The Nation June 16, 2015

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Ambode sacks boards

•N12b currency fraud: Judge dismisses bail requests •Al-Bashir leaves South Africa amid order for his arrest •Court strikes out Kashamu’s suit against Obasanjo •Passenger caught stealing N263,000 aboard Aero flight

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President ‘not in a hurry to appoint ministers, others’

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is not in a hurry to appoint ministers.

He yesterday attributed the delay in picking his team to the late submission of the transition committee’s report on the previous administration.

The President told reporters at the African Union (AU) Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, that he was being careful not to make mistakes in appointing individuals, especially to key positions, such as finance and petroleum ministries.

“I don’t know why people are so anxious about ministers. But eventually we will have (them).

“But the main reason is that I have an interim committee which I agreed with former President Jonathan that the ministers of the outgoing government should hand over their notes or their documents to this interim committee so that a position can be prepared for the new government to start from, with clear records from ministers.

“But the ministers knew that they were going but the technocrats, the permanent Continued on page 4

•PO TISKUM: Health officials carry the •POTISKUM: body of victim of a suicide bomb attack out of an ambulance…yesterday.

10 dead in Yobe’s twin Boko Haram suicide bombings •Sect kills 23 in Chadian capital

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EN people were killed yesterday in twin suicide bombings in Potiskum, Yobe State’s commercial capital.

The attacks targeted two locations at Dorowa and a Vigilante Office on Nangare/ Gashua Road.

A hospital source said on telephone

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

that 10 people were confirmed dead at the Potiskum General Hospital. Five badly injured people were on admission.

Abdullahi Shehu , a local vigilante

•N’DJ AMEN A: Boots of people killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the police headquarters…yesterday •N’DJAMEN AMENA: PHOTOS: AFP

Continued on page 4

Kwankwaso: Saraki-PDP alliance is threat to Buhari

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WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

‘There was conspiracy against Tinubu by some APC leaders’ From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

A

KEY member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has seen danger in Senate President Bukola Saraki’s alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is dangerous for President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso said yesterday.

In his view, the political romance

than 50% of Bukola (Saraki) is in PDP...

‘More And the implication of all these now is that very soon, the leadership of the Senate will start Tambuwalising the party… ’ will create inhibitions for the Buhari administration .

Dr. Saraki was elected Senate Presi-

dent on June 9 after he rejected the APC’s choice, Ahmed Lawan and struck a deal with the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP). The pact produced Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President.

To Kwankwaso, this happened because the APC leadership missed some vital steps and gave ample opportunity to Saraki’s group, which used it effectively.

He described Ekweremadu’s elecContinued on page 4

•TRANSPORTATION P13•AVIATION P14 •POLITICS P45 •ENERGY P51 •PROPERTY P12

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS For some time, peace has eluded the National Theatre, with allegations of corruption hanging over its management.

The documents made available to The Nation indicate a systemic corruption and intrigues at the heart of the National Theatre.

Assistant Editor SEUN AKIOYE reports.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola(third right); his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Australia High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson (second right); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gboyega Oyetola (right) and Public Affairs Officer, Australia High Commission, Abuja, Mr. Okokon Odiongenyi when the envoy visited the governor at the Government House, Osogbo...yesterday.

A can of worms inside National Theatre L

•President/Chairman of Council, Institute of Directors (IoD), Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi; Heirs Holdings Ltd Chairman Tony Elumelu (middle), Guest Speaker, Ambassador Shehu Malami at the fourth Presidential Biennial Lecture of the institute at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTOS: BIODUN ADEYEWA

•Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel, Mr Segun Ogunsanya flanked by Vice President/Director, Customer Service, Ajay Bakshi (left) and General Manager, Brands, Mr. Dele Anifowoshe at the unveiling of Airtel Power of Potentials PHOTO BOLA OMILABU Campaign. at its headquarters, Adunola, Banana Island, Lagos.

•From left: Sales Managers, Nadi Food Industry, Iran, Mahdi Mohammed and Ali Sadeghi; Factory Manager, Semet Tak Khazar Company, Iran, Homuoni Masoumi and Deputy Manager, Zenith Bank, Lekki Branch at Semet Tak Khazar Company Exhibition Stand at the first edition of Iran Solo Exhibition at Landmark Village, Victoria Island in Lagos.

OOKING from afar, one sees a picture of a masterpiece and a cultural landmark called the National Theatre. To outsiders, the magnificent structure remains the historical monument it was created to be with employees and management working in concert to achieve the aim of promoting cultural unity and enhancing artistic values.

But, with hard documentary evidence and allegations of gross financial misappropriations, the National Theatre looks like an excellent script for one of the plays which are frequently on display at the theatre to insiders.

For about six years, employees and the management of the National Theatre have been up in arms against each other. The allegations are as legion and as weighty, ranging from a secret plan to sell off the edifice, and or, convert the “fallow grounds” around the complex into a multistorey shopping complex, to financial fraud allegations against the General Manager, Kabir Yusuf.

There are allegations of high handedness, intimidation and harassment of members of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employee (AUPCTRE) by Yusuf. There were the court cases, the suspensions and dismissals of union leaders, the “unwarranted transfers” and other alleged sabotage against unionists.

Yusuf also has allegations and fights of his own; he instituted a court case against the union and its leaders and has been at loggerheads with the Governing Board of the National Theatre. The allegations though weighty, have largely been kept under wraps until now.

Allegations of frauds Since his appointment as the general manager in 2009, Yusuf has not had much moment of respite.

There have been several allegations of financial misappropriation, high handedness and dictatorial behavior against him.

According to sources, who pleaded for anonymity, Yusuf has been on a running battle with members and the leadership of the AUPCTRE. But issues nosedived in July 2013 when members of the union forwarded a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), detailing alleged financial misappropriation and corrupt enrichment by Yusuf.

The petition, dated July 26, 2013 and titled: “Formal complaint of corrupt practices and mismanagement of funds running into millions of naira by the General Manager of the National Theatre and demand for investigation,” was

signed by eight executive members of AUPCTRE including the Chairman, Dayo Akogun, his vice Tiamiyu Adeshina, Secretary Ephesian Nodza and the Treasurer Kayode Ibukun.

The petition, available to The Nation, listed 17 “offences” against the general manager between from 2009 and 2013. The union accused him of embezzling the sum of N10.1 million, believed to have been expended on a “Roundtable Stakeholders Conference.”

The petitioners alleged that the event held at the Rockview Hotel Abuja between November 13 and 14, 2009.

They claimed the money was paid with the National Theater voucher number: NT/OC/CONF/155 and dated 02/11/2009 in the name of Abiodun Femi Joel, who was at the time the head of the Abuja Liaison Office of the National Theatre.

But investigations into the conference raised many issues. Such issues included a claim that the proposal for the conference was shallow and written in bad English riddled with grammatical errors.

Also, in the budget attached to the proposal, there were provisions for honorarium for 30 resource persons at the cost of N100, 000 each.

Transportation was given at N50, 000 each and accommodation was pegged at N35, 000 per night. The huge number of resource persons who are also participants, aroused curiosity.

Also, provisions were made for the coverage of the event by a national television for N550, 000, a radio station for N170, 000 and two national newspapers for N320, 000 each. But, till date, there is no evidence that these media houses ever published or aired the proceedings from the conference.

Perhaps, of grave concern are allegations that Yusuf uses about three different companies as fronts to corner existing or non-existing contracts at the National Theatre. In the petition, N750, 000.00 was taken out of the coffers through a “fictitious fumigation contract”.

In March 2012, a company, El-Lado Ltd, with the address 30/32, Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos, was alleged to have been paid the said amount for fumigation contract. According to the union, El-Lado claimed to have fumigated the sub-station located at the basement of the National Theater, consisting of three rooms and a passage.

However, another company, Korr Clean Ltd was said to have been under contract by the National Theatre to “fumigate and clean the entire complex for a monthly contract of N596, 000.” Korr was said to have implemented the same contract in March 2012 and got paid by the general manager.

When The Nation checked out El-

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS

•The National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

Lado at the prescribed address on Creek road Lagos, it was discovered that 32, Creek Road, belongs to ALUMACO Ltd and its co-occupant, First Bank Plc. The next building to ALUMACO is MRS Filling Station and the next building to it is number 34 and EL-Lado Ltd is not operating from there. Also number 33, Creek Road is a building housing the Enterprise Bank. Number 30 could not be located. In fact, there was no building number 30/32 on Creek Road.

Also in September 2012, another company, String Sets Ltd, was alleged to have carried out fumigation of the entire complex and was paid N2, 216,500. But, according to the petition, no job was carried out by String Sets because the contractual company Korr Clean - fumigated the complex the same month and was paid the contractual sum.

On September 18, 2012, String Sets sent a proposal to the general manager, detailing cost for fumigation work in Exhibit Hall I & 2, Conference Banquet Hall and Cinema Hall 1 & 2. The total money demanded was N2, 216,500.00. One Michael Osho signed the proposal as general manager. It was curious to note that the exact sum was paid to String Set on the same day the proposal was received by the management of National Theater. The Nation called “Osho” to enquire about the transaction but “Osho” ended the call and never picked again nor responded to text messages.

Another company allegedly favoured by the management is Faida Venture Ltd with two different addresses, all located in Kaduna. On September 1, 2011, an offer of contract award was written to Faida Ventures with the address N0. 7 Kafur/Isa Kaita Road Kaduna. The letter, which was signed by Yusuf, had its title as “Award of contract for the supply and installation of standard sound equipment in Exhibition Hall 1”. It reads in part: “ The Tenders Board of the National Theatre, after a careful selection has awarded to your company, the Supply and Installation of Standard Sound Equipment at the sum of N39,354,800.00 (Thirty-nine million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, eight hundred naira only, VAT and Tax inclusive.”

In December 2011, a voucher was raised for the sum of N9, 838,700.00 as 25 per cent payment on the contract, while on December 20, 2011, the balance of N29, 516,100 was paid to Faida Ventures. However it was curious that the address for Faida on the payment voucher of the National Theatre was Plot G2, Emir Road, Off Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Kumin Mashi, Kaduna.

The Nation investigated both addresses in Kaduna and found that no such company existed there at all.

In fact, like El-Lado, none of the

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Formal complaint of corrupt practices and mismanagement of funds running into millions of naira by the General Manager of the National Theatre and demand for investigation •Yusuf

numbers existed.

The petition also alleged that the company supplied the same equipment to the three exhibition halls for the same contract sum. But, this contract, according to the union, was inflated. According to the petition, the Peavey sound equipment, which was supplied to the three halls in the regular market, could not have cost more than N13.8 million against the cumulative N118.5 million paid to Faida Ventures.

In May 2012, Faida Ventures was also awarded a contract to supply Barton End Suction pump 100-315 x 37 KW (50HP) for the sum of N5, 713,930. 53. But the union insisted in the petition that the pump was never supplied as the same company had supplied and installed water pumps at the water reservoir in 2010/2011.

There are other allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against Yusuf, for instance in May 2012, another company, Markxel Engineering Services Limited, allegedly got a contract to supply banquet hall chairs for the sum N37, 533, 485.00. The amount, believed to have been grossly inflated, according to sources, was paid with invoice numbers NT/OC/241/11 and NT/ OC/197/11.

Interestingly, Markxell also has its company address as Faida Ventures’ on Plot G2, Kunmi Mashi, N/ Extension, Off Nnnamdi Azikiwe

Expressway, Kaduna. The petition also alleged that all the companies used in procuring large contracts from the National Theater were owned and operated by one Alhaji Abdul Jafar, who lives in Kaduna. The same man also allegedly carried out all the contracts.

In the petition, Yusuf was accused of casualisation of labour. In December 2012, he was said to have terminated the contract of Korr Clean, then converted the 25 employees of Koor to permanent casual workers of the National Theatre and paid monthly salaries ranging from N9, 000 to N12, 000 in cash through an account staff. The union said it was a corrupt practice at variance with the e-payment policy of the Federal Government.

Another Kaduna-based company, which has allegedly benefited from multi-million contracts from the National Theater, is Fais Investment Nig. Ltd, situated at 54, Ilorin Road, off Independence Way, Kaduna.

On May 3, 2013, the company sent a memo on notice for payment to the general manager. The memo was signed by the Director, K.D Saulawa and titled: “Re-Contract for the surveying and pegging of the plots of land in the national theater.”

It reads in part: “We are pleased to inform you that the survey and pegging exercise has been completed and the report has been submitted to

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the Group Deputy Managing Director, BGI Limited…. In the light of the above, it will be appreciated if the contract sum of N20, 000,000.00 (Twenty million naira only) will be paid into our account.”

Fais Investment was allegedly covered through the voucher NT/ OC/059/13 for N20 million. Again, The Nation’s investigation revealed that Ilorin Road, Kaduna is not numbered to 54.

Aside two commercial buildings, the other structures are residential, proving that Fais Investment may be a snake oil company.

A controversial concession The National Theatre is not new to controversy. At least in the past 10 years, there have been unending speculations about the future of the complex. Constructed in 1976, just in time for the celebration of the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77), the complex is the epicenter of culture and performing arts in the country.

It has a 5,000-seater Main Hall with a collapsible stage, and two 700-800 capacity cinema halls, fitted with facilities for simultaneous translation of eight languages. It was designed and constructed by Bulgarian construction companies and resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria.

Ironically, the idea to privatise the edifice was first introduced by former

President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the military Head of State when the complex was built. The suggestion drew serious opposition from stakeholders and the plan was temporarily shelved.

But the fear and suspicion that the edifice would be sold and converted, first into an hotel and later, into a shopping mall never fully went away.

Indeed, it gained momentum with the appointment of Yusuf, who formed a partnership with former Tourism, Culture and National Orientation minister Edem Duke.

The workers contended that the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) is the only agency of government empowered to sell off public properties and should be allowed to finish the work it has started on the concession of the National Theatre.

On August 14, a memo with the reference NT/GM/ C14/53 was delivered to Senator Hassan Baratu, former Senate Committee Chairman on Culture.

The memo signed by Yusuf was titled: Investors Road Shows on Developing the National Theatre Fallow Land Using Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model.” The memo informed the Senator about a proposed road show in Lagos, London, Dubai and South Africa, which was to stimulate investors’ interest to the concession of the fallow land.

Immediately after the shows, Yusuf planned a “Ground Breaking” of the project to be performed by former President Goodluck Jonathan and scheduled for December 18, 2014. A budget was attached and the 26 names of officials, who will be on the trip, including the Duke, Senator Baratu, Board chairman, Markus Ishaya and other officials. A N39, 650,000.00 budget proposal was prepared as the cost of the road shows.

But the news that came from the road shows was anything but palatable. In December 2014, an Arab on-line news media, Gulf Africa Review (www. gulfafricareview.com) carried a story indicating that a Dubai-based company, Mulk Holdings (www.mulkholdings.com) will be investing $40 million to rebuild the National Theater.

The report read “Sharjah’s Mulk Holdings, a diversified UAE-based business conglomerate, has announced its entry into the retail sector in West Africa through a $40m joint venture to develop Nigeria’s National Arts Theatre in Lagos into a duty-free shopping centre in partnership with the Suzanne Group.”

The news generated interesting permutations in the arts & culture industry and in a swift reaction; Yusuf denied that the edifice had been sold.

“We have not sold the National Theatre and we are not going to sell it, he said.

But the controversy never abated.

According to some of the workers, the total cost of the road shows was exaggerated. They also alleged that many of those who were scheduled to be on the trip did not go and monies already allotted to them were never returned to the coffers.

The suspicion triggered a May 18, 2015 memo written to Yusuf by the Governing Board chair, Markus Ishaya, asking among other things, an account of the project.

Ishaya wrote in the memo: “The board is however surprised to hear that the amount was spent knowing well that not all members and those listed in the proposal were able to make it (sic) travel to all the places mentioned. It is therefore important that all the beneficiaries with the amount paid to them be accounted for and the balance which would have been returned to the treasury receipted.”

Moreover, the ground breaking ceremony which would have effectively seeded the “fallow grounds” which was scheduled for either May 20 or 21, 2015, The Nation learnt was abruptly called off.

•Continued on page 62

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NEWS 10 dead in Yobe Boko Haram suicide bombings Continued from page 1

•President Muhammadu Buhari during his meeting with Liberian President •President Buhari and South African President Jacob Zuma Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the International Conference Centre in Johannesburg at the International Conference Centre in Johannesburg South Africa during the 25th AU Summit South Africa during the 25th AU Summit.

I’m not in a hurry to appoint ministers, says Buhari Continued from page 1

secretaries and directors and so on, they know they would remain.

“If anything goes wrong they would be invited to explain, but unfortunately the outgoing government did not cooperate.

“So, what the committee did was to divide itself into about five sub-committees and get a resource person that was willing to come and bring the document, and so they prepared and I got the report I think three days ago.

“I was waiting for this report because I would like to know what position in the government especially in terms of finance and petroleum industry.

So, I am not in a hurry to get ministers.

“I want to get ministers after at least I have seen the report because I don’t have to appoint a minister today and sack him the next week because this report would give me what ac-

Odigie-Oyegun: ‘I’m not keen to be SGF’

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is rigorously scrutinising his would-be ministers hence the delay in announcing his team, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chair John Odigie-Oyegun, said yesterday.

Odigie-Oyegun also dispelled speculations that he is gunning for the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) along with some top members of his party.

"On this issue of SGF, I will respond to you just in case, because I don't want to offend anybody, but I will say this quite definitely. I have not in anyway, in capital letters and underlined, solicited for any position other than the national

tually happened in terms of security, economy of the country.

“And since I have to have ministers from politicians and technocrats, I wouldn’t (like to) make the mistake of getting somebody, who has been involved on account of accountability”.

Buhari added that he, exPresident Jonathan and former Head of State, Gen.

chairmanship of APC. I think I’m clear enough, isn't it? And nobody has approached me on that or say he is considering me for that position or another.”

Oyegun said the party was interested in the ability of the people the President will appoint to bring about ideas that will help achieve his set objectives and deliver on what he wants.

The APC Chairman said the President is open to picking people from all walks of life as ministers especially if those people subscribe passionately to his agenda to move the country forward,

Abdulsalami Abubakar, had agreed to letting the former ministers hand over their notes to the interim committee he had formed.

He said the planned examination of the handover notes had to be suspended when the then ruling party accused his then incoming administration of forming a parallel government.

Buhari said he actually want-

Continued on page 61

ed to get a platform from the former ministers on which to start from following the problem of accountability in the administration.

The President, who recalled that during his time as minister of petroleum during the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had only three accounts, said that Continued on page 61

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sensitive confrontation between its obligations to the ICC and opposition to the court from its African partners.

The South African government yesterday argued against a court application to force the government to arrest al-Bashir.

Bashir stands accused in an ICC arrest warrant of war

crimes and crimes against humanity over atrocities committed in the Darfur conflict.

Judge Hans Fabricius on Sunday barred Bashir from leaving South Africa until he had made a decision on an application by a human rights group calling for Bashir’s arrest.

The judge’s hearing re-

sumed yesterday but was adjourned for an hour so the court could study documents submitted by the state.

State advocate, William Mokhari, said “to the best of our knowledge” Bashir remained in South Africa.

He, however, said five ports of exit had yet to confirm they had received an orContinued on page 61

them off their feet. ”I heard a loud sound but I did not know where it came from. It shook the whole of the area. Everyone was confused.

Some people even fell to the ground; goods were scattered,” Abdullahi said.

A second blast was outside a tavern and brothel, the French News Agency, AFP said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Potiskum has been hit repeatedly by Boko Haram in its sixyear insurgency.

Explaining the first blast further, a witness told AFP: “We suspected he was a thief and then when he couldn’t explain how he came about the things that were found on him, we took him to our office for interrogation.”

“But we didn’t know he had Continued on page 61

Suicide bombers kill 23 in Chadian capital

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

Sudanese leader flees South Africa in private jet to avoid arrest UDAN’s president slipped out of South Africa yesterday in apparent defiance of a court-ordered travel ban while judges studied an arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The apparent dodge by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir allowed the country to avoid a potentially

who survived the attack, said: ”The suicide bomber sneaked into our office complex while we were holding a meeting. He came, sat down and before anybody could notice his presence, he triggered off his explosive-ridden body killing seven members of the group, including leaders.”

A hospital source from the General Hospital Potiskum, who was part of the rescue team, added : “We have 10 dead people at the Accident and Emergency Ward as I talk to you now. There are five people on admission, two female and three male. Eight men and two women died.”

Sarki Abdullahi who sells recharge cards close to the Vigilante office described the sound of the explosion as “frightening”, saying it threw

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UICIDE bombers struck for the first time in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad yesterday apparently in retaliation for the leading role the country has played in a regional war against Boko Haram, officials said.

Bombs were detonated at Police Headquarters in the heart of the capital, and at the police training academy.

Twenty-three people were killed, in addition to the four attackers, and 101 people were wounded, according to a statement from the president’s office. Images on state television showed the bloodied, uniformed bodies of police cadets scattered on the floor of the police academy.

No claim of responsibility

had been made but the statement from the president’s office said directly that Boko Haram was to blame.

The Chadian government said the suicide bombers blew themselves up around 9 a.m. but gave few other details.

The country is effectively an authoritarian one-party state, and its government typically communicates sparingly. A man who answered the phone at the president’s office said “loud explosions” had shaken the capital, and then hung up.

Other Chadian officials reached by phoneon Monday refused to comment.

But the methods and targets directly recalled those commonly employed by Boko Haram.

We’ll bring our lawmaker back together, says Oyegun

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ATIONAL Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said yesterday that the governing party will bring its federal lawmakers together.

The lawmakers are feuding following the election of the principal officers.

The members defied the party to pick the Senate President and House of Representatives speaker.

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

“Let me assure the public that peace is on the way. We had a problem in the family, no doubt about that, but we are moving quickly to resolve it. As you can see, we are working hard to see that the leaders and rank and file don’t start throwing punches”.

The APC National ChairContinued on page 61

Kwankwaso: Saraki-PDP alliance is threat to Buhari Continued from page 1

tion as “unacceptable” to APC. Ekweremadu has linked his election to the integration of the Southeast, but to the former Kano State Governor, that is “sheer rubbish.”

Kwankwaso in an interview in Abuja, said: “To the best of my knowledge, the Saraki group is yet to reach out to the Unity Forum of Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator George Akume.”

He said although APC was divided, it is not too late to correct things.

Kwankwaso said Saraki became the President of the Senate because of some factors including conspiracy against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the failure of the APC leadership to act on time, the plot by G-5/ G-7 members who were interested in seeing one of them occupy a position; and some groups who believed that Saraki had given them so many things and it was pay-back

time.

Kwankwaso said: “On the issue of what went wrong, I think there were so many things having to do with time.

This election had to do with time. We had so many weeks before the election to address this issue. This is not the time to say I told you or I told them, but many of us tried to tell our leaders to do the right thing at the right time.

“I think the party missed the crucial opportunity to address this challenge. I think time was crucial of which the party missed some important steps and therefore things went wrong. I told you the party missed some vital steps and gave an ample opportunity to Bukola Saraki’s group and they used it effectively and took all the advantages that had to do with the mistakes of our leaders.”

Kwankwaso said some forces in APC also contributed to the “sad” development in the

Senate, especially those who conspired against Tinubu.

His words: “I am aware that members of the G-5/G-7 group were interested in seeing one of us occupying one of the strategic positions. I am also aware that there are some people in the party who believed Tinubu had taken so many things and it was time to take a break. They had a perception that Tinubu was trying to take it all. There are other groups that believed that Saraki had given them so many things and they had to pay him back. Many senators believed that they were supported by Saraki.”

Kwankwaso raised the alarm that the PDP will use the opportunity of the alliance with Saraki to create hurdles for Buhari.

He said: “You see, first of all, the President will face a lot of irritations in the sense that these people must be very angry with themselves, they

must be very angry with Nigerians and, therefore, will do everything possible to put all sorts of hurdles on the way of Mr. President. That is obvious.

“I can always read their mind. I was one of them, I was part of them, I was part of the party but we had to leave the party because of this attitude.

So, in some of the books that I read, especially Islamic books, there are things that we call Sadaqatuljariya (doing charitable deeds like building schools, hospital, throughout your life) and you will be getting reward and even after you die.

“These sorts of mistakes are what we call Musibatuljariya. It is so bad and it is a bad thing that will continue to occur until the system goes to end because they have their own agenda to tackle the APC, to tackle the APC government, they are angry with themselves, they are angry with the people and Nigeria because they feel Nigeria belongs to

them and they wanted to take everything and Nigerians rejected them.”

On the feeling of President Buhari, he said there was no way he would be a happy man with the development in the Senate.

He said: “I think the position of Buhari was that the party should handle it. I don’t think he wants to put his fingers there. I am not sure his fingers are in it but what I know is that I am not sure if he is happy that members of our party could not be loyal to it. They could not go by the dictates of the party. I am not sure if Buhari is a happy man even though he did not put his fingers but he was expecting that members of his party will be loyal to the party. “ I don’t know his mindset, I have not seen him since the election but I am sure that he cannot be a happy man with his party, where he is the national leader, has set up posi-

•Kwankwaso

tion and some members decided to go against it to the extent of bringing people who should not be in those positions.”

The former governor was concerned that Saraki is neck deep in the alliance with the PDP, adding that the developContinued on page 61

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

5

NEWS

N12billion bank fraud: court orders quarantine of suspect

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USTICE Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday ordered Nigeria Prisons officials to quarantine Mr. Salami Ibrahim, one of the accused persons in the alleged N8billion mutilated currency fraud.

The judge also ordered that the accused persons should remain in the prison custody throughout the trial.

The accused, Salami Ibrahim, had through an application sought for freedom based on health grounds.

Ibrahim of Sterling Bank, according Justice Emmanuel, did not disclose the nature of his illness in the affidavit before the court.

In his ruling on a bail application for the accused persons, Justice Emmanuel, who refused bail for all the accused persons, also ordered that a health certificate must be produced after medical examination by prison officials and a federal hospital on Ibrahim.

Justice Emmanuel said: “I have considered the evidence before the court; the offences are mind-boggling and weighty. I have not been persuaded by the submission before me to think otherwise.

Evidence before me point to a new wave of economic crime. I must state that the

•Accused persons to remain in prison throughout trial From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

court does not have the power to detain an accused person beyond constitutional limit. The discretion to grant bail resides with the court but such discretion must also be judiciously applied.

“The alleged crimes have adverse effect on the economy of the nation and the offence carries a maximum of 21 years in prison. It is a capital offence against the economy of this country. It is a common knowledge that the first, second and third accused are answering other criminal charges in suits before me.

“In view of evidence before me, I have not been persuaded or convinced by the sworn affidavits tendered by the accused persons that if granted bail, they will not interfere with court processes.

In concluding, the accused persons have not persuaded me to exercise my discretion to admit them to bail. The bail application is hereby dismissed and I grant the order of accelerated hearing. This court will not tolerate frivolous applications.”

The accused persons are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran

Adeola Muniru, Toogun Kayode Phillips, Ibrahim and Oddiah Emmanuel.

Others are Patience Okoro Eye, Afolabi Olufemi Johnson, Ilori Adekunle Sunday, Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, and Fatai Adedokun Yusuf.

Also facing trial are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Phillips and Tope Akintade.

The accused are facing a 31count charge ranging from conspiracy, abuse of office, stealing to false declaration of actual amount and concealing of property.

Seven cases are filed on the fraud totaling N12 billion.

Responding to the ruling yesterday, EFCC counsel Adeola Aborisade said: “The ruling is not different from every other ruling on bail application. Bail application is at the discretion of the court and the court has exercised its discretion not to admit them to bail because the court said that the accused persons have not convinced the court based on the affidavit before the court that they were entitled to bail and the court in looking at the proof of evidence before the court that the evi-

dence against the accused persons are so weighty that if they were granted bail, they may not be able to stand their trial. Well, we are the ones that suggested accelerated hearing instead of bail; once we were able to prove our case or they were able to defend their case, if the court finds them guilty fine, if the court finds them otherwise, they will go their houses.

“So, accelerated hearing is in the interest of the accused persons so that them will know the case before them on time and dispose them one way or the other. It is the constitutional right of the accused, if you are dissatisfied with the ruling of any High Court, you have the choice to either go to the Court of Appeal or take the ruling as it were. So, if they decide to go on appeal, that won’t in anyway hinder the hearing of the case since the case will be going on here. Since the case is substantive, the bail application is just integral part of it to secure their freedom nothing more.”

Also, counsel to Phillips, Mr Olalekan Ojo, said: “The ruling certainly was against our expectation, but we have always known that any rul-

ing or judgment could go either way, either in your favour or against you. So, to that extent, I will say I am not surprised. But I am only worried because there is no justification why there should be no parity of treatment as far as this application is concerned. Like you know, several ex-governors have been charged with one economic crime or the other, several bank chiefs, you remember that they were charged to court after the crash in the bank industry during the era of former CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, these were also alleged offences against the economy of Nigeria. But I stand to be corrected sir, that none of them was denied bail.

“I remember one of the dictum of Justice Oputa of blessed memory, that there should be no different scale of justice for the wealthy and another for the not too wealthy, or those who are lower in the hierarchy.

If ex- governors, ex-bank chiefs are granted bail, I am at a loss why it should not be so for those who are just managers and security guards. But nevertheless, it is an exercise of discretion. Well, the clients have immediately informed us

to appeal the ruling and we shall do that. You know we tried our best possible to let the Lordship know that it is dangerous at this stage to go into the substantive issue ,there are pronouncements made in the ruling in the bail application which touch on the substantive issues at the trial to the detriment of the defendants; that is why we are worried.

“Indeed, as far as we are concerned, some of the accused persons even said it’s like this court has found us guilty already. That is what they said. In fact, one of them said, when the judge said having regard to the pulse of the nation, he asked: ‘how did the lordship know the pulse of the nation? He also asked: did he go to Oje market or some other markets to find the pulse of the nation?

But nevertheless, we are worried.”

Relatives, families, and friends of the accused were hoping that the court would grant them bail. When it became known that the court refused them bail, many of them broke down in tears, weeping profusely. Lawyers were seen consoling and reassuring them that hope was not lost.

The case was adjourned to July 6 and 7 for accelerated hearing.

Tension in Warri over plot to impeach APC lawmaker

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•House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara (second right), Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuff (left), Head of Political Section, British High Commission Ben Llewellyn Jones (right) and Team Leader, Govenance and Social Development (UKaid) Oliver Blake at a visit to the Speaker at the National Assembly Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Why poverty, unemployment persist, by Utomi, others

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PROFESSOR of political economy, Pat Utomi, yesterday blamed Nigeria’s high rate of poverty and underdevelopment on the under-utilisation of the country’s abundant human and natural resources.

He said resources are meaningless without the knowledge to cultivate and harness them for the society’s benefit and to improve living standards.

He and other experts spoke at a workshop with the theme: “Nigeria’s digital economy and the copyright system: challenges and opportunities for strategic growth in the information age”. It was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), the African Centre for Study Development Research and Civic Education (ACCE) and the Nigerian

By Joseph Jibueze

Copyright Commission (NCC).

Utomi, who gave the first keynote address, said the difference between developed and less-developed countries is the gap in the use of knowledge assets and accompanying technology to drive development.

Part of Nigeria’s development challenges, he said, is the inability to evolve appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to protect what he described as knowledge assets that promote creativity.

According to him, for Nigeria to leverage its productive capacities, it must reform its innovative and intellectual property system to serve as a tool for socio-economic development; strengthen its technological base as everything converges in the new information

highway; strengthen national institutions to help preserve and protect national treasures for present and future generations; and identify the country’s innovative strengths.

“Nollywood’s rise to the position of the largest African film industry and the second largest in the world strongly demonstrates how creativity can contribute to the promotion of cultural heritage as well as economic growth,” he said.

A diplomat, Ambassador Umunna Orjiako, in the second keynote address, said Nigeria lacks a national strategy or policy on intellectual property, resulting in lack of competence in bargaining skills for global access to medicines, development of cultural goods, technology transfer and education.

“As a result, our people are systematically cheated in their ability to maintain

strong positions at the negotiating tables be they in Geneva, New York, Brussels or Paris,” he said.

Orjiako called for a review of the Nigerian Copyright Act and the Patent Act, which he said remain “anachronistic reminders of our colonial past.”

“At best, Nigeria currently has an intellectual property framework that protects the interest of foreigners and that fails to motivate its creative sectors to the fullest capacity.

This situation must change, and it must change immediately,” he said.

A national policy framework, he said, matters so significantly in intellectual property because it will directly or indirectly harness the macro-economic considerations to guide the successful utilisation of Nigeria’s human and natural resources.

HERE was tension in Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday, following a plot by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) dominated House of Assembly to impeach an All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmaker and former Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Thomas Emami.

Emami, representing Akpakpa Ward 6, caused uproar in the house when he dumped the ruling PDP. It was gathered that trouble started when the leadership of the house moved to impeach him even though the clerk of House had read his resignation letter as well his defection notice on the floor of the house.

The embattled Emami, younger sibling of Chief Ayirimi Emami, leader of the PDP in the area, who had earlier defected to the APC, told The Nation in a telephone chat that the move was a cheeky

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

plot to embarrass him.

He said: “My elder brother and well-known leader had earlier defected from the PDP to the APC and I cannot remain in the same party. It was based on this and the cogent reason he gave for his defection that I and other followers resolved to move to the APC with him.

“After my resignation from the PDP, I subsequently informed that House of my decision to step down as the Deputy Majority Leader, because my party, the APC, is in the minority in the House.

“It was very surprising to me this (Monday) morning when they came with TV crew and media men in an obvious propaganda to impeach me. My question is: how can you impeach someone who has already resigned? The interesting thing also is that they read my letter of resignation before moving to impeach me.”

Group kicks against acting AGF

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N Abuja-based NonGovernmental Organisation, the Centre for Anti-Corruption Advocacy, has faulted the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Dikwa as acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF).

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the appointment of Dikwa following the retirement from service of Mr. Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, who held the post since July 1, 2011.

Dikwa will hold the office until a substantive Accountant-General is appointed by the president.

The Centre for Anti-Corruption Advocacy through its National Coordinator, Hajia Hafzat Lawal, said Dikwa’s appointment did not follow

due process.

The group said the appointment of acting AGF has always been on seniority.Until his appointment, Dikwa was the Director, Funds Department in The Treasury House which is also known as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The group said: “For the record, the last appointment of AGF in Nigeria on seniority was Alhaji Mohammed Arugungu but when PDP came to power in 1999, they bastardised the process and became political from James Naiyeju to Alhaji Alhassan Dankwabo, who is now the governor of Gombe State. The erstwhile AGF was brought from the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NEWS Nigerian pastors to assist displaced Ghanaians

CJN urges judges to separate religion from judicial activities

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HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, yesterday urged judges not to allow their religious inclination to becloud their sense of judgement.

He reminded them that the country is comprised of diverse ethnic groups, languages, religious and cultures. He also advised the judges not to allow their religious inclination to affect their decisions in interpreting disputes bordering on customs.

The CJN spoke in Abuja during an induction course for new judges and khadis, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

“As you move from one judicial division to another, you must treat all court users with equal respect regard-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

less of how different they are or how unpopular their cause may be. No matter how you feel about the religious implications of such alleged customs, so long as they comply with requisite legal and judicial tests prescribed, you must apply them in relevant cases,” Justice Mohammed said.

He also urged judges to shun corruption. He said “the Nigerian judiciary is now more prepared and more poised than ever before to rid itself of all the ugly dirt inflicted on her by unscrupulous, fraudulent and corrupt persons occupying judicial offices in Nigeria.”

Justice Mohammed said the National Judicial Council (NJC) and states’ Judicial Ser-

vice Commissions have been adequately empowered to remove, with ignominy, any judicial officer or judicial staff that has chosen the path of dishonour to be corrupt and fraudulent.

The Administrator of the NJI, Justice Rosaline Bozimo (rtd), reminded the judges that their primary responsibility was to interpret the law without bias, affection or ill will.

She urged the judges to imbibe judicial values and to be epitome of morality, the bastion of the rule of the rule of law, the protector of the oppressed and the punisher of evil doers.

Bomizo told the judges that members of the public were deeply interested in what they do as judges.

“The country and its citi-

A

•Justice Mohammed

zens expect a diligent and effective administration of justice from the Nigerian judiciary. We cannot afford to fail them,” she said.

627m ‘scam’: AIG Mbu lied, says businessman

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HE Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Joseph Mbu, has been accused of telling lies over the alleged torture and illegal detention of the Managing Director of Kafisto Oil and Gas ltd, Mr Uwem Antia and his business partner, Alhaji Suleiman Yerima by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and policemen led by DSP Ibrahim Dantoro.

Yerima said they were tortured and detained for 80 days illegally by EFCC and policemen under the command of AIG Mbu. He also insisted that the foreign exchange business deal for which they were being persecuted were legitimate and in order.

Yerima, who spoke with The Nation yesterday in Abuja, said he stood by his allegations against the EFCC and AIG Mbu. He released the photograph of Antia who was tortured and had his leg broken by policemen. He said amputation of the leg of Antia was being contemplated by the hospital.

However, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said the allegations were not true,

‘

I am happy I have only one case in Jos, but AIG Mbu should tell Nigerians how many cases have been instituted against him by innocent people across the country From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Abuja

adding that they “amounted to tissue of lies from the pit of hell”.

Uwujaren added: “EFCC does not have any torture chamber anywhere in the country. Have you ever seen any person saying he was tortured by EFCC? You are aware of our operations since you have been covering our activities, has any accused person said he was tortured or beaten by our men? By your closeness to EFCC at least you can verify from other sources, we don’t torture people.

“I have told you that EFCC has nothing to do with the alleged torture of Antia, or Suleiman Yerima; if you choose to believe what they are alleging, well, I don’t have any thing else to say.

However, if their alleged torture was from some where else, I don’t know, but cer-

’

tainly not from us. There is no iota of truth in it.”

Mbu at a news conference in Lagos denied that his men tortured any accused persons. He described the allegation as false and mischievously concocted by the suspects to frustrate the ongoing investigations into their serial crimes.

The AIG alleged that the officer in charge of the investigation, Ibrahim Dantoro ,was offered N50 million bribe to truncate the case, but he refused and informed the command about it.

Yerima said Mbu was being economical with the truth, saying that as a well-trained police officer, if an accused person offered a bribe, the appropriate thing to do was for the police to set up the accused, collect the bribe and use it as evidence.

Yerima challenged Mbu to disclose to Nigerians the people the bankers (Mr Den-

nis Ale and Gladys Aginwa of Standard Chartered Bank) are working for, adding that the AIG should establish whether or not the bankers delivered the money to their clients.

Yerima alleged that it was from Mbu’s men that he learnt that the N627 million belonged to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

Yerima said the EFCC case referred to by AIG Mbu was transferred from Lagos to Jos on the request of a partner, Ibrahim Suleiman, saying: “I am happy I have only one case in Jos, but AIG Mbu should tell Nigerians how many cases have been instituted against him by innocent people across the country.”

He said it was quite unfortunate that the EFCC and Mbu would refer to him and Antia as serial fraudsters over a business matter that was yet pending in court, maintaining that as far as they were concerned, they remained innocent until the court says otherwise.

Yerima alleged that his life and that of Antia were in danger, adding that he has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and security institutions in the country.

•From left: Chairman, Global Water Partnership, West Africa, Dr Hassan Badliya; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Musa Istifanus and Project Manager, Water Sanitation, Food Security and Environment, European Union, Mrs Kate Kanebi, At The National Consultation on Food Security and Water in SubSahara Africa in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

GROUP of concerned church leaders under the aegis of Non Violence for African Development (NOVAD) has launched an intervention fund for victims of the petrol station explosion in Accra, capital of Ghana that left 150 dead and several displaced on June 4.

The intervention fund, which is in partnership with the Lagos Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), is to assist the victim cope with the aftermath of the explosion.

The church leaders said food stuff, clothing, soaps, drugs and other medical supplies will be shipped to hundreds of displaced victim in Accra.

The items, according to the senior pastor of the Guiding Light Assembly, Lekki, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, will ameliorate the travails of the displaced.

He explained Nigerians have a moral obligation to assist their hurting neighbours in the spirit of African unity.

He assured that all the items and donations received from charitable Nigerians and organisation will be delivered to the appropriate quarters.

Senior Pastor of Living Waters Unlimited Church Mende, Pastor Ladi Thompson, recalled that Ghana offered Aburi for the botched peace deal during the Nigerian civil war.

Asking Nigerians to reciprocate the gesture and others, he

By Sunday Oguntola

said: “These are the days when we need to reach out across boundaries to strengthen one another and speak words of encouragement that will motivate us to face the challenges of the hour knowing that we will surely overcome the darkness of the hour.”

Chairman of Lagos PFN, Bishop Sola Ore, said though charity must begin at home, it should be extended to across the borders. ”This is rare opportunity for us to demonstrate our position as big brothers in Africa.

We should show Ghanaians that we are good neighbours and our brothers’ keepers,” he stressed.

Ore said the PFN extensive structure will be made available to receive donations and distribute the items to the displaced victims.

A senior pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Femi Atoyebi (SAN), who has been running a private office in Ghana for over 14 years, pledged to use his extensive networks in the West African country to distribute the items.

The general overseer of The Pentecostal Congregation, Ilupeju, Bishop Abraham Olaleye, challenged Nigerians to donate to the Ghana-Nigeria Initiative.

He said: “Ghana has been there for us in the past; we have to be there for them now.”

Coscharis appeals order on bullet proof cars’ purchase

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OSCHARIS Motors Limited has appealed against the order of a Federal High Court in Lagos directing it to disclose to a group, Enough is Enough (EIE) Nigeria, information on the 2013 purchase of two bullet-proof cars for former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.

It is urging the appellate court to set aside the order of Justice Mohammed Yunusa made on April 28, and to dismiss the suit filed by a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Ayodeji Acquah, on behalf of EIE. Justice Yunusa had held that the failure of Coscharis Motors to disclose or make available to EIE the information requested is a violation of its right of access to information guaranteed by Section 1(1) and Section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

He also made an order of mandamus compelling Coscharis Motors to disclose the information requested, namely the invoice(s) and landing documents for the two BMW vehicles acquired by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044; and details of the payment for the vehicles, including whether they were paid for in full or hire purchased as reported by the media.

The vehicles were said to have been purchased at N255million.

In its Notice of Appeal, the company complained that Justice Yunusa erred in law when he held that the provisions of the FOI Act applied to private companies such as Coscharis Motors and that by enjoying a duty waiver on the

By Joseph Jibueze

two BMW cars, the company became a “private body utilising public funds” and thus subject to the application of the Act. Coscharis Motors also contended that the judge was wrong in failing to consider all the issues raised by the company in its address in opposition to the suit, especially relating to whether the company was not justified under Section 12 of the FOI Act in withholding the information requested by EIE. It also complained that the judge erred in law when he held that the provisions of the FOI Act applied to private companies because the legislators would have expressly excluded its application to private companies if they so desired.

Coscharis Motors claimed that the judge was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction to hear the suit when the jurisdiction of the court had not been duly invoked in accordance with the provisions of the FOI Act. The appellant said he also erred in law when he failed to deliver his ruling in the case within 90 days after the conclusion of final address as provided by Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and thereby occasioned a “grave miscarriage of justice” against the company.

Besides, the company alleged, the judge erred in law when he imported extraneous considerations in the interpretation of the FOI Act in determining the applicability or otherwise of its provisions to private companies such as Coscharis Motors.

The case will come up tomorrow.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS

Why INEC must start planning for 2019 polls now, by Jega

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NDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday said the commission must begin to consider reforms that will help improve the 2019 general elections.

Prof. Jega, who spoke in Abuja at the post-2015 general elections’ retreat organised for electoral officers, said despite the global praise that greeted the elections, there was still room for improvement.

He stressed that the success recorded was as a result of the sacrifices and energy put into improving on the 2011 general elections.

The INEC boss said officers should take time to review the performance of the commission in the last elections and point out areas where the commission did not do well with a view to improving on such areas.

Jega argued that for the country to continue to develop; it needs credible and good elections.

He said: “Well-conducted elections will result in the

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

election of good people, which can drive the process of governance very well and deliver good governance for our people. Good governance in terms of satisfying the need and aspirations of our people through the governance process.

“So, we must continue to do our best to improve the electoral process and we cannot rest on our oars in addressing all the challenges associated with elections.”

The INEC boss added that the success of the last general elections was as a result of the efforts and measures took by INEC’s members of staff to correct on mistakes of the 2011 elections.

He said in spite of the accolades INEC got on the 2015 general elections, it was time to begin to reflect on areas of further reforms.

Prof. Jega said: “Let us not waste time discussing what we did right. What we did right was good and it has helped us to have a good election in 2011

and 2015, but let us focus on what we did wrong.

“What were those things that we shouldn’t have done, which you have observed as field officers that we did which we need to correct or improve on as we move towards the future?’’

He was, however, full of praises for the electoral officers for their roles in the last elections, which, according to him, made the elections a success.

He said: “We have worked very hard, tirelessly under very difficult circumstances to get this outcome.

“Obviously, we recognise that in spite of our best effort, we have not been able to create the best and the excellent environment under which you are to conduct your jobs.

“In spite of the constraint and the challenges, you have all done your best and your best this time around has been recognised as being good enough.”

He, therefore, urged participants at the retreat to

•Prof. Jega

discuss measures needed to be taken to improve the electoral process as well as their welfare.

International Foundation for Elections Systems’ (IFES) Country Director, Mr. Shalva Kipshidze, in his remark at the retreat, congratulated the commission for the successful conduct of the last general elections.

Kipshidze said IFES was happy to support INEC’s effort to review the conduct of the elections to build on the good practices and lessons learnt as Nigeria prepare for 2019 general elections.

Pipeline vandalism: Oil workers urge Fed Govt to equip security forces

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IL and gas industry workers under the aegis of the Producers Forum of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have called on the government to equip security forces to fight pipeline vandalism.

Speaking at a news conference in Lagos at the weekend, the forum’s chairman, Emmanuel Onuorah, said the nation was losing between 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) and 400,000 bpd of crude to theft and pipeline vandalism.

He said the crude stolen was the combined production of Ghana, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Onuorah said: “If the crude oil price is put at an average of $60/barrel, this translates to between US$15 million and US$25 million lost in revenue. As a major stake-

By Justice Ilevbare

holder in the industry, we lament the huge loss, which could have been deployed into critical areas of national development.

“Huge unbudgeted costs are being incurred to repair or replace pipelines at damaged/ theft points. Government needs to develop the political will to stop pipeline vandalism and oil theft, including sanctioning collaborators in the military and security services.

“The security forces should be empowered by government to secure our national assets instead of the use of unconventional methods through award of contract to those without security and intelligence know-how to protect these critical national assets.”

Listing some of the evils of

pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, Onuorah said pipeline vandalism was a key cause of massive divestment by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) since 2010, adding that the criminal activities have also forced refineries to shut down.

“Pipeline sabotage has continually strained Nigeria to resort to importation of petroleum products and waste the limited resources meant for capital and human development programmes.

“Regrettably, sabotaged pipeline is the major reason for spillages and environmental devastation setting the host communities against both the oil operators and the government.”

He, therefore, called on the government to ensure that pipeline integrity are sound enough to enable safe

transportation of crude and refined products all over the country.

Onuorah added that pipeline installation could now be done using state-of-the-art technology in manner that would be inaccessible to vandals.

He urged pipeline managers to imbibe the culture of regular maintenance.

Government, Onuorah added, must live up to its responsibility by providing adequate security and hi-technology equipment for the surveillance and protection of pipelines and other oil and gas installations.

He demanded that there should be regular surveillance of pipelines to detect and prevent vandalism, adding that enabling legal instruments for sanctioning violators or defaulters should be reviewed.

Dogara seeks stable House of Reps •Approves welfare committee

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

H

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said a stable House is necessary for a Federal Government that is responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians.

Dogara, who spoke while receiving the caucus of Zamfara State in the House yesterday, advised members of the Eighth House about the “supremacy of Nigeria first”. He said the “era of self first is gone”.

He said: “We cannot afford to run the affairs of this House on the basis of those who supported me or those who voted against me.

“Whatever it is, God has given us the leadership and we have to use the opportunity presented by the outcome of the election to unify the House.

“This is because beyond the election, we owe it to Nigerians, those that sent us here. They are supposed to be the first beneficiaries of our representation and not we as lawmakers. That has to be made clear.

“If we decide to work just for ourselves, we will not be seen to have justified the representation we were sent here for.

“So, going forward, what we are supposed to do is to talk on issues that bother our people.

“We are aware of serious problems that have affected the image of our parliament in the past; we have to avoid them”.

Issues of unemployment, infrastructure decay, failing roads, agriculture among other challenges must be dealt with first by the lawmakers before consideration for any other thing, the Speaker said.

He added: “When we do that, we would have justified offering an effective representation that would improve the reputation of the House in the public.

“We belong to a party that promised so much; we cannot afford to fail.”

The Speaker has approved the composition of the House Ad hoc Committee on Welfare.

The committee, to be chaired by Nasiru Baballe Ila, with Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion as deputy, has 36 members that include Gogo Bright, Ajibola Famurewa, Sunday Katung Saidu Yusuf Miga and Toby Okechukwu among others.

My goal is to end poverty in Africa, says Adesina From Frank Ikpefan and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

F

ORMER Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at the weekend said he will work to end poverty in Africa.

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) added that the bank will work to accelerate development on the continent.

Dr. Adesina, who spoke during a send forth ceremony held in his honour by the ministry in Abuja, lamented that the continent lacked the presence of energy to drive growth and encourage industrialisation.

The former minister said the bank would focus on the development of agriculture in the continent following its tremendous economic advantages.

His words: “Agriculture is going to play a huge role because today most of the poor in Africa are in the rural areas and they have to benefit from this tremendous amount of economic growth that Africa is witnessing. There is no way that will happen unless we transform agriculture.

“Together, we will build an Africa where we have inclusive growth. There will be no rest in me until we end poverty in the continent, because poverty will not be a comparative advantage of Africa.

“The bank will continue to work to accelerate growth and development of the continent, to make sure that the growth is an equitable growth that will make sure that we deal with the issue of inclusiveness of that growth process between countries and within countries.

“We can’t have private sector growth unless we have power.

Africa must power itself and with that power, we must make sure that we industrialise.”

•From left: Book presenter Sir Demola Aladekomo; Chairman Prof. Akin Mabogunje; Prof. Lanre Ogunlana; his wife Lady Remi; Olorunsogo Ile-Ife Oba Kayode Omisore and Toba Ile-Ife, Oba Jide Awojodu at Ogunlanas’ 51st wedding anniversary and presentation of a book: “Reflection and Challenges in the Time and Tide”, at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS

UI NASU set for showdown over unpaid allowances

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HE Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of University (NASU), University of Ibadan (UI), has threatened to go on strike, if members’ Earned Allowances are not paid and other conditions met by the university.

The JAC, which comprises the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), accused the university’s management of not paying the Earned Allowances since 2013.

SSANU Chairman Wale Akinremi said: “The issue of our unpaid Earned Allowanc-

•Fed Govt has not paid us, says VC From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

es is our major problem.

“The Federal Government has directed the management to pay us since 2013, but the university management has not done so.

“The most rotten sector today is the university sector.

Government should beam its searchlight on the system and checkmate corruption. How much do they give state universities as subvention funds when compared to those of federal universities? Everybody is now a contractor in

the university system and nobody wants to teach anymore.

“Another grouse with the management is the issue of the proposed plan to privatise the staff school. Nobody should sack any of the workers there.

“Going by their terms of appointment nobody can just sack them. Another issue is the problem of scheme of service; somebody just got up and changed the agreement we had with Federal Government in 2009.

“The university council changed our retirement and promotion years and also

gave a condition of evaluation for promotion.

“It negates the spirit of the 2009 agreement and it’s an insult. We got 65 years retirement age, while the academic staff got 70 years. Nobody can reach CONTIS 15 in the university system, until you are over 50 years.

“They have promoted about 40 professors in this university but no non-teaching staff, why? We are rejecting the scheme of service totally and the 2009 agreement stays.”

Akinremi said if their conditions are not met by June 30, the three unions will embark on an indefinite strike.

“If they do not pay our Earned Allowances and withdraw the obnoxious scheme of service, then they should be prepared for an industrial war with us.

“We will make sure that they do not have respite.

We have treaded on the path of peace with them, they have intimidated us, dehumanised and humiliated us but not anymore.”

But the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole, said the Earned Allowances have not been paid by the Federal Government.

He debunked the rumour that the staff school will be

privatised, saying there was no circular to that effect.

Commenting on the change in the scheme of service, Adewole said:”He said it was the decision of the governing council that all junior staff will be promoted every three years after due training and evaluation; and the senior staff after four years. No staff will be promoted without proper evaluation and training.“ The VC promised that the management will engage the union leaders in a dialogue and resolve all issues.

Fayose seeks lawmakers’ help From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has solicited the cooperation of the House of Assembly for the development of the state through quality legislations.

Fayose said he would need the support of the Assembly to transform the state through the implementation of his administration’s sixpoint Restoration Agenda.

The governor spoke yesterday at the opening of a three-day retreat for the lawmakers at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ikogosi-Ekiti.

The theme of the retreat is “The Place of Legislature in Democracy”.

Represented by Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola, Fayose said the retreat became necessary to sharpen the skills of the lawmakers.

The Speaker, Kola Oluwawole, regretted what he called “the cat and mouse relationship” that existed between the last Assembly and the executive.

Ogun not owing workers

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HE Ogun State government has said it does not owe civil servants. A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, refuted the report in a national daily (not The Nation).

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a story published yesterday titled: “18 states bankrupt, can’t pay workers’ salary”.

The said erroneous report lists Ogun as one of the states.

“We wish to state that the said publication is not only mischievous but misleading. We are concerned that a national newspaper would publish such a falsehood without verifying its claims and without regard to the ethics of sound journalism.

“We hereby state without any equivocation that since inception of this administration, Ogun State has not owed its workers.

“We are indeed one of the few states which, despite the dwindling Federal Allocation, have consistently been paying workers’ salary promptly. For the avoidance of doubt, workers in Ogun State have received their May 2015 salary.

“We hope that the newspaper will do the right thing by apologising and by retracting the false publication.”

•From left: All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Osun State Alhaji Fatai Diekola; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti; Deputy Governor Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; State APC Chairman Prince Gboyega Famodun and President, Oranmiyan Worldwide Prince Felix Awofisayo at the funeral of Adeoti’s father, Alhaji Abduwahab Ajao Adeoti at Iwo.

Court strikes out Kashamu's N20b libel suit against Obasanjo

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USTICE Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has struck out a suit by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Buruji Kashamu, against former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The decision followed an application for withdrawal filed by Kashamu, who claimed that parties were engaged in on-going settlement moves.

Obasanjo’s lawyer denied knowledge of such moves.

Kashamu had on February 6, last year, sued Obasanjo, asking the court to award N20billion as aggravated and exemplary damages, and another N100million against the former President for “maliciously and recklessly” publishing a letter titled: ‘Before it is too late’, addressed to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in December 2013 The PDP chieftain sued Obasanjo for libel in relation to the claims in the letter that he (Kashamu) is a fugitive wanted in the United States for drug-related offences.

Trial had progressed in the case, with Kashamu calling two of his three intended witnesses.

Haruna Rasheed and Omotayo Alade-Fawole claimed that the publication of the exPresident’s letter in the media portrayed Kashamu in bad light.

Proceedings were later stalled in the substantive case when Kashamu on December 5, last year, moved the court to grant a restraining

•Senator claims on-going settlement moves •Extradition proceedings open June 25 From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

order against Obasanjo.

The senator sought to stop the former President from proceeding with the scheduled public launch of his book titled: “My Watch” on the ground that the subject of the libel suit was contained in the book.

Despite the order of December 5, Obasanjo launched the book on December 9 in Lagos.

Kashamu returned to court the following day with the complaint that Obasanjo breached the December 5 order by proceeding to launch the book.

Justice Ashi, in a ruling, held that Obasanjo was in contempt of court for flouting his orders restraining him from among others, publishing the book.

The judge gave the former President 21 days (from the

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day of service of the court’s orders on him) to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt for going ahead to publish the book despite the ex-parte interim order made by the court on December 5 and a pending libel suit involving him.

The judge later lifted all orders against Obasanjo in a ruling delivered in April, following counter arguments by Obasanjo’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN).

Proceedings were to resume on the main libel case, which Kashamu brought an application for withdrawal last month.

The PDP chieftain hinged his application on a purported “on going settlement moves” by parties.

Although Obasanjo’s lawyer denied knowledge of any on-going settlement move,

he did not oppose Kashamu’s application to withdraw, following which Justice Ashi struck out the case in a ruling given on May 26.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, will, next Thursday, open hearing in an extradition application filed against Kashamu.

The application filed by former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Adoke (SAN) sought the court’s permission to transfer Kashamu to the US for trial on drug-related offences.

The extradition application filed on May 28 was said to have followed a request by the US Embassy in April, urging the Federal Government to surrender Kashamu for trial in the US on one count charge of conspiracy and unlawful importation of illicit drug before the United States District Court for the Northern Illinois, Eastern Division.

Fake doctor gets two years

N Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 30-year-old Wembe Martins to two years imprisonment for presenting himself as a medical doctor.

Magistrate Olubunmi Dosunmu also found Martins guilty of illegally operating a hospital.

Chief Magistrate Dosunmu said the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt that the convict presented himself as a medical doctor without requisite qualification and also administered treatment to people when he was not eligible to do so.

The convict, a Cameroonian, who operated “Modern Specialist Hospital” with branches in

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the state, was arrested in April 2014 and charged to court on a single count charge of holding himself out as a medical doctor without requisite qualification or registration.

This is contrary to Section 17(1) and punishable under Section 17(5) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap M Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2014.

The magistrate pronounced Martins guilty and sentenced him to two years imprisonment from the date he was arraigned in court.

The Prosecution Counsel, Wale Bamisile, described the judgment as victory for the judiciary.

‘Overhaul Ekiti APC’ From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

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CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Gabriel Olaofe, has called for an overhauling of the party ahead of the 2018 governorship poll.

Olaofe said the restructuring and overhauling became necessary owing to the party’s failure to win any seat in the last National Assembly and State Assembly elections.

He said the party needs “real congresses” and not “mini congresses” to elect officers who would run its affairs at the ward, local government, senatorial and state levels.

The APC chieftain said Ekiti people are looking up to the party as an alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he said had not lived up to expectations.

He argued that there was need to commence preparations for the local government election anytime it is called which he described as an “acid test” for the party.

"The party needs to be restructured from ward to state level so that we can start preparing for the 2018 governorship election.

"The party needs to go back to the drawing board to give robust opposition to the fumbling PDP government and to prepare for the forthcoming local government election.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

10

CITYBEATS

Smugglers injure three Customs officers

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HE Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Lagos, yesterday said it would track down smugglers who injured its officials after seizing their rice-laden boat at Bawe Creek in Badagry.

The Customs Area Controller, Mr Umar Yusuf, made the pledge while showing reporters items seized from the smugglers, including a boat.

Yusuf said the officers were among those attacked by the smugglers while on duty on June 12.

He said the smugglers bowed to the superior fire power of his men as they abandoned their weapons and fled.

“The smugglers opened fire, but the gallant officers were able to subdue them and they fled, leaving their machetes and guns. They did not want my officers to come back alive, but God intervened and the officers fought a good fight.

“We are ensuring that we track down the smugglers wherever they are and we will do so squarely because we are equal to the task,’’ Yusuf said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the boat laden with about 2, 000 bags of rice; a locally-made gun, one shot gun, four knives and a machete were seized.

Some seized expired drugs, condensed milk, and secondhand clothes were destroyed on the controller’s order.

The Customs boss warned smugglers operating on the waterways to desist forthwith or face the command’s wrath.

The command, he said, was set to deploy its seagoing boats - the Customs Pride and Group of Nine - to boost its operations.

He said the command’s officials would be exposed to marine training courses to enable them effectively operate the boats.

•Ovuironye being led away by security officials...yes terday (INSET) Ovuironye on board...yesterday

Passenger caught stealing inside plane A PASSENGER, Mr Ovuironye Mathew Dennis, was yesterday caught stealing about N263,000 from the luggage of a fellow passenger, Novothy Anton on board an Abuja-bound Aero Contractors flight.

Ovuironye, 31, was spotted by a female attendant when he removed the Austrian’s bag from the luggage cabin under the pretence of changing his seat.

After removing the bag, he returned to his own seat 23c and re-

LUTH doctors begin three-day strike

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AGOS University Teaching Hospital LUTH) resident doctors yesterday began a three-day warning strike over their May salary and unpaid arrears.

President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), LUTH chapter Dr Ramon Moronkola said they were being owed 13 months arrears of skipping from Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) 10 to 13.

The money, he said, was their entitlement, adding that it should be paid without further delays as other doctors have received theirs.

“We don’t know why our case is different in LUTH. Other doctors in the employment of the Federal Government have since been paid,” Moronkola said.

The strike, he said, became imperative to give room for peaceful resolution of the crisis, adding: “Failure to address the problems, we will not hesitate to commence an indefinite strike on June 29.”

Moronkola said the government directed in January last year that the money be paid, adding that he is surprised at LUTH’s refusal to do so.

“Some doctors in other government-owned institutions have received their skipping arrears in eight centres,” he said.

Moronkola berated LUTH management for resorting to threat rather than having a dialogue with the doctors.

Such threats, he said, would only worsen the matter because doctors would remain resolute until their demands are met.

PHOTOS: ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

‘

They have formed a parallel body to that of the government. That is why they can go against the government and withhold doctors’ pay

’

By Wale Adepoju and Faruk Hamzat

Ex-president, ARD LUTH Dr Olubunmi Omojowolo said the hospital has not prioritised doctors’ welfare, adding that doctors have been attacked by armed robbers on a number of times with their valuables stolen.

He alleged that the acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Christopher Bode and the Committee of CMDs are deliberately withholding the arrears.

“They have formed a parallel body to that of the government.

That is why they can go against the government and withhold doctors’ pay,” he said.

He said there was money to pay doctors’ arrears as it had been captured in the 2015 budget, adding: “The CMD should answer us to prevent plunging the hospital into another crisis.”

Skeletal services, he said, were being provided to cushion the strike’s effect on patients.

moved N150,000 and 500 euro (about 113,000) from it.

The Nation reporter, who was onboard the flight, reports that a wrap of marijuana was also found on Ovuironye.

His temporary driver’s licence states that he hails from Delta State and gave his height as 1.65m.

Before he could return the bag to the luggage cabin, the attendant asked him to remain seated.

“While trying to return the bag, I asked him to sit down. But he be-

came uncomfortable before the plane landed and the white man raised the alarm that he couldn’t find his bag,” the attendant said.

She asked the Austrian to see his bag with Ovuironye, who claimed that he thought it was his.

But when Novotny discovered that cash was missing, other passengers descended on Ovuironye.

Many also took his photograph with their phones.

The cash was found on him with a wrap of marijuana when he was searched.

In an interview with The Nation in the presence of other passengers, Ovuironye said he stole the money to take care of his mother’s health.

He said he came to meet his elder brother who is a business man in Abuja.

Ovuironye said he is a Business Administration student at the University of Port Harcourt.

He was handed over to security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, when the plane landed.

How we robbed nursing mother, by suspect

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29-YEAR-OLD man has told the police how his gang robbed a nursing mother with the aid of her driver.

Solomon Ugorji told Lagos State Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) operatives that they robbed the woman the day she returned from America.

He, Obinna, the driver, who is said to be at large and Obiano Cosmos are said to have attacked a lounge in Victory Garden City (VGC) on May 16.

Ugorji, who claims to be from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, said he was an undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), studying Public Administration, but could not continue after 200 level because of financial problem.

He said: “I worked as security guard to Stoke and Caldwell Engineering Services Limited, a company that was into general procurement, maintenance and manpower training at Kilometre 23, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah, Lagos. I worked there for over two years on N40,000 per month.

I live at Majek in Balogun Estate along the expressway. The owner of the company, a woman, •Ugorji ...yesterday travelled to the United States of America (USA) for we got to Eleganza, there was a traffic jam again. The child delivery.

“On May 16, her driver, Obinna, (at large), told woman held my knife and it wounded her. She kicked us that the madam would be coming back on Fri- the car door and it opened and hit an oncoming vehicle day or Saturday with hard currency. He asked that and both of us fell down.”

Ugorji said when he attempted to escape, some passwe hatch a plan to rob the woman at a roundabout.

He later asked us to go to the airport from VGC ersby pursued, arrested and beat him up before handing Roundabout by 7pm if we did not see her there. him over to the police. “I told the police that I am an When the driver got to the roundabout, he stopped armed robber and not a kidnapper. Our plan was to take for the woman to buy fruits for her workers. The her money only,” he added.

The suspect said he recommended Obinna to the woman woman asked Obinna why he stopped without her and advised her to increase his monthly salary from order.

“The woman wound down and bought some N25,000 to N50,000.

“The other guy called Cosmos was holding a hammer fruits. As she wanted to wind up the glass, with our gun, we ordered her driver to reverse towards the which people mistook for gun. I was living with Obinna toll gate. When we got near the toll gate, there was because I had problem of paying my house rent at Ajuwe, heavy traffic jam, so we ordered the driver to head Ajah. We were all armed robbers but we did not operate towards Ajah. We warned her not to shout. When with real gun. We used hammer as gun due to its shape,” he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘We must explore the off-grid system.

Power generated mustn’t go to Osogbo before it gets distributed. We lose 37% of generated power anytime we do this. Why don’t we remove Egbin and Afam power plants from the national grid and let them serve Lagos or Southwest and Southeast respectively? If this is done, there will be great improvement’ - MD/CEO, Mayok Engineering Works Limited, Chief Abayomi Awodipe

Agents threaten to shut terminal for alleged N1b extortion

NDIC pays N97b to 528,000 liquidated banks’ depositors

By Oluwakemi Dauda

•Says banks are healthy

THE Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Island Chapter, said it will shut down the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) on Wednesday, over allegation of N1billion extortions and high level of inefficiency on the part of the operator.

The group, it was gathered, met in Lagos yesterday, to discus what they called unbridled corruption, extortions and official arrogance of the management of the terminal which they claimed has increased the cost of doing business at the terminal.

Sources close to the meeting said the group alleged that the terminal operator has defrauded the importers and their agents to the tune of over N1 billion through illegal means.

“We have compiled 25 oddities for 25 days that government issued public holidays and we quantified the amount of money they collected from the public for services not rendered which is to the tune of over N1billion,” the group alleged.

The Chairman of the Chapter, Prince Kayode Oyinlola, his deputy, Ada Akpunonu and the Secretary-General, My Chucks Kanikwu, alleged that the management of TICT operates strange and unwholesome practices which defy all known norms in port operations.

Oyinlola said: “TICT management colludes with all kind of government agencies at the port to block your Terminal Delivery Order(TDO) without which you cannot take delivery of your consignment duly released.

This ultimately extends the time of the exit of your goods that will make you pay induced demurrage.

In other words, any manner of agency, including the unauthorized ones, could delay the exit of goods on flimsy excuse and write to the terminal operator to delay its exit which the TICP will gleefully oblige.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$58/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8%

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

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

Jide Orintunsin and Nike Adeyemo, Minna

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•From right to left: Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA), Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Board Member, Alhaji Hassan Baba; General Manager, lntels Nig. Ltd, Sascha Kuchl, and Head, Administration&General Services, lntels Nig Ltd, Chibuisi Onyebueke during a tour of NIMASA’s governing board to the agency's ongoing projects/operations in Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Onne, Rivers State.

Govt mulls $3tr infrastructure investment, says Osinbajo

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HE Federal Govern ment has said it plans to inject $3trillion in fresh investment into the power sector to end Nigeria’s nightmare in the sector.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke on “The Nigerian Economy and the Future” at the 10th Year Anniversary Lecture of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State at the weeekend, the investment will come over the next 30 years.

He said: “The plans for the power sector will be supported with a National Infrastructural Master Plan that requires an investment of $3trillion over a 30-year period. This is the minimal requirement to improve our infrastructure stock from 35 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) to the benchmark for our peers, which is estimated at 70 per cent of GDP. “Apart from enabling manu-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

facturing and other sectors, we expect that the investment in infrastructure will also directly create thousands of jobs in construction and maintenance activities.”

The Vice President blamed weak transmission grid for its inability to wheel 5,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity into the national grid.

He promised to work with distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure that necessary investments are made to get electricity to Nigerians.

A statement endorsed yesterday by Mfon Udott of the Media Office of the Vice President, explained that government promised to remove the gridlock.

He said: “The APC manifesto is to deliver a minimum of 10 per cent GDP growth annually, while ensuring an inclu-

sive economy that improves the lives of all Nigerians. This cannot happen unless we achieve a significant improvement in the power sector.”

He assured that the administration will focus on improving the supply of gas to power plants, which will ensure sufficient gas supply that will help maximise the 13,000Mw of generating capacity.

On the pervasive poverty ravaging the country, Osinbajo said: “We cannot talk about the economy of the future without addressing how we move people out of poverty. One of the most striking promises we made during the campaign was the payment of Five Thousand Naira to the poorest Nigerians across the country.

“We are currently evaluating the best ways to collapse existing cash transfer and social welfare schemes to ensure consistency and alignment;

once this is completed, we will implement the first phase of this program, using recognized identification platforms and transparent payment solutions.

“Today, about 112 million (66 per cent of Nigerians) are deemed extremely poor, measured by World Bank parameter of those living on less than $1.25 per day.

“This level of poverty explains much of the Nigerian situation because it affects all aspects of life. It explains why over a million Nigerians die yearly of preventable diseases. It reflects in our alarming rates of infant mortality and maternal deaths at childbirth. It also tells why so many children of school age are out of school and why so many adults lack access to healthcare and proper vocational training; why, in effect, they are less efficient and less productive at work.”

NERC vows to revoke dormant licences

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday threatened to revoke non-performing licenses from among the 134 it has so far issued.

Its Commissioner of Engineering, Abbah Ibrahim, who lamented that most of the licenses have been dormant said they have not gone beyond the stage of issuance.

He spoke after the presentation of new licenses to four power firms in Abuja.

One of the firms, Pan Africa Solar Limited got a license for a 24megawatts (Mw) solarpowered Independent Power Project (IPP) at Kankia, Katsina State.

NERC also presented a license to Nigeria Solar Capital Partners Limited for a 100Mw solar-powered IPP at Ganjuwa, Bauchi State.

While Proton Energy Lim-

•Presents licenses to four power firms From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ited received a license for an on-grid electricity generation license in respect of a 150Mw gas-fired IPP at Ogorode, Sapele, Delta State, Turbine Drives Limited got a license for a 500Mw gas-fired IPP at Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

Ibrahim said the licenses the commission has so far issued ought to have translated to a generation of 20,000Mw even as the country’s required an estimate of 40,000Mw. He lamented that since most of the licenses are not presently delivering power, NERC has started the process of reviewing them.

He said: “”But within your license, there is a blue book which your license terms and

conditions. I am raising this because we have issued 134 licenses so far, which has translated to over 20,000Mw of power in Nigeria. We have a requirement for over 40Mw. “As we speak now, the issue is that a lot of the licenses are not delivering. And the commission has commenced the process of reviewing those licenses. And once targets are not met, we have no choice but to cancel those licenses. I hope that these whole licenses will not go the way of the majority we are looking at.”

According to him, the licenses contain a blueprint that spells out the terms, conditions, and milestones that they must accomplish within a certain time limit.

He vowed that NERC will

enforce stringent terms in the licenses and there will be no option but revocation owing to their non-performance.

With the revocation, Ibrahim said the commission will be inviting people across the globe to come to Nigeria for investment.

He said: “So I can assure you that going forward we are going to tighten the screw in terms of licenses in Nigeria.

We have no choice but to revoke certain licenses because they are non-performing.

“And that is the only way we can send the right signal to people across the world to come and invest in Nigeria.

“If there is somebody with a piece of paper that is non performing it is still piece of paper. We have no choice but to ensure that they deliver what they are required to.”

HE Nigeria Deposit In surance Corporation (NDIC) said it has paid N97billion to 528,500 depositors of 14 banks and 103 Micro-finance Banks (MfBs) liquidated between 1991 to date.

Its Head, Media and Public Relation, Alhaji Hadi Sule Bauchi who spoke to newsmen shortly after a day training to over 2000 National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members at Ge Yakubu Gawon Orientation Camp in Dutse, Jigawa State.

He said as the primary responsibility of the NDIC is to provide safety and guaranty to bank depositors.

According to him, despite its existence for over 23 year and its achievements, majority of Nigerians are not aware of its existence or the services it provides.

“Due to the fear of risk of collapse many Nigerians are very hesitant to open account for depositing their money in the banks.

“Base on this, we chose those over 2000 corp members who are under going orientation in this Gen Yakubu Gawan NYSC orientation camp, for a special sencitaisation workshop on the Activities of NDIC.” Meanwhile, the corporation yesterday gave a clean bill of health to the banking sector, decalaring all the licenced banks in the country healthy and operating in line with global standards.

Its Executive Director, Research, Malam Hashim Ahmad who spoke in Paiko, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State after a sensitisation seminar for Batch A Stream II members of the NYSC at the Niger State Permanent Camp in Paiko, said the lenders are healthy.

Ahmad said: “Our banks are relatively healthy in line with global standards. We don’t normally announce the healthy status of our banks in the public but we normally say in aggregate and I think our annual report will soon be released and be made available to the public.

“The annual report normally summarises the health status of the industry but aggregatively all the banks in the country are relatively healthy.”

Ahmad said the NDIC undertakes proper supervision of banks in the country as insurer to ensure they remain healthy.

“We undertake supervision of the banks as insurer, as you know, no insurer will sit back and allow his risk to crystalize before he wakes up. We embark on the supervision of banks to ensure they remain safe and sound,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

12

THE NATION

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

property@thenationonlineng.net muyiwalucas2002@yahoo.com

•Hotel Presidential Enugu ... receives fresh breath.

N4billion lifeline for Hotel Presidential Enugu NEW lease of life is to be breathed into the Hotel Presidential, Enugu. This comes on the heels of a planned N4 billion investment on the facility by E-Hospitality Services Limited (EHSL). The Enugu State government, had in its bid to restore the lost glory of the hotel, granted a concession of the prime property to EHSL. According to Jedidah Promotions, the media consultant to the concessionaire, EHSL will undertake the project through a special purpose company – Primeview Hotels Limited. The firm will also engage a suitable international hotel management

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Stories by Muyiwa Lucas

company to operate the hotel, post renovation.

Primeview Hotels Limited has since taken possession of the facility and concluded preliminary surveys and assessments including a structural integrity test carried out by Sanni Ojo and Partners, a firm of structural engineers. The firm has also assembled a team of design and engineering consultants and produced a redevelopment concept.

A contractor has also been mobilised to the site and has begun the stripping of the hotel

in preparation for the redevelopment works.

The Proposed Redevelopment concept involves reconfiguring and modernising the existing hotel facilities such as restaurants, conferencing facility, outdoor swimming pool, four tennis courts and increasing the stock of rooms from 100 to 150 rooms. In addition, a family leisure centre will be incorporated and the number of restaurants and other elements increased in line with the requirements of the preferred hotel manager. It is expected that the main contract for the redevelopment will be

Show more concern for environment, Ambode urges residents

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the public to work towards attaining sustainable environment.

He spoke during the World Environment Day (WED) with the theme: “Seven billion dreams. One planet. Consume with care.”

The governor noted that the new perspective of the world is that ecology and economics are two sides of the same coin, adding that it is impossible to continue to do business at the expense of nature without compromising the sustainability of its resources.

“If the environment is not in harmony with our ambition, then we must change our ambition to be in perfect harmony with the environment. This is the wisdom we require to live peacefully on earth. We recognise the fact that mother earth can survive without us but we cannot survive without her,” he said.

The governor enjoined Lagosians to rise up and save the environment so that people can enjoy healthy and sustainable life on the planet, adding that the alteration in the environment was affecting the wellbe-

ing of people every single moment.

He said: “To solve the problems of the environment, everyone on earth must act; it is not the government business, it is not some people’s business, it is everybody’s business. It is one world, one environment; the problems of the environment transcends boundary. An error by one is a serious concern for all.”

Ambode noted that this year’s theme was instructive because it is about resource efficiency and sustainable consumption, especially with the world’s population estimated at over seven billion.

“The food we eat, the materials we use for diverse purposes, our shelter and many more are all from this same planet. It is evident that we are consuming more than the planet can sustainably provide. It is only reasonable for us to ensure that we do it with care and conserve,” the governor urged.

Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Hakeem Ogunbambi, said the state government had prioritised the environment through policies and

awarded in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the hotel ready to be opened by the second quarter of 2017.

Once the pride of eastern Nigeria, the Hotel Presidential Enugu, was one of the first iconic buildings built post-independence as part of the Eastern government’s industrialisation plan created under the late Dr. Mike Okpara. With a unique offering of recreational and lifestyle elements, the Hotel Presidential quickly became a popular destination for Nigerians and foreign visitors.

The collapse of the pride of the

East led the Government of Enugu state to concession the hotel to bring it back to life and upgrade it to world class standards. The Hotel sits on prime land within the Independence Layout Enugu and is approximately 15 minutes drive from the Enugu International airport.

These memories however quickly fade once the reality of the Hotel’s current state of disrepair is revealed. Many years of poor management, particularly during the many years of military rule, culminated in a complete rundown of the Hotel and subsequent closure of the once iconic facility.

Artisans, others educated on standards

I

•Ambode

programmes such as the institutionalisation of tree planting exercise with over five million trees planted to date, landscaping and beautification of open spaces, international summit on climate change, launching of climate change clubs in Lagos schools, improved waste management, renewable energy, drainage construction and waste water management.

The World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 yearly. It was celebrated for the first time in 1973 with “Only one earth” as theme.

N furtherance of its drive to ensure quality in the built environment, Lafarge Africa, manufacturers of Elephant Cement and Elephant Supaset, at the weekend organised a training session / seminar for blockmoulders under the aegis of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON), in Sango Ota, Ogun State. The theme of the seminar was “Standard Quality Blocks in Construction.”The seminar was meant to enlighten artisans on best practices in the use of cement for block moulding. It was also aimed at appraising quality procedure for production of concrete blocks; identifying functional requirements for block moulding and to discuss the importance of quality control as it relates to the production of sandcrete blocks.

The Relationship Manager, Block making and Precast section, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Soji Okesina, said after a thorough research by his firm, it was discovered that there was a need for a special purpose product for block moulding, hence the launch of ‘Elephant SUPASET’ in December 2010, to meet the specific needs of block moulders.

Besides, Okesina said that the training, which will be spread round

the country, became necessary because the block moulders represented the most important stakeholder in the building industry, accounting for about 40 per cent of its product usage.

The training also emphasised the need for strict adherence to standard as prescribed by the standards organisation of Nigeria (SON), and also on the benefits of a good sandcrete block which are durability, safety, and sustainability, amongst others.

The national president of NABMON, Alhaji Rasheed Adebowale, who disclosed that his members account for 66 per cent consumption of cement daily usage.

He praised the company for the seminar because “it will go a long way in creating awareness especially for new members.”

In a similar vein, the Ogun State chairman of the association, High Chief Olusanya, commended the effort of Lafarge for the training,saying the seminar will change their attitude towards block moulding. According to him, the Elephant Supaset is the best product for them. He advised the company to sustain the seminar because it has impacted so much on them and their businesses.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

13

THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Wanted: Safety roadmap against tanker accidents, fire No fewer than 80 persons have been killed and property worth millions of Naira destroyed in fuel tanker explosions in four states. Some state governments, transport experts and stakeholders are back to the drawing board for a solution to falling tankers and an end to the explosions, ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports.

A

NAMBRA STATE Governor Willy Obiano couldn’t hide his grief penultimate Sunday. He wept on seeing the carnage and charred remains of 69 persons, including an expectant mother and children who were burnt, after a petrol tanker rammed into the Asaba Motor Park in Onitsha, the Southeast commercial hub.

Barely 48 hours later, a similar incident occurred in Lagos when a petrol laden tanker fell off the Iyana-Ipaja Bridge and exploded around 2a.m.

Though no lives were lost, many lost virtually everything they had laboured for. Traders who keep daily proceeds in their shops lost their goods and money.

A victim, Mrs Bisi Idowu, said: “I am naked now, with nothing in the world.”

That night, fuel tankers also caught fire in Magbon, Badagry and Ojo. On June 5, at Idimu in Alimoso Local Government Area of Lagos State, another tanker exploded, destroying about 34 houses, 70 shops and one tricycle. At Oribawa, Bus Stop on Lekki-Epe Expressway, 48 hours later, a similar incident occured.

On June 3, 10 persons died when a petrol tanker rammed into the roadside market on Ilesa-Akure Road, following a brake failure. A similar incident was recorded in front of the Ambrose Alli University, in Ekpoma, Edo State.

Tragic routine Falling petrol laden tankers are becoming a routine.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said petrol tankers and articulated vehicles constituted over 70 percent of the terror on the roads.

It identified over-speeding, drink driving, poorly maintained vehicles and bad road networks as some of the causes of accidents.

A recent statistics showed that 70 percent of about 358 accidents between 1999 and 2002, involved articulated trucks. The survey said about 32 per cent of truck drivers are negligent, immature and inexperienced to handle the vehicles as they are below age 30.

How did we get here?

Economic growth was stunted.

Public infrastructure, especially road and railway, suffered when the Federal Government’s National Economic Development Plan was stopped in the 70s because of the 30-month civil war.

The abandonment of the railway service resulted in the government providing an easier route to cargo and passenger transportation.

The unregulated scenario left all manner of operators engaging in transportation of goods, including flammable items like petroleum and gas products.

FRSC said about 100,000 petroleum tankers are operating on the nation roads as at today.

The collapse of other NNPC depots also made Lagos, with a forest of 45 private tank farms, the supplier of all the products needed across the country.

A source in FRSC said if all tankers and trailers lined up in a single file from Apapa, they would almost reach the Ibadan, Oyo State capital’s defunct toll gate.

•The Idimu, Lagos tanker fire scene

PHOTO: OLALEKAN AYENI|

‘If all depots in Kano, Borno, Warri and elsewhere work optimally, the products would be supplied by the pipelines through the depots and tankers would not need to travel far distances to load for end-point supplies’ Derelict depots unsafe pipelines

and

To avert petrol tanker accidents, transport experts averred that all the depots across the country must work.

“If all depots in Kano, Borno, Warri and elsewhere work optimally, the products would be supplied by the pipelines through the depots and tankers would not need to travel far distances to load for end-point supplies, an expert advised.

He canvassed an urgent de-centralisation of the loading of petroleum products by the Federal Government to reduce pressure, especially on the Lagos roads.

The Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association (MOMAN), Mr Obafemi Olawore, who spoke in the same vein, flayed the situation where Lagos remains the only loading depots for all petroleum tankers in the country.

He said the situation where 100,000 tankers come to Lagos to lift the product is not only cumbersome and unhealthy, but over-stretches the state’s road infrastructure.

It also leads to weariness on the part of the drivers who are under pressure by their employers to deliver timely and on schedule.

Similar view was canvassed by the FRSC Lagos Sector Commander Mr Hyginus Omeje, who urged the Federal Government to revisit all challenges inhibiting the effective functioning of all NNPC depots with the aim of finding a lasting solution to them.

The pipelines, he said, must also be adequately utilised and policed for effective supply of the products to all the depots in the country.

A panel and summit Because it remains the nation’s economic capital (hosting the busiest gateways either by air or sea), Lagos, which controls about 70 percent

of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities has continued to attract articulated vehicles and trucks.

Mr Ayo Ogunbiyi, a staff of the Lagos State government contends that a state housing 22 industrial estates, 2,000 industrial complexes, a Free Export Trade Zone (FETZ), 10,000 commercial complexes, representing 60 percent of the nation’s industrial and commercial ventures, 70 percent of national maritime cargo freight, and 50 percent of nation’s petroleum products consumption, needs to be proactive in preventing accidents.

In his work; “Lagos fire, articulated vehicles and road accidents,” Ogunbiyi argued that since increased influx would bring more accidents and fire explosion government need to plan.

That was exactly what the state Governor Mr Akinwumi Ambode decided to do when he set up a committee to probe the accidents.

Those accidents, Ambode said, must be tackled and those culpable prosecuted.

Ambode urged strict compliance with the traffic law and directed total enforcement of the law.

He asked the Secretary to the State Government Mr Tunji Bello’s 10man panel to investigate the immediate and remote causes of tanker explosions.

He charged the committee to prepare guidelines for the ethical conduct for tankers and articulated vehicles drivers and to task insurance operators to come up with new policies aimed at protecting the victims.

The FRSC said it would also be organising a national summit for tanker drivers and owners at Abuja.

The Lagos and Ogun Zonal Commander, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Nse Obong Akpabio, who disclosed this said the crashes are worrisome, and the Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered full investigation and total enforcement.

He said the summit with the theme: “Haulage operations for na-

tional development,” is to address the ugly trend of tanker crashes in the country.

Akpabio urged tanker owners to train their employees and improve the maintenance of their vehicles.

He said all old articulated vehicles must also be removed from the roads.

Workable suggestions Besides the effective optimisation of the depots, Olawore challenged the Federal Government to fix all inter-state road networks, and ensure these roads have appropriate road infrastructure fittings such as reflective signs and markings.

State governments should also complement this by fixing the inner roads, making movement easy for all motorists.

He said all the three tiers of government must not relent, but increase their spend on the provision of safe, motorable roads across the country.

He equally canvassed the return of tank wagon train services, adding that the train ought to be optimised as it could carry more products out of the Ports from where it could be redistributed to other parts of the country.

According to him, since two years ago when the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) acquired 40 oil bearing tank wagons, they are yet to be put to use.

He said because each wagons carries 100,000 litres of petroleum products, it is evident that wagons would go a long way in resolving the carnage on the road.

Olawore equally called on the Federal Government to address the concentration of tank farms in Lagos.

According to him, since the standard global practice is to relocate the ports to more remote areas anytime communal activities are catching up with it, it would not be bad idea if federal government begin to consider the relocation of the ports and the tank farms from Apapa to deflood the area and reduce the exposure of residence along the axis to danger.

He called for the strict enforcement of all traffic laws on errant drivers and owners of the vehicles by all state governments.

Olawore called for the duplication of drivers institute such as it exist in

Lagos across the country for the regular training and retraining of all professional drivers including petroleum tanker drivers.

He equally canvassed strict compliance to speed limit by tanker drivers, whether on intercity highways or intracity road network.

The MOMAN chief, called for regular health checks, including eye tests for all drivers and their assistants, even as he challenged them to always observe rest to avoid fatigue on the road. The drivers must regularly be subjected to tolerance training.

He said on no account should any driver hand the steering over to his assistant as this have been known to be reasons behind many accident cases in the past.

Olawore called on vehicle owners to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicle. “The maintenance is not only about the engine, other aspects includes the electrical workings, new good tyres, good wipers, headlamps and rear lamps on the vehicles. Owners must also install a tracking device on all their vehicles,” he said.

PTD spokesman Comrade Adebayo Atanda said the PTD leadership has directed that no driver should henceforth drive at night.

According to him, this is to further assist emergency responders as it is usually easier and quicker to respond to any emergency at daytime than if it happens at night.

Secondly, he said “all drivers have been told to refuse to sit behind the wheel of a vehicle which is not fit for the roads.”

He said PTD is ready to work with the VIOs in all states to weed out old tankers and ensure they are promptly removed from the road.

Atanda who said the association is equally committed to reducing the carnage on the roads, challenged the government to fix the roads before taking their anger on the drivers for accidents which might have been prevented had the roads been good.

NEMA’s Southwest Media Coordinator Mr Ibrahim Farinloye said there is need for massive citizenship education on how to react to emergencies.

According to him, rather than helping the situation, the massing of people at scenes of incidents are drawbacks for emergency responders as it hinders evacuation and safety operations.

“We need to begin to sensitise the people on what to do in case of emergencies. How do they respond, how can they help those in distress, and who to call. Most times getting to the scene of incident becomes hazardous even to emergency responders as such places would have been taken over by miscreants,” Farinloye said.

Conclusion Even as the government also considers the role of the citizens in helping to minimise the trauma of tanker accident and attendant explosion, there is also the need to ensure harsh punishment is meted out to reckless drivers to serve as deterrent.

Since issues of negligence such as reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fatigue, and inexperience among others are at the heart of over 80 percent of the crashes, stiff penalties ought to be meted out to drivers and their employers and owners whose costly mistakes have caused others untold hardship.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

14

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

'Abolish multiple entry points for foreign carriers' With over $5 billion carted away yearly by foreign carriers, their domestic counterparts are calling for the abolition of multiple entry point because of their "lopsidedness" KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, reports

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IGERIA will not harness the potential of its lucrative aviation sector until it reviews the 73 Bilateral Air Services agreements with other countries, experts have said.

The agitation for their review is because of their perceived lopsidedness.

In interviews with The Nation, the experts said the agreements were skewed against indigenous carriers, alleging lack of fairness and reciprocity.

Under the agreements, 27 foreign carriers fly into Nigeria using the multiple entry points granted them.

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa German Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air and Kenya Airways enjoy multiple entry points into Nigeria.

But Arik Air, the only Nigerian carrier on the intercontinental routes, flies into a single point in the designated countries.

President of Sabre Travel Network, Mr Gbenga Olowo Mr Taiwo Adenekan, Chief Executive Officer of PDT Consulting Limited, Medview Airlines Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole Jed Air President Captain Nogie Meggison and Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema described these agreements as a disservice to the government as well as the aviation sector.

They said until the government reexamined the lopsided air transport policies and agreements, the predatory invasion of foreign carriers through multiple entry arrangement will continuously stunt the growth of indigenous carriers.

The 27 foreign carriers operating into Nigeria, cart away over $ 5 billion annually as capital flight. This whooping sum accounts for 50 per cent, or over $10 billion taken way from Africa annually by the invading foreign carriers. No thanks to the multiple entry points granted them by government.

They said unless government abolishes the policy, many domestic carriers will be the worse for it, as the future of their businesses appears bleak.

Operators' position They canvassed the adoption of single entry point for foreign carriers, describing the existing multiple entry points as another attempt to further cripple indigenous airlines.

Olowo and Adenekan, both aviation economists, described the granting of multiple entry points as another antagonistic policy that could further impoverish domestic airlines that are battling to keep their operations afloat.

They urged the Federal Government to emulate steps taken by some foreign governments to protect their airlines by granting only one entry point to Nigerian carriers.

They said such multiple entry points given to foreign carriers have further helped to destroy the potential of domestic operators, as the foreign carriers make much profit from Nigeria.

Onyema said: "The Buhari government has to put the aviation sector as one of the priority areas and must focus on how to development the industry. This is because aviation is critical to economic development.

"The government must think deeply in appointing a very serious person with a sound business background as Minister of Aviation. The

•Buhari

•Onyema

•Olowo

person does not have to be an aviator, but such a person must business background and at the same time have deep knowledge of aviation.

"If the government does not do that we will never get it right. Unless this is done the aviation sector will not be able to wriggle out of its current challenges Apart from the appointment of somebody with deep knowledge of aviation as minister, the government must urgently address the problem of multiple entry points granted foreign carriers into Nigeria . It is one of the missteps by government responsible for under development of the industry.

"This is unfortunate and highly disappointing for government to allow it to continue,they said.

The duo said it is unfortunate for any government serious about the development of local capacity to continue to allow the policy of multiple entry point to thrive. If it continues, they warned, it is going to kill the domestic sector of the aviation industry.

"We should do away with such an arrangement. This calls for total review. Even the bilateral air services agreement, it is lopsided against Nigeria."

the height of lopsidedness .

Such agreement does not favour this country, any developing country like Nigeria should not imbibe such agreement because it will potentially destroy the local air transport sector.

"What Nigeria needs to do is to implement what other countries are doing to erect hurdles on the way that would create avenue to protect domestic carriers by way of agreements that would curb the excesses of invading carriers.

Government should put hurdles that makes it difficult for foreign carriers to access multiple entry points.

"Why is government allowing our air borders porous for these foreign carriers to come here and reap the bountiful benefits. This is unjust.

"Any government that is serious about creating of jobs for his people and preservation of its economy must address this policy of multiple entry point.

The first thing the Buhari administration should do is to review this policy of multiple entry point granted foreign carriers."

should create an enabling environment to make the business thrive.

That for me is one of the ways government would have assisted in growing the business.

"If the government creates an enabling environment for domestic carriers the business will thrive and we will curb huge capital flight out of the country."

Meggison corroborated his position. He said : "Look at Ethiopia Airlines government approved entry for the airline into four points in Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu and the next thing you hear they have secured approval to fly to Port Harcourt, this is not fair to domestic carriers. The government must reconsider any policy on multiple entry point that makes our air borders porous for all foreign carriers to come and exploit to the disadvantage of Nigerians and their operators.

Imagine Emirates Airlines, which flies from the Middle East , they have being granted double flight frequency into Lagos, a single frequency into Abuja and they are struggling to get frequency into Kano, just one single airline, this is not good for domestic aviation in Nigeria.

This is unfair do we have people in government at all seeing all these lopsided agreements and feeling that nothing is wrong.

"The government has to do something about this."

According to Onyema there need for people in government to show they love Nigeria . looking back at the inability of previous administration to correct the anomaly , he said " We do not have people in government. That is why Buhari administration must consider this issue as an emergency to preserve our carriers, our economy and create jobs for Nigerians.

"If we had good people in government they should not allow things like this to happen.

"No developing country will allow such things to happen.

"That is why we need an aviation minister that has serious business background and thorough knowledge of the industry to be able to address this issues.

"It is very key to the growth and development of the aviation sector.

"What they are doing to this country is sinful , it is criminal too. Some people in government just sit down and allow foreign carriers to do us in, exploit us and our economy is going down the drain, this I must add is unpatriotic and unacceptable.

"The government should not even be in a hurry to appoint an aviation minister.

Experience in other countries As against Nigeria which has thrown its borders open to other carriers, many other African countries, including Egypt and Ethiopia have evolved market-protection policies for their airlines.

Onyema wondered how many countries are implementing the bilateral air services agreement, the way Nigeria is carrying on in this instance.

He said : "There is urgent need for government to sit down and examine this matter critically. The time for such is ripe and long overdue.

The fact is that other countries will not tell you they do not want to implement it, but they put several hurdles on the way for Nigerian carriers. That is where we are missing the point.

"Other countries close the door against our carriers, but we throw everything wide open.

Even some African countries, including Egypt and Ethiopia which enjoy several flight frequencies into Nigerian cities, are frustrating efforts by Nigerian carriers to get frequencies into their own countries.

"Egypt Air, for instance, flies into Lagos from Cairo, to Abuja and Kano, they even enjoy flights to Accra under the fifth freedom rights, but are not willing to grant such rights to Nigerian carriers. That is

What govt should do Worried over the trend , Onyema said: "What government needs to do is to tell the foreign carriers to liaise with domestic operators .That is the only way to develop the industry.

Failure to do that will have huge negative effect on domestic carriers.

This has become important because of the challenges operators are daily grappling with. The passengers domestic operators should be distributing around the country is being shared by foreign carriers under the guise of multiple entry points. This does not happen in many countries of the world.

"I think government and Nigerians should be grateful to domestic airline owners who have taken the risk to put their investments into aviation with the low returns on such investments and associated risks.

This business is not profitable because some inherent policies of government are limiting the capacity of indigenous airlines.

"Airline operators needs to be encouraged because they ventured into airline business to create jobs not to make profit.

"We are helping in the movement of businesses all over.

"Instead of bad mouthing airline operators government should come to their aid.

"They need to be assisted to move the business to the next level.

"I am not asking government to give us billions to run the business of air transport, but the government

Until issues concerning bilateral air services agreements, and other challenges in the industry are considered.

"The appointment should not even be political, Buhari should please give deep consideration to all these issues in order to develop the economy.

"The United States, Britain, UAE , will not even allow you to penetrate their air transport market.

"They put in place serious hurdles to protect their own carriers.

They will tell you they are not going to agree to the terms of your air services agreement , but they will put done hurdles to prevent you from gaining market access.

"They know what to do. Why do we allow foreign carriers dominate our market."

Allegations of lack of indigenous capacity Over the years, passengers have complained of alleged poor services offered by indigenous carriers on International routes.

Some passengers argue that until indigenous carriers raise the bar in service delivery, it may be difficult to compete with foreign carriers.

Onyema said: "I know the campaign some people are mounting against indigenous operators is that we do not have operational capacity to compete with foreign carriers.

That is untrue, it is totally misleading, people spreading such information do not mean well for the growth of aviation and its airlines in Nigeria.

"I must reaffirm that Nigerian carriers have the technical and operational capacity to operate to any destination or foreign route they ate designated to. What they need is government support. Nigerian carriers can offer any quality of service like their foreign counterpart.

That is the truth of the matter.

"Nigerian airlines can offer the same level of service if they enjoy the kind of assistance such foreign carriers ate getting from their government.

"Even without the assistance of the government to domestic carriers, if the government puts an end to multiple entry point into Nigeria foreign carriers will be forced to have a kind of understanding with local airlines on possible areas of partnership.

"If they do that, it will help to build the capacity of local airlines in many ways, other than government financial assistance.

"Those people running down local carriers that they cannot compete on international routes with foreign airlines is like saying we need a foreign president to run our country.

"Are they saying they cannot trust that domestic carriers can render services as mete as carrying passengers from one country to another? That is an insult on our airlines and nobody should accept it.

"That if it is not foreigners it will not work that is a perception problem we have. That is how they want to mould our psyche. That is a serious problem in our hands.

Why must we accept that unless services are rendered by foreigners only then will it be the best?

We are doing ourselves in.

It is like saying we need a foreign government to become our president and ministers and everything. We have the capacity to deliver if given an enabling environment."

17

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NATION SPORT INTERVIEW... INTERVIEW... INTERVIEW... INTERVIEW...

Xavi: I couldn't have written a better script It was the last service to his club of 17 years when Xavi Hernandez lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in Berlin, the 25th piece of silverware in an incomparable club career at Barcelona. Just a few days later, on the pitch of Al Sadd Club in Qatar, the midfielder many consider Spain’s greatest ever pulled on the shirt of just the second club of his career.

After signing numerous shirts for the wide-eyed youngsters who came to greet him, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ winner took time to sit down with www.sc.qa for an in-depth chat about his treble-winning exploits with Barcelona and how they compared to the Catalan side’s last such feat in 2009, his new club in Qatar, and how he wants to help the development of Qatari football.

According to your biographer this was the first official presentation of your life. How did it feel to hold up a new shirt?

It was something new for me because I’ve never had to do one before. I had one on a much smaller scale when I was 11 years old when I came to Barcelona, but never something like this. The way I was received in Qatar has been marvellous. I'm very grateful to Al Sadd, to the children who welcomed me here today, and the fanatic football fans in this country who behaved so well towards me.

W

AS this the perfect time for you to leave the club where you have spent your entire career?

Last year my mother and my friends insisted that I should stay one more year, and look at the difference it's made. I'm happy that I was able to witness all that I did this year, with the treble and everything around it. It's been a real dream farewell.

Barcelona became the first club to repeat a treble, and you were a central part of both of these teams. Which was the more satisfying – 2009 or 2015?

Both, of course both. This one was a mixture of excitement, happiness and nostalgia; because I already knew that it would be the last game that I would play for Barcelona. I wanted to make sure to say farewell in the best possible way, and this was a script which could not have been written better. Both trebles have been incredible; we thought that it wouldn't be possible to repeat the treble but by circumstances of football and with this outstanding team that we have we were able to do it again. So I'm proud to have been part of both.

What was it that informed your decision to come and play in Qatar?

It's an ideal project for me. The three different components came together perfectly for my family and me. For one there is the possibility here at Al Sadd to continue winning trophies, to try and do our best to win the league and the cup and compete well in the Asian Champions League. Then there is the fantastic project at Aspire where my professional formation will continue, and finally to be an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is something that is very exciting. The team will keep getting more competitive and I am very proud to be here.

In the future I’d like to do my coaching license as well as become a sporting director.

Have you already had the chance to see much of the city?

It's surprised me positively.

There are things to do all the time and the people have welcomed me with a lot of passion.

I can only talk positively of this country, which has placed a big focus on sports. For me it is a great place to be and to develop further in the long term with the sights set on the World Cup in 2022.

Do you feel like you can help

to develop the football culture in Qatar even further ahead of that tournament?

I want to bring all of my experience from Barcelona to Qatar, and I see that there are already teams here who like to play our style of football. I know that Al Sadd and the coach here play the style which we have played with Barcelona and with the Spanish national team over the past decade, so I come with the knowledge that I'll be able to contribute. I have seen games of Al Sadd and they attempt to keep the ball, and play in a style similar to what I'm used to.

Do you think Qatar’s national team will also be looking to play the possessionstyle which Spain and Barcelona have pioneered over the past decade?

I think so, that's the idea of Qatari football. They are looking to immerse themselves in the culture of Barcelona and Spain, which has had so many successes on the world stage in recent years. They want to compete well and to reach the World Cup in 2022 with the most competitive team possible.

What do you see as the main advantages of the tournament?

Previously we had to travel to matches the day before. Here the fact that you don’t have to travel long distances is an advantage.

I also think that playing in November and December will allow players to reach the tournament in the best possible conditions. There are also stadiums already employing air-conditioning, so I think the conditions are here to make this World Cup a great success. It will be a benefit for the players.

You lifted the 2010 World Cup in the first tournament on the African continent. What do you think you can do to inspire the youngsters of the region ahead of the first edition in the Middle East?

I would like to bring all my experience in Barcelona, all of the values which I learned in La Masía: sacrifice, hard work, humility, all of what I learnt I want to transmit here. I also want to immerse myself in this wonderful culture and with all the humility in the world I want to contribute my part from what I have learned in Barcelona.

Ambulance driver blamed in death of Nigerian soccer player A Nigerian soccer player col-

lapsed during a friendly at Sultan Mohd IV Stadium in Kota Baru on and died at the hospital, much to the anger of his team.

T-Team captain David Oniya, 30, suffered an apparent heart attack on the pitch on Saturday. According to the New Straits Times, the ambulance driver was watching the match in the stands when Oniya collapsed.

It took the driver several minutes to bring the ambulance out, but by that time Oniya was already unconscious.

Syahrizan Mohd Zain, the club's CEO, said the first responders could have prevented the death.

“He suffered a heart attack, but it could have been a different story had the ambulance driver [been] alert,” Zain told the Times.

“The driver was at the stands watching the game when Oniya suddenly collapsed, and our defender was deprived of oxygen for several minutes.”

Oniya was pronounced dead at the hospital. The match was called off in the 60th minute once news of his death spread.

He played professional soccer for more than 10 years, including tenures in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

End of party politics?

New government and PIB •The new National Assembly should take a fresh and comprehensive look at the bill

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HE tales woven around the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) during the tenure of the last legislative assembly would fill a sizeable basket. It was most times full of fury, but empty in delivery. At the end of the tenure of the 7th National Assembly, what we had was an inchoate legislation, as only the House of Representatives passed a version of the many variants of the bill.

Now that we have a new government, with a fresh legislative mandate, it will be their responsibility to sort through the labyrinth, and work to enact into law; a PIB that would take care of the many promises of the bill, as originally conceived. Such a bill should also stem any restiveness in the Niger Delta.

The PIB as conceived was meant to bring

‘So, it is strange that despite the enormous gains touted by the stakeholders to accrue from the PIB, politics was allowed to frustrate the passage of the bill by the 7th National Assembly. Now that a new government has been installed, it is hoped that the authentic PIB will be represented by the new government for passage’

international best practices to the management of the petroleum industry sector. A peep into the fundamental objectives of the Bill, shows so many advantages that it is difficult to understand why the many controversies among the stakeholders. In concept, the PIB was designed to vest the oil and gas resources in the sovereign state of Nigeria, establish a transparent procedure for the issuance of licences, leases and permits. It was also designed to infuse good governance, transparency, development of Nigerian content, sustainable development and community relations.

Intriguingly, while nearly all the stakeholders are in support of the Bill, there is a fundamental disagreement as to what it should contain. In the past dispensation, it was a common tale that the main challenger of the PIB in its virgin format, was the International Oil Companies (IOCs), that were alleged to have forsworn that the bill would never be passed. At home, there were also some lobbyists who felt that the PIB was giving too much to the oil-bearing communities, at the expense of the wellbeing of the national financial coffers.

Indeed, even among the oil-bearing zones of the country, there is disagreement as to who should be the recipient of the money that was due to be paid by the oil companies from their profit. In contention were those in favour of state government as beneficiaries, while others preferred the oil-bearing communities

directly suffering the impact of the oil despoliation. There was also the issue of what percentage of the profit should go to the coffers of the state or communities, including what should accrue to the communities, whose belly the pipelines passed.

The PIB was also envisaged as an opportunity to end the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta. Also, there were provisions for the criminalisation of the pipeline vandalism, which should be very urgent in the context of the challenges facing the nation presently. In pushing for transparency, the National Oil Companies, which will have separate policy, regulation and commercial divisions, were to be guided by the provisions of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Act, 2007.

So, it is strange that despite the enormous gains touted by the stakeholders to accrue from the PIB, politics was allowed to frustrate the passage of the bill by the 7th National Assembly. Now that a new government has been installed, it is hoped that the authentic PIB will be represented by the new government for passage. In other not to fall into the hands of those who opposed the bill previously, we urge the Buhari government to engage in wide consultations before making a move. We are also hopeful that the 8th National Assembly will give the bill the deserved attention, in the overall interest of the petroleum sector and the wellbeing of majority of Nigerians.

Army vs. Amnesty •The allegations of gross human rights abuses must be thoroughly investigated

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HE true test of any democracy is its ability to regulate itself when situations so demand. It appears that Nigeria has arrived at this pass following the recent release of an Amnesty International (AI) report alleging wide-ranging perpetration of war crimes by the Nigerian military in its anti-insurgency operations against the militant Boko Haram movement.

In a 133-page report titled Stars on Their Shoulders, Blood on Their Hands: War Crimes Committed by the Nigerian Military, the human rights body claims that over 1,200 people have been extra-judicially executed by soldiers or allied vigilante groups since February 2012. It also states that at least 20,000 people, mainly boys and young men, have been arbitrarily arrested and detained in inhuman conditions, resulting in at least 7,000 deaths. The anti-insurgency campaign, AI alleges, has been distinguished by “countless acts of torture” and enforced disappearances.

Amnesty says its investigations took place between 2013 and 2015, and involved interviews with officers and men of the military, alleged victims and witnesses of military brutality, and visits to mortuaries where the corpses of deceased detainees were kept. It has named five senior officers of the Nigerian military whom it believes should be probed, and has forwarded its findings to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for further action.

Nigeria’s military authorities have denounced the report, accusing AI of racism and bad faith. Its spokesmen have said that military operations have always been conducted with a view to minimising ci-

vilian casualties, and have pointed out that collateral damage is especially likely given the non-conventional nature of the conflict and the tactics of Boko Haram.

These accusations are deeply troubling.

Whether they are true or not, they imply the persistence of a disconcerting impunity and lack of accountability that has dogged the military in places like the Niger Delta and Plateau State. Prior to its six-week push in February 2015, the military campaign against Boko Haram was troubled by internal disciplinary issues which have seen dozens of court-martials and dismissals. Given the seriousness of the allegations, it is imperative that they be investigated thoroughly, completely and comprehensively.

The allegations revolve around fundamental human rights issues which cannot be ignored by any nation that is genuinely interested in the welfare of its citizens. Long before local and international advocacy groups took notice, indigenes of north-east Nigeria were complaining about the military’s heavy-handedness, especially the way in which it demolished homes and carried out arbitrary arrests and detentions while searching for suspected militants. Such complaints deserve to be looked into on their own merit.

There is also the fact that a more nuanced approach to the anti-insurgency campaign is likely to facilitate its lasting resolution. Repressive tactics by the military ultimately serve to help Boko Haram by attracting more people to their cause.

The young men of the north-east must never be put in a situation where they feel that they have to choose between being maltreated by the military and fighting

for Boko Haram.

Rather than impugn the integrity of organisations like AI, Human Rights Watch and local human rights groups, the military would do well to cooperate in the investigation of these accusations. It is difficult to see what these organisations hope to gain from making false accusations against our military which, for all its faults, has been widely acknowledged for superlative peace-keeping performances around the world.

Fortunately, the Buhari administration has reacted to the Amnesty report with a better attitude than its predecessor and has promised to look into it. Nothing less than the setting up of a high-powered investigative panel will suffice. It must be made up of distinguished citizens with backgrounds in the military, the judiciary and civil society, and must get to the truth of the matter, regardless of who is exposed.

‘Rather than impugn the integrity of organisations like AI, Human Rights Watch and local human rights groups, the military would do well to cooperate in the investigation of these accusations. It is difficult to see what these organisations hope to gain from making false accusations against our military which, for all its faults, has been widely acknowledged for superlative peace-keeping performances around the world’

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IR: As ebullient as the wind of change passing through Nigeria is at the moment, it should not be professed as ‘change’ for its sake. ‘Change’ must refurbish the minds of all for growth of political entity and it would be impolitic for us to accept that ‘change’ is here if such ‘change’ still leads to the suppression of many a people.

Our type of democracy I dare say is the weakest in world, the type where impunity reigns supreme and skulduggery is celebrated by the political class.

It gets me - when people try to feed me with crude analysis and syllogisms as to why last week’s elections at the National Assembly was within the ambit of the law. I am disoriented to see party men in clear majority - forming leadership positions with a minority party as if they need coalition to form a government like in Israel since the late 1960.

Can party politics ever be strengthened here like it is done in saner climes and not this calculated unimaginative ruse when - we are told that the ouster of individuals from political parties leaves the parties dead needing particular individuals to resuscitate them or parties are the heirlooms of others?

Can our political class act scripts the way Edward Miliband (Labour Party UK) and Nicholas Clegg (Liberal Democrat), did when they resigned their offices as chairmen of their respective parties soon after they lost the last general elections in the UK. Nobody has told us that the parties over there will go into oblivion as a result of their departure.

Politics for them is an opportunity to solve problems and serve the people and not an opportunity to feed.

And we may continue to remain “a developing country with a developing people” unless we consciously choose to evolve because “the more enlightened or evolved a society, the better organized.”

In Nigeria, regrettably, it is either the political class do not have clear-cut political objectives or they never stick to established arrangements and leave the polity in a jumble and people hotter, under the collar.

Political office must be seen as a sacred responsibility that must be discharged with utmost candour and selflessness. * When we make politics a do or die affair, aren’t we perishing ourselves? Can we ever get it right in the practicing of democracy? Democracy does not work in an environment where people seek office by propagating defective concept of dogma. It isn’t called democracy when political players win offices only when they waited to catch people napping. “This is our chance, let’s do it quickly, they have given us the open cheque.”

It is democracy when political players do not brazenly undermine party code of conduct and party principles. I don’t understand our type of democracy—I am sure the west doesn’t either— and does not know what to do about us. We seem to be building situations leading to a state of chaos and it is scary.

I am beginning to see the end of the ‘will of party,’ and in its stead, ‘the will of man; ‘maybe we need to allow for independent candidacy and see if these politicians can win a ward election.

• Simon Abah, Port Harcout, Rivers State.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: From the soothing breeze in the well-lit shores of Shanghai; the busting ramshackle squatters’ colonies, well meshed with the sparkling condominiums of Manila; the world record-shattering skyscrapers of Dubai; the alluring mix of modernity, and antique buildings towering over the skylines of Seoul; the aging famous shipyards and conspicuous cranes of Gdañsk; to the sweltering heat — prancing across the jagged shards of mid-rise edifices, flanking the financial district of Lagos.

Over the past year and a half, I have traversed these narrow alleys and grandiose boulevards of Asian, African, and European cities. In the course of each of these travels, — I pose a flurry of rhetorical questions about Nigeria’s below par performance in terms of ‘visible’ development. One recurring question that I ask myself: “Why are we behind?”

The response, or for the lack of any; a deafening silence ensues, and a few blank stares into the clouds.

One thing is clear, these architectural wonders that beautify the skyline, somewhat defines a country’s level of progress, and the extent of its prioritization of its human capital.

The more sophisticated the buildings and bridges are, the greater the propensity toward the appreciation of human ingenuity in such societies.

Universities are the incubators of knowledge and creativity. Saddening as it may be, no Nigerian university comes anywhere close in ranking of the world’s top 1000 universities. Instead, some of our ‘ivory towers’, are etched in the anecdotal tapestry of its glory days.

Having spent more than two decades of my formative years navigating the daily struggles facing most Nigerians: poor infrastructure, power cuts, routine fuel queues, and endemic levels of corruption. I had unconsciously gotten accustomed to the ubiquitous, red brown earth soil clustering along road kerbs, which

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Nigeria: Africa’s Giant or Basket Case constantly reminded me of the donkey years of catching-up that lies ahead.

The trite saying, “necessity is the mother of all invention,” isn’t just apt in describing the level of decadence in Nigeria. It is forward thinking in every sense of the word, particularly in our contemporary knowledge based economy. No single nation has been successful in lifting a large chunk of its citizens out of the jaws of poverty without ‘innovation.’

Nigeria cannot be an exception to this norm.

Nigeria is a nation replete with inventors, though, of a different kind; and a land of so many firsts.

We are the pioneers of — Yahoo

Yahoo — internet scams fleecing unsuspecting love-starved foreigners, mostly elderly women, of their hard earned ‘hard currency.’ Similarly, our politicians’ cannot be outwitted, they have since mastered the art of making money grow wings and vamoose into thin air, at the stroke of a pen.

Nigeria is not a frugal country. It is an oligarchic enclave administered by a few braggadocious crop of elites, who have left her in an anemic state, with very little blood left to feed their thirsts. Deplorable as the situation may seem, the country’s legislators are among the highest paid in the world. The number of jets in the Presidential fleet is mind boggling. It is comprised

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was formed through alliances to build a formidable opposition that would defeat the former incumbent party PDP and against all odds were able to achieve such feat. But the unity that once held the foundation of the party is shaking, before the National Assembly elections, APC lawmakers who are in their majority at both chambers became consciously and unconsciously inebriated with power. Some of their enemies while the campaigns lasted have automatically turned friends while friends turned enemies.

Hence the dictum: in politics there are no permanent enemies but permanent interests.

The harvest season is here and APC and its members seem not to be reaping their desired harvest. The once united APC are now tearing apart,

IR: In the aftermath of the inauguration of the sixth democratically elected president, the pandering predilections that heralded the outcome of the presidential polls is gradually fading away.

All Progressive Congress (APC), the party that made history by becoming the first to defeat an incumbent party in a presidential election in Nigeria has been in the news for the wrong reasons.

The 8th National Assembly elections in both the Upper and Lower chambers that produced it’s principle leaders after it’s inauguration, Tuesday, June 9 is already causing ripples in the ruling party APC over what it’s leaders postulated that the party’s rules were not adhered to.

APC in the last few months were the envy of all, a political party that

of about 10 aircrafts. Yet, the country’s bureau of statistics estimates that a little over 60 percent of the citizens are subsisting below the poverty line. Many Nigerians doubt the veracity of this statistics, but in fact, it is true. A mere upclose gaze into people’s faces and eyes, reeks of the pervasive hardship in the land.

For Nigeria to turn a new corner, the drummer - the Nigerian state, and the dancer – the citizens, must both learn to play, sing and dance to a new tune. The tiny peninsula nation of South Korea, innovated its way out poverty within a generation. And, now it is a global economic powerhouse with the 13th largest economy. Recent esti-

mates indicate that Korea spends 4% of its GDP on Research and Development, while it is a paltry 0.2% in the case of Nigeria.

The paradox is that, the country’s level of poverty, and its immense wealth are on two opposite poles.

Just last month, in May, the country’s wasteful ways had led the outgoing administration to borrow from overseas to pay workers salaries, a move unheard of in the chequered history of the nation, which drew the ire of well meaning Nigerians.

As President Muhammadu Buhari, an erstwhile stern-looking military dictator and a self confessed ‘born again’ — converted democrat settles in the hallowed chambers of the Nigerian Presidency for the second time: Will he muster the effrontery to swim with grit in the murky and uncharted political waters of Africa’s largest democracy?

• Awele Oguejiofor , University, Korea.

It’s democracy, stupid! internal wrangling have taken over. The talk in town is that APC came together in unity at the national level to depose the former ruling party. Now their mission has been achieved, the true colours of APC members have been revealed.

It’s too early in the day for this harvest of rancour in its fold. Nigerians voted a credible alternative in the last presidential polls that would bring positive change in their lives. The Upper and Lower chambers did sameTuesday last week when the law makers present at both chambers voted Senator Bukola Saraki for senate president, Hon. Yakubu Dogara for Speaker House of Representatives and other principal officers against the wishes of the ruling party.

The precipitous way the new leaders of the National Assembly

emerged is a reminder that Nigeria belongs to nobody but us all.

What seemed impossible in the eyes of a few power brokers has finally come to pass. As far as I am concerned, what happened in both chambers as it has to do with the non-interference of the presidency has deepened our democracy.

APC lawmakers shouldn’t be carried away by legislative decorum.

Rather they should bury their hatchets (if any) and work hand in gloves with its new principal officers in the discharge of their constitutional duties and begin the task of harvesting and rescuing this nation from its decrepit state.

• Joe Onwukeme, unjoeratedjoe@gmail.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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COMMENTS

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Gbajabiamila, as House of HE June 9 National Assembly Representatives Speaker. Mr. showdown, in which All Gbajabiamila though, as former Progressives’ Congress (APC) minority leader, had built a rebel elements routed the party’s official robust pro-people profile, at the choices, underscores the eerie parallel height of PDP rule. between the defunct Social Democratic The Tinubu camp maintains, Party (SDP) of the still-birth 3rd Republic with the SDP experience, the and APC. former Lagos governor only In the face of conservatives’ clear failure wanted APC legislative in governance, SDP and APC dangled the Olakunle chieftains to be trusted hands; to progressive charm (Nigeria-speak for leftlordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola deliver swift legislative support of-centre welfarist ideology); and both for the party’s campaign struck a chord among the longsuffering promises. Even then, the APC electorate. preferred candidates both Both were cobbled together, but in belonged to the CPC/ACN different circumstances. tendencies. That not only united SDP, by a hectoring Ibrahim Babangida young Bola Ahmed Tinubu. military presidency, which sly transition programme wanted to Tinubu’s enemies, inside and outside APC, it also lent the APC Though these “new breed” politicians shared the Awo sell Nigerians a pig in a poke. With the IBB junta rejecting all national leader to combustible allegations of wanting to “corner” progressive ideals (as reportedly Gen. Yar’Adua; as he was reputed freely formed political bodies as registered political parties, but the party and “encircle” the president. to have initiated an Awo-Northern elements rapprochement for imposing own SDP (“a little to the left”) and National Republican At the end, the nPDP bloc installed their own as parliamentary the 1983 presidential election), they were loath to queue behind Convention (NRC — “a little to the right”), the legacy People’s chiefs: Bukola Saraki as senate president and Yakubu Dogara, as the ageing Awo establishment, with their alleged penchant to Solidarity Party (PSP) and People’s Front (PF) forged a somewhat Speaker. impose candidates. forced union.

But that came at the hideous allegation of treachery — Saraki So, when elections into SDP offices came, the richer and more And APC, by a sinking but arrogant ruling Peoples Democratic virtually trading off his own APC faction for bulk PDP support, cohesive PF swept the posts, even if, to PSP, they were the smaller Party (PDP), which forced a free merger, among no less than four that somewhat echoed the 19th century Ilorin Alimi-Afonja partners. That in itself was not bad. opposition political parties — the first successful fusion (as distinct betrayal; and even Senator Saraki’s own political regicide with The tragedy, however, would come with the June 12 annulment from electoral alliance) in Nigerian political history. his late father, the Oloye. crunch. Yar’Adua, the PF leader, must have felt MKO’s mandate Coming together were Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of What is more? The emergence of Ike Ekweremadu, totem of annulment (though after a presidential election) had cancelled Nigeria (ACN), Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive the Saraki-PDP trade-off as deputy senate president, has given the out his own putative SDP presidential candidacy (a process IBB Change (CPC), much wilted All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) South East a toe-hold in a government they massively voted also arbitrarily cancelled), so SDP could start on a clean slate by and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by against. Though that might gall emotionally, it is not necessarily embracing IBB’s dubious Interim National Government (ING), Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha. A faction of the disintegrating bad, with good faith. pending the conduct of another election!

PDP, which dubbed itself the New PDP (nPDP), would later join But from Senator Ekweremadu’s triumphalist crowing after, Though Yar’Adua would die in prison from the political the merger, with the defection of five PDP governors. that seems unlikely. Besides, any attempt to tell loyal South East complications that arose from the June 12 crisis, former Vice What happened on June 9 was, therefore, the legacy segments APC elements that in Ekweremadu they have had their quota, President Atiku Abubakar would carry on the PF banner, albeit fiercely battling for the APC soul. would lead to massive restiveness and discontent. Both might, in under another name, People’s Democratic Movement (PDM). But At SDP, the wrong elements captured the party’s soul. This was due course, come back to haunt Saraki — and the ruling party. in parting ways with PF during the June 12 crisis, Asiwaju Tinubu clear from how the SDP national executive traded away its 12 The APC balance of forces right now? It is a CPC/ACN would find his own political life. Ironically, both Atiku and Tinubu June 1993 presidential mandate, which Chief MKO Abiola won. executive versus an nPDP legislature, with ANPP as party chair! were involved in the June 9 showdown.

The crisis that followed the reckless annulment of that election For institutional check-and-balances, that would appear not so So, was the APC’s then an eerie reincarnation of the SDP power forced Nigeria to its knees. bad — again, if there is good faith. But why would a wounded struggle? Not exactly. Yes, June 9 was a fierce struggle for APC’s Has APC made a better choice than SDP, with the extant balance PDP want APC to succeed? soul. But no, the details were much different. of forces? Time will tell.

If the APC threat to “deal with” rebel elements drives the Saraki For starters, SDP self-aborted after winning power, but before But back to SDP. PSP, a bastion of Western Nigeria Awoists coalition further into the subversive warmth of the old PDP, then forming government. The APC excitement is coming after it has with friends nationwide, fused with PF, the late Shehu Musa the Buhari Presidency could not have made a worse start. But formed government, but before delivering on its campaign Yar’Adua’s sole power machine. Though PF had cells nationwide, with good faith and common sense on both sides, the party’s promises. it was fiercely supported too by young, upwardly mobile tactical error need not lead to strategic doom.

Still, the root would appear a tactical mistake of not appearing professionals from Western Nigeria. In this group was a certain Unfortunately, common sense is not so common — not among to accommodate elements of the nPDP and Governor Okorocha’s emotive and feuding politicians! faction, in sharing the National Assembly offices.

Still, let both sides of the divide know. After June 12 and the ‘After June 12 and the hash PDP APGA Heretofore, ANPP provided the chairman in John Odigie-Oyegun hash the PDP made of the post-1999 Army Arrangement, the popular sentiments have it that he got the post less because Buhari Presidency is the best electoral recipe to get Nigeria back made of the post-1999 Army (though of his party but more by his personal integrity), CPC produced on track, sans a radical constitutional re-tinkering to reconstruct Arrangement, the Buhari Presidency the presidential candidate in President Buhari and ACN, the vice- Nigeria, on radical federal lines. candidate in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

If Buhari fails, it would be more than a failed government. is the best electoral recipe to get presidential Indeed, it would be the final failure of a troubled country — with Somehow, Tinubu’s hands were seen in all three; as in the party’s all the dire consequences. endorsement of Ahmad Lawan for Senate president and Femi Nigeria back on track’

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epublican ipples

Between APC and SDP

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HANK goodness we now have a leader who belongs to no one and to everyone. Now, what could be more needful or timely than the declaration of a ban on intratribal marriages in the country?

As write this piece, I see a country with no citizens. I see a Nigeria without Nigerians. I see only tribes of people.

Everyone around me is either Jukun or Birom or Ijaw. No one is Nigerian and if they are, they are only so nominally and that is the problem. No nation of tribes can prosper and achieve greatness. This is because it is in the nature of tribes to compete and war with each other. War impedes development.

To make Nigeria prosperous and great we need only do two things; the first, create the state and the second, fill up state with citizens. We’ve achieved the first; the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This Republic was not originally a product of our collective initiative but it has since become our making. The British handed down the republic to our fathers. It was not supposed to last but it has and it would endure for a 1000 years! We’ve proved to the world and particularly to ourselves that the idea of Nigeria is a welcomed one, one that has been entrusted to us and one that we can protect, preserve and implement. Our fathers rescued it from the secessionists and our generation is rescuing it from the insurgents. This is very commendable but that is just the first phase in achieving our collective aspiration. We must move on to the second phase.

Phase two presents us with the more challenging task of populating the republic with good citizens; citizens who see themselves not as belonging and pledging allegiance to a certain tribe or community in Nigeria but as members and loyalists to the republic, citizens who primarily, are federalists, citizens who belong to and own every inch of land and space that constitutes the republic, citizens who hail from nowhere but everywhere, citizens who treasure and jealously guard every good resource and good value that is lies in the republic, citizens who are truly patriotic, and truly, truly, Nigerian.

To ensure this, we must turn not to ourselves but to the yet unborn. Permit me to call them, the ‘beautiful ones’. We must ensure that we admit these beautiful ones into the Republic through a national placenta. Hence, the need discourage intratribal marriages and instead, encourage inter-tribal marriages. Again, I say, nothing could be timelier than this.

Should the current regime see the need to pursue a vigorous and very aggressive policy of encouraging inter-tribal marriages across the republic while at the same time discouraging intra-tribal marriage relations, I, for one would give it my unreserved and absolutely best support.

The regime could put in place a new blueprint plan for national peace, unity and security that would among other

Citizens from nowhere but everywhere

By Ikita Umar things; see the NYSC programme entrenched in our constitution, much like was done with the Land Use Act. The Federal Government, could over the next 30 years, mobilize and deploy the republic’s youth by the thousands in a bid to spread, expose and encourage them to intermingle with their counterparts from other parts of the federation and foster peaceful and culturally enriching social interactions and possibly inter-tribal marriages.

The Federal Government may not stop there. She could plan, build and develop more cities in all the 36 states. These cities could be multicultural cities that reflect the federal character of the republic. The grant of occupancy rights in these federal cities could be made evenly to all tribal and ethic affinities in the republic. Every tribe and religious affiliation could be adequately and equally represented in these cities. Furthermore, these federal cities would get special preferences in terms of government investment in infrastructural development.

The Federal Government could grant national recognitions and rewards to couples that venture into inter-tribal marriages and raise children of mixed tribal parentage.

Selected biological issues of these couples could receive scholarship grants and job placements in the wider society. If this is done, soon, a time would come when, the phrase, “Federal Government pikin” refers not to a neglected class of people living with mental disabilities but to everyday, ordinary and beautiful citizens of the republic.

The Federal Government could continue to find creative ways to bring together persons from the several tribes and ethnic groups in the republic. The aim would be to encourage intermingling.

In a few decades from now, this is bound to result in a delightful explosion of a population of persons who are neither here nor there. It would be explosions of persons who see themselves for who they are really are – persons from north, east, west and south of Nigeria. It would result in an explosion of persons with root everywhere that is Nigeria, an explosion of a new breed and a new generation of citizens who would have no cause to separate themselves along petty tribal sentiments. A society dominated by persons who have

no choice but to unite and bond with others like themselves in their mutual pursuit for happiness and prosperity.

This policy if it ever materializes would be without an iota of doubt, an expression of the spirit of our Constitution.

Section 25 of the 1999 Constitution, defines a citizen by birth as a “…person born in Nigeria before the date of independence, either of whose parent or any of whose grandparents belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria”. The drafters of our constitution envisaged the passing away of tribal and ethic affiliations and the emergence of a nation defined and united by a common and higher sentiment. Yes indeed, the drafters of our constitution envisaged death to our tribes!

I, for one, would welcome the news of this kind and kind I trust you would too. This is more important than the anticorruption crusade or the job creation campaign! The peoples of Nigeria need to mingle with one another and the government has to deliberately and vigorously encourage the inter-tribal marriages at the expense of intra-tribal marriages. The predominance and continuance has served only as a recipe of national discord and disunity.

Well, as it is, to the best of my knowledge, the current regime is not thinking of this policy talk less of pursuing it. I believe that’s a shame. Picture a Nigeria full of citizens who hail from nowhere and everywhere led by leaders who belong to no one but to everyone! Granted it would be immoral for the Nigerian government attempt to impose a ban on intratribal marriages but the government can adopt and pursue a policy that would ensure its progressive reduction, something which would secure the republic’s future and bring great benefits to successive generations of Nigerian’s in the long run. What should keep us from advocating and promoting this policy?

“Death to the insurgents! Death to the tribes! Life to the beautiful ones and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”

•Ikita is a Kaduna based solicitor and works with the state university.

‘Picture a Nigeria full of citizens who hail from nowhere and everywhere led by leaders who belong to no one but to everyone!

Granted it would be immoral for the Nigerian government attempt to impose a ban on intratribal marriages but the government can adopt and pursue a policy that would ensure its progressive reduction, something which would secure the republic’s future and bring great benefits to successive generations of Nigerian’s in the long run’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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AYS have turned into weeks since May 29, when Muhammadu Buhari assumed office as President of Nigeria. But the much promised change is nowhere in sight and seems to have died with the election campaigns. The President’s most ardent supporters and loyalists are already running out of excuses for the apparent inaction that has characterised his government, unless you are counting foreign trips, which are becoming the hallmark of his presidency.

To be clear, no one expected a transformation of the country in a few weeks after years of rot. But no one can see the baby steps that would indicate that change is in the offing. We are seeing the same unprincipled horse-trading in the sharing of political offices, with scant regard for competence and track record. Even the promised public declaration of assets, which was supposed to signal a new style of leadership, has not happened. What is supposed to be a simple proactive release to the public of the assets declaration form submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau has become a complicated, long-winded explanation clouded in sophistry.

We are now being told that the declaration of assets made by the President and the Vice President and submitted to the bureau will be and can only be disclosed to the public after the bureau has verified them. A critical question here is: Why? There appears to be logical answer to this question.

What Candidate Buhari promised to disclose to Nigerians was not assets verified by the bureau. What he is supposed to disclose to Nigerians is what he has declared to the bureau. A major reason why a public declaration of assets is critically important is so that citizens can be part of the verification process. If a public officer has assets that he or she has not declared, there is no

Change must start now!

By Edetaen Ojo way the bureau can know this on its own, unless citizens are aware of what the public officer has declared and can come forward with information on assets that have not been declared or any aspect of the declaration that is false, inaccurate or incomplete.

At this time, there is no legal or constitutional impediment preventing the President from making public the Declaration of Assets he has submitted to the bureau. The only impediment right now appears to be the fact that the President has developed cold feet. Unless, of course, he never meant to disclose his assets publicly, to begin with.

The failure of President Buhari to immediately fulfill his promise, voluntarily made in order to win the trust and confidence of Nigerians, and therefore secure their votes, will have grave implications for his credibility and consequently, the credibility of his government. For his own sake and for the sake of Nigeria, we have to urge him to make good on this promise.

Since the President also promised to encourage all his appointees to declare their assets publicly as part of his pledge to run a clean government, it is obvious that if he has not made a public declaration of his own assets, he would have no moral authority to encourage anyone else to do so.

He would also be sending a wrong signal to his appointees that he does not always mean what he says publicly. This would be disastrous for governance.

Such a situation would also be sad for another reason; namely the knowledge that

President Buhari must appreciate that he has raised the hopes of Nigerians and that he stands on the cusp of a new era. Never before have so many Nigerians been so invested in a government and so hopeful of positive change. Given the clear tasks before him and the goodwill he currently enjoys, if he disappoints Nigerians, he would have done more damage to the country than all the leaders before him put together and history will judge him harshly for it.

A

SO Villa, the seat of Nigeria’s presidency, continues to elicit public interest. As Leon Usigbe of the Nigerian Tribune June 1 reminds the reader, “It is the seat of power, a security zone, highly sensitive and secretive”; an “esoteric conclave” where news hunt “may mean digging for trouble”.

In his piece, “The Villa and the media”, Usigbe provides useful material on challenges of information management for the media and the presidential spokesperson.

He reminds readers that the spokesperson’s job is seen as glamorous because of the visibility and access the demands of the office confer on the occupant. The downside is the frustrations the spokesperson faces from meddlesome colleagues who fancy themselves all as experts on the media and are ever ready to offer gratuitous advice to the president but who are not called to answer for the failure of such counsel. He posits that the situation is worse where a spokesperson lacks “strong personal relationship with the president (and) is not able to counter the forces against him by exploiting his personal contacts with the president”.

Usigbe highlights various former presidential spokespersons and gives his verdict on their place in Villa history. Three things are of interest to me in his article: the official designation of the head of the president’s media team, the media’s expectations from the officer, and the issue of welfare of journalists. He reminds us that the designation now reads Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) as against the previous Senior Special Assistant. Beyond the routine organisation of press briefings after the weekly federal executive council meetings and issuance of press releases, Usigbe identifies people-management skills as it involves the State House correspondents as most important for a spokesperson to succeed.

“The success or failure of the adviser on media starts with the way he deals with members of the State House Press Corps who necessarily feed virtually all the news outlets around the

they would be required to declare their assets publicly is one thing that could perhaps have discouraged some political jobbers intent only on lining their pockets from taking up political offices.

Another issue which has implications for governance is the mode of appointment of government officials, particularly ministers.

Already, the signs are that the sharing of political offices remains that same nasty and messy business of “survival of the fittest” that it has always been in Nigeria.

There is no debate about who is best qualified to run what. The considerations appear to remain who comes from where and who is loyal to whom. That is not change.

For a while, the impression was promoted that the President could not constitute his team because the National Assembly had not been inaugurated and, as such, the Senate to confirm his ministerial nominees was inchoate. The National Assembly has now been inaugurated with the Senate and its leadership in place, but there remains no progress on this front.

In any event, when the President finally gets round to appointing his ministers, how he manages the process would be another indication of whether we are in for more of the same or whether change is truly coming to Nigeria.

The established practice is that the President sends a list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation with no indication as to the portfolios that they will occupy. In the screening process, therefore, the Senate really has no way of assessing their competence or qualifications for the positions that they will ultimately occupy, having no information whatsoever in this regard.

Although this practice does not violate the requirement of the Constitution, it has encouraged the use of such political appointments for mere political patronage which does not serve the best interest of the country. We have frequently seen the most incompetent of persons appointed to sensitive ministries, including Defence, with no consideration given to their qualifications, experience, competence or track record. Besides, such officials take office with no clue as to what is required of them.

Citizens also do not know what is required of the appointees and are therefore unable

to effectively assess their performance.

President Buhari needs to address this problem within the framework of his reform agenda. Two options are open to him in this regard and he can apply either or both options.

The first option is for President to send this list of ministers to the Senate for confirmation with their prospective portfolios indicated. That way, a meaningful screening process can take place, with public engagement, where the qualifications, experience and track records of the prospective ministers for their positions are assessed and they are required to outline their plans and priorities before they are confirmed.

Their performance can subsequently be assessed by both the President and the public against their stated plans and priorities or the deliverables they promised. Although the Constitution does not require this, it does not preclude it either and a President who is serious about bringing about fundamental changes in governance can implement this reform and establish it as standard practice for future Presidents.

The second option is for the President to issue every political appointee, including his ministers, with “Terms of Reference” and very concrete deliverables that are disclosed to the public. These terms of reference and deliverables will be based on the clear priorities in the different sectors, even if there is no public input and they are based solely on what the President and his inner caucus consider to be the priorities. In this way, the President, his officials and the public all have a common understanding of what is expected of the appointees and can assess their performance. The current practice where people are appointed to offices and they simply dither in office for the duration of their appointments has contributed significantly to the mess that the country finds itself.

President Buhari must appreciate that he has raised the hopes of Nigerians and that he stands on the cusp of a new era. Never before have so many Nigerians been so invested in a government and so hopeful of positive change. Given the clear tasks before him and the goodwill he currently enjoys, if he disappoints Nigerians, he would have done more damage to the country than all the leaders before him put together and history will judge him harshly for it.

So the change must start now!

• Ojo is Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, a non-governmental organization based in Lagos.

Villa and its spokespersons

By Lanre Idowu country and throughout the world,” he submits.

Usigbe decries snobbery, accusing Reuben Abati, the immediate past occupant of the office, as spurning “the opportunity for a productive relationship with members of the State House Press Corps, who as the primary sources of direct news of the president and his wife, could have helped to manage the more sensitive aspects of such stories before they became distractions for the First Family”.

He charges that “there was not a single meeting between Jonathan and the State House correspondents in his five years as president, not even for a press conference”.

The third issue was the charge of lack of attention to correspondents’ welfare, which Usigbe said “was enough motivation for many to turn against the president and become susceptible to the machinations of the then opposition”.

At the appropriate time, I am sure Abati will oblige the public with an account of his years in government, explaining why he did what he did and didn’t do. As a professional with abiding interest in the state of information flows, I have heard stories of correspondents with exaggerated importance of their mission. I have heard of subtle and not subtle attempts at blackmail to make spokespersons do their bidding. The issue of welfare in government circles often revolves round getting some under-the-counter benefits beyond legitimate income and I wonder how it has grown to nurture a sense of entitlement. I recall that the issue also featured in The Guardian’s May 28 front page report, “Inside Jonathan’s Aso Villa” where The Guardian’s duo of Madu Onuorah and Mohammed Abubakar tell us of despondency

in the Villa on learning “there is not going to be any parting gift for them” in the twilight of the Jonathan administration.

We must thank Usigbe for sharing his perspective. Perhaps we should encourage him to go a step further to throw more light on issues hinted at by emulating a former State House correspondent, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, who shared his experience in the 2003 book, Inside Aso Rock. Such books by our journalists are not only necessary for their professional accomplishment, they equally help to deepen public understanding of our public institutions and how they can be strengthened to serve the public better.

That is in the future realm. The matter at hand now is that the Buhari administration has announced two appointments for the media office combining the two designations in two officers. Whilst Femi Adesina is the special adviser, Garba Shehu is the senior special assistant. It is not clear who will be doing what in the long run, but so far Shehu is the one issuing most of the releases about the president’s activities and clarifying issues.

I recall that in recent years, it was during the Umaru Yar’Adua presidency, 2007-2010, that we had a cabinet-status adviser in Segun Adeniyi; a position retained by Goodluck Jonathan in appointing Abati. Both men were served by other aides who operated behind the scene. Now under Buhari both offices indicative of departmental headship are to be occupied for the first time by two different individuals with interesting credentials. Both have headed their professional bodies, the Nigerian Guild of Editors; Shehu, 1995-98, and Adesina, 2012-2015. Whilst Shehu was part of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s blistering media team, 1999-2006, Adesina was managing director and editor-in-chief at the Sun newspapers, 2011-2015. Whilst

Shehu’s previous experience at the Villa and his coordination of candidate Buhari’s media campaign confer some advantage, Adesina’s recent position as NGE president gives him close access to current gatekeepers that can be well utilized.

How to blend the great attributes of both gentlemen into a cohesive whole to run an effective information machinery for the presidency is a challenge that must be settled early. Otherwise it might prove a handful placing two presidents under the same roof.

• Idowu is Supervising Trustee of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

‘I have heard stories of correspondents with exaggerated importance of their mission. I have heard of subtle and not subtle attempts at blackmail to make spokespersons do their bidding. The issue of welfare in government circles often revolves round getting some under-thecounter benefits beyond legitimate income and I wonder how it has grown to nurture a sense of entitlement’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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24

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

25 The problem, which we side-step, is the lack of strong ’independent institutions that should, wage war against cor-

ruption, protect a fair national economy, provide security of lives and property, protect the national geographical integrity, and solve other myriad manifestations of our nation’s debilitating under-development

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 39

Did the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and House Speaker violate the law? Yes, say some constitutional lawyers; no, argue others. They all agree that the matter be taken to court, writes ERIC IKHILAE.

• Saraki

•Dogara

Lawyers: Let court decide Saraki’s fate P

INSIDE:

OLITRICKS was at its height in Abuja last week when, against the plan of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bukola Saraki (Kwara State) and Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi) emerged Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker.

Its lawmakers-elect had, during a straw poll elected Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe State and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos) for the positions.

But Saraki and his supporters boycotted the session; Dogara’s loyalists protested Gbajabiamila’s choice.

In the wee hours of June 8, the day set for the proclamation of the Eighth National Assembly, APC’s legislators-elect were invited to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. The meeting, it was learnt, was intended to further educate them on the rationale behind the party’s decision.

While loyal party members went for the meeting, others headed for the National Assembly. It was at the meeting venue that Lawan and his group saw on television Saraki’s emergence as Senate President.

Review Arbitration Act, says SAN -Page 27

‘Observers are blaming the development on multiple factors, including party leaders’ inability to sacrifice selfambition/interest for national good, lack of internal democracy and APC’s inability to discard its opposition mentality’ When they raced to the National Assembly, it ws too late for them to do anything.They met Saraki wielding the gavel, the symbol of authority of his office. APC also lost the Deputy Senate President’s seat to Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The dust is settling over the matter. The party has reversed its position to sanction Saraki and others; Gbajabiamila has put the episode behind him and expressed his willingness to work with the House leadership.

Observers are blaming the development on multiple factors, including party leaders’ inability to sacrifice

How democracy can survive, by Alegeh -Page 38

self-ambition/interest for national good, lack of internal democracy and APC’s inability to discard its opposition mentality. The party, they added, must overcome the euphoria of its electoral victory and come to terms with the reality of being in power.

They argued that since last Tuesday’s legislative businesses were conducted on the floors of both chambers and quorum met as required, the legality of Saraki’s and Dogara’s emergence may not be an issue. To them, what should concern all are issues of morality, the need to entrench internal party democracy and for political players to subject themselves to party supremacy.

Observers noted that APC’s near loss of the National Assembly leadership resulted mainly from membership indiscipline, caused by conflict in their understanding of party supremacy, party discipline and the need for legislative independence, within the context of the doctrine of separation of powers.

They contended that in true democracy, the party, on whose platform every candidate rises to power, •Continued on page 26

As APC legislators defy their party -Page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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LAW COVER CONT’D Alleged war crimes: Group seeks service chiefs’ suspension

By Joseph Jibueze

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•Sagay

• Magaji

•Adegboruwa

Lawyers: Let court decide Saraki’s fate •Continued from page 25

is supreme. Every member, having subscribed to the party’s ideology, is directed by the party’s interest. Its positions on issues are binding on all members, who have subscribed to its ideology and values. An act of disobedience, as exhibited by some APC members on June 8, is seen as betrayal and rebellion, and treated as such.

Observers, however, noted that it is too early for anyone to seek strict adherence to the time tested principle of party supremacy among Nigerian politicians, in a political environment devoid of party ideology, and where political participation is driven solely by selfinterest (with scant regard for national interest); avaricious tendencies (as against selflessness in service); individual good (as against the general good), among other crude philosophies.

They also argued that because of the nation’s recent political history and the fact that the political amalgam called APC is still fragile, the party needs to tread softly and continue to accommodate members’ excesses.

They warned that a rash application of the rod could result in inflamed disaffection, which could scare away members, capable of serving as the party’s assets. Democracy, they argued, thrives on the effective management of conflicting interests for the good of all.

Lawyers have equally examined the legal and moral implications of the matter. Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), President Augustine Alegeh (SAN), Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), Mahmud Magaji (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa proffer divergent views.

Alegeh argued that Saraki’s and Dogara’s emergence as leaders of both chambers of the National Asembly is not illegal. He said it is a moral issue and not a legal one.

Alegeh said the 57 senators, who were in the chamber when the election of Saraki took place were enough to form a quorum, and that having formed a quorum; the decision taken at the time was binding on the Senate.

He urged the APC to quickly resolve its internal conflict to avoid the kind of errors that resulted in PDP’s implosion.

“Inaugurating the National Assembly is considered as an ordinary business and for an ordinary business, the requirement of a quorum is one-third. So, legally, there was a quorum. You can argue from a moral perspective but legally, it is in order.”

“The general election was held in March/April and we are in June. There was enough time for the party to meet with the lawmakers and agree on all these issues. Why wait till the last minute? We must understand that if a time had been fixed for the inauguration, one would expect that all those who want to be inaugurated, given the importance of that event, should have

arrived on time.

“The Clerk of the National Assembly, who is in charge of determining such, said there was a quorum. It will be difficult for me to fault that. We must understand that the National Assembly belongs to the entire country and parties from both sides are members of the Assembly.

So, for a meeting of one of the parties to lead to the closure of the Assembly would be unfair. The issue that led to some PDP members joining the APC should not be quickly forgotten,” Alegeh said.

Sagay argued that the process leading to Saraki’s emergence was fraudulent.

He also queried Saraki’s moral credentials.

“If you look at the moral point of view, that purported election was fraudulent.

When you purport to hold an election deliberately in the absence of your opponent, knowing that he is absent, and intending to win at any cost unopposed by ensuring that absence, that constitutes fraud.

“Not only that, I think it’s an act of gross indiscipline, not just against his party, but against the whole country because we are all stakeholders in the electoral process, in who becomes the Senate President and we all felt cheated because there was no proper election.

Again, it’s also an act of gross impunity.

“In effect, he was saying ‘I know my opponent is keenly interested in contesting, I know my opponent is not here yet, and therefore, I will rush an election in his absence in order to be certain of victory at any cost.’ It’s absolutely unacceptable in a decent democracy.

“My opposition to his sitting illegitimately in that office is not because of his (Saraki’s) “baggage”; he may not be my first choice. But if he had won legitimately, in a fair, square and equitable way, I would have no objection. Yes, he has a huge baggage.

Presently as far as I know, he’s under investigation and possibly a lot of inquiry by the EFCC. The matter has not been cleared.

Normally, it would be better for the first arm of government – that is what the legislature is, and he is the third most senior political personality in the country – for that person to have a clear table; not to have any baggage hanging around his neck.

“This is because if you have a heavy baggage like that hanging on your neck, and you’re presiding over such an important establishment, then that establishment is also going to carry that heavy weight of a burden along with you, and it will necessarily affect the respect and intergrity which his decisions will have and the whole process of operation of that institution will be impeded by that heavy load,”

Sagay said.

Magaji praised the party for the matured way it has chosen to handle the issue, and for not insisting on sanctioning Saraki and others.

He said it was dangerous for the party, at this stage, to seek to be dictatorial.

He urged the party to be magnanimous and learn to accommodate the interest of its members, particularly those who risked their all for its success.

Adegboruwa, who contended that the issue of legitimacy was not in question here, noted that whether one goes by the simple majority of 55 Senators, as prescribed by the Constitution, or that of 38 Senators, as prescribed by the Rules of the Senate, the Senate leadership was properly and validly elected.

“It is indeed unfortunate, that some Senators chose not to be present at the inauguration, for whatever reasons.

Their absence, without lawful excuse, will not invalidate the proceedings of the Senate of June 9, 2015.

“Upon proclamation of the Senate by the President through the Clerk, the business of the Senate had commenced.

There was then immediately a transition of power, from the President to the Clerk. The only duty of the Clerk was to proclaim.

“The immediate assignment after that is the election of the principal officers, especially that of the Senate President and his Deputy. That could not be postponed to await the APC senators, whatever party assignment that they had secured for themselves temporarily.

“The best option before APC presently, is not some specious or cloudy legal process, but rather a political solution, if it can muster enough will and support, to remove the principal officers already elected, on the floors of their respective Houses.

“But that will be a needless distraction, as we need the Senate urgently, to settle down to appoint other principal officers, to constitute the committee members and most importantly, to approve the much awaited ministerial list, of the President.

“APC as a political party cannot hold Nigeria to ransom, due purely to its own internal crisis. It precipitated this whole problem, through the illegal and sham mock elections that it arrogantly conducted, as a demonstration of its bogus prowess and political dominance, which was clearly unnecessary.

“My very humble advice is that the APC should lie low and let Nigeria move forward. Nigerians voted for APC in order to depart from this feudalistic dominance of the political space, by some set of people, and we cannot seek to be going back to the PDP vomit, that we have all gloriously escaped from,” Adegboruwa said.

RIGHTS group, the Access to Justice (AJ), has urged the Federal Government to investigate allegations of war crimes by Nigeria’s military.

It said the service chiefs, especially the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, should “step aside” to ensure credible inquiry into the allegations by the Amnesty International (AI).

AI, on June 3, released a report titled: Stars on their shoulder; blood on their hands. The report and accompanying video allege that the Nigerian military have committed countless acts of torture, extra-judicially executed more than 1,200 people, arbitrarily arrested at least 20,000 people, which include mostly young men and boys and at least 7,000 people have died in military detention in the course of undertaking counterterrorism operations in Northeast.

AJ, in a statement by its Executive Director Joseph Otteh and Programme Officer Imuekemhe Emike Jessica, said it was appalled and outraged by the allegations detailed in this report, adding that they constitute grave, deplorable and mindboggling violations of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

“The war against terrorism is no excuse for the horrendous slaughter and willful killing of persons who have not been determined to have any links to terror or terrorist organisations. A war strategy that fails to uphold internationally recognised rules of engagement or that systematically ensures the death of captured persons is pernicious, atrocious and flawed, and creates serious legal liabilities for those who fashion or implement it.

“For this purpose, we demand: that all the serving military officers named in the AI report proceed on compulsory leave from their current duties to safeguard against risks of interference with any investigations that would be conducted into the allegations; “That Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and Lt. General Ken Minimah, Chiefs of Defence Staff and Army Staff, immediately step down from office or proceed on compulsory leave to make way for investigations into the allegations contained in the AI report.

“Allegations of grave and massive human rights violations by military forces have seriously dented Nigeria’s image nationally and internationally and this needs to change. A2Justice urges President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about real democratic ‘change’ in the conduct of military counter-terrorism operations and ensure that Nigeria abides by its national and international obligations to protect and respect human rights and comply with internationally binding rules of warfare.

“This will improve Nigeria’s standing and brighten prospects of winning international support to defeat the scourge of terrorism; we also urge President Buhari to ensure that impunity by security and law enforcement agencies, which is often implicated in the conduct of a vast range of security and law enforcement operations in Nigeria is fought and stamped out with relentless determination and vigour.

“Applying the rule of law to the fight against terrorism will increase the chances of winning that war and restoring security and safety to Nigerians. The failure of the Nigerian government to investigate the allegations in the AI report will be tantamount to breaching its international obligations,” AJ said.

The military had denied any wrongdoing. Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said: “It is unfortunate that the organisation just went out to gather names of specified senior officers in a calculated attempt to rubbish their reputation as well as the image of the military. The action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose.”

He added that the latest allegations smacked of extreme bias, “which is disturbing coming from an otherwise reputable organisation that is expected to be just and fair to all.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, last Friday, vowed to investigate the AI report.

“The president is quite disturbed by the allegations contained in the report.

The next step is to look into the allegations and confirm or disprove the disturbing details,” he said.

•Otteh

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY Over five years after Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited appealed a 2010 Court of Appeal judgment directing it to accept responsibility for the employment of 860 Nigerians it engaged as security personnel, the company is ‘foot-dragging and unwilling’ to ensure prompt determination of the case which arose from a15-year-old dispute, ERIC IKHILAE reports.

Review Arbitration Act, says SAN

O

UTGOING chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Abuja Chapter, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), has called for a review of the Arbitration Act. He spoke while handing over to the new Chairman, Prof. Paul Idornigie, at the Janada International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (JICAM), Garki, Abuja.

He said: “I propose that we also channel our efforts into promoting the enactment of modern Arbitral and ADR legislation.

“The Arbitration and Conciliation Act is well overdue for a radical overhaul and the Arbitration legislation in a number of States are, to say the least, archaic.

“As ambassadors of ADR, I encourage members of the Chapter to join in the collective effort for positive change in this regard.”

Gadzama said he could not have succeeded without the support of his committee.

“What I found most inspiring during my tenure was the sheer commitment of our members at all levels,” he said.

He disclosed moves to make the chaprter a branch. To that effect, he met with the institute’s Director-General Mr. Anthony Abrahams in London.

“I am confident that the new Chapter Committee will sternly

,

By John Austin Unachukwu

pursue this collective aim. I am also very appreciative to members of the Chapter for supporting and actively endorsing our desire to become a Branch. The Chapter’s membership has grown significantly during my tenure as Chairman,” he said.

Gadzama urged the institute to continue to fight obnoxious policies.

He said the chapter played a key role in the withdrawal of the National Alternative Dispute Resolution (Regulatory Commission) Bill which sought to regulate in Nigeria.

“In its report delivered in April 2015, the Committee recommended that the Bill be withdrawn. Credit is due to members of the Abuja Chapter for the work they carried out in effectively putting an end to this obnoxious Bill.

“However, we must not sit on our laurels. There is much work still to be done. We can all support the new Chapter Committee by paying our dues diligently, by actively attending and participating in meetings, and happily volunteering our precious time when called upon to do so, thus becoming brand ambassadors for our growing Chapter, which by God’s grace, will soon become a Branch,” Gadzama added.

15 years after, fate of 860 Mobil ‘staff’ unknown

A

• Gadzama

•Prof. Idornigie

,

•From left: Mrs Ogwemoh, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Mrs Bisi Akodu and Mr Tunde Ogungbamilla at the event

Firm opens new arbitration, mediation centre

T

HE law firm of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) has opened its new arbitration and mediation centre at 10 Ilabere Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Its Director Mrs Priscilla Ogwemoh, said OAL provides legal services to a broad spectrum of clients.

Its practice areas include Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), litigation, banking and finance, corporate and commercial law practice, maritime, energy and natural resources to mention a few.

Ogwemoh said: “As a responsive commercial lawyers, OAL understands that clients now try to avoid litigation as a first option in resolution of commercial, dispute.

“Companies and private individuals now require new ways to circumvent the slow judicial process and encourage accelerated and quick resolution of disputes.

“The firm became one of the

By John Austin Unachukwu

foremost law firms in Nigeria to introduce law firm annexed ADR Centre, a destination where disputes are amicably resolved out of court to the satisfaction of client’s commercial exigencies.

“To satisfy its clientele and interested public, OAL recently expanded and relocated the ADR center to Ilabere Avenue, Ikoyi. The beautifully designed office and its new loca-

tion depict taste for serenity, accessibility and exclusivity.

“The center will provide services including designing and setting up of Alternative Dispute Resolution Framework peculiar to companies operations, representation in arbitration and ADR proceedings as well provide design for mono or hybrid ADR systems depending on evaluation and assessment of company operations and dispute scenarios.”

Don presents book on commercial law

H

EAD of Department of Commercial Law, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Paul Idornigie will present his book Commercial Arbitration law and practice in Nigeria on July 13, 2015 by 10am.

Venue is the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Cente, Central Area, Abuja.

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

President Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) is the presenter; Prof. Mohammed Akanbi of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin is the book reviewer; the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. H. B. Mafuyai is the special guest of honour,while former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim will chair the event.

S last the count, about 120 of them have died. Although some have either resigned or retired, many are still in service, hoping that one day, the Supreme Court will determine the status of their employment with multi-national oil giant, Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited.

Okon Johnson, now in his late 60s and some of his surviving colleagues left the Supreme Court dejected on June 1, this year when the court, yet again, adjourned hearing in their case, with no substantial progress made.

They had expected a major development having waited for over five years for the court to determine an appeal initiated by Mobil.

Johnson is one of the 860 Nigerians Mobil employed in late 90s as security personnel to secure its assets in Lagos, Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Eket and Quo-Ibo in Akwa Ibom State.

Dispute about whether their employment status arose in early 2000 when the about 27 of them in Eket were issued transfer letters by the Nigeria Police Force, indicating their transfer to Lagos.

The 27 rejected the purported transfer on the ground that they were not personnel of the Nigeria Police. They complained to Mobil, who claimed it had transferred their employment to the Nigeria Police and thus raising the question of whether the company could alter the terms of their employment without their knowledge and consent.

It is the workers’ claim that they were employed and paid by the oil company (as reflected in their employment letters tendered in evidence in court); that they were only trained by the police on security operations (under an arrangement between Mobil and the Nigeria Police Force), and that they are entitled to the same benefits as other employees of the oil company.

On its part, the oil company insists that they should look up to the police for their benefits and other entitlements because it engaged them as supernumerary (SPY) police personnel and not actual staff.

In the early stage of the dispute, the worker took the matter to the Amnesty International, Council of Chiefs in Akwa Ibom State and Public Complaints Commission in the state for intervention. The three institutions urged amicable settlement and recommended that Mobil accept the Nigerians as its employees based on fact that it had directly employed them, a position Mobil rejected, forcing the 860 employees to head for the court.

They sued at the Federal High Court, Uyo, which in 2006 held in their favour, prompting the company to appeal to the Court of Appeal, Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

The appellate court also held in the workers’ favour in its judgment of May 21, 2009.

In a unanimous decision, Justices Ngolika Orji-Abadua, Kumai Akaahs and Jean Omokri, who sat on the appeal, held that the Nigerians could not be regarded as staff of the Nigeria Police because “the circumstances, nature, procedure and methods of their employment were not in harmony with the provision of sections 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the Nigeria Police Act.” The justices added that, considering the contract of employment the workers entered with the company, the workers “are not members of the Nigeria Police and are there-

fore, not entitled to be called supernumerary policemen nor to wear or use police uniform or any police kit or insignia calculated to show or portray them as policemen.”

They ordered Mobil to stop compelling the Nigerians, who served as guards, “to sign the document entitled: ‘Mobil Producing Nigeria status agreement for supernumerary police service conditions’ as same seeks to contravene or breach the provisions of Section 18 of the Nigeria Police Act.” Unsatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, Calabar, Mobil appealed to the Supreme Court in 2010. It also applied to the Court of Appeal, Calabar to stay execution of its judgment pending the outcome of the appeal at the Supreme Court, an application the appellate court dismissed for lacking in merit, prompting it to file similar appeal before the apex court.

Since Mobil lodged its appeal at the Supreme Court in 2010, it has taken no major steps to ensure its prompt determination. Most adjournments have been at its instance. The Supreme Court’s suggestion that parties explore out-ofcourt settlement became unsuccessful mainly in view of the company’s unwillingness to yield its position.

When parties returned to court on June one, it was also the unpreparedness on Mobil that foisted an adjournment on the court, prompting the Justice Ibrahim Muhammad led five-man bench to impose N100,000 cost on the company.

Mobil had, on the previous hearing date earlier this year, informed the court about its intention to amend its appeal to include other grounds other than that of law. But on June 1, when its lawyer, Roland Obaji stood up to move an application seeking the court’s consent to introduce the amendment, the court found that what he filed were defective.

Lawyer to the workers, Femi Falana (SAN) protested Obaji’s action, noting that the appellant was merely delay proceedings. He noted that parties have filed and exchanged briefs and that the amendment sought by Mobil was to circumvent the ground of objection his clients raised in their notice of objection.

Ruling, Justice Muhammad elected to further accord Mobil enough time to put its house in order. He awarded N100,000 cost against the company, in favour of the workers and adjourned to October 5.

• Chairman Mobil Nigeria Nolan O'Neal

28

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NATIONAL BAR NINTH NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION ON BUSINESS LAW (NBA-SBL) CONFERENCE IN LAGOS

•Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) flanked by former SBL Chair Mr. Gbenga Oyebode (left) and SBL Chairman Mr. Asue Ighodalo

•From left: Mr. Sam Aibony; former NBA President Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN); SBL Vice-Chairman Olu Akpata and SBL Council Member Mena Ajakpovi

•Former Head of Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan (left) and Chairman NBA Human Rights Institute Justice Amina Augie

•From left: Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Mr. Bello Mahmud; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council Mr. Hassan Bello; Mrs. Nella Andem Rabana (SAN) and her husband Lawal Rabana (SAN).

•From left: Assistant Secretary NBA Ikeja branch Mr. Adeyemi Abijo; former Special Assistant to Gov Liyel Imoke on Youth Affairs Dr. Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe and NBA President Augustine Alegeh (SAN)

•From left: Mr. Paul Harris Ogbole; pioneer SBL Chairman Mr. George Etomi and Chairman NBA Abuja branch Mr. Elachi Agada

•From left: Mr. Godfrey Etikerentse; Chairman SBL Conference Planning Committee Mr. Ayuli Jemide and his wife Wini.

•From left: Former NBA General Secretary, Mr Dele Adesina (SAN); former NBA President Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Mr. Akin Osinbajo and Dele Adesina Jnr.

•From left: Mr. Tunde Busari (SAN); NBA General Secretary Mazi Afam Osigwe and Chairman NBA Conference Planning Committee Otunba Dele Oye

•From left: SBL council members Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh, Mr. Theophilus Emuwa and SBL Secretary Mr. Seni Adio PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE N

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

The hopes of residents of Jos, the Plateau State capital, with regard to good infrastructure were buoyed with several road projects begun by ex-Governor Jonah Jang. When he flagged off some road projects, especially at the twilight of his tenure, residents were confident that in no time, the problem of inadequate roads in the city would be in the trashcan of history. But YUSUF AMINU IDEGU writes that contrary to their expectations, the residents are experiencing hardship due to the many uncompleted roads.

PAGE 29

INSIDE Glorious past of Aminu Kano airdrome

PAGE 30

Kwara, NGOs unite against childhood killer diseases

PAGE 31

•Motorists experiencing hardship

Plateau’s many roads of pains A

T the moment, Jos, the Plateau State capital is a ghost of itself. The city has lost its beauty, its attractions, its allure, its nature. The city has fallen short of been at its best. The current sorry situation of the famous Tin City was necessitated by what residents described as ‘bad government policies and misplacement of priority’ by the immediate past administration of Jonah David Jang.

The immediate past administration left the city in a very bad shape with a good number of uncompleted projects scattered all over the city. Though the lists of uncompleted projects are unlimited, the one that is causing severe pains to residents of the city is the road projects; particularly that which commenced from the Secretariat Junction at Yakubu Gowon Way through to Maraba Jamaa Round-about. The road project cut across the city centre of Jos and remained the longest and most popular street in the city.

Jos is a city that has no ring

‘From the information available to me, the contractor has no reason for stopping the construction work since he has claimed 60 per cent of the contract sum from the last administration of Jonah Jang. I have directed the contractor to return to site and complete the road project to alleviate the hardship our people are experiencing.

You can’t just deface the city roads and abandon it like that for no good reason’ road that takes visitors and motorists out of the city with ease. This implies that motorists that must travel through Jos city to another destination must pass through Yakubu Gowon Way. The village “Maraba Jamaa”, where the road begins means “Welcome to Jos”.

This means, the street leads travelers or motorists into the city centre.

The road project, which was embarked upon at the twilight of Jang administration began in June last year. It was an unexpected expe-

dition by an outgoing government, but residents saw the venture as a good one for the city and prayed that the administration would complete it before its tenure elapses on May 29, this year.

The people believed the administration’s promise with regard to the completion of the project, considering the fact that it had continued to re-emphasise and assure the people that it will not leave any project uncompleted at the end of its tenure.

In truth, the achievements of the eight-year tenure of Jonah Jang could be said to be in road projects.

However, majority of the roads are not completed. He initiated a five kilometer road project for each of the 17 local government areas.

The project began within the first two years of his first term, but some of those roads remained uncompleted till he left office.

Given this scenario, the hardship encountered by motorists plying the city of Jos is similar to what those in the rural areas are currently experiencing. Some say the awful experience motorists go through in the rural areas as a result of abandoned road projects far outweighs that which residents experience in Jos city.

However, given the number of vehicles that plies the roads in the city, the situation is obviously worse in the state capital. When there is no rain, the roads are dusty which makes the atmosphere constantly charged in the day. When it rains, the uncompleted roads be•Continued on page 30

Varsity don needs N10m to survive

PAGE 32

Increasing tempo against Boko Haram

PAGE 36

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Plateau’s many roads of pains •Continued from page 29

come muddy and filled with potholes.

While the construction of the road began in June last year, motorists endured the traffic gridlock. Everyone had to make do with one lane of the road as the second lane was closed for construction.

People prayed the hardship would end soon. But suddenly, the construction company handling the project abandoned the site, causing road users to undergo indescribable hardship.

The roundabouts under construction were worse, especially those of Old Airport Junction, Secretariat Junction, Miango Junction, Zaramaganda Junction, D B Zang Junction, Zawan Junction as well as Vom Junction.

The abandoned road has made a mess of traffic orders. Motorists now scramble for space on the narrow lane. Some, willingly or unwillingly, go against traffic rules, by driving against traffic. This, invariably, results in traffic gridlock, as traffic warden find it taxing to make road users comply with traffic rules.

Being helpless, they only standby and watch the drama as motorists out twist one another.

The overhead bridge project initiated by the Jang administration and regarded as one of the biggest in the North Central is now an ugly sight. It is still stands uncompleted.

Jude Maduka, a resident of Bukuru who owns a shop on Ahmadu Bello Way Jos said: “I don’t know why this man decided to punish us like this. Before, it takes one only 20 minutes to travel from Bukuru to Jos. Now it takes one an hour. One burns more fuel, wastes more time and my shock absorber gets weak faster. This is punishment of the highest order. The man should have left the road the

way he met it. We don’t deserve this punishment because I pay my tax regularly.”

Mr. Ayuba Larab of the History Department University of Jos said: “In the first place, this road project is ill-timed. Jang began this project few months to the end of his tenure. It is a huge project that would have started at the inception of that administration, but the man chose to commence the project when he was about to leave office. It shows the man never meant well for Plateau people. He lacked clear vision and he messed us up. Jang has created more than enough pains to Nigerians who ply this road. That is why the new government is on rescue mission. The entire state is in total ruin, there are more uncompleted projects than completed ones.”

Realising the plight of road users in the city, the new government issued a statement appealing to residents to be calm and bear the pain of the situation for a short while. The statement, signed by the Director of Press Affairs, Mr. Samuel Nanle on behalf of Governor Simon Lalong reads: “The Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong is calling on all the citizens of Plateau State and particularly residents of Jos – Bukuru metropolis to please bear with government as efforts are being intensified to address the difficulties encountered driving round the city with the rains now in season.

“The Governor understands the challenges experienced by motorists with the state of major uncompleted roads within Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The Governor is further assuring all citizens that the situation would be remedied immediately to ameliorate the difficulties the residents face. The Governor has further assured that the Transition Committee’s consultation with contractors would be intensified to ensure that a common understanding is reached with government to facilitate their immediate mobilisation to site for the con-

•Part of the abandoned road

‘A lot of people are suffering due to the fact that their sources of water supply were destroyed in the course of road construction. A lot of residents have been disconnected from electricity because the road project affected the electric poles that supply light to their homes’ tinuation of the road projects which were suspended.

“In furtherance to the above and in order to kick-start his policy of sustainable environment and urban governance, the Governor is enjoining all citizens to ensure sanitation in their neighbourhoods and the effective clearing of all drainage system so as to prevent flooding.”

Residents are not convinced that the new government can follow through with its promise to intervene and ensure that the road projects are completed. They are of the view that there are other areas that require immediate attention from the new government. Others argue that the new government has to evaluate contracts of these contracts very carefully before jump-

Glorious past of Aminu Kano aerodrome

•Continued on page 31

‘Yakubu said the dip of the economy which affected several companies, including those operating in Kano and the security situation in the country had affected flight operations at the airport… Many foreign airdromes that usually operated scheduled flights to Kano have diverted their flights to other airports’

T

HE time was approximately 5: 00 p.m. when the chartered eight-seater aircraft from Abuja operated touched down at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano. The aircraft is operated by Arik Air. Situated in zone the country’s major commercial centre, it was expected that the airport will be a beehive of activities. Being a day to the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, one expected that the airport would be very busy with activities. In the contrary, the airport experienced a lull.

The Arrival Hall was under lock and key and officials of the airdrome had to go in search of whoever had the keys before the team of journalists on the flight could pass through the airport to their various destinations.

Interestingly, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is the oldest airport in the country; having began operations in

ing into completion of the projects.

It is not only motorists that bear the brunt of the abandoned road projects.

A resident, Mr. Yohana Lukeman said: “A lot of people are suffering due to the fact that their sources of water supply were destroyed in the course of road construction. A lot of residents have been disconnected from electricity because the road project affected the electric poles that supply light to their homes.

Several other residents are already experiencing the challenges of flood due to uncompleted drainage systems. So, generally speaking, no one is spared of the hardship. It is not only motorists, it affects every resident.”

Governor Lalong has begun the inspection of the road projects in the city and had visited PW, the construction firm handling the road projects.

After the inspection, Governor

•Terminal building of the airport From Tony Akowe

1936 and used to be a beehive of activities. Business activities within and around the airport used to be high as both local and international airlines operated scheduled flight from there.

The Nation’s findings revealed that until the mid-1990s, the airport was the second most active airdrome in the country outside the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

These days, it might be one of the

least patronised airports. Worst still, it appears a decrepit and abandoned complex. Available information revealed that in the first decade of its operation, the airport served more as an important fuel stop for airliners on long flights between Europe and Africa, while more than half of the international flights into the country chose Kano as either the final destination, a transit point or stopover field. International airlines such as British Caledonian, KLM, Iberia and Saudia favoured the airport not only because of its safety record, but also

because it’s handling facilities ensured a quick turnaround.

Similarly, several domestic airlines operated scheduled flights in and out of the airport. They include Kabo Air, Nigeria Airways, Okada Air and other domestic carriers operating at least three daily flights into Kano.

The business activities by these airlines boosted the economic activities and revenue of Kano.

Many business men who import goods, especially Dutch-waxed clothes, kept operatives of the Nigerian Customs and Immigration Ser-

vice constantly busy and watchful.

Those who had used the airport in the past told our correspondent that Mallam Aminu Kano Airport’s entrance was well managed with a systematic boarding pattern.

Mallam Usman Yakubu, who operated a shop at the airport when it was bubbly in the 1990s, claimed that in the yesteryear, about 40 flights were operated in and out of the airport daily. Yakubu said the dip of the economy which affected several companies, including those operating in Kano and the security •Continued on page 32

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

31

THE NORTH REPORT

•Some members of ACCOMIN

B

OTHERED by the rate at which children under the age of five die due to ailments from childhood killer diseases resulting from lack of immunisation, the Kwara State Government and Association of Civil Society in Malaria Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) have had discussions on how to protect children from childhood killer diseases through immunisation. The event held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

It was in commemoration of this year’s celebration of World Immunisation Week whose theme was “Close the Immunisation Gap” The programme was sponsored

by Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI).

The state government revealed that the fall in accruals from Federal Government to states has affected all sectors, including the health sector.

The state’s Immunisation Officer, Hajia Hajarat Suleiman said some immunisation health workers discharged their duties disinterestedly because of lack of financial motivation.

Kwara, NGOs unite against childhood killer-diseases From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

She added that though the World Health Organisation (WHO) is the sponsor of the immunisation exercise, states complement through counterpart funding.

She said: “Health workers in charge of immunisation carry out the job half-heartedly because they are not well motivated. It is not that they don’t know the job; they have been trained and retrained. The truth is that they are not being paid salary.

“All of us are working towards the same goal. That is why many of the health workers have volunteered to be part of the immunisation exercises.

“I am happy all of us are here because of our children. We want them to live and be protected from all the childhood killer diseases.

“Truly it is the World Health

‘Immunisation is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and immunisation is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. It is estimated to avert between two and three million deaths each year’ Organisation (WHO) that is sponsoring the programme while every state government is expected to pay its counterpart funds. But the dwindling revenues accruing to the states, including Kwars, has affected the health sector.

Plateau’s many roads of pains •Continued from page 30

Lalong said: “From the information available to me, the contractor has no reason for stopping the construction work since he has claimed 60 per cent of the contract sum from the last administration of Jonah Jang. “I have, therefore, directed the contractor to return to site and complete the road to alleviate the hardship our people are experiencing. You can’t just deface the city roads and abandon it like that for no good reason. I’m sure the contractor knows

the implication of ignoring my directive on this particular project. I will not sit down here and allow citizens to continue to experience the kind of hardship for no fault of theirs. Something must be done.”

However, there are views that the road projects were not completed due to the reduction in revenue, especially from the Federation Account as a result of the fall in global oil prices. That notwithstanding, the pains of the uncompleted intracity roads will have to continue until it is completed by the Lalong administration.

•Uncompleted flyover bridge

“It has been long the state released its counterpart funds due to the reason highlighted above. Before the end of this year, government would be able to support any of your programmes.”

Contributing, Secretary of

ACOMIN, Adewoye Oluwasesan said “World Immunisation Week provides global platform to strengthen our collective efforts to ensure vaccination for every child, whoever they are and wherever they live.

“Immunisation is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and immunisation is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. It is estimated to avert between two and three million deaths each year.”

He noted that civil society organisations (CSOs), in partnership with governments, are important actors in implementing immunisation programmes.

Mr. Oluwasesan added that the partnership delivered up to 65 per cent of immunisation services in many developing countries; strengthening health systems and training health workers; supporting logistics and vaccine delivery.

Other benefits of the partnership, according to him, include transparency and accountability by bridging the gap between governments or global health actors such as GAVI and communities; representing the voice of communities and the issues that affect them in area of vaccine preventable diseases; encouraging all stakeholders to be more accountable and transparent in their actions; influencing public policy and supporting resource mobilisation.

In order to close the immunisation gap, Mr. Oluwasesan recommendation that CSOs should include “integrating immunisation with other health services, such as post-natal care for mothers and babies; strengthening health systems so that vaccines continue to be given even in times of crisis/communal clashes and ensuring that everyone could access vaccines and afford to pay for them.”

He added that the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) envisions a world where everyone is free from vaccine preventable diseases by 2020.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

32

THE NORTH REPORT

Varsity don needs N10m to survive

P

ROFESSOR Philip Ojoru Elaigwu has been going through severe spinal cord pains. He was diagnosed of spinal cord disorder which requires major surgery which can only be carried out in Europe. But he has to live with the pains because he could not afford the huge sum of money required for the surgery in Germany.

Contacts with the German hospital has confirmed that Prof.

Ojoru needs to pay at least N10 million for the surgery. This is besides the cost of visa and flight tickets to Germany.

Prof. Ojoru is one of the young lecturers in the Faculty of Education, the University of Jos. He hails from Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State; he joined the University of Jos as a Graduate Assistant in October, 1990.

Narrating his ordeal, the 52year-old Prof. said: “It all began with just a little pain on my left leg. I kept taking drugs but the pains continued to increase. I was advised to go for a check at the hospital.

“So, on December 10, 2013, I was referred to University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to see one elderly doctor. On meeting the doctor, he told me what I am experiencing is not just an ordinary pain. So, he quickly recommended an MRI test (a computer test) at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Unit of the hospital. When they took me to the unit, I was asked to lie on the machine for 30 minutes. The machine revealed the picture of how my spinal cord looks like. I saw a

‘I’ve made an online contact with a hospital in Germany; they have sent me a form to fill. I have submitted it, waiting for their response. They have the capacity to handle my case but how can I afford the cost?

This is where I need help…All that has been sustaining me all these days are members of the university community’

From Yusuf Aminu Idegu, Jos

battered spinal cord, all of them disjointed; I never believed that is the photograph of my own spinal cord. The machine revealed the real problem.

“The next day, I was taken to the theater for surgery which lasted nine hours. Not less than seven doctors worked on me. After that surgery, I was taken to the ward from where they could have a close monitor of developments on the affected area. I was in the hospital for one month. At the end of it, the doctor told me they lack the facilities to give me adequate treatment for my spinal cord problem. He further told me that I required a major surgery that cannot be carried out in the country for lack of necessary medical equipment.

“So, I went back home on these crutches and walking aids. On inquiry, I was informed that I will need at least N10 million for a successful spinal cord surgery in Europe.

“A poor Nigerian lecturer like me, how can I afford this huge sum of money? The only option left for me is to seek help or remain in this pain perpetually. As you can see, I can’t sit for too long, I have to lie down always. I can’t stand for more than two minutes; I can’t sit for more than 10 minutes. I can lie down on one side of my body for more the 30 minutes. I will not be able to endure the pains.

“That is what I experience at the moment; it’s like hell on earth. To walk now goes with pains. I’m just living in pains. And the only solution lay in advance personnel, ad-

•Professor Ojoru and his walking stick

vanced equipment, advanced knowledge and advanced location, that are what the doctors here said.

“I’ve made an online contact with a hospital in Germany; they have sent me a form to fill. I have submitted it, waiting for their response. They have the capacity to handle my case but how can I afford the cost? This is where I need help,” he said.

The case of this young Prof. is a pathetic one. He discovered the pain on his leg in 2012, the condition of the spinal cord was diag-

nosed in December 2013. It means he has been living in pains for about two years now. Meanwhile, the rate of the pains increases by each passing day, and at times unbearable.

From JUTH where he was diagnosed of the spinal cord disorder, he was given all brands of tools to support himself while walking; and three different types of walking sticks. He cannot live without these tools at the moment. He needs them to move from one point of his room to another; even in his rest

room he needs support.

Prof. Ojoru can be contacted on his phone line 08036338013 for help by anyone who cares. He has been confined to his official residence at the university staff quarters in Jos. He said: “All that has been sustaining me all these days are members of the university community. They have been paying my salaries monthly. I remain so grateful to the university authority.”

From all indications, Prof.

Ojoru is waiting for financial help from government, individuals and corporate organisations.

Continued from page 30 situation in the country had affected flight operations at the airport.

Many foreign airdromes that usually operated scheduled flights to Kano have diverted their flights to other airports. Many of the foreign airlines now fly directly to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

However, with the economic downturn of the 1980s and 1990s, things began to change. Newer aircraft did not need fuel stops, and with the economy of Kano, many international airlines stopped serving the airport. KLM became the only European airline that continued scheduled flights to Kano, which they had done without interruption since 1947. In the wake of its misfortune, the airport’s average traffic fell to fewer than six flights a day.

A Kaduna-based Christian leader who pleaded anonymity because he didn’t to be identified told our correspondent that he had stopped using the airport and now fly abroad from Abuja anytime he wants to travel.

The religious leader who had used the airport for several years; flying the Royal Dutch Airline, KLM, said he felt insecure and stopped using the airport after the sharia crisis in the North in 2000.

“I still used the airport a few times after the sharia riot, but I felt I insecure and I am sure many people would have felt the same way too.

But it is sad that the airport is in a state you are describing right now because I remember that it used to be fun flying from there.

“Currently, I prefer to fly from Abuja because it is safer, especially because of the insecurity in the North,” he said.

However, some of the traders at the airport are still hopeful that the airport will bounce back to life.

•The arrival hall of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

Glorious past of Aminu Kano aerodrome ‘Today, majority of international flights from the airport take care of the large Lebanese community in Kano and the yearly Muslim pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Such International flights are operated by Middle East Airlines, Beirut Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines (which operates the Kano-Jeddah route), Sudan Airways (Kano-Khartoum-Ndjamena), Kabo Air (Dubai-Jeddah) and Egypt Air, which flies between Kano and Cairo’ Some of them who spoke to our correspondent said they were optimistic that with the coming of the Buhari administration and his promise to check the activities of Boko Haram

and promote industrial growth, the airport will become bubbly again as many people will begin to fly in and out of Kano again. “With the situation of things in the country, one will

discover that many airports are currently underutilised, with only a few flight being operated from them. This place is not different. The economic and security situations in the country have had their tolls on the airport.

“But I know that Buhari has promised to address these problems. When he does, I am sure people will begin to have confidence in coming to Kano again and definitely, the airport will come back to life again,” one of them said.

But in spite of the seemingly gloomy nature of the airport, aviation experts are confident that things will be better again.

The traders argued that things are beginning to change for the better at the airport. Shehu Ali told our correspondent that although the airport

still has a long way to go in terms of being revived in order to regain its glory, there is a lot of promises ahead.

Today, majority of international flights from the airport take care of the large Lebanese community in Kano and the yearly Muslim pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Such International flights are operated by Middle East Airlines, Beirut Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines (which operates the Kano-Jeddah route), Sudan Airways (KanoKhartoum-Ndjamena), Kabo Air (Dubai-Jeddah) and Egypt Air, which flies between Kano and Cairo.

Officials of the airport were not disposed to comment on the current situation of the airport, saying they have no authority to speak to the press on the matter except the Head, Public Affairs in Lagos.

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

Page 33

Arrested for reckless driving Drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are allegedly reckless. But GRACE OBIKE reports that the establishment of mobile courts by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to try traffic offenders will bring sanity on Abuja roads

U

SUALLY, when one goes to learn how to drive, one of the pieces of advice given to one is to consider other motorists as insane who are likely to make crazy moves while driving. This is because their careless manner of driving might endanger the lives of others.

It is not uncommon to notice that most people have always seen drivers in Abuja as carelessý and reckless. For years, people have complained of how people just hit the road with their new cars without ensuring that they are competent in terms of driving. When drivers in Abuja are not recklessly on speed, they are driving against traffic without caring.

Although private car owners are also culpable of reckless driving ý, it is equally common with painted and unpainted cab drivers. They have become so fond of breaking traffic rules.

Their actions have caused a lot of road mishaps that claimed several lives.

Being away that most private motorists are careful to avoid their vehicles smashed, they drive recklessly and if they smash other people’s cars, they simply beg and are, most times, left to go free.

Unfortunately, the trend that is becoming common in Abuja with most drivers is over-loading. Most vehicles over-load their vehicles either with passengers or goods, most times both. When most of the recalcitrant drivers feel that they can get away with it, they carry so many passengers. Seats that should normally take three passengers are loaded with four or five. This engenders dis-

T

HE high level of infrastructural decay in the country has been attributed to lack of budgetary provision for the maintenance of the existing infrastructure, a facility management expert has said.

The Programme Director, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Abuja Chapter, Mr. Collins Osayamwen spoke during this year’s World Facility Management Day, with the theme:

‘When we talk of over-loading, it has to do with both mankind and goods. It covers all categories of vehicles. There is a required load capacity for both human and goods and the moment it is violated, it becomes a problem…The Corps considered the trend and realised that it is becoming too rampant in the city.

We decided to put in place some measures to control it. We embarked on public enlightenment campaigns at motor parks were we informed them of the dangers associated with excessive loading of vehicles’ comfort. In fact, some passengers have become so accustomed to this trend that they have resigned to fate. When the passengers complain about the discomfort they are experiencing, the driver will mildly ask them to manage.

Hopefully, the issue of overloading and reckless driving will soon become a thing of the past, as the Federal Road Safety Com-

•Overloading bus

mission is poised to enforce laws against these twin traffic offences in the nation’s capital.

Not only are the offending drivers arrested, their vehicles are impounded and the drivers dragged to a mobile court for prosecution.

Just last week, about 50 offenders were brought before the Magistrate’s Court of the mobile court. Some of them were warned; some asked to ensure that their

vehicles were road worthy, while others were fined.

The Unit Commander, R87.15 Kubwa, Assistant Corps Commander Yusuf Abdullahi stated that they have been sensitising drivers on the dangers of overloading. He warned drivers of the punishment that will be meted out to offenders by the Corps.

He said: “When we talk of overloading, it has to do with both mankind and goods. It covers all

categories of vehicles. There is a required load capacity for both human and goods and the moment it is violated, it becomes a problem.

“The Corps considered the trend and realised that it is becoming too rampant in the cityý.

We decided to put in place some measures to control it. We em•Continued on page 34

Group decries infrastructural decay From Gbenga Omokhunu

‘Building Resilience for The Future’.

According to him, the only kind of maintenance Nigeria understands was breakdown maintenance, which he said, was due to lack of proper planning and budgetary provision.

Osayamwen argued that, “I intend to a little bit disagree that Nigerians lack a maintenance culture.

The reason we are unable to maintain our infrastructure, not even from government alone but even through private sector participation, is that from the word go, we get it all wrong.”

He pointed out that the inability

of the engineers, builders, architects who build to work together with facility managers who maintain, has contributed immensely to infrastructural decay in the country.

Osayamwen said: “The kind of maintenance we know in Nigeria is breakdown maintenance; until it fails you don’t care whether it needs

servicing or not.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have any budgetary provision to ensure that these facilities are managed and maintained. What we now do is to run from pillar to post when we have a crisis in •Continued on page 36

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ABUJA REVIEW

Arrested for reckless driving •Continued from page 33

barked on public enlightenment campaigns at motor parks were we informed them of the dangers associated with the excessive loading of vehicles; we have, as well, tried to enlighten the public through the media.

“We have now initiated a mobile court. Whoever we apprehend, we hand him over to the mobile court where we have a Magistrate who presides over the issue.

“We have routine daily patrol and where we sense that it is becoming too rampant, we put up some measuresý. We are quite aware of all the unions and stakeholders in the areas. Where we notice that the offence is becoming rampant, we write to the organisations concerned. For instance, if we realise that school buses or staff buses or even company cars are involved in the issue of over-loading, we write to the organisation, informing them of the conducts of their drivers.

“To really get rid of the menace of over-loading, we adopted the “operation no recklessness in Abuja” which has been on since the last quarter of last year. We warn residents not to allow motorists to squeeze them into vehicles in the name of trying to make money from them. Every passenger has the right to protect his or her own life. Being in an over-loaded vehicle constitutes serious danger to the occupants of the vehicle and other road users. People should always be conscious of safety.

‘To really get rid of the menace of over-loading, we adopted the “operation no recklessness in Abuja” which has been on since the last quarter of last year. We warn residents not to allow motorists to squeeze them into vehicles in the name of trying to make money from them. Every passenger has the right to protect his o r her own life’ One of the drivers apprehended for flouting the law said: “Me I can’t take it anymore. I honestly do not know what is wrong with me. I don’t understand why I always find myself breaking their laws and been apprehended by them and the Nigeria police.

“The other day, I was arrested by the police in Kaduna for causing an accident that led to the death of someone. They arrested me, locked me up and when they got fed up of me, they released me and I promised to always be careful. Now, I have committed another offence. So, please I want them just to take the car and sell it because I’m tired of this business. I want them to sell the car and give me the money so that I will look for something else to do.”

•A bus being overloaded

Youths demand inclusion in governance A

S the entire community joins in the national commemoration of Children’s Day, youth stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are beginning to gear up for a change they have waited for too long.

They asked for inclusion in the new administration. The group,

From Olugbenga Adanikin

which included secondary school pupils, primary school pupils, corps members and young motivational speakers, among others wanted a clear blueprint that will define roles and input of youths in govern-

ing the affairs of the country in the next four years. The stakeholders, under the aegis of Nigeria Arise demanded holistic representation of youths in the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Their claim is simple; they wanted a situation where the Nigerian child would be given a

voice. However, that voice must be through representation in governance.

The event was part of activities lined to make the voice of youths heard in the new government. It was organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) also known as Nigerian Youths Think Thank Group, in collaboration with Glamodi and African Child Diaspora Foundation. They were blunt requesting for 40 per cent affirmative action that will take care of the interests of the youth.

The event was tagged Gathering of the Eaglets, with the theme: “Generational Change and Transformation in Governance 2015.”

Speaking at the event to mark 2015 Children’s Day celebration,

Director-General of the Group, Dr. Victor Offong said: “We want a blueprint out of which there must be a clear plan, a transition from the present crop of leadership to the present generation.

We have to understudy them; we have to be given an opportunity to understudy them. This is a situation whereby if we don’t make demand from them, the Minister of Defence would be 90-year-old and the second minister would be 80-year-old and that’s not going to be fair enough, that is not change.

“We want a situation where an elder is Minister of Defence and a young technocrat becomes the second minister to understudy the older generation. Until that •Continued on page 34

‘We want a blueprint out of which there must be a clear plan, a transition from the present crop of leadership to the present generation. We have to understudy them; we have to be given an opportunity to understudy them. This is a situation whereby if we don’t make demand from them, the Minister of Defence would be 90-year-old and the second minister would be 80-year-old and that’s not going to be fair enough, that is not change’ •Pupils at the event in Abuja

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UR Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, during its commemoration of this year’s Communication Day, remembered and prayed for the media.

The event, which doubled as the Parish’s Cultural Day, witnessed lively outings of its members who were adorned in various traditional attires.

It was a platform to pray for and celebrate media practitioners across the country. According to the Parish Administrator, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwigwe, the press is being engaged to gather and spread information to the general public;thus, the need to pray for and celebrate them.

About 88 children also received their first Holy Communion. Rev. Fr Nwigwe stated that despite the fact that Christianity is a foreign religion, it could be internalised to foster unity among the various ethnic divides.

According to the Priest, the 88 children who received their first Holy Communion are expected to grow in the doctrines of Christ.

“We are celebrating the Communion but the Catholic Church set this day aside to celebrate the body of Christ which is the spiritual nourishment for our souls. As a Parish, we have many children, about 88 of them who are receiving their Holy Communion for the first time,” Nwigwe said.

Also present at the event was the Chief Imam, Apo Legislative Quarters, Sheikh Nurakalid. The Muslim cleric identified the need for communication, stressing that it

•Members of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-cathedral, Catholic archdiocese of Abuja at the event

Church prays for the media From Olugbenga Adanikin

would foster mutual understanding and public enlightenment.

For him, it is when members of the public are well enlightened through religious teachings that peaceful co-existence can be guaranteed.

“If I respect my own culture, I have to respect your own culture and when I do that, our cultures will bring harmony to us. It won’t de-

stroy us. So, by communicating our cultures, we are promoting unity.

“They are my colleagues; we are men of God working for faith. We work for humanity and a better life.

That is why I am here to honour their invitation,” the clergy added.

Chief Matthew Onyechi, a parishioner praised the initiative. He said the Church doesn’t discriminate, so it was an opportunity to promote national unity.

Secretary, Organising Committee

Youths demand inclusion in governance •Continued from page 35

happens, we cannot be sure the government is for us.”

The group pushed further, “calling on President Buhari to sit down with us, sit down with the Youth Think Thank, otherwise we will form our own government. The Nigerian child must be given a voice and that voice is through representation in governance, the generation gap is wide.”

“The youth must be involved in elective and appointive positions, including award of contracts and consultancy to young professionals. That’s our de-

mand, we are demanding 40 per cent youth affirmative action,” Offong stated.

The D-G expressed concerns over the issue of power and share of resources. “It is about control of resources and nobody gives it to you without a demand; nobody gives you power on a platter of gold. We did not give President Buhari power, he demand it and we gave it to him. It is now our turn to demand from him what we expect.”

The group said it sympathised with President Buhari, saying that he was inheriting a country without a database for the youth, even as he pointed out that the N5, 000 stipends he promised to pay every unemployed youth

was not realistic.

Speaking at the event, one of the guest speakers, Mr. Samuel Sobayo said Nigerians are the ones that brought the change that is being witnessed now, stressing that it is time to talk less and do more.

He pointed out that President Buhari is not Jesus Christ, thus he’s not going to perform any miracle, adding that the change being clamoured for was going to take awhile.

In his presentation, Mr. Damilare Ojetoye lamented the lack of selfless leaders in the country, noting that the crop of leaders in the country only fight to keep themselves in power and not for the well-being of the masses.

of the event, Mrs. Henrietta Emman-Okechukwu restated that communication and culture through traditional displays are aimed at closing the gaps in the society.

She said it was also meant to ignite cohesion and acceptability irrespective of the culture and ethnic background of the people. “We are committed to unity in diversity,” she noted.

Tribunal to give judgment on Abaji polls

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HE election petition tribunal for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fixed June 25, this year for the judgment on the March 16, 2013 Abaji Area Council chairmanship elections. It will hold at the Senior Magistrate’s Court Abuja. Justice Binta Mohammed will deliver the judgment.

The chairmanship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Abdulrahman Ajiya, had earlier filed a petition challenging the victory of the incumbent chairman of the council, Alhaji Yahaya Garba of the Peoples Democratic (PDP).

While adopting his final written address, counsel to Ajiya, Omar Musa, argued that the incumbent chairman was not qualified to contest the March 16, 2013 chairmanship election, having been dismissed from service.

Musa alleged that the chairman of Abaji Area Council, who was a class teacher in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, was dismissed

from service before contesting the election.

He, therefore, prayed the tribunal to declare the ACN chairmanship candidate as winner of the March 16, 2013 chairmanship election held in Abaji.

However, counsel to the PDP, Mahmud Magaji, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition in its entirety, arguing that the documents tendered by the petitioner are not genuine.

Abuja Review learnt that the tribunal had, at its pre-hearing season, struck out the petition following an application of the respondent early last year.

Counsel to ACN, not satisfied with the decision, appealed the ruling, wherein the appeal tribunal headed

by Justice Ahmed Muhammed, ordered the lower court to hear the case on its merit.

It was also learnt that due to the circumstances, the case lasted up to this moment, after ACN chairmanship candidate in the area filed petition in April, 2013.

•A chieftain, Buhari Support Group, Dr. Kalai Muhammed (left); representative of Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Dr. Nassil Ladan and Chairman, Live Well Alliance, Mr. Enitan Sanusi during •Members elect, Rotimi Agunsoye Kosofe (left); Taofeek Adaranijo and Wale Raji a media briefing on the on live well alliance for nutrition and medication summit in Abuja after the inauguration of the 8th Assembly in Abuja PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

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NSURING and sustaining peace and security in any society have been discovered to be major and essential ingredients for development and progress.

No wonder President Muhammadu Buhari has devoted most part of his second week in office, just like his first week, to finding ways to eliminate the terrorists group, Boko Haram.

Besides increasing the momentum against the sect, President Buhari appears to be unstoppable in his stride to crush Boko Haram.

President Buhari, who left Nigeria on Sunday last week, made presentations to G-7 member nations, which include U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada in Germany last week Monday.

Top on his ‘wish list’, through which he was seeking the assistance of the G-7 member nations, was the problem of insecurity and the Boko Haram terrorists operating in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.

President Buhari, in Germany, was the toast of the world leaders as they expressed their willingness to come to the aid of his young administration.

Like a new kid on the block, President Buhari, who was warmly received at the summit, was given the privilege to first address the G-7 among the invited presidents and prime ministers.

Apart from the group’s acknowledgment of President Buhari’s emergence as President from an election adjudged freest in Nigeria’s electoral history, the G-7 leaders were sympathetic that the tremendous challenges facing Buhari’s government, including the Boko Haram, were not his making.

They said they were also not unaware of the massive amount of confidence and expectations behind Buhari’s government.

The group acknowledged that no one country can tackle the security threat of the Boko Haram since it had gone beyond Nigeria and now affecting other countries in the region.

In line with the group’s request for specifics, President Buhari and other leaders in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) have started preparing the military requirements needed to defeat Boko Haram for onward transmission to the G-7.

President Buhari, who returned to Nigeria in the early hours of last Tuesday, also met with his security chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday over the insurgency.

To continue to press forward against Boko Haram, over six

Increasing tempo against Boko Haram hours extra-ordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of LCBC member countries, including Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Republic of Benin was held on Thursday at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Among the resolutions from the summit was approving deployment of the national contingents to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) by July 30, this year.

Welcoming member nations to the summit, President Buhari said: “Our meeting today is premised on the common resolve and commitment of member states of the LCBC and Benin to maintain the momentum in degrading the capacity of the insurgents until they are completely defeated.

“It is also borne out of the urgency to mitigate the suffering that has been imposed on our civilian population by the nefarious activities of the insurgents and terrorists.

“Our meeting today provides us an excellent opportunity to finalise the instruments for the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), in order to give life to our joint military campaign to

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya

decisively defeat the insurgents.”

Buhari and spiritual cleansing episode Delay in the relocation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the seat of power, Aso Rock, in the past two weeks has thrown up various speculations as reasons for it.

President Buhari’s administration, which was inaugurated on May 29, has operated from the Defence House, Abuja in the past two weeks.

President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo were initially located to the Defence House when they were declared President-elect and Vice-President-elect.

Top of the rumours spreading like wildfire, had speculated that the delay by the leaders to move to the official residences and offices in the Presidential Villa was to allow for spiritual cleansing to take place first at the facilities.

The rumour also had it that President Buhari refused to move into the Presidential Villa because of advice from Senegalese spiritualists.

But the Presidency had debunked the rumour and attributed the delay to ongoing renovation works at Aso Rock.

On Thursday, the Presidency also released pictures of ongoing renovation works at the seat of power to journalist.

Describing the story on the marabouts as hogwash, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed the Presidency’s “utter embarrassment at such suggestion,” as he declared that President Buhari is a practicing Muslim who believes his fate belongs to God. He pointed out that no true believer combines faith in God and reliance on the power of ordinary mortal, who can neither protect themselves, nor protect others from the hands of fate.

Malam Shehu maintained that the so-called “spiritual cleansing of the Aso Rock Villa by Senegalese marabouts before President Buhari moves into the Villa” was the figment of the imagination of rumour mongers.

He also claimed that it was ridiculous to attribute President Buhari’s delay in moving into the Villa to any advice from fictitious marabouts.

According to him, renovation works in the Villa was largely responsible for the delay in President Buhari’s movement into the Presidential Villa.

Whatever the case may be, the staff and other groups working in the Presidential Villa are anxiously waiting for the leaders to relocate to the seat of power.

Group decries infrastructural decay •Continued from page 33 our hands. Until we are able to give it its rightful place, we will continue to see this level of decay in our infrastructure.”

The Programme Director lamented that though facility management was yet to be recognised as a profession, he said the organisation was making frantic efforts to ensure that the body is recognised by law.

Meanwhile, a Senator-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and an erstwhile President of IFMA, said he would ensure he and his colleagues work out a bill that would legalise facility management, adding that they have been trying to achieve that over the years. He further said legalising the body was one of his priorities as a Senator.

He revealed that the mutual suspicion among engineers, architects, facility managers and surveyors would be adequately taken care of when the bill is put in place.

On her part, Deputy Director, Abuja Metropolitan Management Company, Mrs. Perpetual Ohammah stressed the need for a strong legislation that would ensure that facility managers are carried along when a project is being embarked on to be put in place.

•Members elect, Babajinmi Johnson (left); Dapo Lam Adesina and Olusunbo Olugbemi after the inauguraPHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE tion at National Assembly, Abuja

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LAW & SOCIETY Mr. Iwilade Akintayo, a lawyer based in Lagos, writes on how the Muhammed Buhari Administration can use the law to implement its change agenda.

That law may not obstruct ‘change’ “Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose, they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress” - Martin Luther King (Jnr.)

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HE Law has not been spectacularly impressive in giving vent to Nigerian people’s yearnings for progress over the years. In a way, law itself had, unfortunately, undermined the goals of equality, true federalism, self-determination, economic progress, electoral liberty and the well-being of Nigerians at various turnings.

But now that the new administration is attempting to set a new agenda to reverse decadesold decadence in Nigeria, the Legal Order, especially its lawmaking and law interpretation foots of the Tripod, must immediately awaken to the reality of the changing times. Except the law’s complicity is curtailed; and the Legal Order consequently rise firmly to align with the progressive agenda being set by the new administration, justice will remain a merely theoretical rather than a felt aspiration in Nigeria.

To an appreciable extent, the people of Nigeria, and the rest of the world, look to Nigeria’s newly inaugurated administration with a good dose of justified optimism. The President’s Inaugural speech, and the tone of conviction evident in the manner of delivery, gives greater hope that a leadership sincerely committed to halting Nigeria’s decline, and re-in-

By Iwilade Akintayo

venting its progressive rise, is probably here. Many hope the era of meaningful ‘change’, away from the malfunctioning that had defined Nigeria for decades, has come. Some have, understandably, called for cautious hope, but theirs is also an expression of ‘hope’, however cautious.

But will what has happened in Nigeria’s electoral space that saw a rejection of the old order, engender ‘changes’ of a scale never before seen in the country; or will it merely bring minimalist improvements incapable of ending the misery that has unjustifiably dotted the Nigerian inhumane space for decades?

Well, it depends first on the availability and clear articulation of a robust socio-political and economic vision to be fiercely driven by the personal moral authority and intellectual depth of the leadership. Next, among other variables, is the question of how far law would be adroitly remodelled to become progressively unified with the dynamics of the said robust socio-political and economic vision.

Unfortunately, the Law has not been spectacularly impressive in giving vent to Nigerian people’s yearnings for progress over the years. Law, be it in form of decrees, statutes, the constitution or judicial interpretations that advertently legitimise inequality, corruption and electoral injustices, cannot be absolved of complicity in the avoidable under-development of Nigeria over the years. In

•Akintayo

some poorly veiled ways, Law itself had unfortunately undermined the goals of equality, true federalism, self-determination, economic progress, electoral liberty and the overall well being of the people of Nigeria at various turnings.

With its absurd unitarist scope, though falsely called Federalist, the Constitution and some fundamental laws purporting to derive authority from it, appear to have been deliberately designed to deny the attainment and experience of social justice, a sense of equality, economic liberty, self-determination, competitive growth, true federalism and prosperity to majority of the citizens. The complicit role, of a burdensome unitarist Constitution; and some fundamental laws deriving from it, have long provided fortresses from which Institutions of state, and actors within

them, ‘legitimately’ perpetuate injustices against citizens’ rights to dignified life, economic development, self-determination, equal opportunity, freedom from discrimination, electoral liberty, true federalism etc. Ultimately, the Constitution will have to fundamentally change to significantly re-mould Nigeria into the truly federal nation it ought to have been over decades. The law-making foot of the Legal Order must not be allowed to stand in the way of such fundamental changes that sooner than later must take place.

Though not conclusive of all that needs to be fundamentally fixed in Nigeria, the issues already identified in the President’s Inaugural speech would need an ideologically sturdy and well retooled Legal Order for them to get sustainable resolutions.

But except the law’s complicity is curtailed; and the Legal Order consequently rise firmly to align with the progressive agenda being set by the new administration, justice will remain a merely theoretical rather than a felt aspiration in Nigeria.

In what may well turn out to be an epic battle between an existing old order and, hopefully, an emergent new one, the Law cannot afford any complacent neutrality.

The Legal Order must radically and sustainably harmonise its tripod branches of Lawmaking, law enforcement and law-interpretation towards ensuring the attainment of genuine unbiased justice, fair economic progress and the protec-

tion of the vulnerable henceforth become the key focus of law-making, enforcement and interpretation in Nigeria. None of the tripods of the Legal Order should stand in the way of changes that must take place for the nation’s rebirth to become an incontestable reality.

For instance, to entrench a democratic culture across all levels in Nigeria and ‘to consciously work the democratic process’ as the President has indicated, among other agendas, requires that the democratic space at all levels of governance, including the civil and professional societies, be opened. A good starting point is to henceforth halt the aberrations which have made local governments retarded appendages of undemocratic governors over the years. To help the administration ‘work the democratic process’ as it has indicated, the local governments must be freed from the chains of authoritarianism which have robbed Nigerians the opportunity to legitimately choose their Leaders at the local levels of governance.

The law would be conniving to work against the democratic process if governors are allowed to continue pocketing the local governments. The condescending practices of governors, such as the unbridled penchant for disallowing periodic, transparent and definitive Local Government Elections across the states while preferring to unilaterally appoint stooges to lord over the people at the local levels must be halted, by Law. Such condescending practices emboldened

governors to openly violate the Constitution by appointing socalled Caretaker Chairmen for local governments and also creating all sorts of dubious subversive mechanisms, to starve and control the funds constitutionally meant for local governments thereby stalling meaningful governance at the Local Level.

The law must now be clear, and decisive, on the status of the local government as an autonomous tier of government that deserves to hold periodic elections in which the people of the respective localities determine who leads them, and how; contrary to the current atrocious practices of self-righteous governors denying people in the localities their basic democratic rights to legitimately choose their leaders.

The law would also not be ‘working the democratic process’ if it continues to fail to decisively halt the current subversive practice which somewhat permits political parties to fail to hold party primaries to ensure party members, and party members alone, determine who flies their parties’ flags at elections. Working the democratic process does not start at general elections. It begins with the existence of a virile civil society and a transparent process of ensuring accountability in governance through making clearance to contest elective positions determinable by ordinary party members, and not some incoherent patronage system as currently obtains.

•To be continued next week

Will new whistle blowing guidelines for banks work?

A Lagos-based lawyer, Nkeonyeasua Emeifeogwu, analyses the updated CBN Whistleblowing Guidelines for banks and financial houses, saying it is a step in the right direction.

A Daniel come to judgment! Yea, a Daniel! O wise young judge, how I do honour thee! - William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

The importance of corporate governance

A

NUMBER of attempts have been made to define corporate governance with great success. How-

ever, the most basic definition will be that it is a set of defined rules and regulations which regulates the affairs of a company and its key players. The key players in most cases are the management, shareholders, stakeholders, regulators etc.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”) Code of Corporate Governance for Banks and Discount Houses in Nigeria 2014 (“the Code”) defines corporate

governance as “… the rules, processes, or laws by which institutions are operated, regulated and governed. Itis developed with the primary purpose of promoting a transparent and efficient banking system that will engender the rule of law and encourage division of responsibilities in a professional and objective manner”.

As expected, the definition takes into cognizance the fact that good corporate governance does lead to sound financial system. Furthermore, the Code highlights the antecedent leading to the amendment of the Code which was that the joint CBN/Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (“NDIC”) examination in 2009 unraveled gross breaches of corporate governance principles in a number of banks. This breaches resulted in the subsequent removal of five banks CEOs. The global financial crisis has reverberated how interconnected the world really is. In these days of globalisation, international trade, international development and cross-listing

by Nigerian companieson international capital markets (Guaranty Trust Bank and Diamond Bank are listed on the London Stock Exchange), Nigeria has never been so connected with other countries.

Corporate governance is important for any country that seeks development because it prescribes the minimum standards that companies must aspire to attain. Studies from leading

• Emeifeogwu

scholar all over the world have emphasized that good corporate governance invariably leads to development. A country assessment report by the World Bank in 2008 stated that corporate governance is important for an emerging market like Nigeria who seeks to join the next 11.

Whistleblowing Policy

The Central Bank of Nigeria Guidelines for Whistleblowing for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria 2014 (“CBN Guidelines”)defines whistleblowing as “... the reporting of alleged unethical conduct of employees, management, directors and other stakeholders of an institution by an employee or other person to appropriate authorities.” The

Guidelines also describes a whistleblower as “any person(s) including the employee, management, directors, depositors, service providers, creditors and other stakeholder(s) of an institution who reports any form of unethical behavior or dishonesty to the appropriate authority”.

The major objective of having a whistleblowing policy is because it is a good risk management policy against corporate fraud. Also, employees, as insiders of a corporation, are usually the first to detect corporate fraud and irregularity. They may decide for a number of reasons – loyalty, fear of harassment or victimisation not to express their concerns. If their fears are genuine and are unreported, the resultant effect can be the eventual collapse of the company.

The whistleblowing policy is a document which makes it clear that an employee can report suspicious acts of financial malpracticesor actual malpractices within the organisation without fear of intimidation or harassment. In this way, employees can seek an internal resolution of the problem before deciding whether to seek an external resolution. The existence of a whistle blowing policy puts in place a pyramidal structure in the company’s operations where the whistleblower goes through a number of processes to resolve any anomaly in the company’s financials before the whistle is publicly blown.

The corporate world is replete

with stories of corporate failures due to breach of corporate governance policies from Enron to Worldcom to our very own Cadbury Nigeria Plc.If stakeholders are provided with a channel to inform the appropriate parties (internal and external authority) of corporate fraud, it would go a long way in reducing financial damages to our corporate institutions.

For example, the joint CBN/ NDIC examination in 2009 discovered a lot of corporate fraud even amongst banks who had previously been winning local and international banking awards.

Most significantly the importance of people standing up against corporate breaches earned three whistleblowers Sherron Watkins of Enron, Coleen Rowley of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and Cynthia Cooper of WorldCom the Persons of the Year Award 2002 by Time Magazine.

The CBN Guidelines on whistleblowing The CBN Guidelines on whistleblowing is laudable for a number of reasons. One, it makes it mandatory for every bank and other financial institution within its supervisory purview to have a whistle-blowing policy which must be accessible to every stakeholder within that institution.

•To be continued next week

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How democracy can survive, by Alegeh Text of a keynote address presented by the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN), at the 10th Chief B.O. Benson (SAN) yearly lecture by the NBA Ikorodu Branch.

have suffered a fatal blow. Finally by way of recommendation, Government needs to return to the drawing board and fully implement the Hon. Justice Uwais Report on Electoral Reforms which provides for an Electoral Offences Commission and a Tribunal to be its adjudicative arm. This step is imperative for the maintenance of law and order during elections and beyond.

• Continued from last week

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HESE statistics do not include those deaths that were unreported or those that were premeditated politically motivated assassinations, arson and other mayhem unleashed on the populace by politicians and their thugs. These •Former Supreme Court Justice George Oguntade (rtd.); NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and former NBA deaths do not also include the Boko President Joseph Daudu (SAN) at the event.

Haram attacks in Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States during the elections which power to prosecute offenders appre- cent of electoral offences? By divesting tion? The answer is in the negative, hended by it for committing electoral the police of powers to prosecute such prosecution is expensive and rigorous claimed several lives. offences. The power to prosecute and summary offences, who will investi- business, and it is also a specialized Factors militating against bring offenders to justice is a neces- gate the offences, because, the fall-out art. Till date, INEC Legal Department sary adjunct to police powers. Indeed, of this prosecutorial ban is that the is not equipped to prosecute any ofthe effective use of police stakeholders maintain the unassailable police will lose an interest in investi- fender under the Act as the necessary powers during general position that power to prevent and gations. facilities are not in place. In any event, elections apprehend criminals without a correAt any rate, it is settled law that the the Commission has stated on many The impression one gets is that these sponding power to prosecute is an ex- Hon Federal Attorney-General can occasions that it does not possess the acts of violence and mayhem can pro- ercise in futility. Consequently when take over or discontinue any criminal wherewithal to carry out such addiceed unchecked and unabated, without the Electoral Act 2010 provides in sec- proceedings in the Federation or state. tional functions that will cause distracthe intervention or control of the law tion 150 (2) of the Electoral Act that So, what is the functionality of this tion to its core duties.

Great care has to be taken to organise enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The ‘Any prosecution under this Act shall provision? It seems clear that the question arises why the NPF is be undertaken by legal officers of the provision which seeks to preserve the and dedicate a battery of lawyers in seemingly helpless and hapless in the Commission or any legal practitioner independence and integrity of elec- the INEC legal department to prosecuprevention of these criminal activities? appointed by it.” It has expressly and tions under the Act by limiting par- tion of cases. The essence of a democIndeed when arrests are made why do openly emasculated the Police in its ticipation in prosecution to INEC staff racy is to have functional machinery the suspects appear invincible and be- task of securing electoral peace and or lawyers briefed by her, loses sight of Government, which in turn will of clear constitutional provisions provide safety and stability for her yond the prosecutorial reach of the law harmony.

This section has far-reaching impli- which fetter its power to do so. For people to express their political rights enforcement agencies? Under the Police Act the prosecution possesses un- cations; firstly, it removes prosecutions instance section 214 of the 1999 Con- in any atmosphere devoid of rancour doubted powers to prosecute offend- of electoral Offences from the Police stitution which prescribe that there and instability. In other words, where ers in violation of our penal legisla- and the Federal and States Ministries shall be only one police force in Nige- hoodlums are allowed to operate tions before any court in Nigeria ap- of Justice and restricts this important ria and the provision of section 174 freely, troubling innocent by-standers, propriately designated for such an ex- exercise to legal officers of INEC or and 211 which vest powers to pros- wishing to cast their votes and or exerercise. It is therefore a regrettable mat- legal practitioners appointed by the ecute criminal offences on the Attor- cise their civic rights, without let or ter that the National Assembly has cre- commission. The implication is that ney-General of States and the Federa- hindrance, the credibility of the elecated an unsalutary state of affairs by criminal prosecution will be tion. Secondly, has the Commission tion and the integrity of those elected denying Police the complimentary centralised Quere? Has INEC got the the man power to prosecute all of- through such chaotic situation would manpower to prosecute even 10 per fences charged to court in the Federa-

Ex-ambassador, Emeka Offor lose property case

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has ruled that a Nige rian-American, Mr. Imokhuede Ohikhuare is the rightful owner of plot of land at No 1809, Asokoro, Abuja.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Shehu Malami, had earlier laid claims to the property and had purportedly transferred ownership to another businessman, Sir Emeka Offor, via an irrevocable power of attorney.

But in a landmark judgment in Suit No CA/A/370/2012 delivered last week by Justice Mohammed Mustapha, the Appeal Court resolved four of the five issues raised for determination in the suit in favour of Mr Ohikhuare.

The Court held that Mr. Ohikhuare’s “appeal therefore succeeds, perforce, and is allowed”.

The court set aside the judgment of the trial High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/105/2010, and delivered by Justice M.S. Umar on May 17, 2012 with N30,000 for the appellant, against the first to fifth respondents.”

In 2006, Mr. Ohikhuare had bought Plot No 1809, Asokoro, the land in dispute for N50 million, and perfected instruments on it and built residential apartments valued worth about N1billion on the land.

“Between the time Mr. Ohikhuare bought the land, built the apartments and moved in with his family, had lived there four years during which the first and fifth respondents in the appeal, that is Ambassador Shehu Malami and Sir Emeka Offor, their privies or agent did not lay claims to Plot 1809 Asokoro”.

Ohikhuare was living with his family in the property until he was allegedly ejected with force from it,

By Olalekan Okusan

on the strength of a verdict of an Abuja High Court.

In his amended notice of appeal, Mr. Ohikhuare, through his lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), asked the Court of Appeal to determine “whether the lower court was right in its findings that the appellant was a bona fide purchaser for value without notice; whether the plea of larches and acquiescence was not available to the appellant against the 1st respondent (Malami) having regard to the conduct of the 1st respondent and all the circumstances of this case; whether the learned trial judge’s failure to evaluate and consider key pieces of evidence favourable to the appellant did not amount to a denial of fair hearing; whether there being no proper plaintiff, the trial court had jurisdiction to determine the matter; and whether the proceedings and judgment of the court were not vitiated by fraud, the plaintiff having falsely misrepresented in his pleading and testimony that he was claiming the land for himself when, as subsequently revealed by Exhibit IM06, IM07, IM08, IM09, IMO10 and IMO10A, he was not.”

After a thorough review of evidence before it and findings on the first issue for determination, the Appeal Court justices resolved it “in favour of the appellant and against the respondents.”

Ruling on issue two, the Court of Appeal held: “The trial court was in error, therefore, in the considered opinion of this court, in dismissing the defence of larches and acquiescence set up by the appellant at the trial; this

issue is accordingly resolved in favour of the appellant and against the respondents.”

On the third issue for determination, the Appeal Court stated that it was “satisfied that the appellant’s right to fair hearing was breached by the failure of trial court to consider the evidence of the three defence witnesses, showing that there was no fence on the land in dispute” at the time the appellant bought it.

Resolving the fourth issue of whether there was a proper plaintiff at the lower court in favour of Mr. Ohikhuare, the Appeal Court ruled that Malami “no longer had the power to initiate the proceedings at the lower court for himself; because it is settled that an Irrevocable Power of Attorney given for valuable consideration robs the donor of power to exercise any of the powers conferred on the donee”.

On the fifth and last issue for determination, however, the Appeal Court observed that “while there may have been misrepresentation” on the part of Malami in trying to assist Offor to “perfect his title and register his interest” on Plot 1809, “there is no evidence of fraud proved to the satisfaction of this court”. It, therefore, resolved the fifth issue “in favour of the respondent.”

Thereafter, the Appeal Court declared that Mr. Ohikhuare’s “appeal therefore succeeds, perforce, and is allowed; judgment of the trial High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in Suit No: FCT/ HC/CV/105/2010, and delivered

by Justice M. S. Umar on the 17th day of May 2012 is hereby set aside, with N30,000 for the appellant, against the 1st to 5th respondent.”

The legislative arm of government The survival of our model of Presi-

dential Democracy is hinged on the optimal performance of the three arms of Government i.e. Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. The three arms are expected to act in check to one another. However it has been observed that the weakest link at the level of State governance is the legislature. It appears that the checks and balance that they are expected to provide is completely absent. The clearest example is the passing into law legislation to authorise outrageous ‘so-called severance pay package for governors, deputy governors, commissioners and other motley political office holders’.

This is coming at a time when the 85 per cent of the nation’s resources is reportedly being spent on recurrent expenditure at both national and states it is inhuman to take such largesse from Government Treasury just because of a 4 year service. This kind of conduct is anti-democracy and it is perpetrated because there is no one within the system to call them to book. It is a vicious circle with every aspirant looking forward to climb the political ladder by any means most especially through violence and godfatherism in the hope that ultimately it will be his turn to enjoy such largesse for life. In my humble view, this is not the intendment of democracy. The people from where we copied the system have no equivalent of such brigandage.

•To be continued next week

Court strikes out Agip’s objection against firm’s suit

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has struck out a preliminary objection filed by Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear a suit by Arco Group Plc (formerly ARCO Petrochemical Engineering Company Plc).

The plaintiff filed the suit by means of an originating summons and claimed several declaratory and injunctive reliefs.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Conoco Philips Petroleum Nigeria Limited and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) are the other defendants.

After being served with the suit, the Agip’s counsel filed the preliminary objection on February 26, arguing that the court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate the action.

However, the plaintiff’s counsel Mr B. E. I. Nwofor (SAN) contended that the preliminary objection was filed in violation of the court’s rules as the defence counsel did not file a memorandum of appearance first, nor was the objection properly signed.

Ruling, Justice Lambo Akanbi said the objection was duly signed. He however, held that the defendant’s lawyer did not file any memorandum of appearance before filing the objection.

“The consequence is that they took that step in violation of the provisions of Order 29, Rules 1 and 2 of the Court’s rules. That is a defect, which, in my view, is fundamental to the defendant filing their notice of preliminary objection.

“The end result is to strike out the preliminary objection for being incompetent. An order is accordingly made striking out the preliminary objection for being incompetent,” the judge ruled.

He directed parties to address him on whether the court has the jurisdictional competence to entertain the plaintiff’s claim.

“It is also trite that the issue of jurisdiction is a threshold one. Once same is raised, the court must decide whether or not it has jurisdiction to entertain the claim for, no matter how well conducted the proceedings are, if the court lacks jurisdiction, the entire proceedings will be a nullity,” Justice Akanbi added.

The case has been adjourned till June 30.

LEGAL DIARY

Anambra CJ to mark 60th birthday

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S part of activities to mark the 60th birthday of the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, a collection of his selected rulings and judgments will be presented at Sir Louis Mbanefo Bar Centre, High Court of Justice, Onitsha on July 4, by 9am.

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court will chair the event; Gov. Willie Obiano will be the special guest of honour; His Royal Majesty, Obidiegwu Onyesoh, Eze Nri Enwelana 11, will be the royal father of the day; and Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker Princess Chinwe Nwaebili will be the guest of honour.

A statement by the CJ said donations will not be accepted and the compilation is not for sale.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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LEGAL OPINION

Firm petitions EFCC, CBN over N750m deposit A CONSULTING firm, OG Consulting has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N750 million unpaid deposit by a Lagos-based Mortgage Bank, Resort Savings and Loan Plc against one of its client.

The firm alleged that one of its clients had invested about N750 million in Resort Saving and Loans Plc on October 10, last year under the agreement that the investment will mature within one year at an interest rate agreed at 15 per cent interest.

It claimed that since the maturity of the investment on January 8, this year, the mortgage institution, Resort Saving and Loan Plc has declined to pay back the initial investment and the accrued interest.

Copies of the petition has also been forwarded by the firm to the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the matter.

The firm further alleged that after several correspondents with the management of the mortgage bank, the fi-

By Adebisi Onanuga

nancial institution only managed to pay back about N200 million recently, leaving a balance of N550 million plus interest.

According to the firm, the finance house has several times reneged on its promise to pay up the balance on different dates it promised to do so thereby lending credence to the possibility that it may be facing liquidity crises.

OG Consulting, therefore, urged the EFCC and other relevant authorities to compel Resort Savings to pay back its client’s outstanding balance, noting that other investors in the finance house might be facing similar challenges in getting back their investments.

Reacting to the allegation, the management of Resort Saving and Loans Plc in a statement said its inability to keep its side of the bargain on the deposit was not deliberate, explaining that the bank holds its customers in high esteem.

The statement said the agreement

reached between the client in question and the bank is sacrosanct, urging him to be patient.

The bank further explained that the delay in paying the balance of the deposit was due to slow disposal of properties in its portfolio, adding that arrangements were being made to fulfill the agreement reached with the customer.

“As a bank, we are committed to best practices and we will like to appeal to our client to be patient as we are working at ensuring that we keep our own side of the deal. “ We have paid a reasonable part of the deposit in question while the outstanding will be paid as soon as possible in line with the agreement. All we want from our client is patience. We will surely keep our words,” the statement added.

A Managing Partner in the consulting firm, Mr Oladimeji Abolaji, told reporters that they would explore other measures within the confines of the law to retrieve the investment made into Resort Savings and Loans Plc.

• From left: Amenaghawon, Mumuni, Latona, Adeniran and Giwa at the event

Wanted: LG anti-corruption units

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TAKEHOLDERS in the fight against corruption have urged the Federal Government to encourage the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Related Offences (ICPC) to establish anti-corruption units at the local government level and the other public offices.

They asked the government to encourage the two agencies to carry out oversight role on the electoral processes at local government levels.

This was the thrust of a communiqué issued by the stakeholders in Lagos at the end of a “media roundtable on approaches/strategies for combating impunity for local government corruption: the role of ICPC and EFCC” organised by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Discussants at the roundtable include Mr. Joseph Amenaghawon who represented OSIWA, the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Mrs. Abiola Akiode; representative of the Department For International Development (DFID) Mr. Sina Fagbenro; representative of the ICPC Chairman Mr. Adedayo Kayode; the Head of Investigations of the EFCC for Lagos, Gbolahan Latona who represented the Chairman of anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Lamorde; Mr. Debo Adeniran of Campaign Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) and Mr. Yomi Giwa, a retired Magistrate.

The communiqué signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni listed other suggestions made to government to include removal of barriers and commercialisation of access to information at the local government level as it being limited by unnecessary protocols and request for money, so that the people can benefit from the demo-

By Adebisi Onanuga

cratic change now in Nigeria.

They also asked government to encourage states to desist from deducting funds meant for local governments from the Local Government Joint Account and to explore constitutional modalities for making this happen.

Lagos State government, they said, must end deduction of funds from the Local Government Joint Account and allow the local governments to access those funds directly; ensure that local government areas are well equipped with the requisite equipment and working materials for efficiency, devoid of corrupt tendencies; ensure minimal cost of education both at the secondary and university level, as high costs of education lead to corrupt practices among public officers who may are mostly lowly paid.

They urged the state government to reinvigorate primary health care centres at the local government level; ensure quick redress to environmental pollution at the local government areas; reinforce local government security systems; ensure transparency at the rural planning and waste management strategies; set up proper mechanisms for collection of rates and fines at the local government levels; encourage local governments to rebuild market squares and bridges within their communities; Strengthen institutions for a well-functioning management and encourage improved budgeting system and control at the local government level.

Mumuni recalled a statement made by President Mohammadu Buhari on corruption in the local governments.

According to him, Buhari said “elsewhere relations between Abuja and the states have to be clarified if we are to serve the country

better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the local government Joint Account. While the Federal Government cannot interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked.”

He, therefore, affirmed SERAP’s readiness to back the President on the need for greater transparency and accountability at the local government level.

The discussants unanimously frowned at the rate of decadence at the local government level which ranges from hiring of thugs as local government enforcement officers that harass traders and residents in the name of collecting levies, radio and television licenses.

They in addition, condemned the lawlessness and abusive manner used by these local government enforcement officers; and further queried non accountability of monies recovered by the officers.

While reacting to the President’s inaugural speech on May 29, this year, the discussants commended SERAP for focusing on President Buhari on one of the major issues he is determined to curb in the country, i.e local corruption.

The discussants believed that it is not about the enabling laws but the environments where these laws are operative.

They enjoined President Buhari to show high level of leadership and commitment in his policy statements/ implementations so that other governments including at the local government level will follow his good examples. And in particular to declare his Assets publicly so as to reflect his anti-corrupt gospel and evidence of his fight against corruption.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

As APC legislators defy their party

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AST week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was given a bloody nose by some of her members, elected into the national assembly.

The bout was the election of principal officers of the two chambers.

While the party which is in the majority in the two chambers, had done everything it could, to go into the context for the President of Senate and the Speaker ofHouse of Representatives with a united front, some legislators elected on that platform, openly defied the party; and eventually had their way. To succeed, the defiant APC members went into an ad-hoc alliance with the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The outcome saw the election of Senator Bukola Saraki of APC, as the Senate President, and Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP, as the deputy Senate President. At the lower chamber, Hon.Yakubu Dogara emerged as the Speaker, with Hon. Suilema nLasun Yusuff as the deputy Speaker, both from APC. The open defiance of the party, by the emergent principal officers, has been hailed by the opposition and touted as democracy in action, by those who saw the party’s interference as meddlesomeness. On the other hand, the APC apparatchik,festers in consternation and confusion, over how to deal with the successful coup.

In excitement, many commentators are more interested about which of the party leaders have had his or her ego bruised, having lost the plot; butsubstantially failed to appreciate that the ordinary Nigerians, who had voted for a change in the way and manner Nigeria is governed, may be the real losers, when the dogfight starts. Some have even argued that the successful revolt by a minority of the legislators, elected on the platform of the APC; first against their colleagues on the same platform, and also against their political party and its leadership, is democracy in action.Well, they have a point; but what about the gross party indiscipline, and its reverberations.

Of note, what happened in the national assembly last week, is only good for the opposition party, the PDP, and they deserve to celebrate their success. After all, having lost this yeaer’s general elections, the PDP has every right to plan how to win the 2019 elections. To win in 2019, PDP is entitled to ensure that APC fails, and if it is possible, that the failure should be so spectacular that Nigerians would rue giving the party a chance, in the last election. But it is short-sightedness, to say that what took place was good for APC or even the ordinary Nigerians. Indeed, even the winners would join as losers, unless they change their party; when the chicken come home to roost.

This column’s main concern is for the ordinary Nigerians, who had invested hope in the new government, as the solution to the myriad of their problems. Unless a miracle happens, the leadership of the two chambers of the national assembly would spend several months ahead, fighting-off, real and imaginary enemies. In such circumstance, the leadership of the National Assembly may concentrate their energy in making deals, granting concessions, and arrangingfavours for survival, and may have little or no time for makinglaws to impact the general welfare ofthe ordinary Nigerians.

As the Igbo say, onyeokunaagbanaunoya, a dighiachuoke. Literally interpreted, ‘a person whose house is on fire, dose not chase rat’. In the coming years, the context for the control or destruction of APC would likely become a national emergency, with all its implications for the new government and the country. With a minority group in the party, successfully hoisting their preferred candidates in the legislative chambers, and taking over that important arm of the democratic tripod, the other party members now outmanoeuvred,may return to the trenches, for either a fight-to-win or a fight-to-destroy.

Many have predicted that the leadership coup in the National Assembly, would result in a re-alliance that would benefit democracy, on the premise that god-fatherism has been given a deadly blow. The protagonists of this position substantially have Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of the foremost leadersof the party in view, in making that assertion. Their excitement is because the Jagaban, as the man is also known as, had visibly supported the candidates that lost. While the winners are entitled to their feast, this column is unable to see what happened as the death of god-fatherism, considering that the people that won, also had their god-father supporters.

But even more importantly, while the Nigerian type of god-fatherism must be deprecated, especially the type for whom, self-aggrandisement, is the sole purpose of political participation, it is unrealistic to hope for its extinction. After all, the political god-father should be a mere political-mentor. And as in other spheres of life, without a mentor, the neophyte would have to learn the ropes all by himself. The problem, which we side-step, is the lack of strong independent institutions that should, wagewar against corruption, protect a fair national economy, provide security of lives and property, protect the national geographical integrity, and solve other myriad manifestations of our debilitating under-development.

So, the successful revolt at the National Assembly, only makes it more difficult for the new APC government, to successfully resolve some of ournational challenges. In fairness, this column had a few weeks ago, argued that it was impossible for President Buhari to intervene in the National Assembly leadership election, without consequences. What was not envisaged, was that majority of APC members would prefer an outcome that would fail. With this crisis, we hope the divergent tendencies in the party, would notseek their various tents, as the then disgruntled children of Israel.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NATIONAL BAR Two weeks before his exit, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Administrator of Criminal Justice bill into law. In this piece, Professor of law, Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), examines key provision of the new law.

Innovative provisions of Administration ofCriminalJusticeAct 2015 • Continued from last week

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PERSON charged with an of fence exceeding three years imprisonment shall upon application to the court be released on bail, except in any of the following circumstances: (a) where there is reasonable ground to believe that the defendant will, where released on bail, commit another offence; (b) attempt to evade his trial; (c) attempt to influence, interfere with, intimidate witnesses, and or interfere in the investigation of the case; (d) attempt to conceal or destroy evidence; (e) prejudice the proper investigation of the offence; or (f) undermine or jeopardise the objectives or the purpose or the functioning of the criminal justice administration, including the bail system.

These provisions of the ACJ Act regarding conditions for grant of bail in capital offences are clearer and detailed.

Women Sureties The current practice in Nigeria where women are routinely denied the right to stand as sureties for the purpose of entering into recognisance for bail received the attention of the ACJA. By virtue of section 167 (3) “no person shall be denied, prevented or restricted from entering into any recognisance or standing as surety for any defendant or applicant on the ground only that the person is a woman”. This provision is commendable as it is in line with the 1999 Constitution and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which has been ratified by Nigeria.

Prosecution Section 106 of the ACJA stipulates that prosecution of all offences in any court shall be undertaken by: (a) the Attorney-General of the Federation or a Law Officer in his Ministry or Department; (b) legal practitioner authorised by the Attorney- General of the Federation; (c) a legal practitioner authorised to prosecute by law.

The provision is novel and commendable. It attempted to lay to rest the issue of lay prosecution as created in case of Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Osahon. The Supreme Court in this case reaffirmed the powers of the police whether qualified as a legal practitioner or not to prosecute in any court. It is observed that lay prosecutors are ill-equipped to respond to questions of law when raised by defence counsel. The use of lay prosecutors has resulted in prolonging criminal trial and sometimes criminals go scot free on grounds of technicalities.

Professional Bondsperson

Section 187 of the ACJA makes provisions for professional Bonds persons It provides for the registration and use of Bondspersons and gives the Chief Judge the powers to make regulations in developing details of the best practices in the use of Bondsperson. The Bondspersons may undertake recognisance, act as surety, or guarantee the deposit of money as required by the bail condition of any person granted bail by the court within the jurisdiction in which the bondsperson is registered.

The Chief Judge may withdraw the registration of a bondsperson who contravenes the terms of his licence.

Where a bondsperson arrests a defendant or suspect who is absconding or who he believes is trying to evade or avoid appearance in court he shall arrest him immediately and hand him over to the nearest police station. The defendant must be taken to the appropriate court within

twelve hours of his arrest.

Remand proceedings

Remand Proceeding is a situation where a suspect who is yet to be charged with an offence is ordered by a court, to be kept in prison custody, pending his bail, ultimate trial or release. The arrest and remand must be only for ‘probable cause’. In considering whether “probable cause” has been established for the remand of a suspect, the court may take into consideration the following: (a) the nature and seriousness of the alleged offence; (b) reasonable grounds to suspect that the suspect has been involved in the commission of the alleged offence; (c) reasonable grounds for believing that the suspect may abscond or commit further offence where he is not committed to custody; and any other circumstances of the case that justifies the request for remand.

Section 295 of the ACJA permits the court in considering an application for remand, to grant bail to the suspect, taking into consideration the provisions of Sections 158 to 188 of the Act relating to bail.

Time protocol for remand orders The ACJA 2015contains a time frame for remand orders. Under section 296, an order of remand made by a court shall not exceed a period of fourteen (14) days in the first instance. The court may make an order for further remand of the suspect for a period not exceeding fourteen days, on application in writing, showing good cause why there should be an extension of the remand period. After the expiration of the 14 days extension, the court shall order the release of the person remanded unless good cause is shown why there should be further remand order for a period not exceeding 14 days. At the expiration of the further order, the court is to issue a hearing notice to the Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police and/or Attorney-General of the Federation as the case may be and adjourn the matter in order to inquire as to the position of the case and for the Inspector General of Police or the Commissioner of Police and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation to show cause why the suspect remanded should not be unconditionally released. This provision is novel and quite commendable as this will address the problem of ‘holding charge’.

Guideline to prevent abuses in Plea Bargain Plea bargaining is one of the tools employed in the criminal justice system. It helps the Court and State to manage caseloads. It reduces the work workload of the prosecutor and saves resources for the State. Plea bargain refers to a situation where a defendant pleads guilty to a charge or a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.

By virtue of Section 270 of the ACJA, the Prosecutor has the power to consider and accept a plea bargain from a person charged with any offence where the prosecutor is of the view that the acceptance of such plea bargain is in the interest of justice, the public interest, public policy and the need to prevent abuse of legal process. In determining whether it is in the public interest to enter into a plea bargain, the prosecution must weigh all relevant factors, including: i. the defendant’s willingness to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of others; ii. the defendant’s history with respect to criminal activity; iii. the defendant’s remorse or contrition and his willingness to assume responsibility for his conduct; iv. the desirability of prompt and certain disposition of the case; v. the

•CJN Justice Mahmud Mohammed

• Prof. Akinseye-George

likelihood of obtaining a conviction at trial, the probable effect on witnesses; vi. the probable sentence or other consequences if the defendant is convicted; vii. the need to avoid delay in the disposition of other pending cases; and viii the expense of trial and appeal. ix. The defendant’s willingness to make restitution or pay compensation to the victim where appropriate.

The ACJA further provides that the prosecutor can only enter into a plea or sentence agreement after consultation with the investigating police officer, and the victim or his representative, with due regard to the nature of and circumstances relating to the offence, the defendant and public interest. The prosecutor, where it is reasonably feasible, is to afford the complainant or his representative the opportunity to make representations to the prosecutor regarding the contents of the agreement and the inclusion in the agreement of a compensation or restitution order. Such agreements between the parties must be in writing and signed. The presiding Judge or Magistrate is not permitted to be part of the discussions.

Where there is an agreement between the parties, the prosecutor shall inform the court of the agreement reached by the parties, it is the duty of the presiding Judge or Magistrate to inquire from the defendant to confirm the correctness and the voluntariness of the agreement. After considering the agreed sentence, the presiding Judge or Magistrate may impose the sentence agreed upon, or impose a lesser sentence.

Where presiding judge or magistrate is of the view that the offence requires a heavier sentence, than the one agreed, he is to inform the defendant of his view. The defendant may decide to abide by his plea of guilty and accept the sentence by the Judge or Magistrate, or he may decide to withdraw from his plea agreement. If he does so, the trial proceedsde novo before another presiding Judge or Magistrate.

The provision which allows the Judge or Magistrate to decline to be bound by sentence agreed to by the prosecutor and defendant is a safeguard for situations where public sensibility may be offended by the sentence agreed.

A number of influential Nigerians, including MrTafa Balogun, former Inspector-General of Police; Mrs Cecilia Ibru, former MD of Oceanic Bank; Mr Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor of Edo State and others have had plea bargaining applied to their cases. The cases show that the absence of clear guidelines on the application of plea bargaining may have led to abuses and discrepancies it its application. However, with the provisions of the ACJA 2015 it is

hoped that plea bargaining will be effectively and scientifically utilised in the Nigerian criminal justice system.

Speedy trial

The ACJA in section 396 makes provision for daily trial of criminal cases. This is to ensure that criminal cases are expeditiously dealt with in line with the provision of the Constitution. Where day-to-day trial is impracticable after arraignment, parties shall only be entitled to five adjournments each. The interval between each adjournment shall not exceed fourteen days. This section also provides that where it is impracticable to conclude a criminal proceeding after the parties have exhausted their five adjournments each, the interval between one adjournment to another shall not exceed seven days. The court may award costs in order to discourage frivolous adjournments.

The provision further states that a Judge of the High Court who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal shall have dispensation to continue to sit as a High Court Judge for the purpose of concluding any partheard criminal matter pending before him at the time of his elevation and shall conclude same within a reasonable time. This provision is intended to address the problem of trial de novo.

By virtue of section 306, an application for stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before the Court shall not be entertained.

Section 109(4) of the Act provides that where a charge is preferred at the magistrate court and the trial does not commence within thirty days, or trial has commenced but has not been completed after one hundred and eighty days of arraignment on that charge, the Court shall forward to the Chief Judge the particulars of the charge and reasons for failure to commence the trial or to complete the trial.

Section 109(5) mandates Courts seized of criminal jurisdiction to make quarterly returns of the particulars of all cases, including charges, remand and other proceedings commenced and dealt with in a Court to the Chief Judge. In reviewing the returns, the Chief Judge shall have regard to the need to ensure that: (a) criminal matters are speedily dealt with; (b) congestion of cases in courts is drastically reduced; (c) congestion of prisons is reduced to the barest minimum; and (d) persons awaiting trial are, as far as possible, not detained in prison custody for a length of time beyond the prescribed period.

The Act further provides that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee shall have

power to consider all returns made to the Chief Judge for the purpose of ensuring expeditious disposal of cases. The National Human Rights Commission shall also have access to the said return upon request to the Chief Judge.

Section 349(7) of the Act states that a legal practitioner, other than a law officer, engaged in a matter shall be bound to conduct the case on behalf of the prosecution or defendant until final judgment, unless allowed for any special reason to cease from acting by the Court of its own motion or upon application by the legal practitioner. Where a legal practitioner intends to disengage from a matter, he shall notify the Court, not less than three days before the date fixed for hearing and such notice shall be served on the Court and all parties.

Furthermore, section 382 provides that where an information has been filed in the court, the Chief Judge shall assign it for trial within fifteen working day of its filing. On assigning the information, the court to which the information is assigned shall within ten working days of the assignment issue notice of trial to the witnesses and defendants and a reproduction warrant properly endorsed by the Judge in respect of the defendant charged, where he is in custody, for the purpose of ensuring his appearance on the date of arraignment, and the Chief Registrar shall ensure the prompt service of the notice and information not more than three days from the date they are issued.

Time limit for issuance of legal advice Section 376 makes provision for time limit for the issuance of DPP’s legal advice. It states that the Attorney-General of the Federation shall, within fourteen days of receipt of police case file, issue and serve a legal advice indicating whether or not there is a prima facie case against a defendant. The provision further provides that where the Attorney-General of the Federation is of the opinion as contained in the legal advice that the suspect has no prima facie case to answer, he shall serve a copy of the legal advice on: (a) the police or the head of the police legal unit through whom the police case file was sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation. (b) the court before whom the suspect was remanded in prison, where he is in remand custody, or before whom the suspect was granted bail, where he is on bail; and (c) the suspect in respect of whom legal advice is preferred through the prison authority, where the suspect is remanded in custody, or through his legal representative.

Witness Protection

Section 232 of the Act permits witnesses to some offences to give evidence in camera. These include: (a) sexual related offences, (b) Terrorism offences, (c) offences relating to Economic and Financial Crimes, (d) Trafficking in Persons and related offences, and (e) any other offence in respect of which an Act of the National Assembly which permit the use of such protective measures.

Under this provision, the name and identity of the victims of such offences or witnesses shall not be disclosed in any record or report of the proceedings and it shall be sufficient to designate the names of the victims or witnesses with a combination of alphabets.

It further provides that where in any proceedings the court determines it is necessary to protect the identity of the victim or a witness the court may take any or all of the following measures: •Continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

41

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

They defied all odds to survive cancer, thanks to a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Sebeccly Cancer Care, run by an Oncologist Dr Omolola Salako. The survivors share their stories with OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

Our cancer story, by survivors W

HEN, some years ago, Vivienne Okosa, a trader, noticed some changes in her breast, she immediately informed her family matron.

She was told that it was abu anu in Igbo language. The matron said it was, “normal for women”, claiming that she recently treated a woman with a similar disease. “The matron said with some injections and tablets, I would be relieved. What I noticed was that before giving me the tablet, she would remove it from the original pack and put it in a tablet pack. I had the treatment for one year but there was no difference,” Vivienne said.

She observed that whenever the matron injected her, the lump would get hard again.

The matron told me it would become soft, but when I go back for the next appointment, it would be hard again. I told her I wanted to go to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) but she discouraged me. She said the student doctors would use me for experiment and I would lose my life. I held on for a while,” said Vivienne.

But when there was still no difference, Vivienne visited a private hospital where she was told to go for some diagnostic screenings. “When the results came out the doctor said I have breast cancer and said to me, Vivienne; your breast would be chopped off. With those words, I felt that was the end of life for me. The matron beside me noticed I was going down (fainting), then she offered me a seat. But something in me was telling me to go to LUTH. I knew I was not getting the best care I needed in those places,” Vivienne narrated.

Vivienne continued: “In my search for LUTH, I ended up in General Hospital, Sabo.

I was able to see a male doctor. On telling him that I had breast cancer, the doctor said he had done surgery for a lady without chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The doctor said chemotherapy and radiotherapy is a dangerous treatment for me. When he told me this, I knew I was at the wrong place. My fiancé then browsed and saw LUTH address and I was able to trace it out.”

At LUTH, Vivienne was told to go back to the doctor to ask for the lady she treated. She did.

Vivienne said: “He said the patient was doing well after the treatment, that he told the lady to always come for medical checkup but she failed to do so. But I gathered that the lady the doctor treated came back after six months on a wheel chair with all her body swollen. I used that experience to trace out the first matron that treated me and asked for the lady she said she treated. The matron said she got fine but now late. She told me not to panic that the lady did not die as a result of the ailment. Then I realised I had been playing with my life. Thank God I got a better care at LUTH. When I was discharged I got to know that it was just a primary case and I needed to go for the chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I want to thank Dr Salako for her support. Please you have done a lot but please do more so that we can have more survivors. I am not the first neither would I be the last. More awareness should be created.

We can fight it,” Vivienne enthused.

Thirty year-old Modele Ekanem (not real names) said hers started at the age of 24. She narrated her experience: “I was bleeding from the nipple as if I was menstruating. I have gone everywhere looking for solution. Until providence linked me with LUTH and I met Dr. Salako. I told her and she said my breast would be removed because the breast

• Survivors

cancer had spread and it was in the last stage.

I pleaded with her because my breast is my pride. She told me if the breast is not removed on time, it would affect the second breast and possibly, the whole body. I summoned courage and agreed that my breast should get removed. I underwent 12 chemotherapies.

After that, I was declared free of cancer. Now, I am okay. What would I have done if I did not know Dr Salako because I am from a very poor background. She got money from the first lady. The cancer could have spread to the leg and I would have been limited in life.

I am very grateful to the first lady for paying for the treatment. I also thank Dr. Salako for her encouragement. I remember a particular drug Enzomenta (for the bone) which is N65, 000.00 that I must take for a year. Where would I have got the money? The treatment is very expensive. Please do not relent in helping us.”

Mrs Yewande Olakunle, said she survived cancer because of timely financial assistance, adding that she got the prescribed drugs. Mrs Olakunke said, “I want to thank everyone. I would cut my story short. This story started in 2003 when I had my second child. I went to the hospital where I was delivered of my baby. The lump was removed and nothing was done to it. From there, I travelled to Senegal. Then in 2008, I felt another lump in the same place. I went to the general hospital on Lagos Island to remove the lumps again. After the lump was removed, I did the napcetomy (?) and found out that it was cancerous. I went for chemotherapy and also radiotherapy. Cancer is not a day journey, it is gradual. Once somebody is diagnosed with it, the person should keep visiting the hospital to tackle it. I want to thank the first lady and Dr Salako for my care because they have been there for me from the first day of my cancer journey. I advise everybody to check themselves and whenever they detect anything wrong they should report to the hospital. You can see that I am very healthy. A lot of people have died as a result of cancer but thank God that I am still alive.”

For Mrs Kehinde Miracle (not real names), a 42-year-old mother, it all started shortly after delivering her second child. She shared her story: “While breast feeding, I discovered a very tiny hole. So, I went to Ikeja General Hospital. I was tested and told to come back later because I was still breast feeding. When I went back, I was told that I came late and still asked to come back in three months. Before it was three months, I went to a hospital at Abeokuta where I was referred to LUTH. I brought the sample from Abeokuta to LUTH. In the test it was confirmed that it was cancer. Then I was very afraid and thought my life was about to end.

• Dr Salako

The consultant, Mr Oshinowo said, my breast had to be removed but I refused. He told me to come with my husband but before then he called some survivors to encourage me. After much pleading, my husband and I agreed that I go for the operation. Then I was transferred to radiotherapy department where I met Dr. Salako. She encouraged me, educated me about radiotherapy and took me as a sister. I was not informed that I should not get pregnant again. While I was single, my period was not regular even when I got married.

After my first chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, I discovered that I was pregnant. I did not really want that pregnancy so I went to inform Mr. Oshinowo.

After some time, he called me and said I could have the baby. I was delivered of the baby and I immediately commenced another treatment. One year after, I got pregnant again. I went to a private hospital to abort the baby but the doctor refused and told me to inform my doctor that delivered me of my third child. I was scared to tell Mr. Oshinowo that I was pregnant again.

“Later, I told Mr. Oshinowo that I was pregnant then he congratulated me but I was confused. When I was pregnant, I noticed some symptoms but I could not tell anyone apart from my husband. My family members got annoyed with me for getting pregnant after that treatment. My parents were not happy. A month or two before I gave birth I was unable to move a leg. Some people said the baby was resting on it but I knew that was not the issue. I delivered safely. When my baby was a month old, I went back to

LUTH to complain. I was told that a lump was discovered. When my baby was a month and two weeks, I had my chemotherapy. I was referred to University College Hospital (UCH). I did not understand myself when I was at UCH, I thought I would die. I went back to LUTH to meet Dr. Salako and she told me never to lose hope. She said “You are going nowhere, you would survive it”.

“At a time I could not afford the money for the treatment. Dr. Salako called me into her office and gave me the tablet. Where she got that money from is beyond me. I am still on the treatment till date. I took the last dose of chemotherapy last week. Enzomenta is prescribed for me for one year. I have taken it for six months. I ought to have been through with it but it is expensive. So, I stopped it and opted for only chemotherapy.

At a point, I could not afford the drugs again.

I was on the verge of selling my properties.

My husband and I deliberated on selling our house just to get money for the drugs and buy a cheaper house though we have not done that. I have been declared cancer-free but I need the drugs to stay thoroughly free.”

Mrs Banke Adikwu (not real names), 57year-old said her cancer story started in 2010, “I detected a lump in the left breast. I noticed some dirty discharges on my breast. When I went to the regular hospital to complain, an X-ray was done but nothing was discovered medically. Drugs were prescribed for me.

In early 2011, I noticed blood discharges coming out from my breast. I went back to the hospital to complain but still nothing was discovered. By late 2011, when I went to complain again, the doctor did a thorough examination on my breast and diagnosed me with cancer.

The doctor said the breast would be removed.

I was very scared and confused. I did the operation in March, 2012. I was given chemo, then referred to LUTH for radiotherapy. On getting there, I was told it was N100, 000 but I did not have such exorbitant amount. I am not from a rich family and also, my children had supported me with the little they had. I ran around but could not raise the money. I was directed to Dr. Salako. When I got there, it was already a year after the surgery. I was told that I came late for the radiotherapy. After then, I noticed I could neither sit nor walk well. Then I was directed to UCH at Ibadan for bone scan. From the bone scan it was discovered that if care was not taken, my spinal cord may be affected. An injection, which costs N65, 000 was prescribed. I was told that I would have six of it. Thanks to Dr. Salako and first lady because if not for them I may not be able to stand again. They took charge of the bills.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

42

HEALTH

‘How I lost my mother to T breast cancer’ HE Owolabi family of Aiyegbaju in Ekiti State is made up of devout Christians.

The family is industrious and well educated. One of the children is a doctor. Despite their education, they have strong Christian disposition. They strongly believe in divine healing. So when in 1998, their matriarch, Mrs Abike Eunice Owolabi, 56, complained of unusual pain in her breast, she was prayed for and left at that.

But by mid 1999, the pain became unbearable. The family decided to seek medical advice. Mrs Owolabi was diagnosed of breast cancer. The illness had progressed within a year, when she initially complained of unusual pain in her breast. Medics told her and her family that they had wasted time before coming for diagnosis or accessing medical treatment.

By Wale Adepoju

She was told that she did not pay much attention to the pains at the outset. Now, but it was rather too late because it has advanced to the last stage (Stage four) with 16 percent survival rate. Mrs Owolabi, a mother of four, died in 1999. She was 57.

Her son, Kayode Owolabi, recollected how cancer snatched his mother.

Mr Owolabi said: “My mother died despite having a medical doctor as a daughter. It was really sad.

The family took solace in God and since then my father and I and the rest of children have been paying attention to people living with cancer. We have been supporting can-

cer initiatives so as to sensitise women on the disease.”

Mr Owolabi, Managing Director of 5D Cinema 9ja said the family is doing so under an initiative called, Breast without Spot (BWS).

“Already, I gave 612 tickets to the organisation with the aim that the proceeds from the sales would be channeled toward cancer awareness in the country. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 1999 and it is a great feeling to give back to a cause I am convinced can save more Nigerian women from preventable death,” he said.

He said 5D Cinema 9ja is working closely with BWS to raise awareness of the primary and secondary prevention of cancers in Nigeria.

•Chief Medical Director (CMD) Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Chris Bode (fifth from left), flanked from his immediate left by the Provost, College of Medicine UNILAG (CMUL), Prof Folashade T. Ogunsola; Chairman Medical Advisory Comitte (CMAC)Dr Femi Fasanmade and his deputy, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo with the Resident doctors who passed and now Consultants at the lunch given them by the hospital management.

Don’t skip breakfast, says nutritionist

B

REAKFAST is essential and it is not advisable to skip, a nutritionist has said. Dr Folake Samuel of the Department of Human Nutrition, Univeristy of Ibadan (UI), said it is dangerous to skip breakfast or eat just anything to replace breakfast. In an inteerview with The Nation,Dr Samuel said: “Skipping breakfast can make both children and adults feel tired, restless, or irritable.

Imagine you are a car. After a long night of sleeping, your fuel tank is empty. Breakfast is the fuel that gets you going so you can hit the road. You need to provide enough new energy for your body to get started and to keep you functioning until lunch.

“Breakfast provides the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast - that’s where its name originates, breaking the fast! Without breakfast you are effectively running on empty, like trying to start the car with no petrol. We nutritionists advise that breakfast should be eaten within two hours of waking. A six-year study compared the mental and physical efficiency of a group of adults throughout the day, some of whom ate healthy nutritious breakfasts while others did not. When compared to those who ate breakfast, the people who did not became less efficient as the day went on. Their productivity improved after eating lunch, but by the end of the day, their work completion was slower than those who had eaten breakfast.

“For children, a good breakfast is even more important. Children who do not eat a good breakfast become tired in school and have shorter attention spans, especially

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

late in the morning. In one study, test scores of children who did not eat breakfast were generally lower than those who had eaten a wellbalanced morning meal. Another good reason to make sure that children have a balanced breakfast is that four out of five children do not get enough vitamins and minerals from lunch and dinner alone. By adding good breakfast, children are more likely to get the vitamins and minerals they need. Also, children who don’t eat a good breakfast tend to eat more junk food during the day such as snacks that are high in fat and sugar and low in nutritional value.”

Dr Samuel said: “The point of breakfast is to feed your child’s body the protein and energy it needs to start the day and to carry him through to lunch. Of course, children often learn most by example, so it’s important for parents to set a good example and have a nutritious breakfast each day too.

“The morning meal does not have to be a headache, as there are excellent resources, such as cereals within our local environment that Nigerians can utilise to make up nutritious golden breakfast meals that can be prepared quickly, eaten and even enjoyed before leaving for school, work or any business for the day. They include maize, millet, cow pea and sorghum.”

She explained that cereals make a nutritious and filling breakfast.

“Breakfast cereals are high fibre when made of whole grains and contain nutrients such as iron and vitamin A when fortified. Breakfast cereals when fortified with nutrients such as iron and vitamin A are

good for children. Children usually like the taste of breakfast cereals and they can easily prepare by themselves. A good breakfast gives a good start to your day and provides energy for work and play.

Children remain active during school and play. When you give a golden start to your day with a nutritious breakfast, you have energy for work and play. Children remain active during school and play.

“Apart from providing adults too with energy, eating a good breakfast makes it more likely for them to meet their daily nutritional needs. Breakfast has various health benefits. It helps to maintain an ideal body weight as those who eat breakfast are more likely to be within their ideal weight range compared with those who regularly skip breakfast.”

•A plate of cereal

HEALTH TALK with How to achieve complete health: Illnesses and their prevention 9

O

THER examples of metabolic disease include liver cirrhosis which may be due to alcohol misuse or viral infection(Hepatitis A,B,C,D,E). Obesity is another form of metabolic illness. In a lot of ways, metabolic diseases may be made worse or minimised by the lifestyle you live such as substance misuse, alcohol misuse, overeating and lack of exercise.

Prevention: First know your family history. Get tested. Are you carrying any disease without you being aware? Lead a modest life-style: Exercise, your mind and body. Eat healthily. Environmental Changes and Poisoning: In the world today, we hear of global warming. There are illnesses and deaths from changes to our environment. Such changes do influence the health of human beings in an adverse way (such as pollution causing skin illnesses, respiratory illness such as asthma, food poisoning from industrial chemicals, and food poisoning from insecticides being used by farmers). Floods, earthquakes and mudslides may spread diseases such as cholera and typhoid when the sewage systems are affected.

Take the impact of the sun on the skin for example. Excessive sunrays may cause human illness such as dehydration in the short term and melanoma in the long term. To reduce the risk, take good care and protection against sun radiation via sun shades, sun creams and do minimal exposure to sunlight. Watch carefully if there are any changes taking place in your birthmarks (such as colour changes, or if getting bigger).

On the other hand, chemicals from industrial pollution, chemicals to aid manufacturing and farming as well as products from vehicles, aircrafts, ships and home/domestic wastes are all discharged unto our environment.

Some, if not all, pollute our foods and water. In turn, we eat food or drink the polluted water with some dire consequences. People could get poisoned if water and food are not properly treated. Skin rashes, breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis, cancers of bladder and of lungs are some of the results of chemical pollution to our bodies.

Environmental pollution can also be from germs such as from viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites that are used industrially (See more under Infections).

Prevention: Very often the prevention starts from exerting pressure on governments and intergovernmental organisations to enact laws and execute proper guidance for farmers, factory owners and related industries. At individual level, the precaution under infection, as above suffices. Also, there is no substitute for good air, properly prepared food and water and avoiding overcrowding as well as paying prompt attention to our health if affected.

Degenerative Diseases There are a lot that we could do to ward off some degenerative diseases. The key to it all is continuous and reasonable use of our body and brain even into old age. Example of degenerative diseases is dementia and arthritis.

Prevention: Suffice to say that, osteoarthritis may be helped by good nutrition and avoidance of certain foods or addition of certain foods that our doctors may advice. Good exercise, adequate rest, avoidance of obesity is highly recommended as preventive measures. In sum, good use of our brain and body in exercise will help prevent degenerative illnesses.

Cancers Cancers kill millions of peo-

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant 08188343865 managementlease@yahoo.com

ple every year in every countries of the world and in all races. Some are due to genetic disorders such as the case in breast and ovarian cancers.

Others are due to environmental influences such as mesothelioma (due to exposure to asbestos) and melanoma (in some cases, excessive influence of the Sun on the skin). Yet, some are due to infections such as cervical cancers, throat, and mouth cancers being caused by human papiloma virus Many cancers are in fact due to our own habits such as what we eat (red meat are known to cause cancer of the colon) or what we do not eat (vegetable meals can prevent cancer of the colon). Cancers could also be as a result of social habits such as sexual (cancer of cervix, anus, throat, lips etc) and substance misuse habits. Such illness as cancer of the liver may be seen in alcoholic abusers or cancer of pancreas may develop from misuse of alcohol.

Prevention: Pay attention to your social habits including avoiding infections and avoiding cigarette smoking that clearly is linked to causing cancer of the lungs. Physical exercise helps to prevent cancers of the breast, bowel and many more. Taking simple precautions such as protection against excessive sunlight may help as well as good nutritional habits and good sleep. Track your genetic makeup and know your history so as to help you determine where you are heading.

Mental Health Disorders In general, mental health incapacitates the sufferers and their families. Many infirmities and deaths are due to mental health illness such as depression and serious disorders such as of schizophrenia or mania. Death may be by suicide or homicide (murder). In some cases, the consequences of mental health may be self-harm or assault on other innocent persons. Mental health illness may be as a result of genetic impairment such as in some cases of mania, depression or schizophrenia.

Diseases of the mind may also be due to our own social habits such as substance misuse (cocaine, cannabis, LSD, Speed, heroine, magic mushrooms etc). Yet, a person may break down because of life frustrations such as death in the family or friends demise. Mental illness may also develop due to personal illnesses (say cancers and long-standing diseases), loss of job, relationship issues, frustration of life ambitions, lack of achievements, financial difficulties or general frustrations about not understanding the dynamics of life. Prevention Once again, there are social, genetic, family histories and life stressors that can best be avoided in order to escape mental health disorders. You only need to take note of what I have been mentioned above.

Also, once again simple measures such as physical exercise, good sleep, good rest, knowing ones limit, and avoiding misuse of substances can go a long way to prevent mental health break downs. Deal with physical illness promptly.

•To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

43

HEALTH June 13 was World Albinism Day. What does it feel like being an albino? Bisi Bamishe tells WALE ADEPOJU her experience.

‘Albinism is not a disease’ W

HEN I was a child, I grappled with what it meant to be a person with albinism. At a tender age, I realised the colour of my skin was different from those of my peers, siblings, parents. It was difficult performing the same tasks with my peers because I had low vision. At school, I was unable to see what was written on the blackboard and so, had to rely on the assistance of my classmates. Moreover, teachers were not all that helpful because they couldn't understand why I could not see what was written on the blackboard despite the fact that I was always sitting on the front seat.

Consequently, learning was a struggle.

This continued even to my university days (first and second degrees) and participating in sports was hard, as most were eye hand co-ordination. Social exclusion, of course, almost crept in and even disdain. I had my own share of name calling with special songs attached.

My professional life was another issue. In the early years of my journalism career, walking about under the harsh sun scouting for stories was hardly unproblematic.

The sun was my greatest enemy. I suffered from sunburn because I had no knowledge of sunscreen creams. This was the kind of life I grew up with.

Today, I am proud to be who I am created

by God for His glory-without fear of resentment of being a person with albinism.

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition from both parents that occurs in both genders regardless of ethnicity, in all countries of the world. Both the father and the mother must carry the gene for it to be passed on even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition results in a lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes causing vulnerability to sun exposure, which may lead to skin cancer and visual impairment. While numbers vary, it is estimated that one out of every 5,000 persons in sub-Saharan Africa and one in every 20,000 people in Europe and North America have albinism.

Every person with albinism is intricately unique. Almost all people with albinism are visually impaired with the majority being classified as 'legally blind'. They thus face many challenges due to low vision. The term 'persons with albinism' is referred to 'albino', which is often used in a derogatory way.

In some countries, people with albinism suffer discrimination, poverty, stigma, violence and even killings. Discrimination and violence against people with albinism mostly affect children, the elderly and women. The physical appearance of people with albinism is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster marginalisation and even violent attacks against them.

For example some persons with albinism choose not to drive as a result of fear while others may not due to their inability to pass the vision requirement for driving. Besides, on account of their unique appearance, dating and meeting can be challenging for some. In many parts of Africa, people with albinism are misunderstood, disadvantaged and even attacked and killed. Having albinism is a sentence to harsh life and early death.

Between 2000 and 2013, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office received over 200 reports of killing and dismembering of people with albinism for ritual purposes in 15 countries. In some countries, women who give birth to children with albinism are rejected by their husbands and their children abandoned.

In Tanzania for example, their body parts are sold to witchdoctors for use in charms and magical portions believed to bring wealth and good luck. Politicians have been warned in Tanzania to steer off witchcraft ahead of elections in the country later this year. The government admitted that politicians may be behind increased attacks and killings of persons with albinism in the country. Similar attacks have been recorded in neighbouring countries of Burundi and Malawi. To protect persons with albinism, police in Malawi were ordered to shoot at-

tackers. The violence has left persons with albinism in the region living in abject fear.

Without effective and affordable access to justice, persons with albinism cannot claim their rights and challenge the human rights violation to which they are daily subjected.

The voice of people with albinism is seldom heard and, therefore, no justice. Prejudice impedes persons with albinism from accessing adequate healthcare, social services, legal protection and redress for right abuses.

Concerned about the attacks against persons with albinism, which are committed with impunity, the UN has officially declared June 13, as International Albinism Awareness Day. It was on that day in 2013 that the body adopted its first ever resolution on albinism. On November 18, last year, due to advocacy by the Under The Same Sun (UTSS), an international non-governmental organisation advocating the human rights of persons with albinism and cooperation with various UN agencies, a third historic resolution on albinism was adopted by vote

by UN General Assembly in New York. The resolution proclaimed June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day, effective from this year. The action has been enthusiastically applauded by UTSS and World Albinism Alliance Inc, the international umbrella group for albinism associations around the world.

This is because many local albinism groups across the world have needed a viable platform to raise awareness, especially in countries with recent records of attack and severe discrimination. About 92 albinism associations around the world belong to the umbrella body WAA to ensure equity in citizenship rights for person with albinism As the Chief Executive Officer/Founder of UTSS, Peter Ash (who is also a PWA) stated, "we are grateful to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, which made a recommendation to the General Assembly on June 13, 2014 that the day be proclaimed". The resolution establishing International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) welcomes increased international attention, noting that in many parts of the world, awareness of the human rights situation of persons with albinism remains limited." It also recognises the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of albinism in order to fight against global discrimination and stigma against persons with albinism.

The UN urges member states to continue with their efforts to protect the rights to life and security of persons with albinism, their right not to be subjected to torture and illtreatment and to ensure access to adequate health care, employment education and justice for persons with albinism.

The UN has invited all member states, organizations of its system and other international and regional organisations as well as civil societies including non-governmental organisations and individuals to observe IAAD in an appropriate manner.

According to the declaration and adoption of this day, member states are to provide

‘Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition from both parents that occurs in both genders regardless of ethnicity, in all countries of the world. Both the father and the mother must carry the gene for it to be passed on even if they do not have albinism themselves’ •An albino

the UN High Commission for Human Rights with information on the initiatives taken to promote and protect the human rights of persons with albinism including efforts to increase awareness of human rights situations of persons with albinism and understanding of albinism.

Following the official ratification of IAAD, as June 13, by UN, activities have been lined for this auspicious day in Nigeria by a charity organisation called The Albino Network Association of Nigeria (TANA). According to its founder, Adeyemi Dada, who is also a person with albinism, the activities include a symposium, television talk show and press conference. Speakers for the symposium are Dr. Ayanlowo, a dermatologist who will present a paper on Dispelling Ignorance through a Working Knowledge of Skin Care for Persons Living with Albinism and Dr. Segun Ikuomenisan, an ophthalmologist's paper will be on Providing Adequate Eye Care and Protection for Persons living with Albinism. Commenting about the day, he said: "We are very grateful that we are getting heard and our plight is beginning to be addressed. We now have a unique platform to raise awareness and increase international attention to human rights situation of persons with albinism."

He explained that TANA was formed as a result of the need to inform the public on health and genetic truths to diffuse existing myths about albinism that often lead to dehumanising stigma and discrimination.

Major objectives of TANA are to encourage persons with albinism to; care for their skin in order to prevent skin cancer, maintain positive mental attitude and overcome rejection and support them in getting employed. Others are to educate the public especially educators, health professionals and parents on how to handle persons with al-

‘We are very grateful that we are getting heard and our plight is beginning to be addressed. We now have a unique platform to raise awareness and increase international attention to human rights situation of persons with albinism’ •Albinos

binism.

TANA is committed to educating feelers and educators on how to help them aside from the immediate family.

According to Dada, teachers and educators bear the responsibility of helping students with albinism grow, learn and ultimately realise their full potentials in life. The visual impairment associated with albinism can keep a student with albinism (SWA) especially infants or toddlers from progressing as quickly as their peers. Early intervention services can help them stay on level with others.

Overcoming classroom challenge can help them become successful students and encourage them to make significant future contribution to the society.

Lies being told about albinism in Nigeria include; one can catch albinism like a sickness, persons with albinism are a curse and they disappear when they die and that people can use their bodies to become healed, rich or lucky. But Dada disagreed with these lies.

In reaction, he said "you can't catch albinism because it is genetic condition passed from both parents to children and only through birth. No one has or can become lucky or rich or healed from the use of albino body part. And person with albinism are not curse of ghost and certainly do not disappear when they die. In fact, they are human beings with a simple genetic condition who deserve the same right that all other Nigerians enjoy".

Persons with albinism all over the world, regardless of heritage, socio-economic status, cultural background, religion or gender need to know and understand their albinism in order to survive. They deserve to have their rights to life and security protected as well as the right not to be subjected to torture and maltreatment.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

44

SHOWBIZ • 2Face

• IK

Super Family reality TV show underway

S

Airtel unveils 2Face, Patoranking, Phyno, others as ambassadors T ELECOMMUNICATION giant, Airtel Nigeria, last Thursday unveiled Hip-hop icon, 2Face Idibia; Rap sensation, Phyno; Dancehall artiste, Patoranking; fast-rising comedian, Akpororo and renowned On-Air-Personality, IK Osakioduwa as brand ambassadors.

The celebrities were presented to the public at a starstudded event tagged ‘The Icon”. The event held at the prestigious MUSON centre, Onikan, Lagos.

While addressing the gathering, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, stated that the new Airtel brand ambassadors were selected due to their fine image, sound characters and achievements in their various fields.

By Adewoyin Adeniyi

He said: “We have carefully selected ambassadors who embody the values, character and overall image inherent to the Airtel brand, therefore making them a perfect fit for further endearing Airtel to millions of Nigerians whilst strengthening the relationship we have with our customers.”

Ogunsanya also noted that the appointment of enterprising and talented Nigerians as brand ambassadors is in line with Airtel’s commitment to delivering value and rewarding excellence.

He noted that all the ambassadors have recorded monumental successes in their respective fields. 2Face

Idibia is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most popular musicians and has received numerous awards, including the Headies, KORA, MOBO, Channel O Music Awards and MAMAs. He is also engaged in a number of CSR activities as an artiste.

IK Osakioduwa, an accomplished Presenter is a sixtime host of the celebrated reality TV show, Big Brother Africa and has been rated among the top three most influential young people in Nigeria. He was also recognised by the Future Awards as the ‘Best On-Air Personality.’

Patoranking, the reggae dancehall singer won the coveted Next Rated Award at the 2014 Headies, while

just recently, he was named the Best African Act at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards.

Fast-rising comedian, Akpororo, is regarded as someone with very strong work ethic and his passion for comedy has earned him so many accolades. He also sponsors a football competition as a way of supporting talented youths in his community.

Phyno, is known for rapping in Igbo language, and has also earned several awards including the Headies, for Best Collaboration in 2013 and Best Rap Single in 2014.

Airtel Nigeria has been a prominent contributor to entertainment and Arts in Nigeria, having sponsored some of the favorite TV series, including Tinsel, Before 30 and Desperate Housewife Africa.

Bobbi Kristina: Family plans to withdraw life support

B

OBBI Kristina Brown is ‘being taken home to die peacefully’ by her family after lying unresponsive in hospital for four months. According to reports, the 22-year-old - has been in hospital since she was found face down and unconscious in a bath on January 31 by her boyfriend Nick Gordon shortly before the third anniversary of her mother’s death.

An insider told Radar Online: ‘They are planning to keep her in Georgia and possibly bring her back to the townhouse. – She will be moved to the house in which she lived with her mother, although her father Bobby Brown is against the decision.

‘That was her home and her mum’s home. If they can bring her back it would be great. ‘If she’s alive, then let her be home and surrounded by beautiful photos of her mum. It’s as good as it gets in such a bad situation.’

However, it’s thought that her father Bobby Brown doesn’t want to take her home, away from the safety of life support. Sources close to the musician insisted just two weeks ago that he would ‘never’ disconnect his daughter from the machines keeping her alive. Sources close to Bobby Brown told People magazine on May 28,’Don’t believe any reports that Bobby is going to take her off life support,’ an unnamed ‘Brown family source’ ‘He’s never going to do that.’ I don’t think he’ll ever go there; if there’s a 2 percent chance, a 1 percent chance, a 0.1 percent chance, he will keep hope alive.’

The 22-year-old only child of the late Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina was found face down in a bathtub at her home just 11 days before the third anniversary of her mother’s tragic death in a hotel bathroom. Al-

M

By Famuyiwa Damilare

and aspiring musicians.

Lash said: “The website is a phenomenon that deals on beat production and interactions between producers and artistes, movie soundtrack directors and record labels.

“It promotes productions from ace producers to upcoming producers and also gives an opportunity for artistes and music acts to afford any sound production of choice- making

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

show to take place from December 13 to 20. The winner will get cash prize of N1million and all expenses paid trip to Dubai. Interested families can visit our websitewww.superfamilytvshow.com.

“Every couple interested in participating in the show would be expected to be legally married and must come with their biological children. The maximum number of children would be three while the minimum is two. They should fall between ages one and 10. We have chosen this age bracket because they are the ages that will require the attention of the parents. Children above that age may have attained some level independence and would not engage the parents as we have designed the programme to be. The family members must be physically, and mentally fit. The show is going to be an annual event.”

Bemoaning the level of moral decadence in the society, Osinaike said: “It is very unfortunate that morals and family values have taken the back seat in modern times. In the past, issues of morality were sacrosanct and nobody dared toy with it. Even children of the rich that were spoilt by their parents with all they wanted, had core family values inculcated into them.

“But these days, we pamper children to a fault and to the detriment of the core family values and morality they are supposed to have. All these are what this show is out to correct. We need to go back to the old good days when our family values were the back bones of our existence as a people. It is a show that every part of it is designed to teach impactful lessons and entertain the people. I am sure that after the first one, we would get franchise to organise it across Africa, Europe and America.”

Skales to promote album via tour

T

• Bobbi Kristina with her late mum

though she has been taken out of a medically-induced coma, she remains unresponsive, and family sources have indicted she has irreversible brain damage. Currently, Bobbi Kristina’s estate is worth approximately $20 million.

The estate was bequeathed through her mother

Whitney’s will when she died in 2012.

Bobby Brown, and Pat Houston, the wife of Whitney’s brother Gary, have co-guardianship of Bobbi Kristina’s estate, which means they are jointly responsible for making decisions about her care and medical needs.

Group launches first online beat market in Nigeria USIC artistes can shop for their beats online, as a new music market, www.beat234.com, the first in Nigeria, was launched recently.

According to the platform’s spokesperson, Durotimi Lash, the website is the first in Africa, described it as a brilliant initiative for producers who wish to commercialise their beats, while also serving as a bridge for aspiring producers

UPER Family, a new reality television show is set to commence. The show is a brain child of ace reality show organiser, Muyiwa Osinaike and Florence Kemi Osagbodje, a leading event planner in the country.

The show, according to them, is scheduled to hold between December 13 and 20 after the audition exercise slated for August 28th and 29th and September 4 th and 5th respectively.

Kemi noted that the objective of the show is to create more successful families in the society, adding: “ it will harp on the importance of m o r a l s and family values and by so doing, have positive effects on many homes across the country and beyond. We are so much concerned with making the family healthy because it is the unit of the society and its success or otherwise has a telling effect on all of us. ”When the ten families come into the camp, they would be given several tasks centering on everyday challenge of family lives. The tasks would include issues on how to manage family finances, child upbringing, sex, mother -in-law matters and many more. It is definitely going to make the family lives of the participants and the viewers better because they would learn various ideas on how turn their situations around. The resource persons we will use would also be people with successful homes.

Aside from our resource persons, the viewers would also have the opportunity to vote for families of the choices.”

Expatiating on the modalities that the show will take, she said: “We are going to have 10 nuclear families to be shortlisted from the audition that will take place over two weekends; August 28 and 29 and September 4th-5th here in Lagos. We have scheduled the

it the first beat production exclusive sales website in Africa.”

Speaking on how safe the platform is for transactions purposes, he noted that there is no complication on our website, as there is copyright for every beat you see on the website. “Also, people need to understand that it is only the demo that is available for you to listen to by notable producers. From there, bidding starts coming in and the highest bid-

der will be favoured. We are well confident at any transaction that occurs because we have structures put in place,” he said.

According to him, the website also has different categories for all class of stakeholders in this prospect. ”The beat categories on the website include Gold, Silver, and underdog. With this, the platform is available for everybody, not just anybody but all the stakeholders,” he disclosed.

HERE are indications that music act, Skales, would be promoting his debut album, Man of The Year, through a music concert tour.

The artiste had said while speaking on his plans for the rest of the year; ”My fans should expect the best from me. I will be shooting a lot of videos and going on tours too.”

The new album which consists of 22 tracks was released on May 18, 2015. It features a number of artistes, including Phyno, Olamide, Davido and Ice Prince.

Following the release of the album, a launch concert was held in Lagos on May 31, at the Federal Palace Hotel, with performances

by Skales and other artistes featured on the album.

In February 2014, it was reported that Skales left Empire Mates Entertainment following the expiration of his four-year recording contract. That same

year, he established his own record label, OHK Music establishment. The label is home to producer Drey Beatz, and has affiliations with other music personnel within Nigeria.

Also in 2014, Skales released Shake Body as the first single from his upcoming album. The song was produced by Jay Pizzle and its music video was released on July 22, 2014 on YouTube.

Skales promoted the song with a Shake Body video competition.

• Skales

45

TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Will Buhari set up cabinet of talents?

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected soon to send the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for consideration. Many factors will determine the choice of the ministers and special advisers. Many Nigerians believe that the pedigree, competence and character of the President’s team will shape the focus and direction of governance in the next four years, writes Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

•Buhari

•Osinbajo

•Saraki

•Dogara

Prominent among them were Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chief Kola Jamodu, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Remi Babalola, Olusegun Aganga and Mr. Oloruntoba. But, legal luminary Chief Niyi Akintola cautioned against over-reliance on technocrats, who he described as the bailiffs of the western world committed to the collection of rents for the Paris Club, warning that it could be disastrous. “Technocrats should be made ministers in special ministries and their total number in the cabinet should not be more than five per cent,” he said.

The cabinet composition, many Nigerians have suggested, should reflect the genuine intention of the administration to maintain a clean break from the past. The challenges are overwhelming: the poor economy, failed budgets, insecurity, energy crisis, bad roads, rot in the aviation sector, soaring unemployment and corruption stare the beleaguered nation in the face. Cries of despondency are on the increase.

The country is at a standstill and the future appears bleak. “The President knows the problem and he knows the people who can fix Nigeria,” said prominent politician Alhaji Balarabe Musa. “I will not comment until he makes the nominations,” he added.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Ebenezer Babatope, who described Buhari as a focussed leader, prayed that God should give him the wisdom to identify competent people for the portfolios. He said: “The choice of who becomes what in the Buhari Administration is the responsibility of Buhari and the APC. I am not in the same party with him. He will be circumspect. I hope Buhari will select those who will love Nigeria and promote the peace and prosperity of the country.”

In the opinion of the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, there is no scarcity of competent people in the ruling party. The party parade heavy weight and credible politi-

cians across the six geo-political zones. Many of them are competent professionals, he said, assuring that the President will tap from these vast talents.

But, a party chieftain from the Southeast, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, warned against recycling ministers, saying that it could be disastrous for the nation. “Those who have served in previous regimes should take a break,” he advised.

Also, he said while the President is expected to pick ministers from each state of the federation, he should select the best from each state.

Onyeagucha, a former member of the House of Representatives, highlighted the challenges that will face the next Federal Executive Council. He said the next council of ministers should be able to build confidence and attract investment, adding that the first step is to exploit the potentials at home, in West Africa sub-region and Africa, before looking at the world. The former legislator said the cabinet should be people’s focused, deliver the dividends of democracy and live to expectation in character and implementation of policies and programmes, especially in the energy sector and job creation.

“These are the two areas where Nigerians need miracles,” he added.

Onyeagucha said Nigerians may not be patient with the administration because they have suffered from long years of decay. “The ministers to be appointed must be practically responsive and proactive; people who can respond to local and international events rapidly as they unfold. They must reach out to the world to bring to Nigeria what is good and practicable within the limits of time,” he added.

Third Republic Senator Tony Adefuye, who shared the views expressed by Onyeagucha, urged the President to consult stakeholders before making nominations. He said there is the feeling in the APC that the windows of consultations have not been widely opened, advising

Q

UESTIONS abound on the proposed ministerial nominations by President Muhammadu Buhari: will the selection unleash fresh crisis on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) like the contest for the Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representatives? Will the list meet popular expectations? Will the President set up a cabinet of talents? Will the team be able to fix Nigeria?

To many observers, the President’s team will determine the character of his government.

Apart from constitutional provisions, which stipulate that each state should be represented in the Federal Executive Council (FCE), many factors will be taken to the consideration as the President assembles his team. These include experience, competence, professionalism, integrity, past record of probity and commitment to the vision of the President and the APC to transform the country.

However, according to party sources, partisan considerations cannot also be ruled out. “If geo-political considerations are taken care of, the composition of the ruling party will also be a big factor. The APC is made up of the defunct ACN, new PDP, CPC, ANPP and a section of APGA. There will the need to balance all the factors. I think the President must consult widely,” said senator from the Southwest, who added: “Judging by the nature of Nigeria, I mean the peculiar influence of ethnicity and religion, it is not a decision that can be made without sensitivity.”

The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki from the Northcentral as the Senate President and Hon. Yakubu Dogara from the Northeast as the Speaker of the House of Representatives may have also alter the zoning of positions. The implication is that the President, Senate President and Speaker are from the North. Therefore, the South may expect to benefit from appointments into other critical offices.

According to the constitution, the President is expected to respect the geographical spread as dictated by the number of states. But, he is not at liberty to nominate only politicians for the positions. In 1999, when President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed the reins, many technocrats made the list. Some of them had no link with the ruling party. His successors-the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathanalso appointed some technocrats as ministers.

the President to discuss with party leaders before taking actions.

Adefuye, an APC chieftain from Lagos State, advised the President to appoint good people into the Federal Executive Council. If the wrong person is appointed, he said it could dent the image of the administration and derail its vision for a better tomorrow. In fact, the eminent politician said if wrong persons are selected, they will later be thrown out of the team. “I hope he will consult with all the leadership before the nominations to avoid confusion and break down of confidence,” he said.

Adefuye also said that the nominations should reflect what he described as the components of Nigeria, adding that there must be need for balancing. He said the fact that the President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives are from the North makes balancing compelling. He said the South must be considered for more top appointments in the spirit of equity and justice. “The appointments should not be lopsided to avoid the repeat of what happened at the National Assembly. There is the need for equilibrium,” he stressed.

Akintola agreed that the lopsided distribution of appointment could generate nasty thoughts in the federation. He charged the President to demonstrate national outlook like Obasanjo, who ensured equity in the distribution of federal appointments. He said when a particular section is benefitting from appointments to the exclusion of other sections, there will be the fear of domination and marginalisation. “We need true Nigerians who believe the country, not a sectional agenda,” he emphasised.

Also, Akintola said the President must not make a mistake of over-reliance on technocrats, who he described as elements without the grassroots appeal. “I don’t belong to the school of thought that technocrats should dominate the cabinet. Most of them do not have value. They lack the connection with the grassroots. They came to operate voodoo economy. We want a cabinet that will boost productive activities to generate employment and the people will in turn pay taxes.

“We don’t want a cabinet that will pile up money and later, inflation will catch up with them. We have tested the technocrats and they have failed us,” he added.

The legal luminary warned against what he described as importation of ministers, stressing that “the states where there are problems today in the country are ruled by imported governors.”

Akintola, who is a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said while the ministers can consider professionals for the ministries of justice and information, other patriotic Nigerians can fill other non-technical portfolios. He explained that while a technocrat is required to man the ministry of justice, the minister should be able to relate appropriately with the bar and the judiciary. He also said the minister of information should connect well with the media, adding that he should be conversant with the political arithmetic of Nigeria.

The legal luminary urged Buhari to learn from the mistakes of the party, recalling that, under the Jonathan Administration, the socalled technocrats could not deliver under the former President because they were far from the people. “Some of them were a disaster.

Social illiterates should not be ministers.

Somebody who lacks a national outlook should not be the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF). Look at the embarrassment suffered by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He visited the Southwest.

A traditional ruler said the Southwest was marginalised. He tendered the proofs. The President said the list of appointment was compiled by the SGF. We need people who understand the Nigerian structure, Political and social illiterates are unfit. Ministers should be able to connect very well.”

Akintola also warned against nominations by godfathers. He said if godfathers succeed in imposing ministers on the President, they will only be loyal to their godfathers, and not to the President and the country. “The ministers must have the national outlook,” he maintained.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2015

Fundamentally, we are going to focus on areas of education, agriculture, healthcare ‘delivery services, empowerment of our youths and women and indeed we are going to also pay special attention to the infrastructural development ’

POLITICS

The Secretary General of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr Ayo Opadokun, in this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, explains why Buhari Administration should honour Chief Moshood Abiola.

‘Buhari should declare Abiola winner of June 12’

W

OULD you say democracy has deepened after the annulment of June 12?

Certainly not. It is great pain for people like me when I remember the phenomenon called June 12 and the aftermath. This is as a consequence of the campaign we took against the military, against General Sani Abacha and his military junta. We succeeded in a way in sending the military back to the barracks, but the military went back to the barracks on their own terms. I will say, consequently, their agents and surrogates have remained in power. Democracy, I hope, given this new administration, will be nurtured, tendered and assisted to grow, in such a manner that will bring the confidence they people expected under the dispensation. That Nigerians will be able to say with some measure of relative importance, that the concept of democracy has taken firm root in our country. Until General Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo took over a while ago, it was a circumspective democracy that Nigeria has been going through. Most of the stage actors or the military men and their surrogates, took over all the major strata of governance in Nigeria. That on it own has a telling effect. It is the same reason the civilians who were elected now behave in consonance with military conduct. They have no regard for procedure; they have no regard for electing the best of candidates to govern the country. The governors almost govern with decrees and edicts at the state level. Remember that with the coming of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the method adopted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership of the country followed dictatorial pattern. They had almost five party chairmen under his administration. At a time when Obasanjo was the president, the party chairman, Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd) was a military man. He had so many of his juniors in the army as governors and at the National Assembly. So, democracy could not grow. Obasanjo did not believe in democracy anytime. He was extremely dictatorial; he could not stand democratic norms. Remember that Lagos State government took all legal steps to create additional local governments, but he withdrew the money meant for local governments. Even when the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land, asked him to release the money, the man simply refused. He totally crippled democracy.

You said the military went to the barracks on their own terms...

That is the major reason, why Nigeria has not made progress in terms of democracy. In the Latin American states, what happened was that after the civilian populace succeed in establishing themselves as the authority over the military, they did only arrested, but prosecuted important military officers, who ruined their state. It happened in Argentina. They succeeded in putting laws in place, to the extent that it will be difficult, it will be foolhardy for any man to come around to remove any civilian from office. Therefore, in the case of Nigeria, they went on their terms and none of them has been brought to book. None of them has been tried for the extent of ridicule they brought to Nigeria. How can you go to court to obtain injunction that the state institutions must not arrest or investigate you. So many ex-governors are carrying out their businesses today, the way they wanted on that basis. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) attempted washing their own hands off because of the challenges they faced in carrying out their functions. So, there was nothing the military left that has changed. No public institution that was not negatively affected.

That was why when Abacha wanted to score a point; he set up the Justice Kayode Eso panel, to investigate the Nigerian judiciary and bring recommendation that will make the judiciary be what the public expected it to be. The late Eso did a marvellous job and submitted, but Abacha had no political will to work with it.

If the recommendation of Justice Eso had been implemented, many would have been sacked, including former Chief Justices of Nigeria. The Nigerian judiciary has gone bad, but once upon a time, Nigeria judiciary was one of the prominent in the world. I just hope that with this new administration, things will change.

The actors of behind the annulment have not shown remorse. Do they owe Nigerians any explanation?

Well, General Ibrahim Babangida has kept on begging the very issue on what happed as the leader of the country. That does not explain the matter, it is more than that. A group of military jackboots decided to annul the popular will of the Nigerian people, the voting of a particular candidate with about 14 million votes is treacherous. There can be no greater destruction that the common man could have suffered more

•Opadokun

that. It much more evil than the military putsch, they normally do at the midnight to topple government. May the soul of the late General Hassan Katsina rest in peace; I had it on good authority that he called General Babandida and said he must hand over. He said, ‘if you knew you were not prepared to leave, why did you allow the election to hold. Since that election has held and M.K.O Abiola has won, I am afraid there is no room for you to remain in office.

You should allow him to assume office, let him now misbehave; Nigerian people will deal with him’. The old man went further, called on the late Inspector General of Police, M.D Yusuf, urged him to work with his colleagues in the Southwest, General Adeyinka Adebayo, and the Yoruba leadership caucus, to take stern action. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be done was not done. I really feel so bad that those

‘

I will say without mincing words that it is only the election of Buhari that has really took us to the actual Democracy Day. It is only the election of Buhari/ Osinbajo that is comparable to June 12 election

’

who are in the frontline of the annulment, including David Mark, Sambo Dasuki and quite a number of them, have become the beneficiaries. But the distinguished and credible service man, Col. Abubakar Umar, former governor of Kaduna State, who surrendered his commission on the basis of the annulment, has not got much. How can you allow a David Mark presiding over the most important National Assembly in Africa and was there for almost 12 years. So, how can people like us be happy?

They have not shown any remorse. They kept on behaving as if they are our lord and master.

I still believe that someday, some time they would be called to account for their deed.

How should Abiola be honoured under this dispensation?

I will imagine that the executive will collaborate with the legislators to take one or two concrete steps, to give him a posthumous national honour and award. That is after they must have officially pronounced him as the winner of that election. They can now go to the next level of giving him significant thing that will be immortally focussed, that no matter what in the history of the anal of the country, you will not be able to change it. There should be institution, where the role of Abiola will be sufficiently crystallised.

Some want the May 29 Democracy Day changed to June 12...

For all I know, General Abdulsalami Abubakar made up his mind of not staying longer in office. When the ruling body agreed on the day of election, Abubakar wanted to leave office three weeks after the election or thereafter. It was the then Attorney General that advised that he has to give room for electoral petition to do it work. So, he now asked them to count the days from the day of the election that was how they arrived at May 29. It was kind of thing that was not supposed to be given prominent, but it has come and our ‘Mr. Wisdom’ decided that he should make the day Democracy Day. I will say without mincing words that it is only the election of Buhari that has really took us to the actual Democracy Day. It is only the election of Buhari/Osinbajo that is comparable to June 12 election.

As someone who was close to Abiola, how as the family bear his demise over the years?

From the interaction that I read about the family annually, Abiola was a man of great status. He had many wives, many children and a man of that standing died suddenly. The way this happened to him too sudden, but systematically water will find its level. There are people in the family who are committed to the disposition of Abiola. Most of them will continue to relate with the progressives wing of the political class. Just last week the Kudirat Abiola was celebrated, she was a martyr.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal spoke with reporters about the focus of his administration, shortly after taking his oath of office in Sokoto, the state capital. VICTOR OLUWASEGUN was there.

Tambuwal: I’ll run participatory government

•Tambuwal

W

HAT are your plans for Sokoto State?

What we have here in Sokoto is not a complete ‘change’ like we have at the centre and some other states. Our own is a continuity in ‘change’. The administration that came to an end today was headed by Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, who is a very strong member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Therefore, we intend first and foremost to continue with the ongoing projects of the administration and of

course initiate new ones that will better the lives of the people of Sokoto State. Fundamentally, we are going to focus on areas of education, agriculture, healthcare delivery services, empowerment of our youths and women and indeed we are going to also pay special attention to the infrastructural development of the state.

That is not to say that we are not going to pay priority attention to the areas of mining because we know the economic challenges we are facing in this country at the moment and we need all hands on deck to ensure that we generate more revenue. Indeed, we have identified the mining sector as one key sector that, if properly harnessed, will benefit Sokoto State and indeed the Nigerian federation enormously from the mineral deposits in the state. Of course, we’re also going to ensure that we introduce policies that cater for our women. I have in mind the issue of a micro-finance bank that will be called ‘Bankin Mata’ (Women Bank), which will be used as a medium to empower our women.

What are the challenges you encountered as Speaker?

Well, I started by this morning or afternoon (May 29) as it were, by extending an olive branch and hand of friendship and fellowship to the state House of Assembly for us to work as a team. What matters is the trust and confidence building between the two arms of government and respectability. If they have their position and we have our position from the executive side, what we need and we require is for us to sit down and agree and harmonize our positions and have synergy. I think that was what was lacking reasonably between us and the government when I was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. We shall engage ourselves; we must not allow friction between the

legislature and the executive arm of government here in Sokoto State.

What will you miss most about the House of Representatives?

Definitely, I will miss the chambers; I will miss my colleagues.

What you have in the National Assembly and other legislatures is a relationship of equals. Here, the expectation is different; the arrangement is different. The Governor or President or Chairman, as it were, is the chief executive; you dish out instructions. But, in the legislature you must court friendship; you must carry along your colleagues in what you intend to achieve.

How do you intend to sustain the goodwill of the people till the end of your tenure?

For us to sustain the goodwill of the

‘

I started by this morning or afternoon (May 29) as it were, by extending an olive branch and hand of friendship and fellowship to the House of Assembly for us to work as a team

’

people, we must engage the people; we must interact with the people; we must carry them along. We must also be open and transparent in conducting the business of government. What is expected of us constitutionally is to encourage participatory democracy. And once you’re open and accessible as a leader, I believe that the followers will always appreciate and understand your own position. Once you have that, by the grace of God, you will have a smooth ride.

What will you do to unite the people of Sokoto now that you are in the saddle?

In my inaugural speech today, I requested and appealed particularly to those who ran for the office of governor and other positions in other political parties to join hands with us to continue building the state. It’s not a personal estate of an individual; the state is for all of us.

And I believe that the appeal to them will go a long way in ensuring that we win back their friendship. I intend to go the extra mile, of course, to continue till we get there.

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

N EWS

Maersk Group to invest $1.5b in Ghana's Tema Port

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PM TerminalsThe container terminal operating unit of Danish shipping company Maersk Group, APM Terminals has signed a deal with partners to invest $1.5 billion in Ghana's major sea port, the Tema Harbour.

According to Maersk, the deal signed in Accra, Ghana Friday June

12, 2015 is to upgrade APM Terminals' existing terminal at the Tema Port and add 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in annual throughput capacity.

The other partners are Bollore Africa Logistics and the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA).

APM Terminals indicated that the

new project consists of both a new greenfield port outside its present facility and a needed upgrade of the adjacent road network.

"Construction will include the building of four deep-water berths, a new breakwater and an access channel able to accommodate the world's largest container ships. The

project is also expected to create more than 5000 jobs," the company said.

An MoU for the project was signed in November 2014, by Meridian Port Services (MPS) and the GPHA for the expansion plans.

The contractual details, and finalized preparations for the project's

required design and engineering studies were done completed within the past five months between MPS and the Ghana government.

The joint venture share is comprised of APM Terminals, 35 percent; Bolloré, 35 percent; and the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority, 30 percent.

‘South Africa’s tax processes boring’ •From left: Executive Chairman Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi; Executive ViceChairman,Proton Energy, Mr. Oti Ikomi and Proton Energy Adviser, Mr. Mark Fancett, during the presentation of 150Mw licence to Proton Energy by NERC in Abuja.

S

OUTH Africa's tax system is deeply consultative with major taxes taking many years to implement and minor changes allowing two opportunities during the budget cycle of a year before legislation is brought to Parliament, according to Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

"Tax policy and tax legislation need to provide certainty to business. For this reason, tax policy needs to be boring and where new taxes come into being, like the carbon tax or mining royalty, we take a deeply consultative approach over many years before we legislate and implement the new measures," Nene told the Bureau for Economic Research conference in Johannesburg on Monday.

He pointed to the establishment of

the Katz Commission in the early days of South Africa's democracy and most recently the Davis Tax Committee headed by Judge Dennis Davis as examples of improving consultation.

Nene noted that the consultations tend to receive views from those affected by proposed changes and thus provide a narrow view. He singled out independent economists as a group that does not particularly engage in tax consultations.

Last week, committee chairman Davis told Parliament that the country's tax system had helped to reduce inequality, but could not solve the country's problems on its own. He also told Parliament that the country should consider adding an annual wealth tax to its current capital gains tax.

Bosh Group eyes Nigeria

Projector smartphone, others make debut at Lenovo's tech confab

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LOBAL PC leader, Lenovo, recently demonstrated its technology leadership and innovation credentials by announcing the world's first smartphone with a built-in laser projector that allows users to create a virtual touchscreen or keyboard on any surface. Dubbed Smart Cast, the innovative smartphone was unveiled in Beijing, China at Lenovo's first exclusive global technology event, the Lenovo Global Tech World Conference.

While there have been a few smartphones on the market with built-in projectors, these have focused on replicating the features of a standalone projector. According to Lenovo, Smart Cast is designed to make smartphones as usable as PCs through virtual technology. The virtual keyboard can be projected onto a table or other surfaces, giving smartphone users a standard keyboard on which to type. The projec-

tor can beam the content from the smartphone onto a wall or large screen, making it ideal for making presentations, watching videos and much more.

Also making its debut at the event was the world's first 'dual-screen' smartwatch, Magic View. The smartwatch features a second, virtual display that is 20 times larger than the display of its main, physical screen. The device, which Lenovo says will eliminate the limitations associated with small screens on wearable devices, uses optical reflections to create virtual images.

Shashank Sharma, Executive Director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo, Middle East and Africa (MEA) described the new devices as breakthrough product concepts that will change the way people interact with technology.

"Lenovo occupies a unique position in the technology industry. This is

because we can deliver the devices, smart connectivity and infrastructure required to create a great user experience and satisfy real user needs.

More so, we communicate with our consumers everyday regarding how we can innovate together. They are our partners in defining the future of technology. We will continue to deliver innovation to solve problems and address customer pain points. We will bring together hardware software and services to transform the user experience. This is our vision, and these new products present glimpses of the next wave of Lenovo innovation," he said.

Yet another ground-breaking technology unveiled at the conference was Lenovo's Smart Shoes concept which takes wearable technology to another level by outfitting high-tech shoes with the ability to display mood and fitness data directly on screens embedded into the shoes.

Smile boosts First Consultants' telemedicine MILE Communications Nireporting the fact publicly, but with SMiFi only geria Limited has provided also suffering serious financial and

S

First Consultants Medical Center (FCMC), Obalende, Lagos, with SMiFi routers. This latest donation by Smile is regarded as a huge boost to the high browhospital's drive towards telemedicine practice.

FCMC was where Liberian-American and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) envoy, late Patrick Sawyer was admitted as the first Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patient in Nigeria, after he fell sick upon arrival in the country from Liberia. In all, he infected 11 workers at the hospital including late Dr Stella Adadevoh and late Justina Ejelonu, a nurse. Consequently, the hospital was shutdown and some of its equipment discarded due to exposure to the virus. Smile Communications Nigeria Limited has therefore joined forces with the Nigerian Telemedicine Network (NTN) and other donors to equip FCMC with an All-Purpose Medical Solution System (APMS) as the hospital ventures into telemedicine services.

Chief Corporate Services Officer for Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Tobe Okigbo, assured that the company would provide the hospital with connectivity capacity of 6mbytes per second. He noted that Smile appreciated the hospital's ef-

fort in saving Nigeria from what could have been a major health catastrophe. "Smile identifies with you on the incidents that happened, at the same time appreciating your efforts in rescuing the situation. Now you are going into telemedicine, Smile's SMiFi is the network enabler to reckon with".

Explaining the products' uniqueness, Okigbo noted that the donated Smile SMifi "will eliminate the usual slow connection available in Nigeria, because telemedicine is most times, about being able to share ideas and information accurately and promptly. The service we are bringing will ensure HD quality; so it is like talking to someone next to you.

The SMiFi is mobile in nature and connects up to 10 users." 'The critical thing, he avowed, "is that in this day and age of Internet of Things (IoT), everything has to be driven by the internet. Now, this hospital was great for Nigeria owing to what they went through. FCMC was ground zero in terms of ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Other establishments might have concealed the fact that the deadly disease had appeared at their doorstep, but FCMC showed unusual integrity and humanity by not

personal hardship to ensure containment of the outbreak. Integrity and humanity are values that are core to Smile's DNA so it was an easy decision to support this project. Smile joins other well-meaning organizations, and indeed the country in thanking FCMC for their role during the crisis. Leveraging on another of Smile's core values, innovation, we expect this project to greatly increase the hospital's ability to deliver healthcare services to Nigerians in collaboration with their partners worldwide."

The Chief Executive Officer and Lead Consultant, Health Informatics, Sabaoth Technologies Ltd and coordinator, Nigerian Telemedicine Network, Dr. Dania and the coordinator of the All-Purpose Medical Solution System (APMS) CSR projects, collaborated Okigbo's remarks, adding that the tools provided will showcase how technology has transformed healthcare across board."Our partners comprising Smile Communications, Intel, Microsoft and Debonia came up with the All-Purpose Medical Solution System (APMS) as a collective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Our goal is to ensure even better productivity through efficient delivery of services."

T

HE Bosch Group is focusing on the growing African market and is continuing to expand its presence on the continent, including Nigeria.

The global supplier of technology and services which has opened a new sales and service company in Lagos, said the company generated total sales of around 350 million euros in Africa in 2014 and currently employs 760 associates on the continent.

"Africa offers great potential for our business," said Uwe Raschke, a member of the Bosch board of management, at the official opening ceremony.

"The economic forecasts for many African countries are very promising: the population is growing rapidly, the average age is low, and the purchasing power of the emerging middle class is rising."

He explained that with more than 170 million people, Nigeria is the continent's most populous country and the largest African economy. "Our new sales office in Lagos gives us outstanding access to the western African market and allows us to better serve the growing demand for our products and services. The metropolis is the region's economic hub and is developing extremely dynamically," Raschke said.

Including the new branch office in Nigeria, the company will be represented in ten African countries by the

By Collins Nweze

end of 2015.

The Bosch Group's representative in Africa, Markus Thill said the firm has also had a local presence in Kenya, Angola, and Mozambique since last year. "Now we are looking to further expand our presence in western and northern Africa. Just a few days ago, we announced a new Bosch branch office in Algeria, and we plan to officially open sales offices in Ghana and Tunisia before the end of the year," he said.

This, he added, will allow the firm to do an even better job of promoting our business in Africa. Our goal is to be closer to our customers and improve quality of life for the people in Africa on a lasting basis with our innovative products and solutions. Continuing, he explained that last October, Bosch signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government's National Automobile Council (NAC) to set up an alliance.

The alliance aims to expand the automotive workshop network in Nigeria and enhance mechanics' specialist knowledge. As the number of vehicles on Nigeria's roads rises, so does the need for qualified repair and service workshops. Bosch and the NAC plan to offer technical training as well as innovative products and solutions in the areas of workshop equipment and diagnostic technology.

SAP launches Africa Code Week AP Africa has announced the launch of the inaugural Africa Code Week (ACW) with the go-live scheduled for October 2015.

The initiative will see an estimated 20 000 children across the continent ranging in age from 8 to 24 years, participating in software coding workshops across eleven African countries: South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia.

The ACW has been developed in partnership with Simplon.co, the Cape Town Science Centre and the Galway Education Centre, with the purpose of empowering youth, teachers and parents with the language of software programming using a freely available "Scratch" " system to help bridge the digital skills gap across many areas in Africa.

The launch coincides with the commencement of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa entitled 'Then and Now: Reimagining Africa's Future' which is being hosted in Cape Town, South Africa. ACW speaks to the future prosperity of Africa and

S

provides a sustainable, innovationdriven solution to the socio-economic challenges faced by the continent.

According to WEF, Africa has the largest youth demographic across the globe. Over the next 25 years, it is estimated that the continent's workingage population will double to one billion, exceeding that of China and India. Compounding the potential problem in relation to this boom in working-age youth is the lack of education specifically technology training. It is estimated that throughout Africa, less than 1% of children leave school with basic coding skills, yet government, the private sector and Non-Profit companies are unable to fill positions with employees holding this very skill set.

Through a decade-long relationship with FIRST Lego League, SAP has identified that gamification provides the optimal environment for children to rapidly absorb technology skills.

Africa Code Week is an extension of this thinking; children learn best when they are having fun - and the pedagogic approach to ACW provides that platform.

48

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NATION SPORT

Man City to launch new •55m Sterling bid

M

ANCHESTER City is set to test Liverpool's resolve with an improved package for the England international and remain interested in Hoffenheim's Brazilian star Roberto Firmino Manchester City are set to make a new offer worth •55 million for Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling.

Goal understands that Liverpool rejected an initial offer of •34.5m plus •6.9m in add-ons off-hand from City last week.

But City are set to return with an improved bid of •48m plus performance-related add-ons, which could total in excess of •6.9m.

City are reluctant to spend in excess of •55m to sign Sterling, who looks certain to leave Liverpool after his agent, Aidy Ward, declared he would not be

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...

Cech wants to quit Chelsea

signing a new contract at Anfield.

Sterling's current deal, which he signed in 2012, expires in 2017, and the 20-year-old has rejected the offer of a •138,000a-week deal to stay at Anfield.

As well as Sterling, Goal understands that City also remain interested in Hoffenheim star Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian's agent, Roger Wittmann, confirmed on Monday that the 23-year-old will be moving to a Premier League club this summer.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with Firmino, who would be available for a fee in the region of •20.7m, but have moved to distance themselves from reports of an agreement to sign the Brazilian.

•Cech

P

ETR Cech met with Chelsea officials yesterday to discuss his desire to leave the club.

Cech would like to join Arsenal, but the Premier League champions are

reluctant to let him move there unless they receive a home-grown player as part of the deal.

PSG are also interested and Chelsea would prefer to sell to the French champions

for a fee of around £11m.

Cech, who has been at Chelsea for 11 seasons and has a year left on his contract, would rather remain in London, where his family is settled.

The 33-year-old returns to London to meet Chelsea with his representatives after playing in the Czech Republic's 2-1 defeat in their European Qualifier against Iceland.

Allegri won’t stop Pogba’s exit at Juventus

J

UVENTUS manager Massimiliano Allegri will not stand in Paul Pogba's way if

•Sterling

Reyes extends stay with Sevilla

J

OSE Antonio Reyes has signed a new two-year contract at Sevilla, the

Primera Division club announced.

The former Arsenal winger, whose previous deal was due to expire this month, helped Sevilla defend the Europa League title last month to become the first player to win the competition four times in his career.

A statement from Sevilla read: "Jose Antonio Reyes has renewed his contract with Sevilla for another two seasons.

"The player, a youth product of Sevilla, will remain at the club at least until he is 33 years old."

Reyes made his first-team debut with Sevilla 15 years ago at the age of 16.

He was sold four years later to Arsenal in a £10.5million

transfer deal.

A former Spain international, Reyes won the Premier League and the FA Cup with Arsenal in his two years with the Gunners before lifting the La Liga trophy while on a season-long loan at Real Madrid in the 2006-07 campaign.

Reyes returned to Sevilla in January 2012 after spending three seasons at Atletico Madrid, where he won his first two Europa League crowns.

The 31-year-old made 28 starts in all competitions for Sevilla this season.

Sevilla, coached by Unai Emery, finished fifth in La Liga but will play in the Champions League next season having beaten Dnipro 3-2 in the Europa League final last month.

the France midfielder decides to leave the Serie A champions this summer.

Pogba, valued at a reported £80m, was an instrumental part of the Juve side that won a Serie A and Coppa Italia double this season and also reached the Champions League final.

A host of clubs around Europe, including Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris St Germain are thought to be interested in luring the former Manchester United star, who is under contract with Juve until 2019, away from Turin.

"A Pogba transfer? Obviously it would be a decision made by the club and not by the technical team," Allegri told Gazzetta dello Sport. "When you talk about certain figures, it's difficult to say no.

"But if Paul remains in Turin, he should do it with the right mentality and without having any regrets."

Meanwhile, Allegri insists Alvaro Morata is central to Juventus’ plans next season despite rumours linking him with a move back to Real Madrid.

The Spanish striker, who scored twice against his former club to help knock them out of the Champions League, left the Bernabeu in search of more playing time last summer and proved himself to be one of the most dangerous strikers in European football.

Real sold the 22-year-old to the Italian giants last summer for 20m euros but have the option to buy him back for a set fee of 30m euros this summer.

"If we must sell him, I hope the club at least gets 70 to 80 million euros for him," Allegri added. "This is Morata's current value.

"I think we must focus on him and also on (Juventus forward Kingsley) Coman, another youngster with excellent skills,

that needs a bit more time to reach his top level."

Finally, Allegri is also uncertain on whether he will have Carlos Tevez in his team for the upcoming campaign.

The Argentina forward is under contract with Juve for another year but has been linked with a move to former team Boca Juniors, while Atletico Madrid are also keen to sign the 31-year-old during the summer transfer window.

"It's Tevez's choice," Allegri

said. "But those who will stay must know that the work we will do next season will be even more intense than what we have done this campaign.

"I don't want players that stop and look at what we have achieved in the past.”

"This club has enjoyed four exceptional seasons and there's no reason why we cannot repeat what we have done or even do better in the future, although it will be difficult."

•Martinez

Martinez yet to decide future

F

•Pogba

C Porto forward Jackson Martinez will make a decision regarding his future in the coming days, the player has revealed.

The Colombia international, who is currently on international duty at the Copa America, has been linked with a move away from the Estadio do Dragao this summer, with Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly keen to acquire the highly-rated striker.

AC Milan confirmed their interest in the 28-year-old last week and reports in the Italian press claim Martinez is on the verge of completing a switch to the San Siro.

But Martinez has moved to dispel such suggestions, insisting he has not made his mind up yet.

"I'm as close to Milan as I am to other clubs," he told Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

"I will decide my future in the next few days."

Martinez, who scored 21 goals in 29 league appearances last season, joined Porto from Mexican side Chiapas in 2012 and is under contract with the Portuguese runners-up for another two seasons.

50

51

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Who should operate the oil blocks divested by Shell? The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) says it has the financial and tehnical capacity to run them. But, its Joint Venture (JV) partners in the private sector say it cannot. They argue that the oil assets are “grossly” underutilised under NPDC, adding that “this is impacting negatively on our investment in the oil acreages.” They want the blocks transferred to them. EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.

I

N the last two months, the battle over the operatorship of some of the Shell’s divested oil blocks in oil mining leases (OMLs) 30, 34, 40, 42 has been a major issue in the oil industry in the country.

Trouble started when the Federal Government handed over its 55 per cent equity stakes in the oil assets to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), which is the exploration and production arm of state-run oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The remaining stakes of 45 per cent in the Joint Venture (JV) oil blocks held by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total and Agip were sold to some indigenous companies that came together as a consortia.

Aside Seplat Petroleum Development Company that bought the very first set of divestment in oil mining leases (OMLs) 4, 38 and 41, and was granted the operatorship of the assets, the government transferred the operatorship of subsequent divested assets to the NPDC. However, very recently, the government withdrew the operatorship of OML 42 from the NPDC to the private sector JV partner, a situation that irked the NPDC workers and compelled them to embark on strike. The strike stalled the transfer of the operatorship of the remaining three oil blocks to the private sector JV partners, which lingered until the President Goodluck Jonathan’s led administration ended last month.

The indigenous private sector JV partners of NPDC are Neconde Energy Limited (OML 42), Elcrest Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (OML 40), Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (OML 30), ND Western Limited (OML 34) and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria FHN/Afren (OML 26).

These companies are of the view that due to bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with public owned companies, NPDC is constrained technically and financially to optimise output from the oil blocks adding that NPDC as a firm, cannot borrow money from banks to conduct its business and also cannot take decision on crucial issue of production without getting clearance from its parent company, the NNPC. As private sector companies that have made huge investments, nonoptimisation of the assets is affecting their bottom-line and the economy, the investors lamented.

The buyers of SPDC’s divested stakes in OMLs 30,34, 40 and 42 cite the achievements Seplat as operator of its acquired oil blocks. They said if the operatorship had remained with NPDC, Seplat couldn’t have recorded meaningful progress. When Seplat acquired Shell’s stakes in the three blocks in 2010, the combined production was less than 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) but as at last year, the production has been ramped up to 70,000 bpd while also increasing the natural gas output significantly.

A source in the NNPC, however, said the truth is that NPDC doesn’t have the capacity. ‘Imagine a company that was operating just one block and got eight oil blocks in one fell swoop. They have been advised several times to go into partnership with other companies to improve capacity and efficiency but they held on to status quo.

“Frankly speaking, we don’t have the financial and requisite personnel to manage these blocks and this is the reason for the transfer of the operatorship to the indigenous firms in joint venture partnership with them NPDC. NPDC was unable to absorb the multinational oil firms’ workers in the divested assets resulting in acute personnel deficit and fortunately, the indigenous JV partners absorbed them. Besides, NPDC doesn’t have the capacity to take loans from

•From left: Executive Vice Chairman, Proton Energy Limited, Mr Oti Ikomi; Chief Executive Officer, Pan Africa Solar Limited, Mr Marcus Heal; Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi; Managind Director, Nigerian Solar Capital Partners, Mr Joel Abrams and Executive Director Turbine Drives Limited, during NERC presentation of electricity generation lincences to four companies in Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

Shell’s controversial oil blocks banks for their operations unlike their JV partners, which puts a serious financial constraint on the firm,” the source said.

The indigenous JV partners of NPDC that are expecting that operatorship of their blocks may be granted include Elcrest (OML 40), Shoreline (OML 30), ND Western (OML 34) and FHN/Afren (OML 26). The source said the firms have the technical capacities, personnel and financial strength to operate the assets and also have the ability to invest billions of naira into drilling of new wells and multi-field developments, which will increase oil and gas production and revenue to the nation.

Despite the strike embarked upon by NPDC workers, the private sector JV partners are not relenting in the transfer of the operatorship from NPDC. The Nation, however, spoke to some NPDC workers in confidence on the veracity of the claims by their independent JV partners.

The NPDC workers said the company is being unjustly undermined adding that it has the capacity and personnel to manage the oil blocks. They listed the achievements the company has recorded in the past including some of the Shell’s divested assets especially OMLs 30 and 34.

They said OML 34 is among the assets the NPDC acquired from SPDC in 2012 during its divestment programme. The asset is predominantly a gas producing field with Utorogu non-associated gas (NAG) 1 and Ughelli East (UGHE) gas plants as the two running plants prior to the acquisition. Utorogu NAG 1 and UGHE gas plants have an installed capacity of 360 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d) and 90 mmscf/ d) respectively.

Prior to the takeover by NPDC, the former operator SPDC, was producing an average of 270 mmscf/d and 60mmscf/d) from NAG 1 and UGHE

plants respectively. However with the recent improvement drive and overall service commitment by the management and staff of NPDC, production has steadily ramped up to 360mmscf/d and 70mmscf/d for NAG 1 and UGHE plants respectively. Currently NPDC produces 420mmscf/d from the two plants, they added.

“It should be noted that this is a record that has never been achieved since the field came into existence in the 1970s.

Production is still ramping up, having attained 430mmscf/d. In addition, plans are currently underway to further increase production from the two fields with the completion of Utorogu NAG 2 plant with an installed capacity of 150mmscf/d. NPDC’s focus is to ramp up, grow and sustain production from the three plants at 450mmscf/d by the third quarter of 2015 and this would make NPDC the second largest gas producer in Nigeria.

“NPDC wishes to achieve this feat through the aggressive gas development campaign currently going-on in OML 34. This involves drilling of gas wells and completing/commissioning of the 150mmscf/d capacity NAG II plant in the short term. The NAG II plant is 96 per cent completed as at 4th June, 2015.

The company’s medium term plan is to deliver about 600mmscf/d of gas to the national grid to support the Federal Government’s gas to power aspiration by the end of 2015. NPDC took over the operatorship of OML 34 from SPDC on Monday, 31st December, 2012.

“Also at takeover from SPDC, daily oil production was 10,032 bpd and has since increased to 22,000 bpd. We have increased gas production in the asset from an average of 295mmscf/d in 2012 to 360mmscf/d for NAG 1 and 70mmscf/d for UGHE Plant, altogether producing 430mmscf/d making the asset the largest single supplier of gas to the country’s domestic market. We also

successfully shut down and carried out improvement job for NAG 1and UGHE Plant to revamp work and boost production, successfully drilled and completed three wells to ramp up gas production.

“NPDC took over operatorship of OML 30 from SPDC on 1st February, 2013. NPDC holds 55 per cent equity shares while its Joint Venture partner, Shoreline Natural Resources has the remaining 45 per cent participatory shares.

The average daily net production as at takeover from SPDC was about 20,982 bpd. Today, production in OML 30 has increased to 60,000bpd under the operatorship of NPDC. The oil block’s flow-stations are all operational now.”

The NPDC workers also stated the company achieved successful re-entry into Uzere community to open-up Uzere-West field with a locked-in potential of 14,000 bpd, rehabilitation of eight units of 5.2mmscf/d gas lift compressors and commissioning of new compressors to ensure adequate production uptime and increase in gas lift capacity. Other achievements include successful installations for proper hydrocarbon accounting; successful negotiation on Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) with 112 communities of OML 30 together with Delta State Government to ensure uninterrupted production took over Oleh Field Logistic Base (FLB) and deployed personnel to fully man all the flowstations and Ughelli production station.

We also developed and secured approval for the AFELOROW (Afiesere, Olomoro-Oleh, Oroni and Oweh) fields development plan, and ensure proper management of the Trans Forcados Pipeline, the workers said. They recalled that the former NPDC Managing Director, Mr. Iyowuna Briggs, in an interview with energy correspondents during a facility tour, said taking over the operatorship of the oil fields came with

‘The buyers of SPDC’s divested stakes in OMLs 30, 34, 40 and 42 cite the achievements Seplat as operator of its acquired oil blocks.

They said if the operatorship had remained with NPDC, Seplat couldn’t have recorded meaningful progress’

enormous challenges, but the stateowned company was keeping the promise to ensure that the fields remained productive.

Briggs said: “It is clear right from the beginning that the challenges faced by the NPDC are enormous, following the divestment of OMLs 34 and 40 on January 1, 2013, and OML 30 on February 1, 2013. For example, five days after the takeover of the operatorship of OML 30, the Oroni and Olomoro flow stations were forcefully shut down by the members of the Igbide and Olomoro communities respectively.

“Oroni flow station was eventually shut down for over 50 days. This resulted in the deferment of production amounting to over 115,000 barrels. Other shutdowns of production in various fields had impeded the attainment of the company’s production target of 135,000 barrels of oil per day for the fiscal year 2013. Consequently, over the past one year, NPDC had witnessed a drastic drop in its daily oil production from about 135,000bpd to 115,000bpd leading to a substantial loss of revenues.”

In spite of this, Briggs said the NPDC was producing between 65,000 and 70,000 barrels of oil per day before it took over the assets, and this had since gone up to 140,000bpd with a target to hit 160,000bpd by the end of 2014. He stated that NPDC would spend a minimum of $1.8billion per annum on capital expenditure over a two-year period. He explained that the company would drill 18 oil wells across its oil assets in 2014, stressing that it currently maintains an interest in 28 OMLs in the country.

He said: “NPDC drilled less than 10 wells over a five-year period ended October 2012. However, we drilled about six to seven wells between then and 2013 and we are going to be drilling up to 18 wells in 2014.” Briggs said NPDC then had the capacity to produce 140,000 bpd adding that it had been delivering 410 million metric standard cubic feet of gas per day into the domestic gas.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

ENERGY

Why we want to increase tariff, by Eko DISCO

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LECTRICITY consumers will pay more despite the epileptic supply, if the distribution companies have their way.

Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, which is championing a tariff hike, said it would enable the firm service its customers better and sustain service delivery.

Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Oladele Amoda, said the tariff hike had become imperative if the gap between power demand and supply must be bridged on sustainable basis. He said because of poor supply from the grid, the company wants to explore off-grid (embedded) generation, which is private sector driven and more expensive, to meet customers’ demand.

Amoda said: “As stakeholders in the power sector, many of us are familiar with the state of the industry before privatisation. The industry was bedeviled by myriad of problems including mismatch between level of

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

demand for electricity and level of supply; lack of investment in supply infrastructure for decades; dilapidated distribution infrastructure; huge technical and collection losses; huge indebtedness by customers; tariff that was not cost-reflective; vandalism of equipment and cables, low energy allocation from the national grid; and obsolete metering system.”

When the private sector investors took over on November 1, 2013, the challenge was how to quickly overcome these problems, guarantee sustainable and quality power supply with customer-friendly attitude, he said, adding that the company currently is exploring alternative source of power supply.

He noted that the only source of bulk power supply is from the national grid, which is grossly inadequate but stated the company has begun a process to augment power allocation from the

grid with about 700 megawatts (MW) through embedded independent power plants (IPPs), and more from bilateral agreements with existing merchant generators. Also we are making effort to reduce aggregate technical, commercial and collection (ATC&C) losses, he added.

He said: “At the advent of privatisation, our loss stood at 35 per cent but today it is below 30 per cent. The modest reduction was achieved through network rehabilitation, reinforcement, improvement and assets upgrade.

More than N10 billion have so far been expended on these projects. Poor metering is one of the legacies inherited from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). We have initiated a robust metering plan, if approved by the regulatory body the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will enable us roll out and step up meter installation activities and this will run through the next few years until all

our customers have functional meters. The meters will come with modern technology to delight customers. This will cost a whooping sum of N52 billion.

“We are also investing in technology to automate most of our operations by introducing SCADA/DMS, GIS, CRM, among others, for the efficient management of our distribution network and customer care activities. These processes will facilitate quicker faults detection/rectification and thus improve services. It will also reduce downtime and improve safety of human and equipment.

“To ease payment of electricity bills, we have upgraded our multiple channels of payment such as ATM, internet, scratch cards, POS, telephone, and extended bank vending, among others. We have established a 24/7 customer help lines to attend to customer complaints on supply and commercial related issues’’.

•From left: Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joseph T. Dawha; Head of Nigerian Delegation to OPEC, Dr. Jamila Shuara; Nigerian Ambassador to Austria, HE A.A Ayoko, at the 167th OPEC Conference in Vienna, Austria at the weekend.

Efficient procurement beneficial to economy, says NLNG chief

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IGERIA Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) Managing Director, Mr. Babs Omotowa, has backed the implementation of an efficient procurement system, listing its benefits to the economy’s growth.

Omotowa, who is also the Global President of Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), spoke in Lagos at the Contract and Procurement Conference organised by NLNG to highlight how efficient procurement can help bring public confidence for a government and enable private sector to grow considering rise in costs, especially capital costs, which have increased by over 500 per cent in the past two decades. Therefore, driving cost efficiency and valuefor-money out of government and organisation spend and lowering costs through efficiency, discipline, creativity and innovation, is criti-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

cal, he added.

He stated that good procurement strategies and practices can bring about significant benefits as seen in developed countries, and it also provides a significant tool for addressing corruption and capacity building in developing countries.

He said through efficient procurement system, his company recently utilised a $1.6 billion shipbuilding contract with Samsung and Hyundai to deepen local capacity through training of 600 Nigerians in Korea and Nigeria in shipbuilding and facilitation of export of $20 million ‘made in Nigeria’ goods to Korea for use on the vessel such as cables, paints, furniture, anodes, among others.

He also noted that $10 million simulators were also obtained from Samsung and Hyundai and are being installed in Bonny to en-

able many more operators and regulators be trained in-country than sending a few overseas.

According to him, the United Kingdom Government’s efficiency programme, saved it GBP14 billion in a year through centralisation, eliminating inefficiency, digitisation and moving online as embedded in its public procurement policy.

Omotowa said: “Nigeria has moved forward positively in this direction too with the set up and good work being done by the bureau of public procurement. Due processes, transparency, benchmarking database, e-procurement, among others are indeed in the right direction. These should be built upon, and also many more states should join the likes of Lagos and Rivers States, in setting up similar bureau at state levels.

“We should also start to transparently see the comparative cost of Federal and states and across different states. Such open benchmarking will also help to drive for lower costs.”

He said the recent indication by the new government to implement the provisions of the Public Procurement Act of 2007, and set up the National Council of Procurement is a welcome development.

Apart from enabling Federal Executive Council to focus more on the strategic and huge task ahead for the country, the Procurement Council will be an enabler to deepen procurement standards and deploy best practices in the country. It is of utmost importance that membership of the council should also include seasoned and experienced Procurement professionals so as to enhance its effectiveness.

Subsidy: Govt owes marketers, depot owners N291b

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HE Federal Government owes members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) over N291 billion in unpaid subsidy reimbursement for fuel imported under the petroleum subsidy scheme, interest on delayed payment and foreign exchange differentials, DAPPMA Executive Secreatary, Olufemi A. Adewole has said.

Adewole said the aftermath of the Senate Committee's meeting with major petroleum industry stakeholders that persuaded the petroleum tanker drivers, and

By Akinola Ajibade

NARTO to call off their strike and resume loading of fuel, it has become necessary to state that the two bodies are still being owed over N291 billion under the fuel subsidy scheme.

He said: "This much was expressed to DAPPMA and MOMAN by the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in her letter to both associations, a copy of which she also released to the Senate Committee for reference.

However, the letter did not state the timeline for the re-verification ex-

ercise, which the minister instituted on the amount she disputed and also did not state the expected date of payment which petroleum subsidy scheme participants had been clamouring for in all the meetings held with her since February 2015.

"It should be noted that this is the first time since the establishment of the petroleum subsidy fund (PSF) scheme that marketers will not have ready and easy access to fuel import loans as it is also the first time that commercial banks will notify importers that based on CBN regulations, importers have attained their credit ceilings with their various banks and would

have to make some refunds on the existing loans prior to being funded for petrol imports. Unfortunately, the expected refund to the banks is yet to be reimbursed by the Federal Government.

"Due to debts owed transporters by marketers, who have been experiencing serious financial stress due to outstanding debts owed them by the Federal Government as a result of petrol imports under the petroleum subsidy scheme, the PTD-NUPENG and NARTO had at various times protested non-payment of their freight charges by withdrawing their services."

Firm launches anti-spill technology TO strengthen its health, safety and environment (HSE) service delivery in the oil and gas industry, Eunisell Solutions has introduced a secondary tank containment system on its production facilities to further minimise oil spill.

Eunisell’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dickson Okotie, said the innovation was in line with the company’s commitment to the health and safety of its staff and the growing need to find more innovative ways to protect the environment especially where containment of environmentally hazardous fluids are stored within its production facilities.

He stated the secondary containment system is designed to withstand fluid pressures resulting from rapid fluid fill from a noncatastrophic failure of up to 15,000 barrel of oil. “The design is such that the surface mounted containment system can safely contain the internal fluid pressure, should a spill occur and also withstand high wind speed without loss of contained fluids. The tanks are perfect in today’s world for crude oil because they are designed with a proprietary blend of polyurea impregnated geotextiles and a stateof-the-art, high-performance elastomeric materials that provide tough, flexible, resilient products.

“At Eunisell, we continue to introduce innovative ways of getting things done more efficiently while meeting the standards laid down by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency,” he added.

The company has maintained an 18-year record of a high level health, safety and environment protection policy. It has also recorded no loss time incident in its operations on the central processing facilities built and managed for marginal field operators in the country.

The company provides services and products that measure, improve, control and process flow from oil and gas wells, well testing services, and drill stem testing, among others.

NIPCO imports 37m litres of petrol THE Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) Plc has imported about 28 million metric tons (about 37 million litres of petrol) to ease fuel scarcity.

The product was brought into the country by ‘MT Admiral L.’ This demonstrates the company’s resolve to make fuel available across the country, especially in this period of fuel scarcity that almost crippled the economy. The import would augment supply by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) the company added.

NIPCO depot has been working round the clock to dispense fuel to marketers to distribute to filling stations across the country.

NIPCO’s Manager, Corporate Affairs, Lawal Taofeek confirmed that the importation product would augment supplies from Products and Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC), an arm of NNPC. He stated that the import was one of the steps taken by NIPCO to meet the needs of its esteemed customers who had remained steadfast with the organisation in the last 11 years. He noted that the dream of the investors in the company has been the organisation’s driving force to go extra mile in getting products to keep the retail outlets wet.

In 2015 and beyond, we intend to enhance our product importation both for regulated and deregulated products to meet fuel marketers’ need and prepare adequately for the upcoming reforms in the oil and gas industry, he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

53

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Stakeholders canvass title documents’ perfection

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N an effort to identify the chal lenges associated with the per fection of titles and the way forward, a law firm, Tayo Tiwo and Co, in collaboration with a public affairs consulting firm, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, last weekend organised a one-day seminar in Lagos, with the theme: Perfection of titles in Nigeria: Issues and Resolutions.

Resource persons and participants brainstorme discussed the following topics: “Perfection of Titles: Issues , resolutions and the role of Directorate of Land Service “ anchored by the Lagos State Director of Land Service, Mr. Tunde Oyegbola; “Importance of Survey Plans in Perfection of Titles” by the Lagos Surveyor General and Permanent Secretary, Joseph Agbenla; “Tax Payable in Perfection of issues” anchored by the Chairman of Board of Inland Revenue, Mr. Babatunde Fowler; “Registra-

Stories by Muyiwa Lucas

tion of Titles and Allied Matters,” by the Registrar of Titles Land Registry Directorate, Mrs. Modupe Osho-Adebiyi; “Rules and Procedures in Perfection Issues by General Counsel, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Sam Adimkamkwu among others.

The Managing Solicitor, Tayo Tiwo and Co, Mr. Tayo Tiwo, expressed satisfaction that the workshop addressed many grey areas that has always posed challenges to effective and efficient perfection of titles. Tiwo explained that the workshop addressed many fundamental issues, especially, delays and queries in perfection of issues among others.

Corroborating Tiwo, the Cheif Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, Mr. Sola Oni, said the workshop could not have come at a

•From left: Managing Solicitor, Tayo Tiwo and Co. Mr. Tayo Tiwo; Director of Land, Lagos State, Mr. Tunde Oyegbola; and Chief Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications Limited, Mr. Sola Oni, during a workshop on “Perfection of Titles in Nigeria: Issues and Resolutions”in Lagos... on Thursday.

better time in view of the continuos demand for perfection of titles in Nigeria. Oni said

Lagos partners local govts to stop drainage blockage

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HE Lagos State Government will involve local government chairmen and Community Development Associations (CDAs) in ensuring that drainage channels are not blocked in the state.

The effort will also help sensitise the people and discourage them from dumping refuse in canals.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Ayodeji Adenekan, who spoke while leading officials of the Office of Drainage Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, on an enlightenment tour and inspection of drainage across the state, urged residents to be conscious of their environment and cultivate the habit of proper disposal of waste.

“Any waste that is not well disposed will return and constitute a nuisance to the neighbourhood,” he said.

At the Morkaz/Awori collector drain in Dopemu-Agege, beside Salvation Army Nursery and Primary School and Dopemu Nursery and Primary School on Surulere Street, the drain was filled with pet bottles and other refuse, causing major impediments to free flow of flood.

Drain workers were seen collecting from the canal. A resident, Kazeem, said the pet bottles must

have come from other sources in the neighbourhood where there are markets.

But Adenekan explained that canals flow across the state, stressing that the refuse found in one place does not mean that they were generated there.

At the drainage in Shyllon Street, Onipanu, drainage cleaners were at work, clearing and repairing a damaged underground drainage on Ikorodu Road near the Shyllon junction.

The inspection train moved to Oko-Oba primary channel, which crosses Oyatoki Street at Oko-Oba Agege.

“Anytime there was heavy rain, the channel will no longer be able to contain the water and it will begin to overflow causing flood as far as four houses.This recent flood was so much that it nearly drowned a nursing mother but for the help of people around,” Kafayat, a resident, said.

Adenekan, however, explained that the incident was a ‘flash-flood’ which happens occasionally when there is heavy rain whose volume of water was beyond the capacity of a channel; but after some hours, it will disappear.

He said: “This situation is not pe-

culiar to Lagos or Nigeria alone; hence it is called flash-flood.

“The rain was falling more than the canal was flowing and normally with a flash –flood you find out that within a few hours the water will clear up.”

The Permanent Secretary assured the residents of government’s readiness to find solutions to the problem. He cautioned them to desist from dumping refuse in the gutter or canal indiscriminately.

Adenekan advised residents that patronise cart-pushers to desist from it because their actions constitute nuisance and threat to the efforts of the government at improving the environment because cart pushers do not have anywhere to dump their refuse but will wait till night and dump it in the canals.

Rather, he said, residents should patronise the P.S.P operators who are licenced to collect refuse.

“The message is that everybody should be on the alert, should watch over this canal, not only that you should not dump refuse in the canal but you should be on the alert to watch people who will do it and caution them not to dump refuse in the canal so that all of us can live peacefully,” he said.

Relocate from low-line water beds, LASG advises residents

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HE Lagos State government has advised residents living in the low line (flood plains) areas to relocate as water table rises due to high intensity of rainfall To this end, the state government has advised residents along low line areas and other coast lines, such as Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, Owode-Elelede, Kuramo beach, Alpha beach, Okun-mapo, Okun Ajah, Mende-Maryland, IjoraBadia and Iwaya among others to be extremely careful, saying they may need to vacate their residences temporarily once they notice gradual accumulation of rising water.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Ayodeji Adenekan, who stated this, said this has become necessary as the state is not prepared to lose any life during the rainy period, saying they should move to higher grounds. The advice also comes on the heels of the increasing water level of the Lagos lagoon and the adjoining rivers, since the rains started in March.

According to Adenekan, the effect of this has been that there has been a back-flow into adjoining low-line areas which has led to the inability of the various channels and drains to discharge water into the lagoons and rivers.

He said Lagos, being a coastal state, is susceptible to flash floods anytime there is heavy downpour and that residents of low line areas are especially prone to the back flow effect.

“People living in low line areas are vulnerable to flooding because the low line areas are natural flood plains which ought not to be converted to residential abodes.

“However, we expect the water to recede with time”, he said, adding

that primary and secondary channels in the state were being maintained and dredged to contain flood related challenges that may occur in the state.

As the intensity of the rain increases, Adenekan assured that the state government would continue to intensify its mid rain cleaning and maintenance programme and promised not to relent until the zero tolerance target to flooding is attained in the state.

He advised Lagosians not to panic whenever they experience accumulated water concentrated in some parts of the roads and highways, assuring that the accumulated water will recede in no time.

‘People living in low line areas are vulnerable to flooding because the low line areas are natural flood plains which ought not to be converted to residential abodes. However, we expect the water to recede with time’

that the workshop leveraged on the technical, professional and experiences of the participants

to find a lasting solutions to the challenges of perfection of titles in Nigeria.

‘Pre-fabricated housing saves cost’

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BUILDING expert, Kayode Ogunlade, has urged Nigerians to embrace pre-fabricated building technology as a cheap way of building.

The technology, he explained, involves the use of factory-built building parts which are later assembled on-site to build houses.

The building parts are usually manufactured off-site in advance, in standard sections that can be easily transported and assembled on-site.

Although this is not a very popular technology in the country, some companies have started deploying the technology in the country. Ogunlade is convinced that using this technology ensures that less money and less time is spent in construction when compared to conventional building systems.

Due to this reduced cost, he explained, prefab homes are usually sold at affordable prices. With recent technological advancements, the builder explained that some prefab homes have been constructed at prices below N1 million. However, this feat has not been effectively reproduced in the country and there are some luxury prefab homes that come at fairly high prices.

Ogunlade said prefab homes also have very versatile designs as building components can be assembled to build bungalows, duplexes, apartment buildings, offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants or even hotels. They also have a degree of tolerance against weather extremes as the factorycontrolled manufacturing processes produce weather-resistant high quality materials.

Guide to securing mortgage

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RIMARY Mortgage Institu tions (PMIs) are now better empowered to grant mortgages to qualified Nigerians seeking to own their personal houses.

This has been buoyed by the establishment of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), and the recapitalisation exercise by the PMIs. But notwithstanding, securing a mortgage is not a bread and butter affair, as the process can be tasking and in some cases, frustrating. By following a simple guide, your chances of securing a mortgage facility can be enhanced.

Some of this includes:

Equity Contribution

This is usually between 10 to 30 per cent of the total property value. It is also a function of the amount being sought as loan and your PMIs policy on such credit facility. It is imperative that a prospective mortgage seeker have this amount ready to deposit before applying for a mortgage, otherwise the application may be declined.

Tax Clearance Certificate

This is issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, or in some cases, the State Inland revenue service, while the intended mortgage is to be used, or in some cases, both. A tax clearance is a document issued to an individual, clearing him or her of tax indebtedness to the government. When applying for a mortgage loan, this document is required by your

PMI, it is compulsory, and non provision of this can hinder an applicant’s chances.

Evidence of Employment/Income Inflow

This is one of the most important documents you have to present when applying for a mortgage loan facility. This is what enables a PMI to determine if an applicant can repay the loan or not. Most PMI’s will require evidence of income inflow using your pay slip or bank account statement. It also helps them to assist you in structuring your payment options so as not to affect your living.

Offer Letter

You need an offer letter from the seller of the property you wish to purchase. This letter expressly states the seller’s intention to sell the property to you and clearly indicating how much he wants to sell the property. This document also helps a PMI to carry out a valuation of the property you intend to buy and helps in giving you a proper advise as to the real worth of the property, and whether it is worth the investment or not.

Title Documents

The title documents of the property to be purchased are of extreme importance. It not only serves as a collateral, it is also important to help your PMI determine the authenticity of the property and the owner.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-06-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-06-15

Bargain-hunting drives equities higher

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IGERIAN equities extended its upswing to the third consecutive day yesterday as the stock market reopened with continuing bargain-hunting ahead of the second quarter results.

The All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark composite index that tracks prices of all quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), rose by 0.29 per cent to close at 33,719.45 points as against its opening index of 33,621.75 points. The ASI had risen by 0.19 per cent on Friday.

Aggregate market value of all quoted equities also rose from N11.477 trillion to close at N11.510 trillion, representing capital gains of N33 billion.

The uptrend moderated the negative average year-to-date return to -2.71 per cent.

With 24 gainers to 21 losers, the positive overall market position was boosted by gains recorded by several highly capitalised stocks including Dangote Cement, Access Bank,

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

FBN Holdings, Guinness Nigeria, Forte Oil, Flour Mills of Nigeria and UAC of Nigeria among others.

“While we believe some discerning investors may begin to take position ahead of half-year earnings season, we also think investors’ interest in equities may continue to drag in the absence of a clear cut direction on key economic variables from the new government,” Afrinvest Securities stated in a cautious post-trading review.

Guinness Nigeria led the gainers with N17 to close at N185 per share. Forte Oil followed with a gain of N4.99 to close at N177.99. Dangote Cement rose by N1.01 to close at N178 per share. UACN Property Development Company appreciated by 50 kobo to close at N10.50. Champion Breweries chalked up 32 kobo to close at N6.74 per share. Flour Mills of Nigeria gathered 28 kobo to close at N35.22. UAC of Nigeria

rose by 25 kobo to N41.75 while Access Bank added 22 kobo to close at N6.30 per share.

Market turnover remained on the average with the exchange of 229.72 million valued at N4.85 billion in 3,482 deals. The banking sector remained the most active. Access Bank was the most active stock with 113.96 million shares worth N710.92 million. Flour Mills of Nigeria followed with 16.17 million shares valued at N578.46 million while Zenith Bank recorded a turnover of 12.26 million shares worth N245.16 million.

On the downside, PZ Cussons Nigeria recorded the highest loss of N3 to close at N32 per share. Okomu Oil Palm Plc followed with a loss of N1.74 to close at N33.16. International Breweries dropped

by N1 to close at N19.01 per share. Berger Paints declined by 53 kobo to close at N10.08 while Nigerian Breweries slipped by 25 kobo to close at N150 per share.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-06-15

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

55

MONEYLINK Wema Bank’s director Fagbenro retires

NDIC seeks to bridge 65 per cent unbanked gap

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HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is taking steps to r educe the number of Nigerians without bank accounts from the current 65 per cent status.

An official from the Special Insured Institutions Department, Etopidiok James, who made this known yesterday during a sensitisation programme organised by the NDIC for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), said the Corporation is interested in empowering Nigerians by promoting financial inclusion.

He said one of the ways of achieving this is by promoting public awareness on the benefits people can derive from keeping their

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money in banks. He said it is safe, convenient, cost-effective and earning interest on deposits.

Etopidiok said corps members need to know major things in the financial system, like the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), how interest on deposits are calculated and online banking, among others.

He said the corporation’s target is to ensure that the youths are financially sound and informed so the number of the unbanked within the population is reduced.

The NDIC official said the youth need to get involved in financial matters instead of spending time on frivolous

matters.

“The take away here is that the educational system has to be revamped. The wall in the school is make-believe. We believe that deposit insurance will help people to be informed on money matters,” he said.

James said there is nothing •NDIC CEO, Umaru Ibrahim that can be compared to quality education.

“If education is expensive, then and Access (EFiNA), the try ignorance. The quality of journey to achieving financial education needs to be inclusion was long, even as the improved. We are taking sustained efforts of the indusinformation about deposit try would go a long way tobanks to all nooks and cranny. wards reaching the financial inWe are at the point of intro- clusion goals and targets. He ducing deposit insurance stud- said that a savings account can ies in the university,” he said. serve as a cornerstone of your He said that according to En- finances, helping one achieve hancing Financial Innovation his goals and prepare for the unexpected.

CBN boosts power with N6.9b to gas suppliers

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed N6.9 billion to gas suppliers. The fund, the CBN said, is part of its disbursement to beneficiaries of the N213 billion Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Facility (NEMSF) aimed at boosting power supply and representing legacy debts owed them by power distribution companies (DISCOs).

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed that the payments made by the bank represented debts by the power sector in proportion to the obligations to repay the facility by five DISCOs that have so far signed up to the facility. The DISCOs involved are Eko, Ibadan, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.

Emefiele, who described the disbursement to the gas suppliers as a milestone that has to be achieved, said the move was an important step in revitalising Nigeria’s energy sector.

He said what the CBN, in partnership with the banking sector, has done is to ensure the commercial viability of gas. He said this was particularly so given that the gas sector had little incentive to make the necessary investments in gas exploration and infrastructure to keep up with the growth in power generation.

He said the Nigeria Electric-

Treasury bills worth N873b for issue in Q3

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Stories by Collins Nweze

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans to borrow about N872.96 billion ($4.4 billion) in a new Treasury bills issue between June 18 to September 3, the apex bank said yesterday.

The bank said it will auction N215.12 billion worth of the three-month paper, N238.5 billion in the six-month debt and N419.34 billion worth in the oneyear paper.

The total debt proposed for the third quarter is 12.3 per cent short of the N995.5 billion raised in the second quarter of the year, the data released by the bank showed.

ity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in August 2014, approved a commercially viable benchmark price of $2.50/mcf (one thousand cubic feet) for gas supply, and 80 cents/mcf as transportation costs for new capacity, in order to encourage existing and prospective gas suppliers ramp up their investments.

While appreciating the gas suppliers, Mr. Emefiele urged them to endeavor to complete the process of activating formal, binding agreements for gas volumes to power sec-

tor companies as well as deliver more of their existing gas output to existing power plant. The governor further encouraged them to make necessary investments to ensure that gas keeps pace with the development of new gas-fired power plants and the expansion of existing plants.

Emphasizing that the CBN ordinarily had no business in the power chain, he disclosed that the bank and the banking sector had to intervene owing to the shortfall shortfalls in

power sector revenues caused by needed adjustments in the electricity tariff and legacy gas debts.

He therefore admonished the gas suppliers to see the move by the banking sector as a clear sign of the Federal Government’s commitment to change the course of both the domestic gas sector and the power sector.

EMA Bank Plc, yesterday, announced the retirement of its Executive Director, Nurudeen Fagbenro from the bank.

Fagbenro joined Wema Bank as an Accounting Supervisor in 1986 and rose to become the Head of Foreign Trade in 1991.

He is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

He held various strategic positions in the bank amongst which were as Head of International Banking Division from 1996 to 2001 and as Chief Inspector between 2001 and 2003.

He became the Deputy General Manager in 2003 and was charged with the responsibility of managing the Commercial & Telecommunications and Institutional Banking Groups.

In 2005, he became the General Manager in charge of Institutional Banking and he was

called to the Board as an Executive Director in 2006.

From June 2007 to August 2011, he was responsible for the Risk Management and Control function. Consequent upon a restructuring exercise in 2011, he was moved to Business Development with responsibility for the Southwest Directorate, a position he held till retirement.

Fagbenro coordinated the successful integration of National Bank of Nigeria Limited into Wema Bank Plc. His dedication and ardent belief in Wema Bank saw him devote his entire working career to the bank, through its ups and downs.

The bank said it appreciates his immense contributions to from the time he was employed as a fresh graduate in 1986 to his retirement and wishes him the very best in his future endeavors.

The former bank director graduated from the University of Lagos in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NEWS Ambode dissolves boards •Appoints Accountant-General

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday approved the dissolution of all boards of parastatals and agencies of government.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said the dissolution is to take immediate effect.

However, the Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and the State Independent Electoral Commission were exempted.

The governor praised the modest contributions of the members of the dissolved boards, just as he wished them well in their future endeavours.

Ambode has approved the appointment of Mrs. Abimbola Shukrat Umar as the Accountant General and the

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office.

Mrs. Umar was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

A holder of a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Economics (1983) from the University of Ibadan and Masters of Science in Corporate Governance (2013) from Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom, Mrs Umar is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and Nigeria Economic Society.

She spent over 15 years in the private sector, particularly with the renowned KPMG (International) before joining the Lagos State Civil Service as Chief Accountant in 2002.

Oyo lawmakers begin training

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EMBERS of the Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday began a three-day legislative training at MicCom Golf Hotels and Resorts, Ada, Osun State.

The Eight Assembly was inaugurated last Wednesday with Michael Adeyemo elected as Speaker.

The training, according to the Chief Press Officer of the Assembly, Lekan Kolade, is aimed at equipping the 32 lawmakers in the rudiments

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

and processes of lawmaking for effective performances.

Adeyemo urged members to take full advantage of the training to be able to discharge their duties effectively.

Adeyemo applauded the financial commitment of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Topics to be covered include functions of the legislature, motions and how a bill becomes law and committee system in the legislature.

Lamido to honour EFCC invitation

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ORMER Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has returned to the country to honour the invitation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

He is scheduled to appear before the anti graft agency on Thursday.

Lamido told reporters in his Bamaina village in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area that the EFCC is an anti-

graft agency of the government, recognised by law whose invitation he would not shun.

“I am aware of the invitation,’’ he said.

According to him, he is always willing to honour this kind of invitation even when he enjoyed immunity.

Lamido, however, said he would not take up issues with the governor on the debt he left behind.

‘Lagos PDP confused’

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described the comments on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as uninformed.

The PDP had urged Ambode to declare his assets or “be regarded as a pretender governor”.

But in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the APC said: “Lagos PDP is lost and needs help to survive the demeaning fate it faced in Lagos and the country.

“PDP Lagos continues to make us believe it exists in Lagos where it has been dealt serious electoral blows year in year out. Lagos PDP is an unserious group that periodically amuses itself with such

hollow vituperations as asking Governor Ambode to declare his assets or be regarded as “pretender governor”whatever that means.

“This can only be the fruits of uncoordinated thoughts of serial losers who have no inkling on how to handle its latest round of electoral defeat.

“Governor Ambode is full of energy, full of ideas, robust, capable and totally committed in dealing with the complex problems of a mega city like Lagos for which he is elected.

“Distracting him through such baseless and laughable display of crass ignorance and naivety, as Lagos PDP, is an exercise in futility for majority of Lagosians knows that Lagos PDP is gone for good in Lagos.”

‘Jonathan deserves Nobel prize’

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FORMER Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Students and Youth Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, yesterday berated former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva for his alleged antiJonathan comment.

Sylva was said to have remarked that “Jonathan’s conceding of defeat is not an achievement”.

The former governor added that the former President should not be given a hero’s status for his action.

Imagwe who spoke in Benin, the Edo State capital, af-

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ter a thanksgiving at the St John Vianney Catholic Church, Ohoghobi, said Jonathan’s singular act disappointed doomsday prophets, who had predicted that Nigeria would be plunged into bloodshed after the 2015 general elections.

He said those who said Jonathan was not qualified to lead the nation were unpatriotic Nigerians, who do not wish the country well.

Imagwe said: “I feel that if there is anything higher than a Nobel Peace Prize, that is what Jonathan deserves.

•From left: Scholar Prof. Adebayo Williams, former Pro-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, (UI), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and Barrister Wuyi Adeyemo at the funeral of the late Prof. Christian Oladele Onikepe in Ibadan.

PHOTO FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

Omisore mischievous, says Aregbesola

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, as mischievous and ignorant.

The PDP candidate alleged that the government took a N480 billion loan.

During a radio interview, Omisore said Aregbesola unduly exposed the state to “an unnecessary loan”.

The Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said the PDP candidate fabricated the loan figure.

He said the “loan fabrication” has exposed Omisore’s ignorance in matters of public finance.

“By virtue of the open nature of the Aregbesola administration every informed person in Osun and beyond has the figures of the state’s borrowings.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“Osun could not have borrowed in secrecy as the two bonds in the capital market and the Sukuk Bond were taken in celebrated manners.

“The government took the N14.4billion Sukuk bond in two tranches; it also approached the capital market for a N30 billion loan. These are verifiable facts and are in public domain.

“So, what is new about this except that Omisore is only being mischievous in quoting his own figure.

“He is only regurgitating the same old-fashioned lies that could not help him dislodge Aregbesola in the August 9 governorship election.”

The governor said the people whom he owes explanation about the state’s finances are well-informed about the state finances.

He, therefore, asked Omi-

sore to explain why states under the control of the PDP are among the highest indebted states in Nigeria.

“If it is not a crime for a government to source for funds for the development of the state, Omisore needs to tell us why states under the administration of his party are among the highest debtorstates in Nigeria.

“So, if states with higher revenues from the Federation Account could borrow, how do you explain a state like Osun, which is number 34 on the allocation ladder, not seeking financial help where applicable to aid its development?

“The other alternative, as Omisore would want us to believe, is for Aregbesola’s government to have left our dear people the way he met them and not lift a finger to transform their lives,” he said.

According to Aregbesola, this is not the first time Omi-

OPC’s pipelines protection ‘contract’ lapses

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HE Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC)’s ‘contract’ to protect petroleum pipelines in the Southwest has lapsed.

A text message from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to OPC leaders informed them of the end, on June 15, of the N9 billion contract awarded in March by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The timing of the contract was condemned by Nigerians because it was considered a tool to achieve cheap political points by the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.

But former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke justified it by saying Nigeria loses about $5 billion yearly to pipeline vandalism.

Yesterday, a source at the Petroleum Ministry said the NNPC did not withdraw the multi-billion naira contract given to the OPC.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

The source noted that the contract was a threemonth deal, which ended by midnight yesterday.

“Unfortunately, the tenure of the government that awarded the contract has ended and nobody knows if the new administration would renew it.

“According to the source, the contract was awarded to OPC as had been done to such groups in the Niger Delta.

“The Federal Government gave militia groups contracts to protect the pipelines alongside the police and other security agencies.

“The renewal of such contract hinges on performance.

“By midnight yesterday, the contract would have elapsed. It is a three-month contract. It was awarded in March.

“The Federal Government’s intention was that the OPC working with the police and other security

agencies would reduce pipeline vandalism.

“Pipeline monitoring and protection contracts have been awarded to other groups in the Niger Delta, so the government decided to give the OPC the contract to protect the pipelines in the Southwest, especially the Lagos, Arepo and Mosimi stretch.

“It is not NNPC that cancelled the contract, it just elapsed.

“It is still possible that the contract may be renewed but the concern is that nobody knows what the new administration will do.

“Besides, the major concern is that the contract has not been paid for.

Even if it will not be renewed, nobody knows whether the job already done will be paid for.

“Also the board of the NNPC didn’t approve the contract initially, thus compounding the challenges in the contract.”

sore would throw up bogus figures as a means of confusing the people.

He continued: “It is sad to note that this politician has failed to realise that this is the very strategy that has been his greatest undoing.

“For instance, the GbonganAkoda Road; Osogbo-Ila-OdoKwara Boundary Road, which Omisore has fraudulently put at N102 billion all together cost a bit higher than N60 billion.

“The Gbongan-AkodaOsogbo Road costs N29.2 billion; the Osogbo-IlaodoKwara Boundary will gulp N17.8 billion and the Oba Adesoji Aderemi Second Bypass Road N14.5 billion.”

He said it would have made more sense for Omisore to give a complete breakdown of his figures and show how he arrived at N480 billion.

‘We want Audu’s return in Kogi’

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CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Mallam Umar Ibrahim Onazi, has said the people want former governor and the party’s leader, Prince Abubakar Audu, to return to power because of the 12-year misrule by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Umar spoke yesterday in Okene, the state’s second largest town.

The APC chieftain said the state was on the path of development from 1999 and 2003.

He accused the PDP of forcefully taking over Kogi in 2003 by using federal might, even though Audu won the election.

Onazi said it would be honourable to allow Audu to complete his remaining four years and continue his laudable plan for the state.

According to him, Audu’s achievements remain unmatched .

The APC chieftain noted that Audu is a detriblised leader who always showed concern for the development of the people.

He said the former governor remained the best among the array of aspirants.

Onazi noted that Audu’s maturity and experien politically taller than his peers for the office.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS Ahmed signs four bills into law

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WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has signed four bills into law.

He pledged to redouble his efforts to improve the people’s welfare.

The new laws are: A Law to Amend the Environmental Sanitation Law, A Law to Repeal the Kwara State Transport Corporation, A Law to Amend the Cooperative Societies Law and A Law to Amend the Kwara State Debt Securities Issuance Law. Ahmed said he would initiate and implement initiatives to ensure good governance.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muideen Akorede, said the governor acknowledged the challenges confronting the state, following dwindling allocation from the Federal Government.

The statement said the governor assured that he would work hard to cushion the effect of the poor national economy on the populace.

Ahmed urged the people to support his administration to develop the state, stressing that all hands must be on deck to create a prosperous Kwara for the benefit of all.

The governor said although his administration had no intention to impose fresh taxes, efforts would be made towards efficient revenue collection to raise funds for his people-oriented projects.

These projects, according to him, include 100 megawatt Independent Power Project, 2,000 classrooms, remodelling of five general hospitals and the implementation of new water projects.

Ortom signs MoU with Chinese firm From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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ENUE State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a group of Chinese companies under the auspices of CGC Alliance.

It was signed for the industrial and commercial revitalisation of the state.

Areas of focus include coal power plant, potable water and irrigation, renovation of agriculture service centres, building of Makurdi-Guma Road and reticulation of water in Makurdi, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala. Others are airport and industrial park construction, sugar cane plantation and refineries.

Governor Samuel Ortom signed on behalf of the government in his office in the Benue Peoples House. The Managing Director of the group, Tony Ye, signed on behalf of the companies.

The governor expressed confidence in the ability of the group to deliver, as it had built the Otobi and Katsina-Ala water works.

He said although the state owed CGC a huge amount on the two projects, he appealed for understanding, assuring that his administration would do its best to honour contractual agreements.

•Members of the 8th Bauchi State House of Assembly taking oath of allegiance during their inauguration in Bauchi…yesterday

Court declines to restrain IGP, DSS, EFCC over Nyako’s arrest F ORMER Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako yesterday failed in a bid to restrain the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting him.

Nyako had, by a motion ex-parte, sought an interim injunction restraining the three from arresting or detaining him in relation to a case of alleged financial malpractices pending, for which he suspected either the IGP, DSS or EFCC might arrest and prosecute

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

him.

His lawyer, O. E. Ogungbeje, moving the motion, urged the court to restrain the IGP, DSS and EFCC pending the determination of an origination motion he filed for the enforcement of his rights.

Justice Ahmed Mohhammed refused the exgovernor’s prayer on the grounds that there was no sufficient reason for the

court to restrain the IGP, DSS and EFCC, listed as respondents.

“Having read through the supporting affidavit, particularly paragraphs 5 to 19, which contain facts relating to this case, this court is unable to accede to the request for the order of interim injunction sought,” the judge said.

He ordered Nyako to put the respondents on notice about any application for injunction filed against them.

Justice Mohammed also ordered Nyako to serve the originating motion he filed on May 28 on the respondents within seven days from yesterday and adjourned till July 1 for hearing.

Nyako is, by the substantive suit, seeking to among others, restrain the respondents from arresting or detaining him in relation to the allegation of financial misconduct while in office as the governor.

Trailer drivers shut Kaduna-Zaria Expressway

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OTORISTS plying the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway were on Sunday night stranded at Rigachikun, as trailer drivers blocked the road, protesting the alleged shooting of their colleagues by soldiers.

The Nation learnt that the incident occurred about 10pm on Sunday when the driver, Abba Saminu, was allegedly shot for refusing to give the soldiers N500 at a checkpoint.

It was gathered that the incident occurred near Mararrabar in Jos area of the expressway, which leads to other areas of Northwestern states, such as Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, among others.

The victim, who was shot in the leg, was taken to St. Gerald’s Catholic

•Over alleged shooting of colleagues by soldiers From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Hospital, Kaduna by good Samaritans, who found him in a pool of blood.

When the news got to his colleagues, they mobilised about 11pm and blocked the highway with their vehicles.

The victim narrated how the incident occurred on his hospital bed: “We were travelling to Kaduna, carrying Irish potatoes, when we came to a checkpoint mounted by the soldiers about 10pm on Sunday, near Mararraba Jos. “They ordered us to park. As I was about parking by the roadside, one of the soldiers demanded

N500 from me. I told him I could only afford N100.

He shouted at us and ordered us out of the vehicle.

“When I wanted to alight, one of the soldiers slapped me. I turned to run but I heard a gunshot and fell down. They entered their vehicle and drove off. Some people later took me to hospital.”

Abba’s employer, Alhaji Ibrahim, who was at the hospital, appealed to the military authority and the government to stop drivers’ harassment on the highway by soldiers.

Calls made to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Abdul Usman, were not answered.

The Special Assistant (Me-

Mark’s senatorial seat threatened

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RESH revelation has emerged over the controversy surrounding the victory of former Senate President David Mark in the Benue South Senatorial District election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) card readers have detected more ghost voters.

The National and State Assembly Tribunal in Benue State has authorised the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Daniel

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Onjeh and his party to inspect and take the electoral materials of the senatorial poll.

Onjeh contested the seat against Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The latter was pronounced the winner, but the former and his party alleged that the election was marred by irregularities.

The card readers detected 18,424 ghost voters during the exercise.

A statement by Onjeh’s

media office said: “The new INEC CTC Card Reader info we got yesterday shows that only 87,819 voters were accredited for the March 28 general elections in Benue South; 58, 607 were manually accredited.

“Against the total of 166, 633 fraudulently recorded

by PDP and the INEC in Makurdi earlier, card readers show that both failed and successful incidents of accreditation was 146,426.

Thus, besides other irregularities, 20, 207 ghost voters were automatically detected!”

dia and Publicity) to the Governor, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident.

According to him, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has directed his deputy, Bala Bantex and the police commissioner to visit the scene. He urged the drivers to allow other motorists access to the road.

The Kaduna Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Francis Udoma, said the drivers, who left the road about 2pm yesterday, noted that they obeyed the plea due to the Army authority’s promise to settle the hospital bill of the victim.

PHOTO: NAN

‘Preaching law to be reviewed’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ANO State government will reinforce the preaching regulatory law to ensure only valid and well- educated people engage in religious propagation, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said.

He spoke yesterday during the 22nd edition of the Radio Kano Qur’anic Competition, at Bello Dandago House, Kano.

Ganduje said government would not witch-hunt anybody, but intended to address the rampant cases of nonknowledgeable people claiming to be Islamic scholars, but ending up misleading people.

“You will remember the Maitatsine saga in the state as well as what is happening now, which started through unguided preaching by evilminded people posing as scholars,” he said.

The governor noted that if such activities were not standardised, considering the high population of the state, the situation could result in a crisis.

He said government would sponsor those who emerged first to fourth in the Qur’anic competition for pilgrimage to Makkah this year, adding that the Organising Committee of the competition would be given a bus to facilitate their activities.

The special guest of honour, Alhaji Abdussamad Ishaq Rabi’u, represented by Alhaji Muhammad Adakawa, donated N200,000 to the contestants and N300,000 to the committee.

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Cleric urges Christians on politics From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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HE Catholic Bishop of Kano Diocese, Rev. John Namaza, has urged Christians to participate in politics and transform the country.

Rev. Nasmaza, who spoke after inaugurating 16 brothers and 16 sisters into the prestigious knighthood of St. Mulumba at St. Louis Catholic Church, Bompai, Kano, said Christians should be courageous and have faith in God to accomplish their mission in life.

He said: “Christians are expected to be courageous. They should be people of faith, who trust in God. We should remember that we are Nigerians and we should be our brother’s keeper, to enable our nation prosper.

“Christians should be people, who have the courage to enter the political arena and transform it by doing good in order to develop the country and promote a society that is God-fearing.”

Bishop Namaza advised the knights of Mulumba, who were elevated to the next rank, to live their lives according to Christian principles, adding that they should be united and support the church.

He enjoined them not to relent in their efforts in supporting humanity with their resources, to promote peace and progress.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS OPC to Police: produce our missing personnel

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YORUBA militia group, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has asked the Nigeria Police to produce three of its men who got missing at the weekend following a rift between the special taskforce on pipeline protection and members of the group in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The men–Babatunde Adeyemi, Roland Ajayi and Orungbeja Dele-Osagie, who until their sudden disappearance, were part of the team guarding the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines in Shagamu.

OPC last year secured contract for petroleum pipeline security in the Southwest through New Age Global Business Limited, but the NNPC at the weekend, allegedly terminated the contract with effect from June 15, through text message.

According to a statement

By Precious Igbonwelundu

by OPC’s spokesman, Sylvester Eweka, the three men went missing after a lorry load of armed military task force on Sunday, attempted to forcefully eject them from their area of operation at the pipeline, claiming they have been ordered to reclaim control.

“Irked by this unceremonious move, the private security operatives on ground said they had no signal from their management to vacate the site.

“However, after the ensuing fracas, the three men could not be accounted for by their team leaders. ”They were part of the 4,000 private security operatives employed by New Age Global Business Ltd, the contractor NNPC hired to provide security against criminals engaged in pipeline vandalism and petroleum products stealing.

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Police arrest ‘robbers’ over killing of corps member

HE Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspected robbers over the killing of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The suspects, Matthais Efe and Dominus Aisabodo, allegedly killed 21-year-old David Onyeasina, who was posted to Edo College on Murtala Muhammed Way in Benin.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Onyeasina was a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts at the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

He was said to have gone to a shop to buy a recharge card last Saturday when the robbers attacked the shop and

shot him dead.

The police said they arrested Efe and Aisabodo during a patrol.

Onyeasina was reportedly hit by a stray bullet as the hoodlums attempted to escape.

Police spokesman Stephen Onwochei, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), con-

firmed the arrest of the suspects.

He said items recovered from them include two cutto-size guns, nine live cartridges, 10 mobile phones and jewellery belonging to their victims.

Onwochei said the police were on the trail of other members of the gang.

He urged the public to assist the police with relevant information.

SSANU protests privitisation of staff schools

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HE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has staged a protest against the proposed government circular to remove University Staff Primary Schools from the nominal payrolls of the universities and government’s treasury.

Members of the union met yesterday at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) multipurpose hall, where they held a congress, displayed placards and sang solidarity songs to express their stand on the issue.

Addressing the union and chairing the congress, National Vice President of SSANU, Comrade Alfred Jimoh, said implementation of such directive would translate into privitisation of the universities’ staff schools, which meant a threat to the jobs of the staff of the schools.

He said: “SSANU took its stance on the report. It is repugnant, in bad taste and offensive to the background, history, establishment and mandates of educational institutions in Nigeria and all over the world.

“The implementation of such a directive would not only run contrary to the purpose of the creation of universities, but would undermine the prevailing industrial peace existing in the Nigerian university system and compromise its stability.”

Jimoh said the directive was a breach of the agreement between the Federal Government and SSANU in 2009, which states that “the univer-

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

sity shall bear full capital and recurrent cost of university staff primary schools.”

He criticised Prof. Julius Okojie and a Federal Ministry of Education’s official, Ebenezer Fayemi, as the perpetrators of the government plans and called for their immediate sack.

According to the union, the intentions of government concerning university staff schools, was inconsistent with the mantra of the present government to create one million jobs.

The union declared that it would defend the agreement concerning the funding of the staff schools from the treasury of the universities “with everything within its powers, including protests, and other measures of industrial action.”

The Chairman of SSANU, UNILAG, Comrade Adekola Adetomiwa, said since the staff schools of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Police Affairs and Ministry of Education’s 102 Unity Schools were also being funded from the treasury, there was no reason to single out university staff schools from doing the same.

To him, the N2 billion annual budget allocated to the 24 universities that fund their staff schools was of little burden to the government, in comparison with the N100 billion spent on the Army and Police Staff Schools.

He said about 5,000 workers could be thrown into the labour market, if the directive is followed.

•The suspects in Onyeasina’s killing

•The late Onyeasina

Delta communities shut down oil facilities

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NGRY host communities in Delta State yesterday shut down the facilities at Oil Mining Leases (OML) 26, 30, 34, and 65 over pipelines surveillance and operations agreement disputes with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

The host communities shut down the facilities during a protest involving mostly women and youths.

The protesters disrupted operations at the facilities in Udu and Ughelli South local government areas.

They threatened to occupy the facilities until the company and the Federal Government heeded their demands.

Besides demanding the immediate inclusion of

•Seek pipelines surveillance contracts, payment of N1.4b From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Urhobo and Isoko host community’s representatives in the multi-billion naira pipelines surveillance contract, which was recently approved for Ijaw and Itsekiri by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the protesters also demanded the immediate payment of accumulated indebtedness to local contractors by the NPDC. They put the indebtedness at N1.4 billion.

In a statement by leaders of the protest, including Morris Idiovwa, Efe Okovwurie, Pastor Rochard Erhurhore

and John Obaro, the host communities said facilities at OML 26, 30, 34, and 65 would remain shut until NPDC and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) awarded to Urhobo and Isoko separate Pipeline Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering contracts.

The protesters, who stormed the Jeremi Flow Station in the morning, shut down the facilities.

They urged NPDC to create a Contract Department in its Edjeba office to take care of contractors in Delta State.

The communities also demanded that NPDC pay up the nine-month outstanding salaries of host communi-

ties’ workers at OML 26, 30, 34, and 65.

According to them, NPDC is heavily indebted to most of the indigenous contractors.

The protesters decried the replacement of indigenous contractors, whose contract tenure had expired for over two years, and the inability of NPDC management to put in place new contracts for the host communities.

NPDC, the host communities said, should create Assets Department for OML 26, 30, 34, and 65, adding that such must be located in the catchment areas where the facilities are located.

APC challenges Adewale’s locus standi to file action against its candidate for Lagos West

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HE All Progressives Congress(APC) has told the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, Lagos that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Lagos West, Segun Adewale, has no locus standi to institute the action he filed challenging the result of the March 28 election that declared its candidate, Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), winner.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, APC’s counsel Muiz Banire told the Justice Sylvanus Oriji-led tribunal

By Adebisi Onanuga

that the party’s application dated April 20 to which was attached a written address was essentially to challenge the locus standi of the petitioner.

Banire argued that the petitioner did not specify the law under which he brought the petition and also failed to state the scores of the candidates, adding that he only stated the score of the respondent (Yayi).

“By provision of the Electoral Act, the petitioner is

expected to specify the scores of all the candidates in the election. He only specified his own score and that of APC candidate.”

Banire emphasized that Adewale’s failure to do that eroded the validity of the process, adding that where such happen, the petition becomes incompetent and urged the court to discountenance it.

In his response, Adewale, through his counsel, Dr. Yemi Oke, submitted that he has complied with the provisions of the law by filing necessary

applications.

He claimed that the respondents have replied to the petition and that they have also filed counter affidavit dated May 6 deposed to by the petitioner himself with attachment of a 19-paragraph affidavit with written address.

Oke alleged that the State Independent Election Commission(LAISEC) failed to give him copies of the election result.

“The agents were there, they were not given the score sheet after the election. All these are in our

petition. Non-compliance with the provision of the first schedule cannot be put aside. The document is filed before the court.”

He prayed the court to dismiss the respondent’s application, describing it as an attempt to evade justice.

The tribunal dismissed an application filed by the APC’s counsel stating that PDP served the court notices on the office of the party in Lagos instead of the office at Abuja.

But the tribunal held in its ruling that there was nothing wrong with the service

of the respondents in Lagos.

“Any office of the respondent (APC) is an extension of the head office in Abuja and the purpose of serving the petition in Lagos office is to give respondents notice of the case in the court.

“We need to underscore the point where we find nothing wrong with the service of the respondent in Lagos,” Justice Oriji declared.

The matter was adjourned till Wednesday for pre hearing.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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NEWS Nsukka canvasses ministerial slot for Ezea

‘EFCC’s fresh charge against Sylva abuse of court process’

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GROUP, the Open Democracy Network, Nigeria, has faulted the fresh criminal charges filed against a former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying it amounts to an abuse or court process.

The commission, in a fresh 50-count charge accused Sylva, Francis Okukoro, Gbenga Balogun and Samuel Ogbuku, of using three companies – Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited, and Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited to move about N19.2 billion from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009-2012 on the pretext of using the money to supplement the salaries of the state government’s workers.

The group said the new charge bordered on a 42-count

By Joseph Jibueze

criminal charge that Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed on June 10.

The only difference, it said, is that the old charge contained 42 counts while the latest one is 50.

It recalled that earlier on June 1, Justice Evoh Chukwu of the same court struck out another EFCC charge against Sylva involving a N2.5 billion based on the same set of transactions as the N19.2 billion.

The group said: “This strange 50-count suit against Sylva constitutes an even greater abuse of court processes and, from every indication, it will suffer same fate as the other frivolous ones. Why? “Even a pupil lawyer knows that once a case has been dismissed, the only option open to the loser is to go on appeal.

It cannot return to the same court or a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

“Secondly, under the rules of the court, a prosecuting authority has to conclude its investigation before proceeding to court, satisfied that it has a case it can substantiate. Investigations and trials cannot be open-ended.

“Sylva left office since January 2012. Why is it difficult for EFCC to prove anything against him in court? Their style has been to conduct a media trial in order to ridicule Sylva and try to ‘finish’ his political career. Unfortunately for them, Sylva is still rising!”

The group said the charge was designed to discredit Sylva, who it said was victimised by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

“We at the Open Democracy Network, Nigeria, are of the view that this ‘new’ suit

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•Sylva

against Sylva constitutes a national embarrassment. It is an embarrassment to this government. It is an embarrassment even to the EFCC itself.

“It is now time for President Buhari to rejig the anti-corruption war by sacking (EFCC chairman) Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde in order to pave the way for a total reform of that agency, which has been turned into an instrument of political witch-hunt and persecution,” the group said.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu North has said that the Enugu State ministerial slot be given to the party’s standard bearer in the last governorship election, Chief Okey Ezea.

It said the zonal committee met and elected Ezea as the nominee from Nsukka senatorial zone, maintaining that Ezea remained the best candidate having been the party’s standard bearer.

At a news conference, Chair-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

man of APC Enugu North, Emecheta Ugwu, said since 1999, the zone had not produced a minister and ‘therefore for the purpose of justice, equity and good governance, we request that Nsukka senatorial zone be allowed to produce the next minister from Enugu State’.

He urged members and leaders of APC in the state to support Ezea to ensure that ‘our party stands united and stronger’.

Ugwuanyi swears in SSG From Chris Oji, Enugu

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NUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said the choice of the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was devoid of sentiment or political consideration.

The governor spoke at the inauguration of the SSG, Mr. Gabriel Ajah at the Exco Hall, Government House, Enugu.

Ugwuanyi described Ajah as ‘a thorough-bred civil servant’, saying his appointment ‘marks a further demonstration of our resolve to take giant strides in governing our dear Enugu State’.

The governor explained that the SSG, prior to his appointment, was the longest serving Permanent Secretary, having occupied the office since 2001.

Ugwuanyi urged Aja to deliver on the new mandate to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Responding, Ajah assured the governor and the people that he would serve selflessly.

Dignitaries present at the inauguration included the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Speaker, Edward Ubosi, State Chairman of PDP, Cornelius Nnaji, traditional rulers, among others.

MTN boosts subscribers’ experience with ‘CallerFeel’

M •From left: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Nwanneka, House of Reps member Toby Okechukwu, Archbishop, Anglican Communion, Enugu, Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma and Chairman, Awgu Council, Nnanna Nze at a reception for Ekweremadu in Enugu…at the weekend.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS.

NBA to honour Fashola, others

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HE Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will honour former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) as part of activities to mark its law week.

The branch chairman, Mr Alex Muoka, said Fashola will be honoured at a dinner in recognition of his contributions

By Joseph Jibueze

to the legal profession while serving as governor, and “for changing the face of governance in Nigeria.”

This year’s event, with the theme: The future of the Legal Profession: Protection from Exploitation, will hold from June 24-26 at the Agip Recital Hall of the

Police arrest 25 suspected cultists in Imo From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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HE Police in Imo State yesterday arrested 25 suspected cultists and 10 ‘armed robbers’.

Parading the suspects, police spokesman Andrew Enwerem, said they acted on a tip-off by concerned residents who saw them gathering in the forest.

Enwerem said the suspected cultists were holding their national conference and initiating new members.

“These ‘cultists’ belong to the Black Axe Fraternity and they were arrested while holding their national conference in the forest,” Enwerem said.

•The suspects...yesterday

MUSON Centre, while the dinner will hold on June 25 at the City Hall, Lagos Island.

Muoka said over 30 confirmed speakers, panelists and discussants will proffer solutions to the falling standards of the profession, indiscipline, poor remuneration, incursion of non-lawyers into legal practice, engagement of foreign

law firms for local transactions, and what steps can be taken to protect the profession.

Chair of the Law Week Committee, Mrs Tolani Edu-Adeola, said there will be a visit to the Ikoyi Prisons, a novel match between the Lagos and Ikeja Branches of the NBA, and a variety night/cocktail to end the week.

TN Nigeria has introduced CallerFeel, a service that allows subscribers display personalised messages during calls.

Speaking on the new product, MTN’s Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Bayo Adekanmbi, said the service was conceived to give subscribers a platform to express themselves.

He said: “As Nigeria’s foremost ICT Company, MTN is always looking for creative ways to encourage our subscribers to express themselves. In our quest to put our customers first, we came up with MTN CallerFeel, which is basically a medium of expression

for our teeming consumers.

“CallerFeel can be deployed for different personal purposes including advertising, status messaging, mood description, as well as special messages to specific callers.

Users can subscribe and unsubscribe from the service via SMS, App or WEB. Subscribers can access the CallerFeel service via the Callertunez App or Music + App. To subscribe to the MTN CallerFeel service, subscribers can opt in by sending the keyword: ‘REG’ to a short code ‘50016’ or log onto the CallerFeel web page on MTN website, enter your MSISDN and select the option to subscribe to this service.

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

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HE Ogun State Police Command have warned the owners of accidented and abandoned vehicles parked at Ifo and Ipokia Divisions to remove them within 14 days of this publication or lose them to members of the public.

They are: Nissan Quest BZ 840 FKJ, Camry LE BV 550 LSD, Mazda 323 LJ 392 EKY, Mazda 626 BM 33 SMK, Mazda 626 unregistered, Nissan Primera JZ 28 EKY and three motocycles.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Jeb Bush: I’m ready to lead the U.S.

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• Bush

ORMER Florida Governor Jeb Bush has pledged to fix America as he launches his bid to become the Republican nominee for president.

In a video released hours ahead of his official launch in Miami, the 62-year-old brother of ex-president George W Bush declared: “I’m ready to lead.”

He also promised to protect the country’s most vulnerable and remove the barriers to social mobility.

But doubts persist among conservatives in his party.

And early polling suggests that he has yet to dominate a wide field of Republican candidates.

In his latest video, entitled The Greatest Century, he strikes a very

optimistic note, saying: “I see a great country on the verge of its greatest century, and I’m ready to lead.”

The Bush team may have hoped their man would have built a clear lead in the polls by now, but the consensus view is he’s currently just one in a pack of frontrunners.

Recent interviews with campaign strategists indicate that they are going to start using the millions of dollars at their disposal to target opponents they consider most threatening - namely, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

In his opening campaign video, Mr Bush emphasised his positive, optimistic vision for the future, saying some politicians “talk about

problems; I see solutions”.

But in the coming months, the fight for the Republican presidential nomination could get nasty.

Although his campaign becomes official on Monday, it’s been no secret for many months and his team is well on the way to raising a $100m war chest.

During a tour of Europe last week, Mr Bush warned he would not waver from his core beliefs, even if some are unpopular in his party.

“I’m not going to change who I am,” he said. “I respect people who may not agree with me, but I’m not going to change my views because today someone has a view that’s different.”

But in recent weeks he has found himself on the defensive over the Iraq War - led by his older brother, President George W Bush - as he stumbled to clarify his position.

The issue brought into focus the problems he may face over his famous surname and the baggage that comes with it.

He becomes the 11th Republican to declare, with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Florida Senator Marco Rubio among his biggest rivals.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is the clear frontrunner.

This raises the possibility in 2016 of another Clinton-Bush race like that of 1992, when Mrs Clinton’s husband Bill beat Jeb Bush’s father, President George HW Bush.

ECA Chief urges alignment of African devt. goals

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CA is working to ensure that the issue of the African Development Goals (ADGs) does not fall off our collective radar but we must remember that existing programmes and frameworks are not yet being tracked and measured through a unified system of goals, targets and indicators,” said Mr. Carlos Lopes, the Executive Secretary of the ECA during the 25th Summit of the AU taking place in South Africa.

Speaking to the NEPAD Head of States and Governments Orientation Committee Mr. Lopes reminded those present that the African Development Goals are intended to draw on these positive attributes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but within the context of Africa’s specified priorities and long-term objective of structural transformation.

Mr. Lopes suggested that ADGs should be developed in a way that takes account of the different starting points of our countries and gives them the space to adopt suitable policies rather than have a ‘one size fits all’ policy regime.

They will also need to be compatible not only with Agenda 2063 but also with the African Common Position.

“The ADGs should form the milestones towards the structural transformation of the continent and must be seen as a ‘Dashboard’ to guide the monitoring of the process of structural transformation heading towards 2063,” Mr. Lopes advocated.

The expiring Millennium Development Goals are to be replaced by a new global development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals that should take into account Africa’s interest in a different manner from the MDGs. “However, success in articulating and using the goals for their intended purpose means that we have to strengthen statistics and statistical development within the continent,” Mr. Lopes cautioned.

African states should measure and monitor the progress, especially in sectors of special importance for Africa’s development, including gender, agriculture, infrastructure, industrialization, governance, employment, social development and education.

Mr. Lopes proposed an integration of the goals saying, “African Development Goals should accordingly be viewed from the lens of the broader discussions around global and regional development frameworks, notably the post-2015 development agenda and Agenda 2063”.

• The 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, widely seen as the document that heralded modern democracy, has been commemorated. The PHOTO: Getty Images Archbishop of Canterbury, Prime Minister David Cameron, the Queen and other senior royals all attended

Kurdish fighters seize parts of IS-held city

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URDISH fighters captured large parts of the strategic border town of Tal Abyad from the Islamic State group Monday, dealing a huge blow to the group which lost a key supply line for its nearby de facto capital of Raqqa, a spokesman for the main Kurdish fighting force said.Redur Khalil said the group known as the YPG entered Tal Abyad from the east and was advancing toward the west amid fierce clashes with pockets of IS resistance.”

We expect to have full control over Tal Abyad within a few hours,” he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.An Associated Press photographer in

Akcakale, the Turkish town on the opposite side of Tal Abyad, saw several YPG fighters waving their flag and flashing victory signs.

Earlier, several dozen YPG gunmen were seen moving west toward the city.Khalil suggested that IS fighters holed up in the town have fled toward Turkey.

The report could not be independently confirmed. Earlier, he told the AP that hundreds of IS fighters were still believed to be in the town.Losing Tal Abyad, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Raqqa city, capital of the Islamic State group’s self-declared caliphate, would deprive the militant group of a direct route to

Mokhtar Belmokhtar: Top Islamist 'killed' in U.S. strike

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top Islamist militant who ordered a deadly attack on an Algerian gas plant two years ago has been killed in a US air strike in Libya, officials say.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar was killed in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, a statement from Libya's government said.

The US says Belmokhtar was targeted and the strike was successful, but it is assessing the operation's results and would give details "as appropriate".

Born in Algeria, Belmokhtar was a former senior figure in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), but left to form his own militia.

He gained notoriety with the attack on the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria in 2013, when about 800 people were taken hostage and 40 killed, most of them foreigners, including six Britons and three Americans.

The US has filed terror charges against him and officials said they believed he remained a threat to Western interests.

"Belmokhtar has a long history of leading terrorist activities as a member of AQIM, is the operational leader of the al-Qaeda-associated alMurabitoun organisation in northwest Africa, and maintains his personal allegiance to al-Qaeda," said Pentagon spokesman Col Steve Warren.

Dead, or maybe still alive, either way the fact that the US is still hunting Mokhtar Belmokhtar illustrates the breadth and tenacity of the US counter-terrorism effort.

While the focus is now very much on combating Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the US struggle against al-Qaeda franchises continues both in the Middle East (Libya in this case) and to a growing extent in subSaharan Africa too.

bring in new foreign militants or supplies.

The Kurdish territorial gains, coming under the cover of intense U.S.-led coalition airstrikes in the area, would also link their two fronts and put even more pressure on Raqqa.The Kurdish advance has caused the displacement of more than 16,000 people who fled to Turkey in the past two weeks.

On Monday, up to 3,000 more refugees arrived at the Akcakale border crossing, according to Turkish state-run TRT television.

An Associated Press photographer saw large numbers of people at the border and thick smoke billowing as U.S.-led coalition aircraft targeted IS

militants in Tal Abyad.With most of Syria now controlled by either Islamic militants or forces loyal to President Bashar Assad, the U.S. has found a reliable partner in the country’s strongest Kurdish militia, the YPG. They are moderate, mostly secular fighters, driven by revolutionary fervor and the desire for self-rule.Since the beginning of the year, they have wrested back more than 500 mostly Kurdish and Christian towns in northeastern Syria, as well as strategic mountains seized earlier by the IS group. They have recently pushed into Raqqa province, an IS stronghold where Tal Abyad is located.

Vatican to try former ambassador on child abuse charges

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HE Pope’s former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Jozef Wesolowski — accused of offenses related to child abuse — will be tried at the Vatican beginning next month, the Vatican said Monday.

Wesolowski, 66, is the highestranking former Vatican official to be arrested for allegations related to the sexual abuse of minors and the first to be tried on such charges at the Vatican.

Wesolowski is accused of possession of child pornography as well as offenses related to the sexual abuse of minors during his time as papal nuncio to the Dominican Republic.

Before arriving in the Dominican Republic in 2008, Wesolowski was nuncio to Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. He began his career as a priest in Krakow, Poland, in 1972 and became a bishop in 2000.

In August 2013, the Vatican said it was investigating Wesolowski and

removing him from his post, but it did not give a reason. Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado, a Catholic University rector, said an internal church report linked Wesolowski to child abuse and pedophilia.

“We have formally opened an investigation,” Dominican Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito told reporters at the time. “Here we have to work with two legal aspects, first national laws and also international laws in his status as a diplomat, which implies other mechanisms of investigation and judgment.”

In January 2014, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi confirmed to the National Catholic Reporter that the Vatican’s criminal court was investigating Wesolowski. Pope Francis had announced in July 2013 that he was extending the court’s jurisdiction in sex abuse cases to include papal diplomats, making Wesolowski’s case the first test of the ruling, the newspaper reported.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NEWS 10 killed in Yobe suicide bombing Continued from page 4 •Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle) with the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Gabriel Ajah (right) and his wife, Anthonia after his inauguration at the Government House, Enugu...yesterday

Odigie-Oyegun: ‘I’m not keen to be SGF’ Continued from page 4

whether they are members of the party or not.

He said: "There is absolutely no dispute between the party and the president. We agreed that we shall use all manner of people: politicians, technocrats, all manner of people, even if not politicians, who can deliver and who subscribe passionately to the agenda of the president, to move this country forward, irrespective of where the people come from; irrespective of whether the person is a card-carrying members of the party.

"What is important is the

qualification of the person and the ability of the person to deliver on the ideas of Mr. President. What we are interested in is the ability of the people to bring up the ideas that will help Mr. President to achieve the set objectives and the ability to deliver on what the President wants.

"Secondly, this is an executive function and the President has the right to consult as widely as possible. This means he might pick people within the party and people outside the party. It is a prerogative the President should exercise and we cannot question that. We are quite hap-

py about the way he is proceeding.

"We have a very capable president. He is capable as ever.

The President is a very careful man. He wants to be sure the kind of people he will appoint are people who are passionate about the country.

"What is really important is the speed of the delivery of his policies. You can see that things are already improving. You can see in the electricity front, the supply of petroleum, etc. They are not connected. What the president is doing is to conduct a very thorough check on the background of the people he

will appoint" On speculations that the ambition of some party leaders was holding back the President, Oyegun said "No. I don't think that will hold him back at all. Like he said, he said he belongs to everybody and he belongs to nobody. They should just be patient. He does not want to make avoidable mistakes.

"What is important is to see whether on a daily basis, your life is improving. Everything that can be done in these few days are being done and the effect is being felt already

Sudanese leader flees South Africa in private jet to avoid arrest Continued from page 4

der not to allow the Sudanese leader to leave.

South Africa’s government has challenged the court’s decision because it has given immunity to Bashir and all other delegates attending the AU summit.

But Sudan’s state news agency (SUNA) reported that Bashir left South Africa aboard a flight bound for the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

The ICC’s reach and jurisdiction is a major political issue in Africa, where many claim the court is biased against African leaders.

Earlier this month, South Africa’s Minister of International Affairs, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, said diplomatic immunity would ap-

ply to all participants at the African Union gathering.

But South African activists went to court to press for the arrest of Bashir, who took power in a 1989 coup.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Ben-

souda has said South Africa is obliged as a backer of the court to detain and surrender Bashir.

In December, the ICC dropped charges against Kenyan President

Uhuru Kenyatta after the prosecution said it had insufficient evidence. Kenyatta was charged in connection with post-election violence that began in 2007, leaving more than 1,000 dead.

We’ll bring our lawmaker back together, says Oyegun Continued from page 4

man said the immediate concern of the party was how to quickly unify its members in both chambers if the National Assembly, saying “All the party has decided to do is to re-unify as quickly as possible our members in both chambers of the National Assembly under the existing realities. That is the first priority. Every other thing will follow. All other thing will have

to wait.

“For instance, if the president says he wants to present his list of ministerial nominees to the Senate, we don’t want a situation whereby the senate will be divided. So, we are trying to sort that out; it is our number one priority.

We are happy that we are arriving at an amicable settlement of the situation; this one cannot wait for long. It has to be immediately.

“There was no doubt that when you have problems, your opponent will seize the opportunity to rise up. What is important is how quickly we put our acts together and get all these behind us and move forward strongly.

Some of these setbacks, no doubt, will give the other side the opportunity to laugh, but it is temporal and usual wherever you have human beings”

explosives on him. He detonated the explosives and we lost eight men, including our commander,” said the vigilante, who asked not to be named for his own safety.

A police source in Potiskum said: “We took eight dead bodies of the vigilante men to the hospital and the remains of the suicide bomber,” he said.

The second blast happened moments later in the Dorawa, Potiskum at an open air tavern and brothel that had previously been hit by the Islamists.

The police source said a man suspected to be a bomber was chased by a mob, but he set off his explosives before he was caught.

“Two people have been confirmed dead,” he added.

Boko Haram are keen to prove they are not a spent force despite a four-nation military offensive that has run them out of captured towns and villages since February.

The use of improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings has increased since May

29, when President Muhammadu Buhari took office vowing to crush the militants.

At least 162 people have been killed in some 17 separate attacks in that period, according to AFP reporting.

Yobe Police spokesman Toyin Gbadegeshin confirmed the explosions to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Gbadegeshin said one of the bombers targeted the vigilante office, killing seven persons.

Two others died in the second explosion, which occurred at Dorowa Ward in the town.

“At about 12.25hrs, two suicide bombers struck at Dorowa at the vigilante office and near Lara filling station, killing Ado Kwamanda and six of his men.”

“Two people, including the bomber, died in the second attack,” he said.

NAN recalls that suspected insurgents attacked Babangida, headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area on Sunday, looted food stuff and burnt public and private structures, including stores.

‘I’m not in a hurry to appoint ministers’ Continued from page 4

during the immediate past administration, the NNPC and the ministry of finance did not know how many accounts they had.

He described the development as improper.

He also said the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President divided the All Progressives Congress in spite of the moves by the party to avert a crisis.

He said the onus was on the National Assembly to resolve the issue as it had its own criteria for choosing its officers, which was why he did not want to interfere in the exercise.

Buhari said the problem of Boko Haram had been internationalised and expressed his happiness with the support coming from Nigeria’s neighbours and the G7 in an effort to end insurgency.

Ayade in Germany for super highway deal

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ROSS River State Governor Ben Ayade finalised a deal for the construction of the

Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Obudu dual carriage super highway.

The deal was sealed on quality control for the signature project in Wiesbaden, Germany, yesterday The governor last week said he was in discussion with President Mohammadu Buhari, who is expected to do the groundbreaking before the commencement of work in the next few weeks. Ayade promised to deliver the road i before the end of his first tenure despite the financial challenges facing the state.

“I am very confident that this project which some pessimists are saying won’t be possible, will be delivered before the end of our first

term in office.

“We have interested investors already who want to come and invest their money in developing our intended projects and I must say that these projects are many,” he said.

The governor said the design for the proposed seaport in Calabar is at advanced stage and the transaction adviser will soon be appointed Other projects the governor is planning with German investor include a cement factory and a quarry.

He is expected to depart Germany for Barcelona in Spain to attend the World Governors Forum for Climate Change where he serves as the African Chair. He will deliver a paper at the forum.

Kwankwaso: Saraki-PDP alliance is a threat to Buhari Continued from page 4

ment might make reconciliation challenging.

He said: “I believe the party is doing something that will bring back the members together and have good understanding but what complicated the whole situation now is that more than 50% of Saraki is in PDP, if you take the condition of the position of the Senate President. I don’t know which percentage he will give and, therefore, it becomes more difficult.

“And the implication of this now is that very soon, the leadership of the Senate will start Tambuwalising the party and, of course, the government as we have seen in 2011.”

Saraki has said he will not return to the PDP. Kwankwaso admitted that Saraki’s election has divided the party.

“I think the party, unfortunately, is divided but it is not too late to correct many things but the party should take certain steps to ensure that such things will never happen again in the party and I am one of those who

advised or tried to advise my brother, Saraki that he should not go too far with that ambition under this circumstance.

“At this level and his level, people should be more careful and cautious in what they do and what they don’t do and especially that the situation is even worst than the case of Tambuwal during the House of Representatives election of principal officers in 2011.

“Of course, Tambuwal’s case was a case of going out of zoning but all the positions went to members of the party. But this time around, because of the ambition of our members, I think they went and connived with people who are not only opponents of the party but enemies of the party to fight the party after the people of this country have discarded these people.

“And now because of ambition, these people were made in a way relevant and I don’t think that is the best way to go. Members of the party should have certain limitations, they should know when to start and when to stop and I think this is going too far in romancing members of the

PDP. “As far as we are concerned, PDP was dead until recently when this ambition brought certain people to do what they should not do in democracy and party politics and how they are just about to create unnecessary life for them to the extent that some of them are servicing again and making all sorts of statements.”

Kwankwaso faulted Ekweremadu’s election and his assumption that the slot was meant to integrate the Southeast.

He said: “Just yesterday, I was reading, I don’t know whether it is true or not, that Ike Ekweremadu was talking rubbish, nonsense. It is like they have reasons to speak again and I think it is because of the mistakes of our members. I believe that at the end of the day, the party and members must get a way of coming together and behave well, I think that is the only way we can make progress.”

“I don’t think I should be in a hurry to say that he should resign but all I know is that many things have gone wrong to the extent that the party has to put

its acts together to make sure that things that are done in that way are stopped and from there, we will build the party again.

“It (Deputy President of the Senate) does not belong to them. I have been in PDP from 1999 until 2014 or so. You see, it was unthinkable in PDP for you to allow any other party to take any of those positions.

They have done it five times and they never allowed any member of any party to go near those positions, so I think it was unfair and not correct and they took it shamelessly and I am sure our party will look at it and take what belongs to our party back.

“Maybe there are ways APC can accommodate the Southeast by way of appointment but certainly, we have not seen PDP in the five times that they had reasons to select leaders in the National Assembly, they never considered other parties in terms of giving them position but I am sure that our party had it in mind that it will carry the Southeast but not in the position of the Senate President.

“The Senate has Deputy Sen-

ate President; that position does not belong to the PDP and that is the mistake Ekweremadu is making. Now he said he was elected deputy Senate president, yet he reduced himself to a zone and a tribe, which is not good enough.

“We are not saying he should step down or stay; what I am saying is that what they have taken does not belong to them and all those who supported him and his party to get it have made a big mistake for themselves, the party and indeed for the country and they should be ashamed of themselves.”

Asked of the way out, Kwankwaso asked the APC leadership to enforce discipline.

He added: “I don’t know, the party must be doing its own bit but if I were the national chairman, I would either write to these members individually a letter of displeasure or call them and tell them because there has to be discipline.

“It does not matter whether you are 10 or 20 or even 1,000, whatever your number is in a party, as long as there is no discipline, definitely there will be

problem. I am one of the senior senators by any standard in this country but because of the consideration of the fact that Buhari is from the Northwest, of course not from Kano, you are not seeing me going round to say I want this position or that position.

“I have president in my zone and I have to be considerate in the sense that other zones should get it. It is not like you will come by all means and you must take it whether it favours the zoning, the party or not. So, all these things must be respected by the party and the members.

On the likelihood of the Saraki reaching out to Lawan’s Unity Forum for reconciliation, Kwankwaso said: “I think it is good to have reconciliation but I am not aware of it, nobody informed me.

“I am just watching the development and, in fact, on that very day immediately after the so called election, I had to travel to Paris to receive an award . . . I learnt that some members were sworn in; well I will wait till they come back from their break.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

NEWS

A can of worms inside National Theatre •Continued from page 3 According to a memo which was shown to The Nation, the ground breaking ceremony would have cost a whopping N61,310,247.00 ( Sixty one million, three hundred and ten thousand, two hundred and forty seven naira). The memo with reference number NDGM/C115/ Vo11V/34 dated May 11, 2015 and addressed to the Tourism minister contained some rather unusual budget provisions.

For instance, cutting of grass was allocated N2 million, hiring of excavators (N150, 000 per day for three days), cable works (N500, 000).

Also, artists for the day would have earned N5 million, comedian (N1.5 million) and a master of ceremony (N2 million). The tickets for dignitaries would have cost N8 million and refreshments N6 million.

The war within However, the workers of the National Theater alleged that when the union confronted Yusuf, he resorted to the use of threats. Letters were allegedly dropped inside offices of leaders and their houses were photographed and photographs pasted on notice boards around the complex.

AUPCTRE chair Dayo Akogun was said to have sought police protection after photographs of his house and the names of his family members were pasted around the complex.

Some of the workers, who spoke on strict conditions of anonymity, told The Nation that after the threat strategy failed, Yusuf began to transfer key members of the union out of Lagos.

First to go was the chief technical officer, who supervises the Electrical/ Electronic Section on November 26, 2013. He was later recalled to Lagos and finally dismissed in March, following an allegation of incompetence.

He also allegedly relieved the head of Stage Lighting Unit and posted him to Electrical Workshop Unit. Henry Ndubuisi was moved to Taraba with a portfolio to cover Maiduguri and Ashiyanbi Bolanle to Enugu.

Also, the vice chairman, Tiamiyu Adesina, was transferred to Calabar, Abdullahi Usmar, an Assistant Marketing Officer, was moved to Kano on April 9, 2014. The union leaders were routinely issued queries allegedly to tarnish their records and to pave the way for their eventual sack.

“I have worked here for over 15 years and never had one query in my file only commendation letters and suddenly, because of these issues, I have lost count of the queries I have received,” a member said.

The Nation could not trace all of the union leaders, but said the transfers were a waste of public fund as there was no other National Theatre outside Lagos.

“The transfers were done in malice to silence the Union. There were no offices outside Lagos except Abuja and when those people got to their various posts, there was nothing on the ground,” they alleged.

In July 2013, following the petition of the union to the ICPC, Yusuf instituted a court case against the union and its key leaders at the National Industrial Court (NIC).

However, in a ruling by Justice K.I Amadi on May 14, the court directed that the “ parties in this suit are hereby reverted to their various positions, posts and offices as they were in

December 6, 2013 when the parties were ordered to maintain the status quo ante.”

The court also directed the following acts to be reverted: ·Dismissal of Comrade Ephesians Nodza via a letter of dismissal dated December 15, 2014. ·Indefinite suspension of Comrade Akogun via a letter dated February 24, 2014- Akogun was this year dismissed. ·The issuance of query dated February 20, 2014, to Henry Ndubuisi for attending court proceedings ·Two months suspension given to Ndubuisi ·All transfers made were declared null, void and of no effect and subsequently set aside.

Fighting back But Yusuf told The Nation that all the allegations of financial misappropriation had been given to the ICPC which had conducted investigations into it and found him blameless.

“They have written to the ICPC and the EFCC, they went and made statements they can go and write anything. Are they the judges in their own case? They are complainants, I have gone there to the ICPC and back,” he said.

He showed The Nation a letter from the ICPC dated July 24, 2014, which exonerated him, describing as “mischievous and without bases.”

In an interview with The Nation, Yusuf said the concession project which was initiated by him and the immediate past minister, was meant to complete the original master plan of the National Theatre. He said the concession refers only to the fallow land around the National Theatre, which is about 134.03 hectares.

He showed The Nation a prototype of what the area would look like with facilities like a five star hotel, a shopping mall, offices, land and water parks, leisure and entertainment centres and a multilevel car park.

Yusuf denied that the process has not been transparent, saying all relevant stakeholders were carried along including the Lagos State government, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Ministry of Works, which led to the inauguration of the stakeholders committee on September 20, 2012.

He said a transaction adviser, BGL Capital PLC, was employed and an Outline Business Case (OBC) was sent to and approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan on July 2, 2014.

Following the investors’ road show in 2014, seven of the 11 consortiums that indicated interests and tendered their bids were pre-qualified for request for proposal. Out of the seven, only three however submitted technical and financial bids.

“After evaluations, Topwide Apeas/Chris Michael Ltd emerged as the preferred bidder and Calzada Nig. Ltd as the reserved bidder. This result has been certified by the ICRC and the two companies have been communicated to accordingly,” Yusuf said.

A simple check of the preferred bidder on the internet returned nothing on Topwide Apeas, but Chris Michaels Ltd had a web address at www.chrismichaelsltd.com and the Chief Executive Officer is one Chris Ogan. However, The Nation noted the website was last modified on

• An open space around the National Theatre

‘

The professional committee found him guilty and he said he is not going to subject himself to the committee and a recommendation for his dismissal was made which was ratified by the board.

‘

Monday, February 25, 2013 at 6.13am.

Besides, the web page appeared uncompleted as most of the menu had “this page is under construction” under them.

Among the projects listed are: New city mall, Theatremall, Owerri mall, Banana Island mall, Oasis mall, all with uncompleted menus.

But more instructively, he discarded the ruling from the NIC, saying it was faulty and cannot stand.

Yusuf said three cases are still pending in the court. The one which the ruling was given was in error because that case was already struck out and therefore the ruling could not stand.

He said: “There are three cases in industrial court. We had four rulings.

So, you cannot just take one ruling in isolation and that wasn’t even a ruling. The judge struck out the case and once you strike out a case, you cannot make a ruling on it.

“We instituted a case, saying we are not interested again. There are two other cases and there are three rulings on that suit. Now, the hearing is June 26. We have appealed that judgment in the Court of Appeal, the status quo cannot remain because if the judge says a case is struck out, and he cannot make a ruling on it again.”

Yusuf also made many allegations against Akogun (the union) .

He said: “Did Comrade Akogun tell you he was dismissed because he went and installed fake equipment and stole the money. He was given money to install equipment, he went and installed substandard cables the National Theater would have been burnt. It was later discovered that those cables were sub standard and a committee was set up to investigate him.

“The professional committee found him guilty and he said he is not going to subject himself to the committee and a recommendation for his dismissal was made which was ratified by the board.

“So, if he has any other issues, he should go to the same industrial court and make his case and not on the pages of newspapers.”

Yusuf accused Akogun of high handedness, disrespect, corruption and staying perpetually as chairman of AUPCTRE. He alleged that the genesis of his problem with the union

was his refusal to be controlled by Akogun and his group.

Yusuf also identified the issue of the weigh-in allowance, to which only members of RATTAWU are entitled, as a major cause of the problems. He said AUPCTRE has only 26 members while RATTAWU has 210, yet Akogun as leader of the minority union, kept causing disaffection.

“He has stayed 14 years as the leader of the union. He is a law unto himself and even members of his union feared him. He wants to be a parallel management. He built a house which he has not declared to the code of conduct, we have the pictures,” Yusuf told The Nation.

According to him, all the contracts awarded by his management followed due process and were advertised in national media.

Yusuf showed some of the documents of what he claimed were evidences that all contracts went through tender. He denied ever corruptly enriching himself and insisted that his administration has transformed the National Theatre.

Toyin Muhammed, Principal Officer, Corporate Affairs, who took The Nation on an inspection tour of the facility, said the AUPCTRE members are fighting because Yusuf refused to dance to their tunes. He praised the general manager’s transformation agenda.

He said the Banquet Hall has been refurbished with customised carpet and chandelier, while the Theatre Hall too was upgraded with new equipment and digital lightening.

Also some of the corridors have new tiles and have been painted.

“This man wants to transform this place but these people don’t want as long as they won’t be in control. If we can concession the fallow land, there is a clause that a certain percentage would be used to refurbish the main bowl and we will bring Victoria Island to this place,” he said.

It was difficult getting across to Akogun for reaction to Yusuf’s allegation. He simply cited the Justice Amadi ruling, which ordered that all party maintained the status quo ante.

But, other members of the union, who are not parties to the suit, said the case of dismissal against Akogun was a big set up.

The Nation learnt that the allegation of a substandard cable was discovered when Akogun was on leave and has been transferred out of the department.

One union member said: “Akogun was on leave when the issue came up and it was the time they transferred him out of the department. So, he had no idea what they were doing there.

“He refused to go to the committee because the members are also part of police investigation into the threat to his life and as a senior officer; the rule says he can only be disciplined by the board.

“All of that were just a way to dismiss him. For three straight years, he was the best staff in the National Theatre and suddenly, he is buying fake cables and being incompetent.

How logical is that?”

Interestingly, in the letter of dismissal - a copy of which was shown to The Nation - with reference number NT/PF/AK014/C/1 dated April 24, 2015, no reference was made to the issue of cables, contrary to what Yusuf said.

In the letter, Akogun was dismissed for “absenteeism without leave, insubordination and assault on a superior colleague.”

Curiously too, the chairman of the Board, Ishaya, also had germane issues against the general manager.

In an interview with The Nation, he accused Yusuf of not carrying the board along on major decisions.

Ishaya said: “The main thing is that the board members are not carried along and he alone cannot be the board. During the road show, he made estimates that I wasn’t aware of how he got to that amount and up till now, he has not called back on it.

I am thinking of calling an emergency meeting to investigate.”

The board chairman also frowned at the various court cases instituted

by Yusuf against the union and its leaders. “The general manager should not always be in court with his staff, it doesn’t speak well of him, and I have instructed him not to appeal on behalf of the board because we didn’t ask him and he cannot be taking unilateral decisions on behalf of the board.”

Ishaya has recommended Yusuf for investigation over the various accusations and if found guilty, should be sacked.

“He should be investigated and if he is guilty should be sacked he is not above that,” Ishaya said.

But, unknown to Ishaya, Yusuf had already appealed the judgment according to what he told The Nation.

As the union members await the implementation of the court orders, which would have reinstated them, the general manager, through his appeal, may have surprises in store for them. Besides the fact that this action has effectively put paid to any hope of a quick resolution of the controversy, it has opened another flank of crises with the board.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10

NO. 3247

‘After June 12 and the hash PDP made of the post-1999 Army Arrangement, the Buhari Presidency is the best electoral recipe to get OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA Nigeria back on track’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE June 12, 1993 presidential election heralded a new dawn in Nigerian politics.

Forsaking tribe and tongue and creed and station, a decisive majority of Nigerians voted to entrust their destinies to the MuslimMuslim ticket of Bashorun MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In eight years of virtually unchallenged rule, the duplicitous regime of military president Ibrahim Babangida had led Nigeria to the edge of economic ruin and destroyed the value system. The election offered Nigeria a chance to chart a new course, founded on the principle that governance shall be based on the consent of the people freely given.

Babangida annulled the election, with help from a suborned faction of the SDP, which was only too willing to bargain away its electoral victory and with it, the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians who had given it their mandate.

The rest is history.

Of the many political figures complicit in the annulment, two have not only remained in circulation, their stock has risen. I have in mind Brigadier General David Mark who, as a key player in the Babangida regime, is on record as having vowed to shoot Abiola to death if Abiola was allowed to take power David Mark has served as a member of the Senate for 16 years and as its president for the last eight, in which latter capacity he designated himself or was designated His Excellency the Right Honourable David Mark.

I have also in mind Chief Tony Anenih, whose renown as a fixer had been established long before he took the leading part, as national chairman of the SDP, in bargaining away the party’s victory in the 1993 presidential election. He has since then made a lucrative career as a fixer for every season.

Wherever a political job of the most unsavoury kind is to be done, like turning winners into losers and losers into winners, there you will find Anenih in his true element.

In a way, June 8, 2015, some 22 years removed from the historic 1993 poll, also signalised a new dawn. The two houses of the legislature were to be inaugurated under new management as it were, the APC having wrested them decisively from the PDP. These are the organs through which the APC was going to pursue the agenda of Change on which it had fought and won the election.

To drive the agenda and pursue it faithfully, the APC had to have as the heads of these organs persons whose dedication, loyalty and commitment it can vouch for. In its judgment, Bukola Saraki did not pass that test. He had brought considerable assets to the APC through the ACN when he defected from the PDP, but he was for all kinds of reasons not his party’s candidate for Senate president.

RIPPLES

PASTOR ABSCONDS WITH CHURCH MEMBER’S N10 MIILION –News

SURE THE PASTOR ‘LL BLAME THE DEVIL WHENEVER HE’S ARRESTED

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

June 12, 1993, and June 9, 2015

•Saraki

•The late MKO Abiola

As if to prove prescient those elements in the APC who thought him unfit for that high office and to confirm what his fellow Ilorin kinsman Is’haq Moddibo Kawu has written about him, namely, that the only thing Saraki cares about is Saraki, the aspirant surreptitiously cut a deal with the PDP minority, which then voted en bloc with some renegades in the APC to steamroll him to the third rank in the national order of precedence.

To get this dubious support, Saraki bargained away to the PDP the APC’s prerogative of selecting the deputy senate president from its own ranks. And in grateful appreciation of his role in facilitating this tawdry enterprise, the conclave elected David Mark “leader” of the Senate, a position that does not exist. A little bankrolling also helped, I gathered.

It took 57 of 108 senators, all the 49 from the PDP and eight from the APC, presumably including Saraki, to consummate this subversive deal. There was no dissenting vote. Before many in the attentive audience realised what was going on, Saraki was already ensconced in the Senate president’s

chair and wielding the gavel.

Such was the rush, the indecent haste with which an event that should have resonated with solemnity and symbolism came across instead as the parliamentary equivalent of a street mugging.

The 51 APC senators who were not on the floor had not willfully absented themselves.

They were assembled at another venue, to which all APC senators had been summoned, for an appeal by President Muhammadu Buhari for party unity in the run-up to the election of leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Saraki may still have won if the election had been conducted with all APC members present and voting. But Saraki being Saraki, he left nothing to chance. Why wait for a vote of the full house and an uncertain outcome when you can achieve your goal through a Faustian bargain?

As in the 1993 presidential election, David Mark, and according to media reports Tony Anenih, who was brought out of retirement to do what he does best, played pivotal roles in up-ending established process to achieve partisan, if not personal goals.

It is in truth scandalous that David Mark who had served in the Senate since it was set up 16 years ago and presided over it for eight aided and abetted this flagrant abuse of process when he should have stood up robustly for propriety. Where was the “elder statesman” in him?

There was a time when the standard justification for a military coup was that politicians or the political class had learned no lessons. Were any lessons taught?

The storied careers of David Mark and Tony Anenih, and indeed Bukola Saraki, whose rap sheet with the EFCC is about a mile long, show clearly that no lessons were taught. That is why Nigeria has been going round and round in an ever -shrinking circle.

The usual pettifoggers have been justifying Saraki’s coup – for that is what it is at

HARDBALL

H

ARDBALL just heard Iyiola Omisore, beaten Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, tell Governor Rauf Aregbesola to resign! That drew a throaty and instinctive laugh.

But on a second thought — what if Omi’s suggestion was right; and the governor did resign, what then? Would that, open sesame, magically clear the backlog of workers’ salaries?

Then, the laugh returned — now, not instinctive, but a full derisive guffaw that sent Hardball’s frame convulsing. How could anyone be capable of such infantile thinking — and a wannabe governor and two-term senator? Ha! But don’t get Hardball wrong. It is never salutary to owe workers’ salaries — even for one day, given the level of poverty and suffering in the land. Now to talk of seven months! The workers would just flip — and who wouldn’t?

That is why Hardball joins the nationwide appeal to all state governments owing workers to do everything possible to find means of paying them. But even that, beyond the sound of one’s voice, is as vacuous as they come.

This is because though the states in the eye of the storm are the present object of hate and ridicule (and just as well, for when the pocket hurts, nothing can placate it but cash), the real culprit was the criminal profligacy of the

Ogbeni and the Ebudola prospect Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.

This was a government that made arguably more money than any previous government, yet left the central till in a shambles. It was also a government that declared no less than one out of every five barrels of crude daily stolen, yet declared itself powerless!

These were the crises, coupled with the fall in global crude prices, that have put most of Nigeria’s 36 states in financial quandary, with no less than 24 owing salary backlogs. Indeed, Hardball would go to this extent: since the old Federal Government caused the problem, the new Buhari Presidency should view it as a national emergency, and help to clear this monumental national shame.

Of course, that is not to say that many states were not careless in their fund-husbandry.

Indeed, not a few have been remiss. Such behaviours should be decried. Still, Hardball would be wary of Omisore’s grand wisdom (more of cheap folly, really) of the governors to “resign”, when that is no solution.

That takes the matter back to the State of Osun. Ogbeni Aregbesola must be a very lonely man now, being walloped left, right and centre by subversive sympathisers of his workers,

bottom —claiming that it accords with the rules and regulations in force. Even President Buhari has said that it was “somewhat constitutional.”

Everything Saraki did may well have accorded with the letter of the law. But did it also accord with the spirit of the law? And is fidelity to the spirit of the law not as important as, if not more important than, fidelity to the letter of the law? Fidelity to the letter of the law, like the sleep of reason, often brings forth monstrosities like the 12 and 2/3 formula that the Supreme Court relied upon to determine the winner of the 1979 presidential election.

When the “anything goes” brigade claims that the coup is good for democracy because it will ensure the independence of the legislature, the retort must be: Independence from whom or from what? Independence for what?

To return to the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the 22nd anniversary of which was marked last Friday largely in the Yoruba country: President Buhari’s acknowledgement was a desultory tweet that had all the markings of an afterthought.

We now know, thanks to Humphrey Nwosu who conducted the poll, that Abiola won it indissolubly. So, the claim that the election was “inconclusive” is no longer tenable.

Nor can anyone in good faith now refer to Abiola as the “presumed winner” of that election. In the books of the National Electoral Commission, and in the records of accredited observers, domestic and foreign, Abiola was the actual, outright, undisputed winner, in truth a president-elect, a president–in-waiting.

He died defending his mandate, after years of detention in solitary confinement, in the most barbarous of conditions. He rejected shabby and ignoble compromise, the kind that Saraki embraced to win election as Senate president.

A long line of Nigerian rulers, from Babangida to Abdulsalami Abubakar, through Ernest Shonekan and Sani Abacha, suborned the institutions and instrumentalities of the state to persecute, and ultimately murder Abiola and his wife Kudirat, not sparing his global business empire, all because he won an election and would not surrender the people’s mandate.

There is only one way to expiate this crime.

It begins with Nigerian state marshalling all its institutions to acknowledge and honour that indissoluble fact.

Thereafter, it should officially recognise Abiola as a president-elect who died before he could take office, and accord him all the rights and privileges of a president.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above milking the Osun civil servants’ misery to make triumphalist political statements.

Even many, that Hardball calls clinical sympathisers, have harangued the governor, their all-wise accusation ranging from his nearchildish zeal for infrastructure; and utter failure to appreciate his cash flow before embarking on gigantic projects. But thank God: not even the most reckless have suggested Aregbesola diverted Osun money to personal use.

In truth, Ogbeni must have learned some hard lessons from his present odyssey. But even when his spirit is at the lowest, he must remember Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Ebudola (insults-turned-praise) experience.

When Awo was building the future by his radical policies, which necessitated higher taxation and sundry present discomfiture, his opponents went to town, emotively blackmailing him; and goading the ultimate beneficiaries to rebellion. Those were the “Omisores” of Awo’s age. But who remembers them today?

Ogbeni must find solutions to this cash meltdown — and fast. But beyond that, he must not surrender his vision — for developmentally, Osun never to be the same again. If he doesn’t falter — and he must not — the Osun generation next would, in future, adulate and venerate Aregbe, while Omisore would have been buried and long forgotten, in the dust heap of history.

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