June 2, 2014 by The Nation

INEC shifts voter registration

NEWS Page 61

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News Floods sweep away boy in Ilorin P56 Sports Injured Nsofor back in training P41 Business Emefiele steps in as CBN boss P2

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Bombers kill 40 at football viewing centre

O fewer than 40 people were last night killed in a bomb blast at a football field in Mubi, Adamawa State. French News Agency AFP reported the death toll, citing a police source. “There has been a bomb explosion at a foot-

ball field this evening and so far more than 40 people have been killed,” an officer in the town said. The bomber struck the town of Mubi in the evening, said Emmanuel Akinyele, a church pastor. A military source said several bodies had been recovered, adding that the

dead and wounded were still being evacuated from the area. A military source told Reuters that the number of those dead and injured is not clear at this time. He added that several bodies were recovered, while the wounded are still being evacuated. A witness told the news

EKITI 2014

agency that the victims were watching a televised match. No group has claimed responsibility, though Boko Haram has staged attacks in the area in the past. The same group abducted over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14 and is still holding them captive.

•AND •Fayemi promises more dividends of democracy MORE ON •Accord vows to improve social security scheme PAGE 10 •’Fayose plans to indict APC in self-orchestrated attacks’

•ALL FOR THE GIRLS: Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche ( (third left), his wife Florence (second left) leading other priests of the church (from left) are: Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Dr. Sunday Joseph Ajayi, Bishop of Lagos West Diocese Rt. Rev. Oluyemisi Ogunlere and Very Rev. Stephen Adegbite and others during the Church’s peaceful rally for the abducted Chibok girls in Lagos…yesterday

219 Chibok girls’ ordeal, by Australian negotiator

WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

Jonathan hires foreign mediator Cameroun troops kill 40 Boko Haram men

OME of the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls have painted a picture of life in Boko Haram custody. Referring to a video said to have been seen by it, The Mail on Sunday yesterday claimed that eight girls spoke in the footage. The girls, dressed in their pale blue gingham school uniform, were said to have pleaded for release. The video, which the paper described as “heartbreaking”, was

‘

The vast majority of the Chibok girls are not being held in Nigeria. They are in camps across the Nigerian border in Cameroon, Chad and Niger said to have been shot in a jungle clearing a month after the girls’ abduction. An Australian cleric, Dr. Stephen

’

Davis, said to have been hired by President Goodluck Jonathan, is negotiating for the release of the girls, Continued on page 4

•The negotiator, Dr. Davis

•SPORTS P23 •CEO P28 •INSURANCE P34 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P43•FOREIGN P62

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS

Capital market ch

•From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Enitan Oshodi, Managing Director, GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje and CEO, Smooth FM, Abeeb Fasinro at the GTB Lagos State 2014 Principal Cup final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos... at the weekend PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

•Chairman of the Hen Foundation UK Board, Mr. David Wardop presenting the 2014 Award for Functional Humanitarianism to wife of Kwara State Governor and Founding Trustee, LEAH Foundation, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed at the first HEN Foundation’s Good Governance and Humanitarian Award in London... at the weekend.

•From left: Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Aloysius Etok, Co-Chairman, World Pension Summit , Eric Eggink ,Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission , Chinelo Anohu-Amazu and Chairman, World Pension Summit , Harry Smorenberg at a news conference on the forthcoming World Pension SummitAfrica Special in Abuja... at the weekend.

•From left: Business Partner, Guinness, Global Diageo Business Services, Mr. Soge Abayomi; Head, Product Marketing, MainOne, Mrs. Jumoke Akande; Head, Legal, Continental Broadcast Services/TVC, Mr. Charles Ebuebu and Head, Enterprise Sales, MainOne, Mr. Kelechukwu Nsofor, at MainOne Business Connectivity Series in Lagos . PHOTO:SOLOMON ADEOLA

As Godwin Emefiele resumes as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor today, all eyes are on him to see the way he will go, write TAOFEEK SALAKO and COLLINS NWEZE

IS time as the Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc has been described as remarkable. The bank recorded strides which showed that Godwin Emefiele’s choice as Jim Ovia’s successor was deserved. Under his stewardship, the bank established itself as a leading, well-capitalised and stable outfit with assets in treasury bills and bonds. Today, Emefiele succeeds Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor. The question on the lips of many is: will it be as memorable as his tenure as Zenith Bank’s boss? Analysts say Emefiele’s business in CBN will be a different ball game. They point at the fact that as CBN governor, he will be superintending on the economy of a nation with 173 million people; it is Africa’s largest and the world’s seventh-largest population. The country is also Africa’s largest and the world’s 13th biggest oil producer. With the recalculation of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $510 billion, up from $262 billion, Nigeria is Africa’s biggest and the world’s 24th largest economy, a leap from its previous 37th position- a surprising 89 per cent increase. Analysts believe that Emefiele has to improve on some policies of his predecessor to make his tenure successful. One of such policies is the $50 million Biometric Solution project, which Sanusi launched six days before he was suspended. The project is aimed at providing a central database for bank customers. With the project, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) machines will be biometric-based and help fix identity challenges facing the banking system. It is driven by satellite technology of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NICOMSAT) and Main One . Emefiele, as Chairman, Bankers’ Committee’s Sub-Committee on Biometrics, believed the project was ambitious and would revolutionalise banking. His opinion appears not to have changed after he was announced as CBN governor. This gives hope that he will pursue the project to its logical conclusion. The need for a project of this nature becomes more compelling at a time like this when bank fraud has gone up. The CBN, a few days ago, gave reasons cases of bank fraud are on the rise. It blamed increased transactions via epayment. The CBN Director, Banking and Payment System, Dipo Fatokun, spoke at the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) in Lagos. He said: “And that is why you see that as we have higher volume of transactions via e-payment, there will be higher fraud attempts. Definitely not all of them will be successful, but there will be higher attempts at e-payment fraud. “But one good thing about the industry is that you can always be proactive to think ahead in designing a product or service. You can think ahead and consider ways of ensuring that fraudsters do not succeed in this new product or service that you are

•Emefiele

deploying.” He added that the CBN has mandated banks to destroy Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards trapped in the machine to reduce ATM-related fraud. Fatokun said: “It is a global practice for ATMs trapped in banks to be destroyed, but in various variants. We instituted the policy because we looked at the fact that cards can be trapped at ATMs for various reasons and may be tampered with at the time it is retrieved. “We asked banks to perforate ATMs because when these cards are trapped, there is a process of returning the card to the issuer bank, and this process goes through various hands, before it gets back to the owner of the cards. “So, the possibility of compromise is there. Somebody can say, but they don’t know your PIN? But you know that customers do transactions called card-not-present transactions, in which case you only need information on the card, not the PIN. So, anybody who has the information on your card can successfully use the information on the card to do card-not-presenttransactions. “But going forward, we are working with the banks to ensure that when these cards are trapped, not because the customer did something wrongly, and a new card is to be issued to the customer, we are discussing with them on how this could be done so that the burden will not fall only on the card holder. “We are also discussing with the banks to ensure that banks that are trapped can be communicated electronically between the acquirer on which the card was and the issuer of the card. So, that they do not need to physically return the cards for the banks to know that the card was

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

ket chiefs, others chart course for Emefiele

trapped.” Analysts say the biometrics project will help in dealing a deadly blow on bank fraud.

Exchange rate stability

Another challenge before Emefiele will be about the naira and foreign reserves. The Bankers Committee after its 315th meeting in Lagos said a defence of the naira and the foreign reserves should be economic priorities. The naira and reserves have had bad times in recent months. The naira exchanges at no less than N155 to the dollar and the reserves stand at $41.17 billion, a development blamed on rising capital outflow and dwindling oil revenue. Analysts say this trend must be reversed and all eyes are on Emefiele for better times. First Bank of Nigeria (CBN) chief Bisi Onasanya said: ‘There is no country that will just allow its exchange rate to be left and not managed. The mere fact that those actions have been taken also indicates the fact that the central bank is willing to do everything within its power to ensure that the currency is not devalued. We have seen statistics from the CBN in terms of the continual reduction in the balance of foreign exchange reserves and when you are confronted with that, the only option is to continue to tighten until you see the reverse. “The CBN has also made it very clear that there is a limit to which it can continue to defend the naira. But when you have depletion in external reserves and external factors, it simply means you can’t control the outflow from the country. So it is not unlikely that you will see some portfolio investors moving their funds out of Nigeria into where they consider being more attractive.” Significantly, there are fears in some

• Onasanya

• Teriba

• Oyekunle

• Olushekun

quarters that Emefiele may be compelled to fix the exchange rate band to N170 to dollar next month. He is also expected to consolidate on the cashless policy. One time Executive Director, Keystone Bank, Richard Obire, and the Managing Director, Iris Consulting, said as Emefiele begins his five-year tenure today, his major focus should be to lower the interest rate and strengthen the naira. He said the new CBN helmsman should have a strategy that will make these key objectives achievable, as well as halt the dollar to naira conversion for FACC allocations to states. “The CBN, as it is now, is sharing the proceeds from oil in naira. That should stop. When the dollar earnings are changed to naira, it creates excess liquidity and government turnsaround and borrows the money through treasury bills issued to mop up the excess liquidity, and that weakens the naira,” Obire said. On the contrary, the Managing Director, Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba, said there is no reason for such action, he argued, except to satisfy entrenched interests. He said moving away from that practice, will not only create naira scarcity and strengthens the currency, but boost the economy through improved job creation and more productive private sector. He said it would be foolhardy to expect Emefiele to strengthen the naira at this time when other world currencies are on the decline because of the U.S. quantitative easing programme that takes away key investments from both frontier and emerging markets. He said Nigeria has managed to keep its currency stable with the foreign exchange reserves in excess of $37 billion. “In this era of financial turbulence,

Nigeria is also battering with the challenge of quantitative easing which is putting pressure on capital flows into the country. It is very unrealistic to expect Emefiele to strengthen the naira at this time but he should continue to defend the naira with the reserves but not much would be achieved on that at this time,” he said.

Cash-less policy

Sanusi transformed the payment system. The CBN, in January 2012, started the cash-less Lagos initiative. The policy pegged the daily cumulative cash withdrawal or deposit limit for individual accounts at N500, 000 and N3 million for corporate accounts. When the policy was taking off, Lagos had less than 10,000 Points of Sale (PoS). Now, there are over 150,000 PoS machines in the state. The policy has since been extended to six states, including Abuja. The five states are Abia, Anambra, Ogun, Kano and Rivers. It will go nationwide July 1. An economics analyst, Dr. Ayo Teriba said Emefiele should review the cash-less banking policy direction, by ensuring that the July 1 nationwide implementation is suspended. He said forcing Nigerians to embrace the policy would not work, rather the CBN and banks should adopt ‘moral persuasion’ approach. “People should be allowed to freely decide if they want to use cash or cards. Remember that during the coming of mobile phones, nobody set dates for people to buy GSM lines or make calls. Its success today is derived from the benefits that came with the use of GSM. I advise Emefiele to allow bank customers to freely decide if they want cash or cards transactions,” he said. Teriba said the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), which has been kept at 12 per cent in over two years, does not make

economic sense. He said although the action succeeded in bringing down inflation from over 16 per cent in 2009 to about seven per cent at present, the unemployment rate also rose from 15 per cent in 2009 to over 30 per cent at present. He said excessive monetary tightening will not help the economy, hence; the CBN should ensure that MPR rate is cut downwards to give a boost to the private sector, and achieve enhance job creation. However, Currencies Analyst at Ecobank Nigeria, Olakunle Ezun said the Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave the MPR unchanged at 12 per cent at last month’s meetings. He said the decision was driven by benign inflationary pressures and recent naira stability. ”By keeping the MPR steady, we do not expect secondary market yields to shift considerably from their current levels, reducing the risk of foreign investors exiting the market, which is naira positive. Monetary policy appears set to remain relatively unchanged in the months ahead. However, several factors pose downside risks; these include high systemic banking sector liquidity, high security risk, continued erosion of fiscal buffers, an anticipation of high electionrelated spending in the run-up to the 2015 election and tapering of US,” he predicted. Ezun said the naira outlook remains reasonably stable for now assuming that the tight monetary stance is maintained. He said the outcome of the meeting further underlined the tightening monetary environment, suggesting that the tightening cycle might not be over yet. “Several factors such as high systemic banking sector liquidity, high security risk, continued erosion of fiscal buffers, and an anticipation of high election-related spending in the run-up to the 2015 election will continue to influence policy in the short term,” he said. The Currencies Analyst advised Emefiele to be committed in transforming the economy into a low-inflation environment, promote exchange rate stability, and retain portfolio inflows; however, it was quick to highlight the risks to the outlook, arising from the slowdown in asset purchases by the Federal Reserve (which has accelerated capital outflows to developed markets), and the marginal level of oil savings which are weighing on market confidence.

Capital market chiefs

Capital market operators have urged Emefiele to consolidate on the gains of the previous administration and implement new policies that would strengthen the capital market. Leading capital market operators at the weekend said the market was expectant and full of optimism that the new governor would sustain the stability in the exchange market while pushing for new reforms that would remove contradictions. Outgoing president of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, said the new governor needs to make policies that would integrate the short and longterm ends of the market to play their traditional roles in a seamless financial system. According to him, the new governor should have a broad view of the entire financial market as a single marketplace and make policies with such a mindset. “I implore him to make policies that would strengthen the Nigerian capital market. If the capital market is able to play its traditional role of providing long term capital, the banks would be able to focus on short to medium term capital and would therefore be relieved of some significant pressure,” Olushekun, who is also the managing director of Capital Assets Limited, said.

Managing Director, GTI Securities, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, said the new governor should make the process of obtaining certificate of capital importation (CCI) easier to encourage greater inflow of foreign portfolio investments. According to him, the stability of both monetary policy and foreign investment will enhance growth in the capital market. “We expect a stable monetary policy that will encourage lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and private institutions in order to stimulate investments in the local economy. Local ideas and business initiatives needs to be nurtured through a stable monetary policy,” Oyekunle said. Afrinvest (West Africa) said they expected that new governor’ primary objective will be to ensure the gains in price and exchange rate stability are preserved and therefore maintain the previous regime’s hawkish stance. “In view of the 2015 campaign spending, we anticipate further liquidity tightening by an additional increase in the cash reserve ratio (CRR) on public sector deposit to 100 per cent before the end of 2014 and a subsequent reduction post the 2015 election,” Afrinvest stated. The investment firm noted that in view of further stimulus tapering in the United States (US) and the expected end to quantitative easing (QE) in November 2014, there could be further capital reversals, hence mounting more pressure on the Naira in the midterm. According to Afrinvest, the pressure will present the CBN with the daunting task of either increasing the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to moderate capital flow reversals or permit the devaluation of the Naira to prevent further depletion of the reserves. The former may be the preferred so as to prevent inflationary pressure due to the import dependent nature of the Nigerian economy. “Moreover, we expect the present cashless policy may be extended to accommodate dollar and foreign currencies transactions such that foreign currency payment can only be made for smaller amount with all informal payments in foreign currencies reduced,” Afrinvest stated. Head, investment advisory and research, Sterling Capital Markets Limited, Mr. Sewa Wusu, agreed that given the current global economic realities and the positive impact of the CBN‘s monetary tightening measures, the incoming CBN governor will have to continue in that direction. According to him, given the need to align with the policy of defending the Naira and also maintaining macroeconomic stability, the objectives for the new governor are clear. He however called for policies that will further help to stimulate economic growth, especially small and medium enterprises. “Clearly, I think there is need to finetune policy direction to drive low interest rates which stimulate investments and generate employment. Following the tightening bias is one point and channeling policies to enhance inclusive growth and job creation is another. What the economy needs right now is inclusive growth through job creation to boost purchasing power. This will boost the earnings of most of the manufacturing companies quoted on the NSE. Increased earnings will ensure good dividend declarations by quoted companies and positive impact on their share prices,” Wusu, an economist said. He noted that most of the current policy directions were tailored towards the financial system, particularly the banks stressing that there should be a shift of focus towards inclusive approach that concentrate policy measures towards the economy, peculiarly the real sector.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS Rivers accuses NJC of interference in its judiciary

Cameroun soldiers kill 40 Boko Haram militants

•Abducted Italian priests, Nun freeed

AMEROUN security forces at the weekend killed no fewer than 40 Boko Haram militants in clashes in the country’s far north, state radio said yesterday shortly after the release of two Italian priests and a Canadian nun suspected to have been held by the Islamist group. A Cameroun Presidency source confirmed the clashes, which took place west of the town of Kousseri, in the region bordering Nigeria and Chad. Cameroun, which has been criticised by Nigeria for not doing enough to fight Boko Haram, deployed some 1,000 troops in the far north last week as it steps up the fight against the Islamist militants The two Italian priests and

•From left: Gianantonio Allegri, Giampaolo Marta and Gilberte Bussier release in Cameroun...yesterday

the Canadian nun were seized by gunmen in Cameroun in April, according to officials. The ex-hostages boarded a plane to the capital, Yaounde, yesterday. The three were kidnapped by gunmen from the building where they were staying in the northern district of Maroua in the early hours of April 5. No group claimed responsibility for the attack but suspicion has fallen on Boko Haram. Boko Haram Islamists kidnapped another priest as well as seven members of a French family in northern Cameroun last year.

Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed the release of Italian priests Gianantonio Allegri and Giampaolo Marta and Canadian nun Gilberte Bussier in a statement yesterday. It thanked the Canadian and Cameroun authorities but gave no details of how the three were freed. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said news of the release “fills us with joy”. The priests had been working on improving water supplies and fighting the spread of HIV AIDS, as well as their religious duties, according to

their diocese in the Vicenza region of Italy. One of the priests had been in Cameroun for more than six years, while the other had arrived about a year before the abduction, Italian media reported at the time. Cameroun announced it deployed about 1,000 troops to its border with Nigeria last Tuesday to fight the growing threat from Boko Haram. Thousands of people have died since Boko Haram began a violent campaign against the Nigerian government in 2009 and in the subsequent security crackdown.

•‘Plans to appoint Okocha CJ’

HE Rivers State Government has raised the alarm on the surreptitious move by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to appoint, through the back door, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as the Chief Judge of the state. It also revealed the plan by the NJC to direct all the judges of the Rivers state judiciary to accept directives and instructions from Okocha, in CJ’s capacity, but “clearly” against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which voided her recommendation by the NJC. The administration of Rotimi Amaechi, also accused the NJC of continuing interference with the administration of justice in Rivers state. The Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, yesterday in Port Harcourt, called on Nigerians to hold the NJC and its leadership solely responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state. Daisy is the immediate elder sister of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, who is a member of the NJC. Amaechi had inaugurated the most senior judge of Rivers judiciary, Justice

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Peter Agumagu, as the CJ. Rivers government said: “The NJC, to disguise its disrespect for the law and give the impression that it is acting within the law, has planned to christen Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as an ‘Administrative Judge’ with powers to perform the functions of the Chief Judge, especially the assignment of cases. “The Rivers State Government wonders what special interest the Chief Justice of Nigeria (Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar) in person and the NJC in general, have in Rivers State and its Judiciary, as to contemplate such obviously unconstitutional and illegal act against the state judiciary, which act is also contemptuous of a Federal High Court’s judgment, which has voided NJC’s recommendation of Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha for appointment as Chief Judge of Rivers State. “The Rivers State Government wishes to state that by the State’s High Court Law, it is the Chief Judge that has powers to distribute the business of courts, (otherwise popularly known as assignment of cases), to Judges and not any other person, whether

Continued on page 59

Nigeria can solve Chibok girls’ problem alone, says Chimamanda

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (centre); National Chief Missioner, Al-Fatih-Ul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul-Rahaman Adangba (left); Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT), Alhaji Abdul-Mumeen Adegoke (2nd left); Members, Board of Trustees (BOT), Alhaji Sikirullahi Falade (2nd right) and Alhaji Ismaila Ayodele (right), during an Award of Excellence on the governor’s turbaning as Atayese Adinni at Government House, Osogbo, Osun State…yesterday.

HIMAMANDA Ngozi Adichie, the prize-winning Nigerian writer, has

said she opposes Western military intervention against Boko Haram, the rebel group that recently kidnapped and holding captive, more than 200 girls. She said while Boko Haram’s actions had forced members of her own family to flee the area, a foreign attack on her homeland would be counterproductive. “Now we have American drones helping us in this forest and even the French have sent in people – shouldn’t they be fixing their own economy?” she said. “We can solve our own damn problems,” she added. At the same time Adichie, speaking at the Hay Festival, welcomed the social media campaign Bring Back Our Girls that has drawn the support of many

219 Chibok girls’ ordeal, by Australian negotiator Continued from page 1

who were abducted in their school on April 15.

Dr. Davis, described as a friend of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been working secretly in Nigeria for almost a month now, the newspaper said. At the weekend, Cameroun security forces killed no fewer than 40 Boko Haram militants in clashes in the country’s far north, the state radio said yesterday. Describing how the girls looked on the video, The Mail on Sunday said: “They are clearly scared, upset and trying to be brave. Each of them walks in turn to a spot in front of a white sheet fixed to a crude frame between the trees.” Four of them, it said, could be heard clearly, in Hausa, stating that they were taking by force and that they are hungry. “A tall girl, aged about 18, says tearfully, ‘my family will be worried’. “Another speaking softly, says: ‘I never expected to suffer like this in my life’. A third says: ‘They have taken us away by force’. The fourth girl

Military unaware of foreign mediator

HE military’s hands are tied in rescuing the abducted Chibok girls because their abductors have placed them “tactically” in the face of attack, sources said yesterday. A top military source told The Nation that the girls cannot be rescued without heavy casualties. The source, who spoke in confidence, insisted that the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, was correct in saying that the girls have been located. The source said: “There is no doubt that the military knows where the girls are being kept. But as the situation is now, troops cannot rescue the girls without heavy casualties. complains: ‘We are not getting enough food’.” The girls were said to have looked healthy and spoken bravely. Some are, however, said to have fallen ill, including one with a broken wrist. The video, taken by an intermediary on May 19, is said to have been shown to Dr. Jonathan to serve as “proof of life” for the girls and to encourage him to accede to Boko Haram’s demands. Two earlier videos showed the girls seated on the ground, dressed in hijab, reciting the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The insurgents have placed the girls in a strategic manner that the casualty figures will be higher if the military moves in. “This is why the military had been careful in storming where the girls are located. We are giving benefit of doubt to those trying to talk to the sect to release the girls. If it works, the better for us all. “All I can tell you is that the military is battle ready to rescue the girls any moment from now in line with the order of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. “If the nation has to pay much sacrifice to rescue the girls, there might be no alternative.”

Quran, and Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau declaring he would sell them into slavery, or marry them off to their kidnappers, if members of his sect were not released from prison. Dr. Davis, the paper said is “desperately” trying to free the girls after leaving his home in Perth, Australia, to travel to Nigeria following his recruitment by Dr. Jonathan for his hostage negotiation expertise. The former Canon Emeritus at Coventry Cathedral in the UK, who moved back to Aus-

Responding to a question, the source added: “We will leave the political class to explore all options before striking. The good thing is that the insurgents are also receptive to discussion. “We hope those assisting will tidy up because once we launch military bombardment, there will be no going back.” On the negotiation by an Australian expert, Stephen Davies, the military source said: “The military is not aware of any such deal. Maybe it was a political initiative but we cannot talk about that. “We have not had any deal with any Australian negotiator at any point in time. You have to cross check your facts from political establishment”.

tralia last year, reportedly told MailOnline: “I am encouraged by the progress.” He was asked to come to Nigeria after previously brokering a truce between the government and Niger Delta militants in 2004. Along with Mr Welby, he was frequently blindfolded and held at gunpoint during his peace work. In an email from Nigeria, Davis revealed he has had “ongoing contact” with the groups involved in kidnappings in the North for seven

years. “This is a long process of building trust on both sides,” he said. “There are several groups to deal with as the girls are held in several camps. This makes any thought of a rescue highly improbable. To attempt to rescue one group would only endanger the others.” Despite the difficulties of a rescue operation, Dr Davis remains hopeful that the girls will be freed. “Every day there is the possibility of the release of the

in the US, including Michelle Obama. She pointed out that the Twitter hashtag #bringbackourgirls was started in Nigeria and not, as has been claimed, in America. “It was very much a grassroots social media Nigerian campaign. The fact that westerners are sharing in something started locally is fine with me. “I recognise that the campaign made a difference. People paid attention and then the [Nigerian] government had to sit up a little bit.” Adichie argued that local knowledge would be more useful in finding the girls than US drones. “I’m sure that there are hunters in that area who know that forest very well. Why haven’t they been used? Why aren’t we depending on them? “What we need is a better equipped military, a better trained military: we don’t need Continued on page 59

THE FIGURES

276 57

•Total number of girls abducted •Girls reunited with parents

219

•Girls still in Boko Haram custody

•Source: Borno State Government

girls,” he said. “This is painful for the parents and the nation. The wellbeing of the girls is constantly on our minds and we want to see their release as soon as possible,” he said, adding: “We must not endanger their lives any further”. Pressure from the international community and criticism of the President’s slow response to the kidnapping have led to a series of contradictory pronouncements from his administration. Ministers have declared that the government would not neContinued on page 59

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS

Swapped U.S. soldier’s parents: it’s not over Bergdahl, the last American soldier held captive from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, is on a long journey home after being freed in exchange for five Taliban detainees who had been held at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

•Jani and Robert Bergdahl, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's parents, with President Obama at the White House...on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

•Bergdahl

HE parents of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl want the world to know they’re beyond grateful their son has been released from Afghanistan after five years in captivity, but the battle is far from over. “The recovery and reintegration of Bowe Bergdahl is a work in progress,” Bob Bergdahl told reporters Sunday in Boise, Idaho, just one day after his was son was set free. “It isn’t over for us. In many ways. It’s just beginning for Jani, and I, and our family. There’s a long process here,” he said, referring to his wife, Bowe’s mother. Both parents addressed their son, telling him how proud they are of him. They have not yet spoken to him directly. “There’s a reason for that, and that’s because Bowe has been gone so long that it’s going to be very difficult to come back,” said Bob Bergdahl. He compared his son’s situation to that of a diver going deep on a dive: “If he comes up too fast, it could kill him.” Bergdahl is hospitalised in Germany, where his mother said there is a team of people in place to assist him. “Trust them. It’s OK, and give yourself all of the time you need to recover and decompress,” Jani Bergdahl said to her son. “There is no hurry. You have your life ahead of you.” She continued: “You’ve made it ... You are free.” Bergdahl, the last American soldier held captive from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, is on a long journey home after being freed in exchange for five Taliban detainees who had been held at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. “He had lost ... a good bit of weight. And we were very concerned that time was not ... something we could play with, that we needed to act when we had the opportunity,” Rice told CNN’s “State of the Union With Candy Crowley.” Hagel said the pieces of a deal came together and the timing was right. “Our consistent efforts that we had been making over the years paid off,” Hagel said. The 28-year-old Idaho native spent five years in the hands of Afghan militants. Questions sur-

•The Talibans swapped for the soldier

round just how and why he disappeared. In addition to undergoing medical treatment, he is expected to be debriefed at Landstuhl. A reporter asked Hagel Sunday whether Bergdahl had left his post without permission or deserted — and, if so, whether he would be punished. The defense secretary didn’t answer directly. “Our first priority is assuring his well-being and his health and getting him reunited with his family,” Hagel said. “Other circumstances that may develop and questions, those will be dealt with later.” A senior Defence official said Bergdahl’s “reintegration process” will include “time for him to tell his story, decompress, and to reconnect with his family through telephone calls and video conferences.” Bergdahl will likely go to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio after he leaves Landstuhl. It’s unclear whether his parents will see him first in Germany or Texas, a Defense official said. U.S. special operations forces re-

covered Bergdahl without incident early Saturday local time at a pickup point in eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan, a senior Department of Defense official told CNN. American officials said the government of Qatar brokered the deal. Obama, flanked by Bergdahl’s parents at the White House on Saturday, praised the diplomatic officials and troops who helped secure Bergdahl’s release. “While Bowe was gone, he was never forgotten,” the President said. His father spoke a few phrases in Pashtun, saying that his son is having trouble speaking English after his captivity in Afghanistan, according to a military press service. “The complicated nature of this recovery will never really be comprehended,” his father said. A senior Defence official confirmed Bowe Bergdahl is having trouble speaking English but the reasons for that were not clear, given the trauma he’s been through. The U.S. government secured Bergdahl’s freedom in exchange

for the release to the Taliban of five of its members detained at Guantanamo Bay. Bergdahl’s parents issued a statement thanking the Emir of Qatar, the U.S. government and the former captive’s supporters. “We were so joyful and relieved when President Obama called us today to give us the news that Bowe is finally coming home! We cannot wait to wrap our arms around our only son.” After Bergdahl was handed over, a series of secret procedures was set in motion so each side knew the other was living up to the bargain. Qatari officials were already at Guantanamo and took custody of the detainees. A U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying them left the U.S. Navy base in Cuba on Saturday afternoon, a senior Defence official told CNN. The United States has “appropriate assurances” that Qatar will be able to secure the detainees there, where they are under a travel ban for a year. The leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Omar, praised the release of the detainees in a rare public statement Sunday.

“Thanks to God that as a result of the Taliban’s sacrifice and the Taliban’s political office’s nonstop efforts, five important members of Taliban are released from Gitmo prison,” the statement said. The operation was so secretive that Afghan President Hamid Karzai was left out of the loop. “Secretary (of State John) Kerry did inform President Karzai after the fact,” Hagel said. Hagel was asked if this prisoner exchange could lead to more breakthroughs with the Taliban. Getting Bergdahl out of captivity was the first concern, he said. “Whether that could lead to possible new breakthroughs with the Taliban, I don’t know. Hopefully it might,” he said. “But we pursued this effort specifically to get Sgt. Bergdahl back.” Bergdahl was first transferred to Bagram Airfield, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, for an initial medical evaluation, before boarding a plane for Landstuhl, the largest American hospital outside the United States. With more than 110 physicians and 250 nurses, the hospital has been the primary treatment center for soldiers hurt during Operations Desert Shield and Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Army website said. The hospital has also treated nonmilitary personnel, such as hundreds of Bosnian refugees injured in a 1994 bombing and Americans and Kenyans hurt in the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. Bergdahl was deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009. He was 23 and a private at the time of his capture, which happened after he finished a guard shift at a combat outpost on June 30, 2009, in Paktika province. He was believed to be held by operatives from the Haqqani network, an insurgent force led by warlord Siraj Haqqani, who has a reputation for holding positions that are extreme even by Taliban standards. The network is affiliated with the Taliban and al Qaeda, and it was not always clear whether Haqqani operatives would abide by any agreement among the United States, Qatar and the Taliban. An Afghan Taliban commander not authorised to speak to the media confirmed to CNN that Bergdahl was captured by insurgents with links to the Haqqani network in Pakistan. Over the years, the captive was transferred back and forth between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS Lutheran Church urges immediate release of abducted schoolgirls

ISING from its General Council meeting last Wednesday, in Numan, Adamawa State, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) has demanded the immediate release of the over 200 secondary schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents about 50 days ago. Representing over two million members with nine dioceses across the country, The LCCN, presided over by Rev. Archbishop Nemuel Abubakar Babba, in a communiqué, condemned the abduction of the schoolgirls and series of attacks on other communities across the country, including places of worship. The LCCN, which was founded in Nigeria in 1913 by Danish missionaries and the largest single Christian denomination in the Northeast, urged the BokoHaram insurgents to unconditionally release the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. It advised the Federal, state and local governments to tighten security around schools, places of worship and other public institutions.

By Kayode Williams

The LCCN advised that security agencies be adequately equipped to enable them perform their statutory functions of protecting lives and properties in the country. With the 2015 elections drawing nearer, the church advised politicians to play politics with the fear of God. It reminded the electorate to vote for credible candidates who would govern with the fear of God and implement programmes that would improve the well-being of the citizens respect the rights of the citizenry and rule of law. The church also urged politicians to unite and avoid overheating the polity. The communiqué given to our reporter by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the church, Mrs Mitchelle Bongi, noted that weather forecast of early rainy season was important. LCCN advised members to plant fast-yielding crops, while those living in flood prone areas were advised to take necessary precautions.

Israel offers to end Boko Haram insurgency

SRAEL has expressed willingness to assist Nigeria in the fight to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Uriel Palti, spoke at the weekend in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on his country’s readiness to assist Nigeria to quell acts of terrorism. The envoy condemned act of insurgency, especially the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, over 40 days ago. Palti called for the immediate release of the innocent schoolgirls. The ambassador, during his

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

visit to Governor Seriake Dickson at the Government House, said Israel had sufficient experience to fight terrorism. The ambassador was attending an event, called Celebrating Israel, an award programme organised by Israel Today Nigeria (ITN) in collaboration with the State of Israel and the Bayelsa State Government. He said: “The State of Israel condemns the kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls in the Northeast of Nigeria. We demand their immediate release. We will support the Federal Government in its efforts to end terrorism in the country.”

CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

Gbajabiamila 'hails' Maku over protest comment

OUSE of Representatives Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila has "hailed" the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, for admitting that about 90 per cent of the protesters against the abduction of the over 200 Chibok, Borno State schoolgirls are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmaker noted that the minister statement drove home the fact that majority of Nigerians are in the APC. In a statement yesterday in

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

Abuja by his Research Aide, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, the lawmaker said: "Mr Maku, the Information Minister, is damn right!" The APC House Caucus Leader, in a satirical statement, praised Maku for doing a "good job" with the revelation. Gbajabiamila noted that the minister's statement was a tactical admission of the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP's) leadership failure and evidence that its Federal Government-led ad-

ministration was losing the confidence of many Nigerians it has failed to protect. He said: "I am particularly chuffed that the PDP government has finally woken up to smell the coffee and has admitted that APC is a movement and that 90 per cent of Nigerians are APC because, as far as I know, that is the exact percentage of Nigerians who are criticising the government over the handling of the terror crisis." The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to ensure proper handling of the escalating inse-

Expert seeks trauma relief for girls’ PSYCHOLOGIST and parents, community Director of Counselling

Centre of the Covenant University, Dr. Kunle Oyeyemi, has urged the Federal and Borno State governments to assist the residents of Chibok, Borno State, especially the parents of the schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents to overcome their trauma. Speaking with The Nation at the weekend in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Dr Oyeyemi hoped that the girls would soon be released because of the pressure from all over the world. The academic said the parents and other residents of Chibok community needed psychotherapist intervention to stabilise their minds ahead of the eventual release of their loved ones. He said efforts to rescue the girls and the clinical support for their parents and other members of the community should be done side by side. According to him, the girls’ families and the Chibok community are functioning below their capacity because of the

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

traumatic effects of their experiences and emotions. Dr Oyeyemi said the girls’ parents and other Chibok residents needed to be empowered to support the pupils emotionally when they eventually gain their freedom from the insurgents. He said: “These girls, when they are back, may be exhibiting some traits which their parents, if not helped now to identify, understand and look for solutions, will find difficult to handle. So, the family and the community support system must be in tune with the problems that can be associated with these traits. “How do they help when they too have not received any help ahead of their daughters? “The parents and members of the Chibok community themselves are patients too needing urgent help. So, both the Borno

State and the Federal Government need to provide a help for them in a psycho-educational setting in groups which may be classified in gender, age, street or ward arrangement or in whatever form they deem it fit. This provision will help them to know what to look for in the girls when they return and be able to help them accordingly.” Dr Oyeyemi said many of the girls’ parents would still be grieving and become vulnerable because of what they are thinking. The academic said this might make them feel responsible for their daughters’ predicaments based on their last interactions before their abduction. He said the parents might be suffering from intense anxiety, personality damage and depression. These, the expert said, would not let them think right any more, much less of preparing themselves to be in a position of help for their daughters.

•Participants with the leadership team of the NLI.

FTER five days of brainstorming and analyses of factors that could promote the development of the country, participants in the future leader seminar, organised by the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI), were inducted at the weekend. The ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos. The seminar was sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The 28 young participants of ages 25 and 35 and drawn from various sectors, were the successful among the 749 applicants who applied for the seminar. They were selected after a rigorous screening exercise, which required them to write an essay about factors affecting development and the solutions to the challenge. NLI Chairman Dr Yinka Oy-

Institute inducts future leaders

By Wale Ajetunmobi

inlola said the objectives of the initiative included discovering youths with foresight to develop a value-based leadership skills with the aim of transforming the country. He said the participants, after the leadership seminar, would execute projects of their choice through which they would demonstrate their leadership values. The projects, the initiator said, should address the need of the people and have impacts within the Nigerian community. Oyinlola described leadership as a tough war. He said the future leader seminar was unique because NLI had been able to attract the best among the youth and prepare

them for the challenges ahead. Congratulating the participants, he said: “These NLI associates are going into the world to serve as moral conscience. As you face challenges of life, we do hope you will be able to apply the values you have learnt in the past five days to solve the problems in your respective organisations.” The Deputy Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms Julie Koenen, described the participants as development partners. She said the U.S agency had been monitoring the NLI activities in promoting value-based leadership, adding that the USAID had found out how to part-

ner the initiative to achieve its objectives. She urged the participants to propagate the knowledge in their environment, adding: “Great leaders make things happen.” Some of the participants gave testimonies on how the future leader seminar added values to their lives. Bankole Makanju described the seminar as fantastic experience. He said: “My class was beyond amazing. The seminar has made me to energise and it refreshes my memory about value-based leadership.” Habibat Mustapha, an employee of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, said the seminar changed the wrong notion she had about NLI. “I never thought any good

could ever come out of Nigeria until I met these great minds with whom I exchanged ideas. Now, my thinking about the initiative has changed and I must thank my employer for the opportunity given to me,” she said. Ademola Adewale Sadiq, a New York-based attorney, said the initiative helped him to reconnect with his root and play his role in Nigeria’s development. He said: “Growing up outside the country has its challenges but I continued to have the thought that I could not run away from my country. As a young Nigerian, I believe I have a role to play in changing the attitude of youths towards leadership and development.” The highpoint of the pro-

•Maku curity in the country. "Conscience is like an open wound and only the truth can heal it. Good job, Mr Maku," Gbajabiamila added.

Group prays for Chibok girls’ release From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

GROUP, the Sceptre Group, led by Apostle Sunday Popoola, at the weekend organised a prayer for the release of the abducted Chibok, Borno State schoolgirls. Torrents of prayers were offered for the girls’ release and for the nation. The group’s initiator said God’s intervention had become crucial to heal the nation’s wounds. Addressing reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Popoola, who is also the President of Word Communications Ministries, said: “It should be obvious to us all that we need heavens’ powers to intervene two weeks after world powers came in to help us and the offer of amnesty by the Federal Government.” The cleric urged President Goodluck Jonathan to show statesmanship and uncommon courage in handling the security challenges caused by the Boko Haram sect in the North.

gramme was the investiture of the participants as NLI associates, where they were given certificates of participation. The NLI Programme Director, Mr Anthony Ubani said the seminar involved three stages of conversation. “They had conversation across the ages, which is the first level. The second level of conversation is among the peers, while the third level is conversation with themselves, with their conscience. “We believe at the end of these conversations, we will have sufficiently provoked them to understand the dynamics of value-based leadership and to understand their role in building a better Nigeria,” he said. Mrs. Obianuju Anakwe Akanbi, who spoke on behalf of the First Bank management, said the bank would continue to empower the youth to work for the development of the country.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS

Five suspected cultists held From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE POLICE in Ondo town have arrested five persons in connection with a clash between two rival cult groups. Although,no reason has been given for the mayhem which claimed one life, it was gathered that the suspects were arrest on Saturday . Sources said their arrest may not be unconnected with a planned reprisal attack by one of the groups.

Jonathan’s candidacy’ll be good for APC, says senator •Afin Ibala-Ijesha, (Ambassador) Adegboyega Christopher Ariyo; former Ambassador at the United Nations, Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora; President, Association of Retired Career Ambassador of Nigeria (ARAN), Ambassador Tayo Ogunsulire and Secretary (rtd.), ARAN, Abuja, Ambassador Ademola Aderele at an afternoon of tributes to their departed colleagues at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

‘Why Oyo PDP remains divided’ O

YO State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Elder Wole Oyelese has said the division among members will continue until the right thing is done by the national leadership. Oyelese told The Nation in Ibadan that the national leadership needs to organise new congresses to accomodate the four factions in the state party. He said the alternative solution is to harmonise the factions to give all members a sense of belonging. The former Minister of

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Power and Steel lamented that rather than do the right thing, the national leadership is supporting one group. He said: “There are four factions. The national leadership is handicapped because the people who have access to it have something to hide. Of course they will not tell the national leadership the truth. Somebody who is not on ground wants the national leadership to believe that he controls the politics of Oyo State.

“Of course, they have deceived the national leadership as much as they want, but the truth will prevail. When the truth is known, PDP will be liberated. I am a firm believer in the fact that if the right thing is done within a week, PDP will bounce back in Oyo state. “The right thing is to either have a fresh congresses beginning at the ward level or have a thorough harmonisation of positions. What some of the people sitting in one corner are doing won’t work. You don’t do harmonisation like that. Any har-

monisation that does not involve party leaders is not harmonisation. Any harmonisation in which a few people want to dictate, even when nobody made them our leaders in Oyo State, won’t work. So if harmonisation cannot work, then we should have fresh congresses. “They always tell us that fresh congresses would tear the party apart. No, it won’t. As a matter of fact, it would make it stronger. The more you prevent internal democracy from working in political parties, the more

problems you are going to have because a man whose property was stolen will continue to shout until the thief is caught. If the thief refuses to surrender what he has stolen, people know what to do with the thief. So politically, the party would either listen to the majority and go along with them or risk the consequences of not allowing internal democracy.” Oyelese was among graduands at Babcock University in Ogun State at the weekend. He bagged a Ph.D in Political Science.

Idolatory reduced under ex-Olubadan, says CAC President

RESIDENT of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun has said idol worshipping reduced in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the reign of the late Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele, who was the Olubadan between 1955 and 1964. The CAC president spoke at the weekend during the 50th memorial anniversary of the late monarch, who was the first president of the CAC worldwide, a position he held from 1936 to 1964, when he died. The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the church in Bashorun, Ibadan. According to the Pastor Akinosun, Akinyele’s dual feat as a monarch and head

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of a church, two positions that traditionally conflicted each other, was a blessing to the CAC and a vessel of liberation for the people of Ibadan. He said: “Oba Akinyele is the only President in the history of the church who also became the monarch of a large city like Ibadan. He combined the two responsibilities successfully and fought hard to liberate Ibadan from the then Oyo

empire. During his time, idolatry diminished. Idol worshipping became infamous and countless souls were won for Christ.” Pastor Akinosun said the late monarch bequeathed over 75 per cent of his landed property to the church, one of which is the land on which the church’s headquarters stands. The guest lecturer, Prof. Olubunmi Oshun, a former

Vice-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), said the late Oba Akinyele was an ideal leader. He said: ”He resisted highhandedness and remained upright, impartial and incorruptible.” In his lecture, titled: “Oba Pastor Isaac Babalola Akinyele (1882 - 1964), An example of integrity in Service”, Oshun took the congregation on a journey through

the life and times of the late king, including his relationship with the founder of the CAC, the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola. The don said Oba Akinyele’s time as king and church leader was worthy of study and emulation by leaders in the church and government circles. Oshun added: ”Baba (Oba Akinyele) was a man of influence and great power, yet he was God fearing. As a farmer who farmed in various site, he built CAC churches on the farms. That way he ensured that he encouraged everyone around him to tow the line of Christ. He was tested and trusted in his 30 years as leader of the church and 50 years in public glare.”

winning the party’s primary election conducted in Osogbo on Friday. Reacting to Akinwusi’s victory, Falae, who led him and the Ademola Isola-led state executives to the Afenifere leader in his Akure hometown, in Ondo State, said the former HoS could take Osun to greater heights. He said: “I have heard about him. He is equal to the task and he will pursue an agenda for a better Osun state and Nigeria. Awolowo’s ideal was not about going around with brooms but it

is a philosophy and that is why Yoruba people are far ahead in the country.” Falae explained that SDP is an offshoot of the defunct Action Group (AG), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), SDP of the Third Republic and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). “Yoruba people are back again in SDP because we need to serve our people. Awolowo believed in service and was not carrying money everywhere as we are experiencing now. SDP is a third force that will lead Nigeria better and out of

troubled waters”, he added. Pa Fasoranti said he joined AG in 1951 and has remained committed to the late Awolowo’s philosophy, adding: “And I have no regrets.” The octogenarian prayed for Akinwusi’s success and advised him to remain committed to his programmes and the manifestoes of his party and serve the people of Osun diligently. Olaitan, a chieftain of Afenifere and a former member of the National Assembly, noted that Akinwusi is a technocrat who served

the state for 35 years as a civil servant without blemish. He urged Osun indigenes to vote for the ex-HOS in the forth coming polls, saying “with Akinwusi, Osun will be freed from the shackles of poverty ravaging the state and delivered from the warlords presently occupying the state. “I have observed that all our leaders in Afenifere are enjoying peace. This is not about money but about satisfaction and service to humanity. These are the kind of leaders we want.”

Oba Akinyele is the only President in the history of the church who also became the monarch of a large city like Ibadan. He combined the two responsibilities successfully and fought hard to liberate Ibadan from the then Oyo empire

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Osun 2014: Fasoranti, Falae, others back Akinwusi

OME Yoruba leaders have endorsed the candidature of former Osun State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi, as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer in the August 9 governorship election. Those who gave their backing to Akinwusi’s nomination are Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti; the party’s National Chairman Chief Olu Falae and the state leader, Chief Oladipo Olaitan. The former HOS emerged as the SDP candidate after

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

ENATOR Ajayi Borrofice (Ondo Northern Senatorial District), at the weekend, said the 2015 presidential election will be a walkover for the All Progressives Congress (APC), if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picks President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate. He said it is the APC’s prayer that Jonathan emerges the PDP’s flagbearer. Borrofice spoke with reporters at his Oka-Akoko home town in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State during an empowerment programme for his constituents. At the event, which was attended by APC state executives, led by Chief Isaac Kekemeke, 50 tricycles, 45 power generating sets, 45 grinding machines, 15 sewing machines, 12 wheel chairs and 20 vehicles were distributed to over 300 people. Borrofice said: “We are praying that he declares his ambition. If he contests and emerges the PDP candidate, it will be easy for the APC to defeat him. His administration has failed and Nigerians are tired of it. “People are being killed daily and the President cannot find a solution to it. The unemployment rate is high and we are yet to forget what happened during the last immigration aptitude test, where scores of unemployed youths died. “The young and the old are dying because of poor health care services and corruption has been legalised. Those who kick against the President’s ruling style are seen as the enemy of the nation. These are reasons why it would be an easy ride for the APC in 2015, if Jonathan is picked as the PDP’s candidate. Nigerians are watching with keen interest and they believe the best way to change bad leadership is through their votes in 2015.” The senator advised the President to do everything possible to secure the release of the abducted Chibok school girls, saying their lives should not be toyed with. He urged his people to give him a second term in the Senate, pledging to continue to empower them.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS LASU fees: We’re looking into it, says Fashola

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has assured students of the Lagos State University (LASU) that the State Executive Council is looking into their demand for school fees reduction. Speaking during a live programme on Lagos Television, Ikeja, to mark Democracy Day, Fashola said he had passed a paper presented by the students to the Executive Council for consideration. He said: “I have passed it to the council. We have told the students that we are not inflexible. Where we see the need for adjustment or amendment, we will do it.” Fashola said the fees increment was one of the recommendations of a Visitation Panel, adding: “There were many recommendations made by the panel, many of which we accepted. It is the school fees increment that has become vexatious. We looked across schools - Federal, state and private schools - and tried to stay in the middle. “We felt that there was no convergence of universal learning. We had begun to see LASU as a school for only children of the poor. For me, it is dangerous to have a university where children of the rich and the poor cannot sit together. The rich are taking their children to private schools and I think that is a time bomb for the future. They may not see it now. “In the event, the students have come back to me three years after at the instance of their lecturers who are saying that we should reduce the school fees otherwise they would go on strike. But the same lecturers are asking us under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to increase their salaries.”

Ex-Speaker Bello picked as Omisore’s ORMER Osun State deputy

House of Assembly Speaker Adejare Bello has been picked as Senator Iyiola Omisore’s running mate in the August 9 governorship election. Omisore is the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate. Bello was Speaker from 2003 to 2010. He is from Ede, Osun West Senatorial District. Bello is former Governor Isiaka Adeleke’s kinsman In a statement, PDP Chairman Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa said Omisore’s campaign will kick off on June 9, adding: “The deputy for our governorship candidate was picked by the PDP Elders’ Caucus after two days of serious deliberations, brainstorming

Osogbo

and wide consultations. We have finally agreed that Bello should be Omisore’s running mate because of his political strength, ability and capability.” Ola-Oluwa said PDP believes the duo will be victorious in the poll. He said: “Omisore is a former deputy governor and has been to the Senate twice. He hails from Ile-Ife. Bello was the minority leader of the House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003 and Speaker from 2003-2012. He was the transition chairman of the PDP, which produced the incumbent chairman.”

Lagos to register artistes

Lai Mohammed: Amosun’s govt LL Progressives Conis focused gress (APC) Interim

National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed has described Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration as “focused” and “determined” to develop the state. Mohammed said he was impressed by ongoing projects in Ogun, particularly the new city project patterned after what obtains in Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai, which are expected to be completed this month. He spoke with reporters at the weekend in Abeokuta, the state capital, during a visit to the governor. Mohammed, who inspected various project sites in Abeokuta, said they were massive, rapid and had impacted on the populace. He said: “Having gone round some projects, including about three housing estates sitting on 15km expanse of land to be developed into the new city that is planned along what we have in Malay-

Hold governors accountable, Okonjo-Iweala urges Nigerians

From Adesoji Adeniyi,

HE Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) is inviting comedians, the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and their families living in Lagos to a meeting tomorrow by 10am. The meeting, which would be presided over by Governor Babatunde Fashola, will hold at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Participants are to come with proof of residency and means of identification for their registration. Two passports and photocopies of birth certificate are required for the registration of children below 16 years.

•From left: Vice-President, Development Strategy, Babcock University, Olukunle Iyanda; Dr. Okonjo Iweala and President/ Vice-President, Babcock University, Prof. Kayode Makinde. PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

sia, Singapore and Dubai, I see a focused government and I am very impressed. I have also been assured that all these projects will be ready for commissioning this month.” On how to curb insurgency, Mohammed said the APC has always supported dialogue, urging the government to explore political, economic and social approaches in tackling the problem. He advised the government to grant the militants amnesty and train them in various skills as it has done in the Niger Delta. Mohammed said he was optimistic that the APC would win the Ekiti State governorship election, adding: “If the election is going to be based on performance, then the party certainly has no contest. Governor Kayode Fayemi has done a lot for the state and the people.”

•’Some states get more revenue than some countries’

INANCE Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged Nigerians to hold governors and local government chairmen accountable for allocations given to states and councils. This, she said, would facilitate national transformation, adding that the revenue allocations of some states surpass the annual budgets of some neighbouring countries. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was delivering a lecture titled: “Transforming Nigeria’s economy: Opportunities and Challenges” at the 12th Convocation of Babcock University at the weekend. The minister, who was conferred with the Doctor of Human Letter, lamented that Nigerians often turn their anger against the Federal Government, instead of

By Sampson Unamka

asking what their states and local governments did with their resources. The minister said: “In those days, states said they were not getting their money. That is no longer the case. States are now getting the money that is available as it is shared each month. We publish it in the national dailies every month so that people can know what their state, local government and the Federal Government receive in terms of allocation.” She advised Nigerians to seek answers from their governors, adding that poverty eradication and the building of infrastructure should not be left to the Federal Government alone. Listing the top 10 states in revenue allocation, Mrs.

Okonjo-Iweala said: “In 2013, the top 10 allocations went to Akwa Ibom, N260 billion; Rivers, N230 billion; Delta, N209 billion; Bayelsa, N173 billion; Lagos, N168 billion; Kano, N140 billion; Katsina, N103 billion; Oyo, N100 billion; Kaduna, N97 billion; and Borno, N94 billion. “These were the allocations that all these states got last year, so the question is what did they do with it? Analysis shows that many states receive revenue allocation that are larger than the budgetary allocation of neighbouring countries, such as Liberia, whose budget is $433 million and Gambia, $210 million. “You can see that our top 10 states receive more money than these countries and you should be asking

‘How Ondo Assembly Speaker emerged’

ACTS have emerged on how Princess Jumoke Akindele (Okitipupa 11) was elected Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker last week. The Nation, at the weekend, learnt about the scheming that led to her emergence. Sources said a battle began on December 31, last year, when only nine of the 25 lawmakers, excluding the late Speaker, Mr. Samuel Adesina, who was then indisposed, shunned the 2014 budget presentation by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. This development was said to have infuriated the governor. Since then, sources said the “G16” lawmakers, headed by Mr. Akindele Adeniyi (Akure North) and assisted by the Chief Whip, Olatunji Dairo (Owo 11), entered the governor’s black book. Princess Akindele is a member of the “G9”, the group that was present at the 2014 budget presentation. Sources said following Adesina’s death on February 25, the “G9” lawmakers wanted Deputy Speaker Dare

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Emiola (Akoko Southwest 1) to become the Speaker. But it was learnt that the G16 members kicked against it, saying the speaker’s seat had been zoned to the Southern District, where the late Adesina hailed from. Emiola is from Northern District. Mimiko was said to have told the lawmakers to suspend the politicking until after Adesina’s funeral. After Adesina’s burial, Oyebo Aladetan (Ilaje 1), Gbenga Edema (Ilaje 11), Iwalewa Afolabi (Irele), Soji Akikurolere (Okitipupa 1) and Princess Akindele (Okitipupa 11) jostled for the seat. The State Executive Council and Labour Party) leaders were said to be in support of Princess Akindele against Edema. Ilaje people said Okitipupa produced the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu and Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, and Odigbo/Ile-Oluji the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Rotimi Adelola.

They argued that there was no top political office holder from Ilaje. A source said: “Last Sunday, Governor Mimiko invited all of us to the Government House to discuss the election of a new Speaker and reiterated that the seat would be zoned to Ondo South. “We agreed to hold the election last Tuesday, but before Tuesday, there were underground scheming sponsored by the executive to ensure that the G16 lawmakers, who control the majority, were disorganised by wooing some of them to its (the executive’s) side.” During the election on Tuesday, it was learnt that two lawmakers nominated Soji Akinkurolere (Okitipupa Constituency 1) but did not vote for him. Akinkurolere too did not vote for himself and scored nil. A member of the “G16”, which scored only nine votes, said: “It is the hand of power that rocked the Assembly and paved way for the emergence of Princess

what this money is being used for? We should ask ourselves what is the role of states and local governments in supporting our transformation? We know from the constitution that the provision of public services, such as health, education, agricultural services and so on, are on a concurrent list and, therefore, are joint responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments. “However, it is not often that you hear people asking what a state has done? Most of the attention is on the Federal Government. We need to ask what our states and local governments do with the resources they get?” The minister urged the graduands to be job creators and not job seekers.

‘Last Sunday, Governor Mimiko invited all of us to the Government House to discuss the election of a new Speaker and reiterated that the seat would be zoned to Ondo South’ Akindele as Speaker. In fact, three prominent members of the group derailed and betrayed us at the dying minute. They are from Central, North and South districts. We knew what transpired and it was a rude shock to us.” He said of the remaining 13 members out of the group, only nine voted for their candidate, Oyebo Aladetan, adding that two members abstained from voting. The lawmaker expressed reservation on the dissolution of House committees by the speaker, adding that it was “autocratic”. He said they would watch as events unfold when the Assembly resumes after its two weeks recess.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Survivors of Arepo shoot-out recount ordeal

•Police arrest 14 suspected pipeline vandals

URVIVORS of a shootout between policemen and suspected vandals at Arepo, Ogun State, last May 25, have recounted their ordeal. The survivors - Corporals Abu Danmudi, Usman John, Rahimi Morufu and Abdullahi Sabo, and a canoe paddler, Ibrahim Oguntade - spoke with The Nation last Saturday. Sabo said on the fateful day, they were at their duty post when they heard gunshots in Elepete camp. He said they promptly mobilised and rushed to the scene. He said: “At about 9am on May 25, we heard gun shots from the camp at the Elepete, where two of our men were on guard. We immediately mobilised and got a paddler who took us to the spot; the gunmen were so many and heavily armed. We never knew that they were so many in the bush. They ambushed and opened fire on us. In the process, our boat capsized. I was very lucky to have

By Jude Isiguzo

swum out to safety in the raging fire.” Morufu, who described the incident as a war, explained: “We did not know that they were so many and heavily armed. We were desperate to save our colleague when they opened fire at us, shooting sporadically. The area is so swampy; it took divine intervention for us to get out of that water alive.” A boat paddlers said that as soon as they heard gun shots, he and other paddlers working with the police moved to the spot. “They were so many; they dressed in military camouflage chanting war songs. It was like a war zone. I was lucky because I am good at swimming in swampy waters. It is possible that they killed some policemen and went away with their guns.” The police and other rescue team have intensified efforts at combing the island in search of their missing colleagues. The opera-

tives have arrested about seven suspected vandals, while the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Ondo State and Galaxy Security also arrested seven suspected vandals who allegedly participated in the shootout. The suspects, The Nation learnt, were picked up at different locations in Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states. Their arrest in Ondo followed a tip-off by members of the Riverine communities in Ese-Odo area of the state. The suspected illegal bunkerers had recently stormed the area with about 14 speed boats loaded with hundreds of heavily armed men. They were confronted by Antipipeline Task Force who engaged them in gun duel. During the encounter, one of the pipelines belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the area exploded and resulted in a serious inferno which lasted several days. On Saturday, when The Nation visited the dreaded Fatola camp located in

NIPR chief weeps for abducted girls By Dada Aladelokun Assistant Editor

• Oladele

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Rotimi Oladele, broke down in tears last Saturday, while praying for the safe return of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. He said: “As a human being and as a parent, I feel the pains of the young girls and indeed, the trauma of their parents. I just hope that the insurgents will be God-fearing enough to release them so that we can have them back alive and healthy.” Two days earlier, he called out his colleagues for a “Media review” of all the efforts aimed at ensuring the return of the girls. They were dressed in branded T-shirts. The

event took place at the National Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos Mainland. While the discourse lasted, the mien of Oladele and his colleagues, including Hadjia Rabi Mohammed, wore total sobriety. “There is nowhere in the holy books where murder and terrorism are preached. And terrorists all over the world must know that whatever they sow, they shall reap. The Law of Karma is clear on it. Let them apply civility in whatever their grievances are,” Oladele pleaded. He praised the federal government for setting up an emergency and disaster information management task force and further advised that such a mechanism must be sustained and empowered. The NIPR chief was unsparing in commendation for the nation’s military and the media for their “impressive roles so far.” However, he cautioned the

government against inviting foreigners to come and manage the country’s reputation. Doing so, he reasoned, would amount to opening up the nation’s defence base to strangers, adding that it would be too dangerous a mistake. “Our military are professional and so is the nation’s media. Instead of being quick at criticizing them, we should always appreciate what we have while working to improve it,” he added. Oladele warned government against rebuffing security reports to prevent future disasters: “If the federal government had taken security reports seriously, maybe the kids couldn’t have been kidnapped. Government can get security reports from a pepper hawker or a truck pusher. It behoves such a government to study and work on them in the interest of the people.” The private sector, he urged, must support efforts at giving succour to victims of terrorism and their relations.

Guard found dead in bank’s premises

32-year-old security guard with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos branch of an old-generation bank, Ovate Erim, was found dead in the premises of the bank at the weekend. Although the cause of his death is yet to be ascertained, a source at LUTH said his lifeless body was found at about 5.10am

By Jude Isiguzo

“It was one of his colleagues that raised the alarm that attracted others. He was rushed to the emergency unit of the hospital, but was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. Since none of the management staff of the bank was around as at the time his body was found, other security men on ground requested that

the body be deposited at the morgue pending the conclusion of investigations into the actual cause of his death,” the source said. Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), confirmed the incident, saying it was reported at Itire Police Station last Friday, adding that investigation was ongoing.

• Tsafe

• Oguntade

Elepete creeks, the area was deserted. Residents, who were mostly suspected vandals, fled the camp fearing that the police could raid the area. Arms and ammunition were seen scattered in the area. Also spotted included boats soaked with blood, phones, military

camouflage uniforms and so many others. Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, Mamman Tsafe, who visited the scene, encouraged his men to remain strong. Also, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday

Ibadin, who is in charge of the Task Force, told Tsafe: “We are doing everything to ensure that the missing gallant officers are found and their guns recovered. I commiserate with the families of the men. We are doing our best possible to find them and reunite them with their families.”

LUTH doctors begin indefinite strike today

HE Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) branch of the Association of Residents Doctors (ARD) begins an indefinite strike today. It took the decision at an emergency general meeting on May 28. The LUTH ARD President, Dr Omojowolo Olubunmi, said: “As doctors, we are gravely concerned about the deleterious impact of astronomical increase in hospital charges on patients. There is increase in avoidable deaths and morbidity due to patients’ inability to afford

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

the fees. This also affects our training as resident doctors. The worst affected areas are the surgical subspecialties, where patients now discharge against medical advice to seek cheaper and dangerous alternatives. "The prices of minor surgical procedures such as suturing of lacerations, incision and drainage, chest tube insertion etc, have skyrocketed from N8,000 to over N50,000. Lack of basic equipment, chronic short-

age of stationery, epileptic water supply, dirty environment, inadequate manpower, especially in critical care etc, have all led to very poor service delivery to Nigerians.” “We expect the management to act in good faith by implementing the report of the inter-ministerial committee on this subject matter without any further delay." Omojowolo wants the employment list of residents from the outstanding departments be released immediately, among other demands.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS EKITI 2014

Fayemi assures Ekiti of more dividends of democracy

KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has assured the people that his administration would deliver more dividends of democracy if re-elected in the June 21 election. The governor spoke when he received the Knights of St John’s International, Lagos Commandary led by its former President, Sir Kole Olowu in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the weekend. He said it was wrong to say second term governors

do not performed, adding that he has no reason not to provide service to the people if re-elected. The governor said he saw politics as a means to serve the people and make a difference in their lives. This, he stated, he had been doing since he assumed office in 2010. According to him, this dedication is evident in the massive road construction, transformation of the education system and succour to elderly citizens through the

Social Security Scheme, which is being replicated in two other states, and the free health programme, among others. Fayemi said the people should expect more peopleoriented programmes when he is re-elected, adding that he is “dedicated to providing selfless service that would bring about the Ekiti which all will be proud of.” The governor, who said that Catholicism has played a major role in his life, added that everything he is doing is

influenced by his dedication to the service of God. Earlier, the association’s former president charged the governor not to relent in his efforts to provide quality leadership, saying that the transformation brought to Lagos State by Governor Babatunde Fashola indicated that a second term governor could do much more for the people. Olowu, who decorated Fayemi as a friend of the Knights of St. John, said the governor has done enough for people to return him come

June 21. In another development, Fayemi has presented an 18seater Toyota bus to the Council of Traditional Chieftaincy Holders in the state. The council, four months ago, tabled before him issues bordering on their entitlements, land to build a secretariat and a bus for each of the three senatorial districts. Fayemi, while hailing them for maintaining peace with the monarchs in their domains, said government would soon set up a commit-

tee to look into the grading of monarchs and the entitlements of the chiefs. The Acting Chairman of the Council, Chief Emmanuel Oyewole thanked Fayemi for donating the bus, saying this was enough recognition for the chiefs who are assisting traditional rulers in the state’s 132 communities. Oyewole added that the council sees itself as part of government because of the roles it plays in ensuring peace in communities.

Accord vows to improve social security scheme

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

CCORD Party in Ekiti State has vowed to change the current social security scheme for the aged to social welfare scheme to make it more holistic and less parti-

san. Its governorship candidate, Kole Ajayi spoke when he visited the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adegboye Akayejo at Ikere. Ajayi, who went with his deputy, Mrs. Bolanle OlumiluaOyesanya, told the monarch that the welfare of the aged would be given priority. He said the N5,000 stipend would be reviewed upward. He said the general welfare of the aged in terms of free health services, clothing, shelter, food and sanitised environment would be included. Ajayi said he is commited to provide portable water for Ikere people, an industry and a skill acquisition centre in each local government for economic development, if voted into power,. Responding, the Ogoga thanked the candidate for picking one of his daughters as running-mate and prayed for the success of the duo in the forthcoming election.

•Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (left) during a cultural display by the women wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State Chapter, in Ado-Ekiti... on Saturday.

‘Fayose plans to indict APC in self-orchestrated attacks’

YOUTH group in Ekiti State, Youth Emancipation Movement (EYEM), has accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose of planning to disrupt his own rallies and that of his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele “with trained thugs.” President of EYEM, Taiwo Olatunji, in a statement yesterday, said: “These thugs, we gather, are to wear the campaign vests of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to carry out these bloody attacks in which part of the grand plan is to ensure that lives are lost in the process. “The major crux of this plan is to make the APC look bad, thereby pitching it against the

• PDP: no iota of truth in allegation people. “We call on security agencies to investigate this devilish plan which is born out of Fayose’s desperation to win over the Ekiti electorate which has already decisively rejected him.” According to EYEM, in 2009, Fayose set his water tanker on fire and turned around to pin it on Segun Oni to attract public sympathy. The group called on law enforcement agencies to quickly nip in the bud “this evil plan’, which it said was brought about by Fayose’s rejection by the PDP eadership” It alleged that Fayose has “always had the propensity of stage-managing self-orchestrat-

ed evil to make his opposition look bad. It will, therefore, be in the interest of every wellmeaning stakeholder for security agencies to prevent the widely rejected PDP candidate, whose entry into the governorship race has brought nothing but violence, from setting Ekiti State on fire.” Reacting, the PDP canditate’s campaign organisation said: “There is no iota of truth in the allegation. Ekiti people and of course the security agents know that it is the APC that is behind the various killings and violent activities in Ekiti State. “Ayo Fayose and the PDP cannot train thugs to attack any other party’s rallies because we have not done it before and we

would not do it. “The principle of our campaign is issue-based devoid of violence and name callings. We have faithfully kept to this principle and if you go to the police, SSS and Civil Defence, what you will find there are records of violent activities of the APC. You can’t find of other political parties there. “Therefore, for the APC to say that PDP is planning to kit its members with APC’s vest to disrupt Labour Party, and of course PDP rallies, is petty. “It will be recalled that the State Secretary of the PDP, Dr Tope Aluko recently wrote a letter to inform the State Police Commissioner of APC thugs... of wearing Fayose’s vests and going about in Fayose’s branded vehicles to cause violents in the state.”

PDP flays promise on teachers’ pension arrears

HE promise by the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayose, to pay nine months’ pensions arrears owed retired primary school teachers an “act of wickedness”, according to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. Fayose, in a statement yesterday, said: “Only a wicked governor will wait till three weeks to election before realising that pensioners have not been paid since 2012.” The candidate, who promised to pay pension and gratuities of retired government workers as when due, added that Fayemi should tell Ekiti people what happened to the billions of naira deducted from local

government allocations for the payment of pension and gratuity. Fayemi, who is the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), pledged last week to clear the nine months pension totalling N181 million owed some retired primary school teachers between January and September, 2002. In the statement by the Director General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, the PDP governorship candidate said: “When PDP was in government, pensioners received their gratuity within 60 days of retirement while pension was paid on the 22nd of the month. We will restore that when we get to gov-

ernment on October 16, 2014 by the grace of God.” The statement reads: “It is a fact that Fayemi cannot contest that not less than N150 million is deducted every month from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) for the payment of gratuity and another N140 million for the payment of pension. “For instance, in January, 2012 alone, a sum of N179,113827,827.15 was deducted from the Local Government Allocation for the payment of pension. “In 2013, the following deductions were made from local council fund for the payment of pension and gratuity. January (N179,113,827.15 for pension),

February, (N179,113,827.15 for pension), March (N179,113,827.15 for pension), April (N140m for pension and N251, 312,498.02 for gratuity), May (N140m and N250,826,691.22 for gratuity), June (N140 million for pension and N248,256,238.25 for gratuity), July (N140 million for pension and N250,068,062.81 for gratuity), August (N140 million for pension and N100 million for gratuity), September ( million or pension and N100m million for gratuity), October (N140m million for pension and N100 million for gratuity), November (N140 million for pension and N100 million for gratuity) and December (N140 million for pension).”

e-Eleven threatens to sue Anisulowo for libel

COALITION of Ekiti indigenes, e-Eleven, has threatened to sue the Director-General of the Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Dipo Anisulowo over statement credited to him on the state-owned Fountain Hotel. Chairman of e-Eleven, Femi Ajiniran, in a statement yesterday, said: “Anisulowo made statements that are slanderous, totally false and mere fabrication of his and his master’s infantile imagination. “While we in e-Eleven will ordinarily not wish to join issues with a discredited, faltering, campaign-seeking to return Ekiti State into the age of darkness as personified by their recidivist principal, we nevertheless must alert the people to their emerging campaign of calumny and falsehood. This is another low they have sunk to. “Anisulowo and his discredited principal with a ton of criminal hangover claimed that Fountain Hotel was leased to eEleven, and by this, e-Eleven has defrauded the state. The facts are not going to be subject of a press release, but a matter that shall be subjected to full judicial review. “We have therefore contacted our lawyers and Anisulowo and company will be hearing from them very soon. This is our solemn promise. We intend to teach a vital lesson: Ekiti will never be a haven for liars and people with 419 tendencies.”

Governor to workers: disregard smearing texts

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

KITI State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has told workers to ignore rumours being circulated through text messages and the social media that he is planning to sack workers and cancel payment of leave bonus if re-elected. The governor gave the advice in Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend, during a quarterly interactive forum held with civil servants. Fayemi said the masterminds of the text messages often take Ekiti people for fools who could be tossed around by lies and baseless claims. He described such people as enemies of Ekiti progress. The governor said it was ridiculous that some people could “peddle lies that government is planning to cancel leave bonus which is part of the emolument of the workers as well as retrench workers.” He stressed that no worker has been sacked since his government came on board, except those who have retired or ghost workers. Fayemi added that government would not have responded to the rumours “because this is a season of lies as the state is approaching electioneering period,” but decided to set the record straight so that unsuspecting citizens won’t buy into the lies. “Even within the civil service, they found the sms ridiculous and having puerile claims but this is the season of lies, and you should expect as many lies as possible. I get these lies myself on my phone.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Kefee hospitalised in U.S.

HERE were heightened feelings yesterday in the entertainment industry when the news broke that popular Afro-pop singer Keffi Obareki, aka Kefee, collapsed on a flight to Chicago. The reports further claimed that the singer slipped from the plane’s staircase and fell, thereby going into coma. According to the reports, she was immediately rushed to a hospital in Las Vegas, where she was placed on life support. It was also gathered that her husband, Teddy Esosa, has travelled to the U.S. so as to be close to her. The Branama crooner, until her ill health, had been attending a course in music video directing in the U.S. It will be recalled that the petite singer was in the news recently, following the forceful closure of her restaurant in Maryland, Lagos. Meanwhile, many bloggers, including movie producer and director Charles Novia, have been urging her fans to pray for her quick recovery.

NUMBER of nominees for the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) last Friday thrilled their fans, while also expressing their aspirations during the Road to MAMA party held at The Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. There were exciting performances from some of Nigeria’s reigning acts like Davido, Chidinma, Olamide, Phyno, Kcee, Dr Sid, Mafikizolo and the Mavin crew, including Tiwa Savage. It also featured a ‘surprise’ performance by D’banj, who played alongside Burna Boy. The Road to MAMA Nigeria has been crisscrossing the continent in the build-up to the forthcoming show. In the previous

I didn’t marry my ex-wife’s cousin, says Zaaki Azzay

WO years after popular Nigerian singer Zaaki Azzay and his ex-wife, Hadiza Yadoo, parted ways after irreconcilable differences, he has married a new wife, Hembadoon Ugema. The wedding took place at the bride’s family home in Ushongo in Makurdi, Benue State about three weeks ago. Reports, however, claimed that Hembadoon’s mum is married to Hadiza’s father’s younger brother. But in an exclusive interview with The Nation, the artiste described as untrue the allegation that his present wife and his ex-wife are cousins. He said: “There is no way two families, knowing full well that they are related,

By Mercy Michael

will give out their daughters to the same man. That the two women are from the same local government doesn’t mean they are related. Whoever is sponsoring that rumour knows why he or she is doing so. “As a public figure, everybody knows my story. It is on the Internet. My present wife’s family has looked into the matter critically and found out that most of what was said about me was not true. Apart from this, Hembadoon is not someone who doesn’t know her right from her left. She is a graduate of Benue State University. There is no way I could have married from the same local government, where my ex-wife comes

from. I mean I couldn’t have married from my ex-wife’s village, if I wasn’t innocent of all that my ex-wife accused me of. With time, the truth will be revealed.” When asked why he married another wife from the same village where his ex comes from, he said: “When I started dating my present wife, I didn’t know that she was from the same community with my former wife. I had vowed never to touch anybody who doesn’t love me sincerely because I didn’t want to fall into the wrong hands again. But when I eventually fell in love seriously, I knew. I have met a lot of women who are finer, richer and more educated than she is, but I know that they are just after me for one thing or the other. So, it is love that actually joined us. In fact, when I found out that she is from that community, I almost ran away. But eventually, I decided that I won’t maltreat another woman because one woman has wronged me. You shouldn’t let your past influence your future. I didn’t marry secretly. Radio Benue was there and I gave Hip TV exclusivity to cover it.”

Atorise, Mega 99 thrill at Apata’s album launch

OR lovers of Gospel music, it was another great moment to experience spiritual rejuvenation of sorts, when fast-rising gospel singer, Bayo Apata, launched his maiden album, Undiluted Praise, at the Mariana Hotel and Suite, Lagos, recently. The energetic act, who is still basking in the euphoria of the successful launch, said: “Music has been my passion, right from my school days. Even my parents knew I was going to be a musician. Undiluted Praise is a message to everybody in this life. There are many worship and praise songs, but I think this is an

Road to MAMAs concert: nominees wow fans in Lagos

exceptional praise song,” he said. When asked to comment on his relationship with the late Roland Olomola, popularly known as Baba Ara, he said: “He was a big influence on my career. He gave me the opportunity to perform on live stages. I also watched the performances of established gospel acts before producing my own album. I am happy to have fulfilled a long time dream. But the launching could have been more special, if my mentor, Baba Ara, was still alive. “I have lots of role models in the industry. But I can only

seek advice from the likes of Atorise, Mega 99, Femi Opalemo and Tope Alabi, among other gospel singers.” The chief sponsor of the night, Olakunle Olopade, expressed delight at the album launch. “Bayo is a good gospel musician. His music is dynamic; he’s living on the dream of Baba Ara and it is a great pleasure being part of this project. We are look forward to taking it beyond the Nigerian level.” Gospel singers Lanre Teriba and Mega 99, among others, were among the celebrities who added a touch of glamour to the launch.

editions, it had visited Durban, South Africa and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hosted by MTV’s VJ, Ehiz, the event was attended by Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa; Phillip Sithole, CEO, Durban Tourism; Akintayo Akinseloyin, Brand Manager, Absolut Nigeria and MAMA nominees and performers. MTV Base DJs, including DJ Humility, DJ Caise, DJ Spinall and DJ Obi put up their best so as to ensure a memorable event. Voting for the MAMAS, according to the organisers, would be opened at www.mtvbase.com until midnight of June 4. However, voting for the Song of the Year will last until the live show on June 7.

Sossi joins Bugatti Records

G B O L U A J E Babatunde, better known as Sossi, has been officially signed to Bugatti Records. The budding artiste, who dropped his new single, My Boo, last Wednesday, expressed his joy about the positive responses he had received since the release of the song online. At a media briefing in Lagos, he said: “I really don’t want to blow my trumpet. But the fact is that

By Dupe AyinlaOlasunkanmi

BRG Music Group is doing everything to make sure we conquer the Nigerian music industry and even Africa. That’s why we have teamed up with the best hands.” Sossi, who expressed readiness to work with any A-list Nigerian artiste, further said: “It’s amazing to see that Nigerian music industry is doing very good now. It is becoming a big source of inspiration for the young ones

out there. I am not ruling out working with anybody. But I want to focus on my career. If there is anybody I am looking forward to work with, it is Tuface. “I am gradually building my own brand too, which I believe will give many artistes reason to know I have got what it takes to share the same stage with them anytime.” His new video, which was shot in Ghana by Aje Film, will soon hit the shelves.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday condemned the killing of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, by suspected Boko Haram gunmen. The party described the sect as the nation’s enemy, and not a group set up by some imaginary opposition parties or elite to bring down the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. In a statement in Lagos, its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the killing of the Emir is the clearest indication yet that the Jonathan administration misdiagnosed the Boko Haram menace from the outset. When the indiscriminate activities of Boko Haram insurgents are placed side by side with other facts: that the group started in 2002 when Olusegun Obasanjo was President and flared in 2009

APC condemns killing of Emir of Gwoza

•‘Boko Haram is nation’s enemy’ •Mark to sect: drop your guns From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

when the late Umar Yar’Adua was President, one would realise how deceitful and diversionary it is for anyone to portray it as an attempt to make Nigeria ungovernable under Jonathan. “Boko Haram is not a northern response to a southern presidency, as some would have us believe. Boko Haram is an enemy of Nigeria; whether Christians or Muslims, southerners or northerners, the lowly or the elite, the young or the old, the poor and the rich. They must be seen for what they are: fringe elements who happen to have linked up with other terror groups around the world to acquire training and

weapons which they are now using to terrorise a whole nation. “That Emirs, who are Muslims and symbols of power in the North, can be so dastardly attacked, with deadly consequences, should convince those who would rather engage in the blame game than fight the bandits that what the country faces is neither a strictly religious nor elite war, and make them to change their jaundiced mindset. “If indeed Boko Haram was sponsored by the so-called northern elite against Jonathan, how come they are not even sparing the same elite? If indeed Boko Haram is sponsored by the North against Jonathan, why are

their deadly attacks concentrated in the North, where they have killed thousands and destroyed facilities and infrastructure worth billions? “Let us all see Boko Haram for what it is, and come together as a people to fight the insurgents, rather than engage in denial, blame game and finger-pointing that can only weaken our resolve as a nation to tackle this fringe group squarely,” APC said. The party said the insurgency has festered because the government started off by not seeing it for what it is, thus losing valuable time to combat it, adding that when it started dawning on the government that the na-

tion faces a serious problem, it responded by seeking to make political gains out of it. ‘’Those who saw Boko Haram, erroneously, as a political trump card have now suffered a boomerang, and today the Jonathan administration is seen globally as incompetent, clueless and rudderless largely because of its inept handling of the Boko Haram insurgency, especially the unfortunate abduction of innocent school girls which has lingered. This is what you get when you play politics with a serious national problem,” it said. APC restated its demand for a national security conference, as different from a gathering of all parties, to help forge a common front

against Boko Haram. “We also reiterate our offer to join hands with the government in a non-partisan effort to battle the menace of Boko Haram, even though the government has yet to reach out to us since we made that offer,” the party said. Also yesterday, Senate President David Mark, decried Timta’s murder. Mark was quoted in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja, as saying: “This unabating bloodshed is senseless and needless.” The Senate President also renewed his appeal to Boko Haram to listen to the voice of reason and drop its weapons in the interest of peace and unity. Consoling the government and people of Borno State, he prayed that God would expose the perpetrators of the crime. Mark also urged the security agencies not to be deterred by the challenges but to be strengthened more in the battle to defend the country.

Soyinka mourns writer Maya

OBEL laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka yesterday mourned the late American literary giant, Maya Angelou. In a statement, Prof. Soyinka said: “Maya’s ‘AFRICA’ was more than a mere literary metaphor and reference point - it went beyond race identification. To obtain a glimmering of what the continent meant to her, one would have to think in terms of a mystic nostalgia. That could be because she was so markedly black-regal both in bearing and pronouncements, she made one feel that, in some distant time past, she had been a queen - a philosopher queen over some part of the black continent. If indeed she was, Maya was the down-to-earth kind who felt her subjects keenly, a philosopher queen without the aloofness. It took just one lunch meeting with her, and Queen Angelou tightened her sash like a market mamma, mobilized emergency forces, and personally led the charge to beat down the doors of a lethargic - and/or ambiguous - US administration during the Sanni Abacha murderous dictatorship. She kept her finger on the nation’s pulse throughout a people’s travails. “Long before that however, what a personal memory to cherish! I learnt the following at an American university where I had gone to lecture, and Maya confirmed the details to me after we had finally met. Publishers of a prestigious literary journal, the college was also sponsor of a bi-annual international literary prize. She had nominated me for that prize but, finally, it was a German writer who carried it off - I think it was Gunther Grass, but am no longer sure. Well, at the formal event of the announcement, Maya Angelou was so disappointed, she burst into tears. Our sole contact till then was through our writing. “During reception afterwards, when she was being teased/ consoled or whatever, she said something like: No, it’s all right, I know he’ll win a bigger one. A year later, I was accorded the Nobel Prize.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

As measles cases increase, a sharp call for vaccinations

No, thanks •Tariff obsession by NERC is wrong; Nigerians shouldn’t pay more for electricity now

HE latest review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) must have come as a disappointment to the electricity consumer. There is, clearly, a lot to say against retaining a tariff structure which appears to reward the inefficiency of the operator, while doing nothing about the lingering frustrations of the electricity consumer. It isn’t that we do not understand the rules of the MYTO which provide that where the aggregate of the variables of rate of inflation, the exchange rate, gas price and available generation capacity change by plus or minus 5 percent of the MYTO figures, the changes would necessitate a tariff review. Our bone of contention is not just the perverse incentive it seems to confer on the inept operator, but the armour it has since provided for doing nothing.

‘Much as we do not deny that the transition in the power sector has been something of a learning curve for the operators and the regulator alike, the current one-sided obsession with tariff issues at the expense of qualitative service can only breed consumer resistance in the long run’

We recognise two legs to the review expected to have taken off yesterday, June 1 – one barely good; the other hopelessly bad. The first or rather the good part is the retention of the fixed charge component of the electricity tariff at N750 rather than N1,500 per month as projected under the MYTO. Although the electricity consumer would rather that the fixed charge be abolished completely, it is nonetheless a smart move. Clearly, the elements would seem in favour of the reduction. The MYTO had projected an inflation rate of 13 percent; the rate as at March 30, cutoff date for the review, was 7.8 percent, that is, 5.2 percent less than projected. Exchange rate was also projected at N178 to the dollar; whereas the March 30, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria was N157.30 to $1, which is 11.6 percent less than projected. The review, under those prevailing macro-economic variables obviously makes sense. However, in the reasoning of NERC, this should not suffice to earn the electricity consumer significant respite since, according to it, the other two components of transmission and distribution leave the gross available capacity short by a whopping 52 percent. Whereas the total electricity generation output as of March 31 review date was 4,306 MW, this was far les than the 9,061 MW projected by NERC. The effect of the loss, according to NERC, “completely outweighs the benefits that were gained from the positive macroeconomic indices”. In effect, resi-

dential consumers will have to pay one naira more per unit. We understand the need for NERC to follow its own rules scrupulously; unfortunately, in this instance, the rules are not only skewed against the electricity consumer; they have somewhat amplified the unfair practices which typified the old order. This has again brought to the fore an issue that was a subject of an earlier editorial, which is the obsession with tariff hikes at the expense of delivery of quality service. Obviously, both NERC and the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have chosen to remain unfazed by the growing frustration of the electricity consumer with the epileptic power supply situation, hence their elevation of tariff issues over and above the responsibility to deliver quality service. The point is that their prerogative to align their tariffs with the dictates of the market should not detract from their responsibility to ensure that the consumer is availed full value for his money. Much as we do not deny that the transition in the power sector has been something of a learning curve for the operators and the regulator alike, the current one-sided obsession with tariff issues at the expense of qualitative service can only breed consumer resistance in the long run. In short, we understand that the operators will need all the revenue they can get to deliver quality service; this however cannot be at the expense of the goodwill of the electricity consumer.

Good judgment •We hail court’s decision on financial autonomy for judiciary, but the issue now is good faith

ILL the judgment of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, in the budgetary process as it concerns the national judiciary, bring that disconcerting national debacle to a close? We are afraid that this can only happen, if all the parties concerned show good faith. In the judgment of Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a suit brought against the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the National Assembly as Defendants, by the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), the court declared as unconstitutional the process of sending the judiciary’s annual budget to the budget office, which is under the executive arm of government. In arriving at this important judgment, the court relied on the relevant provisions of sections 81(2) and 84(1)(2)(3)(4) and (7) of the 1999 constitution, as amended. As reported in the press, among other decisions, the court granted a perpetual injunction against the Defendants from all practices on the funding of the judiciary that offend the provisions of the constitution. The court also ordered that the budget of the judiciary, being a ‘charge upon the consolidated revenue fund of the federation’, should be sent directly to the National Assembly, instead of the budget office, to be included in the appropriation act, as it offends section 81(2). These are fair decisions and should not pose any problem. The challenge however will be in the implementation of the order of the court,

with respect to the constitutional provision in section 81(3) that “any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the consolidated revenue fund of the federation shall be paid directly to the National Judicial Council for disbursement to the heads of the courts established for the federation and the state under section 6 of this constitution”. That is where the need for good faith comes in; for, while it is impracticable to release all the money due to the judiciary at a go to the NJC, considering that the national income comes in bits, it is possible to make the releases as the income comes, without the executive seeking to exert undue influence. The act of bad faith, which the provisions of the 1999 constitution sought to cure, and now reiterated by this judgment, is the executive impudence, of using budgetary allocations to exert undue influence on the independence of the judiciary. We have no doubt, as we believe many Nigerians do, that we all desire a fearless and independent judiciary for the sake of our democracy. That is why we have consistently canvassed for a well funded judiciary, and have always condemned the penchant by the executive, and even the legislature, to whimsically cut down on the budgetary requirements of the judiciary. While hailing the judgment of the court as a good intervention against the tyranny of the executive against the judiciary, we doubt if it is a cure-all measure. This is because section 84(7) of the 1999 consti-

tution, only provides that “the recurrent expenditure of judicial offices in the federation (in addition to salaries and allowances of the judicial officers mentioned in subsection 4 of this section) shall be a charge upon the consolidated revenue fund of the federation”. So what happens to the capital expenditure part of the budget? Will that also form part of the charge against the consolidated revenue fund of the federation? If it will not, can the executive not use that essential need to exert the feared undue influence on the judiciary? Again, that is why we believe that good faith on the part of relevant authorities, is the ultimate antidote to an endangered judiciary.

‘What happens to the capital expenditure part of the budget? Will that also form part of the charge against the consolidated revenue fund of the federation? If it will not, can the executive not use that essential need to exert the feared undue influence on the judiciary? Again, that is why we believe that good faith on the part of relevant authorities, is the ultimate antidote to an endangered judiciary’

VEN WHEN there are significant gains against infectious diseases, there can be reversals. In 2000, measles was considered all but eliminated in the United States. For a while, there were only about 60 cases a year, mostly brought in from overseas. Now, the number of cases and outbreaks in the United States is rising again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday that there have already been more cases this year, 288, than in any full year this century. Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus that affects young children, with fever, runny nose, cough and a distinctive rash. Infrequently, it leads to more serious complications. There have been no deaths in the United States for a while, but in 2012 measles caused an estimated 122,000 deaths worldwide. That’s far fewer than in the past, thanks to a global campaign to vaccinate more than a billion children in high-risk countries. In the United States, a vigorous effort at immunization in recent years brought measles almost to a standstill. After an epidemic from 1989 to 1991 resulted in 55,000 cases and more than 100 deaths, largely because of lack of immunization among poor and uninsured children, a federal program approved in 1994, Vaccines for Children, resulted in much wider coverage. More than 90 percent of the children in the United States are immunized. Most of the recent measles cases in the United States arrived with travelers. For example, California reported 58 cases from January through April 18 this year, the highest number for that period in 19 years. According to the CDC, 93 percent of the California cases are linked to importation of the disease. The Philippines has seen an ongoing outbreak. Sometimes a single traveler can ignite a wildfire of infections. In 2013, a 17-year-old who had not been vaccinated returned to an orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn from the United Kingdom, leading to an outbreak that affected 58 people; most were in three extended families that had declined the measles vaccine. This year, an outbreak in Ohio has reached 68 cases, apparently sparked by Amish missionaries, unvaccinated, who had visited the Philippines. The measles vaccine has been in use for half a century and is safe, inexpensive and effective. Some parents suspicious of vaccines have decided against immunization; in other cases, people are simply ignorant of the risks of inaction. Not all 50 states have the toughest immunization laws and standards. Thus, in some vulnerable pockets of the United States, a single person can touch off an outbreak. A nation’s borders provide no ironclad defense against viruses and bacteria. But measles can be stopped with comprehensive and proper immunization. – Washington Post

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: I congratulate the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele who assumes duty today Monday June 2, as 11th governor of the apex bank. It is said that to whom much is given, much is expected. He will be expected to continue and possibly build on the successes recorded by his predecessor, especially in attaining a workable monetary policy, banking reforms and the cashless policy. The naira and external reserves have not been very strong in recent time. While the naira has continued to slide against the US dollar, Nigeria’s external reserves have steadily dropped from about $50 billion mid last year to less than $37.8 billion. Emefiele will need to introduce proactive measures to stabilise the naira and to shore up the nation’s foreign reserves. Price stability is central to economic management; it is one of the major criteria by which a central bank is assessed in its effectiveness. This explains why it is the number one among the mandates or objectives of the central bank. He should focus on the core objective of managing the monetary policy of the country. The introduction of a cashless policy stands as one of the remarkable accomplishments of the CBN under Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Linked to this is the $50 million biometric solution project which was inaugurated by Sanusi six days before his suspension. The project aims at building a central database of bank customers in the country. It will specifically serve to identify those transacting business with

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Expectations from new CBN governor Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and Point of Sales (PoS) machines. As erstwhile chairman of the Biometrics Sub-committee of the Bankers’ Committee, Emefiele must ensure continuity of the project. Nigerian banks charge the highest fees and rates in the entire world. Customers pay N5-10 per sms alert, even for bank error repeat texts – though bulk sms texts are offered to businesses by mobile networks at N1/sms. Hardware token for security is issued at N2000; bank statements are charged at

about N40/page; renewal of ATM card attracts a charge of N1000. N500 is charged monthly as maintenance fee for current accounts; even reference letters come with a charge of up to N2000. And then, you also have the Value added tax, for ‘no value added.’ When compared to US banks, there is no Commission on Turnover (COT), no deposit fine, no withdrawal fine, customers have several free banking options, ATM cards are replaced for free, bank statements are obtained for free, and text mes-

sages are free. But not so in Nigeria where banks are run by a cabal with the CBN working in the interests of the banks and not the people. Closely linked with this is how the banking system, within a high interest rate regime, will be able to avail credit to the private sector. In the event that businesses are hamstrung by high interest rates, the major losers will be the Small and Medium Enterprises, which, unfortunately, are supposed to be the fulcrum for the achievement of an all-inclusive growth.

bills are saying the basically the same thing with some variance in each. This will be the fourth bill at the federal level when it is presented for passage and there are also similar laws in other states of federation on the same subject. Introducing a new bill when there are up to three already means there is lack of policy coordination as to what policy is needed and what we already have. If one transfers what is ongoing in tobacco laws to other governance areas, it shows why there is lack of development in the economy. If this duplication and concentra-

tion of efforts could be used in critical areas like infant mortality, malaria prevention and AIDS and HIV prevention, the level of spread of such disease will have reduced or stopped completely. A recent UNICEF report indicates that underfive mortality in Nigeria increased from 138 per 1,000 live births in 2007 to 158 per 1,000 live births in 2011. This implies that 158 out of every 1,000 children born in Nigeria will die before they celebrate their fifth birthday. As you are reading this, there are about 842 million hungry people in the world, the vast majority live in developing countries.

One product, multiple laws

IR: The news came out recently that the Federal Government is planning to introduce a new bill on tobacco regulation in the country. The bills planned to introduce punishment of up to N50, 000 for violators, jail others for up to six months, further restrict the sale and use of tobacco and ban all form of advertisement of the product among others. The new plan shows the poor level of policy coordination that exists at the topmost level of governance in the country. There are up to three bills at various stage of reading at the National Assembly and all the

Nigerians should pray for Dora

IR: There was a time when counterfeit drugs and unsafe food killed Nigerians; a time when men without conscience made fortunes at the expense of Nigerians’ lives. A time when the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), whose responsibility it is to ‘’safeguard the public health by ensuring that only right quality of food, drug and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, imported, advertised ,used and sold’, was so corrupt that it connived with these agents of darkness to poison and

In the same vein, the microfinance banks in Nigeria have the potential to build the country’s Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and as a result reduce unemployment in the land. The new governor should see the significance of microfinance banks as the catalyst towards development of SMEs in the country. Government must not heed the calls for the reduction in the powers of the CBN Governor; instead government must allow the new helmsman unfettered space to carry out his agenda. Political independence and non-partisan monetary policy provide the promise of policy stability over time, which in turn stabilizes expectations in asset markets. Such stability and continuity are essential to a successful monetary policy. Here is wishing Emefiele a successful tenure as CBN Governor. • John Tosin Ajiboye, Lagos, Nigeria

kill Nigerians. It is still fresh in our memory. Murderers had their ways as well as flaunted the blood money in our faces. People took chalks as drugs for killer diseases. Tears of mothers, whose children were killed, filled the streets while they watched those responsible for the murders walk freely. There was so much pain. It looked like it was not going to end. Then came a certain Dora Akunyili who took over as Director General of NAFDAC and we began to breathe a sigh of relief. Akunyili along with her team turned the for-

tunes of Nigerians around. She took these evil men on, even with threats to her life and that of her family members. She pushed on and on until she ended the era of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. She risked it all for Nigerians. Dora, I can confidently say is the reason why there is near zero availability of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria today. Millions of lives, especially children, have been saved. This woman literally put her life on the line to save plenty of Nigerian lives. In her shoes, like those before her, many would have sold out and cashed out at the expense of Nige-

rian lives. Fellow Nigerians, this woman does not deserve to be forgotten so soon; what with her selflessness to the country. With goings on in this country, we cannot afford to lose people like Dora Akunyili-not now. There are a few of her type left plus she still has a lot to offer Nigeria. She has proven this time and time again. She has been there for us and now needs us all at this time, most especially our prayers. Pray for Dora, Nigeria pray. • Chiechefulam Ikebuiro thalynxis@yahoo.ca

AIDS/HIV kills over 300,000 Nigerians annually and not less than 1.5 million children are orphaned yearly due to the virus. These are problems that fall under the health ministry purview, yet they are busy writing new laws on an industry that is already curtailed. Half of the efforts being used in further clamping down on the tobacco industry will improve the health status of some HIV infected patient and will save the lives of some new born. More than 16 youth died in the recent NIS recruitment exercise. The ministry and other stakeholders should rather concentrate on more education and information-sharing for a strong knowledge base on any health issue and leave individual alone on the right to choose. If I may ask, where in the public did the government redesign as “smoking areas”? Are the minority not part of the public? Lessons should be learned from developed countries particularly where smoking is prevalent. The regulations are clear and balanced, respecting the choice of smokers and non-smokers. Smokers need no victimization once the full knowledge of his act is known to him or her. If those behind this proposed bill properly assess the sector, they will know that multiple legislations are not the solution. • Adedayo Thomas, Orile-Oshodi, Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

COMMENTS

Thank you, Dame, but …

HE way Dame Patience Jonathan spoke last week was as she had never done before. It was reported how she advised Nigerians to stop insulting her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, mainly because of his position as the nation’s President Sincerely, for the first time in recent season, she has spoken with sensibility. After all, this time it was not reported - or shown on television that she was crying and wiping tears while talking, or screaming again that “There is God o!” She did not make an utterance like she did to those she erroneously referred to as her “fellow widows.” But as expected, she absolved the number one citizen of being responsible for the predicament of the abducted Chibok girls. While addressing children at the ceremony she organised to mark this year’s Children’s Day, she counselled them to honour their parents in accordance with God’s instruction. She reminded them, and of course the entire nation, that it was God who made her husband to become the head of the nation. She was quoted: “It is bad to abuse our country and the President because God has made him the head.” She preached that “the Almighty God commands us to pray for our leaders. We therefore need to pray for the development of our country and the President.” Correct! In radiant talk, she continued: “Remember that a child that abuses his father is disobeying God’s commandment because the Bible says in Exodus 20:12 that you should honour your father and mother so that you may live long in the land that the Lord your God has given you.” Only a fool can deny this. While she said she does not know, and has not seen

‘The potentially great Nigerian dream has been dissolving because of lack of doable leadership to follow. Acts of corruption has today become an act of the nation’

Boko Haram, Dame advised Nigerians to be united in the battle against terrorism. In her view, and contrary to the connotation of Haram, “it is the right of every child to go to school. It is only through education that you can be able to achieve your dreams and contribute meaningfully to your community and the nation.” Talking as a responsive mother of all, she encouragingly declared that “we desire peace in our community and in our nation,” and want the children to be ambassadors of peace in their schools by practicing good manners. “We have no other country than Nigeria. We therefore need to be patriotic and committed to our dear country. We should strengthen our covenant with our country as outlined in the National Pledge. Let us therefore be united in fighting terrorism. We should encourage our soldiers who are in the frontline to rescue our beloved daughters.” Well said. If our Dame can also pass the word to her husband and our leader with his team this same way, Nigeria will become truly transformed beyond the nature of the apathetic propaganda seen on television these days promoting Jonathan in doing what the likes of Mandela and Obama did as leaders in their countries. In truth, President Jonathan need not be abused for what is considered as wrong-doing. Any judgment should indeed be handed to the same Almighty God who knew why He brought him to power as the number one man in this land of great potentials. The moment the same God wants him out of the office where he is at the moment, there is nothing any man can do to manipulate whosoever is ordained to replace him. As President, the way he lives and operates is bound to reflect on the life of his people. If there is indeed a good desire to transform a land of unrighteousness, the transformer himself must have been transformed and seen to be so. By the matching measure, the president’s aides and beneficiaries must be counselled not to use insulting languages on those who have the right to be in political opposition. In genuine democracy, the position of viable opposition is meant to awaken the authority sleeping in power. After all, abusive lashings habitually come from the likes of Labaran Maku, Olisa Metuh, Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe as if they are defending their boss who they want to continue to feed them. So, if their combative stances are insulting, they are bound to be reaping what they are sowing.

O much has been expressed about the limitations of the Jonathan presidency and the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the context of so-called state capacity, especially concerning the developing April 15 kidnap drama starring the Islamist militia Boko Haram and over 200 abducted students of the Girls Senior Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Perhaps the ultimate codification of the perceived ineffectiveness of the administration in bringing back the girls was supplied by a former United States of America presidential hopeful, Senator John McCain, who instructively declared on Cable News Network (CNN), “We shouldn’t have waited for a practically non-existent government to give us the go-ahead before mounting a humanitarian effort to rescue those girls.” Such disturbing qualification may be on-target, but it apparently misses the point in a significant sense, which is common to all criticisms of the Jonathan government on the basis of alleged deficiency in state capacity, without considering the obverse, which may be defined as anti-state capacity. In other words, it seems not to be sufficiently appreciated that “a practically non-existent government” is being challenged by a practically existent terror machine. From all indications, such onedimensional thinking has been counter-productive because it essentially underrates the opponent and encourages a reactive attitude where it would be useful to be proactive. It is inconceivable that the insurgents carried out perhaps their most daring and defiant operation since 2009 when they declared war on the state without scenario building. Is it possible that, given the sheer scale of their mission, they did not anticipate the worldwide outrage and condemnation that followed? Is it possible that they did not from the beginning of the plot have a defined purpose for the sensational abduction? Is it possible that now, nearly two months since the unpleasant incident, they have lost control of the narrative? Certain developments last week reinforced the reality of a terror force that has been inadequately credited with insurgency intelligence and insurgency capacity to the detriment of the government and the country. First, in what seemed like an oblique admission of inadequacy, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, made revealing comments at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, during the visit of a civil society group, the Social Welfare Network Initiative (SWNI), in connection with the public campaign for the girls’ freedom. He said, “We are fighting more than Boko Haram. We are no longer fighting Boko Haram but Al-Qaeda in North and West Africa.” Then he revealed his fears, but recovered quickly enough to give an appearance of capability. According to him, “Al-Qaeda is formidable, but we will defeat them. As for our girls, we will bring them back.” Another happening hinted at, if not exposed, the government’s incapacity; but it was interestingly dressed as bigheartedness although it had the look of large foolishness. After signals that the administration was unenthusiastic about the militants’ guerillas-for girls swap proposal, President

What about anti-state capacity? Goodluck Jonathan introduced a twist on Democracy Day, May 29. He told the anxious populace in a symbolic broadcast, “My government, while pursuing security measures, will explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration into the broader society.” In the same breath, he also publicised the planned intensification of counter-terrorism actions, saying, “I have instructed our security forces to launch a full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorism on our soil. I have also authorised the security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that this is done.” Jonathan’s amnesty offer to Boko Haram members may just be his own way of deescalating tension in the polity, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. It is easy to imagine the terrorists laughing over the proposal, if not laughing at him. He demonstrated intriguing denialism against the background of the fact that Abubakar Shekau, the militia’s notorious leader, spelt out unambiguous conditions for the release of the caged students. Shekau said : “All I’m saying is, if you want us to release your girls that we kidnapped, you must release our brethren that are held in Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos states, as well as Abuja. We know that you have incarcerated our brethren all over this country…We will never release them until our brethren are released.” Maybe only Jonathan can explain how his amnesty idea could substitute for prisoner exchange. Perhaps the administration needs to be reminded that it is battling against a murderous group, which has again and again proved to be unpredictable. The inescapable implication is that the government may be running out of time to secure the

Just as Dame said, it is disobedient to God and morally incorrect to place personal judgment on those we disagree with. She is right. Let those at the top concentrate on issues and their God, and then those under them will not have any plot but follow such righteous footsteps. Fascinated by the first lady’s resting on the word of God, we must also remind ourselves that it is only righteousness that can exalt a nation as the Bible tags sin as a reproach and humiliation to the people. Since we have a government intending to transform the nation that is failing because of swarming unrighteousness, whatever advantageous endeavours being done in reality must be backed up by those faithful to progress of the nation. In our Nigeria of today, we need revival to bring restoration of the lost glories. As revival is the restoration of a nation, we cannot have meaningful independence and true democracy without true righteousness. Righteousness and liberty are inextricably interwoven. What is true for individuals is true for a nation, because a nation is composed of individuals. We will have more progress or - less - in direct proportion to our nature. When we lose character, then we will lose liberty. In essence, people who cannot live responsibly from within must be governed from without. United States of America became great because the nation was born in a revival. “The Great Awakening” swept the land in the 1700s in a flame of righteousness. Out of that, educational institutions were built, principles taught, and character became strong. A nation was born that declared her independence from England and upon Almighty God. The potentially great Nigerian dream has been dissolving because of lack of doable leadership to follow. Acts of corruption has today become an act of the nation. It is time this nation is awakened. Government might not really be meeting our needs. But it must at least be seen to be protecting the citizenry from tyranny and punishing evildoers – not promoting hooligans to the place of authority just because of self-interest. Practicable democracy comes when we have the right leadership with the right spirit. As Dame Patience must be appreciated for his last week utterances, may we remind ourselves again that it is only righteousness that can exalt this nation. And it is revival which can truly transform the nation and restore peace and the glory being stolen by terrorists. girls’ freedom, and would need to act expeditiously to prevent the group from having a rethink that might not favour releasing them. Understandably, Jonathan is most likely anxious to avoid being perceived as vulnerable to bullying tactics, particularly considering the fact that he has often been criticised by the country’s political opposition for alleged weak leadership. However, this is a wrong occasion for him to attempt to change that perception, which may indeed be valid. This is not the time for bluffing. Jonathan’s announced instruction to the armed forces to escalate the conflict sounds pretentious in the context of international assistance regarding the country’s anti-terror effort. Moreover, given that the concept and practice of prisoner exchange or prisoner swap are not strange, yielding to the idea may not be a bad idea after all. Of relevance to the country’s situation is the model of Humanitarian Exchange or Humanitarian Accord popularised by the experience of Colombia in which the government reached an agreement with guerillas to swap prisoners for hostages, an idea that was pushed by the families of the captives. It is easy to imagine that in the Chibok case the affected families, if not the empathetic public, would readily endorse such arrangement. It is a wonder that the administration keeps sending confusing signs about its intention. Jonathan attempted to project empathy when he said last week, “I share the deep pain and anxiety of their parents and guardians and I assure them once again that government will continue to do everything possible to bring our daughters home.” It is unclear what he meant by “everything possible”, but it would appear that possibility is defined outside the framework of humanitarian exchange, which is sad indeed.

‘It is inconceivable that the insurgents carried out perhaps their most daring and defiant operation since 2009 when they declared war on the state without scenario building. Is it possible that, given the sheer scale of their mission, they did not anticipate the worldwide outrage and condemnation that followed? Is it possible that they did not from the beginning of the plot have a defined purpose for the sensational abduction? Is it possible that now, nearly two months since the unpleasant incident, they have lost control of the narrative?’

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

COMMENTS

EFORE now, the name Ahmad Salkida was a relatively obscure one. Not much was known of the name within the journalism profession or the medium he worked for. Searches conducted on him showed a profile of a freelance journalist; amateur reporter with the defunct Sentinel magazine owned by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and then the Daily Trust newspaper in Maiduguri as a reporter from where he seemed to have acquired the huge contacts that were to catapult his profile to national limelight courtesy of the Boko Haram insurgency. Amazingly, he joined the journalism profession with only a primary school leaving certificate having dropped out of secondary school. That was in the 90s when the profession had come to give much preference to university graduates, some with doctorate degrees. As luck would have it, even with this educational deficiency, he still found accommodation within the newsroom and that came to be the making of a man that was to play a key role (albeit by default) within the scheme of our national affairs. Perhaps, the first inkling of this character emerged when the Boko Haram sect spoke some time ago, of an unnamed journalist as one of their respected confidants to stand for them in a planned negotiation between them and the federal government. He had then arranged a negotiating team on the side of the sect with Dr. Datti Ahmed as the arrowhead. That outing was short-lived because Dr. Ahmed wrote to withdraw from the assignment citing seeming betrayal on the part of the government team. Other efforts at a negotiated settlement of the matter did not come out successful as the insurgents continued with their devious and murderous activities. We have thus been left with the pernicious activities of this terror group culminating in the controversial abduction of the Chibok school girls. Not much was heard of Salkida since his initial outings except his relocation to the United Arab Emirate with his family for fear of his life. He was later to explain that he left the country due to threats by the local authorities and the inability to secure a job on account of his professional relationship with the high echelon of the Boko Haram sect. But his profile has again resonated courtesy of the abduction of the 200 or so Chibok school girls in Borno State. He has regained

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Journalist Salkida as Boko Haram negotiator his voice, this time in a most relevant manner. Both the local and international media have been awash with his speculated efforts to see to the release of the girls. He has come to assume the mantra of the proverbial rejected stone which nobody can afford to do without. Salkida was reported to have met with President Jonathan at the Villa. He was also credited to have embarked on a dangerous and risky mission that could have seen to the release of the girls but for the alleged last minute call from the president from a security summit in France canceling that backdoor negotiation. The report also came with a very frightening dimension that the next thing we are likely hear of the girls following the botched outing of Salkida could be a video footage by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau showing a systematic slaying of the girls. This dimension appeared to have come with all the trappings of blackmail intended to force the federal government to hurriedly accept whatever backdoor negotiations that may have been arrived at by the journalist-turned-hostage-negotiator. Or at best, it was designed to hold the government culpable for whatever harm that may come the way of the girls subsequently. Such has been the nature of the buck-passing and blame game since the girls were abducted. The unfolding story which emanated from the western media may have been fuelled by the insistence of Shekau that the group will

If we are to live together in peace we must come to know each other better ...Lyndon Johnson

N my way out of a birthday party of a dear friend a couple of nights ago, a neighbour confronted me thus, ‘what are we going to do about the Boko Haram on our street?’ To my question of ‘which Boko Haram?’ he retorted: ‘have you not noticed about six ‘Hausa boys’ who always converge at No 3? I was at my dismissive best and with my usual warmth I called him an ignorant bigot. I must say that everybody on his table sided with him! The very next day there was the unfortunate bomb blast in Jos with scores of lives senselessly and brutally terminated. I was inundated with messages on my phone with one saying, ‘this is getting too close to home, we must now all say what we have felt but refused to air – the northerners must be told to go! To me the two tendencies above are myopic and laughable. It would however appear that to many southerners who live either abroad or in the south of Nigeria, what is nonsense to me makes perfect sense to them. In the event that our country is being driven to the brink of anarchy by ignorance, it is the duty of the sensible patriot to broaden the narrative beyond the present tendency. If not for ignorance, how can we see northerners as Boko Haram members or sympathizers? Or is that not the same attitude we condemn as ignorance, when non-Nigerians glibly catalogue Nigerians as fraudsters? Surely we must appreciate that the same way we feel when we are stereotyped because of the actions of a tiny criminal minority must be the way northerners feel when they are referenced as Boko Haram. It is painfully illogical when those bearing the brunt of the Boko Haram devilishness are those being labelled as such. It is probably the case that the young boys on my street, ran away from Boko Haram to Lagos, yet they are the threat! How unthinking, how ignorant! I will advise my neighbour to have a chat with those boys for his own education. The penchant of scapegoating any group of people on account of actions of persons traceable to that origin is by no means a Nigerian phenomenon but it does not make it helpful or less combustible. After 9/11 many actual Arabs or Arab looking people were attacked and some killed as revenge. This does not make sense the same way the killing of innocent Igbos in 1966 as revenge for the actions of a few Igbo army officers will never make sense. That is why the proliferation of all these divisive groups with diverse motivation is very worrisome and why it behoves us to liberate our thinking so that we can educate our people to see through the present cloud of ignorance. Otherwise we will wake up one day and start killing ourselves senselessly. All these talk about the artificiality of Nigeria is counter intuitive. In life we never get to choose who we commune with. Even in the family setting, nobody has ever chosen fellow family members. Just like any country we are born into one. The families that thrive and live harmoniously together are those in

only release the girls if members of the sect currently detained by the security forces are freed by the federal government. This appeared to have raised the stakes for apologists of negotiated settlement of the Boko Haram insurgency. The need for caution so that no harm will come the way of the abducted girls has further supported the idea of talking with the insurgents even in the most obscure and informal manner. But if these reports from the foreign media lack in official confirmation, the doubt surrounding their veracity has been obliterated by the confirmation of Salkida’s efforts by Mallam Shehu Sani, a civil rights activist who enjoys close contacts with families of some Boko Haram members. Sani who had arranged the meeting of former president Olusegun Obasanjo with the slain Boko Haram members’ families in Maiduguri about two years back said Salkida should be appreciated as his intervention could have seen to the release of the girls. He has also insisted that it is “significant for Nigerians to note that negotiation is the only safer option to get the girls back”. Salkida has thrown further insights into the activities and the motivating force of the terror group offering his assistance to resolve the grouse of the group and restore peace in the country. Writing on Twitter, the 40 year old journalist born into a Christian family but later converted to Islam said the most effective way for the federal gov-

ernment to fight terrorism “is to study those behind it and review what strategy works and those that do not work”. He said Boko Haram is a case of “corrosive doctrine that is poorly managed by the authorities” and if effective measures are not taken today, the phenomenon will intensify even after Jonathan would have been out of power. According to him, the whole thing is not just about who is in power as “the central theme of the Boko Haram insurgency is to undermine the institution of democracy and those who support it”. He has spoken. For all one may wish to care, Salkida has thrown further insights into the propelling force for the Boko Haram insurgency. He was there with them from the beginning and was supposed to have edited a journal for the group but for some differences on the thrust of that publication. That Boko Haram is a case of warped ideology not well managed, has never been in doubt. Also not in doubt is the assertion that its central objective is to undermine the institution of democracy and all that is western including education. In the same vein, its weird urge to institute a theocratic state is common place. It was therefore to be imagined how ridiculous it came when Governor Muritala Nyako of Adamawa State was busy the other time inventing some disjointed and illogical basis for the festering of the phenomenon. Salkida would want our leaders to study those behind this terrorism and that is a key point. If we had done that, we may have had a better handle to the festering crisis. Is it a surprise that up till now, our security forces have not been able to unmask their local godfathers and sponsors except the arrest and arraignment of Senator Ndume on terrorism charges? Again, the fact that Salkida came all the way from the United Arab Emirates where he is hiding to talk to some people in this country which outcome could have seen to the release of the girls speaks volumes. It illustrates the point most poignantly that the sponsors of the insurgency are within, their contacts with foreign terrorist organizations not withstanding. They are not ghosts. And as long as we have not been able to unmask these people, so long will the insurgency persist. That is the real task and the quickest way to end this madness.

The truth about Nigeria(ns) By Edo Ukpong which the members practice ‘live and let live.’ It is the erosion of communalism in our country that has now tuned our national conversation to the station of divisiveness and warmongering. We have allowed the few in the callous and selfish power class to appropriate our sovereignty and fan the embers of discord as part of their power and money games. The only message that makes sense for us as a whole is that we are all human beings and that it is the divisions that are artificial. We have found ourselves by whatever ‘mistake’ or happenstance in one country and given that we are blessed with sufficient resources for all, we need to build the spirit of communalism and enthrone a reliable organizational method to guarantee fairness to all irrespective of tribe or religion. There is no magic wand organizational method, be it parliamentary or presidential or whatever; any system can work provided it is operated fairly in the spirit of communalism. With the level of greed, impunity and territoriality in Nigeria, no system will work! And guess what? Divide Nigeria into as many countries as you want, agitation will not stop because it is wrongly directed, we should be agitating for fairness and good responsible governance not divisions. Let me take Akwa Ibom for instance, I understand that under the Eastern Region government, ‘my people’ were seriously marginalized by the majority Igbos. South Eastern State was created as a result of the agitation. The Ibibios were now majority but were soon agitating that they wanted out of South Eastern State because of marginalization! Akwa Ibom was created and with it the Ibibio, Annang and Oron divide was exacerbated. Now the agitation is that the Annangs have cornered all the resources and marginalized the Ibibios! I wonder if any ‘missing funds’ exist in the name of Annang people. Rather than agitate for good accountable governance we keep on chasing shadows! We should be more discerning and then perhaps we will discover that the agitation is being promoted by individuals who did not personally benefit from the squander-mania? There is no denying the fact that we live in a fragile country, but that is the more reason why well meaning patriots must rise to counter the ongoing deceptive and hypocritical narrative. The atmosphere of xenophobic hysteria is exactly what led to ‘Ghana Must Go’ about 30 years ago. We blamed Ghanaians for every societal ill including rising crime and unemployment. In mob fashion, we dispossessed them of their property and hounded them out of town in the most barbaric of circumstances with many of them especially children and women dying at the chaotic Nigerian border (choked and overflowing with a dehumanized multitude.) Yet the same Nigerians who have now flocked to Ghana have the temerity to complain that their ‘broth-

ers’ are asking them to pay trading levies which they categorize as unfair! Did expelling Ghanaians solve any problems? Of course not, because they were not the problem but merely victims of misdirected aggression. We must direct our aggression at bad governance because that is the problem. Bad governance thrives throughout the country because we are focused on the wrong targets and the perpetrators from all sections are having a good time at our collective expense. Our soldiers of fortune have produced different maps including one by ‘The Southern Peoples Assembly’ comprising four new countries of Oduduwa, Sharia North, Middle Belt and Southern people. So these days, things have changed so much that the Niger Delta minorities desperately need to form a country with the Igbos only? Hopefully the capital will be in Uyo, whose people were dancing on the streets when Cross River State oil wells were ceded to it and as one taxi driver victoriously declared to me at the time – ‘Now let us see what they will eat?’ Suddenly in a country where a child from Enugu State cannot because of ‘indigenisation’ enjoy free education in Abia State but will enjoy same in Sokoto State, we are glibly talking of Southern Nigeria! I would not have been so worried by all these inanities, but I am, because Nigerians are so shockingly gullible. All manner of stories are being bandied about and fact, fiction and fantasy are mixed together in a form of crude osmosis where ‘dem say’ is the only required proof of all manner of ‘evidence’. The Almighty loves Nigeria very dearly and perhaps why he has provided South Sudan as an example to warn us to retrace our steps and embrace the path of unity, without which there can be no progress. Also we must in serious matters draw the line between flighty phantasm and foolishness. We must take the admonition of Martin Luther King seriously -’We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools’ • Ukpong is a Lagos based Legal Practitioner

‘The atmosphere of xenophobic hysteria is exactly what led to ‘Ghana Must Go’ about 30 years ago. We blamed Ghanaians for every societal ill including rising crime and unemployment. In mob fashion, we dispossessed them of their property and hounded them out of town in the most barbaric of circumstances‘

BUSINESS

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

THE NATION

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We want a SONCAP programme that would serve its purpose; a programme that would be dynamic, where all the identified loopholes would be effectively plugged thereby making it difficult for the plaque of substandard products to continue to dominate the Nigerian business space. -Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

CEO

Needs a job? Try these techniques, strategies - P. 37

No country, market without challenges - P. 28

News Briefing

GE, BoI partner on healthcare infrastructure devt

‘27 cement grades available’

THERE are 27 different grades of cement, the Managing Director, LaFarge WAPCO, makers of the Elephant cement brand, Mr. Joe Hudson, has said.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

–Page 26

NACCIMA warns against rising unemployment UNEMPLOYMENT rate in Nigeria may exceed 28 per cent of the population, before the end of the year, the Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Association (NACCIMA) has warned. –Page 26

Community bickers over siting of filling station

APETROL station being constructed by an independent oil marketing firm, ASCON Oil, on Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, is generating mixed reactions from residents. –Page 26

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil

-$117.4/barrel

Cocoa

-$2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

- ¢132.70/pound

Cotton

- ¢95.17pound

Gold

-$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

-$163/lb MARKET

CAPITALISATIONS NSE

-N11.4 trillion

JSE

-Z5.112trillion

NYSE

-$10.84 trillion

LSE

-£61.67 trillion RATES

Inflation

-8%

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

-15.87%

Savings rate

-1%

91-day NTB

-15%

Time Deposit

-5.49%

MPR

-12%

Foreign Reserve

$45b

FOREX CFA

-0.2958

EUR

-206.9

-242.1

-156

-1.9179

SDR

-238

RIYAL

-40.472

• From left: Former Chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Morounkeji Onasanya; Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayeni; former Chairman, Princess Agnes Adeniran and Managing Director/CEO designate, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, at the unveiling of Skye Plus Software in Lagos.

SEC okays new rules for takeovers

HE board of Securities and Exchange Com mission (SEC) has approved new amendments to the nation’s rules and regulations on takeover, in what set a new clear context for takeover and aggressive secondary market transactions. A copy of the amendments obtained at the weekend by The Nation indicates that any investor who acquires more than 30 per cent of the shares of a quoted company through non-primary transactions would have to make a take-over bid to other shareholders. According to the new rules, “no person shall acquire, through a series of transactions or otherwise,

By Taofeek Salako

more than 30 per cent of the shares of a public quoted company without making a bid.” Also, where a shareholder, together with other persons, hold not less than 30 per cent but more than 50 per cent shares of a company acquires additional shares, such person or persons shall make a takeover bid to the other shareholders of the company. The Commission indicated that any takeover that violates the provisions of the new rules would be nullified. The new rules however indicated exemptions to primary market transactions including private placement, rights issue and initial pub-

lic offerings. The takeover bid will not apply where an ailing company undertakes a private placement which results in the strategic investor acquiring more than 30 per cent of the voting rights of the company. Also, exemption was granted in the case of an acquisition or holding of or entitlement to exercise or control the exercise of more than 30 per cent voting shares of a company by an allotment made in accordance with a proposal particulars of which were set out in a prospectus where the prospectus was the first prospectus for the initial public offer of voting shares issued by the company or

the person who acquired the voting shares was a promoter of the prospectus and the effect of the acquisition on the person’s voting power in the company has been disclosed in the prospectus and the prospectus has been registered with the Commission. Takeover bid will also not be required in an acquisition of shares or rights over shares which would not increase the percentage of the voting rights held by that person, such as an investor that takes up his entitlement under a fully underwritten rights issue. The new rules also excluded convertible securities from the mandatory takeover bid provision.

‘Absence of enabling law threatens digital migration project’ T HE Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has expressed doubt over the sincerity of the Federal Government at ensuring that the country successfully transit from current analogue broadcasting technology to digital in line with the directive of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to all its member-countries. According to the group, while there is no legal teeth to the implementation of the programme in the country, many state governments still keep placing orders for analogue transmitters indicating that the success of the programme has been inextricably tied to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). Its Deputy Chair, Sunday Olu Jethro, who spoke in Lagos, said there is no leg-

By Lucas Ajanaku

islation backing the digitisation in the country and expressed reservation about the government’s sincerity at ensuring that the project sails through. “Many state governments are still placing orders for analogue transmitters. State governments have not made commitment to digitisation. Stakeholders should look at the dangers of switching over without the enabling law in a country yet to distinguish between politics and governance,” he warned. Aside the absence of the enabling laws on the programme, there is also lack of awareness about the programme among the citizens that will be affected by the analogue switch off

(ASO) and paucity of funds. Driver of the project, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said it needs tens of billions of naira to execute the project, adding that it is exploring several options of raising the billions including seeking funding from multilateral organisations and discussing with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to see if it could get some level of funding from the broadcast spectrum that will be freed to telecoms as a result of the transition. Its Director-General, Emeka Mba, who spoke on the sideline of Digital Migration Summit in Lagos at the weekend, said massive funding and industry collaboration are needed to see to the successful implementation of

the programme. The ITU has set next year for member-countries to achieve analogue switch off. Nigeria had set 2012 as terminal date to achieve digital switch over (DSO) but missed the target. Mba said DSO requires significant collaboration from everybody, arguing that the impression that it was government or NBC’s project is completely flawed. He said it is a global affair and urging everybody to join hands and make success out of it. Speaking on funding on the occasion, Deputy Chair, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Bello Tukur, said there were concerns that the National Assembly is not doing anything currently towards the appropriation of requisite funding to support the digital migration process.

ENERAL Electric (GE) and Bank of Industry (BoI) are partnering to develop infrastructure in the healthcare system to reduce non-availability of facilities in the sector. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GE Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo made this known while highlighting the intervention of GE in the health, power and oil and gas sectors of the economy. Angbazo said his company is working with the Bank of Industry (BoI) on project for a diagnostic network of about 40 diagnostic centres, which will be pan-African but refused to give details on the project’s execution and countries or areas such diagnostic centres would be located. Angbazo said: “When we talk about signing a commitment with the government of Nigeria in the healthcare infrastructure, there were things we said we will do. Number one is to support the development at the minimum four new diagnostic centres, two new specialist hospitals, provide continuing technical and leadership training for professionals in the healthcare industry and number four is to develop strategies to rural health.

Cassava farmers, traders get e-market platform By Chikodi Okereocha

AJOR players and in vestors along the vi tamin A cassava value chain have been linked to the HarvestPlus, Nigeria’s e-market portal at a workshop. The workshop was designed to create business opportunities towards sustaining the demand and supply of vitamin A fufu, flour, gari and stems. HarvestPlus is a leader in the global effort to stem the malnutrition scourge through the multiplication and dissemination of vitamin-enriched cassava stems. The workshop organised by HarvestPlus-Nigeria, identified bulking agents, cassava stem traders, and investors who were then linked with farmers and cassava processors to create market for vitamin A cassava products. The identified groups were subsequently registered on the HarvestPlus-Nigeria’s e- market portal. The linkage was regarded as a successful outcome of the training aimed establishing products standards and linking investors to markets.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

‘27 cement grades available’

By Muyiwa Lucas

HERE are 27 different grades of cement, the Managing Di rector, LaFarge WAPCO, makers of the Elephant cement brand, Mr. Joe Hudson, has said. He said there was nothing new in any cement quality as Nigerians were being made to believe. According to him, the quality of cement in the country is of international standard. Hudson told The Nation that his firm was the first to produce the 42.5 cement grade, which he said was registered commercially and locally with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Defending the 32.5 cement grade, Hudson said it is the best multi-purpose cement for Nigeria based on a number of factors. For instance, he explained that because the country is in a very hot tropical environment, with a low heat of hydration, the 32.5 grade becomes very suitable because it does not cause cracking. He said: “It (32.5 grade) is good for workability because we have grinded it fine, meaning that if you add sand and water to it, then it has good workability and use for the mason; it also has a very good environmental impact because with a little bit of extra limestone or other addictive put into it, it reduces correspondingly the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.” He reiterated that there is no correlation between cement quality and building collapse. According to him, it is important to have varieties of cement grades since it will give engineers and builders opportunities to make a choice for their various applications and construction requirement. He said: “A block maker needs a different type of cement than someone who is plastering; he needs something that can set rapidly so that he can mold his block; turn over his capital and move on. Someone who is building a house for example can use a 32.5 grade of cement for concrete works, and also plastering. For instance, the Oriental Hotel, was made with 32.5 cement grade. We have been in business for 54 years here and we have never had any problem with quality, and we believe in choice for the consumer.” He added that the 42.5 grade cement can be used for specific types of high end engineering products. But in an advertorial by the SON, the agency reiterated that the 32.5 grade cement is only suitable for plastering, warning the public of the dangers of using the 32.5 grade cement for concrete works. It claimed that the “use can result in construction failure.” According to SON, only the 42.5 grade cement is “approved for all purposes, while the 52.5 grade cement is approved for specialised construction.” Reacting to the SON advert, the management of the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UCCN) has also challenged the propriety of the claims by SON, including the process followed by the agency in arriving at the ‘new cement standard.’ The firm maintained that no evidence is available that the 32.5 grade cement is responsible for building collapse in the country, a position it said was upheld by stakeholders at a hearing on the composition and pigmentation of cement in the country, held by an ad hoc committee of the National Assembly. Hudson recalled that in 2010, his firm initiated a national dialogue on building collapse, and followed it with another session this year in conjunction with all the professionals in the relevant key sectors. It was further established at the forum that there is no link at all between cement and building collapse. “So, the key is that we should make sure we have a building code. There was a Bill that was launched in 2006 and it should be passed into law. So there is no link at all and we have proved that,” he submitted.

NAICOM urges NCAA on airlines’ insurance with local operators T HE National Insurance Com mission (NAICOM) has called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) not to allow airlines in Nigeria violate the local content law and insurance law by placing their insurances abroad. The development will not only stop capital flight but also deepen insurance business and increase its contributions to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, who spoke at the Seminar for Insurance Correspondents organised by the regulator in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said airlines that insure abroad contravenes the Nigerian Content Development Act and Insurance Act. which require that all domesticated businesses

By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

must be insured with local operators. He urged insurers to be at the driver’s seat to ensure that the airline business is not taken out of the country. He said: “Any airline that insures its business out of the country has offended the Nigerian Content Development Act, and even if we leave that development Act, which is an Act of Parliament that came in 2010, there is Insurance Act, which requires that all domesticated businesses must be insured with us.”

He said the NCAA should ensure that no aircraft fly without appropriate insurance. According to him, every airline is supposed to have an insurance policy that is issued locally, adding that underwriters having secured the risk can spread it abroad as insurance is an international business. He said: “Insurance is an international business; it is about spreading risks; we cannot keep all the risks here. But there is now a good working arrangement between us and the NCAA to ensure that there is zero tolerance on nonobservance of these rules and laws.

“They have been proactive in sending to us every certificate of insurance deposited with them for us to authenticate and confirm their genuineness. We are working very smoothly with them to ensure that we do not have aircrafts flying without the issuance of appropriate insurance.” Guidelines by the Commission on the Local Content Act and Insurance Act state that a person or organisation that intends to insure any property in Nigeria, must place such insurance with insurers registered in accordance with the Insurance Act 2003 who may, subject to the Commission’s approval, reinsure the excess overseas where the local industry lacks the capacity to retain the risk.

‘Nigeria needs marketing communication experts’

• From left: Chairman, Publicity and Events Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Jide Awe; DirectorGeneral (DG), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Chris Onyemenam and NCS President, Prof. David Adewumi when the NIMC executives visited the DG in Abuja.

NACCIMA warns against rising unemployment

NEMPLOYMENT rate in Ni geria may exceed 28 per cent of the population, before the end of the year, the Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Association (NACCIMA) has warned. An executive member of the group, Mr. David Iweta, said the solution to the unemployment scourge, lies in collaboration between the the public and private sectors. According to him, the private sector is the major employer in any economy, while the government creates the enabling environment. He said:“There is no doubt that the rate of unemployment in Nigeria

By Toba Agboola

may exceed 28 per cent by 2014 when the figures are released owing to many factors, as manufacturing and agricultural outfits are closing shops at a geometric progression. “But it appears that the Federal Government is trying to take credit for this by initiating programmes such as YOU WIN, among others. “We use this medium to call on the Federal Government to make public and implement the report of the Employment Committee Report on which huge public fund was spent few years back.

“No doubt that implementing the recommendation of that report, will go a long way in solving the unemployment problem.” He said the committee traveled to several advanced and developing countries to adopt employment models that would be suitable for the country.” Iweta identified lack of access to funds for the real sector as one of the major factors for making Nigeria a dumping ground for foreign manufactured goods. This has made consumers to underwrite salaries and wages of foreign workers and bring pressure on the available foreign exchange.

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

HE President of Association of Advertising Agencies of Ni geria (AAAN), Mrs Bunmi Oke, has urged the government to appreciate the role of advertising professionals in the marketing of the country to the international market. Oke, also a member of Diaspora Committee of the National Conference, said she would expect the government to ensure that professionals manage its marketing communication against the current practice. She said: ”The country needs communication expert who can manage the communication crisis in the country. The government needs consultants. Nigeria is like a patient that needs communication solutions. We can’t correct all the wrongs but we must remarket the country and the government must give the job to professionals. “The government must understand the importance of integrated marketing communication in nation branding using professionals to achieve that.” She said if the government embraces the use of professionals, it will enable the country to market its potential to the international community. “The government should have a marketing arm. Dubai, Australia has marketing arms which is responsible for developing marketing strategy for their countries,” she said. The government had invested millions of dollars to market the country through Heart of Africa; Good People, Good Nation campaign among others which failed to acheive the desired goals because of what experts say was lack of professionals input.

Lagos community bickers over ASCON’s filling station

PETROL station be ing constructed by an inde pendent oil marketing firm, ASCON Oil, on Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, is generating mixed reactions from residents of the estate. The project sited on Block 36, Plot 10 Admiralty Way, Lekki, has pitted members of the community against one another. The matter has gone to a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Kazeem Alogba. Five residents of the estate: Rasheed Williams, Kayode Aderinokun, Alhaji Useni, Malachy Ezeoke, Mrs. Ogunmokun and Olujide Kuti have asked the court to stop the work. They feel the filling station when completed, will cause traffic congestion in the area, especially during fuel scarcity. They also feel it could compromise their safety because of the risks of fire outbreak. The residents are also afraid that the project may expose them to armed robbers who may target the sales from the

By Sampson Unamka

station and by extension other neighbours. They averred that the petrol station would threaten their lives, health and property in the form of pollution. But, other residents, acting under the aegis of Concerned Residents of Lekki Phase 1 Estate, have contrary opinions. According to them, the initiative will accelerate urbanisation of the area. Its Chairman, Biyi Olumegbon, dismissed fears of congestion, adding that with the project’s selling points, it will not. “We are not interested in the firm that owns or operates the filling station. We believe that it will increase commercial activities along Admiralty Way. The establishment of a petrol station to cater for residents is a welcome development and long overdue.

“ASCON Oil service station told us and our independent investigation showed that there is going to be four double nozzle pumps capable of handling eight cars a time. It is also going to be built on 340 square-metre piece of land. This model of filling station is usually reserved for high traffic stations built on highways like the Lekki Expressway. In addition, about 50 cars can be in the station at any given time. With such operating space it will be rare for traffic to spill over into the major road during normal operations, because they will be using a model that can handle smooth traffic flow for cars on highway,” Olumegbon added. Secretary of the group, Patrick Aimiuwa, said the residents of Lekki and adjoining communities in Eti Osa Local Government will benefit from the filling station when completed, adding that the construction was approved by the Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) and

other relevant government agencies down to the local government level. He said: “We would have taken side with those clamouring that the filling station be stopped if the construction had not been approved by the relevant government. “Are they saying that the Department of Physical Planning Permit Authority that gave the permit in the first place are incompetent or does not know there onions? Or are they saying that they love the state more than the Commissioner of Physical Planning and Urban Development whose purview it is to ensure proper physical planning in the state? “Our neighbours in Lekki Phase 1 Estate that are up in arms against the plan to build and operate a mega filling station in the area are few and do not represent the interests of the generality of residents of the estate. As a matter of fact, their activities borders on campaign of calumny calculated to arrest the rapid urbanisation going on in that axis of Lagos.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

THE CEO Against the practice where most Nigerianbased multi-national firms are being managed by expatriates, Guinness Nigeria has remained an exception. There the mantle of leadership has fallen on Seni Adetu. In this interview with select journalists, he speaks on strategies adopted by the company to reposition its operations and brands to excite its customers. Group Business Editor, SIMEON EBULU, was there.

HAT is your assesssment of the brewing industry? The beer industry in Nigeria is a very dynamic one. Over the last few years, we have seen series of ups and downs. Ups in terms of real growth and downs with regards to consumer demand. This is especially so in the last couple of years as a result of constraints of discretionary income, which some have attributed partly to the impact of the fuel subsidy removal over two years ago. Some of the constraints are attributed to government’s spending because in our industry, we believe that the consumers’ activities in terms of consumption and demand are strongly related to government spending. This is because, as we know, the government is the biggest employer of labour. In reality, the more the government comes in and spends money in the economy, the more the extent people or consumers can pay for the basic necessities of life such as food, transportation and rent. Our insights indicate that what is left in their (consumers) pockets, which we refer to as discretionary income at times is usually used to treat themselves. Overall, the industry has grown in the last ten years. It’s a very profitable industry, things are going well, but the other thing to say about the beer industry in Nigeria is that over the last six years, there has been a change over the competitive landscape. How? In the past, it used to be a two-player market, obviously the top, Nigerian Breweries and Guinness Nigeria, but in the last few years, we’ve seen the entry of a third player. The key thing to note is that these three players that we have today are multinational companies, which have real pedigree in running beer businesses across the globe. Therefore, that transformation from two to three players, has also led to the acquisition of smaller players across the country. So, a lot of the small regional players have been acquired by the big companies and that is really good for the economy and for the industry as well. The reason I brought how the beer industry is doing into the conversation, is to put in context our belief that the future is very bright for the industry. These players are bringing in investments into the sector. There are loads of capacity in the industry which we didn’t have before. In the past where some of the small players used to do rationing, you could only get so much, but now there is capacity and you can get as much as you want. Still in that context that the future is very bright, it is important to understand that per cup consumption is still very low in Nigeria compared to what obtains in South Africa. We estimate that on average, a Nigerian consumer will drink about seven litres of alcohol in 55 litres. So, overall we have a dynamic, profitable, very competitive, growing and bright future. Do you see spiritual factors affecting the

• Adetu

No country, market without challenges Profile

Institutions attended

University of Lagos

Qualifications

B.Sc (Chemical Engineering); MBA (Marketing).

Previous positions

Manager, Brands & Sales, John Holt; GM Coca Cola West Africa; Commercial Director, Nigeria Bottling Company; Managing Director Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Group Managing Director, East African Breweries Limited

Present position

Managing Director/CEO Guinness Nig Plc

Experience

Over 37 years.

consumption of beer or alcohol? Have you ever done a research on the effect of church sermons and preaching against alcohol? In sessions like this, I try to avoid questions relating to religion or the impact thereof on the industry. We do not force consumers to drink. We expect that consumers will choose to drink, or do so responsibly. As a matter of fact, we preach that people should use alcohol most responsibly and not abuse it. As for the impact of religion on consumption, I don’t have any idea about that link, or relationship. Is the economy responsible for low consumption? The economy could be a factor. It’s a great point you raised because when we’ve seen the downturn in consumption, a lot of that have been attributed to challenges around discretionary income, especially since the fuel subsidy removal, or what some will call partial

removal of fuel subsidy in the last couple of years. With the removal of subsidy, consumers downgraded the consumption of alcohol in their hierarchy of what we have as consumers’ spend. They have, sort of, restructured their hierarchy of spending, such that they want to take care of the basic needs. By the time they are done from the top of their needs, which would start with food to housing, and transportation, there is very little left to put into alcohol. Now there is a bit of down trading in the industry. Down trading is when you see consumers moving away from the premium brands or mainstream brands, which are the most highly priced brands to the lower priced brands. We are seeing a lot of that. That’s why you see the growth of the industry coming largely from the value brands, which is N150 versus

the mainstream price which is about N182. Some premium brands are even higher than that. When you see that happening, more and more consumers will be dropping from the mainstream brands to the value brands. This is a clear indication that there may be challenges around the economy and discretionaryincome. How are you recovering the lost ground? It is good that when you are losing share, you know why you are losing your share of the market. That said, the first thing I have to say is that competition is good, especially if the playing field is level and everybody is playing by the rules. I think it is good for the industry, the consumers, also the pricing is reasonable. It’s good for the government too because more revenue comes in for the government through taxation, among others. We are not afraid of competition. We believe very strongly in the quality of our brands and our people. The fact that we have the required capacity, we have the confidence and believe that we have enough ammunition to fight competition. The key thing for us is to focus on our strategy and ensure that our strategy works for us. With or without competition, there will always be some head-room of opportunities that we have seen in our business as Guinness Nigeria Plc that we are focusing on; things around our distribution, just ensuring that our brands get to all the single outlets that we need to be, things around investing in our brands, putting in the level of investment to be even more competitive. Its feels like our passion is for innovation and ensuring that we keep putting new brands •Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

THE CEO

No country, market without challenges

•Continued from page 27

that excite the consumers out there and so on. Our strategy really, is focusing on the big things that we need to do to create the transformation in our business, and the market share will be the outcome of those efforts for Guinness Nigeria. To what extent has the security situation affected your spread? A lot has been said on the security situation of the country, especially in the northern part of the country, but even then, we can never sound like a broken record on that because it is such a critical part of the drivers of the economy. In other words, having the right security, or secured environment is critical to the survival of any business. From our perspective, certainly the challenges around security have created a restriction in terms of where we are able to penetrate with our brands. We value the lives of our people and, therefore, when we see that there is a risk to life, we consciously pulled out our approach and sales force from those areas. Therefore by implication that has an impact on our business as it has had on so many other businesses. We have had a lot of other businesses come out and cry about the fact that the shortfalls in performances have been due to the security situation in some parts of the country. I want to use this opportunity to encourage the government to move fast and deal with this security issue that we are talking about. The reason is that the local companies in Nigeria are complaining and really crying out loud about the security situation. In reality, the bigger missed-opportunity for Nigeria, is in terms of the potential foreign investors that want to come and invest in the country who will sit by their television, or go to the internet to read about Nigeria and the security issues, and who may not even have the sort of information that we have on which part of the country is safe and which part is not safe, and they end up just

writing off the whole country. Can you quantify this missed opportunity? I can’t put a value to the size of that missed opportunity for Nigeria. That’s why am saying that at one level, it’s really impacting local businesses, that’s sizeable and it needs to be fixed. But I actually think that the bigger cost to Nigeria is the missed opportunities of investors who decide they can’t come for security issues. Talking about your 2013 financials, there has been some criticisms from analysts that your earnings were below expectation. Could you explain? We released results for the three months ending March 31, where we announced a five per cent drop in top line. I have to say, first and foremost that the result did not reflect our intent in terms of what we would have liked to deliver, and the reasons are very clear to us. The first one is that we were quite disadvantaged in competition in the market place. We took a price increase at some point in the course of the year in reaction to inflation and increases in operating costs, and there was a gap between us and competitors and we have since reversed that. The second thing is that the growths that most of our competitors are reporting in their performances have come largely from value brands and that was the segment that we as Guinness hadn’t built. So it’s just now that we’ve put in a few new brands in the value segment to be able to compete against our competitors within that segment. So if you can understand the fact that up until now, we didn’t have that scale segment because our plan in the value segment is relatively new and called to-bake, which is the brand that is supposed to fight competition in that segment. In the case of competition, they have been

‘From our perspective, certainly the challenges around security have created a restriction in terms of where we are able to penetrate with our brands. We value the lives of our people and therefore, when we see that there is a risk to life, we consciously pulled out our approach and sales force from those areas’

• Adetu

ahead of us but that is fixed. We can actually reverse the performance and turn it around. The third thing is our route to the consumer. We have considered that we are slightly disadvantaged to the extent that our brands are not in all the places we want them to be, and we have a big project that is dealing with the issue of distribution. So, for me, yes, we would like the result to be better than what it was, but clearly we know why it is what it is, and we don’t believe for a second that those factors cannot be fixed. We are confident, especially now that we have taken those decisions and have imputed them through the business and we will begin to see the impact in the future. In terms of the bottom-line performance, when we talk about earnings, a big chunk of what you see in the profit decline is attributable to the finance charges. About four years ago in 2010, we announced an investment of N52 billion that we would put into capacity upgrade, which included increasing the capacity of our bottling lines, putting in new canning lines, and brewery expansion, among others. Have you concluded the process? We have gone through that whole phase and completed the N52 billion investment. Of course, some of that came through bonds and the interest charges are coming through now and that explains the impact in profitability. From our perspectives, we are confident that we will turn it around. We’ve put in all the interventions that we needed to and we expect that in the future we will see the impact positively. Our innovation is clearly the best in the industry. We put in brands like Snapp and Origin, which are also doing very well. In terms of innovation, we are very strong. We have been around for over 50 years and my expectation is that in 50 years time, Guinness will be stronger than it is today. Where will you focus attention, the value brands, or your premium brands? We try not to be brand-centric, but to be consumer-centric. In other words, we give to the consumers what they want. You can decide that you are a premium company and the consumer keep saying, they want the value brand. If you don’t give it to them, someone else will give it to them so the way we play the game strategically, is to be very open to what the consumer wants. There will be that segment of consumer who will always go for premium brands anyway. Don’t get me wrong, Nigerians are not turning to paupers, in fact there is an emergence of affluent Nigerian consumers that are coming soon and getting to premium. At one level, we see down- trading, and also in another level, we also see up-trading. Consumers, as they get promoted in their job, they step up. The premium segment and mainstream segment, will for eternity always have their place in the scheme of segmentation of Nigerian consumer. What I am saying is that the value segment that existed before and was very tiny, has suddenly become so big and is still growing and growing faster than the other two. This does not mean that the other two are going to be cast away forever. How are you dealing the regulatory environment? For us, we think that we are a highly self-regulated organisation. In other words, our regulations and our policies are all the subject of responsible drinking as stringent as they come. We would not put out any piece of advertisement that does not carry the age limit declaration. There would also not be an advertisement that we will do, that will portray our company, or our brands in an irresponsible way.

• Adetu

‘If you don’t give it to them, someone else will give it to them so the way we play the game strategically, is to be very open to what the consumer wants. There will be that segment of consumer who will always go for premium brands anyway’ We have what we call DMC (Diageo Marketing Code) because Guinness Nigeria is a subsidiary of Diageo and DMC is very clear in terms of what is acceptable from the marketing standpoint from Guinness Nigeria plc, and we adhere to those standards very strictly. We are not adjudged by any standards in Diageo different from the standard of Diageo in the UK, or that any other country in the world would be adjudged by. The other thing to say is that it is important for people to know that we are genuinely committed to this. From the commercial perspective, it is the right thing to do. The truth is that if people misuse our bottle, it impacts on them and the result is that they would not be able to drink tomorrow. So, on all counts, both from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) standpoint to even commercial standpoint, there is every reason for us to be at the forefront of helping people understand how to use alcohol responsibly and benefit from the consumption of alcohol. There are reported cases of demarketing. What gives rise to such practice and what are the consiquences? I am glad you brought that up because it is something that is, from my perspective, an anti-trust issue. I have heard that a particular company actually does that, unfortunately in this market, we don’t have strong anti-trust policies that will deal with issues like that. In some other countries, no company is allowed to go out to the market to delist another company’s brand. I think it is something that the government will do well to look at as a neutral regulator. From my perspective, it is clearly the wrong thing to do. Creating a fair competitive environment in this country is very imperative. Who do you interface with in your CSR obligations? First, we start with the state governments, because all land belongs to the state governments and we tell them about our intention. After that, they link us to the local government; from there they link us with the Community Development Association (CDA) and the traditional rulers and we engage everyone. For instance there is always a representative of the state government, local government and the commu-

nity and we hand them over publicly. How do you see Nigeria’s investment climate. Is it friendly to foreign investors? Absolutely, now whether they would come in is a separate conversation. These investors are willing to come, but the challenge is how to navigate. Therefore, the best people to actualise the investment opportunity in Nigeria are those that can navigate. I have said to people that a lot will depend on the commitment of those investors. The investors have to come in with a commitment mindset. The reality of life is, no pain, no gain. They have to understand all the risks and balance that against the opportunities they have. There is no country or market in this world that does not have its own challenges. You have to understand the risks and the mitigations and use the mitigations to counter the risks. When you recruit, do the recruits meet expectations or do you have problems with their skills levels? There are four factors that are affecting the growth of the manufacturing sector. In fact, even with the rebasing of the GDP, the manufacturing sector is reported at about less than seven per cent of the GDP and if you compare that with other economies in Africa it is very low. The first factor is infrastructure; the second is raw material availability; the third is cost of capital and the fourth is skilled manpower or talents. We are a multinational company and we have the opportunity to recruit and train through our global office and shape them to what we want and reward them and retain them. It will be on record that we are one of the very few in terms of big multinational companies in Nigeria who have a majority of the executive management team. Talent is an issue generally but we in Guinness have the power to mitigate the risk. What should we expect from Guinness in the next 12 months on new products? The one thing I can say to you is that when it comes to innovation I think our competitors will agree with us that we’ve perhaps been the most successful in the last 12-18 months.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

MONEYLINK

CBN directs issuing banks to fix prepaid cards’ limits

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend authorised banks to determine the maximum withdrawal and spending limits for prepaid cards. Card issuance guidelines issued by the regulator, said limits specified for prepaid cards shall also apply to cards linked to mobile money wallets, where full knowledge of the customer in accordance with KYC (Know Your Customer) has been performed on the mobile money customer. Also, prepaid cards will operate within the minimum prescribed KYC requirements. The CBN also said loadable limits both in naira and foreign currency

By Collins Nweze

would be determined by the issuing bank, or financial institution. The banks are also to determine daily balances on the cards. “No prepaid card shall be issued beyond the limits of a stored value card to a person, or a corporate organisation. Where a customer desires to do transactions beyond the limits prescribed above, full KYC would be required. The apex bank asked banks to refer to the CBN KYC Manual and Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. It said no stored value card shall be issued to a person without obtaining the minimum KYC, while the maximum amount that can be loaded

on the stored value card shall not exceed N50,000 per day. It said the fee for loading salary payments unto a payment card shall be paid separately by the salary payer and not deducted from the balance value of the stored value card. “The maximum balance on the stored value card shall not exceed N250, 000 at any time. The limits specified for stored value cards shall also apply to cards linked to mobile money wallets, where at least KYC (Phone Number and Name) has been performed on the mobile money customer,” it said. According to the CBN, a card Issuer should implement system validation to detect potentially suspi-

By Ajose Sehindemi

He said the speed, efficiency and convenience with which transactions can be completed are distinct advantages that e-commerce has over traditional means of doing business. “With the introduction of the SME MarketHub, the bank has provided SME’s an e-commerce platform that allows operators create and maintain an online presence and expand their business frontiers to new markets and millions of buyers that are online”, he added. Explaining the need of the platform, the bank’s Group Head, Corporate Communications, Mrs Lola Odedina, said the platform will be sustained as e-commerce for business, adding that the platform has attracted over 5,200 operators.

•Sterling Bank CEO, Yemi Adeola

HE Sterling Bank Mathematics competition came to a climax last weekend with the presentation of various cash awards totaling N3.65 million to the top 51 pupils. The keenly contested competition

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

which initially produced ties for the first position, prompting a tie breaker test, saw seven pupils achieving the same score. The competition was sponsored by Sterling Bank Plc in collaboration with Caleb International Schools. At the award ceremony, three pupils, Ogunsanwo Temilade Ayomikun, Ojo Opemiposi Esther and Ebiabkpo Abeokuta, who came first, second and third respectively went home with cash prizes of N500,000, N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. They also got various branded gift items from Sterling Bank Plc. Master Udo- Ozoagba Prosper (4th), Aromolaran Toluwase Daniel (5th), Awodola Winnie Eniola (6th) and Onyejekwe Chima Henry who came seventh went home with the sum of N150,000, N125,000, N100,000 and N75,000 respectively while 44 others

got consolation prizes of N50,000 each. Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Sterling Bank’s Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer (CFO), who addressed the pupils and their parents/guardians commended them for putting up what he described as a superlative performance, adding that the keen competition among participants was evidence that all was not lost in the country’s education sector. Executive Director, Caleb International Schools, Dolapo Ogunbanwo commended Sterling Bank for the initiative adding that the Bank had demonstrated clearly that it was socially responsible and committed to the growth of education in the country. While congratulating the award winners, Ogunbanwo lauded the parents for investing in the future of their children as manifested in their outstanding performance at the competition.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

The transaction originates from a blacklisted merchant, in which case, the Issuer must provide proof of blacklisting to CBN, upon request,” it said. For card not present transactions, the minimum of second level authentication for internet based transactions is mandatory. “Issuers are expected to deploy robust fraud monitoring tools that have the capacity to monitor customer transaction trends, real-time operations and option of blocking suspicious transactions. Any trapped card in the ATM shall be rendered unusable (by perforation) by the Acquirer and returned to the Issuer on the next working day,” it said.

Sterling Bank rewards winners of maths competition with N3.65m

GTBank inaugurates SME Market Hub

UARANTY Trust Bank has launched the SME Market Hub, an e-commerce portal that enables business owners buy, sell, list and connect to themselves. The product, which also serves as e-commerce and business directory panel, is part of the bank’s strategy to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSE’s) and contribute to the growth and development of the economy. The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the platform is open to all businesses operated by SME’s in the country and can be operated anywhere in the world. “Economic conditions remain challenging for SME operators and it is vital that this sector gets all the support it needs to drive growth and development,” he said.

cious transactions and may refuse to authorise a transaction, or allow the cardholder to make a payment into the card account. This, it said, happens where the cardholder has exceeded an account limit, either aggregate or daily limit. Also, where transaction seems unusual, compared with the normal Card usage (such as unusual locations and spending patterns) This, can also happen where card issuer reasonably believes that the cardholder has used, obtained, or may use or obtain, a service or money illegally or fraudulently. The apex bank explained that a third party may have rights over money in the cardholder account.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

NIDF

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

Date 28-04-2012 “

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

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 6-3-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

FO ZENITHBANK FBNH VITAFOAM GUARANTY FLOURMILL ETI ASHAKACEM NEIMETH COSTAIN

194.00 24.03 14.50 4.01 28.49 73.00 16.00 21.40 1.02 1.23

213.88 25.40 15.30 4.22 29.92 76.65 16.80 22.47 1.07 1.29

10.25 5.70 5.52 5.24 5.02 5.00 5.00 5.00 4.90 4.88

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

SYMBOL

O/PRICE 5.69 1.90 0.97 0.54 3.35 0.85 2.90 1.45 4.65 10.60

C/PRICE 5.41 1.82 0.93 0.52 3.23 0.82 2.80 1.40 4.55 10.56

CHANGE -4.92 -4.21 -4.12 -3.70 -3.58 -3.53 -3.45 -3.45 -2.15 -0.38

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIGFUND INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND

Offer Price Bid Price 157.99 157.07 9.17 9.08 1.09 1.08 1.18 1.18 0.73 0.71 1.39 1.33 1,653.49 1,656.44 1,084.91 1,084.42 117.11 116.59 1,087.30 1,087.00 1.67 1.62 1.05 1.03

LEGACY FUND NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

LOSERS AS AT 6-3-14

CAVERTON CUTIX WEMABANK OASISINS AFRIPRUD AIICO FIDSON PAINTOM REDSTAREX UBN

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

143.11

142.62

0.78 1,944.64 13.62 1.07

0.76 1,936.31 13.28 1.05

1.3191 1.3497 0.9708 1.1764

1.3072 1.3497 0.9527 1.1764

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-05-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-05-14

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

EQUITIES

Nigerian equities break even with N1.02tr gains •May rally places equities on positive side F OR the first time this year, investors in Nigerian equities can smile and count their gains as the stock market finally broke away from a year-long bearish streak with a gain of N1.02 trillion in May. With a last-day bullish rally that added N392 billion at the weekend, quoted equities strode through May with their best performance so far this year, displacing the bears that had left the average year-to-date return negative in the past four months. While the market had closed April with a four-month average loss of -6.88 per cent, the average gain of 7.77 per cent recorded in May turned the average year-todate return positive at 0.35 per cent. Though modest, the five-month average gain of 0.35 per cent represents a significant breakeven for the equities market. It also underlined the overtly bullish overall market situation during the month. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities closed May at N13.695 trillion as against its opening value of N12.672 trillion, indicating a whooping gain of N1.02 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), the main value-based index that tracks prices of all quoted equities, also rallied by 7.77 per cent to close May at a high of 41,474.40 points compared with its index-on-board of 38,485.48 points. The market had seen strong rally last week with the ASI recording a week-on-week gain of 4.12 per cent.

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

However, over the five-month period, investors netted N469 billion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities had opened 2014 at N13.226 trillion. Quoted equities had wriggled all through the past four months with negative month-on-month return. The stock market recorded a negative return of -0.68 per cent in April, building on the bearish trend that had characterized the stock market in the first quarter. In January, February and March, the market consistently recorded losses of 1.8 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.0 per cent respectively. The negative return in April further depressed the overall market performance, increasing the fourmonth average loss to 6.88 per cent. This implied that an average investor had lost 6.88 per cent of its portfolio over the four-month period. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities closed April at N12.672 trillion as against its opening value of N13.226 trillion for the year. The ASI closed April at 38,485.48 points as against its opening index of 38,748.01 points for the month. The performance of the stock market in the first four months of the year underlined the cautious investors’ appetite. This was in sharp contrast to the corresponding pe-

riod of 2013 when the market returned about 17.7 per cent in the first three months. In terms of activities, the average daily volume of transactions of 380 million units for the first quarter of 2014 was also lower than 512 million units in the corresponding period of 2013. The ASI closed the first quarter of 2014 with a drop of 6.25 per cent to close at 38,748 points while market capitalization dropped by 5.89 per cent to close at N12.45 Trillion. Total market volume for the quarter also fell by 26 per cent at 22.83 billion while total market value rose marginally by 6.3 per cent to close at N269.4 billion. The performance so far in 2014 contrasted sharply with the performance in the corresponding period of 2013, when Nigerian stock market had rallied whooping capital gains of N3.10 trillion within the first five months of 2013. The market had subsequently built on this momentum to close 2013 with a capital gain of more than N4.25 trillion. The 2013 business year set the stock market on a new high with average full-year return of 47.19 per cent, its best performance since 2007. Aggregate market capitalization of all quoted equities on the NSE closed 2013 at N13.226 trillion as against its opening value of N8.974 trillion for the year. This represented a whooping increase of

N4.252 trillion. The ASI recorded full-year return of 47.19 per cent rising from its opening index for the year of 28,078.81 points to close the year at 41,329.19 points. The performance in 2013 significantly surpassed the much applauded return in 2012 when equities posted average return of 35.45 per cent, equivalent to capital gains of N2.44 trillion. The stock market had closed the first half of 2013 with average return of about 28.8 per cent, equivalent to N2.45 trillion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all equities on the NSE had closed the first half at N11.426 trillion while the ASI had closed the first half at 36,164.31 points. Major investment firms and analysts had said Nigerian capital market would be characterized by restrained bargain-hunting amidst evident lull in investors’ appetite in the second quarter of 2014 as the market oscillates between external pressures and domestic regulatory transition. Leading market pundits and analysts said they expected the market to be somehow tepid in the remaining months of the first half, although there could be some modest resurgence. Investment experts at BGL Plc, GTI Capital, FSDH Securities, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) and CBO Capital said they did not expect an overtly bullish market in

the second quarter, although there were several bargain stocks that could enliven the market. Group deputy managing director, BGL Plc, Mr. Chibundu Edozie said the capital market would remain cautious and undecided, although it may not witness a major decline. According to him, the outlook for the market is unclear as the market has so far failed to respond to a number of impressive corporate financial announcements of listed companies. “The cautious mode of the market is likely to be sustained through the first half of the year until the new CBN Governor resumes in June and monetary policy direction becomes clearer especially in relation to exchange rates. We however do not foresee a further precipitous decline given that the market currently presents significant bargain opportunities to investors,” Edozie had said. On stock by stock basis, Forte Oil, which recorded the highest return in 2013, continued to lead the stock market with a five-month return of 118.80 per cent by end of May. Other top gainers during the period included Transnationwide Express, 88.03 per cent; Custodian and Allied, 56.25 per cent; Berger paints, 25 per cent; IHS, 40.74 per cent; NPF Microfinance Bank, 40 per cent; Cadbury Nigeria, 27.62 per cent; Union Dicon Salt, 35.02 per cent and Seven-Up Bottling Company, which recorded a five-month return of 20.17 per cent.

Our expectations from the new CBN Gov, by capital market chiefs

APITAL market operators have urged the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, who resumes today, to consolidate on the gains of the previous administration and implement new policies that would strengthen the capital market. Leading capital market operators at the weekend said the market was expectant and full of optimism that the new governor would sustain the stability in the exchange market while pushing for new reforms that would remove contradictions. Outgoing president of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, said the new governor needs to make policies that would integrate the short and longterm ends of the market to play their traditional roles in a seamless financial system. According to him, the new governor should have a broad view of the entire financial market as a single marketplace and make policies with such a mindset. “I implore him to make policies that would strengthen the Nigerian capital market. If the capital market

is able to play its traditional role of providing long term capital, the banks would be able to focus on short to medium term capital and would therefore be relieved of some significant pressure,” Olushekun, who is also the managing director of Capital Assets Limited, said. Managing director, GTI Securities, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, said the new governor should make the process of obtaining certificate of capital importation (CCI) easier to encourage greater inflow of foreign portfolio investments. According to him, the stability of both monetary policy and foreign

investment will enhance growth in the capital market. “We expect a stable monetary policy that will encourage lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and private institutions in order to stimulate investments in the local economy. Local ideas and business initiatives needs to be nurtured through a stable monetary policy,” Oyekunle said. Afrinvest (West Africa) said they expected that new governor’ primary objective will be to ensure the gains in price and exchange rate stability are preserved and therefore maintain the previous regime’s hawkish stance.

“In view of the 2015 campaign spending, we anticipate further liquidity tightening by an additional increase in the cash reserve ratio (CRR) on public sector deposit to 100 per cent before the end of 2014 and a subsequent reduction post the 2015 election,” Afrinvest stated. The investment firm noted that in view of further stimulus tapering in the United States (US) and the expected end to quantitative easing (QE) in November 2014, there could be further capital reversals, hence mounting more pressure on the Naira in the mid-term. According to Afrinvest, the pressure will present the CBN with the

daunting task of either increasing the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to moderate capital flow reversals or permit the devaluation of the Naira to prevent further depletion of the reserves. The former may be the preferred so as to prevent inflationary pressure due to the import dependent nature of the Nigerian economy. “Moreover, we expect the present cashless policy may be extended to accommodate dollar and foreign currencies transactions such that foreign currency payment can only be made for smaller amount with all informal payments in foreign currencies reduced,” Afrinvest stated.

ond day from a record, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (2330), which declined 2.1 per cent. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI index of raw materials dropped 0.7 per cent as a report showing U.S. consumer spending fell in April stoked concern that slowing growth will reduce demand for commodities in the world’s largest economy. The Ibovespa sank 1.9 per cent.

Commodity producers account for about a third of the benchmark’s weighting. Brazil’s gross domestic product increased 1.9 per cent in the first quarter, trailing the median estimate of two per cent among economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Russia’s Micex Index pared its biggest monthly gain in five years. “We’re continuing to be in an environment where emerging-mar-

ket growth is slowing,” Timothy Ghriskey, chief investment officer at New York-based Solaris Asset Management LLC, which helps manage about $1.5 billion in assets, said by phone. “You need a pickup in growth in China or an acceleration in growth in the developed world, which will create export demand. And you don’t see a pickup in growth in the developed world at this point.”

Emerging market stocks fall as exporters sink on growth outlook

MERGING-market stocks fell the most in a month as Brazil’s Ibovespa led a decline among the biggest equity benchmarks in developing nations after a drop in raw-material prices sapped commodity exporters. Bloomberg reported that the MSCI Emerging Markets Index lost 1.1 per cent to 1,027.38, reducing its fourth monthly gain. A gauge of technology stocks slipped for a sec-

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

ISSUES The "No Tobacco Day" was marked on May 31. In some parts of the world, there are laws regulating the sale and promotion of tobacco. But Nigeria has yet to get such a law. Can it aim to control the tobacco trade without that law? Assistant Editor, MUYIWA LUCAS, writes.

• Tobacco plantation.

Prons and cons of tobacco control debate G LOBALLY, the tobacco industry is perceived in bad light. It is a business many love to hate because its products endanger life. Tobacco smoking, doctors say, is not good for health. Non-smokers too are affected by tobacco fumes. It is not surprising that like, in other countries, various stakeholders in Nigeria have either called for the prohibition of tobacco or its regulation. The Nigeria National Tobacco Control Bill (NNTCB) to control tobacco business and use is lying at the National Assembly. Civil society groups have expressed worry over the slow pace of passing the Bill, saying that its non-passage has violated the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), which Nigeria signed in 2004. The NNTCB is a comprehensive law which when passed, will regulate the manufacturing, advertising distribution and consumption of tobacco products in Nigeria. It also aims to domesticate the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) because Nigeria is a signatory to that convention. The major highlight of the bill is the prohibition of smoking in public

places, such as restaurants and bars, public transport, schools and hospitals. The West Africa Sub-Regional Coordinator, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Mrs. Hilda Ochefu, urged the law makers to be resolute in ensuring early passage of the bill because the situation was bad for the nation's healthcare delivery index. Similarly, the Director, Environment Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Akinbode Oluwafemi,

‘

said Nigeria had lost many talented sportsmen, musicians and journalists to tobacco-related illnesses. For him, tobacco production as well as other corporate activities related to cigarette manufacturing should be regulated in the country. "It is necessary to partner with the government on issues such as this to protect public health," he said. It was, therefore, heart warming when Governor Babatunde Fashola on February 16,

Smokers have the right to smoke. Non-smokers too have a right not to be impacted by the smoke from the cigarettes in their personal space. Vulnerabe groups, such as children and senior citizens, also have the right to be protected, whilst everyone has the basic right to clear air

’

this year, signed the Lagos State AntiSmoking Bill into law. The law bans cigarette smoking in public places, such as public toilets, tertiary institutions, public transport, shopping centres, stadia and restaurants. The law also compelled management of public places to conspicuously display "No Smoking" sign at appropriate positions within their premises and criminalise smoking by minors. Also, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has held a parley with other stakeholders on the Lagos tobacco law. According to the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of LASEPA, Mr. Rasheed Shabi, the tobacco law will not infringe on the rights of smokers. "Smokers have the right to smoke. Nonsmokers too have a right not to be impacted by the smoke from the cigarettes in their personal space. Vulnerabe groups, such as children and senior citizens also have the right to be protected, while everyone has the basic right to clear air. Our society has to find a balance to the delicate • Continued on page 33

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

ISSUES

Prons and cons of tobacco control debate • Continued from page 32

interrelationships between all groups involved such that no person's right is violated. This is the essence of the state restriction on this non-smoking law in public places," he said. At the parley, the representative of British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Mr. Sola Dosunmu, praised the Lagos State House of Assembly for the passage of the law and that having studied the law, the tobacco firm's verdict is that it is balanced and respects choices. "We have studied the law and we, particularly, liked the fact that it is balanced and respect choices. There are key facts about the public place smoking law which we want to highlight. Section 1 defines public places to exclude streets, roads, highways etc. Section 2 states that from the commencement of the law, no person shall smoke in all public places listed in schedule one which includes creches, nursery, primary and secondary schools, health institutions, public transportations," Dosunmu said. Tobacco control to be succinct is about reducing or eradicating the effects of tobacco smoke on the consumer. The question, however, is that, has the war on tobacco smoking control failed or worked? As the world marked another World No Tobacco Day last Saturday, it became pertinent that all proponents for and against tobacco control policies should evaluate if the tobacco control policies or the drive for its implementation in several countries globally failed or succeeded. Different schools of thought have begun to emerge to look critically at the push for several policies and the appropriate strategies that may be deemed effective for those whom the policies wish to affect. According to WHO, “the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing nearly six million people a year. This submission by the world health body supports the position of various advocacy groups that cigarette smoking is harmful to human health, and poses a serious threat to public health. Sadly, of a global one billion smokers, about 80 per cent live in low and middle income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest. It is understandable why there is apprehension in the country over the tobacco policy and the continued delay in the passage of the anti-tobacco bill. Although the Global Adult Survey on smoking in Nigeria and a 2012 Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) study from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that Nigeria is among the countries which have a low incidence of smoking, however, the percentage incidence issue should not deter the push for a tobacco control law to be in place in the country. Besides, Nigeria is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) of 2004, which was ratified in 2005, hence, there is need to take steps to check the use of tobacco. But, what approach should this take? One way of doing this is, going by WHO's findings, by increasing the tax on tobacco. This is a strong recommendation under the WHO FCTC, which says that countries should implement tax and price policies on tobacco products to reduce tobacco consumption. The body submits that various researches show that higher taxes are especially effective in reducing tobacco use among lower-income groups and in preventing young people from smoking. It noted that a tax increase that takes tobacco prices up by 10 per cent discourages tobacco consumption by about four per cent in highincome countries and by up to eight per cent in most low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, increasing excise taxes on tobacco is considered to be the most costeffective tobacco control measure. A WHO report in 2010 indicated that a 50 per cent increase in tobacco excise taxes would generate a little more than $ 1.4 billion in additional funds in 22 low-income countries. If allocated to health, the report said, the government health spending in these countries could increase by up to 50 per cent. A sociologist, and Principal Partner,

Action for Sustainable Development, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Mayowa Sodipo, agrees with the regulation of tobacco. He however cautioned that there was a need to be careful in dealing with the trade, because if the business is over regulated or stifled, then illegal trading in tobacco will be the order of the day. "In a country where we do not have the capacity to deal with smugglers, where we contend with porous borders and the criminality surrounding the illegal tobacco trade, then we will simply leave our public health to faceless cabals whom we will find difficult to deal with," Sodipo argues. Buttressing his point, he cited Canada, which he said is one of the strictest antitobacco legislation,where a harsh antitobacco legislation can backfire. With the exception of Quebec, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, it is illegal to smoke in any vehicle that is carrying a child; while in many of the country's provinces, it is illegal to smoke in any public place or in a car carrying a child. This legislation, he believes, has placed tobacco business in Canada in the firm control of bootleggers. Besides, the tobacco quality is not guaranteed, while proceed from illicit trading in tobacco has been traced to funding of criminal gangs that operate outside Quebec. A report on a research conducted by Fraser Institute in CBC News, a television station with offices in Montreal and Quebec, seemed to lend credence to this. According to the report, sales of contraband cigarettes are supporting groups, such as the Hells Angels and Hezbollah while tobacco tax policies are doing little to curtail smoking in Canada. "The sale of contraband cigarettes originating from native reserves in Ontario and Quebec is fuelling organised crime. ‘’Smuggling and trafficking of contraband cigarettes is an unintended consequence of federal and provincial tobacco tax policies," said Diane Katz, a coauthor of the report and director of Risk, Environment and Energy policy at the institute. Similarly, The Vancouver Sun reported how a smuggling ring based in Montreal was nabbed by the police. According to the report, the smuggling ring, which was allegedly linked to the mafia and to aboriginal organised crime, was a crossborder operation with bulk tobacco being shipped into Canada by truck from North Carolina. The publication further revealed "locations ranging from St. Leonard to Dundee were raided by police forces, resulting in a total of 28 arrests and the seizure of approximately 40,000 kilogrammes of contraband tobacco, an amount worth approximately $7 million. The investigative force, which consisted of about 400 police officers, also seized roughly $450, 000, 1, 300 marijuana plants, 14 vehicles, and a 9 mm pistol. The contraband tobacco was supposedly shipped through the Lacolle border crossing, or through the Akwesane aboriginal reserve, and was sold in the Kahnawake aboriginal reserve in south of Montreal". The fears of WHO and other groups are understandable. This is because in some countries, children from poor households are frequently employed in tobacco farming to provide family income. These children are especially vulnerable to "green tobacco sickness", which is caused by the nicotine that is absorbed through the skin from the handling of wet tobacco leaves. Besides, tobacco farming, through its processing, is said to be culpable for degrading its operating environment, and violating child labour law on tobacco farms. The Head of Leaf Operations, British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy, BATIA, Mr. Thomas Omofoye, said the company is ensuring that environmental issues are well addressed just like many

‘

• Oluwafemi

• Omofoye

other concerns which has already been articulated in the guidelines on global sustainability and corporate social responsibility standard practice. He said BATIA, through instructions and training to farmers had continued to prevent farmers from felling trees to remove the environmental abuse which, the anti-tobacco movement, had often cited against tobacco investors. "From 2009 to 2013, BATIA had planted 349,853 Malina and 450 timbers (Teak) trees, which are used by the farmer for smoking the tobacco leaves, away to discourage deforestation. Besides, we do not encourage child labour on the farm and the farmers know this; there is a heavy penalty for this. We tell the farmers that it's not that we are asking their children not to help them on the farm but we emphasise that it should not be during school hours. We have nongovernment organisations who from time to time monitor compliance in this regard," Omofoye added. Buttressing Omofoye's position is Mr. Alani, a big tobacco farmer in Igboho, OkeOgun, Oyo State. He said tobacco farmers have their own trees which they cultivate for use rather than going into the forest to fell trees and destroying the forest in the process. "For instance, to avoid being tempted into cutting trees from the forest, I planted Malina trees on four hectare of land which I cannot even exhaust in 20 years; these trees have a very fast growth rate," he noted. Alani said that in Igboho, BATIA denied some farmers from receiving benefits for engaging children in the farm. "They frown seriously against this practice," said Alani. Also, a member of Nigeria Independent Tobacco Farmers Association (NITFA, ), Ilua Chapter in Oke Ogun, and a retired teacher, Mr. Emmanuel Egbeleye, said BATIA has continued to encourage us to plant our own Mailna trees. "I have been to Sapele and saw how people cut trees but here in tobacco communities, BATIA has partnered with us to plant trees on hectares of land without having to go into the forest to cut trees to process our tobacco leaf," he said. The Chairman of NITFA, Alhaji Rasheed Bakare, advised the government to appreciate the level of progress, employment and life tobacco farming business has brought to communities. "Our understanding is that the government is taking steps towards tobacco business and control. For us, tobacco farmers, tobacco farming is our mainstay. If tobacco is banned, our communities will suffer; people will be thrown out of jobs. We have not felt the impact of the crude oil money in our communities, but we really feel the impact of BATIA here because they have been providing us facilities like projects on environment, boreholes, health centres, etc. They give our children scholarships, which is even extended to non-tobacco farmers. We get bonus for the quality of farm produce," he said. Tobacco farming in the region, according

At best, smoking should be restricted to exclusive places; definitely not for it to be over regulated or overtaxed because such measures will also come with negative consequences as seen in the Canadian scenario

’

‘

Tobacco farming now appeals to our youths. Some of them are returning home while our under age children no longer work in the farm to comply with the child labour law. We have graduates who come here to farm and this has improved the economy of our community

’

to the Oniru of Otu, Oke-Ogun, Oba Sunday Oyetunde Adepoju, is fast making farming to appeal to the youth of the communities considering how the job has changed lives of average farmers. "Tobacco farming now appeals to our youths. Some of them are returning home while our under age children no longer work in the farm to comply with the child labour law. We have graduates who come here to farm and this has improved the economy of our community. This is just because farmers in our communities now have cars, build houses and could send their children to higher institutions," he said. For the traditional ruler, tobacco farming is the crude oil generating wealth for his community, and any attempt by the government to stop the trade, he reckons, will have negative effect on the society such as joblessness and increase in crime rate. Oba Adepoju's fears are valid. In OkeOgun, tobacco farming, in partnership with BATIA, is estimated to generate about N1 billion yearly to the region. But for Oluwafemi, the perceived incentives from tobacco firms are tricks to kill more Nigerians with tobacco products. Similarly, WHO noted that many governments, especially those large producers of tobacco products and tobacco leaves, fear that tobacco control would generate unemployment among tobacco sector employees. However, the world body says that the tobacco sector represents a small fraction of most countries' economies. Sodipo submits that the decision as to whether to smoke or not should be for each individual to make. "At best, smoking should be restricted to exclusive places; definitely not for it to be over regulated or overtaxed because such measures will also come with negative consequences as seen in the Canadian scenario," he admonished. Whatever is the outcome of the antitobacco bill, Sodipo said what should be avoided is a situation where things go from bad to worse for the citizens the law is meant to protect. This fear may not be misplaced considering that there are countries where this went from fair to bad after the introduction of stiffer anti-tobacco legislation.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NAICOM braces for growth

HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is raising insurance awareness. The initiative, which includes creating financial literacy, benefits of insurance, claims processes and rights of the policyholder, is targeted at achieving massive growth in the insurance sector. The Commission at an interactive session with Insurance Correspondents held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said it intends to consolidate on its initiatives and adequately harness the great potentials of the Nigerian insurance sector for massive growth. The Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, said the population of the country, if adequately harnessed, could give added advantage to the insurance industry and further develop the market. He said the initiatives assure of an evolving insurance model, a better industry, a growing market and a brighter future. Highlighting some of the initiatives, Daniel said the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) incepted in 2009, among others, was meant to enforce compulsory insurances and eradicate fake insurance policies in the country. He said this initiatives have been vigorously pursued by the Commission across the six geo-political zones of the country. He said: “I am glad that even though the N1 trillion target expected through the MDRI is yet to be attained, considerable progress has been made given available statistics. “Going forward, the Commission would consolidate on the gains made so far and ensure proper implementation of these compulsory insurance products to be able to enhance the industry’s

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

contribution to GDP. “An emerging fact under this class of insurance is the interest currently being shown by various governments. A group of underwriters have come together to enforce the Motor Vehicle Third Party Liability Insurance in Imo State in collaboration with the State Government and the scheme is working very well. Another group of 19 underwriters are enforcing the Occupiers Liability Insurance in Enugu State in collaboration with the State Government and the Commission is working to get more states to embrace these models. “They recognised the need to develop the retail insurance market which has remained grossly untapped considering the vast population of the country.” The NAICOM boss noted that the Commission had recently launched the Delta State Micro Insurance Scheme at a ceremony in Asaba, the State Capital. Efforts are being made to replicate this model in other states. He emphasised that as a regulatory body, their primary responsibility is to protect policyholders and safeguard investments adding that they have tried to ensure this in the provision of adequate regulations and effective supervision of the industry over the years. He said: “Suffice it to say that the industry has witnessed considerable metamorphosis in recent times owing to the new reforms embarked upon by the Commission. Some of these reforms include but not limited to the introduction of Risk Based Supervision, migration to International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS)

• Daniel

from the Nigerian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (NGAAP); Market Conduct Reforms, Claims Settlement Reforms, Financial Inclusion and combating financial crime, among others, all geared towards developing the industry and improving the general perception about insurance. “The successes achieved so far in this drive by the Commission may not have been possible without the unflinching support of the industry operators. Where necessary, the Commission has not failed to open lines of discussion with the operators, especially through the NIA, NCRIB, ILAN and ARIAN on issues affecting them before arriving at decisions. “We are aware that insurance is a business of selling promises. But when these promises made to policyholders and investors are not

kept, it then becomes NAICOM’s business to intervene and ensure these promises are kept. “In doing this, there is always going to be tension, apprehension, disagreements, among others, between the regulator and the stakeholders. This is healthy if only to engender transparency, good corporate governance, better management and appreciation of the laws governing the business. Notwithstanding the resistance from these entities, the Commission remains committed to providing leadership to ensure sanity, good ethical practices, development and growth in the industry. He called on the media to support the Commission in this drive. Assistant Director, Inspectorate, NAICOM, Sam Onyeka, while presenting a paper with the theme, “Regulation and Insurance Market Growth: The role of the media, said Nigeria must continue to focus on institutional factors to grow the insurance market. According to him, insurance market growth is mainly driven by economic factors in developed countries, whereas it is largely driven by institutional factors in emerging countries. He explained that with economic development, the contribution of institutional factors to the insurance growth would gradually decrease and be partially replaced by that of economic factors. He said: “Given the net positive effect of institutional factors on the insurance industry where GDP is low, it is crucial for the emerging economies to adjust their

strategy in order to achieve market growth. “Regulatory strategies that can stimulate market growth are compulsory insurances to address underdeveloped demand, market conduct regulation to keep product simple and build trust through distribution channels and solvency regulation to improve insurer stability and increase capacity through risk-based capital requirements. “Others include public risk mitigation that can make risk insurable and or cover available, premium subsidy that can help make cover available and increase demand while maintaining fundamental principle of risk-based premium and public private partnership to enhance market penetration.” He said the Commission intends to adopt public risk mitigation, state insurance and public private partnership. Deputy Director, Corporate Strategy, NAICOM, Babajide Oniwinde, speaking on Financial Literacy & Insurance Education: Issues & challenges, said financial literacy and insurance education need urgent attention because of some industry issues. He said this is because insurance products are generally technical while market distribution system can be complex. Oniwinde said full market development can be realised by awareness creation, which brings about inclusive growth. There is need for ongoing coordinated action and collaboration among all key stakeholders, he added.

Children Day: AIICO hosts school on risk management

N celebration of this year’s Children Day and AIICO Insurance Plc has in line with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of empowering the Nigerian child, celebrated this year’s Children Day by training students of Helpers International School on risk management including insurance. Executive Director, Mr Jide Orimolade, received the students and their teachers who visited the head office of the company in Lagos, as part of their field work research on Risk Management.

Orimolade said professional risk managers and himself gave the students tutorials on interesting areas of risk management including Insurance, health and safety living amongst other topics. He said the students were also taken through a question and answer session as well as refreshments after the training. AIICO Insurance is one of the largest Life Insurer commenced operations in 1963, and became a public liability company in 1989. In 1990, the company got listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Hybrid calls for competence on loss prevention

ELEVANT competence to manage the elements of safety and loss prevention in the country is necessary to avoid deviation from the Nigerian content development initiatives, Managing Director, Hybrid Consulting Limited, Dapo Omolade, has said. Omolade spoke at the company's briefing in Lagos over the weekend. According to him, the awareness on the importance of safety management in the country has been on the upward trend in the last decades, with greater acceptance and impacts seen in the multinational companies and a few other local

industries. He however said that risk assessment is a major part of safety and all the insurance companies are part of safety professionals. He said: "We have had activities with insurance companies where we bring them into a level of knowledge on the requirement for risk assessment. ‘’What this helps them to do is that they can put an accurate figure down, such that if your risk portfolio is high or low, they know what premium to charge, he said, adding that it also helps the insuring piblic to know where to buy their insurance from.’’

•LASACO Assurance Plc directors and executives during a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor where they donated to the state security fund.

UMOUR has it that casino mogul Steve Wynn once made a $50 million insurance claim on a painting that was damaged when he bumped it with his elbow and tore the canvas. According to Insur.com, most homeowners don’t own such pricey paintings but many do prize at least one valuable piece of artwork. For those who do, understanding how to protect their fine art can be a challenge. Purchasing adequate insurance coverage is a good place to start. Anything that damages a home can also damage the art inside. According to Jay M. Levin, an attorney at Reed Smith in Philadelphia, when Hurricane Sandy devastated lower Manhattan in 2012, it also led to the destruction of millions of dollars of artwork owned by individuals and businesses. Luckily, many of those pieces were covered by adequate insurance policies.

‘Protect your fine artwork with insurance’

Insurance claims for artwork”The most important thing homeowners can do is to tell their broker what they have, to make sure that it’s listed on a policy and to get a proper appraisal so that it’s insured for the right amount,” says Levin. “Then if disaster strikes, such as Superstorm Sandy or Hurricane Katrina, all is not lost.”

What constitutes ‘art’?

Insurable fine art can include twodimensional works such as paintings, drawings, textiles and other framed pieces, and three-dimensional pieces such as sculptures, valuable porcelains, fine antique and contemporary furniture, according to Gordon A. Lewis, Jr., senior director and vice president at The Fine Arts

Conservancy in West Palm Beach, Fla. These objects usually have some coverage under general household contents policies, but for high-end pieces, homeowners should purchase separate policies called “scheduled policies.” “Your overall homeowner contents policy covers the art as part of the contents. Then there are specific scheduled policies for works of art and these are generally appended to the underlying homeowner policy,” says Lewis. Ron Reitz, president of Quality Claims Management Corp. in San Diego, says that scheduling artwork also helps to confirm the value of the pieces by putting those values in writing in advance of any disasters.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Organisations not ready for cloud computing, analytics adoption, says IBM

BM has released preliminary study findings of 750 global organisations revealing less than 10 per cent are fully prepared to address the proliferation of cloud computing, analytics, mobile devices and social media. Addressing this challenge head-on, IBM at the Edge2014 conference held in Las Vegas unveiled new systems, software and capabilities designed to help organisations create smarter infrastructures that yield faster access to big data insights through the cloud and improved business performance. “Big Data is the transformative force driving every element of our clients’ computing infrastructure – starting with environments of traditional applications blended with the new requirements of social, mobile and analytic workloads that demand faster access at massive scale,” said Tom Rosamilia, Senior Vice President of IBM Systems & Technology Group and IBM Integrated Supply Chain. “The continued advances of our

portfolio provide clients with a fast and easy way to close the gap between their data, the business decisions they have to make, and the mandate to use information to provide more personalized experiences for their customers.” The IBM preliminary findings revealed that 70 per cent of organisations recognise that IT infrastructure plays a significant role in enabling competitive advantage or generating revenue. Rosamilia said building on software defined storage launched recently, in which IBM announced new software that enables organisations to access any data from any device and from anywhere in the world, the company announced new and enhanced capabilities across its storage portfolio. He said advances in IBM’s Storwize,

XIV, tape library and flash storage products can optimise storage for large-scale cloud deployments through virtualisation, real-time compression, easy-tiering and mirroring, and provide clients fast access to information. He said IBM Storwize V7000 Unified has been enhanced with new clustering capabilities, Real-time Compression, and Active Cloud Engine to help clients manage growing amounts of data. He said the system now supports two times the storage capacity of previous models. He said IBM XIV Cloud Storage for Service Providers delivers a cost-efficient infrastructure and pay-per-use pricing model for Business Partners

that reduces the initial cost of the system by as much as 40 per cent. Also, IBM previewed new features such as XIV multi-tenancy, enhanced data security and improved cloud economics through the partition of XIV storage into logical domains assigned to distinct tenants. He explained that scientists at IBM Research - Zurich, in cooperation with the Fujifilm Corporation of Japan, announced they have demonstrated 85.9 billion bits per square inch, a new record in areal data density on low-cost linear magnetic particulate tape – a significant update to one of the computer industry’s most resilient, reliable and affordable data storage technologies for Big Data. He said clients are seeking greater

speed, agility and resiliency for the Big Data, analytics and large-scale virtualisation for dynamic cloud environments. To meet these needs, IBM has introduced Flex System x880 X6 eightsocket, x480 X6 four-socket, and x280 X6 two-socket compute nodes. Based on IBM’s industry-leading X6 architecture for System x and PureSystems solutions, the new nodes include modular blade design that enables seamless scalability without “rip and replace” as analytic workloads increase; nearly 300 percent faster performance [1]; and resiliency features and virtualisation tools that can help reduce the cost and complexity of system operation and administration. The Flex System X6 compute nodes planned availability is June 13, 2014 and start at $15,700 (US) or $388 (US) per month for 36 months.

Why long-term contracts help liquefied natural gas carriers

IVEN that LNG carriers require a few months to construct—about 28 to 34 months, according to Golar LNG Ltd. (GLNG), there could be shortterm timing disconnects between the delivery of a new LNG vessel and the LNG cargoes they were ordered to transport. The timing of LNG project upstarts, newbuild delivery lead time, the economics of investing in newbuilds, economic cycles, and structural weaknesses or strengths in natural gas consumption are some factors that shape the industry’s cycles. As the chart above shows, spot rates for LNG carriers have fluctuated wildly in the past, ranging from as low as an average of ~$34,000 a day to recent highs of ~$128,000 a day, which we can attribute to the inelastic nature of the shipping industry’s supply. While companies that do operate in the spot market are subject to volatile earnings, keep in mind that most LNG carriers such as Golar LNG Partners LP (GMLP), Dynagas LNG Partners LP (DLNG), GasLog Ltd. (GLOG), and Teekay LNG Partners LP (TGP) are contracted out

long-term (for five years or more) with inflation adjustment features, under which rates are much less volatile than the spot market. In some cases, these contracts are agreed upon for up to 25 years. As we noted earlier in this series, long-term contracts have been dominant because these vessels are costly to build, so LNG owners are more cautious about being able to generate adequate returns on investments. But their dominance is also because shipping costs can make up 15 per cent of landed LNG gas prices for importers such as utility operators. To hedge against the volatility of spot rates, most utilities are also interested in engaging in long-term contracts. Certainly, this could change in the future if newbuild prices came down, the LNG shipping industry’s rivalry intensified, and shipping rates came down to the extent that the cost of shipping makes up only a small percentage of total delivered price. This could make investing in LNG carriers more risky, although it’s probably going to take years before this happens.

GE to partner US on $1.6m grant

E has said it is in partnership with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to provide a $1.6 million grant specifically earmarked for market feasibility studies to develop hospitals in Nigeria. The fund aims at creating bankable business strategies for hospitals across the six geo-political zones in the country. Other guests and stakeholders who participated in the Healthcare roundtable at the GE office include the U.S Consul-General Jeffrey Hawkings, US Consul-General in Nigeria, Dr Babatunde Sagoe, Chairman of the Lagos state Primary Healthcare Board and Dr Efunbo Dosekun of the Outreach Children’s Hospital, Lagos. Speaking on the challenges in addressing maternal and infant mortality in the country, Dr Doseku said inadequate capacity amongst care givers and inability of most healthcare centres to leverage on appropriate innovative technology was hampering the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Infant and maternal health care delivery in the country. Dr Sagoe said to bring primary healthcare delivery closer to the people, the Lagos state government had set up seven out of 10 planned maternal child healthcare centres within the General Hospitals across

the state. “You would recall that only last week at the World Economic Forum, GE announced a $20 million partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to address infant and maternal healthcare issues,’’ he added. Specifically, the Initiative will bring together mobile and alternative powered health technology; task-shifting programs for nurses and midwives through a significant focus on training and education; and consumer education for pregnant mothers to drive the right referrals at the right time to impact MDG four (reducing child mortality) and five (improving maternal health). Under the terms of the agreement, each of the respective partners will contribute towards the $20 million programme in the first phase for the acquisition of pointof-care equipment to strengthen the effectiveness, impact, efficiency and sustainability of primary care health facilities and services in rural and urban areas. The multilateral agreement provides scope for the addition of third parties in phase two, including donors, NGOs and other experts to ensure longterm sustainability and achievement of critical programme objectives.

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (right) and Head of Government, Abu-Dhabi, Dr. Mohammad Ahmed during the governor’s visit to Abu Dhabi as part of collaboration for improved corporate governance with ICT among the Abu Dhabi government, Oracle Corporation and Lagos government at the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, United Arab Emirates.

Microsoft unveils first dual SIM Windows smartphone in Nigeria

OLLOWING the successful acquisition of Nokia Devices and Services business, Microsoft Devices, has unveiled the first smart dual SIM Windows smartphone, Lumia 630 into the market. During the media launch in Ikeja, Lagos, the technology giant stated the Lumia 630 Dual SIM with Windows Phone 8.1 in now available for consumers in Nigeria. The Lumia 630 Dual SIM delivers an unrivalled smartphone experience, with quadcore processing at a price that sits right with our consumers. Head of Marketing, Nokia West and Central Africa, a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobile, Debbie Shepard noted that all across the world, millions of people are switching to Lumia Windows Phones and getting a taste

of Affordable Innovation at its best! “We are thrilled to extend this innovation to Nigeria and super excited that the Lumia 630 Dual SIM is now available in Nigeria,” she said. Continuing, Shepard said “we are extending our high-end technologies and apps to more customers across our various markets, with a seamless Windows Phone 8.1 experience and the first ever Dual SIM technology on a Lumia Windows Phone, enabling people to seamlessly switch between their SIMs without switching off their devices. The Lumia 630 Dual SIM is built with a 1.2 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon Processor which makes the device super fast and delivers fast, uncompromised social experiences. It also boasts of a bold 4.5" clear black

screen. It also comes with the new Notification Centre called the Action Centre that allows users simply swipe from the top to the bottom to gives a user quick access to Calls, e-Mails, App Updates as well as the Word Flow keyboard which is regarded as the fastest and most personal shape writing keyboard. Fielding questions from the media, Managing Director, Nick Imudia said “the Lumia 630 Dual SIM provides the perfect value smartphone experience with Windows Phone 8.1. We believe the smart Dual SIM capability and signature Lumia design and experiences make it unbeatable in its range. With the Nokia Lumia 630 Dual SIM, you get MORE of everything you want from a smartphone.”

a copy of a valid form of ID, which Google says it won’t use for anything besides authenticating the request. Google will then review each request to determine whether the information is “inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant, or excessive in relation to the purposes for which they were processed.” The company is still determining how it will handle removal requests. The links themselves will continue to exist; they will simply not show up in search results shown within the European Union. This isn’t going to be a straightforward process, and Google will have to weigh the right to privacy against the right of the public to obtain relevant information. It will rely on a commit-

tee of Internet experts for help balancing these two objectives. Con artists may not be able to make it harder to find out about their involvement in financial scams, for instance. But for a man who had to sell his house to settle a debt—and the record of that sale is the first thing that shows up when someone searches his name—the court’s ruling could provide some relief. Google shared some information with the Financial Times about what kinds of requests it has received since the ruling. Information related to frauds or scams made up 30 per cent of submissions; links related to convictions of violent crimes, 20 per cent; and those related to arrests for child pornography, 12 per cent.

Google complies with EU rule

OOGLE is complying with a European Union (EU) court’s requirement that it create a process for people who want outdated or inaccurate information about them removed from its search engine—but only after Chief Executive Officer Larry Page said the court’s ruling in favour of the “right to be forgotten” empowers governments to restrict online communications and risks damaging the next generation of Internet companies in Europe. On Friday, the company launched a Web form that allows people to submit URLs they would like removed, along with an explanation of the problem. Those who file requests must also say which country they live in and include

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

AFRICAN BUSINESS

BOUT 31 chief execu tive officers of differ ent leaders of major businesses have agreed on the establishment of a common platform that will enable them to jointly promote sustainable development initiatives and programmes across the country. The chief executives who attended a roundtable in Lagos decided to set up a council for sustainable development, which will be affiliated to the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The proposed council will work to arouse the interest of the Nigerian business community towards taking collective action for a sustainable future for society. The Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, hosted the roundtable to introduce the idea to the CEOs.

CEOs pledge action on sustainable devt By Emeka Ugwuanyi

He said: “There is no doubt that Nigerian companies support sustainability programmes in their respective areas of influence quite adequately, however, no platform currently exists for businesses across all industries to share experiences, best practices, and advocate for business positions that transform lives and communities from what they are today to the greatness they can be, tomorrow. If there is one area we do not need to compete as businesses, it is in the goodness of our heart to our society and environment.” The Managing Director and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Bola Adesola, described the idea as innovative and desirable. “It is important that the organised private sector shows interest in the challenging operating business environment,” while the Chairman, Promasidor Nigeria Limited,

Chief Keith Richards, said: “We look forward to contributing and devoting our time and energy in actualising the goals of this intervention, which will impact Nigerians positively and sustain business development.” The Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria, Wolfgang Goetsch, said: “I am looking forward to a business council that works, through proper manage-

ment and commitment by members.” A lecturer at the Lagos Business School, Sir Chris Ogbechie, also made a presentation in which he outlined the justification and modalities for setting up the council. The roundtable agreed that there would be a governing council to oversee the organisation, comprising CEOs of member companies and reputable international

business figures, which will be committed to driving a positive sustainable future for society and the rapid development of the economy. Rabab Fayad, Regional Director of the WBCSD, said: “We are committed to supporting this Nigerian vision, as it is our goal to establish vibrant networks on sustainable development across the globe.” Companies in attendance include Accenture, Coca-Cola,

Empretec Nigeria Foundation, Etisalat, First Bank, Flourmills of Nigeria, Heirs Holdings, Intel Corporation, Interswitch, Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever, the First Bank CSR Centre, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, MTN Nigeria, Guinness, Oando Gas and Power, UBA Group, Seplat Petroleum, Chevron, Stanbic IBTC, Afren Nigeria, Access Bank, Nigerian Breweries and BusinessDay newspapers.

‘Technology, major challenge in travel management’

ANAGING Director of Wakanow Travels and Tour Agency, Mr. Obinna Okezie has identified technology as the major challenge confronting travel management companies. Okezie said if the gap created by technology were closed travel management companies would improve their market share and facilitate easy, cheaper and convenient travel packages for both individuals and corporate clients. Making this known during the launch of Wakanow Corporate credit card in partnership with Diamond Bank in Lagos, Okezie said the company introduced the payment to give their clients seamless travel experience that would save costs, time and offer them other benefits including mileage on every trip . “We are bringing in technology so that we can improve and be enabled to do well on the web and on the mobile platforms . But leakages have been one of the major challenges managing directors of corporate organisations face in their travel planning. Transparency in booking for flights and organising travel has been an issue and we have been able to tackle it to some extent. On the retail space customers can go on our website and see the prices. Even if you don’t book with us, you have an idea what the prices are; so that is where transparency comes in,” he said. Okezie further said that Wakanow is the largest travel company in Nigeria in terms of airlines bookings and travel arrangement stressing that the company is venturing into the corporate aspect of air travel . This area he said has not been effectively annexed. He also said that with the introduction of the Wakanow Corporate credit card, airlines bookings for corporate organisations would become easier as various companies could access the platform and website of Wakanow and make their travel arrangements seamlessly. Okezie further noted that in terms of ticket sales Wakanow Travel and Tour agency is one of the agencies that sell the largest tickets in the Nigerian aviation industry .

“We are the largest travel company now in Nigeria in terms of airlines bookings, we have grown aggressively on a yearly basis but we have not really played in the corporate space which is a huge part of the market. So , with this corporate credit card now, we are able to play into the corporate market very aggressively in partnership with Diamond Bank. We will be providing this as a product to all their corporate clients,” he added. With the corporate credit card in place, Mr. Okezie said that there will be discounted fares accruing to corporate organisations that patronise the travel agency. “This new product will offer transparent transactions , discounted fares. Customers will get the cheapest available fares in terms of availability and pricing that is a huge difference. MasterCard has a huge arena of partners globally where youcanusetheprepaidcards and get discounts, access to event also get information on what is going on so it is a huge amount of benefits” Meanwhile,theDeputyManaging Director of Diamond Bank, Mr. Uzoma Dozie, said the bank was partnering with the travel and tours agency to give the public value for their money. “We are bringing solutions to the travel market with the introduction of the Wakanow corporate credit cards as that will enhance the travel experience of our corporate clients and customers,” said Dozie.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Dr. Stella Okoli; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Yaw Nsakoh; Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola; and Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, at the Business Leaders Roundtable on sustainable development in Lagos.

Mish Aviation tackles dearth of pilots in Africa

HE Chief Executive Officer of Mish Aviation Flying School, Ghana, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, says the school has graduated over 30 pilots and that there are plans to increase the capacity to 40 this year and 60 in 2020. He said training professional aviators is a passion borne out of balancing the scales between African and European professionals, as well as tackling the acute dearth of manpower in the

airline industry. He made this known at in Accra, Ghana at the Sixth International Business Conference with the theme, “Achieving the Africa entrepreneurial success” organised by Aspire Africa. He said: “Training has been a passion of mine and it is my goal, now our goal at Mish to actually give back to the industry that nurtured us by grooming and training the next generation of pilots as well as aviation ad-

ministrators in the region.” Mshelia, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mish Aviation, Sam Winful, said it his passion to see Africans rise to the challenge of flying the latest and best technology and the only way that can be achieved is through training. Meanwhile, the flying school managed by a Nigerian, has bagged the Aviation Training Excellence in Africa award and a medallion for Outstanding Leader-

ship Qualities.” On the award, the Mish Aviation boss said it was apt for the flying school, adding that it would go a long way to encouraging the staff to continuously do their utmost, “Well, let me express gratitude on behalf of my staff and crew, as being singled out to be honoured is an indication that the flying school was making significant progress and one that we intend to sustain in the coming years.”

EACOCK Travels and Tours has launched an attractive holiday package for intending travellers to the this summer. Peacock said its UK vacation offer is available for groups, families, individuals other categories of people who may be interested in visiting the UK during the summer. The offer according to a statement from the London office of Peacock Travels and Tours will be available throughout

the summer from June to September 2014.The Travel Manager, Peacock Travels and Tours, UK, Mr. Keith Lloyds, said the offer included a tour of the London city, visit to Manchester and Chelsea football clubs, tour of Wimbledon stadium, visit to London Thames River and among others interesting place in London. Meanwhile, Peacock has won the Best Travel Agency in Nigeria Award .

The award was given by the Dubai-based Emirates Airlines during the celebration of its 10 anniversary in Nigeria last week. . The Middle-East airline said the award was in recognition of Peacock’s giant strides in the travel management industry in Nigeria. In the holiday offer, Lloyds said, “Research has shown that when people visit their relatives in London during the summer, they hardly have time to take

them to visit interesting places in London. This is because those friends, relatives and acquaintances are usually busy going to their work places or schools. This our offer will offer prospective visitors to London the opportunity to take a tour of the city.” According to him, the Holiday department of Peacock Travels is set to make this year’s summer an exciting and memorable one for all Nigerians at an affordable rate.

Kano. The firm will provide ground handling services to Azman Air for its domestic operations . He said SAHCOL is to manage all Azman Air passengers, baggage and ramp handling services. He stated that SAHCOL was able to secure these contracts because it has successfully established a strong market presence on the domestic and international scenes with expertise in passenger, ramp and cargo and warehousing services. Agboarumi added that owing to the current boost in con-

fidence, The company's list of its clientele has continue to increase. He listed the airlines to include Arik Air, United Airlines, Air France, Egypt Air, Middle East Airlines (MEA), Allied Air, Aero Contractors Airline, Dana Air, Sudan Air, African Open Sky Airlines, Med-View Airlines, CamairCo, South African Airways, Etihad Airways, Atlas Jet Airlines, Max Air, Kabo Air, African Word Airways (AWA), Gambia Bird Airline, and other ad-hoc operators. Meanwhile, Air Serbia has announced significantly improved performance in the

first three months of the year with a 66 per cent increase in total passenger numbers to 364,924, compared with the same period in 2013. The airline’s passenger carrying capacity, which is measured by available seat kilometres (ASKs), has jumped 93 per cent resulting in a 47 per cent increase in revenue during the first quarter of 2014. Over the same quarter, Air Serbia inducted three Airbus aircraft – two A319s and one A320 - into its fleet. The increase in passenger numbers is being seen across the network, boosted by connectivity with the Etihad Air-

Peacock Travels launches UK summer travel

SAHCOL secures handling deal for Ethiopian, AZMAN airlines

HE Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited ( SAHCOL ) has secured ground handling deals with Ethiopian Airlines and Azman Air. The General Manager, Corporate Communication, SAHCOL, Basil Agboarumi, dmade this known in Lagos. He said SAHCOL will perform full ground handling services ,which include ramp, passenger and cargo and warehousing to Ethiopian Airlines’ four times a week passenger flights and three times weekly cargo flights, to and from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA),

ways global network. The Chief Executive Officer of Air Serbia, Mr Dane Kondic, said: “Air Serbia has built a solid foundation in the six months since it was launched and is on track to break-even in 2014. “The improved passenger numbers and revenue reflects the growing appeal of the airline for leisure and business travel across the Balkan region and beyond. “In addition to strong growth in passenger revenue, we are also growing very important cargo revenue, which provides more stability to the revenue base of the business.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• Job seekers

There are many job seekers who, despite their seeming unassailable educational and professional qualifications, cannot get jobs. There are reasons for this. These range from failure to apply using modern techniques, to failure to update their curriculum vitae. TOBA AGBOOLA writes.

Need a job? Try these techniques, strategies F

OR job seekers, there is need to en gage innovative methods to get the desired jobs. Experts said old methods of job hunting are no longer working due to factors that range from the after effects of the global financial crisis to the peculiar challenges the country is grappling with. They said it is possible for serious job seekers to shake off the toga of unemployment, secure a job and become part of future workers’ day celebrations if the right things are done. Immediate past President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Mr. Abiola

Poopola, said it is important for those seeking employment to know the right and modern techniques to apply. He said many artisan job seekers, graduates and professionals are not aware that innovate methods need to be brought to bear in their job search, saying to beat off competition from fellow employment hopefuls requires knowing these. Popoola said not knowing the correct strategies to apply as a job seeker has resulted in cost opportunities, which ordinarily, would have easily been secured. Human Resource Practitioner, Mr. Sunny Agboju, said the trend of mistakes by prospective job seekers persists because most

job hunters do not update their curriculum vitae and other professional profiles. He said some fresh graduates believed that their curriculum vitae will fit all jobs. He said this is a wrong assumption, stressing that it is not surprising that those who have the techniques, apply and get the job. “Job hunting is tough but absolutely not impossible. Job seekers must know that the key to finding and keeping work in tough times is the same as in good times. The more positive action you take, the better your chances of landing a great job,” he said. He said, for instance, it is quite sad that many jobs published in newspapers have been opened within the company, claiming

that in most cases, the employees would have been given slots and mandated to provide qualified persons till the available vancant positions. “Therefore, by the time the job gets online or in the dailies, a lot must have happened, candidates from everywhere must have sent in their resumes. At this time, you are at a disadvantage. Most of these jobs are posted for formality sake, so that the company can be seen to be offering equal opportunities to everyone. “A proactive person will get to know if there is a recruitment going on before it •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

JOBS

Need a job? Try these techniques, strategies •Continued from page 37

goes public. “A proactive person is one who has passed stage one of this job posts, knowing the hiring manager or employment agents. He puts up coded calls on a regular basis to find out what is new and what is happening in the company, relates with hiring officers or manager regularly,” he said. Outlining techniques and strategies that could be applied by job seekers to land targeted jobs, Country Director, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Nigeria, Mrs. Omowumi Gbadamosi, said candidates must be smart and fast and be better than their counterparts. According to her, following up immediately after meeting someone or learning of an opportunity, or returning calls right away are some smart, fast and better strategies that a job seeker can employ to get a job and also by extension, become part of workers events. For instance by attending workshops, fora and others. Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in the world. Like every other highly populated country, it is expected that the unemployment rate would be high. Whenever there is a job opening, thousands of people if not millions apply online, using the same methods, the same type of resume/CV templates and in most cases, they all have similar aims and objectives. “Therefore, the best way to overcome this scenario is to be one-step ahead of the many other applicants, conduct your job search online but do not apply online unless it is very necessary to do so. After that, take one-step forward ahead of your competitors by also applying in person. Find out who the hiring

managers are and make direct contacts with them. Getting their phone numbers or email address is a good way to go,” she said. Industrial Relations expert, Dr. Peter Okhiria, said there is a psychological challenge associated with being unemployed, particularly when there is ability and willingness on the part of the unemployed to work. He said it is important for individuals and the national socio-economic well-being that willing and able job seekers get work, or have an avenue to speak out. He said it was the division that exists within labour circles that gave room for a critical stakeholder like job seekers to become exempted from an event that would have provided an excellent opportunity for the country’s policy makers to remember the challenges the unemployed are grappling with. Chief Executive of Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, (ISMN), Mr. Yemi Mapaderun, said it is necessary for employment hopefuls to challenge themselves at all time. He said they should also show up at forums where attention could be drawn to their situation. He explained that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the clos-

• Minister of Labour, Chukwemeka Wogu

est to insanity, noting that job seekers need to initiate, develop and adopt new concepts that can aid their chances of getting jobs. “Job seekers in any case don’t have to wait for any formal invitation

• Popoola

from labour groups to attend any labour gathering where the people that can change their situation are fully gathered. They must take their destiny in their own hands and not wait for things to be done

‘Job hunting is tough but absolutely not impossible. Job seekers must know that the key to finding and keeping work in tough times is the same as in good times. The more positive action you take, the better your chances of landing a great job’

the way they have always been.” He pointed out that to get a job in an economy as challenging as Nigeria’s, job seekers must adopt the strategies of casting their nets wide and become more creative than ever. Mapaderun said trying new and various approach holds the key for an effective job search for artisans and professionals. “Challenge yourself to attend networking events in new industries, towns or social circles. Start looking in the newspaper if you have never done that before. Look for jobs at small companies if you have always looked to working big corporations,” he said, adding that most great things have humble beginings.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

OB hunting has striking similarities to marketing a product. Like the four Ps of branding, the “P”-words for a successful campaign are positioning, process, and persistence followed closely by performance, personality, and pricing. The product is the candidate. In order for a candidate to have the opportunity to sell his value to the targeted buyer/employer, the strategy driving the search has to be effective which means choosing the correct focus and developing the right approach. Your job search project may be one of the most demanding, and rewarding campaigns you will ever manage. Let’s look at the ways you can improve odds in your favour through savvy job hunting and best practices in job search implementation skills.

Positioning The first step to launching a successful campaign and propelling it forward is to identify what makes you a unique candidate. With such stiff competition, it is imperative that candidates distinguish themselves. This means creating a message or an identity that is remarkable and memorable, one that will separate you from the pack of resumes hitting recruiters’ desks. It is sometimes difficult to develop this for yourself especially if your career has depended on doing this for others. You may want to seek advice and counsel

Six Ps of job search By Olu Oyeniran

to establish your value objectively. What is it that you do better than others? What is it about you that enables you to succeed where others don’t? Is there something in your background that others easily remember? This bit of specialised, personal data is your tagline. If you get the positioning targeted correctly, your campaign will be focused on the right employer market with a message that the buyer will value generating more employer interest. Once you have captured an employer’s attention, then you have created a chance to demonstrate your abilities that eventually may produce a job offer, the goal of your job search campaign project.

Process The swiftest route to a new opportunity is to identify your target employers and then address their needs in terms of how you can meet them better than anyone else. Don’t wait around for a company to advertise for a job that is perfect for you. Rather, go out there and seek out a company where you are confident you can make a positive impact, especially one measurable in dollars saved or made. Double back to ensure that your

positioning vis a vis your target employers is consistent with your most outstanding ability or characteristic that an employer will instantly value. In other words, the better the match, the greater the likelihood of capturing the employer’s interest immediately to actually satisfy their needs and exceed their expectations. If you understand the dynamics between meeting employers’ needs first and then promoting your skills against these requirements, your chances of making a connection are much greater than if you concentrate only on your achievements and accomplishments without customising them for an individual company in a way that unmistakably proves your value. Cite ways you can save money, save time, retain customers, reduce costs, increase sales or profits, etc.this will offset their expenses of adding you to headcount.

Persistence and perseverance The early bird, the first candidate to impress the decision maker, has a competitive advantage. So be the one to create a new job just for you by introducing yourself to employers you want to work for. This also means staying in contact with

individuals with whom you “clicked” but didn’t reach an employment agreement for whatever reason. That positive interpersonal chemistry can make or break a situation in your favor so don’t let a good relationship slip away because the timing was off for hiring you. Sticking with your job search goals also means doing a whole lot more than simply submitting a resume or an online application—go and find out who is the hiring manager and speak with them directly. This will get you name recognition and hopefully allow you to pitch them on the phone or in person with your credentials; a much better method than a written marketing document/resume by itself. A word about focus and establishing priorities: concentrate your resources on activities with the largest potential return on your investment. While all search methods have their place, most executive jobs are filled through one avenue: personal referrals. Keep track of your contacts and refresh them periodically. Use different methods to stay in touch varying phone, email, snailmail, an article or clipping, invitations, face to face, etc. according to the recipient preferences. Remember that in networking, maintaining contact is key to results—out of touch can mean out

of mind. Ask your contacts for advice, introductions and information—not directly for a job. Rely on your professional network and return favours generously. Persistence in personal interactions is guaranteed to be the very best way to identify a new opportunity. Recommendations carry tremendous weight over cold calls and unsolicited inquiries. If you can get a colleague to make a direct referral to a prospective employer, your chances of being given serious consideration are much higher. If one colleague asks another to meet with a third person, this usually happens and once you are face to face, this is the best possible circumstance to create good interpersonal chemistry and share ideas. Interactions like these often lead to creating a new opportunity specifically in response to a candidate being available; in other words an unadvertised position in the hidden job market is created just for a particular candidate. Let this be you! Good luck and see you next week for the concluding part. This article relied heavily on a presentation by Debra Feldman of Jobwhiz.com •Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

MOTORING

Jonathan hails Nissan on assembled vehicles P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has applauded the initiative of Stallion Nissan Motors Nigeria (Stallion NMN) as he took delivery of the first five ‘Made in Nigeria’ Nissan vehicles produced at the company’s plant in Lagos. The vehicles,which include three Nissan Patrol SUVs, Nissan Almera (Sunny) saloon car and Nissan NP 300 pick-up, were handed over to the president in Abuja. President Jonathan said the first

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

made in Nigeria vehicles are a demonstration of the proficiency of local investors’ aptitude to the potency of a genuine policy to revamp the automotive industry and leverage the status of the economy while enhancing job creation. “I am quite happy that Nissan has demonstrated the reality of exporting cars from Nigeria is possible which suggest we can soon as a nation export vehicles to other parts

of the world,” says President Jonathan. He urged private sector investors to produce more products so the Federal Government can begin to delineate certain percentage of goods that can be produced locally. “We thank Nissan for making the best of the new automotive policy which is part of our agenda to strengthen the private sector and make it a hub for job creation. Gov-

ernment alone can’t create jobs,” President Jonathan affirmed. Stallion Group Chairman Stallion Group Mr Sunil Vaswani, who led a delegation of Nissan, thanked the president and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for appropriating the automotive policy, describing it as a historic step towards industrial and economic rejuvenation. He said the vehicles are designed

in line with global standards for product and technology. “The Stallion’s automobile facility located along Lagos – Badagry Highway in Lagos can produce 45,000 vehicles annually,” he said. He added: “We are on track to expand our investments and further stimulate the growth of a complete auto industry eco system as envisaged in the new policy.”

One million Dusters produced in four years

OLLOWING Duster’s launch four years ago, the model has turned out to be a resounding success. Combined worldwide productions of Renault - and Daciabranded Dusters have already reached one million vehicles worldwide. The millionth Duster was made at Renault’s plant in Curitiba, Brazil, and will be delivered to a customer in the same country. Duster is currently marketed in more than 100 countries and made in five factories across the world. Not only is Duster one of the driving forces behind the Renault Group’s international growth, but it has also emerged as the best-selling Renault model worldwide. “Duster is a truly global success story,” said Arnaud Deboeuf, the Renault Group’s Entry Programme Director. “With Renault branding, it perfectly meets the demands of our

international customers and is contributing to Renault’s expansion in emerging markets. At the same time, the Dacia-badged version sold in Europe and our Mediterranean Basin markets has succeeded in attracting a new clientele to the brand thanks to the styling and genuine all-terrain capability it delivers for an affordable price. Duster is definitely a model that is winning us new customers,” Deboeuf said. Today, it is available in more than 100 countries, branded either as a Renault or a Dacia. The Dacia-badged version has gain popularity with customers thanks to the cabin space it delivers for its price, as well as its allterrain ability, a feature all the model’s buyers appreciate. Total Duster sales continued to grow in 2013 to reach more than 376,000 units for the year.

Hyundai shines at auto awards

YUNDAI ix35 crossover and its acquaintance Veloster sport sedan were at the just ended Ninth Nigeria Auto Awards honoured with the ‘Most preferred executive SUV’ and ‘Best in design’ awards of the year. While the ix35 outclassed rival Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Ford Escape in the category, the Veloster had beaten BMW X6 to emerge winner of the coveted honour. Among some distinguishing qualities of the Hyundai ix35 is the interior quality which the panel of adjudicators described as comfortable fit and finish, with robust switches and blue backlighting that gives the interior a classy feel. Coupled with this is the car’s suspension which is designed to provide soft ride and absorb all but the biggest of potholes and bumps that drivers may encounter on the roads. The ix35 interior is adequately insulated and does a great job of filtering out tyre, road and wind noise, while the engines are reasonably powerful, smooth and quiet. Currently adjudged one of the best SUVs in the market, the ix35 comes with the most affordable price tags and some of the best equipment levels around. Hyundai Motors Nigeria Sales

ITHOUT any doubt, any item that appears in election manifesto has become a focal point against which the success or failure of such a political party or government can be measured. Job creation has recently found its way into Nigerian election manifesto and for many years to come, it will continue to be one of the yardsticks for measuring the performance or non – performance of the Federal, State and Local governments in Nigeria. Consequent upon the increasing rate of road crashes and fatalities in Nigeria due to lack of proper

and Marketing Head, Mr Jatin Nadkarni, said: “ix35 is one of the most stylish in its class with sleek, sporty look that turns heads in a way you wouldn’t expect from a car with a Hyundai badge.” He said Hyundai ix35 comes in three choice specification levels (Elite, Active and Highlander) with 2.0 gasoline (petrol) engine that churns out 166bhp mated to a sixspeed automatic transmission and fitted to 17 inch alloy wheels. On the other hand, Hyundai Veloster is an entirely fashionable funky hatchback three-door sportlike sedan (one on the driver side and two on the passenger side) uniquely designed for drivers who want something refreshingly different and stimulating – some of the criteria that perhaps informed the jurors’ decisions. The Veloster is equipped with a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine that produces 138 hp and 132 Ib-ft of torque and mated to a six-speed traditional automatic transmission. Also known as the "icing on the cake," the Veloster looks like a regular two-door but when turned 180 degrees through, it looks like a four-door - thanks to the perfectly normal-looking rear door.

•From left: Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marhsal, Lagos and Ogun State, Mr. John Meheux; Representative of Transport Minister Mr Ashekeme Olusegun; Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Transportation, Mr Gbenga Opesanwo and Lafarge WAPCO Managing Director Mr Joe Hudson at the launch of the Lafarge Drivers' Academy at Lafarge Estate Arigbajo in Ogun State.

China to take off six million vehicles on road C HINA’S government plans to take six million older, polluting vehicles off the road this year in an effort to revive stalled progress toward cleaning up smog-choked cities. The plan also calls for filling stations in Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities to switch to selling only the cleanest grades of gasoline and diesel. The order comes after China failed to meet official pollution-reduction goals for 2011-2013, the statement said. It said vehicles registered before 2005 that fail to meet cleaner emissions standards will be “phased out,” though it did not say how. It called the country’s environmental situation “extremely grim.” China has about 240 million vehicles on the road, and half are passenger cars, according to the Ministry of Public Security. China is the world’s biggest auto market by number of vehicles sold. Sales rose 15.7 per cent last year to 17.9 million vehicles. Sales growth is slowing but analysts still expect an increase of eight to 10 percent this year. China’s major cities are smothered in eye-searing smog. The country has some of the world’s strictest emissions standards, but authorities have refrained from enforcing them until now to avoid forcing older, pollution-belching trucks off the

road and hurting small businesses. The announcement suggests authorities have settled that conflict in favour of environmental protection following reports on the mounting health and economic costs of pollution. Plans call for retiring five million older, polluting vehicles in Beijing, the nearby port of Tianjin and the deltas of the Yangtze River, around Shanghai, and the Pearl River, around the southern business center of Guangzhou, according to the statement. It gave no details on

where the remaining 1 million vehicles due to be taken off the road were. Taxi fleets and public buses in major cities have been required to switch to cleaner-burning natural gas or battery power. The government is promoting development of an electric car manufacturing industry. City governments in Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities have imposed curbs on new vehicle restrictions in an attempt to reduce smog and traffic congestion.

ABC wins another award

BC Transport Plc has won the “Transport Company of the Year”award at the Nigerian Auto Awards in Lagos. The event was organised by On-Wheels West Africa and is in its ninth edition. ABC Transport won in the category of road transportation, having been nominated alongside known bus operators. The honour was bestowed on ABC Transport in recognition for its innovations and immense contributions to road transport development in Nigeria. Meanwhile, ABC Transport will be honouring over 200 drivers and at-

tendants at its forthcoming Accidentfree award ceremony in Owerri, Imo State. The Accident-free ceremony is a yearly event organised by ABC Transport to reward drivers and attendants who did not record any accident within a year. On that same day, ABC Drivers’ Training Academy (DTA) will be graduating no less than 250 drivers at its inaugural convocation ceremony. The Academy, which is certified by Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has the mandate to train prospective drivers as well as re-train experienced drivers on defensive driving, among others.

SAFE DRIVING

Road safety and election manifesto co-ordination, it has now become expedient for more co-ordinated attention to be paid to Road Safety Management in Nigeria. This goes beyond the setting up of Road Traffic Management Agencies. Road crashes and fatalities cut across the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the high and the low. If a rich man is suffering from a terminal disease, he can still survive it with medical treatment no matter how expensive but if the same rich man is caught up in a fatal road accident, his money will not save

him from death or deformity. Of all the communicable or non – communicable diseases in the whole world, road accident is the fastest to kill or maim human beings. Even the dreaded HIV/AIDS has cure or near – cure therapy. It therefore implies that Road Safety Management should be given the right attention it requires to prevent further waste of human and material resources in Nigeria. According to the current Health Minister in Nigeria, “Road traffic accidents have led to the death of men,

women, boys, girls and even the unborn child, impacts negatively on our ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as most people affected are the youth. There is a need to halt this trend in order to attain the MDGs 4 and 5 aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving maternal mortality”. The National Focal Person for UN Decade of Action for Road Safety in Nigeria also affirmed that over 80 percent of injuries in Nigeria are traffic – accident related. •To be continued nextweek

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

Taxation

Tax implication of mergers and acquisitions

ERGER is defined as ‘‘any amalgamation of the undertakings or any part of the undertakings or interest of two or more companies or the undertakings or part of the undertakings of one or more companies and one or more bodies corporate’’. Simply put, a merger is a combination or integration of existing companies to form a single company. Acquisition on the other hand, is known as take-over. It is the take-over of by one company of sufficient share in another company to give the acquiring company control over that other company.

Statutory requirement under Companies Income Tax Act (CITA)

The CITA in Section 29(12) Cap (21, LFN, 2004) provides that ‘‘no merger, take-over, transfer or restructuring of the trade or business carried on by a company shall take place without having obtained the Service’s direction under sub-section 9 of this section and clearance with any tax that may be due and payable under the Capital Gains Tax Act’’. The implication of this provision is that the approval of the Federal Inland Revenue Service is a condition for the completion of the process in a merger or acquisition bid. Therefore, no merger or acquisition bids would be fully consummated without the companies involved having obtained consent from the FIRS.

Procedure for obtaining the Service’s Approval

From the start, the merging companies are required to submit to the FIRS, copies of the scheme of merger and scheme of arrangement on the consolidation request for its study and proper evaluation in order to ensure that taxes which may result from the companies’ transactions are correctly assessed and collected. Herein lies the relevance of the Service’s powers under section 29(9) (i) to require either of the companies directly affected by any direction which is under the consideration of the Service to guarantee or give security to its satisfaction for payment in full of all tax due or to become due by the company which is selling or transferring such asset or business.

Tax issues in mergers and acquisitions

A merger may result in any of the following situations: · Formation of a new company. · Continuation of the consolidated business by one of the merging parties, in its name or under a new name. · Cessation of business by the other merging parties. In acquisition, there is only an acquiring company (ies) and the company being acquired.

Emergence of a new company

Rendition of annual returns Where a new company emerges from a merger process, then, the new company is expected to file its returns, in line with the provisions of Section 55(3)(b) of CITA. The section provides that “every new company shall file with the Service, its audited accounts and returns within 18 months from the date of its incorporation or not later than six months after the end of its first accounting period as defined in section 29(3) of this Act, whichever is earlier’’. It should however be understood that a mere change of name does not make an existing business entity a new company. Such companies will continue to be treated as old businesses as a on-going concern.

Basis of assessment

Commencement rule as provided under Section 29(3) will apply to the new company, except where any of the under-listed circumstances arise: (I) Where the merging parties are connected parties, the Service may direct that commencement rule be set aside, in which case, the new company will file its returns as an on-going concern and its assessment will be determined on preceding year basis. (II) Where the new business is a reconstituted company, taking over the trade or business formerly run by its foreign parent company.

Claim of allowances

Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) did not categorically

‘From the start, the merging companies are required to submit to the FIRS, copies of the scheme of merger and scheme of arrangement on the consolidation request for its study and proper evaluation in order to ensure that taxes which may result from the companies’ transactions are correctly assessed and collected’

• Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed

address the value at which assets may be transferred for the purpose of capital allowances claims. However, International Accounting Standard 22 prescribes that in merger accounting, the assets, liabilities and reserves must be recorded at their carrying balances, implying that merger process does not permit the recording of assets at their fair value in the event of consolidation. The new company will therefore not be entitled to any investment allowance claim or initial allowance on the transferred assets; it will only be entitled to claim annual allowance on the Tax Written Down Values (TWDV) of the transferred assets.

to it and will also not claim initial allowance on such assets. (iv) The surviving company may, however, claim yearly allowance only on the tax Written down Values (TWDV) of the assets transferred to it. (v) The surviving company may not inherit the unabsorbed losses and capital allowances of the merging companies, except it is proved that the new business is a reconstituted company. (vi) All fees payable on merger bids or consolidation will be liable to VAT and WHT just like it is applicable on the emergence of a new company. Stamp duties will be paid on the increase in share capital and the company will have to obtain its own staff pension scheme approval from the JTB.

Unabsorbed losses and unutilised capital allowances brought forward

The new company may also not be permitted to inherit the unabsorbed losses and capital allowances of the absorbed companies, except under the following circumstance: (i) where a reconstituted company is carrying on the same business previously carried on by this company and it is proved that the losses have not been allowed against any assessable profits or income of that company for any such year; in that case the amount of unabsorbed losses shall be deemed to be a loss incurred by the re-constituted company in its trade or business during the year of assessment in which the business commenced.

Taxes and deductibility of related expenses

(i) Stamp Duties Duty payment will arise on the share capital of the new company, subject to the provisions of Section 104 of the Stamp Duties Act, in relation to capital and duty relief. (ii) Consolidated Expenses Fees paid to statutory bodies such as SEC, NSE, CBN, Land Authorities etc, including professionals like accountants, stockbrokers, issuing houses, and solicitors are regarded as capital in nature and will therefore not be allowed as deductible expenses by virtue of Section 27(a) of CITA. (iii) Taxation of consolidation fees: Fees paid to professionals for services rendered in connection with consolidation will be subject to VAT and WHT at the rates of five per cent and 10 per cent. 4.3.1 Tax indemnification Section 29(9)(i) of CITA provides that the Service may require the new company to guarantee or give security for payment in full, for any tax due or that may become due by any of the ceased companies. 4.3.2 Approval for Pension Scheme The new company will need to obtain a Joint Tax Board (JTB) approval for its staff pension scheme.

Status of a surviving company in relation to taxation It is a possibility that one of the merging companies survives and its old name or a new name to inherit the assets, liabilities, reserves and entire operations of the merging parties. Where this happens, the following points must be noted: (i) The surviving company must file its returns in line with the provisions of section 55(3)(a) of CITA. (ii) Commencement rules under section 29(3) of CITA will not apply to the surviving company, as it will be regarded as an existing company. (iii) The surviving company will not be allowed to claim investment allowance on the assets which were transferred

Mashi

Ceased Businesses The merger or consolidation exercise may also result in cessation of business for any of the merging parties. In this case, cessation rule as applicable under section 29(4) of CITA will apply to any of the merging companies which have now ceased business permanently, except if any of the following circumstances occur: (i) Where the merging companies are connected. Here, the Service may direct, in line with its discretionary powers, under section 29(9) of CITA that the cessation rule may not apply. (ii) Where a reconstituted company is formed to take over the trade or business formerly run by its foreign parent company. (See Section 29(10) of CITA.

Capital Gains Tax Shares or Cash Received

Section 32A of Capital Gains Tax Act (CGTA) Cap 121LFN 2004 provides that a person shall not be chargeable to tax under the Act, in respect of any gains arising from the acquisition of the shares of a company, either merged with, or taken over or absorbed by another company, as a result of which the acquired company has lost its identity. However, where shareholders are either wholly or partly paid in cash for surrendering their shares in the ceased business, the gains arising from the cash payment will be subject to CGT.

Effect of taxations on consolidation acquiring/acquired companies The tax implications of consolidation on an acquiring company or acquired companies are similar to those of mergers. Acquisition expenses are non-deductible while fees paid to professional bodies are equally subject to WHT and VAT.

‘The tax implications of consolidation on an acquiring company or acquired companies are similar to those of mergers. Acquisition expenses are non-deductible while fees paid to professional bodies are equally subject to WHT and VAT’

POLITICS

MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

FIFTEEN YEARS OF CIVIL RULE It has been 15 years of uninterrupted and turbulent civil rule. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the state of insecurity since May 29, 1999.

Release of pent - up feelings

ITH the return of civil rule, an upsurge of militancy started across the country. Since 1999, the country has witnessed upsurge in civil strife and insurgency to the believe that the country is at war at the moment. From the ethnic militias, to ravaging armed banditries, Niger Delta militants, to the current Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria has had no semblance of peace. Not that the county had enjoyed absolute peace before, but the severity and intensity of the current insecurity is far beyond what has been witnessed since the end of the civil war in 1970. Nigerians today have become so wild against each other that the sanctity of human life has completely lost its essence. The recent report by the Amnesty International that about 2,000 Nigerians have been killed by insurgents in the first quarter of this year shows the threat posed by insecurity. Even after 15 years of uninterrupted civil rule, lives and property of Nigerians are not guaranteed; hundreds of lives are being lost on daily basis, particularly in the Northeast geo-political zone. According to the Human Rights Watch, no fewer than 25,000 people have been killed since 1999. In fact, insecurity is threatening the corporate existence of the country. It started in 2009 as a revolt against state authorities for molesting and killing their members. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, said Nigeria was “facing its most daunting set of challenges for decades.” The development has led to a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states since May 14, 2013. Nevertheless, it took the abduction of about 234 students from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram sect, to bring the grim security situation to the attention of the international community. Britain, China, America and France have joined the search and rescue mission for the girls. In fact, the call for their rescue has become a refrain on the lips of political leaders, sports personalities and other celebrities, who are outraged by the abduction. Street protests by the civil society have added fillip to the campaign to bring back the girls. Apart from the obvious political undertone, many believe that religious, ethnic and economic considerations are part of the factors fuelling insecurity. According to observers, the recent mutiny in Maiduguri over Nigerian soldiers killed by members of Boko Haram, have corroborated the allegation that the army deployed to fight insurgency are not well equipped to deal with the situation; as funds meant for supplies are diverted to personal use by military authorities. The shooting took place when corpses of four soldiers who died in an ambush while returning from patrol duties in Chibok were being conveyed to the morgue. Reacting to the shooting, army spokesman Major General Chris

• Members of Boko Haram arrested during the 2009 uprising and their late leader Mohamed Yusuf (inset).

Olukolade said an inquiry would be set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the soldiers, who fired shots at the army commander, Major General Ahmed Mohammed was addressing troops in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. Insecurity is not new in Nigeria. It is just that the current one is different in many respects. For instance, early in the Forth Republic, on November 20, 1999, the military attacked Odi, a predominantly Ijaw community in Bayelsa State, following the killing of 12 policemen by members of the community. The Odi attack has been described as ethnic cleansing by several observers. The Obasanjo Administration also sent a detachment of soldiers to bring Zaki Biam, a community in Banue State, under control when 19 soldiers sent to restore peace were murdered. Experts on security believe that state actors have contributed to insecurity. National Coordinator of the Odua People Congress (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams corroborated the position, noting that the monster consuming the country is a creation of politicians. He said: “The security crisis is not limited to the Boko Haram. It is spread across the regions of Nigeria and it involves different ethnic nationalities. A situation where ethnicity has overshadowed national interest will not make the country safe. We can see this in what is happening between the Tiv and Jukum, between the Fulani and Plateau people.” How did Nigeria arrive at this sorry pass? Founding Secretary-General of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and promoter of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), Ayo Opadokun, believes the civil rule has not given ordinary Nigerians a sense of belonging. According to him, money meant to change the lives of the people has been siphoned and stashed away by corrupt leaders, rather than being used to provide social security for the people. He said: “Security is not all about weaponry; it is not all about war arsenal at your disposal. It includes the satisfaction the people derive from the

• Niger Delta militants.

services at their disposal. Nigeria has created a dangerous monster that probably will consume the country. How do you attend to the more than 10 million unemployed graduates in the country? “That, on its own, is a cesspool of angry young Nigerians, who don’t know for how long they will wait for them to be engaged. The operators are behaving as if they are our masters. In that regard, politics has become very lucrative. Those who have been sidelined through fraudulent electoral process are not going to continue to accept poorly treated petitions at the tribunal.” Opadokun said, if the petitioners fail to get justice because of dubious court process, they will resort to self help. He added: “If they cannot get justice in the law court, they will have to settle their cause on the pitch. That is to say, you can rarely emphasise the consequences of mutual self destruction. If you have the instrument of violence and I have, so, if they are waiting without hope for redress, they will seek redress through the use of force; this will heat up the security of the coun-

try.” Many Nigerians are not happy with foreign troops on Nigerian soil. For instance, former Presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC) Dr. Olapade Agoro described the intervention as neocolonialism, adding that it has exposed the weakness of the government. His words: “Now, we have foreign intervention coming here to protect us, but I don’t know why we did not throw our independence away and allow the British to take over the governance of the country again. This is because we are not capable ruling ourselves. Now, it is France, USA and China that are helping us to locate our abducted children, making the country a laughing stock of international community. Also, the chairman of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said, with the intervention, the country is no longer safe because the intervention was deliberately designed to achieve imperialist’s agenda. He said, if the situation was not re-

‘The severity and intensity of the current insecurity in virtually all parts of the country is far beyond what has been witnessed since the end of the civil war in 1970. Nigerians today have become so wild against each other that the sanctity of human life has completely lost its essence’

dressed, what happened in other countries where such foreign intervention took place, would surface in Nigeria. Human rights activist Olasupo Ojo said the huge money budgeted for security is not deployed for that purpose. He said this had been the case, there would not be need to invite foreigners to assist Nigeria in the war to rescue the abducted girls. “If we look at defence spending in Nigeria since 1999, we have spent over N233 trillion on the nation’s security. In 2010, the sum of N254 billion was budgeted, in 2011 the budget was N348 billion, in 2012, government budgeted N921 billion, 2013 it was N364 billion, 2014 this year N340 billion,” he said, adding: “One would have expected that this would make impact in our armoury and the aircrafts needed in locating the Chibok school girls, if the money was judiciously used.” Defending government position, Senate President David Mark said the negotiation with the insurgent is not feasible. He said, despite local and international pressure government would not negotiate the release of innocent girls with criminals. “A criminal will be treated as a criminal and this government in no distant time will bring the issue of Boko Haram and insecurity in the country to logical conclusion. We would spare no efforts in bringing the insecurity situation in the northern part of the country to an end,” he added.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

POLITICS FIFTEEN YEARS OF CIVIL RULE In this interview, Elder statesman Alhaji Femi Okunnu submits that the 1999 Constitution is an impediment to true federalism. The legal luminary faults the constitutional provisions on power structure, derivation and resource control, revenue sharing, judicial system, local government, and the validity of military decrees in a democratic setting. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN met him.

‘Federal allocation should be reduced to 25 per cent’ N

IGERIA has operated different constitutions yet we keep searching for a perfect one. Is the problem that of the documents or the operators? The problem of Nigeria, in terms of our constitutions, is not in the constitutions themselves, not those who interpret the constitutions, but the operators. In my view, as regards the 1999 and 1979 constitutions, the problem is not due to those two documents, but by and large the problems were created by those who operated them. Both the 1960 Constitution and the 1963 Republican Constitution are the same. One was a constitution for Nigeria under the British Crown. The other (the1963 Constitution) was for the Republic of Nigeria. The contents of the two constitutions are basically the same Section by section. However, there has been significant departure from the two constitutions, compared to 1979 and 1999 constitutions. The main departure in terms of the system of government, is the change from the parliamentary to the presidential system of government. If we are to be honest to ourselves, parliamentary system ceased to exist from January 1966. The presidential system in effect started with the military coup in January 1966. Indeed, under various military regimes from 1966 to 1979 (Ironsi, Gowon, Murtala/ Obasanjo) a presidential system of government was in vogue and we are still operating the presidential system till today. If you compare the two systems, the Prime Minister is more powerful than the President because the Prime Minister, until January 1966, was the Head of both the executive arm of government and the head of legislature because he commanded majority in the parliament. The power of the executive and the legislature centres revolved round the Prime Minister. Under the presidential system, the President heads the executive branch. The legislature is not under him. If he doesn’t have the majority in the legislature, he has to negotiate with the leadership of the legislative arm as President Shehu Shagari did between 1979 and 1983. In United States, President Obama now faces the Republican Congress. He can’t control them. He lobbies them. At present, the executive and the legislature are in conflict in America. Nigerians are calling for the devolution of powers to the states. What do you think the National Conference should do in this regard? The major issue, which the National Conference should examine, is the Exclusive Legislative List, which defines the exclusive powers the President wields or the exclusive powers conferred on the President by the constitution. In my opinion, police should be on the Concurrent Legislative List. So also is the issue of marriage. Marriage under the Act is a relic of colonialism. The Federal government should allow the states to operate exclusively whatever form of marriage is suitable for Nigerians within the state. On aviation, apart from the maintenance of the airports, safety of aircraft and adherence to international conventions on aviation, issues like construction of airport and carriage of passengers and goods should be in the concurrent legislative list. Census, registration of birth and death should be in concurrent list as well. Revenue allocation has remained

a contentious issue. What would you suggest as enduring solutions? We are not fair to the oil-producing states. The retention of 13 per cent of the profit from sales of petroleum and agricultural products to state of origin under the 1999 Constitution is grossly unfair to the states of origin of minerals and agricultural products. There are minerals in different parts of Nigeria, which are yet to be tapped. There is criminal neglect of agriculture. We see no more of Kano groundnut pyramids and cotton. No more huge production of palm oil and palm kernels where Nigeria led in the production as number one and three in the world 40 years ago. We have reduced ourselves to marginal world production of cocoa, timber and rubber. Each state is blessed with minerals and agricultural products. On revenue allocation, we are not ready to face the historical truth about the basis of the revenue allocation; the reasons why in the colonial era and, until 1979, why the Federal Government was assigned only 20 per cent of the revenue allocation, instead of the 54 per cent the Federal Government now takes for running the central government. Section 134 (1) of the 1960 Constitution stipulates: (a) “There shall be paid by the Federation to each region a sum equal to 50 per cent of the proceeds of any royalty received by the federation, in respect of any mineral extracted in that region and ay mining rents derived by the federation during that year from within that region. “The federation shall credit to the Distributable Pool Account a sum equal to 30 per cent of the proceeds of any royalty received by the federation, in respect of the mineral extraction in any region and any mining rents derived by the federation from any region.” So, the remaining 20 per cent is kept by the Federal Government as its own share. Under the colonial rule, the revenue allocation was fashioned in such a way that regions will derive revenue from the Federation Account according to the functions and powers which the regions would carry out under the constitution. Were the functions of the regional governments in those days different from what the states are performing today? No, they are not different. All functions listed in the Concurrent Legislative List and Residual Powers or functions that are not listed in the Exclusive Legislative List like primary healthcare, education (primary and secondary), land, housing, water supply and agriculture are mainly the basic functions of the region. These are the areas through which the people feel the impact of government every day and they require huge capital outlay to accomplish, compared with the Federal Government’s functions, which include currency, banking, archives, and copy right which do not consume much money. Before independence, the colonial government, with the consent of the regional governments appointed the Fiscal Commission to look into the functions and powers of the legislative list and determine the percentage of revenue the regional government will need to carry out their functions and the percentage that will go to the Federal Government; to determine how much the Federal

•Okunnu

‘The major issue, which the National Conference should examine, is the Exclusive Legislative List ,which defines the exclusive powers the President wields or the exclusive powers conferred on the President by the constitution’ Government would spend to service its own functions. That was how government at independence up to the time of Murtala/Obasanjo followed the fixed constitutional formula of 20 per cent to the Federal Government, 50 per cent to state of origin and the remaining 30 per cent to distributive pool to be shared among the regions or states. But today, the Federal Government takes 54 per cent to discharge its own functions. The functions as listed in the 1999 Constitution include Weights and Measures, Traffic on the federal roads, Declaration of Waterways, Stamp duties, Quarantine, Designation of professional occupation, Passport and Visa, Insurance, Law of Evidence, Awards of National Honour, Law on Copy Right and such other functions which do not require a great deal of expenditure. Rather some of them like stamp duty and passport generate income for the Federal Government. There are some functions, which the government itself is selling to the private sector, which require little expenditure e.g. post and telecommunication. Why should the Federal Government’s share of the Federation Account jump from 20 per cent to 54 per cent when the functions of the states are getting bigger? So, the Federal Government should go down to 25 per cent, if not 20 per cent as before; state of origin at least 25 per cent, if not 35 per cent and the remainder should go into distributive pool. It is the Federal Government that is cheating all the states in revenue allocation. That is why revenue accruable to the Federal Government should go down

from 54 to 25 per cent. There are those advocating full autonomy for the local government. What is your view? We should expunge all references to local government in the constitution, including creation or adjustment of boundaries and financing. We may leave only Section 7 which enshrines “democratically elected Local Government System” established under a law enacted by the State House of Assembly. The reason for this is that Local Governments are not federating units. They are entirely a matter for each state to determine its own Local Government administration structure. It is not the business of the Federal Government to determine for the state as it has been from time immemorial until centralisation of Local government system came under Gen Murtala Muhammed. The culture of the people also determines the type of local government required in a state. Some people are suggesting that we should revert to the regional system of government that fostered in accelerated development under the colonial regime and in the First Republic. Do you agree? Federalism is a system of government in which the federating units surrender some of their functions or powers to the central government. Under our system, the states in the federation have collectively surrendered certain functions to the Federal Government, which come either under the exclusive legislative list or in the concurrent legislative list. In good sense and in common parlance, there is no other set of feder-

ating units. There is no place for any other federating units like zones. It is either we have zones or regions. Under the 1999 Constitution, we have states. Federalism cannot harbour both states and regions or zones. The days of regions are over; their place has been taken over by states. A multiplicity of states has come to stay. We have too many states now; there should be no more. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1948 advocated eight states for Nigeria. General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states out of the four regions in 1967. To me, the ideal number was the 12 states structure created in 1967. The 1999 Constitution does not allow independent candidates from contesting elections. Do you agree with the provision? To say as laid down in the constitution that I must belong to a political party, if I want to contest for elective position like the President, governor or a member o the National Assembly or even as a member of local government council, deprives me of my fundamental right to be elected into any of these offices. If I don’t believe in any of the manifestoes or the programmes of any of the existing political parties, why should you force me to join one, if I want to stand for election? Why do you deprive me as a voter the right to vote for an independent candidate whom I believe is the best person to deliver the goods or the best person to govern but does not belong to any political party. The clause that made it impossible for independent candidates to contest elections should be expunged from the constitution because it deprives the Nigerian citizens the right to choose for themselves. Would you say the centralisation of appointment of judges conforms with the principle of federalism? The judiciary under the constitution does not conform to the principle of federalism. The National Judicial Council (NJC) is the only body to appoint, discipline or dismiss judges of the State High Courts. Even salaries of the State High Court judges are paid in part from the Federal Government’s purse. That does not conform to federalism as it was practised even in Nigeria under the 1954, 1960 and 1963 Constitutions. Under each of those constitutions, the Judicial Service Commission of each region was responsible for the appointment, discipline or dismissal of State High Court Judges. What we have today is a hybrid judicial structure. The power of the NJC must be limited only to Federal Courts and High Court of Abuja, if we must practice true federalism. What is your view on the validity of military decrees by the 1999 Constitution? Section 6(6)(d) of the 1999 Constitution (as in 1979 Constitution must be expunged from the constitution as it is an invitation to military rule. It reads: “Shall not, as from the date when this section comes into force, extend to any action or proceedings relating to any existing law made on or after January 15, 1966, for determining any issue or question as to competence of any authority or person to make any such law.” What it means is that the decrees promulgated by the military cannot be challenged in the court. Those whose rights were infringed by the military can’t seek redress in the law court. Yet, we are in democracy. This section should be expunged from the constitution.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

151TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

oday Wednesday 28th May, 2014 (29th Rajab, 1435 A H) Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE presided over the one hundred and fifty first (151st) sitting of the Kano State Executive Council. As usual, Council deliberated on issues that centered on the delivery of services inherent in

projects/programmes/policies aimed at positively transforming the lives of the citizenry in Kano State for the better. Already, a lot was achieved in the execution of approvals granted to MDAs in the previous one hundred and fifty (150) sittings at the rate of an average of over twenty (20) approvals per sitting (i.e. over 3,000 approvals in 150 sittings). Notably, the over 3,000 approvals granted to MDAs by the Kano State Executive Council in its previous 150 sittings translate to the current tangible positive transformation across all sectors in the State. These include Education, Infrastructure, Water Supply, Empowerment, Agricultural Production, Health Care Delivery, Maintenance of Public owned facilities, etc. Examples of Public spirited/oriented achievements are conspicuous and ubiquitous. The State is transforming positively at a faster rate never witnessed in its history thereby becoming a shining example for other States to emulate. The Kano State Executive Council maintained the commendable trend today by receiving and deliberating upon an appreciable number of fifty (50) memoranda from ten (10) MDAs of which thirty three (33) were approved for execution with an expenditure of Two Billion, Forty Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Five Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo (N2,040,332,725.99) covering twenty two (22) projects while the remaining ones (11) were informative, notations or on policy issues. Below are those approved by Council. 1. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT This Ministry submitted eleven (11) memoranda for deliberations by Council. Five (5) of them were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Cover Slabs for the Drainage along Malam Aminu Kano Way (Gadon Kaya - Gidan Malam Aminu - Kofar Ruwa):The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport submitted the cited request for consideration by Council so as to address the identified problem of silting that block the drainage along the Malam Aminu Kano Way, especially during the rainy seasons. Silting of the drainage along this road was appropriately blamed on the wanton dumping of refuse into the existing open drainage along the road. Provision of cover slabs along/over the drainage was presented to Council as the only solution to the problem. As such, the scope of works required were assessed and estimated to the tune of N155,238,923.70, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the project on contractual basis. Council approved the request. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of Reinforced Concrete Overhead Pedestrian Bridges Over Roads at Five (5) Different Locations in Kano:The contents of this memorandum amply substantiated to Council, the need for the execution of the cited projects due to their significance to the safety of lives of the citizenry that use the roads. The roads/ locations earmarked for the highly required projects include: i. Hadejia Road by Yan' Kaba Market. ii. Zaria Road by Kwanar Dawaki. iii. Gwarzo Road/Rijiyar Zaki by Police Station. iv. Old B.U.K. Road by Rumfa College. v. Sheikh Ja'afar Road by Juma'at Mosque. Each project was assessed and estimated to cost the sum of N78,138,777.94. The total sum of N390,693,889.97 is required for the five (5) projects. Council deliberated on the request and approved the execution of the projects as submitted. Council also directed that the Overhead Bridge dismantled at Sabon Gari market due to the construction of the multi-billion Naira Flyover Bridge on Murtala Muhammed road should be transferred and erected at Kandahar Jumma'a mosque along Katsina road. c) Request for Funds for the Construction of Cover Slabs for the Drainage along Old B.U.K Road (Gidan Murtala - Kofar Kabuga):The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport tacitly alerted Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, the cited project was identified as required for execution so as to save the road from unwanted flooding during the rainy seasons due to silting that block normal passage of water. Such was blamed on the wanton dumping of refuse into the existing open drainage along the sides of the road. Provision/Construction of cover slabs along/over the side drainage along the road was presented as the only viable solution to the problem. The scope of works required was assessed and estimated to cost the sum of N72,693,889.97, which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the project on contractual basis. Council approved the request. d) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment for Diesel (AGO) Supplied to the Taskforce Committee on the Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights for the Month of March, 2014:The provision of lighting on the major streets of Kano Metropolis by this administration has transformed Kano into a modern city. However, the lightening streetlights depend on electric generators due to the failure of the National Grid to supply adequate electricity to the state. This explains the procurement of diesel to run these generating sets. In line with this, the cited request was presented to Council for consideration. Quantity of Diesel (AGO) supplied to the generators in the Month of March, 2014 amounted to the tune of N83,240,300.00 as substantiated by contents of five (5) receipts presented to Council for consideration. Council approved the payment. e) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Furnishing of Eight (8) Flats for Five (5) Expatriate Staff at Northwest University, Kano Permanent Site:The Northwest University, Kano was fully established, courtesy of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Nevertheless, to make the required teaching staff fully resident in close vicinity to the institution necessitated submission of the cited request. The requirements were assessed and estimated to cost the aggregate sum of N11,550,546.00, which was requested for release by Council. Council approved the request for the stated purpose. 2. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Secretary to the State Government submitted thirty five (35) memoranda on behalf of the Chairman and some MDAs for deliberations by Council. Nineteen (19) of them were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Report on the Meeting Held Between the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in respect of N100,000,000 Fixed Deposit Placed at EuroBank by the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees:The memorandum reminded Council of the request from the State Pension Fund Trustees for Government Intervention in respect of the cited issue. Government intervened with the positive outcome that a meeting was convened on the issue at the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN's) Headquarters, Abuja. The meeting, chaired by the Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria was attended by both the Managing Director of EuroBank and representatives of Kano State Pension Fund Trustees. Details of the deliberations were presented to Council for consideration along with the unequivocal directive issued by the Chairman to EuroBank to do everything possible to return the

N100,000,000.00 deposit plus accrued interest to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees. Council acknowledged the presentation. b) Request for Permission to Utilize the ICT Center at Sani Abacha Stadium for the Take - Off of the Customized Course Offered by the Kano State Informatics Institute:The Kano State Ministry of Science and Technology submitted the cited request due to the increase in the demand for the services/courses offered by the Kano State Informatics Institute. Council considered and approved the granting of permission for the utilization of the ICT Center at Sani Abacha Stadium for the take - off of the Customized Course offered by the Kano State Informatics Institute under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

c) Presentation of Appreciation Letter from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP):The Secretary to the State Government presented the cited letter from NAPTIP to Council in appreciation of the supportive gesture of the Kano State Government for donating the sum of N2,000,000.00 to the Kano State Zonal Command of NAPTIP. This was to enable the production of NAPTIP posters and pamphlets in Hausa language. The Command promised to continue working assiduously towards its assigned responsibilities and declares sincere appreciation of the support granted by the Kano State Government. d) Presentation in Respect of the Outcome of the Third (3rd) Meeting of the Steering Committee on the World Bank Assisted Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project (WIWRMP) (10th April, 2014), Zamfara State:The Kano State Government participated at the cited event, which was held at Talata Mafara in Zamfara State on 10th April, 2014. Four (4) cardinal notations were submitted on the deliberations for consideration by Council. Viz: " The entire project was renamed from Nigeria Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project (NIWRMP) to Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project (TRIMING). " The progress of the various irrigation schemes connected to the TRIMING, which include the Sokoto Rima River Basin; Hadejia Jama'are; Komaduga- Yobe Basin and Upper Benue River Basin. Each of them consists of different irrigation projects/programmes. " The proposal for the negotiation of loan for the project from the World Bank. " The need for the provision of an office accommodation for the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) at Abuja and continuing with preparations for the recruitment of the required manpower for the routine operations of the Office. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and directed the Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources to submit a report on other Federal Government Water Projects. e) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of 2014 Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso State School Sports Festival for Boys and Girls at GSS Rano and GGSS Yar' Gaya (June, 2014):The Kano State Ministry of Education submitted the cited request by informing Council that the 2014 Kano State School Sports Festival was organized with a view to exploring the abundant hidden talents in our Schools with the potentials to represent the State at various championships organized by the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF). The 2014 Kano State School Sports Festival is tagged "Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso State Schools Sports Festival for Boys and Girls". Two (2) venues are earmarked for the sporting events that include Handball, Ping - Pong (Table Tennis), Athletics, Chess, Volleyball, Badminton, Hockey, etc. The two venues are: i. GSS Rano for Boys. ii. GGSS Yar' Gaya for Girls. Details of the requirements were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the sum of N4,600,800.00 to enable the conduct of the stated events. Council approved the release of the sum of N4,600,800.00 for the stated purpose. f) Presentation of Completion Report on the Provision of Access Roads Projects at Kuyan - Ta - Inna Layout:The Ministry of Rural and Community Development submitted an update on the projects it executed at Kuyan-Ta-Inna Layout. Council recalled its directive for the Ministry to provide access roads at the new layout. The progress report stated that at the completion of the project 2059 Residential Plots (10m x 15m), 23 Commercial Plots (30m x 30m), 82 Primary and Collector Roads were provided. The cleared land is now ready for allocation to applicants. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. g) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of a Workshop on Job Creation in Micro Work Technology (Enlacing):Cognizant of the commendable empowerment policy of the present administration, the Ministry of Science and Technology submitted the cited request to Council for consideration. Kano State indigenous youths with relevant training and background in Information Technology are targeted for the workshop, which fosters awareness on the job opportunities inherent in the Micro Work and the Enlacing space. The workshop was designed to cover two (2) aspects of paid Crowd Sourcing Technology, Micro Work (Skilled) and enlacing (semi - skilled). Essentially, the paid Crowd Sourcing is an expanding segment within the new virtual economy. In a nutshell, the high level of success recorded by the Lagos State Government on the conduct of similar programme instigated the submission of the cited request for consideration by Council. The sum of N10,260,000.00 was requested for the programme. Council trimmed down the request and approved the sum of N7,050,000.00 to enable the State Ministry of Science and Technology conduct the stated workshop as it is in line with the empowerment policy of the present administration. h ) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment for One (1) Way Ticket Fare for Twenty One (21) Amongst the First (1st) Batch of 501 Postgraduate Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored for Studies at the University of Science and Technology, Jordan:The Kano State Scholarship Board submitted the cited request. Each ticket costs N145,000.00 totaling to the aggregate sum of N3,045,000.00 for the twenty one (21) students, which was requested for release by Council. Council considered the details presented and approved the release of the requested sum of N3,045,000.00 to enable the Kano State Scholarship Board undertake the stated purpose so as to facilitate the return home by the twenty one (21) students in May, 2014 on completion of their respective courses. i) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of 2014 Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso Junior Secondary Schools Football Championships (23rd - 30th May, 2014):The Kano State Ministry of Education submitted the cited request for consideration. Promotion of Soccer and its development at grassroots levels was for the physical development of the State youths. The sum of N2,170,000.00 was required for the championships game. The details presented were considered as appropriate by Council, which approved release of the requested sum of N2,170,000.00 to the Ministry of Education to enable conduct of the 2014 Junior Secondary Schools Football Championships. j) Request for Funds for the Purchase of Basic Office Equipment in Respect of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board Headquarters:The Secretary to the State Government endorsed the cited request originally submitted from the State Primary Healthcare Board. Details on the seven (7) items required were presented to Council for considera-

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014 tion along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N2,249,800.00 to enable the procurement of the stated basic office equipment in respect of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board. Council noted, considered and approved as requested. k ) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of Final Qualifying Examinations for Sixty Five (65) Students of the School of Basic Midwifery, Kano:The Kano State Ministry of Health submitted the cited request through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for consideration by Council. Details on the six (6) items required were presented for consideration along with request for the release of the aggregate sum of N440,000.00 for the stated purpose. Council considered the request as appropriate and approved the release of the sum of N440,000.00 for the stated purpose. l) Presentation of Request for Funds to Undertake Collaborative Drainage Works at Sharada Gindin Garu, Municipal LGCA:The Sustainable Kano Project (SKP) submitted the cited request to Council for consideration. The collaborative arrangement was presented to Council as follows: i. State Government to provide N8,936,335.08 to procure eleven (11) items as working materials. ii. The Local Community to provide the sum of N1,340,000.00 for the labor required. Council having noted the readiness of the community to provide the required collaborative input for the actualization of the project to cover labor endorsed the need for its execution. The project when executed will alleviate the problem of persistent flooding affecting the residence of the community. Council acknowledged the presentation and the Chairman's formal approval for the project. m ) Request for Funds to Enable the Purchase of One (1) Way Tickets in Respect of 104 Kano State Indigenous Postgraduate Students Returning Home from Turkey:Details on the affected students were presented to Council for consideration. The main essence was that the 104 students have completed their respective studies and are due to return home by May/June, 2014. The sum of N17,203,000.00 was requested for release by Council for the stated purpose. Council considered the request as relevant and approved as requested. n ) Request for Funds as State Contribution to the Federal Intervention Programme under NICEP to Extend Internet Services to Unserved/Underserved MDAs, Institutions and Schools:Participation of the Kano State Government under the supervision of the State Ministry of Science and Technology in the cited programme was already approved via Council Extract No. CAD/EXCO/4/1/2240 for the installation of the facilities at twelve (12) locations. This was successfully executed under the following arrangements: i. The Kano State Government shouldered the provision of bandwidth and support services cost annually. ii. The Consultant provided the V-Sat equipment and accessories. In the same vein, installation of the same facilities at various offices/locations was requested Accordingly, details on the financial requirements for the installations, bandwidth and support as well as the LAN installation was presented to Council for consideration amounting to the sum of N24,099,079.20. Council appraised the request and approved the sum of N3,314,697.19 to the Ministry of Science and Technology for the installation of only one unit of the bandwidth. o ) Request for Funds to Effect Increment of the Monthly Maintenance Allowance for the 197 Kano State Indigenous Students Sponsored to Undergo Top - Up Degree Programme at the International University of East Africa, Uganda:The sum of N21,276,000.00 was approved for release by Council to enable the Kano State Scholarship Board effect the payment of allowances to the 197 students now undergoing one year top up programme at the International University of East Africa, Uganda. p ) Memorandum on the Payment of 75% Deposit to Enable the Supply of One (1) Electricity Generator and Two (2) Numbering/Perforating Machines for Government Printing Press:Council was reminded through the contents of this memorandum, of its approval granted for the purchase of One (1) electricity generator (N4,082,500.00) and Two (2) Numbering/Perforating Machines (N6,699,000.00) amounting to the sum of N10,781,500.00. Nevertheless, the company contracted for the project requested for 75% down payment as deposit before delivery while the balance of 25% could be paid after installation. This was different from the usual 30% paid as mobilization to contractors. However, this case involved procurement, supply and installation for which mobilization should not exceed 50% as recommended by the Accountant General, Kano State. As such, Council considered and approved the release of 50% of the already approved sum of money for the project as mobilization to the contractor. q) Request for Funds to Procure and Distribute Gemstone Cutting and Polishing Machines to Forty Four (44) Kano State Indigenous Beneficiaries:The Special Adviser on Solid Minerals submitted the cited request to Council for consideration. Council was informed, through the contents of this memorandum that the forty four (44) Kano State indigenous candidates sponsored by the State Government to undergo the eight (8) - Weeks Training on Gemstone Cutting and Polishing have successfully completed their course on 1st May, 2014 and await their discharge certificates from the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, Plateau State. Cognizant of the empowerment policy of the present administration, the Special Adviser on Solid Minerals requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N108,210,375.00 to enable the procurement of equipment/tools for Gemstone Cutting and Polishing process for distribution to the forty four (44) beneficiaries so as to enable them utilize the knowledge/skill acquired for self employment/self reliance. Congruence of the project with the empowerment policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve as requested. r) Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of Training for Medical Personnel on Cervical Cancer Screening and Setting Up of Cervical Cancer Center in each of the Three (3) Senatorial Zones in Kano State:The request was presented to Council for consideration by the Ministry of Health. The memorandum recommended the training of medical personnel on Cervical Cancer Screening and the need for the setting up of one Cervical Center in each of the three Senatorial Zones in the State. This when implemented will create awareness about non-communicable diseases such as cancer. In fact, with the exception of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital there is no established Center for research, awareness, prevention and management of cancer, hence the need to establish one at each of the Senatorial District of the State. Details on the training of medical personnel, media publicity, procurement of anti-cancer drugs, etc. estimated at the recommended cost of N8,216,500.00 were presented to Council for consideration. Council considered the project as relevant and in agreement with the resolve of the present administration to provide for the Healthcare to the citizenry approved the request. s) Request for Funds for the Purchase and Distribution of Drugs/Other Items to Sickle Cell Patients and Community Outreach/Awareness Campaign Celebration of World Sickle Cell Day:This memorandum requested funds for the purchase and distribution of drugs and other items to Sickle Cell Patients and Community outreach/awareness Campaign and Celebration of World Sickle Cell Day. June 19th was earmarked every year as World Sickle Cell Day. At that date, the State Ministry of Health has proposed to conduct Community Outreach/Campaign activities which will include Sickle Cell genotype testing, Genetic Counseling, distribution of Free Medicine/insecticide/treated net and public enlightenment. Council approved the release of the requested aggregate sum of N8,772,052.52 to cover for the activities in view of its significance to the inheritable Sickle Cell scourge. 3. MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Three (3) of the four (4) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of Accomplishment Report in Respect of the 2013 Kano State Constituency Projects (Rural Water Supply):The Ministry of Rural and Community Development presented the cited report on behalf of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) in the execution of the 2013 Kano State Constituency Projects on Rural Water Supply. Major highlights presented included the following: i. The sum of N270,994,180.35 was approved and released to RUWASA for the execution of the 2013 Kano State Constituency Projects on Rural Water Supply. ii. 316 projects were executed by RUWASA, which comprised the construction/rehabilitation of 310 hand pump Boreholes, construction of 3 motorized boreholes, construction of 2 and rehabilitation of 1 Earth Dam as well as rehabilitation/reticulation of water pipe line extension. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. b) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Relocation and Replacement of Electric Poles along Aminu Kano Way (Kofar Gadon Kaya - Mambayya House):The contents of this memorandum tacitly notified Council of the commendable progress recorded in the execution of reconstruction and expansion of numerous roads undertaken by the present administration. Aminu Kano Way was presented to Council as among such roads that benefitted from the laudable efforts of the present administration for its general renovations/reconstruction in the course of which electric poles owned by the PHCN were removed for relocation and/or replacement assessed and estimated at the cost of N15,108,103.00 by the Kano State Rural Electrification Board (REB). This amount was requested for release by Council to address the cited issue. Council approved the release of N10 million for the execution of the project. c) Presentation of Request for Funds for the Reactivation/Repairs of Dan' Kyandi I.T.C/L.T. Extension

55 and the Replacement of 500KVA, 33/0.415KV Electricity Transformer at Wuro Bagga, U/Lami and Walawa (Nassarawa and Gwarzo LGCAs):The Kano State Rural Electrification Board (REB) identified the cited locations for the execution of the stated projects so as to restore normalcy in the vitally required supply of electricity in the areas concerned for the socio - economic benefit of the residents. The extent of works required was assessed and estimated to the tune of N8,105,678.00 which was requested for release to enable execution of the vitally required project. Council approved the release of the trimmed down sum of N8,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to enable REB execute the stated project. 4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Health was approved for execution. Thus: Request for Funds for the Provision of Accreditation Requirements by the School of Health Technology, Kano:The Ministry of Health submitted the cited request for consideration by Council on behalf of the Sole Administrator of the School of Health Technology, Kano. The sum of N6,512,000.00 was required for the purchase of relevant textbooks and other necessary expenses for the accreditation exercise as specified by Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria. Council approved the request. 5. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Education was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Request for the Release of the 2014 UBE State Matching Grant:The Ministry of Education profusely applauded the performance of the incumbent administration under the leadership of the second (2nd) tenure of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE in owing up to its obligations by releasing the State UBE Matching Grants, backlog inclusive, totaling up to the sum of N7,890,108,770.00 covering the period of six (6) years (2008 - 2013). This feat explains the achievements recorded in the positive transformation of the Basic Education Subsector within the period of three (3) years of the incumbency of the present administration in Kano State. Along this line, Council was notified that UBEC had approved the release of the sum of N952,297,297.30 to Kano State as counterpart funds for the execution of capital projects in the year 2014. As such, SUBEB prepared its action plan for submission and approval by UBEC Abuja on the projects to be executed within 2014. Council was respectfully requested to comply with the provision of Section 11 (2) of the UBEC Act 2004 by approving the release of the sum of N952,297,297.30 as its own counterpart fund for the execution of the UBE approved action for which the aggregate sum of N1,904,594,594.60 will be available as contributed between the Federal and Kano State Governments. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved the release of the sum of N952,297,297.30 to SUBEB to execute the first (1st) - fourth (4th) Quarters, 2014 UBE Action/Programme Plan. 6. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning was approved for execution. Thus: Request for Funds for the Routine Maintenance Works on Kano Metropolitan Roads by KNUPDA:The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning applauded the commendable achievements recorded in the provision of required infrastructure, such as roads, for use by the citizenry in Kano State. KNUPDA and KARMA are prominent in the execution of the routine maintenance works executed on metropolitan roads on which the present administration lays emphasis. So far, the Kano State Executive Council granted eight (8) approvals from the year 2011 to 2014 for the release of the funds to KNUPDA to enable the execution of routine maintenance works on metropolitan roads. Specifically, the sum of N90,000,000.00 recently approved for release to KNUPDA in the month of January, 2014 for the continuation of routine maintenance works on metropolitan roads was retired as expended with an outstanding liability to the tune of N39,247,368.84. Details were presented for consideration along with the request for Council to approve the release of the sum of N150,000,000.00 to KNUPDA for the settlement of its liabilities and continuation of the routine maintenance works on metropolitan roads. Council approved the release of the sum of N142,500,000.00. 7. MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The only memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Information Memorandum (IM) on the Outcome of the Official Visit to ITF on the Issue of Further Training for the Third (3rd) Batch of 150 Trainees from the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru:The contents of this memorandum amply informed Council of the progress achieved as recorded on the performance and positive response of the 150 third (3rd) Batch Trainees for further training at the ITF. Happily reported to Council was the fact that by Wednesday 28th May, 2014 there was 100% attendance by the trainees at the ITF. Encouraging details on the capacity of the ITF to achieve the envisaged goal were presented to Council for consideration along with the submission of four (4) specific notations on the issue. Most prominent of the notations was that: " Further training in five (5) trades which include POP/Painting, Tailoring, Building, Welding and Carpentry will continue for the next four (4) weeks while the trainees will be provided with lunch and those from locations outside the metropolis will be picked and dropped at designed points. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 151ST EXCO SITTING 1. CONTINUED TRAINING OF YOUTH AT THE LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES AND POULTRY IN STITUTES Council delightfully acknowledged the continuation of training of teeming youths across the State at the three (3) fully established Agricultural Institutes courtesy of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Council noted the continued distribution of Fertilizer on roll-out G.E.S.S. in eighty (80) centers across the State where about 489,000 farmers have benefitted. 2. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PRIMARY SCHOOLS FEEDING PROGRAMME Council appreciated the conduct of the recent national conference on Primary School feeding programme at Abuja and Osun State during which Kano State was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Education. Importantly, UBEC acknowledged the sustenance of the school feeding programme by Kano and Osun State Government. Further, UBEC pledged to begin providing financial support to the two (2) States. 3. ROUND - UP OF MAY 2014 POLIO - PLUS EXERCISE ACROSS KANO STATE Council acknowledged the successful conduct of the May 2014 Polio exercise across the State for which Council extended its profound gratitude to the general public, Emirate Council, Interim Management Officers and Development Partners. Council urged the newly elected Local Government Chairmen to work hard toward ensuring complete eradication of the disease. 4. UNIDO OFFICIAL WORKING VISIT TO KANO STATE Council appreciated the UNIDO official working visit to Kano State on a tour to appraise the level of implementation of commendable developmental projects/programmes/policies of the present administration in Kano State under the leadership of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Skills acquisition training opportunities/empowerment programmes were of the essence. The visiting team visited Kura farm irrigation sites and Dawakin Kudu Pottery Centers. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso appreciated the visit and requested for their support on the establishment of the Garment Industry in the State. 5. SIGNING INTO LAW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KANO STATE PRIVATE & VOLUNTARY INSTITUTIONS BOARD BILL 2014 - BY GOVERNOR ENGR. RABI'U MUSA KWANKWASO, FNSE Council witnessed the successful signing into law of the State Private & Voluntary Institutions Board Bill 2014. The contents of the bill are aimed at sanitizing the operations of the privately and voluntarily owned Institutions in Kano State. 6. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO GOVERNOR ENGR. RABI'U MUSA KWANKWASO, FNSE " An award to the Governor by the 'TOZALI' Magazine in recognition of his concern for women and children welfare/development in the State. " An award to the Governor by the SUBEB in celebration of three (3) years progressive leadership anniversary on educational development in Kano State.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture www.kn.gov.ng/new

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS

Flood sweeps away four-year-old boy

Wada, Audu seek peaceful elections

FOUR-year-old boy, simply identified as Gideon, was swept away by flood yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The rain, which started around 7.30am, lasted for 35 minutes. An eyewitness said the incident happened when the victim’s grandmother and

OGI State Governor Idris Wada has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure that politics is devoid of rancour and violence. Wada, who was represented by Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, spoke at the inauguration of community projects/empowerment programme by a member of the House of Assembly, Michael Folusho Daniel. He said efforts that will ensure peaceful co-existence among parties remained the focus of his administration. Former Governor Abubakar Audu, who was chairman, said the lawmaker has eased the work of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. He said people were no longer interested in parties as platforms, but are more concerned about the dividends of democracy. Audu praised the Wada administration for associating with politicians from other parties. The former governor

•Wada From James Azania, Lokoja

urged politicians to stop politics of violence, killing and maiming. He said the APC is proud of Folusho’s quality representation. Audu praised the peaceful atmosphere the present administration has created, which he said allowed for inter party harmony and for politicians to work together. Folusho said the gesture was a token of his appreciation to his people for the mandate given to him to serve. The lawmaker promised that he will strive to sustain the confidence reposed in him.

Idah Poly Registrar kidnapped

HE Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic in Idah, Kogi State, Kareem Abu, has been kidnapped. The registrar was abducted from his official residence, at the weekend. The incident is one of several attempts to kidnap principal officers of the institution. A month ago, the Rector, Mathew Akpata, escaped

From James Azania, Lokoja

from his abductors, when his official vehicle in which he was been taken away had an accident. Akpata was rescued by villagers who came to the scene after his kidnappers fled. The librarian was also kidnapped last year. Police spokesman Emeka Emeh said he was yet to get details of the incident.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

her family were going to church. An eyewitness said when they got to a narrow path where a bar of steel was laid for passersby to cross the river, the boy slipped. The source said: “I saw them when they were coming; I was on the other side

of the river. “The old woman waited for her grandchildren to pass but the boy, who was in front slipped. “I think the bar of steel was slippery due to the rain.” When our reporter visited the victim’s house, his grandmother was wailing uncontrollably. She urged sympathisers to

help search for the body. She said: “Ah, when my grandson slipped inside the river he was calling my name. “God, I’m doomed. Who do I tell this and how do I explain this to anyone, my God? “You people should go and help me look for his body. My God, I’m doomed.”

13 arrested for Taraba killings

HE police in Taraba State are interrogating 13 suspects over the attacks in Mayo-Kan and Nahuta villages of Bali Local Government Area. Five people, including two policemen, were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

Commissioner of Police Kalafite Adeyemi said the suspects would be transferred from Bali Divisional Headquarters to Jalingo, where they will be charged to court.

Adeyemi said many other insurgents accused of violence in Wukari, Ibi, Gassol and Takum local governments were in police custody. It was gathered that over 35 suspected insurgents terrorising Taraba South were apprehended.

Tiv farmers have been the principal target in the onslaught, but as government began to crack down on the insurgents, hostilities have been extended to the police, military, government officials and other security personnel.

Insecurity: Sultan calls for continued prayers

HE Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed Muslims to pray for the restoration of peace and security in the country. The Sultan, in a statement by the JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar, condemned what he called “repeated ungodly acts of terror being unleashed on Muslims”. The statement, which condemned the attack on three emirs by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in which the Emir of Gwoza was killed, urged the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility of protecting Nigerians. The statement reads: “JNI

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

will not be deterred nor remain mute over the repeated ungodly acts of terror being unleashed on Muslims. “It is painful to hear the news of the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Shehu Mustapha Idrissa Timta.

“The heinous attack is utterly condemnable in its totality. “We again expect the Federal Government through its relevant security agencies to wake up to their respective responsibilities of protecting lives and property, especially in the Northeast. “Enough diatribes had

been heard on the ugly situation. Therefore, purposeful and coordinated pro-active measures must be on ground to check the insurgency. “In the light of the above, we extend our condolences to the family of the late Emir, the Shehu of Borno, the Gwoza Emirate Council and the Borno State government.”

Kwara to explore alternative energy sources

HE Kwara State government will partner with the Federal Government to improve power supply, Deputy Governor Peter Kisra has said. He added that the state is partnering with “foreign experts to carry out pre-feasibility studies on power generation”. “This is intended to improve power supply in the country and bring development to the state. “We equally believe that this will go a long way in assisting government to generate employment opportunities for our youths.” Kisra spoke ,at the weekend, in Ajunjin, Ifelodun Local Government Area during the inauguration of 2.5MVA/ 33/11KV injection sub-station to mark Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s adminis-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

tration’s third year in office. “My joy derives from the fact that this project is designed to serve 36 communities in Agunjin District. “ I, therefore ,assure you that the sector will continue to receive priority attention from the present administration as a strategy to reduce the cost of doing business in the state. “We are conscious of the importance of energy in facilitating integrated rural development. “To this end, attention will be focused on the exploitation of alternative energy sources. “Efforts in this regard are not only to reinforce power supply, but also to promote agro-processing ventures

and cottage industries, especially in off grid locations.” Commissioner for Energy Muse Abdullahi said “the completed injection substation cost the government N42, 878,640.000.” The commissioner added that the transformers would serve 36 communities in Agunji/Abayan District. At the inauguration of the Obbo-Aiyegunle reconstructed waterworks in Ekiti Local Government, Kisra said water supply in the state had witnessed phenomenal improvement in the last 10 years. He said: “The government’s huge investment in the sector has brought about a radical improvement to the extent that water accessibility gap had reduced from 700m in 2011 from 3,500m across the state.”

Atiku, Ekhomu seek protection for emirs

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday called for protection of the traditional institution. Speaking with reporters in Gombe, Atiku descibed the traditional institution as the basis of the society. He said the killing of the Emir of Gwoza on Friday by suspected Boko Haram insurgents was shocking. The former vice president, who was at the palace of the Emir of Gombe, condoled with the government over the death of Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, the 10th Emir of Gombe. He described the deceased as a level-headed person who related with the ordinary people. Atiku prayed God to grant him eternal rest. Also at the palace was MajGen Chris Garuba, a former

military administrator of the old Bauchi State. Gen Garuba described the deceased as humble, committed and dedicated to his duty. A security expert, Ona Ekhomu, has also called for “executive protection” for emirs and other traditional rulers in the Northeast Ekhomu said the attacks on monarchs could have been prevented, if proper executive protection had been in place. He decried the fact that a first class traditional ruler was travelling in the Northeast with minimal protection. The security expert said it was common knowledge that Boko Haram terrorists often set up road blocks on the highways of the northeast to kill travellers. "The road trip to Gombe by the Emir should have received enhanced security

cover. He said that Boko Haram usually spy on its victims prior to an attack. “If the Emir had competent executive protection specialists in place, they would have been able to conduct countersurveillance and threat assessment to adequately protect the VIP. “ He said the terrorists were able to target and kill the traditional ruler since he did not have a target-hardened transit security arrangement. Ekhomu said in the current threat environment, providing one police orderly to a first class emir was grossly inadequate. He said the threat definition determined the amount of security assets needed. Ekhomu called for proper training of executive protection specialists to protect traditional rulers.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS

I’m the most sued governor, says Uduaghan From Shola O’Neil, Warri and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday donated the N2million awarded to him by the Supreme Court to the First Baptist Church in Warri. The Supreme Court had struck out the suit by the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) governorship candidate, Great Ogboru, challenging the governor’s victory in the 2011 election. It ordered Ogboru’s lawyer to pay Uduaghan N2million. Speaking at a thanksgiving service in Warri, the governor described himself as the most sued governor in the country. He said he had to battle 19 electoral cases and defended himself before 77 judges/justices since May 29, 2007, when he first assumed office. Uduaghan said: “For us, this thanksgiving is very important and critical. If you know our political history, since 2007 it has been a long struggle. “We had 19 cases in the last seven years and 77 judges were involved and I heard that is the highest recorded number of cases against any politician in Nigeria . “In all of these, it is not by power of our lawyers or the knowledge of anyone but by the grace of God. In this last case, the Supreme court imposed fine and warned the lawyer never to bring the case to the court again. “The case wasn’t my case, it was God’s and I have told my lawyers to bring the N2 million fine to this church.”

Madam Olumolu for burial

HE remains of Madam Alice Okeke Olumolu (nee Onaiyekan), the foster mother of Francis Onaiyekan, communications consultant and visiting member of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, will be buried on Friday at Kabba, Kogi State. She died on March 19 at 102. There will be a Christian wake at 5pm on Thursday at her residence, followed by a service at the St. Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, the following day. Guests will be entertained at the Cathedral hall.

•The late Madam Olumolu

Tributes as Bayelsa reburies Ijaw hero, Isaac Boro T HE remains of Major Isaac Adaka Boro were yesterday reburied at the Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Boro was killed during the Civil War in Okrika, Rivers State, while fighting on the side of the Federal Government on May 16, 1968. His remains were interred at the military cemetery in Lagos but were exhumed by the Bayelsa State government for reburial. Present at the event were Governor Seriake Dickson; former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; Ijaw leader Edwin Clark; Gen. Alani Akinrinade who represented former Head of State Gen-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Yakubu Gowon; Martin Luther King Jnr. III and Ijaw activist Ms Ankio Briggs. Clark described Boro as a nationalist who sacrificed his life for Nigeria’s peace and unity. He regretted that the evil Boro fought against still persisted in Nigeria with a region claiming to be superior to others. The Ijaw leader said when the country was amalgamated in 1914, he never hoped that a region could claim superiority over others.

“Some people think today that to rule Nigeria is their birthright. “They failed to realise that the minority supported past administrations to succeed. “Today people are making the country ungovernable because a minority is the president,” Clark said. He said for Nigeria to remain an indivisible nation, people must respect justice and equity. Boro’s son, Phil, praised the governor for bringing his father’s remains home. He slammed politicians for not attending his father’s

wake and funeral, despite riding on Boroism to power. On Saturday, the casket bearing Boro’s remains was received at the Port Harcourt International Airport and brought to Kaiama by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC). Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs Felix Tuodolo said Boro was disciplined and committed to the Niger Delta struggle. “This is a memorable day for us. We should turn out to honour this icon of Niger Delta struggle,” he said. Ms Briggs said his reburial would raise the bar in the Niger Delta struggle for fiscal federalism, resource control and injustice.

Orubebe: welfare my priority

ORMER Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe has said he would make citizens’ welfare his priority, if elected. He said the Urban Renewal Act, which he introduced as Special Adviser to former Governor James Ibori, would be reviewed because some key sections of the bill were expunged by the House of Assembly before its passage. Orubebe, who is seeking to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, told the Ovie of Abraka, Akpomeyoma Majaroh Ojeta II, that cities like Abraka, would benefit from the programme. The monarch described the former minister as a reliable, courageous and experienced man. He thanked Orubebe for his contributions to the development of the region, particularly the building of

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

•Orubebe with the monarch

the East/ West road. The former minister urged Deltans to look beyond where a candidate hails from

and focus on the quality of service he can provide. He declared his brand of politicking as one where

love, tolerance and understanding would engender a synergy of ‘Deltans working together’.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

from the National Poverty Mapping Exercise conducted around the country, five local government areas in Akwa Ibom State- Udung Uko, Nsit Ibom, Etinan, Okobo and Uruan- were selected for the pilot scheme and five wards, which brought the number of benefiting families to 2,275. Her words: “It will interest you to note that the Akwa Ibom State Government has actively participated in MDGs Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme since 2007 to date, receiving over N9billion. “Of this sum, over

N5billion was allocated to the conditional cash scheme; “N3.2billion was appropriated to 16 local governments, with N775million going for conditional cash transfer to 2,600 households in five local governments, targeting health, education, water and sanitation, as well as improvement in agricultural value chain.” Governor Godswill Akpabio assured the Federal Government that the state would meet six of the eight goals of the MDGs by next year. Akpabio said the state’s investment in the power sector

was to halt poverty-breeding elements by providing the needed energy for micro-economic activities. Represented by Deputy Governor Valerie Ebe, Akpabio said: “Today in our state, extreme poverty is no longer acceptable. “My administration has shown uncommon courage and commitment in implementing projects that improve the living standards of the people. “We have witnessed unparalleled political and socio-economic developments through the administration’s Uncommon Transformation Agenda and sectoral reforms that have engendered confidence and growth.”

Dickson: AMAA was privately sponsored

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson said yesterday that the hosting of the just-concluded 2014 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) was sponsored by the private sector. Dickson’s “clarification” followed the allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he spent N2billion to host the event. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, de-

•Denies squandering N2b to host event From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

scribed the accusation as false, mischievous and “clearly an attempt to mislead the public to score cheap political points”. Dickson said he had not gone against the implementation of his administration’s restoration agenda, which he said was anchored on transparency, accountability, probity,

DELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has said policies and programmes have been put in place to ensure that health facilities were maintained. The governor spoke at the inauguration of the comprehensive renovation of all old structures, provision of ultra-modern accident and emergency complex as well as a modern mortuary at the Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area. According to him, successive administrations will not neglect the facilities because the administration has taken measures to guarantee their sustenance in the future. His words: “Let me assure the management of the Eku Baptist Government Hospital and the Eku community that government will sign a five-year contract with a company to ensure that the equipment and facilities at the hospital remain in good condition. “The hospital has a history, patronised by people from various parts of the country. The reconstruction and comprehensive re-equipping of the hospital came as a result of the call by Nigeria Baptist Convention and the Eku community.”

Pension law obscene, says Umana

Akwa Ibom gets N9b from MDGs cash transfer

HE Akwa Ibom State Government has received over N9billion from the Millennium Development Goals Conditional Cash Transfer (MDGs-CCT) scheme since 2007. The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, spoke during the launch of the (MDGs-CCT) Scheme for 2,275 benefitting households in Uyo, the state capital. Gbeneol said the MDGsCCT Scheme was designed to reduce poverty and improve the lives of the poor through monthly stipends of N5,000 to women, disabled or minor. The presidential aide said

‘We’ll maintain our facilities’

truth and fair play. He recalled his promise at the beginning of his administration that most of his policies and programmes would be sponsored by the private sector. The governor said his administration had in the last two years fully involved the private sector in the running of AMAA. The statement reads: “To put

the records straight, prior to last year’s AMAA, government organised a fundraising at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja and realised over N800million. “It raised over N200million from a pre-AMAA sponsors’ dinner in Lagos for this year’s edition. “Interestingly, a number of the sponsors made their contributions, even after the fundraising events and with the

money both AMAA awards were successfully organised. “Furthermore, to gain the confidence of private sector, the governor also directed that a special account be opened for AMAA funds. “And, in appreciation of the support government got from the private sector, the governor took a full page advertorial in some national dailies to thank the major sponsors of AMAA 2014 and these things are not hidden.”

A PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umana, has described the pension law signed by Governor Godswill Akpabio as obscene, provocative and insensitive. The law, which was sponsored by the governor, was passed by the House of Assembly last week. Umana, who spoke with stakeholders in Abuja, said the people objected to the law, because it was selfserving and anti-people. “It is surprising that despite a nationwide public outcry against the bill for the pension law, the House of Assembly rushed to pass it within 11 days and the governor signed it into law within 24 hours without any input from the public, who will foot the bill.” Umana said his mission in politics was to ensure equitable distribution of the state’s abundance resources. The aspirant, who was a former Secretary to the State Government, said the people should have no business with poverty. “God has blessed me and I believe I want to be the governor because I want our people to have a good feel of what they want. “Akwa Ibom people, with our growing population have no business being poor and God willing, they will get their due when we come to power.”

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS Abia chief judge frees eight prisoners

New Biafran leadership emerges

NEW Biafran leadership emerged, at the weekend, with the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, at the head. Scores of Biafran war veterans, who attended the event, vowed that they would not rest until the republic was invented. A multi-million naira cenotaph was unveiled in memory of those it called its fallen heroes during the Nigeria/Biafra civil war. It said its agitation for freedom from Nigeria would continue until the Biafra Republic was invented. Kanu spoke at Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, during the maiden commemoration of Biafra Day on May 30, the day the late Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu declared the Republic of Biafra in I967. Kanu said it was regrettable that despite the declaration of the “No victor, no vanquished” after the civil war in 1970, successive governments including the Goodluck Jonathan administration had marginalised and made life unbearable for the Igbo. He urged the Igbo across the globe to join the crusade of putting in place the Biafran Republic, adding that it was time

From Chris Oji, Enugu

the Igbo pulled out of Nigeria, which he described as a failed nation. Kanu said it was painful that 47 years after the civil war ended, Federal Government had refused to pay soldiers who fought on the side of Biafra their benefits and entitlements, whereas their counterparts in the North and West had been paid. The Radio Biafra boss said despite the odds, they remained grateful to the late Ojukwu and others who laid down their lives for the struggle. He warned the Federal Government not to hinder the proposed republic, saying it should allow the will of God to be done by letting the Igbo go. Kanu wondered how any right thinking fellow would want to remain in a nation where he or she had no stake or recognition, stressing that the Igbo would soon move from bondage to the promised land where God had prepared for them. He said 47 years after Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra, the reasons that led to his decision were still evident in

‘Okorocha’s achievements, mockery of PDP’s 12 years in Imo’

I •The cenotaph

Nigeria. Kanu decried the sufferings of Nigerians, following corrupt and bad governance. He said as long as the intention of the amalgamation of the North and South was designed to cheat the latter, the nation would never move forward, because any country that made injustice its watchword would never prosper.

According to him, no amount of National Conference can solve Nigeria’s problems because the leaders are not sincere and there is deep-rooted hatred among the citizens. Kanu said the only panacea for Nigeria’s problems was to split it into regions, enjoining the Igbo to embrace and keep faith with Biafra, which he assured would come to reality.

UNIZIK students, management, workers hail VC’s choice

EMBERS of the academic staff, students and management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

BIA State Chief Judge (CJ) Justice Nnenna Otti has freed eight prisoners at the Federal Prisons, Umuahia. She also granted bail to six others, lambasting the Department of Public Prosecution of the Ministry of Justice for not living up to its duties. Speaking with reporters, Justice Otti said the essence of the action was to decongest the prisons, which were overpopulated. She urged stakeholders in the judiciary to avoid delaying justice, adding that it was one of the ways that the prisons could be decongested. The chief judge said: “When stakeholders are alive to their responsibilities, there will be quick dispensation of justice, the courts and prisons will be decongested. We should not wait till jail delivery to decongest the prisons.”

capital, have described the people who carried placards, at the weekend, to protest the election of Prof. Joseph Ahaneku as Vice Chancellor (VC), as urchins. The Governing Council led by Air Vice Marshall Larry Koinyan (rtd) has ratified Prof. Ahaneku as the VC to succeed Prof. Boniface Egboka, whose tenure lapses tomorrow. Following the ratification of Ahaneku, the president of the students’ union, Chukwunonso Ibe, led other students

to congratulate him. Workers have equally expressed their willingness to work with Ahaneku, saying he is the right choice for the position. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) led by Prof. Ike Odimegwu said Ahaneku would lift the institution to a greater height. Other trade unions hailed the Governing Council for electing the 52-year-old professor as Egboka’s replacement.

Council boss debunks bomb explosion reports

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

HE Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Tony Ekoh (jnr), has described as false, unfounded and baseless, an attempt by some people to detonate a bomb in the area. The bomb, according to social media reports, was allegedly planted at the venue of the Children’s Day celebration on May 27 in the local government. Ekoh said the pandemonium and confusion witnessed in the area on the day was caused by the overzealous officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp posted to the venue of the event.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

MO State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere has described the achievements of Governor Rochas Okorocha as a mockery of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) 12 years rule. He said in less than three years, the Rescue Mission Agenda of the Okorocha administration had returned the state to its pride of place, adding that it had broken records, including that of the late Sam Mbakwe. Madumere, who spoke with reporters in Owerri, the state capital, said the governor had kept his campaign promises and should be supported to further implement peopleoriented programmes to alleviate the sufferings of the masses. Listing the achievements of the Okorocha administration to include free education, recruitment of 25,000 youths under the Youth Must Work Programme, construction of 1,000 km rural roads, building of 27 general hospitals, 305 schools and massive infrastructural development, he said the sacrifice and the physical discipline exhibited by the governor were responsible for his successes.

APC ‘ll stop sufferings next year, says scribe

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

POKESMAN for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mr. Offor Okorie, has assured the people that the party would end their sufferings next year when it assumes leadership. Okorie, in an interview with our reporter at the weekend, urged the people not lose hope, as the party was working to ensure that a peopleoriented government assumed power in 2015. The APC scribe said: “Our people deserve a better, a more proactive and a people-oriented government. This is why APC is not sleeping. We are working to ensure that the candidates we will field in 2015 know their onions. We will give the electorate tested and trusted hands. “APC in Abia will restore a peopleoriented government next year. The state will have a government that will be sensitive to the plights and needs of the people. We have mapped out plans to give the people good government. We will provide free health, free tuition fee from primary to university level, we will restore the Aba master plan, workers’ salary will be paid before 29th of every month, there will be rural electrification, affordable low cost housing for low income earners, among others. “I don’t have any doubt that APC will rule Abia from 2015. We have the right candidates and a better platform to make our promises a reality. This is why we are saying that the indigenes should support our great party.”

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan cutting the tape to inaugurate the Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Eku

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS 219 Chibok girls’ ordeal, by Australian negotiator Continued from page 4

gotiate with Boko Haram, or consider the release of prisoners, while official spokesmen have said “the window is always open for dialogue”. At a Paris peace summit, several West African countries vowed to join Nigeria in an “outright war” against Boko Haram. Britain, France and America pledged their support and have sent teams of military experts and advisers to the region. Intelligence sources have told The Mail on Sunday of several rescue attempts, one involving the release of suspected lowlevel Boko Haram members detained without charges or trial. Two attempts were aborted at the last minute when the sect members became afraid while delivering a group of girls to a safe location. Last week, the Chief of De-

fence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, said the government knew the location of the girls, claiming that the police and military had been “following them” since the abduction. He refused to divulge details, saying it would put the girls in further danger. Sources said Marshal Badeh’s remark may have been the result of government officials seeing the new, unpublished video. They may have been able to persuade Boko Haram’s intermediary to provide details of the location. It is believed the hostages have been split into at least four groups. “The vast majority of the Chibok girls are not being held in Nigeria,” Dr Davis said, adding: “They are in camps across the Nigerian border in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. I say the vast majority as I know a small group was confirmed to me to be in Nigeria last week when

we sought to have them released.” He described how tough the negotiation has been. “One of that small group of girls is ill and we had hoped we might convince the commander of the group holding her that she should be released so we could give her medical treatment. “There are other girls who are not well and we have come close to having them released but their captors fear a trap in which they will be captured in the handover process. “One girl has what I assume is a broken wrist as they demonstrate to me how she holds her hand. I have been told that others are sick and in need of medical attention,” Davis said. A military source said: “This has been a race against time from the minute they were captured. As soon as the girls left Nigerian soil it was always go-

ing to be more difficult. “The government made no attempt at a rescue until a month after they were taken. Now the situation gets more serious by the day. “Any sort of attempt to get them would have to be cleared by the governments of the other nations.” Condemnations of the government’s failure to address the Boko Haram menace, ever since a proposed peace deal failed last August – leading to the extension of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states – continued worldwide last week. US Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Nigeria had been “tragically and unacceptably slow” to begin a search. Former anti-graft czar Nuhu Ribadu has accused the government of “total failure”.

Govt raises $700m for Trans-Nigerian Gas Pipeline

HE Federal Government has raised about $700 million for the Trans-Nigerian Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project. The project is planned to connect major gas supply sources in the Eastern Niger Delta through pipeline infrastructure that will traverse the North. The fund raising effort is contained in a 98-page Transformation Agenda: Review Progress report for 2013 to 2014 presented by President Goodluck Jonathan as part of activities marking the 2014 Democracy Day in Abuja. According to the report, the government was able to

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

raise $450 million through Eurobond offer while it put in additional direct equity contribution of about $250 million in support of the project. The government said there were increased investments in the downstream sector from N53 billion during the period, adding that the new 71 depots have assisted in checking fuel scarcity by improving Nigerians’ access to more refined petroleum products. It added that the government’s efforts at tackling corruption in the Oil and Gas

sector is yielding positive gains by the verdict of the global Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). The report also listed challenges in the sector to include vandalism of oil pipelines, crude oil theft, environmental pollution from gas flaring and oil spillage, non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), operations of illegal smallscale petroleum refineries, high cost of capital, insecurity, and inadequate local capacity. In the manufacturing and trade sector, the report said $1.75 billion in private sector investments was injected

in 2013 to boost cement production in the country. This, the government said, has not only resulted in sustained production growth in 2013, but has now made Nigeria a net exporter of cement. On sugar production, the report said: “The government successfully secured aggregate pipeline investment commitment of $3.1 billion into the Nigerian sugar sector, and increased sugar project sites in the country from 6 to 17. All three existing sugar refineries have signed commitments with government to produce an aggregate700,000 mts/annum by 2018.”

Nigeria can solve Chibok girls’ problem alone, says Chimamanda Continued from page 4

Americans to send people in.” Stopping herself at this point, she joked: “This is my Nigerian nationalist rant”. Adichie was speaking about her latest novel Americanah, which explores the experience of two Nigerian immigrants – one in America and one in Britain. The author, who grew up in Nigeria, said that when she moved to the country to study she adopted an American accent to

try to fit in better. “When I went to the US, I remember feeling a sense of dislocation. It was ostensibly an English-speaking country, but I couldn’t understand what people were saying.” After an American lady in the audience asked a question, Adichie assured her that she could only tease the country because she had so much affection for the place. “It’s like a rich uncle who doesn’t remember my name but gives me pocket money,” she said to audience laughter.

Rivers accuses NJC of interference Continued from page 4

known as Administrative or Most Senior Judge as the NJC wishes to contrive. “The contraption and contrivance known as ‘Administrative Judge’ to perform the functions of a State Chief Judge is unknown to both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Rivers State’s High Court Law.” Amaechi’s administration also reiterated that all issues pertaining to the matter of Justice Okocha and her desire to be the CJ of Rivers state, with the active support of the NJC, were subject of litigation in various courts, including the one Justice Okocha appealed. Rivers government said: “We demand that the NJC should obey the Nigerian Constitution (which vests appointment of judges, all category of judges, on the governor); obey the judgment of the courts (which judgment has voided its recommendation of Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha for appointment as the Chief Judge of Rivers State) and refrain from

its continuing meddling in the administration of Justice in Rivers State, as it is clearly doing. “Rivers State Government wishes to state that it shall administratively and legally use all ways and means known to law, including its powers under the Constitution and all other extant laws, to resist the overaching desire and attempts by some politicians in the NJC, who hope to use their membership of the NJC to hijack the Rivers State Judiciary for their group’s political ends, while pretending to be politically neutral. “We are constrained to call on Nigerians to hold the Body (NJC) and its leadership solely responsible for any breakdown of law and order, which its planned intermeddling with the administration of justice in Rivers State shall inexorably occasion.” The Amaechi’s administration also stated that it held the NJC, as a body, in high esteem, especially because its members are eminent members of the learned profession of Law

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS ‘Nigerians are heroes of democracy’

Appeal Court frees ex-M-Tel chief

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said Nigerians are the true heroes of democracy because of their faith, resilience and untiring support for government since 1999. In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party acknowledged the contributions of Nigerians to the sustenance of democracy in the last 15 years. The statement said: “Indeed, the real heroes of democracy are Nigerian citizens who daily make sacrifices for the sustenance of democratic rule in the last 15 years. “It is their collective choice and resolve to support and maintain democracy as the only system of government for the actualisation of our collective aspirations, irrespective of the challenges we face as a people. “This has been the underlying impetus for the successes and growth recorded since the emergence of the PDP-led government in 1999.”

Doctors begin warning strike From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) will today begin a three-day warning strike to seek payment of its members’ outstanding salaries and allowances. NARD President Jibril Abdullahi told reporters yesterday at the NARD secretariat at the Mallam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital that the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, should be held responsible for his non-commitment to the doctors’ demands. The union leader said the grouse of his colleagues included relativity in the salary between doctors and other health workers as well as skipping of Grade Level 12. The resident doctors also argued that there was need for the Federal Ministry of Health to adopt world standard and best practices in the salary structure. They said there is nowhere in the world where a doctor’s salary is at par with that of other health workers. Dr. Abdullahi said the resident doctors would resume duty on Thursday, June 5. The union leader said NARD might consider the precarious security situation in the country to render emergency services. He added that if the Federal Government failed to implement their demands, the resident doctors would go on an indefinite strike as from July 1. The NARD’s demands include full payment of the salaries of its members in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State. Dr Abdullahi said: “We are dismayed by the fact that the payment was only for September salaries of resident doctors and one month rather than two for the outgone house officers. “Similarly, the current batches of house officers in the same institution were just paid two months’ salary, rather than three months, as was done for the interns of other professions who came in together with them. Moreover, no explanation was given for this aberration. “In a nutshell, two of the three months’ payment was made and another one month withheld. He added: “After exhaustive deliberations with local chapters’ presidents and other stakeholders, NARD hereby rejects what the Federal Government offers regarding these issues.”

•From left: Former Anambra StateGovernor Peter Obi; Senators 'Gbenga Ashafa and Olorunimbe Mamora, during the farewell mass for the late Lagos State governor, Sir Michael Otedola, at the Immaculate Conception Church, Ibowon, Epe...on Friday.

Reps apologise to judge over N10b chartered jets case

HE House of Representatives has apologised to Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for misconstruing his ruling on the case brought by the Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. The minister was seeking the court’s leave to stop the House Committee on Public Accounts from investigating alleged N10 billion expenses she incurred on chartering jets for private use with public funds. Addressing reporters at the weekend, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Victor Ogene, said the position of the House was misinterpreted. Ogene said: “The position of the House at no time was that the court had stopped the committee from functioning. But as it turned out, it was misread to mean that an injunction restraining the committee from carrying out its assignment has been handed out.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

“In the light of that, we wish to correct that impression and to say that at no time did Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issue a restraining order on the House. “And so, we are sorry for that slip, whichever way it came from; more importantly, to also thank the judge for standing up on the side of justice - at the last, hearing that matter. He refused to grant any injunction restraining the House from going ahead with its business.” The lawmaker said the House, under the Constitution, has the power to look into the affairs of the Minister of Petroleum Resources as long as she is a public officer and spends funds voted by the National Assembly. He said: “Some people ...have insinuated that the House does not have the right to actually car-

ry on with its responsibilities. And they read parts of the constitution in isolation. “For anyone who wants to get the correct picture, Sections 88 and 89, when you take both sections, you would come to the easy conclusion that the House is empowered to look into any matter on which it has legislative competence or for which it has appropriated money.” Ogene said one benefit of the contestation “is that the position of the law remains that no man or woman is above the law”. According to him, the House of Representatives will not shirk its responsibility at ensuring the proper utilisation of funds appropriated to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and that though every Nigerian or any other resident in Nigeria is at liberty to go to

court, “there is a difference between an individual and an official of the state”. Ogene added: “So, acting in your personal capacity is different from seeking to stop Ministries, Departments and Agencies from being answerable to the Nigerian people. Indeed, any life not worth examining is not worth living. The essence of democracy is to ensure that we examine ourselves.” On April 28, through its spokesperson, Zakari Mohammed, the House said it had been served with a court notice which was received through the Office of the Speaker. Mohammed said the House would have to tarry and get legal opinion on the issue before beginning the investigation, which was earlier scheduled to begin on that same date. But Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the House the nod to continue the case, saying he did not give a restraining injunction to stop the investigation.

Aganga, Jega, others sued for ‘unlawful voiding’ of firm’s patent rights

FIRM, Bedding Holdings Limited (BHL), has sued the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga; the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega and four others at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the minister’s alleged unlawful voiding of the firm’s patent rights. Aganga, on March 19, issued a gazette purporting to void about six patent rights held by the firm after the Federal High Court, in a judgment on January 28, awarded about N17.3 billion damage against the minister for infringing on one of the patents. BHL, in the suit marked filed on May 30 by its lawyer, John Okoriko, wants the court to, among others, set aside the gazette because it was unlawfully issued. The company averred that the law the minister relied upon contravened the Constitution. The plaintiff raised three questions for determination. It is seeking five reliefs, including an order nullifying the gazette, described as “Gazette No 18, Vol. 101, Government Notice No. 24, dated March 19, 2014 and titled: Use of Patents for Service of Government Agencies (INEC) Order 2014. The gazette purportedly revoked the patent and design rights of the plaintiff, without notifying and compensating it, as required by the Patent and Designs Act. BHL contended that the gazette issued by the minister under the provisions of Paragraphs 15, 16 and 17 of Part II of the First Schedule to the Patent and Designs Act is inferior and inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 1(1)and (3), 6, 36, 44 and 251 of the Constitution and 6 and 25 of the Patent and Designs Act.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The company wants the court to declare that the subsequent issuance of the gazette, after the court, in two subsisting judgments, delivered on June 5, 2012 and January 28, 2014, held that it is the bona fide exclusive owner of the patents which the gazette now seeks to void. It added that the action is contrary to the principle of rule of law. BHL is also seeking a declaration that the gazette, issued after the two judgments, cannot have the retroactive effect of revoking its exclusive right over the Transparent Ballots Boxes and Proof of Address System/Scheme (PASS) associated with the process of the application of the Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines being used by INEC in procuring and compiling voters’ register to deprive it of the royalties, including the award made against INEC for earlier infringements. The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the provisions of the Patent and Designs Act, relied upon by the minister in issuing the gazette, is inferior and inconsistent with Sections 1(1)and (3), 6, 36, 44 and 251 of the Constitution and 6 and 25 of the Patent and Designs Act. It equally seeks a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Sections 1(1) and (3), 6, 36, 44 and 251 of the Constitution and 6 and 25 of the Patent and Designs Act and the subsisting judgments of the court, the minister cannot validly issue the gazette revoking its adjudged exclusive rights over the inventions. BHL’s affected patent and design rights purportedly revoked by the minister’s gazette are: “RP No. 10511 (for collapsible steel frame structures); RP No. 12994 (for transparent ballot boxes); RP No. 16642 (for electronic collapsible ballot boxes); NG/P/2010/

202 (for Proof of Address System Schemes PASS); RD No. 13841 (for electronic collapsible ballot boxes); RD No. 5946 (for transparent ballot boxes) and RD No. 3962 (for collapsible steel frame structures).” Also named as defendants in the suit are: the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; the Registrar of Patents; the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and INEC. In a supporting affidavit, BHL’s Group Executive Chairman, Sylvester Odigie, averred that the patent and designs rights, which the minister seeks to void, are among many of such rights his company owns and which were duly registered with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Odigie claimed that when INEC infringed on his firm’s rights over the transparent ballot boxes, it sued the commission and some others and got a judgment on June 5, 2012. The court, he said, adjudged BHL the bona fide owner of the exclusive patent right over the transparent ballot boxes and restrained INEC and others from further using the boxes without its consent. Odigie said when INEC committed a similar infringement against his firm’s patent over the process of applying the DDC machines for voters’ register, it equally sued and got another judgment on January 28 (this year) in which Justice Ibrahim Auta awarded N17.3 billion damages against INEC for the infringement. The company chief averred that rather than obey the judgments, INEC and others appealed. The defendants are yet to respond to the case.

HE Court of Appeal in Abuja has discharged and acquitted a former Chief Executive Officer of MTel, Edwin Moore Momife, for allegedly receiving bribes from German telecommunications, firm, Siemens Limited. Momife was charged with three others for the alleged offence. The court, in a unanimous decision, held that Momife had no case to answer, adding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ought not to have subjected him to a trial because no offence known to law was established against him. Justice Tinuade AkomolafeWilson, who read the judgment, held that the Siemens officials, with whom Momife was said to have conspired, were not charged even when they were not said to be on the run. The court held that the accused could not have conspired with himself. The court also held that even though the accused admitted receiving flight tickets from Siemens, there was no relationship, business or otherwise between Siemens and the accused. It said the offence of receiving a bribe without value consideration was not sustainable. The Appellate Court set aside the decision of Justice Danlami Senchi of an Abuja High Court, which held that the former M-Tel chief had a case to answer. Momife was charged with a former Director of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Maigada Shuaibu; an ex-General Manager of Finance in the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ossai and a former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Mahmood Sadiq Mohammed, before an Abuja High Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, for allegedly receiving bribes from Siemens Limited. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail on self-recognisance by Justice Danlami Senchi. In the 16-count amended charge filed against them by the EFCC, the four accused allegedly received for themselves and their family members air tickets to attend a FIFA World Cup in Germany, besides allegedly receiving frequent sponsored trips to Germany for medical check-ups. The accused denied the charges. The EFCC alleged that the company made an arrangement with a hospital at Stiftung Deutsche Klinik Fuer Diagnostik Gmbh, International Patientenservice, Aukammalle 33, 65191, Wiesbaden, Germany, where it said the accused persons and their relations visited frequently between 2002 and 2006. The offences they allegedly committed were said to have contravened Section 96 of the Penal Code, Cap 532, LFN (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 119 of the same code. The Federal Government, before the arraignment of the accused, had withdrawn the charges filed against Siemens AG, its subsidiary in Nigeria and four of its principal workers involved in the alleged bribery scandal. The Federal Government withdrew the case against the company after it agreed to pay a fine of N7 billion to the government.

THE NATION MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014

NEWS INEC extends Continuous Voter Registration in Gombe, Enugu, Bayelsa

T •House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (left) and Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Marafa, during the Speaker’s condolence visit to Gombe Emir’s Palace on the death of the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar...yesterday. •Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade and Team Leader, Royal College of Defence Studies, MajorGeneral Simon Potta during a study tour of WNC in Lagos...at the weekend.

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration in 10 states has been extended following huge turnout. Instead of it ending yesterday it will now be tomorrow. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said the extension was meant to ensure fairness. The statement said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) taking place in 10 states by two days. “ This extension is in view of the huge turnout of prospective registrants, and it is intended to give a

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

fair chance to all eligible persons. “The exercise, which was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, 1st June, 2014, will now run till Tuesday, 3rd June 2014, in the following states: Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa. “INEC calls on eligible persons in the states involved in the exercise that are yet to register as voters to use the opportunity of this extension to do so.” INEC however warned the people of the affected states against multiple registration. It added: “The Commission hereby reiterates, however, that the CVR is for only the following categories of people: (i)Persons who

turned 18 years after the last registration; (ii) Persons who were 18 years at the time but did not present themselves for registration; and (iii) Persons whose data were not adequately captured previously and for whom PVCs were not produced in the last distribution exercise. “For avoidance of doubt, the exercise is not for everyone, including people wishing to transfer their registration data from where they previously registered. “It will amount to double/multiple registration, which is an offence punishable under Nigerian law, for anyone who was duly registered previously to present himself/herself for registration during the CVR.”

‘Tobacco Bill must include tax increase’

HE Coalition Against Tobacco (CAT) has said that the new National Tobacco Control Bill must include provisions for an increase in tobacco taxes by at least 1,000 percent. CAT made this call on the heels of this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) which is celebrated every May 31.. This year’s theme: ‘Raising Taxes’ is a global call by world health bodies including the World Health Organisation (WHO), non-governmental organisations and civil socie-

PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

By Seun Akioye

ty groups on governments to increase taxes on tobacco product as a way of reducing tobacco use. In a statement by the group’s Coordinator, Ms. Toyosi Onaolapo and made available to our correspondent in Lagos, CAT said it has become necessary that any tobacco control bill in Nigeria must include comprehensive provisions on tax increase on tobacco product in order to forestall a looming tobacco epidemic. The group also said all incentives

Fed Govt, Nigerdock to partner on auto parts manufacturing

I •National Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Dr Joe Nwaorgu (middle) speaking at the association’s National Executive Meeting in Enugu... yesterday. With him are a member of the executives Chief Mbazulike Amaechi (left) and President-General Chief Gary Igariwey. •From left: Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole congratulating the new President,Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kayode Obembe, at a reception in Ibadan...at the weekend. With them are the President’s wife Olufunke (second right) and Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Prof Oladipo Akinkugbe.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

N furtherance of its auto policy aimed at producing automobiles in the country, the Federal Government said it plans to partner with Nigerdock Integrated Free Zone in Lagos, to establish an auto components park. The Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, spoke on the development at the weekend when he visited Nigerdock at the Snake Island, Lagos State. He said a car has about 2000 parts and the government wants to manufacture a chunk of those components. Aganga said he was impressed with the expertise and professionalism he saw during his tour of the facility, the components that were manufactured by candidates trained in the company’s school and believes, they can contribute to actualising the government’s objectives on auto policy. Besides, he was pleased by the about 5000 people employed by the company. He said: “This place was set up about 10 years ago, so this is another opportunity to review it, look at what they have achieved so far and see whether it has achieved the goals of the Federal Government. Based on what I have seen, I’m particularly impressed with what they have done. They employ about 5000 people, that is critical and good for the economy. The level of investment here is very huge. It is a specialised area that is technical. “Their services are for the oil and gas sector meaning that all the oil platforms and pressure vessels are designed and built by Nigerians and this means localization of expertise, skills acquisition. I particularly went to examine the training facility because I have heard so much about it. “I will have discussion with the chairman to see how we will partner in terms of skill trade. There is jobs all over the country what we don’t have is skills. There are specialized skills in welding, among others. I’m directed to explore training Nigerians in those specialized areas. I intend to have that programme across with different companies.”

and waivers currently being enjoyed by tobacco industry in Nigeria must be withdrawn immediately. “Our legislators have a huge responsibility and a lot of work on their hands to ensure that all tax holidays/ waivers currently being enjoyed by the tobacco companies operating in Nigeria are withdrawn. There is no justification for incentivizing an industry that injures public health and causes the government huge proprietary loss on account of diseases and death associated with the consumption of tobacco.

College to give 25 pupils scholarships From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Chairman, Board of Directors, Kingston College, Ibadan (KCI), Prof. Labode Popoola, has said the college would give scholarships to 25 indigent pupils. He spoke at the award ceremony of the maiden edition of the KCI inter-school quiz for primary schools in Oyo State, held at KCI, SangoEleyele Road, Ibadan. “It will be a competitive scheme where we shall select 25 best pupils out of the applications we shall receive. The pupils will be given tuition free scholarships,” Prof. Popoola said. According to him, all secondary school pupils are qualified to compete, adding that there would not be any discrimination. “The purpose of the scholarship is to give pupils, who are brilliant an opportunity to have quality education at KCI. We recognise pupils and not the schools they are coming from. We just want the best for them.” The Executive Director of KCI, Mr. Kayode Fasola, said: “KCI is building a legacy in education by building future leaders. There is need to have a private sector intervention to make education standard higher.”

Group celebrates women achievers

•Ms Obayuwana (left) and Executive Vice Chairman, Famfa Oil, Folorunsho Alakija at the symposium in Lagos.

HE Executive Director of Polo Luxury Group Limited, Ms. Jennifer Obayuwana was one of the celebrated trailblazers at the recent Women, Inspiration & Enterprise(WIE) Africa 2014 Symposium with the theme – ‘The Global Leader.\ The symposium which took place in Lagos brought together leading women in Business, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Fashion amongst other socio-economic spheres. Ms Obayuwana spoke on “Retail Ready- Developing African Fashion Labels into Viable Business”. The discussion centred

on the opportunities and the challenges in the retail and luxury industry in Nigeria. She discussed the rising consumption of luxury goods trend by Nigerians including the 2013 reports from the Global Tax Company. The report positioned Nigeria as the fourth biggest consumer segment by geography of luxury goods in the world, a position higher than that of 2012. The Polo director said Nigeria’s position presents an incredible opportunity to reshape and define the industry into a viable and sustainable industry. She said that one of

the ways to accomplish this was to replicate the luxury experience provided abroad to consumers in Nigeria. “Customer intimacy is an essential part of the retail business. This is what we have and continue to achieve with Polo Avenue”, she said. Ms Obayuwana explained that although crippling circumstances exist that inhibit the growth of the industry such as the high cost of retail infrastructure, lack of manpower among others. Nigeria still presents a great opportunity in the retail and luxury industry.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS Priest and nun â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;freed in Cameroun

WO Italian priests and a Canadian nun seized by gunmen in Cameroon in April have been freed, officials say. The ex-hostages are said to have boarded a plane to the capital, Yaounde, yesterday. The three were kidnapped by gunmen from the building where they were staying in the northern district of Maroua in the early hours of 5 April. No group claimed responsibility for the attack but suspicion has fallen on militant Nigerian group Boko Haram. Boko Haram Islamists kidnapped another priest as well as seven members of a French family in northern Cameroon last year. Italy's foreign ministry confirmed the release of Italian

priests Gianantonio Allegri and Giampaolo Marta and Canadian nun Gilberte Bussier in a statement yesterday. It thanked the Canadian and Cameroon authorities but gave no details of how the three were freed. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said news of the release "fills us with joy". The priests had been working on improving water supplies and fighting the spread of HIV Aids, as well as their religious duties, according to their diocese in the Vicenza region of Italy. One of the priests had been in Cameroon for more than six years, while the other had arrived about a year before the abduction, Italian media reported at the time.

Israel PM warns against Hamas-Fatah 'terror' cabinet

SRAEL has called on world leaders "not to rush to recognise" a new Palestinian transitional government involving Fatah and the Islamist group Hamas. PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the unity cabinet, due to be formed today, would "strengthen terror". The Palestinian leadership has dismissed Israel's concerns, saying the government would comprise ministers without political affiliation. Hamas and Fatah split violently in 2007 but announced a peace deal in April. Fatah governs in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank while Hamas - which has refused to recognise Israel - holds sway in the Gaza Strip. The Islamist movement is designated as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US, the EU, Canada and Japan. The main purpose of the unity government is to prepare for elections next year. "Hamas is a terrorist organisation that calls for Israel's destruction, and the international community must not embrace it," Mr Netanyahu told his cabinet in Jerusalem yesterday. Israel froze US-brokered peace talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after the unity deal was reached on 23 April. Mr Abbas said earlier that Israel had warned him it would "boycott the government the moment it was announced". "Israel wants to punish us for agreeing with Hamas on this government," he said, adding: "Each Israeli step will have a proper Palestinian response." Mr Abbas said the new interim cabinet would recognise Israel and reject violence.

China denounces Japan and US over 'provocative' speeches

HINA has denounced the Japanese PM and US defence secretary for making "provocative" speeches against China at an Asian security forum in Singapore. Chinese army general Wang Guanzhong said Chuck Hagel and Shinzo Abe's comments at the Shangri-La Dialogue were "unacceptable". Mr Hagel had earlier said China was "destabilising" the South China Sea. Meanwhile, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe had vowed to give greater support to South-East Asian countries.

The forum, which brings together the US and South-East Asian countries, comes amid growing tensions between China, Vietnam and the Philippines, with Japan-China ties also strained over disputed islands in the East China Sea. Apparently deviating from his prepared speech, Mr Wang accused Japanese Prime Minister Abe and Defence Secretary Hagel of coordinating and encouraging each other to attack China in their remarks. He said it was "unimaginable" to receive such "unwanted criticisms against China".

Cameron warned UK might quit EU over president - Spiegel

ERMAN magazine Der Spiegel says British PM David Cameron warned that the UK could leave the EU if Luxembourg ex-PM Jean-Claude Juncker became president of the European Commission. It reported Mr Cameron as saying that the appointment could destabilise his government, which might bring forward referendum plans on EU membership. Downing Street has not yet commented. Mr Juncker's European People's Party won the largest number of seats in the European parliament in the May polls. The centre-right grouping, which also includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, won 213 out of 751 seats in the Parliament and chose Mr Juncker as its candidate for the presidency to succeed Portugal's Jose Manuel Barroso. But Mr Cameron and several other European leaders have voiced opposition to his appointment, which has received the backing of Chancellor Merkel. Correspondents say Mr Cameron, at an informal EU summit earlier this week, made his views clear - that he wanted a reformer to take charge of the EU executive. Der Spiegel says the British prime minister issued the warning to Angela Merkel during the meeting in Brussels.

Malawi: Peter Mutharika sworn in as president

ETER Mutharika has been sworn in as Malawi's president after the High Court rejected a request for a recount following allegations of vote-rigging. The leader of the Democratic Progressive Party urged the 11 other presidential candidates to "join me in rebuilding the country". Outgoing President Joyce Banda had alleged ballot fraud but has now admitted defeat. Malawi is one of the world's poorest nations. It is heavily dependent on aid, which provides 40% of the government's budget. A protester died on Friday as police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse an angry crowd demanding a recount of

last week's ballot in the southeastern town of Mangochi. Mr Mutharika is the brother of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died in office in 2012, and had served as his foreign minister. He obtained 36.4% of the vote, according to the electoral commission, and said he felt "very humbled" to become Malawi's fifth president. "It's obvious we are facing serious problems in this country. All of us together, let us build the country which is almost on the verge of collapse," he said. Former preacher Lazarus Chakwera came second in the election with 27.8% of the vote. He represented the Malawi Congress Party, which gov-

erned from independence in 1964 until the first multi-party poll in 1994. Mrs Banda, who came to power after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika two years ago, was third with 20.2% of the vote. Her administration had been hit by a corruption scandal dubbed "cashgate", which led donors to cut aid. Mrs Banda had attempted to have the polls declared "null and void" on the grounds of "serious irregularities". But she made no mention of this in a statement congratulating Mr Mutharika on his victory in a "closely contested election" and urging "all Malawians to support the newly elected president... and his government as they take on this foun-

â&#x20AC;˘President Hollande

dation of progress and endeavour to develop Malawi even further." The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) had asked for a 30-day extension to declare the results so that a recount could be carried out. However, the High Court refused to delay the release of results and ordered the commission to make its announcement on Friday.

â&#x20AC;˘Plainclothes police officers arrested a possible protester amid the crackdown in Bangkok, Thailand ...yesterday PHOTO: AFP

Taliban's Mullah Omar celebrates prisoner-swap 'victory'

FGHAN Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has issued a rare public statement hailing the exchange of five Guantanamo Bay detainees for a Taliban-held US soldier as a "big victory". Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, 28, was handed to US forces in Afghanistan on Saturday. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has defended the exchange amid criticism Congress was not given 30 days' notice before the detainees were released. He said the US had to act quickly to save the soldier's life. Mullah Omar, who has made no public appearances or speeches since fleeing Afghanistan in 2001 when US-led forces

toppled the Taliban after the 9/ 11 attacks in the US, said: "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Afghan Muslim nation." The Afghan government, which was not informed of the deal until after the exchange had taken place, has condemned it as a breach of international law. Sgt Bergdahl, who is said to be in good condition and has been flown to Germany for more treatment, was the only US soldier being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The five senior Afghan detainees are thought to be the most senior Afghans held at the US detention facility in Cuba, having been captured during America's military campaign in

Smugglers 'kill six Egyptian guards' near Libya border

IX Egyptian border guards have been killed in a clash with a group of smugglers in a mountainous region near the Libyan border, the military says. The smugglers attacked the patrol in retaliation for a crackdown, according to the Facebook page of Egyptian military spokesman Ahmed Mohammed Ali. Egypt has been trying to prevent Libyan weapons and fighters from reaching Islamist militants in the Sinai. Both countries have been grappling with unrest since the uprisings of 2011. Libya's government has struggled to restrain the heavily armed militia groups that helped drive former president Col Muammar Gaddafi from power. Meanwhile, instability in Egypt has strengthened support for the former military chief, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who secured a landslide win in a presidential election last month. According to an official quoted by the AP news agency, the latest clash between border guards and smugglers took place on Saturday night. The official said the men were killed in Wadi el-Gadid province, which borders Libya to the west and Sudan to the south. The Sinai-based militant group, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, says it carried out the attack, according to a Twitter feed linked to the organisation that was cited in the Egyptian newspaper al-Yawm alSabi.

2001. Republican opponents have criticised the Pentagon for not giving Congress the required 30-day notification before releasing the five. But Mr Hagel, who reportedly met some of the special forces team involved in the operation on a visit to Afghanistan yesterday, said the military be-

lieved the soldier was in danger, and had to act quickly "essentially to save his life". US National Security Adviser Susan Rice told US television there had been extensive consultations with Congress in the past about getting Sgt Bergdahl back, and lawmakers knew about the idea of trading detainees.

Thailand troops deployed to prevent anti-coup protest

HOUSANDS of police and soldiers have been deployed around the Thai capital, Bangkok, to try to prevent anti-coup protesters from gathering. Parts of the city centre have been blocked off to traffic, and train stations are closed. Activists have been using social media to call for a nationwide protest. The Thai army seized power on 22 May and detained senior politicians for several days, saying stability had to be restored after months of unrest. Demonstrations against the coup have taken place almost daily in Bangkok, despite a ban by the military authorities on political gatherings of five or more people. Bangkok's commercial heart was almost deserted on Sunday, after the army sealed it off to stop what was expected to be a large show of defiance, reports the BBC's Jonathan Head in the city. Deputy police chief Somyot Poompanmoung told Reuters that 5,700 police and soldiers were being sent to areas

of the city, including shopping centres where previous rallies have sprung up. "It's a business centre and we need to protectively avoid any damage if authorities need to break up a gathering," he said. The coup leaders have repeatedly warned that they will take tough action against anyone opposing their authority. So far there have been only minor scuffles between troops and protesters, although a number of alleged protest leaders have been arrested, our correspondent says. Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Friday that elections would not be held for more than a year, to allow time for political reconciliation and reform. Thailand's military stepped in after six months of political deadlock as protesters tried to oust the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. At least 28 people were killed and several hundred injured during the unrest.

THE NATION MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

Ambrose: Eagles’ success may facilitate Chibok girls’ release

ELTIC star Efe Ambrose hopes Nigeria’s World Cup campaign will lead to the return of nearly 220 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by terrorists. The Super Eagles’ defender believes the African nation’s passion for football can help bring peace and -stability to

his homeland. The world was shocked when militant Islamist group Boko Haram abducted the girls from their boarding school in the northern town of Chibok six weeks ago. A campaign to release them, based around the -slogan Bring Back Our Girls, has -developed into a global cam-

paign on social media. Efe, a substitute in -Nigeria’s 2-2 midweek friendly against Scotland in London, is from the northern city of Kaduna and feels a close affinity with the abducted girls. The 25-year-old, who joined Celtic from Israeli side -Ashdod in 2012, said: “The area where the girls were

taken from is not too far from where I grew up. “Nigeria will come to a halt when the World Cup is on. “When we’re playing, nobody will forget about the girls or what is happening -elsewhere in Nigeria but we can use it to bring peace and calm to the country.”

Super Falcons storm Kaduna for Rwanda

UPER Falcons will depart for Kaduna Wednesday morning to continue their preparation for the second leg tie of the Africa women championship (AWC) qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello stadium on June 7. Nigeria who won the cup eight times’ has a 4-1 advantage from the first leg and will qualify automatically for AWC if they avoid heavy defeat against the She Amavubi of Rwanda. A draw will do for the Falcons to qualify. Team administrator Ruth David who revealed the team's itinerary said the Falcons would train at the Ahmadu Bello stadium pitch before the game. Team media officer Gracious Akujobi quotes coach Edwin Okon as sayinh that Falcons would train hard to get use to the grass pitch after training

in astro turf for the past two months. Meanwhile, coach Okon has said that his girls would play the She Amavubi as if their whole life depend on the game stressing "we wont be over confident when we play them.We would not be complacent" he said. On her part,Turkey based striker Desire Oparanozie has promised that she and her team mates will continue the goal scoring from where they left off in Rwanda,adding that goals is the name of the game and they are ready to make Nigerians happy come Saturday. "We may have won the first leg 4-1 but we are not done yet.We know goals make fans happy and we are ready by God's grace to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians" she promised.

NFF holds Federation Cup Draw on Tuesday

•Team Nigeria to AYC arrives in Abuja

Final 23: Decision tough for coach

UPER Eagles’ coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi took his wards through another rigorous session Monday morning, one of the last before the announcement of the final 23-man list for the World Cup in Brazil later this month and came away with a damning conclusion, “these players have all convinced me of their abilities but they are also confusing me on who to or not to drop.” He said so far all the players merit to go to the World Cup but there was nothing he can do to change the laws governing the World Cup adding that the players who will be dropped should take it in good faith and not conclude that they have been victimised. He continued thus: “God, it’s

•List out today a good, difficult decision to make regarding the naming of the final 23 but we have no choice but to do it, otherwise we will be failing in our du-

ties. The players have been so committed, so professional that you feel like shedding a tear because some of them must just go home.” The list of the final 23 play-

ers that will be taken to the World Cup is billed to be sent to the NFF for onward release to World football governing body, FIFA and the Nigerian and global soccer public.

Keshi: Attitude key for Eagles’ shirt

TEPHEN Keshi has pointed attitude as one of the key criteria that will determine who makes his final 23-man squad. “The character of the players, the ability to get along with other players and, of course, their ability to play the game too,” Keshi tells KickOffNigeria.com. “Because in a tournament where you are going away for

Nigerian stars visit Eagles

six weeks, you need that oneness, that togetherness, mutual respect for one another, that team spirit that will carry us to the final stages.” He also points to the ability to fit into different positions as critical. “Yeah, because you never know what is going to happen during the game. You might want a player to fit into a different position. And that is what is good in this team because we have multiple players that can play in dif-

ferent positions and they will play it well.” Despite saying earlier that he has an idea of the final 23, Keshi admits that it will still be a difficult choice to make. “It will be difficult because all these boys are good and it will be a tough choice to make. So far, these kids out here have given us everything, so to let go now is a problem. But we have to do what we have to do.” Keshi is expected to name his final squad today.

•Predict Brazil 2014 win

OUR Nigerian stars who play for the Philadelphia Eagles in the American Football League on Monday paid a visit to the training session of the Super Eagles to urge them on in the coming World Cup tagged Brazil 2014. The four of them are Emmanuel Achor, towering Michael Bamiduro, Imeh Igwenagu and Ifeanyi Momah. They took time off to take pictures with the players as Coach Stephen Keshi assured them that the team will not fail in its task of doing Nigeria proud come Brazil 2014. Igewnagu, who spoke on

behalf of his mates said they came to pay homage to the African champions, who have been using their pitch for training so far and to wish them well in the World Cup. He praised the team for the professional manner they were received, declaring that they will not only be rooting for the team but was sure that the team will do Africa proud at the Mundial. “We are very sure that this team will excel in Brazil and we will put them in prayers because at the end of the tournament we want to join all Nigerians in celebrating Nigeria’s triumph at the mundial”

•Keshi

HE Draw Ceremony for this year’s Federation Cup Men and Women competitions will hold at the FIFA Technical Centre, Abuja on Tuesday. Head of the Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David, said at the weekend that the Draw will involve all teams qualified from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, minus those teams that have been ejected in the national preliminaries. The national preliminaries, which took place across the country on May 14, saw Liverpool FC of Sokoto eliminated by Dan Buran of Katsina, while Mafara United of Zamfara walked over Jege United of

Kebbi. Binani FC of Adamawa prevailed over Jalingo FC of Taraba; Sky Academy of Kano edged out Police Machine of Nasarawa; Tornadoes Feeders eliminated Indigenes of Ondo and; Bobbies FC of Delta pipped JKF Boys of Ekiti. Bright Stars of Ebonyi nicked it on penalties at the expense of Okagbue FC of Anambra and Baton FC of Imo were victorious over Atlantic Warriors of Cross River State. The Grand Finale of this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions has been scheduled for Sunday, 3rd August, 2014.

‘Nigerian Glo league is Africa’s best’

ORMER Jigawa Golden Stars defensive midfielder, Collins Amadi has declared the Nigerian Globacom Premier League as the best in Africa. Amadi said he arrived at this conclusion having played competitive football in a couple of other African countries and believes the standard of play, organization and quality of players is very high in Nigeria. Just back from South Africa where he had gone to lace his boots for Moroka Swallows in the Rainbow nation, Amadi was deemed late to fill the team’s foreign quota allocation and was consequently turned down. He later got the nod to play for Panorama FC in the second divi-

By Kayode Williams sion where he featured regularly as a Central defender. The newly signed Kaduna United defensive midfielder said he had been training with the Kaduna based team for several weeks and has vowed that they will not be relegated. “I have watched the team play against Nembe City and Kano Pillars, they have quality and young talented players. The coaches are doing a great job too. I love the team and the supporters, and I am really enjoying my new environment.” Amadi is confident of achieving much success with Kaduna Utd when he gets back on his feet from a calf strain.

2016 OLYMPICS GAMES

AYG athletes will make Nigeria proud

HE Director General of the National Sports Comission (NSC), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye hss tipped the Team Nigeria youth athletes that came 3rd at the just concluded 2nd edition of the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana to win medals for Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. The elated NSC boss disclosed this while receiving the Nigerian contingent on arrival from Botswana aboard chartered Arik Air at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport yesterday. "The National Sports Commission (NSC) is happy to receive you today and welcome you back home as an achiever for your impressive performanceat the just concluded Africa youth Games. You are to me the genu-

—Elegbeleye From Segun Ogunjimi and Andrew Abah, Abuja ine winner because you won your medals across board by winning in almodt all the sports. You evev won gold medals in sports that is not too popular in Nigeria like Canoeing as well as judo and badminton. "With these heartwarming performances, Nigeria is better off than South Africa that won all her medals in swimming. So we are going to ensure that all the athletes that wom medals also participate in the Youth Olympics and from there continue to garner experience that would be handy to win medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil come 2016"; Elegbeleye assured.

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 9 NO 2866

‘...the central theme of the Boko Haram insurgency is to undermine the institution of democracy and those who support it’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

“That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.”

N a city called Lano, the king died, and the people decided to abolish the monarchy and install a novelty: a mayor. The position was on offer to the highest bidder. Muslims wanted their richest man Adamu to buy it and therefore enthrone Sharia. The Christians with their gung-ho bishops queued behind Isaac who was their plutocrat. If the Muslims knew Adamu with his liberal zakat offering, why could the Christians not praise the Lord for the munificence of tithing from their beloved Isaac? It was hard to tell who was richer until Suleiman Solomon or Solomon Suleiman materialised. No one was sure of the name order. But this man who sometimes wore the Islamic turban or the Christian cross and who knew his psalms as well as his recitation of Islamic text, preened over his pots of money. He preserved the mystery of his name order by calling Solomon his last name when he supped with Christians and Suleiman his surname when with Muslims. He owed eternal debts to the father of the faithful for the two faiths he bestowed humanity. Though he claimed his blessings came from his tithing and zakat, the elders of both faiths disavowed him and called him a corrupter of the faith. But the city elders who presided were moved by Solomon Suleiman’s campaign line: Muslim money for Muslims, Christian money for Christians. So, he promised that once he became the mayor, he would split the city’s money in half. Half of it would go to the Muslims and the other half to the Christians. The fundamentalists were defeated and the majority tagged along with their new interfaith hero. He was equal parts god and equal parts the devil, noted the citizens. The Christians said the part of him that called Jesus belonged to God, and the Muslims said the part that worshipped on Fridays at mosques belonged to Allah. The other part, depending on whether you spoke to a Christian or Muslim, belonged to the devil. The Lanoites went along in relative harmony until things began to unravel. One midnight, the two-year-old son of Nurudeen Mukhtar caught a serious fever, and in another part of town, the pregnant wife of John Jacobs was on the verge of delivery. They could not access their usual hospitals because of the distance. Mukhtar decided to visit Sacred Hearts Clinic. His son’s temperature had reached such a fiery

RIPPLES 700,000 jobs created in 2013, says National Bureau of Statistics

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IN TOUCH

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Who will bury their dead?

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point as he and his wife could not manage until the crack of dawn. So, out of desperation, Mukhtar bore his son on his shoulder and hurried to the Sacred Hearts. The frustration began early. On introducing himself to the nurse on duty to register his son, Mohammed, the nurse quickly replied, “but you should know that people with such names cannot receive treatment here. Why don’t you go to one of your hospitals? Even if I wanted to help, I would be in trouble.” Meanwhile the little boy, more febrile and fragile by the second, looked with an eye that looked as though about to expire. The father cried, and begged, and asked the nurse to have mercy. “It is not about mercy,`` declared the nurse. “It is about faith.” John Jacobs’ wife, Elizabeth, had no option but to rush into Ansarudeen Hospital, which was the closest and only one within range. When he and his wife managed to enter the premises, they expected sympathy. His wife, already irritant and cursing her husband for choosing that time of night for her delivery, would not listen when the spouse begged for forgiveness. The real forgiveness, however, was not forthcoming from the resident doctor who saw them

I bet, those JOBS must have been given to SPIRITS and GHOSTS

HIEF Edwin Kiagbodo Clark must be having a time of his life right now. Uwa ngbede kamma, that is how Ndigbo describe it, meaning a good evening of life is the best among all the stages of life. Even the Yoruba often pray that the evening of life be always better than the early part. This is why Hardball thinks that Pa E.K., as he used to be fondly known (hope we can still call him that now), was only grandstanding and posturing when he proclaimed recently that he was ready to depart this world. It was at the 87th birthday briefing of the former Information Minister in Abuja. He was expansive and effusive with it if we might add: “I believe that I have played my part, ready to depart in joy and peace. Hence, I have repeatedly proclaimed it loudly at given occasions that as a mortal being, I am now like one at a departure lounge awaiting the call to meet my creator… I have come to this position, believing that I have played my part, ready to depart contentedly…” One thing is sure about Papa E.K., he is certainly a contented and happy man. Look-

It was hard to tell who was richer until Suleiman Solomon or Solomon Suleiman materialised. No one was sure of the name order. But this man who sometimes wore the Islamic turban or the Christian cross and who knew his psalms as well as his recitation of Islamic text, preened over his pots of money.

’

and knew from their dressing that they could not be true believers. If he found out that they were believers, he would chasten them before reluctantly administering help. But the Jacobs did not want to forswear their trust in Jesus. So they both decided to say they were Christians and the doctor, a true believer, told them to go to the hospital of their God. “Can’t you see my wife’s condition?” protested John Jacobs. “Can’t you see that this hospital is named Ansarudeen? Even if we tried to help, you may die. The sovereign of cure is Allah, not Jesus,” replied the physician. While both families tried to overcome their crises, commuters and travelers had to come to terms with their roads. Suleiman Solomon had constructed two sets of roads, one for Muslims and one for Christians. That very night a transporter was passing through Lano, and then he met a roadblock. It was a Muslim roadblock with policemen clad in peculiarly Muslim police uniforms. They asked the driver his name, and he said he was Hussein but the policemen discovered that about a quarter of his passengers were Christians. They told the Christians to disembark, and

HARDBALL Clark: I’m ready to depart this world. Really? ing ebullient and rejuvenated in the last few years of Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, he does not look like one who is waiting anxiously at any departure lounge. No sir, we take E.K.’s comment with a pinch of salt; for a man who is effectively the First Father of not just the Ijaw nation today, but that of the whole nation. For instance, Pa E.K., in his octogenarian end stage, did not only relocate to Abuja upon Jonathan’s presidency, he carved out his own special, filial position as Father of the President. And for the life of Hardball, he has acquitted himself so brilliantly well in that position. Never begrudge a man his booty, who has done his job well. Pa E.K. virtually corralled Jonathan into the current son-hood position. He has been father, godfather, shepherd and warhead to the

EMEKA OMEIHE

that they were not allowed to take advantage of Muslim facilities. The Muslims remained on board while the Christians were ordered to walk a bush path for about seven kilometres where the Christian road began. They complied. After several hours of trekking they met the bus and the driver who obliged at the end of the Muslim highway, and found their seats. Before they reached there, they witnessed a dramatic scene. A very hungry beggar had Christian currency and wanted in that hour of night to buy tea and bread from a seller who catered to Muslims in the neighborhood. The Muslim would not sell and the Christian beggar wondered why he would not sell. “Can’t you see you have not sold anything all night? You get a customer and you say no,” the beggar intoned. “Your money is sinful,” replied the seller. But a Christian roadblock awaited them with Christian policemen dressed in Christian police uniforms. Hussein was not permitted to drive, so one of the Christian passengers took over the steering, while the Muslims entered the bush like the Christians and met at another intersection of Muslims. About two yards separated both roads, and it was called conversion pass. The Muslims rejoined them in the bus at about 4am and they decided to rest. But a strange and ravenous wind howled in and scooped the bus from the edge of the road and it rolled over into a deep ravine. That night, not faraway, buzzed with a Christian party and people had had their fill of rice and stew and lots of drink. Somehow the word passed round that the tomato in the stew was purchased from a Muslim market. No one was able to authenticate it. Even when one or two persons came to deny the rumour, it was too late. Nausea had caught everyone and they ran to the conversion pass. They looked over the ravine and puked profusely. The throaty choir of retching, puffing, rasping, coughing, spitting resembled a coarse comedy if it did not sound like a dirge. It could have been a funny sight as all of them in their glorious shirts and dresses decided to retch on the road and into the ravine. They did not know that a more terrible act of the devil had happened at the receiving end of their vomit. All the passengers and driver died as the vehicle caught fire and burned everyone beyond recognition. The next morning, the question was where to bury the bodies. They could not identify who was Muslim or Christian, and they could not bury them in any of the available cemeteries because there were only Christian and Muslim cemeteries. Even if they were to bury them, they could not put them in a casket. It was not acceptable to swaddle a Muslim in a Christian casket and vice versa. Suleiman Solomon or Solomon Suleiman pondered these riddles. It became the least of his worries when the news also broke that a Muslim boy died outside a Christian hospital and a woman delivered a stillborn girl on the roadside.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above president since inauguration. A wily old man, Pa E.K. would stoke a fire on behalf of the president and then go ahead and quench it also on his behalf. He would reach out and reach in and of course he has been building bridges and even burning them as the situation demands. It has been a dual mandate of a queer kind; an exciting two headed diplomatic odyssey. It has worked, or shall we say that the president has never complained. But Hardball wagers it has worked even better for Pa E.K. Hardball cannot make a categorical statement about the financial status of Pa E.K. now but there is a saying that when you are very well off, your skin is the first to betray you. If we go by the tone and texture of Pa E.K.’s skin (which is as smooth as a little boy’s) you are bound to accuse him of being extraordinarily wealthy now. Again, we cannot tell. But what Hardball can tell for sure is that a year ago, Pa E.K. took a very beautiful young wife. Ladies and gentlemen, which man ready to depart this world takes a young wife?

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