The Nation June 19, 2012

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VOL. 7, NO. 2161 TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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Kaduna: Death toll hits 52 We did it, says Boko Haram Govt relaxes 24-hour curfew

EX P IN LOS PA YO IO G BE NS 3 E •GOOD NIGHT NIGHT:: A deserted street in Trikania, Kaduna...yesterday

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ADUNA was asleep for hours yesterday – no thanks to a 24-hour curfew imposed by the government to quell Sunday’s reprisals after suicide bombings of three churches.

But there was time to count the dead - 50, the Nigerian Red Cross said.

The Islamist sect Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks in Zaria and Kaduna – the North’s political capital.

The state government relaxed the 24-hour curfew, allowing residents time to search for loved ones and get supplies.

The Army said it had recovered a mobile phone belonging to one of the suicide bombers. It gave no details.

Aid workers searched for bodies among Continued on page 2

INSIDE

•Fed Govt to North’s leaders: stop the violence •Victims recount ordeal •Bombings beyond sect’s capacity, say governors •CAN calls for probe •Tinubu seeks joint efforts •JNI calls for punishment AND MORE ON PAGES 2-5

•A minibus burnt by a mob after Sunday’s attacks on churches in Kaduna…yesterday PHOTOS: AFP

Police contact banks in search for Lawan’s $620,000 bribe cash •Lawan

Task Force retrieves video tape from SSS

STORY ON PAGE 2

•CITY BEAT P8 •POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •PROPERTY P25 •ENERGY P49

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

NEWS BLOODY SUNDAY

Fed Govt to North’s leaders: stop the violence

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•Roadside shops vandalised by angry mob in reaction to suicide bomb attacks...yesterday

PHOTO: AFP

HE Federal Government yesterday told North’s leaders to halt the violence going in the region.

The latest explosions in the North occurred at the weekend in Kaduna and Zaria and in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, yesterday.

But Northern governors expressed the fear that the killings might be a ploy to destroy the economy of the region.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku spoke yesterday in Abuja at the National Summit on the Freedom of Information Act, Organised by the Media Rights Agenda, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).

The minister attributed the

Kaduna bombings, reprisals death toll hits 52 Victims of crisis recount ordeal

Continued from page 1

charred vehicles and destroyed market stalls.

Officials refused to give a breakdown of the death toll, clarifying who died in the blasts and who was killed in reprisals.

“We did that for a reason,” said Andronicus Adeyemo, deputy head of disaster management at the Nigerian Red Cross. “Those figures are sensitive.”

Authorities of St. Gerard Catholic Hospital said 42 bodies were deposited in its morgue; 72 injured are being treated.

The Matron of the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, Mrs. Hassana Garba said there are 12 bodies in the hospital.

Authorities fear that a breakdown of the deaths will trigger reprisal killings. Most of the victims killed in church on Sunday are presumed to be Christian and most of those killed in reprisals are presumed to be Muslims, raising concerns that a distinction between initial and reprisal deaths will be interpreted as a Christian and Muslim breakdown.

In Kaduna, relief officials

A

LL was tense yesterday in Kaduna as news of the death toll in Sunday’s attacks spread. Skirmishes were reported in some parts of the metropolis.

When our reporter visited the St Gerald Catholic Hospital, where most of the victims are receiving treatment, it was discovered that most of them had machete cuts. Sympathisers and family members were trooping in and out of the hospital.

Hospital spokesman John Ali said surgeons from the International Committee of Red Cross arrived in Kaduna yesterday to attend to victims.

He said the state government had evacuated most of the bodies from the mortuary, adding that many people were searching for their missing relatives.

Suleiman Mani, 26, a firewood cutter from Niger Republic, relived his lucky escape. He was cutting firewood for a customer in Narayi when the woman suddenly told him that he should leave because the town was in From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

said they were still collecting bodies. Most victims were petty traders and transporters, such as bus drivers and commercial motorcyclist, who are

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

turmoil.

Mani said: “She told me that I should leave the work and run away. As I was running away, I saw two people on a bike carrying machetes and sticks.

They hit me with the stick, but I managed to dodge. They dropped from the bike and pursued me and hit me with the machete and I ran back to Narayi.

“They hit me again and I fell down.

They wanted to cut my head, but the machete landed on my hand as I tried to protect myself. They carried a big stone and wanted to drop it on my head, but one woman, who is also my customer, intervened as I lay on the ground.

“They wanted to beat her up but one man came and intervened. He took me on a bike to this hospital.”

Another victim, Yahaya Dahiru, 27, a commercial motorcyclist, said he was attacked at the Sabon Tasha where he had gone to drop off a passenger.

He said: “I had just dropped the pas-

presumed to be Muslims and who commute daily to the predominantly Christian southern part of the city.

Charred motorcycles, buses and stalls littered the city’s deserted streets.

“We are still picking up

senger and I was going back when I saw some people stopping motorbikes.

They stopped many of us and asked us to lie down and started beating us and smashing blocks on us.

“They said they would kill us because Boko Haram is killing their people. They told us that Boko Haram has been bombing them and, therefore, they will retaliate. They beat me unconscious. I don’t even know how I got here.”

Arinze John, 23, from Imo State, who was on his way to Abuja, encountered a mob of Hausa youths at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Bye pass, but was lucky.

He said: “There were Hausa boys who blocked the road. They were carrying knives and machetes. They stopped me and pulled me out of the car and beat me. They wanted to slaughter me, but the Sarki intervened and carried me away. He handed me over to soldiers who were passing by

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

violence to the quest for political power, saying no section of the country would hold on to political power for a long time.

He added that power would surely rotate to other parts of the country.

Maku appealed to the Northern leaders to exercise patience, call their followers to order and stop the violence.

“Nobody will hold power forever; it must rotate. Nigeria should agree on power rotation in order to live in peace; our country is bigger than one individual,” the minister said.

Maku said the violence was hitting hard on the North, which, according to him, is beginning to have a negative effect on every aspect of the region.

He said community leaders needed to be sensitised on the negative effect of the activities of the Boko Haram, saying “the leaders live in the community and know those who are causing trouble’’.

The minister asked those calling for the division of the country to have a rethink, stressing that there is no country that could exist in isolation.

“The division did not just start now. India is more divided than Nigeria, but they had a leader who rose beyond religious, ethnic and other primordial sentiments.”

Continued on page 3

Continued on page 3

bodies from reprisals,” Musa Ilela, the National Emergency Management Agency coordinator for Kaduna State, said.

Boko Haram said in an email that it was responsible for the attacks.

“Allah has given us victory in the attacks we launched (Sunday) against churches in Kaduna and Zaria towns which resulted in the deaths of many Christians and security personnel,” the statement Continued on page 3

•Maku

Police contact banks in search for Lawan’s $620,000 bribe

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USPENDED lawmaker Farouk Lawan yesterday appeared before the Police Special Task Force probing the bribe-for-clearance scandal.

The police are searching for the $620,000 bribe businessman Femi Otedola gave Lawan, chairman of the House Committee which probed the fuel subsidy scandal. Lawan has confessed that he collected the cash, saying it was to prove that Otedola bribed him.

The Zenon Oil chair says the lawmaker put pressure on him to part with the money, which security agents gave to him to facilitate a sting operation against Lawan.

Also yesterday, the police began a fresh analysis of the video tape of the bribery saga and launched a fresh search for the cash, which Lawan has refused to surrender.

The police retrieved the video tape from the State Security

No need to prosecute Rep, says ex-police chief Tsav

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ORMER Lagos Police Commissioner Abubakar Tsav has advised security agencies not to waste their time prosecuting Farouk Lawan as, according to him, the $3 million bribe case has been destroyed.

In an interview with The Nation in Makurdi, Tsav said the procedure in laying bait for an accused person in a case of demanding and receiving bribe where marked money is involved is to arrest the From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Service (SSS), which conducted the sting operation.

Besides, the police sent enquiries to banks on any trace of a “strange lodgment” of such amount in the last one and a half months.

But members of the Lawan Ad Hoc Committee are yet to get any police invitation on the bribe, contrary to some reports.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that Lawan

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi suspect in the act and recover money on the spot.

If security agencies failed to do so, in his view, it is a deliberate conspiracy to destroy evidence material to the charge and save Lawan from successful prosecution .

According to the former Lagos police boss, filming of the incident alone can

barely spent one hour with the police team, which asked him to report again tomorrow.

A police source said: “The Representative came to us without any response yet on how to facilitate contact with the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and Financial Crimes, Mr. Adam Jagaba.

“After a short interaction with Lawan, the lawmaker was asked to go and report on

not provide the required compelling evidence to sustain conviction.

Besides, he noted, charging Lawan to court without the cash exhibit is a sheer waste of time and compounding felony.

Tsav said the security knew that without the monetary evidence, there is nothing they can do to Lawan. The can only allow him to go with the shame, a situation Tsav described as “shameful” to the security agencies.

Wednesday for further briefing on the matter.”

Asked whether Lawan produced the cash, the police source said: “Not yet. We are expecting to hear from Jagaba.”

One of the counsel to Lawal, Mr. Israel Olorundare (SAN), said: “The lawmaker was with the police and he was asked to come back on Wednesday. He was just there briefly.”

The source, however, added that the police are looking beyond the intrigues over the whereabouts of the money.

“I can conveniently tell you that we have retrieved the video tape to get the details of what transpired between Otedola and Lawan. We are reviewing this tape to determine the extent of the involvement of others in the bribery.

“The review will enable us to re-invite Otedola and Lawan

for interaction.

“So far, we are still exploring clues on how to get the bribe, including checking lodgements in and out of Lawan’s accounts and a few other suspected accomplices.

“It may task us a bit but we are hopeful that we will get the bribe sum. We have also been relating with banks in tracking down the money.

“We have isolated some banks for investigation. We hope they will cooperate with us.”

As at press time, there were strong indications that members of the Ad Hoc Committee were yet to be invited by the police.

A member of the committee, who spoke in confidence, said: “None of us has received any letter of invitation or summon from the Police.

“But since we have nothing to hide, we will honour the police, if they want us.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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NEWS BLOODY SUNDAY

Fed Govt to North’s leaders: stop the violence

Damaturu under gun attacks

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UNS were booming last night in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital. Gunshots and explosions were heard across the town which appeared to be under siege.

Residents were confined to their homes.

It was gathered that men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and militants were engaged in a gun duel in the Sabon Pegi area, near the residence of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

The attacks reportedly began around 5:00pm, according to witnesses who confirmed that residents were taking refugee in various areas.

The rain of gunshots and explosions which started around the central round- about spread to the Popomari area of the

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

town.

An eyewitness who was taking refuge at the Fire Service area with many others near the central round-about said they were heading for their houses but couldn’t move because of the torrential gunshots and heavy explosions.

Our correspondent saw hordes of women and children moving out of Popomari and drifting into the bushes and Waziri Ibrahim Estate along the bye-pass.

Smoke from the explosions and gunshots spread over the entire town as people stayed from safe places to watch the thick smoke billowing from the battle area.

The Federal Polytechnic Damaturu was thrown into confusion as an explosion was reported to have been detonated at a military check point along Maiduguri road very close to the first gate of the institution.

As at the time of filling this report, no official statement was made by the police.

Neither the number of casualties nor the extent of damage could be ascertained last night.

It was however gathered that the damage is extensive.

Governor Gaidam earlier yesterday inaugurated a committee to look into the unemployment crisis in the state.

The state has suffered two major attacks between last November and last month.

Continued from page 2

•Gaidam In November, now fewer than 70 people were killed in coordinated attacks in Damaturu. More than 100 others were injured by the attacks claimed for which the Boko Haram claimed responsibility.

Last month the Potiskum cattle market was attacked. More than 50 people were killed and the market set ablaze.

•From left: Representative of Police Commissioner in Enugu State, Mr Samson Ihuenyi; Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southeast, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, and chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Enugu State, Bishop Obi Onubogu, during Southeast CAN emergency security meeting in Enugu…yesterday PHOTO: NAN

He urged the media to live above board and report issues based on national interest and to stop sensationalism.

“If there is a major political division, you can always pick up a newspaper and know which group it’s speaking for,“ he said Rev. Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese said President Goodluck Jonathan should not be held responsible for the present challenges in the country.

He however said the President holds the key to its solution.

“I am convinced that the country is running out of time and there is an impending war between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria and something urgent should be done,“ he said.

Northern governors said the sophistication of the bombings in the region showed that they were beyond Boko Haram’s capability. They suggested that some oblique forces are behind the dastardly acts that have claimed many innocent lives and destroyed multi-billion Naira property.

Reacting to the multiple bomb attacks on churches in Zaria and Kaduna on Sunday, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) through its Chairman, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the forum strongly believes that Boko Haram sect not solely responsible for the series of

bomb attacks.

The governors also expressed fear that the killing of innocent people may be part of a well-coordinated attempt to cripple the economy of the region.

Aliyu, who is the governor of Niger state said: “Given the level of sophistication involved in the activities of the perpetrators of the bombings, it is easy to conclude that some oblique forces are behind the violence in the North and not Boko Haram alone as widely believed”.

The governors also condemned attacks on places of worship, especially churches in a statement by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.

He described the bombing of churches as a diversionary tactic used by the perpetrators of the dastardly acts, knowing full well that religion is a very sensitive tool that could be easily used to cause disaffection in the region.

“If progress must be made”, the statement said, “security agencies must deal decisively with all those arrested in connection with terrorist acts, particularly bombing of churches and schools claimed by Boko Haram, to serve as deterrent to others.”

The forum warned that the continued existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity depends largely on the quick resolution of the security challenges currently confronting the nation.

Kaduna bombings, reprisals death toll hits 52 Continued from page 2

in Hausa said.

Boko Haram, which means “Western education is sacrilege” in Hausa, is waging an increasingly bloody fight with security agencies and the public. More than 580 people have been killed in violence blamed on the sect this year alone.

Among those who died in the violence that ensued after the bombings was an official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) who helped in evacuating victims at the Shalom Hospital.

The government, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Reuben Buhari, said it decided to relax the curfew in view of the return to normalcy in the city.

The statement reads: “The 24 hours curfew imposed on Kaduna State in view of the recent incident has now been relaxed. With effect from today, Monday 18th June, people of Kaduna State can move freely from 2.00pm to 6.00pm.

Subsequently, the curfew will now start from 6.00pm to 6.00am. The people are requested to remain calm, law abiding and cooperate with security agencies.”

The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Awareness Initiative of Nigerian (CHAIN) and the Nigerian Youth Council condemned the attack in strong terms and urged youths to refrain from reprisal attack.

In a statement by its Chairman, Rev. Sam Kujiyat, CAN asked the government to in-

Victims of crisis recount ordeal

Continued from page 2

and they brought me to the hospital.”

Yahaya Usman, who said he ia a Christian from Kogi State, was attacked at Trikania area when he was on his way to pick his son who made a distress call after the explosion at the Shalom Assembly.

He said: “My son telephoned me from the church after the bombing. I became worried and wanted to go and pick him.

When I got close to IBBI, I saw a mob of Hausa boys who attcked me with sticks and machetes.”

Commissioner for the Environment Mr. Zakariya Shamaki said Nigeria would not make progress with this type of attitude.

His words: “I am sad that we have been killing each other like this. Since yesterday, both Muslims and Christians have been killed. I lost two of my relations in the bomb blast in Wusasa, Zaria. Is this how we are going to make progress? Other people are developing and moving forward and we are here busy killing each other. It is very sad and I pray that God will bring peace to Kaduna and the nation.”

Former Governor Ahmed Mohammerd Makarfi has denounced the government for discontinuing the Strike vestigate the activities of soldiers who allegedly shot and killed two people within the metropolis during the protest against the bombings.

“Let there be investigation because it is clear the soldiers were just shooting people.

And many of the casualties were even shot to death by soldiers and police,” the CAN statement said.

The body expressed sadness over the reaction of the Speak-

Force centres he established when he was in office, pointing out that the centres were established to check security challenges.

The senator said: “First of all, the bombing that has been happening is condemnable. One cannot rationalise the number of lives of human beings that has been eliminated, the property destroyed, lack of peace created generally that is threatening the survival of majority of citizens.

“All these are things that are very sad and I do not think any individual will support it under whatever guise.

“Also, the action and manner in which the ordinary souls of individuals were eliminated are things we should condemn. What happened in the first instance should not justify another individual who may even be running away for his or her life. We should not react by visiting further violence on innocent souls.

“And, if you study Kaduna, the reaction started in areas that were known even while I was in office as a governor. Unfortunately, the discontinuation with all the Strike Force bases that were established has created a vacuum because the essence for which they were set up has been eliminated.

er of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, whom they alleged reacted to the reprisal attack rather than the attack on churches.

CAN said: “The suicide bombings unexpectedly provoked dangerous and angry protests by youths in Kaduna South and environs bringing about deaths, injuries and destruction of property and vehicles of innocent people and is regrettable and condem-

“Before they were set up, there was a study by security agencies and it was concluded that they should be set up in those places, to secure major highways, to prevent taking away the lives of travellers who in many cases are not even from Kaduna State.

“Somebody will just be passing by and because there is a crisis, he falls victim on the highway. Unfortunately, that was discontinued, I think it is high time government brought back those strike force bases, and equip them well so that negative reactions to any incident can be curtailed in good time.”

Heavily armed security operatives have been drafted to Barnawa to prevent another clash following the alleged discovery of a body suspected to be that of a Muslim in the bush.

Youths were said to have mobilised and started attacking those who came to buy food stuff after the relaxation of the curfew. They also attacked vehicles returning from the city centre.

When the news of the renewed attack got to the nearby Christian dominated Narayi village, the youths mobilised and were heading for Barnawa when they were dispersed by security operatives.

nable in all sense.

“But that reaction of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, appears to be diversionary and political. He tends to be concerned with reprisal attacks than bothering about those killed and injured in the attacks against churches and Christians. It is unfortunate and demeaning to his office as a leader in the country to think in this way

and manner “CAN Kaduna State chapter wishes to appeal to all and sundry in Kaduna State to remain calm and cooperate with the Government to bring things under full normalcy in order to confront the bigger threat of Boko Haram in other guise.

The National Co-ordinator of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigerian (CHAIN) Pastor Ma’aji asked

the government to stop attacks on Christians and churches.

CHAIN said: “Boko Haram’s insurgency against Christians is something every person abreast with issues in Nigeria is aware of and this has continued unabated.

“CHAIN makes a clarion call on government to work and bring to an end the attacks against Christians and their churches in northern Nigeria.

CHAIN wishes to remind the Nigerian public and the Presidency that Tirkania, one of the areas a church was attacked, is said to be where one suspected Boko Haram sponsor, who was arrested and released and the case has remained silent, lives.”

The National Youth Council of Nigeria in Kaduna State condemned the suicide attacks and the violence that followed and called on the youth to refrain from reprisal attacks on innocent people who are going about their businesses.

Its Secretary General, Danjuma Sariki, said in a statement that attacking innocent people will not solve the problem but rather escalate the problem and bring about more violence, thereby making our enemies proud and feeling that their aim of distablising and dividing us is being achieved.

He said: “Instead, the youths should remain calm, foster peace in their communities and cooperate with the security agencies in exposing the perpetrators of these dastardly acts. These bombings are some too many that needs the cooperation and understanding of all to nip it in the bud.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

4

NEWS BLOODY SUNDAY

•Daily Independent photo Journalist, Nathaniel Jibrin on hospital bed at Saint Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna...yesterday

•A victim

•Another victim

Fear grips Hausa community in Onitsha T over reprisals HE fear of reprisals from their hosts gripped the Hausa community in Onitsha, Anambra State yesterday following Sunday’s multiple bombings of worship places in Zaria and Kaduna.

Many of the resident-settlers were said to have fled their homes to take refuge in police stations.

Others were seen at a popular motor park at the Bridgehead, where they boarded vehicles with members of their families.

Some of the settlers were seen crossing the River Ni-

L

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

ger to neighbouring city of Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The police have beefed up security at mosques and other places densely populated by Hausa petty traders within the commercial city and its environs.

When The Nation visited the Onitsha Central Police station yesterday, a large number of resident-settlers were seen taking shelter under trees and available space.

A barbacue vendor, who identified himself as Musa,

•Police tighten security at mosques

said he was forced to leave his home for fear of possible attack by different youth groups in the commercial city.

He, however, told reporters that there was no attack on any Hausa and added that: “We decided to avoid casualty now that it has not happened. But we are scared that we may likely be targets of attack and we are going to remain here until the situation

calms down”.

Although commercial activities were not disrupted, the atmosphere was charged as various groups gathered at strategic locations in the city, discussing the attacks on worship places.

The police beefed up security by deploying more patrol vehicles in major flash points in the city. Such places include the mosques and areas populated by Hausa.

Confusion as bomb scare hits ABU campus

ESS than 24 hours after multiple explosions rocked churches in Zaria and Kaduna, a bomb scare hit the Kongo Campus of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria yesterday, forcing members of staff and students to scamper for safety.

An object suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was allegedly planted close to the Pentecostal Chapel on the campus.

Members of the academic community hurriedly vacated the campus while the police immediately cordoned off the scene before

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

inviting its anti-bomb disposal.

A source within the university told The Nation on phone that “a bomb was discovered at about 9am this (yesterday) morning planted close to the chapel on the Kongo Campus.

“It has not exploded before it was discovered and the police have cordoned off the place and invited the bomb disposal squad.

“Staff and students ran for their dear lives and there was panic on the campus. As I talk to you, the bomb squad is combing the

‘The police have combed the area and discovered that there was no bomb anywhere. After inspecting the area, the police addressed the few students who were bold enough to remain on campus’ place.”

A senior lecturer and former Head of Department

of Commercial Law, Dr. Andrew Akume, told The Nation that students were asked to vacate the hostels and the campus for fear of any eventuality.

“The police have combed the area and discovered that there was no bomb anywhere. After inspecting the area, an officer addressed the few students who were bold enough to remain on campus.

“They told us that there was no threat discovered; but that people should be careful and vigilant.

“At the moment, there are no lectures and no school now and I am sure that if you

Tinubu seeks collective response to bombings

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Police Commissioner Balla Nasarawa, was said to have ordered that security be beefed up in all worship centers.

Igbo leaders yesterday cautioned members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other Igbo youth associations against retaliating the attacks on churches but to see Muslims living among them as brothers.

Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, who spoke on behalf of the leaders, called for calm in all Southeast states. He warned the Northern political leaders to call the extremists to order.

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday called for a collective response to bombings in the country, stressing that the endless violence is worrisome.

The former Lagos State Governor said it is now clear the Federal Government cannot tackle the security challenge alone, urging all men of goodwill and peace-loving Nigerians to brainstorm on enduring solutions.

Tinubu said in a statement in Lagos that the Sunday’s bombings of churches in Kaduna and Zaria had

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

followed the same tragic pattern which had left the country in avoidable agony.

He condemned the bombings, saying that they underscored the fact that Nigeria is slipping and in dire need of help.

Tinubu added: “Nigeria is sliding and we must act now. Our country is going through a trying period. We should all join hands to say no to religious violence. No one religion can eliminate the other.”

The former governor attributed the crisis to mass poverty and pervasive injustice, which he said

should be tackled by government with dispatch.

He said: “In the absence of justice, equity and fairness in all dealings and a lukewarm commitment to fighting poverty, serious security challenges arise, and discontent festers in the polity.”

Tinubu suggested proactive approach, instead of the current unworkable reactive measures, to stem the violence, adding that “a more effective detection system, akin to the system Europe and the United States had put together in the past decade could work”.

He added: “Nigeria is at a critical juncture in terms of

are the head of a school, you will not allow the lives of students to be endangered.

“For now, we are sure that there is no threat. But the authorities wants to be careful and so, the students are leaving the school until we are sure that things are safe”.

The school’s Information and Protocol Officer, Bitrus Galmaka said he was not aware of the situation on the campus and the decision taken by the authorities.

“I will get in touch with the Registrar to know the situation of things. As you know, we are all at home,” Galmaka said.

PHOTOS: NAN

Army confirms death of sergeant •Curfew relaxed

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HE Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed the death of one of its officer, a Sergeant, in the bomb attacks on churches in Kaduna by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

Assistant Director of Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division, Kaduna, Col. Usman Sheka, confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Sheka said that the attackers hit the officer who was on guard duty at Shalom Church of God, Trikania, Kaduna.

Three churches ShalomChurch of God, Trikania, Christ the King Catholic Church, Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari and ECWA Church, Wusasa, Zaria were attacked by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

The police confirmed that 16 people died in the multiple attacks.

Others who sustained various degrees of injuries are receiving treatment at St. Gerards’ Hospital, Kaduna and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria.

The state government yesterday relaxed the 24hour curfew it slammed on the state on Sunday to enable security agencies to restore normalcy.

JNI calls for punishment

T

•Tinubu

security and other challenges and the prognosis is not good. We must get to the root cause of these incessant bombings and widespread insecurity. We must show zero tolerance for terrorism”.

HE Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday condemned the explosions in Zaria and Kaduna and the reprisals in parts of Kaduna State on Sunday.

Three bombs exploded in two churches in Zaria and another church at Tirkania area of Kaduna South Local Government Area.

Several lives and property were lost in the explosions and the reprisals.

Reacting to the development in Kaduna, the Secretary-General of the JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was unfortunate that violent attacks had

continued unabated in the North.

Aliyu urged the Federal Government to punish all those perpetrating the violence to serve as a deterrent to others whose activities were threatening the corporate existence and development of the country.

“Severe sanctions and punitive measures would help check the spate of attacks, prevent further loss of lives and property and stabilise the polity,’’ he said.

He also urged the Federal and the Kaduna state governments to be more proactive in putting an end to such attacks.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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NEWS BLOODY SUNDAY

IG vows to bring perpetrators of bombings to book

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CTING Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M o h a m m e d Abubakar has vowed that perpetrators of Sunday’s bomb attacks on churches in Kaduna and Zaria will be apprehended and brought to book.

A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officers, Frank Mba yesterday said the police authorities would do everything within its powers to unmask the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The statement reads: “The IGP reassures the nation that

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

the Nigeria police will do everything within its power to unmask the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to book. He equally urges the public to remain calm and alert; and to report any suspicious movement in and around their neighbourhood to the Police”.

Mba added that Abubakar had ordered the strengthening of security in and around Kaduna State, particularly all known flash points and high-

ways, stressing that in addition, the IGP has ordered a 24hour pro-active and strategic surveillance patrols in Kaduna and other neighbouring states.

The police spokesman said: “This is to ensure the consolidation of the gains of the peace already attained in the state, while at the same time ensuring that no breach of the peace of any kind takes place in the adjoining states “As part of efforts to prevent the incessant attacks on churches, government institutions and other public places,

Kukah: Govt not serious in tackling Boko Haram menace

T

HE Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah yesterday criticised the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for not seen to be ‘serious’ in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.

Rev Kukah said the menace has been manifesting itself over the years, adding that Nigeria is running out of time if nothing is done.

Speaking in Abuja at a National Summit on the Freedom of Information Act organised by the Media Right Agenda (MRA), the clergy warned that the Boko Haram sect is pushing for a war between Christians and Muslims which, he said, will be irreversible His words: “But we must remain sober in the face of

S

From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

provocation. Government does not act in a much more serious manner that demonstrates to members of the Christian community that they are save in their churches.

“The Boko Haram are bombing churches, are we Christians suppose to stop worshipping? Or am I going to live in a country where every Sunday now that I’m going to church I have to look behind. The critical question is for how long is this going to last? Is it going to cost the bombing of the Mosques before people wake up? Is it really the case that we are going to continue to remain like this because I have been on a voice of saying look this is really not about religion?

the police high command has developed an operational order, incorporating a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) to be adopted by State Police Commands and other police formations in deploying police operatives in and around places of worship and other vulnerable government installations across the country.

This is designed to help prevent and manage attacks targeted at such institutions “In addition, the police authority is working closely with the state government, local government areas, reli-

•Jonathan

And it is not. Many of us are running out of time and ideas, because clearly the security of this nation is the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan, who is under a national security adviser.

And gradually life is becoming very dangerous.

Minister calls for calm From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

•Abubakar

gious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to ensure that a lasting and sustainable peace is attained”

Kaduna youths: It’s an assault on Christians

OUTHERN Kaduna youths yesterday said they would no longer tolerate any bombings in their churches or any other place in the area.

Their umbrella body, the Gurara Forum, said Sunday’s attacks on churches have shown that Boko Haram is against Christians.

In a statement by its Chancellor, Vincent Bodam and Secretary-General, Jerry Adams, the forum vowed to fight back.

The statement reads: “The Gurara Forum, a forum of indigenes of Southern Kaduna, wish to make clarifications regarding the ongoing annihilation against Christians in Northern Nigeria, and the orchestrated hysteria being peddled by selfish Northern-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ers aimed at jeopardising the reality of Boko Haram’s insurgency and plot against Christians.

“Putting the baseless propaganda aside, the whole world and those following trends in Nigeria know better what Boko Haram stands for, the ideals and principles which they represent and of which they are working assiduously to achieve come what may.

“As our churches were hit again yesterday in Zaria and Kaduna town, it became glaring that the sect meant what they represent, more so, they have cleared the air and claimed responsibility of the attacks which defied falsehood being advanced by selfish Northerners.

Southern Christians ready to fight back, says CAN

T

HE Southeast chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), yesterday put its members on the alert over ‘’security reports’’ that about 2000 youths have been deployed from the North to the region ahead of a planned jihad.

Addressing reporters yesterday after an enlarged caucus meeting of the association at the All Saints Anglican Church, Enugu, the CAN Chairman , Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, disclosed

From Chris Oji, Enugu

that information showed that besides 2000 jihadists in the region, about 2500 and 2000 have infiltrated the Southsouth and Southwest respectively for the same mission.

Reacting to Sunday’s bombing of three churches in Kaduna State by unknown gunmen, Rev.Chukwuma, who doubles as the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, expressed dismay that despite assurances from the Federal

Government, the killings had continued unabated.

“From the information we have gathered, it is pure jihad. Already a good number of them, about 2000 have arrived in the Southeast. It is a form of jihad; they want to make sure that Nigeria is frustrated and Islamised”, the CAN leader stated.

He lamented that it had become a terror for Christians to worship their God on Sundays, stressing that President Goodluck Jonathan should do more in

tackling security challenges and corruption in the country.

The cleric queried: “Are Christians no longer free to worship on Sundays? What is the Inspector-General of Police doing? Is changing of uniform a way out of this problem? What are the Senate and the House of Representatives doing to put up a Bill that will be against persons and states promoting this act of terrorism?

“Jonathan should be courageous enough to fish out

these people. The security operatives know them and I wonder why they should be treated as sacred cows.

“We want to say that Christians in the South are ready to face them squarely because we heard that they have infiltrated this place, especially Enugu.

“We are prepared for warphysically and spiritually against any form of attack on the church. Time has come for reprisal because nobody can stop us from worshiping our God.”

INTERIOR Minister Comrade Abba Moro, yesterday condemned the multiple suicide bomb attacks on churches in Zaria and Kaduna.

Moro appealed to Nigerians to remain calm as the Federal Government has been doing everything possible to bring current security challenges under control.

The minister, who spoke in a statement by his Media Assistant Sunday Orinya, said the resort to bomb attacks on worship places is a devilish ploy intended to cause confusion in the country and must be resisted by all Nigerians.

Moro, who expressed worry over the attack on churches called on members of the Boko Haram sect to heed the call for dialogue with the government by President Goodluck Jonathan and stop killing of innocent citizens as their actions negate any known religious injunction.

Youths threaten mass protest From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

FOLLOWING Sunday’s multiples bombings of Churches in Zaria and Kaduna cities in Kaduna State, a youth group - the Middle-Belt Youth Leaders Forum (MBYLF) has threatened to embark on a mass protest against the Federal Government.

The group also threatened to call for the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan should he fail to discharge his responsibilities according to the internationally accepted standard.

Members of the MBYLF rose from their meeting in Abuja with a call on the President to focus more on security issues and end the killings of innocent citizens by gunmen in the North.

PDP decries attacks From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

•Niger State Deputy Governor Ahmed Ibeto (left), House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Usman and the Managing Director, Niger State Development Company, Mohammed Aliyu and Muslim faithful during the 112th post-humous birthday and the 26th Maulud of the late Sheik Ibrahim Inyass organised by the Tijjaniyya Movement in Minna...at the weekend.

THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed dismay over the relentless terrorist attacks which have resulted in the death of innocent Nigerians.

In its reaction to the coordinated suicide attacks in Zaria and Kaduna on Sunday, the party said the “level of killings and attacks were bound to cause despondence in Nigerians.”

The party assured Nigerians that the situation would soon end.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh called on Nigerians to stand strong in the face of adversity, saying that having survived a civil war and military dictatorship in the past, the country would overcome the challenges.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

6

NEWS THE DANA AIR PLANE CRASH

•IGP Mohamed D. Abubakar inaugurating the 30 operational vehicles donated to the police in Abia State by Abia Governor Theodore Orji (second right). With them are: Deputy Governor Emeka Ananaba and AI. Solomon Olusegun incharge of zone 9, Umuahia (right)

•A woman wiping off tears at a candle light service for crash victims... on Sunday

Agbakoba sues Dana for N1b

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

F • The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor, Isaac Adewole, inaugurating the Students’ Relaxation Garden, Faculty of Arts donated by Nestle Nigeria Plc...yesterday. With him are: Marketing Services Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Iquo Ukoh (second left)and Category Business Manager, Nescafe, Mr. Olutato Olatunji (left).

PHOTO FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

ORMER President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has concluded arrangement to sue the management of Dana Air for N1billion on behalf of families of victims of the Dana Air plane

crash.

Agbakoba yesterday, at a news conference in Lagos, said his chambers, Falana and Falana and HURILAWS would help the bereaved families.

Justifying the need for the suit, which he said would take the form of a class action in order to accelerate the course of justice, the former NBA president said: “The intended class action should set the legal standards for the settlement of claims arising from air crashes and hold violators accountable.”

He added: “We have sent a letter to Dana Air holding them liable for what has happened because according to the law, Dana should immediately after 30 days of the accident pay $30, 000 without proof of liability. The Montreal convention of 1999 also recommends a further payment of $70, 000, making a total of $100, 000. However, if it is established that there was criminal negligence on the part of the airline, families can sue for more damages.”

Agbakoba said the suit should teach airlines not to treat safety with kid gloves.

While calling for a complete overhaul of the aviation sub-sector, Agbakoba proposed a new Air Industry Bill in the mode of the Petroleum Industry Bill, which he said would ultimately “set out laws aimed at strengthening regulators as well as address the issue of national carrier and operations.”

‘Onwuliri a humble personality’ From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T • From left: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (left), Deputy Governor of CBN,Economic Policy, Mrs. Sarah Alade and Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo during an investigative hearing on the spending of public funds without approval by CBN in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

HE Catholic Church has described one of the victims of the Dana Air plane crash, the late Prof. Celestine Onwuliri as a humble personality.

In a letter of condolence sent to the widow and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viola, by the President of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the church said: “ Prof. Celestine’s demise is a great loss to the Church in Nigeria which he served most dedicatedly. He was a member of the Governing Council of Veritas University and the Supreme Subordinate President of the Knights of St. John International.

“We are consoled by the fact that your husband, our brother, was a practical and practicing Catholic.

“His religion was never like a coat to be put on or taken off to suit the occasion; indeed, it was an unchangeable and permanent quality of his life” “What he determined to be the teaching of the Church he embraced, and it became a matter of conscience for him.

“His devotion to the Mass, his frequency at the sacraments, his ardent devotion to our Mother Mary, support for the building of churches in many places, sponsoring the training of priests and religious in many dioceses were eloquent testimonies of an ardent practicing Christian and a man in love with God and his Church.”

Age of aircraft crucial to safety, says engineer

A

•From right: Copyright Enforcement Officer, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Michael Ekunke, Web Developer Uwem Udoh, NCC’s Deputy Director, Enforcement, Augustine Amodu and Copyright Officer 11, Enforcement, Tony Ojini, at a press briefing to announce the findings of a software audit on Jide Taiwo & Co in Lagos PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

N aeronautical engineer, Sanusi Umar, has faulted claims that the age of a plane has nothing to do with safety.

Umar, in a statement, said if the age of a plane does not matter, there would be no need for new generation aircraft.

He said: “To say the age of an aircraft is irrelevant to safety is totally incorrect and not in tune with the reality of aviation. Let’s start this argument by asking as a layman why the world is still not flying the airplanes of the 1950s, if age is immaterial. There should be no reason why aircraft manufacturers are now coming up with what they call ‘new/next generation’ airplanes if old ones are still safe.”

Umar said since new aircraft comes with latest technology, they help the safety standard.

He added: “It is incontrovertible that new airplanes come with new technology that enhances safety. This explains why the world’s two biggest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, are on the drawing board every time researching into how to improve on the technology of every successful airplane. It follows simple logic. Let’s take for instance a vehicle; why do car manufacturers come out with ABS, which was not in cars manufactured some 10-15 years ago.

It’s simply to enhance safety. Same goes for the Airbag, another new technology you don’t find in old cars.”

He urged the Federal Government to revisit the policy on aircraft’s age.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

7

NEWS

SH

THE DANA AIR PLANE CRASH

•A director of Dana Air, Guatamani Hathiramani and its spokesman Tony Usidamen at the candle light service

•A relative of the late Olukayode Okikiolu overwhelmed by grief...on PHOTOS: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH Sunday

Coroner to summon Akpabio, Oduah, others T

HE Coroner’s Court of Lagos State yesterday urged Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio to appear before it to shed light on his warning to the management of Dana Airline over a looming air disaster before the July 3 crash.

An inquest began yesterday before the Alimosho District Coroner, Mr Oyetade Komolafe, Council Secretariat, Abule-Egba.

It is to unravel the circumstances of the death of over 153 victims of the crash of Dana Airline Flight 992 involving a McDonnel Douglas (MD) 82 aircraft at Iju area of Lagos.

Komolafe said Apkabio’s insight will be useful in the fact-finding mission, adding that a summons will be served on him.

The Coroner said should the governor be so busy that he would be unable to appear in person, a deposition by him would be accepted by the court.

Akpabio had said on the day of the crash that he warned the Managing Director of Dana Airline on the need to ensure its aircraft are air-worthy.

The governor, according to a statement by his Commissioner for Infor-

•Hearing on crash for July 12

By Joseph Jibueze

mation and Orientation, Mr Aniekan Umanah, added that he advised Dana’s management in a telephone chat not to endanger the lives of Nigerians.

The governor’s warning was said to have come on the heels of an averted air disaster involving a Dana aircraft enroute Lagos from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The aircraft was said to have had technical problems that forced it to hover for hours before finally making it to Lagos Others to be summonsed by the Coroner are: Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah, the Federal Fire Service, the Lagos State Fire Services, the Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the Lagos State Police Command, the Lagos Airport Police Command, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Chief Medical Examiner, Lagos Coroner System.

Also to be invited are: the Lagos

State Transport Management Agency (LAMATA), Dana Airline Limited, National Airspace Management Authority (NAMA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Others are: the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the Red Cross; the Nigerian Association of Airport Pilots and Engineers and the Security and Rescue Agency.

They include: the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, major aviation fuel marketers – MRS, AP/Forte Oil, Total, and Conoil; Cleanserve Oil and Sahara Oil. The victims’ families, eyewitnesses, landlord associations and other aviation fuel suppliers will be free to testify at the inquest, the Coroner said.

The inquest followed a request by the law firm of Messrs Falana and Falana Chambers to the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

The firm, owned by activist-lawyer Femi Falana, asked that the inquest be conducted to ascertain the cause of the crash and to make appropriate recommendations to avert a recurrence.

Falana said: “In view of the national significance of this request, it will be appreciated if the inquest is conducted without delay and the report made public, unlike reports of similar inquiries which were never published by the Federal Government.”

The law firm of Olisa Agbakoba and Associates also requested for an inquiry in line with Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007.

The section provides that an inquest shall hold whenever a Coroner is informed that the death of a person within his district was a re-

•Akpabio

sult of violence, unnatural circumstances and is suspicious.

“The inquest is only a fact-finding mission. Nobody is on trial,” Komolafe said. He adjourned further hearing till July 12.

Only AIB can tell us cause of crash, says expert Accident Investigation When there is accident, nobody can say he knows the cause. All the people are saying are sentiments, tales and stories. The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is the only authority that can tell us the cause of the crash after it must have carried out thorough investigation. In the course of the investigation, the AIB could interview some of the people in the aircraft, if there were survivors; check the records of the work done on the aircraft in the past two or three years; conduct interviews with pilots and engineers; and check the records of the aircraft and look at the technical log book of defects that were effected in recent time.

Lack of maintenance facilities In the 60s, Nigeria Airways had a hanger which was used for the maintenance of its F27 aircraft. There was a lot of self-sufficiency in the maintenance of aircraft then because we had qualified engineers and a maintenance hangar that was adequate enough to cope with the type of aircraft we had then.

As aircraft technology improved all over the world, Nigeria also decided

Former Director of Engineering and Technical Services of the Nigeria Airways, Godwin Jibodu, in this interview with LEKE SALAUDEEN, spoke on the aviation industry to buy aircraft of higher technology.

As a result, Nigeria Airways acquired Fokker 28, Boeing 707and 727, Airbus and BC10. But we failed to match the facilities on ground with the new planes. We were forced to send the aircraft abroad for maintenance. The state of maintenance facility in the country today is grossly inadequate because there is no aircraft hanger where major checks (C&D checks) can be accomplished.

Implications of lack of maintenance facilities The implications are enormous.

First, we are forced to go and do our major maintenance checks abroad thereby paying in foreign exchange for services that could be provided locally, if the facilities were available.

Going abroad for maintenance check is a burden on the airline operators.

Second, operators today do not invest in manpower development because virtually all their checks are done abroad. They recycle available

local engineers to carry out maintenance activities. Third, operators themselves find it difficult to cooperate among themselves to develop maintenance facility.

Fourth, debt burden are imposed on operators which had led to many aircraft being seized in foreign countries. For instance, two Kabo airline aircraft were impounded in Ethiopia, Nigeria Airways forfeited two aircraft in Ireland while Earth Airline aircraft was seized in Romania.

Okada Airline that used to have 35 aircraft had many of them grounded abroad for unsettled debts.

Fifth, the work, which indigenous engineers are supposed to do are being done by foreign maintenance personnel which has caused unemployment in the industry.

Burden of maintenance Airline operators start business on sentiments. They did not make adequate preparation before embarking on airline business. I will give

you a scenario. A businessman was travelling to Abuja from the Lagos airport. On getting to the stair of the aircraft, he saw about 120 passengers on queue. He knew that ticket for each passenger is N20,000. He took out his calculator and multiplied N20,000 by 120 and found that the airline has made N2.4 million for that trip. He said ‘Oh! My God N2.4million from a trip. This is a lot of money.’

Based on this sentiment, he decided to establish an airline. He did not take into consideration operational cost. By the time you deduct money for fuel, which is about N400,000 and maintenance of the aircraft for a trip, which is about N500,000, what is left out of N2.4million. All the components of aircraft are sold in dollars. A small component may cost $10,000. When you convert it to Naira, it will give you N1.5million. When you change 10 or 15 components in a month, the whole money you got from the pas-

sengers is gone.

To establish an airline in the first instance, you must meet the professionals-the engineers and pilots. Let them advise you on what to do. By the time when the airline operators get into business and they discovered that the profit envisaged was not forthcoming, they start to blame it on engineers and pilots.

Safe skies Airline operators must cooperate among themselves. Airline business is not meant for the individual. It is too expensive for an individual to bear.

Aviation regulation agencies Six years ago, aviation was in turmoil. We had a worse scenario of accident. For the past five years, we have minimal number of accidents.

NCAA has worked so much by recertifying airlines in accordance with laid down recommendations. I give the NCAA a pass mark.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

8

CITYBEATS

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Lagos to demolish distressed building

OPC chief pleads for peace in Ibeju-lekki

T

HE Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development yesterday sealed off a distressed threestorey building and evacuated about eight families residing from the house.

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ajayi, who led the officials to seal off House 3 on Ajayi Road, Ogba-Aguda, a Lagos suburb, said the action followed a distress call from an occupant.

The occupant, she said complained of a sudden noise and crack on the building.

The government, she said, responded to the call and discovered that the property lacked structural integrity, prompting its demolition in order to save lives and properties. "You can see that the government moved in and evacuated everybody in the building because life is very important; it is not replaceable. So, the first thing we did when we got to the distressed building was to evacuate the people to save lives, and we have done that," he said.

She added: "We have also sealed off the building and bound it, to prevent unnecessary entrance into it. You can also see the presence of the government task force also cooperating with us so that nobody behind our back comes in illegally to remove the seal and enter.

"Our material testing team has been here; they have also told us that the building is not repairable; it has lost its integrity. Our engineers have also certified that it is not repairable, so we are going to move in tomorrow (today) and start operation. What we have

• The building... yesterday

By Miriam Ndikanwu

only done is to save lives by evacuating the people and ensuring that they don't risk their lives by going back there. That's why the security agencies are here.

"We have even gone a step further to evacuate people in the adjoining building so that in the cause of demolition, law abiding citizens are not affected."

She said the building suffered deterioration because it was not used for residential purpose which it was originally meant for; it was used for commercial purposes.

"There are eight families affected and the building is also being

used as a commercial venture; we also have a mini church. So, apart from the eight families, we have other families who reside there and we cannot afford to watch another disaster taking place," she said.

She said the occupants were told to leave with their properties last Sunday when the team arrived there.

"We gave the residents opportunity to move all their properties.

What we have discovered is that buildings that are not built for a particular purpose are being used for the purpose which they were not built for.

"You know the amount of vibra-

tion that a printing machine generates, more so in a residential building, which is not structured for such. I think from the condition of this building and the state of the foundation of the building, the building is sinking with the activity of the printing press helping in the degeneration process," she said.

A resident in the area told The Nation that the house was built about 35 years ago by a gynaecologist. He said the owner and his wife died few years ago; their children reside in the United States (US), leaving the property in an agent’s care.

Dead woman’s family accuses police of cover-up

T

HE family of a pregnant woman allegedly killed by her husband, has accused the police of unseemly conduct in their investigation.

The deceased, who was five months pregnant, was allegedly killed by her husband, Kola Ajibola, during a fight last June 6.

Her family alleged that she fell on a hard object in their apartment when her husband pushed her during the fight. She reportedly sustained an injury which caused her to bleed through her nose.

Ajibola was said to have been assisted by some of her neighbours to rush Funmilayo to a nearby clinic where she died. The incident was reported at the Badagry Police Station where the suspect was arrested.

However, since the suspect’s arrest, the family alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) refused to transfer the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, where it should be investigated.

A relative alleged that the police may have been bribed to close the case at the divisional level.

The elder sister of the deceased, identified as Monisola, said Ajibola had always molested Fumilayo.

“They have quarrelled so many

•Police deny allegation

By Jude Isiguzo

times in the past and Kola always maltreated his wife. Just recently, my late sister reported him to one of our uncles and Kola was called and warned not to touch her again.

It is sad that he did not heed the warning as he went on to beat her, despite the fact that she was five months pregnant for him; she had a seven year-old son who has been staying with the family since her untimely death,” she said.

Monisola said the case might not be properly investigated as officers at the Badagry Police Station are frustrating the family’s efforts

at getting justice.

She said: “This case was reported at the Badagry Police Station and I was surprised when a policeman at the station, who identified himself as the DCO, called me and said that if we want the case to be transferred to the Homicide Department at Panti Yaba, I should go to Panti and request for the signal for the case to be transferred.

Is it my job to ask for police signal before the case can be transferred for thorough investigation?

We suspect foul play by the police that they want to release the suspect without conducting investigation.”

Lagos State Police Command

spokesperson, Mrs Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent, said the police would conduct a thorough investigation.

She said: “There is no prank here and we are not covering anything.

The suspect is in the custody of the police and the police officers at Badagry have taken the corpse for a post mortem to be conducted. As it is, they are carrying out preliminary investigation into the case and as soon as this is done, the case will be transferred to the Homicide Department at Panti, Yaba. A signal has already been sent to the Police Headquarters over the incident, so there is no prank to release the suspect.”

Lagos begins issuance of drivers' licence June 22

T

HE Lagos State Government will begin the issuance of the new drivers' licence on Friday, Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, said yesterday.

The government had earlier announced June 18 for the beginning of the exercise.

In a telephone interview in Lagos, Opeifa said that the change in date was to enable the government put in place the necessary logistics.

He said although the ministry has started receiving applications

for the licence, issuance would start on Friday.

"Right now, we are looking into already registered drivers' licences. Applicants can go for the registration as from today," he said.

A correspondent of NAN who visited the Ojodu/Berger office of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) reported that some of the applicants were seen registering for the exercise.

An officer, who pleaded anonymity, said applicants had started obtaining and paying for the form.

The officer said obtaining the form would allow applicants to undergo all necessary tests and certification.

He said the tests included sight, competence in driving, knowledge of road signs and rules and verification of documents. After the tests, he said, a cover note would be given to applicants certified worthy, before the licence is issued.

LAGOS EMERGENCY LINES STATE AGENCIES 1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-33235890; 080-23321770; 080-56374036.

080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 2. Federal Road Safety Corps 01-4703325; 01-7743026 080-75005411; 080-60152462 (FRSC) 5.

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) 080-23111742; 080-29728371 Lagos Zonal Command Phone Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 080-23909364; 080-77551000 No:080-33706639; 01-7742771 070-35068242 01-7904983 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-79279349; 080-63299264 080-34346168; 01-2881304

070-55462708; 080-65154338 767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

THE Chairman of Gani Adams faction of the Odua people’s congress, OPC, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Comrade Muyideen Atanda Orudu has called on all his members to be vigilant and ensure that peace reign at all time.

Orudu was reacting to an allegation that some members of the organisation from Agege and Ikeja have been hired by a land speculator to foment trouble in OkoOlomi, Gbogije area of Ibeju-lekki.

Orudu warned members that land speculation is outside the schedule of OPC and therefore, called on members not to get involved in land disputes.

A senior member of OPC and a member of the Oko-Olomi group, Mr Femi Bakare, wondered why some members would sparehead attack on their community members who he referred to as peaceful and easy going people.

He thanked the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for his fatherly intervention in the dispute at Oko-Olomi. He also thanked Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and called on the state government to take a second look at the problem at Oko-Olomi as some people have used their positions to unlawfully grab large hectares of the family land.

Fed Govt, Lagos partner on prison decongestion

By Adebisi Onanuga

SOME prisoners in Lagos may soon be freed under an arrangement between the federal and state governments collaborating under the prerogative of mercy powers to release some inmates awaiting trial as part of a concerted effort to decongest the prisons.

Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, made this known when a Federal Government Delegation on Prerogative of Mercy led by human rights activist Dr. Tunji Abayomi, visited him at the state Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Other members of the delegation included a Deputy Controller of Prison at Alagbon, Dr. Regina Akpan; Alhaji Saleh Ahmed and Mrs Regina Chike, both of the Special Duties Department in the Offices of the President and Secretary to the government of the Federation; Mrs. Isioma Onwuli of the Human Right Desk of the Nigerian Prison Service and Mr. Chuks Njoku of the Prison Service Commission, Ikoyi.

Ipaye said Lagos is ready to cooperate with the Federal Government towards ensuring a successful outcome of what he described as an important assignment aimed at decongesting the prisons.

He said it was important for both the state and federal governments to look back now at times, at the people they have locked away whether there is a compelling justification for keeping them in prison.

Ipaye said: “We need a system whereby we can look again at the product of that process and see whether there is a need now and then, to review and go back to give what is generally described as prerogative of mercy. I wish to confirm that your mission is our mission and in this respect.”

He added: “Of course I do see some points there. On prerogative of mercy, we also have a role to play. We have a committee that meets here once a month. We know that we can only make recommendations regarding convicts under state laws. It might be that we would be referring cases under federal laws to you and it may be that you would be referring cases under state laws to us for consideration.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

NEWS Court bars Registrar of Patents over transparent ballot box design rights

A

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has restrained the Registrar of Patents of the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry from registering or re-issuing the patent and design rights of the designs known as Transparent Ballot Boxes and Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes already given Beddings Holdings Limited.

In a verict delivered by Justice A Bello, the court restrained the Registrar of Patents from registering or re-issuing the said patent and design registered as Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights Number RP12994 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number RD5946 issued to Beddings Holdings on January 12, 1998, as well as to Emchai Limited, Tambco United Nigeria Limited and Anowat Project and Resources Limited.

In the June 5 verdict, Justice Bello held that by virtue of Sections 1, 2, 6 (1), 13, 14 and 19 of the Patent and Design Act, the plaintiff’s Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights Number

By Eric Ikhilae

RP12994 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number RD5946 issued to the plaintiff on January 12, 1998, in and over the invention named Transparent Ballot Boxes by the first defendant is still valid.

The suit, filed by Beddings Holdings, has the Registrar of Patents of the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Emchai Limited, Tambco United Nigeria Limited, Anowat Project and Resources Limited, The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman , Prof Attahiru Jega, as defendants.

The court also held that by virtue of Sections 1, 2, 6 (1), 13, 14 and 19 of the Act, the plaintiff’s Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights Number RP12994 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number RD5946 issued to the plaintiff in1998 for the invention named Transparent Ballot Boxes by the first defendant take priority for and

over any subsequent registration on the transparent ballot boxes, especially the Registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number NG/RD/2010/702 registered and issued by the first defendant to the third defendant on October 14, 2010.

It held that the subsequent certificates were the same invention and renamed Tambco Ballot Boxes, which thereby precludes the defendants and other persons from infringing on the exclusive rights of the plaintiff in and over the said patent and design of the plaintiff as the third defendant’s design is not new contrary to the express provisions of Section 13 (3) (a) of the Patent and Designs Act. The court also held that by virtue of Section 1, 2, 6 (1) and 13 of the Act, the plaintiff’ Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights Number RP16642 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number RD13841 issued to the plaintiff on November 27, 2006, for the invention, named Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes by

the first defendant, is still valid and subsisting.

The injunction reads: “That by virtue of Sections 1, 2, 6 (1) and 13 of the Act, the plaintiff’s Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights RP16642 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number RD13841 issued to the plaintiff on November 27, 2006 in and over the invention, named Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes by the first defendant, takes priority over subsequent registration of Industrial Designs, especially the registration of Industrial Designs Rights Number NG/RD/ 2010/708 to the fourth defendant , and subsequently registered by the first to the fourth defendants on October 14, 2010 in and over the same invention renamed Collapsible Transparent Ballot Box, and thereby precluded the defendants and other persons from infringing on the plaintiff’s exclusive right, as the fourth defendant’s invention is not new to the express provision of Section 13 (3) (a) of the Patent and Designs Act.

Osun, Fed Govt partner to boost food production

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HE Osun State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture will partner on massive food production, as part of the state’s agricultural development programme.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, will kickstart the state’s Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) under the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) this year.

A statement by the Director

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

of the state’s Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said both governments are working for the success of the ATA with mutual benefits to both sides.

The statement said there is need for Osun State to ensure the success of the GES through an aggressive implementation under the ATA. It reads: “Our government has concluded plans to roll out

its programmes for Farmers’ Redemption of their input for this year’s farming season. The state government is set to mobilise farmers, like it was done recently between June 11 and 19.

“The state is also set for mass roll-out of GES, which will run from June 19 for three weeks, when accredited seeds and fertiliser companies will participate actively in a mass campaign…

“During this period, the government will ensure that all

registered farmers collect their seeds and fertilizers promptly.

There will be no restriction of any kind to choices of seed and fertiliser companies, who want to supply in the state.

“All accredited fertilizer and seed companies will be allowed to sell in the state so as to ensure completion and maximization of the time it will take farmers to get their inputs. This is also with a view to broadening the options available to farmers in the state.”

Melaye alleges threat to his life •Vows to continue anti-Jonathan stance

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

F

ORMER House of Representatives member Dino Melaye yesterday alleged threats to his life by suspected assassins.

The former lawmaker, however, said the threat would not deter him from criticising President Goodluck Jonathan, who he accused of ineptitude and paying lip service to the anti-corruption war.

Melaye, who addressed reporters in Lagos, said unknown persons dropped a “warning letter” on his car in Abuja, where he parked outside a church on Sunday.

He lodged a complaint at the Wuse Police Station in Abuja and requested for police protection.

The handwritten letter in an ink pen on a yellow paper, reads: “Last warning, Dino. We are giving you the last warning. We sent you several messages on your phone. You refuse(d) to stop TV interviews, internet messages. Wearing of anti-Jonathan T-shirts will cost you your life. We will kidnap and kill your children. We know their schools.

“The blood on this paper is an example of how we will sprinkle your blood around to show others like you that we mean business. Useless man. You are too small to give Mr. President a problem. If you disregard us, you will hear from us.”

Melaye berated the writer of the letter, saying he would not be intimidated.

The former lawmaker, who said he did not suspect any particular person or group, added that the government cannot cow him for fighting a just cause.

He said: “I am not intimidated by the threat. I am not perturbed. I am ready to spill my blood fighting this anti-corruption battle. I went to church in Abuja and met the threat letter on my car. I won’t disregard it. I cannot be killed by anybody, except it is the time set by God.

Ogun PDP leaders urge CJN, others to ignore petitions against judge

By Eric Ikhilae

S

OME leaders of the crisis-ridden Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to ignore the petitions by lawyers to the party’s national leaders against Justice Charles Achibong, the presiding judge in two cases against them.

Their lawyer, Ajibola Oluuyede, wrote Justices Musdapher and Auta on behalf of members of the Executive Committee of Ogun State PDP, led by Chief Adebayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo.

They described the petitions as unmeritorious and an attempt by “some members of the PDP to drag the Judiciary into the arena and thereby into public odium and disrepute”.

The party chieftains wondered why the petitioners, who have allegedly disobeyed the court’s orders, would seek to sustain their “disrespect” for the court by maligning a judge.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

NEWS FUTA strike: Lawyer decries union leaders’ suspension From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

AN Akure lawyer, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, yesterday threatened to sue the management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), for suspending leaders of the institution’s workers’ union.

He urged the Federal Government to dissolve the university’s management for allegedly refusing to pay the nonteaching staff their 33 months’ allowances.

The workers, under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), started a strike last Monday, following the refusal of the school’s management to accede to their demands.

He noted that it was the second time the school’s academic activities were paralysed within two months because of strikes.

The workers have accused the management of misappropriating over N1.7billion which, they said, was meant for payment of their arrears.

Ogele said he would not allow the management to short-change the workers by refusing to settle the allowances.

According to him, the Constitution allows workers to demand their entitlements by going on a strike, if their employers fail to meet their demands after several consultations.

The lawyer described the suspension of the union leaders as an act of enforcing military rule on the workers.

He said: “The management should be told that FUTA is not a private university but an institution built with tax payers’ money.”

Ogele urged the government to mediate in the industrial crisis to avoid lawlessness.

Scholarship at Osun Varsity THE David Seriki TomoriFapohunda Foundation (DSTF Foundation) will award a N100,000 scholarship to Michael Olafisoye, a 300-Level undergraduate of the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Osun.

The maiden scholarship award will hold during the launch of the DSTF Foundation at a news briefing on June 29 at F111, Aiyeso Street, Ilesa, Osun State.

The scholarship is meant to aid a brilliant but indigent Engineering students of the Univeristy of Osun.

The scholarship will be awarded every year.

It will be awarded to another deserving student on Olafisoye’s completion of his undergraduate programme.

Police to pay N1m for beating up student

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HE police have got a bloody nose for maltreating a student two years ago.

They are to pay Miss Abigail Ige N1milion for the beating she received from three policemen in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Miss Ige, a Higher National Diploma (HND) student in the School of Science and Computer Studies (Micro Biology option) of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, was assaulted by three policemen attached to a police post inside the market.

Justice M.O. Abodunde of the State High Court ordered the police to pay an additional N8,490 Miss Ige incurred for her treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Ado-Ekiti, where she spent five days.

According to the judgment, the victim was in the market

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

that day to buy fingerlings for her Biology practicals.

She was accosted by one of the policemen, Femi Oluwajuyitan, who asked what she had inside her bag. The policeman insisted she must be searched in the open to enable people see all that went on.

Two other policemen joined Oluwajuyitan to beat up the student for her "stubbornness". She was beaten up for asking to be searched in the open.

Oluwajuyitan was reportedly dismissed from the police.

The judge averred that the dismissal of the second respondent (Oluwajuyitan), following the incident, showed that he actually beat up the victim.

Justice Abodunde said: "I hereby declare that the agony, pain, suffering, inconvenience and the trauma, which the ap-

plicant has been subjected to by the second to the fourth respondents, agents of the first respondent, is a violation of the applicant's rights to personal dignity as guaranteed by Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“The respondents are hereby ordered to pay N8,490 as exemplary damages. They are also ordered to pay N1 million as compensation for the inhuman treatment she suffered in the hands of the second to the fourth respondents’ agents of the first respondent.”

A coalition of lawyers, who represented Miss Ige, addressed reporters after the verdict.

They include Oluwaseyi Ojo of the Directorate of Citizens Right, Ekiti State Ministry of Justice; the Chairperson of the state chapter of International

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Toyin Ajibulu; Rita Ilevbare of Community Law Centre; Mrs. Funmi Bello of the New Initiative for Social Development; As'mau Baderinwa of Legal Aid Council; and Olajumoke Olute of Obafemi Adewale & Co. The lawyers hailed the judge for straightening the case, despite efforts from the defence.

They had sued the Police Commissioner (first respondent) and the policemen - Femi Olujuyayetan, Gbenga Babalola and Dupe Emonigbede seeking N50million compensation for Miss Ige. The lawyers, led by Ms Ojo, described the verdict as a landmark.

She said: "With the judgment, it is clear that the nation's judiciary still maintains its position as the last hope of the commoners."

Oyo drivers begin ‘War Against Thuggery’ •Members get dress code

B

ARELY two weeks after the Oyo State Government lifted the ban on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the union’s Caretaker Committee, led by Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, has flagged off “War Against Thuggery” campaign at motor parks.

Oyerinde flagged off the campaign at the weekend at NURTW’s state secretariat in Olomi, Ibadan, the state capital.

The union leader said the crusade would be carried to all the nooks and crannies of the state in the next few weeks.

He warned self-seeking politicians, who do not want peace to reign in Oyo State, to stay away from the union.

The motor park campaign is being handled by the union in collaboration with a team of corporate management consultants.

Oyerinde, who was assisted by the 13 other caretaker committee members and elders of the union drawn from the 33 local government areas, noted that the era of thuggery and hooliganism among drivers was gone.

He said the campaign would be enforced among the union members.

According to him, it is now mandatory for commercial drivers to wear a new dress that would portray them as gentlemen.

Jonathan for Brazil From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (left) with the Housing Secretary, City of Rio de Janeiro,Mr Jorge Bittar (middle); Head of Housing Policy Section of UN-HABITAT and Coordinator of the UN Housing Rights Programme, Mr Claudio Acioly Jr. (second right); Urban and Environmental Management expert, Jakarta Municipality, Indonesia, Ms Aisa Tobing and Programme Coordinator, Ms Adriana Larangeira, at a panel discussion on the theme: Slum Upgrading and Social Housing Provision: An Intercontinental Dialogue, organised by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Rio de Janeiro Housing Secretariat.

LP, PDP leaders, supporters join ACN in Ondo

O

VER 1,000 leaders and members of the ruling Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Akoko North East of Ondo State have defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They are mainly from Isowopo Ward 2 of the local government, with headquarters at Ikare-Akoko.

The leader of the defectors Olu Adeyanju said they were joining forces with the leading progressive party in the state to wrest power from LP administration.

Adeyanju decried the pa-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

thetic condition of Akoko residents, particularly the dearth of infrastructure, such as motorable roads, potable water and health facilities.

The politician said efforts should be collectively made to reject the ruling party at the polls on October 20.

He said: “The present Olusegun Mimiko government is deceitful, even though many residents supported its victory at the Appeal Court. But it has now become ‘a one-man show’.

“With what we are seeing around us, and with the antecedents of ACN and its leader-

ship at national and state levels, we are cocksure that an ACN administration will bring dividends of democracy to the citizenry.”

Adeyanju urged residents of Akokoland to embrace ACN, especially with the zoning of the governorship ticket to the area, to secure the party’s victory.

Receiving the defectors at Ikakumo-Akoko, the party’s chairman in the local government, Mr. Moshood Ishola, urged new and old members to mobilise more people into the party.

He said: “Since the number of votes count in any election,

the entire Akoko should note that this opportunity should not slip off. We should ensure the emergence of an ACN candidate as the governor in February 2013.”

A former Chief of Staff to exGovernor Adebayo Adefarati and a party leader in Isowopo Ward 2, Mr. Foluso Aminu, assured the defectors of equal opportunities in the party.

All members of the local government executives, including the Secretary, Aturu Jamiyu; the Treasurer, Adekunle Akintoba; the Financial Secretary, Lamidi Babatunde; and a party chieftain, Olu Oloruntoba, attended the ceremony.

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected to leave for Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, today to attend the United Nations (UN) Earth Summit, RIO+20.

The summit opens tomorrow.

While in Brazil, the President is expected to participate in the summit’s four plenary meetings at Riocentro Plenary Hall on Wednesday and Thursday.

He will also attend a reception to be hosted by Brazilian President, for Heads of State and Governments.

A statement yesterday by presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said Dr Jonathan would also open the Nigerian/ Brazil RIO+20 Business Forum and hold talks with selected Brazilian businessmen and captains of industry.

He will meet with representatives of the Nigerian community in Brazil.

The President will return to Nigeria on Friday.

Groups back Agunloye for party’s governorship ticket

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WO groups, Association of Ondo State Progressive Businessmen (OSPB) and League of Self-Employed Graduates (LSEG), have urged the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to choose former Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, as the party’s governorship candidate for the October 20 governorship election.

A statement by their spokesmen, Adewale Akintayo and Caleb Ololade, said since the ticket has been zoned to the Northern Senatorial District, the party’s leadership should endorse Agunloye.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Akintayo said the former minister has the best credentials and sound antecedents among other aspirants from the senatorial district.

He noted that the party’s chances might be hampered in the election, if its leadership picks the wrong candidate.

The groups said Agunloye’s contributions to rebuilding the ACN into a winning party through his Omoluabi Forum are noticeable.

They said: “Dr. Agunloye remains the most credible of all the aspirants jostling for the

ACN ticket and is quite outstanding among the aspirants from the Northern Senatorial District.

“Being a former minister and a former Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Agunloye should be picked as the party’s flag bearer by the ACN national leaders.

“Since he joined the party last year, he has been working for the development of ACN in the Sunshine State through his Omoluabi Platform, which has been able to recruit over 200,000 members into the party from the three senatorial districts in

the state.

“We can say it boldly that many PDP and LP members have joined the ACN because of his antecedent and popularity.

“Agunloye is the only aspirant who has moved round all the 203 wards in all the 18 local government areas in the state and has established operational offices in all the 18 local government areas and in over one quarter of the 203 wards. He has convinced many people to imbibe the Omoluabi (thoroughbred) virtues of honour and integrity in governance and to stand for the change we can

trust.

Ololade added: “The former FRSC chief, being a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), will attract more defectors into ACN from those parties, if he is eventually picked.”

The spokesmen said the former minister is well equipped to unseat Governor Olusegun Mimiko, particularly because of his grassroots mobilisation.

They warned that “any attempt to pick a wrong candidate will spell doom for the party”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Unlike in the past when there would be an improvement in power supply in one month only for it to dip the next month, the improvement this time will not be reversible - Prof Barth Nnaji, Minister of Power

Naira firms on CBN intervention

Fed Govt to issue N100b T-bills

T

HE naira rose to its highest level in three weeks against the United States’dollar on the interbank market yesterday, after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervened in the market and speculation mounted of a planned dollar sale by the state oil firm.

The local currency, according to Reuters, closed at N161.45 to the dollar on the interbank market, the level last seen on June 4, and firmer than the N163.25 a dollar it closed at on Friday.

Dealers said the volatility continued intraday when the naira fell to as low as N163.90 before the CBN sold large dollars to some lenders, which provided support for the naira and calmed the market.

“The Central Bank’s intervention did the magic to save the naira otherwise, it would have crossed the N164 to the dollar mark,” one dealer said.

Cameroon settles Dangote plant dispute

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ONSTRUCTION of cement giant Dangote’s $115 million new plant in the Cameroonian economic hub of Douala has restarted after a land dispute was resolved, local officials said yesterday.

Work on the 1.5 million tonnes-a-year plant, according to Reuters, began last September and was due to last 18 months. But it was halted earlier this year after the ethnic Sawa people filed an injunction against the project, complaining it violated their sacred site on the banks of the Wouri River.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil - $123.6/barrel Cocoa - $2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold - $1,800/troy ounce Rubber - ¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

FOREX

0.2958 206.9 245 156.4 1.9179 241 40.472

T

HE Federal Government plans to raise

•Manager, Sponsorship and Events, FirstBank of Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, (left), Lord Mayor of London, the Rt. Hon Alderman David Wootton, and Executive Director, FBN UK Limited, Mrs. Rosemary David-Etim, at the Diamond Jubilee Commonwealth Economic Forum in London.

N100.62 billion ($616.60 million) worth of 91-day and 182-day Treasury bills at its regular bi-monthly debt auction tomorrow, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday.

The bank said it will issue N37.49 billion in 91-day paper and N63.13 billion worth in 182-day bills on tomorrow.

Nigeria, Africa’s second biggest economy after South Africa, issues treasury bills regularly to reduce money supply, curb inflation and help lenders manage their liquidity.

N620b banks bailout: CBN didn’t break any law, Sanusi insists T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday cleared itself of any wrong doing in disbursing N620 billion to bail out eight distressed banks in 2009.

Also, the Governor of the bank, Lamido Sanusi, insisted that the apex bank did not err when it donated over N175million to victims of bombings, the education sector and the Southsouth Economic summit as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The banking watchdog had bailed out 10 banks following the outcome of a stress test, which showed that the lenders were undercapitalised, lack governance and posed a risk to the economy. With the exception of Wema and Unity Banks, the managing directors of Union Bank, Oceanic, Intercontinental, FinBank, Equatorial Trust, spring Bank, Afribank and Bank PHB) were removed and replaced to shop for investors.

Sanusi, who appeared at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Banking Currency, noted that the definitions of loan and expenditure must be understood by the lawmakers.

The committee queried the CBN over the legality and exclusion of the National As-

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

sembly from its spendings, adding that the Legislature was responsible for appropriating money for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).

In response, Sanusi said: “If I lend some money and it is paid back with interest, is that spending? It is ‘celebration of confessed corruption and not criminality’. It is not the same as the Ministry of Finance giving money and spending it.

“All these interventions are loans. The first misconception is to confuse lending with spending”.

Quoting copiously from the CBN Act, he asked: “Where did the CBN get the power to lend the money? It is from the CBN Act the power was given by the parliament.”

He said the laws empower the CBN to invest in debentures, which it did through the Bank of Industry (BoI) where it intervened in several sectors of the economy such as aviation, agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)’ “using powers given to us by this parliament.

“That is not an expenditure, sir; we did not spend the money.

The money loaned to the banks

have been paid back and the surplus had been returned to the treasury, the records are with you.

“As long as loans are not expenditure and we are empowered to grant loans, then the legality of our action on this is not questionable.

“When the Ministry of Finance uses its balance sheet, it needs appropriation because it is spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), but when the CBN is spending, it is from the proceeds of its investments and loans or printing money and both are covered by the CBN Act. On the legality of the bailout funds to banks, Sanusi absolved the CBN of any involvement in the disbursement of the N620billion grant to some distressed banks.

“The CBN was not involved in any bailout of banks in Nigeria. The involvement of the CBN in the rescued banks was limited to its statutory role as the lender of last resort and in the context of providing liquidity to the system when banks were facing liquidity challenges and meeting their obligations was proving difficult, “ he said.

According to him, the CBN simply provided loans to the

banks, which the enabling law, CBN Act 2007, Section 42 (2) empowers it to do, adding that the bank was only carrying out its duty as the lender of last resort.

“If the Central Bank does not lend money to banks or governments, then you don’t need a Central bank. To lend money is why we exist”.

Besides, the injection of the N620billion into banks was a loan to be repaid at a premium from the proceeds of the recapitalisation of the banks, Sanusi added.

On the involvement of rescued banks, Sanusi also absolved the CBN of any blame, pointing out it was the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) that bailed out the banks.

“AMCON was a product of the parliament and it was AMCON and not the CBN that put in the capital. The CBN did not put in money in any Keystone, PHB or whatever.

AMCON did it by issuing of bonds guaranteed by the Finance Ministry, which was also covered by the AMCON Act. “We injected N500billion into the banks because of the situation that was badly affecting the economy and it was

targeted specifically at some sectors in order to jump-start the sick banks and get to the borrower for it to affect the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“That intervention was to me not only legally right, but also economically smart and I don’t see anything that was wrong with that,”he explained.

The lawmakers, citing donations to bomb blast victims in Madalla, Niger State and Kano, questioned the rationale behind unrestrained donations in the name of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The CBN boss said there was nowhere in the laws setting up the CBN where the bank was prohibited from embarking on such ventures.

The Executive Director of AMCON, Abbas Jega, said N1.742 trillion loan was injected into major sectors of the nation’s economy and that 87 per cent of the revenue was raised by bonds issued by the Corporation.

In his presentation, Abraham Nwankwo, Director General of Debt management Office (DMO) said AMCON got the Federal Government’s guarantee for the N1.742 trillion for three year tradable bond in pursuant of section 26 of the AMCON Act.

NERC to review firms’metering plans

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is to review the metering plans submitted to it by the Distribution Companies (DISCOs).

This was the outcome of a meeting the commission held with the chief executive officers of DISCOs last week.

NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said yesterday that the commission plans to hold a public hearing, consulted with stakeholders and completed action on the metering plan by the end of the month.

•Power supply is 3,600mw From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

He explained that NERC and chief executives of the DISCOs will also deliberate on the methodology for estimating billings and the requirement for disclosures on electricity management under the Freedom of Information Act, pointing out that work has been completed on the methodology for estimated billing based on submission from the distribution companies.

He said NERC has adopted the report of the Committee that conducted Public Inquiring on Metering in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry chaired by Bamidele Aturu, stating that the regulator develops the implementation plans. Amadi, however, said the commission has forwarded the report to the President and Minister of Power for action.

He said: “We will be

meeting with the CEOs of the distribution companies on Thursday, to agree on the connection fees for every distribution company. It is important to note that only new customers will be charged connection fees. It is not the cost of meter. The cost of meter is already part of the tariff. But the cost for connecting new customers is not in the tariff.

“The meeting will be on the metering plans and methodology for estimated billing with the distribution companies.

Thereafter, we will invite civil society groups, consumer networks and the public to a hearing on the metering plan, methodology for estimated billing and the requirement of disclosures on electricity management under the Freedom of Information Act.” Amadi said since the kick-off of the Multi-Year Tariff Order 2, many journalists and consumers have called to either report some alleged violations of the conditions of MYTO or inquire about meters.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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

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

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

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LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

By Collins Nweze

The decline in oil prices has also been triggered by market sentiments of a further deepening crisis in the euro-zone, in conjunction with weak economic growth recorded in advanced economies such as China and the United States in during the first quarter. Furthermore, this visible uneasiness within the market has been compounded by increased supply of oil by Saudi Arabia to a record level of 10 million barrels per day (mbpd).

He explained that though global oil prices are dropping, Nigeria’s external reserves remain robust, until oil prices drop further, perhaps below $80pb. The Federal Government’s budget is benchmarked to oil price at $72pb, while Bonny Light crude is trading at $98pb.

The expert insisted that there are chances that the forex inflows will

fall from $4.31 billion in January to $3.34 billion in July. “If oil prices were to drop to $80pb, there is a 95 per cent likelihood that forex inflows will decline to approximately $3.03 billion, pushing the reserves to as low as $22 billion, covering less than three months of imports,” he said.

The CBN may be forced to allow the naira to depreciate sharply to N165 to a dollar to compensate for the substantial loss in oil revenue.

Demand pressure in the forex market had resumed in May as an examination of activities at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) shows that total forex supply increased by 58.82 per cent to $1.62 billion, compared with the preceding month.

The weakening of the naira has also been linked to multinationals that have declared dividends and increased their demand for forex for repatriating earnings.There are also possibilities of speculators scrambling to take positions with expectation that a declining oil price will weaken the naira.

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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HE naira will be weakened by a continuous decline in the prices of oil at the international market, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, Bismark Rewane, has said.

Speaking at the Monthly Economic Report, he said Brent crude have declined sharply to a low of $97 per barrel (pb) year to date from a high of $128pb in March.

Statistics showed that in May, Brent crude oil price averaged $110.34 pb, shedding 7.86 per cent from April’s figure of $119.75pb.

Bonny Light (Nigeria’s crude variant) has also fallen below the three figure barrier of $100pb, to $98pb during the same period.

He explained that oil prices are a function of supply and demand, adding that political crisis among Iran, the United States and Europe which is threatening to stop oil supplies to the West, had pushed oil prices high. However, now that the tension between the nations has eased, outlook for oil prices have reduced significantly.

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

‘Declining oil price’ll weaken naira’ T

08.00 18.00

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

• From left: Executive Vice-President Motorola Rolf Pein; Director, Buisness Development Safemobile, David Rodriguez; Managing Director, Hayes Meridian Group, Banji Oyewumi, Africa; Sales Manager, Motorola, Nicolas Coussinoux and Director of Sales/Country Manager Motorola Nigeria, Ronny Preger, during the First Annual Nigerian Wireless Communications expo in Abuja

Shell invests $3b on gas infrastructure

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HE Anglo/Dutch Shell has invested over $3 billion on associated gas gathering infrastructure in Nigeria between 2000 and date, the oil giant has said.

This has resulted in substantial reduction of flared gas.

Shell’s Director of Upstream International Andy Brown disclosed this when the Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austin Oniwon and Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Osten Olorunsola, among other senior officials of the petroleum industry visited the Shell Group’s headquarters in the

A

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Netherlands.

In a statement by the Corporate Media Relations Manager, Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) Tony Okonedo, the company said Brown and other senior Shell executives discussed several issues of national importance and how to move the industry forward.

“The national interest to reduce flaring was also discussed. Since 2000, the Joint Venture has spent more than $3 billion on associated gas gathering infrastructure. As a result, between 2002 and 2011, SPDC JV flaring dropped by more than 60 per cent from over 0.6 billion cubic feet a day (bcf/d) to about 0.2 bcf/d. This makes

the SPDC JV among the best of its peers in amount of flaring per volume of oil produced,” the statement noted.

Brown said: “We are delighted to welcome the Minister. Nigeria is an important energy producer with huge potential for growth and Shell would like to contribute to that growth.”

In addition to new investment opportunities, the delegation discussed Nigeria’s Natural Gas Master Plan.

The Minister reconfirmed Shell’s commitment to work through The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Joint Venture (SPDC JV) to help deliver support to projects that will provide additional domestic gas consumption.

Arik Air scales IOSA audit

RIK Air said it has passed the second stage of International Air Transport Association(IATA) Operational Safety Audit(IOSA), affirming that its airplanes are fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS).

The airline said with the GPS, its aircraft can land at zero visibility at any airport in the country.

Speaking to reporters during a tour of the airline’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA),Lagos, the airline’s Senior Vice-President,Operations, Rob Thomas, said it passed the second IOSA programme that was done three weeks ago.

This is coming at a time experts are asking the Federal Government to make it compulsory for domes-

• Air planes carry GPS to detect bad weather tic airlines to belong to IATA, which would make the airlines go through IOSA, following the Dana MD 83 air crash, which occurred on June 3, this year.

IOSA is the benchmark for global safety management in airlines and IATA members are registered must maintain IATA membership.

At present, two domestic airlines - Arik Air and Air Nigeria - are the only airlines on IOSA register.

At the airline’s Operational Control Centre (OCC), where all flights are tracked, Thomas said the airlines’aircraft are fitted with

modern Global Positioning System (GPS), equipment that makes the aircraft to land without recourse to instrument landing system at airports.

He added that Arik Air airplanes can land with zero visibility, adding that despite that the airline does not take off when there is adverse weather report, or when there is zero visibility based on the need to comply with safety requirements on ground.

This minimum approved visibility by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is 1,200, he said, adding that the GPS in Arik Air airplanes have been integrated into Auto Pilot System (APS) and Flight Management System (FMS).

FIRS arrests Air Nigeria’s chief over N4.86b tax default • CEO seeks time to settle debts From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

F

OLLOWING alleged failure to remit N4.868billion taxes, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has arrested the Managing Director of Air Nigeria, Kinfe Kayssay.

In a statement yesterday, the Director, Communication & Liaison Department of the service, Emmanuel Obeta, said the arrest “is aimed at recovering arrears of taxes accruing to the government from Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).”

The statement noted that the tax enforcement team, which was led

by James Binang, Assistant Director , Debt Enforcement and Special Prosecution Unit (DESPU), is part of a bigger move to recover the N170.I billion outstanding taxes owed to government by public and private organisations as well as to ensure that all taxpayers are captured in the tax net.

Obeta explained that during interrogation of Kayssay, Binang had observed that the FIRS management was not happy with the tax liabilities of the company and wanted to find out from the company, why it has refused to pay the liabilities.

Binang, however, explained that the refusal to deduct and remit taxes as well as failure to file tax returns amount to criminal offences.

Explanations were also sought from the company about the Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) alleged to have been obtained by Air Nigeria despite its tax liabilities— which was a requirement to secure their expatriate quota.

Kayssay agreed that the company actually had tax liabilities to pay, but pleaded for more time to settle the liabilities and comply with the necessary regulations on filing tax returns.

He said he would ascertain the reasons the company did not file tax returns or failed to make payments on the outstanding tax liabilities.

The firm’s lawyer,Akeem Babatunde, indicated that the company did not request for TCC to enable them secure expatriate quota.

Earlier, the Service had served series of notices, stressing the need for the company to pay their outstanding tax liabilities, as well as comply with their tax obligations as specified by Nigerian tax laws or face punitive action.

Apart from the tax liabilities against Air Nigeria, the company has also failed to file annual “Tax Returns’’ in 2011, promptly, while the one for this year is reportedly pending.

CBN votes N200b for MSMEs From: Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN yesterday said it has set aside N200billion for the establishment of a Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) fund to promote the development of the microfinance sub-sector.

The CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Uji Musa Amedu, disclosed this at the third D-8 workshop group meeting with the theme, ‘Promoting International Trade through SME development’ in Abuja.

He said the money would provide wholesale funding requirement for microfinance banks and microfinance institutions to support MSMEs in the country.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION JUNE, 2012 WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

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NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

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Ojutiku Stephen E. (Otherwise known as Ojutiku Stephen Patrick and Ojitiku Stephen ) late of 6, Dayo Street, U Turn, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Ogunyemi Albert Ilesanmi (Otherwise known as Ogunyemi Albert) late of A.C 26, F.L.C.H. Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of August, 2011 at Luth.

Babatunde N. Arigbabu (Otherwise known as Arigbabu Babatunde N.) late of 12, Daniel Makinde Street, ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Felix Oluwalomi Olakanye (Otherwise known as Felix O. Olakanye) late of 17, Bankole Street, Obawole, Iju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of November, 2010 at Lagos.

Godfrey Asagumaja (Otherwise known as Asagowonya Godfrey) late of 7, Olukope Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Olodo Fatai, late of 17, Shobande Street, Akoka Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2004 at Lagos.

Alhaji Muktar Adekunle Dosunmu (Otherwise known as Alhaji Mutairu Adekunle Dosunmu) late of 7, Olufemi Street, Off Nathan Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of December, 1996 at Lagos.

Mr Michael Ikewuba (Otherwise known as Ikewuba Michael) late of 14, Bankole Street, Ilasa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of June, 2010 at Owerri.

Areje Kuburat Oshin (Otherwise known as Areje Kuburat and Mrs Oshin Kuburat ) late of 28, Faleye Street , Akute deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Williams John Omosehindemi (Otherwise known as Baba Teacher) late of 13, Seye Ogunlewe Street, Igbogbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Sherifat Ibiyinka Adebiyi (Otherwise known as Mrs Adebiyi Yinka) late of B14, Federal Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the24th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Chijioke Imoh (Otherwise known as Imoh Chijioke) late of Block 4, Flat 6A, Okota Barrack Okota, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of Decemebr, 2010 at Lagos.

Nkemderim Onuawuchi Nora (Otherwise known as Nkemdirim Onuawuchi Nora, Noraa Nkemdirim) late of 9, Jemtok Street, Ago Okota, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Nwose Joseph Azuka (Otherwise known as Joseph Azuka Nwose) late of 7th Avenue, 721 Road, 1 Close, Block 2, Flat 14, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of October, 2008 at Lasuth, Ikeja.

Nkechi Agnes Enyi, late of Plot 1386, A Close, 42 Road Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

Malemi Eseoghene Otejiri late of 7, Edo Lane Near Aiyetoro Medical Centre Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Adeyemi Adebanjo Richard late of 4, Ishola Lemomu Street, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of February, 2012 at Ogun state Adole Owoicho Jimmy (Otherwise known as Adole Jimmy) late of Mobile Police Barracks Mopol 20 Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of November, 2010 at Makurdi Mr Aninta Obi Chris Chikason (Otherwise known as Obi Chris Chikason Aninta) late of 5, Ogo Oluwa Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Sunday Cornelius Igboanugo late of 4, Igboukwu Street, Igboelerin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of March, 2002 at Lagos.

Eze Kenny Crescent (Otherwise known as Eze Kenechukwu) late of 16, CAC Avenue, Irepo Estate, Igando Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of December, 2011 at Luth, Lagos.

Alhaji Liadi Akanbi Oloyede, late of 21, Sholanke Street, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died instate on the 6th day of March, 2009 at Ogun State.

Mrs Ofordirinwa Augustina (Otherwise known as Ofordirinwa Augustina Adamma) late of 3, Ayodele Street, Abule Oja Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of May, 2011 at Yaba Mr Egu Daniel late of 42, Omo Oba Jesu Street, Akowonjo Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Bisiriyu Ajisegiri late of 56, Tolu Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Oyatoro Segun late of 7, Iyowuawi Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Peter Achebe (Otherwise known as Engr. Peter Obiwente Achike Achebe ) late of Plot 19, Block 80, Bashiru Shittu Avenue, Magodo G.R.A, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Patrick Arnika late of 24, Oluwatosin Street, Iju Ishaga Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of January, 2011 at Ogun state.

Mr Mathew Adenrele Akinnawonu late of No. 52, Ligali street, Ajegunle deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of February, 2011 at Nosafejo Medical Centre Apapa, Maxwel Emmanuel late of Idimu Divisional Police Headquaters Lagos state deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Titus Olagoke Bamgbopa (Otherwise known as Bamgbopa Titus ) late of 18, Omilani Road, Ijeshatedo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaji Abayomi Akindele late of 11, Thanni Olodo Street, Jibowu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

Eugene Mere (Otherwise known as Mere Eugene ) late of 95, Adetola street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Ojowi Sunday late of No. 1 Itanlaye Street, Ikotun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Onisofi Saliu late of 16, Olufowobi Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of December, 2007 at Lagos.

David Toriola (Otherwise known as Mr Toriola Olusoji and Mr Toriola Oluwaseyi Benjamin) late of No. 9, Omilade Street, Oshodi, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of February, 2009 at Lagos.

Benson Adepegba Alani Akinleye (Otherwise known as Mr B.A.Akinleye) late of Block 50, Flat 2, L.C.H.E. Mile 2, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of June,1990 at Idiaga Via Ifo. Mr Francis Falola, late of 1, Orotayo street, Ijaye Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of August, 2011 at Abeokuta.

Captain Raphael Anifowose, (Otherwise known as Raphael Anifowose) late of No. 73, Adebimpe Street, Mile 12, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of December, 2007 at Lekki.

Mrs Bolanle Folashade Olarinre (Otherwise known as Mrs B.F.Olarinre and Mrs Bolanle Olarinre) late of No. 4, Akindehinde Street, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of April, 2008 at Luth Idi Araba , Lagos.

Agbaje Samuel Olasehinde late of No. 3, Wura ola Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 1976 at Lagos.

Mr Tope Oloniyo (Otherwise known as T.Joseph Oloniyo) late of No. 18, Fasina Street, Baale Akute Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Ekundayo Adeyemi Akiode,(Otherwise known as SNR Apo. Ekundayo Akinyemi Akiode) late of No. 7, Raji Oba Street, Alimosho Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of July, 1985 at Lagos.

Mrs Elizabeth Oyinsola Alarape Jejelola (Nee Babatunde) (Otherwise known as Mrs Alarape Jejeola Elizabeth ) late of 21, Olorunshogo Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August, 2010 at General Hospital Lagos.

Mr Akinkuade Ademola Victor late of 40, Akute Water Pipe Line Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of March, 2009 at Ondo State.

Mrs Janet Oyetola Adeleke late of 6, Sarah Olakunbi Solebo Estate, Aga Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of September, 2000 at Ibadan.

Mr Joseph Abayomi Mamora (otherwise known as Mamora Joseph) late of 12, Campus Square Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of May, 2011 at Naval Medical Centre Lagos.

Mrs Yetunde E.Abiola (Otherwise known as Yetunde Abiola ) late of 10, Adisa Adeyinka Street, Oke Ira, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of March, 2008 at Lagos.

Ayonuwe Tosan late of 9, Olusegun Street, Ojo Voks Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Elizabeth Gabriel Ekpe of Camp 3, Block 4, Flat 7 Ojo Military Cantonment Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of June, 2007 at Lagos.

Mrs Felicia Bukola Alakan (Otherwise known as Mrs Alakan Felicia ) late of 48, Oke Amu Avenue Off Asso. Road, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Hassan Nofisat (Otherwise known as Mrs Nofisat Hassan) late of 57, Akinola Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Charles Bosah Ochei (Otherwise known as Mr Bosah Akunwata Ochei) late of 1, I.A. Soyinka Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2006 at Lagos.

Mr Ajani Philip Abodunrin late of 26, Rev. Ogunwole Opeilu deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of October, 2010 at Lagos Teaching Hospital.

Rasheed Ashimi (Otherwise known as Mr Rasheed Ashimi) late of 26/28, Popoola Street, Ewutitun Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of July, 2007 at Lagos.

Mrs Chude Eucheria Ngozi (Otherwise known as Eucharia Ngozi Chuda ) late of 3, Seriki Aro street, Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Olalere Moses Akinniyi (Otherwise known as Moses Olalere Akinniyi) late of 20, Bello street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2007 at Ibadan.

Helen Imaikop late of New Block 4, Flat 12, Highway Police Barrack Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

Olisa Emeka Amaeze George (Otherwise known as Olisa Emeka Amaeze) late of 4, Israel Kuponiyi Street, Ajao Estate, Anthony Village Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of december, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Asaolu Ojo (Otherwise known as Ojo Asaolu) late of 10, Eluku street, Imota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of November, 2008 at Lagos.

Oladipo Tajudeen Omotosho (Otherwise known as Mr Oladipo Tajudeen Omotosho) late of 9, Suenu Court Akoka, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of March, 2007 at Lagos.

Igbekoyi Akindele (Otherwise known as Mr Akindele Igbekoyi) late of 22, Olufemi Peters Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of August, 2005 at Lagos.

Aiyela Oluyemi (Otherwise known as Aiyenla Oluyemi) late of 8, Layi Oke Street, Igando Egan, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Ogunneye Kayode Ezekiel (Otherwise known as Baba Ijebu ) late of 25, Oladipo Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Agwere Helen Omanezi (Otherwise known as Helen Agwerie) late of 5, Abbey Street, Jakande Ajangbadi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2006 at Lagos.

Adetimikan Emmanuel Oke Prince late of 25, Ogunleye Street. P.P. L Okokomaiko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 1999 at Lagos.

Peter Elizabeth Jimmy (Otherwise known as Asuquo Elizabeth ) late of 32, Arobadade Street, Bariga, Somolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Awala Margaret Akugue (Otherwise known as Margaret Akugue Awala) late of 20, Sebanjo Street, Papa Ajao , Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of April, 2005 at Specialist Hospital Bauchi Balogun Tajudeen Akanni late of c/o Kabir Jinad of 2 Adejumobi Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of September, 2011 at Lagos State.

Florence Bolanle Siyanbola (Otherwise known as Florence Siyanbola) late of 106, Palm Avenue Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of February, 2008 at Lagos.

Mrs Okeke Ngozi late of 14, Victory Estate Iba Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of February, 2008 at Sokoto Alabi Muibi Idowu late of 37, Adealu Street, Papa Ashafa Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Shittu Mutiu Adeniyi late of 1, Adeyemi Street, K.S.O. Junction Ajegunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of July, 2004 at Ogun State.

Dr Lukman Omolade Lawal (Otherwise known as Omolade Lawal) late of House 20, Good Homes Estate, Isheri Lasu Road, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of August, 2007 at Lasuth Ikeja.

Shuaibu Bello (Otherwise known as Bello Shuibu) late of 14A, Bale Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of June, 2010 at Eko Hospital.

Benjamin Sewabo (Otherwise known as Sewabo Benjamin Bontan) late of 16, Oyenekan Adiyan Agbado Station Lagos State, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

Chief Lawrence Enam Scott-Emuakpor late of 24, Robert Street, Magodo G.R.A. deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Mathew Olufemi Olutoki (Otherwise known as Mathew Femi Olutoki and Matthew Femi Olutoki) late of No. 4, Abusi Edumare Street, Ajasa Command Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of August, 2011 at Lasuth.

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G.A SAFARI (EQS.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mrs Ojutiku Fausat A. and Mr Olamide Olawale O. both of 6, Dayo Street, U Turn Abule Egba Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ogunyemi Omolara and Ogunyemi John both of A.C 26, Federal Low Cost Housing Iyana Ipaja Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Rachael Arigbabu, Mr Ismail Arigbabu , Mr Abdkabir Arigbabu and Yusirat Arigbabu all of 12, Daniel Makinde Street, Ketu, Lagos , widow and one of the children, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Funmilayo Olakanye and Mr Ademola Akinsowon Olakanye both of 17, Bakole Street, Obawole Iju Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Charity Asagumaja of 19, Alhaja Hassana Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, and Lawrence Imoniche of Block 3, Room 8, Elere Police Barracks Agege, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Eunice Olusola Olodo and Tope Olodo both of 31, Araromi Street, Bariga, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Alhaji Muyideen Ademola Dosunmu, Alhaji Hakeem Adeniyi Dosunmu, Mr Razak Adebowale Dosunmu and Mr Al-amin Adebayo Dosunmu all of 7, Olufemi Street, Off Nathan Street, Surulere, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Theresa Ikewuba and Alam Casimir both of 14, Bankole Street, Ilasa Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Dopamu Busayo and Mr Olalekan Areje both of 14, Ayo Alabi Street, Ogba, two children of the said deceased.

Williams Abiodun and Willams Oluwaseun both of 13, Seye Ogunlewe Street, Igbogbo, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Yemisi Osinowo and Mr Gbenga Adebiyi both of B14, Federal Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Nnennaya Imoh and Odirichi Imoh both of Block 4, Flat 6A, Okota Barrack Okota, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Nkemdirim Chibuzor and Mrs Vivian Oyedepo(Nee Nkemdirim) both of 9, Jemtok Street, Ago Okota, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Nwose William of 7th Avenue , 721 Road, 1 Close, Block 2, Flat 14, Festac Town, Lagos and Avwara Patricia of 22nd Road, Block 13, Flat 27, Festac Town Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Titus Chigbo Enyi of Plot 1386, A Close, 42 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, widower of the said deceased.

Mrs Felicia Akerele , Rosemary Malemi, Mr Richard Akpotive and Miss Regina Malemi all of 7, Edo Lane Near Aiyetoro Medical Centre Lagos, three sisters and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

Adeyemi Bolatito Omowunmi and Adeyemi Grace Adewunmi both of 1, Adeyemi Oluwole Close, River bank Estate, Akute Ogun State, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Gabriel Adole and Florence Adole both of Mobile Police Barrack Mopol 20, Ikeja Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Victor Michael, Miss Hilda Ngozi and Mr Alex Okechukwu Aninta Obi all of 5, Abundance Lane Victory Estate, Ejigbo, Lagos, brothers and sisters respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Evelyn Amaenu Igboanugo of 4, Igboukwu Street, Igboelerin Lagos, and Mr Mathias Igboanugo of 7, Oshileme Street, Afromedia Lagos, widow and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ifeoma Eze and Onyekachi Bando both of 16, CAC Avenue, Irepo Estate, Igando lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased Ismail Aremu Oloyede and Riliwan Oluseyi Oloyede both of 21, Sholanke Street, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Ofordirinwa Collins C. and Ofordirinwa Chike both of 3, Ayodele Street, Abule Oja Yaba, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Egu Raphael of 24, Omo Oba Jesu Street , Akowonjo, Egbeda, Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

David Abiodun Ajisegiri, Surakatu Ajisegiri and Abdulrahman Adesina Ajisegiri all of 9, Tolu Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Oluwafunmilayo Oyatoro, Abosede Oyatoro and Temidayo Oyatoro all of 7, Iyowuawi Street, Shomolu, Lagos, widows and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ozoemina Achebe, Tobechukwu Achebe Uzochukwu Achebe and Chioma Achebe all of Plot 19, Block 80, Bashiru Shittu Avenue, Magodo G.R.A. Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Juliet Patrick and Joseph A. Oboh Arnika both of 24, Oluwatosin Street, Iju Ishaga Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olubunmi Akinnawonu, Micheal Oluwatoyin Akinnawonu and Akinbowale Daniel Akinnawonu all of No. 52, Ligali Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased..

Emmanuel Tajim, Totori Emmanuel and Wilson Emmanuel all of Idimu Division Police Headquaters Lagos, three brothers of the said deceased., Messrs Olugbemga Bamgbopa and Gbolahan Bamgbopa both of 17, Omilani Street, Ijeshatedo Lagos,t wo of the children of the said deceased.

Akinola Akindele and John Akindele both of 11, Thanni Olodo Stret, Jibowu , Nephwe and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Calista mere of 95, Adetola Street, Aguda, Lagos, and Hon. Ben Mere of 53, Thomas Animashaun Street, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Rebecca Ojowi and Mayowa Timothy Ojowi both of No. 1, Itanlaije Street, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Afolashade Dickson, Abibat Onisofi and Taofeek Onisofi all of 16, Olufowobi Street, Ketu, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Toriola Olusoji and Toriola O. Benjamin both of No. 9, Omilade Street, Oshodi, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Sarah Abake Akinleye, Oluwaseun Akinleye and Olufisayo Akinleye all of Block 50, Flat 2, L.C.H.E. Mile 2, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Falola Isaac Olubunmi of No. 1, Orotayo street, Ijaye Lagos and Falola Julius Olurotimi of No. 11, Adah George Road, Port Harcourt , and Yetunde Adeshina (Mrs) of 1, Ayilara Street, Off Angelican Road, Otta, brothers and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Caroline Anifowose, Damilare Anifowose and Opeoluwa Anifowose all of No. 73, Adebimpe Street, Mile 12, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Olarinre Olayemi and Olarinre Gbemisola both of 5, Ala Close, Shangisha, Ketu, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mr Deji Agbaje and Mrs Funmi M. Saka both of No. 9, Olaitan Street, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos , two of the children of the said deceased.

Oluwayemi S. Oloniyo and Tolulope Abigeal Oloniyo both of No 18, Fasina Street, Baale Akute, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Akode Olusegun of No. 15, Fasina Street, Baale Akute, Lagos and Akiode Adesegun Kayode of No. 14, Noro Street, Ogijo Sagamu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Abosede Olaonegan and Barrister Akintunde Jimoh both of 12, Shobowale Street, Abule Ijesha Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Rebecca Akinkuade of 28, Ogba Oke Ira Lagos and Mr Adedayo Samuel of 6, Afolabi street, Pleasure Bus Stop, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Areoye O. Oloyede and Oparinde O. Oyeyemi both of 6, Sarah Olakunbi Street, Solebo Estate, Aga Ikorodu, Lagos, two Nephews of the said deceased.

Ganiyu Gbolahan Mamora and Segun Ayodele Mamora both of 11, Orotedo Street, off Ishaga Road, Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Abiola Olufemi and Adenibuyan Olufemi both of 10, Adisa Adeyinka Street, Oke Ira Ogba, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ayonuwe Ochuko and Ayonuwe Ejiro both of 9, Olusegun Street, Ojo Volks , Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Anthony Ekpe and Mrs Lucy Ekpe both of Camp 3, Block 4, Flat 7, Ojo Military Cantonment Lagos, father and mother respectively of the said deceased.

Mba Aderomola of 11, O.C. Okeke Street, Kessington Satelite Town, Lagos, and Alakan Oladimeji of 4B, Oke Aina Avenue, Off Asso. Road Ikotun, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased Mr Hassan Azeez Olawale and Miss Hassan Fauziyat both of 57, Akinola Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Odisa Ochei and Mrs Blessing Ochei both of 1.A. Soyinka Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, two widows of the said deceased.

Sunday Abodunrin of 26, Rev.Ogunwole Opeilu , Tope Pronuse of 28, Aranseolu Street, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos, Samson Abodunrin , Gbenga Abodunrin both fo 24, Ajigbotinu Pero Agege, Lagos, Mrs Risikat Rasaki, Alhaja Kamilat, Mr Lateef Ashimi and Mr Azeez Ashimi all of 26/28, Popoola Street, Ewu Titun Oshodi, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Mr Chude Francis of 3, Seriki Aro Street, Ikeja Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

Akinniyi Abiodun J. of 20, Bello Street, Ketu, Lagos and Akinniyi Bello of 22, Oladipo Street, Ketu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Charles Imaikop and Napoleon I. Uduogie both of New Block 4, Flat 12, High Way Police Barrack Ikeja, Lagos widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Chinelo Olisaemeka and Mr Ifeanyi Olisaemeka both of 4, Israel Koponiyi Street, Ajao Estate, Anthony Village, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ruth Asaolu of 10, Eluku Street, Imota, Lagos, and Mr Aluko Bisuyi of 1, Olaseinde Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Adebola Omotosho of 13, Fadeyi Street, Olowora Ojodu, Lagos, and Kemi Olaleru of 2, Adebowale Street, Ojodu, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Igbekoyi Sile Oludolapo and Igbekoyi Akindele Mosope Akintunde both of 22, Olufemi Peters Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Abosede Aiyela and Mathew Aiyela both of 8, Layi Oke Street, Igando Egan, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Abosede Ogunneye, Mrs Sodiq Bunmi, Mrs Ronke Ojo and Mr Segun Ogunneye all of 25, Ladipo Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Henry Agwere of 5, Abbey Street, Jakande Ajangbadi, Lagos and Oghale Nwachukwu Agwere of 12, Nwachukwu Drive Okota, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Adejoke Kulere and Mr Isaac Adetimikan both of 25, Ogunleye Street, P.P. L Okokomaiko, Lagos State two of the children of the said deceased.

Asuquo Peter of 32, Robadade Street, Bariga , Lagos and Monday Peter of 22, Ashimowu Bakare Street, Itire, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased Awala Olusegun Anthony Awala Omatsola Anthony and Awala Amoma Anthonia all of 20, Sebanjo Street, Papa Ajao Mushin, Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Basirat Balogun of 10, Boluwaji Oni Street, Afobaje Ota and Mr Isiaka Balogun c/o Kabir Jinadu of 2, Adejumobi Street, Oshodi, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr John O. Siyanbola and Mrs Mosunmola Okpeki both of 4, Abike Onabiyi Close, Coca Alhaja Old Akute Road, Iju, Agege, Lagos.

Ignatius Okeke and Miss Ngozi Okeke both of 14, Victory Estate, Iba Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Kafilat Alabi, Isiaka Alabi Adesina , Hamed Alabi and Bintu Alabi all of 37, Adealu Street, Papa Ashafa, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Madam Bamidele Shittu, Mr Adeolu Shittu and Mr Gbenga Shittu all of 1, Adeyemi Street, K.S.O. Junction Ajegunle, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Mrs Funmilayo Lawal, Mrs Idayat Ronke Shaaba, Mr Abedeen Ademola Lawal and Mr Kehinde Gafar Lawal all of House 20, Good Homes Estate, Isheri, Lagos, widow and three children respectively of the said deceased.

Bello Abiodun Azeez and Shakirat Aratumi both of 14A, Bale Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Joshua Abiodun Sewabo and Elizabeth Adejoke Sewabo both of 16, Oyenekan Adiyan Agbado Station, Lagos State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Mercy Scott-Emuakpor and Janet Scott-Emuakpor both of 24, Robert Street, Magodo G.R.A, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Alice Mopelola Olutoki and Miss Oluwatosin Janet Olutoki both of 4, Abusi Edumare Street, Ajasa Command , Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION JUNE, 2012 WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

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NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

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James Oladipo Akinwale late of 377, Borno Way Alagomeji Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of June, 1972 at Lagos.

Mr Odizeh Amos (Otherwise known as Odizeh Amos) late of 5, Oyedele Ogunniyi Street, Anthony Village Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of March, 2011 at Luth Mr Oyebode Timothy Ademola (Otherwise known as Mr Oyebode Ademola) late of 256B, Brown Low Cost Housing Estate, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of November, 2001 at Ile Ife Israel Kayode Komolafe late of 3, Oyatogun Street, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Okonjo Simon Osadebay (Otherwise known as Mr Okonjo Osadebey) late of 7th Avenue “P� Close House 4, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 2006 at Port Harcourt Alhaja Nimota Badekale Oke (Otherwise known as Mrs Nimota Badekale Banjo) late of 6, Quadry Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of December, 1994 at Akure.

Onalaja Simeon Olubunmi (Otherwise known as Onalaja Simon Olubunmi) late of 65, House 7 Satelite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaja Adijatu Ganiyu (Otherwise known as Alhaja Adijatu Ganiu) late of 64, Jebba Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Felix Ekowei Komi late of 1, Mureni Ajibode Street, Bayewu deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Olaide Adebukola Ajanaku (Otherwise known as Rafiu Olaide Adebukola) late of 24, Sanni Eleku Street, Awoyaya Ibeju Lekki Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Ogunshina Omodunni Ogundero (otherwise known as Ogundero Ogunsina Omodunni) late of 4, Koya Akinwale Street, Ipaja Ayobo , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of February, 2010 at Lagos.

Pa Isaac Usman Ameh late of 16, Abati Close, Akowonjo Alimosho, Lagos, Deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Rahman Tijani (Otherwise known as Tijani Rahman) late of 16, Araromi Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Amidu Abolade late of 1, Capitol Road, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died Intestate on the 27th day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Anyanwu Philamena late of 5, Mayowa Close, Ago Palace Okota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Adenuga M.A. (Otherwise known as Adenuga Adebayo Maraiyesa) late of 7, Karimu Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2011 at Akwa-Ibom Odunuga Israel Olunuga (Otherwise known as Odunuga Israel) late of 12, Adaranijo Street, Pedro Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Alhaji Olatunji Shanu late of 85, Lagos Road Epe Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2009 at Gen. Hospital Badagry.

Ekpobadarho John late of 11, Osuyemi street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of January, 2010 at Delta State.

Dr Alexander Akinyemi Oluwagbemi (Otherwise known as Oluwagbemi A. Alexander) late of 16, Dare Street, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

Shoyeolu Olayiwola (Otherwise known as Shoyeolu Olayiwola Onifade ) late of 1, Mudamigoro Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of February, 2008 at Ota. Ikeji Reginald Okechukwu (Otherwise known as Reginald Ikeji ) late of Quarter 10, Railway Compound Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Emmanuel Jaiyeola (Otherwise known as Emmanuel Salami Jaiyeola) late of 68, Ibidun Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Adeniyi Zaccheous Dada late of 15, Anjorin Street, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of August, 2011 at Ilorin Mr Rasaki Sanni Ajao late of 26, Ajiboye Street, Orile Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of June ,2008 at Lagos.

Olugbenga Samson Adeyemi (Otherwise known as Adeyemi Gbenga ) late of Plot 50A, Block K, Agbede Home of Grace Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2011 at Lasuth Enikanoselu Eniterease Rabinson (Otherwise known as Enikanoselu Eniterease) late of 10, Adetia Street, Makoko Yaba, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Lasisi Alamu Salimon (Otherwise known as Mr Salimonu Lasisi Alamu) late of 11, Okusaga Street, Palm Groove Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of July, 2008 at Lagos.

Adebisi Adebola Olumoye (Otherwise known as Bisi Olumoye) late of 23, Oluwaseun Street, Ori Okuta, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Charles Onojake late of 1st Avenue, 11 Road, Block 5, Flat 10, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day aof February, 2004 at Warri.

Okoli Obinna late of 5, David Close, NPF, Satelite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of October, 2010 at Enugu.

Dennis Chukwudi Ezulike late of 1, Ojo Oniru Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Samuel Adetunji Ogunmuyiwa (Otherwise known as Tunji Ogunmuyiwa and Ogunmuyiwa Tunji) late of 3, Jebba Street, Ebute Metta (East) Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Fabian Ozor late of 33, Surulere Street, Afromedia deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2010 at Osun State.

Mrs Akinwole Helen Olufunke (Otherwise known as Mrs Olufunke Helen Akinwole) late of 33, Mobolaji Johnson Avenue, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2009 at Lagos.

Alhaji Tajudeen Daramola (Otherwise known as Daramola Tajudeen Aremu) late of 12, Arufa Street, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Jinadu Muraina late of 20, Olawunmi Street, Oworonsoki , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of March, 2010 at Eruwa Oyo State.

Edward Olabaniji Latinwo (Otherwise known as Latinwo Edward O. and Mr Edward Olatinwo) late of 525, Abeokuta Expressway Alagbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of February, 1991 at Luth, Idiaraba.

Augustine Omachonu Opaluwa late of House 28, Road 815, Area 8, Opic Estate, Agbara Ogun State deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2010 at Agbara Miss Okafor Charity (Otherwise known as Tobechukwu and Okafor Charity Tochukwu) late of 43, Akiwowo Street, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of June, 2008 at Lagos.

Olubunmi Kehinde Omolara (Otherwise known as Olubunmi Kehinde) late of 21, Biyi Adeyemo Street, Akesan, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of November, 2006 at Luth.

Mr Basil Njoku (Otherwise known as Basil Anyiam Njoku ) late of 98, Mba Street, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died itestate on the 26th day of June, 2008 at Imo State Oluwagbemiga Olumorin Olusanya (Otherwise known as Pa Olusanya Gbenga Olumorin) late of 12, Adenuga Bamitale Street, Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of October, 2008 at Lagos.

Gbenga Oladipupo Ogunfile late of 9B, Amaechi Street, Layinka Ajegunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

Patrick Kaduru (Otherwise known as Kaduru Patrick) late of 8, Moshalashi Street, Ilasa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Engr. Julius O. Akin-Olugbemi (Otherwise known as Mr J.O.A.Akin-Olugbemi) late of 5, Temple Road, Ikoyi Penthouse Flat who died intestate on the 14th day of May, 1998 at Ogun State.

Miss Abudulai Risikat (Otherwise known as Abdullahi Risiqat) late of No. 2, Denton Street, Oyingbo Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of July, 2006 at Lagos.

Mrs Helen Olulanu Banjo (Otherwise known as Helen Olulanu Adepate Banjo) late of 51, Oyekan Road, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of October, 2009 at Seattle USA. Ajayi Paseda Olusesan (Otherwise known as Ajayi Olusesan Paseda) late of 12, Olusesan Ajayi Lane, Ijaye-Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2010 at Ogun State.

Mr Emmanuel Felowu Oseji late of 6, Egbeyemi Close Alimosho Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of April, 2010 at London.

Rev. Emmanuel O. Ogbuji (Otherwise known as Emmanuel Okechukwu ) late of Assemblies of God Church Ajara Vetho Badagry deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of May, 2010 .

Mr Johnson Iroroworuoh late of 21, Salami Saibu Street, Palm Groove Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of May, 2007 at Lagos.

Simeon Momoh M/57 late of 12, Efonalaye Street, Ojodu Berger deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of January, 2010 at Edo State.

Peace Emem Sunday late of Ukana Ikoto Akpan Ifia Essien Udim deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of October, 2009 at Ukana Ikot Akpa Ifia, Essien Udim.

Mr Ebenezer Oyedele (Otherwise known as Oyedele Ebenezer) late of 10, Ayoola Edun Street, Agbado Crossing Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of June, 2011 at Ikeja, Lagos.

Obinna Nnamdi Obizue (Otherwise known as Obinna Obizue and Obinna Obizue Nnamdi ) late of 26, Aka Road Okoko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of December 2011 at Lagos.

Babarinde Rauf Oyekanmi (Otherwise known as Babarinde Oyekan) late of 9, Emmanuel Street, Palm grove Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2010 at Ibadan.

Mr Friday Akpomeraaida Odoko (Otherwise known as Mr Friday A. Odoko) late of 83, Ibeshe Road, Owode Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of September, 2007 at Belinda Hospital Lagos.

Muslim Akanni Hassan late of 5, College Road, Oyemekun Bus Stop, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of May, 2006.

Fashola Adegoke, late of 3rd Avenue 311 Road House 2, Festac Village , deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Bassey Rachael (Mrs) (Otherwise known as Bassey Racheal) late of 11, Akinlawon Street, Ijesha, Lagos, deceased who died intestateon the 26th day of October, 2011 at Luth Lagos.

Nosiru Fatai Olamide late of 26, Salami street, Ojerinde Street, Agbado Crossing deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of lOctober, 2011 at Ogun State.

Mrs Alagbile Toyin late of 4, Iyari Close, Idimu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of November, 2008 at Kaduna Alalamu Kudirat Olabisi late of Tarmac Road, Off metro Politan Battary Sango deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of July, 2011 at Ota , Ogun state.

Mrs Scholastica Ugwu (Otherwise known as Ugwu Scolastica) late of 16, Abukuru Street, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Adeyinka Kingsley-James Late of 6, Dapson Street, Oke Ira Ogba, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of March, 2008 at Lagos.

Samuel Aremu Alamutu (Otherwise known as Alamutu Samuel Aremu (Apostle) late of 26A, Fola Osibo Street, Lekki 1, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of December, 2011 at Abeokuta.

Mr Sunday Erughe (Otherwise known as Erughe Sunday) late of No. 10, Oyindamola Street, Ikotun Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of March, 2011 at Ogun State General Hospital Ifo. Mr Oladimeji John late of No. 46, Obafolobi Street, Ojodu, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of April,2011 at Lasuth Ikeja.

Mr Saubana Alani (otherwise known as Mr Saubani Alani) late of No. 17, fKewulere Street, Pleasure, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of March, 2011 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Lagos.

Mrs Olufunke Daniel (Otherwise known as Daniel Olufunke) late of 2, Solomon Close, Ijaye Ojokoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Fidelis E.Agwu (otherwise known as Agwu Fidelix) late of 6, Nimota Shitta Bay Awoyaya, Ibeju Lekki Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of June,2009 at O.A.U Ile Ife. Daramola Moji Nurat late of 83, Ikorodu Road, Idera Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of April, 2007 at Osuth Shagamu.

Stephen Agbontan (otherwise known as Agbotan Stephen) late of 2, Oluwaseun Street, Mile 12, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2009 at General Hospital Ikeja.

Gbejuade Olubunmi late of 23, Ogun Gbaiye Street, Luth Road, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Gbolade Atiba (otherwise known as Atiba Gbolade) late of 13, Buhari Street, Ogudu Ojota deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of September, 2008 at Lagos.

Insp. Mathew Eze late of Block 3, Flat 24, Adekunle Police Barrack Ebute Metta, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Kenechukwu Udegbunam (otherwise known as Mr Kenechukwu O. Udegbunam) late of 6, Helen Ajayi Close Igando, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of September,2009 at Lagos.

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NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mr Olusegun Akinwale Wey and Mr Oluwatuminu Akinwale Wey both of 377, Borno Way Alagomeji , Yaba, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mr Gideon Odizeh and Mrs Cecilia Odizeh both of 8, Aminu Street, Mende Maryland, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Funmilayo Oyelade, of 256B, Brown Street, Low Cost Housing Estate, Lagos, and Mrs Ajibola Oyetola Ifeadi of 12B, Atiba Osborne Street, Mende Maryland Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Bosede Beatrice Komolafe and Tosin Abidemi Komolafe both of 3, Oyetogun Street, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Francisca Okonja and Simeon Eloka Okonjo both of 7th Avenue, P Close, House 4, Festac Town, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Surv (Mrs) Yetunde O. Akinyemi of 44, Wale Taiwo Close, Ogba, Lagos and Mr Adekunle A. Faloye of 9, Ramotu Oluwakemi Street, Madina Estate, Gbagada , Lagos, one of the children and grandson respectively of the said deceased.

Alex Taiwo Onalaja and Mrs Idowu E. Osunseimi both of Close 65, House 7, Satelite Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaji Ishola Ganiyu, Saheed Ganiyu and Sulemon Yusuf all of 64, Jebba Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, widower , one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Odaere Komi , Ebiere Edijekpewu Tombra Komi and Tare Ogidi all of 1, Mureni Ajibode Street, Bayewu , widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ogbodu Taiwo, Elegushi Afusat and Oseni Aderonke all of 24, Sanni Eleku Street, Awoyaya Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, two of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Ogundero Kehinde Adeayo and Ogundero Olubunmi Alaba both of 4, Koya Akinwale Street, Ipaja, Ayobo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Tony Lucky Ameh, Juliana Adamu Ameh, Godwin Ameh and Deborah Ameh all of 16, Abati Close, Akowonjo, Alimosho, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Mr Habeeb Tijani , Mr Yakub Tijani and Mr Abdulwasi Musah all of 16, Araromi Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, two brothers and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Wasiu Ayoade and Aminatu Animashaun both of 1, Capitol Road, Agege, Lagos, brother and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Anyanwu Leonard and Anyanwu Johnterry both of 5, Mayowa Close, Off Popoola Street, Ago Okota, Lagos , widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Omowunmi Adenuga and Yetunde Adenuga both of 7, Karimu Street, Ketu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Oluwole Odunuga, Olufunke Hassan and Olufemi Odunuga all of 12, Adaranijo Street, Pedro, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaja Adijat Shanu of 85, Lagos Road, Epe, Lagos, Mr Yomi Shanu of Block 201, Flat 3, Mile 2, Estate, Lagos and Mr Olalekan of 85, Lagos Road, Epe Lagos ,widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

Ekpobadarho Caroline and Ekpobadarho Anthony both of 11, Osuyemi Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Olukemi Oludolapo Oluwagbemi and Emmanuel Akinola Oluwagbemi both of 16, Dare Street, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Wasiu John Shoyeolu and Mr Gbenga Olayinka Shoyeolu both of 1, Mudamigoro Street, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Uche Ngozi Ikeji, Chineye Ikeji and Chinozo Ikeji all of Quarter 10, Railway Compound Lagos, widow and two chidren respectively of the said deceased.

Esther Jaiyeola , Abosede Jaiyeola, David Jaiyeola and Maria Maglo all of 68, Ibidun Street, Surulere, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Ebenezer Olasunkanmi Dada, Miss Adeniyi Oyebimpe Dada, Mr Olatayo Emmanuel Dada and Mr Olufemi James Dada all of 15, Anjorin Street, Mushin, Lagos, four of the chidren of the said deceased.

Ms Iyabo Sanni Ajao, Mr Yakubu Sanni Ajao and Mr Lateef Sanni Ajao all of 26, Ajiboye Street, Orile Agege, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Irene Ibironke Adeyemi of Plot 50A, Block K, Agbede Home of Grace Ikorodu, Lagos, Mr Adewale Judge Adegboyega of 6, Agnes Kalejaiye Street, Agbede, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Bunmi Enikanoselu and Oluwaseun Enikanoselu both of 10, Adetia Street, Makoko Yaba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Iyabo Salimon and Yusuf Salimon both of 11, Okusaga Street, Ilupeju Palmgrove ,two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Elizabeth Adedayo Olumoye of 23, Oluwaseun Street, Agric Ikorodu, Lagos and Mr Taiwo Ademola Olumoye of 37, Olabisi Street, Ojota, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Onojake Ufuoma Peace, Onojake Peter and Onojake Mac all of 314, Old Ojo Road, Oluti, Lagos, widow and two brothers respectively of the said deceased.

Okoli Kenneth Ikenna and Okoli Ngozi Lilian both of 5, David Close, NPF, Satellite Town, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Christiana Ifeoma Ezulike and Mr Obinna Daniel Ezulike both of 1, Ojo Oniru Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mojisola Ogunmuyiwa and Adedotun Ogunmuyiwa both of 3, Jebba Street, Ebute Metta (East), Lagos widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Edith Ozor and Godwin Ozor both of 33, Surulere Street, Afromedia Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Akinwole Akinlolu Kayode and Akinwole Temidayo both of RHS Quarters, RCCG Camp Ogun State, two of the children of the said deceased.

Daramola Lihadi, Daramola Tinuke, Daramola Kehinde and Daramola Idowu all of 12, Arufa Street, Ojo, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

Jinadu Rashidi, Modinatu Jinadu and Jinadu Rafiu all of 20, Olawunmi Street, Oworonsoki , Lagos, two of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Anastasia Abeni Latinwo, Mr Augustus Babajide Latinwo and Mr Oladotun Latinwo all of 7, Dele Ashiru Crescent Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos widow , one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Esther Opaluwa and Rita Aladi Opaluwa both of House 28, Road 815, Area 8, Opic Estate, Agbara Ogun State, widow and daughter respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Okafor Maduabuchi Damian and Miss Okafor Chioma Rosemary both of 43, Akiwowo Street, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Lagos, father and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Olubunmi Isaac Adeolu of 21, Adeyemo Street, Akesan and Akintade I.A. of 49, Oni Street, Akowonjo, Lagos widower and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Joy Anyiam Njoku and Mr Levi S. Chimezie both of 98, Mba Street, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Victoria Adebukunola Olusanya and Mr Olukoya Oluyemi Olusanya both of 12, Adenuga Bamitale Street, Ikorodu, Lagos,widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Basirat Ogunfile and Mojisola Martins both of 13D Moshalasi Street, Okoya, Ajegunle, Lagos, widow and mother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Victoria Kaduru and Mr Kelechi Kaduru both of 8, Moshalashi Street, Lasa Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Oyindasola Robinson and Mr Abayomi Akin Olugbemi both of 5, Temple Road, Ikoyi Penthouse Flat, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Adijatu Abudula and Kafayat Abudulai both of 40, Awoseni Street, Somolu, Lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said decased.

Ms Oluseyi Banjo and Mrs Olufunke Thomas Nee Banjo both of 51, Oyekan Road, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mojisola Ajayi of 12, Olusesan Ajayi Lane, Ijaye Ojokoro, Lagos, and Olumide Ajayi of Plot 22, Latola Estate Alagbole Akute , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Becker E. Oseji, Marcel Ifechukwudenu O. and Sonia Ekenen Oseji all of Egbeyemi Close, Alimosho Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, widower, father and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ijeoma Ogbuji of Assemblies of God Church Ajara Vetho Badagry, and Jonathan Ogbuji of 15, Eniola Street, Idi Oro Mushin, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Queen Johnson Iroroworuoh and Mr Mike Johnson Iroroworuoh both of 21, Salami Saibu Street, Palmgrove Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Momoh Raphael of 13, Kajola Estate, Otun Akute, Ogun State and Momoh Eric of 4, Edeofow Quarters Ayaoghene Uzairue Auchi Edo State, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mercy Sunday Edet of Ukama Ikot Akpan Ifia Essien Udim Local Government Area Mother of the said deceased.

Moses Oyedele Oluwole and Oyedele Kolawole both of No. 10, Ayoola Edun Street, Agbado Crossing Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Obizue Chinonso and Obizue Donatus both of 26, Aka Road, Okoko, two brothers of the said deceased.

Babarinde Bilikisu, Babarinde Afusat, Babarinde Saheed all of 9, Emmanuel Street, Off Oworu Hospital Palm grove Onipanu, Lagos, two widows and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Janet Odoko and Oghenekaro Odoko both of 83, Ibeshe Road, Owode Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Hassan Sidikat Bolanle and Hassan Jamiu Adeshina both of 5, College Road, Oyemekun Bus Stop, Ifako Ijaiye , Lagos , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ololade Fashola and Simisola Fashola both of 3rd Avenue, 311 Road, House 2, Festac Village, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Bassey Asukwo Edok and Gift Eno Edet Ntokidom, both of 11, Akinlawon Street, Ijesa Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Nosiru Rafiat Bolanle and Nosiru Azeez Oluwasunbo both of 26, Salami Ojerinde Street, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Alagbile Isaac and Tosin Alagbile both of 4, Iyari Close, Idimu, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Akeem Taiwo and Kudirat Muees Taiwo both of 5, Jezza Street, Egbeda, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mr Titus Ugwu of 16, Abukuru Street, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos and Mrs Patricia Madu of 20, Uzor Street, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Olusola Kingsley and Mrs Adenike Adeyemo both of No. 6, Dapson Street, Oke Ira Ogba, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Funlayo Kadri , Miss Ayodele Alamutu, Miss Adebimpe Alamutu and Mr Adebayo Alamutu all of 26A, Fola Osibo Street, Lekki 1, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Grace Ebele Erughe and Lucky Erughe both of No. 10, Oyindamola Street, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Oladimeji Funmilayo and Mr Oladimeji Oluwapelumi both of New site (Royal Estate Mowe Ibafo, M.F.M. Prayer City) two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Rashidat Akinfenwa of No. 18, Kareem Street, Isheri Ojodu, Lagos, Mr Isiaq Alani of No. 6,Natwins Sango Ota, Mr Hammed Alani and Mr Idris Alani both of 17, Kewulere Street, Pleasure Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

Emmanuel Oluwaseyi Daniel and Mrs Bosede Asaolu both of 2, Solomon Close, Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, widower and mother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Dorathy Nwaego Agwu and Mr Promise Chijioke Agwu both of 6, Nimota Shitta Bey Awoyaya Ibeju Lekki, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Daramola Mojisola and Egbodo Omolola both of 83, Ikorodu Road, Idera, Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Monday Agbontan and Oluchukwu Agbontan both of 2, Oluwaseun Street, Mile 12, Lagos, two of the chidren of the said deceased.

Adebayo Omowunmi Ajibola of 32, Ojokoro Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, and Animashaun Abiola Olakemi of 23, Ogungbaiye Street, Luth Road, Mushin, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

Mrs Elizabeth Oluwabola Atiba of Block 2, Plot 5, Ifesowapo Moro Village and Mrs Oluwaseun Omotayo Ojo of 18, Oyebamiji Mustapha Street, Orogun , Ibadan, widow and sister respectively of the aid deceased.

Chidima Eze and Ngozi Eze both of Block 3, Flat 24, Adekunle Police Barrack Ebute Metta, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Ifeoma Udegbunam and Mr Christopher Udegbunam both of 6, Helen Ajayi Close, Igando, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (EQS.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

17

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

•Tukur voting at the PDP convention in March.

•(R) Oyinlola and Prof. Adeniran at the convention.

Things are falling apart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where key officials are busy fighting to assert their hold on the party’s structure. National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola are literally at war. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE captures the intrigues in this report.

Can Jonathan reconcile Tukur, Oyinlola?

T

HE administration is young. It is just a little more than two months in office. But, a crisis of confidence has hit the officials and the organs can not meet to plan the way forward. At the centre of the battle is the National Chairman, a 77-year old businessman from Adamawa State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and the National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a retired General and ex-governor of Osun State. Last week, President Goodluck Jonathan and party elders intervened in the crisis. Apparently, the immediate crisis was resolved, but there are indications that the combatants are plotting the next steps to take.

At issue are moves to come up with strategies for the choice of candidates ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

Oyinlola chose to fight the battle directly. Tukur chose to fight by proxy-through his ex-Chief of Staff, Alhaji Habu Fari. On the surface, therefore, it is a clash between Oyinlola and Fari. Oyinlola had complained that the Chief of Staff who was appointed by the chairman, had been trying to usurp the administrative duties of the national secretary.

Particularly, the former Osun State governor was miffed by a situation where correspondences to chairmen of state chapters were being directly communicated by Tukur through Fari without input from him. In his memo to the chairman, Oyinlola had stated that the position of chief of staff does not exist in the party’s administrative structure.

To his discomfiture, it was Fari who replied his memo, a development which was said to have infuriated Oyinlola the more. Fari had queried Oyinlola’s action, stating that every assignment he (Fari) undertook on behalf of the party was at the instance of the national chairman.

He stated in the memo: “All letters written by me, including the one you mentioned, were done and dispatched on the authority of the national chairman. I sincerely believe that the correspondence was in good faith and without any calculated attempt to undermine your office as you misrepresented. For your information, there was no correspondence in effect carried out by me without the directives of the national chairman. You may need to cross check in order to ascertain my source of authority”.

In his protest memo, which he addressed to the chairman, Oyinlola had stressed the need for Tukur to impress it on Fari to be guided by the in-house establishment manual in the discharge of his duties as an appointed aide.

Replying, Fari said:“I want to visit your persistent emphasis on the establishment manual and your attempt to recognise it far above the constitution of the party. In order to educate you substantially, the constitution comes first

above the establishment manual and any regulations governing the party. The establishment manual which we produced in the year 2000, before you joined the party, was with the singular intention to run the national secretariat smoothly. The said establishment manual is currently under review. It was reviewed by the immediate past National Working Committee without its adoption by the National Executive Committee, hence, its present review status”.

Fari added: “For the fact that the document is to be reviewed has given room for consistent input to accommodate new ideas for the best interest of our great party. I would like to remind you that my appointment as the chief of staff to the national chairman was strictly at his (Tukur’s) pleasure. I do not think there is any guiding regulations or law that prohibits the national chairman from doing so”.

However, worried by the crisis and its effects on the image of the PDP, the leadership of the party embarked on a damage control mission. Briefing reporters on the crisis, National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh admitted that there was indeed a crack, but added that the leadership of the party had resolved the differences amicably.

According to him, the crisis arose as a result of contending interests scrambling for the attention of the national chairman. Metuh stated that it was resolved at the highest level that the national chairman was at liberty to delegate official responsibilities to any of his aides or anybody of his choice.

But inside sources have revealed that the chairman and the secretary may have been working at cross purposes ahead

‘The Tukur group is said to favour continuity of the present arrangement with Jonathan at the presidency, while on the other the Oyinlola group is said to have reasoned that going by the poor performance and public perception of the administration, there is need for a change of baton’

of the 2015 elections. While the former is said to have opted to support President Goodluck Jonathan for the PDP presidential ticket, the latter is reported to be interested in a different candidate. The division is said to have permeated the party hierarchy down the line, with two separate groups lining behind the two gladiators in supremacy battle. On one hand, the Tukur group is said to favour continuity of the present arrangement with Jonathan at the Prsidency.

On the other hand, the Oyinlola group is said to have reasoned that going by the poor performance and public perception of the administration, there is need for a change of baton, if the party is to make any significant impact in the 2015 elections.

Amid the disagreement, a another media report has indicated that a power bloc in the PDP is already considering a joint presidential ticket between Vice President Namadi Sambo and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The group was reported to have met in Johannesburg, South Africa a few days ago with key members of the party’s national working committee in attendance. According to the report, President Jonathan was said to have got wind of the meeting and dispatched Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson to South Africa to monitor the group’s activities.

The meeting was said to have been attended by some state governors elected on the platform of the PDP, some members of the National Assembly and some aides of the vice president.

Metuh, however, would not entertain questions on the emergence of the group, stating rather, that the entire leadership of the party will continue to be loyal to the President. Observers have noted the trend in the party since the PDP got to power in 1999. There was no love lost between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his erstwhile deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a vicious succession battle that almost tore the party apart. It was a similar situation between the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua and the then Vice President Jonathan. But the in-fighting between Yar’Adua and Jonathan only came to light during the protracted illness of the late President when his wife and a few aides attempted to resist Jonathan’s ascendancy to the Presidency when it became obvious that Yar’Adua would not be able to make it back to his duty post. His eventual death in 2010 resolved what was then becoming a contrived constitutional crisis that saw the nation marching on a pot.

Analysts are of the view that, given the antecedents of the party and its leaders, the last may not have been heard of the festering crisis in the ruling party.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

18

POLITICS

‘PDP has no answer to national challenges’

By Jeremiah Oke

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no answer to insecurity and economic challenges confronting the country, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Adeniyi Adeagbo, has said.

Adeagbo, a party leader from Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, said only the ACN can steer the ship of the country to progress.

He said: “Having observed the almost dismal performance of the ruling party in the country, in the next dispensation, the People Democratic Party (PDP) will cave in as Nigerians are fed up with the high level of insecurity and economic challenges facing them and the PDP seems to have no answers to these vital issues in the country.

“People are tired of PDP, if they have choice they would have forced them out of office. Since they are ruling us what is their achievement?

They have failed Nigerians. They don’t have manifesto. Now the ACN is prepared to assume control of the Federal Government in the next dispensation because we have the potential as a political party and because of the quality of people that the party has. Frankly, I think it is overdue. There is always alternative in life either good or bad, or either black or white, simple. I think Nigerians have had enough of PDP,we need to try something good, and we have gone beyond having something less than excellent governance. There are few Nigerians that are genuinely passionate about the terrible condition of this country. They are distinct, competent, vibrant, dedicated, selfless and passionate people always working to ensure the greatness of the country. I believe that come 2015, Nigerians will have a cause to smile when our flag bearer emerged as the president of this country.

“Nigerians are a very intelligent and also appreciate what is good.

They will never allow themselves to be governing by visionless set of people any more. I believe the time has come for Nigerians to rise up and revolt against the mismanagement of their wealth through corruption.

“With the handwriting on the wall you can see that the time has come for us to put the right people in government. Look at the last elections, our people know that ACN will deliver them in the southwest and they voted for them. Now look at the southwest in just a year, our governors are seriously performing starting from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Edo all is because the westerners have seen the truth and they had invested in it, that is why you see the rapid development in the region.

“I know that soon Nigerians will see the reasons for the progressive to rule them. The ACN possesses the right stock of leaders equipped with the necessary tools needed to steer the destiny of this great nation towards the land of milk and honey”.

Assessing the performance of the present administration in Oyo State in the last one year, he said:“I am aware that the general perception of people is that this administration lacks “action”, that means it is too slow. But you can’t blame our people because the past administration made them believe that plenty projects of any nature, no matter how inferior, uncoordinated or irrelevant, is tantamount to progress. They had nothing to show for the good eight years they spent in Agodi.

However, I believe that the last one year in Oyo State has been a time of re-organization and re-positioning of major sectors in the state that will enable governor Ajimobi to deliver his electioneering manifesto to the good people of Oyo state.

“So, I want to urge our people to be more patient because Rome was not built in a day. All the underground work will soon start manifesting. In fact, if you look around you will see that work has commenced in all areas of development in the state especially roads construction that has been our problem for years.

“Look at the ongoing fly-over at Mokola, another bridge at Bodija, Apete Bridge, and many other major ongoing bridges and drainages in the state, the governor had also seen to the welfare of the workers in the state by paying more than the agreed minimum wage among other major project he has embark upon. Am sure all these are just the tip of the iceberg. So, I want to give him a pass mark in all aspect because he just started”.

Adeagbo said as a party elder and community leader, he owed it a duty to advise the progressive government on how to fight the infrastructure battle in the state. He said he had embraced as pastime the career of building people and mentoring youths. He added: “Well, God used people to assist me and God has also used me to assist some people in many ways, I have been doing the little I can to help other people in my area. However, I want to do more. I will continue seeking the political platform that will enable me to make tangible contributions toward the development of my people, especially at the grassroots level. I hope that one day I will be given a chance.

• Adeagbo

From Left: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; National Leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi and Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the fund raising night in support of Oshiomhole’s second term bid in Lagos.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Oshiomhole’s night of glory in Lagos

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T was a night of glory for Edo State Adams Oshiomhole as encomiums and appreciation were heaped on him for quality leadership, uncanny administrative acumen, vision, passion and commitment for reversing the status of Edo State as a stagnant and decaying state.

The atmosphere told the story, the narratives reinforced it and those present exuded the confidence that was evidently palpable. And the narrative is that the status of Edo State has changed in the last three and a half years in such a dramatic fashion under the Comrade Governor and everybody present, particularly, members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) could not but thumb their chests and blow their horns with pomp and mirth; confident that they have a sellable and of course unassailable candidate for the July 14 gubernatorial election. And the evening had been set aside to interact with the Comrade Governor and be part of the process of rebuilding Edo through commitment in cash and kind to the re-election of Oshiomhole.

A cultural group, beautifully decked in brightly coloured attire complete with coral beads at the gate entertained guests as they come. The event of the night started with an opening prayer by Apostle Hayford Alile, former DG Nigeria Stock Exchange and then introduction of Adesua Oyenekwe, one of the proud daughters of Edo as the master of ceremony for the night. It was followed by the national Anthem and recognition of dignitaries with the national Leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the chairman of the occasion while Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN as the chief host.

In a welcome remark, Chairman, Finance Committee of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation(CAOCO), Godwin Obaseki said the event was part of “a Mandate Tour for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Comrade Governor of Edo State , to interact with you and solicit your support as he embarks on his re-election campaign to continue in office for another four year term”.

He added that “Since he assumed office in 2008, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has lived up to his promise and vision to champion a new course in governance and development in Nigeria . With uncommon courage and commitment, he has focused on installing good governance, rebuilding dilapidated infrastructure, improving the quality of education and consequently creating the enabling environment to attract investments into production in Edo State “.

That theme of good governance, infrastructure development, revamping of the educational sector, healthcare delivery, transportation

By Augustine Avwode

and accountable government was to recur again and again throughout the night.

When the chairman of the occasion, Tinubu, was called to the microphone thereafter, he made it clear that neither the party nor the people of Edo State would tolerate any hanky-panky game that would rob the electorate in the state like it happened in 2007 before the courts stepped in to restore the stolen mandate.

He described Oshiomhole as a “phenomenon in leadership who has reversed the 10 years of decay and retrogression by the previous administrations in the state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and replace it with less than four years of dynamic leadership with focus, vision, determination and commitment”.

Tinubu was particularly happy that ACN governors in their various states are performing well. “As a party, we are set on an irreversible course in all our states with radical transformation; and the great dedication being shown by all our governors is a matter of pride to all of us”.

Convinced Comrade Oshiomhole, the party’s candidate will win the July 14 gubernatorial election, he warned those who are planning to rig the election or steal the mandate of the people to desist as the party will stop such people from achieving their goals.

“We know that Adams Oshiomhole will win this election.

What we are raising money for is by what margin; to defend the mandate because we are facing the experts in fixing. But we are ready to fix the fixer.

“When you are looking for the masters of the art of electoral malpractices, go to the PDP. But what we want to do is to stop that by paying our agents very well and make them un-buyable.

“I know you are here because you love Adams Oshiomhole, you love ACN and you are proud of what we are doing. We have been asking for free and fair elections and we are still asking for it in Edo State . We know they are desperate, we know they will out spend us but we will outclass them”, Tinubu declared.

The governors of the CAN that were present all expressed satisfaction with the job done so far by Comrade Oshiomhole and urged those present to support the return bid generously and also for the people of the state to vote the party and not waste them on a another party.

First to speak was Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who in his short speech described Edo electorate as very discerning set of people who know the best candidate for them.

‘I have been very impressed with what my brother has been doing in Edo State . And I am happy because the people of Edo State love him.

They know those who did nothing in the state and the man who has been working for their best interest.

They know those who love them and they know the pretenders in the state”, he said.

In his speech, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN declared that Benin , the Edo State capital played very important role in his life having gone to the University of Benin where he read Law. He expressed joy that “after years of decay and neglect, the ancient city is once again bubbling with life, thanks to the efforts of Comrade Oshiomhole who has shown that governance is possible in Edo State.“ On his part, Oshiomhole said the documentary which was shown to the guests eloquently testifies to what his administration has done and is doing.

“We have demonstrated focus, courageous leadership and will to creatively apply the resources of the state to return it to the path of sustainable development. In Edo State we have restored self confidence, that the state is ours. People had given up as at the time we came on board; their votes no longer count because some people impose their will on them. But today, we are happy to announce that they are now politically overcooked vegetables.

“They have conceded that they don’t have what it takes to engage us, and that is why they are running to Abuja to seek external help, and that is why the election is important.

We are here because there is still a lot to be done. If Lagos is working there is no reason why Edo should not work”, he declared.

Among the dignitaries from all walks of life that we present at the occasion include the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, governors of Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Mrs Laoye Tomori.

Others are Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Tom Ikimi, national Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Senator Chris Ngige, Prof Pat Utomi, Lagos State Chairman of the party Chief Henry Ajomale, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Aremo Segun Osoba, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN, Ricky Tafa SAN, Mrs Sola David-Borha, MD/CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Tee Mac, Commissioners from the ACN controlled states among others.

An elated Oshiomhole beamed with smile all through and exuded the confidence of a man whose closest challenger in a race is 100 kilometres behind him. It has been for him a night of glory in Lagos , the state which prides itself as the Centre of Excellence.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

The political contrast

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The way out •FG should engender competition, not issue tepid appeals on cement price

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AST week, President Goodluck Jonathan was on hand to renew his plea to local cement manufacturers to bring down the price of the commodity. The occasion was the inauguration of Dangote Cement’s latest addition – the 5.25 million tonnes a year production line at Obajana, Kogi State. The President said this was the only way to transfer the success of the backward integration policy of the Federal Government, which has increased local cement production, to the consumers.

The coming of the new line, the third, takes the plant capacity to 10.25 million tonnes a year. The President, understandably, spoke in context.

Only last December, he also commissioned Lafarge WAPCO’s 2.5 million metric tonnes plant in Ewekoro, Ogun State, to raise the output from the plant to eight million metric tonnes per annum. Today, national demand is put around 18 million metric tonnes per annum. When the output from the nation’s cement plants is pooled together, the indication is one of substantial narrowing of the Demand-Supply gap.

The closing of the gap – said to have been responsible for the high price of past years – naturally constitutes the basis of the expectation of prices going down.

This, unfortunately, has not happened. Cement price continues to defy gravity with the ruling price still within the N1,800 per bag band – from the N600 per bag it sold barely a

decade ago. For the manufacturers, it is the same old song of logistical nightmare in an industry that has come to depend almost entirely on the road infrastructure to move their bulk products to the market. There is also the problem of gas and power supply, both of which impinge directly on their capacity and competitiveness, and no less, the macro-economic variables of exchange rate fluctuations, unstable interest rate regimes which they claim, compound their woes.

Naturally, we expected – if only for the purposes of the balancing act that the President would have some soothing words for the cement producers on those. He didn’t.

Of course, while those inclement conditions persist, it would be unrealistic to expect the manufacturers not to reflect these in the pricing of their product.

But then, one important factor, less acknowledged in the cement price debate, is the issue of the oligopoly ruling the cement market. While our indigenous investors have done fairly well to boost output of cement, we cannot but voice our concern about the current situation in which one producer alone would account for some 70 percent share of the market.

The danger here is that the consumer will almost certainly, never be king as would be expected under true competition.

As it is, the Federal Government may have been too eager to advertise

its achievements in the area of increased local capacity to the point of neglecting the early warning signs of a creeping oligopoly. Part of the tragedy, unfortunately, is that the government appears to have surrendered all options to tame the monster and to ensure a balanced growth of the industry.

The issue of cement prices therefore goes beyond issuing tepid appeals to manufacturers – appeals which, in every likelihood, would be ignored.

Since we do not have anti-trust laws at the moment, the option left for the government is to further open the market to willing investors. There is no question about it: true competition remains the only way to bring down prices –whether in the short or in the long run.

‘The issue of cement prices therefore goes beyond issuing tepid appeals to manufacturers – appeals which, in every likelihood, would be ignored.

Since we do not have anti-trust laws at the moment, the option left for the government is to further open the market to willing investors. There is no question about it: true competition remains the only way to bring down prices –whether in the short or in the long run’

180 days dilemma •Solution is in having credible elections that will saddle the courts with few electoral cases

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HE Supreme Court’s decision upholding Governor Gabriel Suswam’s election on mere technicality over substance once again raises the spectre of an unjust electoral and judicial process. And unless something is done concerning the time within which the court can hear an election petition, the country may just have been thrown back to the dark ages of electoral brigandage, when the end was justification for the unlawful means. Under the present system, what is needed to sustain any gross election malfeasance are intractable delays that will exhaust the time provided for a trial or an appeal.

No doubt, on this score, the country is in a dilemma. For, the present limitation

‘In the present circumstance we have to reorder our priorities.

Our politicians must decide whether they really want to sustain democracy. If they do, they must play by the rules by allowing the electorate to determine winners in a free and fair election. Moreover, the officers in the temple of justice, made up of the judges and the lawyers must rise to the demands of upholding the tenets of law and equity in dealing with election petitions’

to 180 days for the hearing of an election petition, and 60 days for an appeal was to mitigate the unending trials that saw those who did not win elections spend nearly full terms in office, just by foot- dragging on the court cases. Now, such ‘winners’ can also ensure that under the new law, they delay the trial or appeal process long enough to allow the period allowed by law to expire, and that also enables them stay in office without winning an election.

Even those who genuinely win elections can also benefit from this restriction that embarrasses the law of natural justice.

So, how would the country bail itself out of this new electoral law that just as much as the former one impacts negatively on the electoral process? Interestingly, whenever challenged over the inherent injustice in their judgments, the Supreme Court asks Nigerians to turn to the legislature for necessary amendment to the law. The legislature on its part will most likely be weighing whether reversal to the old law will not result in as much injustice as the current one, now under fire. Quite unfortunate we may say, because we have a political class that is determined to frustrate a process under which it remains the greatest beneficiary.

In the present circumstance we have to reorder our priorities. Our politicians must decide whether they really want to sustain democracy. If they do, they must play by the rules by allowing the electorate to determine winners in a free and fair election. Moreover, the officers in the temple of justice, made up of the judges and the

lawyers must rise to the demands of upholding the tenets of law and equity in dealing with election petitions. It is probably the abuse from the bench and the bar that has made a huge joke of what ordinarily is a reasonable time to dispense with an election petition and appeal; thereby making such a reasonable provision now a clog in the wheel of progress.

Unfortunately, instead of serving lady justice, many of the officers prefer to serve mere pecuniary interests.

Also, the judiciary must decide whether some of the provisions in the practice directions should become law, to mandate, for instance, that all interlocutory applications must be dispensed within a time period out of the trial days. On her part, the National Judicial Council (NJC) must rise to the challenge to bring to justice tribunal judges who clearly collaborate with litigants to delay trials unnecessarily. The same should apply to lawyers who, instead of allowing a trial, engage in all manner of subterfuge to waste the trial period.

Above all, Nigerians must also rise up to demand an end to the continual sabotage of any effort to have credible elections. To help achieve this, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, the civil society and all stake- holders must resist the perennial efforts of politicians to truncate democracy in the country. Without a credible election, coupled with a restrictive judicial system, there is the likelihood that the system will implode.

RESIDENT Obama sometimes forgets that an important speech does not have to be endless. On Thursday, appearing before supporters at a Cleveland community college, he spent 53 minutes on the stark contrast between his goals and the failed Bush-era policies that Mitt Romney is trying to resurrect. It’s hard to imagine that the speech, overgrown as it was with policy details, won the hearts of many independent voters yearning for a clear understanding of how much is at stake in November.

That doesn’t mean that the principal point Mr. Obama made on Thursday isn’t worth considerable repetition: There is no meaningful difference between the trickle-down economics of George W. Bush, rejected by the country in 2008, and the plans supported by Mr. Romney and his Republican allies in Congress. All the elements are there, from the slavish devotion to tax cuts for the rich, to a contempt for government regulation, to savage cutbacks in programs for those at the bottom.

“If you want to give the policies of the last decade another try, then you should vote for Mr. Romney,” he said. “You should take them at their word, and they will take America down this path. And Mr. Romney is qualified to deliver on that plan.”

Mr. Romney, in fact, helped reinforce the president’s point with his own speech minutes before, in which he denounced virtually all forms of regulation, from ones cleaning the air to those preventing banks from engaging in the same destructive behavior that produced the Great Recession on Mr. Bush’s watch. If only the government would get out of the way, he suggested, and stop trying to cover those without health insurance, or keep the groundwater clean, then jobs would magically reappear.

Of course, that didn’t happen when Mr. Bush tried it; painfully slow job growth was followed by a recession that shed nine million jobs. The proposals made by Mr. Obama in Cleveland are more likely to put people back to work: invest more money in education, job training and rebuilding infrastructure. Focus more on developing new energy sources than pulling globewarming coal from the ground. Lower the deficit through higher taxes on the rich, which could lead to a pact to cut spending responsibly.

The Republican recalcitrance on taxes has led to a Washington stalemate that the president referred to eight times in his speech, saying it can be broken only by the voters. But Mr. Obama’s reelection cannot, by itself, end the impasse. It is once his opponents’ free-market ideas are fully seen to be bankrupt that Congress will either change or begin acting in the country’s interest.

Breaking the grip of these ideas truly is, as Mr. Obama said Thursday, “a make-or-break moment for America’s middle class.”

And it is there that Mr. Obama still has not made his case. Mr. Romney’s entire campaign rests on a foundation of short, utterly false sound bites.

The stimulus failed. (Three million employed people beg to differ.) The auto bailout was a mistake. (Another million jobs.) Spending is out of control. (Spending growth is actually lower than under all modern Republican presidents.) He says these kinds of things so often that millions of Americans believe them to be the truth.

It is hard to challenge these lies with a wellreasoned-but-overlong speech — just as, in an odd juxtaposition, Mr. Obama failed to make his case for his Afghanistan policy in a speech in May that was both too short and too shallow. The president has less than five months to find a way to make a vital message sink in.

– New York Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: How did we get to this abominable sorry pass? At our political independence in 1960, Nigeria showed a lot of promise, what with its abundant human and material resources, and visionary leadership obtainable in the country, then. But, Nigeria, as it is now, is not the country Alhaji Tafewa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe fought for and dreamt about. These nationalists offered us qualitative and visionary leadership, although they had their idiosyncratic peccadilloes and human weaknesses.

Since the demise of the first republic, leadership crisis and bad political leadership have put Nigeria in developmental abeyance. The military with their messianic complex devastated the country, economically. Till now, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda has not told us how he spent the billions of naira that accrued from the oil gulf wind-fall?

Babangida institutionalized corruption in the country. Today, corrup-

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Nigerians need moral regeneration tion has taken root in Nigeria, and has grown into a big tree, whose boughs and branches ruled the airspace. More so, he aborted the third republic, with its immeasurable consequences. General Sani Abacha, who combined kleptomania with sanguinary proclivities, killed members of the opposition and stole us blind.

Nigeria has been enjoying democratic governance for 13 unbroken years. We had seen the successful transfer of power from one civilian government to other. But, are Nigerians enjoying the dividends of democracy? Have the standards of living of Nigerians improved since

democracy dawned and berthed on our shore in 1999? The answer is a categorical no. Nigerians are suffering in the midst of oil-wealth whereas the thieving politicians who occupy the corridors of power swim in unimaginable wealth.

Nigerians seek political power not to serve their country and bring development to it, but for self-aggrandizement and to accumulate wealth.

The news of the police pension scam fund was followed by the startling revelations about the fuel subsidy business. People received money for fuel they didn’t import. Now, the probe instituted to unravel what actually happened is compromised by

allegation and sordid tale of bribery. What a country?

Can Nigeria develop in the face of the magnitude of corruption existing in Nigeria today? Corruption cuts across all strata of our society.

Here, parents buy admissions for their children to study Law and Medicine in universities. Mediocrity has overthrown meritocracy in Nigeria. So, we have square pegs in round holes in bureaucracy in Nigeria. Nepotism, cronyism and bribery and corruption are factors that determine those who secure employments in federal establishments in Nigeria. So, can these ill-educated civil servants articulate and formu-

House scandal and the shame of a nation

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IR: I wish to comment on the recent bribery allegation against the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the fuel subsidy probe, Honourable Farouk Lawan.

The story of Lawan should be a big lesson for all. He led the integrity group in the House that was instrumental to lots of leadership changes in the House with the aims of fighting corruption. Now the arrester has been arrested. What next? I watched as Hon. Patrica Etteh, the former speaker weep openly when the Integrity Group brought her down on allegations of corruption. Hon Bankole went same way. Whatever you sow, you shall reap.

The $600,000 bribery scandal scandal involving Lawan and Femi Otedola is a clear indication of a country engraved in corruption.

When the subsidy probe committee was constituted and the proceedings were broadcast live on national television stations, I watched daily with keen interest, trusting that our nation was set to be sanitized of corruption. Along the line the capital market probe was set up; I also celebrated. But to my surprise, the pioneer chairman was consumed by bribery allegation. What a nation? What a shame.

Meanwhile, when Nigerians gathered at the Late Gani

Fawehinmi park at Ojota, Lagos in January to protest against the removal of subsidy and the increased in fuel price, the government said it was masterminded by opposition.

When the report was eventually presented and adopted by the House and some powerful people were indicted, I thought our nation was on the right path.

The Save Nigeria Group (SNG) had given President Goodluck Jonathan an ultimatum to implement the report and prosecute those who were indicted. I wonder what would be going on in the mind of Pastor Tunde Bakare the convener of the (SNG) right now,

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with the latest development. What a shame of a nation.

When Hon Farouk denied the allegation and said his voice or image was manipulated on the recorded device, the word of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu the former EFCC chairman came to my mind.

He said; and I quote; “when you fight corruption, corruption would fight back at you”. I thought this was the case with Hon. Lawan until I read in the dailies that he admitted collecting the money to expose Otedola. What an irony. He moved a motion in the floor of the House for some amendment to be made and he never reported or included the bribery allegation or display the

money openly for his colleague to see. When attempt was made to bribe the former speaker Mr Gali Na Aba, he brought the money in cash to the floor of the house for all to see. When Nuhu Ribadu former chairman of EFCC was bribed, he took the cash to CBN. Where is the cash collected from Otedola’s by Hon. Lawan deposited?

As the drama unfolds, allegation and counter allegations; we hope that the truth will be unveiled for the whole nation and the world to know. The bribery allegation must not prevent those indicted from being prosecuted.

•Ilesanmi Dowoni Lagos Island, Lagos.

late policies that will revamp our economy and position the country for sustainable growth?

Nigerians believe that they can achieve success through corrupt practices. So, they cut corners and circumvent rules and regulations. In Nigeria, people who engage in abominable deeds are hailed to high heavens while men of integrity and probity are called fools. If you fail to build mansions in your country home, and own fleet of exotic jeeps after serving as a local government chairman, your kinsmen will pillory you consider you to be a sucker.

Our noble societal values have been eroded in our quest to accumulate wealth.

Religious leaders who should check the excesses of the people are found wanting in their cardinal responsibility of effecting moral regeneration among us. Instead of preaching holiness and righteous living, religious leaders emphasise the indispensability of wealth in our lives and the formula for making money.

Nigerians practice their religions without righteousness. Again, love is the foundation of every religion in Nigeria; but, is it love that propelled practicing Christians and Muslims who occupy governmental posts to divert funds earmarked for projects into their private bank accounts? Is it love that motivated some practicing Christians and Muslim to kill others for ritual moneymaking? Nigerians who are without patriotic feelings cannot drive developmental initiatives in Nigeria. What Nigerians need now is moral regeneration. Christian and Muslim clerics should steer Nigerians to the path of moral rectitude, and effect moral regeneration among us.

•Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

Averting future air disasters

IR: It was devastating to hear that Nigeria experience another fatal air crash on Sunday June 3, at Iju-Ishaga,Lagos State, which claimed the lives of innocent and promising 147 passengers and six crew members together with many people on ground. It is very apparent that lives is too cheap in Nigeria and we love to give medicine after death.

It was a wicked and absolute waste of precious dearly loved ones in an avoidable crash that has been predicted by many, even by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Abia State, few weeks ago as a fatalistic

disaster waiting to happen.

When shall we learn to do things right and learn to do right things in Nigeria at all times? It is painful that in Nigeria, human lives does not count in our estimation. We value money more than lives and lay premiun on profit than safety.

Or what can one say of the allegation that the ill-fated aircraft suffered hydraulic failure in the past on many occassions and had difficulties in landing? Yet air traffic regulators certified it as airworthy.

This is one crash too many; the government must rise to its responsibilities to get at the root cause of

this disaster, and offer severe punishment to anybody found culpable in the mishap.

This is an auspicious time for the Nigerian government to prove to the international community that it is there to protect the citizens.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) cannot claim innocence in this particular crash. In France, the seismologists who failed to foresee the earthquake in the country that eventually killed 300 people, were slated for trial for criminal negligence by the French government last year. The Nigeria government should show commitment by

being proactive in taking matters of safety of lives of citizens with all seriousness, after all, Abraham Lincoln once counselled that ‘’don’t take casual approach to life, because casualness leads to casuality’’.

We have taken casual approach to life too much in this country and it is time the regulatory authorities rise to display thier professionalism and patriotism by ensuring the right tests and checks are carried out and all other airline aircrafts properly audited to avert future calamities.

• Pastor Mark Debo Taiwo, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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N April 3, ace Juju musician and Easter, child-christening, fuculture icon, Ebenezer Obey neral, weddings – was comturned 70. But very sad, on May plete without Obey’s hit albums, four in a year, each of 28, Mrs Ngozi Agbo, The Nation’s Camwhich marketers promptly pus Life section trail blazer, died while pitched as “new release”. But giving birth, though the boy she gave while Sunny was the quinteslife lives. sential entertainer, Obey was In a country of one day, one scandal, the thoughtful singer-philosothe commentator is too busy railing Olakunle pher and composer, in the against the latest scandal in town, or lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola mould of Briton Jim Reeves bemoaning the latest tragedy, to care and Americans Don Williams about authentic heroes, without whose and Dolly Parton, powerful sterling qualities the situation could singers whose delightful muhave been much worse. That is the fate sic captured the mood of their of this golden duo, though separated era: the joy, the sadness, the wisby no less than 34 years in age (Obey is 70, and still a living legend; Ngozi died at 36). dom and the folly. It is the classic music as history!

When the Chief Commander of Nigeria’s Juju music (and I met Ngozi when all the high gaiety and feisty of the 1970s arch-moderniser of that musical genre, with his illustrious and early 1980s had become paradise lost (to parody the Engcontemporary and rival King Sunny Ade), turned 70, the lish epic poet, John Milton.) It was 1994. The parties of the oil media, outside the entertainment media, should have stood boom years had ended. Even the second oil boom of the still to salute this icon. In any case, Ripples felt the compulShehu Shagari era had left the nation numb and distraught, sion to celebrate Obey’s long and golden career, the sheer like one just coming out of a terrible hangover of excessive impact of his music, the sheer strength of his personality in booze. a showbiz world replete with fickleness and vainglorious The elders had partied and feasted. And they had left Ngozi scandals, and of course, his trademark compassion towards and her generation with the short end of the stick. According his band members, not to talk of his band management to Steve Osuji, former editor of New Age and currently Editosavvy. But alas, negative news kept breaking! rial Board member and columnist with The Nation, Ngozi was Ngozi died on Monday, May 28, the Monday preceding among the rookies headhunted for the new newspaper. Ngozi the tragic Dana crash of Sunday, June 3. With May 29 came had no journalism training, save the in-house workshops the the Unilag/Maulag debate; and with the June 3 air crash newspaper arranged. All she had was a second class upper came the grief and mass but understandable hysteria over degree in English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka the carnage. Even now, the US $3 million bribery scandal (UNN). involving House of Representatives ranking member, Yet, our meeting pledge was her declared ambition: to beLawan Farouk and oil marketer, Femi Otedola is rocking come Nigeria’s first female political editor. But I told her that the polity. But then, Ngozi goes home tomorrow in Lagos; was already taken: Mrs Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo had been politi•Obey •Ngozi and everything must be suspended to give her her dues. cal editor at Daily Times, before moving on to manage the Ripples met Ngozi in 1994 at the New Age newspaper. She Singing Nightingale (Tunde Nightingale, for short). So, an defunct Sketch newspapers in Ibadan. was a rookie but versatile reporter of politics. But Ebenezer argument raged on who to invite of the pair. But another By the time Ngozi died, her focus had changed: instead of Obey I had met quite early in life, sometime back in 1969, auntie, and an Onadipe grandchild, kept on insisting in Ijebu: wasting so much reason and emotion on a lost generation of as a very small child.

“Obey ma nsere! Obey ma nsere!” [That Obey can play!] never-do-well leaders, she would rather focus on grooming “Ye-mi” (Ijebu for “My Mother”), the matriarch of the So, on the night, I stole to the bandstand. “Booda [Elder]” I and mentoring future leaders, youths who would feel reviled Onadipe clan of Erigo, near Ijebu-Ode, Madam Semowo asked. “S’eyin ni Ebenezer Obey” [“Are you Ebenezer Obey”]? A enough to change the Nigerian situation. That was the crux of Onadipe, aka Iya Olobi, had died; and it was her all-night tall, gentle and smiling man, with a handsome, almost angelic her last column published on May 24. And that was the misfuneral party. She was maternal great-grandmother. It face, beamed down at me. “Yes” he said with a nod, and the sion of her Campus Life journalistic odyssey. was during the Civil War (1967-1970), so it was not the best kindest smile I had ever seen. That was my first contact with Ngozi is gone. But her many journalistic children, the cream of memories, even for a boy not yet in his teens.

Obey. of tomorrow, scattered all over Nigeria’s tertiary campuses, Though the guns boomed in the Biafran enclave hundreds During the Civil War years, Obey and Sunny, would contribremain. They are the futuristic soldiers that may well earn of miles away, you felt the Civil War by the prowling Kukuru ute their own quota to the great war efforts, with propaganda their nation redemption.

(Civil) Defence operatives in their blue and red-collared lyrics, lionising Gowon and the Nigerian side; but demonising Obey and Ngozi belong to two generations. Obey has lived uniforms, as they prowled the night and taught the houseOjukwu and his luckless Biafrans. But from 1971 or therealong, ageing gracefully. Ngozi had appeared and vanished in hold how to drape electric bulbs with cardboards, lest the bouts, Obey came fully to his own. By 1972 when he released a flash. Nigerians who know the duo, no matter how long or piercing lights attracted Ojukwu’s prowling bombs! the classic Board Members, the songster with the sonorous spirit short they lived, would testify to their creditable contribuThe best acts in those years were the immortal Isaiah of the age had arrived! tions to the Nigerian project.

Kehinde (Ik) Dairo and the bird-like songster, Tunde the He would belt out hit after hit; and no festivity – Christmas, They are the authentic heroes.

epublican ipples

To authentic heroes: Ngozi and Obey Feedback

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UDOS to the Nigeria Police – the weeklong “manhunt” for the alleged principal receiver of Femi Otedola’s $620,000 bribe money, Mr. Integrity Lawan Farouk, ended on a “good note”. The man turned himself in last Thursday before the police could make good their threat to declare him wanted.

Apart from the little matter of obduracy – his insistence on not turning over the bribe money said to have been subject of a month-long exchange of correspondence between him and the police, nothing of the anticipated drama of escape took place. Not even the now familiar gymnastics of an accused rushing to the courts to secure permanent injunctions to restrain the police or other security agencies from arrests or threats of it!

As for the bribe money; that, it seems, would remain a mystery for some time. The weekend raid on the Apo Legislative Quarters home of the embattled parliamentarian didn’t appear to have yielded much, with newspapers at the weekend putting the amount recovered at a measly $10,000; even then it remains unclear when any of the notes formed part of the $500,000 “marked notes” which the lawmaker allegedly collected. Would the Nigeria Police need to declare a cash-hunt to complete its rite of investigations? We wait.

Of course, that is how messy the whole business has become. Hardly surprising though that the police, through the combination of its legendary tardiness and incompetence had sought to muddle up what is ordinarily a straight-forward matter of illicit transaction between the giver and the receiver of a bribe. Even when the giver has confessed to paying a bribe –with marked notes – and the receiver has equally admitted to keeping bribe money in his custody, we are still expected to wait for the police to “conclude investigations”.

While it lasts, the media, it needs to be equally conceded, has barely beamed enough of its searchlight on the sloppiness, the bungling incompetence, and the emerging complicity of the covert agency of the Nigerian state – the State Security Service (SSS) – in the grand scheme to compromise if not entirely subvert the legislature.

Yes, there has been a lot of talk about the so-called plot of many parts scripted by a greedy, morally bankrupt, irredeemably corrupt and utterly contemptible players and actors to do the subsidy probe report in. The media, unfortunately, is not nearly halfdone to lay bare the role of the state covert agency and the possible links with the executive branch in the unfolding saga. It is of course in order for the executive to deny complicity – either in the subterranean plot to

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Faroukgate: Questions all the way junk the subsidy report, or the alleged plot to destabilise the leadership of the House. The question is – what does the evidence suggest?

At the heart of the saga is the $620,000 cash said to have handed over to Otedola by the SSS in what is now touted as a “sting operation”.

Now, shouldn’t Nigerians be alarmed at the suggestion that professional covert agency maintains a “sting account” from where cash could be drawn to settle petty squabbles involving the corrupt few? I ask this question because of the troubling silence of the agency ever since the scandal broke.

Moreover, since when has it become the tradition of a covert agency to play second fiddle in a sting operation as in the present case where a citizen known to have close links with the highest echelons of the administration would become the custodian of vital evidence in a messy business of a sting-op?

Even if it seems absolutely implausible that the state agency would be recruited by Mr Otedola to do his dirty jobs, could the agency not be reasonably adjudged as having aided and abetted the devious plot if only for the reason of going to sleep after handing over the slush funds?

And to imagine now that what we have as evidence of the orchestrated sting operation are the private recordings of the main dramatis personae. It couldn’t get worse that a so-called sting operation, which by the way, involved the use of state funds, has now constituted the sole weapon of blackmail, seized by a rapacious, conscienceless operator to settle personal scores. The latest act of suborning state institutions to private ends comes across to me as a new

low in the nation’s determined march to regression.

As it is, nothing can be more laughable than the report that Nigeria Police is frantically looking for the $620,000 provided by a supposed sister agency. Should anyone be surprised to hear at some point that no such thing as the alleged $620,000 bribe money actually existed?

Tell me – if the police finally declare that they could find no trace of the money, where then would the proof be found that the money actually existed? In the much hyped video –which for now remains the exclusive preserve of the conniving actors? And only just now, a lawyer actually informed me that the so-called electronic evidence being bandied about by Otedola – is actually less than worthless – not admissible in court!

Common, in Nigeria, everything is a joke!

I say, let the music play on. The multi-billion dollars Ponzi petrol subsidy scheme run by the Nigerian state to fleece hapless citizens may have been where it all started, it seems certain that it will not end there. While Nigerians may stand rightly accused of indifference, they are certainly no fools. Farouk Lawan and company may be as guilty as hell of the elite disease of self-help; those now gloating over his fate would be tragically mistaken to imagine that Nigerians do not know those who authored the script, or the sequence and direction of play.

I hope that the leadership of the House of Representatives appreciates that they have just been handed another urgent national duty: to thoroughly investigate the affair, particularly the role of state institutions in the mess. This duty, I must say, stems from the imperative to assert its corporate integrity as an independent arm of government, and to serve notice to the executive that it would not tolerate its meddling in its affairs.

As for those who fear for the fate of the fuel subsidy report, they need not worry. Ever heard about aborting a baby after it was born? Not even in Nigeria where just anything is possible.

‘It couldn’t get worse that a socalled sting operation, which by the way, involved the use of state funds, has now constituted the sole weapon of blackmail, seized by a rapacious, conscienceless operator to settle personal scores’

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HINGS are getting back to normal or getting back to business as usual in our aviation industry as Nigerians, especially air travelers, begin to get over the unfortunate crash of DANA AIr flight 9J-922, a stone throw from the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, its final destination on June 3, 2012.

Neither crew nor passengers, both put at 153 survived the accident. Some deaths were also recorded on ground as the aircraft crashed into a building around Iju/Ishaga area of Lagos.

Passengers are trooping back to our airports again and the airlines, with the exception of DANA which expectedly has been grounded, are doing their business as if nothing happened. Well, don’t blame them, that is the nature of the industry. Even some people who lost dear ones in the crash did not stop or postpone the events to which those unfortunate souls were invited to attend. Such is life. Learnt the family wedding which brought the Anyene’s home from the US went ahead as scheduled, their death in the crash notwithstanding.

As Nigerian air travelers return to the sky, questions are still being asked as to what caused the DANA crash. While most of the suggested likely causes are in the realm of speculation which has no place in aircraft accident investigation, one particular likely cause caught my attention last week as I was going through one of our national dailies. The headline/story suggested that contaminated fuel caused the two engines of the MD 83 aircraft to fail, cutting off the aircraft power supply thus leaving the pilot with no other option than to crash the air plane. At this stage of investigation, this is premature and deserves no serious public debate until and unless confirmed by report of accident investigators. But then as I moved to the next story my mind went back to a story about aviation fuel I read sometime ago and i became worried.

Aviation fuel commonly known as Jet A1 is just like the normal kerosine our wives/moth-

‘The industry is suffering the death of Nigeria Airways now.

I don’t know if any of our airlines here is investing in Nigerian pilots as most of their cockpits are manned by foreign pilots. Nigeria Airways used to train or rather fund the training of student pilots at NCAT Zaria then and then employ them on graduation’

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HE advantage of SIM (subscriber identity module) card registration has been severally canvassed in many quarters.

Whenever SIM card registration is mentioned, my mind goes to the idea about how this will help Nigeria track different types of criminals who seize the opportunity undocumented use of SIM card in Nigeria to their advantage.

In a country where security is of major concern, the idea of SIM card registration becomes important but how do you tackle this without any known records in the country that could be relied upon to crosscheck or verify data even when criminals are caught.

As the idea of mobile money transfer and cashless society creeps into our environment, it cannot be imagined how this can become possible without reliable records. In most countries where cashless society is entrenched, dependency on available citizen records has been the major factor behind such success. In Nigeria where none of such records exists, how can Nigerian join the rest of the world to plug into the cashless society? Talks by various agencies about biometric data capture in the scheme of their activities have not been able to provide the nation with a safe proof data that can be of use for multiple use, especially that of accurate citizen data.

This is why it would appear that SIM Card registration currently being handled by the telecom regulator, NCC, may hold the key to unlocking the huge benefits that Nigeria is seeking to tap from accurate citizen data.

After reading the recent submissions of the NCC by its chief executive, Dr. Eugene Juwah, at the recent probe of the exercise, one would not but conclude that Nigeria is on the right course. It is obvious that not many Nigerians are pleased with the approval of N6.1 Billion voted for this exercise, especially when viewed against the argument that telecom operators are equipped to do same. In a country where many government agencies have been unable to give account of huge amounts voted for projects, those who have criticized

Still on DANA ers use at home for cooking. Not too long ago, there was serious shortage of kerosine as housewives, especially from low income families spent hours on queue at filling stations hoping to get the product. Very few of them succeeded leading to public outcry. And with a booming black market trading in kerosine, the price skyrocketed and public anger grew.

Why was the product not readily available?

They wanted to know, especially in the face of massive importation by government approved agents. And as usual, the NNPC kept assuring us there was enough kerosine, but couldn’t tell us where it was. Then seemingly from nowhere, a group came up with a newspaper advert accusing these importers of diverting the kerosine and selling to airlines in place of aviation fuel. Of course at a higher price. Then I just waved the story/advert away.

But as flights were being delayed or even canceled due to non availability of aviation fuel or insufficient supply, that story kept coming back to my mind. Why can’t or won’t government make aviation fuel readily available to the industry knowing the importance and place of safety/security in aviation? Why should black market be allowed in aviation of all places and airlines allowed to patronise the market for their fuel supply?

The implication of this is serious as that speculation of bad fuel likely causing the DANA Air crash has shown. If the speculation is confirmed, then the government and it’s agencies in charge of aviation fuel supply should share the blame for killing those innocent souls on that ill-fated flight on June 3.

They not only encouraged supply of contaminated fuel to airlines but also punished many households who rely on kerosine for cooking.The issue of scarcity of aviation fuel is just one of the several problems facing the industry that only government could solve.

There are others too like aircraft maintenance.

Aviation is an international business and is governed by international regulations/laws.

Aircraft are designed to undergo regular A,B,C and D checks. They come at different times depending on the usage and age of the air-

craft. While A check is minor and to some extent could be handled here, B,C and D are not that easy, especially D which is like a total overhaul of the aircraft. Some of these checks require opening up the engine which can only be done by certified aircraft engineers in a recognized aircraft maintenance hangar.

It may interest Nigerians to know that we don’t have any such hangar in this country, so when any of the aircraft on our register here is due for say C or D check, it has to be flown abroad for the required check. This is capital intensive and if the airline doesn’t have that kind of money, the aircraft is grounded. In some cases people who should know say some of these airlines get waivers on some of these checks from the regulatory authority here, while some do engage in sharp practices removing parts from one aircraft and fixing them into another to deceive inspectors only to return such to the first aircraft after the second airplane must have been certified fit to fly.

While the issue of waiver might be difficult to verify, the case of parts swap used to be rampant in the past, but I don’t think it happens again. The issue here is that the regulatory authorities, especially the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) need to be strengthened, well funded and manned by experienced and qualified professionals immune from government and industry pressure to bend the rules.

It is about time government look into the issue of a national aircraft maintenance hangar. This issue has been on the drawing board for a long time. During the military era we were told that one was to built, it never came to pass. Allied to the hangar project is the standardization of aircraft type in our fleet here.

There are too many aircraft type in our country today making it difficult to develop local expertise and capacity to maintain them. In the past there were talks against having an open sky policy here where any machine that flies can be brought in in the name of aircraft.

Today we have aircraft made in Brazil, France, Italy, Holland, United States, Canada, China, name them that are in service here and

we don’t have the capacity to maintain them from A to D checks. Won’t it be wise for us to restrict the aircraft types to say two for instance and invite their manufacturers to set up maintenance hangar here. This will not only save us the problem of taking scarce foreign exchange to Europe and America each time we needed to service our aircraft, but also create employment here as well as transfer aircraft maintenance technology to Nigerian engineers. These are areas that require government decisiveness and financial commitment.

No Nigerian airline is strong enough today to build the required capacity (technical) to maintain its fleet. I doubt even if any has the financial capacity. Defunct Nigeria Airways used to shoulder this responsibility for the rest of the aviation industry in Nigeria. It had a maintenance hangar that could handle up to D check on its Fokker aircraft fleet then, but as it upgraded the fleet to take in more Boeing and later Airbus aircraft, it capacity to handle the various checks reduced. But it was still training its engineers then even on the advanced aircraft type. At one point Nigeria Airways engineers carried out a C check on one of its A310-200 Airbus aircraft, here in Lagos.

It was a big deal then. May be the airline could have gone to D check and even set up a modern maintenance hangar if government had given it the necessary support, moral, financial and even policy wise and not allowed it to die. The industry is suffering the death of Nigeria Airways now. I don’t know if any of our airlines here is investing in new Nigerian pilots as most of their cockpits are manned by foreign pilots. Nigeria Airways used to train or rather fund the training of student pilots at NCAT Zaria then and then employ them on graduation. Some of them are later logging up by the private airlines, after acquiring enough flying hours. Since Nigeria Airways is no more, government should fill that void.

Government should inject an intervention fund into the industry to assist local airlines to upgrade their fleet; the airport authority to upgrade our airports; the airspace management authority to equip our airports with modern navigational aids, train more air traffic controllers and; the meteorological service to have modern equipment to read and forecast weather accurately. There are instances of bad weather reports causing accident. Remember Sosoliso crash in Port Harcourt? These are areas that require government intervention and it must not shy away from them. After all US president Barack Obama bailed out the auto industry in his country when it had problems, same thing the British government did for some banks in the UK considered too big to collapse when they had problems. In both cases market forces were not allowed to dictate what to do, their governments did. Why can’t ours save what is ours from collapse.

Let’s give SIM registration a chance

By Bonnie Onukwube this allocation may not be blamed.

However, given the amount so far spent by the Commission for the project which is only about N1.7 Billion, according to Juwah, it could be imagined that the telecom regulator is very wary of the mood of the nation in terms of attitude to spending of the tax payers’ money. Although the Commission submitted that it is yet to complete settling the bills submitted by its vendors, it is clear that allegations of possible misappropriation of this fund cannot be proved.

Going by the testimony of the NCC boss at the House of Representatives where he openly staked his integrity and challenged anyone who can prove any misuse of the allocated amount, one would want Nigerians to give the telecom regulator the chance to complete this project and save the nation the shame and embarrassment of years of unreliable citizen data base. It is very rare for public officers in Nigeria to stand in front of Nigerian legislators and stake their reputation on a project. Those familiar with the history of the private sector arm of the nation’s telecom sector would recall the contributions of Juwah as an active foundational actor in those days when the private sector was building capacity and structure both of which precipitated in what is today referred to as ‘telecom revolution’. It is difficult to imagine how a man who has laboured to build a house would conspire to destroy the same house that cost him so much (financially, physically and emotionally). Those who throw verbal jabs at the commission do so because of their limited knowledge of the disposition of Juwah to public service and public funds. As much as he is not flippant with his tongue, so he is frugal with public funds.

His testimony before the House lends much credence to this. He has assured the House that a bulk of the money is yet to be paid out because the commission is still harmonizing the bulky data captured during the exercise. This is the time to give the commission the benefit of the doubt especially when by hindsight it is now obvious that NCC has a history of taking the right decisions.

In 2001 when the commission organised the digital mobile licence auction and each subscriber was asked to pay $285 million for a licence whose asking price was $100 million, many of us cried blue murder. But today, we all see the wisdom in the commission adopting the auction process which took the licence fee from $100 million to $285 million. It is on this note that we should collectively give the commission the chance to complete the SIM card registration process.

Already, it is paying off given the testimony of the security apparatchik to the effect that they have apprehended many criminals via details preened from their SIM card registration.

The challenge is for the NCC to ensure that it lives up to its avowal to integrity. Good money is involved and it must be spent judiciously. Nigerian public institutions have a reputation of frittering away our collective patrimony. In the case of the SIM card registration, the redemptive grace, going by the submissions of Dr. Juwah, is that the N6.1 billion has not developed wings and flown away into private pockets.

Some of the recent critics of the SIM card registration argue that the process is taking more time than expected. In fact, most of them argued that by now, the entire data ought have been gathered and handed over to security agencies to enable them deploy

it for anti-crime purposes. While it is evident that SIM card registration would assist in fighting crimes in the country, it is debatable whether it is the only solution to fighting crime. If SIM registration is the only solution, then there would not have been any crime in most developed countries like the United States of America, UK, Canada, Germany, among others. SIM card registration has taken place in South Africa but the country is still gripped in the throes of crime.

Against this background, one would subscribe to the immediate completion of this project to assist security agencies in fighting crime in Nigeria, because at least, it will help to reduce it.

However, if effectiveness is sacrificed on the altar of exigency or the rush to meet with the demands of public opinion, then Nigeria may end up with the wrong data, produced with billions of tax payers’ money. Therefore, the concern should be about the integrity of the data being collected and not the time taken to complete the process. If it will take the NCC another six or more months to give Nigeria a credible citizen data through the SIM card registration process, so be it. · Onukwube, a company executive, writes from Lagos

‘In most countries where cashless society is entrenched, dependency on available citizen records has been the major factor behind such success. In Nigeria where none of such records exists, how can Nigerian join the rest of the world to plug into the cashless society?’

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, JUNE 19, 2012

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

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

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Lagos has a population of about 20 million. It is still growing. To meet the expected growth, the state government is contemplating developing 70,000 hectares of land surrounding Mainland, Yaba, Somolu, Mushin, Surulere and Coker/Aguda council areas to unlock their economic potentials. Under the planned Model City, there will be controlled use of land and design of the environment. There will also be guided transportation network to ease movement.

OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports.

•Map of Lagos State

Lagos plans Model City to aid growth

•CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

•How built sector can grow, by surveyors - PAGE 26

•Abeokuta Golf Club shops for golfers - PAGE 39

•Why Nigeria is attending UN confab, by Minister - PAGE 39

26

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

How built sector can grow, by surveyors

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OW can the built sector be grown? It is by the deregulation of the downstream sector, say surveyors.

They lamented the poor infrastructural and capacity development, weak regulation and poor leadership issues the country is contending with.

According to the surveyors, the deregulation proceeds should be used annually by the government to double investment in infrastructural projects to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking at the fourth Distinguished Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) entitled: Total Deregulation of The Downstream Petroleum sub-sector – Effect on Real Estate Development, the group’s president, Mr Agele Alufohai, said the removal of fuel subsidy was in line with global trends that enables the government to reduce national debts and restructure the economy for growth.

He said subsidy removal and deregulation would open investment opportunities in the oil industry, leading to infrastructure growth and job creation.

Alufohai said positive outcome depends on government’s sincerity and the vigilance of civil society groups, such as professional associations, regulatory bodies, the media, and the general public.

“We know the topic is very touchy and many have criticised it. Reduction of subsidy on fuel and the investment of the associated savings in social and physical infrastructure could make our economy more productive, assist the creation of jobs and improve the incomes and livelihoods of poor Nigerians,” he said.

A don from the Estate Management Department, University of

said deregulation of the downstream sector will enable Nigeria to chart a way for the maritime industry and shipping development, which can save N2 trillion annual capital flight and generate jobs for the youths.

Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr Muda Yusuf, also explained that canvassing deregulation is very hard because of the level of poverty and illiteracy.

“All these have made deregulation a very controversial issue because of political, economic and social issues attached to it. Cost of procurement has been blown up because of the high cost of fuel. The idea about deregulation is

to provide funds to fix infrastructure.

And for this message to be passed along, a lot of work has to be done.

“The problem we have with the downstream sector is that it is still being run by bureaucrats. This way, deregulation will not work. But look at the upstream sector, the situation is better and that is the way it should be. The system is not run on merit.

Yusuf said the tariff review would worsen the poverty conditions of Nigerians “as the price of the two major staple foods - rice and bread-will increase considerably, make smuggling of the products, especially rice to increase and make the ports and maritime sector players lose business to the ports of neighbouring countries.”

“There would be serious social consequences arising from the discontent by the poor,” he said. He pointed out that increasing tariff on staple foods is a very delicate and risky thing to do, especially in a country with ravaging poverty and major crisis of unemployment.

“This is also coming at a time when the government has taken a decision to completely deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry. The focus of policy for now should be on building competitiveness of the agricultural sector through robust incentives to investors in the sector.” Lessons should be drawn from the outcome of similar policies in the textile sector,” he said.

In a resolution passed at the end of the fourth distinguished lecture, they observed that reliance on wood by the construction industry is not sustainable and called for efforts to exploit opportunities in the petroleum downstream sector through the manufacture of PVC products.

They supported home grown deregulation as an option and not as directed by the World Bank.

development, infrastructure upgrade and improved standards for planning and urban development.”

Consultants to the project, Messrs Dar Al Handassah Shair and Partners unveiled the challenges and constraints the model plan is faced with, such as the congestion of primary axis of movement; infrastructural services; continuing growth of slums; limited east-west linkage; flood prone areas and poor accessibility due to poor road networks.

They, however, cited some benefits that will accompany the model city to include economic development, beautification, drainage improvement, cleanliness of the city, improvements to road networks and high density housing.

Others are improvement in the mainland transport corridor, existing hub of connectivity/activities as well as improving existing cultural, education and sports system.

Furthermore, they added the city plan will equally help to reduce congestion; improve connections between centres; help build on existing assets; promote interventions, which will be beneficial to slum areas; promote classifications and more efficient use of land.

The Model City plan will include the establishment of city centres, which will be divided into Metropolitan, district and local centres all in a bid to grow the potentials of the city and improve the wellbeing of residents.

•From left: Nubi, Yusuf, Fasoto, Tijani Lasisi and Alufohai at the event.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

Lagos(UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos, Prof.

Timothy Nubi, said with the endemic decay in infrastructure, only attitudinal change from leaders and Nigerians could solve the nation’s problems.

He said proper guidance towards positive change is needed as Nigeria is at the precipice of change, adding “Which way forward? We are at cross road like the four lepers in the bible.

The Nigeria content initiative must be vigorously pursued to avoid the repeat of PAN and Volkswagen.”

Expatiating on the effects of deregulation on real estate sector, Nubi said:

“For materials, they will be influenced by the cost of production and haulage. These are not linear incremental but geometrical in nature. The overhead cost is the indirect cost on the activities that will also increase astronomically, while land speculators and vendors will hike the cost of land.”

President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) Mr Segun Ajanlekoko in his remarks said: “As professionals we are to move the economy forward and APBN’s role is to influence politicians to make positive decisions and we believe lectures such as this would engender that.”

Ajanlekoko, who was represented

by APBN Vice president, Mr Fasotu,

Lagos plans Model City to aid growth •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

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HE Lagos State government is set to transform the Mainland, Yaba, Somolu, Mushin, Surulere and Coker/ Aguda council areas to meet its growing population.

With a population of about 20 million, the metropolis is still expanding raising the need for more facilities and infrastructure. The government’s plans surrounding these council areas into a Model City.

The aim is to guide growth in these areas in the next 20 years.

Lagos is facing critical urban challenges arising from its population of 20 million, which is growing at between six and eight per cent, with more than 30 per cent contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Model City plan is a tool for the delivery of social, economic and environmental benefits to the citizenry making provision for new activity zones and identifying some districts for urban regeneration.

In an interview with The Nation, House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning & Urban Development Chairman, Mr Egberongbe Mufutau said no community or town can develop orderly without planning. He traced the springing up of slums in some areas of the state to lack of effective planning.

He said the government demonstrated its resolve to re-plan some settlements by sending delegates to Singapore to understudy them and come back to implement the lessons learnt.

Egberongbe said the challenge that may be faced in the re-planning of the mainland remains that of population explosion, security

challenges and waste management.

He said no planning can be effective without public participation to gauge the needs of those that will be affected. He various however, acknowledged that it comes with the improvement of life and the unlocking of economic development and potentials.

Chairman, Lekki Free Trade Zone and former Permanent Secretary in the Physical Planning & Urban Development ministry, Otunba Segun Jawando, said for any pan to be effective, it must ask and accommodate the views of the people who will be directly affected by it. On the mainland Model City Plan, he said special attention should be paid to the ubiquitous street markets and how to curtail it. He frowned at a situation where every available space is used as a market, stressing that if the state must achieve a mega city status, orderliness must be achieved in the environment to make it livable for the people.

Two monarchs Oba Fatai Adisa, and Oba Fatai Aromire from Lagos Mainland also welcomed the idea of re-planning of their area of jurisdictions but asked the government to do more in terms of public enlightenment to achieve the desired result. They said they may lose some of their land or houses to modernity but advised their subjects to support the move as it has the potentials to usher economic development if the government acts sincerely in the delivery of the project.

Commissioner of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde said he is not unmindful that the project is fraught with challenges but that the government is committed to its deliv-

•Tinubu Square, Lagos.

ery.

He said is worries is that people are localising the re-planning of the Mainland city without looking at the bigger picture. He pledged the government’s preparedness to incorporate traditional places in the new plan without distorting the plan but insisted that the proposed plan must go on while street trading will be regulated to have an orderly environment.

He said: “The model city plan makes provision for new activity zones and identifies some districts for urban regeneration, such as Iddo business district, Mushin, Okobaba, Otto and Surulere neigbourhoods. It will unlock the enormous potentials and the opportunities of the area for compact

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

27

‘

It is really unfortunate that up till this time, the judiciary is yet to be self-accounting. They still rely on the executive for funding. I know that is not the best thing to do but that is the situation that we have here Abia State. There are very few states in this country that have made their judiciary self-accounting. Maybe only Lagos State and one other

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• SEE PAGE 33

•Lawan •Otedola

This story is all over the place that lawmaker Farouk Lawan collected $620,000 bribe from oil baron Femi Otedola.With the parties, admitting giving and receiving bribe, lawyers will readily say a crime has been committed. But not so fast. Lawan is claiming he took the money to expose Otedola.

But the oil baron counters that the bribe offer was a sting operation. What is to be done? Lawyers suggest a probe. ADEBISI ONANUGA, ERIC IKHILAE, and JOSEPH JIBUEZE write

Probe Lawan, Otedola, say lawyers

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O many, the unfolding bribery scandal in the House of Representatives has only served to establish a point: the nation’s leadership is filled with people driven by greed, not service.

Although the picture of the behind-the scene-dealings of the House Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management is yet to fully emerge, observers argued some political leaders do not initiate and execute policies if their interest will not be served.

But to others, the scandal is only a reflection of corruption for which the National Assembly, has come to be known for.

In 2008 upon a claim by the then Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, that the country wasted $16 billion on the Integrated Power Project, a committee headed by

Inside: NBA election: Race for Daudu’s job ... - P.31

Godwin Ndudi Elumelu was mandated to investigate why the country expended such huge funds and yet electricity supply did not improve.

Months after, the committee made public its findings, indicting past leaders, ministers, government officials and many high profile personalities. It recommended their prosecution. Rather than adopt the committee’s recommendations, the House subjected it to the scrutiny of another seven-man committee headed by Aminu Tambuwal (then Deputy Chief Whip).

Nothing was ever heard of the report until Elumelu and others were arraigned over some allegations of

•STORY ON PAGE 28

It is regrettable, our judiciary is not ... - P.34

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

28

LAW COVER CONT’D

Probe Lawan, Otedola, say lawyers corruption.

There was also the Committee Capital Market headed by Herman Hembe. The Nation was stunned when the suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms Arunma Oteh accused the panel members of demanding bribe from her. She also accused them of collecting funds for some foreign trips which they never made.

This picture of a selfish and greedy pack is reinforced by allegations that most of the visits to government agencies by lawmakers in the name of “oversight” and the committee activities and investigations are avenues for financial gains.

Observers said the challenge is how to ensure that the truth behind the scandal is unveiled without impinging on the report by the Subsidy Investigation Committee, which the President Goodluck Jonathan claimed is before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

From available information, it is certain that there was a deal between former Ad hoc Committee chair Lawan and Secretary, Boniface Emenalo, on the one hand and Otedola of Zenon Oil, on the other, it is clear that a party gave and the other. But, who initiated the deal? Was it Lawan? Or was it Otedola?

While Lawan, who had earlier denied accepting money from any one later recanted and claimed to have accepted the money to “expose” Otedola. The oil baron admitted giving, but said he wanted to prove a point by recording the transaction and later blowing the whistle.

At what point should the law intervene in this? Has a crime been committed? Who is the culprit? How should the law enforcement agencies proceed against the actors in this scandal?

Lawyers said the law should take its course. They suggested that law enforcement agencies should be allowed to investigate the case and prosecute whoever has breached the law. They advised that it will further do damage to the country’s already battered image should the case be consigned to the dustbin as it happened in the past.

Dr Joe Nwobike (SAN) said the allegations should not vitiate the probe report. He said: “It is unfortunate that the scenerio has been driven towards this particular direction. I must also confess that Hon. Farouk Lawan is one of the most experienced legislators that we have in this country having served in that chamber since 1999.

“He has served various committees over time. I’m also aware that he was also at some point the leader of the Integrity Group in that House.

“So, these allegations as they stand today, we all know, have not been proved. But I’m told that it appears the matter will shift to the court. So, I’ll suggest that we allow it to go court so that the guilt or otherwise of Lawan may be ascertained.

“But let me say that it is not good for the exercise, which all Nigerians including myself, looked forward to, to revamp the downstream sector of the oil industry.

“As it stands today, I do not share the views of so many Nigerians who say, ‘Take away Hon. Lawan and implement the report.’ I think they are intertwined. You cannot take away Hon. Lawan from the report and vice versa.

“This is particularly in view of the weighty allegations against Hon. Lawan, who, incidentally, was the chairman of that committee.

“So, if those allegations are proved, the factored implication will be that there were several acts of impropri-

• Nwobike (SAN)

‘

So, these allegations as they stand today, we all know, have not been proved. But I’m told that it appears the matter will shift to the court. So, I’ll suggest that we allow it to go court so that the guilt or otherwise of Lawan may be ascertained

’

ety leading to that report and, therefore, is a product of a flawed process.

“Therefore, the implementation of the report must await the determination of whether or not Lawan actually participated in the improper conduct that is being alleged.

“If it is so, then I will suggest that another panel be set up to look at the papers again, the individuals, the participants, the characters, the allegations.

“So, I don’t see any reason we should be in a hurry to implement the process which has been questioned in certain, very clear fundamental terms.”

A lawyer, Dr. Fredrick Ahmadu, said the law should be made to take its course despite the personalities involved. He said the development was not a departure from what the nation’s politicians are reputed for.

To him, the decision of the House to investigate the subsidy fund disbursement process and the bribery scandal that greets its outcome are actuated by selfish motives. He argued that by the revelations, it showed that the nation’s leaders are driven by the motive of self alone and not the urge to serve and ensure the good of the society.

“It is unfortunate that our criminal justice system, though exists, is slow and hardly bites the rich and influential. The laws are there, but old and susceptible to abuse and manipulation by those with financial influence.

We only hope the law enforcement agencies and the powers that be will allow the application of law and due process in this case,” he said.

But human rights activist Femi Falana said the bribery scam has not tainted the report. “It should be pointed out that the ongoing media trial of Mr Lawan promoted by the Presidency is a violation of the fundamental right of the suspect to fair hearing guaranteed by the Constitution.

“If the government has the evidence of the bribery, it should proceed to charge Mr Lawan to court without any further delay. On his part Mr Lawan should co-operate with the Police since he claimed that he set out to trap Mr Otedola! The House should move speedily to put this embarrassing incident behind it.

Any of its members indicted in the bribe-for-clearance scandal should be isolated and handed over to the Police for prosecution.

“Since Mr Otedola claims to be a law-abiding citizen and that he committed no criminal offence whatsoever, he should explain to Nigerians through the media how the over $232 million allegedly collected by Zenon from the CBN was spent on the im-

• Adebanjo

• Falana

‘

If the government has the evidence of the bribery, it should proceed to charge Mr Lawan to court without any further delay. On his part Mr Lawan should co-operate with the Police since he claimed that he set out to trap Mr Otedola!

’

portation of fuel. Specifically, Mr Otedola should react to the allegation that Zenon engaged in diversion and round tripping of the said sum of $232 million.

“No doubt, the bribery saga is designed to discredit the House report.

In fact, the members of the cartel aided by the government are celebrating their vindication. Notwithstanding the unfortunate scandal, the report of the House on the fuel subsidy scam has not been tainted in any material particular.

“It is now clear beyond any shadow that the above findings and recommendations cannot be wished away by any person or group of persons no matter their vested imterests or political connections.

“In fairness to the Jonathan Administration, apart from asking the EFCC to investigate and prosecute all the culprits without exception, it has begun to implement some aspects of the House Committee Report. For instance, the auditors who colluded with the economic saboteurs to doctor the books have been sacked while the 2012 budget of N880 billion for fuel subsidy emanated from the Report.

“In the circumstance, the belated diversionary ploy of the oil cartel has failed woefully to frustrate the implementation of the Report of the House.

“Indeed, with the unanimous decision of the House of Representatives under the patriotic leadership of Honourable Aminu Tambuwal to distance itself from the criminal activities of Mr Farouk Lawan of the so called Integrity Group, the report of the House Committee has not been tainted in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.

“Let the EFCC, therefore, speed up its investigation so that the suspects can be made to pay for the serious economic crimes against humanity committed by them,” he said.

Leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos, Kazeem Adebanjo and Yinka Farounbi, agreed with Falana, but cautioned against politicising the issues. To them, even if established that Lawan actually received bribe, that should not discredit the report of the committee he headed. They said both issues should be treated separately.

Farounbi, however, expressed doubt over whether the committee’s report could still pass the integrity test in view of the bribery scandal.

Adebanjo urged the government to quickly work on the report of the committee that investigated the application of petroleum subsidy.

“I urged the president to urgently

‘

On Farouk himself, I think the House has done the right thing they need to do by suspending him. So, he should be made to undergo investigation, after which, if found culpable, they should deal with him as required by the law

’

act on the report. Let that be taken aside because you would discover that Otedola`s firm was removed from the list of those who were indicted and the House has restored his name by their resolution. So, it means that the report stands the way it had been before being tampered with.

“So, nothing is amiss. I want to believe that those who are hyping and orchestrating this story just want to shift our attention from the task carried out by this committee. Don’t forget that it was not only Farouk Lawan that served on this committee. There were some other eminent law makers who served on it.

“For him to have decided to go it all alone, I don’t know what went wrong and this is somebody who has been in the National Assembly for four consecutive terms. Maybe this would impact negatively on his political career. So, I believe that the law must take its course. Don’t let us politicise every story that has to do with crime in this country.

“On Farouk himself, I think the House has done the right thing they need to do by suspending him. So, he should be made to undergo investigation, after which, if found culpable, they should deal with him as required by the law,” Adebanjo said.

To Farounbi, there is nothing that has cast a doubt on the report other than what happened. “If the oil company that the man that purportedly bribed Lawan is exonerated, people would say it was because it made payment. If the company is not exonerated, people would say it would have been guilty more than the level to which the company was indicted.

“So, whichever way it goes, it has cast a serious doubt. It is a problem.

How we want to wriggle out?

Though some people have said despite the bribery scandal, let the report still go on; well, that may be true, but I can assure you that some of those who have been indicted will because of this, approach the court to set aside that panel`s report because it is probably coloured in one scandal or the other.

“And they would probably say, maybe we were contacted to give money, but we refused to play ball and that is why we were victimised.

Something like that would definitely crop up. I can assure you. It is very unfortunate for this country because we Nigerians are going to be the losers. Nigerians are going to be the real victims of this chess game they are playing,” he said.

Farounbi suggested the only way of salvaging the report is for it to be subjected to a review by a body of carefully selected individuals, who

have no interest to protect in the oil and gas sector.

“In doing this, I would say that it should not be limited to the legislature alone. They could look at the human rights group, the labour and some other credible organisations and credible people too, if God would allow us to have one, to take a critical and holistic look at the report and see to it that what the report says represents the facts on the ground.

“As regards whoever is found culpable, it is my candid opinion that the law is a blind human being. It doesn’t respect anybody, it doesn’t know anybody. Whoever comes contrary to the dictate of the law should be made to face the music. There should be no sacred cows. Everybody must be made to dance his or her act or omission.

“That is when the country will move forward. By the time we are not doing selective judgment or selective justice, you will see that we would get to where God has destined this country to be, investigate the giver, investigate the taker.

“If the two of them are found culpable or some other persons found culpable, please take them to court and let them face the music appropriately. The law should be allowed to take its course in this matter,” Farounbi said.

Rights activist Joe Nwokedi said: “The scenario that is playing out in our supposed honourable House of Representatives is quite disheartening. The most worrisome aspect of it is that they refused to learn their lessons.

“They are likened to the unrepentant robbers in the society who think that the other robbers were caught because they were not smart enough and, therefore, continue in their robbery until one day they are caught also.

“Their actions are in the least words very shameful, embarrassing and holistically debasing. Our electorate are also to share in this recurring national disgrace because of the crop of people we vote into offices.

“This is because it is highly impossible to carve a masterpiece out of a rotten timber. As for the report, it cannot stand because it has been tainted with serious immorality and bias and heavily yoked with some legal burdens.

“Since the sanctity and impartial status of the members of the committee that produced it is in serious doubt, no one can vouch that the report was not highly compromised.

“It will, therefore, be inequitable and unjust to rely on such a controversial report. It should be thrown out in its entirety and a fresh committee be set up to do the job properly. I am in pains.”

Lagos lawyer Mr Theophilus Akanwa said: “I had thought that this sort of allegation would not recur after the exit of Mr Bankole. The bribery scandal is a very big shame and a national disgrace. If the allegations are confirmed to be true, Mr Lawan should bury himself in shame and the appropriate authorities should immediately prefer a criminal charge against him including Mr Otedola who gave the bribe.

“Following the drama relating to removal of certain names at the floor of the House, I call for the setting up of another committee to investigate the subsidy saga, bearing in mind the sufferings of Nigerians in the hands of these people who don’t mean well for the common man.”

Executive Director, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the development is sad.

“Nigerians invested so much hope on the outcome of the subsidy probe.

With the turn of events, it is unquestionable that the integrity of the report will be affected.”

Another lawyer, Richard Chukwuocha, said much as the development is saddening, the law may exempt the bribe giver in this case.

He argued that since Otedola worked with security agents in bursting the crime, he could be exempted from punishment.

“The man, who admitted giving bribe in this case, did not work alone.

He was approached to give bribe, he saw it as an offence and went to the security agencies.He cannot be held liable for any offence.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

29

NATION BOOK REVIEW

In praise of the Supreme Court THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA 1990 – 2012 EDITORS: Epiphany Azinge and Paul Idornigie PUBLISHER: Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Lagos PAGES: 750 + v-xxxii PRICE: NOT INDICATED REVIEWER: Chima Centus Nweze Justice, Court of Appeal, Nigeria TITLE:

INTRODUCTION HE title of this book is THE SUPREME COURT OF NI GERIA 1990 – 2012. It is a collection of essays on Nigeria’s apex court: The Supreme Court. The essays examine the court’s contributions to the constitutional and judicial processes from various perspectives during 1990 and 2012.

Before now, other efforts had been made in this regard. Such efforts produced works such as: A. B. Kasumu (ed), The Supreme Court of Nigeria, 1956-1970, I.E. Sagay, A Legacy for Posterity: The Work of the Supreme Court and the Challenge of Legal Development (1995-2006).

Indeed, the heuristic tools of the Social Sciences had been deployed in the examination of the work of the court in a Ph. D. thesis submitted to the University of Ibadan by a Political Scientist, who is, also, a lawyer, M.O.A. Alabi. On the successful defence of this thesis, the author decided to afford the reading public the benefit of his excruciating academic exertions through the issuance of the book under the title, The Supreme Court in the Nigerian Political System, 1963-1997. There are other tangential studies on the court.

For example, as is evident from its title, S.C. Peter’s book, Voice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Per Hon Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, focused on His Lordship’s pronouncements on a gamut of issues when he adorned the bench of that court. As the editors explained in the “General Introduction” to the book under review, it is “in realisation of the focus and scope of the (above) existing literature that the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies decided to embark on this project.” The erudite editors maintain that “... in this project, the focus is entirely different,” (page xi).

This editorial declaration prompted the methodology of this review. The first part takes a look at the structure of the book. In the next segment, an attempt is made to erect an aperture through which this distinguished audience could peep into the content of the book.

The strengths and weaknesses of the work are explored. In this connection, the main task of this review is to ascertain the extent to which the efforts of the editors and contributors, have succeeded in advancing the frontiers of existing knowledge of the work of the apex court. In one word, our task is to ascertain whether there is any justification for another book on the Supreme Court having regard to the existing literature. Put differently, the review employs the familiar catchphrase at the Graduate School and asks whether the subject if researchable?

T

STRUCTURE This book, edited by Professors Epiphany Azinge (SAN) and Paul Idornigie, is structured on 12 chapters spanning 750 pages. The 23 preliminary pages consist of the Table of contents (pages xii -xxiii); Table of General Introduction (pages vii-xi); Table of Statutes (pages xxiv-xxxi) and Treaties/ Conventions (page xxxii). The last part of the book is the General In-

dex (Pages 732-750). There is no “Foreword” to the book: an omission which does not, in any way, diminish its quality.

Perhaps, some prefatory remarks on the editorial team may not be out of place here. Elsewhere, this reviewer had described Prof.

Ephipany Azinge (SAN) as: “an erudite jurist; accomplished scholar; illustrious Senior Advocate of Nigeria; consummate Professor of Law; prolific author and a gentleman famous for his sartorial elegance”.

Prof Paul Idornigie is an intellectual troubadour, who has traversed the portals of many great institutions of learning. Many generations of lawyers, who trained at the Nigeria Law School, owe their professional skills to his avuncular mentorship. He is, also, a prolific author. This redoubtable editorial team is complemented by a coterie of fine scholars and eminent legal practitioners whose contributions make up the twelve-chapter volume.

CONTENTS True, indeed, as the editors noted at page xi, “the focus (of this book) is entirely different” from the “focus and scope of the existing literature”. The first two chapters are exploratory analyses that share mutual affinity.

In Chapter One, Solomon Ukhuegbe, Ph. D. (Osgoode Hall), scrutinises “one of the most compelling indicators of the institutionalisation of the Supreme Court of Nigeria”, namely, “the stabilisation and autonomy of its recruitment regime.” Entitled, “Recruitment and Tenure of Supreme Court Justices in Nigeria,” this chapter and eight “Jurisdictional Reform and the Role of the Supreme Court of Nigeria – the Path to a policy Court”, would appear to have been, originally, intended as one chapter. Our conjecture is, however, that due to the length of the paper in its original format, the author decided to split it into two chapters. Read together, they constitute a veritable justification for this exegetical magnum opus on the Nigerian Supreme Court.

Prof. Vicki C. Jackson of the Georgetown University Law Centre, in her recent book, Constitutional Engagement in a Transnational Era, canvasses the divide of the expansion of a “global conversation about common legal issues ...” In what would seem to be an endorsement of this approach, these two chapters undertake an enchanting intellectual voyage in the verdant boulevard of the constitutional histories of Nigeria; United States of America, South Africa, Canada and India. The chapters evince rigorous scholarship: scholarship evident in the breath-taking citations in the footnotes, footnotes which, often, overwhelm the main text by the share preponderance of the materials paraded. The editors of this book deserve commendation for their perspicacious choice of Dr. Solomon Ukhuegbe’s contribution as the first chapter in this chiaroscuro of vast and rare learning.

The chapter provokes so many healthy disputations, the very hallmark of every brilliant exposition.

The many contributions of this

chapter and chapter eight to the epistemology of jurimetrics lend credence to the assertion of the editors that the focus of this book is, entirely, different from the earlier works. These contributions notwithstanding, we are not comfortable with the disclaimer at page 2 where the author, regrettably, discloses that his “study does not, however, specifically investigate the personal attributes or social backgrounds of the Justices, or their significance, if any, in decision making” even when at page 86 he finds it “impossible to disagree with Robert Seidman that judicial socialisation is a critical input in decision – making.

Perhaps mindful of this disclaimer in the first chapter, the editors opted for another work on the “Profile of Supreme Court Justices: 1990 – 2012” as the next chapter.

Indeed, the authors of this chapter, Prof Idornigie and Izuome Egeruoh, specifically, states at page 89 that what “makes (chapter two) novel is that there has never been any work that examined the profiles of the Justices saddled with adjudicating on matters involving the original and appellate jurisdictions of the (Supreme Court).” Part of the justification for their study is their Lordships “bring into the Supreme Court wealth of experience in diverse areas and educational qualifications acquired from all over the world,” (page 89).

The said chapter “is aimed at depicting the early life, background, education, work history and attainments of the Justice of the Supreme Court”, (page 90).

The chapter, as the authors endeavoured to demonstrate, “sheds some light on the educational background before appointment, the exposure of the Justices at the Bench, assignments at tribunals and enquiries, administrative experience etc”, (page 90) What emerges from their study of the profiles of their Lordships is the insightful revelation that the Nigerian Supreme Court has keyed into a global phenomenon, which an erudite scholar elsewhere refers to as trans-judicial dialogue where judges participate “in a shared process of articulating transnational norms to be enforced by judges around the world.”

However, just like chapter one, this chapter does not map any nexus between their Lordships’ profiles and their judgments. In other words, the chapter failed to demonstrate how their Lordships’ diverse experiences etc shaped their judicial philosophy. Students of judicial behaviouralism will, therefore, have to wait for another opportunity to learn how their Lordships’profiles impacted on their judicial approaches to issues relating to justice, law and order etc.

We may cite one example to illustrate the point we are canvassing here. Nigeria-born Justice E.O. Ayoola as the Chief Justice of the Gambia participated in, nearly, all the judicial colloquia dating from the Bangalore Judicial Colloquium in Bagalore, India etc. His Lordship hosted the Banjul Judicial Colloquium. One of the principles which crystallised from the various colloquia is the cogency of the resort

to comparative jurisprudence in domestic courts.

As a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, the case of Agbakoba v Director SSS afforded him the opportunity of consecrating the dividends of those transjudicial dialogues. The versatile jurist, invoking and relying on the decisions of the Supreme Courts of the United States of America (USA) and India, introduced into Nigeria Constitutional jurisprudence what the Osgoode hall Law Scholar,Prof.

Obiora Okafor, aptly, christened a “derivative right to travel passort.”

MAJOR STRENGHTS OF THE BOOK This book, brilliantly, showcases the Supreme Court as a court that has shaped judicial policy in Nigeria; that scorned the sirens of power and influence in favour of justice “even if the Heavens fall.”

It vindicates the court’s role in stabilising our democratic experiment through its many decisive pronouncements. Some of these pronouncements once prompted an editorial opinion in which the flagship of the Nigeria Press (The Guardian) acknowledge the court’s judgments as invaluable building blocks in the political architecture of our fledgling democracy.

As every perceptive observer would have noticed, the amendments to the Electoral Act were prompted by some judgments of the court so also are the ongoing attempts at the further alteration of the Constitution.

The scholastic weight of most of the chapters, particularly, chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, add to its value as a veritable vade medum for every judge, lawyer; law teacher and court users. The exquisite tones of their rendition bespeak the industry and scholarship invested

‘This book, brilliantly, showcases the Supreme Court as a court that has shaped judicial policy in Nigeria; that scorned the sirens of power and influence in favour of justice “even if the Heavens fall.” It vindicates the court’s role in stabilising our democratic experiment through its many decisive pronouncements’

in them.

Feminist scholars and activists would be, greatly, thrilled by this book’s finding that “... today the ratio of women Justices in the Nigerian (Supreme Court) is about the same as in the United States and Indian courts. Perhaps more significant is the fact that the appointment of the third woman Justice revealed the existence, or emergence, of a gender criterion in recruitment,” (page 63).

True, indeed, “… the pellets of wisdom dropped by (Justices) of Nigeria’s apex court, serving and retired made at various auspicious public for a” (and skillfully) collated in chapter nine) should be harnessed to “plot the road map of transformation for the Judiciary”.

This volume of essays evinces stupendous industry. It, also, bears eloquent imprints of enviable methodological rigour.From the variety and depth of its scholarship, the editors and contributors have made an invaluable contribution that will remain an abiding feature of scholastic discourse in Jurisprudence, Jurimetrics, Constitutionalism, Political Philosophy and Judicial Behaviouralism.

The essays in the volume will, surely, excite rejoinders; provoke passionate debates and compel robust interdisciplinary dialogue.

The ultimate beneficiary, of course, will be the frontiers of learning! In all, the lucid style and the amazing profundity of learning exhibited contribute in making the volume a matchless addition of the literature.

Now, as in all endeavours of this kind, errors are inevitable! Truth told, every author is at the mercy of the publishers’proof readers.

Neither the editors nor the contributors can claim any immunity from this notorious malaise. Little wonder then why lexical, structural and syntactic errors, wellbeyond their control, have obdurately asserted their ubiquitous presence in this fascinating book.

It is hoped that the errors will be attended to in the next edition of the volume.

We commend the editors for an assignment well-executed; the Supreme Court for sustaining our faith in the judicial process and this book as a welcome addition to the literature!

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

30

LEGAL OPINION

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Lagos inaugurates panel on worker’s death

HE Lagos State Government has constituted a panel of in quiry on the industrial accident which claimed the life of a worker, Mike Aghanemu at Alibert Furniture Company in Ikotun.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ministry of Justice, Mrs Bola Akingbade listed the three-man panel to include, Mrs. Ronke Oduneye of Safety Commission as the chairman; Mrs. Joke Oladipo, a legal officer in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as the Secretary and Mr. Olusegun Oshidipe, a representative of Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who was represented by the Attorney – General Mr Ade Ipaye charged the panel to unravel the circumstances leading to the death of the staff member of the company while on duty.

Ipaye said though there are insinuations on the state of company, but as a responsible government, it needs to do thorough investigations on how the deceased met his

By Adebisi Onanuga

untimely death, adding that this explained why the governor gave his approval for the setting up of the panel to look into the matter.

The Attorney-General stated took time in nominating the members of the panel, stressing that a case like this requires trusted and reliable hands, which would not comprise standards, but do justice to the situation.

Ipaye urged them to discharge their duties without fear or favour as the state government relies on their integrity, adding that the oaths of office and secrecy taken is to protect each member of the group.

He added that the idea of constituting a small group of three is to ensure speedy investigation into the matter, which called for responsibility on the part of the members and further charged them not to disclose information freely to members of the public so as not to jeopardise the integrity of the process.

The panel, in its terms of refer-

ences, will among others, “determine the remote and immediate causes of the accident, the adequacy or otherwise of safety measures in place at the factory, the adequacy or otherwise of compensation to workers in case of accident, make recommendations on measures to prevent re occurrence and recommend compensation as maybe necessary.

He counselled the panel members to be mindful of the term of reference as this would be used as a guide to protect other workers not just in that company, but in the state.

There was an accident at Albert Furniture Company which claimed the life of Mr Aghanemu, a machine operator, on Tuesday, April 10, this year.

An team of officials of the Inspectorate Department and Safety Commission led by the Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry Mr Seye Oladejo had paid a visit to the factory on fact-finding mission, but unfortunately, was denied entry into the factory premises despite a prior notice of the visit.

Court to hear NBA Ikeja leadership crisis suit today

H

EARING will continue today at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja in the suit filed by the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Mr Yinka Farounbi challenging the results of the May 9, this year elections of the branch.

At the last hearing, Justice Oke had threatened to strike out the suit if the parties were not ready.

“It is the way you lay your bed that you will lay on it. If you are the applicant and not ready that day, I will strike out the case and if you are one of the defendants and not ready, it means you are not for the case. This matter actually deserves a speedy dispensation,” Justice Oke said Mr Sunday Agumemo, counsel to the eighth defendant, Memuna Esegine, had told the court that he filed a fresh preliminary objection to the motion on notice of the claimant and sought to withdraw the initial preliminary objection.

She argued in the new application that the claimant ought to have brought the suit through a writ of summon and not through an originating summon while in the initial application. She questioned the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

Counsel to the claimant, Mr. A.A. Adewunmi, confirmed receiving the application on Monday, but said he would need time to study and respond to it appropriately.

But in her ruling, Justice Opeyemi Oke frowned at the attitude of the counsel to eighth defendants, who filed a fresh application and counsel to the claimant, who said he needed time to respond to the fresh application.

She had, therefore ordered

By Adebisi Onanuga

parties in the suit to file their processes in the next seven days. The order lapsed today.

Mr Babatunde Kehinde, Counsel to the third defendant, Mr Monday Ubani, had also told the court that counsel to the claimant has not responded to his preliminary objection on the point of law.

But the counsel to the claimant, Mr Adewunmi debunked the claim, saying that his response was among some processes given his colleague on May 30.

Kehinde insisted that the particular response, which was meant to be that of the claimant to his preliminary objection was not among the processes given to him. This was why a fresh copy was served on him.

He, however, told the court that he would need time to respond to it.

Justice Oke reminded all the parties in the suit against doing anything that would lengthen the dispensation of justice in the matter.

She reminded the parties of the laws of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on hearing of election matters in order not to short-change the claimant.

She pointed out that since the matter at hand is an election peti-

tion, which has time limit, parties should file responses quickly to ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the matter.

She adjourne further hearing in the matter to today.

At the last hearing of the matter, the trial judge had again restrained the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch from swearing in the newly elected officers elected at the May 9, 2012 election of the branch and ordered all parties, who are defendants in the suit, to file their respective preliminary objection and response on point of law to the originating summon filed by the claimant.

The claimant, Farounbi, who is contesting the result of the May 9, 2012 election where Ubani emerged winner, sought an order of interim injunction restraining the first and second defendants from swearing in the officers elect.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are the chairman, electoral committee, Dosu Ogunniyi (first defendant), Adesina Ogunlana (fourth defendant), Carolyn Ibeh (fifth defendant), Adesina Adegbite, Titi Osagie (seventh defendant), Memuna Esegine (eighth defendant) and Nelly SilverAjalaye (ninth defendant).

‘It is the way you lay your bed that you will lay on it. If you are the applicant and not ready that day, I will strike out the case and if you are one of the defendants and not ready, it means you are not for the case. This matter actually deserves a speedy dispensation’

LEGAL DIARY Wedding Emosioriame Idornigie weds Richard Ogbu.

Date : Saturday, June 23, 2012 Venue: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja.

Time: 1.00 p.m.

Reception follows immediately after Church Service at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Shehu Hamman Abba (Shagari) of J. K. Gadzama (SAN) & Associates LP. weds Fauziya Shehu Abba.

Date: Friday, June 29, 2012 Venue: The late Alhaji Abba Girei’s residence, Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa State.

Time: 2.30 p.m.

Igbokwe buries Mum Mike Igbokwe (SAN) will on Saturday, June 23, 2012, bury his mother, Madam Margaret Igbokwe at Obiagu Village, Amichi near Nnewi, Nnewi South Local Govt Area Anambra State.

A service of songs will hold in her honour at the Household of God Church, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, today .

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Lawan as a metaphor

T

HE bribery allegation against a high-ranking member of the Seventh House of Representatives, and the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Farouk Lawan, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The allegations coming barely a week after the chestthumbing by the House for one successful legislative year must have been a kill joy.

According to reports, the Representative from Kano had initially tried to rebuff the allegations, but when confronted with the existence of a video evidence of the bribe incident, taunted the theory that the $620,000 he allegedly received was an inducement, and that he kept it as evidence.

To prove the innocence of the leadership of the House of Representatives, an emergency session was held last Friday at which the allegations were handed over to the Ethics Committee, and Lawan stripped of his chairmanship positions. At the session, the House members made strenuous efforts to distance the leadership from what apparently is a damning report against Mr Lawan. The Speaker begged the public to distinguish the acts of an institution from the conduct of its members. He also urged the public to continue to support the House, promising that the much-advertised legislative agenda would be carried through by the House, despite the challenges.

The House of Representatives surely have my sympathy and I guess that of many Nigerians, as far as their findings over the fuel subsidy scam is concerned. While the allegations against Mr Lawan has diminished the credibility of their findings, the collaborations that the subsidy regime is a huge racket from the Governor of Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance and even the Petroleum Ministry cannot be wished away by the beneficiaries of that scam and their collaborators in government. So, while the enemies of the leadership of the House of Representatives at the executive branch of government or in the subsidy racket are free to enjoy the discomfort of the House’s leadership as they try to clean the mud, both should not be deceived as to the feelings of Nigerians over the subsidy scam.

While Farouk Lawan should be brought to justice; the conduct of Mr Femi Otedola and the security agencies he claimed to have reported the incident to needs also to be examined by a third party.

For instance, how come the security agency, which allegedly gave Mr Otedola the marked notes he gave to Lawan, failed to immediately arrest Mr Lawan on his way home after he received the cash, with all the video evidence allegedly showing the Representative stuffing the dollars in his pockets and cap, like a Baba Suwe. If marked notes were truly given, how come the security men were willing to allow Mr Lawan go away with the loot, knowing that he could spend same, and deprive

them from retrieving that vital piece of evidence; or was Otedola willing to allow the sleeping dog lie, but only forced by yet-to-be explained circumstance to change his minds.

Unfortunately, the history of investigations by the Nigeria Police does not give hope that there will be a thorough investigation of the allegations against Mr Lawan, and the sudden anti-corruption activism of Femi Otedola. So, Nigerians will likely once again wring their hands in frustration; while the House members will patiently wait for them to forgive and forget. Fortuitously, I had last week on this page appealed to the House and the Senate to come to terms with their grave constitutional responsibilities, if they are to help guide Nigeria to prosperity in democracy. As I stated there, members of the national assembly are too involved in unlawful enrichment of themselves to truly act as a guardian angel to our national development.

As I argued, the leadership of the National Assembly must first purge its members of the grave unconstitutional conduct of disregarding the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission to fix extravagant wages for their members. The theory that members need to be paid as much as they want to steer them away from corruption, they must now realise with the recurring scandals can not be justified. Indeed, I have no doubt in my mind that if there is any chance that Lawan could be found guilty under our weak criminal justice system for the alleged scam, he (Farouk) would likely know more than enough secrets and unlawful conducts of the leadership to force a compromise. There is also the chance that many members of the House may be against their current unconstitutional conduct, but are too afraid to call for a change, to avoid getting lynched by other rapacious colleagues.

But if truly Honourable Speaker Tambuwal wants to make any difference, and not just play survival politics, then he must return the House to constitutionalism. In the face of the timidity shown by the Federal High Court in the suit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) challenging the unconstitutional conduct of the National Assembly over their unconscionable appropriations of our common resources to their members, the legislature has become the proverbial bull in a China shop. As I also earlier, when Lawan was still an Honourable prancing around like a Magistrate probing corruption, there is the need for another authority to also supervise the legitimacy of the actions of the National Assembly. That constitutional responsibility lies with the courts; and they must be courageous in discharging that responsibility.

By and large, there is the need for those entrusted with high public office, to have the requisite moral character needed to withstand tempting lucre. The leadership of the House has a major test at hand, as Nigerians watch the Lawan saga unfold.

31

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

NATIONAL BAR

NBA election: Race for Daudu’s job hots up

By John Austin Unachukwu

•Wali

W

ITH barely one month to the Delegates Conference and election of new officers for the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) in Kaduna, candidates contesting for various offices in the association are intensifying their campaigns using every occasion to canvass for votes and support for their candidates.

The hottest offices in the election seems to be that of the President of the NBA, occupied by Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), the office of the First Vice-President, occupied

by Blessing Ukiri and the office of the General Secretary of the Bar, occupied by Olumuyiwa Akinboro.

Candidates contesting for the office of NBA President are Okey Wali ( SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) and Blessing Ukiri. Below is their profile:

Okey Wali (SAN)

Okechukwu Emmanuel Wali was born on October 29, 1958 in Rumualogu, Akpor in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. He began his primary education at the Port Harcourt Township School and completed it at St. Paul’s Primary School Diobu, Port Harcourt.

He attended Baptist High School, Port Harcourt where he belatedly obtained his West African School Certificate in 1978 (No thanks to the civil war which kept him at home for five years).

Upon completion of his secondary education, which he topped with the Higher School Certificate obtained in 1980, Wali travelled abroad to attend the prestigious University of Buckingham, United Kingdom and graduated with Bachelor of Laws, (LL. B.) (Hons) Degree in 1983. He returned home for the mandatory one-year training at the Nigerian Law School, in Lagos, where he added Barrister at Law (BL) in1984 to his academic acquisitions.

Between 1984 and 1985, he did the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme practising law in the chambers of Bola Akingbade of Bola Akingbade & Co, Akure, Ondo State.

After the NYSC programme, Okey Wali joined the law firm of C.C.L. WilliamsChukwu & Co, in Port Harcourt, where he spent five years learning the ropes, acquiring vital skills in courtroom advocacy and solicitor’s practice.

In 1990, Wali took the step of courage by establishing his firm, Okey Wali & Co in Port Harcourt. Amid devotion to other diverse responsibilities as would be seen hereunder, Wali has operated that chambers till date.

His Leadership Role and Work life experience Okey Wali has been exhibiting sterling leadership qualities right from his childhood to his adolescence and throughout his adult life.

He has discharged with impressive efficiency the responsibilities that have devolved on him and he never shrank from undertaking heavier ones no matter the formidable appearance of such duties.

He started assuming responsible roles right from his primary school days. Between 1977 and 1978, he was the Deputy School Captain at his Government Comprehensive School and later became Senior Prefect, Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, between 1979 and 1980.

Two years after he started his private chambers, he became the Secretary of the NBA, Port Harcourt branch, in February

1992, a position he held till April 1994.

In the same 1992, he was appointed a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA, a position he still holds. Never too tired of assuming responsibilities under the aegis of his association, Wali was appointed a member of the Disciplinary Committee of the NBA in May 1996 and held the position till May 1997.

He became a member of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Rivers State in 1997 and held the office for 10 years.

In April 1998, he was elected the Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of the NBA and held the forte till his tenure expired in April 2000.

Between April 1998 and April 2004, Wali was a member of the Building Committee of the of the NBA Port Harcourt branch.

He rendered another meritorious service in the role he played as a member of a committee called “Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the NBA”, which eventually resolved the famous crisis that rocked the NBA in 1988.

Between 1999 and 2000, Wali was a member of Criminal Justice Committee of Rivers State while his membership of another body, the prestigious Council of Legal Education of Nigeria, spanned seven years, between 1999 to 2006.

Other work experience and leadership profile of Wali are listed are: Member Criminal Justice Committee Rivers State 1999 - 2000; member -Council of Legal Education of Nigeria, 1999 - 2006; member, Bar/Bench Forum Nigerian Bar Association port Harcourt Branch 1999 -date; member, Rivers State Transition Committee on Employment Generation and Poverty Alleviation 1999; member, Nigerian Bar Association Committee for the Review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2000); pioneer Chairman, Honours and Awards Committee of Nigerian Bar Association Port Harcourt Branch - May 2000 - May 2002; member Nigerian Bar Association Committee for Continuting Legal Education (2003 - 2004) Chancellor, Juris Cradle (2004 to date); member, Pioneer, Govering Council Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association 2004 - 2006; Member, Nigerian Bar Association Port Harcourt Branch Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of N.B.A Consitution, 2005; member, Disciplinary Committee of Nigerian Bar Association Port Harcourt Branch may 2005 To 2010 and member, Presidential Panel of Inquiry into the Conspiracy and Murder Involving Kingsley Chimezie and Others of Illegal Bakassi Outfit in Aba, 2005.

In addition to all the above, Wali was appointed Notary Public in August 2007, but 2007 became a landmark for him. It was the year he also became a member of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, that was between July 2007 and October 2007 and between the same period, was appointed Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for Rivers State.

He has been the Chairman of the Criminal Litigation Committee of the Section on Legal Practice of the NBA since September 2010. He was the Alternate Chairman of the NBA’s Technical Committee on Conference Planning that organised the Annual General Conference generally adjudged to be one of the best in the history of the Association in August 2010 in Portharcourt.

The year 2011 proved a year of double promotion for him as he was made a member of the Honourable Body of Benchers in June and was elected member of the General Council of the Bar in September 2011.

Wali is also a member of four professional bodies ; Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, and Juris Cradle. His hobbies consist of Volleyball, Music and Reading. Okey Wali is a devout Christian and is married with children

NNAEMEKA NGIGE (SAN) Chief Nnaemeka Ngige, SAN (fondly called Emeka Ngige) was born on July 11, 1961 to Chief Pius & late Mrs. Priscilla Ngige of Urueze-Ide Village, Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He is the last child in a family of seven children. Emeka started his primary educa-

•Ngige

tion at St. Francis Primary School, Uruezeani, Alor in 1970 shortly after the end of Biafran/ Nigerian Civil War. By 1971, he was taken to Enugu where his parents were residing and he continued his elementary school education at St. Patrick’s Primary School, Ogbete, Enugu. Because of his brilliance, at Elementary 5, he passed the State Secondary School Common Entrance Examination and thus proceeded in 1974 to St. John’s Secondary School, Alor where his elder brothers – Edwin and Christian, had earlier graduated from.

While in Secondary School, Emeka excelled in academic, social and sporting activities.

On account of his passion for hard work, he was made the Labour Prefect in the School.

At the end of the School programme in 1979, he was among the students that passed out in flying colours with Division One in the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE).

After passing out from the secondary School, Emeka worked briefly as a clerical officer at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Enugu Zonal office for one year (1979 – 1980).

Later in 1980, Emeka was admitted to study Law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. Again, Emeka proved his mettle in the academic and social programmes of the University. He was into students politics and was elected into the Students Union Senate of the university, representing Mazi Mbonu Ojike (GH) Hall.

It was from there that Emeka’s interest in students politics gathered momentum as he later became a member of the State Executive of National Union of Anambra State Students (NUASS) (1981), member, Students Wing of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) (1982) and member, Committee for The Return of Emeka Ojukwu (CODESU) (1982) and Ikemba Front (IF). He was also an active member of Alor Students Union, etc.

Emeka graduated from the Faculty of Law of UNEN in 1984 with a Second Class Lower Division and, thereafter, proceeded to Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the mandatory one year legal training. He graduated with Second Class Lower Division and was called to the Nigerian Bar on August 23, 1985.

Between 1985 and 1986, Emeka served his mandatory one year National Youth Service Scheme in Akure, Ondo State. He did his primary assignment at the State Police Command, State CID, Akure where he prosecuted several criminal cases for the Police.

At the end of the national youth service, Emeka later joined the law chambers of G. N. Uwechue & Co, Lagos as a junior counsel.

He was in this law firm between 1986 and 1990. Thereafter, he set up his own law firm – Emeka Ngige & Co in the same building.

While in private practice, as a young lawyer, Emeka found time to serve his Community in Lagos by becoming Assistant Secretary, Alor Development Union and thereafter the secretary from 1988 to 1996. He was active in the affairs of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alor (Lagos Branch).

Within his professional body – Nigerian Bar Association, Emeka is equally active. From 1991 till date, Emeka remains a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Association. A quintessential Bar man, Emeka was elected the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos Branch of the Association between 1995 and 1996. Thereafter, he was elected the Secretary of the branch between 1997 and 1999. At that time, the national NBA was in

limbo in the aftermath of 1992 Port Harcourt conference.

NBA Lagos tried to fill the vacuum created by the absence of the national body. The branch was in the vanguard of those calling for the unconditional release of Chief MKO Abiola incarcerated over the June 12 election imbroglio, the release of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (imprisoned for his alleged role in the phantom coup of 1995) and the release of other political prisoners including NADECO members detained for their political beliefs.

In 1998, Emeka as Secretary of NBA Lagos branch, was a member of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries that revived the national NBA. Lagos branch hosted one of the meetings for the adoption of the modified NBA Constitution now in force as amended In law practice, Emeka has given a good account of himself. He was among the first set of private legal practitioners engaged by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to prosecute cases at the Failed Banks Tribunals in Enugu and Lagos Zones.

A widely travelled man, Emeka is happily married to Ogochukwu Ngige (nee Anichebe) and the union is blessed with three lovely kids – Chioma, Usonwanne, and Nnaemeka Jr. Chief Nnaemeka Ngige, (SAN) was on December 23, 2006 conferred with the traditional title of IKEMBA N’ALOR (the strength of Alor) by the Igwe-In-Council. This was in recognition of his sterling contributions to the development of his community.

Similarly, Emeka is a recipient of other awards particularly from Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos, Awka, Ibadan and Idemmili branches.

Emeka’s hobbies include playing lawn tennis, watching football and gardening.

Apart from having his base in Lagos, Emeka maintains law offices in Abuja and Awka.

Emeka comes to the 2012 NBA Delegates Election armed with the necessary experience, tact and humility to lead NBA to the next level.

Blessing Ukiri E.B. UKIRI, Esq. (as he prefers to put his initials) graduated from the University of Benin in 1984. He holds a masters in Law (LL.M). He was admitted to study law through direct entry after successfully completing the High School Certificate (HSC) in Government College, Ughelli. He was called to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985.His areas of practice are general and varied, in accordance with the general practice of law in Nigeria. He, however, specialises in the enforcement of fundamental rights and judgments, litigation, energy, natural resources and environment, intellectual property, etc. He is also a Notary Public. E.B. Ukiri, has won several prizes and awards.

They include Mid-Western State Academic Merit Scholarship Award, 1974 for outstanding academic performance; first Prize in Government, Economics, Literature, Literary and Debating, Government College, Ughelli. and outstanding Legal Practitioner – Nigerian Bar Association, 2004; Distinguished Graduand Award, Faculty of Law, University of Benin; Award of Excellence – Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria; award of Distinction, University of Benin Alumni Association; Achievement Award – Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch; Award of Excellence, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Service Medal Award, Nigerian Bar Association, PH Branch and Merit Award, Nigerian Bar Association.

•Ukiri

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY THE 12TH MARITIME SEMINAR FOR JUDGES BY THE NIGERIAN SHIPPERS COUNCIL AND NATIONAL JUDICIAL INSTITUTE AT SHERATON HOTEL& TOWERS, ABUJA

•From left: John Wajilda, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council; Capt. Adamu A. Biu and Secretary/Legal Adviser Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello

• From Left: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekon and Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Dahiru Musdapher

•From left: Justice Mary Odili (JSC), Louis Mbanefo (SAN) and Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta (JSC)

•From left: Mrs Bridget Gold; former Director-General, NIMASA Mrs Mfon Usoro; Mrs Green Ala and Nneka Obiayo

•Matthew Egbadon (left) and Chidi Ilogu

•Justice Joe Iguh (left) and former General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibrahim Eddy Mark.

•Justice Emmanuel Sodeinde Sanyaolu (Rtd) and his wife Folashade

•Chief Isaac M. Jolapamo (left) and Capt. D. O. Labingo

•Jean Chiazor and Sir Peter Olorunfemi.

•Joshua Alobo(left) and Otunba Adedoyin Banjo.

PHOTOS: AKINOLA OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

33

LAW & SOCIETY THE BREAKFAST SUMMIT FOR JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT BY NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) AT THE SUPREME COURT COMPLEX, ABUJA

•Guest Speaker, Hon. Michael Kirby (left) and Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, (NIALS) Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN).

•Former minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) (left) and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) M. A. Belgore (Rtd)

•Former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbokoba (SAN), left and former Director-General, NIALS, Prof. Ignatius Ayua (SAN)

•M.S. Muritala-Coomassie (left) and Ian McConville

• From left: Sarah McConville, Tom Beamish and Libby McCutchen • Former Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) and Dr.Valerie Azinge

•From left: Former DG, Nigerian Copyrights Commission, Adebambo Adewope; Institute Secretary, James Bathnna and Prof. Paul Idornijie •Justice O. Ariwola (JSC) and Justice R.O. Nwodo (JCA)

•From left: Institute Librarian, Ufuoma Lamikara; Dean, Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Maxwell Gidado and Director of Research, NIALS, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye

• Justice Walter Onnoghen (JSC), left and Justice Chukwuma Ene. PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

34

LAW & SOCIETY

It is regrettable, our judiciary is not self-accounting Chief Ume Kalu is the Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Abia State. In this interview with the Legal Editor, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on the challenges of appointing a Chief Judge for the state, judicial reforms and other national issues

W

HAT are your achieve ments as the AttorneyGeneral in the last two years. What are your challenges?

Well, in terms of experience, it has been quite interesting and very challenging. It is challenging in the sense of my background in active private legal practice without any previous opportunity of working in government. I had challenges trying to key into the system. The way government work is done is almost at variance with what obtains outside.

So, to that extent, a lot of challenges came up as to the attitude to work, the environment that we work, the infrastructure that we have on ground, the procedures attached to government operations and so on.

These obviously are some of the challenges, though very daunting but in any event, I have been adjusting to the environment and we are making tremendous progress.

Luckily, too, I have a crop of dedicated staff; some of them are very dedicated and committed. They have been able to guide me in certain areas by way of advice and so on. I will say to God be all the glory for the few things we have achieved within this period.

Without sounding immodest or blowing your own trumpet, can you name one or two things you have been able to achieve in two years?

Talking about projects or achievements, I cannot say that I have achieved anything, if you talk of projects, you must attribute that to the government in Abia State, by extension you talk of the state Governor, Chief T. A. Orji. What I have done so far is just that of trying to guide the government by way of advice as to what I think should be done.

The first challenge that I have is, if you consider the office of the Attorney-General, you can see that apart from the constitutional duties assigned to that office, the Attorney-General is the link man between the government and the judiciary.

In terms of their challenges, which the judiciary has, most times I have to bring them to the knowledge of the government in power, so, that the government can attend to their needs.

When I got to Abia State, the moral of most of them in the judiciary was at its lowest ebb.

What do you mean by this?

You won’t believe that when I got here, most of the magistrates had no vehicles. It was when I got in that the Governor quickly acceded to giving vehicles to magistrates and now, a large percentage them have vehicles assigned to them by the government. Though not all of them have vehicles, about 70 per cent of them do have.

It was when I assumed office that judges in Abia State got befitting cars as their official cars. Most of their have their back up cars. It is only about four of them that do not have back up cars. They have state-of-the-art cars, the best that you can think of, so that they will be at permit their colleagues from other parts of the country.

Apart from the welfare of judicial officers, what have you done about the infrastructure?

You cannot believe it that when I got to this place, records in the High Courts were type-written with manual typewriters and I considered that unacceptable for a state judiciary in the 21st century. I made representations to the governor and told him that we can’t have our judges here use typewriters and he gave his consent imme-

diately.

We have been able to computerise our courts. Last year, we got the state House of Assembly to pass a supplementary budget of about N1 billion, especially for the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.

What do you intend to use this money for?

The idea is to improve their infrastructure. We are building new court room. We have been able to fence the court rooms within a metropolis like Aba where they do not have fences at all. People could easily come into the courts and take away the court files. So, we have been able to fence the place.

We are erecting four new court rooms there. The main court rooms that were there are in a mess. They are in dilapidated condition. The roads are bad, no ceilings etc.

The court has been there, but it has been neglected over years. We have been able to refurbish the existing court rooms, and are seriously erecting four new modern court halls, which the governor has promised to inaugurate before the end of the year. We are landscaping the Aba High Court premises.

So, I am sure that in the next four months or so, we will have a masterpiece of court environment in Aba. What is happening to other courts in the state? Are they receiving the attention of the government?

Well, in Umuahia, you have been to the sight; you have seen what is on ground. It is all part of the restructuring that we are doing in the judiciary.

We are coming up with an edifice; we have about four modern court rooms, which will be fully equipped. There is going to be another administrative block behind it and we are going to landscape the Umuahia High Court. These are some of the things that we are doing.

What of the Customary Court of Appeal?

The Customary Court of Appeal was an eyesore some four or six months back. It was such an eyesore that you wouldn’t imagine that lawyers and judges would stay there.

The Customary Court of Appeal has about four judges and these four judges who holed up in one chamber. But now, they have their independent chambers and the place ha been remodelled.

It is now a masterpiece and, indeed, a befitting Court of Appeal.

How was the Ministry of Justice when you came in?

Lawyers didn’t even have seats; we had a dilapidated bungalow not befitting a ministry.

But now, you can see where are; you can see my office and testify to what you have seen.

This is a standard office for any Attorney-General. I have been to other climes, other states; we can compare favourably with them in this respect.

Apart from that, you can see the edifice on ground, the new structure that we are putting up. It will house the law officers that we have including the support staff.

These are some of the things that we have been doing. Our judges can conveniently attend international conferences, a thing which has not been happening over the years. There are judges who served this state and retired without attending one conference outside the country. But when I came in, I told the governor that this is not acceptable because the legal profession is dynamic. It is only when you attend international

• Kalu

conferences that you can exchange ideas with your colleagues elsewhere and then improve your knowledge. So, now, any conference that is worth its salt, we make sure that Abia State is left out. Things are shaping up just because we have a listening governor; our governor listens because he is a product of the Judiciary. If not for the judiciary, he would not be there today. If you recall the legal cases that trailed his election, the Court of Appeal said look this man has a mandate.

He has that at the back of his mind and that is why he does not joke with anything that concerns the judiciary. Once there is a cogent advice, he doesn’t joke with it. Though it is not yet Uhuru for us, I can assure you that we have identified our problems and there is the determination that in the next few months, people would be coming to Abia State to see how court environments should be; how to run the ministry of justice and so on.

What is the relationship between you office and the heads of courts in Abia State?

Well, you know very well that I belong to the executive arm of government. The constitution provides for the three arms of government and each of them is independent of one another, though they complement each other in governance.

Nevertheless, the constitution expects that these arms of government should be independent to an extent. As I said, I act as a bridge and as a month piece for them.

You don’t expect judges to on the pages of newspapers and clamour for things such as funding and all that. You don’t expect them to make public outcry about their condition of service. But because they have an Attorney-General, I have a good relationship with them. If the Judiciary has a need for anything, they approach me.

It is really unfortunate that up till this time, the judiciary is yet to be self-accounting. They still rely on the executive for funding. I know that is not the best thing to do but that is the situation that we here there. There are very few states in this country that have made their judiciary self-account-

ing. Maybe only Lagos State and one other.

But here we have not reached that level. So, if there is need in the judiciary and they could ask me to draw the Governor’s attention to the problems that they have, it is cordial and complementary. But don’t forget that we appear before them as lawyers, the bulk of the cases that we do here bothers on litigation, government cases and prosecuting criminal matters and most of the time, we appear before them and we are working for better administration of justice in the state.

How do you intend to resolve the issue of leadership in the High Court of Abia State in the shortest possible time?

Well, that problem has been on for close to a year. What is happening in Abia is not novel, it has happened everywhere. Normally, when there is a vacuum in leadership, there is always a tussle over who will occupy that space. In the judiciary, the mode of succession is not a straight- jacket. There could be a norm, maybe at some levels, like the Supreme Court and other jurisdiction where they have been able to resolve it.

Where they would agree, the most senior judge will assume the throne whenever there is a vacuum. But it not a law, that is what I have been telling some of my colleagues. If you look at Section 271 of the Constitution, it itemises the procedure through, which a Chief Judge (CJ) emerges and what qualifications they should have; it did not say that the most senior must be the CJ of a state.

As the Attorney-General, what is your advice in the case?

The constitution equally goes further to provide the appointing authority as the Governor of the state.

Before the governor appoints, there is a procedure for the emergence of the state CJ. What is then the procedure?

You see when there is a vacancy in the office of the CJ, what happens in practical terms is that the Judicial Service Commission of the state (JSC) will meet and at their meeting, nomination could be made. All judges in the state

are qualified to be appointed a CJ; in fact, even lawyers could be appointed. Once you are 10 years at the Bar, you are qualified to be the Chief Judge of a state that is what the law says. So, any lawyer above 10 years including serving judges are qualified to be the CJ of a state, if we apply.

But what we did in Abia State and what most states do is that we look at the serving judges and from the serving judges, they can make nominations. They will vote and the way they emerge though the exercise, you send the list of the National Judicial Council (NJC). This is the body that recommends. They NJC will look at the minutes of the meeting and the recommendations and if possible invite the judges so nominated for interview; so at the end of the day, they nominate the one for appointment. They usually nominate three people for appointment to the governor who is the appointing authority. The NJC will write to the governor and say these are our nominees, please appoint. Then the Governor will submit the names recommended by the NJC to the state House of Assembly for confirmation. Where that is confirmed, the governor will swear in the CJ. Nothing here says that it must be the most senior judge.

Did you do this in Abia State?

In Abia State, the JSC met and we had three nominees which we sent to the NJC in the order in which they came out from the voting. The first person had seven votes, the next person had three and another one had two.

The NJC left the first and second persons, nominated the third person to the Governor. The reason they gave was that third person was the most senior. That was the reason they gave in their letter.

That nominee was sent to the state House of Assembly and the House rejected her. They refused to confirm her. And that placed the governor in a state of helplessness because the constitution had already given responsibilities to these institutions.

The governor doesn’t have the right to confirm once they didn’t confirm, we could not swear her in as the CJ. So, we wrote back to the NJC and said look, since the House of Assembly has refused to confirm this name, please give us another name because as at that time they still had two other names. They wrote back to say no, you must take that person. We sent her name back to the state House of Assembly the second time, it rejected her, stating reasons they cannot confirm that nominee. So, what should we do?

What happened thereafter?

Well, the drafters of the constitution in their wisdom made provisions for Acting Chief Judge because they anticipate that there could be this sort of scenario where the process is stalemated.

It is on that instance that the constitution says the most senior judge shall be appointed.

So, we appointed the most senior judge in the state as the Acting Chief Judge when it was stalemated and, incidentally, the most senior judge happened to be the one the NJC nominated. So, we appointed her as the Acting Chief Judge. The constitution says that she must act for only three months. So, don’t reappoint her except on the recommendation of the NJC.

35

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

NATIONAL BAR Institute elects new officers

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• From left:Vice-President NIPR Mr Dennis Ekemezie; Head, Strategy Centre,Lagos State Ministry of Infomation and Strategy, who represented the Commisioner for Information Lagos State Mrs. Tro Oladapo and the Programme Administrator, NIPR Accelerated Certification Training at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

• National President, NIPR Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi in a handshake with an inductee /Legal Editor The Nation John Austin Unachukwu while the NIPR Registrar Dr. Stephen Adebayo watches.

• Cross section of inductees

Shape up, NIPR chief warns quacks B ARING any last minute change, the days of quacks, non-registered and nonaccredited public relations practitioners in the country are numbered.

The President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Alhaji Mohammed A. Adullahi, stated this at the induction of members of the institute’s Accelerated Certification Training at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

He said: “I specially thank Mr. Peter Ogudoro, a committed member of our institute for bringing his international exposure to bear on this programme all of us are proud of and hope that he and his firm, Ogudoro Leadership Trainers and Management Consultants will remain committed to working with us as we collaborate with other professionals in the country to show the way and lead our country to greatness.

“It is very risky to practise Public Relations in Nigeria without registering as a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

“As you are probably aware, the

By John Austin Anachukwu

NIPR is by Decree 16 of 1990 saddled with regulating the Public Relations in this country and our mandate includes the determination of the standards of knowledge, skills and values to the possessed by those who seek to be registered as Public Relations Practitioners in Nigeria .

“You and I know that we have a large clan of quacks who parade themselves as PR practitioners in Nigeria and this had had very embarrassing implications for our reputation and image as a people and the effects both obvious and remote include the presentation of propaganda as truth, poor service delivery ion most sectors of our economy, and the myriad of development problems we have had to needlessly live with for a very long time.”

He also said: “Quackery is inimical to the profession as it reflects and

project us in a bad light. We are determined to stamp it out in our profession and are about to direct our lawyers to go after quacks in this field.

All non-registered practitioners should utilise this window we have provided through the administrator of the Accelerated Certification Training Programme immediately so that they can take advantage of the soft- landing we are willing to give them. But sanity must be restored to our profession and the time to do so is now.”

“It is only qualified men and women, who are accredited and certified by the institute that are truly qualified to practise Public Relations in this country, either in paid or selfemployment. It is, therefore, imperative for employers in both the public and private sectors of the economy to comply with the law of the land by ensuring that only true members of the NIPR are engaged in Public Relations positions and vacancies, and also the employer of a public relation quack. If found guilty they can be fined, jailed or both”.

About 103 graduates of the programme were inducted.

HE Chartered Institute of Ar bitrators, Abuja chapter, has elected new officers to run its affairs. They are: Chairman, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN); First Vice-Chairman, Prof. Paul Idornige; Second Vice-Chairman, Mr Chikwendu Madumere; Third Vice-Chairman, Mrs Remi Awe; Secretary, Mrs Ukpeme Akpan; Assistant Secretary, Mr Isaiah Bozimo; Public Relations Officer, Rose Nwosu; Treasurer, Mirabel Edozie; Liaison Officer, Ephraim Oluwanuga; Membership Secretary, Mrs Julia Utulu; and an ExOfficio, Mr Patrick Ikwueto (SAN).

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators United Kingdom was founded in 1915, incorporated in 1924 and granted a Royal Charter in 1979. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) has a multi-disciplinary membership of over 10,000 members in 84 countries.

The Nigeria Branch is one of the branches of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The Branch was granted a Branch status in 1999 upon the fulfilment of the prescribed requirements for branch status. Since then, the Branch has grown with membership of over 1,300 members as at 2011.

Membership of the Branch cuts across all disciplines including practitioners in law, construction, shipping, engineering, insurance, banking, accounting, as well as oil and gas.

•Gadzama (SAN)

By John Austin Anachukwu

The Nigeria Branch has seasoned Arbitrators practitioners. It maintains close links with other professional arbitral bodies.

By an application dated June 16, 2006, six members of the Branch requested the formation of the Abuja Chapter as a subsection of the Nigeria Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The Board of Trustees as provided in the By Laws of the Institute duly approved the establishment of the Abuja Chapter of the Nigeria Branch.

The Abuja Chapter was inaugurated on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the Transcorp-Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Muslim lawyers urge Jonathan to reinstate Salami

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HE Muslim Lawyers’ Associa tion of Nigerian (MULAN) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to heed the advice of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais and other well-meaning Nigerians by reinstating the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

The group urged the President to comply with the relevant provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 by recalling Justice Salami having received the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the matter.

In a communiqué issued after its 17th National Executive Committee (NEC) at Ikeja, the group pleaded with the Federal Government to rescind its decision to increase electricity tariff in the interest of the public, pointing out that “Nigerians should not be made to pay highly for what they do not enjoy regularly and which, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), can trigger high inflation in the country.”

The communiqué signed by Tajudeen Adewara and Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Musoddiq Adele Sanni, said any increase in electricity tariff, without regard to the provisions of section 76 of the National Electricity Reform Act and Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is a gross violation of the rule of law which the administration promised to uphold,”it said.

The Muslim lawyers want the NJC to investigate the allegation that Justice Rose Soji of the Nasarawa State

By Adebisi Onanuga

High Court insulted and ordered one Isa Nalaraba to walk out of her court for wearing a beard that lookS like that of a Sheik, adding that if the report turned out to be true, the necessary sanction should be imposed on her to serve as deterrent to others.

The group kicked against what it termed the persistent unlawful prohibition of the use of the Islamic dress code , the Hijab, by such government organisations as the NYSC, the Nigerian Law School, federal and state universities and high courts.

It said the discriminatory action of the agencies is not only a violation of the provisions l of section 38 of the Nigerian constitution, but also out of tune with common global practice where Muslims women are allowed to dress in accordance with their faith, even in sporting activities such as football and athletics.

On national security, the group lamented that the security situation in the country, whereby armed robbery, militancy, incessant bombings by identified and unidentified groups, extra judicial killings, wanton destruction of property, vandalism of oil pipelines and kidnappings are worsening, calls for urgent and comprehensive solution.

It advised the government to ensure that the security agencies are made to concentrate on their primary duties of protecting lives and properties instead of unleashing multifarious abuses on innocent law abiding citizens in the affected area.

Court orders Epe council to pay contractor

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LAGOS State High Court, Lagos Island, has ordered Epe Local Government to pay its contractor, Mr Monsuru Olayemi, the N2.07million owed him for a job a he did.

In a judgment by Justice Morenike Obadina, the court said the council admitted its indebtness to Olayemi.

The applicant had urged the court, in a motion on notice, to compel the council to pay him for

By Joseph Jibueze

the renovation he did at a school.

The judge said: “Judgment is hereby entered for the claimant against the defendant in the sum of N2,070,192.20.”

The money, the judge said, is “the total sum being owed the claimant for the renovation granted him in respect of Jakande Classroom at Universal Primary School, Okerisan, Epe.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

36

LAW & DEVELOPMENT

Should Pro bono legal services be mandatory?

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ROM January, next year, new lawyers who passed the New York State Bar Examination will be required to undergo 50 hours of pro bono legal services before they are approved to start private practice. The initiative is part of the reforms introduced by the New York Chief Judge, Jonathan Lippman into bar admission process.

The requirement, which is considered revolutionary, has already been approved by the four appellate divisions in New York and it will ensure that new lawyers, before starting private practice, have had some degree of real world experience. It is also viewed as a way to foster a strong culture of public service in the legal profession provide legal assistance to thousands of under-privileged, who ordinarily would not have been able to afford the cost of justice.

Pro bono legal service is not alien to Nigeria, or other countries where rule of law is fully entrenched. In Nigeria, pro bono legal service is more synonymous with law firms and individual lawyers who are human rights activists and are constitutional lawyers. It is these groups of lawyers and activists that are visible in the judiciary sector initiating court processes for those who are abused or are denied of their rights by those who are privileged.

Aside from government agencies such as Nigerian Legal Aids Council, Office of the Public Defenders (OPD) in Lagos State, most lawyers do not engage in any such practice except intending Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) for whom it is mandatory to have carried out a certain amount of such services before being conferred with the award of SAN. At a time legal education in Nigeria has come under severe and negative criticisms to the point that calls are being made from most quarters for a review of the legal education system to improve the quality of lawyers coming out of the bar school.

Will the adoption of mandatory pro bono legal services for new lawyers lead to awareness to the call for every lawyer to render public service during private practice and improve the quality of lawyers coming out of the bar school ? The issue was examined by eminent members of the legal profession, in-

•Oyebode

•Chief Benson

By Adebisi Onanuga

cluding Professor of International law, Akin Oyebode, Chief Babatunde Olushola Benson(SAN), and Mr Femi Falana. They all believe that a mandatory pro bono legal service will inculcate the spirit of public service in the mind of lawyers and, particularly, prepare young lawyers for the task ahead and make them appreciate the oath of their profession.

Oyebode said the idea of pro bono legal service all over the world is to empathise with the poor. “Generally, if you have money, you can hire the best paid lawyer. So people with bigger wallets have access to better legal counsels. So, what pro bono is supposed to do is to care for the poor. It is a matter of conscience so that people would not be locked out of the legal system,” he said.

Oyebode does not agree that pro bono legal services should be made mandatory for new lawyers. “I think it is good that very senior lawyers are now compelled to do pro bono work before they can be celebrated because the highest accolade any lawyer can have as a practitioner is that of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. I think the message that legal practitioners have been putting across to the Ethics Committee or lawyers generally is to exercise some pro bono interests.

Because if it is made a qualification, a requirement to become SAN, then many people would not feet shy of engaging in pro bono services. I think the Nigerian approach is more to be preferred than that of New York,” he argued.

Oyebode said the requirement for pro bono services has been made mandatory for intending Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Accord-

ing to him, an intending SAN must show evidence of pro bono services. “Before you can become a SAN, you need to have given public service of public interest. Pro bono is something that should ordinarily be voluntary”.

He explained that in the United States, admission to the bar is a state matter and not general. “If you are called to Bar in New York, you have to practise in Massachussets and vice-versa. So, it is a state affair; it is not a national thing. But I think because the New York bar is the largest in the state, anything New York says, before long, it would be adopted by the rest of the country”.

On the duration of pro bono services that intending SANs should undertake, the professor of law explained that the system in America is quite different from ours where they charge by hours compared to Nigeria where we just put a number. “Like the application for SAN, the requirement is, may be, to have had six appearances at the Court of Appeal and at the Supreme Court. It is a question of quantity and not duration,” he said. You know we have Legal Aids Bureau, Office of the Public Defender (OPD); we have all sorts of provisions protecting the rights and interest of poor litigants. The approach in America is different from ours because theirs is a commitment by the state to protect the poor people.

“The Americans, I believe, would want to ensure that poor people have their day in court. In America, the saying is that every American should have a day in court but to really have your day in court, you must be defended by good and competent counsel.

Femi Falana is doing it around here. He said every Nigerian must have a meaningful day

•Falana

in court. That is to say that it is not just going to court to move the motion, you must be able to have faith, hope and confidence in the legal process. So, for me, it is a way of ensuring commitment and interest of poor people to the vitality of the legal system. So, these are things that colonisation had truncated.

We have to really decolonise the Nigerian legal culture for such things like pro bono legal service. That is my position.

Chief Benson (SAN) described pro bono cases as legal aid cases. He believed that it is something in which every lawyer must be involved. He said: “It is all about public service and providing legal assistance to the poor and needies, who cannot afford the best of lawyers. It would be a beautiful idea. But lawyers just coming out of the law school, what experience have they got? You see, there(i.e.New York),you can’t compare them with us. I was just reading some files there. When I was the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and lawyers were sent to chambers, that was for three to four weeks and what would they have learnt? They move from such chambers to court for another three to four weeks. Within the nine months training in the law school, what would they have learnt? If we do that here, a lot of them would go in for it. But my fear is that they wouldn’t have enough to cover for it. It is a good idea. It is alright to have pro bono but do we have the same system with them?

He, however, said the government should fund adequately the practice of pro bono legal service in the country, adding that otherwise lawyers will not want to engage in it. “I was the chairman of Legal Aid Council in Nigeria for about six years. At that time, we were not funding it very well.

• From left: Babalakin (SAN); Justice Babalakin (rtd); Lord Carmwath; Justice Musdapher; Justice Ayoola and Justice Belgore at the event

Musdapher, others praise Babalakin for restoring NMLR

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MINENT personalities have converged on Abuja to hold the maiden edition of the Nigerian Monthly Law Report (NMLR) lecture series.

They include the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapha, former judges and senior lawyers. They praised Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN) for reintroducting NMLR, one of the oldest of law reports in the country.

Former CJNs Mohammed Uwais and Alfa Belgore, Justices Mahmud Mohammed; Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, Walter Samuel Onnnoghen,

Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Christopher Chukwuma Eneh, M.S. Muntaka-Coomasie, John Afolabi Fabiyi, Olufunlola Oyelola Adekeye, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Francis Fedode Tabai and Olukayode Ariwoola came from the Supreme Court.

Others were retired Supreme Court judgesm- Justices Bola Babalakin and Olayinka Ayoola; retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, Justice C.C. Nweze of the Court of Appeal, Yola Division, Chief Judge of Borno State,

Justice Kashim Zannah, Dr. Gbolahan Elias (SAN) and Mrs. Miannaya Aja Essien (SAN).

Justice Musdapher commended the publisher of the NMLR, Babalakin (SAN), for his contributions to the development of the nation’s judicial system. He observed that the lecture series would be of benefit not only to the judiciary, but the nation.

He said: “The fact that some judgments of the Appeal Courts and the Supreme Court created confusion in the public underscored the importance of the lecture.” He also said the

NMLR was one of the foremost law reports in the country having be first published in the 1960s.

The CJN said he was not surprised that Babalakin rose to the challenge of filling the void created by resting of the journal in the 1970s and advised him to keep up the standard for which it was noted.

Lord Robert Carmwath, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom was the guest lecturer at the event held under the theme: “Judicial precedent: Taming the common law.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

37

AVIATION

Aviation expert seeks airlines’ merger to ensure safer skies

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HAT is the way out of the frequent air disasters witnessed in the country? It is by getting the airlines to form a formidable front, says chairman, Aviation Roundtable Captain Dele Ore. According to him, except those in the aviation sector merge to form “very strong and formidale airlines” Nigera may witness more air disasters in future.”

Ore described the committee set up by Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, to probe the June 3 Dana plane crash .

Ore said the minister lacks the power to probe into causes of the Dana plane crash, adding that it is only the Accident and Investigation Bureau (AIB) that has such power. ‘’The investigating body set up by the minister and headed by Group Captain John Obakpolor, should not be in competition with the AIB. That panel is illegal.

Mind you, there are foreign nationals in that plane and their country won’t take us serious with the ways we are going about probing the cause of the crash. ‘”The Act regulating the industry is very clear. The minister can set up as many committees as she wants, but not one to probe the cause of the crash and look into the maintenance record of Dana Air. The only body that can do that is the NCAA and not the minister,” he said.

Ore also lambasted the National Assembly for asking the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Harold Demureen, to step aside pending investigation into the crash, adding that the lawmakers lacked the power to make such pronouncement.

“I disagree with the aviation minister that our airspace is the safest in Africa.

Aviation is very important to governance, but I can’t understand why the Federal Government is treating it with levity. The most important airline in the country is the presidential fleet. It is well run by Nigerians at great cost to the nation. So, the president knows that it’s not cheap to run an airline. If he considers the kind of problems faced with the running of the presidential fleet, he will appreciate the possible problems faced by private airlines.”

The only way the airlines can move forward is by consolidation.

When asked to comment on the services

of Dana Air before the unfortunate incident, he said as an insider in the industry, he was quite familiar with most operators and could vouch for the services of Dana Air. He said if the suspension placed on the airline was lifted tomorrow, he would not think twice before putting his family on board Dana Air, because of its safety .

Managing Director of Capital Airlines , Captain Amos Akpan said it is premature for some experts to claim to know the cause of the DANA Air crash, when the investigation into the accident is still on going.

“International Standard best practice for investigating air accident are properly documented. Nigeria ’s adoption of these practices are documented in Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 61 Vol. 93 of November 2006 – Government Notice No. 45 – Titled Civil Aviation Act, 2006.

“The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is the agency to investigate air accidents. It is the AIB’s prerogative to seek assistance from other technical institutions and persons worldwide for the delivery of exhaustively investigated report.

“The Civil Aviation Act 2006 states that the sole objective of the investigation of accidents and serious incidents shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents and it shall not be for the purpose of apportioning blame or liability.”

He said: “But the law says it can recommend withdrawal or suspension of license or cancellation. We cannot shout crucify anybody until AIB finishes its job. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2006 prohibits reprisal punishment against any personnel that comes forward to report incidences, errors, or actions that needs to be investigated in order to place preventive and corrective measures on record. Operators in the industry are forced to document this as their procedures.

“This means we investigate to prevent and correct and will encourage people not to shy away from reporting incidences.

“The appointment of a Committee to report on the “health of the airlines and the agencies” is the prerogative of the government. It sounds to me like indictment of the Directorate of Economic Regulations of our Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant departments who worked to secure United States Federal Aviation Administration category one, he said. Mean-

•Oduah

•Demuren

•Obakpolor

•Ore

while, the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN), has cautioned experts in the aviation industry to be wary of comments that could plunge

the industry into further crisis, as their comments on the supposed cause of the DANA Air crash has brought about a drastic decline in passenger traffic.

Counting the cost of an avoidable plane crash

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HE news of Dana Airplane crash came as well-meaning Nigerians tried to adjust to the excruciating fact that for the umpteenth time this year, suicide bombers had a field day in Yelwa, Bauchi State, when they audaciously defied our security system to take the lives of innocent worshipers for a reason they will better give to God. Reports have it that over 153 people died in the Lagos plane crash, which in every respect was avoidable if the management of Dana Airline was careful with certain technical hitches that have severally caused their customers to complain. I wish to express my deep regret for this incidence which has now exposed Dana’s insensitivity to the plights of their teeming clientele in Nigeria, especially with the airline being a major local carrier.

Last Thursday I had cause to be in an informal meeting with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godwill Akpabio. At the little parley were the Speaker to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Umana Umana, and some members of the state Executive Council. In the course of our interaction, Akpabio said that he had been inundated with complaints from indigenes of the state concerning the poor state of Dana planes that are used to ply the Uyo-Abuja and Uyo-Lagos routes. In a manner that is typical of the Governor, he immediately asked to be given the phone number of the Managing Director (MD) of Dana Airlines through Captain Olubunmi Williams, who forwarded the Dana MD’s contact to the Governor.

Akpabio then placed a call to the MD of Dana Airlines, Mr Jacky Hathiramani

By Onofiok Luke

through the phone of the Commissioner of Works, Mr Don Etim. Governor Akpabio in the conversation with Hathiramani insisted that he needed to have a true picture of the conditions of the planes that were conveying passengers to and from the state by Dana.

The Dana boss in the chat assured the Governor that his company’s aircrafts were in first-hand order. While agreeing that Dana was at the moment facing some pressure, Hathiramani guaranteed that their air worthiness was never to be subject to query, as Dana had been issued a clean bill of health by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Having consulted key stakeholders on the issue, Akpabio advised Hathiramani to be sure that no stone was left unturned in ensuring that whatever issues were there to be fixed concerning his planes were so done without delays. The governor alluded to the events which preceded the ultimate grounding of ADC airlines in 2006. I vividly remember that Chief Akpabio informed the Dana MD in the telephone conversation that before the sad incidence of October 29, 2006 which involved an ADC plane crash that took the lives of over 100 passengers, ADC was first being criticised widely by their customers for their acts of negligence. He noted that ADC’s ostensible lax in handling those minor faults as put forward by their customers was later to escalate into the loss of innocent lives. He expressed worry that the number of complaints that were pouring in from Dana customers were just enough to elucidate that all was not well with Dana, and that such vote of no confidence deserved to be taken a lot seriously.

Not satisfied with the explanation and assurances tabled by the Dana MD, the Governor then placed another call to the DirectorGeneral of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren, to whom he relayed the complaints of Akwa Ibom passengers and got further pledges from the DG that the concerns raised would be looked into.

I am compelled to share this with fellow Nigerians so they can judge for themselves the cleanliness of the bill of health that Dana claimed the NCAA awarded them. I reason that it is either Dana misinformed Governor Akpabio by saying that the NCAA, having deemed their planes air fit, awarded them a clean bill of health, or the NCAA is going about issuing death warrants to local carriers like Dana.

For a number of times in the past weeks, I have personally had cause to question the competence of Dana Airline in running commercial flights in the country. More worrisome was the fact that in spite of the increasing complaints by passengers, it often appears that Dana takes no steps to correct technical anomalies which raise doubts about their airplanes. It is worthy of note that Sunday’s mishap did not come as a surprise to many who have been flying Dana recently. Only two weeks ago, passengers onboard a Dana plane narrated how what would have been a major crash of one of Dana’s Lagos-bound planes was divinely averted. According to some of the passengers who were on-board, the plane was said to have been unable to touch down after its landing gear failed to produce the aircraft’s landing wheels. Several efforts were made, including taking a tour to Cotonou and then returning to manage a fair landing. This incident was enough to put the technical crew

of Dana on their toes and forestall the sad event of Sunday, June 3.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been a frequent flyer of Dana Airlines from Uyo to Abuja/Lagos and vice versa. On several occasions, I have had cause to decry the ineptness of the practise whereby a plane that has only just landed for passengers to disembark, is the very one immediately set up for boarding by a new set of travellers. Whether the barely 30 minutes that Dana takes to check a flight that has just taxied in from Abuja to Uyo, for example, is enough time to find and correct possible technical faults that may have arisen on such an aircraft is a question that Nigerians would have to ask Dana.

It, therefore, smacks of sheer negligence for Dana to be the carrier that is adding to our sorrows at this point in time, in spite of their acclaimed daunting safety records. If they had taken the complaints of their customers more seriously, especially as championed by a state Governor in the person of Chief Godswill Akpabio, it is certain that the unfortunate incidence would have been forestalled.

It is painful that Dana’s negligence has cost the nation the lives of 153 Nigerians, some of whom were breadwinners, statesmen, corporate and business leaders, as well as children, our future leaders. I must point out that being the most patronised airliner for the people of Akwa Ibom State, the ill-fated Dana aircraft could have been carrying mainly Akwa Ibomites from the Uyo International Airport to Abuja or Lagos. In such circumstance, the 153 passengers could have been all Akwa Ibom families.

• Barr. Onofiok Luke is a Member Representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

38

MARITIME NIMASA presents Piracy Bill

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

THE Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has presented the Draft Piracy and other Unlawful Acts at Sea Bill to industry stakeholders in Lagos.

The draft bill, which relies on the various treaties of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ratified

by Nigeria, is expected to provide a regulatory framework for defining piracy, prosecuting and punishing criminals.

At the event, NIMASA Director-General Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi underscored the negative impact of piracy, saying about $3 billion is lost yearly to sea robbery globally, adding that Nigeria is a major contributor.

The NIMASA boss, who was represented by the Executive Director, Cabotage Service and Labour, Mr Ibrahim Zilani, said: “To develop a robust legal framework for fighting these incidences on sea, an international conference on piracy was organised by NIMASA in collaboration with the Nigeria Navy.

“One of the resolutions at that conference was to strengthen existing legal framework. This bill is drawn not only from conventions of the IMO that Nigeria is a signatory to, but also provisions of other protocols yet to be conceded to, but important for curbing unlawful acts at sea.”

Abidjan to become container hub • One of the checkpoints ... last Saturday.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Customs increases check-points on Badagry road S

OME Customs check points have sprung up on the Agbara-SemeBadagry Expressway, hindering movement of goods within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region.

The check points, it was learnt, are against the protocol on goods movement among ECOWAS memberstates to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Customs spokesman Wale Adeniyi attributes the check points emergence to “a change in strategy”.

He said those check-points were approved for the road, but the number was raised following the strategy change.

Two check-points were approved for Agbara to Seme, but they are over four now, findings showed. At these points, Customs officers are accused of extorting money from road users.

The findings revealed that

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

the approved check points are the one before the bridge called Koto Orun (death trap) near Agbara road and the one at the bridge at Gbaji.

Last week, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) at the Seme border station, Comptroller Sahabi Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the approved checkpoints, adding that others are illegal.

But when The Nation visited the area last week, over 20 Customs officers and men from the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) were seen on the road.

Efforts to rid the road of the check-points have proved abortive.There have been several directives by the Customs management for such road blocks to be dismantled to no avail.

The check-points hinder

trade in the sub-region, and make goods more expensive, especially on the Nigerian side.

An importer, Mr Philip Adetula, said the checkpoints, cause unnecessary delays on the road. He alleged that the Customs officials also extort money from traders who have paid the prescribed government duties at the border station.

He said: “After paying the necessary duty on my Toyota Matrix 2005 Model to Customs at the border, I was forced to pay additional N50,000 to bring the vehicle to the town.

“But it is disheartening that this is happening despite the threat by the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs Alhaji Dikko to deal with officers and men of the service, who either mount illegal road blocks or raid traders’shops.

“Since he has informed them several times that they should desist from mounting illegal roadblocks, anyone found culpable should be dealt with immediately.”

He urged the Customs authorities to solve the problem.

A senior Customs officer at FOU Zone ‘A’, who craved anonymity, defended his colleagues. He said it was legal for any Customs officers to patrol the road.

He, however, admitted that some of them may be hiding under the law to mount illegal road blocks.

According to FOU officials are present at Gbaji, which is about 40 kilometres away from the Seme border, and Agbara because they are known as areas used by smugglers.

The officer, however, advised the government to review some stringent laws so that smuggling could be curtailed through porous land borders.

Importers, agents decry arbitrary charges

• NPA MD, Omar Suleiman

T

HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been urged to stop the arbitrary charges imposed on importers and clearing agents by

concessionaires and shipping companies.

The importers complained that they are compelled to pay for demurrage at the ports when it is the terminal operators that cause the delay.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the Managing Director, Silver Shipping Investment Mr Sunday Odutola urged NPA to address the problem of excessive charges.

Odutola alleged that importers were being short-changed by concessionaires and shipping companies which impose arbitrary charges.

He said operators and shipping companies introduce charges without following the agreement they signed with the Federal Government.

General Manager, Public Affairs, NPA Chief Michael Ajayi warned terminal operators against arbitrary charges.

Statistics show the tonnage of the ocean going vessels is 10,379,398; this is about 18 per cent increase compared to 8,796,865tons in April, last year.

The gross tonnage of the coastal vessels, he said, was 722,787, a rise of 11.3 per cent

over 649,415 tonnes in April, last year.

The increase, Ajayi said, is attributed to the regular capital and maintenance dredging of the Lagos channel, removal of critical wrecks in the channel and patronage of the seaports by importers and clearing agents.

Ajayi said NPA has promised that with these results, more efforts would be made to make the ports attractive for business and ensure that the ports would be the preferred destination in the subregion.

Why rice import through land borders was stopped

F

ACTS have emerged on why the Federal Gov ernment banned the importation of rice through the land borders.

It was caused by the huge negative duty differentials between what the agents pay at land borders and what their counterparts who clear their rice consignments through the seaports pays, The Nation learnt.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

The National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, during a visit to the Seme Border, while responding to issues raised by the Seme Border chapter of the association on the persistent ban on rice imports through land borders by the govern-

ment, said the reasons given by the Presidency are plausible.

He said he was made to understand that the government is short-changed when rice is imported through the borders.

His words: “Rice brought through the port are bagged and containerised and people in the ports are paying minimum of N6 million per

container, but through the border a lorry can carry six containers of rice and the importer will pay just N1.3 million, which shows that revenue is flying. “ He said if they are ready to pay the appropriate duty like their counterparts at the seaports, he would approach the appropriate authorities for a review of the ban.

By Uyoatta Eshiet

THE Ivory Coast port in Abidjan plans to expand its container capacity to 2.3 million TEU, to make it one of the biggest container terminals in West Africa.

According to the Port Director, Hein Sie, the aim is to make Abidjan a hub between Europe and South Africa as well as act as a hub for countries in the south. This is coming as the Abidjan Port Authority opened the bidding for the construction and management of the port’s second container terminal.

Offers are opened till July 14, this year with the terminal due for completion in 2016. This will increase the port’s container capacity by 1.5 million TEU. President, National Council of Managing Directors Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) Mr Lucky Amiwero said other West African countries are working very hard to make sure they have their ports established as the hub port for the region.

He said once any of the ports from the neighbouring countries is established, Nigeria bound cargoes, which constitutes about 70 per cent of imports that come into the region, will be taken to that port.

The new port at Lekki in Lagos and Ibaka in Akwa Ibom states are billed for completion in 2016.

Stakeholders set for expo THE Fifth Nigeria, International Maritime Ports and Terminals (NIMPORT) will hold on it sconference and awards from July 16 - 18 at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. Dignitaries expected at the event include the Minister of Transport; and his Finance, Trade and Investment and Petroleum Resources counterparts.

Also expected are 250 delegates from various sub-sectors such as the Maritime Transport and the oil/gas industry, ports, harbours, terminals, railways, inland waterways, coastline development, Free Trade zones, ship and boat building, export processing zones, maritime financing, shipping, logistics and inland depots of both local and international companies.

Marine training centre admits students CAPE Town-based DCD Marine has completed its second intake of learners since the opening of its training centre.

“We have qualified 30 coded welders, as well as 38 learners for gas cutting, 198 for grinder training and we have undertaken 793 assessments for coding,” said Rene Van Den Heever, DCD Marine’s HR manager.

The shipyard and service provider to the international oil and gas industry says it recognises the need for adequate training that is aligned with recognised Unit Standards.

The DCD Marine Training Centre of Excellence was opened in May 2010 and comprises a welding school, pipe welding area, grinding and gas cutting (burning) assessment and training area, and a classroom area for the theoretical component of the courses. A blasting & coating simulator has also been built to re-enact confined spaces onboard vessels and rigs.

“In addition, the facilities include 20 individual welding cubicles, each fully equipped with high-tech equipment.

Of these cubicles, 15 are occupied by the learners while the remaining five are utilised for coding purposes,” says Van Den Heever. Facilities to accommodate four gas burner students and five grinder students are also available.

“Our courses are aligned with SAQA’s Unit Standards and we are currently undergoing a full accreditation process. In the interim, we utilise an approved and accredited third party training provider to ensure that we adhere to the required industry standards,” she says.

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT The battle by members of the Abeokuta Golf Club to regain their property took 20 years. The Ogun State government returned the property to them following the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into land deals under the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel. OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports

Abeokuta Golf Club woos golfers B UILT in 1986 and launched in 1987, the Abeokuta Golf Club progressed with time as one of the best courses in the country.

It has 18 holes and other facilities that golfers love but, regrettably, could not use in the last 20 years until February when a last Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Landed Property in Ogun State declared members of the club the rightful owners of the property.

A powerful individual, some members alleged tried to hijack and turn it into a private commercial business but was resisted.

“For 20 years it was not possible to heal the injury until the Ogun State government set up the public inquiry to look into the facts of the case, which then substantiated the position of the club members, and handed it back to the club,” said the Vice Captain of the Club, Dr. Tayo Apampa.

The golf course previously belonged to the Ogun State government, which in 1986 gave it to Abeokuta Golf Club. In 1991, a member of the club suggested that the facilities should be commercialised to make money for the club and members who invested in the enterprise. But the suggestion surprised some members who told him they were there to play golf and not to make money but that the member insisted and convinced a few members.

Many of the members, according to Apampa, did not take cognisance of the action because they had a leadership crisis to contend with at the time.

Apampa further said the promoter of the commercialisation policy was then mandated to register the club since it was not yet registered. “He registered a company but none of us knew he used some members of the club as the first di-

rectors of the company.

“When the first directors saw that the registration was not done properly, they pulled out, but he refused to go back and went on despite all the court cases, all the protestations, entreaties by members to say this is wrong.

There was no respected person in the state the club members did not take the Golf Club case to and none was able to resolve the issue, at least until the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amuson instituted the Judicial Committee on landed property in the state,” he said.

On the result of the enquiry, the Vice Captain said the Commission discovered the land was acquired for public use and was given to Abeokuta Golf Club “but was hijacked and the hijacking needed to be negated, which resulted in returning the club to its rightful owners.

On how the Commission probably arrived at the decision, he said the Chairman of the Judicial Commission, Justice Akinyemi asked the club to bring their documents and also asked other people who disagreed with the position to come forward with their facts but unfortunately nobody did.

He said: “The invitation was done publicly on Ogun State Television but the other party refused to show up and the learned Justice then announced that they have been invited but they refused to come and promised the gate will remain open to take evidence but warned that if it does not come they will arrive at a conclusion based on evidence before them.

He said: ‘White Paper’ released was based on the evidence before it, sourced from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and reputable government agencies to show what the government had in mind

•Abeokuta Golf Club

when they took the land because in reality it was part of the secretariat complex.”

The ‘White Paper’ states in part “the certificate of Occupancy registered as No 7 at Page 7 in Vol. 476 dated October29, 1992 issued to Abeokuta Golf International Ltd be revoked and, upon application a fresh one with the correct and exact land size dimensions and abuttal properly demarcated be issued to Abeokuta Golf Club and handed over to the registered Trustees of the Club.”

Apampa regretted that while the ownership tussle lasted some things like the tarred surface on the road leading to the club house was scrapped.

“You will see that from the entrance of the club house to our gate is tarred but somehow somebody decided to uproot the tarred road under the pretense that he was go-

ing to turn it to a two-lane road. I wonder why people pull down something when they are not ready to act.

“Now that the club is fully in control we are now inviting everybody to come on board because we just took over we have decided that no executive will be formed for the time-being to allow as many people to come. What we have is a working committee of volunteers. Whoever wants to become a member of that committee is welcome,” the Vice Chairman said.

Listing the criteria for membership, a former club captain, Adewumi Adefolu said the main fee is N100, 000; development levy, N70, 000; and the annual subscription is N30, 000. Payment of the membership fee is done outright but the others could be paid in phases.

He said the membership fee is

reasonable and that it is not more than what is charged in other clubs.

“We have built a brand. There was a time when the Abeokuta Golf Club would attend major national competitions and we would hold our heads high. On occasions we beat Ikeja and Ikoyi clubs at the national level,” Apampa said.

However, he said the fees should not in any way prevent golfers from using the club but that as it is known in the golfing community, seasoned golfers who are going to play outside their mother-club pay what is known as green fee, which is used in maintaining the Course.

“It is an expensive project to maintain, particularly when you have almost 50 hectares of land to cut regularly. So, we charge green fee from those who are not members but want to have a feel of the Course,” he said.

Why Nigeria is attending UN confab, by Minister

M

INISTER of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia has said the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janerio, Brazil (RIO+Conference) will focus on issues of sustainable developments affecting the world.

The issues, she told reporters in Abuja, include jobs, energy, cities, food, water, ocean and disasters.

She said although Nigeria is interested in all the subjects its major challenge is to generate more power from all possible sources including solar and other clean energy sources Mrs. Mailafia said the country’s Report, which represents Nigeria’s position on issues to be discussed at the conference is ready as well as members of the delegation including, negotiators, Non- governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community bBased Organisations (CBOs) and the media. Many groups and individuals were heading to the conference on their own, and not as government ponsored participants, she said.

The Minister called for the support of the media in reporting the country’s participation at the United Nations Conference on sustainable development (RIO+20) holding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil positively.

She said: “Every Nigerian has a responsibility to protect what God has

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

bestowed on this country, which is hardly found anywhere else in the world. This is a country where on the ground, under the ground; you have different kinds of resources.

Everyone accepts that Nigeria is a blessed country.“ Mrs. Mailafia enjoined Nigerians to partner with the Ministry of Environment as issues of environment cuts across geographical boundaries.

She urged Nigerians to become part of the green economy and implored the media to continue reporting the activities of the ministry accurately and dispassionately.

According to her, there is need to direct efforts towards recovering

degraded environment, including forests, wetlands and rangelands.

She called for public awareness creation, tree planting and a renewable programme to maintain our forests and find alternative sources of energy to improve the fertility of our soils and ensure that all the industrial, agricultural and other activities that support our economy are undertaken through the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.

She said: “In spite of the paucity of funds, the ministry had tried to “educate people, because at the community base, it was easier to educate people, to control people and to check environmental challenges.”

For instance, we are all aware that 75 per cent of the land mass of the

Northeast, and 35 percent of the Northwest is under the threat of desertification. When they move, they will move somewhere. When they move somewhere, they find some people there, and then there is always friction”.

She observed that most of the problems experienced in some parts of the world are environmentally related, such as migration as a result of shortage of portable water, lack of arable land, or migrations because of desertification or acute insecurity.

The obvious consequence of this phenomenon, she insisted, is the loss of grazing and farm land which has serious effects on livelihood and inhabitants, she added.

The Permanent Secretary of Envi-

•Mrs Mailafia

ronment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote and her counter- part from Ecology Fund Office (EFO), Mr MacJohn Nwaobiala including directors of the Ministry were present at the forum.

Real estate growth to increase through synergy

A

MID increasing calls and advocacy to government and private groups to explore ways through which the untapped potentials of the real estate sector can drive the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 3Invest Limited, a real estate media and advocacy firm, has identified an all-inclusive platform as one of the windows to explore.

Speaking at the launch of Real Estate Unite Conference and Awards, 2012; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of 3Invest Limited, Ruth Obih,

said the conference was conceived to differ from the traditional approach in the industry because it does not seek to treat matters in isolation.

She said the event is designed to bring to discuss the challenges, proffer solutions and seek ways to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.

“This approach is adopted because in our view, the real estate industry is an interdependent system where no particular section can function well without integrating with the other,” she said.

“We found that individual discussions

and solutions as it has been the tradition over the years, have recorded marginal success and will still continue to be insufficient until concerted efforts, like the Real Estate Unite, are made to interlink the issues and forge a common front.”

Mrs Obih said that it is clear that the challenges hindering the industry are defined and finite. She said the albatross is how to ensure that the solutions on the pages of conference papers are plunged into action.

Kola Akomolede, President, The International Real Estate Federation

(FIABCI), Nigeria said his association endorsed the event because of its novel approach. Akomolede, who was frustrated by the state of the industry said he agrees with Mrs Obih that the major challenge is implementation of solutions.

Intervention Lead, DFID-GEMS 2, Afolabi Imoukhuede said his organisation agreed to partner with Real Estate Unite because its design and structure fits into the objectives of GEMS 2; which is basically to create wealth and provide employment through real estate construction.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION JUNE, 2012 WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

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NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

Oguwa Odonowei A. late of Isoko Sourth Delta State deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of June, 2001 at Port Harcourt.

Mrs Adekanbi Winifred Moradeen late of 7, Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Adesanya Abel Olugbenga late of 4, Ogunyemi Street, Ketu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of October, 2007 Archibong Akpan Umoh late of Use Ndon Ibiono Ibom deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of January, 2009 at Shomolu, Lagos.

Ahmed Aulatu (Otherwise known as Aolatu Ahmed ) late of 4, Kilani Street, Mushin Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Christian Ekwueme Osuoha (Otherwise known as Rev. Christian E. Osuoha) late of No. 1 Adepeju Street, Off Lagos/Abeokuta Express Road, Mongoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd dya of June, 2005 at Imo State Innocent Iwuchukwu (Otherwise known as Iwuchukwu Innocent) late of 7, Karimu Street, Kirikiri Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Pa Julius Alamu Shadare late of 9, Ogeretedo Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of October, 2008 at Lagos.

Mr Edward Hughes (Otherwise known as Edward Alexander Sokunbi Hughes) late of 138A, Association Road , Dolphine Estate, Deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of January, 2003 at Lagos.

Justina Obue (Otherwise known as Obule Justina and Obue Justina ) late of 9, Ishola Street, Egbeda, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of Febraury, 2012 at Ogun State.

Akinjagunla Bankole Samuel (Otherwise known as Mr Samuel Akinjagunla) late of Savage Quarters Iponri Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of April, 2010 at Ota, Ogun State.

Fajobi Ayodele Temitayo (Otherwise known as Fajobi Ayodele) late of 10, Dafe Close Ita Oluwo Igbo Ogede Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Adeleke Ibironke (Otherwise known as Ibironke Adeleke ) late of Plot 5, 105 Avenue Ilu Nla Estate, Aradagun Badagry deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

Abiola Olayemi Mudazir (Otherwise known as Abiola Olayemi Mudazir Adisa) late of 34b Ajani Olujare Street, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Onabajo A. Christianah (Otherwise known as Onabajo Christianah A.) late of 10, Ayanwale Street, Ikotun deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2008 at Lagos.

Olubowale David Gbenga late of 13, Idowu Adabale Street, Oworosoki, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Eteng Patrick late of Block BT 71A, Flat 16, Gowon Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Patrick Koarhorhiebie Tabiowo (Otherwise known as P.K.Tabiowo) late of 17, Adeyera Adeyemo Street, Ogudu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of April, 1979 at Warri Delta State.

Nwaogbo Louis late of 24, Church Street, Ajangbadi Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Cyril Iwuala late of 117, Muyibi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Miss Linda Okoye (Otherwise known as Lynda Okoye) late of 35, Church Street, Oshodi, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Jacob Okposo Abugo (Otherwise known as Chief J.O.Abugo) late of 18, Franklin Road, Ebute Metta (West) Lagos deceased who die dintestate on the 22nd day of January, 2003 at Isoko.

Saidu Grace (Otherwise known as Seidu Grace) late of No. 5, Igando Road, Lagos deceased who deid intestate on the 14th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Aizebeokam Anerua Gabriel (Otherwise known as Mr Gabriel Anerua Aizebeokhai) late of No. 15, Ore Oluwa Street, Ifesowapo Isefun Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Moshood Odejayi (Otherwise known as Odejayi Moshood) late of 29, Lawrence Street, Agodo, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Cpl Wayas Masaibi late of 4, Ojolowo Ojuko Street, Greenland Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of November, 2011 at Ondo State.

John Onochie Agboso (Otherwise known as Agboso John) late of 188, Ashipa Road, Ayobo Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of January, 2011 at Luth Idiaraba.

Agbolagorite Bolanle Temilola (Otherwise known as Agbolagorite Bola) late of 4, Adeoti Street, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Gbadebo Mary Oluwafunke late of C.A.C. Church Mission Soluyi Gbagada, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of August, 2009 at Ado Ekiti Oyetola Oyedeji (Otherwise known as Mrs Yemi Oyetola Oyedeji) late of 40, Olufemi Road, Off Ogunlana Drive Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of May, 2011 at London.

Mr Ndarake Okon Udo late of 34, Adeniji Street, Oworonsoki Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of August, 2010 at Akwa Ibom State.

Akinwunmi Steve late of 54, Adewale Adegun Street, Ifako-Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of September, 2008 at Lagos.

Alo Olawale (Otherwise known as Olawale Alo) late of 6, Araromi street, Itire, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Ojerinde Mary late of 191, Ipaja Road, Funmilayo Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Okonkwo Joseph (Otherwise known as Mr Joseph Onuabuchi Okonkwo) late of 10, Otuyelu Street, Oke Ira Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of August, 2011.

Mr Chugbundu Dandigson Wachukwu late of 110, Ilogbo Road, Ajangbadi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

Onuigbo Ndugburu Nkpa late of Ogungbile’s House Mesan Iju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Godfrey Iheanacho Nwaneri Godswill (Otherwise known as Iheanacho Godswill and Allias Godswill) late of 47, Mc –Cullum Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Kayode Salami (Otherwise known as Mr Salami Kayode) late of No. 12, Iyemoja Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Akubor Friday Emmanuel (Otherwise known as 96NA/42/5676 S/Sgt. Friday Akubor) late of CBQ 49, Flat 36, Military Cartonment Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died on the 20th day of December, 2011 at Liberia Nwankwo Augustine Uche (Otherwise known as Augustine U. Nwankwo) late of No. 38, Alafia Avenue Ejigbo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Martins Nnanna Njoku (Otherwise known as Njoku Martins Nnanna) late of 14, Ojora Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Oluwabamitale Harry Olafajo (Otherwise known as Olufemi ) late of Block 568, Flat 5, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of August, 2009 at Lagos.

Alaba Ojo (Otherwise known as Ojo Alaba) late of 1, Ojo Street, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Clement Oghonim late of 34, Road E Close Gowon Estate BT Ifl Flat 1 Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day aof March, 2008 at Lagos.

Madamidola Olanrewaju Kazeem (Otherwise known as Madamidola Lanre Kazeem (Mr) late of 18, Adekunle Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of October, 2009.

Sam Pipa Egere late of 8, Tolu Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of October, 2007 at Lagos.

Dr Joseph Omoruyi Eribo late of 42, Kola Oretuga Street, Meiran Road, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of February, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Adeagbo Tajudeen Ademola late of No. 2, Alhaja Sariyu Adeagbo Street, Ibafa, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of August, 2010 at Onmerunmi Ogun State.

Jebe Mukaila late of 23, Oluwalobawase Street, Ejigbo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Kenneth Oserenovia Oriakhi late of 11, Awe Crescent, Onipanu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of August, 2004 at Lagos.

PC Ododomu Stephen (Otherwise known as Ododomu Stephen) late of 168, Ikorodu Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of July, 2009 at Ibadan Mr Utulu Nkemedilimi Samuel (Otherwise known as Utulu Samuel) late of 20/26 Alaba Oro Road, Amukoko, Apapa , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of March, 2004 at Lagos.

Mr Ocheme Patrick late of 58, Aiyedun Street, Bariga Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2003 at Lagos.

Salau Christiana (Otherwise known as Christiana Salawu) late of 18, Adeniji Street, Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2010 at Ikorodu, Lagos.

Mr Matthew Edogamhe (Otherwise known as Mr Edogamhe Matthew) late of 2, Iwajowa Street, Akowonjo Egbeda, lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

Madam Emily Adedeji late of Block 13, Flat 3, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Isaac Oladipo (Otherwise known as Oladipo Isaac) late of 26, Aliratu Badejo Street, Oke Odo Agege, Lagos, deceased hwo died intestate on the 9th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Nwose John Felix (Otherwise known as Nwose John T/N 3197547) late of No. 20, Olaniyi Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of June, 2011 at Abuja.

Bamgbose Fatimo (Otherwise known as Bamgbose Fatimo Saminu and Fatimo Saminu) late of 17, Aromire Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of February, 2012 at Luth, Mushin, Lagos.

Mr Nicholas Nwamara (Otherwise known as Nicholas Amadigwe Nwamara) late of 312 Road, B Close HSE 12, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of January, 2004 at Lagos.

Mr Festus Tunde Oloja (Otherwise known as Oloja Festus) late of 12, James Oni Street, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Oluyemi Samuel Adedunmoye (Otherwise known as Oluyemi Adedunmoye) late of Block A, Room 7, N.R.C. Quarter Marine Beach Quarters Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of Setpember, 2009 at Lagos.

Alabi Adebisi Arinola (Otherwise known as Mrs Alabi Arinola and Mrs Alabi Adebisi Arinola Omolara) late of No 5 Arinola Close, Agbado Ijaiye Kolinton Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Ajibade Martha Funke (Mrs) late of 73, Musafejo Road, Amukoko, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Inanjo John late of 2, Church Street, Ajegunle Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of September, 2010.

Mr Alliu Saliu late of 4, Olorunfunmi Street, Oworoshoki Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Balogun Fatai (Otherwise known as Balogun Fatal and Mr Fatai Akolawole Balogun) late of 32, Lawani Street, Abule Oja Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

William Achibong Eweh (Otherwise known as Williams Eweh and Mr Eweh William) late of Advance Training Wing Police College Ikeja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

Dr Daniel Abosebheme Oshioke Omoh (Otherwise known as Dr Daniel Omoh) late of Km 25, Badagry Expressway Bayuf Bus Stop, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of January, 2011 at Lagos .

Salisu Olatunji late of 6, Aregbe Street, Mushin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Omosua Oluwakemi late of 54, Odunsin Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs Moriamo Adunni Abdullahi late of 16, Alimosho Road, Dopemu Agege, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of December,2009 at Lagos.

Stephen Nmesirionye late of 15, Sofuye Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of October, 2006 at Lagos.

Mr Babatunde Titus (Otherwise known as Titus Babatunde ) late of No. 20, Unity Club Road, Alakuko Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Fayanju Bolade Johnson late of 5, Olorunsogo Street, Abule Eko ,Ijede Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of August, 2008 at Lagos.

Alhaji Sikirulai Ade Otubambo (Otherwise known as Alh. Otubambo Ade Sikirulai) late of 9, Ayodeji Oyinlola Street, Ajao Estate, Anthony Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of March, 2011 at Lagos state.

WO2 James Evanson Ekanem (Otherwise known as James Ekanem) late of 8, Kolawole Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

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G.A SAFARI (EQS.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Ogwa Jackson of 7 , Wokeah Street, Elowhani Rumunduru Eneka Road, Off East West Road, Port Harcourt River State son of the said deceased.

Mr Adebola Olabode Adekanbi of 25, Vaughan Street, Ebute Metta West Lagos the only surviving widower of the said deceased.

Mrs Oluwakemi Adesanya, Mrs Adetutu Oladiran, Adebayo Adesanya all of 9, Jibowu Street, Yaba, and Ademola Adesanya of Plot 6, Funmi Dosumu Estate, Iwesi, widow ,two of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Glory Archibong Umoh of Use Ndon Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area Akwa Ibom daughter of the said deceased.

Mrs Adikatu Agboola of 9, Balogun Oyero Ketu and Mr Kazeem Sarumi of 4, Surulere Street, Sabo Ikorodu, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Gladys C. Osuoha and Mrs Nancy Nwankwo (Nee Osuoha) both of the Apostlic Faith Church Mcc/Uratta Road, Opposite Zonal Education Management Board, Owerri Imo State, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Angela Iwuchukwu and Miss Anita Iwuchuwku both of 7, Karimu Street, Kirikiri Apapa , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr C Adewale Shadare and Mr G. Adedeji Shadare both of 9, Ogeretedo Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Lilian Efunjoke Pratt, Dr (Mrs) Elizabeth Efuntunde Etomi, Mrs Joaguina Efunbowale Gbadebo and Mr Edward Sholeye Hughes all of 67, Ball Urne Street, Okupe Estate, Maryland Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Juliet Igbinosa and Precious Obue both of 9, Ishola Street, Egbeda, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Akinjagunla Olatunji Stephen and Ogeleyinbo Somope Felicia both of 32, Hassan Street, Ota Ogun State brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Onayemi Fajobi and Mr Ayodeji Fajobi both of 10, Dafe Close Ita Oluwo Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Toyin Ibironke, Mr Lanrewaju Ibironke and Miss Titilayo Ibironke all of Plot 5, 105, Avenue Ilu Nla Estate Aradagun Badagry, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

Alhaja Zikirat Abiola and Sola Abiola both fo 345, Ajani Olujare Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Bolaji Onabajo and Mrs Koleowo Adesola Olajumoke both of 10, Ayanwale Street, Ikotun, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Olubowale Serifat Oluwakemi and Olubowale Bisola Tolani both of 13, Idowu Adabale Street, Oworosoki Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mary Patrick and Friday Patrick both of BT 71A , Flat 16, Gowon Estate, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Dr Peter Haboghene Tabiowo and Mr Patrick Kesiena Tabiowo both of 17, Adeyera Adeyemo Street, Ogudu Lagos, two of the chidren of the said deceased.

Catherine C. Nwaogbo (Mrs) and Chinedu Louis Nwaogbo both of 24, Church Street, Ajangbadi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Cosmos Iwuala and Mr Kenneth Iwuala both of 117, Muyibi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Dorothy Adaeze Okanigbo and Miss Gold Nju Imo both of 35, Church Street, Oshodi Lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Grace E. Efajemue and Ovie O. Abugo both of 18, Franklin Road, Ebute Metta, (West) two of the children of the said deceased.

Seidu Bala and Adegbe Godday both f 5 Igando Road, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Aizebeokam Omotsiuka Mary 15, Ore Oluwa Street, Ifesowapo Isefu, Ayobo, Ipaja and Mrs Christianah Asazobor of 16, Comfort Street, Camp Davies , Ishefun Ayobo, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Roseline Odejayi, Sakini Odejayi and Seyi Odejayi all of 29, Lawrence Street, Agodo Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Theresa I. Wayas of 4, Ojolowo Ojuko Street, Egbeda, Lagos and Andy Edugbeke Ola of Capital Oil and Gas NNPC Depot Apapa, Lagos, widow and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Justina A. Agboso and Jerry Agboso both of 188, Ashipa Road, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Agbolagorite Ayodele Olurotimi of 4, Adeoti Street, Egbeda, Lagos, and Daodu Folajogun Anne of 1A, Celestial Street, Iwo, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Pastor E.A.Gbadebo and Mr Samuel Gbadebo both of C.A.C. Church Mission Soluyi Gbagada, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Oyeniyi Oyedeji and Folu Oyedeji both of 40, Olufemi Road, Off Ogunlana Drive Surulere, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Effiong Udo and Usen Udo both of 34, Adeniji Street, Oworonsoki, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Kehinde Abiodun Akinwunmi of 54, Adewale Adegun Street, Ifako and Mr Bayo Akinwunmi of 30, Olambe Kokumo Street, Olambe Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Joke Alo and Niyi Ogunjobi both of 6, Araromi Street, Itire, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Adebowale Ojerinde and Miss Adedamola Ojerinde both of 191, Ipaja Road, Funmilayo Agege, Lagos widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Columbus Okonkwo and Mr John Okonkwo both of 10, Otuyelu street, Okeira Ogba, Lagos, two brother of the said deceased.

Mrs Stella Wachukwu and Ikechukwu Wachukwu both of 110, Ilogbo Road, Ajangbadi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the aid deceased.

Onuchukwu Emmanuel and Onuigbo Ndunma Mercy both of Ogungbile’s house Mesan Iju Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Chinyere Iheanacho, Miss Chiamaka Jennifer Iheanacho, Miss Ijeoma Judith Iheanacho and Mr Ikenna Emmanuel Iheanacho all of 47, Mc Cullum Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Amope Salami and Rebecca Salami both of 12, Iyamoja Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Esther Akubor and Akubor David both of CBQ 49, Flat 36, Cartonment Ikeja widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Constance Atinuke Nwankwo and Azubuike Leonard Nwankwo both of 24, Fehintola Street, Ikotun , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Crescent Njoku and Mr Cletus Njoku both of 14, Ojora Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Rachel Iyabo Olafajo, Miss Bukola Dorcas Olafajo and Master Bunmi Benjamin Olafajo all of Block 568, Flat 5, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Abidemi Shodeinde and Akorede Ola both of 1 , Ojo Street, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Rose Oghonim and Blessing C. Oghonim both of 34, Road E Close Gowon Estate, BT Ifi Flat 1 Ipaja Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Madamidola Olalekan Wasiu of 18, Adekunle Street, Oshodi, Lagos and Temitayo Bakry of 26, Owoseni Street, Oshodi, Lagos brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Dennis Egere and Samuel Egere both of No 8 Tolu Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mary Grace Esohe Eribo and Miss Elizabeth Ivie Eribo both of 42, Kola Oretuga Street, Meiran Road, Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Adijat Adeyinka Adeagbo and Simiat Adebisi Adeagbo both of 4, Ajoke Adeagbo, Off Orimerunmu Mowe, Ibafo, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Risikat Jebe and Kafayat jebe both of No. 23, Oluwalobawase Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Henry Oriabhabor and Mr Isaiah Oriakhi both of 11, Awe Crescent, Onipanu Shomolu, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Maye Ododomu Wonikilebi and Bomi Oyerigha both of 168, Ikorodu Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Utulu Felicia A. and Utulu A. Christopher both of 20/26, Alaba Oro Road, Amukoko Apapa, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Justina Ocheme Partick , Miss Janet Ocheme both of 58, Afelodun Street, Bariga, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Salawu Funmi of 14, Abimbola Close, off Oweh Fadeyi and Mrs Omotayo of 18, Adeniji Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased Innocent Edogamhe and John Edogamhe both of No. 2, Iwajowa Street, Akowonjo, Egbeda, Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Ige Adedeji and Mr Oladapo Adedeji both of Block 13, Flat 3 Abesan Housing Estate ,Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Grace Omotayo Oladipo and Ezekiel Olusola Oladipo both of 26, Aliratu Badejo Street, Oke Odo Agege , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Bendina Felix and Odili Kennedy Omosor both of 20, Olaniyi Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ayinla Ibrahim Bamgbose and Rasak Hamed Bamgbose both of 17, Aromire Street, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Beatrice Nwamara and Mr Uche Franklin Nwamara bot of 312 Road, B Close, HSE 12, Festac Town, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Rosemary F. Oloja and Mr Oluwaseun Oloja both of 12, James Oni street, Isolo, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Remilekun Adedunmoye of Block A Room 7 N.R.C. Quarter Beach Marine Quarters Apapa, Lagos and Mr Damilohun Towolawi both of 13, Appolo Street, Makoko Yaba, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Omonode Lois Titilayo, Miss Damilola Alabi, Miss Elizabeth Alabi and Mr Oyenekan Olabisoye all of 5, Arinola Close, Agbado Ijaiye Kolinton Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Ajibade Kayode Julius and Ajibade Tolani Kolawole both of 73, Mosafejo Road, Amukoko, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs L.Inanjo and Mr Afo Inanjo both of 2, Church Street, Ajegunle Ikorodu Road, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Iyabo Saliu and Oladayo Saliu both of 4, Olorunfunmi Street, Oworoshoki Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Balogun Mukaila and Balogun Muniru both of 32, Lawani Street, Abule Oja, Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Rebecca Williams, Amos Williams Eweh and Mary Williams all of Police College Ikeja, three children of the said deceased.

Patricia Iakhiefo Omoh, Oshilene Omoh and Osilama Omoh all of Km 25, Badagry Expressway, Bayuf Bus Stop, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Bintu Fatimoh Olatunji , Yakubu Olatunji Azeez Olatunji and Waliyat Olatunji all of 6, Aregbe Street, Mushin Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

Haliat Omosua of 54, Odunsin street, Bariga, Lagos and Agbaje Nojim of 20, Ososa Avenue Bariga, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Ganiyat Olasunkanmi Abdullahi and Miss Raliat Olaitan Abdullahi both of 16, Alimosho Road, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Ndubuisi Anthony Nmesirionye and Kenneth Eze Nmesirionye both of 15, Sofuye Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Deborah Babatunde and Mr Sunday Babatunde both of 20, Unity Club Road, Alakuko, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ebunoluwa Fayanju and Oluwaaseun Fayanju both of 5, Olorunsogo Street, Abule Eko Ijede, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Omisanya Mutiat Abolanle, Otunbambo Jamiu Olasumbo and Jimoh Aminat Abisoye all of 9, Ayodeji Oyinlola Street, Ajao Estate, Anthony Village, Lagos three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Rose James Ekanem and Mr Sunny Ekanem both of 8, Kolawole Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

44

NEWS

•Chairman, Bi-Courtney Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin (middle) being decorated with the ceremonial gown by the Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma at Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar during the conferment of honourary Doctor of Letters degree on him at the university’s 18th convocation…at the weekend

•Senator Magnus Abe speaking during the special prayer session for the implem -entation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni land in Port Harcourt... at the weekend

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left), his deputy Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, a committee member of the Osun Local Government Area Creation, Alhaji Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan, Chairman of the Committee, Prof Mojeed Alabi and Technical Adviser to the Committee, Senator.Tokunbo Afikuyomi, during the inauguration of the Committee at he Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Osogbo...yesterday

•From left: Lady Modupe Aruya, President, Maryland Sub-Council, Ladies of St. Mulumba, Dr. Paramole Kabir, Senior Lecturer, Lagos State University, Ojo, Bro. Bernard Nkwo, Maryland SubCouncil Grand Knight and Mrs. Harriet Ogbobire of Bessie-Joy, Lead Discussant/Motivational Speaker during the Anti-Abortion/Pre-Marital Sex Lecture organised by the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Maryland Sub-Council for pupils and students in Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

‘Take too much sugar, age fast’ W

HAT has sugar got to do with ageing? A lot, says a study jointly conducted by the Leiden University Medical Centre and Unilever Research and Development.

The study established relationship between people’s blood sugar levels and their perceived facial age. It found that people between 50 and 70, with high non-fasted blood sugar levels look older than those with lower blood sugar levels. Their perceived

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

age increased by five months.

According to the research, diabetics with long term exposure to high blood sugar levels, looked older than non-diabetics. These results remained after considering factors known to influence facial ageing, such as smoking, sun exposure and Body Mass Index ((BMI).

An Associate Professor at the Leiden Medical Centre, Diana van

Heemst said: “The results from this study further underscore how important regulation of blood glucose levels is for well-being and health in advanced middle age. The Associated benefit of looking younger might provide an extra motivation to bring about healthy lifestyle changes in 50 to 70-year olds.”

A senior scientist at Unilever’s R and D Laboratories, Colworth Science Park, David Gunn, said: “This is the first time that a relationship

between high blood sugar levels and facial ageing has been identified. While there is an extensive body research which shows that consistently high levels of glucose in people’s blood stream is bad for their health, this study suggests that it’s also not going to help them keep youthful appearance.

“Although there are known routes through which high glucose could be influencing facial ageing, further research is required for us to identify the true underlying

cause. The study already published in a journal, AGE, runs as part of the Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing initiative, which aims to understand how health can be preserved as individuals age.

The study involved testing the non-fasted blood sugar levels of more than 600 men and women in the Netherlands, who were then photographed. Their actual age was then compared to their perceived facial age, as assessed by 60 independent assessors.”

Why fake drugs thrive

By Wale Adepoju

P

•From left: Associate Director, Communication and Public Affairs, Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals Nigeria & East Africa Region (NEAR) Mrs. Margaret Olele; Medical Director, Dr. Kodjo Soroh; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Emmanuela Fashola; Country Manager, Pfizer, Enrico Liggeri and Guest Speaker, Prof. Catherine Well-Olivier, during the Pfizer NEAR Pneumococcal Disease Summit, in Lagos.

Rise in cancer cases worries experts

N

O fewer than 500, 000 Ni gerians may contract cancer by 2020, a don has warned.

Prof. Ifeoma Nwoye of the Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, said early detection and regular screening remained the most effective way of managing and treating cancer among other non-communicable diseases.

Mrs Okoye spoke at the First Auwal Mohammed Shanono National Health Summit, organised by the Nigerian Medical Students’Association (NIMSA), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The event was entitled: Cancer and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

She said healthy lifestyle, such as eating of local food by the people and adequate breastfeeding of babies reduce diseases, adding that foreign foods should be discouraged, particularly among children, because they affect their health.

Mrs Okoye said the Federal Government should provide at least 150 screening machines at various centres.

Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control

By Wale Adepoju

(NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, said the agency is regulating cancer drugs among others.

Orhii, who spoke on drug regulation in relation to cancer therapy, said NAFDAC will partner with academic and medical doctors to ensure that cancer drug – morphine - is made available to patients.

He said: “We will be working with the hospital to ensure that pain management curriculum is infused into the school system.”

He said cancer patients should not be allowed to die of pain, adding that those in palliative care should not be denied access to such drugs that can give them relieve.

National Co-ordinator, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Dr Patience Osinubi said late presentation is the major reason people die of cancer.

She said cancer patients in developed countries are living with the disease but stressed that their chances of survival in Nigeria is quite remote due to late presentation and lack of facilities.

Mrs Osinubi identified the most common cancer among women as breast and cervical

cancer, stressing that colon cancer is also on the rise in women and men.

The Federal Government started a five-year cancer control programme in 2008 due for renewal next year.

The government, she said, has prioritised cancer prevention programme because many people don’t know about the disease.

She said cancer not only affects the patient and their family but also the economy.

Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State chapter, Dr Edamisan Temiye, said

cancer patients often suffer from pains.

Temiye, who is a paediatric oncologist, said little has been done by the government on paediatric cancer, adding that the emphasis has always been on the adults.

He said when patients go through much pains they can commit sin at that time through the utterances and miss heaven. “Paediatric cancer drugs are the biggest problem we have. They are quite expensive and scarce,” he added.

He urged the Federal Government to make the drugs cheaper and available.

Free online magazine on sickle cell

W

ANT to know more about sickle cell? You can access online free copies of the African Sickle Cell News and World Report, a news magazine on Sickle Cell.

The gesture is to mark the Fourth World Sickle Cell day.

According to the Editor, Ayoola Olajide, there is need for massive public enlightenment about sickle cell. He said: “For this reason, starting from today, the African Sicke Cell News and World Report is making available for free online every

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

past and future editions.”

He said the gesture would benefit everyone irrespective of race or geographical location. He added: “The disorder affects millions worldwide, no more so than in Africa, where 20 per cent of the population has sickle cell trait.

With an estimated three to five million having sickle cell anaemia and over 40 million with the sickle cell, Nigeria has the greatest burden of this preventable genetic health condition.”

HARMACISTS have tasked the Federal Government to implement the Drug Distribution Guidelines (DDG).

The implementation, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) said, would help to move the pharmaceutical sector forward.

ACPN Chairman Dr Ejiro Oyovwin-Foyibo, told reporters, that the drug distribution system allows over the counter (OTC) drugs such as pain-relieving medicines, multivitamin drugs.

She said drugs for combating communicable and noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension are sold in the open market, shops, roadside, buses, among other unauthorised places thereby making room for counterfeit medicines to thrive.

Mrs Oyovwin-Foyibo said counterfeit medicines have affected negatively on consumers, stressing it expose them to dangerous and ineffective medicines.

The country’s drug distribution system, she said, is chaotic as medicines have become an article of trade, lamenting that drugs are sold in buses, shops, malls, road side, open market, among others, without control by health authorities.

Oyovwin-Foyibo urged Nigerians to purchase drugs from registered pharmacies with the “RX” sign as is the case in most developed countries such as United States (US), Britain, Germany among others.

She said: “The country’s pharmaceutical industry is today battling with the ills of counterfeit medicines which has done incalculable damage to the health of Nigerians and the nation’s economy because drug distribution is not regulated effectively.

“The Drug Distribution guidelines stipulate that drugs in the country are sold at mega drug distribution companies and state drug distribution companies for easy tracking and to get rid of fake drugs in the system. This is why the national drug distribution guidelines by the Federal Government, if implemented, will augur well for the practice of pharmacy and ensure safety to the public who consume such drugs.

“In South Africa, drugs get into two companies for drug distribution through licensed channels to the public. This practice discourages sale of essential drugs in addressing hypertension, diabetes, etc.”

Mrs Oyovwin-Foyibo said vaccination cannot be over emphasised hence pharmacists are taking active part in immunisation.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

HEALTH WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

Govt will establish blood centres in 2013, says Minister •Lagos, Plateau appeal for blood donation

T

HE Federal Government plans to establish two Blood Components Production Centres (BCPC) next year, Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has said.

Speaking during the World Blood Donor Day, Chukwu said the two centres would serve as pilot sites.

Noting that there are still challenges and over 206,000 unit deficits in the yearly requirement for blood, he said, 80 blood bank refrigeration units would be distributed to hospitals and National Blood Transfusion (NBT) centres nationwide He said: “To ensure that it derived maximum benefit from every unit of blood donated, the government has committed itself to establishing two (BCPC) centres in the country by the end of 2013.

“The two centres will serve as pilot sites while efforts are on-going to scale up our services. I have also directed the distribution of 80 blood bank refrigerating units to hospitals and NBT centres nationwide.

“I have approved that all hospitals should have blood transfusion committees to ensure the effective implementation of the National Blood Policy and Operational guidelines on the rational use of blood in hospitals.”

He decried the present statistics where 60 per cent of blood donations are from commercial donors: family replacement, 30 per cent and from voluntary donors 10 per cent.

“The estimated total number of blood units needed in Nigeria each year is 1,336,000 which represents 0.8 per cent of Nigeria’s population. However, approximately 1,130,000 units of blood are collected annually through the various types of donations, leaving a defi-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja, Marie Therese-Nanlong, Jos and Paul Oluwakoya

cit of over 206,000 units.

“This deficit, alongside infected blood units collected via unsafe practices and from donors with high risk behaviours, results in numerous preventable deaths, especially among women and children and people living with HIV/AIDS. This can be avoided if only two per cent of our adult population commit themselves to regular voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.”

On the occasion, the highest voluntary blood donor, Mr John Akpan, who has donated blood 31 times was given award along with other donors.

Also, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr Jide Idris, has appealed to residents in the state to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.

According to him, not less than 54 percent of the blood supply required yearly in the state is collected.

Idris, who spoke at the event to mark the World Blood Donor Day appealed for more voluntary donation to boost the state’s blood supply.

Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), Idris represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Hublic Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, said every country needs at least one per cent of its population to donate blood once a year to meet its requirements.

The commissioner, who was passionate in its appeal, noted that less than 100,000 units of blood are collected yearly in the state, stressing that, at least, 185,000 units are needed by the state due to its large population.

Idris said General Hospitals in the

•From left: Consultant Periodontologist; Dr Solomon O Nwhato; Brand Manager, Baby & Oral Care, P&G Nigeria, Mr Cletus Onyebuoha and Honorary Dental Consultant, Abia State University Teaching Hospital(ABSUTH), Dr. Eze Ndimele, at the event.

•From left: President, Nigeria Dental Association, Dr. Olufemi Orebanjo; Technical External Relations Manager, Busola Opanubi and Brand PR Manager, P&G Nigeria, Ngozi Coker, at the Oral-B sponsored NDA conference in Lagos.

state have been equipped with modern blood banking equipment to make sure safe blood is available for transfusion.

On the benefits of voluntary blood donation, an expert at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital’s Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Prof. Sulaimon Akanmu, who was the Guest Lecturer said: “Less

than 10 per cent of blood transfused in Nigeria is from voluntary donors and about 95 per cent of the blood collected in the country is from family replacement donors”.

According to Akanmu, a country with poor voluntary blood donation record stands a higher risk of getting its people infected with plasma-borne diseases.

He said: “It is the voluntary donor that is very likely to say the truth about his or her history.

“Even majority of the people we refer to as family replacement donors are indeed touts who collect money to donate blood.

“But indications show that there is a public phobia for donating blood. But I must say that it is 100 per cent safe to donate blood.”

Early visit to dentists can eradicate diseases, says don

E

ARLY observation of one’s teeth by a dentist can help identify and prevent some diseases, a professor of Epidemiology, Akinsanya Osibogun, has said.

He spoke at a conference of Nigeria Dental Association (NDA) in Lagos, with the theme: “Non-communicable diseases and dentistrygeneral perspective.”

Diseases, he said, are changing, adding that diseases classified as non-communicable before are now categorised as communicable. “But some of these can be picked up by skilled dentists, if patients present themselves in hospitals early enough,” he said.

He said not all chronic diseases are noncommunicable e.g HIV and some cancers, “especially cancer of

T

RICHINOSIS sometimes called trichinellosis, is a type of round worm infection. Roundworms are parasites that use a host body to stay alive and reproduce. Trichinosis occurs primarily among meat-eating animals (carnivores), especially bears, foxes and walruses. Trichinosis infection is acquired by eating larvae in raw or undercooked meat.

When humans eat undercooked meat containing trichinella larvae, the larvae mature into adult worms in the intestine over several weeks. The adults then produce larvae that migrate through various tissues, including muscle. Trichinosis is most widespread in rural areas throughout the world.

Trichinosis can be treated with medi-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

the lanrynx, cancer of the liver, cancer of cervix all have infectious linkages. And it is good that people visit to their dentist at least twice a year.”

A dentist from the University of Ibadan, Prof Gbemisola Oke, said: “Oral cavity mirrors the body as it is part of human existence that occurs by birth, reflect in life - to indicate presence of ill health and speaks after life. Hence non-communicable diseases will be picked up and treated if people can pay regular visits to their dentists.

“Already, non-communicable disease is on the increase. The World Health Organisation (WHO) projects that non-communicable disease will increase by 17 per cent in 10 years.

That means more people will die of

any of diabetes, cance, cardio vascular diseases or chronic lung disease.

Brand Manager on Oral-B & Pampers for P&G Nigeria, Mr. Cletus Onyebuoha, assured of his company’s support of oral healthcare in Nigeria.

He said: ‘’P&G will continue to support NDA in the quest for ‘optimal oral health in Nigeria’ because that vision is in line with P&G’s purpose of ‘touching and improving lives’.

“It is this purpose that has inspired P&G to provide dental professionals with helpful education tools such as dentalcare.com, provide Nigerians of different social classes free access to routine dental check up and consultancy through the Oral B Mobile Dental Clinic and introduced in Nigeria the most advanced toothpaste and manual toothbrush tech-

nology in Oral B Pro-Health AllRound Protection toothpaste and Oral B Pro-Expert toothbrush.’’

President Nigeria Dental Association (NDA), Dr Femi Orebanjo said the group’s conference showed that it is pleased with the interest P&G has shown in the promotion of oral health since last year when the oral B regimen was launched in Nigeria.

He said: “Oral B Pro-Health with Stannous flouride is a product they believe in.”

Head, External Relations, P&G Nigeria, Mrs. Temitope Iluyemi, said that P&G’s purpose is to improve the lives of more consumers in more parts of the world more completely.

“This partnership was a reflection of P&G’s commitment to the Oral Health of Nigerians as a means of helping to touch and improve their lives.”

According to her, P&G invests billions of dollars in Research and development annually in order to innovate to produce world class products that meet the needs and budgets of her consumers worldwide. Commenting further, she shared that P&G is committed to bring world-class standards to Nigeria, to raise consumer satisfaction and market standards with high quality products.

One of the dentists at the conference, Dr. Funmilayo Emeka, of Odontoville Dental Clinics, a dental clinic in Lagos, revealed that she has been using the Oral B range of products since its launch and recommends it to her patients regularly. She also expressed that she was impressed with the results she had seen since she began continuous use of the Oral B Pro Health All round protection tooth paste.

Causes, treatment of roundworm infection cation, though it’s not always necessary. It’s also easy to prevent.

Symptoms Abdominal symptoms can occur within two to seven days of infection.

Other symptoms usually start one to eight weeks later. Severity of symptoms usually depends on the number of larvae consumed in the infected meat.

Possibly no signs or symptoms Mild cases of trichinosis — those with only a small number of parasites in your body — may cause no recognisable symptoms. Symptoms can develop with moderate or heavy infestation, sometimes progressing as

the parasite migrates through your body.

Initial signs and symptoms You swallow trichinella larvae encased in a cyst. Your digestive juices dissolve the cyst, releasing the parasite into your body. The larvae then penetrate the intestine, where they mature into adult worms and mate.

At this stage, you may experience: Diarrhe; Abdominal cramps Later signs and symptoms About a week after infection, the adult female worms produce larvae that penetrate the intestinal wall, enter your bloodstream, and eventually burrow into muscle or other tissue.

This tissue invasion can cause: High fever; muscle pain and tenderness; swelling of the eyelids or face; weakness; headache; sensitivity to light and pink eye (conjunctivitis) When to see a doctor If you have a mild case of trichinosis with no symptoms, you may never need medical attention. If you notice gastrointestinal problems or muscle pain and swelling about a week after eating pork or wild-animal meat, talk to your doctor.

There is no effective treatment to eliminate trichinella once larvae invade tissue. At that point, treatment is for symptoms only until the parasites

die on their own.

Causes People get trichinosis when they eat undercooked meat — such as pork, bear, walrus or horse — that is infected with the immature form (larvae) of the trichinella roundworm. In nature, animals are infected when they feed on other infected animals. Pigs and horses can become infected with trichinosis when they feed on garbage containing infected meat scraps. Other cases have been linked to eating beef that was mixed with infected pork or ground in a grinder previously used for contaminated pork.

Cull from: www.mayoclinic.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION JUNE, 2012 WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased.

NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

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NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

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Chief Abim Okuneye (Otherwise known as Nurudeen Abim Okuneye and Chief Abim Nurudeen Okuneye and Chief Abim Okuneye ) late of 7, Ayoola Lawal Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Amechi Okechukwu (Otherwise known as Amaechi Okechukwu) late of Block 2 Road 1 Williams Estate, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of December, 2006 at Lagos.

Ada Agbata late of 57B, Silver Road, Raji Rasaki Estate, Amuwo Odofin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Julius Tupele (Otherwise known as Julius Tupele W. and Tupele Julius W.) late of 15, Mosalashi Street, Okoya Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of November, 2004 at Lagos.

Gafaru Oseni (Otherwise known as Gafaru Oseni Akanbi) late of 2, Alubarika Street, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Igberaese Anthony, late of No. 9, Olaigbe Street, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Bilikisu Alashale Oyenuga late of Block 10, Flat 2, LSDPC Estate Ile Iwe Meta, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Ojikutu Abdul Lateef Agboola (Otherwise known as Mr Abdul Lateef Agboola Ojikutu (A.L.A.O) and Mr Ojikutu Abdul Lateef )late of 22, Ibukun Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of December, 2007 at Lagos.

Malachy Mba Junior (Otherwise known as Junior ) late of No. 4, Kosemani Street, Iju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

Lasisi Kashimawo late of Air Force Base Ikeja, Q16, Flat 25, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Ann Babian Uzukwo (Otherwise known as Uzoukwu Ann Bibian) late of Plot 903, Block 37, Federal Government Layout ,Aboru Estate, Iyana Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of April, 2012 at Owerri Adisa Badru (Otherwise known as Adisa Agboola Badru) late of 378, Flat 5, Abesan Estate, Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2000 at Lagos.

Kalu A.Ndukwe (Otherwise known as Kalu Abah Ndukwe) late of 20, EsiriCrescent, Ayobo Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of October, 2010 at Aba. Ojurongbe Raphael Ayodele (Otherwise known as Ayodele Ojurongbe Raphael) late of 49, Akinola Raod, Aboru Oke Odo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Alhaji Moruf Abayomi Disu late of No. 25, Muritala Mohammed Way Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Abaniwonda Usman Olayiwola (Otherwise known as Abaniwonda Usman) late of 25, Onipede Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Adegboyega Adeyemi I. (Otherwise known as Adegboyega Adeyemi Isaac) late of 14, Abiodun Sodiq Street, Off Adealu Bus Stop Iyana Ipaja Lagos deceased who died intestate on t he 4th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Omotayo Beyioku (Ariyo) (Otherwise known as Beyioku Omotayo and Ariyo) late of 9, Shoyinka Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Adebote Olubusayo (Otherwise known as Aina Olubusayo Morenike) late of 311 Road, C Close Block 2 Flat 13 Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of January, 2011 at Salami Kayode (Mrs) late of No. 12, Iyemoja Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Oshinupe Christopher A. Olu (Mr) late of No. 27, Onafuwa Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of March, 2006 at Lagos.

Garba John Mwo (Rtd) (Otherwise known as Garba John (Rtd) and MWO (Rtd) Garba John) late of N.A.F. Sam Ethnam Base Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr George Adeshina (Otherwise known as Sgt. George Adeshina) late of 7, Oguntolu Street, Meiran Ojokoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Oyedele Mutalubi Adejumo late of 68,Akobi Crescent, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2012 at U.S.A. Mr God’s power Osogba (otherwise known as Mr Osogba Godpower ) late of 36, Ajeniya Street, Off Okeagbo Road, Ilogb, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

Daniel Adedeji Taiwo (Otherwise known as Adedeji Taiwo and Taiwo Adedeji ) late of 26, Babatunde Tandoh Street, Owode Reservation Est. Ajah Lekki Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs Akinsiku Kehinde (Otherwise known as Mrs Kehinde Oluwakeye Akinsiku and Kehinde Akinsiku) late of 10, Sabainnah Ola Crescent Agbado crossing Iju Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of August, 2010 at Maryland USA. Mrs Olabimpe Azubike Omotoso (Otherwise known as Mrs Azubuike Omotoso) late of No. 12, Muyibi Street, Ogba Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of January, 2012 at Iddo-Ekiti.

Mr Charles Ijiomah (Otherwise known as Mr Ijioma Charles) late of 22, Nelson Cole Street, Iju Road, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

Alhaji Yahaya Muhammed Anifowoshe late of 3, Eda Odunmbo Close, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Simeon Adelakun Adebiyi late of 44, karimu Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of September, 1976 Onasanwo Peter (Otherwise known as Onasanwo Peter Adeyinka and Mr Peter Onasanwo) late of 32, Tunji Aderinto Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of November, 1990 at Lagos.

Ocheme Patrick (Mr) late of 58, Aiyedun Street, Bariga, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2003 at Lagos.

Mr Julius Ejikeme Ude (Otherwise known as Julius E. Ude) late of 1, Bethren Street, Iyana Ejigbo Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

Animi Pius, late of Block 7, Flat 7, Ogba Police Barracks Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Olagoke Olatubosun late 13, Joseph Tonade Street, Isolo Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of February, 2006 at Lagos.

Balogun –Etti Taibat (Mrs) (Otherwise known as Tekobo Adebowale) late of No. 30, Bornu Way Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Michael Akinyemi Ajayi (Otherwise known as Ajayi Michael Akinyemi) late of 8, Martins Street, Abule Ijesha Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2005 at Lagos.

Fayanju Bolade Johnson late of 5, Olorunsogo Street, Abule Eko, Ijede, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of April, 2008 at Ibadan Oyo State.

Mr Olusanjo Bisiriyu late of 10, Shina Ogunsakin Street, Agbado, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of April, 2008 at Lagos.

Mr Olaoye Olanrewaju late of 7, Lanre Olaoye Crescent Akinde Alakuko Road , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2011.

Mr David Adewuyi Fadeyi (Otherwise known as Fadeyi Adewuyi) late of 5, Samuel Ekunola Street, Okota, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of November, 2010.

Mr Akingba Ebun (Otherwise known as Akingba Ebun) late of 17, Showunmi Street, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Oladigbolu Mojeed Ademola late of 110, Freeman Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of Febraury, 2012 at Lagos.

Mr Akodu Olujimi Richard late of 6, Anjorin Street, Abule Eko Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of April, 2009 at Ogun State Rosemay Habila Naban (Otherwise known as Naban-Rosemary)) late of NAF Base Ikeja deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of January, 2009 at Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Tiamiyu Olushile (Otherwise known as Olushile Tiamiyu) late of 2, Tiamiyu Street, Olusile Somolu, Lagos, deceased who deid intestate on the 1st day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Emmanuel Okezie (Otherwise known as Nnodi) late of 33, Ariori Street, Mafoluku, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Adijat Odusanya (Otherwise known as Odusanya Adijat) late of 18, Onikoyi Street, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of Febraury, 2002 at Lagos.

Mr Emmanuel Okonkwo, late of No. 15, Enyiarinze Street, Ago Palace Road, Okota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Mrs Grace N. Agim, late of Block 20, A Line Nigerian Prisons Barracks Kirikiri , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of February, 2006 at Lagos.

Oduola Adegbite late of 10, Peter Eruteya Street, Katankowa Super Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Mathew Alonge,(Otherwise known as Alonge Matthew ) late of House 43, Bk Street, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate Ipaja Lagos, deceased who deid intestate on the 23rd day of October, 2008 at Lagos.

Chief Samuel Layiwola Durosaro, late of No. 1, Saura Akande Aderibigbe Street, Off Ring Road, Ibadan, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of April, 2005 at Ibadan.

Mrs Rekhemel Ekundayo Titilola Mojola (Otherwise known as Mojola Rekhemel) late of 275, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2012 at Luth Idiaraba, Lagos.

Agbeja Samuel (Otherwise known as Samuel Agbeja ) late of 25, Remi Jones Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Davies Emmanuel Olusegun (Otherwise known as Davies Olusegun) late of 31, Buraimoh Alli Street, Ladylak Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Emeka Peter Umeh (Otherwise known as Umeh Emeka Peter) late of 20, Jemgbadu Street, PPL Okoko , Lagos deceased who deid intestate on the 28th day of September, 2009 at India.

Alhaji Ajibade Lawal (Otherwise known as Lawal Ajibade) late of 1, Olumide Close, Yewande Giwa Oke Aro, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Madam Ekenma Modebelu (Otherwise known as Modebelu Ekenma Norah) late of 3, Awobadejo Close, Jibowu Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Ogoh Vincent Mr (Otherwise known as Mr Vincent Ogoh) late of 29, Kabiru Ajose Street, Isheri Ikotun, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of March, 2005 at Premier Specialist Medical Centre.

Inspector Aderemi Akano late of 5, Ojo Badija Road, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of October, 2011 at Ogun State.

Mrs Jubril Folake late of 29, Bailey Street, Dalemo Alakuko Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27thd ay of September, 2010 at Lagos.

John Bello Alere (Otherwise known as Mr Alere John) late of 7, Owoseni Street, Ikate Itire Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Uche Paul M. late of Mile 2 , International Park Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Akiyode Adio Yahaya (Otherwise known as Akiode Adio Yahaya) late of 24, Ayodele Street, Olota, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of June, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Vincent Omo Apata (Otherwise Known as Mr Vincent Akpata) late of 21, Otua Street, Amukoko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2002 at Lagos.

Mr Ajani Philip Abodunrin late of 26, Rev. Ogunwole Ope Ilu deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of October, 2010.

Mr Adeleke Gbemisola late of 1, Olowo Okere Street, Ilasa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of July, 2009.

Sunny Begbum Wopara -Wokomaty late of No. 4, Alhaji Ottun Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of April, 2011 at Doha Qatar Suraju Babatunde Agoro (Otherwise known as Surajudeen Babatunde Agoro) late of 1, Asale Agoro Street, Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of September, 2004 at Lagos.

Mr Makanjuola Kolawole Michael (Otherwise known as Kolawole Makanjuola Michael) late of 18, Isiba Street, Meiran Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Oluyi Adekunle O. (Otherwise known as Adekunle Olufemi Oluyi) late of 7, Adegbite Street, Ajuwon, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of May, 2011 at Ekiti.

Chief Godwill Omodele Sanni (Otherwise known as Mr Sanni Omodele) late of House A Block 1, Millenium Estate, Oke Alo Gbagada, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2009 at Lagos.

Ojo Micheal Adelanke (Otherwise known as Mr M.A.Ojo) late of 1, Fagbemi Close, Off Ajileye Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of March, 2006 at Ogun State.

Mr Sharfi Morinsola, late of 22, Agboyin Street, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Theresa (Abulu) Akpoli late of 5th Avenue G1 Close Block 4 Flat 12, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of December, 2007 at Lagos.

Engineer Simon O. Amadi (Otherwise known as Simon O. Amadi and Engineer Simon O. Amadi; Late of 24 Andrews Crescent, Oke Aro Road, Iju, Lagos. Deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

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G.A SAFARI (EQS.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mrs Omolabake Amuda, Mrs Fasasi Okuneye, Mr Toyin Ismail and Miss Mosunmola Okuneye all of 7, Ayoola Lawal Street, Bariga, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Mrs Chika Okechukwu of 4, Ellema Street, Tabontabon Agege, Lagos and Mr Ndubueze Alaribe of 5, Suru Street, Keke Agege Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata and patricia Agbata both of 57B Silver Road Raji Rasaki Estate, Amuwo Odofin Lagos , brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Gideon Tupele of 13, Memunae Street , Agric Ojo, Lagos and Mrs Helen Ogula of 16, Olofinbiyi Street, Ketu, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Serifat Oseni of 18, Fetuga Street, ladilak Bariga, Mrs Fatimoh Oseni of 2, Ofu-Ayele Close Ipaja, Lagos and Mrs Sadiq Oseni of 2, Alubarika Street, Bariga, Shomolu, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Mrs Kehinde Igberease and Augustine Igberease both of 9, Olaigbe Street, Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Oluwatoyin Oyenuga, Oluseyi Oyenuga, Olayinka Oyenuga and Ms Jaiyeola M. Disu all of Block 10, Flat 2, LSDPC Estate, Ile Iwe Meta Isolo, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased Mr Ademola Ojikutu of Block 424, Flat 1, LSDPC Estate, Abesan Ipaja, Lagos ,brother of the said deceased.

Cletus Jacob Malachy and mark Malachy both of 4, Kosemani Street, Iju Lagos,two brothers of the said deceased.

Lasisi Iyabode and Lasisi Olajumoke both of Air Force Base Ikeja Q16, Flat 25, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ikechukwu Uzukwu late of Plot 903, Block 37, Aboru Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, one of the children of the said deceased.

Bolaji H. Adisa and Gbolahan K. Adisa both of 378, Flat 5 Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Mary Kalu and mr Eze Okaronye both of 20, Esiri Crescent Ayobo , Ipaja Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ojurongbe Solomon Ayodele and Awelogun Kehinde both of 13, Fadipe Arowolo Street, Singer Bus Stop Ewupe Sango Ota Ogun State, two children of the said deceased.

Hakeem Oluwagbenga Disu and Bashiru Olawale Disu both of No. 25, Muritala Mohammed Way Ebute Metta, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mrs Nofisat Opeyemi Abaniwonda, Mariam Abaniwonda and Ibrahim Rudwanullahi Abaniwonda Mrs Funmilola Adegboyega and Owopetu Olalekan both of 212 Ikotun Idimu Road, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Beyioku Beatrice , Miss Beyioku Oluwabunmi and Mr Beyioku Oluwaseun all of 9, Shoyinka Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Adebote Olukunle James of 311 Road, C Close , Block 2, Flat 13, Festac and Mr Aina Olukayode of 21 Road, G Close, House 17, Festac Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Amope Kayode and Rebbecca Salami both of 12, Iyemoja Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Oshinupe Toluwalase and Oshinupe Yetunde both of No. 27, Onafuwa Street, Agege, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Helen U. Garba, James I. Garba and Emmanuel O. Garba all of N.A.F. Sam Ethnam Base, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Funmilola Esther Adeshina and Mr Opeyemi Adeshina both of 7, Oguntolu Street, Meiran Ojokoro Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Omowunmi S. Adejumo of 68, Akobi Crescent, Surulere, Lagos, and Oyetunji G. Ladeji of 22, Gafari Street, Ogudu, Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Osogba Mary and Mr Osogba Shedrack both of 36, Ajeniya Street, Off Okeagbo Road, Ilogbo Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Susan Anayochukwu Taiwo of 26, Babatunde Taudoh Street, Owode Reservation Estate, Ajah Lekki and Bolaji Shofie of 1, Ayodele Awodeji Close, Osapa Lekki, Lagos, widow and cousin respdctively of the said deceased.

Mr Clement Fola Akinsiku of 10, Sabainnah Ola Crescent Agbado Crossing Iju, Lagos, widower of the said deceased.

Mrs Eunice Omotoso, Oladipo Omotoso and Toyin Omotoso all of No. 12, Muyibi Street, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, mother, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Uzo Ijiomah of 22, Odusami Street, Ketu, Lagos and Mr Ugochukwu Ijiomah both of 22, Nelson Cole Street, Iju Road, Ogba Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Kamal Anifowoshe, Muritala Anifowoshe, Usman Anifowoshe and Ibrahim Anifowoshe all of 3, Eda Odunmbo Close, Ketu, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Gladys Olubunmi Awe of 18, Salaudeen Akano Street, Ogudu, G.R.A, Lagos, and Mr Bukola Alfred Bafunsho of 52, Yaya Crescent, Ajegunle GRA Apapa, Lagos, two of grandchildren of the said deceased.

Isreal Onasanwo and Femi Onasanwo both of 32, Tunji Aderinto Street, Ire Akari Estate, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Ocheme Janet and Ocheme Justina both of 58, Aiyedun Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Juliana Lilian Ude, and Miss Agatha Mofunaya both of 1, Bethren Street, Iyana Ejigbo Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Animi Julia and Roselyn Animi both of Block 7, Flat 7, Ogba Police Barrack Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased Mrs Olufunke L. Olatubosun (Nee Lawal) Adegboyega O.Olatubosun, and Ajibike A. Solola (Nee Olatubosun) all of 13, Joseph Tonade Street, Isolo, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased of the said deceased.

Balogun Etti and Balogun Etti Suliat Abiola both of No. 30, Bornu Way Ebute Metta, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Bolanle Dosunmu of 8, Martins Street, Abule Ijesha, Lagos, and Mrs Funmi Balogun of 7, Odukoya Street, Akoka, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Ebunoluwa Fayanju and Oluwaseun Fayanju both of 5, Olorunsogo Street, Abule Eko , Ijede, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Azeez Niyi Alabi of 10, Shina Ogunfuye Street, Alakuko, Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

Mr Olaoye Abolarinwa Michael and Mr Olaoye Olayinka Gabriel both of 7, Lanre Olaoye Crescent, Akinde Alakuko Road, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Funmilayo Fadeyi and Mr Adebayo Olufemi fadeyi both of 5, Samuel Ekunola Street, Okota, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Akingba Funmilayo, Akingba Tolulope and Akingba Olumide all of 17, Showunmi Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Oladigbola Aminat Adebola, Mr Oladigbolu Akeem Adebayo both of 110, Freeman Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Oluwafunmi Adejobi of 10, Alhaji Azeez Street, Beesam Mafoluku, Lagos Mrs Mofoluwaso David of Surulere Abule Eko, Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos and Mrs Omobolanle Sanusi of Alhaji Ajao Estate, Green Roof Magboro , Ogun State three children of the said deceased Joshua Naban, of HQ LC NAF Ikeja and Julie Naban of 445, NAF Hospital Ikeja, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Oluwatoyin Olushile, Ahmed Olushile and Ramota Adeola Olushile all of 2, Tiamiyu Street, Olusile Somolu, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Mrs Esther Okezie and Okezie Ifeoma both of 33, Ariori Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Risikat Odusanya, Rasidi Odusanya , Jamiu Odusanya and Debowale Odusanya all of 18, Onikoyi Stret, Surulere, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Mrs Chinyere Amelia Okonkwo, Mr Don Eze and Mrs Kate Okonkwo all of 15, Enyiarinze Street, Ago Palace Road, Okota, Lagos, widow, uncle and mother respectively of the said deceased.

DSP Fabian O. Agim , Mr Emeka Agim and Mr Chijioke Agim all of PTCK, Block 20, A Line Nigerian Prisons Barracks, Kirikiri Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Adegbite Odunola Felicia, Adegbite Sherifat Adegbite Asimu and Adegbite Waliat all of 10, Peter Eruteya Street, katankowa Super Abule Egba, Lagos, two widows and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Iyabo Alonge, Mrs Kemi Akanni (Nee Alonge) and Mr Oluwafemi Alonge, all of House 43, Bk Street, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ibiyemi Amope Kupoluyi (Olumodeji) and Mrs Oluyomi Agbeke Tubi c/o Their Solocitor C.J. Chukura & Co of No. 57, Awolowo Avenue, Bodija Estate, Ibadan Oyo State, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Akinolu Oluwole Mojola of 275, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos, the only child of the said deceased.

Mrs Tunrayo Abeja , Seun Agbeja and Dare Agbeja all of 25, Remi Jones Egbeda, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Osunyomi Folashade of 16, Olatunde Close Ogba, Lagos and Oluwasola Owolabi of 9, Lasisi Baoku street, Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Celina Umeh and Paulinus Maduekewe both fo 54, Maria Okor Ejigbo Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Modina Salaudeen (Nee Lawal) of 9, Bello Street, Papa Ajao Mushin, and Amudatu Durojaiye (Nee Lawal) of 22, Olukosi Street, Agege, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mr Okechukwu Modebelu of 3, Awobadejo Close, Jibowu Estate, Lagos, only surviving child of the said deceased.

Mrs Helen Aikhuemelo (Nee Ogoh), Mrs Margaret Ogoh and Mr Anthony Ogoh all of 29, Rabiu Ajose Street, Isheri Oshun Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Halimotu Aderemi Akano and Kazeem Ayo Akano both of 5, Ojo Badija Road, Ojo, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Jubril Tiamiyu and Jubril Quadri both of 29, Bailey Street, Dalemo Alakuko Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Alere Ademola Emmanuel, John Olabanji Ezekiel, and Alere Sunday Olakunle all of 158, Abeokuta Express way Iyana Ipaja Lagos three of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Vivian Ifunaya Uche and Mr John Imahia both of Mile 2, International Park Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Akiyode Zainab Abike and Akiyode Olanrewaju Suleiman both of 24, Ayodele Street, Olota Abule Egba, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Grace O. Akpata of 4, Owomilomi Street, Ketu Alapere, Lagos and Mrs Magaret Akpata of 2, Otua Street, Amukoko, Apapa, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Sunday Abodunrin of 26, Rev. Ogunwole Ope Ilu ogun State, Tope Promise 28, Aranseolu Street, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos and Gbenga Abodunrin of 24, Ajigbotimi Pero Agege, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Mrs Adeleke Sariyu, Mr Salwu Ismail and Ganiyu Saidi all of 1, Olowo Okere Street, Ilasa Lagos, widow and brothers respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Jane Wokomaty and Mr Emerson Wokomatu, both of 84, Oro Igwe Road Port Harcourt , two of the children of the said deceased.

Ganiyatu Agoro of 1, Asale Agoro Street, Epe, Lagos, only surviving brother of the said deceased.

Mrs Makanjuola Yemisi, Mrs Makanjuola Ruth, Makanjuola Sunday and Miss Makanjuola Esther all of 18, Isiba Street, Meiran Ojokoro Lagos, two widows and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Oluyi Oluremi Motunrayo and Oluyi Adeoluwa Oluwaseun both of 7, Adegbite Street, Ajuwon Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Aderemi Sanni Mrs Yeyemide Sanni and Mr Oyedele Sanni all of House A Block 1 Millenilum Estate Gbagada, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Victoria Ojo and Mrs Serah Oluwole both of 7B, Banire Street, Obawole Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Bushra Ahmed Sharfi, Sumbo Kuti and Hassan Ahmed Sharfi all of 22, Agbonyin Street, Surulere, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Maria Balogun and Gloria Ikhalea both of 512 Road Festac Town, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mr Ikenna Amadi and Mr Chieloka Amadi, both of 24, Andrews Crescent, Oke Aro Road, Iju Ishaga, Lagos. Two of the children of the said deceased.

48

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

49

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Shell’s Afam VI power plant T delivers 10GWh

•Sunmonu

HE Afam VI Combined Cycle Power Plant in Rivers State achieved a milestone in May this year as it delivered some 10 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity into the national grid since first power in 2008.

This means the plant has contributed to providing four years worth of 24-hour power supply to about 760,000 residential consumers or 63,000 mediumsized commercial enterprises. It also translates to three years worth of 24-hour power supply to Port Harcourt City alone.

The Afam V1 power plant was built by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria

By Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

(SPDC) Limited Joint Venture and achieved first power in August 2008 about three years after the contract was awarded.

A statement by Shell’s spokesman, Tony Okonedo, quoted the SPDC Managing Director Mutiu Sunmonu as saying: “Afam V1 is an evidence of our strong support for the Federal Government’s power

agenda. Since 2008, the plant has continued to impact positively on power generation in the country and we’re looking forward to more years of sustained performance.”

Located at Okoloma village in Oyigbo Local Government Area, the plant has an installed capacity of 650MW and consists of three gas turbines each rated at 150MW, and one steam turbine rated at 200MW. The gas turbines were fully inaugurated in July 2009,

while the steam turbine came on stream in December 2010. The plant receives gas from SPDC’s gas plant also at Okoloma.

Afam VI is the second largest contributor to the National grid (contributing about 17 per cent) and the largest combined cycle power plant on the grid. Built on the best technology in the industry and utilising waste heat energy in the gas turbine exhaust gas, the plant generates an additional 200MW from the steam turbine, thereby providing considerable reduction in the carbon footprint of the plant.

The plant’s combined-cycle technology also enhances the efficiency of electricity generation.

Lagos, UNIDO sign MoU on renewable energy devt

T

HE Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on the industrial development of the state through the promotion of renewable energy for productive use.

At a brief ceremony in Lagos, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Taofiq Ajibade Tijani ,who signed on behalf of the state government, lauded the collaborative initiative, saying it would assist in delivering the much-needed dividends of democracy to the state.

He acknowledged that in the present age of globalisation and liberalisation, the private sector is the prime mover and engine of economic growth and development while the government is only expected to provide the enabling environment.

He said the collaborative gesture in a bid to make it successful, would seek inspiration from various strategies and decisions promoting sustainable development including those emanating from major international development conferences on sustainable energy.

The areas of co-operation between the two parties include trade capacity building, promotion of energy access for productive use in a sustainable manner, promotion and development of environmental friendly industrial strate-

By Bidemi Bakare

gies. Others areas include energy conservation, energy efficiency initiative and energy systems policy planning and development.

He said the Lagos State Government is expected to create awareness for UNIDO’s programmes and projects including the focus on its thematic priorities of poverty reduction through productive capacities, trade capacity building as well as energy and environment.

Besides, he stated that the state would be collaborating with UNIDO to mobilise the resources in support of the cooperation agreement as well as in the identification, promotion, development, implementation and monitoring of programmes including organising seminars, conferences, projects, training and development within the framework of the memorandum.

He stated that the international organisation going by the memorandum is to be provided with relevant information and publications of the state including reports, research, newsletters and materials just as the state would also be expected to participate in meetings, conferences and workshops organized by UNIDO. The event was witnessed by the representatives of both UNIDO and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

SacOil’s expectation high on OPL 233 oil field

S

OUTH AFRICAN oil firm, SacOil and Joint Venture, has high hopes that a reasonable work would be carried out this year on their asset located on Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 233 in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta.

According to Proactive investors of United Kingdom, this year is shaping up to be a significant one for the group. The report said that in Nigeria, in particular, the news flow should ramp up now that the finances are in place that will allow the exploration and appraisal of one of two highly prospective oil licences there.

In April the group announced it had posted a US$25 million performance bond, which allows it to start preliminary work on the OPL233 concession in the Niger

Delta.

The immediate plan is to carry out 100 square kilometres of stateof-the-art ocean bottom cable 3D Ocean Bottom Cabling seismic survey (OBC), which is suited to the shallow waters of the Niger Delta.

The US$10 million cash collateral element of the US$25 million performance bond, provided by Ecobank Nigeria, means its first phase of working including the OBC is fully funded.

OPL233 is a discovery with one, partially tested well, a contingent resource of 19 million barrels, and some very poor 2D seismic. But it is adjacent to the Chevron-operated 600 million barrel Apoi field, which produces some 100,000 bar•Continued on page 51

•From left: Chief Chambers Oyibo, former Group Managing Director, NNPC; Dr. Mayowa Afe, President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, Chairman, Emerald Energy Resources Limited and former Special Adviser on Petroleum Matters to the late President Musa Yar’Adua, during the inauguration of the Abuja chapter of NAPE.

Mining society flays NGSA, exploration agency merger

T

HE Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has picked holes in the recommendation of the Steve Orosanye- led committee on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), describing it has defective and irrational.

The committee had recommended that the Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency be collapsed into the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) The committee had made the recommendation on the ground that the establishment of the Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency was not necessary as the NGSA could be made to perform the agency’s responsibility if well funded. It said this action would help prevent the duplication of responsibilities and funds.

But the President of NMGS, Akinola George, said the recommendation for the merger of the two agencies was made in error and bad taste.

He wondered how the committee could have come up with such recommendation when there was no wide consultation on the issue with stakeholders. According to him, the two agencies perform distinct roles and as such there was no reason for the proposed merger.

He said while the NGSA is involved in survey and mapping of prospecting sites, the Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency is saddled with carrying out de-

By Bidemi Bakare

tailed exploration activities. He, therefore, requested that the status quo be made to remain in the overall interest of the mineral sector.

Lamenting the state of the sector, he said the government has always made the sector a butt of joke among all the sectors of the economy by treating it with disdain. Citing example, George said the recent non-inclusion of the sector in the Economic Management Team (EMT) set up by the Presidency is the height of insensitivity and disregard for the sector.

“How do you reconcile the fact that in the newly constituted economic team, there is no representation from the mineral sector?

What type of country would leave out a sector which has a potential of contributing immensely to its socio-economic development? he asked” He said that with the exception of bauxite, the country prides itself of having in abundance all other priceless minerals that can be exploited for foreign exchange earnings.

He stated that his recent visit to Denmark for a conference organised by the European Association of Geologists and Engineers (EAGE) reveals how lowly the country is viewed by the rest

of the world owing to our laughable and misplaced policies.

He said the conference afforded the society the opportunity of attracting investments to the country in addition to the grants and scholarships on offer from Europe.

As a result of the association of the society with EAGE, George said future conferences that the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society will organise would henceforth have global presence and attendance.

Commending the Minister of Steel and Solid Minerals Development, Mr Musa Sada, the NMGS boss said the minister has shown exemplary leadership with his performance, particularly as regards the busy activities witnessed at the Cadastral office.

“I must commend the minister for a good work done. Without any doubt I think he has done well. If you take the Cadastral office for instance, a lot of activities have been going on there. At the office, work is streamlined so that visitors are attended to on a first come first serve basis. It is not surprising that the number of interested investors who throng the office for information keeps soaring every day,” he said.

On electricity generation, he advised the government to take a cue from United States, which generates 56 per cent of its electricity from coal by stepping up plan in this regard as it is cheaper to produce electricity from this source.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

50

ENERGY Consumers scoop adulterated kerosene from gutter T was another show of level of poverty and lack in the country when residents of Adebola Street and environs in Ikeja area of Lagos had a field day scooping kerosene from gutter.

The kerosene was spilled by a truck loaded with the product, which fell on the Agege Motor Road, Ikeja last Friday night, eyewitnesses said.

The truck was said to have skidded and fell on the road and poured its content, which flowed on road and gutters. Despite killing all the three occupants of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that rammed into the trucks, residents of the area took the advantage of the spill to collect as much kerosene as possible.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the accident on Saturday morning, it was like a market place, with parents and their children scooping the product, which had been mixed with the dirty water and other

I

•Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Osten Olurunsola (left) in a handshake with Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa after a meeting to kickstart NCDMB/DPR collaboration on Nigerian Content implementation in Lagos.

‘Raising Nigeria’s OPEC quota’s too ambitious’ T will take more than a mere desire for Nigeria to raise its crude oil exports or quota from its current 2.3 million barrels per day for the sake of stability.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Degeconek Nigeria Limited, Biodun Adesanya stated this during an interview with The Nation in Lagos.

He described as too ambitious the desire by the country to raise its crude oil exports to four million barrels per day considering the prevailing circumstances.

As a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), he noted that OPEC’s quota of 2.3 million barrels per day for the country cannot be exceeded unless the organisation says otherwise.

He said: “One thing we must understand is that Nigeria is a member of OPEC, there is a cap to what it can produce. If the country wants to raise the current quota, this can’t

I

By Bidemi Bakare

be done whole hog. It has to be through OPEC and determined by many prevailing factors.

“It is one thing to have the capacity to produce, and it is another thing to get the approval for increase owing to many variables.

Even if the country has the capacity to produce it must first and foremost write to OPEC. All OPEC members have subscribed to an agreement that mandates total compliance with the quota. OPEC tries as much as possible to regulate the international oil market.

“For instance, if there is a glut in the market OPEC has a way of ensuring that the country reduces its production so as to prevent any rise in oil price. So, in a way the whole thing involves a lot of economics.”

He said for any quota increase to take place a lot would depend on our reserves replacement. “There is a connection between quota and

our reserves. The point is that if our current reserves drop from 40 billion barrels to 34 billion barrels there is always the likelihood that the OPEC quota may be reduced from its 2.3 million barrels per day to one million barrels per day. So, it is obvious that for us to prevent a reduction and subsequently increase our quota, there is the need to do something about our reserves, which is being depleted everyday,” he said.

He said rather than making investments to improve oil production; the country is only interested in what it would get from crude oil sales, a development which is unhealthy to the growth of the oil and gas sector. Therefore, he called for the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) so that more investments can be made in drilling new oil fields and wells and by so doing, increasing Nigeria’s reserves.

Communities seek inclusion in Ogun transformer He said adequate electricity supOME communities in Ogun ply to the area would not only boost project State have called on the state socio-economic activities in the area

S

government to include them in the ongoing transformer project targeted at lighting up the state.

These communities include the Unity and Peace Community Development Association (CDA), Itele, God’s Town Community Association, Ileri Central Association, Rainbow Central Association, Eledi Atala and Eledi Bright, which make up Itele Ota, a major town in Ogun state.

The Ogun State Government in conjunction with Schneider Electric had embarked on a project to ensure adequate supply of electricity transformers to all parts of the state. Currently, about 500 transformers have deployed to the state by Schneider under the project, which have been distributed to the rural communities.

Speaking with The Nation in Ogun State, the Treasurer, Peace and Unity Estate, one of the communities left out in the transformer project, Mr. James Osasuyi on behalf of the Chairman, Arowolo Abdul, said that the issue of electricity in the area has not been resolved as the community is yet to get electricity.

He said that although the governor is trying, their community had never felt the presence of light since its creation about five years ago, which had forestalled economic activities in the area.

He said the community had officially written the government on their basic needs with electricity as a top priority in compliance with the

By Ambrose Nnaji

directive given by the government requesting all the community development associations within the area to put up their basic needs through the local government. He regretted that the needs were yet to be met by the government.

He said: “We wrote through the Local Government but we have not heard from them. We have not received any feed back on whether our request was granted or not. It falls on us to further find out how our letter had been processed.”

Unity and Peace, he said, has a population of over 10,000 people with over 2,000 houses. He said that self help efforts were being put in place by the community in terms of road construction but needed the government help to actualise the electricity project. He explained that when it came to their notice that electricity poles were coming from Itele Road up to the Tipper garage, people in the area were happy but only to be told that they were not going to benefit from the electricity/transformer project.

“We don’t know what may have gone wrong. We are not operating in illegality. We are operating fully registered by both government of Ogun State and local government.

We expect that we should benefit from any government project going on in the state,” he said.

but would also create opportunities for employment for the teaming population.

On the country’s rig count, Adesanya said a lot of factors including the drilling operation and other economics influence it. “We must realise that our rig count deal with drilling operation. This drilling operation is tied to opportunities, necessary approvals from the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and other economics.

“As a matter of fact, the contracting cycle by NAPIMS is too long for our rig count to improve. It is 18-24 months between when intent is shown to when the actual drilling takes place. This cycle as interpreted and implement by NAPIMS is obviously capable of frustrating additional drilling and seismic acquisition by most upstream companies. It is quite unreasonable,” he said.

He noted that the non-passage of the PIB is also affecting the rig count as many investments are held down. “The uncertainty hovering round the PIB is taking its toll on the rig count. It is actually slowing down activities in this regard. In fact, what most companies are doing presently are appraisal and development drilling and not exploratory drilling due to the non passage of the bill,” he added.

•People scooping kerosene from the gutter

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

dirt in the gutter. The scooped kerosene was black with impurities, yet the residents were not discouraged.

When asked how they would be able to use it, some of them said they would add alum (a stone-like element, which when ground and added to dirty water can purify it ) to separate the dirt and water from the kerosene.

Some eyewitness including Mrs. Kene Dike, who operates a store in the street; Niyi Olawole and Samuel Tunde Festus who were at the spill site, said the scooping was borne out of lack.

Mrs. Dike said: “A 33,000 litre capacity trailer tanker spilled its content when it fell on the major road -Agege Motor Road. A sport utility vehicle with three occupants ran into it and the three died instantly last night. They just removed the vehicles not so long ago. The kerosene spilled and flowed down here and that is what the poor masses are scooping.

Kerosene that is supposed to be very cheap so that the poor would be able to afford it has gone up so high selling at N150 a bottle. It is painful. Many people are still coming to scoop it. The fire service men came and spread chemical and water to prevent fire outbreak at the spill on the express way.

“There is this particular family that started scooping the product since 12.30 am on Saturday and was able to get several jerry cans of kerosene and with that they will become suppliers of kerosene. They said they will add alum to separate the kerosene from the dirty water and other impurities before they use it. This is the work of poverty in this country.

“Government should reduce the price of kerosene to between N30 and N50 per litre to enable the poor masses access it. This is the product the poor masses are using and they are being denied of it”.

Niyi Olawole said he is disenchanted over what people are scooping as kerosene. This tells us the level of poverty in this country.

We don’t see the impact of government.

Samuel Tunde Festus, said poverty has made us to wise up, we must find a way of separating kerosene from the dirty concoction if alum fails us, he told our correspondent.

51

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

ENERGY

‘Local Content law has enhanced indigenous participation’ I

NDIGENOUS players in the oil and gas industry have lauded the Nigerian Content Law, confirming that it has tremendously boosted their participation and the level of acceptability of their services to the multinational oil firms that control the industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, and oil and gas service company, Mr Taofik Adegbite, disclosed this during the presentation of the NIS ISO 9001:2008 certificate to the company by the Nigerian Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

The quality management system certification covers all the company’s activities from vessel chartering, subsea, drilling and completion services.

Speaking on local content, Adegbite said: “We set out in 2002, when it was called Nigerian Content Initiative and it gave entry and acceptance of Nigerian Content. It broke the barriers and perception the international oil companies used to have toward Nigerian companies. We have seen the metamorphosis of the initiative develop into law and it is on that foundation that we have been able to build performance.

“Operators have built a lot of confidence that have gravitated to liking us because we give them quality services. However, this has

By Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

been premised on the launch pad of the Nigerian Content Initiative and now the law. The framework has really enhanced our peep into the height we are.”

He said local content has become a trend because the operators see it beyond a law, they see it as part of their corporate social responsibility and a duty to their host countries. The operators now have Nigerian Content departments in their companies headed by general managers, so local content is heading in the right direction and we are hopeful that naturally by the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the local content law will be deeply rooted but surely it has come to stay, he added.

Emphasising the importance of quality in the oil and gas industry, he said that the upstream segment of the industry generally is not an all comers affair noting that deepwater operation is a per excellence segment. He recalled the incidence in the Gulf of Mexico, the Macondo explosion and spill. He said that the incident cost British Petroleum (BP) billions of dollars in an effort to tackle spill and do

damage control. So quality is not negotiable and that is why to play in this industry, a key driver will be safety and our company realised that on time hence we started this process two years ago but because we don’t see quality in the context of certificate but part of the company’s culture, we ensured all procedures and processes were followed to the hilt.

“The certification is imperative because it will bring about quality service, efficiency in the process and enable us cross the ‘Ts’ and dot the ‘I’ and give proper interfacing

in different disjointed segments of the business. That is the essence of the quality management system.

“The moment you have your process in place, you now certify your company and need staff in key areas and tap their potentials because when there is skill you would be able to identify strength but the moment you have process in place, you will identify key performance and start looking at strengths and weaknesses of each employee, who has leadership ability, who is a back copy person.

Clearly, it settles the system by identifying the next line management.

“We have Marine Platforms Limited in Aberdeen, United

Kingdom because we realise that we are in a business segment that requires technical support but not on what is already localised. This is to quickly react to our customers’ requirement by procuring their needs from the manufacturers and sending the items. We also send our local employees there to enhance their performance,” he said.

Marine Platforms Limited has worked on various assets of ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Addax, Total and Oando, among others. The company has an annual turnover of $120 million and a net worth of $200 million and in strategic alliance with Remoffshore, Perryslings by and, Well-flow.

Nipco bags award from Lagos

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IPCO Plc has bagged an award for its support to education in Lagos State.

The company had few years ago adopted Apapa Primary School for Infrastructure upgrade and educational excellence in response to the Lagos State government’s clarion’s call to assist the state under the ‘Support our School’initiative.

Presenting the award at the council secretariat, Chairman Apapa Local Government, Ayodeji Joseph, according to a statement, said Nipco ranks higher than its peers in the industry in their quest to consistently partner with the council especially in the education sector.

Joseph pointed out that the award was in recognition of the company’s unwavering desire to impact positively on its host community as exemplified by the scores of support being offered to the State Government.

According to him, the award of excellence is an aftermath of the silent but very worthwhile contribution to educational uplifting in the state in general and the local government in particular.

He said the company has not

only redefined the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility in education but had also upheld the imperative of wealth creation scheme through the allocation of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) at affordable prices to the local government.

“In our hall of fame all those who assist us towards successful execution of our programmes will be generously mentioned so that unborn generations can also appreciate their efforts” he said.

The Managing Director Nipco, Mr Venkatapathy Venkataraman, said the recognition is an endorsement of the company’s broad plan for corporate social responsibility, which transverse three key areas – education, health and promoting greenery.

He said recognition will spur the company to do more not only for its host community but to the entire country. He said the adopted Apapa Primary School on Oniru Apapa, now wears a new look with modern classrooms, toilets, stores regular access to public power supply.

SacOil’s expectation high on OPL 233 oil field •Continued from page 49

rels of oil a day.

The hope is the OBC will not only identify a number of drill leads, but it will also help determine the potential of the block.

The current reserve estimate is based on a 900-metre radial area very close to the Olobia-1 well, which represents a fraction of the block’s gross acreage.

Olobia-1 hit around 100 feet of net pay oil and 90 feet of gas when it was originally drilled in 1986 by Shell. While the well was logged it was never flow tested.

The 126 square kilometre block is in a very good neighbourhood with Apoi right on its doorstep. In fact there is a suspicion, unsupported at this point, that the Apoi oil system strays into OPL 233.

The South African company owns 20 per cent of OPL233, as does

Energy Equity Resources (EER), and the pair will fund exploration and development of the concession.

The majority is held by NIGDEL, the company’s local partner. The OBC 3D survey is likely to get underway in the summer and is expected to take around three months to complete and interpret.

Data interpretation and preparations for an appraisal well are projected to take up the remainder of the year. The data will also contribute to an updated competent person’s report to be prepared by AGR Tracs.

An appraisal well is likely to be spudded in the final weeks of 2012, or early 2013, with SacOil expected to share the US$15 million costs with EER. Success with the drill bit would set the scene for a six month period of trial oil production.

•From left: Taofik Adegbite, Chief Executive Officer,Marine Platforms Limited; Biodun Odusi, Chief Operating Officer and Baji Nyam, Chief Finance Officer during the presentation of NIS ISO 9001:2008 certificate to the company by the Nigerian Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Lagos.

Expect growth in power sector, says Nnaji

“S

O, what we are saying to you is that we are not just theorising, we are saying that if you are just patient, remain patient, you are going to see the growth of power and stability of power in the nation”.

The Power Minister Professor, Bart Nnaji, said this at a forum, assuring Nigerians of sustained and reliable power supply in the country in the near future.

Despite repeated assurances, there is still strong disbelief by many Nigerians about the ability of the government to deliver on its power promise. This was obvious at recent Town Hall meetings and tours of some major cities and states in the country by the Power Minister and top officials of his Ministry to keep the public abreast with the reforms taking place in the Power sector for sustainable development.

In some of the places visited such as Lagos, Kano, Benin and Ife, it was clear that Nigerians would like to see power grow and stabilise urgently. But how quickly the government can achieve this remains a source of worry. Although, this attitude of disbelief by some Nigerians is not a surprise given the past failures on the part of government in this regard, there are positive indicators that within the next six months power supply will grow and stabilise.

The first growth will surely come from the completion of the on- going repair and rehabilitation of power projects in the country. About 958 megawatts are to be recovered this year from the existing Federal Government power plants. Also

By Uche Aneke

about 3,343 MW of new capacity is to be delivered by December. The privatisation which is part of the reform in the sector is fully on course and will be completed in October 2012. The labour issues between the government and the electricity workers which posed the bottleneck in the privatisation effort are being resolved particularly with the recent inauguration of a Reconciliation Panel to resolve outstanding issues on the Biometric verification of employees of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Abuja by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu.

With the commencement of a cost reflective tariff on June 1st , the coast is now clear for the Power sector in the country to be effective. It also provides an enabling environment for local and international investors to invest in the sector. There are as well important building blocks to develop a strong successful power sector, a strong and well structured road map for performance and growth in the power sector and strong Institutions to drive quickly power delivery to citizens of the country. For instance, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have all been re-established and strengthened to play vital roles in the electricity sector.

While NERC plays the regulatory role in the sector, the REA is to champion rural electrification projects and to ensure that electricity gets to the rural communities. Gas issues which have been a major set back

in power generation are being addressed. Apart from the 12 month Emergency Gas plan declared by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to ensure steady gas supply to thermal stations, there is appropriate plan and aligned plan by the government to ensure that where there are power plants, there will also be gas to fuel them when they come on stream. The goal of the government in this area is to match the quantity of available fuel needed for the gas-fired power plants as they come online, and matching generation capacity with grid capacity.

There is incredible investment going on in Transmission.

Expectedly, over 4,000 Km of transmission lines are being completed this year. What the government wants to achieve in this area is to move away from radial network to a loop network where if there is a shortage of power from one source, power can still be got through some other sources. A number of plants from the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) are billed to come on stream this year along with 10 other power plants. President Goodluck Jonathan will soon begin to commission these plants. Alaoji plant has already test-fired one unit and more is expected. There are Olorunshogo 1 and Olorunshogo 2: the first being a Federal Government power project while Olorunshogo 2 is part of NIPP with a capacity of about 675 MW. There are the Omotosho and the Geregu Power plants.

•Uche Aneke, a Public Affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION JUNE, 2012 WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second column here have applied to the High Court Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties o the deceased.

NOTICES IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) day from the date hereof.

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NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

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Alhaja Rakiatu Alake Agiri (Otherwise known as Ajanasi Rekiatu Alake) late of 13, Bereku Lane Idita Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of March, 1974 at Lagos.

Cyril Onuoraegbunam Iloka (Otherwise known as Cyril O. Iloka and Iloka Cyril Onuoraegbunam) late of 2nd Avenue, 23rd I Close, House 2, Festac , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of August, 2011 at Ogbunike , Anambra State.

Pa Arowojobe Adedokun (Rtd Sgt.) late of 11, Anifowoshe Street, Olosa Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of March, 2003 at Ibadan.

Late Adedoyin Odusanya late of 34, Hassan Street, Ojo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

Iyere Michael Obhio (Otherwise known as Chief M.O. Iyere ) late of 40/46, Ajakaye Street, Ira Quarters Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of September, 2008 at Lagos.

Emmanuel Akubue late of 15, Mabadeje Street, Lowa Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of January, 2010.

Mr Anthony Ihenacho (Otherwise known as Mr Ihenacho Anthony L. and Lawrence ) late of 19, Solomon Okonkwo Street, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of May, 1990 at Luth.

Mr Chukwuma Nnajiofor late of 8, Sijiola Street, Ago Place Okota, Lagos, deceased who die dintestate on the 22nd day of May, 2007 at Ebelator Nnewi, Anambra .

Arc Stephen Babatunde Faleye (Otherwise known as Arc Design Studio) late of Plot 1 Salami Folorunsho Street, Ejigbo Isolo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Chief Obi Vincent Ngadiolu Obieke late of Ibusa deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of July, 2006 at Asaba, Delta State.

Kudirat Mabayomije Ibrahim (Otherwise known as Ibrahim Kudirat ) late of 17, Olorungbebe Street, Badia Ijora Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of February, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs Muibat Adesola Ariyibi-Oke late of 4, Bolaji Shode Street, Alakuko, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

Akinlabi Abubakar Odunayo late of 9, Sanni Odu Street, Off Akindele Street, Alakuko, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Rilwan Akanbi Balogun late of 54, Hawley Street, Lafiaji Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of November, 2005 at Lagos.

Oduntan Sakiru Abiodun (Otherwise known as Oduntan Shakiru Abiodun) late of 9, Ajibike Street, Ogudu Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of August, 2008 at Ijede Lagos.

Badru Saliu Adekunle (Otherwise known as Mr Badru Saliu ) late of 3, Aremu Close, Ijaye Ojokoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Adekunle Babatunde Ogundeko (Otherwise known as Ogundeko Tunde) late of 23, Ajayi Bankole Street, Agodo, Egbe Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of April, 2008 at Luth Mr Oladimeji Olumide Charles Adekanye (Otherwise known as Oladimeji Adekanye) late of 17, Unity Street, Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of June, 2008 at Sagamu Ogun State.

Oladosu Alatede Adijat (Otherwise known as Oladosu Adijat) late of 17, Alhaji Bosere Street, Ijaiye, Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th dya of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Ven. Dr Amos Ademola Akinade late of 1, Church Street, Elere Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of December, 2008 at Agege, Lagos.

Late (Mrs) Caroline Umeh (Otherwise known as Umeh Caroline) late of 13, Trinity Iyana Oworo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Sulaimon Olawale Alade (Otherwise known as Alade Sulaimon Olawale) late of 10, Alhaji Jinadu Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of July, 2009 at Ijeshatedo , Lagos.

Madam Arit Udo-Akagha late of 4B, Wura Esan Street, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

S.P. Apostle M.A. Popoola (Otherwise known as Special Apost. M.A.Popoola, Apostle Michael A. and S.P. Apostle M.A.Popoola) late of 1, Shodeinde Hughes Street, Iwaya Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of October, 1997 at Lagos.

Dada Kuburat Bolanle (Otherwise known as Alhaja Kuburat Bolanle Dada) late of 29, Post Office Road Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of December, 1997 at Lagos.

Gbolahan Jamiu Oluwo late of 19, Adekoya Street, Bolade Oshodi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Francis Chukwudi Nwankwo (otherwise known as Nwankwo Francis) late of 28, Balogun Street, shomolu Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of September, 2006 at Luth Lagos.

Mr Abejide Gabreil Ajiboye late of 5, Adebisi Alabi Street, Abule Iroko Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of February, 2006 at Lagos.

Capt Anotonios Saliagkas (Otherwise known as Saliagkas Antonios) late of 4A, Takoradi Road G.R.A. Apapa Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Ademola Emmanuel late of Block 5, Flat 7, Iponri Police Barrack Iponri Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Garuba Asuma late of 20, Modupe Street, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of September, 2008 at Lagos.

Mr Babatunde Rufus Ekundayo (Otherwise known as Ekundayo Tunde) late of 27, Adisa Oyelumade Street, Ijegun Ikotun Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of February, 2010 at Lagos.

Shamusideen Akanji Shomade (Otherwise known as Shomade Samudeen Akanji) late of House CC19, FLCH Shagari Estate Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of January, 2000 at Lagos.

Adebisi Mathew Olugbenga late of 5, Musbau Street, Egan Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Madam Rachael Ibitola Olofinjana late of 59, Abanise Street, Agodo, Egbe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of June, 2007 at Anadebe Chukwuemeka Charles late of Block 1, Flat 4, U Close, 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of September, 2009 at Anambra State.

Edith Ndidi Okafor offiah late of 21 Ago Palace Way Okota, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of July, 2007 at Madrid Spain Shuaibu Dahiru Kanawa (otherwise known as Kanawaj Shuaibu Dahiru) late of 54, Kofo Abayomi Avenue Apapa, Lagos deceased who deid intestate on the 4th day of July 2006 at Lagos.

Babatunde Ogunniyi (Otherwise known as ogunniyi Babatunde) late of 18, Beckley Avenue Oke Alo Estate, Alo Estate, Gbagada, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of April, 2010 at Ibadan.

Mr Joseph Offoregbu late of 10, Agbongbon Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died on the 2nd day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

Edo Sule Ugbagwu (otherwise known as Ugbagwu Edo Sule) late of 39, Church Street, Bameke Shasha Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Raphael Chukwu (Otherwise known as Mr Chukwu Raphael Nwankwo) late of 2A, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of June, 2010 .

Hezekiah Adebayo Ajayi (Otherwise known as Rev. Hezekiah Adebayo Ajayi) late of 5, Adebowale Gbadamosi Street, Akute, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

Agbere Godwin late of 16, Wahabi Larinde Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Pa Jimoh Sanni Ajadi (Otherwise known as Ajadi Jimoh Sanni) late of 2, Railway Line Idi Oro Mushin Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8thg day of September, 1998 at Lagos.

Mr Adebayo J. Jeremiah (Otherwise known as Jeremiah Adebayo) late of 21, Aiyetoro Street, Fadeyi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 1996 at Lagos.

Emeng Fred (otherwise known as Mr Fred E. Emeng) late of 4th Avenue Block 8, Flat 15, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of March 2010 at Lagos.

Babalola Moruf Kolawole late of 6, Oshitelu Street, Ikeja, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

Adukwu Garba (Otherwise known as Sgt. Adukwu Gaba ) late of 71 Alaba Road, Ajeromi Ifelodun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 2011 at Ondo.

Utibe Bassey Ese (Otherwise known as Mr Utibe Bassey Ese) late of 8, Yakubu Street, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Iloani Joseph late of Block A4, Prisons Barracks Kirikiri Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of June, 2010 at Enugu Chief (Dr) Babatunde T.S.Aribisala late of SW 8/147 Aribisala Street, Oke Ado, Ibadan deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of June, 1996 at Ibadan Basil Ayoola Omotayo late of 2, Kazeem Ajayi Close Ogudu Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of August, 2007 at London.

Chika Samuel Umeh (Otherwise known as Mr Chike Samuel Umeh) late of 17 Ogunsanya Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of February, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Rasheed Omotolani (Otherwise known as Rasheed Omotolani) late of 54, Okoya street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Joseph Olu Omowaye (Otherwise known as Omowaye Joseph ) late of 3, Saki Street, Alagbado, Lagos,d eceased who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

Daniel Marounkola Jenrola (Otherwise known as Mr Jenrola Daniel) late of 10, Turner Eradiri Street, Ojo Road, Ajegunle Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of July, 2006 at Lagos.

Mrs Mary Ifeaga Nwankwo (Otherwise known as Mary Nwankwo) late of 7, Toriola Street, Mercy Land Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of October, 2009 at Lagos.

Egbuchu Victor Ikechukwu (Otherwise known as Alias Mr Egbudu Victor Ikechukwu) late of 16, Disu Street, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2011 at Imo Kashimawo Dasuki Mufutau (Otherwise known as Mr Peter Mufutau dansaki) late of 36, Kayode Oladimeji Agbado Crossing Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2010 at Lagos Mrs Beatrice Popoola late of 1, Shodeinde Hughes Street, Iwaya Road, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of July, 2006 at U.S.A. Uche Callistus Orsu (Otherwise known as Uche Calistus) late of 36, Sanusi Street, Ijeshatedo Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of November, 1999 at Lagos.

Dr Ademola Adesanya (Otherwise known as Ademola Adesanya) late of Block 4, Flat 5, Beach Tower V/Island Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th dya of April, 2004 at Lagos.

Mr Moses Oladipo Awe late of 2, Adekaunjo Street, Alagbado, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of Febraury, 2010 at Ilesha, Osun State Amechi Anthony Onyia (Otherwise known as Onyia Anthony Amachi (Chief) late of 511 Road , B Close, House 2, Festac Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of March, 2006 at Lagos.

Ifenwanne Nnenna Nwosu (Otherwise known as Ifenwanne Chizubem Benajamin Akinse) late of 6, Onajimi Street, Shomolu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of June, 2009 at Lagos.

Taiwo Olusola (Otherwise known as Taiwo Olusola Akanmu and Akanmu late of New Site Idola Wedakoh, Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

Madam Mulikat A. Olatunji (Otherwise known as Alias Olatunji Mulikat Adunni) late of 27, Adepitan Street, Ogudu Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of August, 2009 at Lagos.

Coker Ademola (Otherwise known as Dr Michael Ademola Coker) late of 19, Alli Balogun Street, Alagbole Lagos state deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of June, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Samson Esirorie (Otherwise known as Chief S.E. Esisorie and Samorie Nig. Entp.) late of 6, Taiwo Olaleye Close Iba Ojo, Lagos deceased who die dintestate on the 30th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

Mrs Gloria N. Onyemaeachi (Otherwise known as Onyemaechi Gloria Ndidi) late of 1, Gani Kale Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of January, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs Abosede Olufunmilayo Odugbesan late of House 70, Kudirat Abiola Estate, Iju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

Mrs Matilda Olubunmi Akinlade (Otherwise known as Mrs Matilda Akinlade) late of 1, Soremekun Street, Baba Olosa, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Samson Akinpelumi (Otherwise known as Mr Samson Imole Ayo Akinpelumi) late of 15, Akinpelumi Street, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Frederick Ladipo Agbe-Davies late of 78, Igbehin Adun Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of February, 1997 at Lagos.

Mr Nwomoko Vincent late of 16, Balogun Street, Anifowoshe Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

Onikute Oluwatoyin late of 54, Isolo Road, Ijegun Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Sylvester Udobong late of 93, Igbede Estate, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day f November, 2007 at Lagos.

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G.A SAFARI (EQS.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Mrs Munirat Lawal and Mrs Binta Fatima Umai both of 29, Ereko Street, Fadeyi Lagos, the only surviving child and grand child of the said deceased Gregory O. Iloka and Anthonia A. Iloka both of 2nd Avenue, 23rd I Close House 2, Festac , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Taibat Arowojobe, Mrs Tawakalitu and Adijat Arowojobe all of 11, Anifowoshe Street, Olosa Mushin, Lagos, two widows and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Tosin Odusanya (Mr) Tunde Odusanya (Mr) and Caroline Iyabo Osoniyi all of 36, Opeloyeru Street, Egbe, Lagos, two of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs C.O.Iyere and Mr Anthony Iyere both of Ajakaye Street, ,Ira Quarters Ojo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Florence Akubue and Miss Juliana Akubue both of 15, Mabadeje Street, Lowa Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ronke Ihenacho of 19, Solomon Okonkwo Street, Egbeda, Lagos and Mrs Nwakaegbo Ogbaro of 3, Adeyemi Street, Gemade Street, Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ebere Augustina Nnajiofor of 8, Sijiola Street, Ago Palace, Okota, Lagos and Mr Daniel Amobi of 8, Wuraola Street, Ajangbadi, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Christiana Jokotola Faleye, Stephen Omoniyi Faleye , Miss Ariyike Josephina Faleye and Miss Oluwayemisi Omotoyosi Faleye all of Plot 1, Salami Folorunsho Street, Ejigbo Isolo, Lagos widow and three children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Peter Obieke of 57, Umuneze Ibusa Delta State, son of the said deceased.

Muhammed Tolulope Ibrahim and Babajide Adelana both of 17, Olorungbebe Street, Ijora Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Olalekan Ariyibi Oke and Mr Oluwafemi Ariyibi-Oke both of 4, Bolaji Shode Street, Alakuko, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Katherine Olufunke Akinlabi and Dele Akinlabi both of 9, Sanni Odu Street, Akindele Street, Alakuko, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Shiata Balogun, Mr Musibau Balogun both of 54, Hawley Street, Lafiaji Lagos, and Mrs Titiola Ilori of 712 Road A. Close, House 6, Festac Lagos widow, brother and confidant respectively of the said dceased.

Kuburat Oduntan, Olabode Oduntan, Ismail Oduntan and Oduntan Abiodun all of 9, Ajibike Street, Ogudu Ojota, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ganiyat Badru, Ramota Badru and Zainab Badru all of 3, Aremu Close, Ijaye Ojokoro Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Adeola A. Awobade and Mr Adeyemi O. Ogundero both of 5, C.A. C. Street Mebisere Ogijo, Ogun State sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olufunmilayo Adekanye and Mr Oluwaseyi Afolabi both of 17, Unity Street, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Bukola Kolade and Yinka Kolade both of 17, Alhaji Bosere Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Juliana O. Akinade, Rev. Taiwo Akinade and Rev. Kehinde Akinade, all of Plot 514, Jehovah Elohim Gowon Estae, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Umeh Ejike and Mr Umeh Arinze Peter both of 13, Trinity Iyana Oworo Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Olabode Alade, Olatunji Alade , Biola Alade, Shade Alade all of 10, Alhaji Jinadu Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

Nkonduono Udo-Akagha and Fred Udo-Akagha both of 4B, Wura Esan Street, Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Mojisola Adewunmi Ajagbe, Mrs Anna Adenike Popoola Bamisile and Mr Popoola Oladipo all of No. 1, Shodeinde Hughes Street, Iwaya Road, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Alhaja Kuburat Dada and Alhaji Ganiyu Dada both of 29, Post Office Road, Mushin, Lagos mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Olusola Oluwo and Hammed Oluwo both of 19, Adekoya Street, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Nwankwo Obiageli A. of 13, Duru Close Shomolu, Lagos and Nwankwo Chinedu of 28, Balogun Street, Shomolu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Yemisi Abejide and Mr Oluwasegun Abejide both of 5, Adebisi Alabi Street, Abule Iroko ,Lagos State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Faith Saliagkas and Mr Itebrorhiew Igho Friday both of 4A, Takoradi Road, G.R.A. Apapa, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ademola Samuel, Ademola Deborah and Ademola Tobi all of Block 5, Flat 7, Iponri Police Barrack Iponri, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Adama Garuba and Sido Amidu both of 20, Chief Modupe Street, Surulere, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Yomade Ekundayo and Mr Jide Ekundayo both of 27, Adisa Oyelumade Street, Ijegun Ikotun, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ganiat Ajala Shomade, Ibrahim Ajala Shomade , Samson Ajala Shomade , Tayo Ajala Shomade all of House 22, FLCH Estate, Ipaja Lagos, widow and three children respectively of the said deceased.

Bosede A. Adebisi of 5, Musbau Seidu Street, Igando and Adegoke Gideon of 62, Mba Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Hezekiah Omotayo Olofinjana of 11, Lasisi Akinwale Street, Coker orile Iganmu, Florence Ayoola Olosinjana of 59, Abanise Agodoigbe Egbe Lagos and Edward Kola Olosinjana of 7, Kalesuwa Street, Promise Land Ayodo ,Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Dr Chukwudi Anadebe and Mr Amaechi Anadebe both of 10, Akinlolu Street, Iju Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mr Peter Uchenna Offiah and Mrs Francess Ifeyinwa Ofidili both of 21, Ago Palace Way Okota, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Salamata Shuaibu Kanawa and Yahaya D. Kanawa both of 54, Kofo Abayomi Avenue Apapa, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Olaitan Ogunniyi of 18 Beckley Oke Alo Estate Gbagada, Lagos and Oluyemisi Ogunniyi of 275 Herbert Maculay Street, Yaba, Lagos widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Magnus Offoregbu of 10, Agbongbon street, Mushin Lagos, only brother of the said deceased.

Mariam Ugbogwu of 39, Church Street, Bameke Shasha lagos and Mr Ugbawu Sule Ugbagwu of 72, Oriade Street, Sabogari Benue, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Gertrude Nkedinyere Chukwu and Mr Celestine Chukwu of 1-8 Shodipo Close, Olusosun ,Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Mary Kehinde Ajayi and Mr Olalekan Adewunmi Ajayi both of 5, Adebowale Gbadamosi Street, Akute Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mwuese Blessing Gbaka and Mrs Elizaebth Omoluru both of 16, Walabi Larinde Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Alhaja Wasiat A. Adeyemo and Alhaja Idayat A. Mumuney both of 2, Railway Line Idi Oro Mushin Lagos two children of the said deceased.

Edith K. Jeremiah, Samuel Adebayo Jeremiah and Esther Abosede Jeremiah all of 21, Aiyetoro Street, Fadeyi Street, Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Adiaba Fred Emeng and Miss Patience Emeng both of 4th Avenue Block 5, Flat 15 Festac Town, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Aisha Afolake Babalola, Rashidat Olajumoke Babalola and Abeeb Olatunji Babalola all of 6, Oshitelu Street, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Garba Anetu, Muhammed Garba and Illiyasu Garba all of 71, Alaba Road, Ajeromi Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Adebola Bassey Ese and Adekola Bassey Ese both of 8, Yakubu Street, Ojo, Lagos, father and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Iloani Chukwuemeka and Iloani Florence both of Block A4 Prison Barrack Kirikiri Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Adebayo Aribisala and Dr Obafemi Aribisala both of SW 8/147, Aribisala Street, Oke Ado Ibadan , children of the said deceased.

Regina Amope Omotayo of 2, Kazeem Ajayi Close, Ogudu and John Taiwo Omotayo of 22, Wakatu Aduranmi Street, R/Valley Ogudu Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Ogochukwu Blessing Umeh and Mr Ifeanyi Umeh both of 4, Alhaji Davies Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Nuratu Omotolani and Kamoli Omotolani both of 54, Okoya Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Femi Omowaye and Mrs Dorcas Odeyemi both of 3, Saki Street, Alagbado, Lagos,two of the children of the said deceased.

Christiana Tolagbe Jenrola and Oladapo Adeyemi Jenrola both fo 10, Turner Eradiri Stret, Ojo Road, Ajegunle Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Godwin Nwankwo and Chidi Arthur Obike both of 7, Toriola Street, Maryland Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Toochukwu Egbuchu Bathlomew Emeka Onyiako both of 16, Disu Street, Mushin, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Funke Dasuki and Kashimawo Azeez John Dasuki both of 36, Kayode Oladimeji Crossing Agbado, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Mojisola Adewunmi Ajagbe and Mrs Anna Adenike Popoola Bamisile both of 1, Shodinde Hughes Street, Iwaya, Lagos, two of the children o fthe said deceased.

Eunice Orsu of 36, Sanusi Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos, and Leornard Orsu of 11, Itire Road, Ajegunle, Lagos ,widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Adetoun E. Adesanya and Adewole Adesanya both fo 9, Oluwalose Street, Ikotun Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Awe Mojisola Ajoke , Awe Jarinatu Ifejola, Awe Olatunde and Awe Oluwasegun all of 2, Adekinjo Street, Alagbado, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Onyia Christiana and Onyia Perpetual both of 511 Road, B Close House 2, Festac Town, Lagos, widow and child respectively of the said deceased.

Okafor Benjamin Arize of 6, Onajimi Street, Shomolu, Lagos, and Faith Philips Transit Village V/Island Lagos widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Taiwo Sade and Deborah Ayofemi New site Idola Wedakoh Badagry, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Bilikis Lawal of 4, Olusanya Close, Ketu, Lagos , Abdulateef Tajudeen of 15, Adeniji Street, Aga Ikorodu, Lagos and Suliat Adekoye of 29, Adepitan Ogudu Ojota, Lagos three of the children of the said deceased.

Abigael Oyindamola Coker of 9, Ajoke Akinbanbi Close, Ikeja, Isaac Adeyemi Coker of 19, Alh. Balgoun Street, Alagbole Lagos State, Deborah Omotola Coker of 9, Oyinlola Street, Egbeda Alagomeji Lagos, and Omoboriowo Coker of 19, Alli Balogun Street, Alagbole Lagos State, four of the children o f the said deceased.

Mr Esirorie Odiri, Mr Esirorie Aghogho and Dr Esiriorie Igho all of 6, Taiwo Olaleye Close, Iba Ojo, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Paul Onyemaechi Odeemena of 1, Gani Kale Court Oshodi and Ugochukwu Duru of 4, Durosimi Street, Okoko Lagos state widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Ademola Olufemi Odugbesan and Kehinde Dideolu Odugbesan both of House 70, Kudirat Abiola Estate, Iju, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Idom Akinlede and Mrs Adedoyin Olubukola Salami both of 1, Soremekun Street, Baba Olosa, Mushin Lagos two children of the said deceased.

Olufunmilayo Akinpelumi and Temitope Akinpelumi both of 15, Akinpelumi Street, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

Mr Jaiyeola Agbe Davies and Engr. Olusunmade Agbe-Davies both of 78, Igbenhin Adun Street, Oshodi, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Nwonoko Veronica Obiageli of 16, Balogun Street, Anifowoshe Ikeja, Lagos, and Mr Nwokochukwuma Cyril of 6, Ogunsefunmi Street, Anifowoshe Ikeja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Onikute Olaleye Jonathan and Onikute Adelola James both of 54, Isolo Road, Ijegun, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Patricia Udobong, Mr Innocent Udobong and Miss Olisa Udobong all of 93, Igbede Estate, Ojo, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-6-12

NSE index drops 74 basis points

T

HE market continued the new week retaining the southward movement it resumed last Thursday.

The key market indicators both shed additional 0.74 per cent each, leaving the Market Capitalisation with a drop of N50 billion to close at N6.713 trillion, while the All-Share-Index reduced by 156.19 points to close at 21,028.39 points.

Dangote Cement turned out the only high profile stock that shed value yesterday; others were small and mid capitalised stocks. Following this dip, the market extended its losing streak to three straight trading sessions.

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Meanwhile, market breadth strengthened marginally to 24 gainers, against 19 losers. Bullish investors dominated the trade log by 51.7 per cent, 59.7 per cent and 62.8 per cent of totally transacted deals, volume and value respectively.

Leading the gainers, table was PZ Cusson, with an increase of N1.23 to close at N25.85, followed by UBN with a gain of N0.17 to close at N3.64. Also, on the table were Paint Company, Eterna Oil & Gas, Red Star, NAHCO, RT Briscoe, UACN, Ikeja Hotel and Custody Insur-

ance.

On the losers, table were Law Union and Rock, leading with a drop of N0.03 to close at N0.57, followed by Conoil with a drop of N1.08 to close at N20.58. Also on the table were Transcorp, Gold Insurance, Avon Crown, Port Paint, May & Baker, Neimeth, Japaul Oil and AG Leventis.

Overall, investors transacted 155.774 million shares worth N1.143 billion across 3,432 deals. The financial services sector contributed 106.055 million shares, worth N600.688 million across 1,847 deals.

Other actively traded sectors were Conglomerates, Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods, Agriculture, Services, Health Care and Oil & Gas with 22.302 million shares, 6.562 million shares, 5.492 million shares, 5.371 million shares, 4.523 million shares, 3.056 million shares and 2.146 million shares apiece.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-6-12

THE

55

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

MONEY LINK

B

‘Subsidy for high cash users must stop’

ANK customers making high volume of cash-based transactions will pay for their excesses, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said.

Speaking at the weekend during an interactive session with Industrial Unions, CBN Head, SharedServices, Chidi Umeano said those class of customers have made cost of banking operations expensive.

He explained that in 2012 alone, over N200 billion will be spent on these excesses, stressing that this will no longer be tolerated by both the banks and the apex bank.

According to him, these category of customers must be made to pay the right fees whenever they exceed the CBN benchmark on cash transactions.

He said the CBN has a target of reducing the cost of banking operations by at least 30 per cent in the next three years.

According to him, cash-less banking policy and implementation will assist Nigeria in realising its Vision 2020 objective and place it among leading world economies

D

By Collins Nweze

with effective payment system.

Besides, he noted that the cashless initiative has tremendous benefits for the people and the economy. It would reduce the cost of cash handling and cost of funds.

“The funds saved from cash handling charges can be ploughed into infrastructure development. It would also mean that majority of Nigerians would stop subsidising the cash handling cost of heavy cash users,” he said.

He explained that only 10 per cent of branch transactions in Nigeria are above N150, 000 and they make up about 77 per cent of the value of cash transactions in the country’s financial system. The initiative will also usher in an era of convenient and secure payment systems, he said.

He explained that the policy was designed to promote financial in-

mobile payment operators to offer payment services via the mo-

termediation, financial inclusion, minimise revenue leakages in the economy.

According to him, the policy on withdrawal allows individual customer to make a free cumulative withdrawal or deposit of N500, 000 daily across the counters and ATM. Withdrawal above the free limit will attract processing fees of three per cent for every N1000 above the limit. Corporate customers are allowed to make free cumulative withdrawal or deposit of N3 million daily.

Withdrawal above the free limit will attract a processing fee of five per cent for every N1000 above the limit.

He reiterated that the account to which withdrawal and lodgment is made that bears the processing charges and not the individual that receives or deposits the cash.

He said that to ensure a seamless implementation of the policy, the CBN has licensed about 15

Court orders CBN to pay Interstellar $117.4m

A

FEDERAL High Court in Umuahia has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defray a judgment debt of $117 million owed to a firm, Interstellar Communications Limited, from the Federal Government’s account with the bank.

Justice M.G. Umar gave the order while ruling on a garnishee application by the company. The application was aimed at enforcing an earlier judgment entered in favor of Interstellar in its legal battle with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).

The judge held that the $117.4 million was outstanding principal and interest as at October 2011. Justice Umar also held that for each additional day after October 12, 2011 that the judgment sum of $117.4 million was not paid, an additional accumulations of $57,895.90 calculated at the interest at 18 percent per annum on $117.4 million should be paid.

The judge directed that the payments should be made to Interstellar in US dollars or their naira equivalent based on the prevailing exchange rate on the day of payment.

Justice H. Soba of the Federal High Court in Umuahia had in November 6, 2007 entered judgment in favour of Interstella and against NITEL in suit No. FHC/UM/CS/95/04.

The court ordered that the defendant (NITEL) should pay Interstella (plaintiff) N1.944billion per annum as revenue accruable to it per annum from its investment in 36 E1 switch ports beginning from 2002 and continuing thereafter until the date the accumulated sum is paid off in arrears.

Moghalu to lecture at US Reserve Bank

EPUTY Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Financial System Stability (FSS), Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, will from Thursday, June 21 to Friday, 22 deliver policy speeches on Nigeria’s banking sector and economic development.

The event according to statement from the CBN, holds at the United States Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Both events, scheduled at the invitation of the City of Philadelphia in collaboration with the Federal Re-

serve Bank and the Wharton School, are expected to draw top American business and finance executives as well as academics and students.

The Reserve Bank is the country’s central banking system and its lender of last resort. It was established in 1913. “The Fed”, as the institution is popularly known, has 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks that serve as its operational arms covering 12 financial districts into which the territory of the United States is divided.

The Wharton School at the ivyleague University of Pennsylva-

•Moghalu

nia was established in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 18-6-12 SYMBOL

PZ UBN PAINTCOM ETERNAOIL REDSTAREX NAHCO RTBRISCOE UACN IKEJAHOTEL CUSTODYINS

O/PRICE

24.62 3.47 1.44 2.50 2.93 5.92 1.50 31.75 1.11 1.58

C/PRICE

25.85 3.64 1.51 2.62 3.07 6.20 1.57 33.21 1.16 1.65

113m

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

Current Before

C/PRICE 0.57 20.58 1.35 0.58 3.61 2.63 1.86 0.85 0.65 0.92

CHANGE 0.03 1.08 0.07 0.03 0.18 0.13 0.09 0.04 0.03 0.04

29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 18-6-12

SYMBOL O/PRICE LAWUNION 0.60 CONOIL 21.66 TRANSCORP 1.42 GOLDINSURE 0.61 AVONCROWN 3.79 PORTPAINT 2.76 MAYBAKER 1.95 NEIMETH 0.89 JAPAULOIL 0.68 AGLEVENT 0.96

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

CHANGE

1.23 0.17 0.07 0.12 0.14 0.28 0.07 1.46 0.05 0.07

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

It also ordered the payment of the cost of medical treatment of the second plaintiff (Chief Executive Officer of the first Plaintiff) amounting to $150,000.00; payment by the defendant to the plaintiffs of $2,400,800.00 per month from April 2007, till date and until all accumulated areas are paid, being the monthly revenue accruable to the plaintiff’s investment on ½ 1 x STM 1circuit on SAT 3 since October 2006.

Besides, the court ordered the immediate reconnection by NITEL, of Interstella’s network to the SAT 3 undersea cable at 1 x STM 1 speed; payment of N2 billion by the defendant to the plaintiffs, as exemplary damages, for damages inflicted on the plaintiff’s business, corporate image, goodwill, integrity, reputation and financial loses, and payment of interest on sums accumulated as at judgment day at 30 percent per annum and thereafter at 25 percent per annum.

NITEL failed to appeal the judgment, following which the Federal Government waded in with the intention of reaching an amicable settlement with Interstella. In a letter dated September 15, 2008 with reference number MJ/LIT/ ABJ/NSA/128/08/39, the Fed Govt indicated its interest in reaching “an amicable and final resolution of the above matter” with Interstella.

The Fed Govt later set up an inter Ministerial Committee comprising the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Federal Ministry of Communications to negotiate an out of court settlement.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

bile phone that over 80 million Nigerian are carrying.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 124.28 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 105.00 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.75 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.95 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,710.94 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.95 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,446.88 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.16 104.34 0.73 1.08 0.93 1,703.76 8.51 1.33 1.80 7,250.53 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

56

NEWS

Igbinedion Varsity on fracas: six injured in battle for girl

T

HE fracas at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, was over a female student, it was learnt yesterday.

Over 40 vehicles were destroyed in a clash said to be between ex-militants and cult members.

The social media was on Sunday filled with reports by students that ex-militants, being trained at the university, have invaded the campus and were shooting sporadically.

Some students said two persons were beheaded.

But the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eghosa Osaghea, yesterday said only six students were injured.

He said preliminary investigation showed that the quarrel was over a female student .

The VC said there was no shooting.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Balogun, has visited the institution.

According to him, “on Sunday, there was a misunderstanding among students following the damage to a student’s car outside the campus.”

“This elicited reprisal attacks in which several other vehicles were damaged.

“Thankfully, no life was lost. We gathered it was a fight over a female student spat. It was a retaliatory attack.”

Amnesty Office: no ex-militant involved THE Amnesty Office has refuted the report that ex-militants were involved in the fracas which occured in Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.

In a statement by its Head, Media and Communications, Daniel Alabrah, the Office said: “Our students undergoing formal education at the university did not go on rampage on Sunday.

“What actually happened was that some of the amnesty programme students in the institution resisted an attempt by some cult members to intimidate one of their colleagues. “ No life was lost contrary to reports in the media. The police and the school authorities have confirmed this in separate statements.

“This clarification became necessary to dispel inaccurate reports, which created the impression that a group of exmilitants went on rampage and beheaded two students.

“The Amnesty Office is cooperating with the police to get to the roots of the fracas while the police and the school management have restored normalcy to the institution.

“We also wish to state that the amnesty programme remains one of the key successes of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, and Mr. President has never wavered in his commitment to ensuring that every disarmed and demobilised Niger Delta youth is transformed and reintegrated into society.”

•Situation under control, say police From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Osaghea said the injured have been treated and discharged.

He said those undergoing training at the institution were not ex-militants but youths from the Niger Delta, sponsored under the Youth Empowerment Programme in the Niger Delta Masterplan.

He said the youths were

regular students, who were admitted through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and sponsored by the Federal Government.

It was gathered that the university authorities met with Ijaw leaders from Edo and Ondo states to discuss the issue.

One of the leaders said the relationship between the students on scholarship and

other students was a frosty one.

He said those on scholarship were constantly being attacked and that the matter has been reported to the management.

Another Ijaw leader, Andrew Igiri, urged the students not to see Ijaw youths as ex-militants.

Balogun said the continuous referral to the youths as ex-militants might have led to the clash.

The commissioner said investigation showed that the students resented the use of the word ‘militant’ in addressing them.

He, however, said the warring groups reached a truce yesterday and promised to be peaceful.

“One of them alleged that some persons attempted to burn a car and his own group retaliated and damaged the car belonging to the attacker.

“We have arrested five students whom we think were involved in the fracas.

“There was no shooting at all, the biggest weapon I saw was a stick.

“The students who called their parents were just reacting to the situation, which was the normal thing to do.

“We have invited the groups and peace has been restored to the university,” Balogun said.

Land tussle: Ado communities visit monarch

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•Edemo warns against smearing Afe Babalola’s name

OMMUNITIES in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, were yesterday at the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, in solidarity with him on his decision on the land dispute between the families of Edemo Aduloju and Baisaya.

The communities, including Oke-Ewi, Odo-Ado and Oke’la, were represented by their chiefs. They joined others to assure the monarch of their solidarity with him on his decision on the matter.

The communities noted that the Ewi’s decision was in tune with the position of all the chiefs in Ado kingdom.

The Odogun of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Ade Aladetoyinbo, said the decisions on the Edemo of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Bamidele Aduloju remained the same because he had not shown remorse on the alleged misdeeds he perpetrated.

He said the first hearing on the matter in court will hold on July 10.

Aladetoyinbo added that the matter has, however, taken a new dimension because Aduloju has reportedly written to attack the palace.

According to him, Aduloju wrote the “official letter” in which he referred to his home as a “palace”.

The Edemo royal family has denied the allegation.

The family said it never threatened to send the Ewi to jail for “contempt”.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti

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From: Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

State capital, the family warned against disrespecting the revered status of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) through allegation of complicity in the land tussle between it and the Baisaya family.

Olaseeni Aduloju and Ogunojo Aduloju, who spoke for the Edemo family, urged the Ewi not to threaten Chief Aduloju, its family head.

They noted that as far as the family is concerned, “Aduloju remains the Edemo of AdoEkiti”.

Olaseeni said the crisis started in November, last year, when a dispute came up between the Aduloju and the Baisaya families on an expanse of land located between Ado-Ekiti and Ijan-Ekiti.

They recalled that the family consented that the Ewi should mediate in the matter to show respect for the traditional institution, even when the matter had been taken to court.

The family spokesmen added that despite the fact that the “deposition” of the Edemo is still in court, the Ewi invited nominations from the community of another person for the same title.

“Despite this, we all resisted that the monarch be reported to court for contempt charges, again, as a mark of honour for the traditional institution,” Olaseeni said.

The family appealed to well-meaning individuals to mediate in the matter to resolve it peacefully.

Delta SSG’s son kidnapped

NIDENTIFIED gunmen yesterday kidnapped the son of the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Ovuozourie Macaulay, at his home town, Owheologbo, near Ozoro, Isoko North L.G.A Macaulay, who had just returned to Lagos after a medical treatment abroad, said: “The news of my son’s kidnap has just reached me.

Asked what his son went to do in the village, he said: “Is it not his home town? Won’t

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

he go to his home town again? He had just finished his Master’s programme and had been shuttling between Asaba and Owheologbo.”

The Nation gathered that the kidnappers are yet to contact the family.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s cousin Pa Samuel Uduaghan, who was kidnapped last week at his home in Asaba, was released at the weekend.

Ekiti varsity shifts date as students disrupt exams •Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole greeting Prof George Obiozor at a Sensitisation Workshop for Parties and Stakeholders organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs in Benin City, yesterday. With them are Prof Sam Oyovbaire (left) and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd)

Three killed in Port Harcourt robbery From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

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HREE persons, a driver and two passengers, were killed and several women raped at the weekend at Emohua, near Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when robbery suspects attacked travellers on the East–West Road.

Sources said the victims, coming from Delta State, were attacked 10 minutes before arriving at their destination.

It was gathered that the driver angered the hoodlums, when he knocked down two of their members in an attempt to escape.

He was able to drive the other passengers out of the robbery scene but reportedly died hours later.

The two passengers report-

Robbers raid The Nation office From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

TWO robbery suspects yesterday raided The Nation’s office in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, carting away over N500,000 and other valuables.

The Sales Officer, Daniel Olawumi, lost his laptop, a phone and a leather bag containing vital documents; the dispatch rider, Chigozie Iwuala, also lost his phone.

The robbery took place around 11 am. The distributors, who came for payment, were held at gun point for about 10 minutes that the operation lasted.

Olawumi said: “We were made to lie on top of each other.

They searched us and made away with the day’s sales.

“All the distributors and vistors to the office were robbed.

It was really trumatising. They locked us inside the office and made away with the keys.”

The incident has been reported at the Mile One Police Station. edly died on the spot. hours dispossessing passenFew minutes later, a bus gers of their belongings. coming from Benin was also A victim said: “The robbers attacked and commandeered stood on the road and flagged to a deep forest, where the us down as if they were pohoodlums spent over three licemen but when the driver

realised this, he tried to beat a quick escape but the robbers opened fire.”

It was gathered that the driver escaped and the robbers drove the bus into a nearby bush, where they molested their victims for over three hours.

The sources said all the female passengers, except a medical student of the University of Port Harcourt, were raped.

The student was spared because she was said to be observing her monthly period.

The victims were later dumped by the road from where they made their way to the Choba Police Station.

Commissioner of Police Mohammed Indabawa confirmed the incident.

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HE second semester examinations of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti could not begin in any of the four designated centres across the state yesterday as scheduled, following disruptions by some students.

The special designated centres for the examination are: Ifaki -Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, IkereEkiti and the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti.

The students had six weeks ago, protested directive earlier given by the school management, enforcing the full payment of fees before sitting for the examination.

According to sources, the university started the screening of the students but could not conclude the process by issuing examination permits to the students.

It was gathered that institution’s authority had for three consecutive days before the examinations, embarked on the screening of the stu-

From: Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

dents where examination permits were issued only to those without debt records.

Trouble, however, started at the centres when some of the students, who had settled their fees but yet to be issued with clearance, were barred from the examination halls.

The aggrieved students, who could not bear what they called “undeserved punishment”, accused the authorities of shoddy handling of the entire process, forced their way into the halls.

The confusion informed the postponement of the examinations till today by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina.

Confirmed the development, spokesman to the institution, Mr Ajibade Olubunmi, said the vice chancellor has ordered that every student be allowed to write their examinations.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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Bomb blasts: Victims’ families get N12m from Anambra, Adamawa T

HE governments of Anambra and Adamawa states at the weekend gave each of the 12 families from Adazi-Nnukwu, who lost their breadwinners to bombings in Adamawa, N1 million cheque each.

Both governments had earlier given the 12 families and two others from Agulu and Azigbo in Nnewi South Local Government Area N1 million each.

Presenting the cheques to the victims at Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church, Adazi-Nnukwu, Governor Peter Obi said: “We are fulfilling our promise of N2 million each to the families of the victims. We gave them N1 million each earlier and are redeeming the final

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

part of the promise from the governments of Anambra and Adamawa states.

“We are doing this because we want the people to have faith in the government and to assist the families.”

Urging the families to invest the money wisely, Obi said: “In Nigeria today, anybody with N2 million can build a meaningful life, if he/she is organised. This money is not meant for partying or paying community fees.”

The governor also redeemed his pledge to the church.

He said: “I pledged to donate

N10 million to this church and I paid N4 million earlier. Today, I am giving another N2 million, totaling N6 million, and will pay the balance soon.

“The state government has invested N150 million in St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu, and built a students’ hostel worth N60 million there.”

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Onyeso, thanked the governor and informed him of the church’s centenary anniversary coming up in November. He said the parish is working on the expansion of the church.

The National Vice-President of Adazi Nnukwu Town

Union, Chief Alex Obiadi, thanked Obi on behalf of the families.

The Parish Priest of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Amawbia, Rev. Fr. Jonas Okoye, who is also the Secretary of the Catholic Diocesan Finance Council, thanked the state government for investing in the Catholic hospital and other projects of the church.

He thanked Obi for returning schools to the missionaries and for the erosion control project in the community.

Obi had earlier awarded scholarships to the children of the bomb blasts victims.

NDDC begins work on Umuikukor/Ariaria Road

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HE Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has flagged off the 8.1km Umuikukor/Ariaria Road linking Ukwa West Local Government Area to Aba in Abia State.

NDDC’s Managing Director Dr. Christian Oboh, who was represented by Mr. Aloysius Nwagboso, urged the contractor to deliver the project on schedule and to specification.

He said: “NDDC will not compromise standard. We were meticulous in the process of selecting the contractor and are confident that we shall not be disappointed.”

Oboh said the road

would boost commerce and urged the community and youths to cooperate with the contractor.

The Transition Committee Chairman, Ukwa West Council, Apostle Ikeokwu Nwankwo, said the council would provide an enabling environment for the contractor.

He said: “Our people are very peaceful and they appreciate the value of this road. You can count on our maximum cooperation.”

The traditional ruler of Umuika-Isiasa, one of the benefiting communities, Eze Timothy Agu, said: “The project will make us feel the presence of the Federal Government.”

‘Littering now attracts fine in Anambra’

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•Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (left) greeting the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigerian (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande. With them is the Chairman of the former Governors’ Forum, Senator Jim Nwobodo and others during a meeting of former governors in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

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Disquiet in ministry over proposed director’s appointment

HERE is disquiet in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation over the proposed appointment of a Director of Tourism.

The nomination of the said candidate, a former consultant to the Ministry, is alleged to have violated the civil service rules and regulations.

The row over the appointment has however led to a protest to the Federal

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Civil Service Commission.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the staff of the Ministry are agitated that the recommendation of a nominee for the office was effected through the backdoor than the normal civil service procedure.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Workers in this ministry are unhappy over abuse of the civil service procedure in the appointment of a new Director “The position was not advertised before appointment. This was in contravention of 2004 Guidelines for

Fortis MfB targets N7b capital

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ORTIS Microfinance Bank Plc (Fortis) is prosecuting a threeyear strategic growth plan targeting N7.0 billion. This will improve the bank’s financing standing, making it a leader in the microfinance sub-sector.

The hybrid security issuance which is said to have reached advanced stage is being packaged by DEAP Capital Management & Trust Plc as the Issuing House/Financial Advisers.

Chief Executive of Fortis, Kunle Oketikun, said the bank had in the past four years laid the foundation for a rapid growth aimed at positioning it in the industry.

He noted that the operational strategy that underlines the foundation and success of Fortis is the professionalism and a commitment for best practices which have equally translated to consistently good performance of the company.

Oketikan said: “Fortis

Microfinance Bank Plc, since inception, has committed itself to be a microfinance bank of choice in the Nigerian financial industry. We adhere strictly to professional standards and international best practice. We have constantly achieved record pre-tax earnings, earnings per share, free cash flow and improved profit margins, with increased revenues and have continued to deliver superior returns to shareholders most importantly.”

Why I built a house for Ohakim, by Okorocha

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MO State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has said his decision to build a Guest House for his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, and other former governors was informed by the provision of the law, which stipulates such gesture for former governors.

Okorocha explained this while interacting with leaders from Ohakim’s local government area, Isiala Mbano.

He said he has forgotten about all that happened before and during the 2011 governorship election and is concentrating on develop-

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

ing the state.

Okorocha said: “I do not have any problem with the people of Isiala Mbano, because you are my brothers and friends. In fact, as I speak, I have built a Guest House for Ohakim, whom I still regard as my brother, Chief Achike Udenwa, the late Chief Evan Enwerem and the late Sam Mbakwe, as stipulated by the law of the state.”

He said his administration would treat all councils equally.

Appointments, Promotion and Discipline “Serving officers, who are also qualified for the position, were not aware to enable them apply for such position. The record of service was not certified as there was no release letter from the former organization of the favoured candidate.

“The Federal Character Principle has not been observed because the candidate favoured for the post is from Cross River State , which is in the SouthSouth.

“The Culture Department is already headed by an officer from the SouthSouth Zone while this officer by his position would eventually head the Department of Tourism. Why will a Minister from the SouthSouth head the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and two top positions be conceded to the same zone.”

Another top official of the ministry, who confided in our correspondent, said: “We do not have the twoyear Assessment Performance Form of the nominee to be imposed. This is a crucial condition for such appointment.

“It is also baffling that the favoured candidate had served as a Consultant to Tourism Master Plan of the Ministry in 2009. Consultants are private persons and not serving government officials”

TAKEHOLDERS’ sensitisation meeting and campaign on environmental cleanliness in Anambra State has ended in Awka, The Anambra State Government will, henceforth, fine or jail environmental offenders.

The Managing Director of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Dr. Anthony Okoye, said the decision was reached at the weekend during a stakeholders’ meeting on environmental protection.

Okoye said: “If you are caught walking or driving around during the environmental sanitation period without a sanitation pass, you will pay a N2,000 fine and bail your car with N5,000, N10,000 for a bus, N3,000 for a tricycle and N2,000 for a motorcycle.

“Anyone caught throwing away refuse, such as a water sachet, from a moving vehicle, tricycle or motorcycle, would be made to pay a fine of N2,000.

“If you are caught burning waste receptacles, you will be arrested and fined N20,000. The absence of waste bins in stalls, homes and vehicles shall attract a fine of N2,000.”

The ASWAMA boss said the indiscriminate disposal of waste would attract fines of 5,000 or three months’ jail term for an individual and

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

N50,000 for a corporate entity.

He said the government is determined to rid the state of filth and prevent the dangers caused by indiscriminate waste disposal.

Explaining that waste management is not the responsibility of the government alone, Okoye said unless residents are fully involved and committed to it, the funds injected into refuse management would not achieve much.

He said: “Responsibility sharing and citizen participation in municipal solid waste management is highly pertinent at this period that we want to take Anambra to another level in environmental cleanliness.”

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Boniface Egboka, who was at the stakeholders’ meeting, said: “The hygiene and sanitary situation in the state is poor as is clearly reflected in the people’s living standards and conditions.

“The littered streets and garbage-filled neighbourhood sites provide ample evidence of the grossly deteriorated state of waste collection and disposal.

They pose great risks to both urban and rural communities.”

‘Orji is developing Abia’

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BIA State Governor Theodore Orji is developing the state despite attempts by his detractors to pull him down, his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Ben Onyechere, has said.

In a statement yesterday, Onyechere said Orji has made progress in infrastructural development and increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said: “Abia has opened a political page, which speaks volumes of the intention of the government. The state had been neglected by successive administrations and the current collaboration with the Federal Government is yielding fruits faster than expected, particularly in bringing Abia to the forefront of national discourse.”

Onyechere said the recent inauguration of a 133/32KV power generation station in Oniya, Umuahia, is one of the governor’s achievements.

He said the opposition has deliberately turned a blind eye to the governor’s developmental efforts and chosen to concentrate on destructive criticisms.

Onyechere said Orji returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “eliminate backwardness and decadence in the socio-economic life of Abians.”

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Gunmen kill two in Gombe

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HE Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Bello Farouk, 25 and Moshood Hassan, 18, by two gunmen at Jekadafari in the Gombe metropolis on Sunday night.

Police spokesman Fwaje Atajiri said the incident occurred about 8pm.

He said no arrests had been made.

An eyewitness, who is also a nephew to one of the deceased, Malam Sani Mohammed, said the gunmen killed the deceased around 8pm when they

From Vincent Ekhoragbon, Gombe

were preparing for prayers.

According to him, one of them called Farouk through his mobile line.

When he stepped out to see the person that called him, the other gunman brought out an AK 47 rifle and shot him dead.

Mohammed added that stray bullets hit Hassan who also died on the spot.

The source said the gunmen ran away after the incident.

Bookshop proprietor dies at 80 N Osogbo-based bookshop proprietor, Chief Adeyemi Falade, is dead.

He died on May 26 after a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State.

Eighty-year-old Pa Falade was the Baba Akoko of Akokoland and the Baba Ijo of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Odo Irun in Irun Akoko, Ondo State.

The deceased is survived by many children and grandchildren.

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60-yr-old lynched for homosexuality

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60-year-old man, alleged to be a homosexual, has been lynched by a mob in Yola.

A source said the deceased, identified as Hassan Buba, a resident of Yelwa ward in Yola North Local Government of Adamawa State, admitted that he had carnal knowledge of his victim, a 20-year-old man, for

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

over four years.

He was accused of subjecting the victim to indecent acts, which have left him with a strange illness.

The source said Buba was killed after his victim confessed to his parents that his illness was caused by the defilement he subjected him

to.

He was said to have been invited to the family house of his victim where he admitted having a sexual relationship with the young man.

The deceased reportedly confessed using supernatural means to hypnotise his victim.

Piqued by the shocking

revelation, the father of the victim identified as Shuaibu and some youths reportedly beat the deceased to a pulp and abandoned him by the roadside.

The police from the Jimeta Division Headquarters reportedly took the deceased to the Yola Specialist Hospital where he died.

Tree kills Osun chief, injures two others

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RESH facts have emerged on how an iroko tree fell on Chief Felix Amore and killed him on the spot at Ita Akogun Area of Ilesa, Osun State, last Sunday.

An eyewitness said the tree fell on the 72-year-old man living at E1 81 Okeso Street, Ilesa, and injured two other persons though there was no storm to warn the victims.

On the fateful day, it was learnt that the victims were taking standing under the tree, waiting for a commer-

•NCDSC writes council chief to fell tree From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

cial bus or a commercial motorcycle (okada) when the incident happened.

A source said the tree, on the Ilesa/Osogbo road, was as old as the history of Ilesa.

It was learnt that some residents used to seek refuge under the tree during wars.

According to the source,

the timely intervention of men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) prevented more people from being killed or injured by the tree.

The NSCDC officials were said to have given first aid treatment to the victims.

The Osun State command of the NSCDC has written the Executive Secretary of the Ilesa West Local Government Area to fell the tree immediately.

The Head of Disaster Management of NCDSC in Osun State, Mr. Olaniyi Babalola, who spoke yesterday with our correspondent on phone, said the council authorities were asked to

contact the families of the victims.

Babalola urged the council to look for experts to cut the iroko tree, adding that the occupants of the five houses near the tree should be evacuated immediately.

He gave the names of the injured as Adewale Adebayo (49) of 28 Ayodelegbede Street, Surulere, Lagos, and a Hausa man, simply identified as Musa (28), also from Lagos.

According to him, the bodies of the late Amore has been deposited at the mortuary of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, while those injured are receiving treatment in the same hospital.

Kogi council polls to hold December

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HE Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced that elections into the 21 local government councils will hold on December 8.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the Chairman of KOSIEC, Abraham Ayo Olaniran, said the commission is determined to conduct a transLOSS OF DOCUMENT

I, Mrs. Kate Chiama nee (Mgbeke), wish to notify the general public of the loss of the original documents of property at 25, Micheal Ogun Street, Obele Oniwala Surulere, Lagos, belonging to my late mother, Mrs. Rosa Mgbeke, all efforts to trace the said documents proved abortive. LSDPC and the general public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I, DR. MRS NKIRU AKARAIWE, holder of C Of O over plot 6 Residential/Industrial Layout Emene notifies the general public of the loss of the said Certificate through a fire incident which occurred in the office of Akaraiwe & Associates on the 7/ 05/2012

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I, Augustine Omotayo Adenike of No 57 Ezilo Ave. Ind L/O, Enugu and MD of Artsaels investment Ltd lost a certified true copy of my Building Lease reged as No 38 1017 issued to me by the Registrar of Deeds, Enugu and a Certified True Copy of my Deed of Assignment reged. as no 10 at page 10 in vol. 1362 of the lands Registry Enugu.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT The building certificate of occupancy dated 22 nd day of July 1987 with registration No 9/9/1183 at Lands Registry Enugu over piece of land situate at Plot 36 Maryland Layout Enugu (LU/EN:1393) belonging to Bernard O. Aghaeze is missing.

B. O. Aghaeze

LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND POWER OF ATTORNEY This is to notify the general public that a Building C of O with reg. No. 26/26/1321 dated 31/08/90 and Power of Attorney Reg. as 26/26/1390 dated 24/10/93 belonging to Michael Onah and Anthony Nvene, respectively, were deposited with Afex Bank of Nigeria Ltd (In-Liquidation) got lost in transit. If found pls. contact. NDIC, ECC, 139 Chime Ave. New haven, Enugu.

Dan Agwu, esq.

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

parent and credible poll.

He unveiled the election timetable and said forms would be given free to prospective female aspirants, while their male counterparts would pay to offset the cost of production.

“By virtue of Kogi State Local Electoral Law 2004, the state Independent Electoral Commission hereby gives notice that election into the offices of the chairman, vice chairman and councillors of the 21 local government councils shall hold on Saturday, December 8. All registered political parties are entitled to participate and sponsor candidates for the election,” he said.

According to him, the parties and their candidates are expected to collect the form at the commission’s headquarters, adding that its cost would be fixed after a meeting with stakeholders.

Olaniran said the poll was supposed to be held in April last year, but the date was shifted after the Supreme Court judgment, which sacked five governors on tenure elongation.

He said the election would be free and fair as the same team that conducted the 2008 poll in the state would conduct the forthcoming election, adding that the commission has given sufficient notice to enable all parties and candidates prepare.

The KOSIEC chairman urged political parties, supporters and candidates to adhere to the law, saying in its resolve to ensure credible poll, the commission would apply the provisions of the relevant laws governing the election.

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NEWS

Six man panel to probe Oyinlola’s N18.38b loan

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday inaugurated a six-man Commission of Enquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the N18.38 billion loan taken by the ousted administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Members of the commission are Prof. Femi Odekunle (Chairman), Mr. Kola Adeyemo, Mr. Obi Daramola, Mr. Akin Akintayo, Mr. Soji Olowolafe and Mr. Kelani Adesina.

The ceremony was held at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital.

Aregbesola urged the panel to look into the financial transactions and contracts of the past administration from May, 2003, to November, 2010.

He said the panel was set up to promote probity, transparency and accountability in governance.

Aregbesola said: “In view of the excruciating loan of N18.38 bil-

•Osun gets council creation committee From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

lion taken by the previous government and major financial transactions and contracts awarded from May, 2003, to November, 2010, there is need to probe the activities of the immediate-past government.

“Hence, the inauguration of this six-man panel to look into the matter without fear or favour.

Aside from investigating the circumstances surrounding the loan, the panel will also find out the propriety of the officials involved in the procurement of the loan.”

Aregbesola said at the end of its assignment, the commission would recommend sanctions for anyone indicted.

The panel is expected to submit

its report to the state government within 90 days.

Odekunle said he gladly took the assignment because he supports the government’s determination to ensure accountability in government and public service.

He said: “Notwithstanding the politics of the state and the possible risks inherent in this kind of fact-finding mission, I promise you that the commission will discharge its mandate with respect to the principles of due process and fair-hearing to all concerned, without fear or favour to any person.”

At the weekend, the governor also inaugurated a 10-man committee, tagged Osun Local Government Creation Committee.

It is chaired by the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Prof. Mojeed Alabi.

Members are Mr. Adeola Adeosun, Mr. Lekan Babalola, Mr. Sikiru Hassan, Mr. Gbenga Awosode, Mr. Adejoke Olatunde, Col. Olayiwola Talabi (rtd.), Mr. Femi Popoola, Mr. Sola Oladepo and Mr. Francis Olatoye.

Aregbesola said if councils are properly administered, they remain the closest way of alleviating poverty and mobilising the people to be productive.

He said in terms of history, the people of Osun are not properly constituted into councils as stipulated by the laws guiding the formation of local government areas in the amended 1999 Constitution.

Aregbesola urged the committee to ensure that its recommendations reflect the wishes of the people.

He said: “We want to determine

how best we can locate our people in terms of their viability and historical background. Your committee must ensure that our people are properly constituted into councils to mobilise them to their highest level of productivity.

“It shall be the duty of your committee to make sure that the creation of new councils is in conformation with the constitution and to issue general guidelines on boundary issues that must also comply with the 1999 Constitution.”

The committee is to get the opinion of Osun indigenes on council creation through social media platforms and submit its report on July 25.

Thanking the governor for the confidence reposed in members of the committee, Alabi said: “We are aware of the yearnings of our people for proper representation and we will carry out this assignment with utmost responsibility to meet their desires.”

Ogun flags off quiz competition From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

HE Ogun State Government yesterday flagged off the maiden edition of the New Era Spelling Bee competition among public secondary school pupils.

The government said the winner of the competition would have a monument named after him/her, be a OneDay Governor, as well as have his or her name written in the state’s Hall of Fame.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubella stated this at the opening of the competition and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, and the New Era Foundation.

Mrs. Amosun, in collaboration with the New Era Foundation and the Ministry of Education, will be organising the competition yearly to strengthen the pupils’ proficiency in the English language.

Odubela said the winner of the competition would get a university education scholarship, N250,000, a laptop and official recognition as the “most outstanding speller in Ogun State”.

He said N150,000 is attached to the second position and N100,000 to the third.

Mrs. Amosun said a link exists between spelling ability and reading ability.

She said spelling accuracy contributes to effective reading and writing skills.

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Vehicle owners warned HE Lagos Sate Police Command has warned owners of vehicles parked at Elere and Alagbado Police Stations to remove them. It said the vehicles would be auctioned to the public, if they fail to do so.

The vehicles are a Toyota Wagon marked AV 464 KTY, a Nissan Primera 285 LND, a Lexus 95300 salon car marked GQ 455 KJA and a Paragon bus marked XH 785 BDG. Others are a Honda Accord marked GG 990 LND, an ubregistered Honda Accord, a Toyota Camry marked FE 681 RSH and an unregistered Golf car.

From left: Odubela, Mrs. Amosun and the Executive Director, New Era Foundation, Mr. Yemi Osilaja...yesterday.

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Service of songs for The Nation’s Ngozi Agbo SERVICE of songs

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will be held today for The Nation’s Campus Life Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Agbo, who died on May 28 after childbirth.

The programme will hold at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos (UNILAG), by 5pm.

The lying in state will

By Wale Ajetunmobi

hold tomorrow at LOTAD Funeral Services Nigeria Limited, Oba Ogunji Road, close to LASU Museum, Pen Cinema, Agege, by 9am.

Interment follows immediately at Atan Cemetery, Yaba.

Yaba community hails Tinubu

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HE Yaba community in Lagos State yesterday thanked former Governor Bola Tinubu for creating the Yaba Council Development Area (LCDA) to foster grassroots development.

Yaba LCDA Chairman Mr. Jide Jimoh; his deputy, Mrs. Bola Lawal-Olumegbon; and the Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Apostle John Ojo hailed Tinubu for his foresight.

They said Yaba and its environs have witnessed de-

Oyo to strengthen relationship with Kenya

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday said his administration will explore the available potentials in Kenya to develop the state’s agriculture and tourism sectors.

Ajimobi spoke in his office in Ibadan, the state capital, while receiving the Nigerian Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Akin Oyateru.

He said some of the tourist potentials that abound in Kenya and the mechanised farming system adopted there can be replicated in the state.

Ajimobi urged Oyateru, who is an indigene of the state, to use his experience to facilitate other areas of cooperation with Kenya, in order to restore the “pace-setting status” of Oyo. He said his administration has put in place machinery for the state’s socio-economic development, adding that tourism and agriculture can contribute a lot to the state’s Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR).

Oyateru said he was impressed by Ajimobi’s perform-

ance within one year.

He said the establishment of a Ministry of Culture and Tourism by the Ajimobi administration would go a long way in developing the vast tourist attractions in the state.

Oyateru assured the governor that he would strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Kenya.

He thanked the people for the support given to him and the three senators representing the state during his screening for the post and pledged never to disappoint them.

•LCDA chief gets Nkrumah Award

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

velopment in many spheres, following the council’s creation.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftains spoke at a ceremony marking the induction of Jimoh into the Ghana-based West African Students Union (WASU) Hall of Fame and the conferment of this year’s Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award on him by a WASU delegation, led by Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim.

Jimoh was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly for eight years before he was elected Yaba Council Chairman in 2008.

WASU officials said they were impressed by his achievements in education, health, rural development, poverty alleviation and security.

They urged the people of the council to continue to support his vision and passion for development.

Ibrahim, who was accompanied by delegates from

‘This award should also serve as a wake-up call to others to realise that there is a critical observation of their efforts and every deed, either good or bad, is being noted’ Ghana, the Gambia and Nigeria, said Jimoh was considered for the award because of his people-oriented projects.

He said: “This honour is not just to celebrate the achievements of an outstanding performer, but also a clarion call on the awardee not to relent in his efforts towards redefining the standard of economic development in Africa.

“This award should also serve as a wake up call to others to realise that their efforts and every deed, either good or bad, are being noted.”

Jimoh, who was decorated by the WASU officials after receiving the award, recalled how the LCDA was created by Tinubu.

He said the former governor’s principled stand on the creation of more councils has yielded dividends at the grassroots.

Jimoh said: “We must not forget the origin of this council. Despite stiff opposition, Asiwaju Tinubu insisted on creating them. If he had not done so, there will be no Yaba LCDA and there will be no development and achievement to cerebrate.

“I did not beg for this honour or apply for it. When I was told, I was surprised.

But I am also not surprised because we are in the realm of technology and our achievements are known to the world through the Internet.”

‘The honour is for all members of Yaba community and our party, ACN. It is a challenge to me and all of us. The only reward for hardwork is more work. We will not rest on our oars. We will ensure the flow of dividends of democracy”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012

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www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TODAY IN THE NATION

‘Ngozi is gone. But her many journalistic children, the cream of tomorrow, scattered all over Nigeria’s tertiary campuses, remain. They are the futuristic soldiers that may well earn their nation redemption’ VOL. 7

NO.2,161

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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S I was saying in this space last Tuesday: The election holds as scheduled.

Minor hitches are reported here and there, the type that can be expected even in the best-ordered poll. For the most part, NEC and everyone connected with the election gets high praise for a job superbly executed By late afternoon Sunday, June 13, the day following the1993 presidential election, intimations of a grand sweep by the SDP candidate, Chief MKO Abiola, are all over the place. By lunchtime Monday, June 14, victory songs are in the air in the SDP camp NEC has authenticated returns from 14 (of 30) states, and the rest are being “collated.”

It names a Chief Electoral Officer, an indication that it is set to declare a winner. The NRC is putting the finishing touches to a statement conceding defeat and pledging to work with the SDP in the nation’s best interests.

By the following day, Tuesday, the NRC camp is singing a different tune.

Allegations of improprieties surface. NRC stalwarts (Nduka Obaigbena leading the charge) claim on national television that the SDP candidate had gone to vote wearing an outfit on which was embroidered a stallion, the party’s symbol. The penalty for this alleged misconduct, they hint darkly, is a fine as huge as a king’s ransom, or a two-year jail term, or both fine and imprisonment.

SDP stalwarts counter that the NRC candidate, Bashir Tofa, had been serenaded with party songs and slogans when he had gone in a vain search to an appropriate polling station to cast his vote on election day.

Is it on these kinds of trivialities that the presidential election, the high point of a transition that had been seven years in the making: Is it on such trivialities that the election and the destiny of 90 million Nigerians will turn?

Meanwhile, NEC has stopped announcing further results, while apparently continuing the “collating.” It urges the electorate to be patient.

But the results from all but two of the 30 states are all over the place, at home and abroad. For N200, you could at Oshodi Bus Stop in Lagos purchase a set of documents detailing how Nigerians voted, ward by ward and precinct by precinct.

Unencumbered by NEC’s order prohibiting publication of “raw scores,” foreign journalists covering the poll had filed the results with their news media back home.

Even the national press had all but called the results and named the winner.

So, why all the fuss, especially when the results that had been authenticated tallied in virtually every respect with figures earlier circulated here and abroad?

Surely, something was afoot.

A clearer but more troubling picture

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

‘June 12’: Days of intrigue and suspense (2)

•The late Chief Abiola

emerges as the day progresses. Another High Court in Abuja, Justice Dahiru Saleh presiding, grants a petition by the ABN to suspend further announcement of election returns.

Attorney-General Akpamgbo orders NEC, first, to comply with this new order, and second, to show cause why it should not be punished for discountenancing the order of Jusice Ikpeme, aforementioned.

At this stage, NEC must be wondering who its antagonist really is: the ABN, or the Presidency, of which it is a branch.

The following day, Wednesday, June 16, the New Nigerian, wholly-owned by the Federal Government and the Daily Times, in which the Federal Government holds a controlling interest, come out with editorials expressing diametrically opposed views on the election.

The Daily Times celebrates the results as a “people’s triumph.” The editorial of the New Nigerian reads like a confidential memo. It denounces the entire poll and calls for its cancellation, even while proclaiming that it had been won by a “third party.”

Employing logic that it would be courteous

RIPPLES IGP: POLICE NOT SLEEPING OVER INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

then what do you call DOZING?

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STIMATES from the Red Cross and other agencies indicate that the death toll in the bombings of three churches in Kaduna and Zaria last Sunday is now over 60. In any country – no matter how lawless – the arbitrary slaughter of that number of humans should trigger shock and outrage.

But such has been the unrelenting manner of these mindless attacks that Nigerians are becoming inured to news of explosions claiming the lives of scores of people. As if the country is now one large abattoir people are fast getting used to the sight of gory pictures of the dead and injured in daily newspapers.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for this latest crime against humanity. It will not be necessary for them to do so. Given the modus operandi we can credit this brutal act to the usual suspects.

These coordinated attacks on unarmed Christians in their places of worship are calculated to achieve certain ends. For terror organisations whose agenda is the Islamisation of the country, these killings would be to make it impossible for people of other faiths to practice their religions openly in the North.

A second objective is to trigger uncontrollable sectarian strife by creating a chain reac-

to call infantile, it says ABN was the winner because its “25 million members” who had stayed away from the poll outnumbered 2:1 the 13 million Nigerians who had voted.

This day, NEC chairman Nwosu fails to address a scheduled press conference. So does NEC’s director of Information, the voluble Tonnie Iredia. An assistant director, about whom little had been heard previously, reads out a convoluted statement saying NEC would seek legal clarification of Justice Dahiru’s injunction.

It would be bruited that Nwosu had turned in his resignation, to no avail.

Thursday, June 17: A Lagos High Court, Moshood Olugbani presiding, issues, as petitioned by two applicants, what is in effect a writ of mandamus: Produce the election results within 24 hours, “even if the heavens fall.” Poor Humphrey Nwosu!

Friday, June 18: It comes to light that Yakubu Abdulazzez, editor of the New Nigerian, has resigned over the editorial attributed to his paper and by implication to himself. He is quoted as saying that he is quitting because he cannot continue to affix his imprimatur to a newspaper being used to pursue policies that could “lead to Nigeria’s disintegration.”

As that day wears on, and as no news leads develop, expectations switch to the news conference which, if tradition is any guide, Vice President Augustus Aikhomu can reasonably be expected to hold.

The Friday afternoon news conference is Aikhomu’s invention. It is his opportunity to clarify and amplify the news and put his personal stamp on it. Whatever he says in the conference dominates the news during the weekend, since there is usually no competing material. Aikhomu knows this fact and relishes it.

He is on record as having said, about a week before the presidential election, that no order

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

by any court of law could preempt the poll or interfere with its conduct. Given all that has happened, courtesy of the ABN and Justice Bassey Ikpeme and Justice Dahiru Saleh, Aikhomu could be expected to issue the usual clarification.

This time, Aikhomu is not obliging. And so Friday ends without the public being any wiser about what is going on in Abuja. Saturday and Sunday pass in the same manner.

Through all this, there has been no word from the Presidency, save a statement last Wednesday by Chief Press Secretary Duro Onabule that the Federal Government had in no way inferred with the election and that NEC had no complained about any difficulties.

Onabule can tell that to his fellow double chiefs. Has Attorney-General Akpamgbo ceased to be an official of the Presidency?

And of course, not a word from Chief Ernest Shonekan, the “Head of Government,” nor from the professors of democracy at Abuja.

It is not until the following Wednesday, June 23, that the Federal Government breaks its silence. That day, it strikes a blow that leaves practically everyone breathless. It cancels the presidential election, suspends the National Electoral Commission, and repeals the law governing the final phase of the transition to democratic rule. By this singular move, it also terminates all court cases relating to the presidential election.

The statement announcing these sweeping measures is not signed and not dated. Typed on plain paper, it is said to have been issued on behalf of the Federal Military Government by Nduka Irabor, the Vice President’s press secretary. The statement says the government has taken the measures “to save the judiciary from intra-wrangling (sic), and to ensure that a judiciary “built on sound and solid foundation” is not tarnished “by the insatiable political greed of a few persons.”

This has got to be the ultimate in chicanery, unless the government has in mind the ABN and the complaisant judges who have been dancing indecorously to its crazy music. Having stood idly by while the ABN and confederates emasculate the judiciary and bring it into disrepute, the government now steps in to “save” that same institution by setting aside the choice of the people so eloquently and resoundingly expressed on June 12.

The rest is history Adapted from columns first published in the June 22 and June 29 1993, editions of The Guardian. The writer, a professor of journalism at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, previously served as editorial page editor and chair of the Editorial Board for that newspaper.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Nigeria as one large abattoir

by the terrorists. It is affecting Christians as well as Muslims. This much was admitted by the Borno Elders Forum (BEF) in their recent statement asking Boko Haram to embrace peace. Led by former Minister of Petroleum, Shettima Ali Monguno, they admitted that their society was on the verge of breakdown.

“The people cannot perform the five obligatory prayers in congregation in mosques near their houses or perform Friday prayers in several mosques in the city. We no longer practise our religion as desired. Our markets and other places of business are no more.

Many people can no longer access schools.

All the things we held dear as a people; our tradition, culture and pride are gone. Even going through the current farming season has become increasingly difficult and people can no longer move from one place to another.”

The fact is the terrorists dwell among the people who provide cover for them. Leaders in these areas must now make a choice to denounce, and expose the killers in their midst, or watch in helpless fear as their society and way of life collapses slowly around them.

tion of reprisal attacks. This is already happening – albeit on a limited scale as frustrated people lash out blindly in their grief.

The wonder of it all is that in spite of the sustained and systematic targeting of churches from Kano to Kaduna, the entire region is not yet convulsing with sectarian and ethnic violence on a larger scale.

Whether at state or federal level, it is clear that the government has run out of ideas on to how to tackle the violence. The ease with which the bombers attack their targets confirms the paralysis of security forces.

While it is easy to blame the authorities for their seeming incompetence, we must admit that there is very little security agencies can do without quality intelligence. They desperately need the cooperation and help of the affected communities and their local leaders.

Let no one delude themselves: the fabric of Northern society is being ripped to shreds

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