The Nation June 19 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Fed Govt, states to share $1b arrears BUSINESS Page 11

•President ends stalemate

News Sports News

UTME pegs cut off marks P61 Oduamadi: best yet to come P24 Boko Haram kills 22 in Borno P4 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2521 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Governors: Tukur must go I won’t resign, says PDP chair as Presidency plans rescue

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The aggrieved PDP governors have given Tukur’s exit as a condition for peace in the party.They want to take advantage of the NEC meeting to technically pass a vote of no confidence on Tukur

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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•Tukur

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OVERNORS are insisting that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Bamanga Tukur must go.

Alhaji Tukur’s election has been upheld by the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC), but some aggrieved governors are plotting to pass a vote-ofno confidence on him at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting tomorrow.

Some of the governors are joined by members of the G84, including 24 ex-officio, 37 state chairmen and some former leaders of the party.

But some forces in the Presidency are out to protect

Tukur at the NEC meeting - in line with their agenda to secure the 2015 presidential ticket of the party for President Goodluck Jonathan.

A meeting of the National Caucus to save Tukur was on last night in Abuja.

The forces in the Presidency have also launched a counterplot to stop Deputy National Chairman Dr. Sam Jaja from being returned at the National Convention because he is a loyalist of Rivers State Governor

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We are going to have BOT tomorrow (today); we are going to have our NEC on Thursday. The chairman is not only in office; he is in power. In the PDP, there is no vacancy in the national chairmanship

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Rotimi Amaechi, who is not in sinc with the party leadership and President Jonathan.

Some of the aggrieved governors and G-84 members met yesterday, insisting that a vote of no confidence be passed on Tukur at the NEC meeting on Thursday.

Some aggrieved stakeholders also last night started circulating text messages to NEC members on why Tukur should be asked to step aside.

A source said: “The ag-

grieved PDP governors want to take advantage of the NEC meeting to technically pass a vote of no confidence on Tukur. The PDP National Chairman knew of the plot all along and that was why he refused to call for NEC meeting since July 2012.

“The aggrieved governors and G-84 members believe that the party is already divided and there is no way Tukur can lead it to victory in 2015.”

But some power brokers in

Jonathan’s team at prayer for Tinubu’s mum

the Presidency, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Governor Jonah Jang have decided to defend Tukur.

Their argument, it was learnt, is that some governors are against Tukur because he is enforcing discipline.

“They also feel that the vote-of-no—confidence is being targeted at President Goodluck Jonathan to show that he has lost out in the party,” said the source.

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko is among those who have called for Tukur’s ouster, saying he is running the party as his private estate.

“The National Caucus of Continued on page 4

•Buhari, Wamakko, Kwankwaso in Lagos

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By Our Reporters

T could have been mistaken for a rally, considering the large army of politicians at the ceremony. But, yesterday’s Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos event was not political. It was the third-day prayer for the late Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, the mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader and former governor of Lagos State. She died at 96 on Saturday in Lagos. She was buried on Sunday.

President Goodluck Jonathan led the tributes.

He was represented by a four-man delegation, led by Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

Continued on page 4

•From left: Former Gombe State Governor, Senator Danjuma Goje; former Governor of Lagos State and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor of Kano State Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Governor of Sokoto State Dr Aliyu Wamakko and Senator Umar Dahiru during a condolence visit to Tinubu on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, at his Ikoyi, Lagos home...yesterday.

SEE ALSO PAGES 8-10

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•SPORTS P23 •LIFE P25 •MONEY P30 •INVESTORS P32 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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NEWS

Are the days of

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (left) and Special Adviser to the President on Contract Monitoring and Evaluation Prof. Sylvester Monye, during the Economic Management Team Meeting at the State House, Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

For the past one month and few days, the heat has been on Boko Haram insurgents.

The Federal Government and the military, which are prosecuting the onslaught, believe the days of the insurgents are numbered, writes Constance Athekame, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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•From left: President, Dangote Group of Companies Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Forte Oil Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman, Visafone Mr. Jim Ovia and Managing Director ,Access Bank Mr. Aig Imokhuede during the Economic Management Team Meeting at the State House, Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

•From left: Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; a UBA customer of over 41 years, Mrs Ajayi Tomori; Director, UBA Plc Mrs Onari Duke and CEO, Fine and Country, Nigeria Mrs Udo Maryanne Okonjo, at the presentation of Ruby, a special Current Account for Women, at the UBA House, Marina, Lagos...yesterday.

From left: Civil Defence Commandant, Ekiti State Mr. Augustine Obiekwe, Swiss Ambassador in Nigeria Hans-Rudolf Hodel, Chairperson of Ado-Ekiti Nigeria Bar Association Mrs. Foluke Dada, Senior Special Assistant, Public Affair/Civil Society to the Ekiti State Governor Mr. Wale Adeoye, Ekiti State Prison Controller Mr. Aremu Tajudeen, Migration Avisor, Embassy of Switzerland Mr. Andreas Broger, Attache to the Embassy Mr. Roberto Lang and Executive Director of New Initiative for Social Development Mr. Oyeleye Abiodun, at a one-day workshop on strengthening criminal justice system towards access to justice of Persons Awaiting Trials in Ado-Ekiti.

HE Boko Haram camp, about 60 km to Chad, was deserted when reporters in company of members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information, reached there.

At the camp, relics of the insurgents’ property, including burnt cars, refrigerators, electric fans and gas cookers, littered everywhere.

The abandoned belongings of the fleeing insurgents include clothes, shoes, used and unused condoms, drugs and injection syringes, among others.

The authorities said the extremists had begun coating their vehicles with mud and hiding them under trees to avoid being spotted from the air.

At Kirenowa community, about 30 km from the camp, hundreds of people gathered to welcome the military convoy and journalists.

Zarna Ashak Zarma, the head of Kirenowa community, told newsmen that the community was grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for declaring a state of emergency in the area.

Saying that the community could now sleep with their eyes closed, Zarma stressed: “We are grateful to the Federal Government. Those of us who fled have since returned home.’’

Boko Haram, an Islamic sect, has targeted the police, churches, mosques, politicians and public institutions in its violent campaign which began in 2009.

Mohammad Yusuf, a radical Muslim cleric, created Boko Haram in 2002 in Maiduguri, the capital of the northeastern state of Borno.

The group aims to establish a fully Islamic state in Nigeria, while setting up Sharia courts across the country.

Boko Haram literally means “Western education is a sin’’ and the sect calls itself Jama’atul Alhul Sunnah Lidda’wati wal Jihad or “people committed to the propagation of the prophet’s teachings and Jihad’’.

In July 2009, members of the sect bluntly refused to obey a traffic regulation compelling motorcycle riders to wear crash helmets and the resistance snowballed into an armed uprising in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, and Kano states.

The uprising, which was quelled by the army, left hundreds dead. It also culminated in the killing of Yusuf, his father-in-law and other members of the sect, which human rights advocates condemned as extra-judicial killings.

The notoriety of Boko Haram grew by the day as the sect orchestrated a campaign of suicide bombings and assassinations in the northern part of the country.

• Soldiers getting briefed before taking on the insurgents.

PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram’s campaign assumed a more dangerous dimension, as the group is believed to have linkages with international terrorist groups.

For instance, on August, 26, 2011, a suicide bomber attacked the UN building in Abuja, killing at least 21 persons and wounding 60 others. The Boko Haram group later claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The group’s terrorist campaign continued unabated in some states with frightening consequences, compelling President Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states on May 14.

Following the declaration, Jonathan directed the Chief of Defence Staff to immediately deploy more troops in these states for “more effective internal security operations’’.

“The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists. ‘“This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons,’’ Jonathan said.

Shortly after the president’s pronouncement, soldiers moved into the affected areas and took control of the three states.

In an attempt to ensure media access to first-hand information about the operation of the JTF in Maiduguri, the Defence Headquarters organised a two-day media tour of the area for local and foreign journalists.

In Maiduguri, Maj.-Gen. John Ewanshia, Commander of the JTF in Borno, briefed the journalists on the achievements recorded by the JTF since its operations began on May 14.

He said the task force was working in line with President Jonathan’s directive regarding the restoration of law and order to Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“As we speak, the operations are ongoing and a lot of grounds have been covered; a lot of achievements have been recorded but I won’t go into details.

“I will rather allow the gentlemen in the field to do the briefings,’’ Ewanshia said at the beginning of the tour.

Prior to the commencement of the tour, the journalists were conducted round the JTF premises where the weapons and vehicles confiscated

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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NEWS

Boko Haram insurgents numbered? ‘

We want you to take our message to the President that we need some assistance from the Federal Government in the areas of food and drugs. Majority of us are farmers and we have not been able to farm for some time

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3,000 Nigerians flee anti-terrorism war to Cameroon, says UN

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•Jonathan thanks U.S. for bounty on Shekau, others O fewer than 3,000 Nigerians have fled the battle against Boko Haram in the northeast and relocated to Cameroon, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said yesterday.

The agency earlier reported the presence of some fleeing Nigerians in Niger.

Also yesterday, the Borno State government lamented that about 19,000 rice farmers had relocated, hinting at a possible food shortage at the end of the year.

The UN agency said people continued to flee the crises in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states with the refugee exodus now spreading to Cameroon, where more than 3,000 Nigerians have fled.

UNHCR said thousands of Nigerians began crossing into Cameroon one week ago. The new arrivals tell aid workers they fled a confrontation between the army and Boko Haram rebels.

UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said the fighting occurred just 10 kilometres from the Nigerian-Cameroon border. Most of the refugees, he said, were women and children.

“Primarily, the refugees are being looked after by the host communities and … churches are also part of the networks providing help to people as they immediately come across,” he said.

“As with all of these crises,” Edwards added, “the worry for us is when you have refugees in areas very close to the border, which might be volatile, might be unsafe. We are looking at moving people to other locations. But, in terms of their current accommodations, most people are living in the community.”

The UNHCR said refugees were continuing to arrive in neighboring Niger, adding to the more than 6,000 refugees that are already there.

Edwards said most of the new arrivals in Niger were women and children coming from rural villages across the border and from the towns of Maiduguri and Baga.

“On 11 June, gunshots were heard in Malam Ftouri, a village on the Nigeria side, close to the border, prompting the population of the village to flee across the border. They travelled by foot, by motorbike,” he said. “They found refuge with host families just across the border. Hundreds of new arrivals have also been reported further north of Diffa, according to local authorities.”

Aid workers on the ground report some displaced people from Nigeria are returning home after a few days in Niger. Others, they said, were shuttling between the two countries depending on the security situation in Nigeria.

Chad, a third possible destination for Nigerian refugees, has officially closed its border. As a consequence, the UNHCR reports no Nigerians have arrived there besides the 155 refugees who came last week.

Islamic militants have driven 19,000 rice farmers from their land while a military crackdown is preventing thousands more from working their fields, raising fears of imminent food shortages, officials warned yesterday.

Food shortages would add to the misery in Northeast. The area abandoned by farmers is a fertile one in the semi-arid Sahel, a regional bread basket

created by the receding waters of Lake Chad.

“We anticipate general hunger this year because all roads linking the cities to the farming hinterlands have been closed down,” Agriculture Commissioner for Borno State Usman Zannah told The Associated Press in an interview yesterday, adding: “Farmers have been locked out of their farm lands while those in the hinterland cannot come to the city for tractors or labourers to get their farms tilled for the next cropping.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has thanked President Barack Obama and the United States government for their “evident solidarity and support’’ for the country in its •Jonathan committed fight against terrorism.

The North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President stated this in a June 4 letter, which was released on Monday.

Jonathan noted that the U.S. government’s declaration of a bounty on the head of the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, along with other terrorist leaders across the Africa was most welcome.

“As I indicated in my earlier letter to you, Nigeria is unwaveringly committed to successfully prosecuting the fight against the scourge of terrorism in all its ramifications in our country.

“In frontally facing up to the threat of Ahlul Sunna li daawa wal Jihad (Boko Haram), our law enforcement agents are under strict instructions to adhere to the clearly defined rules of engagement.

“They are not to engage in acts that may have the effect of compromising the human rights and safety of innocent citizens in the areas of operation,’’ Jonathan stressed.

He added that “in this quest, Mr President (Obama), we are with the U.S. in the belief that an act of terrorism against any nation or group is an attack against our common humanity, and it must be resolutely resisted by all legitimate means.’’

“I fully acknowledge your committed leadership of the global fight against international terrorism as well as your government’s steadfast support for us and other nations which have come under terrorist attacks over the years.

“I very much look forward to even closer cooperation between our two nations in the fight against this global menace.’’

from the Boko Haram insurgents were stockpiled.

Speaking, Lt.-Col Gabriel Olorunyomi, Commander of Combat Team C of the JTF, told the journalists that the troops had begun a process of peace and confidence building.

He said after dislodging the Boko Haram insurgents, the JTF had been working with the police to restore law and order in the states.

“Presently, we are working on peace and confidence-building for the people; that is why it is safe for you to be here now,” he said.

The tour revealed some hard facts

counts via their observation of the relics of the military offensive such as burnt vehicles and personal effects like shoes and clothes that were strewn across the sacked Hausari Camp on the outskirts of Kirenowa village.

A member of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Danladi Hassan, who is the Commander of Combat Team One, told the journalists that a lot of progress had been recorded in the JTF operation.

He said the insurgents fled their camp on May 16 after an encounter with the JTF, adding that the rebels relocated to woody areas to evade

about the Boko Haram insurgents’ invasion of some farming and fishing communities and their secessionist moves which culminated in their establishment of an “Islamic state’’ with its distinctive red flags hoisted everywhere.

From all indications, the insurgents appeared bent on achieving their goals but they apparently succumbed to the superior firepower of the JTF. Locals recalled that they witnessed, from a safe distance, how fighter jets and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) pummelled the camps of militants.

The reporters confirmed such ac-

being spotted.

“This is to ensure that the rays of sunlight and surveillance from our aircraft do not expose them,’’ he added.

He said the deserted camp hitherto served as a training ground for new recruits of the outlawed Boko Haram sect.

Hassan, however, said the insurgents destroyed their belongings when they discovered that the JTF troops were advancing towards them.

The officer said when the troops moved into the camp, they also discovered some drugs which the ter-

rorists used.

In the meantime, socio-economic activities in the neighbourhood have picked up, as residents were seen going about their routine duties.

At the Kirenowa community, the residents praised the Federal Government for declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The locals, who spoke in Hausa and Kanuri, described the military operation as very successful, adding, however, that the visiting journalists could have seen “more action’’ if they had visited the area earlier.

They recalled that there were serious battles between the insurgents and JTF troops at many locations.

However, Zarma, the community’s head, commended the troops for the way they related with the members of the community, adding that the soldiers’ efforts to share information with the residents also aided the fulfillment of their assignment.

He noted that the JTF donated medications to the community.

“We, however, want you to take our message to the President that we need some assistance from the Federal Government in the areas of food and drugs. Majority of us are farmers and we have not been able to farm for some time,’’ he said.

Zarma also solicited the government’s assistance in the provision of farming equipment, adding that the residents, who were mostly farmers, needed tractors to plough the soil in preparation for the planting season.

Also speaking, Babangida Mohammed, the Deputy Village Head of Kirenowa, recalled that his people suffered a lot in the hands of the terrorists before the coming of the troops, saying: “We were badly terrorised.’’

He reiterated that the residents of the community were law-abiding citizens, insisting that the Boko Haram insurgents were not indigenes of the neighbourhood.

“We want Mr President to help us with potable water and good roads because we don’t have roads,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, another resident, Mohammed Walgore, stressed that “the insurgents are strangers. We don’t have any business with them.

“They came and settled here. We did not have any business with them; that is why we can stay here and tell the world today that they are not part of us.’’

Brig.-Gen. Olukolade told reporters after the tour that there had not been any civilian casualties in the ongoing operation in the three states.

The DDI said: “The main concern of the Federal Government from the beginning of this operation is how to ensure that there is no civilian casualty. I, therefore, want to tell you that this has been substantially achieved.

“The next thing is to ensure that the miscreants and trouble makers do not have access to civilian populated areas to cause other problems.

“To the best of my knowledge, no civilian has been killed; we can’t call anyone killed in a camp a civilian anyway,’’ he said.

Olukolade said most of the camps were populated by terrorists, who were the targets of the operation.

He said the operation was a wholesome one, which involved not only the military but all the other security agencies.

All the same, observers maintain that with the military takeover of the states under the state of emergency, there is increased optimism that the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents will come to an end, while peace returns to the country.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

NEWS We are still consulting on Tukur, says Ekweremadu

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•Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu (right) , Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya and the wife of the Governor and Founder, Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF), Erelu Bisi Fayemi, tasting the food during the launch of Soup Kitchen/Free Meal, initiated by EDF, in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

Jonathan’s team at prayer for Tinubu’s mum Continued from page 1

Other members of the delegation were National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, Special Adviser on Inter Governmental Affairs Sen. Ben Obi and Amb. Bashir Yuguda.

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were among those who visited Tinubu’s Bourdillion, Ikoyi residence to commiserate with him.

Wamakko and Kwankwaso are two of the governors who have drawn the ire of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership over their roles in the election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chair.

Both have also criticised the leadership style of PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

Politicians, statesmen, top government officials, and other visitors hailed the duo and their entourage as they were ushered into the residence around 2 pm. They were welcomed by the former governor and his wife, Senator Oluremi, as well as other ACN chieftains.

After expressing their condolences to the family, they held a closed door meeting with the ACN leader. Details of the meeting were unknown.

President Jonathan and Col. Dasuki praised the late President-General of Market men and women for her inspirational role in defending the rights of women and the underprivileged.

The president’s message was presented by Aganga.

Extolling her virtues, Jonathan said: “Alhaja Mogaji was at a loving mother, an inspirational matriarch, an activist defender of the rights of women and the underprivileged who built bridge across all social divides.

“Her passing is no doubt a great loss to you and other members of the family. You should however, find some comfort in the fact that your dear mother has left behind a larger family that cuts across the length and breadth of our nation.

“As our beloved Iyaloja-General transits to greater glory, it is my prayer on behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that her soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty Allah.”

Hundreds of people from far and near defied the early rainfall to attend the prayer.

The programme kicked off

with the recitation from the Holy Qur’an and prayer for the repose of her soul.

The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahoman Ahmad, told the audience to be preparing for the next world by doing good every time. Quoting from the Qur’an, Ahmad said Allah knew from the beginning of mankind that we human beings would hate death and that we would do everything possible to avoid it at all times and by all means.

Ahmad said death would come one day and take us one by one to our Creator, who keeps records of all our deeds on earth, a copy of which would be given to us on the day of judgment to defend.

“That is the day man would cry and ask why some of the bad things I did were not left out, particularly the minors. All secrets shall be revealed on that day.

“On that day, many would regret over their bad deeds outweighing the good ones. In spite of Allah’s magnanimity, many of us would fail on that day. Each person would be given a marking scheme to score himself,” he said Turning to politicians, the

cleric said Allah would ask them to account for how they managed the public resources.

Did you invest the public funds in provision of light, water, good roads and other infrastructure that would make life worth living for the people?

Ahmad provoked laughter when he said satirically and “Our politicians don’t tell lies, our politicians don’t eat money but they eat food, our politicians don’t cheat.”

He admonished people to do good always so that it would be easy for them on the day of judgment.

Sheikh Musa Suleiman from Morcas Arabic School, Agege said death would be a blessing for some while it would be disastrous for many. He said “we can all attest to the fact that death is a blessing for Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji because he spent her wealth on propagation of Islam and assisting the poor people.

A long list of eminent personalities at the prayer included Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Buba Marwa, Alhaji Femi Okunu, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Alhaji Kashim Shettima (Borno), Alhaji UmaruTanko Al-Makura (NasContinued on page 61

EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday maintained that the final decision on the call for resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, is yet to be taken.

He spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting of the National Assembly leadership with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to him, the leadership is still consulting and the final decision will be taken in the next few days.

He said: “It is a routine consultation between the President and the leadership of the National Assembly. But this one has to do with our party’s issues because we are of the same political party. It is essentially a party fair.”

On the media report that the chairman and some other national Exco should resign, he said: “We are still consulting. In the evening we are going to have a meeting of the national caucus of the party, look at all the options available to the party.

“This is part of consultation so that by tomorrow or later this

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

evening, we have a position of the PDP on this issue.”

Responding to question on whether the National Assembly is concerned abut the crises in the PDP, he said: “Every family has their own issues, the PDP is not an exception. The most important thing is the ability to resolve those issues and this is why you can see consultations going on.

So I am hopeful that we will come out of the crisis much more stronger.”

He said leaders of the National Assembly who ought to attend the PDP meetings, were on their way back to Abuja.

“You know we are on break and some have travelled. But because of the consultation going on, some are on their way back.

The Speaker is on his way back to Abuja, the Senate President ought to have travelled to China, he is also on his way back.

He has changed his plans to come back. The Senate leader is also on his way back from Calabar, the House leader is also on her way back.”

“I’m sure in the next one hour or two, they will all be back beContinued on page 61

Boko Haram kills 22 in Borno

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HE Boko Haram sect turned on the heat again yesterday. The sect members struck in Maiduguri, the epicentre of their operations after a lull, following military bombardments that accompanied the declaration of a state of emergency on Borno State by President Goodlcuk Jonathan last month.

No fewer than 22 people including pupils and fishermen were believed to have been killed in a revenge attack on a school.

The sect members also took a revenge on Maiduguri residents who have been working the security operatives to expose sect members.

Some gunmen believed to be Boko Haram reportedly attacked fishermen, local tea sellers and some residents at Alau River near Maiduguri. They killed 13 people. Sources said the gunmen claimed they were on a revenge mission against a group of youths who collaborated with security agents.

Also, the insurgents were reported to have attacked a private school in Maiduguri where stu-

dents were writing the National Examination Council (NECO) examination. A resident said: “Nine of the students were shot dead. Many others were injured.”

The gunmen were said to have stormed Ansarudeen Private Primary and Secondary School at Jajeri, a Maiduguri suburb, and opened fire on the unsuspecting pupils shortly after the commencement of examination.

Some parents of the deceased expressed shock over the killing of their children and appealed to government to address the security situation. They expressed shock that in spite of the declaration of a state of emergency and curfew, sect members could still operate in such a manner.

Sources at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri said no fewer than 20 bodies, bearing gun shots, were brought in.

The sect killed nine people in neighbouring Yobe State, which is also under a state of emergency, at the weekend . Adamawa is the third state put under the state of emergency.

PDP crisis: I won’t resign, says Tukur

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EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Bamanga Tukur vowed yesterday to cling on to his job, amid call for his resignation.

Tukur declared at the Presidential Villa in Abuja that he has no plan to quit.

An ad hoc committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan and headed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim reportedly recommended Tukur and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) should resign.

“Resign for what? It is not true at all. We are here to run the PDP and we have done so and we will continue to run the PDP,” Tukur said after a meeting with the President.

“We are going to have our caucus tonight (last night), we are going to have BOT tomorrow (today); we are going to have our NEC on Thursday.

He added: “The chairman is not only in office; he is in power.

In the PDP, there is no vacancy in the national chairmanship.”

He said it was those who have not been properly elected that would resign and go seek anoth-

Governors insist chairman must go

Continued from page 1

the party was called at the Presidential Villa to look at issues and how to salvage the cracks in the party.

“Definitely, a battle line is drawn between pro and anti-Tukur forces at the NEC meeting. If Tukur survives, he would have crossed a major hurdle.”

The text message, signed by the Coordinator of PDP Stakeholders Forum, Mr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, reads in part: “We wish to urge great PDP NEC members as they finally gather on Thursday to ensure that all the actions of Tukur’s NWC are reversed.

“The crack in the wall of PDP has vindicated our struggle/ stand over the years…”

There were indications last night that From Gbade Ogunwale and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

er opportunity to return.

“Some of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were not properly elected and so it has to be regularised,” he explained.

Speaking on his meeting with the President, Tukur said: “It is about regularising the family of PDP because there was an observation by the Independent Na-

only nine members of the NWC might face fresh election at the forthcoming mini-National Convention, which is yet to have a date.

Out of 16 NWC members, INEC in March, 2012 declared the election of four as valid.

They are Tukur; the sacked National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the removed National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha and the Financial Secretary, Mr Bolaji Anani.

It was also learnt that three others have had legal issues over their election resolved.

A party leader said: “By our records, only nine NWC members will face fresh election at the forthcoming mini-convention.

“These affected members would have to

tional Electoral Commission (INEC) on the election of some of the members of the NWC.” He said INEC also observed that the election that brought in most members of the NWC did not follow the due process, adding that his position is not affected by the Anyim panel’s report.

The meeting at the Presidential Villa, which lasted for about an hour, according to Tukur, dwelt on rectifying the positions

resign to seek a fresh mandate. We agreed on this at our session with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Villa.”

The source confirmed that the affected nine NWC members are seeking automatic return to office.

“I think the only challenge is about the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja, whom forces in the presidency will not want back because he was a nominee of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi,” the source said, adding: “With the party structure hijacked from Amaechi and given to a faction, Sam Jaja might not be fielded for the office again.

“This can also attract litigation because INEC did not say go and change candidates, but it said the affected officers should face due process in their election.”

of eight members of the NWC who were not properly elected.

“About eight people are affected. There are three people not affected. They are the National Chairman, the National Financial Secretary and the National Auditor.”

“The other eight people are all the deputies and ex officios and the rest of them whose election in the convention was not voted for,” he said.

Most of the outgoing officials did not report at the party secretariat yesterday. Only the National Treasurer, Alhaji Bala Ka’Oje and National Youth Leader, Alhaji Umar Chiza, made a brief appearance in their offices.

The caucus meeting decided last night on a National Reconciliation Committee to be headed by the President to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party.

•Tukur

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio told reporters that the suspension of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi from the party could not be lifted because the matter is in court.

He also said the caucus praised the President for his mid-term report and urged governors to present reports to their people.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

NEWS

Reps condemn murder of Nigerian cab drivers T HE House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs has condemned the killing of two Nigerian cab drivers in Washington DC and New York, the United States (US).

Its Chairman, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that both Nigerians were killed within two weeks.

According to her, after a Nigerian cab driver, Solomon James Okoro, was shot dead in Washington DC by armed robbers, another one was killed in Brooklyn, New

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

York.

“It was reported that 54year-old Orji Ama Uro, from Ekoli Edda, Ebonyi State, was brutally stabbed in the eye with an umbrella after dropping off two people, a man and a woman, in Brooklyn, around 5pm on Thursday, June 13. The point of the

umbrella pierced Ama Uro’s brain. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” the lawmaker said in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

She added: “The death of these two Nigerians, who are out to earn their daily bread, is really heart-rendering, worrisome and pathetic. It is barbaric, inhuman and condemnable in all ramifica-

tions.”

Dabiri-Erewa commiserated with to the families of Mr Okoro and Mr Uro. She said: “Our concern, after the death, is the survival of the children. We extend our condolences to friends and families who have been thrown into mourning.”

The lawmaker representing Ikorodu, Lagos State, urged American security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of “these senseless killings and to look deep into them” because such killings

HOSF: Civil service has lost its integrity From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

T

•Dabiri-Erewa have “become a recurring decimal”.

Fashola, Sagay, others for Lagos NBA Law Week

By Precious Igbonwelundu

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Professor of Law Itse Sagay (SAN) are among dignitaries expected at the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2013 Law Week.

The event, which is the second under the leadership of Taiwo Taiwo, the branch chairman, will hold between June 23 and 27.

Addressing reporters yesterday, the alternate Chairperson, Organising Committee Mrs Tolani EduAdeola said the theme for this year is: Corruption, Insecurity, Ethics and the Legal Practitioner.

She said the week-long event will enable lawyers to discuss issues affecting the nation from legal perspectives.

The lawyer said the branch would render free medical checks and visit some prisons in Lagos to give succour to their inmates.

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, ProfAkin Oyebode and Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) are expected to deliver papers on: Money Laundering Vs the Legal Profession.

Prof Sagay will deliver the keynote address on the theme.

ICAN warns dubious firm From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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HE Abakaliki District of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has urged governments at all levels to punish anyone found to have inflated the cost of contracts.

The district’s Chairman, Mr Solomon Adeleke, spoke at the inauguration of the Executive Committee of the district for the 2013/2014 district year in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

He said: “The culture of financial impunity recorded in the award and execution of contracts in the country was because perpetrators were not punished by relevant authorities. This has led to the level of infrastructural decay and poor state of the country’s social sector, as the perpetrators operate freely in the land.

“It is disturbing that the cost of executing contracts in the country is the multiple of what it costs in other countries.”

Adeleke said ICAN has been checking the trend by ensuring that its members are accountable and prudent with public funds.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) receiving letter of credence from the new Ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria, Mr Belkacem Smaili, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday.

With them is the Minister of Foreign Affairs 1, Prof. Viola Onwuliri.

Court insists on hearing suit challenging NGF’s legitimacy T HE Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday lost its bid to stall hearing in a suit challenging its legitimacy and seeking its de-registration.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, refused to entertain an application for a stay of proceedings filed by the NGF. The judge overruled the argument by NGF’s lawyer, Okunade Olorundare (SAN), that the court should either hear his preliminary objection first or entertain his application for a stay of proceedings, pending an appeal.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The court, on April 29, adjourned till yesterday for hearing of all pending applications, particularly the preliminary objection and originating summons.

The parties were expected to argue both applications yesterday, but Olorundare and Nasiru Tijani, representing the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), objected. They insisted that the court must first hear their objections.

Olorundare, who first said

Jonathan seeks more global cooperation against terrorism

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called for greater global cooperation and coordination in the war against terrorism.

He spoke at the Presidential Villa during separate audiences with the new ambassadors of Israel, Russia, Greece and Algeria, who presented their letters of credence.

The President said Nigeria and other countries will benefit from greater collaboration among their security agencies on efforts to combat domestic and international terrorism.

Nigeria, he said, would welcome increased cooperation from countries that are more experienced in such matters to boost the coun-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

try’s ongoing operations against domestic terrorist groups.

Jonathan told the new Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Uriel Palti, that he looked forward to visiting Israel later this year to discuss bilateral cooperation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Jonathan assured Mr. Alekos Oikonomopoulos, Mr. Nikolay Udovichenko, Mr. Belkacem Smaili and Mr. Amadou Habibou, the new ambassadors of Greece, Russia, Algeria and Senegal, that the Federal Government will support their efforts to strengthen existing cordial relations between Nigeria and their countries.

he held the brief of Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), later told the court that he had filed an application before the court seeking a stay of its proceedings, pending the determination an appeal he filed.

He said his appeal was against the court’s decision on April 29 to hear the substantive suit together with the defendants’ preliminary objection.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Tubotamuno Dick, described Olorundare’s argument as part of the defendants’ antics to frustrate the prompt hearing of the case.

He averred that the court’s decision to hear both substantive suit with the objection was in line with the provision of Order 29 of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules.

Dick urged the court to discountenance the defendants’ argument and hear the case the way it was planned.

Justice Ademola held that his decision to hear the applications together was informed by the provision of Order 29 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

The judge held that Olorundare’s argument, supported

by Tijani, was a ploy to stall the court’s business for the day.

Justice Ademola overruled Olorundare’s argument for being misconceived. He adjourned to July 4 for hearing of the defendants’ objection with plaintiff’s originating summons.

The suit, which was filed

by Tijani Ali Danjuma, the Northern Coordinator, Network for Defence of Democracy and Good Governance (NDDGG), has NGF and the CAC as defendants.

It seeks, among others, an order de-registering the NGF on the grounds that it was “erroneously registered by the CAC”.

The plaintiff, who argued that the NGF was an illegal body, posed four questions for the court’s determination. He is seeking three declarative reliefs and an order.

HE Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOSF), Bukar Goni Aji, yesterday regretted that the civil service of today has lost its values and integrity.

The HOSF spoke at an interactive session with civil servants on Grade Level 04 to 017 in Abuja. The theme of the event was: Nigeria Pubic Service in the Age of Open Government: Giving Voice to the People.

Aji noted that there is reason for civil servants to look inward, re-examine themselves and their operational modalities to ensure positive changes.

He said: “As we are all aware, there is a general impression that the civil service of today has lost its values and integrity and has deteriorated in terms of morale, discipline and productivity.

“The civil service has hitherto been known for its patriotism, discipline, loyalty, stability, impartiality, competency, innovation, productivity and honesty.

“I use this occasion to call on us to re-strategise, refocus and key into the reforms and transformation programme of the government. Let us remind ourselves that nobody can salvage the service more than we can. For this reason, we must take collective decision and action to put it once more on the path of glory.

“This is the time we must look inward and know that a civil service that is not proactive in embracing change cannot be a change agent. The people are at the centre of everything we do.

This, of course, should be our target, ensuring that the good people of Nigeria receive effective and efficient services from us.

“One of the major challenges given to us by President Goodluck Jonathan was on tackling corruption and indiscipline in the civil service. We have decisively taken up this challenge through proactive measure that is aimed at discouraging engagement in these practices.”

Over 60 UNILAG alumni donate blood at World Blood Day

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VER 60 volunteers have donated blood at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Muslim Alumni (UMA) annual Fitness Walk and Blood Donation Day. The event held last weekend at the university.

It was organised by UMA to increase public awareness on the essence of physical exercises in maintaining good health. The blood donation was organised to commemorate the World Blood Donors’ Day, which holds every June 14.

The UMA used the occasion to raise public awareness on the need for blood donation and gave volunteers the opportunity to do so in a convenient atmosphere devoid of the hustle and bustle of hospitals.

The walk started at 8.45am from the university’s sports complex and took members round the campus. It lasted about 80 minutes and terminated at the sports complex, the same venue for the blood donation.

The blood donation started with a brief talk by the Chair of the UMA Organising Committee, Dr. Shukrah Salisu-Olatunji. She spoke on the essence of the event.

A consultant haematologist with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Adewunmi Adediran, delivered a lecture on the importance of blood donation.

He enlightened the audience on who needs blood, how the donation is done, when, where and how often one can donate.

Dr Adediran congratulated UMA for organising the programme.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

NEWS

•Wife of the Oyo State governor and Chairperson of the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (middle) flanked by participants at the opening of the HIV/AIDS Conference in Pretoria, South Africa.

Ogun Assembly approves N2b loan

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

HE Ogun State House of Assembly yesterday approved Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s proposal to obtain N2 billion real estate development loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

The loan would enable the State Housing Corporation provide affordable housing for the people and improve infrastructure.

The approval followed a resolution passed to that effect on the floor of the House by the legislators, headed by the Speaker, Suraj Adekumbi.

The motion for the approval of the loan request was moved by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Olusola Bankole, after an amendment by the Minority Leader, Mr. Job Akintan and seconded by Mr. Babatunde Edunjobi.

Bankole said the loan would be used to upgrade infrastructure in existing housing estates, adding that this would improve the standard of living and boost the morale of workers.

Mr. Adeyinka Mafe, Olusola Sonuga, Olakunle Oluomo and Babatunde Edunjobi said the loan would give civil servants, who are contributors to the housing scheme, an opportunity to own houses.

Ekiti to spend N26b on roads

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE Ekiti State Government will spend N26.4 billion to complete ongoing 337-kilometre road projects across the state.

Commissioner for Works and Transport Sola Adebayo said the figure covers projects initiated by the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration and those it inherited.

Adebayo said state-owned buses were seized from commercial drivers’ associations because they owe the government over N500 million.

He said the government bought 140 buses worth N650 million and distributed them to commercial drivers, but the drivers failed to remit their payment instalmentally as agreed.

Police arrest nine for Oyo NURTW boss’ murder

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From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE police in Oyo State have arrested nine suspects in connection with the murder of the Unit Chairman of the Agbeni branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Rafiu Adebayo.

Adebayo, a.k.a. Ola Ruffy, was murdered near his home on Sunday night at Apaana, Foko in Ibadan, the state capital.

The suspects are Kazeem Adegbite, Azeez Adebayo, Saheed Ismaila, Ikudaisi Kudus, Abibu Ogundeji, Adio Saka, Aliyu Adejumo, Saheed Dauda and Kasimu Olaniyi.

Police spokeswoman Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor said the suspected mastermind of the attack, Moshood Oladokun, is “on the run”.

She said: “We advise him to turn himself in now because he can only hide, he cannot run away. We will fish him out soon if he refuses to show up.”

Oyo State NURTW Chairman Taofeek Oyerinde warned members of the union against resorting to violence to avenge their colleague’s death.

Oyerinde said the union would allow the law to take its course, adding that the police have started investigating the matter.

The killing of Adebayo marked a break from the relative peace that has reigned in the state capital in the last two years.

It was gathered that the late Adebayo went to the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) on Sunday afternoon to watch a ram-fighting competition.

On his way back around 4:30pm, sources said he ran into a crowd following a popular masquerader, Iponriku, and some hoodlums took advantage of the rowdiness to attack him.

He was reportedly shot in the thigh and stabbed four times in the head.

One of the late Adebayo’s associates, simply identified as Fatai, was with him when the incident occurred.

Fatai said he tried to rescue him, but he was also attacked.

Adebayo died at a nearby hospital. His remains were deposited at the Oke-Ado Hospital, Ibadan.

Osundare: development reflects mental capacity of citizens

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OET laureate and literary icon Prof. Niyi Osundare has blamed the country’s underdevelopment on the limitations of the “thought capacity” of citizens.

Osundare spoke in IkogosiEkiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, on Monday at the opening of the two-week Ikogosi Graduate Summer School (IGSS).

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu; Governor Kayode Fayemi’s wife Erelu Bisi; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Olusola Adeyeye; Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central); Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu.

Also in attendance were Commissioners Kehinde Ojo (Education) and Ronke Okusanya (Culture and Tourism) and the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Mrs. Bunmi Dipo –Salami, among others.

Osundare, who teaches at the University of New Orleans in the United States (US), urged governments to invest more in the education sector, noting that “no country ever develops beyond the mental capacity of its

•Ikogosi Graduate Summer School kicks off From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

citizens”.

Praising Fayemi’s efforts to develop Ekiti, Osundare urged the administration to sustain the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort.

He described the IGSS as a means through which braindrain can be reversed and hailed the incorporation of foreign-based scholars in the programme.

The poet said the programme, which is the first in Africa, would improve the education sector.

He said: “Ekiti is gradually being returned to the path of glory and high academic attainment it was noted for. IGSS is a very noble initiative. One of the things that make it significant is the invitation of foreignbased Nigerian scholars to teach. Very soon, our braindrain will become brain-gain.”

Osundare hailed the governor for transforming Ikogosi from a jungle into a world-class tourist centre, saying the project, which is already attracting tourists from all over the globe, was made possible through determination.

He said: “When I arrived here, I did not know where I was. The last time I found myself here was a week before the June 12, 1993 election, when my car stuck in the mud three times on the way before I could get here. But now, Ikogosi is beckoning to the world.”

Osundare lauded the physical and infrastructural transformation going on in Ekiti and urged the Fayemi administration to sustain the progress.

Describing Fayemi as “the author of the new book of change in Ekiti”, the professor said the state now has one of the best road networks in the country.

Fayemi said the IGSS would make Ekiti a marketplace of ideas and centre of knowledge in the country.

He said: “The concept is in line with our eight-point agenda, which gives prominence to education, and the need to reverse the mass emigration of the best academics to greener pastures.

“The IGSS was proposed as a platform through which they can mobilise their expertise and exposure for postgraduate students to create and nurture re-

lationships with scholars abroad.

“These are our dreams for IGSS. It would be a pillar of support for the university system, providing flexible services where identities or other traditions stand in the way.

“It would also promote what can be called learning without boundaries, a new culture of inquiry in which endless interrogation is an article of faith and multi-disciplinarity is the rule, rather than the exception.

“My administration has invested huge resources into this project, particularly to ensure that all 50 successful candidates are able to participate in the IGSS free-of-charge, so as to foreclose the exclusion of anybody on the basis of financial need.”

Fayemi said the tranquil ambience of the resort was good for the two-week programme.

The two directors of the IGSS programme, Dr. Wale Adebamwi of the University of California and Dr. Ebenezer Obadare of Kansas University, also shed light on the focus of the summer school.

Divided Southwest PDP endorses Jonathan for second term

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

•Jonathan

T

HE crisis-ridden Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.

It is the first to endorse the president for a second term among the six zonal chapters.

The endorsement followed a motion moved by a PDP chieftain from Ogun State, Prince Kashamu Buruji and seconded by another chieftain, Chief Tola Odulaja.

It was approved by a “yes vote” at the Southwest Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

The forum was presided over by the Zonal Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Ishola Filani, a chieftain from Ekiti State.

The meeting passed a voteof-confidence in the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Filani said the president deserved the endorsement because of his “leadership qualities and achievements”, adding that he is constitutionally entitled to two terms.

He said Tukur should be applauded for his strict adherence to reconciliation, rebuilding and reconstruction.

Prominent PDP leaders at the meeting, where a Stateholders Coordinating Council was set up, include former Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke; former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose; former Zonal Leader Senator Yinka Omilani; former

Science and Technology Minister Senator Bode Olowoporoku; former Lagos State Deputy Governors Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo and Mrs. Kofoworola Bucknor; former Works Minister Senator Seye Ogunlewe; Board of Trustees (BoT) members Chief Dayo Okondo and Mrs. Aduke Maina; former Housing Minister Mrs. Mobolaji Osomo; Senator Ayo Arise; Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Mr. Bisi Kolawole; Chief Segun Adegoke; Mr. Bisi Omoyeni; Senator Lekan Balogun; Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi; Mrs. Salman Badru; Dr. Tayo Dairo and Dr. Yomi Finnih.

Party chieftains loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, including the displaced PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Zonal Leader Mr. Segun Oni; Senator Dipo Odujinrin; Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye; Commodore Bode George (rtd); Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Dr.

Olusegun Agagu; Dr. Iyiola Omisore and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, were absent.

There was a mild rancour at the meeting, following the noninclusion of the former Education Minister, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, in the Stakeholders Council.

Acknowledging the omission, Filani adjusted the list. He said following consultations, Obasanjo has been appointed the Grand Patron of the forum.

Other patrons include Ajiroba Alaba Williams; Senator Martins Kuye; Chief Yekini Adeojo; Omilani, Osomo; Chief Alani Bankole; Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Mrs. Maina.

The Stakeholders Council is chaired by Dr. Lekan Balogun.

Members are Fayose, Olowoporoku, Finnih, Adegoke, Prof.

Wale Oladipo, Comrade Kingsley Kuku, Adeleke, Omisore, Dr. Bimbo Ogunkelu and Chief Tunde Daramola.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2013

7

NEWS

Why investors shun Nigeria, by Fayemi

•Fayemi

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said quality infrastructure and legal frameworks will create a businessfriendly environment and attract investments to the country.

Fayemi spoke in Lagos on Monday at the 7th Annual Business Law Conference of the Business Law section of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

He said investors have abandoned Nigeria because it lacks adequate infrastructure and institutional frameworks for businesses to thrive.

At the event were the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who was represented by Justice Mahmud Mohammed; NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) and the Chairman, International Issues Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales, Mr. Harold Paisner, among others.

Fayemi said: “Investors’ confidence is predicated as much on abstract property as it is on concrete physical infrastructure. Tangibles like bridges, roads and electricity certainly matter. But laws, values, norms and functional institutions also matter.

“They constitute an invisible infrastructure, which,

while not obvious to the naked eye, exert great influence on the business climate of a country and on the behaviour of economic actors.”

He said while Nigeria’s aspiration to be the world’s 20th largest economy by 2020 would position it in the centre of a defining economic power-shift, the citizens’ cynicism about the vision reflect the crisis of confidence that defines government-citizenry relationship in the country.

Fayemi said regardless of its conceptual shortcomings, the Vision 20:2020 is not just wishful thinking by technocrats at the national level of government.

He said there was “a real ground for the country to entertain such ambition”.

The governor said the challenge confronting Nigeria’s emerging economy is competitiveness on the global stage, adding that Nigeria scores poorly in the global ranking of the best places in the world to do business.

He said the International Finance Corporation/World Bank’s global competitive index for the ease of ‘Doing Business’ for 2013 ranked Nigeria 131 out of 185.

Fayemi said one of the signs that Nigerians live in a lowtrust economy is the preponderance of high interest loans with very narrow performance windows as seen in the banking boom between 2004 and 2007, which was not accompanied by any spike in the manufacturing sector.

He said many investment analysts classify Nigeria as a high-risk investment environment and identify political instability, policy discontinuity, lack of institutional memory and dysfunctional bureaucracies as factors militating against our economic viability.

Ajimobi has done well, says Adedibu’s widow

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RS. Bose Adedibu, widow of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, has said Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has had done well within his two years in office.

She rated the administration high on security, urban renewal and environmental sanitation.

Mrs. Adedibu, like her late husband, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She spoke on Monday during a weekly Yoruba television programme on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

Mrs. Adedibu said the Ajimobi administration has restored peace to the state.

She said: “I am not a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) but a staunch PDP member and I am not leaving the party. But I cannot say because I am a PDP member, I will not acknowledge good performance.

“In all honesty and without being unnecessarily biased, Ajimobi is doing well. There is peace and security now, compared with the violence and brigandage that used to be perpetrated by street urchins.”

Mrs. Adedibu said a couple of years back, the state was besieged by violence, which made it uncomfortable for virtually everyone.

She said: “I remember vividly that at that time, the people of Oyo State lived in perpetual fear of insecurity. But now, everywhere is peaceful and people are going about their businesses without fear of molestation.”

Mrs. Adedibu acknowledged that Ibadan and the entire state is wearing a new look, owing to the urban renewal programme of the Ajimobi administration.

She dismissed insinuations by the opposition that shops were being demolished and that traders were subjected to unnecessary pain, saying only street traders were relocated.

The widow said: “Those relocated were trading on the streets and the government’s action would ensure their safety and prevent avoidable accidents and loss of life.

“I understand the government has been building some shops for the traders. I think they should bear with the government and see it as part of their sacrifice to ensure a cleaner and tidier environment.”

Mrs. Adedibu urged politicians to create room for dialogue so as not to overheat the polity.

Stressing the effect of political instability on the economy, the governor said electoral fraud distorts the legitimacy of governance.

He said beneficiaries of electoral frauds leave a “legacy of uncompleted highly-inflated contracts, unsustainable agreements with labour and other stakeholders in the society, uncoordinated and poorly articulated policy frameworks, among others”.

Fayemi said: “In the eyes of the international community, they certainly do us no favours and depict our country as a place where anything goes. If we are serious about improving investors’ confidence and our prospects as an emerging economy, we have to do something about this aberration to serve as a deterrent to others, who

‘If we are serious about improving investors’ confidence and our prospects as an emerging economy, we have to do something about this aberration to serve as a deterrent to others...,’ might be scheming their way to office through the backdoor.”

He said his administration was working on improving legal and regulatory framework to make the state attractive to investors and develop-

ment partners.

Fayemi said for the first time since the state was created 17 years ago, his administration revised and published the Laws of Ekiti State, which were once at the mercy of the Laws of the Old Ondo State.

He said his administration has also taken steps to domesticate federal laws that promote transparency and participatory governance, adding that Ekiti was the first state to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act, the Child Rights Act and the GenderBased Violence Prohibition Law, among others, which protect the people’s rights.

Fayemi said this accounts for the renewed confidence investors and development partners have in Ekiti State, which facilitated the return

of the World Bank and the Department for International Development (DFID), which left the state over six years ago.

He said this has improved the quality of life in the state.

Chairman, NBA’s Business Law section, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode said the conference would discuss the roles of lawyers in the Nigerian economy, adding that there is a correlation between good governance, the rule of law and the emerging economies of developing countries.

Oyebode stressed the need for the respect of human rights. He said the Judiciary should be given autonomy to carry out its functions effectively and eradicate corruption, which is the bane of the nation’s economy.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

8

NEWS ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI (1917-2013)

Politicians: she was our pillar

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HE late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji has been described as a pillar of support not only to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, her son, but also to the followers and believers in Tinubu’s school of politics.

A lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, James Abiodun Faleke; his Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 2 counterpart, Hakeem Abiodun Muniru; and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Island State Constituency 2, Wahab Alawiye-King, made the remark in reaction to Alhaja Mogaji’s death.

They said they were devastated by her demise.

Faleke said: “Although Mama died at a ripe age, nobody wants to lose any of his loved ones and definitely we are no exception. She was our mother and I am devastated by her death.”

According to the former Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), “Mama’s death has deprived us of a pillar of support. We will miss her prayers, advice, motherly care and affection. My heart

F

goes out to the family, especially our great leader, Asiwaju Tinubu. God will give them the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Muniru said he is yet to recover from the shock caused by her death.

Said he: “At first, I did not believe it because there have been rumours of her death in the past, which turned out to be a hoax. When the reality hit me, I didn’t know what to do. She was a mother to all of us. She fed us, advised us, took care of us and showed us motherly care. She was a mother in a million. We thank God for the life she lived. She led a life of love, service to humanity and service to her creator.”

Alawiye-King described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a mother everyone would wish to have.

“She took all for us to be her children and I will never forget her words of wisdom. She took care of me, advised me, even fed me. She was a mother in a million,” he said.

Alawiye-King condoled with the members of the family, especially Asiwaju Tinubu. He prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

Ngige mourns

ORMER Anambra State Governor and the Senator representing Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, yesterday described the death of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a great loss.

He said in a statement: “The death of Alhaja Mogaji came as a big shock to me. Although I am currently not within the country as I am engaged in parliamentary duties, I commiserate with the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Tinubu and members of the late Alhaja Mogaji family.

“I urge them to bear the loss with fortitude and understanding that it is the will of God. “I pray that Almighty God will grant the deceased eternal rest.”

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Council mourns Mogaji

HE National Traders and Market Leaders Council of Nigeria has described the death of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji as a great loss to market women and men in Lagos and Nigeria.

In a statement, the National President of the council, Chief Adenike Lawal, described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a highly resourceful woman, adding that she contributed to the economic empowerment of traders in Lagos State.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Lawal prayed God to grant Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, the family and Lagosians the fortitude to bear the loss.

The council said it has declared three days of mourning in honour of the deceased.

It urged traders to observe the mourning for the repose of the soul of Alhaja Mogaji.

‘Mogaji was a tool for development’

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

HE Ogun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was an exemplary leader, who championed the cause of women in commerce.

The party, in a statement in Abeokuta, said the dynamism with which she led the market men and women as their President-General, made her a voice to be reckoned with regarding market issues and the socio-economic and political affairs of the country.

It added: “Mama was a repository of knowledge and wisdom, which she shared with successive governments, thus making her a veritable tool in the country’s development.”

The party hailed Alhaja Mogaji for her leadership style, which it said contributed to the peace and unity that pervaded the markets.

It described her as a philanthropist, who brought succour to the down trodden.

“Alhaja Mogaji was a stabiliser, mobiliser, patriotic and a detribalised leader. She was a mother of all. She combined these qualities to raise up an icon of true democracy in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been in the vanguard of the political emancipation of the Southwest.

“We take consolation that Asiwaju Tinubu, who made himself available for her tutelage, is still around to champion the ideals she stood for.”

Adefarati’s family mourns From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE Adefarati family of Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State has commiserated with the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.

A statement issued in Akure, the state capital, on behalf of the family by Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati said the late President-General of the Nigeria Market Women and Men lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.

Belgore: mama was a success story •Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga (left), presenting President Goodluck Jonathan’s condolence letter to Asiwaju Tinubu... yesterday.

Lagos ACN consoles Tinubu

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HE Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has sent condolences to the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.

The party commiserated with Asiwaju Tinubu on the irreparable loss, saying it was consoled that his mother lived a long, fruitful and result-oriented life.

It prayed that God should grant her rest in paradise.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said Mama lived a worthy life of service to the nation and humanity, adding that she remained a national icon through her activism and devotion to the interest of the common people.

It urged Asiwaju Tinubu to uphold the tenets of social justice, good governance, rule of law and equity as a tribute to Mama.

The statement reads: "We receive the news of the passing on of Mama with sadness, yet with a satisfaction borne out of the good roles she played in her life to promote the cause of justice and democracy.

"While we mourn Mama, we feel satisfied that her devotion to the promotion of the ideals of justice, especially as it relates to the interests of market women and the masses, remains a worthy testimony of the fulfilled life she led.

"We feel proud of Mama's historic antecedents, especially her role in fighting for the enthronement of democracy through the activities of the

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Lagos market women she led in the period that spanned the infamous annulment of the June 12, 1993 election and the subsequent fight that led to the restoration of democracy in 1999.

"Mama's role in the struggle for democracy portrayed her as a heroine of democracy, whose memory would linger on for the coming generations.

"We recall that she cut an enviable niche in business as she rose to become the PresidentGeneral of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, a position she used to contribute to the sustenance of democracy and promotion of the interest of the downtrodden.

"She was a notable philanthropist and a renowned leader of men and women, who are committed to the promotion of the interest of the poor and the enthronement of justice.

"Lagos ACN is happy that Alhaja Mogaji mothered one of the nation's most commit-

ted democrats, an astute administrator, a leader of men, an activist, a great politician and a firm advocate and fighter for people's rights, Asiwaju Tinubu. We see this as a prized treasure Mama left for Nigeria and we draw consolation that her spirit of doggedness and political savvy lives in her famous son.

“We believe that Mama is not dead as she continues her well-known fight for a better Nigeria through her son and the men and women she led while alive.

"The entire ACN family feels bereaved with the death of Mama. We share the irreparable loss of Asiwaju's mother as we believe she lived a life of great achievement on earth. We equally share his sense of pride at having such a fulfilled and famous mother. We join millions of Nigerians in offering our heartfelt sympathy over this great loss, as we pray God to grant her soul a deserved rest in paradise."

Mogaji lived for the people, says ACN chieftain

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CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Mr. Adesoji Akanbi, has commiserated with the children and family of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

He described the deceased as a woman of virtue, who lived for her community.

Akanbi said she was the mouthpiece of market women, particularly in Lagos State, defending the interest

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

of traders.

“Alhaja Mogaji was a woman of valour, who lived for the uplifting of Nigerian women.

“Her life would continue to be a reference point for women in the country,” he said.

He urged the son of the late women leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to continue his mother’s legacies.

Adamawa condoles with Lagos

HE Adamawa State Government has expressed condolences to the government and people of Lagos State on the death of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

She was the PresidentGeneral of the Market Women and Men Association of Nigeria and mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State gover-

nor.

The Director, Press and Public Affairs to Governor Murtala Nyako, Ahmad Sajoh, in a statement in Yola described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a nationalist.

The statement reads: “Governor Nyako, on behalf of the government and people of Adamawa State, sends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of

Lagos on the death of a foremost nationalist.

“The governor equally extends his condolences to his brother, Asiwaju Tinubu, on the death of his mother.”

He prayed for the repose of her soul.

The statement urged Nigerians to imbibe her virtues of hard work, perseverance and commitment to a good cause.

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LHAJA Abibatu Mogaji was an illustrious woman, whose selfless service to humanity made her life a success story, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Kwara State in the 2011 general elections, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), has said.

“Mama was an illustrious woman. She was a leader and a social and political activist,” he wrote in the condolence register at the Ikoyi, Lagos home of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Belgore said: “Alhaja Mogaji mobilised traders and market women for the right causes and when it mattered most.

She gave herself to the community and was highly distinguished and successful in her own right. She was a huge success story.”

Omoworare, APC UK console Tinubu

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HE lawmaker representing Ife/ Ijesha, Senator Babajide Omoworare and the All Progressives Congress in the United Kingdom (APC UK), have consoled the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Tinubu family on the death of their matriarch, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria.

A statement by the legislator said: “Given a normal human emotion, one is bound to be sad that Mama is no more with us. But a deeper reflection leaves one with no option, but to rejoice that she has gone and left an indelible mark on the sand of history.

The APC UK described Alhaja Mogaji as irreplaceable.

It prayed for the repose of her soul.

“We pray the Almighty Allah to grant Asiwaju Tinubu the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

•Governor Nyako

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2013

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NEWS

THIRD DAY PRAYER FOR ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI AT TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE, LAGOS

•From right: Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu and Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Olusegun Aganga

•Nasarawa State Governor Tanko al-Makura (left) and former Lagos State Military Administrator Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa

•Former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba (right) and Justice Uthman Ahmed

•From right: National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare; Senator Ben Obi and Chief Demola Seriki

•Governors’ wives all: From left: Mrs Abimbola Fashola (Lagos); Mrs Olufunsho Amosun (Ogun); Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun) and Mrs. Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti) •From left: Alhaja Fatima Bintu Tinubu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire

•Lagos State Environment Commissioner Tunji Bello (right) Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku

•Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa

•Former Minister of FCT Mallam Nasir el-Rufai

•Foremost industrialist Alhaji Razak Akanni Okoya

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN; RAHMAN SANUSI AND ADEJO DAVID

•From left: Alhaji Lai Muhammed; Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and Prince Tajudeen Olusi

•Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris (left) and Mr Joe Igbokwe

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2013

NEWS

THIRD DAY PRAYER FOR ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI AT TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE, LAGOS

•Senator Ganiyu Solomon (left) and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy Mr Dele Alake

•From left: .Secretary to Osun State Government (SSG) Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff

•From right: House of Representatives member Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development Cornelius Ojelabi and his Works and Infrastructure counterpart Hon Obafemi Hamzat

•From left: Mr Fola Tinubu; Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso and Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN)

•Chief Pius Akinyelure (left) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Lagos State Chair Otunba Henry Ajomale

•Some of the clerics at the prayer...yesterday

•Comrade Isa Aremu

•National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad

•House of Representatives member Alhaji Yakubu Abiodun Balogun (right) and former Lagos State Finance Commissioner Mr Wale Edun

•Former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Dr Muiz Banire (left) and Alhaji Moshood Tijani

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN; RAHMAN SANUSI AND ADEJO DAVID

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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NEWS

VGovt orders orders payment of $1b arrears to states P RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the payment of the outstanding $1billion (N160billion) February statutory allocation for states.

The arrears will be paid immediately, following a boycott of a session on the crisis on Monday at the Presidential Villa.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is expected to meet today on the payment modalities.

It was gathered that the Presidency was shocked by the boycott of the meeting by the 19 governors – an action which many saw as an extension of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) crisis.

According to sources, the Presidency felt holding on to statutory allocation might generate constitutional and legal crises between the states and the Federal Government.

A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has agreed unconditionally to release the February

•FAAC reconvenes today to share cash From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

arrears on Wednesday. This is why FAAC meeting will hold accordingly on Wednesday on the sharing of the $1billion arrears.

“By the terms of payment, the May arrears will now be paid in July. It is a good thing that the President has allowed sanity to prevail.

“Once a budget has been passed, the Federal Government has no right to withhold statutory allocations meant for states and other tiers of government.

“Some of us were already contemplating going to court to protect our rights because the amount involved is not a charity budget which can be dispensed at will.

“We boycotted the cash cri-

sis talks to prove a point that once a constitutional right is involved on any issue, states are not expected to go cap in hand to the Federal Government.

“We felt the meeting was unnecessary because the appropriation law is clear; it has to be implemented.”

According to the source, who pleaded not to be named, it is good that the President decided to respect the instrument he signed into law. “We can reunite with him once the rights of Federating Units are guaranteed.

We have no personal grudge against him,” he said.

Another governor said: “I am aware that the President has consented to the payment of the February arrears.

The President did not even wait for the outcome of the

committee raised at his meeting with G-16 on Monday night. He has decided to uphold the constitution.

“You see, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala is the problem because she wants to be in the good book of IMF, World Bank and other international finance institutions.

“She will always tell the states, I want to have $50 billion or $100billion in foreign reserves. States are not opposed to savings but you do not change the rules in the middle of the game after the budget has been passed.

“Whatever the nation wants to save at any point in time should have been captured in the budget. This borders on planning and realistic projection.”

Due to the delay in passing the 2013 budget by the National Assembly, the Federation Account Allocation Committee adopted the 2012 budget benchmark to pay the states.

Jonathan inaugurates GE’s $1b plant

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated the General Electric’s $1billion service and manufacturing facility in Calabar.

The ground breaking ceremony according to a statement, followed the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; and the Global Chairman/Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer of GE, Mr. Jeff Emmelt, in January.

Represented by the VicePresident, Arch. Namadi Sambo, Jonathan said the groundbreaking ceremony would not only give a fine boost to the administration’s Transformation Agenda, it would also further strengthen the improved confidence in the Nigerian business environment by both local and foreign investors.

NLNG sues NIMASA

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HE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited yesterday filed a case at the Federal High Court, Lagos against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) seeking judicial interpretation of the legality of the levies imposed on it by NIMASA. The company said it has also begun payment of the levies in installment ‘under protest, with the Government’s directive to pay the said levies’.

The protracted dispute between both parties arose as a result of perceived conflict in the enabling Acts of both organisations, namely the Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act on one hand and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act,

Merchant Shipping Act and Coastal and Inland Shipping Act on the other hand.

NIMASA said its levies were applicable to NLNG, while the latter argued that they were exempted from such levies and charges by virtue of the NLNG Act. NIMASA had filed a suit against NLNG in 2010 claiming entitlement to these levies. After preliminary proceedings were taken and concluded, and the matter was ready for hearing, NIMASA filed an application to withdraw the suit, and on 3rd May 2013 resorted to self-help by blocking the Bonny Channel for 2 days, thereby preventing ingress and egress of NLNG chartered vessels with attendant financial losses and reputational damage to NLNG and Nigeria in general.

Lekoil to acquire 6.5% interest in Aje field

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•From left:President/CEO, GE Africa, Mr. Jay Ireland; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; and Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, at the ground breaking ceremony of GE’s $1billion investment in service and manufacturing facility, in Calabar... yesterday

We have 50% of ported numbers, says Etisalat

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IFTY per cent of the total number of subscribers that have ported in the ongoing Mobile Number Portability (MNP) scheme has ported unto Etisalat Nigeria, the telco company said yesterday.

But in a swift reaction, both the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Interconnect Clearing House Nigeria Limited, said they have not made any data available to the public in this regard.

A statement issued by the telco stated that seven weeks into mobile MNP scheme in the country, “Etisalat (is) already taking a huge lead with almost 50 per cent of ported numbers coming its way. This

•NCC: No data released yet

By Lucas Ajanaku

revelation was made after collating the successfully ported numbers at the end of the sixth week of the launch of the scheme and shows that Etisalat had almost 50 per cent of ported numbers so far.”

Chief Commercial Officer at Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Ammar, disclosed this without giving details of the actual figures of ported numbers. He said: “I can tell you that Etisalat Nigeria has gained almost 50 per cent of the total figure of ported numbers so far. This is a clear indication that the Nigerian consumers have made their

choice based on current realities on ground.

We set out early in our business to ensure that we developed products and services that suit the lifestyle of all our target customers. We have also ensured that we have a reliable network to accommodate existing and new customers and these efforts have been recognised by the NCC and other stakeholders in the telecoms industry”.

Ammar cited the last quality of service indicators for mobile operators released by the NCC shortly before the launch of MNP as a clear indication that Etisalat was ready for business. The report shows

that Etisalat met all the KPI targets as signed in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for Drop Call Rate (DCR), Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Traffic Channel Congestion (TCHcong) and Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCHcong). This he said, has even been acknowledged by the regulator, which has given it different awards.

However, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, said the agency has not released any figure because of ongoing subscriber identification module (SIM) cards. He said any operator that is making any claim was free to do so, adding that it was all in the spirit of competition.

EKOIL 113, a subsidiary of Lekoil Nigeria Limited, an indigenous independent exploration and production company has agreed to acquire a 6.502 per cent participating interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 113 from Pan Petroleum Aje Limited, a subsidiary of Panoro Energy ASA. The asset lies within the Benin Basin, about 24 km from the coast of Nigeria, close to the route of the West Africa Gas Pipeline and 64 km from Lagos. The licence covers an area of 960 km2 with water depths ranging from 100 to 1,500 metres. It is primarily a gas and gas condensate discovery, but also contains a thin oil reserves. The 6.502 per cent interest is being considered for US$30 million.

A statement from Lekoil stated that OML113 is located offshore Nigeria in the Benin Embayment along the West African Transform Margin adjacent to Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 310, in which Mayfair Assets and Trusts Limited, a subsidiary of Lekoil Nigeria, has an ultimate 30 per cent economic interest.

The OML113 licence area

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

contains the Aje oil and gas field, for which AGR TRACS International Limited in its recently updated Competent Persons Report (CPR), estimated Contingent Resources of 198.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) or proven reserves.

When the deal is finally sealed, Lekoil’s share of the 198.7 mmboe according to a statement, will be approximately 25.3 mmboe. About 50 per cent of the reserves in the Aje field are liquid hydrocarbons, comprising gas, gas liquids and condensate as well as a significant oil in one of the reservoirs.

On 17 June 2013, Lekoil 113 entered into a binding conditional Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with PPAL, Pan-Petroleum Nigeria Holding and Pan-Petroleum (Holding) Cyprus Limited to acquire a 6.502 per cent participating interest in OML113 representing cost bearing participation and revenue participation that range from 16.255 per cent to 12.1913 per cent.for activities in the Aje Field depending on the extent of cost recovery.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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Jigawa to immunise 1m kids

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•GovernorSule Lamido

HE Jigawa State government is to immunise one million children against polio virus during the ongoing Special Immunisation Plus Days, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Tafida Abubakar, has said.

Abubakar disclosed this at the commencement of the exercise in Korin-makera Village in the Dutse Local Government Area.

He said that the five-day re-vaccination exercise would cover the 26 local government areas of the state.

The commissioner further said that the vaccination exercise aimed at immunising children who were not immunised during the previous exercise.

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LHAJI Altine Kyadawa, the chairman of Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State has said that the council had paid more than N10 million as land compensation to residents of Gada whose lands were acquired for housing purposes.

Kyadawa said the land would be used for the establishment of a 252-housing layout in a bid to decongest Gada town as well as curb perennial flood.

He said in Sokoto that “the beneficiaries now domicile in flood-prone areas of the town.

“The measure is aimed at resettling them in a safe place, expand and improve the aesthetics of the town,” he said.

The chairman also said the Ministry of Land and Housing was commissioned by the local government to clear and survey the new layout.

According to Kyadawa, the local government has also constructed a new market in Gada for onion and grains sellers at the cost of N12 million.

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Church lifts the needy

ELOTOTAH Church of Zion, Ikale Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos has donated food items to inmates of SOS Children’s Village, Isolo in Lagos. Besides, it gave cash prizes to some members that were in need.

It was on the occasion of its week-long programme tagged Charity Week; an annual event during which food and cash donations were given to the less-privileged people, counseling, lectures and seminars on self-employment particularly for the youth.

Speaking on the programme, the chairman Most Superior Senior Apostle Gabriel Ayodele Dahunsi said: “The department is an integral part of the church system. It was specifically established to take care of the poor. No doubt, times are changing and the church; as an agent of change, has to move with time. We cannot afford to be left behind in this onerous duty to humanity. We must emulate Jesus Christ who provided the physical and spiritual needs of believers. We must respond to the needs of the people as much as we can, in these hard times.”

An official of the orphanage received the food items on behalf of the school. He thanked the church for the gesture. He also noted that the visit has become an annual event which

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HE Benue State government said it had adopted measures against mitigating the effects of flooding in the state.

The Director of Environment, Mr Daniel Iorshagher, said this in an interview with journalists in Makurdi.

He said that the state had adopted palliative measures of clearing all drains across the state to allow easy flow of storm water.

Iorshagher said the state government had also concluded projects aimed at temporary checking flood in the state pending the dredging of the Rivers Benue and Katsina-Ala. The director said the government had also

Briefly

Govt to employ 2,000 midwives

Sokoto The measure, he said, was to boost the internally-generated revenue of the council which, he said, has increased to more than N100,000 per week compared to between N6,000 and N16,000 earned previously.

On security, Kyadawa appealed to the Federal Government to provide more ultra-modern equipment, arms and ammunition to security agencies in the discharge of their duties.

He also called on the three tiers of government to provide more jobs to unemployed youths, adding that “most of our problems are due to lack of jobs for youths who are prone to anti-social behaviours.”

Kyadawa further said the five local governments in the state would hold discussions with their counterparts in Niger Republic on regional security.

The local governments are Gada, Tangaza, Sabon-Birni, Illela and Gudu while those in Niger Republic are Konni and Madawa.

Benue tackles flooding

He said that the re-vaccination exercise would also cover all the wards in Kirikasamma, Birniwa, Guri, Kaugama and Maigatari local government areas.

Abubakar said, however, that Hadejia Local Government Area would be exempted from the exercise because it was not one of the highrisk areas.

According to him, the state has no record of poliomyelitis in the past seven months.

The commissioner commended the government for its efforts to eradicate polio in the state.

Council pays N10m land compensation

THE Federal Government is to recruit 2,000 additional midwives to be deployed to rural areas, Dr Ado Mohammed, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has said.

Mohammed disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Dutse.

He said that the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) introduced by government was an ongoing programme to tackle maternal mortality in the country.

The director said that so far, 4,300 midwives were deployed to health facilities in rural areas across the country.

He noted that the MSS had been implemented in 1,500 health centres, adding that the agency was also training community health officers to assist the midwives.

•Vice Chairman(Eti-Osa East L.C.D.A) Hon. funmilayo Fiddi flagging off the free health service programme in the council.

Monarch urges govt to repair roads

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HE traditional ruler of Iwoye-Ketu in Ogun State, Oba Ademola Alaye, has called on the state government to come to the aid of the community by rehabilitating major roads in the area.

He made the call during the community’s development association meeting in Lagos.

“We are calling on the state government to come to our aid by rehabilitating some of the major roads in our community, especially the Iwoye-Imeko Road leading to the Imeko/ Afon Local Government Secretariat.

“Majority of the towns and villages do not have good roads; this has affected free movement of goods and services in the area,” he said.

Alaye also appealed to the government to

By Bode Monogbe

goes a long way to show the interest the church has in helping the poor. He enjoined the well-to-do in the society to emulate the church in helping the poor in Nigeria.

Church marks fifth anniversary AHEAD of this year’s fifth Founders’ Day thanksgiving service, the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church Oke Ayo, Oke Isegun, will hold a seven-day revival service from 16 to 22 June at 20, Jacob Street, Fadeyi, Lagos. The event starts from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. The grand fenale comes up on Sunday June 23. With a thanksgiving service at Kajola Health Centre Ayonuga Street, Fadeyi, Lagos at 10:00 a.m. The theme is “The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me.” Briefing journalists on the event, the Host, Senior Prophetess Abosede Akande (a.k.a.

Ijero) said that this year’s Founders’ Day celebration is the aftermath of her 41 days trance, saying that God revealed to her to plant a church after she abandoned her fashion design profession.

•Most Sup Snr Ap Dahunsi (second left) and other members at the event

Ogun deploy adequate security personnel to curtail security challenges in the area.

Alaye said that the lives and property of the residents were being threatened in recent times following increasing wave of armed robbery.

The monarch also called on the relevant authorities to find urgent solution to the erratic power supply to the area.

“The community has been facing constant epileptic power supply which has posed a serious threat to the socio-economic development of the area,” he said.

The Secretary of the association, Mr Wale Fadipe, urged the government to settle the land dispute between the community and its neighbouring towns in Oyo State.

Fadipe said that the community members were regularly threatened by the neighbours as a result of boundary disputes.

“The boundary has created a lot of serious disputes among communities in the area; we need government’s intervention before it gets out of hand,’’ he said.

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•From left: Comrade Oladele Abuja receiving an LG Microwave oven. With him are Lazarus Danabeyi, Exclusive Sub Distributor, Indomie, Abuja, Andrew Ohimuan, PRO, NCSU, OAGF Unit, Mr. Ayemibo Joseph, Area Marketing Manager, De United Food Plc., Abuja and Mrs. Funmilayo Oyeshola-Ojeah, Vice Chairperson, NCSU, OAGF Unit.

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MEMBER of House of Representatives, Hon Maruf Akinderu-Fatai, has described the late President-General, Association of Market Women of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, as a shrewd businesswoman.

Akinderu-Fatai who also lost his mother two weeks ago, said Alhaja Mogaji’s death is a great loss to Lagos and the nation at large.

“One can never forget her role during the June 12 saga when she confronted the former military leader Gen Ibrahim Babangida and told him to de-annul the nation’s first ever free and fair election won by the late business mogul Chief MKO Abiola.

“That her demise came during the week of the celebration of 20 years anniversary of June 12 reiterated her belief in the struggle – one tagged by many as struggle of emanci-

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HE Rotary Club of Oyo town have supported the physically challenged students of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Oyo by donating equipment worth millions of naira.

The club members who visited the premises of the college of education, presented items such as five typewriters, mobility cane and five Slate Stylus.

Oyo Other items included 10 Abacus, 10 Braille sheet, 20 A 4 tape recorders and Double typing sheet.

The club donated hearing aids with battery, six crutches armpit, four crutches armpit elbow

•The new Otitolere CDA Executives of Ado Odo / Ota Local Government Area. From left: Mr. Fadairo Olaleke; Mrs Olaseun Olasupo; Mr. Jamiu Akintunde; Mrs Caroline Omonijo (Vice Chairman), Mr. Opebiyi Joseph; Mr. Yusuf Sulaiman ; Mr. Ayobami Olaleye( Secretary) Mr. Olumuyiwa Oluyemi ( Internal Auditor) , Mr. Isaac K. Oseni (Executive Chairman ),Mr. Raji Kehinde (Public Relations Officer 1) PHOTO OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Lawmaker mourns Mogaji

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

pation of Nigerians from draconian leaders,” he said.

Akinderu-Fatai, who representes OshodiIsolo Federal Constituency said Mama lived a life worthy of emulation.

He stated that the deceased brought finesse into administration and management of commerce and industry in the country particularly Lagos.

“Her sense of humour was great; a prayer warrior who never got tired praying for the progress of the nation. We will miss her large-heartedness.

“I commiserated with our national leaders Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Oba of

By Innocent Amomoh

“We are so happy to associate with Indomie. Giving us the gifts of LG Microwave oven and a pressing iron was a testimony that the promises in the promo are real and De United Food Plc is a consumer friendly company. I will like other companies in the country to emulate the kind gesture of Indomie,” Comrade Oladele said.

The chairman used the occasion to call on members of the union to give their support to the administration of the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Mr. Jonah Otunla, adding that Otunla has been a friend of the union since he assumed office.

Other members of the union present at the event included vice chairperson, Mrs. Funmilayo Oyeshola- Ojeah and Public Relations Officer, PRO, and Andrew Ohimuan.

• Governor Suswan cating the people on the challenges of protecting the environment.

Rotary donates to the physically challenged

Union receives noodles

XECUTIVE officials of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF Unit, and Federal Branch have received a big microwave oven courtesy of De United Food Plc, maker of Indomies Noodles.

The union won the big microwave oven through the 210g Shaking: Buy and Win Promo, organised for consumers of Indomies in Abuja recently.

Receiving the gift from Mr. Ayemibo Joseph, Area Marketing Manager of De United Food, Abuja Office, chairman of the union, Comrade Orisamuyiwa Oladele, praised the company for fulfilling the promise of rewarding their loyal consumers. He disclosed that the union bought 600 cartons of Indomies which were distributed to staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation in Abuja to celebrate the May Day.

constructed culverts and embarked on other projects that would reduce the impact of any flood disasters.

“What the government has done within the past months is to construct culverts, open blocked drains and carry out massive advocacy on the reality of environmental disasters such as flood.

“The long term solution for flood is the dredging of the two major rivers in the state: River Benue and River Katsina-Ala. “Our people have come to accept the reality about flooding and they seem to be complying with environmental rules,” he said.

He, however, said that dredging of the rivers was beyond the capacity of the state government.

Iorshagher appealed to the Federal Government to hasten the dredging for the purpose of having a free-flood year.

He praised the efforts of the media in edu-

• Hon. Oyesanya (third left) with the security agencies at the inauguration

Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; the Mogaji family; the people of Lagos, our party; the government of Lagos; and market men and women in Nigeria and Lagos in particular. I pray Allah grants us all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable lost and admit Mama into AlJannah Firdaus,” he said.

and six wheel chairs as well.

Speaking on the need to support the school with the equipment, Mr. Joseph Oyekola, President of the Club said that it was meant to enhance the teaching of the physically challenged students in the college.

“The club is coming to the aid of Federal College of Education Oyo as a way of contributing its little quota to enhance the teaching of disabled students so as to bring out the ability in their disabilities,” he said.

Oyekola said that the club decided to support the college not only because of its humanitarian orientation, but also due to the fact that the only source of funds opened to the school was government funding.

Dr Mufutau Ayoola, Chairman of the Committee that purchased the equipment, said “the presentation is the club’s way of alleviating the problem of the disabled in their educational pursuit.”

Dr Ajibola Theophilus, Dean of Special Education at the college said that the gesture was a good one that would go a long way to ameliorate the educational needs of the physically challenged students of the school.

College launches N100m appeal fund ANWAR-UL Islam College (Formerly Ahmadiyya College) in Agege, a Lagos suburb, is 65. Established in 1948, it is the first Muslim College in Lagos State.

Old boys of the school will hold a reunion and 65th Anniversary Dinner at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers on Friday at 6.30pm.

At the event, the old boys will launch a N100million appeal fund for the rehabilitation of the school.

Cards for the dinner can be collected from the National Publicity Secretary of Anwar-ul Islam College Old Students Association (ACAOSA), Alhaji Muftau ottun whose number is 08053090107.

Council chief inaugurates security firm

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HE Chairman of Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area of Lagos State Hon. Abdulfatai Oyesanya has called on government and it agencies to be more committed to security matters.

He said the involvement of government agencies and individuals in improving security will expose miscreants and evil in the society.

Oyesanya spoke at the inauguration of a neighbourhood security watch in Ikosi-Isheri Local Government Area at the council secretariat.

The council chief stressed that the scheme was established to combat criminals and hoodlums who are terrifying people in Ketu and its environ .

He said security of life and properties is paramount to his administration and that is why the council took the steps to complement the effort of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that the evil doers are exposed promptly.

According to him “ It has now become imperative that government and all its agencies must continue to reinvent the wheel of security in order to continue to guarantee the best for the majority of people in the face of upsurge in crime and criminality across the nation.

“It is the duty of any proactive government like ours to take commensurate step toward assurance of security of lives and properties.

“It is against the backdrop of current chal-

By Jeremiah Oke

lenges that this administration has decided to inaugurate this security outfit for the adequate protection. Of our community.

“To our administration, safety of lives and properties is not a mere slogan but situation whereby they are secure wherever they are in the community.

“Therefore I want to urge the people of IkosiIsheri to cooperate with the watchers by supplying them with important and useful information that will help them carry out their duties. “ This administration will not relent until Ikosi-Isheri is a safe haven for our people and I want to use this medium to warn all hoodlums, criminals and trouble makers to stay clear of Ikosi-Isheri as they will be smoke out of their hiding.”

In his own remark, the coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Femi Babatunde said all the personnel are ready to fight insecurity to the later in Ikosi-Isheri with the kind of training they received from the police and other security agencies.

He said they have prepared to expose any wrong doing in the society and therefore hand over criminals to the police.

Babatunde praised the present administration for recognising the need for neigbouhood security watch and for given them necessary equipment to fight insecurity in the community.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Tenure conundrum

•We reject the proposal for a single term six-year tenure for president and governor

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HE recommendation of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution for a single term of six years for the President and Governors fails to convince. Apparently the committee members believed, rather erroneously, that a single term will cure the unparalleled corruption that has been the bane of our national politics for decades.

Instructively, the presidency that had boasted a few weeks ago that it would abide by the decisions of the legislature on this matter, quickly turned around after the recommendation to demand that the law should take effect from 2019, as it was not willing to make the sacrifices, it had promised.

Interestingly, both the promise to sacrifice and the subsequent recant came from the same top presidential aide, Dr.

‘As our experience across the polity shows, the term of office, whether four, six, or even eight years, makes no difference for an ill-equipped and fraudulently elected executive in the discharge of the onerous constitutional responsibility of a President or Governor. Within the past 14 years of our return to civil rule, we have had a President and several Governors who spent eight years in office without any significant achievement’

Ahmed Gulak.

As our experience across the polity shows, the term of office, whether four, six, or even eight years, makes no difference for an ill-equipped and fraudulently elected executive in the discharge of the onerous constitutional responsibility of a President or Governor. Within the past 14 years of our return to civil rule, we have had a President and several Governors who spent eight years in office without any significant achievement. We have also had those who, within two years in office, showed capacity to make a huge difference.

So, what we need is a transparent political system that allows the most competent candidate to emerge from an election; and one that will punish or reward the elected official after a first term in office, based on performance. In our view, the current practice of a first four years, and another possible four years, is more enduring; and so should be sustained. The legislators should not be led to make laws to deal with a specific circumstance, or to achieve a limited goal, which is what we suspect is the case in this instance.

When laws are made seemingly because of an individual, it gives the impression of bad faith. While we empathise with the polity over the failure of many of the state executives and particularly the presidency to perform; it should not be a good reason to deny those performing an opportunity to come back if re-elected.

Although we support the present re-

newable term of four years, we will not fail to condemn the clear insincerity of the presidency over this matter. We recall that Dr. Gulak had boasted barely one month ago that the President will abide by whatever the decision of the National Assembly is on the matter, apparently hoping that his boss could benefit through a tenure elongation.

Now that the committee’s recommendation will make the President stand down in 2015, Dr. Gulak has turned around without equivocation, to sermonise that such law will be unjust to the President.

So, as far as the presidential aid is concerned, the driving force for any constitutional amendment should be the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Such self-centred attitude to national development must be condemned. Indeed, it is even more worrisome that a leading member of the President’s party was already canvassing for the President to be made the party’s sole presidential candidate without a primary election. In pushing this agenda, Chief Tony Anenih the party’s chairman, Board of Trustees, gave scant regard to the party’s constitution.

Just like Dr. Gulak, Chief Anenih obviously equates the President’s personal political interests with constitutionalism. In our view, it is such misbegotten connection that is at the root of the failed leadership that we are experiencing. We however urge the National Assembly to rather remain focused on the overall wellbeing of the country on this matter.

Senate vs. Dame Jonathan

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•Senate rejects N4b First Ladies’ House fund, but for a wrong reason

O taking a bow here and no plaudits for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because it seems to have only scorched the snake and refused to kill it. Though the Senate hearkened to the wish and desire of Nigerians as was canvassed on this page, its final action is considered not far-reaching enough, because many fundamental questions have been left unanswered, making the Senate to seem either absentminded or deliberately negligent of its duties.

We speak of course about the desire of the wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, to build a multi-billion naira edifice in Abuja for African First Ladies.

In reviewing the budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Senate rejected an initial N4 billion proposal from the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria for the building of the headquarters of African First Ladies’ Peace Centre (AFLPC). The Centre, to be sited in the heart of the FCT, is proposed as a high-rise edifice estimated to cost about N13 billion. However, the land on which it is to be sited is currently under a legal dispute between the incumbent first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and her predecessor, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua.

According to the report that emanated from the proceedings, the chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi, explained that, “It is worthy of note that the proposed appropriation for the construction of the building for First Ladies Mission in Africa has been distributed to meet pressing needs in the areas of engineering and satellite towns.” He notes further that: “Due to litigation in re-

spect of the proposed plot of land, money cannot be accessed this year.” In other words, the Senate shot down the First Lady’s project not because it is ineligible but because “it is not proper to appropriate for a land that is not available.”

We are apt to say that the Senate Committee on FCT did a half-hearted and shoddy job of this very important matter and the plenary session was lazy, if not reprobate in passing the decision of the committee. Nigerians are saying that the Office of the First Lady is neither statutory nor does it have a base in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

How then does it begin to enjoy a place in the Appropriation Bill? Nigerians are saying that the AFLPC is not only a pet project of the wife of the president, that it is a bogus and wasteful ego trip which adds little value to Nigeria’s economy. If she must build it, it ought not to be from public funds appropriated by Nigeria’s Senate.

We, as many Nigerians, had expected that the Senate would seize the opportunity of this FCT budget to make a statement on the office of the First Lady, budgetary allocations and the ownership status of their huge pet projects, among other issues. But the Senate returned emptyhanded, so to speak, making lame and timid pronouncement on a crucial issue of national importance. What is clear is that the Senate, under the leadership of David Mark is either afraid of the guts of the first lady or lacks the moral quality to condemn the very idea of appropriating the funds of the Nigerian people for a magnificent vanity of an edifice without the support of law or conscience.

What the Senate suggests easily is that the Office of the First Lady could represent her budget through the FCT and any other MDA for that matter so long as it has land to build her ‘pet’ projects? We must recall that the prime piece of land at the centre of the dispute between the two first ladies was allocated originally for a ‘pet’ project. Today, it has become the personal property of the former number one woman; would this edifice not suffer the same fate? We state it again that the so-called Office of the First Lady is an anomaly, unknown to the Constitution or any law of the land. It is a contraption that can easily be abused, being susceptible to manipulation and corruption. We hope that the Senate would summon courage to shed some light on it sooner.

‘We are apt to say that the Senate Committee on FCT did a half-hearted and shoddy job of this very important matter and the plenary session was lazy, if not reprobate in passing the decision of the committee. Nigerians are saying that the Office of the First Lady is neither statutory nor does it have a base in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. How then does it begin to enjoy a place in the Appropriation Bill?’

Tehran surprise

• Iranian voters choose moderation over extremism

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RANIANS delivered a dramatic setback to their hardline leadership by casting their votes for the only moderate candidate in Friday’s presidential elections.

Instead of the presumed favourite of the supreme leader, the intransigent nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, the electorate voted for Hassan Rohani, a centrist cleric best remembered for suspending nuclear enrichment when he was in charge of nuclear diplomacy in the early 2000s.

Whether Mr Rohani won in spite of opposition from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or with his last-minute consent may never be known. But his election sends a powerful message that Iranians are fed up with extremist policies, whether in economic management or relations with the rest of the world.

Four years after Mr Khamenei ignored the vote for a reformist presidential candidate and handed the firebrand Mahmoud AhmadiNejad a second term, this election confirms Iranians will not be cowed by repression. It is with reformist votes stolen in 2009 that Mr Rohani won an outright victory in the first round, against five more hardline candidates.

Mr Rohani’s election could present a new opportunity for international diplomacy at a time of heightened tension with Iran over its nuclear programme as well as its political and military backing for the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. While Tehran has scaled back the stockpile of 20 per cent enriched uranium, it has continued to build up the capacity of more advanced centrifuges, potentially allowing for a faster dash to a nuclear bomb.

It will require a careful calibration of western diplomacy to strengthen the reemerging moderates in Iran and further weaken hardliners who will continue to control powerful institutions, not least the elite Revolutionary Guards.

The vote for Mr Rohani does not mean Iranians reject the nuclear programme; the president-elect himself is a staunch supporter. But it tells us they are unwilling to pay the price of sanctions for the sake of more defiance.

Although Mr Rohani will not be the decision maker on Iran’s nuclear policy, a more moderate tone of diplomacy could make engagement with Iran easier. His influence could lead to more flexibility in nuclear negotiations that will resume later in the year. His abilities will be tested, not least in moderating Iran’s belligerence. But his presidency offers a chance of a new page in Iran’s international relations.

– Financial Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The ugly phenomenon of building collapse in Nigeria, with resultant loss of lives and properties, injuries, structural and collateral damages to other properties as well as public infrastructures, is becoming quite alarming. Here in Lagos, we have had a fair share of cases of building collapse with its ensuing trauma and agonies. The case of Lagos is particularly aggravated by its population density, the wet nature of the environment as well as the landscape of the state which most builders do not often take into consideration before embarking on building activities. The situation is further exacerbated by the refusal of residents to heed government’s warning to vacate buildings that are discovered to have faulty structures and therefore unsuitable for human habitation. This is often the situation with most collapsed buildings in the state.

Similarly, the influx of many people to Lagos, on a daily basis, exerts much pressure on the available housing, leading to overcrowding in most houses with its resulting extra load and apparent distress of most buildings, particularly in densely populated areas. The desperate attempt by the residence to get out of the hook of terrible and shylock landlords by getting roof over their heads at all cost, couple with the eagerness of developers, both professionals and non-professionals, to get quick returns on their investments often leads to situation where regulations are deliberately or ignorantly circumvented thereby compromising standards at the expense of peo-

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Tackling the menace of building collapse building permit and other necessary authorizations, while estates spring up without approve layout plan. It is estimated that more than 60% of structures across the country falls within this category. To cut cost, many people result to using substandard materials which are prevalent and abundant in Nigeria, both homemade and imported. Sadly, every cheap thing comes with a price.

In Lagos, the State Government is not oblivious of the threat which

the occurrence of collapsed building had over the years posed to government’s efforts to protect lives and property. The governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), recently inaugurated a six-man tribunal of enquiry on collapsed buildings.

As earlier stated, citizens also have a role to play in curbing the trend of building collapse in the country. It is a fact that most construction activities take place in full glare of the people. Hence, it

IR: The news that some unnamed persons have surreptitiously submitted an application for the registration of a political party to be known and called the African Peoples Congress, which shares similar acronym with the authentic All Progressives Congress (APC), a new party being proposed by some opposition parties does not come as a surprise. It’s a throwback to the nihilist politics of the second republic. Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim (advocate of politics without bitterness) had formed the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) then and all of sudden, the great Zik came to seize the party from him. That was why Waziri left

with his supporters and structures to form his Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP).

But the Federal Electoral Commission then resolved the registration problems with aplomb to the satisfaction of all concerned. This is more reasons why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega and his men need to learn a lot of useful lesson from this. They should not allow themselves to be used to derail our hard-earned democracy.

The uproar and imbroglio surrounding the registration of the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) is not a surprise for

those who watch with keen interest.

The ruling party, PDP, has smelt a rat that the coming of APC will wrest power from them and will be their undoing come 2015; that is why they seek to thwart the emergence of the party.

The decision of the opposition parties ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA to merge caught the ruling party napping and sent shivers down the spines of the reactionary forces holding down the destiny of this nation; they recognise that the hour of liberation is nigh.

Therefore, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could go to any extent to upturn the effort of the

acters.

The residents have been living at their mercy since March 7, when one of these men and his agents invaded Oke-Odo Ekusere while armed with dangerous weapons terrorizing innocent villagers.

They mounted illegal road blocks, extorting money and valu-

able items from their victims. In the process, many innocent people were injured, some were attacked with machetes.

These men carry on as if they are above the law with the police looking helpless.

Ogun State people, particularly Ilogbo community, deserve peace,

progress and development.

The community humbly seeks your urgent intervention in this regard with a view to protecting innocent lives from these violent characters.

• Chief Matthew Alani Dada Ilogbo-Ota, Ogun State

ple’s lives.

There is no point in apportioning blames in respect of the ugly trend of building collapse in the country. Everyone simply has a role to play to if the trend is to be reversed. Governments across the country need to ensure that building regulations are strictly adhered to while the people must be willing to play by the rules. Unfortunately, Nigeria is a place where illegality thrives, people build structures without approved plan,

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Why INEC must register APC

IGP: Save us from hoodlums

IR: The residents of IlogboOta, Ado-Odo Local Govt.

Area of Ogun State seek the quick intervention of the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force (IG), Mohammed Abubakar to save them from the reign of terror being unleashed by hoodlums allegedly led by two well known char-

is important that people take interest in the safety of human lives by reporting structurally deficient building or any illegal construction and contraventions in their environment to the appropriate authorities. The human life is sacrosanct and it must be treated as such. This is why we must all come together to put an end to this menace.

To effectively tackle the hazard of building collapse, we need to build synergy, build network, harmonise efforts and frequently review success recorded. This is the only way forward if we are to put an end to the agonies and trauma associated with the dreadful incidence of building collapse in Lagos, and indeed the country.

• Tayo Ogunbiyi Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

APC from seeing the light of the day.

Consequently, the shenanigan unfolding as regards the emergence of the parties with acronym APC is just a tip in the iceberg of the subterfuge the anti-democracy forces plan to unleash to make the APC a stillbirth.

Nevertheless, the scenario is an eye opener for the proponents for the APC of the enormity of the task before them, signal for the authentic APC to brace up to face the hurdles.

Also, it would afford them opportunity to know that they are on the right path.

Jega is therefore advised not to allow himself to be used to truncate and thwart the legitimate aspiration of the APC. This is all because those who allowed themselves to be used for such objectives have become irrelevant irritant footnotes in the bosom of history. May God almighty give INEC the wisdom, knowledge and ability to perform their task and do what is just and right.

• Ademola Orunbon Epe, Lagos State

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COMMENTS

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Cheapness of student life! ‘Wetin you carry’ by FRSC and Police again!

THE death of five students of NANS and the numerous deaths of students across Nigeria and particularly in the last month are truthfully Tony mostly preventable tragMarinho edies and demonstrate the cheapness of life in Nigeria. They are not what parents expect when they borrow save up money to pay for students to go to university or for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). No parent expects a coffin, an unbelievable burden.

Such tragedies remind me of the discussions I often have with enthusiastic students of higher institutions about their reason for them visiting off campus businesses and professionals. These visits are all in efforts to raise sometimes ridiculously outrageously high sums of money, from N300,000 to N3,000,000 recently, as ‘donations’ for student activities like Annual Faculty Weeks etc. The female students often unintentionally expose themselves to moral impropriety all to raise money while their parents have paid good money and offered many prayers for their studies and think they are at lectures or revision. Instead, they are out begging for ‘stupid’ money.

Nigeria is dangerous enough for us all but students endanger their lives unnecessarily out of bravado, carelessness, needless travel, speeding and an ‘I will live forever’ attitude.

Just last week a group of students overtook my car at high speed on the murderous and mislabelled Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Why cannot higher institution students be taught to keep students activities ‘within realistic student budgets’ and not mimic adult budgets and quality and expect money to fall from heaven without any of their own money being involved. In our days in University of Ibadan in the late 60s and early 70s, we as students, funded our own activities with our money. Institutions must actively support student activities more in kind if not in cash and provide venues and infrastructure free as a strategic ‘anti-cultism’ measure to assist good or moral student activities. The patrons of these

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WAS with General Adetunji Olurin from October 2006 till March 2007 as media consultant, when he was in charge in Ekiti State as the Administrator. This was sequel to the political crisis that engulfed the state after the dramatic impeachment of Ayodele Fayose, erstwhile governor of the state. A member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Fayose was impeached by the PDP-controlled state House of Assembly in highly controversial circumstances. This led to the war of succession as two members of the ruling party - Friday Aderemi and Biodun Olujimi - laid claim to the seat of power. Aderemi was the Speaker of the House of Assembly who presided over the impeachment of Fayose, while Olujimi was the deputy governor at the time of impeachment. Both Fayose and Olujimi were swept off in the political volcano that swept the man of power away from his ‘throne’. At that time, Fayose had almost converted the governorship position to an imperial majesty dishing out orders which the highly enlightened people of Ekiti found not only distasteful but undignifying of a people with practically one of the largest colony of professors and academics.

Olujimi did not take kindly to the blanket removal of herself and her principal. That resentment soon snowballed into a near major conflagration as she took on Aderemi, who had immediately pronounced

‘I think Oni should go and look for something more profitable for him to do at the moment. His brand of politics has since become extinct with the coming into the arena by Fayemi and his group’

student bodies fail to advise them to make student budgets realistic and more affordable for the targeted long-suffering donors harassed by numerous unrealistic financial demands. And this happens year in, year out.

Students should learn, and be taught during induction month, to plan and execute their plans as students, at student level, with student funds. That is why they are students. Instead of using printers, as students, they should write out their placards and posters. We participated and recruited 50 students to write 500 posters in one or two hours, cheaper than using professional printing. Students are students. They should act like students. Students should not act beyond their station and mimic National Assembly members who have millions to spend on trivia like congratulatory and obituary adverts and brochures and buntings.

Buntings are an adult extravagance that students can design themselves if they have to instead of paying high end costs. Talking of buntings, most venues are fine as they are and do not need buntings. The buntingmania in Nigeria must be curbed. What country’s citizens will be so irresponsible as to cover designer chairs, polished wood panelling, Italian marble, imported artwork and high imposing ceilings with yards of cheap ribbon material crisscrossing the ceiling and obstructing the view of even churches. We cover N1-5000 chairs in N300 rags called chair-covers and cover millions naira walls with N100/yard ribbons of reused material.

The Lagos-Ibadan road, mislabelled expressway, appears demonised or at least jinxed, as it seems to be getting worse.

Will it ever get better? The initially ‘heroic’ efforts of Berger and RCC have petered out as presumable government has failed its own end of the bargain which was not a ‘bargain’ but a lucrative contract. No money, no performance! But it is only in Nigeria that a serving government with billions of naira earned daily would be so callous as to expose millions of its citizens to the easily patchable hazards of the road – deep and wide potholes, narrowing to one lane and lethal road edges. Add to that left hand driving by slow vehicles and uncontrolled speeding particularly by commercial vehicles and you have the deadly mix of road deaths that characterise that road and defy solutions, making contractors and FRSC look like incompetents.

The police are back on the streets with a vengeance. It seems that police checkpoints are creeping back into several states ‘through the back door’ including Oyo State as Zonal and state commissioners relax the order from the IGP. The police onslaught against tinted windows has been surreptitiously extended to reintroduce ‘wetin you carry ‘. The IGP needs to keep the police service on the straight and narrow. We said ‘No’ to checkpoints and it remains ‘No’. The need for widespread and comforting ‘Police Presence’ is necessary as a deterrent. That need can be fulfilled by static and mobile teams without resorting to checkpoints except in specific crime fighting incidents. The IGP introduced the police to modern police tactics. He should weed out those who are there for retrogression and checkpoint corruption. The harassment of the public, families with small children even on their way to and from church on Sundays and of danfos full of tired passengers by overzealous and unsupervised Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the police should be curbed. Nigerian citizens have rights and FRSC and police harassment is wrong. Of course police and FRSC do some good work but that work is spoilt by these strong-arm, heavy handed roadside roughing up tactics.

‘The police are back on the streets with a vengeance. It seems that police checkpoints are creeping back into several states ‘through the back door’ including Oyo State as Zonal and state commissioners relax the order from the IGP. The police onslaught against tinted windows has been surreptitiously extended to reintroduce ‘wetin you carry‘’

Fayemi’s final triumph (2) himself governor in line with the constitution. It was in the hullabaloo that ensued that the then maximum President (note the use of the word ‘maximum’), Olusegun Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, slammed a six-month emergency rule on the state. Although the emergency rule declaration on October 17, 2006 almost stirred another ‘okiki’ (hue and cry) as certain members of the House of Representatives vehemently kicked against the move.

By the provisions of the Constitution, the House of Representatives automatically assumes the duty of legislation for any state placed under emergency rule. The implication of this was that from then on, the duties of the state House of Assembly, which had been suspended, fell on the House of Representatives.

The argument then was that Obasanjo ought to have consulted the House before making the declaration and subsequent appointment of a retired General to take over the running of affairs. Some of the members of the House, especially some principal officers, then seized the opportunity to extort money from the Presidency in order to dance to the President’s tune.

One other salient issue that came up in the House of Reps over the emergency rule was the dissolution of the local government councils.

This was buoyed by internal wrangling in the political landscape of Ekiti itself, especially the fresh bid by those who wanted to succeed Olurin after the expiration of his sixmonth duty tour as Administrator within the PDP-dominated House of Assembly that was billed to resume sitting immediately the emergency period was over.

It was really a testing time for Ekiti politics but through prayers, divine intervention and perhaps sophistication of the people of Ekiti, no violence of the minutest magni-

tude was witnessed during the period. The rest is history. It was a sharp departure from the prevailing political atmosphere in the country today characterised by arson, killings and brigandage of unimaginable proportion which have completely taken over the landscape. This is probably the type of lawlessness and jungle justice a person like Segun Oni might have wished for in order to enable him to actualize his weird and myopic ambition to rule or misrule Ekiti once more since he cannot get his way through in the courts.

Unfortunately, and surprisingly too, after the latest defeat at the Supreme Court, Oni has now conceded defeat and said that he could not question God. But the reality is that elections will still hold in this country, and dissatisfied parties will still run to the courts and pursue appeals, even beyond the final point as it now appears. But should the electoral process always be compromised and made questionable? Should politicians always question the will of the people? And shall we then not question the decisions of the judiciary?

Should people or a person like Oni continue to weep and gnash their teeth over spilled milk, when in actual fact, it is glaringly clear to all that Fayemi possesses more administrative, management and human relations acumen to lead his people than the lacklustre administration or style of governance which completely alienated Oni and his government from the people? See the tumultuous crowd that heralded the news of the recent Supreme Court verdict on the Oni-Fayemi challenge. It is apparent that, that same large number or even twice or thrice that could have taken to the streets in protests if Oni had mistakenly been returned to the Government House. Perhaps, he could have thought about the option of

ruling from his hometown of Ifaki Ekiti, if he had been returned to government. And, that is, if his people would not reject him outright.

Oni and others in his clique are no match for Fayemi whose sense of reasoning and scholarly adventurism are enough to send the Onis of this world scampering for cover. Who dare mention a Lilliputian in the gathering of giants? It is an abnormality, a complete misnomer.

Having said all these, it is instructive to sound a note of warning to the electorate in Ekiti State that 2014 is almost here when elections will be keenly contested in the state.

Fayemi and his lieutenants in the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, now re-christened All Progressive Congress, APC, will be standing proudly with the flag of the party soaring higher and higher, Ekiti people should shine their eyes. Do not allow these never-do-well politicians who are clothed like normal human beings confuse you. Vote for Fayemi and his lieutenants and shame the devil. Apart from Fayemi and his henchmen in the APC, no other politician in Ekiti today has anything to offer or that is better to offer the people. They are only after the lean finances of the government, the public till which they are only interested in plundering and plunging the populace into endless poverty, misery and want. You can take their money because it is your money, take their rice and other perquisites but reject them at the final polls. They are not deserving of your votes. Any vote for them is a vote for hunger, deprivation and mass slaughter through non-provision of the essentials of a meaningful living like Fayemi and his people have been doing for the people in the past three years.

I am not an indigene of Ekiti but I have lived in Ekiti, I have enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the

Dele Agekameh people, I have observed them from both afar and within. Ekitis are a hardworking lot. With good leaders, they can be the food basket of Nigeria. They have hectares of uncultivated, arable lands scattered all over the state. They are a proud people because they believe in what they can do with either their brains or their hands. I do not see any other society in Nigeria or Africa that parades such a contingent of professors and other academics. It is only in Ekiti that every family has at least one professor or more. They dot the whole landscape, every town, every village, every hamlet. They are just ubiquitous.

I think Oni should go and look for something more profitable for him to do at the moment. His brand of politics has since become extinct with the coming into the arena by Fayemi and his group. Politics is not the best for Oni. As a water engineer, he can retire to his village in one of the hinterlands and devote his talents to agriculture, especially irrigation farming, channelization and all that. Let him leave politics for the Fayemis of this world!

Ends.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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COMMENTS ‘Re: Five jobs I won’t take. As long as President Jonathan Goodluck is known to be a gentleman, I detest anyone taking him for a ride and mocking him. In as much as he has not met our expectations, he should be given his respect; make useful suggestions for development to him. There is no job we should not take, provided we criticise objectively and constructively rather than politically.

From Lanre Oseni’

•M.K.O. Abiola

For Olatunji Dare Sir, you have, through your colomn, shown that the most potent response to injustice and suffering is not militant retaliation, but a calm and confident witness to the truth, regardless of the consequences.

I think the time is ripe to give a little thought to the phenomenon of boastful resistance by those who annulled June 12 election. Those of them still alive should apologise publicly.

Afterall, a great concentration of former sinners wrote for the Bible. From Adegoke O. O., Ikhin, Edo State June 12...A calendar of infamy’ was compelling and fascinating! Honestly, I had forgotten that things were so bad! We all need a mental jolt such as thiat in these dreary times! Thanks. From Ade Kukoyi The annulment of June 12 election by the then military government of General Ibrahim Babangida through the infamous ABN, was the worst democratic mistake of our time.

All who ganged up against the people’s mandate will definitely pay for their evil act here or in the hereafter. From P. O. P. Inyamah, Port Harcourt Annulling June 12 election was a mistake by the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. All the stakeholders in that regime are to be blamed, even the civilians that were close to the corridor of power then.

The deed had been done, all we should remember about June 12 is the lesson we learned from the annulment. We should not heat up the polity by our utterances. If a man is running and he is looking behind, he is bound to fall. We should forget what has happened and let us forge ahead and build our country. Nursing grudges against ourselves will only promote deceit not peace.

United we stand and divided we fall. So, let us unite against evil forces within. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos Re: June 12...A calendar of infamy. A very coincise reminder. It is even good that Chief MKO Abiola is no more around to be embarrassed; and it is better that Gen. Ibrahim Babangida is witnessing the consequences of that ignoble, myopic, unthoughtful, selfish and unpatriotic decision. From Jimo Akeran.

Re: June 12 annulment...A calendar of infamy. If Nigeria is truly a democratic and a custodian of law, all those involved in the annulment of the June 12 ought to have been in jail. All elections since then have been based on rigging. The power-drunk party has never won any election in this country, specifically presidential elections. Abiola deserves national honour by all standards as a pillar of sports and his political actvities.

All the ACN-governed states must imbibe the true spirit of democracy and allow justice to reign. All forthcoming national elections must be policed against rigging. The misuse of all agencies by the presidency must be halted. From Odunmbaku Your write-up of June 11 makes me so sad, as if the events are just unfolding.

Anonymous I really appreciate the fact that there are still some Nigerians who remind others the truth about past events. So, those in public offices should change. It is quite a pity that

some in positions still want to drag the nation backwards. Please, do not relent in your effort to let the world know the truth. From Elaye Oputa, Yenagoa Re: June 12 annulment...A calendar of infamy. What comment do you expect again on that write-up on June 12, 1993 other than the synopsis of the details of those occurrences you gave us. May such annulment and kangaroo judicial interventions and decisions never occur in Nigeria again! The story and attestation on that episode that bulletted Nigeria from 1993 through 1998 was more than Professors Soyinka’s and Achebe’s (late) published books!. From Lanre Oseni The June 12, 1993 episode is a sad reminder of the truncation of what would have been the best democratic rule in Nigeria. I know history will not forgive the perpetrators of the ugly debacle. Though they tried to bring Nigeria down, God did not allow them. They will go down in history as traitors, betrayers and ne’er-do-wells. History beckons on them. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti Re: June 12...A calendar of infamy. The piece is a sad reminder of the murder of democracy and justice in Nigeria. No wonder, 20 years after, we are yet to find our bearing as a nation. They killed our collective dream, assasinated the custodian of our democracy. The bleeding cannot stop untill justice is done. From Sidney Adeola Thanks for your comment on June 12. No matter how they may hide the truth, it will surface in the long run. God help Nigeria.

From Akin Taiwo Where is Professor Nwosu? He owes Nigerians, indeed, the democratic community, tons and tons of explanation.

He needs to come out to clear his name for posterity. If he was a coward and feared for his life then, he is much older now and death is inevitable, except, of course, if he was settled then to remain quiet. MKO Abiola had to pay the supreme price for winning a free and fair election. If that election was allowed, Nigeria would not have been this messed up. Is the Prof. happy with the situation in Nigeria now? Prosterity will judge him; he should make amendments now rather than dribbling Nigerians. The write-up is vintage.

Eku ise ilu. From Mrs. Mariam Oyeleke Southwest talk too much that is why we lost June 12. It is high time we talked objectively so that history will not repeat itself. Anonymous Sir, as I enjoy reading your ever-interesting and incisive articles. I just read through your article in The Nation newspaper of Tuesday, June 11, on the June 12 annulment. Please, sir, how can I place order for the book?

Anonymous ‘June 12...A calendar of infamy’ made an interesting reading. I commend the authorfor his very good, accurate and resounding presentation. For the so-called ABN, posterity will judge them. The Federal Government should now put the necessary legislation before the National Assembly and make June 12 Nigeria Democracy Day and name the National Assembly Building - MKO Abiola Democracy Building. MKO Abiola remains the most important, undisputable and most formidable hero of our fledgling democracy. From Chief Faseesin Ilesanmi (a.k.a.Westerner) Ire-Ekiti, Ekiti State For Segun Gbadegesin ‘Between then and now’ nothing really has changed, and something really may not change with the type of politicians we have in Nigeria. From Alhaj ADEYCorsim, Oshodi,

Lagos We regretted the annulment of June 12 election. Cancelling the election is what makes us what we are now. To hell with millitary dictatorship. From Usman Malumfashi, Katsina State May I start by giving you kudos as a man of great knowlege as it affects the body politics in Nigeria. Your write-up titled ‘Between then and now’ is a must read and a collector’s item. From M. C. Agbamu Re: Between then and now. I doubt if they, the Nigerian politicians and others have learnt anything, despite the slap of June 12, 1993 on the people of Southwestern Nigeria, specifically and Nigerians in general. The cohorts championed then by IBB could not have done that annulment against any Northern winner. Up till today, Nigerian politicians are still very corrupt and selfish, the so-called progressives inclusive. I do not understand why Governor Oshiomhole would not be in Labour Party if he is not leading it! Corruption, greed, and ethnicism remain the clog. From Lanre Oseni The action is still on, but new actors are on board. The truth is that we are moving in circles. For instance, yesterday was militant, today Boko Haram, tomorrow may be Oduduwa Haram. From Mike The problem with Nigeria are the so called commoners themselves. Until the common Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, South/South and Middle Belt men, women and youths realise that all Nigerian commoners have common enemies in these hegemonic tyrants, die-hard sardists and daredevil looters, we all shall continue to be in perpetual bondage. Thanks!

From Samson Abubu, Sapele, Delta State We have no other country than our lovely Nigeria. Let us pray fervently that what happened on June 12 would not repeat itself.

Those that are causing disunity in the country will run away when the heat is on.

We should not allow disgruntled elements in government to cause crisis because, when they do, we the underprivileged will suffer for the sin we did not commit. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos For Gbenga Omotoso The NGF election is a manifestation of what has always been with us as elections.

We have passed the stage where a political party would misinterpret its own constitution to favour an individual. Where we are now is the stage where a man would win an election and he would not be allowed to exercise the mandate given to him because some people do not like his face. Soon, we shall get to a point of no-return, where everybody will resort to self-help by interpreting the rule of law according to their own narrow understanding of the concept.

Who says we are not making progress? From Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu.

The five jobs are not being managed by the managers very well; that is why it is so difficult for the president and his men to perform well. The president has introduced politics of hatred and ethnicity in the system.

He has forgotten that hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life, love harmonises it; hatred darkens life, love illuminates it. It pains me that the president we all voted for has become a sectional leader. The governors who said 16 are bigger than 19 are Jonathan’s toy who did not learn from history. Obasanjo knelt down for Atiku in 2003 when he wanted to contest again for second term. Jang and his followers would be humbled by the president. From Hamza

• Jonathan

Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos In a government of the thieves, run by the thieves, and for the thieves, nothing good will ever emerge. You are lucky not to be part of this unproductive, clueless, shoeless leaders.

From Oladimeji Lawal, Ibadan Joseph Campbell said the cave you most fear to enter contains the greatest treasure.

The president and his cohorts are not managing the affairs of the country very well.

The five jobs we are afraid of are where the treasures of this country is, if well managed.

The president will be the most celebrated president if he stops playing ethnic politics.

The governors should know that they are the ambassadors of people, so they should not allow themselves to be used by those whose interests are limited to their pockets.

Our policemen are not well trained, and also corruption has eaten deep into the Ministry of Police. The Power minister would be frustrated because those that are gaining from the power outage are mostly in government.

The committee headed by Tanimu was parochially constituted. It did not reflect the true minds of those in the committee. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos ‘Five jobs I won’t take’ is marvelous and an excellent peice. The message was quite understood even to a deaf and dumb man.

To add to it, we should all pray on 2015 elections as the signs are omnious. Next time, please include that you do not want to be a judge as well. From Chief Aiyeoribe, Ilorin.

Kindly note that a government that can ground an aircraft, if annoyed further can bring it down by whatever means. If I were to be a governor, an APC will be my vehicle.

God save my fatherland. Anonymous For pointing at the truth, may God protect and guide you in your job. From P. Uduma CAL CRS ‘Five jobs I won’t take’ further reiterates my concern for an almost total misconception of leadership in Nigeria. To be a leader is not a job; it is a service. The best leaders are selfless.

That’s what we teach in MLFDN. We focus on developing political leaders on how to earn and utilise social currency called integrity. Well done! From Uba Saidu Malami, Chairman MLFDN ‘Five jobs I won’t take’ is a fantastic acticle.

I read it and digested it also. More ink to your pen, sir. From Azeez Musiliu, Ogolonto, Ikorodu, Lagos You cannot do four jobs not five in your last paragraph. Let me ask, can you be a farmer? You have spoken the truth about them all; they are not leaders but rulers with evil minds. Thank you. From John Moye ‘Five jobs l won’t take’. This is great but l pray the oga at the top and all his surbudinates read it. All the mess will come to a stop one day. Thanks. Anonymous Re: Five jobs I won’t take. As long as President Jonathan Goodluck is known to be a gentleman, I detest anyone taking him for a ride and mocking him. In as much as he has not met our expectations, he should be given his respect; make useful suggestions for development to him. There is no job we should not take, provided we criticise objectively and constructively rather than politically. From Lanre Oseni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Life

25

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

An artist's view of Argungu – Page 27

A school’s giant strides – Page 28

Salute to a compatriot – Page 38

•Oba of Benin

Celebrating Benin monarch – SEE STORY ON PAGE 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

26

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Last Saturday, the Oba of Benin’s palace hosted some children to a grand party as part of activities to celebrate the monarch’s birthday. On Sunday, a group of renowned artists, under the aegis of Living Legend Project, led by Olu Ajayi, a painter, visited Omo N’Oba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, who will celebrate his birthday this weekend, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

•The artists group that visited the Benin monarch. Far right is Prince Erediauwa

Celebrating Benin monarch

I

T was a rare gathering as the Benin Monarch hardly grants people audience. As the revered monarch of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa is treated like a deity. He does not appear in public anyhow or speaks in the presence of certain visitors. He has aides who do that for him.

Last Sunday, he ‘broke away’ from tradition when 10 renowned artists and photographers visited him. His guests under the aegis of the Olu Ajayiled Living Legend Project (LLP) mission was to document the living legend for his symbolism and significance in the heritage of the Benin Kingdom and the Black race. It was done through sketching, drawing, painting and photography.

The artists were Olu Ajayi, Ben Osaghae, Duke Asidere, Pa J. D. Okhai Ojeikere, Mike Omoighe, El Dragg.

Others were Titi Omoighe, Tunde Soyinka, Amaize Ojeikere and Eki Eboigbe.

At the end of the exercise, the monarch was presented with a plaque recognising him as a Living Legend, and a giant size colourful photograph by Pa Ojeikere of the first Igue festival was presented to the Oba who recalled with nostalgia his memorable outing about three decades ago.

Prof Gregory Akenzua and Prince Omoregbe Erediauwa were in attendance. The monarch, who is the first traditional ruler to be celebrated by the LLP, blessed the group and the project.

Ajayi said LLP was designed to celebrate and document individuals who have contributed to the advancement

•Oba Erediauwa

CELEBRATION of the society with their works or positions, most especially the Black race.

“It has become necessary to re-enact the efforts of our fore-fathers who documented the achievements of great kings and kingdoms through their works

‘The project scope is global, icons, such as Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Kofi Anan, and Oprah Whinfrey are among those being worked on. The selection of these icons, he said, was a slow but cumbersome process, which is determined by researchers’ such as the Benin bronze, songs, ife heads and terra cotta.

Today, the preponderance of other modern media such as video, audio and photograph have made artists of today engage in art for art sake,” he said.

Ajayi said the project scope is global, adding that icons, such as Nelson

Mandela, Barack Obama, Kofi Anan, and Oprah Whinfrey among those being worked on. The selection of these icons, he said, was a slow but cumbersome process, which is determined by researchers.

The coordinator said in future, a compendium of these exclusive art works on the icons would be published and backed by adequate literature that can serve as a rich reference material.

The uniqueness of the publication, he said, is that it brings to the fore the first hand encounters of the various artists with these legends of our time using the medium of art to locate the intersection among art, literature, heritage and politics.

The project initiated by Olu Ajayi Studio and company in 2008, has featured legends, such as the Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka (2008), Prof. Yusuf Grillo (209), and Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya (20012). The project is aimed at documenting living icons in Africa who have consistent records of positive impartation in the society.

These are achieved through the medium of drawing, painting, sketching, sculpting and photographing.

The project thrust is to produce an educational compendium of African icons’ achievements for posterity while celebrating their developmental contributions in shaping the continent.

Until now, no fewer than 40 artists have featured in the project since 2008. They include artists such as Sam Ovraiti, Biodun Olaku, Edosa Oguigo, Lekan Onabanjo, Osazuwa Osagie, Segun Adejumo, Wallace Ejoor and Kelechi Amadi Obi. Others were Don Barber, Victoria Udondian, Juliet Ezenwa-Pearce and Patrick Agose,

27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Family tradition

An artist's view of Argungu

T

HE 79-year-old Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, a celebration of peace between the people of Sokoto and Argungu, has attracted new patrons.

The landscape and activities of the famous festival are being captured on large size canvases by a Lagos-based fine artist, Mr Moses Oghagbon.

Last month, Oghagbon showcased a collection of new artworks in a solo exhibition tagged: Argungu series 1. It mirrors the many aspects of the festival, which is the biggest of its type in the country. It was held at the Terra Kulture Art Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos between May 18 and 24.

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama'ila Muhammed Mera, praised the efforts of the artist at promoting peace in the North which is so much required now.

"The artist has once again demonstrated that he is, indeed, a good ambassador of Argungu and Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival," he said in a note in the exhibition brochure.

Indeed, Oghagbon, who trained at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, specialising in painting, expands the socioeconomic landscape of Argunugu to include its rural communities, womanhood before, during and after the festival. He also uses the exhibition to draw attention to the economic life of the people citing agriculture as the major source of revenue in the state with food crops like beans, millet, onions and vegetable as main products.

Little wonder he offers works such as Finding treasures, For honour, Man and time and Little Amina to celebrate the dignity of labour and the significance of agriculture to the survival of the people. But Argungu rhythm 1, which is the cover design for the exhibition brochure, is symbolic of the festival that is noted for its fishing attraction. It captures an aerial view of a large portion of the river, showing in minute size and colours, heads of fishermen during the fishing contest. Also reflecting the mood of the festival is Argungu Rhythm 2, oil on canvas piece measuring 54 by 54 inches. Unlike the former, Argungu Rhythm 2 is rendered in dark colour with yellow and red colours at the centre that re-

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor Arts

VISUAL ART veals the busy and crowded nature of the fishing expedition. It also shows the procession-like movement of the fishermen.

Apart from the aquatic scenes of the festival, Oghagbon also captures the long trek by fishermen on the expansive semi-desert land leading to the river, venue of the festival. He uses Finding treasures to depict the hazy harmattan weather in November when the festival is held every year.

The artist, who did his mandatory one-year national youth service in Kebbi, did not leave out the womenfolk, especially the young ones. Ammata 1 and 2 are stylised representations of young girls in Kebbi. But one striking thing about the two paintings is that they are very similar to works by artists such as Tola Wewe or Rom Isichei. Though rendered in mixed media, the symmetry and non-proportional characters of the works are very obvious. However, the colour scheme remains a plus.

P

•Eve

‘Believe in each other’s dreams’

RIMARY and secondary school pupils got a chance to air their views about Nigeria at the junior theatre by the Thespian Family Theatre at the Terra Kulture, Lagos.

The children competed in dance, drama and impromptu speech under the theme: The Nigeria of your dreams: A day with Iyke.

In their presentations urged Nigerians to live in unity, despite the diversity in gender, tribe, custom, religion.

Founder of the Thespian Family Theatre Mrs Ayo Jayesimi urged the children to ensure that they have a vision and believe in each other’s dreams.

An avid lover of the youth, an actor in a television soap, Tinsel; co-host and chief mentor of the day Iyke Okechukwu shared his dreams and advised the children to always believe in themselves.

By Seun Adeyemo and Olushola Orebajo

THEATRE The group is passionate about Nigeria, its aspirations, citizenship and its aimed at promoting values in young people and indeed the whole family; discovering talents and ultimately exposing them to recognition and also creating a feeling of oneness among Nigerians inspite of diversity in tribe, culture and language.

The show was aimed at inspiring and turning on the creativity of the young people; identifying with the special needs of young people and providing a voice and channel of expression. Also, it is to create an opportunity for youth to express their gifts, talents around the exicement of com-

petition and also inspire young people to understand the tremendous potential that they have locked within them and desire to unleash.

Achievers College Ajah came first in the drama and impromptu speech category while Methodist Girls High School, Yaba emerged first runner up in both category. The Foot Print of David dance group won in the dance category and 100,000 naira was donated towards the education of one of the dancers.

Kings College, Lagos came second.

The event was sponsored by FirstBank, Laterna Books, Leadway Assurance, Tantalizers, SPIIN (Societal Positive Impact Initiative) and Oluwakemi Memorial Foundation among others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

28

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Ndidiamaka at the campaign rally with the children.

This year's World Day against Child Labour witnessed a marriage between the art and advocacy. Nigerian artistes joined their counterparts world wide in the global campaign against child abuse, EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

Artistes, others walk against child labour

A

RTISTES in Lagos defied the rain to march against child labour.

With the theme: No to child labour in domestic work, the walk was part of the global campaign against Child rights violation.

The four-hour march was part of the activities marking this year's World's Day against Child Labour on June 12. It was organised by Mother Charity Ndidiamaka Foundation (MCNCF), a non-governmental organisation.

The day was established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002 to focus on child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.

The advocacy train, comprising celebrities, school pupils and their teachers, child advocates, the Police and many more, started from Volks area of Lagos. It stopped at the Ojo Police Station and ended at Ojo Local Government Secretariat where it was received by the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Yinka Durosumi.

Children, according to the local government chair, are a people's heritage and should be protected. He said his administration would intensify its campaign against all forms of child rights violation with special attention on child labour.

The presence of celebrities from the movie industry and the dramatic display on the road by the pupils added spice to the walk. They screamed, jumped and performed all sorts of acrobatic display, while calling on the society and government to ensure that their rights are properly protected. The kids’ passionate march and outburst drew attention of passersby and residents. Some peeped from their windows; others watched from their balcony while some others from the roadside, probably wondering what was going on.

The movie stars not only joined their voices with that of others to say No to child labour in domestic work!, they promised to bring the issue to the centre stage. The celebrities included former Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President, Segun Arinze; award-winning producer, Chico Ejiro; Collins Onwochei; Benita Nzeribe and Florence Onuma, among others.

"We have a responsibility to protect our

•From left: Onwochei, Ejiro and police officer with some children during the campaign.

ADVOCACY children," Ejiro said, "And that is why we are joining our voices in the campaign.

And we are saying: No to child labour in domestic work! They are our future; let’s protect them."

Arinze urged the children to strive for excellence, noting that that would help prevent them from being put in a vulnerable spot where their rights can be trampled upon.

The children’s involvement in the campaign alongside the celebrities, child rights advocate and MCNCF founder, Elochukwu Charity Ndidiamaka, said was deliberate.

According to her, “no one can understand the plight of a child as they would”. While saying she is not against a child's partici-

pation in household chores, she urged parents to give their children proper hometraining.

She added that children go through all sorts of abuse daily, also urging parents to ensure that such acts are done away with else face the strong arm of the law. In her view, only "a strong and sustain global movement”is needed for the scourge of child labour to be completely eradicated.

Ndidiamaka said: "Every child has the right to education and good life. This is not the time for complacency. Today, we are joining our voices to the global campaign against child rights violation. It also marks the beginning of our campaign to dissuade parents/guardians from sending their children to the streets to sell, hawk and work for money. To those who send

‘The kind of children we raise today will determine the kind of world we have tomorrow. Nigeria is, particularly, suffering the result of her neglect of proper upbringing of children.

Kidnapping, armed robbery, suicide bombing and the high rate of immorality today are traceable to this neglect.

Together, I believe with your support, we can keep giving children a meaningful life’

their young maids/wards out to such demeaning errands while their mates are in school, we want to remind you that this is against the Child's Right Act; and it is a punishable offence. Every child has a potential and talent that needs to be discovered, harnessed and tapped only when the child is given the opportunity to do what he/she likes to do.

"Children face a lot of challenges at home without the knowledge of their parents and guardians. And because they are usually not given the confidence to talk, they prefer to keep quiet. This is the reason I have presented myself to be an advocate and friend to these children; to give them the confidence to talk and help them in times of trials. And over the years, our foundation has been involved in fighting and defending the rights of abused children. Yet, there is still so much more to be done."

Ndidiamaka urged the authorities to ensure the rights of the child are adequately protected, linking the high rate of crime and immorality to parents’ neglect in giving their wards proper upbringing.

"The kind of children we raise today will determine the kind of world we have tomorrow. Nigeria is, particularly, suffering from her neglect of proper upbringing of children. Kidnapping, armed robbery, suicide bombing and the high rate of immorality are traceable to this. Together, I believe with your support, we can keep giving children a meaningful life," she said.

The Police also made fresh commitment to ensuring the protection of the rights of children. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ojo Police Station, SP M.A. Yusuf, urged the children and members of the public to be at alert and report any case of child rights violations to the police, adding that his men would continue to ensure that the rights of the children in the area are adequately protected.

Also, MCNCF held a seminar last Thursday to create awareness on the child rights protection. It was attended by, among other dignitaries, Hon Frank Amah JP, Ebele Nwuzor and members a sister organisation, the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN) led by its National President, Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN), Mrs Rose Mordi.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

29

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

•Deputy Governor, Cross River State, Efiok Cobham, flanked by Executive Director, Finance/CFO, Union Bank, Mrs. Oyinkan Adewale (left); Group Managing Director, Mr Emeka Emuwa; Chairman, Senator Udo Udoma; Dr. Yemi Oseidero and Dr. Nike Akande, during the bank’s Pre-AGM courtesy visit to the state Governor at the Government House in Calabar ... on Monday.

Fed Govt to probe Calabar Port T dredging contract

HE Federal Government is set to probe the Calabar port dredging contract allegedly awarded by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi.

The deal was awarded to Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited, which was said to have neither bidded nor taken part in the selection before the Presidential approval was sought, The Nation has learnt.

The Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) for the contract was said to have been signed by NPA and the company on January 25, this year.

Abdullahi, sources said, has between this and next week to explain to the Federal Government what happened and why the multi-billion naira dredging contract agreement was signed with a company that has prior records with NPA and with-

By Oluwakemi Dauda

out following the due process.

Both the Presidency and the ministry, sources further said, have directed that the matter be investigated based on the petition sent to the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar by the Chairman, Board of NPA, Tony Anenih, over the award of the contract.

Anenih had in a five-page letter dated April 25, 2013, titled: Appointment of Calabar Channel Management Company Limited to Manage the Calabar Channel Under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) sent to the Minister, raised questions about the award of the contract, which he alleged did not follow due process.

The NPA chairman also

called for the reappraisal of the contract and questioned the basis for choosing the consortium to manage the company. ”The purpose of this letter is to respectfully draw the attention of the Honourable Minister to the Joint Venture Agreement, which was made on the 25th of January, 2013, between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Consortium lead (sic) by Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited. ”The said Agreement created a partnership arrangement between NPA and the Consortium and gave the Consortium the right to operate a Joint Venture Company, Calabar Channel Management Company Limited, where NPA holds 60 per cent

equity and the Consortium 40 per cent. ”The circumstances that led to this Joint Venture Agreement and the terms, need reappraisal in view of the fact that as at the time the Agreement was signed, there was no reference records of the Consortium on the basis of which it was selected to manage the proposed Company,” Anenih wrote in the letter to Umar.

Anenih lamented that despite the fact that the approval given by the Minister of Justice for the contract was conditional, officials of the NPA and the Federal Ministry of Transport “decided to engage in selective compliance by amending some parts and ignoring some other parts of the Draft Agreement, particularly those provisions that tend to give absolute control of the

finance and management of the Joint Venture Company to the consortium rather than the Board of Directors of the Calabar Channel Management Company Limited”.

Other issues raised by the chairman include: That the consortium had no reference whatsoever of previous jobs done, they were alien to the Calabar Channel Project and did not even take part in the bids of 2010 and the later reprocurement process. The consortium was also not prequalified and did not pass through the selection like the other companies.

“It, therefore, follows that the Presidential Approval for the appointment of the consortium led by Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited to enter into a JVA with NPA, which culminated in the agreement to form Calabar Channel Management Company Limited, was obtained without following due process,” Anenih added.

CBN, NDIC to monitor banks’ credit advances

H

ENCEFORTH, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) will no longer allow banks to go beyond their credit regulatory threshold, the Director, Banking Supervision, NDIC, Mr Adedapo Adeleke, has said.

Speaking to The Nation, Adeleke said the two bodies have resolved to monitor the loan portfolio of banks to forestall the previous crisis that rocked the financial system.

CBN, as part of its reforms

Portuguese firm eyes cashless market - P 30

By Akinola Ajibade

agenda, introduced and implemented risk-based supervision initiatives in the industry in 2010.

The system is intended to be pro-active as the previous compliance-based examination does not have the capacity to detect risk-based issues.

It was originally part of the 13-point agenda of the former governor of CBN, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, but it was not implemented before he left office.

The CBN is said to have

hired a consultant from the Bank of Canada because the country was protected from the global financial crisis.

Under the arrangement of the exercise, the examiners from both NDIC and the CBN are expected to work with banks to understand their businesses and categorise the risks associated with it.

The NDIC director said the risk-based supervision approach is vital to the growth of the industry, adding that efforts would be geared toward making it a success.

Dana Air crash: Victims to reject compensation - P31

The NDIC director said it is not good for banks to concentrate credits on a particular sector of the economy, stressing that this must be discouraged. ”CBN and NDIC are riskbased supervision organs mandated to protect the industry from crisis. They are required to monitor the activities that are inimical to the growth of the industry.

One of such is the issuance of credit beyond the regulatory threshold. To this end, we have agreed to keep a close tab on banks that go beyond

the regulatory credit threshold to forestall problems. When banks exceed the thresholds as mandated by the CBN, their attention would be drawn immediately to the issue to enable them to make necessary corrections. ”We have directed banks to choose a licence that best suited them so that they would not be exposed to unnecessary risks. We do not want the banks to eat what they cannot swallow. This is one way of making banks avoid operational and systemic risks,” he added.

Investors Protection Fund to sell insolvent brokers’ assets - P32

30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

MONEY

Why ECOWAS doesn’t have common currency A

N investment/financial consultant with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr Funsho Abiri, has explained why there is no common currency in the sub-region many years after the idea was mooted.

He said the lingering crisis in the Euro-zone, trade barriers, conflict of interests, and pursuit of economic/monetary sovereignty among West African countries were the problems hindering the implementation of a common currency policy.

By Akinola Ajibade

Abiri told The Nation that the Euro-zone crises and Britain’s refusal to join the Euro currency agenda had bearings on developments in West Africa.

Many countries in the sub-region, especially Nigeria, he said, were copying Britain whose pound sterling is used for international transactions independent of Euro.

Each ECOWAS member-state, he said, wanted to protect its currency, and as such sees no reason

in making the idea work.

The expert said: “The issue of adoption of a common currency in West Africa would not move faster than this because of the current problems in the euro-zone.

Globalisation ensures that what happens in one part of the world affects the other. While most countries in Europe allow their currencies to be devalued because of Euro, Britain did not. Britain did not join Euro because its pounds hold sway as the most revered and highly valued currency in the world. In the sub-re-

gion, many countries still want their economic/financial sovereignty intact, and, therefore, not ready to comply with the rules regarding the adoption of Eco for as the official legal tender for West Africa. The issue of implementation of Eco still is on hold, because ECOWAS want to avoid certain problems in the future.”

Abiri said trade barriers among the member-states hindered the introduction of a common currency.

“How do you explain a situation where by each country still want to hold on to its tax and importation regime mechanism? How do you explain a situation where there are no strong and uniform standards in the area of movement of goods and services? These

activities are largely governed by money. The moment countries cannot arrive at a uniform tax rate and modes of transactions, it will be difficult for them to use a common currency. So, arriving at a common value for the transactions conducted by each country would not be easy,” he added.

He said West Africa must become a strong economic block first before it can talk about a uniform currency.

“Though Europe is a major investment destination in the world, the region is yet to sort out its differences. This is evident by the inability of European countries to see Euro as the only and major currency, how much West Africa that is struggling to establish itself economically?” he asked.

BoA re-affirms support for agric

T

•From left: Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi presenting a Special Recognition Award for Contribution to the Banking Industry to Agada Apochi, MD/CEO, Unified Payments at the Businessday Banking Conference and Awards in Lagos.

HE Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has said it will continue to support any meaningful agricultural projects in the country.

The bank, in a statement, said its partnership with some states on agriculture was borne out of the need to re-invigorate the sector and make it contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy.

The bank said its primary responsibility to promote the growth of the sector, adding that it would not relent in providing funds to the government that its committed to the growth of agricultural industry. It said the loan scheme granted farmers especially the small unit holders, aimed at encouraging them and further make them

CITN elects new president

Portuguese firm eyes cash-less T market I N furtherance of cash-less banking, a Portuguese firm, SIBS International, has begun technology transfer to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

The firm’s Managing Director, Pedro Hipolito, said with transactions worth $6 billion yearly in Portugal, SIBS is committed to expanding its operations in Nigeria to enable banks and other financial institutions to fully integrate their processes into the e-payment system.

The firm, he said, was in partnership with many of the local banks to strengthen their Information Technology (IT) operations to enable them to achieve a seamless e-payment operations.

His firm, he said, had been working in Nigeria to improve its payment system since the last three years, expressing support for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) moderated cashless banking.

“We have been collaborating with NIBSS and CBN on the cashless banking initiative,” he said.

Nigeria, he said, was making progress on e-payment, noting that connectivity remains a big challenge to cash-less as far as Point of Service (PoS) is concerned. He said although there were over 150,000 PoS in Lagos, it is not all about number but workability of the platforms.

There was need, he said, to ensure that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and PoS were in good conditions, because this would help in building confidence in e-payment in the country. He

ATMs include many functions, which are not directly related to the management of one’s own bank account.

These include deposit currency recognition, acceptance, recycling, paying routine bills, fees, and taxes, printing bank statements, pre-paid cell phone/mobile phone credit among others. He said that his firm is committed to ensuring that Nigerians get the full benefits associated with ATMs usage.

contribute their own quota to the sector.

The bank’s Managing Director, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki, said importation of food will reduce drastically when local farmers were able to operate in a highly conducive environment.

He said the bank will continue to abide with its goals and aspirations, supporting the sector and the economy in particular.

He said the ability of the bank to provide loans to critically areas in the industry made it stand out from others when its comes to delivery of agricultural finance. The BoA’s boss further said certain parameters are considered before granting loans to the industry, advising farmers to follow due process before applying for credits.

HE Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has elected Mark Anthony Chidolue Dike as its new President. He replaces Asiwaju John Femi Sunday Jegede. Dike was elected at the 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the institute.

A statement by CITN Head, Corporate Services, Gbolahan Bilewu, said other elected officers of Council included Teju Somorin as Vice President; C. I. Ede, Deputy Vice President and Adesina Adedayo, who returned unopposed as the Treasurer.

Dike, the Director of Tax Policy in the Federal Inland Revenue Serv-

ice, according to the statement , is a seasoned tax administrator and chartered accountant. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Economics from the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, Oyo State.

Before his election as the 11th President of the institute, he has, at various times, been the Chairman of Students Affairs and Examinations Committee, Dean of International Taxation & Treaties Faculty, Oil, Gas and Solid Minerals Faculty, Project Committee, and as the Vice President, he was a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the institute’s Council.

Experts back CBN directives on off-shore branches

T

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

By Collins Nweze

said his firm was working on bringing in ATMs that are multifunctional, with ability to receive tax remittances and biometrics that can cater for the blind within the population among other roles. He said such improved services would make life easier for the people.

Hipolito said though ATMs were developed as just cash dispensers, they have evolved into many other bank-related functions. In some countries, especially those, which benefit from a fully integrated cross-bank ATM network,

HE decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to restrain banks from using local funds to finance their off-shore subsidiaries will help in protecting depositors, experts have said.

The former director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mr Titus Okunronmu, said the apex bank stopped banks against taking such funds abroad for investments to protect depositors.

He said depositors had lost huge funds to the liquidation of banks, arguing that the apex bank does not want a recurrence. He said the ideal thing is for banks to make money where they are operating and not to repatriate funds generated locally to international markets.

The moment Nigerian banks start complying with the corporate governance issues of their host countries, they would survive offshore, he said.

According to him, depositors are crucial to the growth of the indus-

By Akinola Ajibade

try and any attempt to gamble with their money would have dire consequences.

He said it would amount to uncalculated risks if banks use local funds to finance foreign subsidiaries, stressing that CBN has taken a good decision. He said banks have demonstrated capacity to succeed by taking some proactive measures, adding that such efforts would improve the economy.

Former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Dr Samuel Nzekwe cautioned banks against flouting rules relating to raising funds at the international market.

He said if banks got cheap funds, the tendency to mismanage the cash would be, adding that depositors’ fund are cheap money because banks do not pay special interest on them. He advised them to raise money for investments in

countries where they operate subsidiaries.

Chief Executive Officer, Dunn Loren Merrifield, Mr Sonnie Ayere, said the CBN directive was to prevent banks from using local funds to fund offshore operations.

“While we cannot blame CBN for warning banks against using the local funds to finance offshore subsidiaries, it is pertinent that the apex bank monitor the banks well to avoid crises,” he said.

He added: “What CBN is saying is that banks should CBN raise the money in international markets to finance their subsidiaries. Raising capital is a task in the country. If for instance, bank A or B has taken most of its capital abroad, this implies that the bank must raise fresh capital to make its balance sheets look good. To avoid immediate and future problem, CBN has directly puts a safety valve on depositor’s money by issuing the directive.”

31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

INSURANCE

Dana Air crash: Ground victims to reject compensation • Set for showdown

G

ROUND victims of the Dana Air crash are set for a showdown over the alleged payment of compensation by Dana Air and its insurer, Prestige Assurance Plc. A lawyer to one of the ground victims, Pastor Daniel Omowunmi, owner of the property, which the ill-fated plane crashed into, confirmed to The Nation that Dana Air offered them a cheque, but that he would reject it because the amount on it was ridiculous. He, however, did not give the figure.

The lawyer, Olumide of the Dele Adeshina Chambers, said the offer was far below what their surveyors, Osas and Oseji, recommended for payment.

Also, Chukwuemeka, a lawyer to Mr Iloka, said he has not received any offer from the underwriter.

He said despite the meeting he had with the Dana Air officials and promises by them to pay, he was surprised to hear that the underwriter offered cheques to ground victims and he had not received any for his cllient.

He, however, said he would sue the airline for a breach, adding that he did not go to court earlier, because he felt the claims would be settled.

Last week, Prestige Assurance Plc, the lead insurer of the Dana Air, announced on behalf of its co-insurers, that it had handed over cheques to some owners of property destroyed during

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

the incident.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Prakash Mittal, said these include those who were certified and forwarded to them by their legal firm.

Mittal said: “On behalf of other co-insurers, the company wishes to assure families of victims of the air disaster that the insurance companies will pay compensations to all beneficiaries once their documentations are certified genuine and okay for payment by the competent authority.

“It is on record that over 101 deceased passengers’ families’cheques/fund transfer certificates

have been released to the solicitors for the initial liability payment of $30,000 while about 24 of them have been able to provide the required Letters of Administration and their cheques for the balance of USD70,000 each, as final payment have also been handed over to the firm of solicitors to enable them to hand over same to appointed administrators of the deceased passengers’ estate, after finalisation of the legal processes involved.

“In addition to this, we have also handed over the cheques for some of the third party property on ground which were certified and forwarded to us by the legal firm,” he said.

He assured that the insurance companies working with the relevant government agen-

cies would continue to work round the clock to ensure the processing and payment of these claims and compensations once proper documentation is done.

Pastor Omowunmi said the crash into his property, which served as his business and residential building, has kept him out of job and means of livelihood, thereby making it difficult for him to cater for his himself and his family.

He said: “Before the unfortunate incident, I had a warehouse with goods worth N300million while my building and fish pond, among other properties, worth N200million.

What I received from them is $30,000 initial payment, which I used to get an accommodation. I lost four structures to that site.

Micro insurance: African insurers mull ILO initiative

T

HE MANAGING Director, Custodian Life Insurance, Mr Larry Ademeso, has said insurance companies in Africa have started moves to take advantage of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Micro Insurance Innovative Facility to develop micro insurance.

Ademeso, who is also a member of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Committee, said the focus of the project being driven by the Micro Insurance Committee of the AIO, is to leverage on the facility’s experience, innovation, human resources, training, exchange, products and other supports to develop micro insurance among African countries.

Speaking on the just concluded African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference in Cairo, Egypt, Ademeso said the committee members, who had some teleconferences ahead of the event, met in Cairo to review its work and set agenda for Africa that would enable it access the ILO Micro Insurance programmes.

He said the resolution of the meeting was that some African countries were putting their houses to develop their micro insurance market. “I see Nigeria playing key role in the arrangement, given our population and the fact that our penetration level is still very insignificant,” he said.

The Nigerian Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Ibrahim Hassan, who was at the Committee Meeting spoke on what the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) was doing on regulation to ensure the effective take-off of micro insurance in Nigeria, he said.

“I can tell you that everyone at the meeting agreed that Nigeria was doing quite a lot to explore this opportunity,” Ademeso said.

“We will continue to interact and one of the highlights of that meeting too was sharing experience among the members. So, we interacted with some of the members from more micro insurance developed markets, especially Kenya in East Africa, Zimbabwe in the Southern Africa.”

For instance, a lady from Zimbabwe demonstrated how insurance industry in Zimbabwe have been able to sell their life insurance products through the churches, and what that tells me is that we can actually expand our distribution channels to reach more of our population’” he added.

Based at the International Labour Organisation’s Social Finance Programme, the Microinsurance Innovation Facility seeks to increase the availability of quality insurance for developing world’s low-income families to help them guard against risk and overcome poverty.

The facility was launched in 2008 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote the extension of better insurance to the poor. Additional funding came from several donors, including the Z Zurich Foundation and AusAID.

• From left: President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria(CIIN), Mr. Fatai Lawal; Doyen of Accountancy in Nigeria/Chairman of occasion, Mr Akintola Williams; wife of the CIIN President, Mrs Kudirat Lawal; Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel and immediate past president CIIN, Dr. Wole Adetimehin, at the yearly dinner and investiture of the institute’s president at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos .... on Friday.

‘Nigeria has only 3,500 insurance professionals’

N

IGERIA has only 3,500 insurance professionals out of a population of over 160 million, the new President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria Mr Fatai Lawal has said.

Describing the figure has poor, Lawal said the only way the industry can get insurance to penetrate every nook and cranny of the country is to get more people involved as crusaders and vanguards.

Lawal, who made known his agenda in Lagos spoke on Promoting insurance education in Nigeria.

He said the industry can only create the necessary awareness when people are educated on the subject.

According to him, the less than optimal financial literacy in Nigeria is at the cause of poor patronage of financial services, adding that insurance is one of the most affected in the sector.

On his agenda, he said: “During my tenure, we shall focus attention on the empowerment of selected institutions offering insurance programmes to enhance their capacity to offer quality education and reinforcement of activities at the College of Insurance and Financial Management.

Others, he said, include: “Strengthening the professional qualification of the institute for global relevance, completion of the restructuring of the institute’s secretariat to enhance its service delivery, greater attention to funding and prudent management of the institute’s resources, resolution of the Victoria Island Building Project and promotion of the Insurance Industry Consultative Forum.

He explained that there would be efforts at expanding the capacity of institutions offering insurance.

“These institutions will be accredited by the CIIN based on their capacity to deliver quality insurance education. The institute will support these institutions in books, infrastructure, scholarship, and exposure to international seminars to ensure access to latest information about insurance.

“Luckily, in recent time, the Federal Government has approved insurance as a subject in secondary schools. The institute will provide the necessary support for the Ministry of Education to actualise the scheme one of which will be in the area of production of text books for this course and provision of training facilities for insurance teachers.

Lawal stressed that the professional exami-

nation of the institute is the hallmark of its activities.

He further said the institute has conducted the examination over the years, producing associates and fellows that are unquestionable in skills and character.

He noted that the institute needs to move a step further by ensuring that its associates could trade their certificates for the well-known Associateship Diploma of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London, even if it means just writing one paper, adding the on-going discussions with the CII London would be pursued to a logical end.

“It would interest you to know that CIIN is the only professional body conducting insurance examinations in the whole of Africa except South Africa. We should be a centre that others can log on to. Because we had always thought that our certificate is needed only in Nigeria, we have not been able to explore this viable option and a gaping opportunity to expand our horizon.

“The point also needs to be made that because of globalisation, the institute should be able to give its qualifiers the freedom to move around anywhere in the world and, I think this is good for every professional with his or her bidding.

AIICO offers discounted rates at summer

W

ITH summer season at its peak, AIICO Insurance Plc is offering discounted rates to the public on its travel insurance policy.

Managing Director, AIICO, David Sobanjo, who made this known to reporters in Lagos, said this is in line with the company’s determination to ensure that Nigerians are protected whenever they travel outside the country.

According to him, the policy, which is called AIICO Travel insurance, is designed to give cover to policyholders should the need arise for emergency medical expenses, repatriation and evacuation during international trips.

He said the people would enjoy discounted rates on family and group travels with benefits such as family and personal health cover while on international trip.

The policyholder would also be entitled to emergency evacuation from foreign land, medical repatriation, funeral expenses, medical emergency and 24-hour call center serv-

ice and assistance.

He assured that their claims would be paid promptly whenever the need arises, pointing out that as a testimony, the insurance firm paid claims totalling N6.3billion to its clients last year.

He said the focus of the firm is the prompt settlement of genuine claims and that this will continue to be the philosophy of the company.

He also said the insurance company is conscious of the need to ensure that its customers are satisfied, adding that it is the only way to build customer loyalty.

The company’s determination to meet and surpass the expectation of its customers informed its decision to call on the public who have unclaimed benefits with the organisation to collect them.

The insurance firm boss explained that its decision to pay benefits that due to policyholders or their dependants, but have not been claimed, was in keeping faith with its promise to make the customers enjoy the

• Sobanjo benefits of insurance.

After operating in the country for 50 years, he said AIICO is set to render excellent services to its customers.

32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

Investors Protection Fund to sell insolvent T brokers’ assets

HE Investors Protection Fund (IPF) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may be empowered to take over the assets of insolvent or erring dealing members of the Exchange, according to draft rules of the IPF undergoing pre-approval.

The Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007 requires the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities exchanges and capital trade points to establish and maintain an investors’ protection fund to compensate investors with genuine claims of pecuniary loss.

On the NSE as a self-regulatory organisation (SRO), investors can make claims against stockbroking firms in the event of insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of the firm and in the event of fraud and misappropriation committed by a dealing member firm or any of its directors, officers, employees or representatives in relation to securities, money or any property entrusted to, or received by the dealing member firm in its course of business as a capital market operator.

The ISA requires SEC to also establish “a nationwide trust scheme to compensate investors whose losses are not covered under the investors protection funds administered by securities exchanges and capital trade points” with a view to providing omnibus coverage for non-investment-decision related losses.

A copy of the draft rules of the NSE’s IPF obtained by The Nation indicates that where the IPF finds an investor’s claim to be genuine and

•Account to set limit for investors’ compensation Stories by Taofik Salako

makes compensation on that basis, the board of the IPF shall have the right to recover such amount from the concerned stockbroking firm, even from the sale of the assets of such dealing member firm.

The draft of the Investors Protection Fund Rules, 2013 was approved by the Gamaliel Onosode-led board of the NSE IPF last week. It will undergo stakeholders’ review up till June 21, 2013 and thereafter, the final draft would be submitted to SEC for approval. The rules are scheduled to take effect after approval by SEC. According to the draft, the board of IPF upon the payment to any investor shall be subrogated to all rights of the investor against the dealing member concerned to the extent of such payment; and such subrogation shall include the right on the part of the Board to recover an equivalent amount from the dealing member or from the proceeds of the sale of the assets of such dealing member.

Such recovery from the dealing member firm or sale of the asset of the firm shall be paid into the Fund.

The draft empowers the board of IPF to have at anytime a written policy on the maximum compensation payable to an investor who has

suffered a loss. The board can review this maximum compensation limit from time to time according to prevailing circumstances at the market.

The draft indicates that an investor whose claim is within the maximum limit may be paid the full amount of the loss, after deduction of any amount or value of all monies or other benefits received or receivable by the investor from a source other than the Fund in reduction of the loss.

Besides, where the board is satisfied that in principle compensation is payable but considers that immediate payment in full would not be prudent having regard to other applications for compensation, or to any uncertainty as to the amount of the investor’s overall net claim, the draft empowers the board to pay an appropriate lesser sum in final settlement or to make a payment on account.

It stated that the board may also determine to make a payment on account or to pay a lesser sum where the investor has any prospect of recovery in respect of the claim from any third party or through an application for compensation to any other person or authority.

“The board may determine to reduce the compensation which would otherwise be payable to an investor in circumstances where it is satisfied

that the investor is partly to blame for the loss which he has suffered,” the draft stated.

Compensation would be paid subject to conclusive decision of the board on the basis of evidence that the investor has a claim against a dealing member, duly applied for settlement of its claim from the dealing member; the dealing member was unable or likely to be unable to satisfy the claim within a reasonable period and the investor then, duly applied for compensation from the Fund.

According to the draft, an application for compensation may be rejected if it is not promptly made and in any event within the periods stipulated in the ISA or where the investor is responsible for, or has directly or indirectly profited from, events relating to the dealing member firm’s business which gave rise to the firm’s financial difficulties.

The draft empowers the board to make payment of compensation based on the claim submitted to the NSE and verified by the NSE or claim submitted to the board of IPF and verified by it, according to relevant sections of the ISA. In the event of multiple claims, person who claims in a double capacity for himself and as the personal representative of a deceased

investor will be treated in respect of the representative claim as if he were the deceased investor without prejudice to his own personal claim.

Also, where a person claims for himself and as a trustee, he will be treated in respect of the latter claim as a different person.

But where two or more persons in partnership have a joint beneficial claim, the claim will be treated as the claim of the partnership; otherwise each of them would be taken to have equal shares in the claim unless the contrary is proved to the satisfaction of the board.

According to the rules, where an agent has a claim for one or more principals, the principal or principals are to be treated as having the claim, to the exclusion of the agent.

To build up the IPF, the draft rules stipulate that all penalties and fines paid by erring stockbrokers for contravening capital market rules, regulations and market practices shall be paid into the IPF in addition to established contributions from stockbrokers. The board of IPF is also empowered to invest the funds with a view to grow the capital base of the IPF. Mr Gamaliel Onosode chairs the nine-man board of IPF which includes Managing Director of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema; Misan Kofi-Senaya, managing director of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Mr Kyari Bukar, Chief Sola Abodurin, Fubara Anga, Edosa Kennedy Aigbekaen, Sam Onukwe and Umaru Modibo.

Investment One to train investors NVESTMENT One Financial Services Limited has concluded plans to educate institutional investors on the intricacies of the capital market and strategies to ensure the continuous growth of their investments.

In a statement in Lagos, Investment One, formerly known as GTB Asset Management Limited, said the second technical session for institutional investors would serve as a platform for interaction between institutional investors and market makers.

According to the firm, the interactive session would engender understanding and enlightenment with a view to ensuring continuous growth of the market.

The session will hold on June 26, 2013 in Lagos. Expected speakers at the session include Head of Research, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Ms. Yvonne Emordi, Dr. Doyin Salami of Pan African University and former managing director, ARM Pensions Limited, Mr. Funsho Doherty.

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•From left: Chairman, International Issues Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales, Mr Harold Paisner; representative of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Taiwo Oguleye; Justice of the Supreme Court, who represented the CJN, Mahmud Mohammed; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Head judge of Lagos State, who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atillade; President, Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali(SAN); and Chairman, Section on Business Law (NBA) Gbenga Oyebode at the opening of the 7th Yearly Business Law Conference in Lagos ... on Monday.

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

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Power firms seek funds to meet capital projects

OWER companies have intensified efforts to raise funds from the capital market as the emergent distribution and generation companies detail huge capital investment outlay that may be required to run competitive operations in post-privatisation period.

Reliable capital market sources said many of the successor companies in the power sector privatisation programme have advanced discussions on raising funds from the capital market.

According to a source, the companies have approached several financial advisers to liaise with financial institutions in Nigeria and correspondent international financial institutions to structure amenable capital issues for them.

Sources indicated that the power distribution companies (discos) and power generating companies (gencos) may initially explore opportunities for new capital through private placements but there were

strong indications they may also undertake general capital raising exercise within the medium term.

They said gencos and discos were also in discussions with banks to work out modalities special financing arrangements that meet the peculiarities of the power sector.

Economist and investment advisor, Sterling Capital Markets Limited, Mr Sewa Wusu, said the financial requirements of the power companies are enormous and that could stimulate a frenzy of capital market activities in the period ahead.

“Their funding needs may likely induce another round of primary market awakening in terms of fund raising activities in the market.

Some of them could foray into the domestic market for fresh funds and at the same time access the international capital markets for their funding needs,” Wusu said.

He said the nature of the sector and potential of the power companies would make them attractive to

investors noting that the Nigerian capital market has adequate depth to meet the long-term capital requirements of the companies.

“Good instruments with commensurate returns will always attract investment in the market. The power companies are sold out by government to create the needed efficiency in the Nigerian power sector. Consumers will pay for it as far as they can get efficient service delivery. These are the exciting attractions for the power companies, which makes them attractive investment destination for the country, both for domestic and foreign investors,” Wusu said.

He noted that the capital market as the market for long-term fund is best suited to the need of the power companies.

The Nation had recently reported that banks’ chief executives, Governor and top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and several experts had mulled a collabo-

rative effort to develop amenable financing framework that would serve as financial industry’s master template for lending and funding of the Nigerian power sector.

The strategic funding plan, which is being developed under the auspices of the Bankers’ Committee with active participation of top management of all banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other key stakeholders, is a linchpin in the Bankers’ Committee’s programme for 2013, which largely focused on aligning the Nigerian banking system to provide adequate financing to meet the peculiarities of the power sector.

Sources in the know of the funding strategy and banks’ collective initiatives indicated the funding strategy would provide the banking industry with a kind of master agreement or template that would foster best practices, remove inconsistency, ease access to funding and

encourage regulator-operator understanding as banks move into the still-evolving power sector.

While individual bank may adapt the funding strategy to suit its internal structure and terms, the template would provide overall guidelines, structures, terms and concepts among others for the entire industry.

The CBN would sign on the banking industry funding strategy for power sector, which would give the template a quasi-regulatory status.

The funding strategy would enable banks to provide well-structured finances to support investments in gas transmission pipelines, upstream gas developments, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants, gas processing facilities, key infrastructure, port, real estate, pipe milling and fabrication yards and gas supply and gas transportation infrastructure among other.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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THE NATION INVESTORS

Brokers mull funding options for housing, energy sectors

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TOCKBROKERS are considering suitable financing products to align the capital market with the huge financing requirements of the housing and energy sectors.

President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Ariyo Olusekun, who spoke on the preparations for the forthcoming capital market workshop, said the capital market has huge capacity to fund large capital intensive projects in the housing and energy sectors.

He said stockbrokers would use the forthcoming gathering to brainstorm on financing products that meet the requirements of the sectors.

“We all know the position of our power sector today and this is an avenue for us as brokers to bring experts in this industry together and create products that will suite needs. We want to come up with a product that will enable developers to raise funds to develop more housing unit so that everybody can solve their housing problems,” Ariyo said.

According to him, stockbrokers

Stories by Taofik Salako

would work to develop products and services that would help to unlock the potential in the power and housing sectors.

He noted that the Nigeria capital market is big enough to provide funds for housing and energy sectors pointing out that people did not believe that Nigerian banks can fund the kind of projects they are funding now, the same situation that applied to the capital market.

“I want to assure you that this market is big enough to finance any project, we have been clamouring for high-intensive sectors of the economy to come and list in the market and we are assuring that when they come they would be able to raise the money needed,” Ariyo said.

Citing the pension funds of about N3.4 trillion, he said the challenge for capital market operators is to come up with investment instruments through which these funds can be invested and used to generate growth in the economy.

•From left: Past president, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Mike Itegboje; First Vice President, Mr Emmanuel Ohanwusi and Mr Olushekun, at the press conference in Lagos.

Also, Chairman, CIS’s Subcommittee on the National Workshops, Mr Bisi Oni, said brokers were focusing on the power and housing sectors because they are the two areas of pressing needs for most Nigerians.

“The stock market has ability to

‘CAC should not be empowered to remove companies’ directors’

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HAREHOLDERS have flayed the call by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the amendment of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990 with a view to confer on the Commission statutory powers to remove erring directors o companies.

President, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association (IBZA), Chief Sola Abodunrin, said empowering CAC to remove directors would undermine one of the fundamental rights of the shareholders, who are the owners of the companies.

He said the board represents the interests of the shareholders and should be accountable ultimately to the shareholders, rather than to a government body.

According to him, CAC can seek to improve corporate governance by ensuring compliance with disclosure requirements and provid-

ing the public with all information about a company.

He said the CAMA has adequately empowered the Commission to deal with infractions by directors noting that CAC should step up its enforcement activities.

The Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Bello Mahmud, recently indicated the intention of the Commission to seek amendment to CAMA with particular reference to statutory power to remove erring directors.

According to him, the CAMA required substantial amendments to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement powers of the Commission.

He noted that CAMA, which has been in operation for almost two decades, is craving for substantial amendments, especially in the areas of

regulatory and enforcement powers, on-line registration of companies and penalties.

“Of utmost importance, the Commission is seeking the power to remove erring directors and officers of companies in line with the practice in most registries globally. This should be granted and CAC should be assisted to have an instrument to enforce its regulatory powers and sanitize the business environment,” Mahmud was reported to have told a national assembly delegation on oversight visit to the Commission.

According to him, it is becoming obvious that the corporate landscape is heavily hamstrung by several provisions in CAMA which impedes contemporary business practices in the light of national global reforms.

solve the funding problems in the sectors. At the end of the workshop, we believe we will be able to create products that will be tradable on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),” Oni said.

The workshop is slated for July 2, in Abuja. Expected dignitaries

Mansard Insurance acquires HMO firm

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ANSARD Insurance Plc has acquired the entire issued share capital of Procare Health Plan Nigeria Limited, a health management organization (HMO) company as the insurance company seeks to consolidate its health insurance business.

In a regulatory filing made available by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mansard Insurance, a publicly quoted subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc which was recently sold by the bank in line with regulatory framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), indicated that it intends to recapitalize and run Procare as its subsidiary in the health maintenance industry.

Mansard stated that it would revitalize Procare’s operations in accordance with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)’ New HMO Accreditation Guidelines.

The company indicated that it would recapitalize Procare through

increase in the company’s share capital from N100 million to N500 million while it would also expand the opertaionsl base of the HMO firm through establishment of functional offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kaduna.

Mansard stated that it plans to establish an office in the Northeastern part of the country as soon as the atmosphere there becomes more conducive for business operations.

“In addition, Mansard would establish an operational call centre at the company’s head office in Lagos and conclude arrangements to deploy a state-ofthe-art health insurance management software, TOSHFA, by Access Meditech Private Limited. Further, steps would be taken to change the company’s name and formally launch the new brand sometime in July 2013,” the regulatory filing indicated.

Deloitte integrates practices

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•From left: Managing Director, Central Securities Clearing System Plc, Mr Kyari Bukar; Chairman, Mr Oscar Onyema and Company Secretary, Mr Charles Ojo, at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

include President, Dangote Group, Ahaji Aliko Dangote; Dr. Oba Otudeko, Mr Tony Elumelu, Ministers of Finance, Housing & Urban Development, Environment, Petroleum, Trade & Investment and Power and other key players in economy.

ELOITTE, one of the leading global professional services firms, has announced the formation of an integrated practice across Africa with Nigeria playing a strategic role in the new process.

The establishment of the integrated Deloitte Africa and the dedicated investment in Nigeria by Akintola Williams Deloitte (AWD), will ensure clients are served seamlessly in Nigeria and across the entire continent.

According to the company, the integration is in demonstration of its commitment to the Nigerian and African markets.

Deloitte has offices in 34 countries in Africa, which have been clustered into English, French and Portuguese-speaking areas.

Chief Executive Officer, Delliotte Africa, Lwazi Bam, said the legal integration of these firms will move Deloitte into a completely different league noting that as part of this integration, Deloitte has designated Nigeria a “priority market”.

“As a priority market, AWD will receive substantial financial investments aimed at enhancing the quality and breadth of services pro-

vided to its local and cross border clients. This will leverage off the great depth of expertise already on the continent and across the globe,” Bam said.

He noted that the company has formed a new governance board with Olufemi Abegunde as the chairman.

Abegunde leads the firm‘s oil and gas practice. Tawanda Gumbo, who was the chief executive of Deloitte Zimbabwe/Malawi and has been the leader of the consumer business practice in Nigeria will serve as the transitional leader.

The Chief Executive of AWD, Adeniyi Obe, will be retiring at the end of the month.

“Mr Akintola Williams, Nigeria’s first chartered accountant, founded the firm more than 50 years ago. He had the wisdom to bring us into the Deloitte network, and we are now one of the leading professional services providers in Nigeria.

“We have evolved from our proud roots of being an indigenous firm to a world class practice. Mr Williams is very proud of this next stage in our evolution,” Abegunde said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

AVIATION

‘I lost two daughters to hard times’ •Chanchangi workers relive ordeal over 36-month unpaid salary

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HE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) has brokered a truce between Chanchangi Airlines and 53 of its workers over unpaid salaries. The salaries were said to have accrued since 2010 when the carrier sent the workers on compulsory leave.

NCAA’s intervention comes on the heels of a protest by the workers’ protest to intimatethe authority of their unpaid salaries, for 36 months.

The workers said they were asked to stay off work when the airline started having challenges and have not been paid since. They said efforts to draw the management’s attention to their plight failed.

Before staging a protest at NCAA Headquarters at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, the workers demonstrated at the ticket counters of the new domestic terminal.

Led by the President of the Human Rights Defenders and Advocacy Centre, Moses Ojiekomhan, they expressed disappointment over the

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

failure to pay them, insisting that they would seek justice.

Ojiekomhan said it was inhuman to allow the workers to suffer untold hardship, while the airline is running smoothly, adding that it would be better to pay them off, instead of allowing their fate to hang in the balance.

He urged NCAA to ensure that Chanchangi discharged its obligation to the workers.

Some of the workers, he said, had lost family members because of the difficulties they have been facing since they were sent on leave.

NCAA’s Director of Human Resources, Mr Austin Amadi Ifeanyi, and Director of Consumer Protection, Alhaji Adamu Abdulahi, assured the workers that the authority would look into their grievances.

They praised the workers for being peaceful, noting that it is

NCAA’s duty to ensure that all goes well in the sector.

The airline Station Manager of Chanchangi Airline, Mr Babadiya Ahmed, has said the workers’ grievance were being looked into, adding that they was not sacked.

He said they were asked to proceed on compulsory leave due to operational issues adding that the matter would from be resolved.

An aggrieved worker, who identified himself as Mr Joseph Edem, claimed he lost two daughters because of the airline’s failure to pay his outstanding 36 months’ salary.

Edem said: ”My wife abandoned me since the crisis started. Ultimately, I lost two daughters, one was 13 years old, the other aged four. They died because I did not have money to take care of them.”

Another worker, who identified himself as Desmond Omoregie, who broke down, while narrating his ordeal, said he lost his ailing mother, because he did not have enough money to cater for her.

Union to picket airlines THE National President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Benjamin Okewu, has said the association is collaborating with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to picket domestic airlines that refused to unionise.

He said in Lagos that the affected airlines have been given an ultimatum to comply with the directive of the association, warning that failure to comply will attract stingy penalties.

He explained that apart from the challenge of unionisation, many domestic airlines are owing workers salaries, a development he described as unhealthy for the industry.

He spoke of plans to take up the matter with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),saying that a disgruntled aviation staff owed salaries is a threat to safety and security in the aviation sector.

Okewu however appealed to airlines that have not fulfilled their obligation to do so.

He said: ‘’We are appealing to the airlines to pay their workers salaries. We will not stop appealing to them, considering that they are not unionised. This is because welfare is key for aviation workers.

Inability to guarantee the welfare of aviation workers is an instrument that negates safety. ‘’That is why we have stepped up the mobilisation for them to pay workers’ salaries promptly. We would also prevail on the NCAA to urge the airlines to pay. We are convinced that a disgruntled staff is an accident waiting to happen.”

He said from next month, airlines that are not unionised will incur the wrath of the unions, which are set to picket them.

Okewu added: “We are in discussions with the NLC, TUC to ensure that the airlines do the needful, by getting their organisations unionised. Most of the foreign airlines operating in Nigeria are unionised, but the domestic carriers are not complying. ‘’We have given them till next month to take a decision. If the airlines fail to comply, ATSSSAN will seek help from TUC, and NLC to picket the erring airlines.”

‘Don’t carry banned goods’

•From left: General Manager, Human Resources, Mr Femi Collins; Head, Business Development & Commercial, Mr. Clement Falayi and Deputy Head, Flight Operations, Capt. Obinna Ojiako, during the presentation of the Bristow Helicopters Cadet Pilots in Lagos.

NIMET workers petition Oduah over directors’ tenure S OME workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) have petitioned the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, over an alleged “undue favouritism” by the management.

The management’s conduct, they alleged, breached the Federal Civil Service rules.

Under the auspices of Concerned Staff of NIMET, the workers alleged that the Director-General (DG), Dr. Anthony Anuforom, is aiding some directors and general managers to stay put in office. The officers are said to have spent more than the required eight years in office.

The DG, they claimed, is covering up for the offices “because of personal relationships”.

NIMET’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mrs. Eva Azinge, said the management was aware of the issues raised by the workers but she absolved the DG of blame.

The workers’letter, which was also sent to the Secretary to the Govern-

ment of the Federation (SGF), Director of the State Security Service (SSS), and the NIMET DG reads: “The painful but regrettable favouritism and preferential application of tenure system and promotions being executed by the management of NIMET is in total disregard to the Federal Government’s policy and Public Service rules.”

Those alleged to have overstayed in office are General Manager, Human Resources, Alhaji Auwal Salisu Mohammed; Director, Training School, Oshodi in Lagos, Mr Ngana Dominc Tagbo and Director of Administration and Supplies Alhaji Garba Adamu.

The petitioners claimed that Alhaji Adamu refused to act on the matter because he was also a beneficiary, adding that he was a “stumbling block” to the advancement of others.

The petitioners attached some documents, including letters of the appointments of some of the officers whom they claimed have overstayed in office to other petition.

Mrs Azinge explained why the agency’s helmsman cannot intervene in the matter. She said: “I know that this situation exists, but I didn’t know that it was already out in the media.

It is just that those who are responsible for doing the right documentations have not been able to do so, and the director-general could not be seen to put pressure on people to do their jobs, because it will seem as if he has interest in the matter.

“I can assure you that the director-general of NIMET is not covering up for anybody. The issue of cover-up those not exist. Now that the issue has been brought into public domain, we will look into the matter and take action.”

British Airways expands services in West Africa

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HE British Airways is increasing its West African schedule, adding a fourth weekly flight to Sierra Leone and Liberia.

This is coming nine months after the airline started operating on the routes. It will add 33 more capacity to the route between Freetown in Monrovia and London.

The flight will arrive at Terminal 5 in the evening, allowing same-day connections to Washington; saving the need for an overnight transit and visa.

The flight timing also permits better connections to a host of other United States and Canadian cities as well as United Kingdom domestic destinations.

The new service starts on October 31, this year, using Boeing 767 aircraft in a three-cabin configuration; World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World. The flight will be on sale from Tuesday, June 11.

"It is unusual to add more flights so soon after starting a new route, but we're responding to strong de-

mand in these fast-growing WestAfrican economies.

In scheduling the flight, we've taken into account feedback from our customers about onward connections and on which days they'd prefer to fly," says Gavin Halliday, general manager for Africa and Europe.

He said British Airways has increased its African network, adding three destinations and 21 services since acquiring bmi just over a year ago.

CARGO agents at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos have been warned to desist from shipping dangerous and prohibited goods onboard of aircraft.

The agents have also been urged to check any item given them for shipment from importers or exporters.

At a seminar by the Greater Washington Logistics at the Lagos Airport, the companies advised the cargo agents to report any suspected cargo to the appropriate authorities or face sanction.

The Safety Inspector, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Austin Eboigbe, advised the cargo agents to identify any dangerous goods items they are collecting from clients.

He noted that several air incidents happen because of improper carriage of dangerous goods onboard of airplanes, adding that the agency was investigating incidents relating to dangerous goods that were shipped into the country.

He listed these as matches, fireworks, lighter, gas cooker, body spray and magnets. He warned that the agency would withdraw the licence of any agent or sanction any airline found wanting.

He said: “Although there are some quantities of liquids that are allowed onboard of planes, just for information, your licence can be withdrawn as an agent while the airline can be fined too. We expect you (agents) to think about the safety of the aircraft and the passengers onboard in the cause of carrying out your business.”

Head, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Local Airport, Mr Nasir Kotangora, appealed to the cargo agents to check any drugs given to them for importation before shipment. He warned that if they are caught with any illicit drug, they would be sanctioned.

The Group Head, Regional Business & Cargo Shed Manager, Greater Washington Logistics, Mr Agbongban Bright, urged cargo agents to follow safety standards and recommendation practices laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in carrying out their jobs.

‘Global aviation can earn $3b from cargo export’ AIRPORTS across the world could earn $3billion yearly from cargo exportation in perishable and non-perishable forms, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said.

The General Manager, Corporate Communication, FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, said this in an interview in Lagos.

He lamented that despite Nigeria’s huge agricultural produce, she is yet to tap into this high net worth revenue stream.

To close this gap, he said the Federal Government is constructing cargo terminals within the airports to tap into the huge revenue yielding venture.

The cargo airports under construction are located in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Owerri.

Dati explained that most farmers around the world get their farm produce to international market through cargo terminals in airports.

He lamented that only 30 per cent of farm produce in the country are consumed while the balance are either underpriced or perish due to the inability of the farmers to get the products to the consumers.

He said: “For instance, if you look critically during the Valentine season, Israel alone made $1million from exporting roses to Europe and America.

Kenya exports pineapples to the international world. Same thing goes to countries such as Mexico that got palm oil from here, today, they are exporters.

“We are producing; we are not exporting. From the figures we got from the Ministry of Finance, we only consume 30 per cent of what is produced in Nigeria. The remaining 70 per cent, some go in waste, underpriced, perished during movement from one location to the other.

“So, aviation is trying to come in and try to coordinate such that a farmer will have a point by which he can bring his products and be flown abroad.

This is the only country where you can farm round the year, where we don’t have these natural disasters.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

35

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Creating business empire from home Many businesses are springing up from people’s backyards raking in millions of naira to boost the economy, reports DANIEL ESSIET.

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VER heard of b a c k y a r d entrepreneurship? No. Then you are behind time.

Backyard enterpreneur-ship is thriving. To be in the business, all you need do is to convert that space in your backyard into a farm. Many, who are into it, are making their millions quietly and boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Prince Arinze Onebunne, Chief Executive Jovana Farms, said backyard smallscale enterprises have enormous capacity to touch lives.

There are inspiring and interesting accounts of backyard entrepreneurs, who have achieved tremendous financial success from this relatively low-profile venture. Many of these small businesses have emerged because of the country’s sluggish economy that has compelled the unemployed to look inwards.

If one has any unused land at the backyard, the Jovana Farms chief said this is an opportunity to start a small business. From mushroom farming to raising guinea pigs, all these are passive money spinners.

The resourceful entrepreneur noted that everything needed by people can be provided by backyard entrepreneurs. He said he and his team of farmers are ready to help people start up businesses within their backyards.

Noting that there was a gap

• Fingerlings

• Guinea pig

• Onebunne taking care of a pregnant rabbit.

in the food system, he said the demand for vegetables in cities is huge and growing as fast as the urban population. Besides, he said one can start raising rabbits for profits. Most rabbits are raised for meat or pets, while others are raised for research.

Rabbits have many important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B that provides energy and zinc that is good for the immune system and iron, which carries oxygen through the blood.

He said one needs just about N70,000 to set up a

By Daniel Essiet

micro rabbits business. A little care, proper planning and timely technical advice can bring amazing results for any farmer, he said.

However, because of the rate at which rabbits reproduce and grow past their useful age, there has to be careful planning to keep overhead low and stock moving.

Another opportunity, he said, was fingerlings production, which stemmed from the fact that Nigerians are large consumers of fish.

The fishing farming busi-

• Quail birds

ness is not growing as expected due unavailability of fingerlings.This is because of inadequate infrastructure for hatcheries for fingerling production. For this project he said one needs about N180,000. Prince Onebunne noted that a huge demand exists for fish fingerlings as they don’t require huge investment for aspiring farmers. Fingerling catfish are very inexpensive and grow rapidly, he added.

What entrepreneurs need, he said, is the knowledge to maximise the potential and tap into the market.

How LASU strike changed undergrad’s life

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RS Ujunwa Onwuasoanya, Chief Executive, Betty Geevup Ventures, Lagos is also a student of Political Science at the Lagos State University (LASU). When she set out to study the course, as a special part-time programme, she did not know that there would be a strike.

But it happened last year.

As she reflected on the situation, she realised it was time to start something on her own. With the majority of firms refusing to hire graduates or school leavers, Mrs Onwuasoanya decided to start up her own business to avoid

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being out of work in a tough jobs economy.

She thought about the idea of producing beans flour.

With less than N3,000, she bought a few things and produced a few bags of bean flour. She started producing her bean flour under the name ‘basilia beans’. For a growing number of families and increasing demand for moi moi and bean based delicacies, Mrs Onwuasoanya, is serving the public. Her success stems from the quality of her products.

She still pursue her education at LASU and keeps up her business. She is now sell-

ing to her friends, families and the local market. She fits her hours around her studying commitments and is delighted that she is be able to afford more for her family.

She has been able to buy a few equipment from her profit. The success of the business while at university made it easy to continue the business after graduating. She said her husband was quite support and plans to expand the business.

The returns are quite good and the demand for her products is expanding. She wants her products to be enjoyed as often as possible and desires

• Mrs Onwuasoanya

to buy more equipment with a goal of expanding the business. Her bean flour provides protein of high biological value with all the essential amino acids.

Institute graduates 250 drivers

HE Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria, Kaduna State has graduated the first batch of 250 drivers under the Kano State Government luxury taxi drivers’ training scheme.

In a statement by Mr Paul Mshelizah, Chief Public Relations Officer, NITT, the institute said it held a twoweek training programme on defensive driving, operations and entrepreneurship management of road transport for the driv-

ers.

During the training, NCE, OND, HND, B.SC and postgraduate certificate holders were trained on how to operate the Kano State luxury taxi service.

It said the training was designed to equip the participants with skills in safety and security of business operations as lives and property were important part of business, particularly in the transport sector.

It said the training was designed to update the driv-

ers’ knowledge on new techniques of basic maintenance of vehicles, driving laws and traffic regulations as well as emerging technologies in vehicle and infrastructure design.

According to the statement, the target for the training is 500 drivers.

It said the institution was committed to collaborating with the government and private organisations in transport and logistics training programmes.

It said the training and

involvement of mature, educated and disciplined youths in the transport system would sanitise the sector.

The institute lauded Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso for initiating the programme aimed at providing jobs for the teeming youths of Kano State and building a foundation for lasting wealth for the beneficiaries and the citizens.

It urged other state governments to emulate the work of the Kano State government.

Knowledge of how to raise healthy fingerlings, design wooden hatching ponds and what number to start with.

For him, the highest possible quality breeding will result in good profit.

Besides, he suggested rearing of guinea pigs, saying it is one of the most practical and versatile animals one can raise. They are small and easy to handle. To raise guinea pig, Onebunne said one requires at least N50, 000.These include the cost of

acquiring wooden cages for them to sleep or stay.

He suggested snails, saying they are the easiest animals to raise. To start, Prince Onebunne said one needs snails and cages. Snails eat wide varieties of food making them inexpensive to rear. Once fertilisation has taken place, the snail would seek a suitable spot to lay its eggs. Naturally, the snail, most times, digs into the soil to a depth of 0about nine centimetres to lay its eggs.

Therefore, the soil should be soft for burrowing. The best and most suitable soil is the humus soil (black soil).

One snail can lay as many as 30-150 eggs in the growing year. The eggs hatch between 30 and 35 days. They need access to soil to reproduce and grow in a healthy manner. One can use old tyres, baskets, cages of different sizes and snail pens.

Another money spinner is the quail birds. They thrive very well in cages and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. He said the birds can be raised without stress and one can start with N85,000.

The birds mature in about six weeks and are usually in full egg production by 50 days of age. If properly mated, quail birds have high fertility and good egg hatchability.

The adult male bird weighs about 140grammes, while the females are slightly heavier, weighing from 120 to 160grammes.

One can make money from selling the birds, eggs and hatching eggs. A female quail bird has the ability to produce 280eggs per annum. He said with good hygiene and management, quail birds are not susceptible to diseases.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

36

INTERVIEW Mr Cornelius Tay is the Managing Director/Country Manager, Nigeria/Benin of Forever Living Products (FLP) Nigeria. In this interview with LEKAN OTUFODUNRIN, Tay speaks on the activities of the company, the operating business environment in Nigeria, among others. Excerpts:

'How to succeed in Nigeria’s business environment'

Y

OUR company recently took some of your distributors to Hawaii for this year’s Global Rally celebration. How was the trip?

Hawaii is a very beautiful place and it is a great opportunity for Nigerians who never in their wildest imaginations think that they would be in such a place. Some people have never travelled out to the US but they joined this network, participated in a programme like this and were rewarded with such a trip. Many of them did not believe that a trip like this would ever happen until they finally got on the plane and arrived in Hawaii, participated and returned, and then they had to ask themselves “did this really happen?”

Was the trip part of your strategy to increase your profit?

No, I don’t think it’s about money. I think it’s an intrinsic part of how we practice multi-level marketing. If I can just say this, every human being has what you can describe as a motivational DNA. What makes you want to accomplish things. What makes you want to be exceptional. What makes you want to be above average. In any field of endeavour, those things depend on what you can describe as each person’s DNA. Your DNA is different from my own DNA; her DNA is different from my own. It’s like the fingerprints. Everyone has a particular type of motivational DNA. The D represents what drives you as an individual to want to accomplish things. The N represents the needs that you are so determined to fulfill to meet those needs and everybody has different needs and the A is what I mentioned earlier, the awards. For accomplishing certain things, what type of awards do I want? For some people, it is a certificate; for some people, it is a mention of the fact that they are number one in their class. For some people, it is like a general announcement or a letter or little things we don’t pay attention to but when it is done properly, it fulfils an aspect of your motivational sphere. When you are motivated, of course, you do more. Isn’t it? If you are not motivated, your capacity can remain inside of you and you may never use that energy to accomplish things.

The company has been in Nigeria for about 13 years, but in the last three years it has expanded its operations. How did you achieve this?

The Forever Living Products in Nigeria, as you rightly said, is 12, 13 years in Nigeria but it did not actually begin operations fully until 2002. Initially, it did very well because it was a new concept, but like any new business, competition and unfavorable environments did not allow it to flourish and so, yes, we experienced a downturn. Well, until 2007, 2008, when the owners of the company decided that it was time to turn around the company, that marked the time I came in and

it was very clear what we wanted to achieve. We wanted to turn around the company, we wanted to return it to its initial high performing level and we accomplished them in two years. The next thing of course is when you have turned around a company, you now capitalise, consolidate on that and then grow the company, which we did. So, it is a classic case of what you do when you enter a company that has experienced a decline and you determine to turn it around and make it highly profitable.

The Nigerian environment is said to be a very difficult market place.

What are the challenges?

Well, we also operate in that environment in terms of the infrastructure, the attitude and eccentricities of the market place, the support that you get from the various organisations and units working with you, the financial sector, the regulatory sector and so on and so forth.

What I think is unique about FLPs is that the company wants to be compliant. So, if you want to be compliant, it means that you are not ready to compromise certain standards and your integrity must always be uppermost in what you are doing. I think it is easier for companies to operate in Nigeria if they are willing to be compliant and to recognise that the business activities in this environment are controlled by certain norms.

Not everyone will agree with you that it is easy to operate in the Nigerian market Oh well, no. but that there are rules and I think that the companies that get into trouble are those who want to side track the rules.

The rules are tough, of course, we know. Take the example of the multi-level taxation that we experience here but you know those things are there. You are going to have to find a way to operate profitably even within that environment and at the same time be compliant. Right? The Nigerian environment is an environment of shorttermism. This whole environment itself is all about short-term. Everybody wants to do everything short-term. You have the political party that has the president for four years. Definitely, they want to do everything in four years and then things are not concluded there and then you want to see the next four years. So this is an environment that

• Mr Tay

is driven by short-termism. You on your own part must then say if this is the kind of environment that you have and you don’t believe results can come from short-termism, you must then work with your stakeholders to have a longer term view. That is where sharing the vision is involved.

How did you get into this job from advertising?

Up till 2007, I was running my advertising company and it was in this home that I received a call from the US, saying that they have identified me as the person to run this company.

Has it been fulfilling as well?

Absolutely, it has been fulfilling because it has enabled me to work with different people across Nigeria. Every state, the low and the high, with the wives of deputy governors, the wives of governors, lecturers, lawyers, doctors, ordinary women, professional women, young people, students. To be in a

PHOTO: BLESSING OLISA-AKAEZE

company where you are managing such diversity is absolutely unusual. Now, the greatest joy of this type of assignment or engagement is that you meet people where they feel they have lost everything or they feel that their dreams can never be fulfilled and they are wondering, will they ever travel out of this country? Will they ever own a car? Will that housewife who has always been in the background when the husband is going to work start earning an income every month that is reasonable for her to be able to buy what she wants for herself, something that will lift her self esteem and make her feel like somebody? Now those things are very important and with Forever, you actually see people who will be ecstatic because they have worked so hard and they have been rewarded with a car and they will say to you that never in their lives did they think that one day they would enter a car, start the

‘What I think is unique about FLPs is that the company wants to be compliant. So if you want to be compliant, it means that you are not ready to compromise certain standards and your integrity must always be uppermost in what you are doing. I think it is easier for companies to operate in Nigeria if they are willing to be compliant and to recognise that the business activities in this environment are controlled by certain norms’

engine and drive it. Or when they sit in the aircraft and we are going to South Africa, Europe or America on an all-expenses-paid incentive, some of them in the quiet of their cabin will weep then I will go and sit with them and ask, “What is the matter? Are you afraid of the aircraft?” then they will say “no M.D., this is the first time I have ever entered an aircraft,” or the woman who has not worked. Maybe she has been qualified but the husband says ‘stay at home’ and she now finds an opportunity to do this and she is earning N300,000, N400,000, N1 million a month by just practising the network principles of the company and you see her coming out and I say, “How are you today?” and she says, “M.D., I’m very happy.” “Why are you so happy?

Are you earning good money?” and she says, “M.D., I’m earning good money.” “What did you earn last month?” “I earned so much.”

The joy you see around such people is enough; or a young person who has graduated from school and for six months has not had a job and has been applying and applying and somebody introduced that person to this opportunity and that person now can talk about N300,000 a month in bonus earning, as well as getting up in the morning, dressing up and saying ‘I’m going to do my own Forever business’. These things are profound; or somebody who has had some very serious ailment and they have tried all kinds of things and have just met somebody who said, “Why don’t you try our natural products, why don’t you see just what it can do for you?”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

37

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

At 65, Anwar-Ul Islam College (formerly Alhmadiyya College) in Agege, a Lagos suburb, has come a long way.

But the school has gone through a lot in recent times. To restore its glory, its old boys are holding a gala nite and N100 million fundraiser in Lagos on Friday, reports Deputy Editor LAWAL OGIENAGBON

M

ANY first experienced boarding life at secondary school.

Only a few went to boarding primary schools. So, for most of who entered Ahmadiyya College (now Anwar - Ul Islam College) in Agege, a Lagos suburb, in 1973, it was our first time of experiencing life outside our parents’ homes. We came from different backgrounds and places. But one thing bound us together - our desire to learn. Being of tender ages helped us in easily becoming friends soon after meeting. It was as if we had known before entering the school. That bond is exists till today.

The class of 1973 remains a unique set because of the change in the nation’s education calendar, which began that year. From a 12month education calendar, the policy was changed to nine months. Thus, in 1973, because of this unique education calendar, another set of students was admitted into Form 1 in September after those admitted in January had advanced into Form 2, that is for those who passed the promotion exam.

For us starry-eyed boys, who entered ‘Diyya College, as we fancifully called our school those days, it was education mixed with pranks. Because boys will always be boys, Ahmadiyya is a boys only school, we engaged in acts which we could only indulge in behind our parents. But to us, it was all part of growing up. As juniors , we met some traditions, which we were expected to follow or find ourselves in trouble if caught. In most instances, some of us broke away from these traditions and paid dearly for our actions.

It was in the era when Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi held sway as principal. A no-nonsense man, oga, as we called him behind his back, was fatherly and at the same time strict.

He did not spare the rod as any pupil who ran foul of the law had him to contend with. Oga used a swagger-stick (he was the first man I would see with that) and it made no meaning to me and I believe to many of my contemporaries too then, why a man should be moving about with such a stick. Not that it served as a cane to aid him in walking. No, he just held it in his hand while walking. We watched in awe as he moved around with his stick, which also came handy whenever he wanted to cane us And oga was adept at caning. Oga moulded us in character and learning. He was also a

•Alhaji Pedro

•Alhaji Ottun

A school’s giant strides ANNIVERSARY sportsman. Whenever we gathered on the pitch for games, he was always there to cheer us on.

He would sit on his swagger-stick and watch us play football on our Olympic - size field or run on the well laid tracks. Where necessary, he would chip in one or two words before taking his leave. Whenever oga was around, everybody, including our teachers, behaved.

Once he turned his back, we started our own thing.

It was a rich experience growing up in Ahmadiyya (I still find it difficult to reconcile myself with the name Anwar - Ul Islam), but I guess that’s a name we’ve got to live with now whether we like it or not. The school was a training ground of sorts for us. As long as you knew what you were doing, you were allowed to come to your own. The most remarkable event in the school during our days

was the celebration of the 25th anniversary in 1973. We were the Silver Jubilee pupils. The celebration came up barely four months after we entered the school.

It was celebrated with fanfare and widely covered by the media, especially the Daily Times, of which the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose was then Chairman/Managing Director. The late Jose was a leader of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam then and through his influence our stories and photographs made the front page of the then powerful Times. Today, 40 years after, we are rolling out the drums again to celebrate a great school. We have every cause to celebrate because not many schools that were founded at the same time with Ahmadiyya are still standing today.

Our school is still standing today by the grace of God, the one that we describe as ‘’the creator and the fashioner’’ in our school anthem. At 65, our school cannot be described as a toddler. It has come a long way. Whatever

many of us are today can be traced to that guided beginning in Agege, which in our days was a bush! At 65, our school can be likened to an old man, who needs the assistance of its offspring to survive. This school that nursed and nurtured us needs us at this critical moment of its life.

Many of the facilities that we used while in school have become dilapidated. They are begging for rehabilitation. On Sunday, May 5, the 1977/78 set took a tour of the school after its meeting there that day and what we saw brought tears to our eyes. We could not believe that this was the same school that we left some 36 years ago. In simple terms, our school needs assistance so that it can continue to be there for us to refer to in future.

What will we tell our children if they ask us which school did we attend? Do we tell them that our school is dead because that is what may happen if we, as old students, do not act fast to save our alma mater? The school has given us what it has, it is now time for us to pay back in the little way that we can so that the name Ahmadiyya will continue to reverberate across the country. Our 65th anniversary could not have come at a better time than when we are celebrating our boys’ victory over King’s College in the Heritage Cup final last May 31.

Football has always been synonymous with our school; so it is not a surprise that those behind us are keeping the flag flying. Our school can only keep on winning football trophies if it remains in existence. Like me, I know that as an old boy, you don’t want the great ‘Diyya to die. So, let us turn up in full force on Friday, June 21 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers for our Reunion and 65th Anniversary. The cards are already out and they can be obtained from the National Publicity Secretary of Anwar - Ul Islam College Old Students Association (ACAOSA), Alhaji Muftau Ottun. The cards are N25,000 for couple and N15,000, single.

Your presence at this event will go a long way in achieving the N100million target for rehabilitating our school. Let’s come and support the Lawal Pedro (SAN) - led national executive in its mission to rebuild our alma mater. As the school motto goes : Aut Optimum Aut Nihil, meaning either the best or nothing. It is time to give Anwar - Ul Islam nothing but our best because the alternative is not a choice for us at all. Up School.

Lagos in the eyes of an American scholar For two months, an American scholar, Kimberli Gant, of the University of Texas in Austin, United States, was on residency at Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Arts Foundation (OYASAF) in Lagos. She traversed Lagos, researching on Nigerian photographers and how they document the city, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

A

FTER two months of residency at the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Arts Foundation (OYASAF) in Lagos, an American scholar, Kimberli Gant, has described Lagos as a city constantly

•Shyllon and Gant

RESIDENCY undergoing positive changes that are often unknown to some critics in Western media in terms of content, style and approach.

She noted that the residency enabled her to compare note between what she discovered and the images of Lagos constantly put on the web by western media.

“I wanted to see how the Nigerian photographers documented the city and if their images were different from those produced by Westerns. That is, how they see the city and how their view point agree with those of Westerners,” she said at a presentation in Lagos recently.

Gant, who was on residency at OYASAF to research on how Nigerian photographers have been documenting Lagos since independence, said the research expanded into learning more about photography within Lagos and Nigeria as well as the different generations of photographers.

During her stay, she interacted with Lagosbased photographers such as Tam Fiofori, Pa J D Okhai Ojeikere, Akinbode Akinbiyi, Adolphus Opara, Eremina Jumbo, Kunle Ogunfuyi, Uche James Iroha and Don Barber. ”I learnt much within the two months I stayed in Lagos. The city of Lagos is constantly changing by the day with its various infrastructural developments. Even if I lived here all my life, I will not know all about the city of Lagos. I came into the city with some impressions but had an open mind towards what I will find. My research has given me the opportunity to see and discover the city of Lagos especially the other side as against what the western media present on the web and other documents,” she said.

•Fatai

Celebrating Rolling Dollar

T

HE iREP Documentary Film Forum, iREP, the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) and the Freedom Park on Broad Street, Lagos, will today celebrate the life and times of the legendary musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar, at a night of reflections on him.

The evening will involve reflections on his life, reviews of his career, screening of perhaps the only documentary film on his life titled: Rolling Dollar: A Legend Unplugged, produced and directed by Femi Odugbemi in March. It will also feature a session of musical tributes by his fellow veteran highlife musicians and many young ones whose careers he affected, and helped to shape by his own exemplary service to the music industry.

Guests and fans of the legend are expected to come with their one-minute tribute in poem, song; chant; reflection or other forms of tribute.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Salute to a compatriot Rear Admiral Henry Babalola pays tribute to one of his course mates, 29 Regular Course, the late Commodore Jeremiah Olu Adetomiwa, who pass on recently.

O

N August 20, 1975, I was one of the 120 from all parts of Nigeria who arrived at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, in the then North Central State to begin a gruelling five-year secondary/military training course that was aimed at grooming and shaping young lads to junior leadership in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For most of the 12 year olds, that was the first time they were leaving their parents to journey mostly by train to a hostile and unfriendly military environment. Nevertheless, it was the beginning of a proud military career for most of the boys (MAJORITY OF THE NEW ENTRANTS) . A rural, lanky, light-complexioned lad, was one of the boys. He was Jeremiah Olu Taiwo Adetomiwa. We had earlier met as candidates from the then Western State during the interview in April 1975.

From, the beginning, Jerry was seen as taciturn, withdrawn and on the quiet side, much unlike the numerous barrack and city boys that reported to NMS with one form of mischief or the other. We saw him as a village boy we could upstage with tricks and in the class. Our first examination was to clear every doubt in that direction. The rural , quiet boy was among the best three, a position he maintained till the very end.

With this feat, the Gbongan boy earned our respect until we left NMS in June 1980. Despite his highly cerebral nature, Jerry was the bridge between the high flyers, the middlemen and the backbenchers; always willing to explain things, read with you and generally encourage you. The way he simply approached dreaded science subjects, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics was to later earn him the name ‘Alikaka’, a corrupted version of Ali(BALOYE) Calculus. He was everybody’s friend, even (TO) his senior colleagues. He was not everything we were. He was not wicked to the junior boys, a lot of us were, he was not a ‘Dodger’ most of us were, he didn’t partake in ‘Mango Hunting, most of us did, he was not sneaking out to the cinema, most of us did. The things Jerry did regularly and most of us weren’t doing were attending

•Adetomiwa

TRIBUTE Padre Hour, Fellowship of Christian Students meeting and going to church. Jerry upheld these values till the very end.

He was morally upright, religious and pious.

For most of his colleagues, it was fait accompli that Jerry would end up in the university, especially with his Grade One Distinction in the 1980 WASC Examination. Alas, Jerry and I, with some boys of the 1980 set found ourselves reporting to the Nigerian Defence Academy on January 3, 1981 as members of the 29 Regular Course. Although he was posted to Burma Company and I to Dalet Company, we found ourselves in the Naval Wing. Together with cadets from other schools, we began the journey to Generalship on that cold, windy January, no thanks to the hostile harmattan and even more hostile Senior Cadets. In no time, almighty Alikaka was in the forefront, as a Science Cadet, and as a Naval Cadet.

He also upheld his very high moral values, at a time most of

us were struggling with the vices of adolescence. He maintained his sterling virtues as a Boy, Cadet, Officer and gentleman.

On commissioning as Sub-Lieutenants, Jerry was one of the first few to own a car. We lived in Palm Avenue, Mushin, courtesy of another course mate, Emmanuel Etim Etifit. Nobody knew the owner of the house or the car. It was simply the first person to pick the car. Such was the simple nature of this gentleman. Very early as young officer, Jerry was admitted to the great Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife were he studied Electronics and Electrical Engineering and graduated with distinction. He also attended several military courses, where he excelled. Jerry was a Directing Staff in the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Defence College of South Africa. He served his fatherland without holding back. He served on board Nigerian Navy ship and commanded one of the ships. He also served in Naval and Defence Headquarters, helping the military hierarchy to formulate policies, directives and instructions. He served as Naval Assistant to the Chief of the Naval Staff. He served as a Director of Naval Signals and Logistics in the Naval Headquarters and the Staff College. In all of these, he distinguished himself. He was a bridge builder till the very end.

We had this bet on the first officer to catch Jerry with a girl.

We all failed, not even when he was in Great Ife. We were thus surprised when he sent invitation cards inviting us to Calabar for his wedding in 1996. We were relieved. We trooped to Calabar to see a very beautiful, God fearing young woman. Indeed, our friend saved the best for last. God also blessed our friend with lovely children who walked in the path of the Lord with their parents -a good reward for an upright man.

Although we are really saddened by this loss, we owe it a duty not to depart from his family. We will continue to pray and support the family.. We also commiserate with his kith and kin in Gbongan. The Lord will continue to abide with you and give you the fortitude to bear this loss.

I join members of the 29 Regular Course, serving and retired, his mates at the Nigerian Military School, his family, other officers, ratings, civilian staff and their families to commiserate with the Chief of Defence Staff and the CNS for this loss. I am very sure of one thing; our loss is God’s gain. I am sure Jerry is resting in the bosom of the Lord. God will continue to provide for his family. Jerry was indeed a good family man, morally upright, exceptionally brilliant hardworking senior officer and gentleman. They don’t often come this loaded and we are proud that he was our colleague, compatriot, friend, brother, classmate and course mate. We are proud of you and we wish you eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord. Our friend, Jerry was indeed a very good man.

•Rear Admiral Babalola writes from the Navy

The African Union (AU) recently marked its 50th anniversary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during which the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), sought the preservation of African history.

CBAAC seeks preservation of African history

D

AYS before President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led a delegation to the 50 th anniversary of the African Union (AU), the flag of Nigeria had been flying at full mast in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, otherwise called the Diplomatic capital of the continent.

In particular, the ambience of the old Conference Centre of the AU in Bole area of Addis, which had that week been engrossed in celebratory mood, was filled with the spirit of the biggest country on the continent.

This was through the activities of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), which through its collaboration with the Nairobi-Kenya-based Trust African for Rock Art, TARA, had set up a Colloquium on African rock art and Pan African Renaissance to mark the golden anniversary of the AU. As it turned out, the colloquium was more or less a saving grace for what could have been a near absence of any major programme by the giant for Africa. Not that other African countries had any special programme set up anyway, save Sudan which staged an exhibition in the foyer of same Old Conference centre, but the Colloquium facilitated by the CBAAC emerged as a major cultural and educational event

by Nigeria to mark the AU 50th celebration. It is also remarkable that it was staged in the Old Conference Centre, which was said to have been donated by Nigeria. Curiously however, nowhere in the building it is indicated that it was indeed a gift by Nigeria to the pan-African body.

The colloquium impressively drew huge and active participation from the Nigeria culture bureaucracy, led by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke; and including the Permanent secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Nkechi Ejele; the Federal Director of Culture, Mr George Nkanta Ufot, as well as one of the Assistant Directors in the Federal Department of Culture, Ms. Grace Gekpe. Also in attendance were heads of culture parastatals including the Director of

•Duke (left) and Kaloko at the exhibition.

CELEBRATION the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Martin Adaji; the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM, Mallam Abdallah; the General Manager of National Theatre of Nigeria, Mallam Kabir Yussuf; and with a full complement of the directors of the CBAAC led by its Director General, Prof. Tunde Babawale – the chief host and convener of the discourse.

With this high-power team, Nigeria could be said to have made a strong presence at the celebration; thus setting a template for what eventually turned out an impactful participation by the country in the golden jubilee as led by

the President himself.

The colloquium drew speakers in experts from institutions around the continent and the Diaspora, among them archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, culture scholars, artists and curators.

In his introductory paper, which set template for the twoday discourse, the chief convener, Prof Babawale, explained that the project is focused on the reconstruction of Black and African peoples’ history. “African rock art provides glimpses and illumination into African history, culture and indeed civilisation,” he said, adding that, through research and study, the presence of Rock Art Sites has been established across Africa.

•Continued on page 40

39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Nine-year-old's tale of adventure

L

OOKING for an exciting story to read to your kids, especially at bedtime?

The engaging tale of Berith Christian's Arthur becomes King is sure to captivate your kids.

Children between two and 10 years will find the story of an orphan, who rose from being a commoner to becoming a hero and king, a thrilling one.

The author gives the story a lift and helps fire the imagination of young readers with various illustrations as he takes you through the exciting adventure of a young lad who lost his parents when he was a baby to an evil monster called "Magaa".

The novelette is by an adventurous nineyear-old who, interestingly, wrote the book while he was eight. His first attempt at a novelette is praiseworthy. Reading through the book, one wonders how an eight year old (since he wrote the book at eight) was able to weave the threads of the story together.

Christian's Arthur becomes King is part of the Platinum Tales series by Ochado Platinum Nig. Ltd that is transposing African folktales into thrilling didactic stories. And as you'd find in folktales, the stories in the

Platinum Tales series are rich in imagery and metaphor. Arthur becomes King is no different.

This metaphoric piece, which challenges the courage of a child, is rich in imagery.

From the first page to the last, you are drawn to the world of this courageous lad, "Arthur".

As a baby, after losing his parent, he is rescued in a forest and raised by a hunter and his wife. Not only does Arthur weathers through life's storm, rose from being just another village "urchin" to becoming the hero that saves the village that has been under siege caused by a dreadful "Magaa" and ends up as king.

Growing up as a hunter's son, he is taught the path of courage; this later comes in handy as when he becomes young adult when the king throws open the challenge that "He who kills the monster shall be deemed worthy to be king."

The heroic story may not be farfetched for some but the lavish use of imagery which is also present in many children stories, especially folktales, one not only sees young Christian as a master storyteller but he leaves the audience captivated.

Given Christians age, it is fascinating that he chooses to name his lead character "Arthur"

BOOK REVIEW Title: Arthur Becomes King Author: Berith Christian Illustrator: Deinyefa Leghemo Reviewer:

Evelyn Osagie

Ochado Platinum Nig. Ltd (2013) which is the name of a legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable in the British myths. Interestingly, like the legendary character, the life of Christian's "Arthur" is also Publisher:

one full of adventure. However, unlike in the story of King Arthur where the hero is wellrounded and the plot is elaborate, given the constraint of the genre, his is not so.

Obviously, the choice of genre is also the reason the number of pages the book has; however, the story can be further developed into a adventurous novel, if and should the author deem it necessary.

The error-free text, the sentence construction, use of language - simple and self-explanatory but elevated beyond a child his age - and the presentation are evident of an editor's touch.

With an editor as the writer children literature and NLNG Prize for Literature 2012 runnerup, Philip Begho, that should not come as a surprise. Still, one cannot rule out the fact that children who are expose to good schools and literature pick up the flair of writing early.

Perhaps Christain belong to this group, one may not be able to say since one does not have access to the initial manuscript. And if that is the case, it is, thus, commendable.

However, it is hard for any critic to really ascertain to what extent the editor made an input in the work as one reads on. Nevertheless, one would also find that the story-idea which is originally Christian's is intact.

Christian’s work raises the questions in one's mind as to what extent should an editor edit a text, especially if it is one by a child; and after such editing is done it morally right to name the initial writer of the text as the author. But that is a topic for another day.

The book will be launched on Saturday, June 29 in Lagos.

Gifted teenagers thrill care-givers in Ibadan

T

HE occasion was meant to bring partners, volunteers, care-givers and the less-privileged together, but it turned out to be a time for merriment.

Children in orange vests and T-shirts stod at the entrance of JOGOR Centre in, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where Help Initiative, a not-for-profit governmental organisation, held its dinner.

The disadvantaged children are being taken care of by some Nigerians.

When they eventually got to the stage to perform, they proved to many that behind what the world perceives as a disadvantage, were bundles of talents. The children of Heritage Home in Oluyole, Ibadan, were the first to perform and they held the audience spell-bound.

While some of the children have been in the orphanage since they were born, life played a cruel joke on some of them as they are deaf and dumb.

For little Olaoluwa Matthew, who is deaf and dumb and attends Foster Memorial College (Deaf), Onireke, Ibadan, Oyo State, life couldn't have been crueler. But when he talked, the lively hall became dead silent. Some could not control their emotion as tears rollied down their cheeks.

What he lost in hearing and speech, he has gained in intelligence and mannerism. As he spoke in sign language, a teacher from the school of deaf and dumb interpreted. Many guests did not doubt the intelligence of this 'special gift' teenager. He spoke with confidence and the humility of a cleric. He was full off guts and during the dinner, he exhibited the traits. The crowd, the emotions of the guests did not make him shudder as he made his presentation and testimony without blinking and eye.

At a point, some women in the hall broke into silent tears. "I thank Mrs Febisola Okonkwo of Help Initiative; I remember when I was at the rehabilitation Centre at Moniya. I thank God for using Mrs. Okonkwo Febisola to direct us on what I should do. She rescued me from the situation I was. I never knew I could get to the level I'm in my life; she has been assisting me morally, spiritually and even financially, most especially in the area of education. Now, I'm in SS2 . It is by the grace of God and Mrs Okonkwo that I've attained this level in life and I know by the grace of God I'll attain greater heights in life," Matthew said.

Recalling how he became deaf, Matthew said he was never born deaf, he was hale and hearty at birth. His present predicament started when he turned six. His parents had made several attempts to make him regain his hearing and speak again, but all had been in futility.

He said in the process of taking care of him, things became difficult for him and his family, but help Initiative through Mrs Okonkwo came to the rescue, and as today, he is better of with the assistance of Help Initiative who is currently sponsoring his education.

Matthew is burning with an ambition, he wants

•Some children of the orphanage in a performance.

By Gbenga Aderanti

CELEBRATION to become civil engineer and he is working towards actualizing that ambition.

Matthew said he does not have complex, to him all men are born equally and with special gifts.

For those with challenge akin to his, he said he always try to assist them "Anytime I see people of 'other gifts', (people that are not physically challenged), "I do my best to help them," said Matthew boldly.

Like Olaoluwa Matthew, petit 18-year-old, Tega Akpoture belongs to the class of people with 'other gifts'. At the dinner, like the rest of her colleagues, she was full of life and ready to enjoy her life to the fullest.

"I became deaf at the age three when I had a minor accident, I fell down and I became deaf," she told The Nation.

According to her, her parents made several attempts to reverse the problem but the situation could not be reversed.

Like Matthew, she has an ambition; she wants to become a medical doctor or a banker.

Apart from her ambition, Tega has plans for the people with special gifts. "When I become

successful, I want to motivate and help people who are physically challenged too," said Tega.

But for Mrs Rukayat Raimi she would not forget in a hurry how Help Initiative has succeeded in lifting her burden. Apart from being empowered by Help Initiative, the education of two of her children is being sponsored by Help Initiative.

"She (Mrs Okonkwo) just came to our street one day with her team, we did not take them seriously when they asked us register. My son went to have a meeting with Mrs Okonkwo, while the meeting was going on Mrs Okonkwo asked them a question and my son performed better than others.

Help Initiative went to school to enquire about his performance in school, they later came back to me and advised me to take care of him because he is a brilliant child," Raimi explained how she met Help Initiative.

When Help Initiative discovered that the burden of taking are of her brilliant children were too much for her, they offered to assist by offering her two children scholarship and empowered Mrs. Raimi by giving her money to equip her shop.

Speaking at the event, the the Special Guest of Honour and President Zonta International, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs Sade Ajasin while commending Okonkwo for her selflessness serv-

ices in helping humanity, he decried materialism and individualism which has permeated the society. "When someone finds people like Mrs Okonkwo who has passion for helping the less privileged, selflessly without thinking of any benefit or show off, we all need to encourage her, to encourage her initiative by donating generously and offering our services to the cause whenever we are called upon to do so."

According to Ajasin, Help Initiative is "because it is the channel between the giver and the taker, a kind of link between the donors and the beneficiaries. The goal of help Initiative is to reduce poverty by helping less privileged in the society, "she said.

A friend of Help Initiative, Taiwo Akinlami, while praising Help Initiative, she said the privileged in the society should look and those who are not privileged. According to him, the amount of money being wasted and which could have channeled to helping less privileged is huge.

Akinlami, a lawyer, therefore, called on Nigerians to support Help Initiative and see those who are not less fortunate as people with 'special gifts' The dinner was organised to sensitise partners and donors to the plight of less fortunate in the society. He therefore urged guests and the society to donate generously to the initiative.

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Artists on the march

•Some protesters at the National Theatre, Lagos.

CBAAC seeks preservation of African history Terra Kulture hosts visual excellence

•Continued from page 38

Findings, Babawale said, have “revealed a wide distribution of Rock Paintings in the predominantly rocky areas of East, West, South and Central Africa as well as the Sahara”.

Stressing the importance of the project, and especially the interest of Nigeria, which drew CBAAC into the partnership with TARA for the current efforts including the colloquium, Babawale said, “Findings revealed extensive distribution of Rock Paintings in the predominantly rocky areas of Nigeria, namely Ikom Local Government area of Cross River State and its environs; different locations in Bauchi State, and Iwo Eleru, in Ondo State. Searches also revealed extensive distribution of unique sets of stone paintings, otherwise known as Monoliths. The drawings which were on stones have been classified as “sophisticated” by scholars, with each carved stone carrying the NSIBIDI writing – a mode of writing credited to the Ejegham peoples, of the Bantu stock who were carriers of the Bantu Civilisation, and who claimed to have migrated from the Congo Basin”.

Nigerian ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and UNECA, Ambassador P. Lolo, had emphasised the significance of Rock Art to the continent’s quest for civilisation. “It is a path to the African Renaissance,” he said, continuing that the colloquium was timely, coming in the in the course of the golden jubilee of the AU. Nigeria, stated the Ambassador, “is proud to champion the cause of reinstating the Rock Art as part of our (Africans) precious heritage.”

Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Culture and National Orientation Ministry, Ms Ejele, said that the CBAAC would remain committed to the preservation, documentation, promotion and exhibition of vital historical materials of the continent in line with its mandate of being the custodian of the properties of the second festival of World and Black African Arts and Civilisation, FESTAC in Nigeria in 1977.

The African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, said the AU was impressed with Nigeria’s leadership role in the preservation and promotion of Rock Art, and is committed to partnering the country through CBAAC in exploring the social-cultural and economic benefits of resource. The

colloquium, he said, has emerged as one of the highly valued events marking the AU’s landmark golden jubilee.

Kaloko said time was auspicious for Africans to tap into their rich history and cultural heritage in the quest for development of the continent. The sheer spread of the Rock Art around many African countries, enthused Kaloko, is an indication that it could also serve as a source of further integration and unification of the various peoples of the continent.

According to Kaloko, African youths should be exposed to the rich resources of their forbears through the inclusion of the teaching of the history and heritage in the continent.

In his message to the colloquium, which had over 40 experts from well over 30 institutions in attendance, the Deputy Director General of UNESCO, Getachew Engida, also praised the role Nigeria through CBAAC is playing in the preservation of various aspects of African heritage. The leadership role, according to him, is in tandem with the status of the country in the continent; and he pledged further support of the organisation to the efforts of the Nigerian government in ensuring that the educational potential of Rock Art was tapped for the benefit of the people, especially the youths.

Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Duke had expressed Nigeria’s deep commitment to exploring and exploiting the inherent properties of the Rock Art to harness its social-cultural and economic benefits to boost tourism potentials of the continent. He said that the Rock Art could help stem rural-urban migration by facilitating creation of jobs and helping to boost the economies of those countries where it is found. While lamenting the lack of deep interest in the study of African histories in many parts of Africa, the Minister urged other African countries on the continent to deeply explore the potentials of the Rock Art. He called for the declaration of a decade for the African History. Duke urged a systematic preservation of Rock Art in such a way that it can be reinterpreted into other discourses about Africa’s contribution to world civilisation.

The colloquium was boosted with the exhibition of photographs of the various discoveries and sites where the Rock Art could be found around Africa as sourced from TARA, which is the custodian of the images. The impressive collection of images and map of sites mounted in the foyer of the

first floor of the Conference Centre was declared open by the African Union Social Affairs Commissioner, Dr. Kaloko, assisted

by High Chief Edem Duke.

In tracing the origin of the African Rock Art project, the CBAAC head, Prof. Babawale had stated that the Rock Art and the Pan– African Renaissance project “began as a mere dialogue between two individuals, Ms. Amolo Ng’weno of Kenya and retired General Ishola Williams of the Pan-African Strategic and Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG) in the course of a meeting on an on-going pictorial coverage of some unique rock paintings in East, and Southern Africa, by David Coulson of the Trust for African Rock Art (TARA). The dialogue later metamorphosed into small group discussions which resulted in the revisit of the pre-historic art and artists as well as art works. The desire to further action on the subject informed the broadening of the membership of the discussion group, to include African Agencies, experts and scholars involved in the study of African history and civilisation.”

Babawale continued, “Thus, CBAAC was invited to further engage scholars and experts in Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Linguistics, Curatorial and allied services to unearth the intangible heritage information hidden in African Rock Art. The maiden two-day meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 23 and 24, 2006. It was hosted by the Trust for Rock Art (TARA), a non-governmental agency based in Nairobi, Kenya, in whose custody some of the Rock Art photographs are kept.

“It was unanimously agreed at the forum that CBAAC should serve as the “arrowhead” of the Pan-African project on the reconstruction of the history of the Black and African people’s. CBAAC and TARA were thereafter, mandated to liaise with scholars in the area of Rock Art studies — Archaeology; Culture Linguistics; Palaeontology, Anthropology, Folklore, and other areas of relevance to Rock Art, in East and Western Africa, in preparation for the Phase II of the project. CBAAC was further mandated to undertake further studies on the presence of Rock Art Sites in West Africa, with particular emphasis on Nigeria”.

Babawale said the various research efforts of the CBAAC, covered areas, such as Geji, Shyra, Marshall Caves and Shadawanka Rock Sites – all in different locations within Bauchi State.

A

JOINT art exhibition of metal foils, plastocasts and paintings by Tony Enebeli and Albert Ohams opened at Terrakulture, Lagos last Saturday and will run till June 20.

Trained by the master printmaker Dr Bruce Onbrakpeya, Enebeli worked in his principal’s studio until he established his own in 1985.

His art is inspired by events and experiences around him. It's obvious from first glance at his plastocasts, pints or metal foils that his main focus is the desire to document the ceremonies, traditional norms, textures and elements of worship and paraphernalia for dance and performance.

He has done several group and solo exhibitions in and outside the country including, a “Season in Time” and “The way we are” both at the Mydrim gallery, Lagos.

For Ohams, a seasoned and prolific cartoonist, is a 1990 painting graduate of Yaba College of Technology. Aside his job as Cartoon Editor of the Sun, where he unleashes his brush on national commentaries with his regular brush strokes Ohams Today and Ohams brush on Sunday, he finds the canvas another platform to comment on other nation issues.

His works mostly executed on acrylic have some elements of humour in them even while delivering serious message.

One of his works Prayer for my Country is a submission of the reality of time where a little child is very aware of the explosive situation in the country with the severe insecurity and political maneuvering is threatening its existence and decided to ask God to intervene.

Other captivating works by the artist include Open confession, After a hard day's work and Consolidation, among others.

He has held a solo exhibition at the Nigerian embassy in Israel, the National Museum in Lagos and participated in several group shows, including 'Pair -apicture' at Guildhall gallery in London.

He was at the Centre for Cartoon Studies, United States to share his experience as cartoonist with students.

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POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Members of the National Assembly, ministers and other professionals recently converged on Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for a two-day brainstorming on the review of the national planning and budgeting process. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR reports.

I

Can Senate avert budget failure?

T is less than six months to the end of the year. Yet, the National Assembly and the Presidency are still locked in a war of wits over this year’s budget.

Though President Goodluck Jonathan reluctantly signed the 2013 Appropriation bill, the fiscal document was returned wholesale to the parliament over allegations by the Presidency that the lawmakers usurped the executive powers.

One area of dispute is the directive that the Accountant General of the Federation should furnish the National Assembly with the quarterly releases. The Presidency said this directive was against the spirit of separation of powers.

The lawmakers, however, think thought.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Senator Barnabas Gemade, gave the synopsis of what led the Senate to begin the search for a new budgeting process that would be allinclusive.

The need for national planning and budgeting process was described by the Senate President, David Mark, as “all important,” apparently in view of the slow pace of the country’s economy to respond to economic therapies.

The importance of national planning, Gemade said, cannot be overemphasized. According to him, it enables a nation to make conscious choice regarding the rate and direction of its growth.

He faulted the current budgeting process, which he said, makes the legislature less involved and to rely solely on the input provided by the executive arm of government, giving no room for the legislature to effectively exert its control over the fiscal priorities of the government.

He told the participants that the public hearing was not meant to witch hunt anybody, or to reduce anybody’s sphere of influence.

The discourse stemmed from a motion by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, whose scholarly touch to national issues, has often shaped deliberations in the Senate.

Adetunmbi in the motion, blamed the sharp disconnect between the multi-year development plans and the annual national budget under which the Federal Ministry of Finance prepares the budget with little or no regards to ministries, departments and agencies for the stunted growth of the country’s economy.

During the debate of the motion, the Senate agreed that a disconnect between the national plans and the annual budget is largely responsible for the slow shift from recurrent to annual capital budget in the country.

But opinions soon differed at the public hearing, with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, leading those who think that the existing status quo should not be altered.

Observers said Okonjo-Iweala might have been influenced in her position by her Bretton Wood orientation.

Some observers said the minister might be apprehensive that the removal of budgeting from her ministry would amount to taking away the soul of the ministry.

But former the Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ode Ojowu, disagreed.

In his presentation at the public hearing, Ojowu said that globally, planning is recognised as critical to growth and development.

Though accepted as the engine of growth, Ojowu admitted that in practical terms, the role of planning has continued to wane with the exception of a few countries where it has retained its primacy in driving the overall economic and social progress.

For him, Nigeria ’s experience with planning has been mixed: the earliest plans, in particular, the First to the Third national development plans, were quite successfully implemented with their targets mostly achieved, including some progress with structural transformation of the economy.

The Fourth and Fifth National Development Plans were, however, not as successful owing to the failure of revenue, Ojowu said.

The economist traced the beginning of crisis in

• Dr Jonathan

• Mark

‘You have the plan first, then the budget. The budget takes its cue from the plan. There is need to ‘de mystify’ budgets and to increase participation in the budget-making process. A major medium for ensuring effective participation is first, full engagement of the legislature as the elected representatives of the people’ • Okonjo-Iweala

planning to the failure of Fourth and Fifth national development plans.

He pointed out that General Ibrahim Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was actually a response to this failure.

SAP, Ojowu argued, meant the abandonment of the structural transformation, which the plans aimed to achieve in favour of adjustment of the structures that really never existed.

He posited that SAP generated even greater crisis leading to a return to planning in the twilight of the military era through the return of democratic rule in 1999.

Ojowu said that, the severance of Planning from the Ministry of Fnance and Economic Planning by the National Planning Commission decree of 1992, was intended to boost planning and enhance its impact on growth development.

He noted that though the measure was well intended and in line with best practices, the move nonetheless, witnessed some resistance and led to an amendment of the decree in 1993, which returned the capital budget function to ministry of finance.

“What followed was a simmering conflict that endured. As a fallout of this conflict, in 2004, the department of planned budgets and programmes with its entire staff was transferred to the ministry of fiancé. This, largely personality driven conflict between the national planning commission and ministry of finance, has deepened at the expense of institutional and national development,” Ojowu said. functions and perhaps relevance.

Ojowu said over time, though the laws setting up the national planning commission have not

changed, they have been counteracted by other laws like the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the creation of such institutions like the Budget Office in the ministry of finance.

“Either way, the economy bears the ultimate burden of the absence of clarity of role around budget coordination, the absence of linkage with national planning and the shrunken role of the legislature in the process,” he said.

Ojowu was of the view that the absence of a strong national planning function denies the budgetary process of a robust analytical contributions and effective partnership with the international community and development organisations.

The way forward, he said, would be to address subsumed role of the national planning function in the budgetary process and prepare national plans that allow the government to develop a holistic perspective among other concerns raised in the Adetunmbi motion will require a honest and open discussion of the ideological undertone for or against formal planning in the country since the mid 1980s.

Ojowu was not alone in this postulation. Mike Kwanashie, a professor of Economics and Vice Chancellor, Veritas University , also said that planning was abandoned in the country following the adoption of SAP as a national economic policy.

Kwanashie said to make matters worse, that with the introduction of SAP planning infrastructure was relegated to the back seat while the manpower was scattered throughout the civil service.

He was of the opinion that the absence of long

term planning to drive growth and development reflects in the current underdevelopment of many aspects of economic life of the country.

For him, the country had developed from independence until the mid 1980s a core of planning officers that were trained in the act of planning, project evaluation and analysis involving project circles and costing.

He believed that the absence of these skills in public management of the budget, after the introduction of SAP, greatly undermined the integrity of the capital budget.

The Vice Chancellor also believed that Vision 20-2-20 was articulated to restore the country back to the path of long-term planning.

He said that one major lesson learnt is the need to better interface the annual budget with the medium term plan.

Kwanashie identified a major disconnect between the national integrated projects and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework that drives the annual budget.

He expressed worry that the country is yet to achieve the harmony between plans and budget, which he sees as critical for the attainment of the objectives of the national vision.

Kanashie isolated two major components of the budget critical in the growth trajectory of an economy.

One is that the relationship between the current and capital budget is critical to the ability of the budget to create growth potential in an economy.

Planning, he said, imposes a strict discipline on the selection of projects and increases the chances of project success.

He posited that with the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act in 2007, it has become necessary for Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to be presented to the National Assembly prior to consideration of each year’s budget. jjHe insisted that the restoration of planning in the country is a major step forward for driving the growth and development process and should be solidly entrenched in the management of the country’s economy.

He did not forget to stress the fact that the major role of the budget within the planning/budgeting context is to implement the plan.

“You have the plan first then the budget. The budget takes its cue from the plan. There is need to ‘de mystify’ budgets and to increase particip ation in the budget-making process.

“A major medium for ensuring effective participation is first full engagement of the legislature as the elected representatives of the people,” he said.

Okonjo-Iweala opposed any fiscal policy aimed at removing budgeting as part of the functions of the Ministry of Finance.

The minister said that the stunted growth of the country’s economy should not be blamed on fact that budgeting and planning are not done under one roof.

According to her, through the initiative of the envelope system of budgeting, MDAs are made to set priorities. She noted that the envelope system, prior to the time she came to office, MDAs did not have ownership of the budget.

She advised that the partnership between the Finance Ministry and National Planning Commission should be sustained and strengthened.

“We strongly believe that a country needs a strong budgeting process and a strong planning process. We believe that strong planning process gives a country vision, direction and focus.

Planning shows the direction a country is going,” she said.

On the independence of the budget office as it is practiced in the United States , she said that the location of the budget office is based on the structure of the economy. She added that where the economy is heavily driven by the private sector, to move the budget office out of the Ministry of Finance may be desirable.

On the need to restructure the budget circle to reflect the country’s weather condition, she said that she has an open mind on the issue.

The minister said that structuring the budget circle from January to December is a matter of convenience.

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NEWS 13,000 teachers get appointment letters

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•Students of Ewet Technical College learning under a palm tree in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital...yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

PDP accused of masterminding attack on Okorocha’s convoy

M

ORE facts e m e r g e d yesterday on how last week’s attack on Governor Rochas Okorocha’s convoy was allegedly plotted by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The chieftains allegedly vowed to embarrass the governor ahead of the rescheduled House of Assembly election for Oguta Constituency.

It was gathered that the ambush of the governor’s convoy was part of plans to discourage Okorocha from visiting Oguta to rally support for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate before the June 29 election.

A source said the scuffle between Okorocha’s convoy and the supporters of the PDP candidate,

•It was an accident, says candidate From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Eugene Dibiagwu, was arranged by PDP chieftains, who want to whittle down the governor’s support for APGA candidate.

The attack took place in Awa community, Oguta Local Government Area, when the governor was inspecting the 15-kilometre road.

The source alleged that the PDP chieftains, including a senator and former governor, mandated Dibiagwu, to “confront” Okorocha, whenever he visit Oguta.

Another source said the attack may not be unconnected with the meeting convened by the senator in

his Abuja home after the last Supreme Court ruling.

The senator was said to have boasted that as long as Okorocha remains committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Presidency would continue to unleash its security agencies, especially the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ( ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on his administration and state officials.

But Dibiagwu debunked the allegation, insisting that he never ambushed the governor's convoy.

He said: “What happened was an accident. The victim, Ukemezie Ejike, is

Thugs assault women in Anambra

M

ORE than 200 women traders in Awka, Anambra State, stormed the Central Police Station (CPS) yesterday to protest what they called “harassment and intimidation by thugs” believed to be government agents.

Some of the women were beaten up by the thugs, following their inability to pay the stipulated N3,000 government tax imposed on them at the market.

But the Commissioner for Information, Joe Martins Uzodike, said: “Government does not control thugs and we do not intend to have any

•Govt: we don’t control thugs From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

in the state.”

He said the government does not run markets, adding that what the government is interested in is people paying their taxes.

“If the women are saying that thugs are harassing them, the onus is on the police to investigate the claim,” Uzodike said One of the women leaders, Mrs. Praise Moneke, said the harassment and intimidation by some boys had become unbearable, which

forced them to move to the police station.

At the Eke-Market yesterday, some 20 thugs were seen harrassing the women and throwing away their goods.

Some of the thugs were parading the market with weapons, including guns, machetes, axes and empty bottles.

At the central police station, the women were told to appoint 10 persons to meet with the Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa, today.

‘I have no problems with Dickson’

T

HE former Chief of Staff to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, Dikivie Ikiogha, yesterday denied having problems with his boss.

Ikiogha, who spoke in Yenagoa, said his redeployment to the state’s liaison office in Abuja was done in good faith.

The transfer of Ikiogha to Abuja had led to specu-

lations that he was out of favour with Dickson, leading to the conclusion that the move was designed to humiliate him.

The governor replaced Ikiogha with former Commissioner for Science and Technology Mrs. Didi Waltson-Jack.

But Ikiogha said the governor simply transferred him to Abuja to

play his role as chief of staff at the state’s liaison office.

He said the redeployment did not come to him as a surprise as he was duly consulted before the announcement.

Ikiogha said his relationship with his boss was cordial, describing his new assignment in Abuja as a challenge.

still in the hospital.

“I don't have the capacity to attack or ambush the governor's convoy and moreover as a former lawmaker, I know the implications of such act.

“It was an accident involving the outrider and one okada rider in my campaign train.”

IVERS State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Rotimi Amaechi will today give appointment letters to the newly employed 13,000 teachers, who passed the recruitment exercise.

Amaechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi, said the teachers’ appointment was part of moves to ensure quality education in the state.

She praised Amaechi for giving attention to the education sector, stating that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will assist the government to undertake an assessment of the number of out-of-school children in the state.

“Not that the Minsitry of Education did not know the figures, but we want professionals to make their assessment and tell us, particularly, now that Nigerians are jittering that about 10.5 million children are out of school.

I think in Rivers we have done well on infrastructure.

We have gone into training of our teachers and employment of 13,000 teachers.

“And these teachers by today will pick up their letters, and we shall begin induction course for them. They will also be sent to the classrooms for training for three months. And

by September, all the 13,000 teachers will be in our model schools, Junior Secondary Schools as well as the Senior Secondary Schools. “ This is the biggest employment the governor has done in the education sector, and the employment of teachers was not an easy task for us. “

NCC arrests two for ‘piracy’

T

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

WO traders in Onitsha, Anambra State, have been arrested by the Nigeria Copyrights Commission (NCC). Goods worth over N2 million were impounded.

The commission invaded an electronics market on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway yesterday, led by its Principal Officer, Field Work, Gabriel Anikwem.

They were in search of traders, who specialised in selling pirated music discs in Onitsha and its environs.

The suspects were arrested when NCC officials raided Sky Music and God is able music lines.

Speaking with reporters after the raid, the NCC’s Zonal Manager, Emeka Ogbonna, said they were alerted by some concerned traders, following the spate of piracy in the markets.

He said the organisation was committed to tackling the piracy in the country, especially in Onitsha and its environs.

Ogbonna said the exercise was to make people not reap where they did not sow.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18- 06-13

Dangote’s presidency restored confidence, say brokers

C

•Equities gain N5tr in one-year tenure

APITAL market operators yesterday reviewed the performance of the stock market in the past one year under the presidency of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and commended the return of the market to stable growth.

Operators noted that the reign of Dangote in the last one year has been able to restore investors’ confidence in the market, citing the capital gain of more than N5 trillion and average return of 77 per cent in the 12-month period.

Dangote was elected as the president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) but his election was entangled in legal dispute.

He was re-instated by the appellate court and resumed on June 19, 2012.

His re-instatement had been greeted by applause from stakeholders who believed his leadership at that time of market downturn and erosion of investors’ confidence would herald the dawn of a new era.

Market operators yesterday said Dangote had lived up to expectations given the significant uptrend that has dominated market and increasing participation of Nigerian and foreign investors.

They noted that the market has benefitted from Dangote’s business acumen, leadership qualities and international contacts.

During the 12-month period, aggregate market capitalisation of equities jumped by N5.183 trillion while the benchmark index, the All Share Index (ASI), rose by 76 per cent. Market value of all quoted equities closed yesterday at N11.895 trillion as

By Taofik Salako

against its opening value of N6.712 trillion at the onset of Dangote’s resumption. The ASI has risen from 21,028.39 points to 37,024.72 points, its opening position today.

Chief Executive Officer, Lambert Trust and Investment Company Limited, Mr. David Adonri, said the NSE has undergone transformation from a mono-product capital market to that of multiple products offering.

According to him, Dangote has successfully restored a firm order to affairs of the NSE within the past one year. The board room crisis that he inherited from the previous council has become a thing of the past.

“The NSE is once more poised to taking its rightful position in the process of capital formation for the Nigerian economy,” Adonri said.

Chief Executive Officer, Investment Centre Limited, Mr. Ifeanyi Odunwa, said the market has done exceedingly well in terms of restoration of investor confidence, quantum positive leap in market indices and return of local investors back to the market in the past one year under.

He noted that the market that had defied various corrective policies in the throes of the recession suddenly started responding positively on a sustained basis since the return of Dangote as the NSE President.

“Dangote personifies investment, hard-work, integrity, resilience, humility, the Nigerian can-do spirit, goodwill, transparency, trust and confi-

dence, which are necessary ingredients that positively drive a stock market,” Odunwa said.

According to him, it was not surprising that Dangote’s experience, charisma and global contacts were brought to bear on the market. This he said was in addition to the professionalism and hard work of the NSE management led by Oscar Onyema that ensured the implementation of world-class policies and best practices, which finally turned the market around.

Analysts commended that the leadership of Dangote has brought about harmony in the council and good atmosphere for the management of the Exchange to implement strategies, which have taken the market to the new levels.

They noted that the NSE has in the period under review improved disclosure and governance level in the market, introduced market making, retail bond trading and raised the level of investor education with the support of the council under Dangote’s leadership.

On assumption of duty last year, Dangote had promised to support the management of the NSE and work with all council members to ensure restoration of investor confidence.

He had pledged that during his tenure as NSE president, he would be guided by five key themes. These included transparency and improved governance of the market; improving the liquidity, turnover and size of the market; enhancing market efficiency by ensuring clearer and updated rules, processes and procedures; provision of worldclass infrastructure and technology for our market and massive capacity building and rapid skill enhancement of the staff of the stock exchange and investor education.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18- 06-13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

Fed Govt releases timetable NDIC, Poland Guarantee bank partner T for $1b Eurobond

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HE Federal Government has released timetable for its on going $1 billion Eurobond road show.

According to the schedule for the trip obtained by Reuters, a oneweek road show has been slated for Britain, Germany and the United States from today with the bookrunners for its Eurobond.

The programme showed that the meetings will be led by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, and other senior government officials from the Debt Management Office (DMO).

In May the Federal Government appointed Deutsche Bank and Citigroup to lead manage the bond.

The Federal Government issued

a debut $500 million 10-year Eurobond two years ago, which was 21/2 times oversubscribed, with investors spanning 18 countries from Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa.

Last month, the head of the debt office said Nigeria will increase the amount it borrows overseas to around 40 per cent of all debt over the next three to five years, from 12 per cent currently, to lower its funding costs.

The debt office had said it wanted to raise the money before the end of September to help finance the country’s power reforms.

The Federal Government will begin the road show in London on Wednesday, June 19, going on to Germany on June 20, then New York

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bank Guarantee Fund of Poland in a move seen as helping both bodies share ideas on regulation.

In a statement, the Corporation said the move is in line with the mission of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) to share knowledge and experience in deposit insurance and areas of compliance with core principles of effective deposit insurance practice among its affiliates globally.

The MoU was signed at the end of the NDIC’s working visit to the Bank of Guarantee Fund of Poland on capacity building, information and experience sharing in key operational areas.

The statement listed such areas to include early warning system, failure resolution, establishment of target fund ratio and implementation of a single customer view system.

The NDIC delegates comprised the

•Okonjo-Iweala

and Boston, and ending in Los Angeles on June 26.

Nigeria has a credit rating of BBwith a stable outlook from both Fitch and Standard & Poors.

Mainstreet Bank declares N24b profit

M

AINSTREET Bank Limited has released its group financial result for the year ended 31 December 2012, which saw the bank’s profit before tax (PAT) hitting N24.1 billion during the period.

The lender is one of the bridge banks that emerged on August 5, 2011 following the takeover by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) of the defunct Afribank Plc and its subsequent recapitalisation and ownership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

A statement issued by the bank, said the result rekindled hope

across the industry especially amongst customers, financial analysts and investors who had expressed mixed feelings on the ability of AMCON to stabilise the nation’s financial system after taking over some banks under the bridge model.

“The declared result showed a marked improvement in all key financial indices especially given the bank’s loss position of N4.4 billion within the five-month period it operated as at December 2011. The figures from the result also show that the bank grew its gross earnings to N47.9 billion within the period under review,”

it said.

Other highlights of the results saw the Capital Adequacy Ratio rising to 92 per cent; Liquidity Ratio, 137.9 per cent; Return on Assets, seven per cent; Return on Equity, 44.5 per cent; Earnings per share, N3.69; and non-performing loan ratio dropping to 3.29 per cent.

The bank’s Group Managing Director, Faith Tuedor-Matthews according to the statement, thanked the staff of the bank for their stellar performance during the period under review. She challenged them to rise to the future challenge of ensuring that the lender attains

its leadership aspirations especially in the area of innovation, service excellence and strong ethical conduct.

“We will continue to train and retrain our staff to ensure that they do banking differently, indeed, our history will be our springboard to future triumph,” she said.

The bank’s Chairman, Mallam Falau Bello lauded the results as phenomenal, noting that the bank’s PBT grew by 397 per cent during the period under review.

He noted that the bank’s leadership and its corporate governance regime contributed greatly in the attainment of such feat.

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

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

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 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 18-06-13

SYMBOL FIDSON PRESCO MCNICHOLS LIVESTOCK ZENITHBANK DANGSUGAR ACCESS WAPCO DANGFLOUR COURTVILLE

O/PRICE 2.01 35.00 1.80 4.73 20.00 10.51 10.64 88.44 9.50 0.82

C/PRICE 2.21 37.95 1.89 4.95 20.90 10.97 11.05 91.00 9.74 0.84

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

CHANGE 0.20 2.95 0.09 0.22 0.90 0.46 0.41 2.56 0.24 0.02

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

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

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% 11.8%

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

FLOURMILL NAHCO DNMEYER WEMABANK COSTAIN PRESTIGE ROYALEX CONTINSURE UNITYBNK RTBRISCOE

104.00 7.45 1.60 1.24 1.60 0.54 0.59 1.22 0.70 1.76

93.60 6.72 1.45 1.13 1.46 0.50 0.55 1.14 0.66 1.66

CHANGE 10.40 0.73 0.15 0.11 0.14 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.04 0.10

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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%

Movement

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 18-06-13

SYMBOL

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended Know Your Customer (KYC) deadline for Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) from April 30 2013 to December 31, 2013.

In a statement, the CBN Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, A.O Ikem advised DNFBPs that have not registered with Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) will have to do same before the deadline ends, failing which they would not be allowed to operate such accounts.

The CBN said the extension is meant to address some of the challenges encountered by SCUML as a result of the number of persons seeking to enjoy late compliance.

The CBN had earlier issued a circular, mandating DNFBPs on the need to provide additional KYC requirements to their banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs). It said compliance is in line with international best practice against adverse developments resulting from money laundering and financing of terrorism globally.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

KYC deadline for non-financial businesses extended

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

By Collins Nweze

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Umaru Ibrahim and the Executive Director of Operations, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa.

It said both bodies are members of International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) and the President of the Management Board of BGF, Poland, Jerzy Pruski is the current Chair of the Executive Council and President of IADI.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 139.16 139.16 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 165.11 163.93 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.16 1.15 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,817.23 1,808.06 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 14.39 13.69 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 12,214.81 11,854.08 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

57

NEWS

Abuja property tussle: Businessman denies document forgery allegation

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•Bauchi State flood victims waiting to cash their money at a bank in Bauchi... yesterday.

APC reviews processes for registration

A

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has reviewed its processes in the ongoing registration, said the Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Merger Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi.

Addressing reporters yesterday at Abuja, Ikimi said the various merging parties of the APC were scheduled to hold caucus meetings last night on the formation of the interim leadership of the new party.

He said the merging committee’s meeting had examined various options that would be tabled before the caucuses for the conclusion of

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the registration process.

The review, said the merger chairman, would give all the parties a sense of belonging.

He said: “We continued from the meeting we had last Tuesday. We have reviewed the processes that are ongoing with the registration of our party and looked into various issues in order that we can carry all the merging parties along.

“And this evening, there will be caucus meetings of the

merging parties. So, we have worked out various options, which we want to take to the caucuses so that will meet with the leadership in our caucuses and finalise these matters.”

Asked to give an update on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) request for an interim officer of the APC, Ikimi said the party has looked at the various structures in order to accommodate all the merging parties.

According to him, yesterday’s nocturnal meeting will ensure that every party gets a sense of belonging.

“That is one issue. We have

looked into various structures to ensure that all the merging parties are taken along. And this, we will discuss tonight and see that every party has a sense of belonging,” he said.

Ikimi stressed that since time is not on the side of APC, it will, in a matter of days, sort out all issues concerning its interim leadership.

He said: “Well, there is no much time left now. I am sure in matter of days.”

Ikimi, however, explained that INEC has replied APC’s request for registration application which the party submitted on June 8.

di Sambo, said as from next month, a new power plant will be inaugurated every monthly.

According to him, this will happen till the end of the year when about 4,000 megawatts will be added to the national grid.

Jonathan said nine of the 10

power plants were manufactured by GE, adding that the company has been partnering Federal Government’s ongoing Transformation Agenda.

He said the company’s decision to site its factory in Calabar demonstrated its confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

4,000MW expected by year-end, says Jonathan

A

BOUT 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity are expected to be added to the national grid at the end of the year, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The President, who spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

of the $1 billion (about N160 billion) General Electric (GE) manufacturing facility, said 10 new National Integrated Power Plants with 1,000 MW have been completed.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Nama-

Suswam: my withdrawal from NSGF not a mistake

B

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam yesterday said his decision to stop attending the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) was not a mistake.

The governor was reacting to a report credited to his Kano State counterpart, Musa Kwankwaso, that he (Suswam) and Bauchi State Governor Isa Yugusa made “the biggest political mistakes of their lives” by stopping to attend the regional governors’ forum.

In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Dr Cletus Akwaya, the governor said he was shocked to read the report

credited to Kwankwaso.

The statement said: “The statements credited to Governor Kwankwaso are misleading as they are intended to undermine the integrity of Governor Suswam by portraying him as a leader who is against the interest of his people and political interests of the North.

This is certainly untrue and a total misinterpretation of the decision of Governor Suswam on the subject matter under discourse.

“Suswam wishes to state, in very clear terms, that on the contrary, he is a leader that takes decisions carefully and weighs the implications on his

people. His decision to withdraw from meetings of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum was also well thought out and taken in the overall interest of the people of Benue State, who he represents, as well as the people of the old Northern Region, of which Benue people are a proud part.

“Suswam wishes to state that he stands by his decision to withdraw his attendance from the NSGF meetings because of the mistrust created by betrayal by some members of the forum and would continue to maintain that stance for as long as the unacceptable situation prevails.

Vanguard parley seeks to empower the child against He said there is need to reHE Vanguard Newspasexual abuse turn the days of glory among per yesterday held the

T

fifth edition of its children’s conference in commemoration of this year’s International Day of the African Child.

The programme, with the theme: Roles of Teachers in Curbing Child Sexual Abuse, was attended by the wife of Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs Olufunmilayo Adesegun; wife of frontline industrialist, Mrs Khubrat Olayinka RazakOkoya, who was also the mother of the day; Mrs Olatunji Belo, Chairman Pearlcourt Residences and Hotels, as well as Mr Fred Odueme, who represented the Vanguard publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu.

Others at the event includ-

By Uyoatta Eshiet

ed pupils from public and private primary and secondary schools across the state as well as heads of schools and counsellors.

The Vanguard said the programme has been holding in the last five years to create an effective channel for the children who have been sexually abused and have been unable to approach their parents, to speak out and gethelp.

Odueme said the theme for this year’s edition was chosen because of the important roles teachers play in moulding everybody in the society.

teachers because it is the only way to encourage them to perform better.

Mrs Razak-Okoya said the International Day of the African Child was created by the African Union (UN) to mark the gruesome murder, 23 years ago, of 200 students in Soweto, South Africa. They were protesting discrimination and poor quality of education given to black children by the then apartheid regime.

She described child sexual abuse as a silent endemic as well as a public health issue with negative long-term effect on victims, depending on the extent or degree of the abuse.

Police warn vehicle owners

T

HE Lagos Police Command has warned owners of accident and abandoned vehicles parked at Ojodu and Ogudu Divisions to remove them or lose them to the public through auction after 21 days of this publication. The vehicles are: mercedez Benz 200 marked BZ 258 AAA; Primera FPI 77 EKY and mark trailer, XT 188 EPE

PUBLIC NOTICE

OKPARE I, formerly known and addressed as Okpare Eddy Omonigho, now wish to be known and addressed as Abraham Joshua Success. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNSAKIN I, formerly known as Miss Ogunsakin Modupe Caroline now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Daramola Modupe Caroline. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OFURUM I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Ngozi Nzolu Ofurum now wish to be known and addressed as Ms Ngozi Nzolu Okwesa. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

By Joseph Jibueze

HE police have arraigned a businessman, Alhaji Lawal Abba, at a Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse, Abuja, for alleged fraud and forgery of documents of Plot 105, Aso Drive, Abuja.

The documents were suspected to have stolen from one Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, said to be late.

The arraignment followed a complaint of forgery of land documents made by Gusau, Inuwa Abdulkadir and Sunrise Resource Limited Abba.

The complainants had also reported a case of alleged trespass and willful destruction by Abba.

But the defendant, who was arraigned on June 18, denied the allegation and insisted he is the legitimate owner of the house.

The police said the alleged crime was contrary to sections 319A, 177, 342, 364, 368 and 366 of the Penal Code.

Abba was granted bail in the sum of N3million.

He claimed he purchased the house known as Plot 105 Aso Drive Cadastral Zone A5, Maitama Abuja by virtue of Deed of Assignment and a Power of Attorney dated March 3, 2004.

The property was said to be executed and donated to him

by Messrs Rexparts International Nigeria Limited A dispute over the title of the land between one late Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and Abdulkadir, a lawyer, on the one hand, and Rexparts International Limited, Mrs Perveen Akhter Ahmad and Abba on the other is pending before Court of Appeal Abuja division.

While case is pending, the family of the late Gusau, allegedly without Abdulkadir’s knowledge and consent (as lawful Attorney over the property), sold the property to one Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar.

Abubakar was said to have demolished the house, although he was allegedly told by Abba that the property is his (Abba’s) and that he and others were before the Court of Appeal Abuja over the house.

Rexparts International and Abba, it was said, had been in possession of the property for over 30 years until January 15 when he was allegedly forcefully ejected and unlawfully dispossessed of the house by Abubakar with the aid of the police.

However, Abba insists that Gusau sold the plot of land to Rexparts International, and having received the consideration, Gusau agreed and surrendered the certificate of occupancy and also signed a deed of assignment and Power of Attorney which was duly registered at the Abuja Land Registry since 2000.

The police invited Abba in January over the allegation of a criminal complaint of forgery and fraud against him by Gusau and Abdulkadir, who was said to have later written the police denying any knowledge of the said complaint against Abba.

Meanwhile, Abba, on his part, wrote a criminal complaint against Abubakar for “willful destruction” of his property, but the police is allegedly yet to deal with the complaint.

When Abba received an invitation in writing from the police over the complaints, he was charged with fraud and forgery over title deeds of the property he claimed he purchased from Rexparts International.

The court adjourned till July 3.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, MR. TIMI ABOH and MR. TIMI DANIEL are one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. TIMI ABOH. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE ISAAC

I, formerly known and addressed as ODEGBILE OLUWAFEMI OLAWALE now wish to be known and addressed as ODEGBILE FEMI ISAAC. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

58

NEWS Legogie dies at 66 From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Osagie Otabor, Benin

A FORMER Deputy Senate President, Albert Legogie, is dead. He died on Monday after a brief illness in Benin, Edo State. He was 66.

His first son, Victor, said: “He had malaria and was taken to the hospital. He recovered and was brought home, in fact, he was doing well.

“But later, he was ill again and we rushed him back to the hospital, but unfortunately, he died.

“So as you know my dad was a man of many parts, so we have to inform the National Assembly, the state government before we fix the funeral date.”

The late Legogie is survived by six children. His wife was said to have died 25 years ago.

He represented Edo North Senatorial district during the ill-fated Ibrahim Babangida’s transition programme.

He was the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Bendel Newspapers Company and General Manager of New Nigerian Salt Company, Oghareki.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole described the deceased as a true democrat, who gave his all for the growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said: “News of the death came to me as a shock. “ I offer my personal commiseration and the condolence of the people and government of Edo State.

“His death is a great loss not only to his family, but also to the people, who he served so devotedly.”

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu described the death as painful and shocking.

Ekweremadu said: “Senator Legogie was an elder statesman who distinguished himself in leadership and selfless service to the nation.

“His death is a loss to the Senate and the nation as he was a repository of parliamentary knowledge.”

He condoled with the family, the government and people of Edo State and the nation.

‘Our city project on course’ From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

RIVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Greater Port Harcourt City project, describing it as a reality that is achievable and irreversible.

Speaking after receiving the end of term project report (May 2009 – May 2013) in Port Harcourt, the governor praised the Board of Directors for ensuring proper functioning of the organisation and implementation of the projects.

Amaechi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii, said: “We are happy on the development so far, and despite the issues involved, you ensured proper functioning of the authority and implementation of the project.”

GSM provider in illegal bunkering mess •Navy arrests ‘oil thief’ •Boat, 150 drums seized

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ROOPS of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta have raided the base of a popular GSM service provider in Warri, Delta State, for alleged complicity in illegal bunkering.

The Task Force operatives stormed the facility at Edjeba, following reports that a truck loaded with illegally refined crude oil was discharging at the base station.

The Operations Officer of the 13 Battalion, Capt Mohammed Abdulahi, led soldiers to the scene at Izuokumor Street.

Capt. Abdulahi said 15 drums of illegally refined diesel were recovered.

“It is sad that a company like this that should be discouraging this criminal act is actively partaking in it.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t make any arrest, but we have our strategy in place to tackle it,” he said.

It was gathered that residents of the area raised the alarm on the pollution around the vicinity.

“We have been complaining about the black diesel polluting everywhere; when we approached them, they said we should be grateful because they are helping us to chase away mosquitoes,” a landlord, Paul Ekrirhe, said.

Ekrirhe, who owns the land

•The drums of diesel seized at the base station. INSET: Okon From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt, Nicholas Kalu, Calabar and Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

on which the base station is built, said the activities of the company are a source of concern for residents.

“If you look at this road, you will see that the point up to where the base station is located is a mess. The company brings its heavy duty trucks and destroyed everywhere,” he added.

The JTF also arrested seven suspects, who were allegedly ferrying canoes of crude oil in Warri.

The suspects are Peter Abodu (20); Love Aloro (40); Vincent Korokoro (25); Disemi Lewis (18); Kenitebo Mike (19); Nicholas Ebie Joel (29) and Peter Tenibonu (20).

Recovered from them

were four water pumping machines; N9,450; seven mobile phones; one phone battery; two speed boats; drums and tanks of hot liquid suspected to be diesel.

Kookoro, a father of one, said poverty led him to the business.

Another suspect, Abodu, said he was given a lift to Warri when he was arrested.

Yet another, Peter Tenibonu, who claimed to be 20, contrary to his looks, thrilled reporters when he said his old look was as a result of hard work.

He said: “My look is because of hard work. I have no job. Since I left secondary school, I could not get a job.

So I joined bunkering business. I make N15,000 per trip.”

In Calabar, the Cross River State capital, naval operatives

arrested a suspected oil thief.

They seized a large wooden canoe containing 150 200litre drums, some of which contained diesel.

Commander of NNS Victory Cmd James Oluwole said at about 2am yesterday his men ran into suspected oil thieves around the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty in Calabar.

He said: “What happened yesterday morning around 2am during one of our patrols around the NNPC jetty, we impounded a canoe with about 150, 200-litre drums of what we suspect to be stolen refined products from NNPC pipeline.

“One of the men was arrested while the others jumped overboard when they sighted our men.”

He said the products and

Don’t give Amaechi my dad’s treatment, says Marshall Harry’s son P OLITICIANS fighting the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi, have been warned not to give him the Marshall Harry treatment.

The first son of the late politician, Sonny MarshallHarry, gave the warning yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Marshall Harry, who was killed in his Abuja residence on March 5, 2003, was the National Vice-Chairman (Southsouth) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

The younger Harry praised the 2011 presidential candi-

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From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

date of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari and Amaechi for standing by the family in the last 10 years.

“Rivers people are jolted by the misunderstanding between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Amaechi.

“The situation is worrisome, because the personalities involved are sons of the Niger Delta.

“It is indeed uncalled for and should be resolved before it gets out of hand.

“I urge well-meaning Niger Deltans and notable Nigerians to rise and resolve whatever misunderstanding that exists between the President and the governor.

“My advice is that elders should intervene quickly, to avoid a repeat of what happened to my father.

“It is very important to note that before my father was killed, a similar scenar-

JTF rescues Frenchman in Bayelsa

FRENCHMAN, Benjamin Alan, who was among the 15 crew members declared missing after their ship was attacked in Lome, Togo, by suspected pirates, has been rescued.

Alan was rescued by the Joint Task Force (JTF), codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, in Bayelsa State.

The JTF Commander, MajGen Bata Debiro, said the victim was rescued on Tuesday in a kidnappers’ den at Amatu community in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

The 28-year old was among the missing 15 crew members of a chemical tanker, Adour, attacked by suspected pirates on June 13 at 30 nautical miles off Lome, Togo.

The chemical tanker was said to have discharged its cargo in the Lome port but

on its way suspected pirates boarded it and changed its course to Nigeria.

It was gathered that the tanker, which was registered in Marseille, France, was owned and operated by a French company, Sea Tankers Shipping.

The crew members were said to be of different nationalities.

Debiro presented Alan to state officials led by the Commissioner for Information, Markson Fefegha.

Debiro said: “The rescue of the French national was made possible by the combined efforts of youths from Bomadi and Ekeremor local government areas.

“The rescued worker was abducted in Togo aboard an oil tanker and brought to Bayelsa State by suspected

kidnappers.”

He said the new collaboration between security agencies and the youths of oil-producing communities would help tackle piracy and kidnapping.

Alan said the kidnappers fed him for six days with bread and water, stating that they did not maltreat him.

He said his fellow crew members were rescued by naval operatives, who stormed the ship shortly after the pirates’ attack.

“The naval officers negotiated the release of other crew members but due to fear and poor visibility,the pirates held unto me to ensure that they escaped,” he said.

He said the kidnappers took him to a village, where he was later rescued by youths.

io played out.

“My father complained, severally, to the police and all stakeholders, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about threats to his life.

“He was ignored by the police. Instead, he was locked up at the State Investigation Bureau (SIB), taken to court the next day and was remanded in Port Harcourt prison.

“He was suspended from the PDP. Irked by the situation, he went to court to challenge the suspension.

“He left the PDP and joined the ANPP; he became the Southsouth National Vice Chairman. He was eventually assassinated and the memories still linger till today.

“My father’s Campaign for the Realisation of Southsouth President (CRESSOP 2003) was a complete departure from the then clamour for resource control.

“Dr. Marshall Harry reasoned that with the emergence of a Southsouth president, the much-talked about injustice and marginalisation would be redressed.

“We are worried that since the CRESSOP dream became a reality, nobody has mentioned my father or give recognition to the family.

“We are pleading with President Jonathan to give us a sense of belonging, as people from his zone whose son paid the supreme price, while fighting to make a difference in the nation’s polity.”

suspect would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which handles such matters.

The suspect, Orok Okon, 35, said they were seven of them on board when they were accosted by the Navy but the rest escaped.

He said they picked up the drums from Creek Town in Odukpani Local Government Area and were taking them to Jebbs in Calabar-South when they were arrested.

Rivers PDP crisis: Court to hear joiner application From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

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USTICE George Omereji of the High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will on July 2 hear the application for joiner filed by five members of the House of Assembly in the suit filed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi against 32 members of the House.

Amaechi sued the 32 lawmakers based on a suspicion that he might be impeached.

However, five membersEvans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Kelechi Nwogu(Omuma), Martin Amaewhule(Obio/Akpor 1), victor Ihunwo(Port Harcourt 3), and Micheal Chinda (Obio/ Akpor 2)- filed an application expressing their interest to join in the suit on a separate capacity.

They asked the court to grant them leave to file their processes and join formally in the suit.

The lawmakers said they have divergent opinion from the rest of the House in the suit and should be heard.

They were granted leave by the court to serve their processes on the parties.

At the court yesterday, Amaechi through his lawyer, Belolisa Nwaofor (SAN), served his reply.

In another case by the five lawmakers against the leadership of the House before Justice L.L. Nyordee, the court adjourned till July 23 to hear the argument on jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

The five lawmakers asked the court to restrain the leadership of the House from carrying out its alleged plot to bar them from the Assembly premises.

They also asked the court to prevail on the respondents to pay them their withheld salaries and allowances and to stop them from refusing to pay them as at when due.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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CITYBEATS Who ‘ll save this teenager’s life?

‘She is in a A precarious

T a tender age, 17, ill-fate has come so hard on Adijat Talubi with heart-rending cruelty.

For the past two weeks, bed 15 at the Pediatric Ward of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, has remained her home.

As time runs out on her, she grapples with the twin agony of the inherent pains of her deadly ailment and her realisation of the fact that she has limited time to live. And though she knows she has a short time left, she clings to the hope that life may yet spare her another chance.

Each passing day now, she awaits a miracle as regards raising N3million and a kidney donor to return smiles to her face.

The life-threatening ailment hit her in 2011 in her family home in IperuRemo, Ogun State, when she started coughing ceaselessly. After her diagnosis, doctors said she was afflicted with childhood hypertension aggravated by kidney problems. She was placed on drugs which seemed to suppress the problem initially.

In April 2013, however, she realised it was not time for her to have a good laugh. She was back in the hospital, this time, with swollen feet. She was thereafter referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where weekly dialysis was prescribed for her.

"She was managed for End Stage Renal Disease secondary to Chronic Glomerulonrphiritis and required Heamodialysis thrice weekly, at the cost of N40,000 per session and being worked for kidney trans-plantation which will cost N3million," a letter from the Consultant Pediatrician, Gboyega Awobusoye, indicated.

That letter brought heartache for

Rolling Dollar: O'jez suspends award POPULAR celebrities’ hangout, O'jez Restaurant, has put off its monthly award gig as sign of respect for veteran Highlife songster, Fatai Rolling Dollar, who died last week.

Fondly called 'Agidigbo Master', Dollar, a platinum member of Ojez and an in-house artiste, died of lung cancer at 85. The next edition of the O'jez award was billed for June 30 but Chief Executive Officer of the outfit, Chief Joseph Odobeatu said the award had to be cancelled as a mark of honour for the fallen legend.

"We cannot be celebrating while a key member of the O'jez Entertainment Awards has just passed on.

Baba Fatai Rolling Dollar was not just an artiste who had performed for over a decade on the O'jez stage, he was family member to the O'jez group," he said.

He said: "Fatai Rolling Dollar had been with us from inception of O'jez at Iwaya Road outlet.”

situation because she is at the end-stage of kidney illness ... needs kidney transplant as fast as possible’

By Seun Akioye

Adijat and her embattled mother, Rukayat, an apprentice saleswoman.

By June 1, 2013, her condition deteriorated and she was rushed back to the OOUTH, hungry for a miracle that would save her life. There was nobody to foot her treatment bills. Her aunt, Bola Bonojo, a petty trader, had been responsible for her weekly bill of N60,000 at the OOUTH. Her father, a bricklayer, has allegedly distanced himself from the sick child, leaving the burden for Bola and her mother.

When The Nation visited her at the OOUTH on Monday, Talubi cut the picture of a pain-tortured creature.

Breathing heavily, she cried at the slightest touch on her body. She could not move her neck as it was held by the Jugular Venuos Catheter installed for her dialysis. Often, when she had to move the neck, unable to scream, she groaned in agony.

Obviously worried, Bola said: "Her mother has nothing at all. I have been running from pillar to post to pay for

Nigerite achieves 95% waste recycling

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

• Adijat ... at the hospital on Monday

her weekly dialysis. Her family has not been responsive at all and we don't even have a kobo out of the N3million LASUTH needs to handle her case."

The Consultant Pediatrician at the OOUTH, Folashade Adekanmbi, told The Nation that Adijat's fate was hanging in the balance. "She is in a precarious situation because she is at the endstage of kidney illness. What would solve her problem is a transplant which must be done as fast as possible. Right now, she is dependent on a weekly dialysis which costs her family N60, 000. I sent her to LASUTH because I understand they will soon begin kidney transplant operation," Dr. Adekanmbi said.

"Talubi is one of the patients we are working on. In the next one month or so, we should start the operations and

it is fairly well-guaranteed that her operation will be done here," Awobusoye confirmed.

However, that will depend on the availability of funds for the operation.

For that, Bola appealed to all wellmeaning Nigerians to save Adijat: "We are poor; there is no way we can find this money except Nigerians, home and abroad, come to our aid.

This girl is suffering and her time is running out. We cannot watch her die, but there is nothing we can do now.

We need urgent help now."

Whoever has the heart to see Adijat live to face her future, she said, can held her with donations through Bola Bonojo, GTBank number: 0014177856.

Now, it is a matter of time to know whether or not the helpless teenager will live to tell her story.

My regrets, by suspected drug trafficker

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• Nwobodo

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

HE desperate attempt by a man to breathe life into his failed business has landed him in bigger trouble. He has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Nweke Gabriel Nwobodo was allegedly caught at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, with 126 wraps of narcotics, which he ingested. The drug, according to the NDLEA, weighed 2.225kg. It was said to be the highest single ingestion since January.

Narcotic officials, it was learnt, placed the suspect on observation after the inward screening of Qatar Airline passengers. He was on his way from Pakistan.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

NDLEA's Airport Commander, Mr Hamza Umar, said: "We arrested Nweke Gabriel Nwobodo for ingesting 126 wraps of substances found to be heroin, weighing 2.225kg. This is the highest quantity ingested by a suspect since the beginning of the year.

The case is currently under investigation."

The 33-year-old suspect, who sells electronics at Trade Fair Complex and Computer Village, both in Lagos, according to the NDLEA, said: "I sell electronics in Lagos, but I lost 11,200 dollars to fraudsters. It affected my business and in the process of trying to get money to revamp it, I was introduced to drugs. If I had succeeded, I would have been paid 1.8 million

naira. I spent only one week in Pakistan. My only regret is my pregnant wife is due to put to bed soon."

Nwobodo hails from Ebonyi State and is married with two children.

NDLEA's Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, expressed concern over the risk of drug ingestion, saying: "The ingestion of drugs by traffickers is very disturbing because many have died in the process. Just a wrap is deadly and here we have one person ingesting 126 wraps of what could take his life in a few minutes.

The public should shun drug trafficking and report any suspected trafficker to the agency."

The NDLEA chief added that the agency would continue to frustrate efforts by criminals who turn drug trafficking into business.

Lagos First Lady motivates students

By Jane Chijioke

THE First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola has shared some success tips with the pupils of Pampers Private School in celebration of the school's excursion to the State House.

Mrs Fashola advised them to always read their books and be attentive in class. She said they are the future leaders that will bring basic development in the country. She also encouraged them to pray always. ''Always pray for those who make life meaningful to you; pray for your parents, guardians, and teachers. Also pray for me and Lagos State as a whole.''

Film board gets new secretary

THE Lagos State Government has appointed Mr 'Dele Balogun as the new Executive Secretary of Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB). He was an Assistant Director in the Office of the Head of Service.

Balogun holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and a Master's in Public and International Affairs from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Lagos, Akoka respectively.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Nigerian Union of Journalists.

Concern over railings LAGOSIANS have appealed to the Lagos State Government and the Central Business District Management (CBDM) to put measures in place to stop the wreckage of railings meant to beautify the district, especially Outer Marina.

Some worried residents who spoke to The Nation lamented the rate at which accidents occur on the Outer Marina, many of which were caused by drunk and reckless driving "The aluminum pedestrian walkway railings that have significantly beautified as well as served as obstacle to those who constantly refused to use the pedestrian bridge have now suffered damage as a result of accident by various vehicles and the government must act fast," said Demola Freeman.

Another Lagosian, Yinka Pearse, urged the state government to apportion stiffer punishment to those who deliberately destroy government properties.

NIGERITE Nigeria Limited, a building materials’ company, has achieved 95 per cent of dry waste recycling in conjunction with Lafarge to make clinkers for cement production.

Marketing Director of the company, Mr Toyin Gbede, said the firms recycle their wet waste internally and re-use it in their product processes.

He said they also recover all effluent water from their machines during production, adding: "We filter used oil and re-use it on our production lines.

In 2011, we recovered 39 tons of oil, 85 tons in 2012 and now 95 tons."

He said both firms manage solid waste through differentiation of waste sorting basins for plastics, electronic wastes, woods, iron and others.

He noted: "Sanitary, laundry and rain water are stored in storm water lagoon and treated before discharging into public drain."

Briefly

•L-R: President Arts Kingdom, Nigeria, Prince Yomi Abraham; Vice-Chancellor of Littoral University (Institut Littoral Des Estudes Professionnelles Superieures (ILEPS), Prof Ayeni Oyebode, and President, The Negros Tree of Liberty on AfricaPa Dr Karim Urbain Da'Silva, during the inauguration of museum and other artefacts tagged: 'Negro Pantheon' by Negro Tree of Liberty at Place Bayol, Porto-Novo, Benin Republic recently

VDT Communications Ltd, a frontline Broadband Solutions Service provider, holds a Customers’ Forum and Presentation of ISO 9001:2008 Award to its stakeholders as a demonstration of International Process Compliance at Jade Place, 61, Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos, today, by 11am.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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NEWS ‘Formidable team’ will rescue Nigeria in 2015, says Tambuwal

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OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal yesterday said a “formidable team” would take Nigeria “to the highest level” in 2015.

He, however, did not elaborate on who would make up the team, and declined comments on his rumoured Presidential ambition. He said he was more concerned about stabilising the House.

He addressed reporters in Lagos after delivering the Quarterly Business Lecture of the Island Club. He spoke on the topic: The Legislature and the growth of our democracy.

During a question-and-answer session after his lecture, Tambuwal said: “The future is very bright for Nigeria and it will witness a very great and important development come

T

By Joseph Jibueze

2015, to usher in a formidable team that will take Nigeria to the highest level.”

Asked whether he would run for the presidency, Tambuwal said: “I’m hearing about Presidential ambition from you for the first time. Let’s talk about something else. What I want to do for now is to stabilise the House of Representatives and ensure that we complete our tenure the way we have started. By the grace of God, we shall be remembered positively.”

On the leadership crises in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Speaker said disagreements are part of democracy, and that his membership was not under threat.

“I am a member of the PDP and my membership is not

threatened. The crisis in PDP is part of democracy. It’s part of democratic evolution. When you have a big family like that, you are bound to have some disagreements, even between husband and wife and among family members you have arguments. And we’re addressing them gradually,” he said.

On the latest bloody return of the Boko Haram sect, with the killing on Monday of seven students and two teachers in Damaturu, Yobe State despite the State of Emergency, Tambuwal said the security agencies deserve praise for their efforts so far despite the security challenges.

“I think the security agencies are doing their best, and I think we’re getting some positive results from the efforts they are making so far. We should continue to encourage them,” he

said.

In his lecture, Tambuwal said credit must go to each member of the House for whatever modest successes the he has recorded.

“Everything we have achieved, therefore, we have achieved because members were often determined to place their country above every parochial interest. Even my emergence as Speaker has been due largely to this desire to elevate the collective interest above everything else,” he said.

Tambuwal said there is no democracy without legislature, adding: “Although we all talk about the three arms of government being separate and equal, the truth is that the legislature is the first among equals of these three arms of the democratic composition.”

UTME cut-off marks pegged at 180, 150

HE Federal Government has released the cut-off marks for admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.

It has pegged the minimum cut-off mark for admission into universities at 180 and 150 for polytechnics and others.

The cut-off marks were announced by the Minister of Education in Abuja at the fourth Combined Policy Committee meeting on admissions to tertiary institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Tuesday.

The cut-off marks were pegged after a heated arguments by stakeholders.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

The minimum benchmarks for admission last year were 180 and 160.

Argument in favour of creating access to tertiary education and encouraging candidates to attend polytechnics and colleges of education superseded other factors so the cut-off mark for that category of tertiary institutions was pegged at 150.

JAMB conducted the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination into tertiary institutions between May 18 and June 1 with the introduction of dual-based test (DBT) and computer-based test (CBT) for over 1.7 million candidates.

In her speech, the Education Minister Prof. Ruqayyah Rufai, emphasised that technical and vocational education and training is one area that the nation must encourage its youths to participate in if Nigeria must move ahead as nation and have competitive advantage.

Her words: “We should therefore collectively work towards encouraging more of our youths to enrol in our TVET institutions, especially the innovation enterprise institutions, most of which are still having challenges of filling their quotas” She added that President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated a government-private sector- committee on TVET to

support the growth of TVET at all levels.

Professor Rufa’i urged managements of tertiary institutions to follow the Federal Government’s guidelines on admissions which stipulate 70:30 technology/non-technology ratio for national diploma programmes and 60:40 sciences/arts ratio for degree and Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes.

She said they must also observe the criteria on merit, catchment and educationallyless developed states.

JAMB Registrar Professor Dibu Ojerinde said that all admissions would come to an end on October 31, noting that late submissions would not be entertained.

Buhari, Wamakko, others honour Tinubu’s mum Continued from page 4

sarawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Lagos State Deputy Governor Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, former Minister of State for Defence Demola Seriki and vice chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Isa Aremu and white cap chiefs, who represented the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

There were also former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai; Alhaji Baba Gara Kingigbe; former vice presidential candidate of the CPC Pastor Tunde Bakare; Lagos State ACN spokesman Joe Igbokwe; Prince Tajudeen Olusi; wife of the former governor of Ogun State

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Chief Segun Osoba, Derin; Alhaji Aro Lambo; Chief Femi Pedro; Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN); Mr Wale Edun; Lagos State Commissioner for Works, Dr Femi Hamzat; Mrs Stella Okoli; Lagos State House of Assembly members, led by Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; members of the Association of Igbos in Commerce, Nationwide.

Also present were: Babaloja of Lagos Alhaji Wasiu Balogun; ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Muhammed; Chief Razak Okoya-Thomas; Chairman of Mile 12 market Alhaji Haruna Mohammed and Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello.

Olowude: she was a matriach

XECUTIVE Vice Chairman of Industrial And General Insurance Plc (IGI), Mr. Remi Olowude, paid glowing tributes to the late Alhaja Mogaji.

He described the deceased as a great matriarch and grassroots mobilizer with a strong passion for protecting the rights of market men and women across the country. Her passage is a national loss and we share your grief at this moment.

“Although Mama has come to the end of her earthly journey, it is clear that she lived a fulfilled life, judging from her highly successful offspring and the number of lives she touched positively during her lifetime. Memories of her will remain evergreen,” he said.

‘We are still consulting on Tukur’ Continued from page 4

cause we are on vacation and this meeting was quite impromptu. We have contacted all of them and they are all coming back.” He added Ekweremadu was accompanied to the meeting with the President by the Deputy Speak-

er of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Majority Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi and Deputy Majority House Leader, Leo Ogor.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim also attended the meeting.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

•Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron (fifth left) poses for a group photo with (from left) European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Barack Obama, France’s President Francois Hollande, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Italy’s Prime Minister Enrico Letta and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, at the G8 Summit, at Lough Erne, near Enniskillen, in Northern Ireland ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

G8 leaders agree on tax evasion measures

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EADERS of the G8 major economies have agreed on new measures to clamp down on money launderers, illegal tax evaders and corporate tax avoiders.

Governments agreed to give each other automatic access to information on their residents’ tax affairs.

They will also require shell companies - often used to exploit tax loopholes and invest money anonymously to identify their effective owners.

The summit communique urged countries to “fight the scourge of tax evasion”.

The measures are designed to combat illegal evasion of taxes, as well as legal tax avoidance by large corporations that make use of loopholes and tax havens.

The summit in Northern Ireland also saw the launch of free trade negotiations between the EU and US, which UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who was hosting the summit, dubbed “the biggest bilateral trade agreement in history”.

Tax, trade and transparency - dubbed “The Three Ts” - were placed at the top of the UK’s agenda for its presidency of the G8, which consists of the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Canada and Japan.

But the summit has been overshadowed by the conflict in Syria.

The G8 leaders - including

Russian President Vladimir Putin, an ally of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad - backed calls for Syrian peace talks to be held in Geneva “as soon as possible”.

Mr Cameron said the leaders had managed “to overcome fundamental differences”, but no timetable for the Geneva talks was given, and the statement made no mention of what role Mr Assad could play in the future.

Leaders agreed that multinationals should tell all tax authorities about what taxes they pay and where.

It follows revelations about the ways in which several major firms - including Google, Apple, Starbucks and Amazon - have minimised their tax bills.

Illegal activities, including tax evasion and money laundering, will be tackled by the automated sharing of tax in-

A

formation.

Ahead of the summit, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), proposed to share tax information by building on an existing system set up by the US and five major European economies, but on a global scale.

“This international tax tool is going to be a real feature of ensuring that we get proper tax payment and proper tax justice in our world,” said Mr Cameron, who claimed that it meant “those who want to evade taxes have nowhere to hide”.

The OECD includes all of the G8 members except Russia.

Among the information to be shared will be who actually ultimately benefits from the shadowy shell companies, special purpose companies and trust arrangements often employed by tax evaders and money launderers.

Earlier in the day, Chancellor George Osborne unveiled plans for a UK register of companies and their owners.

The White House also announced a similar plan for the US. Last week the UK also unveiled a deal with its crown dependencies and overseas territories - including the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Anguilla - to start sharing more information on which foreign companies bank their profits there.

About a fifth of offshore tax havens, which are used by multinationals to shelter cash from the tax authorities, are British dependencies. “Of course Britain’s got to put its own house in order,” said Mr Osborne, adding that the government would launch a consultation on whether the register should be published or just be available to the HMRC.

traffic in more than a halfdozen cities, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia, where demonstrators climbed onto the roof of Brazil’s Congress building and then stormed it.

Monday’s demonstrations were the latest in a flurry of protests in the past two weeks that have added to growing unease over Brazil’s sluggish economy, high inflation and a spurt in violent crime.

While most of the protests unfolded as a festive display of dissent, some demonstrators in Rio threw rocks at police, set fire to a parked car and vandalized the state assembly building. Vandals also destroyed property in the

southern city of Porto Alegre.

Around the country, protesters waved Brazilian flags, dancing and chanting slogans such as “The people have awakened” and “Pardon the inconvenience, Brazil is changing.”

The epicenter of Monday’s march shifted from Sao Paulo, where some 65,000 people took to the streets late in the afternoon, to Rio. There, as protesters gathered throughout the evening, crowds ballooned to 100,000 people, local police said. At least 20,000 more gathered in Belo Horizonte.

Mass protests erupt in Brazil

S many as 200,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Brazil’s biggest cities yesterday in a swelling wave of protest tapping into widespread anger at poor public services, police violence and government corruption.

The marches, organized mostly through snowballing social media campaigns, blocked streets and halted

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Pirate attacks rise in West Africa

IRATE attacks off West Africa’s mineral-rich Gulf of Guinea have almost doubled from last year and threaten to increase the costs and jeopardise the shipping of commodities from the region, a study says yesterday.

The Gulf of Guinea, which includes Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, is a major source of oil and cocoa and increasingly metals for world markets, although international navies are not actively engaged in counterpiracy missions in the region.

Unlike waters off Somalia and the Horn of Africa, where ships can transit past at high

speed with armed guards on board, many vessels have to anchor off West African coastal nations, with little protection, making them a soft target for criminals.

A study published on Tuesday showed piracy in the Gulf of Guinea cost the world economy between $740 million and $950 million last year and that figure is expected to grow in 2013.

Kaija Hurlburt of advocacy group Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP), which co-authored the report, said the type of vessels attacked had become more diverse. “The impact on the commercial trade sector is a problem,” she said.

Mali reaches deal with Tuareg rebels

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ALI has reached a deal with Tuareg separatist rebels paving the way for Malian government troops to return to the rebel-held northern town of Kidal ahead of planned elections in July, Mali’s chief negotiator said yesterday.

“The accord is ready to be signed,” Tiebile Drame told Reuters in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou where talks have been taking place for over a week. “I can tell you that the interim accord will be signed this afternoon.”

Drame did not provide further details.

Mediators said a week ago that both parties had reached

•Traore

an agreement “in principle”.

However, Mali’s interim President Dioncounda Traore, sworn in after a military coup last year, had baulked at a deal imposing conditions on the army’s return to Kidal.

Afghan Forces take over security from NATO

PUBLIC NOTICE

•President: ‘it’s a great day’ •US begins direct Taliban talk

ABRAHAM

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abraham Akushode Bose felicia now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jonathan Bose Felicia. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

•Karzai

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FGHAN forces have formally taken over security for the whole of the country from NATO-led troops, completing a process begun in 2011.

President Hamid Karzai announced the move at a ceremony during which NATO

forces handed over control for the last 95 districts.

The event marks a significant milestone since US-led forces ousted the Taliba following the 9/11 attacks of 2001.

Speaking after the ceremony Mr Karzai said finalising the handover had been one of his greatest desires. A few miles from where Karzai was speaking a bomb targeted a prominent lawmaker, missed him but killed three civilians.

In another key announcement, Karzai said he will soon send representatives to the Gulf state of Qatar to discuss peace with the Taliban.

The talks in Doha would follow the planned opening of a Taliban political office in the Arab country.

American officials say U.S. representatives will begin formal meetings with the Taliban in a few days at the group’s new office in Qatar.

Kenyan VP must appear in some sessions, says ICC

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ENYAN Deputy President William Ruto must appear in person for certain sessions of his trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, but can otherwise carry out his official duties,

the court said yesterday.

Ruto and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, elected on a joint ticket in March, face charges of orchestrating violence after the previous election five years ago, in which 1,200 people were killed.

Both deny the charges.

Ruto’s trial for crimes against humanity is scheduled to begin on September 10 and while he had promised to cooperate with the court, he had also asked to participate by video link.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.8 NO.2,521

‘The police are back on the streets with a vengeance. It seems that police checkpoints are creeping back into several states ‘through the back door’ including Oyo State as Zonal and state commissioners relax the order from the IGP.’ TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

L

IKE godfather like godson; President Goodluck Jonathan, it seems, likes to live in political self-denial, just like his presently estranged godfather and erstwhile benefactor, former president, General Olusegun Obasanjo. We are all too familiar, aren’t we, with the incredible denial by the former president that he ever even contemplated a third term agenda, much less want one. God, he has repeatedly said, has never denied him whatever he wanted. So if he had wanted a third term God, presumably, would’ve had no choice but give it to him. Therefore all those who had accused him of wanting to carry on beyond 2007, he has said to everyone who cared to listen, were nothing but malicious mischief makers.

Like his estranged godfather, President Jonathan has been accusing anyone who says he has since made up his mind to contest the 2015 presidential election as a malicious mischief maker, possibly worse. He is too busy fulfilling the peoples’ mandate, he says, to have time to think of any re-election. Yet anyone with half an eye, indeed even someone with no eyes at all, must have the most credulous mind not to see through the president’s denial as so much hogwash.

Proofs that our president not only wants a second term – some would say a third, because he has already been sworn in twice as president – but does so desperately are ten a kobo.

However the two most glaring are the absurd drama that has surrounded the recent election of the chairmanship of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the authoritative lead story in the penultimate Monday’s edition of Thisday (June 10) about moves by the presidency to kill the Senate’s constitutional proposal for a sixyear, single-term limit for the president and governors in place of the current four-year, two term limit.

Actually it’s a misnomer to refer to the proposal as Senate’s, simple reason being it originated from the Presidency itself. It’s hard, if not impossible, to find a more classic case than this one of the curse, arguably of Chinese origin, that one should be careful what one wishes for lest it comes true.

First, when the Presidency set up its constitutional amendment committee last year under former Chief Justice of the country, Justice Alfa Modibbo Belgore, members agreed that the committee should not waste time revisiting a number of issues that had been settled by a similar committee under President Obasanjo.

Top of these was the issue of the four-year, two-term executive term limit. A minority, reportedly with the backing of the Presidency, tried forcefully to change the provision to fiveor six-year single term. It failed.

Undeterred, the Presidency sent an executive bill to the National Assembly still proposing same. This was in spite of the fact that during the nation-wide tour by the National Assembly committee on constitutional amendment to gauge public opinion, the idea was roundly rejected in all the six geo-political zones in the country, including the President’s Southsouth.

The change was necessary, it had argued, because it would concentrate the minds of incumbents on the job at hand and save the country

RIPPLES ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR STILL ON COURSE–Fed Govt

...on the pages of NEWSPAPERS

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

A presidency steeped in self-denial

•Dr. Jonathan the corruption, sweat, tears and blood that has characterised elections under the status quo.

Seemingly sensible arguments at first glance, but so much nonsense when you look again.

(But this is a matter for possibly another day).

It is this executive bill the Presidency, according to Thisday, has now made a volte-face about.

Obviously, the Presidency was not careful enough in making this wish; apparently it did not think that it was possible to get its wish in a form it would not like. Which was exactly what happened; the Senate granted its wish, alright. But then it exempted the president and first term governors from being beneficiaries.

Clearly the Senate’s caveat has exposed the motive of the Presidency’s attempt to force the issue since last year as purely selfish. It has also helped in no small way to expose the Presidency’s repeated denial that the incumbent wants to stay put beyond 2015 as untenable.

What is true of the Presidency’s attempt to kill its own bill is perhaps even truer of the absurd drama that has surrounded the recent election of the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum. Few arguments, if any, can be more ridiculous than those offered by the gov-

ernors who have rejected the election last month of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the forum’s chairman.

The rejectionist camp of 16 governors led by the factional chairman, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau, says the election of Amaechi by 19 votes against Jang’s 16 was in violation of the forum’s tradition of choosing its chair by consensus rather than through election. The camp also says by an understanding, the chair was supposed to have rotated back to the North after Amaechi had served two years. It also says the score-line did not reflect an earlier unanimous endorsement of Jang by the 19 Northern governors.

The one simple answer to the first two arguments is, if the rejectionists knew all these, why did they participate in the election at all?

Why, in the first place, did they not reject it outright the first time it was proposed last year and instead merely postponed it twice?

Was it not because they were not sure they would make the numbers back then? Is it then not a mark of poor sportsmanship to reject the result simply because they calculated wrongly that this time they had the numbers?

As for the last argument about the immorality of breaching agreements, where were they when the president and his erstwhile benefactor repudiated a written agreement written in black and white about rotation and power shift between the North and the South which both of them had signed? Chickens, it seems, have this nasty habit of always coming home to roost!

The leading rejectionist, it would appear, is Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State. So strong was his feeling about what he said was the immorality of some of his colleagues going back on their endorsement of Jang that he announced he was resigning from the Northern States Governors’ Forum for the remaining two years of his office. “By my own culture, background and religion,” he said, “I

HARDBALL

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan exhibited an uncanny bloody-mindedness the other day and more scarily, he chose an especial event venue and time, the church service during Fathers’ Day. Here is the news: Nigeria’s president urges State governors to always make haste to sign the death warrants of condemned criminals.

President Jonathan said this in his remarks at a special Fathers’ Day service in the Aso Rock Chapel last Sunday.

Yes, there is no joking our President seems to thirst for blood; he was worried about indiscipline in his domain and as he gave a pithy treatise on what for him, may be the big, horned demon tormenting Nigeria, the president said: “Discipline can be in various forms…in the case of capital punishment, the governors will sign. Even governors sometimes find it difficult to sign. I have been telling the governors that they must sign because that is the law. The works we are doing have a very sweet part and a very ugly part, and we must perform both. No matter how painful it is, it is part of their responsibilities.”

Hardball had long become used to the

believed that whatever is agreed upon, we must stand by it unless it is illegal.”

Coming from someone who won his office on one party platform only to abandon it for another so soon after his election and without any consultations with those who voted for him, this is indeed very rich.

Untenable and ridiculous as the rejection of the election of Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum is it does not begin to compare in its hilarity to the Presidency’s claim through its spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, that it had no interest whatsoever in who got elected. If the Presidency had no interest in the matter why was it quick, too quick, to receive Jang in the Presidential Villa as the new chair?

And, except for a Presidency that thrives in selfdenial, who does not know that it lost the contest essentially because in its desperation to replace Amaechi at all costs it could not even make up its mind who to substitute him with?

The Presidency should stop pretending that good governance rather than the 2015 elections remains its priority - that is, if it ever was.

R

Feedback

E: Mamman Kontagora Sir, I have read your tribute to late Mamman Kontagora who was a blessing to this country during his life time. May his soul rest in peace. However, the PTF of Gen Abacha’s regime you mentioned in the tribute was Petroleum Trust Fund not Petroleum Task Force as you said.

Adewuyi Adegbite, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. +2347013065440.

Sir, Reference your tribute to the late Maj-Gen Mamman Kontagora. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that he was Minister of Works between 1987 & 1993 not 1993 & 1995 as you said. Ahmed, Abuja. +2348020756861.

Sir, I’m a son-in-law to late Gen Kontagora, married to Ramatu, one of his daughters. May Allah (SWT) forgive him. Contrary to what you said, his mother was Hausa while his father was Nupe.

Muhammad Shuaibu Umar. +2348079975555.

Correction

In my piece last week on my thoughts from Amman, I gave the population of Jordan of which the city is the capital as over two million. The figure was wrong. Jordan’s population, according to the World Bank’s The Little Data Book was 5.7 million in2009.

With a population growth rate of 3.2% annually it is probably 6.4 million today.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Jonathan vs condemned criminals President’s staccato enunciation and speech pattern so let’s not dwell on that, let us parse the message. Why is our president so taken in by his subjects who though may be condemned to death; why does he want them finished off fast, fast (as we say it here)? Does he have some special axe to grind with them or what? We ask: how many of his citizens are on the death row, what percentage of the total prison inmates are condemned criminals (CC) assuming he is worried that they are the problem with his Transformation Agenda? Perhaps Nigeria’s economy would blossom if all the CCs are gathered in one gas chamber and exterminated? It would have given us a world of inkling into the mind and make up of our prez if he had given us a little idea why he wants these people signed away into oblivion very fast.

One of the greatest frustrations of Hardball is that you cannot shout with words, you cannot raise your voice and scream like crazy, otherwise, one would have asked screamingly: why on earth Mr. President,

do you think that these governors take their time and tarry awhile over this matter of life and death? Why do you think that a chunk of the civilised world is refraining from capital punishment? How could Jonathan forget that he was speaking from a pulpit, from the house of God who most unequivocally handed the injunction: thou shall not kill? Would Jonathan break nary one grey hair or grow one if no CC is executed in the next decade?

Why would Jonathan not charge the governors to do more ‘prerogative of mercy rounds’ and free thousands of awaiting trials, denizens who have been detained even longer than the term they would serve should they be sentenced?

There are a thousand and one noble deeds the President could extract from the governors by sheer power of moral suasion riding on the auspices of the Fathers’ Day celebration. Invoking blood on the polity as if our hands are not already dripping with the crimson substance is ghoulish and un-presidential, to put it lightly.

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