June 21, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

‘President divides North over 2015’

NEWS

Page 4

•Arewa frowns at early campaign

Seven family members die in Delta town NEWS

Page 57

•Generator fumes likely cause of deaths www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2523 FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00 •Members of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), led by its President, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (fifth left) during a visit to the Lagos home of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (fourth right) and his wife, Senator Oluremi (fourth left)over the death of TInubu’s mother Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji...yesterday.

With them are: Lady Adebayo (third right), Chief Idowu Sofola (second right), Prof.

Bayo Olateju (third left) and others.

Jonathan begs angry NEC members to save Tukur President to the rescue as state chairmen revolt Gana, Nwuche, others appointed

F

OR about 10 minutes yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan was pleading with angry National Executive Committee (NEC) members not to sack Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

But the President’s plea did not prevent state chairmen and disenchanted G-84

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

members from revolting against Tukur.

Tukur, going by NEC members’ agreement may leave office during the first NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention on July 15.

According to a source, who attended the NEC meeting – the first in about a year – most of the state chairmen con-

demned Tukur’s style and listed all his infractions, especially disrespect for the party’s constitution. They thereafter demanded his removal, it was learnt.

When tempers rose, Dr. Jonathan intervened by acknowledging all the observations made by the aggrieved NEC members.

But the President pleaded

with NEC not to remove Tukur at the session because of the fear of the media backlash, which might create the impression that the party is in a deeper crisis.

The source quoted the President as saying: “Tukur has come to beg me. I have assured him that I will intervene at the NEC meeting on his behalf.

Please, do not let him go today.

“Before you know it, the media will be saying ‘Jonathan has dumped Tukur’; ‘PDP is on fire’ and so on.”

“The President admitted that Tukur has not sustained the legacies left behind by some past national chairmen of the party, but he said: ‘Do not remove him today, please.”

Following the President’s plea, members agreed to em-

brace peace, with a “caveat” that Tukur must go after the mini-National Convention on July 15.

Another top source said: “We respected the President but there is no way Tukur can last beyond the first NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention of the party in July.

Continued on page 4

NGF poll crisis: Oshiomhole urges Labour to step in •Jang attacks Kwankwaso From John Ofikhenua and Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu Abuja

T

HE ripples of the disputed Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election continued yesterday at the ninth Triennial Delegates Conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), held the delegates spell-bound on what transpired at the NGF election.

He spoke of his shock at the attitude of some of his colleagues who are disputing the result of an election of only 35 electors.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi won the election, but Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who lost by 16 votes to 19, with the backing of the Presidency, is claiming victory.

Oshiomhole urged Labour leaders to speak Continued on page 4

•Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar; the Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ms. Ijeoma Aso, when UBA Foundation donated literature books to students from Police Secondary Schools at a special edition of the Foundation’s Read Africa initiative in Abuja...yesterday

•SHELL SHUTS IN 150,000 BPD P11 •ARIK, BOMBARDIER SIGN $297M DEAL P11

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

2

NEWS •From right: Former Chairman, First Bank Plc Alhaji Umaru Mutalab; President, Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Chairman, Forte Oil Mr. Femi Otedola during the meeting of the Honourary International Investor Council at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

How UK soldier’s Several times, British spies attempted to get the brother of Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo to supply it information on terrorism networks around the world, reports Daily Mail

B •From left: Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah, Company Secretary Mr. Godwin Samuel and Non Executive Director Mr. Halima Alao, at the 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Mrs. Bola Adesola; Regional Head, Consumer Banking, West Africa Mrs. Carol Oyedeji and Regional Head, Integrated Distribution Mr. Jaydeep Gupta at the bank's brezee mobile application launch in PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN Lagos.

• Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Wolfgang Goetsch (middle), Financial Director Wolfgang Kollermann (right) and Public Affairs Advisor Clement Iloba , during a news conference on the outcome of the company’s 43rd Annual General Meeting PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE (AGM) in Abuja... yesterday.

RITISH spies approached the brother of Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo more than ten times to convince him to work for the security services, it emerged yesterday.

Jeremiah Adebolajo said MI5 and MI6 ‘harassed’ him and tried to press him for details about his family before putting him on a ‘no-fly list’ when he refused.

The 26-year-old was first approached in 2011 when he moved to Saudi Arabia to teach English at the University of Ha’il, in NeJd. He held 11 meetings with both MI5 and MI6, both in the Gulf and also in the UK, including on one occasion where he was intercepted as he got off a flight at Heathrow.

As well as asking questions about his brother Michael, 28, spies had also pressed him on his brother-inlaw, James Thompson, who had converted to Islam and married his sister.

They also asked him to identify other men who had gone to the Yemen and may have been plotting to attack Britain, but he said he didn’t know them.

Previously it had been alleged that Jeremiah was paid thousands of pounds by MI6 as part of spying operations in the Middle East, and was allowed to fly first-class and stay in five-star hotels.

This was revealed in a document allegedly written by Jeremiah’s sister, Blessing Adebolajo, 32, which was seen earlier this month.

It was also alleged he was also asked to help ‘turn’ his brother, Michael, to work for MI5, who were already aware of Michael’s close links to extremist groups after he was arrested on his way to Somalia to join terror group Al-Shabaab.

“That’s not true in any way. I mean it’s completely false. I can understand what it’s based on, them approaching me while I was in Saudi Arabia, but the claim I worked for them helped them or co-operated with them in any way is false,’ Jeremiah Adebolajo told ITV News.

“I felt harassed. I felt there was no choice but to meet them whenever they wanted to meet me to speak to them whenever they wanted to speak to me...Their claim was that I had been in contact with, spoken with, met in my time in England with people who they were interested in.”

Government sources have already confirmed that Michael Adebolajo was known to MI5. It was alleged that he rebuffed efforts by the security service to recruit

•Adebolajo being overpowered by the police

him as a spy.

Jeremiah may have been seen as the ideal way to change his mind and said last night that they tried hard to influence him.

“I would say that their approach wasn’t so much aggressive as it was threatening. I mean there were implicit threats made towards my welfare towards my time in Saudi Arabia, whether I would be able to retain my job, um, so in short I’d say their approach was worrying somewhat,’ he said.

Speaking about how often they met, both in the UK and Saudi Arabia, he said: “I’d say they were about at the beginning, they were you know, at least once a month and over the two years they lessened somewhat, but they would be at unexpected times and I would say once every two to three months, yeah.”

When asked about the execution of Lee Rigby and the alleged link to his brother Michael and Michael Adebowale, 22, he said: “Legally I can’t speak about it.”

On June 5, Michael Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, Essex, interrupted proceedings at the Old Bailey on several occasions during a bail hearing, telling judge Mr Justice Sweeney via videolink: “It’s not about you.”

Adebolajo, whose left arm was in a plaster cast after allegedly murdering the soldier in Woolwich, south-east London, on May 22, added: “This whole trial is about more than that. It’s not about me.”

He went on: ‘Really and truly it’s about the good, honest, decent, hardworking British members of society, whether they be Muslim or non-Muslim. They are the ones that have suffered the most.’

Adebolajo added: ‘It’s possible throughout life that people may sometimes smother you and say things about you that are false. But as a regular citizen and human being, we have to get over it.

“I believe that the British people are decent. From my experience growing up in my country, only a fraction will wish to slander and lie against me. But the rest would prefer to know the truth.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

3

NEWS

spies tried to buy over London murder suspect’s brother

•Jeremiah Adebolajo

Adebolajo is also accused of the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm a 9.4mm KNIL model 91 revolver with intent to cause others to believe violence would be used.

He was reprimanded by the judge for interrupting several times and eventually the videolink was switched off. The defendant was listed as Mujaahid Abu Hamza AKA Adebolajo by the court.

Adebolajo had asked to be referred to by the name when he appeared before magistrates.

He was charged with the four counts, after being discharged from

hospital having spent just over a week there being treated for his injuries after being shot by police.

The court heard Adebolajo had been seen by psychiatrists three times while in hospital and at least twice since he had been discharged and in custody, and had been declared fit for interview in all.

While this was discussed the defendant interjected with: “I’m not familiar with this legal jargon. I’m a soldier, not a lawyer.”

The start of the hearing had been delayed after Adebolajo complained about having to be handcuffed in the video-link room at Belmarsh

•Blessing Adebolajo

Prison.

He was eventually allowed to have them removed on the understanding that two prison officers sat beside him during the hearing.

Wearing a burgundy top with a pink jumper that was only over one arm due to his cast, Adebolajo also complained that his privacy had been violated.

He claimed he had been made to have his genitals examined twice ahead of his appearance in court.

Describing the prison officer who had asked to examine him as a ‘jobsworth’, he added that after the experience: “I cried like a baby, you

•The late Rigby

know, into my sleeve.”

He said he had let him look at him as he had said ‘please’ when he asked, adding that he appreciated his politeness.

The packed courtroom listened as he likened the situation to when someone says ‘please’ when they ask to get past him when shopping for margarine in a supermarket.

“It could be Flora or Utterly Butterly, you find it hard not to move, “he said.

When reprimanded by the judge for interrupting, the defendant said: ‘Stop trying to stifle the truth.

Wouldn’t want the truth to get out,

would we? Wouldn’t want that.”

But he later praised Mr Justice Sweeney after he let him have his handcuffs removed, saying “May Allah bless you’ three times. That man who is wearing the white wig and the red robe. May Allah bless that man because he has had the courage to do something that many wouldn’t have had the courage to do so.”

Adebolajo will appear at the court alongside co-defendant Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwich, south-east London, for a preliminary hearing on June 28.

2015: Jonathan predicts two party system I

N an apparent reference to the emerging All Progressives Congress (APC), President Goodluck Jonathan has predicted the evolution of a two-party system ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Jonathan, who spoke at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Nigerians were no longer interested in forming new parties.

Instead, the President said political parties were merging to form a formidable opposition to the ruling PDP. He said the development would help in stabilising the polity.

Jonathan said: “If you look at the evolution of political parties, it is now stable. Before, when elections are coming, you will hear about new parties being formed. At a time, the ballot paper was becoming too long and INEC was finding a way of deregistering parties.

“Because PDP has come on very strong, no matter the criticism, they know that we are very strong and they realise that what they need to do is not forming new parties but parties coming together. So, we are helping to stabilise the polity.

“We will encourage them to come together more. We want a situation where it is PDP versus one. In that case, the polity will be more stable. Even our members will be more loyal to the party because you will have nowhere to go.

“All this time, immediately we disagree in PDP, somebody is picking form in one PPP, DDD party and contesting House of Assembly or House of Reps or Senate.

“When we have only two parties, before you

get there, they have already occupied that place.

So, even if we disagree, we will agree at the end of the day and it will even help to build a stronger party.

“So, Nigerians should commend PDP. If PDP were weak, people wouldn’t have gathered together. There wouldn’t have been any reason for parties to come together to fight PDP. “But when you have so many parties, on their own, they know they cannot face us until they come together; then you know that we are formidable.

“And the PDP will become stronger and no matter the gang-up, I don’t see how they can uproot the PDP”.

PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur lamented what he described as the underfunding of the ruling party by stakeholders, saying the situation has put the party in a dilemma.

He pleaded for support in the party’s drive for reconciliation and reforms in order to meet the challenges ahead of the 2015 elections.

Tukur canvassed internal democracy within the party against the current practice of imposition of candidates for the various elective positions.

The chairman also lamented the declining image of the ruling party and called for evaluation of the impact of zoningin the party.

“In sharp contrast to the challenging tasks ahead, I am, therefore, counting on all members to support the party in its current drive to reconcile, reform and rebuild the Nigerian society.

“In our efforts to achieve success, we must rededicate our genuine political beliefs, change our attitudes and identify our political needs.

These good values cannot be realised without accepting the supremacy of the party constitution as key instrument that ensures progress, stability and internal discipline.

“We must strengthen our democracy through determination, not personalisation, correction, not manipulation, collectivism, not individualism and sacrifice, not disservice.

“Ii is important to note that the party, all this while, struggles for support to effect the necessary changes that can stop cases of disrespect to party decisions, which has become a style.

“Internal communication has considerably declined over the past years. Glaring apathy to party funding by members is rife. I hope it’s not a deliberate attempt to weaken the party leadership.”

Tukur continued: “Open confrontation with political administration exposes outer political weaknesses. Fighting the party from within is unhealthy and dangerous for our image and aspirations.

“Overheating the polity because of inordinate ambition contradicts our perception for democratic orderliness.”

The meeting appointed former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, as chairman of a special convention planning committee for the July 15 mini convention.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State is deputy chairman. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is secretary.

This followed the acceptance of the resignation of 20 members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, emerged the Acting Deputy National chairman pending the emergence of a substantive occupant of the position at the July 15 convention.

He replaced Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, who was forced to resign as a result of an INEC report that faulted his emergence at the 2012 convention. The report faulted the elections of all those who resigned.

Dr. Remi Akintoye replaced Mr. Solomon Onwe as acting National Secretary. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was forced out of the position earlier in the year.

National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh was replaced in acting capacity by Mr. Tony Okeke.

Most of the governors elected on the platform of the party were present at the meeting. Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is on suspension, was absent. The meeting was also silent on Amaechi’s fate.

Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) were represented by their deputies.

Governors Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) neither attended nor sent representatives.

The meeting passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan saying he had made significant progress in many sectors.

This was sequel to a motion by former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, which emphasised Dr. Jonathan’s “resolute and decisive” tackling of the nation’s security challenges. The motion was unanimously adopted.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

NEWS Jonathan begs angry NEC members Continued from page 1

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Mr. Tunji Bello, speaking during an inspection tour of Apapa Local Government Area…yesterday. With him are Director Drainage Maintenance Operation (EFAD), Bade Adebowale (left) and Director Conservation PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES and Ecology Dr. Afolabi Abiodun

2015: Jonathan dividing the north, says Arewa

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HE pan northern sociopolitical organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has accused the Presidency of playing the politics of divide-and-rule with the North, giving indications that it may have decided not to back President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 Presidential election.

The chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, told members at the Annual General Meeting that engaging in the politics of 2015 now is too early and could heat up the polity.

He told the gathering that some of its members have joined other northern leaders in visiting the President and asking him to run in 2015, stressing that they only succeeded in telling the world that the North is divided.

Mohammed said: “It is very sad that the Presidency has employed divide-and-rule against the North. It is glaring because we noticed with dismay that some members of this organisation have gone to the President and assured him that he must contest in 2015.

“We are really surprised that some members that went there are also members of ACF. I am speaking particularly of two gentlemen and the two gentlemen I am referring to, one is a member of ACF and the other is a member of Northern Elders Forum.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

“The one who is a member of ACF is retired General Lawrence Onoja; he was actually part of the group that went to see the President. Also, the one from Northern Elders Forum, Senator John Wash Pam, was there. We were surprised that really they have gone to see the President, particularly Onoja that is here with us in ACF. “We went to Maiduguri. When we went to see Dr. Ahmed Datti, Onoja was with us. He also made it possible for us when we went to Maiduguri to meet with the leaders of the JTF and we had a long discussion till the early hours because the military had problem with the people and we felt that if we intervened, things would be better.

“We have gone with Onoja to every meeting we have held, only for him to turn round to say the President must contest in 2015, using the word, ‘must’”.

Accordingt to Mohammed, Gen. Onoja and Pam were invited by Chief Edwin Clerk to visit the President, giving the world the impression that the North was divided.

The ACF chairman urged Nigerians to put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider holding all elections in one day as a way of ensuring free, fair

and transparent exercise.

He said: “It is the considered view of the ACF that certain politics towards 2015 is too early. It is counter-productive. Apart from heating up the polity, such early start can disrupt some governance, more so that INEC is yet to give the green light for political activities to begin.

“We believe that for free and fair elections in 2015, there should be only one-day elections. In Kenya, there was one day election for all the seven elections. That is the presidency, Senate, House of Representatives, State Assemblies as well as local government - all in one day. I don’t see any reason why Nigeria cannot do that.

“We also feel that it is going to be cheaper, and all the security and other arrangements will be done same day. So, if Kenya can do it, I see no reason why Nigeria cannot do it.

“It is the candid view of the ACF that certain politics for 2015 is counter-productive. I am of the view that we will pressure INEC to really think about our view and hold elections on the same day.”

Mohammed also expressed sadness about the division in the Northern States Governors Forum which has led to the withdrawal of two governors from the forum, adding that Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa

Kwankwaso has asked the ACF to reconcile the leaders of the North.

He said: “I think it is very necessary now for ACF to really intervene in what is happening with the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF). We are not talking about the Nigeria Governors Forum. We cannot even decide who leads them. We are talking about the Northern Governors Forum where two governors have already withdrawn. It is something that we have to reconcile.

“I come from Bauchi State. I feel really unhappy that my governor has withdrawn from the Governors Forum. However, it was at the meeting that he did not attend that a man from Bauchi was made the Group Managing Director of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC).”

In his report to the gathering, the Secretary General of the Forum, Col. Musa Shehu said: “In our memorandum to the National Assembly, we made it clear that the greatest interest of the greatest number of Nigerians will be best served by preserving the current federal structure of Nigeria. This did not suggest that certain administrative changes, particularly ones that strengthen checks and balances or devolves more power to states and local governments, cannot be made.”

“That is the determination of NEC. What we did was to postpone his exit date till the NEC meeting after the mini-National Convention. So, we agreed that he should go after the convention when we will be confronted with the task of leading the party to victory in 2015 and how to reunite all groups having issues with PDP leadership.”

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio was said to have presented a speech in defence of Tukur. NEC members “actually resented” how he was just “talking and talking”, the source said.

But, unlike Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu set the tone for the meeting by thanking the NWC members who quit, following the rejection of their election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “serving the party and having sense in resigning in the interest of the party”. “This is a good development,” he was quoted as saying.

The highpoint on the fourpoint agenda NEC session was when a former Deputy President of the Senate, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, moved a motion for members to “pass a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan for keeping to his transformation agenda and performing well”.

The motion was “unanimous-

ly adopted by the NEC, leaving the President smiling and obviously elated”.

On other issues, the source said: “The NEC considered the report of the INEC, which invalidated the election of eight NWC members and eight Deputy National Officers of the party.

“The consideration of the report led to the composition of the Steering Committee to manage the party till the mini-National Convention holds in July.”

Some members of the Steering Committee to replace the eight NWC members and eight Deputy National Officers that will face fresh election at the mininational convention.

Some outgoing NWC members were allowed to choose those who will replace them in the Caretaker Committee.

The source said: “It was obvious also at the meeting that some of the affected NWC members will not be allowed to return, based on the peculiar nature of party politics in their states. For instance, the body language of the President and some of his loyalists showed that the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Sam Jaja, might not be returned at the mini-National Convention because of the crisis in Rivers State.

“Therefore, there is no automatic return ticket at the miniNational Convention for the NWC members that have resigned.”

Rivers Police chief attacks Amaechi

T

IVERS State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mbu Joseph Mbu yesterday accused Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of being dictatorial in the way he runs the state.

Mbu spoke in Port Harcourt while reacting to allegations by Amaechi on the failing security situation in the state since Mbu’s arrival in the state.

The CP said Amaechi wanted to cow him and reduce him to a rubber stamp, but insisted that he would not concede to that.

Throwing light on some of the issues between him and Amaechi, he urged residents to ignore the statement by the governor that the security situation had deteriorated.

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Amaechi, while receiving former Minister of Petroleum Prof. Tam David-West on Tuesday, accused Mbu of engaging in activities that are negatively affecting the fragile security of the state.

But the CP said: “Your governor, our governor is very tyrannical. He is a dictator and he wants everybody here to say yes sir to him, and I said I will not say yes sir to him, I will not because I must be a professional and I will stand tall.

“Crime wave in this state has drastically come down since I came here, because people who were not always on their seats Continued on page 61

NGF poll crisis: Oshiomhole urges Labour to step in Continued from page 1

out on the matter, saying they should advise Jang to stop parading himself as the NGF chair.

Oshiomhole said: “When the facts are so clear, Comrade President of TUC, you can’t be quiet. You must take a position, if you believe from all that you have heard and seen. If you believe that Jang won, say so. And if you know that he did not, tell him to stop Janging.”

“Thirty five people went into a poll and, then they were saying ‘let us make this open, the world is watching us. And then they were talking. One by one, they were sermonising; very seasoned pentecostal pastors.

“They said we must do open ballot and I said how can we do open ballot when you were already fighting before the ballot. Let’s do secret ballots. I said secret ballot has been domesticated worldwide and I said we are products of secret ballots, why are we afraid to do secret ballot. I said one man, one vote.

NGF poll: Jang accuses Kwankwaso of deception

P

LATEAU State Governor Jonah David Jang yesterday described his Kano State counterpart Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as “morally bankrupt”.

The Plateau governor was reacting to the acclaimed role played by Kwankwaso during the election of the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Commissioner for information and Communication Yiljap Abraham spoke on behalf of Jang in a statenment in Jos yesterday.

Jang, who leads a faction of the Governor’s Forum, said: “Kwankwaso’s account of events during the Northern States Governors’ Forum, which led to the adoption of Governor Jonah Jang as the candidate of the region for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, has thrown a moral glitz on Nigeria’s political turf.

“And 35 men voted and my twin brother from Delta State (Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan) became the chief agent of the two candidates. He went to stand by the Director-General of the NGF, Dr. Asissana Okauru, who was unanimously appointed one month earlier as the returning officer.

They counted 35 ballot papers. They had 36, but one per-

“His admission that he personally nominated Governor Jonah Jang and asked Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue to support his move only because “It was a game..., clearly showed a mind luxuriating in unethical lyrics.

“That the Kano governor could walk cool out of the room wherein ‘they’ had decided to set up Benue and Plateau for a national ‘fall’ tells us a bit about why we may not capture back soon Nigeria’s political morality. That he could nominate Jang as consensus candidate and still not ‘vote’ for him showed an incredible double-speak!

“Where was the porch of intergrity Kwanwasho had constructed as Nigeria’s Defence Minister?”

Jang added: “Is this ‘game’ part of the crafted Kwankwasiyya curriculum that must be passed by those under the gover-

son was absent. So, one by one in the open, open-secret ballot, we voted. The papers were with two names; pick the one you want.

“And they counted these votes and they were 35 representing the 35 people that were present. And when they were counting ‘Jang! Jang!!, the Niger Governor (Babangida Aliyu) said ‘Jang in early

nor’s tutelage? Is crass deception now being introduced as part of a leader’s necessary attitudinal regalia in Nigeria’s politics? Will this form part of our national values as we trudge toward 2015...and the years beyond?

He said, “As we reflect further on the implication of what Governor Kwankwaso has ‘divulged’, there is still a generation in Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Plateau and beyond that will reminisce on those glorious years of political brotherhood when Governor Abubakar Rimi and Governor Solomon Lar brought Kano and Plateau to an unbreakable and unshakeable bond of temperate unity (even though they belonged to different political parties and religions!) - a relationship that stood as an icon of national integration and regional mutuality.”

lead’. I said early lead indeed.

After that they said Amaechi!

Ameachi!! , Amaechi!!’

“And in the end, the votes were counted and Jang janged in 16 votes and Ameachi mashalled in 19 votes. The winner emerged and the same people started saying ‘no! no!!; we are going to walk out’. I said ‘how can you walk out?

Even in madness, there are lev-

els of madness’. “ Outgoing TUC President General Peter Esele said he was yet to recover from the shock of the NGF election. He added that the crisis surrounded the election was needless and unneccessary.

Esele urged the government to diversify the economy if the realisation of its Vision 20:20:20 agenda must be tak-

•Oshiomhole

en seriously.

He said: “The oil and gas sector still remains the determinant of our economic growth.

Regrettably, this has created an unhealthy situation as other sectors have been neglected. A country with this mindset cannot fulfill the Vision 20:20:20 agenda. The only way out is to Continued on page 61

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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NEWS ‘Kenyan aircraft grounded for violating security procedures’

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

T •From left: Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abdulwaheed Omar; Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) President Peter Esele and Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, at TUC’s 9th triennial national delegates conference in Abuja... yesterday.

Jonathan frowns at increasing cases of electoral impunity P RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has frowned at the increasing cases of electoral impunity in the country.

The President expressed concern that people merely seek power in the country but are not interested in service and how to better the lot of the citizenry.

The President spoke in Abuja yesterday at the launch of “a research project on fair trial and the right to effective participation in government.”

The project, an initiative of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is intended to ensure that people involved in electoral crimes are prosecuted.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

President Jonathan, represented by his Special Assistant on Research, Emeka Onwuocha, blamed recurrent electoral violence in the country on the desperation among politicians to attain power at all cost.

“This is not right. We must be dedicated to service and concentrate less on how to capture power,” he said.

He called for a concerted effort by all stakeholders to ensure that the struggle for power is about the people.

The President expressed his

commitment to ensure a credible electoral process in the country.

President Jonathan, who said his government has demonstrated its commitment to credible electoral process, cited the examples of the last governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states where his party lost.

“Let us continue to push that government ensures that votes count. That people who vote get the people they elected,” the President said.

Chairman, NHRC, Professor Chidi Odinkalu said the

initiative is intended to combat electoral impunity and ensure that culprits are held accountable.

“In addressing impunity for electoral crimes, we are trying to remedy the problem of accountability, for why the will of the people was subverted.

“Those are crimes under the Electoral Act. At the moment, no body pays any price for such crimes. We want to ensure that people begin to pay for this because, if people do not pay a price it will continue to happen,” he said.

ACN, CPC, ANPP merge as one party

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) have dissolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Chairman of the 89member Merger Committee of the parties, Chief Tom Ikimi, told reporters in Abuja on Wednesday that the merger was in keeping with the conditions for registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said: “I am pleased to report that we have made appreciable progress. The three parties have fused into one, adopted one symbol, accepted one slogan, a common manifesto and a single constitution.”

According to him, the leadership of the merger parties will now pursue the registration of APC with INEC so that the new party will be able to field candidates for

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

the next general elections.

Ikimi said the party’s leaders would iron out the issue of interim national officers, as demanded by INEC. He expressed satisfaction with his committee’s assign-

ment since its inauguration on February 6.

According to him, the new political association will provide Nigerians with an alternative platform of change if registered.

•Ikimi

He said the committee, which included factions of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), met consistently to actualise the dream.

“The merging parties have held successful conventions in Lagos, Abuja and Guasu. They approved and accepted the name APC, and now these three parties have merged.

“We believe that we have completed the assignment that brought us here,” Ikimi said.

APGA reconciliation on course, says chieftain

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HE Chairman of the Truth, Justice and reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Reagan Ufomba, has assured that the party will come out stronger, following the conclusion of its reconciliation.

He said though reconciliation is a tough mission, the agenda is worthwhile and achievable.

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

The politician urged the party members to work for its peace and progress.

Accompanied by the committee members, including Eugene Orizu, Chris Azubogu, Obi Okafor, Alhaji Tijani Idris, Samuel Ebogbodiri, Chief Ray Morphy, Hajia Zainab Abdullahi and Ezekiel Adegboyega, the committee chairman also

said legal and political solutions would be applied to restore peace to the party.

He acknowledged the existence of another reconciliation committee, which was set up by the factional National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.

Ufomba said the party’s stalwarts were prepared to make concessions in the interest of the party.

He said: “We have been

Navy arrests ship with ‘toxic wastes’

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THE Nigerian Navy has arrested a Belgian Merchant Vessel (MV) for allegedly carrying three trucks of suspected toxic wastes.

The Navy said the ship, MV Eurocargo Salerno, was arrested at the breakwater in Lagos on June 19, at 4.48pm, and was taken to APML Terminal 12, Tin Can Island.

The Commanding Officer, NN Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, spoke at the handing over of the ship to Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He said the vessel, which had Italian crew members, was apprehended following information from the National Environmental Standard

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Ezekobe said: “We received a report that a ship carrying three trucks of used fridges, suspected to be toxic wastes, which was estimated to arrive in Nigerian waters on June 11, was sighted off Lagos Bar Beach on June 19.

“The vessel was apprehended at the breakwater and escorted to APML Terminal 12, Tin Can Island. It was arrested at 16:48hours (4.48pm) and its crew members, comprising two men and a woman, were brought to the base for an interview and were later accommodated at a guest house until June 20.”

‘Exams stifle independent thinking’

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ACN moves to win Anambra governorship poll STALWARTS of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Anambra State are mobilising for this year’s governorship election in the state.

Its governorship aspirant, Mr Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, and the party elders, led by Chief Amechi Obidike, have been contacting people at the grassroots on the party’s transformation into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ezeemo has promised to ensure that ACN wins the governorship election. He has been mobilising members of other parties into ACN. At meetings with various stakeholders of the party, the aspirant reminded them that he has a soft spot for ACN, hence his sponsorship of the party in the last three years.

The politician promised an agricultural revolution as well as gainful employment of the youths, even in rural areas.

He also promised to tackle insecurity and provide effective health care for the people, if elected.

HE Federal Government yesterday said it grounded a Kenyan aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for non-compliance with security procedures.

The aircraft has been detained by security agencies since June 3, following the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Coordinating General Manager, Corporate Communications, Aviation Parastatals, Yakubu Dati, spoke on the government’s action.

He said the aircraft is currently going through security checks and would be released after the exercise.

The spokesman said the aircraft, a DC-9 with registration number, 5Y-SAX owned by Cavoc Airlines, came to Nigeria with 18 persons on board, 15 of who were crew members while three others were Nigerians deported from the East African country.

The deported Nigerians, Dati said, are in detention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said: “On June 3, 2013, about 18.36 hours (6.36pm), a Kenyan aircraft, with registration number 5Y-SAX, owned by Cavoc Airlines, arrived in Nigeria with 18 persons. Among them, 15 were crew members while the three other persons on board were passengers. The three Nigerians were said to be deportees from Kenya, but the security agencies in Lagos discovered that certain procedures were not complied with and subsequently grounded the aircraft.”

going round the country and meeting with the various stakeholders. We have met with Chief Victor Umeh, the National Deputy Leader, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Ralph Nwazuruike.

We are in contact with Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. We are in search of unity for our party. In the end, we will have a united, cohesive, peaceful and progressive APGA.”

HE Director-General of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Dr Aminu Sharehu, has called for a change in the mode of examinations in the country.

He said the present mode of examining pupils’ knowledge does not allow them to think independently.

Some managers of examinations have also argued that the present mode of examining pupils in Nigerian schools stifles independent thinking and hamper transformation of the education sector.

Sharehu spoke at the University of Ibadan (UI) as examination managers from Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire and some other African countries converged on the university for the second international conference of its Institute of Education.

The NTI chief noted that improved examination quality would lead to advanced teaching and learning methods.

He said: “The improvement of the quality of examinations can lead to advancement of teaching and learning procedures—a shift from assessment of a set of learning content to assessment of learning outcomes rather than teaching a set of learning content.”

According to him, the present examination system is defective and inadequate because it “merely tests the samples of knowledge”.

Sharehu added: “They emphasise cramming and retention and have no arrangement to test understanding and application.”

Nigeria making progress on polio eradication, say WHO, UNICEF

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IGERIA is making progress in its effort to eradicate polio from the country, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) country teams have said.

Nigeria, they said, has reported a 50 per cent decline in the number of polio cases, comprising 25 cases in nine states this year. This is an improvement over the 54 cases in 10 states recorded last year.

A statement by UNICEF Communications Specialist, Geoffrey Njoku, said over 60 per cent of the cases this year occurred in states with security challenges, especially Borno and Yobe, folowing limited access to children’s vaccination.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Njoku said: “As outlined by the most recent report of the global Independent Monitoring Board for polio eradication, Nigeria’s polio programme has surged forward and is making progress. This is coupled with a substantive investment and efforts to improve routine immunisation, with the development of a new routine immunisation framework and the “Save One Million Lives” initiative, led by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The number of unimmunised children ...has declined in the past few months as a result of increased focus to improve routine services.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY JUNE 21, 2013

NEWS Lagos Assembly slams Southwest PDP on Jonathan’s endorsement

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly has described the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest as a sign that the party is jittery about the 2015 general elections.

It said the endorsement does not threaten the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) chances in the coming elections.

Spokesman of the Assembly Mr. Segun Olulade said the failure of the Jonathan administration to address the country’s challenges was responsible for the endorsement, which he said the PDP did out of panic.

Olulade said: “The incessant crises that have rocked the PDP’s structures nationally and in many states of the federation have made it more desperate and intrepid, making it resort to crude ploys aimed at cajoling Nigerians and the rest of the world that all is well with the country.

“Nigerians are not only tired of the PDP, they are prepared to carry the APC’s banner as a better alternative to the PDP. APC will not only win elections in over 30 states of the federation, but also at the centre in 2015.

“APC symbolises change in all ramifications. It is capable of restoring lost hopes and redeeming Nigeria’s bad image in the comity of nations. The great transformation going on in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-controlled states, the achievements of the Rochas Okorocha administration in Imo State as well as the performance of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governors are good testimonies of the APC’s chances of defeating the PDP in 2015.”

On the Southwest PDP caucus’ reason for endorsing Jonathan for a second term, Olulade said: “It is ridiculous and laughable for the PDP to describe Jonathan as someone with exceptional leadership qualities, despite his administration’s failure to improve the country.”

Reacting to a statement by the Chairman of the Southwest PDP Caretaker Committee, Chief Ishola Filani, who accused the ACN of poaching PDP members to field them as candidates for the 2015 elections, he said the allegation is frivolous and can only be a figment of Filani’s imagination.

Olulade said: “PDP members often seek refuge and political survival in the ACN, having realised the reactionary and retrogressive tendencies of the PDP.” He said ACN and APC would continue to welcome repentant PDP members.

Oyo gets law to increase judges

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HE Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday passed a bill seeking to increase the number of High Court judges into law.

The Oyo State High Court (Further Amendment) Bill 2013 allows the state to have at least 30 judges.

Presently, the state has only 26 judges.

At the swearing-in of six judges on May 27, Governor

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Abiola Ajimobi pledged to send a bill to the Assembly to facilitate the increase of judges to 30.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petition and Judiciary, Yisau Azeez, said the law would speed up the hearing of cases and decongest prisons.

Police summon Ekiti poly authorities over rape

EFCC arrests 10 in Oyo N1.59b pension fraud O FFICIALS of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested 10 persons accused of stealing N1.59 billion from the Oyo State Pensions Board.

The accused persons are Alhaji Hakeem Muili, Alhaja Iyabo Giwa, Adeduntan Johnson, Oguntayo Banji, Adesina Jimoh, Johnson

Police foil kidnap on Ilesa-Akure road HE police have foiled the kidnap of three persons (two men and a woman) on the IlesaAkure road.

One of the victims is a driver in one of the ministries at the Osun State Secretariat on Gbongan road in Osogbo.

The victim, who pleaded for anonymity, said he was coming from Ilesa, his home town, and was on his way to work on Monday when the incident occurred.

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•Mrs. Tinubu

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State yesterday condemned the threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos chapter, to recall Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu from the Senate.

The PDP threatened to recall Mrs. Tinubu (Lagos Central District) because she referred to herself as a rookie in the Senate.

In a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, ACN said the PDP ATIONAL Chairman of the Action Congress of went beyond its bounds by Nigeria (ACN) Chief Bisi Akande, ACN National assuming the role of voters Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and ACN governors are in Lagos Central Senatorial District, who elected Mrs. among dignitaries expected at the inauguration of the multi- Tinubu as their representabillion Naira Mokola Flyover in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, tive. on Tuesday.

It said it was laughable that The motor park at Podo and the new business complex at a party could react negaScout Camp, Molete, would also be inaugurated. tively to a statement of fact

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From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

He said around 5:30am, he and the other victims boarded a Gallant Mitsubishi car by the road side in Isokun area of the town.

The victim said: “We even rushed to beat others to enter the car. There were two people in the car, including the driver, when we entered and we did not suspect anything.

“Immediately we entered the car, the three of us slept

off. At a point on the AkureIlesa highway, a police team stopped the car and demanded to know why three of us were sleeping.

“The policemen saved us because they insisted that we should be woken up. When the kidnappers woke us up, one of us asked where we were and the police said it was Akure road. They arrested the two men and took us to a police station in Akure, Ondo State.”

The victim said the kidnap

suspects confessed that they were assisted by an herbalist in Ekiti State to carry out their nefarious act.

He said the herbalist was arrested on Monday and granted bail on the same day.

The victim’s boss, who is a director in the ministry, said he was worried when the driver did not report to duty.

He said he phoned him many times and became more worried when his phone kept on ringing without a response.

PDP gets knocks for comment on Senator Tinubu

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Tinubu, Akande for Ibadan flyover’s inauguration

Alhaja Giwa, however, escaped arrest, even though she was on the court premises.

Their arrest is sequel to an Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court’s ruling, which struck out the case following an application filed by the Principal State Counsel,

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second left); from left: Head of Administration, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), IdoEkiti, Dr. Ben Ogunrinde; Head, FMC’s Audit Department, Ajepe Oluremi; the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Dr. Lawrence Ayodele; Head of Nursing Services Mrs. Margaret Egunlusi and the Deputy Head of Clinical services, Dr. Segun Elegbede, during the FMC team’s visit to the governor in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE police in Ekiti State yesterday met with the authorities of the Crown Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, over rape incidents in the institution.

A student and a security guard of the institution were among suspects paraded by the police on Tuesday for alleged rape.

Three students of the polytechnic are also wanted for alleged rape.

Police spokesman Victor Olu-Babayemi said senior officials of the school were invited at the instance of the Police Commissioner, Sotonye Wakama, “to deliberate on the worrisome development in the polytechnic”.

Babayemi said a delegation from the institution, led by the Rector, Mr. Aderemi Oke and the Registrar, Mr. David Olukowade, met with the police.

He said: “Part of issues discussed was how the police could be networked into bringing the undesirable development under control. The commissioner warned the authorities to stop keeping information about rape incidents in the school from the police.

“He also told them to institute intra-campus measures to stem rape and they promised to stop the criminal behaviour among students.

“It is bad if some students were expelled for rape and the cases were not reported in any police station. The commissioner said any criminal conduct by students must be disclosed to the police for appropriate action and failure to do so will attract sanctions.”

Bosede, Adebiyi Olasumbo, Kareem Rasheed, Muili Adedamola and Salewa Adedeji.

They were arrested as they came out of the Magistrate’s Court, Iyaganku in Ibadan, the state capital and taken away in the commission’s bus to Lagos.

Ademola Ojekunle, on June 4.

The state government applied that the case be struck out.

Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Adebayo Ojo affirmed that the EFCC has taken over the matter.

Ojo said the defendants would be prosecuted if found culpable by the EFCC.

made by a first-time senator, who admitted that she was still learning the rudiments of lawmaking.

ACN said: “In the PDP’s desperation to add Lagos to its vassal and despoiled territory, it has degenerated into a band of irredeemable jesters, who must react to any issue.

“For the information of the few that still consume Lagos PDP’s idiocy, we deem it fit to recap Senator Tinubu’s response to a reporter’s question, which generated Lagos PDP’s latest ranting. “’Reporter: Why are opposition senators always desirous of getting juicy committee positions in the senate instead of remaining in the opposition?

Senator Tinubu: If I wanted a juicy committee, I would not be in the Labour, Employment and Productivity Committee. I can only speak for myself. I am a rookie in the Senate and I do not know about the juiciness of the committees until I learn.’

“The above chat was all Lagos PDP needed to call for the senator’s recall. We wonder why Lagos PDP, in its

celebrated emptiness, feels that sounding so blank on issues it cannot grapple is the best way to fight for the soul of the sophisticated people of Lagos.

“Must Lagos PDP embarrass itself, as in the present case, just because it wants to keep up appearance and get noticed? Must Lagos PDP continue to demonstrate its emptiness just because it wants to present the facade of a non-existing opposition in Lagos?

“Because Senator Tinubu made an honest admission as a well-brought up person and a first-timer in the Senate that she is still learning the art of lawmaking, Lagos PDP asked for her recall.

“This is clear evidence that Lagos PDP remains deficit in honour, character, integrity, common sense and knowledge.

“Come to think of it, if Mrs. Tinubu is to be recalled from the Senate, who are those to recall her? Are they PDP members in Lagos Central Senatorial District or PDP members in Lagos State? Did PDP members send her to the Senate to represent

them? The job of recalling Mrs. Tinubu is that of ACN members in Lagos Central District.

“Lagos PDP is making itself a laughing stock because it cannot comprehend the meaning of ‘rookie’ and this is a party that salivates that by some stroke of misfortune, it will rule Lagos by displaying such arrant bareness on a simple issue.

“Frustration is turning Lagos PDP into a huge embarrassment, even unto itself, and this remains the shame of a party that covets power to loot and lay the state bare.

“Lagos PDP is set on an irredeemable path with its penchant for playing pranks with issues and facts as well as its deadly inclination to latch up to any issue for the nuisance value it grants it to distract and become permanent pests, with no value to add to governance and the general well being of Lagosians.

“We urge Lagosians to ignore the PDP and its rants, as these are borne out of the frustration that it is not gaining any stranglehold on the politics of Lagos.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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NEWS

‘Fed Govt has a lot to learn from Ekiti on health’

NSCDC men arrest seven ‘illegal refinery operators’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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•Senator Ojudu’s health mission in Aramoko

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HE Federal Government has been urged to learn from the Ekiti State Government, if it is serious about repositioning the health sector to meet global standard.

A former Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu, spoke yesterday at the venue of the free medical mission organised by Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central District) in AramokoEkiti.

Akingbolu said besides the state United Drug Revolving Fund Initiative, which has been adopted by 17 states, the “Operation Renovate All Hospitals in Ekiti”, which is the latest, is the first in Nigeria.

He said the renovation was not just about physical structures, but a complete overhaul of hospital equipment.

Akingbolu said: “Al-

•A doctor attending to a resident...yesterday.

though, most of the hospitals are already well-equipped, Mr. Governor is always striving to bring Ekiti at par with advanced countries. Having worked closely with him, I know nothing satisfies him like the best.”

The lawyer described Ojudu’s free health mission as the first by any lawmaker in Ekiti Central, adding that the senator is responsive to the

•One of the beneficiaries.

days ago and was treated in a hospital around the scene, but pus was coming out of the wound.

Babawande, who looked weak, prayed that God would strengthen Ojudu to do more for his constituents.

Leaders of the medical team, Dr. Rasheed Abass, who attended to Babawande, said the drugs given to him were not on sale in Nigeria. He said if taken as instructed,

needs of his people.

Yesterday, the United States (US)-based medical team was welcomed to Aramoko by a crowd.

Some people were seated under a tent provided by Ojudu while others queued up to be attended to.

The first person that was attended to, Ilesanmi Babawande, said he was involved in an accident three

Babawande would be well in a few days.

A fresh graduate, Mr. Oluwafemi Kasali, said he was not surprised as nobility begets responsibility.

He described Ojudu as a noble man, who has always made responsibility and responsiveness his watchword.

Kasali urged the people to continue to support the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration and Ojudu.

Prosecutor’s absence stalls Alao-Akala’s trial

Woman, 65, ‘brutalised’ by traffic warden

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65-YEAR-OLD woman was yesterday beaten up by a traffic warden at Okesa in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

It was learnt that the warden accused the woman’s husband of refusing to obey a traffic light.

Sources said the warden entered their car and ordered them to stop at the junction of the Old Governor’s Office.

The woman’s husband said: “We were returning from a wedding at Ago-Igbira and we had escaped the traffic light before it turned red. I narrowly escaped hitting a motorcyclist, who oversped and jumped in front of the car while trying to avoid the light.

“Rather than pursue the motorcyclist, the warden stopped me, opened the car door and came inside. When I asked what my offence was, he said I refused to obey the red light. When we got to this junction, I stopped for him to explain himself better.

“His allegation was strange to me as I escaped the light.

Rather than listen to my explanation, he opened the passenger’s door where my wife was sitting, dragged her out and pushed her into this drain.”

Corroborating the man’s account, some passers-by said they tried to stop the warden from beating the woman.

They said “he should have dealt with the husband and not the wife”.

One of them, who identified himself as Jare, said the warden’s colleagues “smuggled” him out of the area.

He said: “We attempted to arrest him while some of us tried to revive the old woman, but his colleagues quickly took him away. We urge the police commissioner to stop the impunity of these uniformed officers, especially the socalled traffic wardens.

“They talk to people old enough to be their grandfathers rudely. This is bad. If the trend is not stopped, one day, something will happen and the people will stage a riot

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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•The woman crying...yesterday.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

against the conduct of policemen, which is getting out of hands. That day may not be far away.”

Egba chief, two others killed in Ogun accidents

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HREE persons, including an Egba Chief and Senior Lecturer at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State, Dr. Gbenga Folarin Dally, have been killed in two accidents at Onipepeye on the Abeokuta-SiunSagamu road.

The others are yet to be identified.

The accidents occurred on Wednesday evening.

The Nation gathered that a Honda Saloon car, marked (Lagos) KSF 224 AT, which was on its way to Lagos, veered off the road and collided with a Mitsubishi Space Bus marked LAR 55

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

XA. Sources said two passengers in the space bus died.

The late Dally, who runs a private school in Abeokuta, was said to be returning

EVEN persons suspected to be operators of illegal refineries and petroleum depots have been arrested by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The corps’ commandant, Mr. Waheed Popoola, said the suspects were arrested at Iju Osun, Ore, Oniparaga and Onitea.

He said three tankers, marked EKY 699 XH, XA 995 KMR and JJJ450 XA, were recovered from the suspects, who are in prison custody.

Popoola said the illegal depots and refineries have been destroyed, adding that 10 cars loaded with adulterated fuel were recovered from the suspects.

At Oniparaga on the Lagos-Ore road, he said they discovered some wells where fuel was being drawn and notified the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

from OOU, when he ran into the accident scene.

Sources said a truck coming behind him, in an attempt to avoid the commotion, ran over Dally’s ash colour Toyota Camry car marked AAB 181 AA. His body, in green

Kampala attire, was pulled out of his mangled car. Flyers of his school were scattered on the scene.

Head of Operations, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun Command, Mrs. Cecilia Alao said two people died in the accidents.

HE absence of the prosecutor in court yesterday stalled the ongoing trial of former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others.

Justice Bayo Taiwo adjourned the case till July 11.

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Godwin Oblah wrote the court that he would be absent, but Justice Taiwo said he received the letter a few minutes before the sitting.

He said: “This matter is coming up for the first time before me and as at today, the prosecution is not in court.

Oblah wrote to say he would be absent and suggested that an adjournment be fixed for either July 4 or 11.”

Mr. Nathaniel Oke, counsel to Alao-Akala and Femi Babalola, did not oppose the application for an adjournment.

Oke said: “Nevertheless, the dates suggested were not jointly arrived at. I want it to be on record that my client, Alao-Akala, may be absent, because he had, before now, been scheduled to be abroad on medical grounds.”

Mr. Richard Ogunwole, representing Senator Hosea Agboola, too did not object the application for an adjournment.

Ogunwole said: “I may not be available on any of the suggested dates as I would be travelling out for medical checkup. I appeal for a date in September, during which, the new legal year would have commenced.”

Justice Taiwo said the court could not wait till the next legal year.

He said: “Since there are still three clear weeks before the end of this legal year, I rule that the matter comes up before July 15.”

After a brief consultation between Oke and Ogunwole, they agreed on July 11.

On applications by both counsel for their clients to remain on bail, the judge ordered temporary bail.

Justice Taiwo said: “I am granting temporary bail, pending the presentation of formal applications.”

Alao-Akala and Babalola were in court but Agboola was absent.

The case was re-assigned to Justice Taiwo following the retirement of Justice Akintunde Boade on February 21.

EFCC is accusing the defendants of conspiracy, illegal award of contracts, obtaining by false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from illegal acts and concealing ownership of such property.

Lagos, Cross River, Ogun may experience flooding

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HE Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Anthony Anuforum, has said Lagos, Cross River and Ogun states may experience flooding.

He urged the governments of the states to take precautionary measures.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja yesterday, Anuoforom said the states mentioned are among vulnerable areas, where “there seems to be water

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

stress in the Northwest”.

He said: “The Standard Precipitation Index shows the nature and condition of soil moisture.

We are carrying out the same exercise and keeping a watch on the vulnerable areas. The areas in red or brown are the areas where there seems to be water stress.

“But I appeal to you not to raise a false alarm.

We are monitoring the situation and it can be scientifically explained. The explanation is that the rainfall has not quite stabilised.

“Infact, in some of these areas, we are yet to reach the onset stage of our prediction of January 15. It shows clearly that the raining season will start late in June, so it is not surprising that the soil moisture in those areas is showing water deficit.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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NEWS ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI (1917-2013)

Jonathan gives NRC nod to take over property nationwide

Eighth-day prayer holds Sunday

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RRANGEMENTS have been concluded to hold the eighth-day prayer for the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday.

The Burial Committee said in a statement that the prayer would hold between 12noon and 3pm at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island.

The statement was signed by Mr. Demola Seriki, a former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Akintola Benson.

Alhaja Mogaji died last Saturday in her sleep. She was 96.

June 12 Coalition celebrates Mogaji

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GROUP, the June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations (J12CODEF), has celebrated the life and time of the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

It described the Iya Oloja General of Nigeria as an indomitable Amazon of people’s struggle and hailed her for her contributions to the society.

The Chairman of the group, Baba Omojola and General Secretary, Nelson Ekujumi, said: “The late Alhaja Mogaji was a quintessential democrat and an activist

par excellence, whose footprint is boldly interred on the sands of time going by the deluge of tributes heralding her passage to higher service.

“Besides being the mother of a former Lagos State Governor, Mama was an active leader in the market men and women association in Lagos State.

“In the twilight of colonial rule, Alhaja Mogaji participated in the labour/market women association that mobilised the Lagos population for independence struggle, winning in the Town Council elections.

Nigerians hail Tinubu’s mum

M

ARKET women, clerics, diplomats and politicians yesterday urged the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to continue the good legacies left by his mother, the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

The Ikoyi, Lagos home of the ACN National Leader, which has become a Mecca of sort, has been attracting people from all walks of life, who came to commiserate with

By Musa Odoshimokhe

him on the death of his mother.

Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) said as the leader of the council, he sympathised with the former governor on the death of Alhaja Mogaji, who was not only close to her family, but was also supportive in terms of ensuring that the Yoruba were united.

T

HE Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) management said it has obtained President Goodluck Jonathan’s permission to take possession of its landed property.

NRC’s Managing Director, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, broke the news yesterday.

He said the move is part of efforts to reposition and deepen NRC’s capacity to deliver on the Jonathan administration’s transformation agenda for the transportation sector.

Sijuwade said with the approval, the stage is set for the

By Yinka Aderibigbe

corporation to take possession of its property scattered across the nation.

He warned trespassers, government agencies, individuals, groups and corporate bodies to stay clear of NRC land because, according to him, “no efforts will be spared to recover the land or property belonging to the NRC.” The Managing Director said part of the immediate gains of the presidential directive is the corporation’s redevelopment plan for its Iddo Territo-

rial Headquarters.

Mr. Sijuwade added that the Iddo Terminus would soon have a multi-storey ultra modern shopping mall with two floors dedicated as car parks.

It would also have a post for the Railway Police Command.

He said the terminus redevelopment would be the first in the phases that would soon be replicated in other major railway stations across the country, adding that when they fully come on stream, the old, derelict appearance of the corporation would be replaced with beautiful structures that

could compete with any successful enterprise anywhere in the world.

Sijuwade said the new Iddo Terminus could be remodelled, using the Public/Private Partnership (PPP) platform, adding that the PPP remains one good way of attracting private sector investment to push the frontier of efficient service in the railway.

He said he is championing the involvement of the private sector in the railway services.

He urged investors to partner NRC in the task of delivering efficient and cutting edge rail services in the country.

Driver to die for killing FRSC special marshall

A

N Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, has confirmed an earlier Rivers State High Court’s ruling of July 15, 1999 sentencing a bus driver, Mr. Emeka Mbachu, to death for killing a Special Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Clifford Azubuike, while on patrol on November 3, 1995.

FRSC in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by its Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, said Justice E. Eko in his lead judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by Mr. Mbachu against his earlier conviction and sentenced him to death.

The statement said: “Justice Eko stated that ‘on the whole, there is no substance in the appeal. In my candid view, the appeal deserves to be, and it

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

is hereby dismissed in its entirety “’The conviction and sentence of the appellant in the charge No.PHC/3C/96 for murder punishable with death on July 15, 1999 are hereby affirmed. “’In the same line, the other two justices in the panel, namely Justice C.E. NwosuIheme (JCA) and Justice Stephen Jonah Adah (JCA) in

entirety concurred with the reasoning and the conclusion of the lead judgment,’” he added.

The statement recalled that on November 3, 1995 at 6:45pm at the 1st Artillery Junction, on Aba/Port Harcourt Highway, Port Harcourt, Mr. Clifford Azubuike (the deceased) was on a routine traffic control duty.

“The deceased was checking vehicles and controlling the traffic with other special mar-

shals.

“The driver, Mr. Mbachu, drove his blue bus from Oyigbo (Aba) end of the highway to where the special marshalls were.

“The deceased with other special marshals controlling the traffic at the road junction, noticed that the vehicle driven by the driver had only one headlamp.

“The deceased, who was about to book the driver, drew his attention to the defective headlamp.

‘200 Nigerian girls trafficked to Russia monthly for prostitution’

T

WO hundred Nigerian girls are trafficked ev-

ery month to Russia for prostitution, Ambassador Asam Asam has said.

The envoy, who spoke against the backdrop of consular challenges faced by the embassy, was answering questions from the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Berlin.

NAN investigations showed that the crime had decline in Western Europe following strict laws on illegal migration and joint efforts by Nigeria and the governments of those countries to curb the menace.

However, attention has shifted to Eastern Europe as the new destination for the trade.

“The major consular challenge we face in Moscow is the influx of trafficked persons from Nigeria. No fewer than 200 girls are trafficked every

month, and we have many of them exposed to danger.

“Some are thrown out of the window and treated harshly. There must be a way of stopping these racketeering.

These girls are not tourists, students or government officials, yet they are given visas from the Russian Embassy in Abuja.

“We have deported over 240 girls since 2012. You will be shocked at the extent of resistance from the girls. We tell them Russia is not a destination for prostitutes, yet they still come,” Asam said.

According to him, the mission tries to curb the menace by arranging deportation for those caught, but the challenges are enormous.

The envoy said such intervention would be more effective at the point of entry.

“The strategy is to stop them from Nigeria, and fish out those involved in the trade.

“For instance, a well-known Russian human trafficker,

who has been in the trade for about 20 years, was caught in Nigeria.

“The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) was on the verge of releasing her before I filed a protest from Moscow to the Comptroller-General of Immigration,” Asama stressed.

He said even the parents of those trafficked encourage their children.

“I spoke to the mother of one of the girls and she said her daughter should remain in Moscow and survive the ordeal. This is very sad.”

Asama enjoined the media on sensitising the public on the dangers of trafficking in Russia.

“This East European nation has become a new destination for them, and believe me, it is a very big crime here,” he said.

Asam, however, said other Nigerians, who live in that country, are students and professionals in various fields.

Adeboye urges Christians in U.S. to receive ‘double portion’

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HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has prayed for Christians in North America to receive ‘double portion’ in their growth and advancement.

Adeboye, who spoke during the inauguration of the North American Redemption Camp in Greenville, Texas, also prayed that they are accelerated to the glory of the Lord.

Quoting from the Holy Bible, 2nd Kings 2 Verse 9, Adeboye said: “We learn from this that we are not to be content with the accomplishments of those who have led and or are leading us.

“No, we are expected to aim to achieve even more. This is very consistent with the admonition made to the disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ in John 14:12.”

He also ordained Pastors, Assistant Pastors, Deacons and Deaconesses and presented certificates to graduates of the Redeemed Christian Church of God North America (RCCGNA)

Seminary and Bible College.

The North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-million-seat capacity camp, with an initial 10,000 seats, is said to be the largest Nigerian-owned church auditorium in the U.S. It sits on over 800 acres of land acquired by the RCCGNA. The camp already has an administrative building that houses the headquarters of the church and when fully completed; it would also have a number of buildings including housing estates, fish farm, schools and a university.

The inauguration coincided with the church’s 17th Annual Convention with the theme: ‘Double Portion’.

Pastor James Fadele, Chairman, RCCG, North America, noted that the camp premises has made progress in infrastructural improvements.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

9

NEWS ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI (1917-2013)

•From left: Former Kano State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijjai Gwarzo; former Minister of Industry, Dr. Nike Akande; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Minister of Labour, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe; and Tinubu’s wife Senator Oluremi, during a condolence visit to the Ikoyi, Lagos home of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji...yesterday.

•Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (fifth left), his wife Senator Oluremi with some members of the Lagos State Council of Obas...yesterday.

•Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi (middle) with leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos, during a condolence visit...yesterday.

•Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (third left), his wife, Senator Oluremi (third right) and members of the Association of Lagos State Councils’ Vice Chairmen...yesterday.

•Asiwaju Bola Tinubu welcoming to his Ikoyi home Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams (left) and Chief Kayode Rotimi-Williams during a condolence call...yesterady. With them is Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi.

•From left: Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi, Vanguard newspaper publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka and Mr. Dimgba Igwe, during a condolence visit...yesterday.

•From left: Chief Kofi Kate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebo and Chief E.F. Esisi, during a condelence visit... yesterday.

•Market women all... during their condolence visit to Asiwaju’s Ikoyi home...yesterday.

•President of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) signing the condolence register...yesterday.

•Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son, Seyi, welcoming Mrs. Tolulope Okunlaja and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, Mr Akin Osinbajo

10

CITYBEATS I've no cause to hide, says Ojikutu F

ORMER Lagos State Deputy Governor Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu yesterday restated her innocence on the allegation by the police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) that she obtained by false representation, saying: "I have no reason to hide because I did not commit any fraud."

The SFU, on Wednesday, declared Mrs Ojikutu wanted for allegedly defaulting in repaying N130 million she collected from Mr Cajetan Okekearu on the sale of a land that "did not belong to her".

She expressed dismay at the manner the police was handling the matter. She told The Nation: "I have sent you what my lawyers released. It is interesting how this issue has been blown up. I did not run away; I had to attend to issues

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

here and I was in constant touch with the office of the CP in writing and by phone up till Tuesday. I informed his secretary because he refused to speak to me that I was out of the country in the United States of America. How could he be asking for my whereabouts and declaring me wanted on Wednesday?

"He (the CP) needs to keep an open mind on this issue of the ownership of my husband's plot.

He has shown bias. I was the one who requested him to investigate the occupiers of my late husband's land because they refused to show us the original documents. There is a reason for everything and God will bring it to light and vindicate me. I have never defrauded any

one in my life and I will not now. I abhor corruption. God is the only friend of the truthful."

Earlier on Wednesday, Mrs Ojikutu first spoke through her lawyer, Adenrele Adegborioye, stating that at the death of her husband in 2008, she became the administrator of her husband's estate, including the land in dispute. She recalled that in 2010, the Probate Registry of the Lagos State High Court granted a Letter of Administration (without a will) in respect of her late husband's estate.

She said she dealt with Okekearu based on the letter, stating that the Contract of Sale executed between her, her son and Okekearu shows the land in contemplation as Block 4 Plot 24, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme, adding that the receipt

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

dated October 6, 2011 also shows that they only received money from Okekearu in respect of the said land based on their capacity as administrators of the estate of her late husband, Sampson Adebisi Ojikutu, which includes the said land.

She maintained that directly or indirectly, they never at anytime showed Okekearu any other land.

"Subsequently, Mr. Cajetan Okekearu commenced construction on Block 4 Plot 23 Lekki Residential Scheme Phase1, the land adjoining Block 4 Plot 24, whereupon one Afolabi A. A. Coker successfully challenged Mr. Cajetan Okekearu's entry onto Block 4 Plot 23 Lekki Residential Scheme Phase 1," her lawyer also said.

She said it was then that she and her son first discovered that Okekearu had built on Block 4 Plot 23 instead Block 4 Plot 24,

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

• Alhaja Ojikutu

and based on that, she volunteered to refund to Okekearu, the N130 million through a 'Terms of Settlement' dated July 25, 2013, which she had begun to execute. Mrs Ojikutu restated her commitment to seeing to its conclusion, the terms of settlement.

Group opposes cremation law

T

HE World Christian Council Association (WCCA) has urged Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to reverse the cremation law In a statement, the WCCA chairman, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, noted that most abandoned bodies died in unexplained circumstances and

it will be improper for the government to cremate them.

"Cremation is basically making the soul to suffer physical and spiritual burden. Government should reverse this law because it is against the nature of creations. If there are abandoned bodies in the streets, government should honour the through burial," Omonigbehin said.

Cleric urges fear of God

T

HE leader of Motailatu Church, Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (Restoration Parish), Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo, has advised members of a late matriarch in Akute, Ogun State, Mrs. Afusat Olatokunbo Abiodun and the public, to fear God. He spoke when members of the late matriarch's family visited him to appreciate the church for its role in her burial in Akute, last month.

"Mama lived for God. Emulate her and imbibe Deuteronomy 32: 39, which says: "God is the only one with the capacity to kill and make alive," Akinadewo said.

Mrs. Bolanle Fatuase, who led the family's delegation to deliver a letter of appreciation to the church during a service, said: "We, the children of Elder Emmanuel Abiodun and the late Mrs. Afusat Olatokunbo Abiodun, heartily express our profound gratitude to the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (Restoration Parish), for its numerous assistance during the funeral rites of our beloved mother.

"We pray that the Almighty Jehovah continues to move your ministry forward so as to bless others, as God has used it to bless us."

Obasanjo, Tejuoso for crusade

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo will join prominent evangelists, including Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona, Ogun State, to the "Healing Ogbomoso Land Crusade" which holds between Sunday and June 27 at Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The crusade, organised by Bishop Kayode Williams of the World Outreach, and Oba Karunwi Evangelical Ministries, will feature Williams, an

evangelist and President, Prison Rehabilitation Mission International (PREMI), with the support of the Ogbomoso Christian Ministers Fellowship.

Williams said: "God is ready to deliver Ogbomoso from the shackles of enemies through this crusade."

A ministers' conference will hold at 10 am on June 25 and 26. The crusade will begin at 4:30pm daily at the Beulah Baptist Church, behind Baptist High School, Ajaawa Road, Ogbomoso.

Projects for inauguration

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OMORROW, an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Princess Uzamat Akinbile, will inaugurate her pet-project, "The Goodwill Project."

Princess Akinbile, who is the Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture, Rural and Social Development in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said the projects would enable her give back to her people better and complement the effort of the Augustine Arogundade-led

• Princess Akinbile

administration in the LCDA. The projects, she said, include a 12-feet culvert in Meiran, and N50, 000 grants each for 10 outstanding community development associations, including artisans' empowerment.

11

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘40% rural Nigerians have no network coverage’

By Lucas Ajanaku

D

ESPITE the 117 million current active subscribers in the country, 40 per cent or the rural populace is still disenfranchised from the dividends of the telecoms revolution because they have no network coverage.

Communications Technology Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at an ICT Stakeholders Forum.

She lamented that while the number of global system for mobile (GSM) subscribers continues to witness phenomenal growths that of fixed line and fixed wireless have seen disquieting stagnation.

The minster, who spoke on ‘Connected for GrowthMoving from Planning to Execution’, said the challenges in the operating environment were also constituting a limiting factor on the desire of the operators to rollout and improve service quality.

“Connectivity is concentrated in urban, commercial areas: approximately 40 per cent of rural areas have no mobile (network) coverage. While the number of mobile subscribers is increasing, fixed line subscribers have stagnated and fixed wireless declined,” she said.

150,000 bpd shut-in as Shell closes pipeline T HE Shell Petroleum Development Com pany of Nigeria lim ited (SPDC) joint venture has shut the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) following an explosion and fire at a crude theft point on the 28" section of the facility at Bodo West in Ogoni land, Rivers State.

A statement issued by Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo said that the company prior to the incident, had shut down the 28" TNP to remove crude theft connections, and has now closed the 24" TNP as a precautionary response to the fire. This means that

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

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

RATES Inflation -11.7% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

the entire TNP system, comprising the 28" and 24" pipelines have been shut-in. The 24" TNP will be reopened when it is safe to do so, while the 28" TNP will remain shut-in until the fire has been extinguished, and investigation and damage assessment completed.

The closure of the Trans Niger Pipeline also in shut-in of about 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

“This is another sad re-

minder of the tragic consequences of crude oil theft,” said SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu.

“Unknown persons continued to reconnect illegal bunkering hoses at Bodo West even as our pipeline team were removing crude theft points. It was therefore, not surprising that the fire occurred from the continuing illegal bunkering even as a previous crude oil theft point

was being repaired by the team.

So far, there is practically no spill from this event as the oil is burning off. What is visible in the water is from an earlier oil spill which was also as a result of oil theft.

“The explosion also triggered a fire on a nearby barge. Crude theft continues to pose significant challenges to people, the environment and the local and national economy, and all stakeholders must work together to stop this criminal activity,” he added.

•Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti (middle); Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS), Adebisi Shonubi (right) and the Group Head, E-Channels, Skye Bank, Chuks Iku, during a courtesy visit to Skye Bank by NIBSS Management in Lagos yesterday.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound

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

S

Investors to take over NIPP power plants June 2014

UCCESSFUL inves tors will take over the 10 National Integrated Power Plants in June 2014, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has said.

Mr. Benjamin Dikki, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, said disclosed this to prospective investors at Roadshow in Hong Kong, according to a statement on yesterday by Head of Public Communication at the privatisation agency, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe.

The sale of the 10 power plants is currently being handled by the BPE and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

Dikki, who briefed the investors on other investment opportunities available in Nigeria, said that

B

the deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest remained 19th of July 2013 as contained in the advertisement earlier published in both local and international media. He added that the date would not be extended.

The privatisation boss noted that the deficit of about 17 million housing units in the country provides a great opportunity for investors.

He said the BPE and Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development were collaborating with other key government agencies to propose the right policies and legal and

regulatory frameworks that would attract private sector participation in the sector.

Dikki added that the general framework of the Federal Government’s Transformation and Reform Agenda was to create a conducive atmosphere for the private sector to bring in capital to facilitate national development.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu, told the prospective investors that the three tiers of government who jointly own the shares have approved that the expected proceeds from the 10 power plants be ploughed back into the de-

velopment of more power infrastructure in the country.

He explained that emphasis would be placed on strengthening the transmission infrastructure and the construction of additional three (600-3000mw) hydro power plants.

The BPE and NDPHC had in Lagos on June 4th kicked off a four-city investment road show to shore up investors’ interest in the 10 power plants constructed by the three tiers of government.

The show moved to London between June 12 and 13 before berthing in Hong Kong between the 19th and 20th of June. The final leg of the tour will move to New York between the 26th and 27th of June.

Arik Air signs $297m deal with Bombardier

OMBARDIER Aero space of Canada has announced an aircraft acquisition deal with Arik Air for three CRJ 1000 next generation and four Q400 turboprop airplanes.

The contract for the seven

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

aircraft according to Bombardier, is valued at approximately $297 million based on the price list rolled out by the Canadian aircraft manufacturer.

Bombardier confirmed that Arik Air currently operates four CRJ900 aircraft and two Q400 NextGen aircraft.

Bombardier, which is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains, is headquartered in Montreìal,

Canada. The company’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and it is also listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the company posted revenues of $16.8 billion.”

Jonathan okays DPR Director’s, Shippers’ Council boss appointments

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ap proved the appointment of Mr. George Abiodun Osahon as the new Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Mr. Hassan Bello as the substantive Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council.

President’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed this in a statement to The Nation.

Osahon, who has over 30 years experience in the petroleum sector is to replace the incumbent Director of the DPR, Mr. Osten Olorunsola, who was appointed to the position in 2011.

Previous positions held by the new DPR Director include Group General Manager – National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Managing Director – Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Managing Director of Energia.

He is currently the Managing Director of Geo-Concept Technical Limited. He hails from Edo State.

Osahon is expected to reposition the DPR and enhance the department’s ability to address the critical challenges of regulating the upstream and downstream sectors of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, and enforcing the provisions of the country’s petroleum laws.

President Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Mr. Hassan Bello as the substantive Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council.

Bello, who held the position in an acting capacity until now, was the council’s Director of Legal Services.

$2.9b for Onne Port expansion

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HE Federal Govern ment has approved a $2.9 billion “concession and development” plan to expand the Onne Port, in Port Harcourt to improve services to energy companies.

Under a 25-year concession agreement signed with Deep Offshore Services Nigeria Ltd., the company will invest the agreed amount to build port facilities within six years and recover the cost from “boat services and other port charges,” Information Minister Labaran Maku, said yesterday in Abuja.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s government seeks to boost infrastructure development by attracting private investments to road, rail and power. The country’s biggest ports in Lagos are currently run by private companies under concession agreements.

12

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

13

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

AGRO-BUSINESS

•Prof Bamigboye (fouth Right); Deputy Registrar Lagos State University (LASU), Mr Akinwumi Lewis; Deputy Bursar Mr Tay O Hassan, flanked by members of Centre for Environment

and Science Education, LASU at the event.

Experts campaign against food wastage N

IGERIANS have been urged to take actions that will reduce food waste and save money as well as resources.

A Director, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Dr Abiodun Tajudeen Afolabi, gave the advice during the World Environmental Day at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

Afolabi, who was the guest lec-

By Adegunle Olugbamila

turer, noted that more than a quarter of the yearly food production is squandered due to improper management, poor processing methods and lack of storage facilities.

The event, tagged Think, eat and save, was organised by the Professional Masters in Environmental Management and Academics Mas-

ters in Environmental Resources of the UNILAG’s Centre for Environment and Science Education (CESE) to commemorate the yearly global event.

Afolabi further urged the university to make use of its wet land. He admonished his counterparts at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, to start a conservative project through planting of trees for beau-

Study on beef industry ready

T

HE Director, Federal Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Joseph Nyager, said the ministry has completed a report on transforming the nation’s beef industry.

He said the report, when implemented, will foster new strategies to ensure that the industry processes and provides wholesome meat and meat products at affordable prices.

Nyager spoke at a workshop for policy document on the status of livestock and dairy value chains held in Abuja.

“I will like to inform you that the Federal Government engaged the services of a reputable consultant to develop a comprehensive strategy for the trans-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

formation of the meat industry, particularly beef into viable venture.

“The study has been completed and the implementation would soon commence,” he said.

Referring to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) 2011 report on livestock, Nyager noted that there are about 1.7 million tons of unmet demands for meat in West Africa.

According to him, Nigeria accounts for about 1.2 million of the demands.

Speaking on policy initiatives for the development of livestock and dairy value chains in West Africa, the director emphasised that the project was in tune with the Federal Government ’s

agenda on livestock value chain.

He added that livestock farmers would henceforth benefit from the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme. The development, according to him, will further add to the local production of livestock in the country.

Earlier, Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Mark Aduba, described the initiative as important for the survival of the sector.

Aduba, who was represented

by ECOWAS Principal Programme Officer, Livestock Development, Dr. Vivian Iwar, said the country was not meeting demands on beef production.

Lawmaker donates tools to 700 Osun farmers

A

BOUT 700 farmers have benefited from agricultural input donated by the lawmaker representing Ifelodun/Odo-Otin/Boripe Federal Constituency of Osun State, Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi.

The farm implements, including fertiliser, insecticides, cutlasses, axes, improved seedlings, valued at several millions of naira, are to boost food production this planting season.

While distributing the farm input at three locations, Ekonde for Ifelodun Local Governmnent Council, Inisa for Odo-Otin Local Government and Iragbiji for

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Boripe Local Government, Ajayi said the gesture was to complement the efforts of the state government headed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to boost food production.

A similar gesture and cash as well as free farm land had been provided by the state government to farmers in all farm settlements and newly created ones.

Ajayi said the only way to assist the state government is to contribute his quota by assisting the farmers in boosting food production.

The lawmaker called on the people to support Aregbesola and his team to realise the good programmes and policies of the state government.

He maintained that the people of the state have never had it so good like this in the past.

Ajayi declared that the people of the state had witnessed a complete transformation in all the sectors of the state in the last two and half years, adding that more dividends of democracy would be brought to the door steps of the people, especially those at the grassroots.

tification and to curb flooding.

He warned against over exposure of land due to deforestation without replacement which, according to him, has resulted into erosion over the years in the cities and towns, and causing the government millions of naira in the provision of relief materials to affected victims.

Earlier in his welcome address,

A

DEPUTY Director with the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Mr Sunday Abimiku, has recommended the use of tissue culture for maximum farm yield in the country.

Tissue culture refers to all technological efforts to improve the quality of plant tissue for greater productivity.

Abimiku made the call at the inauguration of the council’s Institutional Biosafety Committee in Abuja.

He observed that if the use of tissue culture was included in methods of seeds production under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, a lot more high

the Director of the CESE Prof Ademola Onifade underscored the need for green environment to guide against erosion.

The LASU Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Omolara Bamigboye urged the audience to eat less, think about how to sustain the environment and converting food wastage to money.

The occasion also featured planting of trees of different species in the school environment end.

Tissue culture for food security urged yielding seeds would be produced.

According to him, tissue culture does not need to be regulated and it is widely used to produce clones of plants through a method known as micro-propagation.

While it offers certain advantages over traditional methods of propagation, it also enables the production of exact copies of plants and allows plants to mature early.

It also facilitates the production of multiples of plants even in the absence of seeds.

FISON to hold Tuesday

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HE Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) will hold a two-day training on proposal writing with the theme “Grant application and proposal development” in Lagos, Calabar and Abuja in June and July.

A statement by FISON’s National President, Dr Abba Abdullah in Lagos said the workshop would hold from June 25 to June 26 in Lagos, while the workshop in Calabar would hold from July 1 - 2. That of Abuja is scheduled between July 4 and 5.

According to the statement,

the focus of the workshop will include empowering beneficiaries with specialised knowledge and techniques to unlock their funding potential. It will also provide participants with recommendations on developing a competitive proposal and exposingthem to the rudiments of funding opportunities.

It fosters the interests in aquaculture and fisheries programmes at all levels of governance, promoting research into the developmentof the fisheries resources and potential in Nigeria, among others.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

AGRO-BUSINESS

‘How agro businesses can transform economy’

‘Irrigation farming created 75,000 jobs’

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RRIGATION farming has helped to create 75,000 jobs and supported the efforts to achieve national food security, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, has said.

She disclosed this in Abuja during her mid-term report on the progress and achievements of the ministry during this year’s Ministerial briefing.

She stressed that irrigation was critical to national food production, noting that it has engaged mostly farming communities to alleviate poverty from among them.

Sle listed food commodities that witnessed boost in production through irrigation to include rice, maize, wheat, sorghum and assorted vegetables.

She said: “It is obvious that Nigeria cannot continue to depend on rainfed agriculture alone, considering the rate of its population growth, urbanisation and climate change.

“Irrigation is therefore, critical to the nation’s food production, agroindustrial raw material, employment generation and poverty alleviation.

“During the period under review, the Ministry recorded some achievements in its efforts towards supporting the attainment of national food security with the newly developed irrigation and drainage projects.

“The ministry recorded the production of 75,802 tonnes of rice, 51,631 tonnes of maize, 2,800 tonnes of wheat, 50,695 tonnes of sorghum and 177,050 tonnes of assorted vegetables.’’

Ochekpe said substantial achievements were also recorded in the development of irrigation infrastructure, land reclamation and drainage construction nationwide.

This, she said, included over 31,000 hectares of irrigated land and the commencement of an eight-pilot land drainage reclamation projects of about 420 hectares in the Niger Delta area.

GRIBUSINESSES can play a critical role in jump-starting economy through the development of agro-based industries that brings much-needed jobs and incomes, an expert, Dr Annemarie Matthess, has said.

Matthess, who is the the team leader, Sustainable Cocoa Business, German International Agency (GIZ), spoke during a stocking-taking meeting on a project titled: Farmer Business School (FBS) in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

He said successful agribusiness investments can stimulate agricultural growth through the provision of new markets and the development of a vibrant input supply sector.

For this to happen, she said farmers need training to be able to create a viable livelihood from farming.

She said the FBS approach was developed by GIZ as part of its Cocoa Livelihoods Programme (CLP).

In cooperation with local partners, she said the project developed the farmer business school training programme to strengthen entrepreneurial skills.

According to her, the programme aims to improve marketing efficiency, productivity on farm land, and diversification of income.

As a result, she said farmers are improving yields and managing their farms as businesses.

She said farmers completing the course confirm that the quantity and quality of the food for their families have improved.

At the farmer business schools, she said the farmers were thought how they can better plan the production of cocoa and foods, what costs and income increases are associated with improved cultivation techniques, and how they can increase their harvest yields and incomes by means of targeted investment.

According to her , GIZ envisaged that 200,000 small-scale cocoa farm-

I

•From left: National trainer, Mr Dayo Mejabi; Dr Stephen Adeogun, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Deputy Chief Extension Officer, Abia Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Extension Service Department, Mr Udensi Johnson, at the workshop.

Stories by Daniel Essiet

ers in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d‘Ivoire, Liberia and Cameroon will double their income within ten years.

Matthess said the project Sustainable Cocoa Business (SCB) has the objective to sustainably improve the competitiveness of diversified cocoa smallholdings.

She said training for FBS is accompanied by Training of Trainers (ToT ) courses. More than 440 trainers and supervisors have been trained to organise the FBS programme.

Technical Advisor, Sustainable Cocoa Business, GIZ, Ayo Akinola, said the nation has a huge challenge to create jobs, especially for the young people who will enter the labour force each year.

For greater productivity, Akinola

•Akinola

said the priority is to build capacity and coordination along the chain to meet increasingly stringent standards.

He said major opportunities exist

Fed Govt adds 9m tonnes of food to reserve

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HE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said nine million tonnes of food was added to the domestic food reserve from 2012.

Adesina stated this in Abuja at the 2013 Ministerial Platform, a mid-term report on the progress and achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He recalled that the Federal Government, through the ministry, had earlier promised to increase national food supply by additional 20 million tonnes by 2015.

He said the additional nine million tonnes of food from 2012 to date had placed the sector above its original target.

“In the beginning, I told you that

we wanted to build 20 million tonnes of food by 2015, that is five million tonnes per year.

“In our first year to now, we have added nine million tonnes from the rainy season to the dry season compared to five million that we said we were going to do.

“We are, therefore, 80 per cent above target that we set for ourselves in the first year; that is 45 per cent of the target of reaching 20 million by 2015.”

The minister also said 2.7 million farm jobs were created in the rural areas as against the 3.5 million job target.

“This is 77 per cent of total amount of job opportunity of our target by 2015,” he said.

He said the contribution of the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) had added N591 billion to the economy in terms of production and yields.

According to the minister, the net contribution of only five value chain crops is N174 billion.

The five value chain crops, he listed, are: cassava, rice, sorghum, maize and cotton.

“The non-oil export continues to experience significant year-on-year growth with agriculture accounting for 75 per cent of the total non-oil export revenue,” he said.

He said agriculture exports and earnings were increased by N759 billion and import reduced by N857 billion last year.

BoA, firms partner to procure 400 tractors

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HE Bank of Agriculture (BoA) is collaborating with six tractor companies in the country to procure 400 tractors and other farming implements for mechanised farming.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mohammed Santuraki, stated this in Kaduna when he visited one of the tractor companies,Tak Continental Limited.

He said the bank had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to access N3.6 billion for mechanised farming in the country.

Santuraki said the bank would also inject 35 per cent of the amount as its contribution while the 80 service support centres to be established would also make contributions.

According to him, the bank would build a vendor financier relationship with the tractor companies, to supply tractors and other services to the support stations.

He explained that the new sta-

tions would offer tractors services and other technical support to farmers at reasonable costs.

He said the objective was to increase productivity and food security in the country, make agriculture more attractive and help to reduce the cost of farm labour.

“It is shameful that 60 per cent

of Nigerians are engaged in agriculture, yet the country imports $12 billion worth of food every year,” he said.

Santuraki said mechanised farming would cut down on the numbers of Nigerians in agriculture, who could make more useful contributions in other sectors of the economy.

Director decries seed firms’ attitude

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HE Coordinating Director, National Agricultural Seeds Council, Mr Olusegun Olatokun, has identified seeds companies’ care-free attitude towards seeds production as a major challenge in the agricultural sector.

Olatokun in Abuja at the Seeds Execution Group Meeting that attracted about 50 stakeholders in Abuja.

He noted that some seed companies did not deliver the quantity they had promised for the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

Olatokun said that the council would begin to take disciplinary action against any company that fails to fulfil its promise, stressing that their attitude created seeds deficit at the redemption centres.

to drive agribusiness development by upgrading informal value chains and linking them to formal value chains.

Overall, he said farmers need a portfolio of general finance all the time, and specific agricultural finance only as they engage more heavily in higher-value crops.

He said expanding the access of farmers to general financial services has already proven difficult.

According to him, the risk of extending them credit seems higher, due in part to the inherent risks of agriculture, the axis on which much of the rural economy turns.

He said the farmers business school project exists to empower the farmers by providing him the skills and knowledge to present themselves as good candidates for bank loans.

HE Enugu State Government is to partner the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank to boost agriculture in the state, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Roberts Orya, has said.

Orya spoke at a news conference on the outcome of the state government’s visit to the bank in Abuja.

He said: “Basically, they are here to seek areas of partnership with NEXIM Bank to finance some of the projects that the governor has embarked upon in the state.

“Broadly, we have looked at the area of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and issues of transportation, including the creative and entertainment industry.”

According to him, both parties have discussed how best to work together to ensure economic devel-

Enugu, NEXIM partner on agric

K

Kaduna to float rice mills

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ADUNA State Governor Mukhtar Yero said the government would establish four rice processing mills in parts of the state.

The governor gave this assurance during the take off of the fertiliser sales in Kubau, headquarters of Kubau Local Government Area of the state.

“The Federal Government has allocated four units of rice processing mills for the state, which will be cited in Kubau and Asso in Kubau and Jema’a local government areas.

“Others are Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area and Kufana, Kajuru Local Government Area.

“Consultant will soon be coming to inspect the cites and all the affected local government areas are, therefore, urged to quickly select suitable cites for the projects,” the governor said.

Yero said the government had spent N2 billion to procure 30,000 metric tones of fertilisers, which would be sold to farmers at the

opment in the state.

Orya said that a team would be set up between the bank and the State Government to work out details on the way forward.

He said that the team would fashion out and recommend the kind of fund that would be made available to support the projects.

The managing director said that other states like Gombe, Benue, Kano and Zamfara had at various intervals approached the bank for support to fund some of their projects.

“We believe that more states will be interested in what we are doing and we will let you know as many of them come for partnerships,” he added.

subsidised rate of N2,500 for NPK and N2,000 for urea brands per bag.

To further assist the farmers, he said the state government would provide other inputs, such as improved seedlings, chemicals and tractors, which would also be sold to farmers at subsidised rate.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Bashir Sakadadi, called on farmers to embrace commercial farming to improve their living standard.

Earlier, the Chairman of Kubau Local Government Area, Alahji Khalid Yalwa, thanked the governor for selecting Kubau to commence the state-wide fertilisers sales.

Yalwa commended the governor for allowing council chairmen to select projects that have direct bearing to their people without hitches.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji •A woman of substance departs at 96

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EW women dominated the public consciousness like the late Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, Iya Oloja of Lagos, President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, and mother of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, did for the better part of five decades. As one of the most significant figures in trade and business, her influence on the well-being of the citizenry, especially in Lagos and south-west Nigeria, was profound.

Born on October 16, 1916, Alhaja Mogaji first came to public prominence as the vocal leader of the powerful marketwomen’s association in Lagos State. It was in this role that she demonstrated the outspokenness and media savvy that was to endear her to the populace. She did a great deal to change popular perceptions of market-women as exploitative and ignorant by enunciating the challenges and hopes of her constituency with a clarity that was remarkable for the time and even now.

One of her first successes was the way in which she contributed to ensuring that the lucrative retail trade in Lagos Island, hitherto dominated by Greek and Lebanese merchants, came into Nigerian hands. This she did through the effective mobilisation of indigenous traders and her ability to convince them of the need to ensure that they were not discriminated against in their own country.

When other issues like high prices, the scarcity of goods, street-trading and struggles for positions arose, the efficacy with which she helped arrive at workable solutions made her indispensable to suc-

cessive administrations in the state. Working with them, she oversaw a tremendous expansion in the size, quality and sophistication of markets in Lagos. As environmental sanitation became increasingly important, she ensured that traders were properly enlightened on their role in ensuring that the state was kept clean, peaceful and prosperous.

Alhaja Mogaji’s honesty of purpose and good sense were also put to fruitful use in mitigating the worst excesses of military rule. She developed a good working relationship with General Ibrahim Babangida when he was in office, and was famous for the lack of obsequiousness which she displayed in her public interactions with him. Where more intellectually-sophisticated arguments failed to influence him, it was Alhaja Mogaji’s homely words of wisdom which often swayed the then Head of State.

In an era when ethical flexibility was the order of the day, Alhaja Mogaji stood out in the bluntness with which she spoke out on public issues. She did not claim to be a politician or a technocrat, and indeed neither sought nor wanted public office, but she always strove to emphasise the distinction between good and bad policies, and did so with a forcefulness that made many people sit up and take notice.

It is heart-warming that Asiwaju Tinubu represents a worthy continuation of the ideals that distinguished the life of Alhaja Mogaji. He displays the same grassroots instincts, the same populist ethos, and the same forcefulness of speech and personality that characterised his mother. There

can be little doubt that if more citizens demonstrated similar traits of publicspiritedness and social concern, the country would be a better place.

As the nation mourns the passing of Alhaja Mogaji on June 15, it is to be hoped that her qualities of consistency, commitment and honesty percolate more deeply into national life. Her lifelong activism on behalf of those who did business in markets was a model of selfsacrifice that the nation’s politicians in particular would do well to imitate. She did not allow anything to stand in the way of speaking truth to power, nor did she allow her acquaintance with the rich and powerful to cut her off from her roots.

May her soul rest in perfect peace.

‘As the nation mourns the passing of Alhaja Mogaji on June 15, it is to be hoped that her qualities of consistency, commitment and honesty percolate more deeply into national life.

Her lifelong activism on behalf of those who did business in markets was a model of self-sacrifice that the nation’s politicians in particular would do well to imitate’

So long, Rolling Dollar •After vicissitudes of life that ended on a happy note, Fatai Olagunju passes on

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S he lay dying in a Lagos hospital, with flashes of his chequered life and musical career coming and going before his eyes, Fatai Olagunju, known as Fatai Rolling Dollar probably sensed that the show was over for him.

Three days before his death on June 12, his daughter, Mrs Adejumoke Badmus, reportedly said, “He kept saying it was time for him to go but he wouldn’t say where he was going to.”

Succumbing to lung cancer, his final departure at age 86 marked the close of a life that was as eventful as it was full of lessons. He survived a touching wilderness period that lasted almost three decades to reclaim his creative talent and reach a height that surpassed even the relative success and fame of his early

‘Succumbing to lung cancer, his final departure at age 86 marked the close of a life that was as eventful as it was full of lessons. He survived a touching wilderness period that lasted almost three decades to reclaim his creative talent and reach a height that surpassed even the relative success and fame of his early years as a musician. “I stopped for 28 years,” he said in an interview, recounting a turbulent interval that saw him working as a security guard and church guitarist, among other forced jobs that he took up in desperation’

years as a musician. “I stopped for 28 years,” he said in an interview, recounting a turbulent interval that saw him working as a security guard and church guitarist, among other forced jobs that he took up in desperation.

By a fascinating fate, the electrifying stardom of his latter years rested principally on a song he had released before he fell on bad times. He was in his mid-seventies when, in 2003, with the support of appreciative promoters, his Highlife hit song seized the airwaves and thrilled music lovers far and wide. Won Kere Si Number Wa, a bouncy melody with a ring of taunting hubris, relaunched his comatose career and thrust him in the spotlight after years in limbo. Indeed, his terminal illness first manifested during his well publicised tour of some prominent cities in the United States, namely, New York, Maryland, New Jersey and Texas. He could do no more after performances in the first two cities, and had to return to Nigeria.

Possibly the most instructive statement projected by his story is the truth that success can come to a person at any stage of life. Of course, the converse is equally true as evident from his past failures. His miraculous musical renaissance was sweetened by another significant miracle when the then governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, came to his rescue as he faced eviction from his rented residence. Tinubu surprised him with the gift of a flat at Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos; it was the icing on the cake for the guitar-playing lyrical maestro. For a performing artist who was active for about 15 years from

his beginning in 1953, inspiring and mentoring a number of talents that grew into big names in the country’s musical circle before his troubles, it was rather puzzling that he had to wait for so long for turning-point assistance, which in the end even came from outside the sphere. “Asiwaju Tinubu changed the end of my life for better,” he told an interviewer.

What about his well known bohemianism and freewheeling life style? No doubt, there are also important lessons to be drawn from those aspects of his personality. Sadly, outside his musical acclaim, many did not consider him a positive role model when it came to drinking, smoking and womanising. It is food for thought that he continued to father children well into his advanced years. However, his publicised vices, even though disappointing, can be seen in the context of the moral challenges that come with earthly life.

In an enlightening reflection on the course of his life, he didactically attributed his eventual accomplishment to three things: patience, perseverance and prayer. It is noteworthy that this formula, indeed, worked wonders for him.

There was an undeniable inspirational quality to his life that was not only valuable within the scope of music but was also relevant in every sphere of existence. After a colossal collapse, he providentially got a second chance that made the past inconsequential. The sheer magnetism of his tale will remain irresistible and give hope in the midst of despair.

Details on spying, not more assurances

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ATTERED by weeks of criticism about surveillance abuses, President Obama has embarked on a reassurance offensive.

The spy programs have been used narrowly, he said on PBS’s “Charlie Rose” program on Monday, and have been effective in stopping several terror plots.

He promised to press for more declassification of intelligence work, and he said he would energize a dormant civil liberties board. Despite all the existing oversight, he said, “the public may not fully know, and that can make the public kind of nervous, right?”

The president is right that many Americans are nervous about what they have recently learned, and his assurances will have to go much further to allay those fears. His promises lacked specificity, and some of his descriptions of domestic spy work verged on the misleading.

Mr. Obama said that no phone or Internet conversation can be monitored without a warrant from the court established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Asked whether that process should be more transparent, Mr. Obama responded with this astonishing statement: “It is transparent, that’s why we set up the FISA court.”

Perhaps the court is transparent to him and the intelligence agencies, but it is utterly opaque to the public. All decisions by the court are top secret. The court has refused to release its interpretations of federal law, even in summary form, and without identifying details.

If the president is serious about declassifying some secrets, he should have said he would start with the court. And at the top of the list should be its opinion that broadened the Patriot Act to allow the collection of every phone record, a power that surprised even the Republican lawmakers who wrote the act. The opinion is the subject of a federal lawsuit, and the Obama administration has fought its release. Mr. Obama should publicly support a bill, sponsored by a bipartisan group of at least eight senators, that would require the court’s opinions to be made public.

The president acknowledged that the vast collection of call records “has enormous potential for abuse,” but he promised that it wasn’t being used to spy on innocent citizens.

But, if that’s the case, why not promise to end the mass collection, acquiring records only in cases of suspicion? It doesn’t seem particularly effective as it is. At a hearing on Tuesday, Gen. Keith Alexander, the director of the National Security Agency, said that 90 percent of the foiled terror plots were found through requests for Internet traffic, not through the call records.

Mr. Obama didn’t mention that he waited three years to name a full slate to the civil liberties board; Republicans delayed it by another year. The board is now up and running, but its recommendations won’t mean anything unless the president is willing to break free of the secretive intelligence world and stand for real transparency.

– New York Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: President Goodluck Jonathan appeared to have expressed his long years burden and pain, last week when he frowned at the governors’ seeming non-committal attitudes towards the implementation of capital punishment aspect of the country’s criminal laws. However legal the President’s comment might appear on the surface of it, it is unfortunate that the agitation for the gallow system would be so championed by the country’s number one citizen.

It is even more curious that the same president, who recently pleaded with countries like Indonesia to stop execution of some Nigerians convicted for drug- related offences in that country, would suddenly begin to agitate for death warrant for offenders here. Talk of hypocrisy?

The said expression was made by

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

President’s sermon on death warrant the President in his bid to justify the place of discipline in preserving the society at the Fathers’ Day Sunday service organised by the Aso Villa Chapel. Specifically, he said: “Even governors sometimes find it difficult to sign and I have been telling the governors that they must sign because that is the law...”

Much as one does not have qualms with the President position on this, it however, suffices to state that he did not direct his mind to

the effectiveness of such approach in crime reduction in the society.

The President did not realise that capital punishment has never proved effective in crimes fighting in any jurisdiction. As a matter of fact, countries like the USA, Iran, China, North Korea, etc, which still retain this primitive approach in their laws have not in anyway exterminated crimes out of their societies.

It is, indeed, against this backdrop

that most countries are abolishing capital punishment of whatsoever nature from their criminal law realms. For instance, 18 out of 54 independent states in Africa have abolished this barbaric method of punishment from their laws. Even those which still retain it have not applied it in the last 10 years. Specifically, Burundi, Benin, Togo, Gabon and Madagascar have few years ago phased out any form of capital punishment from their sys-

Children and cell phones

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IR: Our children are now very much interested in the manipulation of cell phone, watching films and other thrillers every day. They are deep rooted in the act in such a way that they often forgo doing their home work, reading their books and attending to other home chores. More worrisome and disturbing is that those in the secondary schools go to school with the gadgets which they browse in the class even when lessons are going on. This craziness in frivolous activities has in fact contributed in no small measure to the massive poor performance in examinations by students.

Unfortunately, this syndrome is manifesting at the time the government is setting every thing in motion towards achieving quality education for all by 2015. All the same, the situation is not completely out of hand as the government, especially the school authorities, can do something to remedy the situation.

Against this backdrop, I suggest to the government, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to do everything within their strides to correct this aberration. Otherwise, our nation would be infested with bunch of illiterate graduates in the

near future.

The last UTME witnessed the worst performance ever known in the history of this country. Only 10 out of 1.7 million candidates who sat for the examination scored 300 and above. Such a poor performance should move stakeholders, especially the present government to find a lasting solution to the problem, Regrettably, the deadline projected for making education in the country superb clashes with the next

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IR: For certain reasons, I never knew Pini Jason had exited our terrestrial milieu until I saw “Just Before Pini Jason Goes Home”

by Kanayo Esinulo in The News, May 27.

I was jolted. Could it be the same Pini Jason? I ran through the piece and it turned out to be the same ace columnist.

I was an addict of Pini Jason’s column in the Vanguard in those days.

I recall sending him a letter in 1990 or ‘91 on his criticisms of the then military government.

He acknowledged it was a rare

general election. I have the eerie feeling that government would do much on the issue since the campaign for governance in 2015 has dominated the polity.

Nigeria has all it takes to bring back education to an enviable height like in the days of our famous trio, Awolowo, Balewa and Azikiwe of blessed memory. My heart bleeds whenever I see the poster, STUDY IN GHANA in our major towns and cities. Imagine Ghana that was sent packing dec-

ades ago now, like the biblical Joseph feeding us educationally.

Nigerians now go to Ghana to study. Is not shameful?

Parents should do something about this indulgence in frivolities by our children because they are the first people to feel the impact of their misbehaviour. The bottom line is parents should not buy their children cell phone until they finish their secondary education.

• Nkemakolam Gabriel Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Good Night, Pini Jason occasion where he would take up a reader’s reaction in his column.

Pini was one of the few in the media of that era that excited my friend, Biodun Sodule and I. There was Chris Okojie of the “Blunt But Fair” sports column in the same Vanguard - I sent writeups to him regularly from 1989 as far as I could recall.

Danladi Bako’s “Morning Ride” was a ‘must watch’ for us every Saturday morning on NTA Channel 5.

I met both Chris and Danladi for the first time at the National Stadium in 1991 during a match be-

tween Nigeria and Burkina Faso. It was almost 20 years after that I met Bako at Daily Independent during one of our Editorial Board meetings.

How ineffable was my joy! But Danladi had no cheery tidings for me when I asked after Chris.

I never had any particular encounter with Pini but always admired his incisive and cerebral opinions on national issues both in the print and electronic media.

Pini later had a stint as Media Adviser to the immediate past governor of Imo State.

tem.

In Nigeria, also, the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has refused to sign any death warrant since assumption of office in 2007. The governor’s recent refusal of assent to the AntiKidnapping Bill, which stipulates death sentence to convicted kidnappers, squared him up with state lawmakers, who eventually vetoed it into law. Maybe the governor has come to realise that such punishment is not what is needed to tackle crimes in the land.

It is, therefore, highly regrettable that, out of the myriad challenges confronting the country, the most that bothers the President is the refusal of the governors to endorse the death warrant of the condemned criminals! The President ought to be in the vanguard of not only urging the governors to deliver good governance and justice to their people, but also leading the entire country out of the throes of hardship and flagrant abuse of powers.

It is my submission that the effective management of crimes in our societies is not a creation of law as the President would want to assume. A daily execution of these criminals can never abate crimes here. The best way to tackle the menace is by uprooting its causes: unemployment, poverty, corruption and other forms of injustice.

• Barrister Okoro Gabriel, Lagos.

It is interesting that I later became a columnist myself and a guest analyst on stations like Channels, AIT, TVC and Galaxy before my current post as Special Assistant on Media to the governor of Ogun State.

I have no doubt that whatsoever is my story today, Pini Jason had had a positive part in one way or the other.

Pini fought a good fight and ran a good race. We all can make our lives sublime...

• Soyombo Opeyemi, Abeokuta.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013 16

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COMMENTS

Niggers with attitude (2) • (Portrait of the Nigerian as a ‘black’ ant)

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T is not what you call him, but what he answers to that matter most. This minute, another innocent child is born into the world of the Nigerian nigger. He will grow up pitifully, as just another poor black ant. His parents shall name him Clinton, Dave, Cregg, Oliver, Richard, Lovett, Colet, Da Silva, Humphrey, Jackson, to mention a few. His real names: Akanbi, Chiedu, Chimaroke, Isichei and so on shall become his “native names” or “middle names;” names he shall grow to loathe and be ashamed of.

At a tender age, he shall be taught to despise anything and everything Nigerian, by parents who will persistently bemoan the erosion of the Nigerian culture.

That impressionable child will be enrolled in schools that teach the superiority of western civilization.

He shall be taught to think of Africans, Nigerians in particular, as an inferior race. He shall be psychologically defrauded and taught to accept his place as member of a hostage race and generation. As he grows up, he too shall learn to evolve a masochistic appetite for alien norms, unearned riches, undeserved acclaim and everlasting humiliation. Time and over again, he shall learn to assimilate and project “imported condescension”

as the next best palliative to his innate malaise.

Like his forbears, he will get too impatient for his daily dosage of indoctrination and imported disdain and thus quit gawking at celebrated perversion on cable TV, social media and foreign news publications to be part of it. He shall doggedly sweat his way through standoffish, ill-bred and disdainful foreign customs and immigration officials in order to enjoy his share of dishonor and racial profiling abroad. Abroad, he shall labour to be part of what kills him. Like hordes of Nigerians slaving away abroad, he shall strive and try the patience of reluctant Caucasian hosts with his recalcitrant corruption and doggedness for eternal humiliation.

He shall crowd the sidewalks of New York, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London, sweeping the streets, doing the dishes and washing the anuses of elderly Caucasians with the shameless carriage of “a nigger who would rather die than return home.”

And if he is fortunate to come from a privileged background at home, abroad he shall dwell, enabled and hampered by the lowliness of his mental skies. He shall desperately seek to impress

‘An inelegant ‘mumu,’ he keeps pretending to channel joy and fulfillment from the attainments of another land while he bemoans the “poor leadership” that’s “killing Nigeria.” In response, he seeks escape by renouncing his roots. He conveniently forgets that, no matter how long the tabby cat pretends to roar like a lion, it will forever remain a cat...a whiny, pitiful parlour pet’

M

EMORY was an evident casualty even as those who chose to remember marked the 20th anniversary of June 12, 1993, the historic date when the fangs of military dictatorship poisoned the purity of a popular democratic election. General Ibrahim Babangida’s bizarre and inscrutable annulment of the presidential poll that endorsed Chief MKO Abiola, undoubtedly, remains relevant till this day, particularly on account of the devastation it wreaked on the collective psyche, the still-active fallout and the irretrievable loss of what might have been.

It was, however, an interesting irony that among those who exhibited an appalling lack of a sense of occasion was no other than Mubashiru Abiola, MKO’s sibling. His choice of setting made it doubly incongruous. At a public ceremony to commemorate the dark episode that ultimately took his older brother’s life, Mubashiru made utterances which suggested that he was probably memory challenged.

Speaking at Abiola’s Oja-Agbo family house in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mubashiru, who is the head of the Abiola family, reportedly said, “I hail the support of former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to the Abiola family over the years. I pray that the Almighty God will continue to guard and guide him. Gen Babangida’s administration remains the best in the nation’s history.”

It must be conceded that his statement had a trace of news, although it also grossly misstated reality. Isn’t it food for thought, this information that Babangida had provided “support” for the Abiola family, “over the years?” This revelation bespeaks the impermanence of interests as well as the potency of conscience. Clearly, whatever interests motivated Babangida’s assault on popular democracy and his rigid rejection of MKO’s victorious emergence, these must differ from the interests behind his latter-day embrace of the family. The former context was about power play, likely megalomania, unfriendly friendship and possible ethnicbased calculations. The succeeding situation is probably about tormented conscience and self-redemption. It is uncertain whether Mubashiru’s expressed gratitude accurately represented the feelings of the entire Abiola family. Also unsure is the coverage of Babangida’s stated “support” and its nature. Indeed, it is enlightening that Mubashiru’s glorification of Babangida has been questioned by members of his family, who described their relative as “a traitor.” There can be no doubt that whatever liberality the former strongman has shown toward the family after Abiola’s mysterious 1998 demise in detention is corrupted by reasonable suspicion. It is akin to a destroyer shedding crocodile tears over the ruins he caused.

Strangely, however, displaying a rather narrow and

caucasian course mates and neighbours with extravagant parties and insane acquisitions. He shall traipse the largely well kept streets – by immigrants like him – of London and New York in his desperate quests to purchase monumental forgetfulness at the mall. The overcelebrated malls of America and Europe shall continually whet his yen and titillate his airs. They shall become heaven to the ‘hellish’ markets of Ajegunle and Oyingbo ‘Ibomade’ products.

He is everything that is wrong with the black race. So pronounced is his inferiority complex that the tragedies of his civilization perpetually wail in its littlest details; take for instance, the contemporary Nigerian’s obsession to host extravagant wedding ceremonies and birthday parties abroad to the benefit of the host state and loss of valuable revenue abroad.

It is even more amazing to see him obsess about foreign football leagues while the local football league suffers a slow, gruesome death. Like tadpole in Iju-Ishaga road crater, he believes if he could wade in the puddle for so long, he would grow scales and scissor-tail like an alligator in the English wild.

An inelegant ‘mumu,’ he keeps pretending to channel joy and fulfillment from the attainments of another land while he bemoans the “poor leadership” that’s “killing Nigeria.” In response, he seeks escape by renouncing his roots. He conveniently forgets that, no matter how long the tabby cat pretends to roar like a lion, it will forever remain a cat...a whiny, pitiful parlour pet.

The Nigerian youth has learnt to justify his moral claim to the successes of western civilization. He has learnt to intone that the socalled “first world” was built from the blood and sweat of his slave ancestors thus his right to a stake in

the “first world.” Thus today, the average Nigerian continually celebrates his cultural graduation from the servitude of slavery to being verbally nettled condescendingly as a “third world nigger” and subsequently distinguished by association with his perceived level of evolution.

The Nigerian nigger no doubt personifies the imagery of the black nigger in Chika Onyeani’s “Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success: A Spider Web Doctrine.” He suitably illustrates Onyeani’s depiction of the black race as a consumer race and not a productive race. “We are a conquered race and it is utterly foolish for us to believe that we are independent. The Black Race depends on other communities for its culture, its language, its feeding, and its clothing.” “Despite enormous natural resources,” he says, “Blacks are economic slaves because they lack the ‘killer-instinct’ and ‘devil-may-care’ attitude of the caucasian, as well as the ‘spider web economic mentality’ of the asian.”

Onyeani calls for economic liberation through hard work, self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and fiscal discipline; he advocates building of better black neighborhoods instead of moving to hostile white neighborhoods; he appeals for unity, because “When spider webs unite, they can be a lion” (Ethiopian proverb). Onyeani condemns self-destructive behaviors such as ethnic warfare, dictatorship, blackon-black crime, and slavery in Africa.

But fitting as it is to the Nigerian malaise, Onyeani’s literature is just another version of Johann F. Blumenbach’s human racial classification in which the “caucasian” is at the top of the hierarchy and the black is at the bottom. Capitalist Nigger is also reminiscent of the French philosopher Lucien LevyBruhl’s “primitive” or “prelogical

mind,” which he originally attributed to the Africans; and Hegel’s exclusion of sub-Saharan Africa from the world history among others.

Like Onyeani I believe in the liberating character of the truth. However, I do not subscribe to his legacy of disbelief about Africa which permeates European imagination. Instead of confronting old stereotypes, Onyeani recites them with relish, thereby refreshing erroneous notions in the reader’s mind.

His description of the African as non-productive, lazy, slavish, Neanderthal, dishonest, undisciplined and genetically unable to take care of himself is contemptible even as it speaks to the core of the Nigerian nigger.

I do not agree with Onyeani for his “Capitalist Nigger” epitomizes the worst of blasé witticism that serve like double-edged sword, decapitating plausible realities and counter-arguments in its quest for applause. Yet in his subtle narcissism subsists truths, relative truths if you like.

It rediscovers and plumbs the depths of inferiority plaguing the Nigerian nigger. It is what makes the Nigerian Presidency nurture insults from perverse caucasian governments threatening to withdraw financial aids if Nigeria fails to legitimize same-sex copulation and marriage. It is what makes an average Nigerian lose his head in arrant madness over foreign soccer leagues. It is what makes the Nigerian lust to be less than to the pleasure of the so-called “first world.”

It is an emotional attachment, a bond of interdependence between captive and captor that develops when someone threatens your life, takes away your freedom, and doesn’t kill you.

It is what causes the Nigerian to bark like a stray dog, pitifully seeking the collar end of the leash of the “first world.”

Spectacle at MKO’s graveside

By Femi Macaulay simplistic perspective, Mubashiru washed Babangida clean, saying, “I don’t believe that Babangida was the one that killed MKO, no. Everybody knew that Babangida was not in the government when MKO died. How could you say that somebody who was not there did something? It is not possible.

Babangida does not know anything about the death of MKO.” This is crude revisionism. Has Mubashiru ever pondered on what course events could have taken had MKO not been violently denied the presidency, a denial initiated by Babangida’s regime and perfected by his military successor, General Sani Abacha?

Oddly enough, in a perplexing double-speak which, perhaps unwittingly, deservedly discredited Babangida, Mubashiru also said, “I implore our leaders to embrace the vision of June 12 by ensuring that Nigerians get food on their tables and shelter on their heads. All employable youths should be given jobs, while everybody should enjoy basic amenities.” It is on record that Babangida blocked the actualization of MKO’s ambitious vision for the country, which puts a question mark on Mubashiru’s hyperbolic assessment of his administration as “the best in the nation’s history.” What is his yardstick?

Possibly worse and more disturbing than Mubashiru’s revisionist tendencies was the redefinition of June 12 by no other than Alhaji Bashir Tofa, MKO’s rival in the electoral contest which Babangida unfairly and inexcusably aborted.

He reportedly described June 12 as “fiction.” Were it not for the serious fundamental issues arising from this absurd labelling, Tofa’s uninformed borrowing from the vocabulary of Literature could well have passed for a banal joke.

However, it is tickling all the same, if only as a faultless example of wrong word usage.

Is Tofa, by his descriptive licence, suggesting that the country should suspend disbelief over the enormity of Babangida’s atrocity, and accept it as normal in the context of a supposed fictive universe? Does he imply that the June 12 poll was never a real-life event, but was rather imagined and, consequently, imaginary? His fantasy, in case he didn’t realize it, also makes him a fictitious character.

Following his reasoning, he would need to provide concrete proof of his own real existence in spatiotemporal terms, beyond fiction’s make-believe world. There are significant

questions here: What if Tofa, rather than MKO, had won that election? Would Babangida have annulled it just the same?

Would such action have made a difference to Tofa’s fictional angle?

Tofa was quoted as saying, “I sincerely believe that it is an episode that we need to get over with and look forward to a better electoral process and, therefore, a better democracy.”

Here we go again, with repulsive revisionism rearing its head. Two decades after an election widely acknowledged for its unprecedented transparency, and an acceptable model of voter sovereignty, Tofa seeks the invention of “a better electoral process” without highlighting the demerits, if any, of the option that worked. His notion of “a better democracy” can only be imagined, considering that the democracy which was supposed to have been delivered by the June 12 election never materialized because of Babangida’s negative intervention.

Not surprisingly, the ghost of June 12 continues to haunt the land. It is a measure of the depth of the damage done by Babangida and his ilk that MKO’s convincing win remains a front-burner issue even today. It is a tribute to the late charismatic and ebullient politician that his spirit is an inspiration to pro-democratic forces battling for the soul of the country. Of course, there are opposite forces still at work, contrary spirits that must be defeated to achieve the desired flowering of democratic beauty.

Perhaps the most fitting way to immortalize MKO is the assertion of voter sovereignty, which will hopefully result in the crowning of the people’s choice. It is an inescapable challenge waiting for the people to rise to the occasion.

Remember MKO’s immortal wisdom, “Democracy is the question. Democracy is the answer.”

• Macaulay is on the editorial board of The Nation

‘Is Tofa, by his descriptive licence, suggesting that the country should suspend disbelief over the enormity of Babangida’s atrocity, and accept it as normal in the context of a supposed fictive universe?”

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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COMMENTS A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts - Washington Irving AGOS State, the ever-boisterous former capital of the federation - and till now, the commercial nerve centre of the country - has been playing host to men and women of power and more importantly, those with unquestionable high status in the society. They came not on business trips or relaxation as most of them usually do in their expensive edifices in choice locations, since Lagos is home to many Nigerians, irrespective of their tribal/ethnic affiliations.

They came with soft pillows of sympathy and ample condolences upon the death of Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, the quintessential President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, who died last weekend at age 96. Mama is the mother of that inspiring man that is universally recognised beyond the shores of Nigeria and Africa as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Her death has brought top government officials from across the Niger and partisan political divides together. This, indeed, is something that is rare in this part of the world.

Yes, the departed President-General of Nigerian market men and women lived a good life and left legacies worthy of future leadership studies across the nation’s citadel of learning. It is equally incontrovertible that Alhaja was, during her life-time, a revered businesswoman cum activist and a revered market leader/organiser since the 1960s under General Aguiyi Ironsi’s tenure as Head of State as corroborated by the current Sultan of Sokoto.

She was a philanthropist of immense aptitude.

This could be gleaned from the continued outpour of profuse panegyrics heaped on her by individuals and institutions whose paths crossed hers. Members of especially her constituency - the market women and men - will forever remember her for protecting and giving utmost priority to their causes while she lived.

In the pantheon of great women in Nigeria and Africa in general, Alhaja has a reserved place. Nigeria’s history is replete with that of great women of valour who ignored opulence at their beck and call, and chose to be on the side of the people. Madam Tinubu, a stupendously rich but courageous Lagos business

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M

OUTH-WATERING OIL BLOCK: It is a 15-year-old story showcasing Nigeria’s oil sector at it messiest, successive Nigerian governments at their puerile best, multinational oil companies at their shadiest and why Nigeria remains among the poorest countries in the world despite huge oil resources. It has gone on for so long in the hushed manner of Nigeria’s oil business until The Economist of London removed a bit of the veil on it last week (June 15, 2013 edition). It is a story of greed, brigandage and the grandscale pillaging of a country as probably has never been witnessed in modern history. The sordid story concerns a mouth-watering oil block, OPL 245 awarded to a fictitious firm, Malabu Oil and Gas which had no records, assets or staff.

According to the report, Malabu was ‘established’ only a few days before it was handed this oil block estimated to have a possible 9 billion barrels of oil! A certain fellow called Dan Etete who was Nigeria’s Petroleum minister in 1998 must have awarded the oil block to himself and of course fronting for fellow rogues in government then including members of the Abacha clan. The dictatator, General Sani Abacha was Nigeria’s head of state then. This matter has dragged for so long because in the conclave of thieves, there is no speaking in low tones over a big loot; and this one is humongous. Therefore, the fight over it has been protracted between Etete and his gang, Shell/ENI and NNPC/the presidency.

The news today is that Shell/ENI after plodding through the murky tunnels of OPL245, finally shelled out the sum of $1.3 billion, verisimilitude of a bribe if not the real thing, to pay off all petty thieves, fraudsters and government officials who have cottoned on to this deal for 15 years.

SHELL-SHOCKED AND UNASHAMED: Though Shell pretends to have dealt with the government of the day and also pretended that it paid out such huge sum to the Nigerian government but the oil giant was well aware that it was dishing out slush fund into a “black hole”. It was a ‘pay’ brokered by (don’t be surprised) Mohammed Bello Adoke, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. Shell’s bounty according to The Economist, may have been “round-tripped” back to bank accounts

07011117777

Why Asiwaju must take heart?

• Tinubu and Mama woman deployed her resources to fund good causes against British imperialists, leading to her being banished to Abeokuta, where she emerged as the ancient city’s first Iyalode of Egbaland. In appreciation of her invaluable imprints, Tinubu Square on Lagos Island was named after her. Moremi Ajasoro, a pre-colonial Yoruba great woman will forever remain indelible in the annals of great women. Reason: She rescued Ile-Ife from rampaging invaders.

Another equally brave woman is Queen Amina of Zaria, known for her military exploits despite her blue blood, being a queen of Zaria. She is fondly remembered for building the famous fortress walls of Zaria which still stand today. The nation cannot easily forget Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a women’s rights activist who led several protests against oppressive female poll taxes in Ijebu that the British initiated in 1914. She was virulent against oppressive official acts as reflected

in her widely reported February 1948 physical fight with a district officer. She was also the first Nigerian lady to drive a car. Margaret Ekpo was a frontline woman politician since the defunct NCNC days. She consistently advocated for increased participatory role for women in democratic dispensations. Queen Kambassa of Bonny, Omu Okwei of Osomari (Ossomala), Inpki of Igala and Duara of the Hausa were great women that acted as liberators of their people and domains from oppressive governance.

In contemporary Nigerian times, women have broken the jinx of tradition by doing things hitherto reserved for men. Lady Kofo Ademola, in this regard, became the first Nigerian woman to receive a university degree from Oxford University. Grace Alele Williams also became the first Nigerian woman to obtain a doctorate degree and later became the first female Vice-Chancellor in the country.

Professor Bolanle Awe, through her vast knowledge of history, has brought more recognition for the country. Fortunately too, Asiwaju’s mother, Mama Mogaji’s organisational prowess and exemplary nature, no doubt, account for why she remains the longest serving leader of market men and women in Nigeria’s history. She led the men creditably, too.

The glorious lives of these other mentioned great Nigerian women and that of Mama Mogaji, though in the minority, in an African cum Nigerian cultural setting where women’s place is believed to be in the kitchen, is a classical ironical exception. More instinctively, Professor Ali Mazrui, the great intellectual, in his 1991 Guardian Newspaper lecture entitled, ‘The Black women and the problem of gender: Trials, Triumphs and Challenges,”

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve.osuji@yahoo.com

The Malabu malfeasance controlled by public officials. The magazine says further: “Of the $1.1 billion, $800 million was paid in two tranches to Malabu accounts.

This was then transferred to five Nigerian companies that appear to be shells. One of these, Rocky Top Resources, received $336.5m some of which seem to have been passed to unknown “various persons”, according to the EFCC’s reports. Some $60m went to an account controlled by Mr. Etete who has said that he received $250m in total for his role in the deal…”

Global Witness, the NGO that trails official corruption across the world sees the OPL 245 affair as “a lesson in corruption.” If ever one had any doubt as to the ethical status of Shell, this singularly desperate deal has exposed it for what it has always been, a roguish multinational. Shell remains the detestable British Empire still trading in Nigeria only by another name. It is a Luggardian behemoth that is divisive, corrosive, corrupt and corrupting.

Over the years, Shell has been leveraging on Nigeria’s weak government and lack of institutions to get away with mass murder, so to speak. Its home government seems to be handin-glove with her trading outfit making no efforts to rein it in. Unlike what obtains in the U.S. lately where multinationals are bound by corporate governance rules and laws of the U.S. (which is why many officials of multinationals operating especially in Nigeria have been convicted and jailed), it does not seem to be so in Britain and many E.U. countries.

Shell which for more than 50 years, has controlled over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s oil wealth

was reprobate even in its dealings with the Niger-Delta environment in which it operates. After so many years, the region remains desolate, retarded and damaged. In cahoots with Nigeria’s renegade governments, Shell never made any comprehensive effort to lift and develop even its immediate vicinity of operation. It is acute deprivation that led to the restiveness and militancy which erupted in the last decade. Unfortunately, Shell is deeply engrained in the Nigerian morass that there seems to be no stopping it or changing its mindset – well, perhaps until the oil is drained.

ETETE, NIGERIAN ELITE, NNPC AND A COUNTRY WITHOUT GOVERNMENT: The Economist report avers that Nigeria is “arguably the most complex environment of all,” to transact business. Please read the most corrupt environment of all. Nowhere else would a serving minister of petroleum award itself a juicy oil block using a ‘nonexistent’ company yet he is allowed to benefit immensely from such crass corruption helped by the country’s chief law officer, the attorney-general. Ratty Mr. Etete, typical Nigerian elite, had been convicted of money laundering in France; the huge sums being the bribe money from foreign investors while he was in office. In a serious society, Etete ought to have been arrested, prosecuted and jailed, instead, he was allowed to profit hugely from a grand fraud he hatched and executed as a public official.

Why has Nigeria grown into a banana republic? Because it ranks among the most cor-

corroborated the gloomy stratification of women to wit: “A woman can be at the centre without being empowered, a woman can be liberated without being either centred or empowered.... The strategy of redemption needs to go beyond liberation and beyond centering towards genuine power-sharing between the two halves of the Black world, male and female ....in real life, motherhood leaves the African women at the centre but not necessarily in power’’ In contra-distinction to Mazrui’s position, most highly achieving women in contemporary times, despite the challenges of motherhood, are not just at the centre but also in power in whatever spheres they are operating from. Even in the past and now, most women that have found their ways to the top and do know their onions, have a psychological way of better influencing power, erroneously believed to be an exclusive preserve of men. Mama was not just at the centre of market governance in Nigeria, she was effectively in charge. This is, however, not to deny the fact that a vast majority of women, though educated, due to cultural prejudices, could still not get to the centre let alone get power. This has to change and that is the lesson from the life of Mama Mogaji, a mother in a million and the dear mother of Asiwaju Tinubu, former Lagos State governor and in contemporary times, a most influential politician ever produced by the Southwest and Nigeria after Obafemi Awolowo and MKO Abiola.

How lucky can one be in life than to live a fulfilling life as a famous parent and leave behind, at old age, a positively famous and inspiring offspring like Asiwaju Tinubu?

Mama must be smiling today. She lived a rewarding activist life and mentored countless beings. She was exceptionally privileged to have a son in Asiwaju Tinubu whose brain, brawn, achievements and awesome popularity have been acknowledged outside the shores of the country. Nigerians acknowledge Mama’s memorable life, but she is better celebrated in death today even by President Goodluck Jonathan and other foremost government functionaries that are not in the same political camp with Asiwaju Tinubu, her iconic son, whose indelible political imprints and influence across cannot be ignored by even his greatest political adversaries. This is enough consolation for Asiwaju Tinubu for how many children could boast a mother like Mama Mogaji and vice versa. May Almighty Allah continue to grant Asiwaju requisite wisdom, resources and good health to lead his political flock. Amen

rupt countries of the world having maintained its position in the top five of the most corrupt table in the last decade. In the Malabu affair, those who ought to sanction the culprit became the chief beneficiaries; top government functionaries scrambled to get a share of the loot. Consider the list of Nigerians mentioned in this deal aside Dan Etete, there is notoriously corrupt Diepriye Alamieyeseigha who is the acclaimed boss of our sitting president.

There is the Abacha family, Abubakar Aliyu and Adoke. Nigeria’s oil industry has become an elaborate fraud where serving government officials including heads of government scramble for and award oil blocks to themselves through proxies. Nigeria’s chief resources which ought to be developed for the good of all are handed to a few who become stupendously rich to the detriment of the populace.

For a long while, Nigeria has lacked patriotic and purposeful leaders thus the country has been running literally on auto-pilot; without governments. This explains why the country has become so imperiled with a mass of jobless youths threatening to upend the ship of state. Sadly, those at the helm even now are so enamoured of immediate gains they are blind to the imminent danger. They seem to have lost any sense of right and wrong too. In other countries, this Malabu affair that has brought us so much international odium would have elicited judicial enquiries that would shake up the entire nation. Not so here, it has long been swept under the carpet because everybody is involved. Everybody, what a shame!

‘In other countries, this Malabu affair that has brought us so much international odium would have elicited judicial enquiries that would shake up the entire nation. Not so here, it has long been swept under the carpet because everybody is involved. Everybody, what a shame!’

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

25

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN EIGHT-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

The third day Fidau for Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, President-General, Association of Market Women of Nigeria and mother of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Tuesday. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

•From left: Governor Amosun; Asiwaju Tinubu and Gen Buhari

I

T was a gathering mostly of politicians, even though there was no campaign.

Passers-by wondered what was going on as they peeked into the mainbowl of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) at Onikan, Lagos Island. Traffic around the TBS was heavy despite the closure of markets in honour of the late Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, President-General, Association of Market Women of Nigeria and mother of ace politician Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The third day Fidau was held at the TBS for the late Iyaloja, who died in her Ikeja, Lagos home on Saturday.

Her remains were buried on Sunday. She was 96.

Business moguls, politicians, party stalwarts, the royalty, clergymen, and military brass among others attended the ceremony.

Market women also turned out in large numbers to honour their late leader.

The crowd pulling event was like a carnival of sorts. Not even the downpour, which lasted till mid-day, could deter the surging crowd.

Street urchins, (aka area boys), besieged the venue in large numbers. They solicited money from dignitaries who graced the occasion.

Itinerant drummers entertained and were aptly rewarded for their efforts.

Security personnel frisked guests before entering. Before 10am, thousands of seats under giant-size canopies were occupied.

The security men had hectic time, controlling the crowd. Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials con-

All for a mother in a million ‘Alhaja Mogaji was at once a loving mother, an inspirational matriarch, an activist, defender of the rights of women and the underprivileged, who built bridges across all social divides’ trolled traffic; the police stood at the square’s entrance. Heavily-built guards were at the entrance into each tent to ensure order. Lagos State Waste Management Authority

•The late Alhaja Mogaji

(LAWMA) officials were also there to ensure a clean environment.

Many stood in pools of water all through the proceedings. They were not bothered.

Those who could not find seats stood under the large white tents to shield themselves from the rain and later the sun. While the men stayed on the right side of the hall, the women occupied the opposite side in accordance with Islamic tenet.

Many of the visitors wore white lace and pink headgears. Asiwaju Tinubu also wore a pink cap and a flowing agbada and a matching pair of shoes.

Some canopies were also in pink.

As dignitaries came in their exotic cars, a bevy of female ushers, who stood at various points, led them to their seats.

They were assisted by some Lagos State commissioners.

The stage was occupied by hordes of Islamic clerics. Mosques and organisations were well represented.

The event, which began with a prayer by Justice Uthman Ahmed, featured recitation of the whole Quran, special prayers, lectures and Azikiri (chanting of Allah’s names).

The duo of Alhaji Shakiru AbdulGafar and Alhaji Muhammed Jebe, who are Governor Babatunde Fashola’s special assistants, were the masters of ceremony.

After the recitation of the Quran, there was Dual Khatimu Quran (special prayer) before the two guest speakers took the stage.

First to speak was Sheikh Musa Sulaiman, who stood in for Mudir, Morcas Arabic •More pictures on page 26

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

SOCIETY ALL FOR A MOTHER IN A MILLION

•From left: Asiwaju Tinubu; Gen. Buhari; Justice Ahmed and Aremo Osoba

•Alhaji Okunnu

All for a mother in a million •Continued from page 25

School, Agege, Sheikh Habeebulahi Adam.

Sheikh Sulaiman said death would be a blessing for some and a disaster for many.

“We can all attest to the fact that death has been a blessing for our mother Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji because she spent her wealth on the propagation of Islam and assisting the poor,” he said.

National Missioner of Ansar-UdDeen Society of Nigeria Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, who was the second speaker, held the gathering spellbound.

He enjoined the audience to prepare for the next world by doing good every time.

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

“You eat good food, we do not have enough to eat; you sleep under aircondition, we do not have light in our homes; you ride in good cars, we are jumping after public transport. You will surely account for all these on that great day.

“Asiwaju, I don’t envy you at all but I pray Allah makes your passage in Hereafter an easy one,” he said.

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

Noting that all will die someday, he lamented that daily, man fails Allah despite his magnanimity and generosity.

Sheikh Ahmad prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Alhaja Mogaji.

•Governor Wamakko (left) and Senator Umar Dahiru

•Governor Kwankwaso (right) and Senator Goje

•Governor al-Makura (left) and Brig-Gen Marwa

•Dr Aganga (right) and Col Dasuki (rtd)

•Governor Gaidam (left) and Senator Sheriff

President Goodluck Jonathan’s condolence letter was read by the Minister for Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, before presentation to Asiwaju Tinubu.

President Jonathan described the late Iyaloja as a successful businesswoman and an activist who defended the rights of women. He prayed God to give her family the fortitude to bear the loss.

He said: “Alhaja Mogaji was at once a loving mother, an inspirational matriarch, an activist, defender of the rights of women and the underprivileged, who built bridges across all social divides.”

Jonathan noted that the late Iyaloja-General was an accomplished business icon whose philanthropic role would remain a shining example to those who treasure humanity.

Consoling Asiwaju Tinubu, he said: “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

•Alhaji Okoya (left) and Senator Obi PHOTOS:RAHMAN SANUSI; NIYI ADENIRAN AND ADEJO DAVID

government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that her soul finds eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty Allah.”

Former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) said the deceased was a mother who gave her all to the country, despite being the last child of the Gbadamosi Mogaji family. “She was a gift,” he said.

Alhaji Okunnu, the second-incommand of the Gbadamosi Mogaji family, described her as a great woman.

“She was a compassionate woman and political force; she was a loving woman who

brought members of the family together,” he said.

Former Minister of State for Defence Chief Demola Seriki was called to deliver the vote of thanks, a task which he passed over to Asiwaju Tinubu’s son Seyi.

Seyi was joined by Damola Kasumu to appreciate the guests.

The closing prayer was led by Chief Imam of Abibatu Mogaji Central Mosque, Alhaji AbdulRaheem AbdulKareem.

In attendance were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; Ogun

27

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

S OCEITY ALL FOR A MOTHER IN A MILLION

•Alhaja Tinubu

•From left: Senator Tinubu; Mrs Orelope-Adefulire; Mrs Fashola; Mrs Amosun; Alhaja Aregbesola and Mrs Fayemi

•Mr Alake (left) and Aremo Osoba

•Shiekh Ahmad (left) greeting el-Rufai

•From right: Mr Bello; Chief of Staff to Governor Fashola Mr Lanre Babalola and and Hon Bolaji MuseAriyoh

•Hon Abiodun Mafe (right) and Hon Ramota Akinola-Hassan

State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam; Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba and wife Derin; former Lagos State Military Administrator Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa; former Secretary of the Government of the Federation Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly Pastor Tunde Bakare; Special Adviser to the President on InterGovernmental Affairs Senator Ben Obi; governors’ wives Dame Abimbola Fashola

State Commissioner for Information & Strategy Mr Dele Alake; House of Representatives member Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development Cornelius Ojelabi and his Works and Infrastructure counterpart Hon Obafemi Hamzat; Comrade Isa Aremu; Mr Fola Tinubu; former Commissioner with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso; Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN); House of Representatives member Alhaji Yakubu Abiodun Balogun; former Lagos State Finance Commissioner Mr Wale Edun; Chief Pius Akinyelure; (ACN) Lagos State Chair Otunba Henry Ajomale; ACN National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire; Alhaji Moshood Tijani; Baba Adinni of Lagos Sheikh Afeez Abou; white Cap Chiefs who represented the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan

(Lagos); Mrs Olufunsho Amosun (Ogun); Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun) and Erelu Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti); Alhaja Fatima Bintu Tinubu and Lagos State Environment Commissioner Tunji Bello.

Also, there were Secretary to Osun State Government (SSG) Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Onimoru of Imoru-Ijebu Oba Munirudeen Bashorun; Olori Muhibat Oyefusi; Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku; Senators ‘Gbenga Ashafa; Ali Modu Sheriff and Ganiyu Solomon; seasoned industrialist Alhaji Razak Akanni Okoya; ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Muhammed; former Lagos State Deputy Governor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; ACN chieftain Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris; ACN Lagos State spokesman, Mr Joe Igbokwe; former Lagos

PHOTOS:RAHMAN SANUSI; NIYI ADENIRAN AND ADEJO DAVID

Akiolu; Alhaji Aro Lambo; Mr Femi Pedro; Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Central Business District Mrs Derin Disu; Mrs Stella Okoli; Babaloja of Lagos Alhaji Waliu Balogun; members of the State Executive Council; Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Chieftaincy Affairs Yinka Babalola; Oba Tajudeen Elemoro; former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Princess Sarah Sosan; Chairman of Mile 12 Market Alhaji Haruna Mohammed; Waka queen Salawa Abeni; Hon Abdoulbaq Ladi-Balogun; Hon Rafiquat Onabamiro; members of the Conference of Chairmen of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, Lagos State (CONFERENCE 57) were led by their Chairman, Hon Akeem Sulaiman and General Secretary Hon Hakeem Bamgbola.

•More pictures on page 28 & 37

28

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

SOCIETY ALL FOR A MOTHER IN A MILLION

•Senator Ashafa flanked by Chief Seriki (right) and Alhaji Mutiu Are

•Prince Tajudeen Oluwa

•Hon Toun Adeniran

•Chief Ajomale (left) and Chief Akinyelure

•Hon Jaiyeola Ajatta

•Prince Abayomi Daramola

•Mr Edun (left) and Alhaji Balogun

•Hon Lola Akande (right) Otunba Yetunde Arobieke

•Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun; a guest and Chief Ayo Akande

•Hon Hakeem Bamgbola (left) Hon Ayodeji Joseph

•Some of the White Cap Chiefs at the event

•Mr Tinubu (left) and Alhaji Oyefeso PHOTOS:RAHMAN SANUSI; NIYI ADENIRAN AND ADEJO DAVID

29 FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

Vol 4. No. 1801

Dr Yinka Adepoju is the Director-General, Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency (OYSAA), the agency for out-of-home advertising. Before his appointment, he was Vice President, Association of Outdoor Advertising Agencies in Nigeria (OAAN). A Fellow of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Adepoju, in this interview, with WALE ALABI, speaks on the state of out-of-home advertising in Nigeria. Excerpts:

How to tackle out-of-home advertising challenges State of out-of-home advertising

I

N out-of-home advertising there exists, most often, an agreement between the advertiser, the site owner, and the media owner who has media rights to the site. This arrangement is called Third Party Advertising and it covers all manner of billboards, outdoor hoardings, out-of-home and ambient media opportunities. In Third Party Advertising, the advertiser pays for the right to place advertising on the site to promote his brands to the public.

The advertising of anything which is not produced, procured, sold, delivered, performed or provided from the premises which, or within five metres of which, the advertisement is displayed is known as third party advertisement. There is a concise and accurate types of third party advertisement due to modernisation, innovativeness, creativity and advancement in technological growth in the advertisement industry. Next are some very conversant and common types of ads that we see around. It should be noted that the advertising medium improves daily.

Experience in private and public sectors Having been on the two sides of both private and public sectors, I make bold to say that there is need for a thorough sanitisation of our environment in to bring sanity to our landscape.

This declaration is coming from the background that it is in our collective interest to improve our environment either as individual, professional groups and government. We should be reminded that it is only when the outdoor space is safe, sane and conducive for business that both Government and Stakeholders would continue to thrive.

As individuals, the state of our environment speaks volume about who we are. Indeed, it affects our quality of life and it is a measuring rod for the civility of our society.

Hence we must combat disorder and chaos of unplanned and haphazardly erected outdoor advertising structures.

Roles of professionals

As professionals, there is the need to discharge our corporate responsibilities diligently and whole

hearhedly. One of these responsibilities is the need to pay our taxes, levies and other relevant bills promptly while the other essential factor is to ensure that our practice is well regulated within the ambience of all regulations thus ensuring and encouraging environmental aesthetics For Government, the task of making the environment safe, investors friendly and aesthetically appealing should be its topmost priority which must not be compromised.

Torn and dilapidated posters and billboards A critical look at the use of outof-home platforms in public and corporate communication in some of our major cities is nothing to write home about. Outdoor advertising structure of various types, shapes and sizes are erected haphazardly with many in deplorable conditions. Some with sub-standard materials, some already dilapidated, some not properly positioned, some wearing faded and badly torn posters while some are broken.

If this is the outdoor scene that pervades our environment, what effectiveness are we talking about?

Rather than talk about environmental protection we should be discussing Environmental pollution which in anyway does not help public and corporate communications.

Chaotic situations like these will not only cast aspersion on this very important medium of communication, its practitioners but also the users (advertisers), government and the general public which we must collectively combat.

Resistance to change Another serious challenge is our

inability to adapt or adopt necessary and useful change as it were.

Except in very few instances, what we see on some of our major city roads are traditional or conventional boards.

We should have adorned our streets, like other developed parts of the world, with cutting edge technology driven media solutions commensurate with international standards and best practices via the introduction of LED Electronic Display Technology not minding our limitations which arises from epileptic power supply.

Playing by the rules How do you divorce payment or settlement of bills from efficient service delivery? For our public and corporate communicatios to be effective, stakeholders need to discharge their corporate responsibilities diligently. No responsible government will tolerate flagrant abuse of social/financial responsibilities on the part of its citizens, especially when the same government is putting resources together to ensure an enabling environment for all.

The way forward My submission here is to re-emphasise the need for stakeholders to start a new process of re-engineering, re-energising, re-creating and re-shaping the business of out of home in Nigeria.

It is important that the outdoor advertising industry is restructured while a global sanitisation is carried out to enhance the environment and bring about desired effectiveness in public and corporate communications. This in will only be achieved where and when autonomous signage and advertisement agencies are established by government and qualified professionals are engaged towards ef-

• Adepoju

fective planning and implementation of set strategies.

A critical look at today’s outdoor life in some of our model states, such as Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Enugu, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abuja etc. will confirm saner, safer and more beautiful environment with world-class out of home platforms such as mega boards, spectacular unipoles, scrolling boards, wall drapes, street furniture, LED gantries and Iconic LED Board, which is considered the hottest medium of outdoor advertisement in the third millennium.

The LED models LED screens have some special features that make advertisements beautiful, attractive and also have capacity to transmit live events and

‘A critical look at the use of out-of-home platforms in public and corporate communication in some of our major cities is nothing to write home about. Outdoor advertising structure of various types, shapes and sizes are erected haphazardly with many in deplorable conditions. Some with sub-standard materials, some already dilapidated, some not properly positioned, some wearing faded and badly torn posters while some are broken’

other public communications. It represents a more attractive medium of outdoor exposure causing the environment to be economically and aesthetically improved.

With the setting up of autonomous agencies by the government, there is strong political will and support for planning.

Benefits of reform The serious challenge of multiple taxation and miscreants is erased as the government has the wherewithal to combat these disturbing and perennial problems.

The government is in a position to spend huge amount of money on landscaping, general beautification of the environment and other infrastructural facilities as provision of such facilities are excellent social service delivery to the people it governs.

Where it cannot cope with the huge spending, it is in a position to adopt a Public-Private Participation (PPP) initiative, which is key to the development of any state.

There are so many benefits to be derived from a reform of this nature hence stake holders must come together and support proper regulation and control, not selfregulation of out of home platforms for the benefits of all. In doing so, professionals must be assigned to carry out this great task.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

30

Brandnews

R

Fibi sausage excites consumers in Lagos

APIDO Foods Limited, makers of Fibi beef sausage roll, continues to excite more Nigerians with its Fibi beef sausage roll brand as it brought together hundreds of people at a family forum in Lagos.

Tagged, the Fibi family forum, the occasion had in attendance several customers, distributors, retailers, representatives of regulatory bodies and the media, all of whom came to identify with the Fibi sausage roll brand.

The management of Rapido Foods used the gathering to restate its commitment to adding value to the lives of millions of Nigerians who have come to trust the unique experience of the company in culinary services and the tradition of excellence associated with the parent company, Rapido Ventures, over the years.

Speaking at the Fibi family forum, Chairman of Rapido Ventures, Mr. Frank Nneji, thanked the company’s stakeholders for their support since the launch of Fibi beef sausage roll.

He commended distributors, retailers and everyone in the distribution chain for making fibi available in homes, offices, schools and other

Stories by Wale Alabi

channels of distribution.

He noted that the Fibi family forum presents an opportunity to express appreciation to different groups of stakeholders for the support so far received by Rapido Foods which he said has endeared many Nigerians to the Fibi brand. He said Fibi beef sausage roll is a brand of beef sausage roll that is produced with natural ingredients for the best form of nutrition suitable for all segments of the population and as such no one will be left out.

He assured that in line with established tradition and a dispassionate reward system, the company would continue to seek partners and reward partnership among Nigerians based on their contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the company, stressing that there is something for everyone at Rapido Foods.

Earlier, Chief Operating Officer of Rapido Foods, Mr Isijola Oriade, noted that it is important for a brand in any market to stand for something and be known for a tradition by all its stakeholders. He said Rapido Foods Limited, which

is subsidiary of Rapido Ventures, is known for its excellence and best industry practice, adding that these same values are key drivers of Fibi beef sausage roll.

He further said the love for Nigeria and Nigerians and the desire to deliver best quality sausage roll led to a series of studies that resulted in what is today known as Fibi.

According to Isijola: “We have put in place a fantastic reward system which include provision of distribution van, tricycle, shop make-overs, product discount and other incentives for everyone in Nigeria who is part of the exciting journey of fibi in the Nigerian market and we encourage all our partners to take advantage of these opportunities.”

High point of the occasion was the presentation of gifts to distributors and customers who expressed appreciation for the recognition given to them by Rapido Foods. Also, a pupil of Kings College Lagos, Adeshile Lekan won the star prize of a microwave oven for memorising the Fibi jingle while other students who participated in the Crack the Words contest went home with cartons of Fibi as consolation prizes.

Interior decor firm opens office THE Chief Executive Officer of Simply Gifts & Interiors, Lagos, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwuke, has stated the determination of her company to redefine the industry as well as ensure that homes and offices are well furnish to international standard.

She spoke at the opening of the company’s new office in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mrs. Nwuke, who took guests and customers around the duplex, stocked with new sample gifts items, said the relocation from Lekki to Victoria Island was due to the need to get varieties of products, thereby providing customers with good products.

On how she started, she said: “I started doing this for friends and family at no cost. But a friend told me that this thing am doing that I can charge a fee for it and I explored the idea and little by little, people were happy to pay for it.

“We started as Simply Gifts. The place was getting smaller by the day as we were doing bigger things. So, there was a need for a bigger location. It is more like a dream come through. We hope to grow bigger and extend our shops.”

Etisalat introduces Easyflex ETISALAT Nigeria has introduced a new Easyflex television commercial that features Nigerian-born Hollywood actor, Hakeem KaeKazim.

The one-minute commercial opens up with the actor, who has starred in various Hollywood blockbuster movies including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean III’, ‘X-men Origins: Wolverine’ and the Oscar nominated film ‘Hotel Rwanda’, describing the all new Etisalat Easyflex bundle in an engaging monologue complete with special sound effects and high quality imagery.

Easyflex is one bundle plan that allows customers to call more, browse more and text more to any network without restrictions. The plan comes in four variants: Flex N1000, Flex N700, Flex N500 and Flex N300.

Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Enitan Denloye, said this was informed by the firm’s drive to be ‘uniquely different’ in all ramifications whether in the products and services it offers or the way it communicates.

“We consider ourselves as innovators in the telecommunications industry, a description that has reflected in many of our value-added propositions and world class communication materials since inception in 2008,” he said.

‘Quality vital to production’

FUMMAN Agricultural Ltd, manufacturers of Fumman brands of fruit juice, has reaffirmed its commitment to top class quality for its product range.

The company, according to the Managing Director, Mr Layi Adeyemi, is poised to sustain its pedigree as a strong and focused firm which produces quality products.

“We have reinvented the rules in the industry and this endear our brands to the target consumers.

“Our brands create a unique experience for our consumers and the touchpoints have further deepened our brand equity in the marketplace,” he added.

Adeyemi also said: “We want our consumers to know us for the quality we offer.”

He said from the onset, Fumman brands are produced on the strong pillars of quality, which can not be compromised in any form.

“Quality has been built into the Fumman brand since inception and our competitors have started to follow the path we charted,” he added.

Firm launches product in Nigeria • From left: Chief Operating Officer, Rapido Foods, Mr. Isijola Oriade; the star prize winner Adeshile Lekan

of Kings College, Lagos and Principal Consultant, Skyline PR, Mrs Prudence Onyejiaka at the Fibi Family forum in Lagos.

S

SwiftNetworks acquires firm

WIFT Networks Limite has acquired the 4G business of Direct on PC. With this deal, it will also acquire the wireless/4G infrastructure and co-related customers of Direct on PC in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Charles Anudu, Managing Director of SWIFT Networks, said: “This

acquisition is a significant milestone in our journey to advance our competitive position in the high quality broadband segment and footprint in the market. It will improve our customers’ broadband experience and overall operating results as the cost efficiencies arising from the economies of scale of the streamlined operation will ac-

crue to our various stakeholders.

“The ultimate beneficiaries will be our current, future and DOPC’s erstwhile customers who will now be served by a network with a larger coverage and exceptional focus on customer relationships. We will continue to invest in new technologies and processes that deliver values that make sense to them.

An American company, Water Technologies has introduced its potable water filter into the market to help people get safe drinking water in a consistent and affordable manner.

It was launched by the Nigerian franchise owners, Revelations Water Technologies Nigeria Limited

in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ron Moser emphasised that there is nothing more important than the business of life, adding that water is about the most crucial component of life. “There isn’t much anyone can do without water, yet mil-

lions of people all over the world do not have access to safe drinking water. Some who do have access do not consistently enjoy safe drinking water,” he said, adding that the various issues associated with drinking water inspired the design and production of the water filter.

Water filter makes debut

BRUYNZEEL of Netherland has arrived Nigeria. The company’s Business Development Manager Leon Crommentyun, appealed to government and major stakeholders to reposition information management and record keeping in the country through the adoption of modern solutions and practices.

He said as the giant of Africa, Nigeria cannot afford to leave the future of her people to chances because policies and plans depends so much on past records and information.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Havilah Inc (the sole partner of Bruynzeel Archive storage in Nigeria), Lanre Adesuyi, said the company is committed to re-positioning information management, record/data keeping and modernising shelving practices in the country.

He further said the company would meet with the Nigeria Library Association where it will educate them on keeping records and data.

Skyvision, others for NOGTech SKYVISION Global Networks Ltd, a leading global provider of IP connectivity over satellite and fibre optic systems is set to launch its new corporate voice, data and video services at NOGTech 2013, the fourth yearly oil and gas technology exhibition in Victoria Island, Lagos.

“As a longstanding local provider, SkyVision is proud to be participating in this important industry event in Lagos,” said Doron Ben Sira, chief executive officer, SkyVision.

“We welcome this opportunity to strengthen our support for local oil and gas customers in the region, and enable them to improve their productivity and network security.

“This exhibition provides the opportunity to showcase our latest services and further SkyVision’s commitment to reliable network coverage in Nigeria,” he added.

At NOGTech 2013, SkyVision’s team will showcase SkyVision Active – business continuity series and other new solutions suited for oil and gas industry as well as other corporate markets.

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

e-mail: shoppingthenation@hotmail.com

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

• Nigerian products

Shopping@thenationonlineng.net

• Foreign products

Why consumers are hooked on foreign goods Various factors determine consumers’ preferred goods. However, it has been observed that many consumers prefer foreign products to local ones.

TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

T

HERE are people who would choose indigenous products anytime, even if they fall within the same price range with foreign ones. Also, many patronise foreign products even if they are three times more expensive. Consumers purchasing habits, therefore, vary owing to some factors.

Price is considered one of the most important factors affecting the consumers’ perception of a product. Once consumers perceive a price difference between local

and foreign items, price differentials begin to affect their preference for local goods.

In other words, if they notice that local items are more expensive than foreign ones, they go for the foreign ones.

Mrs Cynthia Okpara is a teacher at Unique Laurel Preparatory School, Idimu. She said she only buys foreign cereals; she believes they are of better quality.

“Kellogg’s cornflakes are made in the United States; they taste better than the Milo cornflakes, Nasco flakes and Good Morning

‘How shoppers, traders reacted to two-day markets’ closure’ Page 33

flakes. Though more expensive, it gives good value for the money.”

A high-priced item may be perceived of being high in quality because of the image created by manufacturers through advertising. Similarly, a global product may be perceived to be of superior quality as quality is believed to be a prerequisite for international acceptance.

Shoppers consider quality when choosing between indigenous and international items.

“A good quality product is durable, reliable and of good appearance and features,” said Mrs Mary Obire, a staff member of AIICO Insurance Company seen at Delightsome Gifts Concepts, Gbagada buying some household appliances.

To some, their purchasing pattern depicts their social status. It is believed that people, especially the young ones, consider current fashions and trends while buying a • Continued on Page 32

Looking for fresh foodstuffs? Go to Idi Oro Page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

32

SHOPPING

Why consumers are hooked on foreign goods • Continued from Page 31 product. Through television, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the fashions and trends in other parts of the world. Hence, the fashions and trends dictate the preference of some individuals.

But most people go for international brands rather than local ones. They feel proud when they buy imported items because, to them, it depicts class.

Apart from just focusing on where the product is from, people consider other factors when buying. It has been noted that consumers are reluctant to buy goods made-inless-developed countries as they perceive them to be low in quality.

If a brand is perceived as globally available, consumers are likely to attribute a superior quality to it, because its international acceptance is seen as a sign o f its high quality.

On one hand, consumers seem to value foreign brands and regard them as a status symbol. But they are often criticised for threatening the local differences leading to a loss of cultural identity.

Some consumers believe that purchasing local goods promotes patriotism; they, therefore, accuse foreign brands of being a potential threat to a country’s economy and employment level. However, it is important to note also that a good item should have some unique proposition to satisfy a consumer needs.

The attitudes and perceptions of consumers toward their choice of goods sometimes

depends on categories, for example, electronic goods from Italy may be perceived as a poor quality but Italian clothing would be perceive as fashionable and high quality. And the Japanese electronic goods would be perceived with positive attitudes while their clothing will be negatively perceived.

However, patriotic consumers believe that our local companies have a competitive edge over their foreign competitors because they are closer to consumers here and have a better understanding of what people want. They fear that buying foreign products may hinder the growth of local companies in the country.

The Nation Shopping spoke with some shoppers to find out which product they patronise more and their experience of indigenous products.

Mr Samson Shoile, who was at the Berger Bus stop, Lagos, said: “The problem with patronising indigenous products is that they are usually over-priced and of inferior quality. For example, furniture makers sell a set of living room chairs for about N250, 000 and above. It’s not as if they are of the best quality, and the finishing is likely to be shabby.

If you check a foreign magazine on furniture, you will realise that what they offer for the same price or less is of a better quality. I don’t find this encouraging.

Mr Alex Ndigwe told The Nation at Mowe Ibafo, in Ogun State: “I bought a Zinox laptop sometime ago for N80, 000 with very low specifications just because I wanted to buy a made-in-Nigeria product and it didn’t last a year. I could have bought HP or Acer at the

• Nigerian packed drinks same amount with higher specifications.

Same with Hitv that is supposed to give Dstv a run for their money; instead it is more expensive with all their crappy stations. It is the same issue with Globacom Nigeria and MTN South Africa.” he said.

Mrs Esther Aghelibe said: “If we want our local products to pick up in sales we need to force the issue; ultimately, it falls to the government to set trade tariffs to force the price of imported goods to go up so that buying locally made goods becomes attractive to people. For example, if there is a Nigerian

car manufacturer that is not getting patronage, put tariff on importation of cars or parts so that people get to buy these cars.

“The United States (US) did something like that back in the days when the Japanese manufacturers were dominating the electrical appliances market in the US. Most of our goods are better than all these Chinese products seen in every corner of the country. It’s just that we already have the mentality of buying imported goods even if it’s not worth it.”

Mogaji: How shoppers, traders reacted to two-day markets’ closure Markets in Lagos were closed on Monday and Tuesday to mourn the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji (The Iyaloja of Lagos State). As usual, there were mixed reactions from shoppers and traders. The Nation Shopping went round the metropolis to see how market women obeyed the order. TONIA ‘DIYAN and TAIBAT IDOWU report.

• Mushin Ojuwoye Market

W

HAT would have made Lagos markets empty for two days if not the passing on of an esteemed market leader, the Iyaloja-General of Lagos State, Chief Abibatu Mogaji.

People didn’t find it easy, but they had to comply with the order, road side traders, wheel barrow pushers and others who had one business or the other in the markets, though reacted negatively, said they were paying their last respects.

The markets are always noisy with buying and selling taking place through the week, but for the two days, the reverse was the case. Traders said if they could mourn a colleague and stop buying and selling for a day, two days were not too much for the mother of market men and women in the state.

But for shoppers, it was a different ball game as many of them were found hanging around markets, lamenting not necessary the closure, but that they were caught unawares because there was no prior announcement.

• Mile 12 Market According to some of them who patronise the markets daily, they were starved for the two days the markets were shut.

Mrs Ronke Komolafe, a petty trader, doesn’t have enough money to stock her home with food stuffs; rather she buys her consumables daily to feed her children. “The two-day closure has made my children and I go hungry. As much as I wanted to honour our late mother, I wouldn’t want to starve my kids. I buy small quanities because I cannot afford to buy in bulk, but for these days of closure, I was forced to buy expensive items from stores,” she lamented.

However, some traders said the Alhaji Mogaji was a mother to them, describing her death as a shock, despite her ripe age.

The Majekobaje of Oyingbo Market Chief Abimbola Adeyemi described Mogaji as a beautiful woman who once came to their aassistance. “She was a wonderful and pleasant person, a mother to all Lagos market • Continued on Page 33

• Idumota Market

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

SHOPPING

Jumia marks first anniversary The first e-commerce retailer in Nigeria is listing its achievements in one year. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

I

N one year the number one online store in Nigeria Jumia become the fourth most visited website and has achieved a record breaking milestone on social media in also one year with over 500,000 friends on Face book.

The largest Nigerian online company investment has moved to a warehouse in Ogba, Lagos which will house 500 employees and create the largest ecommerce campus in West Africa.

The online store also started a Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign “delivering smiles” to support education, economic empowerment, and affordable healthcare programs in Nigeria June last year, the store kicked off with the largest ecommerce website in the country. Twelve months later, it has served over half a million customers changing the way people shop in Nigeria.

Recently, it secured with its affiliated companies a further $35million in funding from MILLICOM. This funding comes in addition to recent investments

from J.P. Morgan and Summit Partners. The funding, which represents the largest investment in a Nigerian e-commerce startup, allows Jumia to continue its rapid growth and serve even more customers across Nigeria.

According to Co-founder Raphael Afaedor: “In the beginning we were three employees dreaming of being the largest ecommerce retailer in Nigeria. Now, we have more than five hundred employees and offer Nigerian youth a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, world class start up. We focus every day on delivering a fantastic shopping experience for our customers, through the widest range of products in Nigeria and fast, secure and stress-free delivery. Our new warehouse allows us to even grow further.”

The anniversary will be celebrated with a first anniversary ecommerce conference, various fashion events, special discounts, new partnerships, new changes to its website and the education campaign “delivering smiles”.

Co-founder Tunde Kehinde ap-

preciated shoppers saying: “After this tremendous one year run we want to say thank you to our employees, customers, partners and all Nigerians. Since our creation we have supported education programs to empower children and we want to use this anniversary to give back to the society.”

In June, the store promises to give one book to a child for buying books from them. They will visit schools with the ‘1 Child 1 Book’ foundation and give out books to less privileged pupils.

The store is planning to team up with ACE Africa Charity to sell its ACE wrist bands with all returns going to the charity.This will be promoted to their half a million social media followers.

The store has also entered into partnership with Mastercard to use MasterCard’s Internet Gateway Service to make credit card payments safer and easier. They have also announced further exclusive partnerships with Dell, Intel and Nokia, among others offering special prices and exclusive products.

• Oyingbo market

• Afaedor and Kehinde

• Daleko market

PHOTO: TAIBAT IDOWU

How shoppers, traders reacted to two-day markets’ closure • Continued from Page 32 women. She contributed to the development of the market, advising us and putting us through what to do. We will observe a 40day prayer for her after this.”

Mrs. Ali’s Shoremi, a trader at Mushin Ojuwoye Market, said the late Mogaji was a nice woman, who supported them financially. “She was our true mother,

• Oba Akintoye Market, Lagos Island

during pilgrimage periods, she assisted us financially and otherwise. We miss and love her, but God loves her most.”

Mrs. Esther Olayinka, a catfish seller at Mile 12 Market said she was sad when she heard the news. “My mother has died; though she died old and accomplished, no one prayed for this now,“ she said.

Some of the traders when counting their losses said they couldn’t compared life with

anything else, but what they should have achieved in two days, would have been an advantage to them.

They, however, planned to recover what they lost by inflating the prices of some food items from last Wednesday. A trader at Ketu fruit market Mrs Nkechi Ukomadu said: “It is only natural that we sell a little higher than before to compensate ourselves.

Do you realise what we have lost these two

• Sangrouse Market Lagos Island

days? We are only introducing a marketing strategy.”

But Mrs Remilekun Adeoye refused to count her losses, saying anyone could be a die. “I can’t count my losses because we cannot compare money with life. Whatever I have lost does not move me a bit.”

Mr. Abdul Lahi Adegoye, a rice seller at Daleko Market, Lagos, said he lost about N50, 000 in the closure.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

34

SHOPPING

Tips on buying refurbished air conditioner

When planning to buy a refurbished air conditioner, consider the price, your space and its durability. They are of different units and are cheaper, writes TAIBAT IDOWU.

A

N air conditioner is useful in every home and office. There is the window unit, split unit and packed unit. They all have the same component, but are installed in different ways. They also come in different prices, sizes and quality. They are commonly seen in warehouses around Lawanson, Apapa, Ladipo, Oshodi, Alaba International market and so on.

Mr Chyke Don is an AC engineer, who said, space, durability and price are to be considered.

“Refurbished air conditioner are durable. Some of them can be used for more than five yearss and can still pass for third hand. Their prices are three times cheaper. And one needs to consider the availability of a particular AC component before buying one.”

A person’s space should determine the particular type to buy. If you have a 3bed room flat, the parlor will need a 2.5house power, while the bed rooms will need 1.5house power each.

A standard room of 18 by 14 should use 2house

power, and for a children room, 1. For a shop of 18by 14, a 2.5 house power is needed because of the crowd that will be using the place. The package unit is ideal for a hall.

It is important to know that the bigger the space, the more the cooling system you will need.

Refurbish air conditioners also come in Panasonics, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, LG, National, and Newline like the new ones.

One horse power costs N10, 000, 1.5 horse power costs N15, 000; 2house power goes for N20, 000, 2.5 horse power is N25, 000. The window unit is the fit in process where a hole will be bore on the wall.

The splits unit ranges from N15,000 for 1horse power, N20,000 for 1.5horse power, N25,000 for 2horse power, N30, 000 for 2.5horse power.

The package unit for a hall is more expensive.

For a 3ton, you will have to pay N40, 000, and a 5ton goes for N50, 000. It is installed like the splits unit.

Looking for fresh foodstuffs? Go to Idi Oro

I

DI Oro market is one of busy markets in Lagos, where buying and selling of foodstuffs in large quantity are got directly from the farm takes place. Such items include yam, snail, banana, garri, plantain, cocoyam, pineapple, mango, Oranges, water melon, corn, ofada rice, beans, etc Mr Adeshina Rahim is the Secretary of the market. According to him, there is no seasonal fruits and food items that are not available in the market, especially plantain and garri. Even when it is not the season for plantain, the market offloads more than three lorries of plantain daily. These food items are brought into the market mainly from Edo, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states, among others.

A bunch of plantain is sold according its

By Taibat Idowu

weight. Some are sold for less than N500; the big ones sell for N1, 500. Some are kept in sacks and their prices range from N2, 500 to N6, 000.

Also, a bag of garri sells for between N5, 800 and N6,000. A paint of banana flour costs N4,000 because of the constant rain that would not allow it to dry on time. After the rainy season, its price may fall to to N1, 500, N2, 000.

Mr. Kasali Fatai, who hails from Ondo State, distributes plantain at the market. He faces lots of challenges. “Moving produce from our farms to Lagos is a big challenge; we include this to the prices of food items,” HE SAID.

• Air conditioners

A leading supplier of quality building, woodwork materials and allied equipment, Aframero Limited, has continued to offer quality products and services to consumers. PAUL OLUWAKOYA writes.

Consumers’ choice of furniture

T

HE company’s stocks, which include various standard density laminated fiber board, chipboard and plywood, were on display at Guide 2013, the first annual furniture exhibition.

The exhibition, which was held in Lagos, afforded individuals and corporate firms the opportunity to check Aframero’s modern interiors designs and place orders.

The company’s Managing Director, Mrs. Yetunde Oghomienor, said Aframero is a one-stop shop for quality woodwork materials, including high gloss finish panels and are tailored to clients’ requirements.

“Indeed, we are the homebuilders’ dream in that respect and our clients are not only manufacturers, but individuals building their homes, those building quality estates and prestigious high-rise buildings.”

The firm stocks matching edge branding tape, ultimo range kitchen and wardrobe accessories such as magic corners, pull out baskets and pantry units.

Other items on the Aframero stable are

glues, Klei Berit brand, Australian brand, Blum, Virutex and formica.

With the wide range of products,competent personnel, good customer service and quality service delivery, the company has become a place to be inspired.

According to Mrs. Oghomienor, the company participated in the exhibition because it believes that there is need to regularly showcase the value added creativities from Nigerian interior designs for local and international market to appreciate.

“We are here to sustain those individuals and company who want to support world class made in Nigeria goods. Our customers include big names in construction and interior designs in Nigeria. We provide local content, employment and we service artisans who want to buy quality products.

As dealers of the high quality brand, we want people to know that a wide variety of the product is available at a price that they can pay.”

AMAZING DEALS FOR GIRLS’ PRICES

•Garri section

•Plaintain section

PHOTO: TAIBAT IDOWU

Girls Hoodies: N1, 500.

Girls track pants: N1, 260 Girls’ pants: N1, 460.

Pre-school girls Bikini panties: N220 for 2 to 6years.

Ladies’ Satin Bra: N600 Ladies Pantyhose: N280 Ladies knee-highs: N200 Ladies top: N1500 Ladies blouses: N2, 000.

Babies Canvas Shoes: N980.

Baby Boys Casual Shoes: N1100for sizes 1-3 years Men’s Canvas Shoes sizes 6-10: N2800.

Preschool Boy’s Pyjamas: N2000.

Preschool boy’s T-shirt : N700 for 2-7yeras.

Boys T-shirts for 7-14years: N720.

Men’s plain long-sleeve shirts: N1700.

Boys plain long sleeve shirts: N1660 for 79years.

Boys Jersey charged N1860 age 7-14years.

Preschool boys Trackpants go for N720 age 27 years.

New born babies 3-pieces sets: N1460 for 06months.

New born Girls dresses: N780.

Baby boys Tops cost N680 for 6-24months old.

Baby Boys top trackpants: N380.

Baby Boys jackets sizes 6-24month : N1,260.

Baby Girls jackets sizes 6-24 months : N1260.

Cuddlesome nappy liners :N 540.

Cuddlesome baby wipe : N220.

Preschool Girls canvas shoes: N1100.

Boys canvas boots : N1500.

Preschool Boys printed boxers sizes 2-6years :N360.

Men’s Boxers: N740.

Boy’s plain ankle socks: N220.

Men’s plain ankle socks: N260.

Preschool boy’s plain ankle socks: N180.

Baths sheets sizes 90-150 : N2260.

White Porcelain coffee Mug: N200.

Stonesware coffee Mug: N180.

Curtain: N2800 Clothes Pegs: N200.

Wooden Spoon sets: N300.

Clothes Peg: N500.

Preschool Girls tops sizes 2-7years: N660.

Men’s T-shirts sizes S-xl : N740.

Men’s shorts sizes S-xxl: N1160.

Men’s Briefs sizes S-xl: N380.

Boys Briefs sizes 7-12 years N320.

Preschool Boys Briefs sizes 2-6 years: N240.

Boys T-shirts sizes 7-14years :N660.

Girls Blouses: N1260.

Boys shorts sizes for 7-14years:N1100.

Ladies cardigans sizes 32-40 :N1500.

Girls socks: N180.

Preschool Girls fancy panties : N160.

Ladies canvas shoes sizes 3-8: N2000.

Preschool Girls canvas boots: N1700.

Baby boys canvas shoes: N860. baby girls canvas: N600.

Party balloons: N150.

Baby girls top and Legging sets sizes 624months: N960.

Babies Receiving Blanket: N1360. , Baby girl’s pants sizes 6-24months : N860.

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

R

ECENTLY, Chivita Premuim Fruit Juice, the flagship brand from the sta ble of Chi Limited, launched a new campaign to reinforce its “100 per cent fruit juice content”, a tagline that has won for the brand top- of- the-mind position among fruit juice consumers.

Although competition in the juice market is becoming fiercer with different juice makers deploying various strategies to increase sales even as new entrants join the fray, Chivita has been able to squeeze more juice, more out of a tight market than its major rivals. The brand has sustained its trajectory as a leading fruit juice brand in a market strutted by other strong contenders.

According to observers, part of the reasons for Chivita’s steady climb to the top is the health carrot it has been dangling with its three-legged brand promise: “No added sugar, No added preservative, No artificial colours and flavours.”

Analysts believe Chivita Premium Juice growing dominance flows from the absence of artificial sugar additives in the product in the face of growing health-consciousness among juice consumers.

Incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart diseases is mounting. These diseases have been linked by experts to high consumption of refined sugar among other factors. With a life expectancy of 58 years staring Nigerians in the face, many Nigerians are becoming wary of refined sugar. Their fears is heightened by a wave of nutrition advocates, many of who are trained multilevel marketers of nutritional supplements who campaign for the return to natural foods. Gradually, to add to their ages, consumers are searching for natural foods in the food and beverage brand basket.

Some of the consumers, who spoke to our correspondent, confirmed that they preferred it because of its constituent and natural fruit taste.

One of them, a young businessman who gave his name as Chinedu, said: “Chivita is very nice, especially the orange and pineapple flavours. They taste like real fruit juice.”

Another consumer, Theo Chukwuka, said, “I like Chivita because it is thick and taste more like juice from real fruits. Another thing is that it is readily available.”

Corroborating their views, a juice stockist at the popular Mushin Provision Market, who declined to mention his name, said: “There are some that are real fruit juice like Chivita, which is why many consumers are buying it.”

Chivita Premium Fruit Juice was first introduced in the country in 1996, when many consumers had a penchant for patronising imported products based on the perception that they are of higher quality. The use of such products, which range from apparels to consumables, were a status symbol. The rich and elite preferred imported products while the poor do local products. In an attempt help

Chivita: Celebrating 10 ‘fruity’ L years build the economy, the Federal Government had to introduce ban of certain categories of goods, including juice in 2002 to wean Nigerians from their foreign goods addiction. The result was a shift that saw some hitherto foreign brands being produced locally. Many of them, including Chivita, had a hard time convincing of the same high quality. Hence when Chivita re-entered as a local brand, very few gave it a chance.

However, over the years, Chivita has grown its equity with campaigns that have helped to build brand presence and kept brand stuck in the consumers’ consciousness.

One of such outstanding campaigns, which aimed at positioning Chivita Premium Juice as a food product with roots, is Be Nigerian, Buy Nigerian. The campaign sold the brand as a Nigerian brand of international quality such that big hotels and airlines now wet their clients’ palate with Chivita. The product is also found in markets outside Nigeria’s shores. Expressing delight at the growing popularity of Chivita outside the country, a source said, adding: “Chivita has become a brand that makes Nigerians outside the country to be proud of their heritage.”

Another appeal Chivita offers consumer is the manner of its presentation. The brand blazed the trail of introduction of the German tetra pack format (a huge attraction for middle and upper social class) which helped to ensure longer shelf life.

The brand also enjoys the parental pedigree of Chi Limited, a firm that boasts of 30 years experience building and marketing a number of successful food and beverage brands, such as Happy Hour, Caprisonne, Superbite, Beefy and Hollandia Yoghurt among others. Industry watchers believe consumer insight is at the heart of the brand successes.

The parent brand is a massive investor in marketing/advertising support and has for years been exploring the accruals from celebrity endorsements of popular Nollywood acts, such as Jide Kosoko, Ini Edo, Nkiru Sylvanus to rev up the brand visibility and connection with the consumer.

Being on top of art-juice squeezing is nnot easy. The Managing Director of Chi Limited, Roy Deepan, admitted as much in an interview, when he said: “To get the natural product to our consumers is not an easy task.”

The fruit juice market is a peculiar market driven more on volume sales than price differentiation. With a price ceiling, most brands rely on other strategies to outwit competitors and for Chivita, the health carrot may be magic wand.

• From left: Vice Chairman, Direct on PC, Mr Mahesh Sadhwani; Managing Director SWIFT Networks Limited, Mr Charles Anudu and Chief Operating Officer, Mr Chuma Okoye, at a briefing on the acquisition of Direct on PC by SWIFT Networks in Lagos.

When LG washing machine gets life certification

G Electronics, a leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, has announced that its DD (Direct Drive) motor, which is a key component of a washing machine has been certified by Verband Deutsher Rlektrotechniker (VDE) - German Association of Electrical Engineering, as a product with a life span of 20 years, the longest yet to be certified by the VDE. The internationally acclaimed body has certified that LG’s drum washing machine is capable of a total 4,400 loads of laundry for 20 years (based on 4.2 loads a week and 220 loads a year). The VDE certificate clearly states that LG Direct Drive motor has the longest lifespan so far.

The VDE, one of Europe’s largest technical scientific associations ensure that varied electric, electronics products and consumer goods undergo vigorous safety and credibility test before it is release in the market.

On this pioneering achievement, General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr Hyunwoo Jung, said: “For us at LG Electronics we are delighted to be receiving this record breaking certificate on our drum washing machine home appliance from VDE, a world acclaimed institution.

We will however not rest on our oars but will continue to make quality home appliances available to our teeming consumers.

“The LG direct drive technology has over time raised the bar for washing machines. Our latest Washing machine models are equipped with our innovative Inverter Direct Drive motor, which delivers cleaner and greener washing, and makes the washing machines more energy-efficient, durable, and quieter with less vibration.”

Far back as1988, LG Electronics came up with DD motor which slashed consumption by directly connecting the motor with the drum, and applied it to its fully automatic and drum washing machines for the first time in the world.

LG drum washing machine technologi-

By Jimi David

cal prowess has been acknowledged all across the globe for long. They have come top in US magazine Consumer Report’s list of the most trustworthy washing machines for five consecutive years since 2009.

This certification adds to the credibility of LG 10 years DD motor warranty as it even extends the expected working longevity of the DD motor from 10 to 20 years. Also, it shows the superiority of LG DD motor compared with competitors which is also offering 10 years DD motor warranty.

As technological innovation gathers pace, consumer expectations of household appliances grow. Increasingly, consumers are more willing to pay for products that will guarantee safety, reliability and durability.

In recent times, LG has introduced into the market forward-thinking home appliances among which are the robot vacuum cleaner known as Hom-Bot, which is a stand-alone robot capable of cleaning floors independently, allowing people to focus on things that matter most.

Other products include SolarDom Microwave ovens, Low Voltage Startability Refrigerators as well as the six-Motion Direct Drive washing machines which allow the drum to tailor each load from a combination of six unique motions: rolling, stepping, swinging, scrubbing, filtration and tumbling unlike the one motion— tumbling, available in most front-load washers.

LG Electronics through this noteworthy feat has once more confirmed its leadership position as well as its commitment to providing the “good life” to its teeming customers.

... Going green in Africa

G

REEN Afrique Network, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and The Rock Foundation is organising an African Action Summit in honour of World Environment Day to exploit Africa’s natural resources for sustainable economic development; adoption of best practices for human hygiene and waste management; identify and protect endangered species of African Flora and Fauna and to develop a platform for the promotion of clear and impactful projects throughout Africa.

The summit, which is billed to take place June 28, in Lagos, Nigeria will feature a Green Lecture, a high -level lunch, and an Elite Gala dinner. Some of the speakers expected at the summit include Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, The Guardian Newspapers, Mrs Maiden Ibru, Nigeria’s foremost Green Activists - Dr Newton Jibunoh; Senator Remi Tinubu and Prof Wole Soyinka among others.

In a statement by Green Afrique Network, with the clear understanding that the future belongs to the youth, the summit will allow for youths participation via the iRave Nigeria- TAN Ultra Violet RAVE! Featuring Nigeria’s ‘hottest Dj’s’ and selected artists.

The summit will also engage vibrant use

of popular social media platforms to popularise the message: “Green Nigeria, Green Africa, Green World”.

It has also provided a platform through its website www.greenafrique.com to RSVP for the event and also interact through Twitter #greenafrique and Green Afrique on facebook.

According to the convener, “The earth has suffered unprecedented abuse.

Sometimes, this abuse goes undocumented and some of the effects may remain unknown for generations to come.

Humans have exploited the land for its mineral resources, dumped toxic waste in the seas and oceans, and hunted some of the fauna and flora to near or complete extinction. They have not cared enough to consider that Mother Earth is dying and in dire need of advocates.

Like a maiden in distress, the land is in search of true heroes.”

“The expectation is that participants will begin to carry a torch for the environment and protect it dearly. they will understand creative ways to manage trash; earn additional ‘green’ income from tree planting and agriculture; and green efficiency even in the home, will ring out loud and proud.

Caring for the environment is critical! The time for AFRICAN Environmental ACTION is Now!”

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Brandz Republic Consulting and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

36

COMMENTARY

H

ISTORY is a well known phenomenal teacher. It teaches the old and the young alike. It examines its students from time to time and gives them examination results. Its lessons are generational across races and cultures. But then, it faces a fundamental problem. That problem is not in repeating itself perpetually but in getting mankind to understand its teachings and heed its warning.

In virtually all celestial religions, history plays such a prominent role that gives it the permanent identity of a teacher. And from its beneficial teachings, human beings build experiences with which they keep life going. In both the Bible and the Qur’an, we are told of arch enemies of God’s message who dramatically turned round to become voluntary Ambassadors of the same message to which they had been antagonistic. One of such enemies was Saul, an avowed anti-Christ who dramatically accepted the message of Jesus after the latter’s ascension and adopted Paul for a name. The other is Umar Bn Khattab who had plotted the murder of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) but dramatically accepted Islam on the day he was to carry out his plot and eventually became a Caliph of Islam.

Jesus had wished that Saul, a well educated person, accepted his message but that wish did not materialize until after Jesus had left the stage. If Saul had not accepted Christianity when he did, perhaps the situation of that religion would have been different today. In the case of Umar Bn Khattab, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had prayed to Allah to enable one of the two famous persons bearing Umar in Makkah accept Islam.

Although his mind was on the other Umar, it however turned out that Umar Bn Khattab was the one favoured by Allah.

And Umar Bn Khattab’s acceptance of Islam became so remarkable that the Prophet said of as follows: “Were there to be another Prophet after me, Umar would have been”.

Now, a similar fin of history has reached the United States of America where a morbid hater of Islam and torture agent of that country, dramatically embraced Islam recently. It is an indicator of a future shock for which the West must be prepared. Why was it that after the conversion of Saul, the Greek Empire and subsequently the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as an official religion? Why was it that after Umar Bn Khattab embraced Islam, the whole of Arabia formally accepted that Divine Faith as state religion? And by analogy, shouldn’t America be getting ready for a similar eventuality? The coded bile of history is ordinarily bitter but when it becomes a part of the body system, survival without it becomes impossible. It sounded odd when speculations began that Rome could adopt Christianity as state religion. It sounded unbelievable that Arabia could adopt Islam as official religion. But reality eventually prevailed and today, the rest remains a property of history. In the same token, I, far from prophesying, foresee a day when America will become the home base of Islam to give the genuine Divine religion an impeccable reality of life. As it happened in the past, the doubting Thomases may commence their repugnant arguments from here.

Who is Terry Holdbrooks Jr.?

He is an American and native of Huntsville in Alabama, United States. He grew up a troubled kid with junkie parents that dumped him at age 7 on his ex-hippy grandparents to be raised. By 18, he’d completed both high school and trade school which is suggestive of brilliance on his part. He indulged in drugs, illegal sex, rock-and-roll and tattoos through which his ink would eventually cover his arms from shoulder to wrist. His earlobes were stretched to a plug that a thumb could pass through.

Thus, when he walked into an Army recruiter’s office in Arizona a year after 9/11 saying he wanted to join the Army, to be able to kill people and get paid for it, the recruiter looked up briefly and turned back to his computer saying “No, thank you”.

It was only during his fourth visit to the recruitment office that he was allowed to take the military’s aptitude test

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

FEMI ABBAS ON Femabbas@yahoo.com 08122697498

The Guantanamo irony

•US President Barack Obama

(ASFAB) and the recruiter realised the potential in him. Then, Holdbrooks signed up for military police because it offered a bonus. And when his unit was transferred to Guantanamo, the sergeant detoured through New York to take them to Ground Zero where he told them to “remember what Muslims did to us and who you are supposed to protect”.

So, Holdbrooks arrived at the hot, seared base expecting hulking killers in every cell.

What he found were doctors, taxi drivers, professors. One scary “terrorist” was 12.

Another was in his 70s and dying of tuberculosis. Holdbrooks identifies himself as antagonistic, questioning, independent person. He is naturally suspicious – and found his suspicions turning in a surprising direction.

How Islam beckons The 29 year old Terry Holdbrooks Jr., enrolled in American Army in 2003/2004 and was posted to Guantanamo Bay (which is a detention camp for people pronounced as criminals) as a military Police officer.

Part of his duties was not just to prevent those detainees from escaping but also to escort them to interrogation rooms and then return them to their cells. He knew the kind of stresses and tortures those detainees were undergoing in repeated questionings. He had dodged their thrown poop when anger ripped down the row of mesh wire cages. When detainees were punished with the “frequent flier program,” he’d moved men from one cell to another, every two hours, round the clock.

All along, his perception and understanding of Islam was not dissimilar from those of his military colleagues in Iraq, Afghanistan or even Guantanamo Bay. However, the thought of accepting Islam as a rightfully guiding religion crossed his mind after several months of conversation with the Muslim detainees in that camp.

Holdbrooks has since published a 164 page book on the episode of his journey to Islam but he verbally told the story especially his observations about the controversial detention camp to a congregation of 80 people at the Huntsville Islamic Centre in Huntsville on Saturday, May 25, 2013 in which he revealed that “most of those detainees have lost hope in life. They’ve decided it’s better to die as one of them is down to 70 pounds.”

Before he became a Muslim, Holdbrooks

‘If Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were to come back to Earth today, people would find the best examples of Islam in the United States.

American Muslims have a responsibility to live their faith so that others can see a true example, not the perversions of the terrorists or the tyranny of corrupt governments’ was wearing the beard of a bald Amish guy, the tattoos of a punk kid and the twitchy alertness of a military policeman.

Take him to a restaurant, and he’ll choose the chair with its back against the wall.

Take his photograph and he’ll prefer to look away from the camera.

Now, he is travelling around America with Khalil Meek, a co-founder and executive director of the Texas-based Muslim Legal Fund of America. They are raising money for that non-profit civil rights organisation, which helps pay legal fees to free American Muslims who have been accused of vague crimes or placed on no-fly lists and other restrictions under the increasingly broad “anti-terrorism” provisions.

Even beyond raising money for legal defence, Holdbrooks said he wants to stir Americans to action through his book which is available for sale online at www.GtmoBook.com.

To hear from the horse’s mouth here is what he said about the book: “I tell this story and I wrote the book so idiot-simple that anyone could read and understand that the existence of Guantanamo is something to be ashamed of. I just want to share information with people in depth and then let them make up their minds.”

Constructive rumination At Guantanamo, Holdbrooks mulled over the information which the Army instructors had taught him along with others about Islam after watching the socalled terrorists, days after days. What he’d been told wasn’t lining up with what he observed. He noticed that the detainees read their Qur‘an. They kept their daily schedule of prayers and remained undiscouraged under horrendous pressure.

“How can you wake up in Guantanamo and smile? How can you believe there’s a God who cares about you?” Holdbrooks asked amazingly. He quoted one of the Muslim detainees as saying: “I am happy to have spent time in Guantanamo. Allah was testing my ‘deen’ (faith). When else would I have had five years away from all responsibilities, when the only thing I had was my Quran, and I could read it and learn Arabic and mental discipline from it”.

“Fortunately for us,” Holdbrooks said.

“Most of them are bigger men than some of us would be.” As he got to know the detainees, and learned their stories during his long night shifts, he came to see them

as individuals many of whom enjoyed talking about the same things he does: Ethics, philosophy, history and religion.

Many others had let him know what they thought of the 9/11 attacks which they believed to have violated the teachings of Islam.

In appreciating their endurance, patience and courage, Holdbrooks said: “Here, I had all the freedom in the world, and I was miserable while they had nothing, and they were happy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that something’s going on.”

During the time he had off from his escort and cleaning duties at the prison, Holdbrooks began to read more about Islam online. One prisoner he engaged in discussions most of the time, a former chef from England, gave him his own copy of the Quran.

“You’ve got to realise the significance of that,” Holdbrooks said, his tough bravado breaking for a moment. “He’s been in this cage for 23 and a-half hours every day. If you lose your Qur‘an, you’re out of luck.

That’s it. You’ve lost everything.”

It took him three nights to read Glorious Book. As a restless seeker in his teens, he had studied Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism but never saw much sense in them.

In the Quran, for the first time, he found a religious text that meets his logical criteria.

And after reading it satisfactorily, he said; “It made sense from the beginning to the end. It doesn’t contradict itself. There’s no magic in it. It’s just a simple instruction manual for living.”

And after three months of intensive study and conversation, Holdbrooks told the Muslim detainees one night that he wanted to become a Muslim. And in response, the detainees explained the implication of that to him. They said: “Converting to Islam means you would have to change your life style including your diet. You will quit drugs, drinking, profanity and tattoos. Then, be prepared for good relationship with everybody – wife, neighbours, the Army and the government”. Thus, little by little, Holdbrooks made the changes as he found a measure of health, discipline, family and peace of mind which he never had before.

Return to happiness By the end of 2008, he had found himself wondering with the question: “When last was I happy?” And the answer, he realized, surprised him: When he was in Guantanamo – because there he was being a good Muslim.

Holdbrooks has been clean-minded since 2009 – a victory he credits to following Muslim dietary codes, including daytime fasting several days every week, not just during Ramadan. Last fall, he returned to a decent family life by marrying a nurse he met at his Mosque. They had spent a year of careful acquaintance in accordance with Muslim guidelines and he has just finished a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Nowadays, he spends most weekends travelling with the Muslim Legal Fund of America to tell his story. Holdbrooks is, today, a part of a small, but growing, number of former Gitmo guards who are speaking out about conditions at the torture camp and are calling for the camp’s closure. Besides, he has a message for fellow Muslims thus: “If Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were to come back to Earth today, people would find the best examples of Islam in the United States. American Muslims have a responsibility to live their faith so that others can see a true example, not the perversions of the terrorists or the tyranny of corrupt governments. He concluded that: “For every little step I took toward Islam, Islam was taking more steps toward me”. Thus, the man who was employed to quench the glow of Islam became a propagator of Islam in America.

Watch out for Ramadan guide In a few weeks time, Ramadan, the king of all months will be here again, In sha’Allah. What does it take to meet it? How can one thrive effectively in it? What are the activities therein? What are the preparations for it? What does it hold for couples? What becomes of one after it? These and many other relevant questions will be answered through RAMADAN GUIDE to be published daily as usual throughout the scared month. Watch out for it!

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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SOCIETY

ALL FOR A MOTHER IN A MILLION

•Mufaseer of Lagos Central Mosque Sheikh Tijani Gbajabiamila (left) with some of the clerics at the prayer

•Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie

•From left: Mr Femi Pedro (left) and Dr Babalakin (SAN)

•Woliki Kuta Nupe Lagos State Alhaji Yussuf Isah (left) and Alhaji Jubril

•Alhaji Muhammed (left) and Chief Chris Ekwilo

•Hon Benjamin Olabinjo (left) and Aremo Adeyemi Alli

•From right: Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo; Damola Kasumu and Seyi Tinubu

•Mrs Adebisi Sosan (left) Mrs Toun Ajomale

•Pa Abiodun Sunmola

•Alhaji Wasiu Anifowose (a.k.a KWAM 1) (left) and Comrade Kayode Opeifa •Eze Nnamdi Nwigwe (left) and a guest

PHOTOS:RAHMAN SANUSI; NIYI ADENIRAN AND ADEJO DAVID

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SOCIETY

•Bride’s parents: Alhaji Adenowo-Rajee and wife Aisat

•The couple Khadija and Sulaiman

Khadija, a Sociology graduate of the National Open University(NOUN) and daughter of former Secretary of the Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Saliah Rajee-Adenowo, Sulaiman Adaranijo, a graduate of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), got married at the Ikorodu Club, in Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE reports.

‘She stood by me with prayers’

T

HE wedding of Khadija Oluwafunmilola Rajee-Adenowo and her beau Sulaiman Omotayo Adaranijo was held in Ikorodu Club, Ikorodu in Lagos.

Khadija and Sulaiman appeared in native attire. The bride wore iro and buba; the groom was in brown sokoto and buba with a pair of shoes to match.

The bride studied Sociology at the National Open University(NOUN); Sulaiman graduated

from the Lagos State Polytechnic(LASPOTECH).

Chief Imam and National Missioner of the Islamic League of Nigeria, Alhaji Rajee Sulaiman officiated at the wedding.

The couple answered: ‘Yes I do’ when the minister asked them if their decision to marry each other was unanimous.

Earlier, the two families gathered for the introduction and engagement. During the event, the bride was asked to sit on her parents laps for

•Groom’s parents: Alhaji Kanzin Aderanijo and wife Alhaja Amusetu

prayers of success in her matrimonial home.

Tears flowed freely from her eyes as her parents prayed for her.

The reception was anchored by Toyin Kawojue of the Lagos Television (LTV).

It was chaired by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Segun Ogunlewe, who was represented

by Mr Folarin Adediran.

He urged the couple to let love reign in their home. He said they should not allow third party in their affairs.

He also supervised the cutting of the cake.

Couple;s feeding of each other followed.

The groom said the day would remain memorable to him. “It is a very grateful day for me. It is a day that will be in my record forever, I thank God, my father-in-law and others for their sup-

port,” he said.

He described his wife as prayerful.

“She has stood by me with prayers. I always see the impact of her efforts and prayers in my life,” he said.

The bride said her wedding was the best thing to happen to her.

“It is the best thing to happen to me in life. I am very grateful to Almighty Allah for making my day successful,” she said.

She described her husband as a humble, handsome and caring man.

Their parents prayed for their conjugal bliss and wisheded them a happy married life.

The day became livelier as all took to the dancing floor to joy the couple and rejoice with them.

FUNERAL OF ALHAJA MULIKAT OYEFESO, MOTHER OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER STACO INSURANCE, MR SHAKIRU OYEFESO AND EX-LASIEC COMMISSIONER ALHAJI MUSBAU OYEFESO AT IJEBU-AIYEPE, OGUN STATE

•Chief Executive Officer STACO Insurance, Mr Shakiru Oyefeso (second right); Nurat Apena (right); Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso and wife Fatimat

•From right: Secretary to the Lagos State Government Dr Idiat Adebule; Waka queen Alhaja Salawa Abeni and wife of Action of Congress of Nigeria National Legal Adviser Mrs Olufunmilayo Banire

•Managing Director AUTOREG Mr Wale Sonaike

•From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Hon Lateef Ibirogba; Alhaji Jubreel AbdulKareem and Hon Abiodun Mafe

•Member Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Ramota-Akinola Hassan

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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S OCIETY

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

•Arcbishop Atilade (left) congratulating Akingbemila. With them is First Chairman of the Club Prince Tade Faoye

•Hon Olawale (left) and Mr Stave Adeniyi

•Immediate past Chairman Mr Gbenga Shoyebi (right) and Dr Christopher Kumolu-Johnson

•Chief Gbenga Obasa (right) and Prince Kola Robert PHOTOS: NNEKA NWANERI

The Primus Club last Friday installed its new elected executive at the Club house in Mushin, Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI writes.

Club gets leaders

O

N May 11, members of the Primus Club of Lagos converged on the Piccadilly Hotel and Suite, Lekki for its Annual General Meeting (AGM). It elected Navy Commodore Eddy Akingbemila (rtd) to lead them for two years.

Last Friday, the Club’s House in Mushin, Lagos was filled with those who came to felicitate with the new executive members and the club. It was also a day to celebrate its members.

The club, which will be 25 years next year, is a platform for people of different

backgrounds to find a common ground to actualise their dreams. The event was also to celebrate members’ unity and friendship. One after the other, they trooped into the venue till the place was bubbling with excitement, music and dance.

The club’s patron Archbishop Magnus Atilade said he was happy that it is growing.

Akingbemila promised to promote the values of the

club during his tenure, among which is the establishment of an endowment fund for bursary and scholarship for indigent children in the community; to open a website for the club and register the club’s business outfits.

The president performed his first task of administering the oath of office on other members of the executive, after which they took to the dance floor, with gospel songs by Yinka Ayefele.

In attendance were the Baale of Matori Chief Sesan Akintunde; former president of Rotary Club, Kennedy Ejakpomewhe; former Special Adviser on Transportation in Lagos State Hon Lai Olawale; Prince Kola Robert; immediate past president of the club and chairman of Seco Construction Mr Gbenga Shoyebi and Chief Gbenga Obasa, among others.

MARRIAGE

•From left: Brides's father: Mr Gbekeleoluwa Adedoyin; groom's mother, Mrs Aderonke Adesegun-Awonusi; the couple-Taiwo and Adebisi; groom's father, Prof Segun Awonusi and bride's mother, Mrs Grace Adedoyin at the Chapel of the Healing Cross, Surulere

WHAT AND WHERE Anniversary

T

HE yearly reunion and 65th Anniversary celebration of AnwarUl-Islam College, Agege, Lagos ends today with a Jumat service at the state Secretariat Mosque and the Anwar-Ul-Islam Central Mosque in Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.

It will be followed with a gala night and N100million fund raiser at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

I

Launch

LAWE Ekiti in Ekiti State will hold its Unity Day

tomorrow with a launching of its N500million ultramodern Civic Centre and conferment of Chieftaincy titles on some indigenes at the Corpus Christ College Playing Ground, Ilawe Ekiti.

The state Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi and Speaker House of Representative Hon Aminu Tambuwal, among others, are expected at the occasion.

Workshop

N

IGERIAN Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Abira Agribusiness Support Initiative will tomorrow organise a workshop for people in the agric and business sector.

The workshop, with the theme Agribusiness: Nurturing the successor generation, will take place at Events Centre, Ilupeju, Lagos.

A

Funeral

FUNERAL service for the late Fiwagboye of Ibara Land Chief Zaccheaus Oluyemi Omololu ends today at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Omida, Ibara, Abeokuta.

Reception follows immediately at Silver Jubilee Multipurpose Hall, Bishops Court, Onikolobo, Abeokuta.

Persuasive Speech (3) Methods of Persuasion

W

E took a further plunge into the world of persuasive speech, last week. We considered some characteristics of the speech such as: urging the AMODU LANRE OLAOLU audience to choose one option (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. above the others, not being 07034737394 about teaching but about advocating, focusing on evidence, demanding commitment from the audience and focusing on leadership. Today, we shall go on to talk about some of the methods of persuasive speech.

Method can be simply explained as a systematic way of doing something. Hence, we want to examine some of the systematic ways of delivering persuasive speeches. The knowledge of the methods will help us to understand how we can maximize the results of our speeches. So, today, we will be looking at persuading using: facts, statistical credibility, speaker's credibility and appeals to basic human needs, wants and desires. Like we usually do, and like I suggest you continue to do, we will highlight our points and take them one after the other.

•Persuasion through the use of facts: facts are statements or assertions based on verified information about a particular subject. Without sounding too academic, this simply means that the information you are dealing with must be one that can be proved.

Using fact is one of the major ways of persuading your audience.

Of course, the information you are presenting is one that cannot be contested by your listeners. This helps to strengthen your case while you are trying to make them adopt your point of view.

There are three types of facts you can make use of: •Past Facts: this involves presenting information about past events or situations as evidence for your points. If, for instance, you want to present a persuasive speech on the need for job creation in Nigeria, you can use past facts by providing statistical data of the number of unemployed graduates from Nigerian higher institutions in the last five years and compare them with the rise in crime within the •Present Facts: you may find yourself in a position where you are expected to defend your current level of productivity in your office. What you need to do is gather information about the current activities you are undertaking and convince your employers that those activities are vital to the overall objectives of the organization. That is one of the ways to use present facts.

•Future Facts: This is a kind of projection into the future. You cannot do this effectively without drawing from past and present facts. This is how it works, if your speech is on malaria for instance, you can say something like this (the figures here are made up): within the last five years, 50 million children died of malaria (past fact), as we speak now, an average of 15 children die every minute (present fact), if this trend continues, in the next five years, more than half of the country's population would have been lost to malaria (future fact), can we afford to sit and do nothing?

•Persuasion through the use of statistical credibility: the use of statistics provides concrete information, which helps to substantiate your points. This does not mean that you flood your presentation with graphs and diagrams and data to impress your listeners. Whatever you include in your speech must be relevant and carefully interpreted so that your listeners can understand what you mean. Let's assume your topic is on population control and you need statistics on the number of births and deaths in the country, you must take three things into consideration: a) the source of the data (did you get your information from the original or authorized source?) b) the reputation of the source (can we trust your source?) c) the recency of the data (are you using a data set that is old and outdated or a current one?).

•Persuasion through the speaker's credibility: have you ever wondered why there is a lot of publicity when a "big" speaker is coming to town? Have you ever wondered why a lot of time is "wasted" on introducing a speaker to the audience? It is because you must believe in the speaker before you give him/her you time. When you don't trust a speaker, you don't listen to what he/she has to say; and if you don't have a choice but to listen, you will definitely be disinterested. As a persuasive speaker, your greatest asset is not your "sweet mouth" but your credibility. Be someone your audience can trust.

•Persuasion through appeals to basic human needs, wants, and desires: if you have been following this subject from the beginning, you will recall that we said persuasion is more emotional than objective. In this case, your persuasive energy must be directed towards focusing on what your listeners need, what they want and what they desire. If you are an investment broker and you are about to address a group of middle-age people, you may want to use the sense of security to sell them the idea of investing. At their age, they may not have the luxury of changing jobs; they have families and are seriously thinking of the future. By associating with their current phase in life, you may get them to invest.

Understanding the methods of persuasion is very crucial to the delivery of a successful persuasive speech. But all of this talk about persuasion is too good to be true! Are we saying persuasion is foolproof and without challenges? Well, you'll have to wait till next week for that.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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SOCIETY

Benin City was agog penultimate Saturday, when former Edo State Youth and Sports Commissioner Anita Iziegbe Evbuomwan walked down the aisle with her sweetheart, Elbert Odeh. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU was there.

D

RESSED in Bini traditional regalia, former Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Anita Evbuomwan and her London-based beau, Elbert Odeh, gracefully danced into the beautifully decorated Marquee, venue of the reception, to the cheering of guests who included political big-wigs.

Glued to each other like Siamese twins, the couple was full of smiles.

The colours of the day were green, gold and red.

Earlier, the love-birds, who many described as a wonderful pair, solemnised their long relationship at the Oredo Local Government Area Marriage Registry, after which the traditional wedding rites was done in the bride’s father’s house.

The wedding was simple.

Although the couple made arrangements for canopies, in case it rained, for guests who may not have seats inside the tent, the weather was clement.

As the couple danced out to change their attire, a popular Benin based artist, S.K.O., who was the Master of Ceremony, spiced the event with ribcracking jokes, with ushers leading dignitaries to their seats.

Fully kitted in gold buba and royal beads that complemented the dressings on the traditional cake, the newlyweds re-appeared in the hall, as servers refilled guests’ empty glasses and plates.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stalwart Gentleman Amegor, who chaired the ceremony, gave the couple tips on a successful union. He advised them to ensure that they kept no secret from each other and to avoid third party intervention in their affairs.

The traditional cake was cut at the spelling of love, after which the lovebirds took to the floor for the bridal dance. The former commissioner, who danced for almost an hour nonstop, told The Nation that she has always envisaged her wedding day. ‘‘I love dancing a lot and I have always looked forward to my wedding day. Words cannot express my happiness. All I can say is that I am grateful to God for giving me not just a husband, but a friend and companion. ‘‘He is always willing to listen and is never tired. What many people do not understand is that marriage is a union of two people with two different stories, who have decided to have one new beginning. I would not have asked for a better man,’’ she said.

For the groom, Anita’s beauty and humility caught his fancy, which

Londoner hooks ex-commissioner

•Dr Odubu and his wife, Endurance

•Imuekhemhe (left) and Justice Olubor

•The couple Anita and Elbert

made him move closer to know her better. ‘‘I was first caught by her beauty, but took my time to study her from a distance. Then, to my surprise, she was so simple and humble, despite the position she occupied. So many women would be full of themselves if they held such a position. Another good thing I noticed was that she was straight forward and very upright. ‘‘After a few encounters, I told myself I have got to my bus stop. I am a happy man today, just knowing that I have Anita as my wife, friend and confidant. She is my treasure.’’

To the bride’s father, Festus Evbuomwan, giving the former commissioner away, though a good thing, was a difficult decision. ‘‘I am already missing her. If I had my way, I won’t let her marry anyone. She is a daughter to be proud of.

Until she got married, even while she was a commissioner, she was living with the family. ‘‘Then, she has always been my voice. Once, her younger ones or anyone misbehaved, the moment they heard her voice or sighted her, there is quiet and peace. But we cannot hold

her back forever; she has her life to live and has met a good man, too. My prayer is that God will increase, protect and see them through life,’’ Evbuomwan said.

Although the vote of thanks by Odeh marked the end of the reception, the celebration continued at the groom’s place later that night, when the bride was escorted by her relatives, according to Bini tradition.

Among those who attended the grand event were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, with his wife, Endurance; State Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Thomas

Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji in a class of her own

M

Y second major assignment in the early days as a Corporate Finance Manager and a Stockbroker was to float one of the earliest Community Banks in Nigeria.

Former military president Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida(IBB) had just announced the community bank scheme in 1990 and Silver Financial Services, a dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange was on the 7th Floor of LSDPC House in the center of commercial activities in Lagos Island. The vision came to High Chief Luyi Rotimi, Chairman/ CEO of Silver Financial Services that we should promote a Community Bank for Lagos Island. Our location and target catchment area informed the 3i Community Bank, name which was given the company. 3i evolved from the first three alphabets of Idumota, Idumagbo and Isale-Eko. I pursued the project in my usual style of seeing anything honorable through not knowing I was going to eventually marry from Ashogbon Chieftaincy family of Isale-Eko. The Community Development Association is a major requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria for

By Okan Seye Adetunmbi every promoter of a Community Bank. Thus, in the course of seeing the project through, it was imperative to carry along some indigenes.

Consequently, I met one Alhaji Giwa in the heart of Idumota. Yet, to make a considerable progress we needed more natives of note who can take ownership by way of equity participation and subscribe to the share capital. I mentioned the challenge in the presence of my friend, Abi Adigun who worked for Mobil Plc when they were still in the Bookshop House on Broad Street, Lagos.

Abi then said: “Caucus (my nick name);

my senior colleague, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), his mother was the Iyaloja of Lagos”! “With her on your side, take your project as done”. Abi who later succeeded BAT as the Treasurer of Mobil, said.

Meanwhile, most of the time I visited Abi in the office, I saw BAT. Of course, Abi mentioned it to his boss who readily supported the project. He arranged for me to meet Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji and Mama naturally became part of the project. Thereafter, raising the N250,000 minimum capital required then to obtain the community banking licence became a walk-over. Alhaja Mogaji became the founding Chairman of the board and one lady, Abiodun nominated by their

‘I’m not surprised that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu achieved so much against all odds, when I remember that he is a product of an amazon, a distinguished grass root woman of substance and perhaps one of the greatest women who made their marks in the affairs of Lagos after the unequaled Madam Tinubu of Lagos that the Tinubu Square was named after’

group served on the board too.

What first struck me about Mama Abibatu was her sense of duty at old age in her 70s then. She came to our LSDPC building few times we needed to consolidate as a board on the establishment plans of the 3i Community Bank. I’m particularly grateful to her because she made my job easy.

Most things that would have constituted a stumbling block for us to see the project through were simply levelled with Alhaja behind the project. It was amazing! Prince Demola Adeniji Adele was the Lagos Island City Hall Chairman then. He finally got us a take-off point in Odo Alagbafo area of Lagos Island.

The inauguration was well celebrated to the glory of God as the first Community Bank in Lagos. The success of it eventually led me to meeting Prince Adeyanju Olateru-Olagbegi and Sir Rufus Giwa who both sought my assistance in the floating of Owo & Oke-Agbe Community Banks in 1991.

I must also mention a special bond between Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji and BAT during my brief encounter with the highly respected old woman. She would tell you that Bola has advised her on the matter you brought before her. This I found very interesting. I’m always fasci-

Okosun; former President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice J.O. Olubor, with his wife, Roseline; former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Bright Omokhodion; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe; former Head of Service, Anthony Edokpayi and former Attorney General, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana.

Others include commissioners for Oil and Gas, Osas Uwadia; Environment, Clem Agba; Agriculture, Abdul Oroh and Lands and Survey, Donald Osikhena; former commissioners, Mrs Cordelia Aiwizie; Anselm Ojezua; Victor Enoghama; Peter Ikem, as well as state legislators and the officials of the state’s sports Ministry.

•The late Alhaja Mogaji

nated when I see hard working elderly people who with little or no formal education, they stand out in a typical Nigerian setting. I’m not surprised that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu achieved so much against all odds, when I remember that he is a product of an amazon, a distinguished grassroots woman of substance and perhaps one of the greatest women who made their marks in the affairs of Lagos after the unequalled Madam Tinubu of Lagos that the Tinubu Square was named after.

I greet egbon BAT and other omolokus for the grace of succeeding a mother in a million. Fare thee well, the evergreen Iyaloja-General of Lagos. She was in a class of her own.

Sun re Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Statesmen, politicians, government officials and other eminent Nigerians have been paying tributes to the departed market leader and politician , Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, who passed on recently at 96. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the involvement of the Amazon in the Southwest and national politics.

Mogaji: Her politics, battles and triumphs I

N the fifties, women participation in politics was limited to attending rallies, campaigns and voting.

Only few women were fielded as candidates for elections. But among the prominent women leaders who mobilised for political action was the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, who passed on last week in Lagos at 96.

She was a relentless market activist, woman of substance, philanthropist, and promoter of Islam. But the deceased President of Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria also made her marks in politics. She was in the class of women politician like the late Mrs. Olayinka Rosiji, the leader of the Action Group (AG) Women Association and the late Mrs. Jolubu Kolade, a leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) women’s wing. The market matriarch was also a close associate of Mrs. Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, the widow of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Alhaja Mogaji was a consummate politician. Yet, she played her politics without expecting any exceptional personal reward. She paid her financial dues to the coffers of the AG and UPN, unlike nowadays payment of party dues is old-fashioned. She also organised the market women into “political cells” across the old local councils, thereby making it easy for the parties to mobilise them under her indisputable leadership. For over 60 years, Mogaji was the voice of women in Lagos. She used her platform, the market association for interest articulation andf aggregation.

Three years ago, the Yeyeoba of Lagos, Ikirun and Kweme, was appointed as the Chairman of Lagos State Market Development Board. The appointment by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) crowned her involvement and service to the members of this strategic community who account for her pre-eminence in the metropolis. On her wheel chair, she spoke as the market ambassador and endowed the office with visibility. Throughout, she acted as an effective bridge builder between the government and the masses.

“All market men and women are important and government should carry them along,” she said at her inauguration by the former Head of Service, Alhaji Yakubu Balogun, who presented her with the certificate of appointment, amid applause by other board members.

Throughout her market career, her leadership was never disputed. Not only has she articulated the views and interests of traders, her name has been synonymous with Lagos market, its pride, beauty and varieties, its challenges and pains, its prospects and pitfalls. It is a no mean feat that she has led the organisation without betraying the group’s objectives and without abusing her exalted office.

During the colonial period, Alhaja Mogaji had shown that promise of leadership as a kid trader and an apprentice learning at the feet of Madam Pelewura, a successful and influential trader. She was not afraid of the rain and scourging sun, the devastating threat to hawking, and the discomfort associated with buying and selling in the city. She was faithful to her boss to the end, making her to earn her trust and receive her blessing.

Mogaji achieved her freedom after serving her boss with loyalty, honestly, principle and faith.

Immediately, she built on that time-

tested trading reputation. When she started her own business, she became a household name in Lagos, mentoring young leaders and organising them into associations and societies for interest articulation and aggregation. She taught the principles of profitable trading, diversification of commercial ventures and traditional debt recovering in her informal School of Commerce. She also exposed many traders to variety trading, the value of hard-work, customers relations and confidence building, lending and borrowing with dignity and keeping of promise.

Alhaja Mogaji achieved fame by dint of nets-work, self-sacrifice and commitment to the goals of life. She is a focused trader and employer of labour in the informal setting.

Many who came to her as trading apprentices later became so intimate with her and she treated them like blood relations.

She was also a strict disciplinarian. As a parent, s h e groomed people without sparing the rod t o spoil t h e child.

But, early in life too, her

• The late Alhaja Mogaji

human face, human heart and milk of human kindness came to the fore.

She became a philanthropist, channeling resources to the poor and needy. Her house became the rallying point and refuge for widows, homeless and other artisans and peasants who needed succor. Many youths became graduates on her unsung scholarship. Numerous others were aided to be up their businesses.

Although an advocate of religious harmony, the devoted Muslim was a frontline defender of the faith who sponsored many religious activities in the media.

Unknown to many, Alhaja Mogaji is also a politician. The Amazon was active in the hey days of party supremacy and hierarchical discipline when party followers paid dues as financial members, when political consensus received majority endorsement, when leaders were credible, and when government was responsible and accountable. She had joined the Action Group (AG) in the fifties, mobilising support for the leader, Awolowo, during cam-

paigns. She was an active member of the AG Women Association led by the late Mrs Rosiji, mother of the late Chief Ayotunde Rosiji, prominent Egba politician and celebrated National Secretary of AG, until the split in the party at the Jos Conference in 1962. She printed banners and posters for the AG politicians for free and steered women to endorse Awo and other candidates at the polls.

Paradoxically, Lagos, her main base, was firmly under the control of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who had become a parliamentarian in Ibadan. But, when the AG seized the storm, Alhaja Mogaji played a prominent role in securing the bloc vote of women for the new party in Lagos. Her mobilisation prowess, despite her lack of formal education, puzzled the NCNCers like Otunba TOS Benson, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Alhaji S. A. Adewale (‘the boy is good’) , Dr Ibiyinka Olorunnimbe, Chief Adeleke Adedoyin, and Prince Adeyinka Oyekan, who later became the Oba of Lagos. Through her politi-

cal activities, she became intimate with Mrs. HID Awolowo.

When the late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu wanted to replace Bashorun J. K. Randle as a councilor in the Lagos City council, Mogaji was one of the eminent Lagosians who campaigned for him, despite the stiff opposition by the equally powerful Lagosians in the NCNC, who objected to the ambition of the “political lad” in the fifties.

Dawodu later became the chairman of the council after independence.

During the military rule, she was a force to reckon with. When the prices of food jumped up in Lagos, the first military Head of State, Gen. Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, pleaded with her to appeal to the traders. But she also demanded for social amenities for the people from the government. Reflecting on the incident, Ironsi’s secretary, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu, who paid a condolence visit to the family, said: “The former Head of State sent me to her to appeal to her to reduce the price of foodstuff, which she did. She did not leave it at that. She called me and said, my son, I have done my part. What about the General. I said he will do his part.”

Her lack of education may have robbed of cabinet appointments in Lagos State during the long period of military rule and during the Second Republic. Alhaja Mogaji was among the top women leaders who rallied women behind Alhaji Lateef Jakande for governorship of Lagos in 1979, when he defeated Prince Ladega Adele, and 1983, when he defeated Hakeem Habeeb.

Her services to the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), even at the centre, was legendary. An Awoist, she played a prominent role in the crisis resolution agenda of the AG and UPN under Awolowo.

She accompanied Mrs. Awolowo to Offa, Kwara State, on a historic peace mission mooted by the leaders the UPN to reconcile the late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin and Senator Cornelius Adebayo, following the crisis that broke out after the 1982 governorship primaries. Then, Awo and Jakande supported the governorship ambition of Olawoyin, the Asiwaju of Offa, while former Governor Bola Ige of old Oyo State and Senator Abraham Adesanya backed Adebayo. It was not easy for Olawoyin to let go, especially when there were indications that UPN would ride on the back of the protracted crisis between Senator Olusola Saraki and Governor Adamu Attah to power. He felt that he should be the candidate, in view of his past contributions to the progressive fold. Twice was the shadow election held, and Adebayo won on all counts.

To prevent the escalation of the intra-party crisis in the Kwara State UPN, the duo of Mrs. Awolowo and Mogaji left Lagos for Offa to pacify Olawoyin. As the Yeyeoba of Ife later recalled, the woman recorded success where men had failed.

Mama Mogaji was not lettered, but when the elite deserted Awo in the days of political tribulation in the First Re-

public, she rejected overtures from Chief Ladoke Akintola, leader of ‘Demo Party’ and controversial Premier, to defect from the AG. Throughout the period that Awo was in jail, she was always present at Ikenne home of the leader for the yearly birthday celebrations. She was a pillar of support for Mama Awo and other oppressed progressive leaders under the honour of the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA).

Three years ago, she reviewed her political life during her birthday at her Alausa, Ikeja residence. She said: “I have seen it all. I have interacted with Zik, Balewa, Sardauna, Ironsi and Gowon. I have played my role and served my people. all I have been saying is that market women and the masses should be catered for”. The remarks were reminiscent of her farewell address to former military President Ibrahim Babangida, during the commissioning of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos. Mogaji said: “Ibrahim and Maryam, as you are going to Abuja, you should not forget Lagos.

You should not forget us because you have been part of us”.

Mogaji was also a “June 12” crusader.

An apostle of justice, she had decried the criminal annulment of the historic election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. In fact, she went to appeal to Babangida in Abuja to rescind his decision on the cancellation of the results.

Mama Awo and her compatriot, Mama Mogaji have weighed down by the burden of old age. In their old age, they were only dictating the tune on wheel chairs, although their powers of ideas and mental recall remained intact. Reflecting on that inevitable limitation at the twilight of life, Mrs. Awolowo, who is ever fond of her friend, said that the early tolls and deep political involvement later, actually sapped their energy. At private level, she also bore the vicissitudes of life with philosophical calmness.

Under Tinubu Administration, there were allegations that some traders had converted their market shops to residence by sleeping overnight there.

Government threatened to deal with the culprits. Drastic measures were proposed to curb their desecration of the markets. It was Mogaji who brokered peace between the government and aggrieved market women.

In 2011, the women leader also endorsed Fashola for a second term, ahead of the party’s endorsement.

During her birthday, which was attended by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders-Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and prince Abiodun Ogunleye, she raised up the hand of the governor. Turning to former Governor Bola Tinubu, Mogaji, she said in Yoruba: “I was here in this house when you said that you have discovered the best man to take over from you. You have spent eight years. Fashola will also spend eight years”.

In appreciation of her contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the country, Mogaji was bestowed with the national honour of “Member of the Order of Federal Republic” (MFR) and Commander of the order of the Federal Republic (CFC) by the Federal Government. In addition, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, gave her a honorary doctorate degrees.

50

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

POLITICS

•Chief Fani-Kayode

•Chief Fani-Kayode

•Chief Fani-Kayode

PHOTOS: BIODUN WILLIAMS

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, he explains the reasons behind his action to AUGUSTINE AVWODE.

‘PDP can’t restore Nigeria’s fortune’ Y

OU have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). What informed your decision?

There were a number of issues. As far I am concerned, the most important thing is that we need to ensure that this country is set on the right track and that the fortune of Nigeria must be restored. And I have lost confidence in the ability of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to restore the fortune of Nigeria. I know what was in the kitty and what we left while we were in power up to 2007. I know what has happened in the last five years. It has been a disaster. Whether we are talking about the economic situation, or talking about the security situation or you are talking about unity in Nigeria. Today, you have greater divisions in terms of tribes, regions and religion than any other time in our history, except, perhaps, just before the civil war. That is something I find very frightening and I don’t want to be among those who are pretending that all is well, and that we don’t need a change. I think it is time for us to join hands with the progressives as they try to move Nigeria forward. And there are many progressives within the PDP, who are too frightened to come out, but after a while, you will find them. They will break ranks with the cult that the PDP has become and they will come and join the forces that are trying to effect a change in 2015.

Would you say the breaking of ranks is already happening in the PDP given recent developments in the party?

Yes, of course. If you look at what happened during the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), that is an indication of things to come.

How could you have a situation where 35 people held an election and one got 19 votes while the other had 15 votes and the person with 15 votes claimed victory. This was a secret ballot that was filmed, it was free and fair, these are all distinguished and honourable men and a winner emerged. But all of a sudden, the person that lost told the whole world that he won, split the NGF into two and got the backing of Mr. President. That is the logic of the party. That is the way it operates and the only way for that matter. It operates like a cult than a political party. For me, that was the final straw. I just have to publicly part ways with it and let the world know that I cannot be part of a group of people that behave in such a way.

You have described the PDP as a sinking ship. Is this an insider’s unbiased assessment or just pure exaggeration?

It is not an exaggeration. It is actually an understatement, if you want to know the truth. The situation is worse than a sinking ship.

I don’t have to insult anybody or be disrespectful to anybody but I believe that we should all follow our minds wherever we want to go. If you have a conviction to do anything, you must be courageous enough to go ahead and do it. If you are comfortable with what is happening in the PDP, by all means stay. I feel strongly convinced to leave the PDP and I think it would be most irresponsible of me to participate with a group of people who cannot even acknowledge that they have lost an election. For me, that is what has happened in the NGF election. Besides, look at what they have done to former President Obasanjo and so many other leaders within the party. They have marginalized them, humiliated them and they no longer listen to them. Just a few people are running the show, and I think that is not the way forward. And that is the precise reason why I left. It is not an exaggeration, I can assure you. There is serious trouble in the party. And I can tell you that up to eight of their governors, today, that I have interacted with, are very unhappy with the party leadership and what is going on there. And once President Goodluck Jonathan emerges the flag bearer of the party, whether by election or selection, because I am aware they want to change the rules, something that happened only in Nazi Germany and only happened in Communist China, where you don’t have primaries in an election. You just select, that is what they want to do now. I am sure when that happens, or when President Jonathan emerges, it will spark a revolt in the PDP and will make more people come over to the APC. What would you say is the attraction in the APC that you have

chosen to pitch your tent with it?

First of all, I have always been part of the wider APC family. The reason why I joined the government at the centre was because of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and not because of PDP. It was the late Chief Bola Ige that asked me to come back from exile in Ghana to participate and eventually, joined the government which I did. And again, I believe that Obasanjo needed to be supported because he was doing a good job. But, if you look at my antecedent before then, I learnt at the feet of people like Prof.

Adebayo Williams, all the real people that could be considered as the great progressive stars. Throughout the years of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), I was one of those who were really supportive of the struggle. I was very involved with that and that is where I am coming from. For me, it was a strange thing to be with Obasanjo, anyway, but I thought that he was doing a good job and needed to be supported and I have done my time with him. I believe he is a wonderful man, but I believe that now we have to move on. We left government in 2007, that was about five years ago, and we have our choices to make now and so you go by your choice. I think that the fortunes of Nigeria would be better served in the hands of progressives represented by people like Asiwaju Tinubu, General Buhari and other people, too many to mention.

Would you tell us some of your experiences while in government?

Well, so many experiences. While I was in Public Affairs, I learnt a lot. It was a very difficult job. Then, I was interacting with your colleagues everyday. For me, it was the most difficult job I have ever done in my life because I made so many enemies simply because I was standing in defence of a man that I believed was doing a good job. Curiously, even old friends, misunderstood me. But those who knew where I was coming from, knew I was just doing my job and I wanted to do it properly, that was it. When I became a minister, I learnt a lot on the job. I was minister of two separate ministries – Culture and Tourism and Aviation. Now, let me say this, to be in government, if you want to be serious about it, it is a very difficult thing. You have to get up very early in the morning, we worked extremely hard, and because we had a good President, who was virtually a workaholic, you cannot but be up and doing. And having left government, I believe I have paid my dues to the PDP and it is time for me to now feel free and try to do what I believe is right for this country. PDP is no longer what it was; PDP has derailed totally and we all must join hands to save this country.

You probably heard of the mid-term report, especially by the President Jonathan Administration. He asked Nigerians to assess him based on their own scheme. If you were to assess the administration’s performance, how would you score it?

It has been a dismal failure. That is number one. Anybody that is celebrating, I mean I saw what I would describe as a show of shame on the night the PDP gathered and they were clapping for themselves, they were all saying the President should stay on and

‘The PDP’s ambition to rule Nigeria in 2015 is like an iceberg approaching the tropics; the closer it gets, the more it melts.

They are not going anywhere... We cannot leave Nigeria in the hand of those who are not sensitive to our security situation and under whose watch many are being slaughtered on a daily basis, under whose watch the North has been literally on fire, and under whose watch Christians and Muslims are now very suspicious of one another, under whose watch the economy is crumbling by the day’

whatever. The truth is that, Herod, the night before Rome started burning, clapped for himself. Czar Nicholas of Russia, the night before the Russian Revolution, clapped for himself. This thing happens all the time. In Nazi Germany, Hitler clapped for himself, up until the time when the Russians knocked on the Bunker, and he had to kill himself. The most important thing is to appreciate is that, never expect a ruling party that has lost touch with reality and is delusional, to score itself in an equitable and in a fair way. They will give themselves, if it is out of 100, they will give themselves 110 over 100. But I challenge them to tell us what they have done to improve on what happened up till 2007. Every single sector has degenerated since 2007. The fact and figure are there to prove what I am saying. First, 80 per cent graduate unemployment and 70 percent of Nigerians are living below the poverty line. In terms of power generation, we were into 4,500 megawatts daily in 2007, today, we are lower than that. Foreign Reserves in 2007 was US$47 billion, today we have about US$45 billion. It has not progressed in spite of the crude oil sales. Excess Crude Account, in 2007, we had US$24 billion, today we have just US$7 billion. We talk about foreign debt, it was zero foreign debt. It was paid off from US&30 billion to US$zero in eight years. Today, we are now back in debts to the tune of US$9 billion and we are still borrowing. The economy is not growing as much as it was in 2007. They are claiming five or six per cent, fine. Then, it was growing at about 8 or 9 per cent. It is the same Ministry of Finance; she would confirm what I am telling you. So, what are they celebrating? Four or five years later, we have gone backwards, we have not progress. Now, if you want to tell me you have progress, look at your foundations and tell me how you have built on it. They had a legacy, a foundation, which was quite a solid one in 2007. Whether you like Obasanjo or not, his performance, was a pretty good one, the records speak for itself. Did they build on it? The answer is no. Everything has degenerated since then and I believe we need a change. The PDP’s ambition to rule Nigeria in 2015 is like an iceberg approaching the tropics; the closer it gets, the more it melts. They are not going anywhere. They will be removed in 2015. You know why? Because God loves Nigeria and he alone determines the fate of the country. Not any individual or money or power from the Villa or who you know or what you have. And He will show them that He alone is God. If you were to look into the future, what does the Nigeria political future hold?

If President Jonathan continues post-2015, Nigeria will be worse off than the Republic of Zaire within a year and we will never recover from it again. This will be in terms of the economy, in terms of security, in terms of safety, Nigeria will be worse off.

Already, under his watch, more civilians, innocent people that is, have been killed than any other time in our history, apart from the civil war. About 6,000 people have been killed in the last two years

by Boko Haram. And up until a year ago, he was saying that they were Nigerians whom he could not hurt. Up until three months ago, he set up a committee to dialogue with people who were determined to establish a Muslim fundamentalist state in Nigeria and had actually taken over part of our country and he was still trying to give them amnesty. Of course, they told him they were not interested in amnesty. It is only now that he realised that he has to be hard with them. He declared a state of emergency in part of the North, which I think is the right thing to do, but it is far too little and far too late. We cannot leave Nigeria in the hand of those who are not sensitive to our security situation and under whose watch many are being slaughtered on a daily basis, under whose watch the North has been literally on fire, and under whose watch Christians and Muslims are now very suspicious of one another, under whose watch the economy is crumbling by the day and we have so many people that are unemployed and suffering in our country. We must not allow that to continue to happen. If it happens after 2015, it may become irrevocable.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

51

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20- 06-13

Julius Berger unveils growth strategies J ULIUS Berger Nigeria Plc would focus on further diversification of its clients and business segments, improve on business development efforts, sustain due diligence and explore opportunities in alternative financing models to improve on its performance in the current business year.

The strategic growth outline for 2013 came as shareholders yesterday at the annual general meeting (AGM) in Abuja, applauded the performance of the company and approved the distribution of N3 billion as cash dividends for the 2012 business year. The dividend breakdown indicated a dividend per share of N2.50 for the 2012 business year as against N2.40 for the 2011 business year.

Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, AVM Nurudeen Imam, said that the company would consolidate its impressive performance in 2013 with continuing diversification of its client and business portfolios from public to private sector and across the construction chain with a view to mitigating cluster risk and ensure good spread across the sectors of the economy.

He said the company would step up its business development efforts by exploring opportunities in alternative financing models including options such as public private partnership (PPP) and buildoperate-transfer (BOT).

By Yomi Odunuga Taofik Salako

He said that the company would continue to modernise its administrative, engineering and operational departments and implement cost control measures that optimise the functioning of the company.

“Nigeria retains enormous potential. As Africa’s second largest economy, the rapidly developing nation is a focal point for not only Nigerian, but also international investors interested in the continent. Such investors are looking for a dynamic partner that can deliver superior quality work to global standards and is able to offer customised solutions based on country specific knowhow.

I believe that our business model, operational strategies and company values make us a first-choice contractor for such potential clients,” Imam noted.

He said Julius Berger would continuously strive to sustain its leadership position in the construction industry through effective risk assessment, proactive management and enhanced productivity year on year.

Imam assured that the board was fully aware of the need to appoint more Nigerian directors but noted that such appointments would be gradual and based strictly on merit and shareholding structure of

the company.

Providing further insights into the future outlook of the company, managing director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch, said the company would focus on establishing itself as the leading EPC contractor in the power sector. He noted that the privatisation of the power sector holds immense potential for the Nigerian economy.

He said the company would establish more strategic locations for its business hubs besides the existing locations in Abuja, Lagos and Uyo. Highlighting ongoing contracts and new awards, Goetsch said the company’s contract portfolio shows a robust future outlook, stressing that Julius Berger Nigeria remains a contractor of choice for key national priority projects as underlined by the award of Lagos-Sagamu Expressway and letter of intent for the second Niger Bridge among other projects.

Audited report and accounts of Julius Berger Nigeria for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed that turnover rose by 19 per cent from N169.41 billion in 2011 to N201.57 billion. Gross profit increased from N33.62 billion to N44.84 billion while operating profit rose from N10.71 billion to N12.98 billion.

Profit before tax grew by 24 per cent to N12.34 billion as against N9.93 billion in 2011.

Profit after tax jumped by 87 per cent from N4.41 billion to N8.26 billion. With 59 per cent increase in retained earnings from N8.68 billion to N13.77 billion, shareholders’ funds rose by 55 per cent from N9.75 billion to N15.14 billion.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20- 06-13

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

CBN takes ‘cashless’ campaign to Anambra

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday took its cashless policy campaign to Anambra state.

CBN’s deputy Governor Operations, Tunde Lemo, said the policy will wipe out the menace of kidnappings in the state and checkmate leakages in government revenue.He said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the State Governor Peter Obi, at the Governor’s lodge in Amawbia.

From Nwanosike Ona, Awka

Lemo said the exercise was part of the policies to stabilise the country’s growth and reduce the risks involved in carrying cash.

He said that with effect from 1st July, nobody would be allowed to withdraw more than N5000, 000.

The CBN Deputy Governor said the apex bank in exercising its constitutional duties as enshrined in a substituting Act from the National

Assembly, introduced the exercise to help the country’s economy. He explained that the aim was to bring stability to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said: “There are various gains of this policy apart from checking corruption, it will reduce robbery, kidnapping, election rigging and even leakages in government revenue because nobody will be cheated by the electronic machine.”

Lemo therefore commended

Governor Obi for being part of the banking system reform and urged him to help sensitise the people on the need for them to embrace the initiative.

Responding, Anambra State Governor Mr. Peter Obi assured the CBN that he would organise a workshop with traditional rulers in the state, trader’s presidents general and other stakeholder in Onitsha soon. He commended the CBN for recognising the strategic role the

Wall Street drops after stimulus wind-down plan

Shareholders commend Union Bank’s performance S HAREHOLDERS of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc have commended the performance of the bank in 2012, noting that the return to profitability has raised prospects for good returns in the period ahead.

At the annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank held at the Lakeside Hotel, Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, Cross River State, shareholders according to a statement from the bank, commended the lender’s return to profitability after loss posted in the previous year.

They specifically lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria- appointed Management for stabilising the bank just as they commended the Union Global Partners Limited, the core investors for their timely recapitalisation of the bank, which salvaged their investment.

Chairman of the Bank, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma assured the shareholders that the board and management had evolved a transformation programme that will tackle all the issues militating against the bank.

He also noted all the comments and observations of the shareholders and promised to address their concerns.

“We have come up with initiatives that are necessary to improve service

By Taofik Salako

delivery, support planned business growth, improve productivity, create a lean and agile bank, reduce operating cost and ultimately deliver value to all stakeholders,” he assured.

In approving the results, shareholders were delighted with the performance of the bank within the period under review.

They however, called on the management and staff to work harder.

The results for the year 2012 revealed that gross earnings for the Bank totaled N96.5 billion, up 35 per cent from year-end 2011 while gross earnings for the Group rose 33 per cent to N112.8 billion.

Profit before tax for the Bank was N8.1 billion, up from a loss of N102.6 billion the previous year. The Group recorded Profit before tax of N9.1 billion compared to loss before Ttax of N107.7 billion in 2011.

Profit after tax for the Bank was N7.9 billion as against a loss of N76.7 billion in 2011, while Profit after tax for the Group was N7.4 billion compared with a loss of N82.6 billion in the previous year.

Earnings per share also improved, with the Bank recording 46 kobo in 2012 compared with negative N12.51 kobo in 2011, while the Group was 61 kobo as against negative N12.26 kobo the year before.

Customers’ deposits with the Bank stood at N482 billion at 2012 yearend, a 21 per cent increase from 2011 year-end figures.

Shareholders’ funds at year-end stood at N171.671 billion, total assets grew 7.2 per cent to N886.468 billion while Group total assets stood at N1.033 trillion.

Operating expenses improved for both the Bank and the Group, with the lender recording N66.2 billion in expenses as against N73.2 billion in the previous year, and the Group recording N77.0 billion compared with N90 billion in 2011. As at December 31, 2012, the Bank’s capital adequacy, at 20 per cent, was above the 15 per cent regulatory requirement for international banks, while liquidity ratio was 96 per cent, also above the 30 per cent regulatory requirement.

The Board of Directors had earlier paid a visited to the Cross River state Governor Senator Liyel Imoke , where the Deputy Governor, bar-

T •Emuwa

rister Efiok Cobham stood in for him and received the directors.

The Chairman had espoused that Union bank would be synonymous with reliability. “Our goal is to be a reliable institution, one which delivers the best service possible to its customers and consistently creates value for all its stakeholders”, he emphasised.

The Deputy Governor eulogised the Union Bank for its resilience and transformation after the challenging times of the banking reforms. He pledged the government willingness to partner with the bank for its developmental requirements especially in the area of Agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) and employment generation.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 20-06-13

SYMBOL EVANSMED LIVESTOCK PRESTIGE AIRSERVICE LEARNAFRCA WAPIC CUSTODYINS INTBREW NAHCO 7UP

O/PRICE 3.00 5.44 0.55 4.80 1.70 0.85 1.53 25.98 6.42 53.00

C/PRICE 3.30 5.98 0.60 5.20 1.84 0.92 1.65 27.00 6.62 54.45

CHANGE 0.30 0.54 0.05 0.40 0.14 0.07 0.12 1.02 0.20 1.45

MAYBAKER NEIMETH DNMEYER GNI IKEJAHOTEL UNILEVER PAINTCOM GUARANTY DIAMONDBNK SKYEBANK

O/PRICE 2.34 1.34 1.44 0.54 0.83 64.80 1.79 26.00 6.49 4.80

C/PRICE 2.11 1.21 1.32 0.50 0.78 61.00 1.72 25.20 6.30 4.66

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

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

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%

July ’12

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

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

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.23 0.13 0.12 0.04 0.05 3.80 0.07 0.80 0.19 0.14

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 20-06-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

HE Federal Reserve’s plans to begin winding down its massive monetary stimulus later this year hit shares on Wall Street for a second day yesterday, putting the S&P 500 index on track for its worst two-day decline in seven months.

Stocks were down across all sectors, extending a selloff sparked by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments Wednesday on how the Fed might begin to withdraw its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases before the end of the year as the economy improves.

Those stimulus measures, along with sturdy corporate profits, have propped up the U.S. equity market this year, and boosted the markets to record highs in May. The selling according to Bloomberg, pushed the S&P 500 below its 50-day moving average, a key technical measure of the recent trend in stocks. It has closed below that technical level on only one day this year, in mid-April, and a break below it could add to selling pressure. Investors were likely to watch the 1,600 level on the S&P 500 as a further support area.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

state is playing in sustenance of Nigeria’s economy, adding that the policy would help stabilise the country’s growth.

Obi however, identified some bottlenecks in the proposed take off of the policy in the state on the ground that the transformation is too sudden.

He pleaded with CBN to make out time to come back and educate the traders in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka on the cashless policy.

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 FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

57

NEWS Police parade 36 suspects From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, and Osagie Otabor, Benin

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•Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi( middle), the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operation, Rick Barton (third left), Consular-General, United States Consulate in Lagos Jeffrey Hawkins (third right) and other members of the delegation who visited the governor in Port Harcourt...on STORY ON PAGE 59 Wednesday.

UNIBEN student killing: CSOs submit evidence to DPP From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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IVIL Society Organisations (CSOs) in Edo State have submitted evidence gathered on the police killing of a final-year student of the University of Benin

(UNIBEN), Ibrahim Momodu, to the Department of Police Prosecution.

Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Henry Idahagbon directed the DPP to collect the evidence after the groups led a protest to his office.

Idahagbon said the government discontinued its plans to set up a panel of enquiry into the killing to avoid multiplicity of enquiry into the case since the police were already investigating.

Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice David Ugolor, however, insisted on an independent panel of enquiry.

Ugolor said they want to ensure that all security agencies operate strictly within the ambit of the rule of law and avoid any act of summary judgment or extra-judicial killing.

He said the case file sent by the police to the DPP was not adequate.

Ibrahim was allegedly shot by the Divisional Police Of-

Seven family members die in Delta S EVEN members of a family have died in mysterious circumstances in Ogbewaise quarters, Ime-Obi, Agbor Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.

They include an Army retiree, Jacob Ikenchukwu Obuteh, and five relatives.

The body of an unidentified young man was among the dead.

Two of the deceased– Nkechi and Patience –were the daughters of the military pensioner.

The three kids between the ages of two and three years were Obuteh’s grandchildren.

A family source said one of Obuteh’s daughters came

Edo lawmaker gets bail after 60 days in custody

A

HIGH Court 1 sitting in Auchi yesterday granted bail to a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rasak Momoh, after 60 days in custody.

Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe granted a bail of N1 million, two sureties who must have landed properties and live in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.

Momoh is standing trial for illegal possession of fire arm and alleged robbery.

He was arrested at Baladi Hotel, Aviele in Etsako West Local Government Area on April

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

20, the day the state held its council polls.

Momoh had earlier been arraigned before Magistrate Caroline Nwoha in Auchi.

Mrs. Nwoha had ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution and that the accused be remanded in Auchi medium prison pending hearing on June 3.

The court could not hear the case on the adjourned date as Magistrate Nwoha declined to entertain the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

The case was subsequently transferred to the high court.

The prosecutor, the commissioner of police, urged the court to refuse bail to the accused, alleging that the accused is influential and would for that reason jump bail.

But Justice Ehigiamusoe said the accused has provided sufficient facts to be granted bail.

He said: “The fact that the accused is popular does not mean he will jump bail when granted.”

With the granting of bail, the prosecutor is expected to provide a trial date.

Woman jailed for human trafficking

A

N Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced Ms Tobias Rose Esther to 18month imprisonment for trafficking in humans.

She was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) on a two-count charge of deceit-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

fully inducing two girls to Togo.

The offence is contrary to Section 19(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003(as amended).

The court was told how

the accused recruited the victims under the pretence of learning a trade in Togo but forced them into prostitution.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges but asked for mercy.

Justice Alero Eruaga sentenced her to 18-month imprisonment.

‘Oil thief’ handed over to NSCDC

T

HE NNS Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar yesterday handed over a suspected oil thief, Orok Okon, to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

A large wooden boat, containing about 260 drums of 200-litre each, as well as a speed boat recovered from the suspect were also

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

handed over.

Commander of NNS Victory James Oluwole said with the arrest and handing over they are sending a strong message to criminals to desist from their activities.

“The more we do this, we believe we will continue

to reduce their strength,” Oluwole said.

He said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday morning by the Navy patrol team around the NNPC jetty where they were allegedly stealing refined petroleum products from the pipelines. Others who were with the suspect escaped into the water.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

to Agbor from Lagos last week to mark the first anniversary of the death of their mother.

The source added that she bought a generator on her arrival to provide electricity during the ceremony.

He said: “Members of the family attended a church service on June 16 to end the activities.

“The family put on the generator as there was no electricity supply in the area

in the evening of that ill-fated Sunday. That was the last time they were seen.

“The following day, June 17, nobody was seen in the house as the bungalow was locked throughout the day.

This gave room for insinuations that Mr. Obuteh may have been taken to Lagos by his daughter.

“But this was never to be as the unfolding event of June 18 proved otherwise.

Neighbours smelt the odour from the house on Tuesday and broke into the house.”

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Agbor, Dike Albert Uchechi, could not be reached for comments.

HE police in Edo State yesterday paraded 36 suspects for alleged kidnapping, robbery and cultism, rape and unlawful possession of firearms.

It said Daniel Silva, who was among the inmates who escaped from the Oko Prisons last year, has been re-arrested.

Eleven of the suspects were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms; 10, including students, were arrested for cultism.

The suspects were allegedly arrested with cache of arms, including AK47 rifle, two magazines, 23 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two horse magnum pump action guns, one made cut-to-size double barrel gun and 107 live cartridges.

Commissioner of Police Foluso Adebanjo, who paraded the suspects yesterday, said Frank Aghedo and Augustine Uwadiae allegedly robbed and raped their victims.

He gave the names of the suspects as Enoma Osifo; Udoka Simon; Curtis Osifo; Jolly Ighodaro; Godwin Idenye; Ekene Sunday; Agbonikhe Zephaniah; Endurance Okogie; Chigozie Nwankwo; Ikechukwu Nwanchukwu and Jibrin Ogiagbe.

58

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

NEWS I have no link with Hezbolah, says Muslim cleric From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

L

EADER of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly called the Shiite Movement, Sheikh Ibraheen El-Zakzaky, yesterday denied any link with any terror group within or outside the country, including Hezbollah.

The Muslim leader was reacting to a publication that he had a relationship with Hezbollah or another terrorist group.

In a statement in Kaduna yesterday by the movement’s spokesman, Dr. Abdullahi Danladi, the Islamic scholar said the allegation against him was calculated to tarnish his good image.

He admitted that the movement received its inspiration from the Islamic Republic of Iran under the late Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini to emancipate the poor masses from the hands of the tyranny. But El-Zakzaky said the publication was targeted at also giving Islam a bad name.

It said: “We are forced to believe that the content of the writeup was issued out by the security agents with the deliberate attempt at defaming the image of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the character and person of the revered leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

“On the attempt to link up the ‘discovered arms’ with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, the writers have yet succeeded in displaying his hatred for Islam and his total and absolute ignorance of what the Islamic Movement in Nigeria stands for.

“It has been said and will be reiterated that arms have no place and are not needed in the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.”

Customs seizes 710 bags of smuggled rice

T

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 710 bags of rice from suspected smugglers in Ogun State.

A team of the Controller-General’s Special Squad, led

by J. O. Ajibola, arrested the suspects on the Ilaro-Papalanto axis.

The suspects were reportedly apprehended through the strategy of CSC Usman G. Adamu, the Officer in charge of the squad in the area.

It was learnt that the Customs team first intercepted 500 bags of rice packed like cement in a trailer.

The team apprehended another 210 bags few days later, at the same venue.

‘15,000 people go blind yearly in Niger’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

F

IFTEEN thousand people become blind in Niger State annually, the Commissioner for Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Ibrahim Sule, has said.

The commissioner said a recent blindness and low vision survey conducted in the state also showed that another 15,000 need cataract surgery.

Sule spoke yesterday in Minna, the state capital, at the beginning of MTN Foundation Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme in the six health zones in the state.

The commissioner said the government is addressing the situation, adding that it needs the support of private organisations and individuals to make this a success.

Declaring open the intervention programme, Governor Babangida Aliyu said at least 30,000 patients suffering from various eye ailments received free treatment in the state between 2007 and last year.

Giving a breakdown of the situation through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Saidu Ndako Idris, the governor said over 5,000 patients had cataract surgery while another 5,000 were given reading and sight glasses.

Aliyu added that the rest were treated for different eye diseases.

The governor explained that to attend to the increasing number of people with eye problems, a Committee on Prevention of Blindness was inaugurated while a detailed programme to drive the state eye project has been put in place.

A director of MTN Foundation Mr Akinwale Goodluck said at least one million Nigerians and another 3.1 million are reported to be living with one form of visual impairment or the other.

He said these prevent them from effectively conducting their daily activities.

•From left: Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Jarman Zazzau), Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, during the public presentation of Nupe Heritage Dictionary, at the New Chelsea Hotel, Abuja...yesterday.

Councillor, two others killed in Kwara community clash T HREE people, including a councillor, were yesterday killed in Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, over a chieftaincy stool’s dispute.

Two claimants to the traditional stool of Ganmo, who claim ancestry to Ilorin on the one hand and Igbomina (Kwara South) on the other, clashed in January over the same stool. The incident led to some deaths and destruction of property.

It was learnt that the councillor was slaughtered with his

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

two arms allegedly chopped off and taken away.

It was also learnt that during the last clash, rampaging youths allegedly torched the palace of Oluganna of Gana.

The police confirmed yesterday that the councillor was killed on Tuesday, adding that the other two male and female were killed on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson, Olufe-

mi Fabode, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the two traditional rulers claiming a right to the throne have been invited for interrogation.

He said the renewed violence prompted Police Commissioner Agboola OshodiGlover to summon the two monarchs to his office where he urged them to call their subjects to order.

Fabode also said the com-

mand has drafted its men to the two towns to maintain law and order.

He added: “Our responsibility is to ensure the protection of life and property. It is the same issue that made the police commissioner to summon the two royal fathers of Ganmo and Ganna for a peace meeting. He urged them to maintain law and order in the two towns.”

The spokesman, however, warned that the police command would not condone any act of lawlessness.

Bauchi uncovers 6,500 ghost workers

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AUCHI State Head of Civil Service (HOS), Mr. Abdon Dalla Gin, yesterday said the government has saved N12 million from the 6,500 ghost workers it uncovered from 2011 till date.

Gin addressed reporters at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat ahead of this year’s Civil Service Day on Sunday.

He said this year’s theme is: Nigerian Public Service in the Age

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

of Open Government: Giving Voice to Citizens, for the national level.

The HOS explained that the state’s theme is: Attitudinal ReOrientation Towards A ResultOriented Bauchi State Civil Service.

Gin said the government set up a high-powered committee which verified and uncovered

1,500 ghost workers in the civil service.

According to him, 5,000 were uncovered from the 20 the local governments.

Gin said: “The state government, in its efforts to address the ghost workers’ challenge in its civil service, introduced the Bio-metric Capturing Data (BCD) system where the biodata and thumbprints of each civil servant are captured as they physically appear before

Kano signs N1.182b water contracts

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HE Kano State Government has awarded over N1.182 billion contracts to various contractors to fix all water pipes and installations at water works in the state.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Yunusa Adamu Dangwani, who signed the contracts on behalf of the government, said the measure was taken to ensure even distribution of water to all residents and communities in the state.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, ERNEST DAKORU and ABOH ERNEST DAUKORU FAVOUR are one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as ERNEST DAKORU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE I formerly know and addressed as MRS TURTON TEMITOPE ADEYINKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DOKUNMU TEMITOPE ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE I, formerly known, called & addressed as Egba Rhoda Onyiapa, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Friday Rhoda Egba. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police, UNILAG, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and the general public should please take note .

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Among the contractors is Ovamann Pumps Nigeria Limited, which will execute the supply and installation of two high lift pumps for Challawa 2 Water Works at the cost of N149,860,200.

The project is scheduled to be completed within 120 days.

Others include Bran and Lubbe Water Engineers Limited, which is supplying three units of 800 lengths of 400mm ductile iron pipes and fittings for Kafin-Chiri Dam, for N718,462,657.50. It will be completed within 180 days.

The Cross SKY International Limited was awarded the con-

tract to furnish the new Kano State Water Board’s headquarters building. The contrct costs N31,685, 629.50 and will be completed within 12 weeks.

Bashir Ventures Aikawa Limited will supply 3,000 metric tonnes of aluminium sulphate. The contrcts costs N282,000,000 and is scheduled to be completed within eight weeks.

Dr Dangwani urged the contractors to expedite actions on the contracts and do quality jobs on them.

He added that the government will not condone laxity and delay in the completion of the projects.

Nasarawa NULGE threatens strike From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

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HE Nasarawa State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has threatened to go on strike from July 3, if the state government fails to meet its demands. The state NULGE had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government on May 24. It expired yesterday.

But the union extended the ultimatum by seven working days after its executive meeting in Lafia on Tuesday.

The union’s state President, Eladoga Adamu, and Secretary, Kosovo Aga, signed the statement, which was made available to The Nation yesterday in Lafia, the state capital.

The statement said the union’s demands have been pending, following its notification to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Sani Yakubu, on May 24, during a courtesy visit to his office.

the screening committee, to ascertain their identity.”

The bio-metric capturing exercise, according to him, is a data bank in which all civil servants in the state are captured and stored.

He said the data bank is updated regularly.

The HOS noted that some of the policies and programmes of the state government were introduced to rejuvenate the civil service.

Makinde calls for scrapping of nomadic education From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE Prelate of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rev. Sunday Makinde, yesterday called for the scrapping of nomadic education.

The cleric expressed concern over the sophisticated weapons used by Fulani herdsmen to kill and main fellow Nigerians.

Rev. Makinde spoke at the Government House in Makurdi when he visited Benue State Acting Governor Steven Lawan.

He said: “Nomadic education has achieved nothing. Rather, it has contributed to the worsening security threat in the country. Herdsmen now armed themselves with AK 47 rifles and have killed several people and destroyed several property.”

The Prelate expressed dismay that despite the huge funds expended on the programme, it has achieved little or nothing.

Rev. Makinde said sarcastically that with the funds wasted on the programme, fishermen too could as well ask for fishing education.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

59

NEWS

Floods destroy schools, homes, 14 held for ‘producing fake custard’ T churches in Abakaliki

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ESIDENTS of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, woke up yesterday to find some parts of the city flooded after an overnight downpour.

The flood, which affected residential and commercial buildings, is believed to have been caused by the overflowing of the Iyiudele and Iyiokwu rivers.

Our reporter, who went round the city, observed that one of the biggest hotels in the city, Salt Lake, was affected.

Hope High International Schools on Onwe Road, Abakaliki and G-spot, a popular relaxation centre adjacent to the school, both owned by the wife of former governor, Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu, were also affected.

The management of the school was forced to close down temporarily as parents took their wards back home.

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Members of Christ Embassy and House on the Rock Church, who use the multipurpose halls inside the relaxation centre, waded through the flood to get to the auditoriums to salvage some of their equipment.

Also, parts of the international market being built by the state government were flooded.

Some residents blamed the flood on the blocked canal being built by the Federal Ministry of Environment to channel excess water from the two rivers.

Commissioner for Environment Paul Okorie blamed the flood on the inability of the contractors to complete the channelisation.

His words: “I am not surprised that we are witnessing this flood; the Nigerian Meteorological Agency pre-

dicted that last year’s flood will be a child’s play compared to this year’s.

“The international market was affected; many buildings around Udemezue were also affected and many streets on the banks of Iyiokwu and Iyiudele rivers. It is very unfortunate.

“The Federal Government awarded a contract for concrete channellisation of the two rivers and the project is going on as expected.

“We shall continue to put pressure on the Federal Government and the contractor to act faster so that this contract can be executed. It will go a long way in solving this problem.

“Initially, the width of the channel was just about 4.9 metres and the height was 2.2 metres but when the state made a case to the Ministry of Environment, it was redesigned and the total depth is now 4.4 and the width in-

creased to 6.9 and we believe that if the project is completed from beginning to end it will be able to carry the water.

“What is happening now is that many areas have not been totally completed so there are blockages here and there leading to obstruction of flow.

“But if the whole channel is constructed and there is free flow, it might be able to carry the flood water.

“We shall work with the Ministry of Environment to see if the channel can carry much water.

“You know what happens sometimes is that when designs are made and all the parameters possibly are not taken into consideration during design then it becomes a problem.”

Okorie said the state would ensure that residents of flood-prone areas are relocated.

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Task Force, yesterday in Aba, Abia State, arrested 14 persons involved in the production of fake and unregistered custard.

The leader of the Task Force, Shaba Mohammed, blamed the Eziukwu market authorities for not exposing the nefarious activities, knowing the health implications of consuming adulterated foods.

He said: “It was a successful operation. We have been monitoring them for a long time. The market leaders are aware of the illegal activities going on because they have been paying their market levies to them.

“They have been shielding

From Sunny Nwankwo,Aba

them instead of reporting.”

Mohammed said the suspects were arrested at their various hideouts in the market where they produce and package unregistered custard product brands with fake NAFDAC numbers.

He said: “They operate in unacceptable, filthy and unhygienic environment. We don’t know the colouring agent they use.

“The colouring agents they use can cause cancer.

“Some of the illegal factory owners are still at large.

We are still going to carry out further investigations and anybody found culpable will be charged to court.

“We are warning others that their time is up. We shall soon catch and arrest them.”

Anambra council polls in October From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE long-awaited Anambra State local government elections, which have taken 15 years to come, will take place in October, it was learnt yesterday.

TheActing Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), Sylvester Okonkwo, said by Monday, the commission would release the guidelines and date of the election.

Okonkwo spoke when members of the Movement for the Conduct of Local Government Election (MFCLGE) visited his office.

The group last Thursday met with Governor Peter Obi at the Government House, where he told them that he was ready for the election and advised the visitors to liaise with ANSIEC. Okonkwo praised the group for the peaceful way it had handled the situation, adding that the commission was not being sponsored by any political group.

Stop trafficking, kids urges NAPTIP

C •Obi (second right), his wife, Margaret (second right), Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Chukwudi Orizu and House Committee PHOTO: ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU Chairman on Women Affairs Mrs. Rebecca Udoji-Paragon at the event...yesterday

Imo communities accuse govt of diverting N400m flood fund V ICTIMS of last year’s flood in Imo State have cried out over the alleged misappropriation of the N400 million Federal Government intervention fund released to the state government last year.

The coastline communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local government areas accused the State Flood Relief Management Committee of diverting the intervention fund for personal purposes after disbursing only N67 million.

Speaking on behalf of the victims from Oguta Local Government Area, Ozor Chimuanya said the Committee did not consult with the communities to find out how to assist them.

He observed that a year after the flood, “the government is yet to come up with a comprehensive action plan to address the immediate challenges or proactive measures to forestall a recurrence.

“Some of the communities as we speak are at war over how to share the little money given to them. The aides of senior government officials in whose names the cheques were issued have insisted on taking a certain percentage from the money and this is not what the money was meant for.”

Giving an account of how

•Govt:

we’re building farm settlements with fund

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

the money was disbursed in his local government, Chimuanya listed the benefiting communities as: Mgbele (N2 million), Osuobodo (N3 million), Oguta (N5 million), Osemoto (N2 million), Eziogu (N3 million) and Egwe (N3 million).

Others are Egbuoma (N3 million), Mkpesi (N2 million) and Mmekuku (N2 million).

A former Chairman of Oguta Local Government, Emma Mazi, said: “The money as we were told was meant for the flood victims to alleviate their suffering but the government diverted it for other uses, which has not improved the plight of the victims.”

Mazi said the proposal by the government to build town halls in the communities was not only amusing but a deliberate misuse of public funds.

“How can they build town halls in the communities? How does that assist the flood victims?

“In all these communities there are existing town halls. For instance in Oguta

‘Some of the communities as we speak are at war over how to share the little money given to them. The aides of senior government officials in whose names the cheques were issued have insisted on taking a certain percentage from the money and this is not what the money was meant for’ community, we have two town halls.”

But the Committee Chairman and Commissioner for Health, Obi Njoku, dismissed the allegations.

He said: “Every kobo of the intervention fund is accounted for.

“Apart from the N67 million earlier disbursed to the

affected communities, which we are monitoring, the government is building farm settlements in the 16 communities at the cost of N25 million each. This will serve as rehabilitation centres.”

The chairman said before receiving the intervention fund, the state had assisted the victims by resettling them and providing relief materials, including medications and food items.

“The state augmented the intervention fund with about N129 million and that is why we are able to build the farm settlements, which will be delivered soon.

“I think the cause of these controversies is our refusal to handover the fund to certain individuals in these communities who had thought it was another windfall.

“Our insistence that the money will be invested in the welfare of the victims did not go down well with some people, especially the community heads who are bent on appropriating the funds without giving the victims priority in their sharing plan,” Njoku said.

HILDREN in Anambra State yesterday urged Governor Peter Obi, his wife, Margaret, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to stop trafficking of babies.

The children spoke yesterday during the Day of the African Child and the International Day of the Family/ Training workshop on School Social Work.

They mandated NAPTIP through the Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that all forms of trafficking of children and abuse are stopped.

Speaker of the State Children Parliament Chidera Victoria Obi called for love and care for all children.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi and Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Governor Obi praised NAPTIP for protecting children from trafficking, child labour and smuggling of migrants, especially in the Southeast.

He said schools were handed over to their owners to give children proper education and restore lost values.

The governor said 99 per cent of people who are in detention in Chinese prisons are from Nigeria and mainly Igbo..

The highlight of the event was the presentation of best couple plaque to Mr. and Mrs. Moses Okoye. They have been married for 33 years and hail from Ihiala.

US officials visit Amaechi

S

OME officials of the United States, including Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations, Rick Barton, visited Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Wednesday.

Also in the delegation were the Director of Africa Operations in the Bureau, Neal Kringel and the Consular-General of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Jeffrey Hawkins.

Barton told Amaechi that they were in the state to find possible ways to assist the government in any conflict situation.

He said: “Thank you, Mr Governor, it’s a great pleasure to be here with you. We have had the chance to savour your hospitality and to enjoy your state for the last 24 hours.

“We’ve had the chance to drive out to the countryside and to visit with some of your constituents and to get a feeling of what you and your executive members are doing here to advance the confidence of the public and the state of the cordial life of your citizens.

“We are spending as much time as we can listening to the voices of Nigerians (Rivers people), because at the end of the day our respect for you (Amaechi) and for your ability to solve problems is great.

“We want to help in any way we can but we know that this is your world and we are only here to help as a friend would naturally do.”

Amaechi noted that things are improving in the Niger Delta. He noted that foreigners now live in safety in the state and drive around Port Harcourt. He called on the United States to allow its businesses flow back into the state.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

60

FOREIGN NEWS

Taliban offers to free U.S. soldier

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HE Afghan Taliban has expressed readiness to free a U.S. soldier held captive since 2009 in exchange for five of their senior operatives imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, a senior spokesman for the group said yesterday, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, 27, of Hailey, Idaho, is the only known American soldier held captive from the Afghan war. He disappeared from his base in southeastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009, and is believed held in Pakistan.

In an exclusive telephone interview with The Associated Press from his Doha office, Taliban spokesman Shaheen Suhail said that Bergdahl “is, as far as I know, in good condition.”

Col. Tim Marsano with the Idaho National Guard said Bergdahl’s parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, plan to speak at an event honoring the soldier in Hailey on Saturday.

“They’re aware that the possibility of a transfer or exchange is on the table and they’re encouraged by it,” Marsano said.

Bergdahl’s parents earlier

this month received a letter from their son through the International Committee of the Red Cross. They did not release details of the letter but renewed their plea for his release. The soldier’s captivity has been marked by only sporadic releases of videos and information about his whereabouts.

The prisoner exchange is the first item on the Taliban’s agenda before even opening peace talks, said Suhail, a top Taliban figure who served as first secretary at the Afghan Embassy in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad before

the Taliban government’s ouster in 2001.

“First has to be the release of detainees,” Suhail said when asked about Bergdahl.

“Yes. It would be an exchange. Then step by step, we want to build bridges of confidence to go forward.”

The reconciliation process with the Taliban - seen by most as the only way to end the nearly 12-year war - has been a long and bumpy one.

It began nearly two years ago when the U.S. opened secret talks that were later scuttled

by Karzai when he learned of them.

Rwandan genocide: Sweden jails don for life

A

SWEDISH court has sentenced a man of Rwandan origin to life in jail for his part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which some 800,000 people were killed.

Stanislas Mbanenande, now a Swedish citizen, was found guilty of taking part in several massacres of mainly ethnic Tutsis in the 100-day genocide.

The court in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, agreed he had played a leading role among Hutu extremists.

He is the first person in Sweden to be found guilty of genocide.

Mbanenande, who was a civil engineer and lecturer in Rwanda and was granted Swedish citizenship in 2008, had denied the charges.

During his trial, Swedish judges flew to Rwanda to hear from some witnesses, with the defendant participating via video link.

Mbanenande not only recruited young men to take part in the killings but was also involved in those that occurred in a school, a Catholic church, a hotel and a stadium in

Kibuye, a city in western Rwanda, the court said.

“The accused had an informal role as a leader and himself fired at the crowd with an automatic weapon,” Swedish newspaper The Local quotes the district court verdict as saying.

Rwanda had asked Sweden

to extradite Mbanenande to face genocide charges, but Stockholm refused as he was a Swedish citizen.

A Rwandan community “gacaca” court then sentenced him to life in prison in absentia in 2009.

Mbanenande’s lawyer, Tomas Nilsson, said his cli-

ent would appeal.

“We are of the opinion that we must make an appeal because the judgement isn’t clear and safe enough,” he said.

“He [Mbanenande] totally denies all the accusations and he has done from the first time that he was confronted with them.”

Massive explosion at Quebec fireworks’ factory

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UEBEC provincial police said yesterday that two people were killed in a massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse that rocked an area west of Montreal, leaving a huge cloud of smoke visible for miles.

A series of explosions subsequently leapt from the charred building after the initial blast at B.E.M. Fireworks

near Valleyfield, Quebec.

Images from the scene showed a building near a major highway completely destroyed.

Provincial police said two bodies were found in the wreckage but they did not identify them.

Nearly two hours after the blast, fireworks could still be heard exploding at the scene of the fire that continued to

burn out of control hours after the explosion, according to witnesses.

“All of a sudden I heard, ‘boom, boom, bang,’” Mario Cramerstetter said from his office, which is just over a mile (1.6 kilometers) away from the site.

“Initially I thought it was a bulldozer or a tractor but then we saw a big puff smoke. We kept on hearing

Make Syria diplomacy work, says Jolie

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NITED Nations Peace A m b a s s a d o r Angelina Jolie said yestyerday the Syrian civil war is the world’s most acute humanitarian crisis and called on world leaders to

make diplomatic efforts to end it succeed.

Jolie spoke at Jordan’s largest camp for Syrian refugees, which she toured as special envoy for the United Nations refugee agency.

“I appeal to the world leaders - please, set aside your differences, unite to end the violence, and make diplomacy succeed,” she told reporters, drawing attention to the U.N.’s World Refugee Day.

•Sgt. Bergdahl (left) and the Taliban

Guinea’s opposition leader suspends talks with government

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UINEA’s main opposition leader on Thursday pulled out of U.N.-mediated election talks with the government, accusing police and youths of attacking him and his supporters.

The negotiations aim to secure opposition participation in long-delayed elections which are meant to seal the mineral-rich nation’s transition to civilian rule following a coup in 2008.

Cellou Dalein Diallo, who heads the UFDG party, said he and his supporters were attacked by stone-throwing youths and police near his home in the capital Conakry on Wednesday.

The opposition said 17 people were injured in the clashes.

He had been returning from an appearance in court, where he is facing defamation charges brought against him by an ally of President Alpha Conde.

“They can’t attack us like this, fire tear gas at us, allow thugs to throw stones at us and expect us to go along with it,” Diallo said. “For

Palestinian PM resigns

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•Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi acknowledges cheers from supporters at the National League for Democracy Party headquarters after attending her 68th birthday ceremony in Yangon ... on Wednesday.

HE new Palestinian prime minister submitted his resignation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday, after two weeks on the job, because of a conflict over authority.

It was unclear if Rami Hamdallah, a former university dean, would step down or was using the threat of resignation to obtain more powers from Abbas.

Abbas’ office declined comment, and there was no word if Abbas would accept Hamdallah’s resignation, potentially an embarrassment for the Palestinian president.

The prime minister heads the Palestinian Authority, the selfrule government for parts of the West Bank that handles day-today affairs of Palestinians.

Abbas is in charge overall and handles diplomacy, particularly efforts to restart negotiations with Israel on the terms of a Palestinian state.

Those talks broke down in 2008, but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been trying to restart them.

Hamdallah took office June 6 after unexpectedly being plucked by Abbas from a career in academia to replace internationally known Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who resigned in April. Abbas gave Hamdallah two deputies, one for political and one for economic affairs, apparently to make up for his lack of political experience.

S

astated from decades of civil war with Sudan, from which it seceded in 2011.

Last year, Kiir wrote to 75 current and former officials to ask them to return $4 billion in “stolen” public money, but no senior figure had been publicly put under investigation until now.

Kiir has now lifted the immunity of Cabinet Affairs

Minister Deng Alor Kuol and Finance Minister Kosti Manibe Ngai and suspended them pending an investigation into the procurement of fireproof safes for Alor’s ministry for $8 million, according to a government decree released on Wednesday.

It said the payment had been approved by the Finance Ministry, and that a high-level

committee would determine whether there was “an element of fraud and forgery exercised in this process of transfer and payments”.

South Sudan has been struggling to set up functioning state institutions since gaining independence from Khartoum in 2011 under a peace deal that ended the civil war.

Ethiopia’s opposition calls for protests ETHIOPIA’s main opposition party says it will launch what it said will be a sustained national campaign against the country’s ruling party.

The announcement Thursday follows a peaceful demonstration on June 2. It was the first public protest since 2005 when security forces killed hundreds of protesters in postelection violence.

The Unity for Democracy and Justice Party said the country is heading toward “absolute dictatorship” under the ruling party, which has been in control since 1991.

The party said it would hold rallies to pressure the government to remove the anti-terrorism law. It will also call for the respect of human and democratic rights and will demand the release of jailed dissidents, journalists and political leaders.

The protests are the first show of disapproval against Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

New Gaddafi-Sarkozy funds allegation

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NTERPRETER to the late Libyan strong man Muammar Gaddafi, Moftah Missouri has alledged that Libya helped finance Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign in France. But the former French leader has denied the allegation.

Missouri said the late Gaddafi had told him

S/Sudan president suspends two ministers in fraud inquiry OUTH Sudanese President Salva Kiir has suspended two key ministers in a fraud investigation, the government has said.

Western donors have warned South Sudan’s government that aid payments are at risk unless it tackles the corruption undermining development in a country dev-

now, the UFDG is suspending its participation in the dialogue.”

The government said the violence had been provoked by youths from Diallo’s own neighborhood.

Other members of the opposition coalition said they would meet to decide whether to follow Diallo’s lead and withdraw from the negotiations.

•President Kiir

personally that $20m (£13m; 15m euros) were donated to the campaign.

The allegations against Mr Sarkozy, first made by one of Gaddafi’s sons, are already being investigated.

However Mr Missouri was quoted by a French newspaper last year, saying he had been unaware of any such payments.

Le Figaro, a conservative daily, interviewed the former interpreter when he visited Paris in April 2012.

In the new interview, Mr Missouri said: “Gaddafi himself told me personally, verbally, that Libya had transferred about $20m.”

He was speaking in a video clip posted by France’s Mediapart news website, with the full interview due to air on French public TV later yesterday.

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

61

NEWS Rivers Police chief attacks Amaechi Continued from page 4

them by 2:00am they are awake, they are on patrol. On my own, I have refurbished 12 Hilux patrol vehicles, how can you tell me that the crime wave has gone up.

“I have respect for the governor; I have respect to the office of the governor, but let him also have respect for the Police.

“The office of the governor is a revered office, it is an office that has respect.

“Sometimes silence is golden but sometimes it could be mistaken or misconstrued for acceptance.

“I have very high regard for the Excellency the Executive governor of this state, Rotimi Amaechi, but his attacks on me are going beyond bounds and there is need for me to clarify some of the issues.”

He denied relaying decisions of security meetings to Abuja as alleged by the governor saying security meetings were not formally held. He added: “I told

him that my loyalty to the IGP is total.”

Mbu said his disagreement with the governor also had to do with who chairs the internal security meetings in the state.

He said a letter from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) directed the commissioner of police to chair the meeting, but that Amaechi insisted that it should be rotated.

“One issue I have had with the governor is who chairs internal security meetings in the state.

“He, (governor) said we should rotate it but I said no, there is a letter from the NSA on this.

“It is the commissioner of police that does. I told him if my predecessors did not do what was right I won’t follow them.

“The commissioner of police is to chair the forum and assume responsibility to brief the governor.

“I told him the Inspector-General of police has so many

sources of information. I told the governor that my loyalty to the governor is total,’’ he said.

Mbu also said no formal security meeting had been held since he came to the state, noting that he had not received letter any convening security meeting.

“I am not here for any agenda. I have respect for the office of the governor and the governor of the state, but let him (governor) also have respect for the police and me,’’ Mbu said.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, described Mbu’s comments on Amaechi as “most unfortunate’’.

“Mbu’s comments are most unfortunate, but we will prefer to address the matters raised administratively,’’ she said.

Mbu also vowed to arrest Tony Okocha, the Chief of Staff to Governor Amaechi over a matter involving him and the President of the Port Harcourt Club. He said Okocha is seek-

ing court protection in vain.

The governor had alleged that Mbu gave more security cover to the Port Harcourt club chair Sylvester Wiyioma and the club premises than other important places in the state.

But Mlbu said he did that following attempts on the life of the club president and the club property.

He noted that Okocha was linked to that and had been invited by the police to make statement in that regard.

Mbu said “the chief of staff has gone to court asking the court to restrain me from arresting him; I am not yet ready for him.

“There is no court in this world that can grant such a prayer. Which means everybody will go to court after he/ she had committed a crime to get an injunction to avoid arrest.

“It is based on this that more policemen were drafted to Port Harcourt club,” he said.

NTI boosts teaching in Lagos, Nasarawa others

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EACHERS in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Nasarawa states have started receiving training that will horn their skill so as to technically equip their students .

Director General of the National Teachers Institute (NTI) Ladan Sharehu, whose organisation is motivating the project, expressed satisfaction with the progress so far.

The new system involves a rigorous monitoring and constant evaluation of students’ teaching practice programme.

Sharehu said monitoring of the ongoing teaching practice is open to input to correct errors in the programme.

“We have been to so many states to monitor teaching practice of NTI students. We are satisfied,” he said, adding: “A few errors were noticed and we corrected them. We ex-

pect that other visitors, monitors and quality assurance experts that will go will also point out areas of error “for correction.”

The ongoing programme

under monitoring is the second teaching practice students of NTI will undergo ahead of graduating and qualifying to teach in primary schools at least.

Fashola delivers LASU Alumni lecture Tuesday

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AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, will on Tuesday deliver the 2013 Lagos State University (LASU) Alumni Annual lecture, at the institution’s new auditorium at the Main campus in Ojo. Entitled “Good

Governance: A Tool for Revitalisation of SocioCultural Values for Social Development”, the lecture will be chaired by former Head of State Chief Ernest Shonekan, while retired Justice Adesola Oguntade (CON) will be the CoChairman.

A statement jointly signed by the Alumni President, Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd) and the Vice President, Mr. Norrison Quarkers (SAN), indicated that the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa will be the Chief Host.

Fed Govt awards 2nd Niger Bridge contract to Julius Berger on PPP

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HE Federal Government has issued a letter of intent on the construction of the second Niger Bridge to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc under a proposed public private partnership (PPP).

Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, stated this yesterday at a post-Annual General Meeting (AGM) media briefing.

He said private public partnership involves the federal government as the sponsor, Julius Berger Nigeria as the major partner and some other international investors.

According to him, Julius Berger submitted the bid for the bridge in December 2012 and was chosen the preferred bidder in January and the latest issuance of letter of intent was a further consolidation of the project agreement.

He said the Federal Government is still in continuous discussion with his company, which is expected to play a major role in the financing of the bridge.

“We hopefully wish to start at the end of the year. We have been issued the letter of intent. We are already on sight and we will play a major role in the financial close,” Goetsch said.

He noted that Julius Berger would leverage on the potential benefit of PPP to diversify its

Yomi Odunuga and Taofik Salako business portfolio in spite of the challenges inherent in such arrangement.

Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, AVM Nurudeen Imam, outlined that the company would step up its business development efforts by exploring opportunities in alternative financing models including options such as public private partnership (PPP) and buildoperate-transfer (BOT).

Any option of the PPP involving financial contribution from Julius Berger Nigeria and other investors implies that the private sector partners would be given agreed period to recoup their investments through tolling on the bridge.

Goetsch said the company has started the mobilisation for the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway assuring that as one of the busiest roads in Nigeria and even beyond, the company would put all its expertise together to design a construction plan that would ease the pain of motorists on the road as it works on the road.

He attributed the delay in some of the company’s major projects including the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and Abuja airport road to inadequate funding, pointing out that the company places emphasis on delivery within schedules.

NGF poll: Oshiomhole urges Labour to intervene Continued from page 4

diversify the economy urgently if we must take our rightful place in the comity of nations.

“We strongly condemn the unwarranted importation of petroleum products, which, no doubt, has led to loss of foreign

exchange. It does not make sense if we continue to create jobs in other countries while our youths constitute nuisance here in our country out of frustration.”

Esele said the TUC believes in the PIB, if passed exactly the way TUC saw it.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

CONFEDERATIONS CUP

Nigeria fall 1-2 to Uruguay D

IEGO Forlan marked his 100th appearance for Uruguay with a brilliant leftfooted drive to see his side beat Nigeria 2-1 and put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano had given his side the lead with a scuffed effort from a Forlan cross, before John Obi Mikel levelled with a goal on his 50th Nigerian cap.

The game was fragmented in the opening stages, but the cagey affair sparked into life thanks to the Uruguay

•To face Spain on Sunday skipper.

Forlan received the ball on the Uruguay left and drilled a cross towards Edinson Cavani. The Napoli forward tried to flick the ball on at the near post but did not connect and Diego Lugano had the simple task of nudging the ball into the net.

Nigeria responded after Uruguay failed to capitalise on their advantage. Brown Ideye played the ball into Mikel, who skipped past goalscorer Lugano and

placed a left-footed shot past the despairing Fernando Muslera.

Nigeria pressed in the closing stages of the first half, but they could not convert their possession into meaningful opportunities.

Uruguay then came out with renewed purpose in the second half and it was a fairytale goal just five minutes after the interval.

Cavani received the ball in space in between the Nigeria defence and midfield and

laid the ball on for Forlan.

The 34-year-old let the ball run across his body before dispatching a left-footed drive into the top corner. He became the second centurion, after Andrea Pirlo on Sunday, to mark his 100th

cap with a goal in this tournament.

Cavani had several good opportunities to extend Uruguay’s lead, skewing a shot wide after going clear and heading past the post when left unmarked from a free kick.

The Napoli forward’s profligacy did not matter though, as Forlan’s

centenary strike sees his side head into the final group game against Tahiti in a strong position to qualify.

Nigeria face Spain in Fortaleza, with La Roja needing a point to guarantee their place in the semi-finals.

Anything short of a win will mean Nigeria will exit the Confederations Cup in the group stage.

Ogunkoya: difficult to compete for Nigeria

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TLANTA ’96 silver medallist Falilat Ogunkoya yesterday in Calabar, at the All Nigeria/ Cross River State Athletics Championship declared that competing for Nigeria is the toughest job in the world.

“To compete for Nigeria is toughest in the world,” she began. “But we don’t want to leave because it is our country. Some people left but we stayed. We must appreciate our own.

Individual sport is more difficult than a team sport.

Nigeria is tough because you have to do all things on your own. And after your career that is the end.”

Ogunkoya, who ran the fastest time in the world in the 400 meters in 1999, was however positive about Team Nigeria’s chances at the IAAF World Athletics Championship coming up in Moscow in August. She said: “I believe we can win something in Moscow.

Moscow is always by standard. If you are going for world championships, you have to have a standard.

“A few of them have tried in meeting the standard of the IAAF. A few of them have made the standard already.

We have qualified in the relays

•Throws weight behind Okagbare From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Stella Bamawo, Calabar already; 4x4 men, 4x1 women and men. So I believe that the other top athletes will be okay.”

Ogunkoya is the first and only Nigerian to win double medals in one Olympics, and she had words of support for Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Blessing Okagbare in her quest to fulfill her potential as one of Nigeria’s shinning lights in athletics.

Okagbare is in the eye of the storm over her comments criticizing the Federation’s preparation of its athletes for the Moscow Championship.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on Blessing, she has really worked hard,” Ogunkoya said. “I will just plead that they should allow her take her event one day at a time.”

“Athletics is an individual event. I think if the Athletic Federation of Nigeria…Solomon Ogba is the president, as the leader if he asks, I think he has her interest at heart.

“You know Nigeria, it is when you do well that they

acknowledge you. So, they just need to pat her on the back, it is very important in athletics. The government and NSC (National Sports Commission) should help Blessing Okagbare. And for you to see the minister here you would see that he really cares. It is not only for football but for other sports.

He was in Warri for the Africa Youth Championship. His presence shows that the government cares.

“In 1999, I ran 49.6 seconds; I would have won all the cash prizes being offered now. You have to set the standard high so that the athletes will perform. Don’t give me grants after championship, that is ‘chopping’ money. If you don’t have solid training, there is nothing for you,” Ogunkoya warned.

•Action from the Super Eagles versus Uruguay clash at the ongoing Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The South American won the game 2-1.

Chelsea deny Mikel’s link to Galatasaray

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HELSEA have denied that midfielder John Obi Mikel is set for a move to Galatasaray.

A report in Turkish newspaper Sabah suggests Nigeria international Mikel, 26, had talked up the move saying: "I have played at

Chelsea for a long time and it's now time for me to leave.

"I'm still only 26 and it's great to receive an offer from a club [Galatasaray] playing Champions League football and doing well in the competition."

However, Chelsea have flatly denied that Mikel,

who is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, has given an interview to the publication or said anything regarding his future at the club.

Reports have suggested that Mikel does not feature prominently in Jose

Mourinho's plans for the upcoming campaign.

The midfielder has played over 180 games for Chelsea in a seven-year stint which has seen him win the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and four FA Cups.

Royal blessing for Elegushi National Open Tug of War Championship

T •Falilat

HE Elegushi of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi has given his royal blessing for the 2nd edition of the Oba Elegushi National Open Tug of War Championship Finals, holding on the Elegushi Beach Resort, Lekki/Epe Expressway, Lagos tomorrow.

Oba Ademola expressed delight and prayed that the event be a befitting showcase in memory of his father, who was a traditional ruler that empowered youths and encouraged sports performance, not only within his domain, but throughout the

entire Lagos State and Nigeria.

Teams expected at the finals of the event include the Police Lagos teams, the Nigerian Navy, Para-Military, and states such as the defending champions Edo, female defending champions Lagos, Plateau, and Rivers.

Information from the Lagos Police camp indicates that all hands are on deck to ensure that they pull home the Royal Power and Brawn Crown from the Edo side. In the same vein, women teams converging on the beach today say they are ready to do more than mere rolling up their sleeves when

they square up against the Lagos State defending champions.

Most teams, according to the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Tug of War Federation, Abdulkareem Macaulay, are not handling the event with kid gloves. "No team seems in a child's mood, and the Federation on our part, is handling the Royal Brawl, skill and strength with every seriousness as the international body to which Nigeria is an affiliate, is aware of the championship and is watching closely, with a view to internationalising it," he said.

Conscious of this, Macaulay disclosed: "We are organising the Elegushi Beach Tug of War according to the global rules and regulations of the world body."

Three categories of Pullers are expected to be on the bill this afternoon; they are: the women 560 kg, men 580 kg and mixed 600 kg. This is to add more colour to the beach tug of war package in memory of a departed royal father, who was the immediate past Oba of Ikate Land and its environs.

Victors at the Championship are to go home with both cash prizes and trophies for their efforts.

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

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HE nation’s narrative, unambiguously disseminated to the whole world, in the last fourteen years, through the medium of the central administration that has been under the control of the largest party in Africa, has been nothing but depressing for the masses. Unemployment has shot through the roofs. Security is an unrealisable dream.

Missed targets of set goals for power generation have been as predictable as the daily occurrence of incessant power failure itself. Poverty is on the rise just as a few continues to swim in undeserved opulence, no thanks to the unjust system of fraudulent reward.

In the face of all the tales of woe that our people have had to deal with in the last decade and a half, the party in power has continued to claim victory in national elections, no thanks to the coalition of forces and the solidarity of agencies, including INEC, that have been responsible for those “victories.” We also know that the egoistic tendencies in human nature have kept even some of the more conscience-minded individuals in the fold. They have moved out and gone back in because of the belief that the PDP is the only party through which their ambitions can be realised.

Times have changed. No, we still have a depressed society in material and spiritual terms, and then some more. In 1999, we didn’t have to deal with Boko Haram terrorist network.

Now, the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom across the North.

Times have changed for the supposed supremacy of the largest party in Africa. The chickens of greed and crass egoism bereft of self-discipline are coming home to roost and there are loud echoes of Babel in the house of cards that has endured quite a bunch of selfcreated political storms. These times remind us that a house of cards does not last long.

A political party that is built solely on individual member’s interests in self-promotion and individual success, and is not bound by a common interest in a political ideal that places the interest of the nation above self-interests, is one that is built on sand. It is a house of cards. The reason is simple. Without a common interest is something that is bigger than the self, what is left are conflicting interests.

The interest of each individual to make as much as possible for him or herself must run into conflict with that of his fellow member.

There has to be a third-party interest—that is what a common ideal is, and that is what is lacking in the PDP. They pay lip service to the party as supreme. But it is gibberish; each individual knows that the reason the party was established was to serve as a means to the satisfaction of individual interests. For its members, there is no moral in politics.

For the exponent of politics without morals, the idea that it is for the purpose of managing the affairs of the state for the benefit of

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Echoes of Babel

•PDP logo

‘A political party that is built solely on individual member’s interests in self-promotion and individual success, and is not bound by a common interest in a political ideal that places the interest of the nation above self-interests, is one that is built on sand. It is a house of cards’

its citizens does not make much sense because they either do not acknowledge that there are other citizens whose interests are worthy of promotion, or because they see themselves are best suited to identify the interests that need to be promoted and how. In both cases, politicians with this mindset put themselves above all other citizens, and justify to themselves any action or policy even if it makes no sense to the other citizens.

Recent happenings within the ruling party demonstrate the mentality of its membership.

The national leadership of the party is completely determined to return President Jonathan to power in 2015. As far as it is concerned, other political parties don’t have the means to challenge its dominance at the centre, not even the emerging APC. Therefore its calculation is to secure the President’s nomination by the PDP. And anything that obstructs the movement of the elephant in the forest is sure to be vigorously attacked and cleared off the path.

So Amaechi has to go, and so in the new mathematics approved by the PDP, 19 is less than 16. Of course, they knew this all along.

But they insisted that if 19 of their governors endorsed Governor Jang for the position, they all were expected to vote for him. Therefore,

even if they did not vote for him, the earlier endorsement subsists. It is an argument that makes sense with the psychology of egoism where there is no recognised neutral arbitrator to resolve conflicts of interests.

Sometimes, however, conscience manages to prevail and individuals are lifted above and beyond considerations of self-interest. So Governor Lamido can no longer keep silent and he felt the need to let the struggling cat out the bag of moral pollution. Nine PDP governors voted for Amaechi, he pronounced. The house of cards is collapsing fast and echoes of Babel can be heard loud and clear. What has been the motivation for Lamido’s coming out with such a revelation? Not a mind-reader myself, I can only speculate. It could be conscience, as I surmised above. But it could also be self-interest, and from just one act of whistleblowing, one cannot conclude that our politicians are redeemed or redeemable.

There is more. Governor Wamakko of Sokoto State was suspended from the party. It was clear from the beginning that this was one action that Tukur’s NWC would regret as the Northern governors were up in arms against the decision. Tukur caved in and Wamakko’s suspension was lifted. Has Wamakko suddenly showed remorse and has

RIPPLES 20% NIGERIANS FEED ON LESS THAN $1 A DAY–POLL

ONLY 20%... I beg, this is BAD MATHEMATICS

VOL.8 NO.2,523

‘In other countries, this Malabu affair that has brought us so much international odium would have elicited judicial enquiries that would shake up the entire nation’ STEVE OSUJI

HARDBALL

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F the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were a building, it would be remarkable for its status of perpetual uncompletedness. This is not to be taken metaphorically for it would be rather foolhardy now to expect this headless (this is the metaphor) leviathan to run on ideology or edifying mores. Hardball refers to the physical structure. PDP offices across the country often cut the pictures of misbegotten edifices lacking in soul or sobriety. Their architecture often appear haphazard and the environment uninspiring and bereft of any lustre.

You may argue that the work stations of most other political parties are no different if not worse and that is, where they exist. Hardball concedes to that point wholeheartedly. But this piece has been triggered by the new headquarters of the PDP in Abuja. The 11-storey behemoth of an edifice has been abandoned to weeds and reptiles. Started about six years ago after an elaborate fundraising, contractors are said to have moved out of the site; all is quiet and forlorn there now.

Over N6 billion was raised then at the launch in 2008 and President Goodluck Jonathan who was then vice president, was the chairman of the committee charged with the project. The big donors had been

PDP ‘s Taj Mahal of shame Alhaji Aliko Dangote who had pledged N3 billion worth of cement; Femi Otedola had donated N1 billion. Other big donors were the PDP Central Working Committee members, Bola Shagaya, Chief Michael Otedola, Strabag Construction Company, and Ogun State Government. The then president, Umaru Yar’Adua, his vice Jonathan and indeed all elected PDP members and appointees across the country were forced to contribute through compulsory deductions of between 15 to 25 per cent of their salaries.

The fund-raising for the secretariat of the biggest party in Africa was a huge racket that went on up until the 2011 general elections.

But in the way of a bumbling giant, there was no account for the monies collected, neither was the disbursement transparent. Some have suggested that the edifice still stands uncompleted and ugly because the bulk of the funds realised were deployed into the 2011 election. But Hardball asks how come every penny missing in the country in the

he become loyal to the party hierarchy? Don’t count on it, given human nature. The mass resignation of NWC members and the impending sack of the National Chairman is ominous for the party.

And there is more. In the Southwest, the fortune of the party at the polls has been sealed by two factors. First is the outstanding performance of the ACN governors in the five states they control. Even the worst critics of these governors attest to the incredible development projects in education, road construction and health and welfare interventions. And this is a region where voters reward achievement and are not asking for anything more.

Second, and more to the point of my topic today, is that the PDP house of cards is also collapsing in the region even faster than in the nation at large. For one thing, the access to the promise of patronage is now disastrously limited and those whose idea of party membership and political activism is influenced by such considerations have no real motivation. For another, the generalissimo of Southwest PDP, former President Obasanjo is himself no longer in reckoning in the national leadership of the party. That was after he has effectively contributed to the collapse of the party in Ogun and Oyo states.

And now in Oyo State, strange fellows and coming to share a bed with the rumoured romance between former Governor Alao Akala and his former boss and nemesis, former Governor Ladoja. What this romance means for the PDP in Oyo state is unpredictable for now.

But something significant caught my attention from a recent interview granted by Chief Alao-Akala on the relationship between the two and his own ambitions. In reference to Oke-Ogun state and the question whether he would present himself as a Senate candidate against the incumbent Senator Hosea Agboola, who was his former Commissioner for Local Government, Akala not only dismissed his former commissioner’s credentials, but he was also dismissive of the entire OkeOgun electorate. In his political calculation of electoral politics, he only needed Ibadan and Ogbomosho, which influences his idea of partnership with Ladoja.

Politicians calculate all the time. But it is usually done discretely and with some finesse.

If you boastfully discount a swath of land and its population, you have alienated them and cannot therefore count on their support. What this would mean for the PDP in Oke-Ogun in particular, and Oyo State in general, is anybody’s guess. It is true, however, that a divided house cannot withstand the united competition of its opponents. These echoes of Babel are truly instructive.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above last few years had to have been flushed down the election sluiceway? And how come that in the PDP planet, there seems to be no rules of engagement, nobody raises eyebrows and questions are better swallowed? What pervades is a conspiracy of silence in the face of remorseless incongruity.

We must not concern ourselves with the need for such an 11-storey monstrosity by a political party in a developing country.

What is queer is that the PDP cannot even complete its own much-advertised building that has been on for about six years. If such conspicuous and showpiece edifice can be abandoned, it must say something about how the country is being run. How many far-flung projects across the country have been started and arrested mid-way as a result of official disorderliness, corruption and sheer brigandage. Any wonder that in the last 14 years under PDP, Nigeria has become one land mass of uncompleted projects – disheveled, coarse and ugly. In like manner that PDP may never complete its Abuja Taj Mahal of shame, the same way Nigeria will remain the verisimilitude of a junkyard until we have a change. Running a country is utterly beyond the ken of PDP.

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Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO