for war but godson becoming war weary and subdued?

Or, has Baba gone so delirious about his

students have access to loans. President Obama paid off his loans when he was a senator.

But government cannot spend all of its resources on one part of a sector, important as universities are. The LASU strike, like the strike of polytechnics and other ASUU institutions, is an indictment of our cancerous philistinism. Yet the students cannot bear the burden of running a university. School fees are never enough to run a university. It is the wasteful folly of this generation that is ravaging our educational system. A generation ago we competed with the best in the world. Today can we swagger to our neighbour, Ghana, where our students flock giddily?

This is an important battle to fight, but no governor can change this mindset in a generation that would build an entertainment centre rather than a laboratory, sponsor a reality show rather than a readers’ club. That is the dilemma that could force a Fashola to save his legacy of a stouter character than the image of sterilising the dreams of the young.

By whatever standard, N100 million as pension for any public servant for medical care is stunning. But it stumbled as a reaction to a political class of footloose largesse and extravagance. For me, no public servant should be entitled to any care unless the illness is extraordinary.

Public service is sacrifice. But the retirees have been taking advantage of openended pension arrangements as though medical care was an ATM to draw money from government. An ex-governor can force any bill on government on the grounds that they have bellyache. Hence Akpabio placed a cap that turned out to be more controversial than the system in place. Rather than carry the albatross of the N100 million man, he yielded. His more enduring legacies beat out his meddling in medical pensions.

This lesson in legacy has history. Nixon is sullied by Watergate in spite of his stellar achievements in foreign affairs. Clinton gave America its greatest economic expansion in history, but is that as sexy as Monica Lewinsky? Lyndon Johnson could not run for another term because of Vietnam, even though he gave America civil rights law and the war on poverty. De Gaulle fretted over the youth revolts of the 1960’s. Poet William Blake wrote, “to see a world in a grain of sand.” One decision, like a grain of sand in a person’s bloodstream, could overwhelm a legacy.

Fashola and Akpabio are probably aware that they may be defined by the wrong image as their tenures turn the corner to the last year. Wrote Victor Hugo in his Les Miserables, a novel of legacy; “Woe to the man who leaves behind a shadow that bears his form.” Better the form of achievements than the shadow.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above allegedly near-shunned offer to help, at a juncture of grave national angst, to goad the president into approval, so that the old man would not miss a future bragging right that when everything else had failed for Jonathan on Chibok, it was he Baba, like some rejected stone that became a mighty pillar, who made the difference?

Whatever is Baba’s motivation, his comments on the Chibok girls were unfortunate.

For one, he seemed culpably insensitive to the feelings of the Chibok girls’ parents. That bit about never seeing some of the girls again, or that many of them could have been pregnant from being sex slaves or the painful possibility or even probability of forced marriages — doesn’t Obasanjo think all these painful possibilities have run through the parents’ troubled minds?

If Obasanjo wants to help on Chibok, let him do so with minimum fuss. If he wants presidential endorsement, he won’t get it on the pages of newspapers.

It’s painful telling a man to grow up in old age. But with these insensitive statements, perhaps Baba should be told to grow up and stop throwing tantrums.

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 ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO