Mar 17, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Federalism, state police top conference agenda •Afe Babalola: I wasn’t dropped

N200b for brokers from NSE’s sale

NEWS

Page 25

•Govt to release guidelines

Pages 7, 43 & 44

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2790 MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Jonathan approved CBN’s expenditure, says Sanusi

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USPENDED Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has responded to allegations of recklessness levelled against him by the Presidency.

Reacting to Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria’s (FRCN) claims that the CBN engaged in unlawful expenditure on interven-

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja nication equipment.”

Sanusi added that “upon tion projects, Sanusi noted that President Goodluck the application of the SecreJonathan instructed him to tary to the Government of the pay “N19.7 billion to the Federation, the CBN paid Ministry of Police Affairs for N2.1 billion for the automathe purchase of armoured he- tion and renovation of the licopters and other security Federal Executive Council equipment like armoured he- Chamber”. The President aplicopters; armoured patrol proved the “construction of vans; anti-riot the International equipment; and FULL TEXT ON Conference CenPAGES 60-62 hand held commutre for Nigeria.”

Jonathan, Sanusi disclosed, “also requested that the CBN pay N3.2 billion for the construction of a new counter terrorism centre for the office of the National Security Adviser and that the FRCN itself was a beneficiary of the CBN’s intervention policy as the CBN paid N220 million to the FRCN and also Continued on page 60

•VANDALS ATTACK LAGOS, OGUN PIPELINES P7 •EKITI PDP PICKS CANDIDATE WED P10

Immigration jobs deaths: Families demand bodies Jonathan, APC, Tambuwal furious

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Tension in Kaduna

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HERE was tension in Kaduna metropolis yesterday, following the killing of over 100 persons in an overnight attack in three southern Kaduna villages.

The attack forced Governor Mukthar Yero to canel his visit to the...

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

T was all tears yesterday at the National Hospital, Abuja where families of some of the victims of the weekend’s Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment fiasco battled to collect their remains.

Besides, many stormed the hospital in search of their missing wards.

Seven people, including five women, died at the Abuja centre. In all, 19, among them three expectant women at the Benin centre, died in cities where the exercise took place.

In Minna, the Niger State capital, bodies of two applicants remained unclaimed yesterday. “Nobody has come to claim them,” a hospital official said.

The relations of the dead who came to the National Hospital were not given the bodies.

But, survivurs at the Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos centres relived their experiences.

One of the dead at the Abuja centre was Oyiza Yusuf, a 35-year-old mother of one.

Her brother Mohammed Yekini pleaded unsuccessfully for her body to be released for burial “since she is a Muslim”.

Interior Minister Abba Moro, whose ministry supervises the NIS, urged the hospital to

News Page 12

Emenike: I’m in Eagles to stay

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uper Eagles’ and Fenerbache of Turkey has declared that he intends to secure his place in the national team ahead of the World Cup and beyond: He has urged Nigerians...

Continued on page 4

INSIDE •Bodies unclaimed in Minna •Eminent Nigerians: sack Moro •Our stories, by survivors condemn death of job seekers •Govt to probe deaths •16 died, says Immigration •We’re sitting on dynamite, says APC Senate caucus •The Nation recalls 2008 tragedy

AND MORE ON PAGES 2-5 &58

Sport Page 24

Crimeans vote for Russia

•L UCKY SUR VIV ORS: Anna Damidami...yesterday •LUCKY SURVIV VIVORS:

•Blessing Bako...yesterday

PHOTOS: JIDE ORINTUNSIN

‘

Her death is causing us more pains. She is married with a kid. She was defrauded N1,500 last year for this same job. She did not get it...The problem is that maybe the people they wanted have been employed

’

A

BOUT 95 per cent of voters in the Crimean referendum have answered ‘yes’ to the autonomous republic joining Russia and less than 5 percent of the vote participants want the region to remain...

Foreign Page 59

•SPORTS P23 •CEO P28 •MOTORING P36 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

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NEWS IMMIGRATION JOB STAMPEDE

Anger, tears as N T

•Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu (second left), Chairman, Nigerian chapter, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), Sir Ike Onyechi (left), President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo (second right) and Chairman, Pharmeutical Council of Nigeria, Bruno Nwankwo at the investiture of Aliyu as honorary fellow of the College in Accra , Ghana.

•From left: Director, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi, Mrs. Akwua Agyeman, Group CEO, Poise Global, Mrs. Mavi Isibor, Mrs. Nneka Okoro, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye and Biyi Oladipo at the third Professionalism Revolution in Nigeria seminar organised by Poise Nigeria in Lagos.

•From left: Managing Director, Vono Products Plc, Mrs. Titi Bakare, Managing Director, Vitafoam , Mr. Joel Ajiga and Head of Sales, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Bamidele Owoade at a news conference to mark 2014 World Sleep Day in Lagos.

•Representative of Managing Director, Nutricima Limited, Penni Vakkai (middle) presenting cheques to the two winners of Nutricima Consumer-reward Mega Cash Promo, Mr Chinedu John (second right) and Miss Janet Accah (second left) during the prize presentation in Jos...at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN.

HE death at the weekend of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) job seekers has provoked outrage in the country.

Former Abia State Governor of Orji Uzor Kalu described the accident as sad.

Kalu, in a statement yesterday, said it was unfortunate that an exercise that was intended for the recruitment of the youths resulted in their death.

He said while the recruitment was a blessing to Nigeria and Nigerians, the death has not only cast a pall on it but has brought exceeding sadness to the country.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, Kalu was quoted as having said: “This is a blessing of sadness.

“It is sad learning about the seven applicants that lost their lives at the Abuja centre, the three who died in Port Harcourt in Rivers State and the two reported dead in Minna, Niger State.

“This is why we must collectively build Nigeria, which I am finding ways of doing on daily basis.

“My heart is broken.

“My heart goes out to the families of the deceased and I pray for the repose of their souls.”

Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Goke Butika, said the “drama of death for job in Abuja and Port Harcourt” had revealed to the ruling class at all levels of government that the country is facing a ticking time bomb, ready to explode anytime.

Salaam said: “The death of the young men and women at the overcrowded stadia for job test is regrettable for those innocent graduates committed no crime than searching for better life with a view to becoming responsible citizens. In the 21st century, our younger generation is still being subjected to overcrowded venue for job test that could be settled by technology. It is quite unfortunate, and all men of power must take responsibility for the avoidable death.

“We seem to be toying with the rage of the youth in this nation, we appear to be pretending too much about youth unemployment, but history had shown that the critical segment of the population must not be taken for granted. I therefore implore all of us who hold lever of power to begin to think on how state of emergency must be declared on unemployment in this country before it is too late.”

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, described the statement credited to the Minister of Interior Abba Moro that the applicants were unruly as unacceptable.

His statement reads: “I bluntly consider as unacceptable, the excuse of Abba Moro (Minister of Interior on the cause of death of Immigration applicants.

“When I saw the crowd gathered at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu on Saturday for this exercise, I was frightened and knew we must hear stories of people’s death, following such arrangement.

“I am very very bitter with the nonchallancy and indifferent attitudes of some people who are privileged to be in position of authorithy in this country.

“How can any sensible person or persons not know that gathering 520,000people for a recruitment exercise of ‘employment’ NOT ‘merriment’ in a day is a risky exercise?

“In other words, in each 36 states of our federation, an average of 14,444

•Moro From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo, Bukola Amusan, Abuja and Chris Oji, Enugu

applicants (persons / human beings) were gathered at each staduim by the immigration office for this ‘obnoxious’ exercise. My God! what level of security and logistics did they deploy to each staduim to carry 14,444 persons in an exercise in a day.

“It is only madness and absolute imbecility, if not corruption, that can inform this kind of arrangement.

“We all know the consequences of such an act, so I was not surprised when the news is reporting tragic incidences across the country concerning this exercise.

“We all heard similar stories when (I think) the Prison officials recruitment occurred; when the Road safety Officials, and INEC Staff recruitments occurred.

“For God’s sake, why should the organisers of this interview gather all these people in one day and at a place? Why didn’t the organisers arrange this interview in batches?

Why didn’t the organisers spread the interview across many days? Why didn’t the organisers conduct this interview in smaller groups and in different locations like LGAs? Why didn’t they deploy the use of internet to screen down the number of illegible candidates? Can they effectively conduct the interview in their environment they created for such? Can they interview 14,444persons in a day? Did they deliberately create a market for themselves, for economic gains at the expense of the applicants and our nation?

“Why must they gather thousands of people together in a day to kill them in the name of interview? We know that they can never effectively interview those people they gathered at the stadium to die, that is why I call it ‘obnoxious interview’.

“I believe there must be some latent and surreptitious economic gains they are targeting, for all these blunders to be committed by the officials and organisers of this exercise.

“Indeed, there is no sense in their arrangement, and I know, they all know, but they wouldn’t tell themselves the truth.

“I urge the President and C-in-C to take exeptional interest in this matter

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

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IMMIGRATION JOB STAMPEDE

as Nigerians mourn stampede victims As it was in 2008, so it is now

•The Nation’s report of July 14, 2008

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•Kalu

•Ugochukwu

and investigate, why reasonable people should be behaving in an unreasonable manner, as to cause the death of our citizens simply because they are applicants and jobseekers.

“As far as I’m concerned, the organisers of such interview must be questioned to determine their culpability.

“Personally, I will like the investigation to extend to the root of how the applicants procured the uniform (White T-Shirt, white short, white socks and white canvass) they were wearing on the date of the obnoxious interview. We should not allow peoples’ economic interest to jeopardise the life of our citizens.

Officials of government do as they like in this country because nobody cares to investigate their conduct.

“Surely, this incident is bound to repeat itself, if the root cause is not identified and nipped.

“Personally, I lost no relative and I am not an applicant; but I am optimistic that it is not meddlesome interloping, that I show sincere concern in an ill-conduct that brings pains to our fellow citizens. I wish we have had enough of this I-don’t-care attitude.”

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) mourned the tragedy. In a statement issued by the national publicity secretary, Osita Okechukwu, it condemned the incident “which claimed scores of lives of innocent youths that went out in search of Nigeria Immigration Service vacant placement.”

It states: “CNPP condoles the families of the victims, prays to God for the repose of their souls and groans that these ambitious youths and pregnant mothers of our ancestry, died hungry, poor and in a state of agony in the midst of plenty.

“It is our candid view that the Tragedy of Unemployment is the outcome of Federal Government of Nigeria’s nebulous and inchoate economic policy; which regrettably posits that government has no business in business and the monumental corruption, which governs the reproachable economic policy.

“Otherwise, if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led federal government had in the past 15 years invested our unprecedented Oil and Gas revenue to critical infrastructures

like refineries, modern railways, power supply; there is no way over 4,00,000 youths will pay N1, 000 to chase less than 3,000 jobs in a single department of the state across the country.

“CNPP still maintains that heavy investment in critical infrastructure is the only solution to durable employment; how long do we wait for the Chinese, Dangote or Julius Berger?”

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) yesterday urged the Federal Government to provide adequate compensation for families of the victims.

The NYCN President, Yakubu Shendam, who spoke with The Nation, also condemned the call for the sack of the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and the ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration, David Shikfu Parradang.

Shendam said the stampede at the various venues on Saturday was not as a result of lapses from the ministry nor from the Immigration, but as a result of natural causes.

“It was unfortunate that the stampede happened; it was really a bitter experience, it shows the level of desperation by Nigerian youths to get employed. The Federal Government should urgently investigate the matter so as to avoid future occurrence.

“Calling for the sack of the Minister of Interior and the NIS Boss is a way out of the situation but for those involved in the recruitment exercise to devise better ways of conducting the exercise in the future.

“Nigerian youths should get the matter properly before rushing to take decision; it is a natural occurence that can happen anywhere if there is no patient, lack of patients by the youths led to the stampede.”

Another Youth leader, Adewale Ajani James, who also spoke on the incident, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate” the callous and inhuman treatment meted on Nigerian Youths”.

He also called for a full compensation to the families of the dead job seekers.

“The government should also take responsibility of the medical bills of all those recuperating in hospitals,” he added

EVENTEEN persons were killed during the nationwide recruitment to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) at the weekend.

According to reports, eight persons were feared dead in Ilorin, two each in Asaba and Umuahia, four in Enugu as well as one in Bauchi.

Many others sustained injuries during the physical fitness exercise upon to weed out applicants.

Twenty-one others who survived following a stampede at the Enugu centre have been offered jobs by the Enugu State Government.

The Nation gathered that four female and two male applicants died in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the prison service recruitment, while two others died at the immigration service recruitment.

Investigations showed that the applicants, numbering over 4,000, besieged the screening centre as early as 7 am.

According to an NPS officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the victims died shortly after a long distance race which preceded a written test.

Another source added that inadequate safety precaution and the nonprovision of ambulances and other first aid facilities aggravated the situation.

The incident led to the temporary stoppage of the exercise as those injured were rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Attempts to get comments from the officers of the two services proved abortive, as their telephone lines did not go through.

Investigation in Asaba, the Delta State capital, revealed conflicting reports on the fatality.

While some people put the casualty figure at six, NIS’ Public Relations Officer Ghasa Anita confirmed the death of two.

She said those injured were receiv-

ing treatment at a public hospital, which she did not name.

The candidates were said to have died of exhaustion after a long distance race that covered about 3.5km.

Some participants decried the dearth of facilities at the venue, saying the two doctors and two nurses provided to serve them did not have enough first aid kits.

One of the candidates who pleaded for anonymity said that the Immigration authorities bungled the exercise.

“I carried some of the affected people to the vehicle. I can authoritatively say that six people died. They died due to the carelessness of the immigration officials. They are supposed to provide us with water but they couldn’t. After the strenuous physical exercise, they drove us to a hot exam hall, which made people to start collapsing. The medical aspect of it was very poor. When the doctors came they did not even come with any first aid. They used rubber slippers to beat the legs of those who collapsed in a bid to revive them”, he said.

But Ghasa absolved the immigration authorities of culpability in the incident.

In Bauchi, an applicant collapsed and died after the race.

A senior immigration officer, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the deceased collapsed while participating in a 2.5 kilometres marathon as part of the requirements for enlistment into the service. ‘’Two of the male applicants who collapsed during the marathon were rushed to a nearby hospital, but one of them died,’’ the source said.

It was learnt that the male applicants were expected to finish the distance in 18 minutes while the female applicants were expected to cover the same distance in 20 minutes.

“The exercise is the hardest part of the selection formalities, but some of

the applicants are not physically fit enough for it,” the officer said.

The NIS Comptroller in Enugu State, Mr. David Paradang, confirmed the death of four persons during the stampede.

Paradang, who was at ESUT Teaching Hospital, Enugu, where 21 others were hospitalised as a result of the screening, described the incident as unfortunate.

An eyewitness told NAN that the incident happened when over 500 candidates who came for the job interview were asked to embark on a race.

The Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, during a visit to the hospital expressed shock about the tragedy.

He promised to offset the hospital bill of the patients and gave them automatic employment in the state civil service.

One of the victims, who was knocked down by a commercial motorcyclist, is now receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

The NIS Comptroller in Kwara, Mr. James Aboyeji, however, said medical personnel from the UITH were to take care of those injured “and are in better position to give the correct figure of casualties”.

He said over 195,000 candidates were jostling for 3,000 available vacancies all over the federation.

In Umuahia, two persons, including a pregnant woman, also died following the screening, doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, confirmed.

They said that 13 got unconscious, with various degrees of injuries.

The medical personnel were curious that “no immigration officer had asked about the whereabouts of the deceased and the injured.”

The doctors criticised the NIS for conducting what they described as “torturous exercise.”

movement.

The senators argued that what happened during the Nigeria Immigration Service interview on Saturday was a further testimony that every aspect of Nigerian life needs restructuring, adding that it was archaic for the NIS to be conducting paper interview in the 21st century when it could have conducted same via the internet, thus preventing the unnecessary deaths of the young promising Nigerians.

“It is only in Nigeria that this can happen. We are sitting on dynamite.

Yearly, we graduate thousands of people without any plan to give them jobs. We throw them on the streets to go and scrounge for survival. We then express outrage when they turn to bomb-throwers and bearers of Ak 47.

We express disgust when they become kidnappers, armed robbers and prostitutes. What for God’s sake do we expect of them?” the APC lawmakers queried.

While calling on the president to ensure that those responsible for the planlessness which resulted in the deaths of the applicants do not go scotfree, the APC Senate caucus said several attempts by well-meaning Nigerians to draw attention to the scary rate of unemployment in the country had been rebuffed and termed as self-serving by some unscrupulous fellows who see Nigeria only from the narrow view of their air-conditioned cars and are therefore oblivious of the

• Sen. Ojudu sufferings of ordinary Nigerians who daily await a seemingly non-existent succour.

The lawmakers described as most unfortunate the statement credited to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service that the deaths of the applicants were as a result of impatience on their part.

“Were the Comptroller-General poor and couldn’t secure employment for his children , would he have uttered the same statement if his child was a victim of the planlessness of the NIS which he superintends? Would he have nonchalantly explained away the death of promising young men and women who could have bettered the lot of this country?” they queried.

The APC caucus in the Senate said it was not just sad at the deaths of the applicants, but sadder that the PDPled Federal Government could handle it with kid gloves.

We’re sitting on dynamite, says APC Senate caucus

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the Senate has described as sad and unacceptable the deaths of some young Nigerians who showed up to write the application test of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Saturday.

According to the APC Senate caucus, the army of unemployed youth which trooped out to write the test and the resultant deaths have more than enough shown that the nation is sitting on dynamite and may explode into pieces if urgent steps are not taken to rejig the structural and governmental deficiencies which continue to stunt her growth.

The statement signed by the spokesperson of the caucus, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said the APC caucus in the Senate is not only worried, but shocked at the seeming nonchalant disposition of many a Nigerian leader to what is clearly a ticking time-bomb.

It adds that this “latest series in the episodic slaughtering of potentials who could have bettered the lot of the country should jolt President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigeria is in a state of emergency deserving of urgent, concentrated and concerted efforts to restore the country back to the path of peace, safety, progress and development with a human face.

According to the APC lawmakers, good economic statistics that have no direct impact on the lives of Nigerians is tantamount to motion without

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

NEWS

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•Fire men battling to extinguish the fire at the broken pipelines in Ijegun, Lagos...at the weekend.

IMMIGRATION JOBS STAMPEDE

Immigration jobs deaths: Families demand bodies Continued from page 1

release the bodies.

But, as at press time last night, the bodies had not been given to the families.

There were 11 injured at the hospital.

Mr. Yekini spoke of how he received the news of Oyiza’s death, saying: “I am a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa and I was in my office when my wife called to say she was dead.

“She is a Muslim and we do not want further delay. Her remains should have been buried yesterday (Saturday). Her death is causing us more pains.

She is married with a kid. She was defrauded N1,500 last year for this same job. She did not get it. Things have to change, we have to begin to get it right. What is happening in

this country is not good. Government is not good to us. The problem is that may be the people they wanted have been employed.

“She was with us two months or so ago. Had I know, about this, I would not have allowed it. Now her father and mother are alive. She is 35 years and one of the bread winners of the family. She is into business, buying and selling.”

Oyiza’s sister, Bilikisu, was all tears: “I have called the Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed, to help talk to the hospital authority to release our dead to us. She told me that she would be going for the interview and she went with a friend who resides in Lugbe.

Later I called her number, it was not going through. I guess it was when they were trying

to enter the stadium. Her friend was pregnant. She was trying to rescue her friend who fell when she was trapped. Our brother informed us that Oyiza is dead.

“We cannot leave the dead body in the mortuary. We could not sleep till daybreak.

It is like leaving a sick person in the hospital without care.”

Mrs Aronia Abigail was at the hospital in search of her brother who was among those rushed in for treatment.

A mother of three, Abigail, who was an applicant, said: “I am from Jos. My husband is from Kogi. To God be the glory, everything is difficult to explain. As I’m talking right now, my brother is still missing. Look at his certificate with me here. Before that incident, we lost contact and I have not seen him. He is my immedi-

ate younger brother. When I saw the crowd when they were about to open the gate, my spirit was telling me that I should not go in. I was telling other people that we should retreat.

I was even using the military language. Somebody pushed me and another person hit me.

I am a mother of three, including a six months old. In this country, something is wrong with us.”

The bodies of the two victims in Minna, Niger State are yet to be identified. Nobody had come forward to claim them as at last night.

They are deposited at the Minna General Hospital mortuary. The victims are a male and a female.

Four of the seven injured persons – all women- were still at the General Hospital yesterContinued on page 58

Survivors relive ordeal

OME of the survivors relived yesterday their “horrible experience”.

Blessing Uzor and Chinemen Isaac, who were recuperating at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) and Glory Hospital Ogbunabali in Port Harcourt, said the stampede at the Elekahia stadium was caused by the directive of the immigration officers that applicants should squat.

Uzor said she could recall when some military officers told them to squat which led to the disaster as those standing fell on them.

She said: “The only thing I can remember now is when soldiers who were assisting the Immigration officers ordered some of us to squat and while we were doing that many candidates were standing at our back.

“Five minutes later, the crowd fell on us. I regained consciousness at 4:45 am on Sunday. I began to ask for my bag and the other writing materials I took to the recruitment centre. I thank God that I can talk now.”

At the Glory Hospital, Isaac, who is still struggling with the shock , said it would be better to be alive and remain unemployed than to die unemployed.

“I didn’t know when they fell on me. I was squatting as directed because they were shar-

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ing question papers.

“Some people started pushing to make way for themselves. That was how they fell on top of one another. About 15 persons fell on me.

In Abuja, Kunle Ojelabi said: “I see it as a day when the unemployed in Nigeria all gathered to update themselves on how they are hustling to make a living. It would have been a better opportunity for the Bureau of Statistics to get accurate figure through head count of those who are jobless in Nigeria.

“The recruitment, which was meant to put smiles on faces, saw people struggling to enter the stadium. How does NIS expect to conduct a good recruitment test in a place like this?”

Some applicants who were invited for the recruitment examination in Lagos described it as a sham.

A large turnout of unemployed graduates who paid N1,000 each for the registration, caused massive traffic on Ikorodu Road and the Western Avenue which lead to the National Stadium, venue of the exam.

A candidate, who does not want to be named, said the main bowl of the stadium was Continued on page 58

Eminent Nigerians call for Moro’s, Parradang’s sack

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IFTY five eminent Nigerians, including senior lawyers and politicians have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; and the Controller –General of Immigration, David Shikfu Parradang over Saturday’s death of some job seekers across the country.

In a statement yesterday by the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Chidi Odinkalu,

Jonathan, Tambuwal furious over job seekers’ death

HERE was outrage yesterday over the death at the weekend of no fewer than 19 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) job seekers at the recruitment centres.

About 520,000 applicants were programmed to undergo tests at various centres across the country on Saturday.

There were only 4,556 openings and each of the job seekers paid N1,000. They bought Tee shirts for N500 each at the centres.

The deaths occurred at the centres during stampede as a result of the poor crowd management. Among the dead are four expectant women.

The body count include: Abuja (eight), Port Harcourt (five), Minna (three) and Benin (three).

A report yesterday said two (both women) died at the Kano centre.

Seven of the over 20, 000 applicants at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, were injured.

The NIS spokesman in Kano, Ahmed Lawal Kanoma, denied the deaths. He said: “No person died at the venue of the examination.

“The only thing that happened was that two female and five male applicants sustained injuries during a stampede and were treated and allowed to sit for the exam.”

Some applicants recalled that

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt and Faith Yahaya, Abuja

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

but jointly signed by the 55 eminent Nigerians, they blamed Moro and Parradang for the shoddy handling of the programme.

They urged the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police together with the DirectorGeneral of State Security Service, to launch a joint criminal investigation into the deaths of the job seekers.

Continued on page 58

Panel to probe deaths, says minister

HE government is to set up a panel to probe the death of no fewer than 19 applicants at the immigration recruitment centres.

Minister of Interior Abba Moro stated this yesterday at the National Hospital in Abuja when he visited the injured.

Moro expressed sadness over the incident and confirmed that 19 people had been discharged. Eleven others were receiving treatment.

He also ordered the immediate release of the bodies to their relations after proper documentation.

Moro said: “So far, 11 persons are still on admission. Most of them have recovered from the shock of yesterday and they are in a very stable condition. And five female and two males are dead. I have promised that the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will do everything possible to ameliorate the consequences of the stampede. I think it is premature to talk about employment.

“I have seen the situation and it is unfortunate. If you look at it, you will see that it was all a sign that people attempted to break into From Yusuf Alli, Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

there was “a sudden surge, which led to the collapse of two female job seekers. One of them – an expectant woman, suffocated and became unconscious.

Minister of Interior Abba Moro, whose ministry supervises the NIS and indeed the re-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the stadium by force and in the process people were trampled upon and unfortunately they lost their lives.

“Just like it is in other part of the country, the reason for the decentralisation of the exercise across the states was to ensure that we have reasonable numbers in all the centres that can be controlled. But unfortunately, the preliminary information that is available to me shows that people who didn’t apply were also trying to gain entrance. In a stadium like this, that has the capacity of 70,000 people and we had registered people.

But unfortunately several unauthorised persons came in here especially pregnant women. In a paramilitary situation I am surprised that pregnant women would want to come and partake in what involves physical exercises.

“This is not a moment to apportion blames, this is a moment of some level of national tragedy. It calls for some level of understanding among Nigerians and to know that our intention was to transparently conduct this exercise to ensure that we provide a level-playing ground for all Ni-

cruitment, chided the victims.

He said: “The applicants lost their lives due to impatience.

They did not follow the laid down procedure spelt out to them before the exercise. Many of them jumped through the fences of affected centres and did not conduct themselves in an orderly manner to make the exercise a smooth one. This

gerians. The choice of the stadium is to take as many as possible eligible for the test.

“The committee will look at everything that is necessary to be done in this circumstance.

It is the committee that will be set up later today or first thing Monday that will include all stakeholders and non governmental organisations. I can assure you that they will be given sufficient leverage to examine all the issues connected to this exercise with a view to coming up with observations and recommendations that will help to ameliorate the situation.

“Our consideration now is for those people who are still in the hospital and those dead. It is the committee that will tell us if to suspend or carry on with the exercise. I can assure you that when the findings are out, we will take the right decision that will satisfy the aspirations of Nigerians. We have undertake to provide ambulance as a priminary safeguard to assist the families to convey those bodies down to their destinations. We have asked that records of parents, who are going to take the bodies home should be compiled so that subsequently, we can reach out to the families of those who lost their lives.”

caused stampede and made the environment unsecured.”

The test in Lagos was cancelled.

President Goodluck Jonathan, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, senators, the All Progressives Congress and others were angry.

Dr. Jonathan reportedly demanded an explanation from the

minister of Interior.

The President was said to be in receipt of how the Ministry of Interior outsourced the recruitment to Drexel Nig. Limited.

Also, there were indications yesterday that a top NIS official has been queried.

Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) demanded Moro’s prosecution.

•Dr. Jonathan

It called for the immediate dismissal of NIS’s top officials and the Federal Ministry of Interior.

The President was unhappy with security reports and personal findings on the recruitment module adopted by the Continued on page 58

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 08099365644, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 17, 2014

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NEWS Edo: Job seekers’ death unfortunate

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From OSemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

HE Edo State Government yesterday mourned the victims of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment.

While describing it as sad, unfortunate and an embarrassment to the world, the state government sympathised with the victims’ families.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, told reporters in Benin City that “two weeks ago, I represented Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the meeting of the Forum of Progressive Governors where we discussed this issue of unemployment”.

He added: “The truth of the matter is that those pictures that you see at the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment test across the country demonstrate the problem of Nigeria. It shows failure at all levels particularly at the Federal, to stimulate growth and development that will create investments and jobs, so that people will not be dying when they are trying to write exams.

“This is an embarrassment to the world because, this is the same kind of numbers you have in virtually all the states and it tells you where criminality and criminal gangs recruit there members from, the pressure on families and why the middle class cannot grow.

“We have no training to package people who have qualifications that can work, we have no serious training on how to get people self employed, not even on how to encourage people to go for post-graduate training for specialized courses so that they can be employed or self employed. We just abandon young people and when they say they should come and write test in a stadium without tables, people are dying; it’s very sad, very unfortunate, I weep for Nigeria.”

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IMMIGRATION JOB STAMPEDE

APC: Job stampede deaths consequence of PDP’s misrule

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is greatly distressed at the deaths of 19 job seekers at the venues of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) job test on Saturday, calling it a direct consequence of 15 years of misrule by the PDP-led Federal Government.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, must bear direct responsibility for the needless deaths by immediately stepping down from his post, if he has any honour left, or be fired.

It said the overall responsibility is that of President Goodluck Jonathan, who now seems to be bent on leaving a dubious legacy of bad leadership that has led to a grim harvest of deaths from insecurity, widespread violence and now job stampede, among others.

APC commiserated with the families of the victims and wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.

“Despite huge yearly budgets rolled out since 1999, the PDP-led federal government has failed to create jobs for our teeming youth, and the number of those who are jobless has now reached such an alarming rate that a job emergency may have to be declared to avert an impending cataclysm.

“Massive mindless looting

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Director, Mechanical Electrical, Signal and Telecom Engineering, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidel Okhiria speaking with reporters during the delivery of a brand new Coaches and Engines for NRC in Apapa, Lagos...at the weekend. With him is the Assistant Director, Public Relations David Ndakotsu.

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

PDP accuses APC of playing politics with tragedy

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be ashamed of itself for seeking to play politics with the unfortunate death of Nigerians at a stampede during the recruitment exercise conducted by the Nigeria Immigration Service on Saturday.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on yesterday said the APC has again shown that it lacks respect for human life adding that its statement lacks class, and politicizing the unfortunate incident was a clear manifestation of its Janjaweed ideology.

The PDP said it was despicable for the APC to condescend so low to trivialise and politicise weighty issues bordering on human lives while the families of the deceased were still mourning, all in a bid to score a cheap political point. of the public treasury has seen funds that could have been used to create millions of jobs end up in the deep pockets of corrupt government and PDP officials, without any consequence for the thieves, while the incompetent federal government led by a clueless President continues to deceive the public with cooked figures showing job creation where indeed there have been job losses,.

“Today, sadly, the truth has been laid bare: 5,000 or so vacancies declared by NIS have attracted over six million applicants, from which over half a million was shortlisted, according to published reports, and the desperation of our youth to eke out a decent living has been exploited by a

The PDP described the APC statement as crass, adding that it has further exposed it as a party of insensitive persons blinded by inordinate quest for power.

The ruling party said as a responsive party, it has since Saturday swung into action charging all relevant agencies to immediately conduct detailed investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the stampede. It also noted that the Federal Government has already started an immediate response to the incident.

Noting that this was not the time to join issues with the APC which its described as “an illbred party which has no regard for human life”, the PDP said it will not be distracted by attacks by the APC but will remains committed to curbing unemployment in line with its manifesto and the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

villainous government that forced each applicant to cough out 1,000 Naira, thus raking in 6 billion Naira from jobless people,’’ the party said.

It said the Ministry of Interior has many questions to answer over the apparentlyshoddy arrangements made for the job tests in 37 venues nationwide.

“Is it true that the Minister directly presided over the recruitment and money-making venture? Could this have been part of the government’s fundraising measures for the 2015 elections? Why will a government seek to profit from a malaise it created by charging hapless job seekers 1,000 Naira each? Why were a huge number of applicants invited for only 5,000 jobs or less? Why

was such a shoddy arrangement made for the test when so many people were invited?

Could the test not have been done in batches to avoid a stampede? How much indeed was realised from this glaring extortion of job seekers? What happened to the money?

These are some of the questions begging for answers.

“An investigation into the needless deaths of our youth, under a government that has failed them in every respect, must seek to answer those questions and recommend ways to avoid a recurrence. At least if a government cannot create jobs, it must neither profit from its incompetence nor send the victims of its ineptitude to their early graves,” APC said.

Ndoma-Egba mourns

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From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

ENATE Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba yesterday described the death of scores of job seekers at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment centres as unimaginable tragedy for the country.

Ndoma-Egba said the death of the job seekers was particularly worrisome especially when it is coming at a time the country was grappling with the unwarranted deaths of innocent Nigerians at the hands of Boko Haram insurgents.

The Cross River North Central lawmaker condoled with the families of the dead and wounded applicants, saying “my heart goes to the families of the dead and the wounded.”

Ndoma-Egba said: “As a nation, this is an unimaginable tragedy. These deaths are coming at a time when the nation is grappling with the unwarranted deaths of innocent citizens at the hands of Boko Haram sect.

“Regrettably, this is a tragic reminder that our nation must do something very urgently to create opportunities for young men and women. We must do everything to generate employment for our people.”

Fayemi urges probe of tragedy

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has expressed sadness on the death of some Nigerians youths at the recruitment exercise conducted by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Saturday.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the death of the applicants as a “tragedy of unimaginable proportion that has created wounds in the hearts of all Nigerians”.

Describing the tragedy as “avoidable”, the Governor called for a thorough investigation of the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to preventing a reoccurrence.

The governor was of the view that a better organisation of the recruitment e would have prevented the death of the applicants many of whom were made to go through very inhuman condition in their quest for job.

Fayemi said: “This latest tragedy has thrown up some questions that the concerned authorities must answer to prevent a repeat of this unfortunate incident.

“Are the authorities concerned not aware of the magnitude of the number of the applicants , what were the modalities put in place to conduct the exercise for such a huge number of applicants? Why can’t the exercise be conducted in batches instead of attending to the army of applicants in one day?

“These and more questions come to mind when coming to terms with the loss of these young ones who had bright future ahead of them only to be wasted in such curious circumstances.”

The Governor also commiserated with the families of those who died in the tragedy.

Falana to Jonathan: Interior Minister Moro must go

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Minister of Interior Abba Moro over the death of Immigration applicants.

His statement last night reads: “ About 18 unemployed graduates, including three pregnant women were killed in stampede which occurred at Benin, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Minna yesterday during a recruitment exercise conducted by the Ministry of Interior. In his highly insensitive reaction to the tragic incident the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro claimed that “the Applicants lost their lives due to impatience, they did not follow the laid down procedures spelt out to them before the exercise….”

“The reckless statement is designed to cover up the criminality involved in the job scam. Contrary to the resolution of

the House of Representatives that the Ministry of Interior should not collect any application fee from applicants Mr. Abba Moro extorted the sum of N700 million from 700,000 job seekers to fill 4,556 vacancies. In order to maximise “profits” from the misfortune of the applicants the Ministry of Interior refused to involve other agencies of the government including the police, state security service, federal road safety corps in the recruitment exercise. Hence, there were no ambulances to attend to those who might fall sick and security personnel to maintain law and order at the examination centres.

“In the light of our experience in the mismanagement of crowds in similar exercises in the past the Ministry of Interior ought to have made adequate arrangements to secure the lives of the Applicants. Having failed to discharge his constitutional

duty in the circumstance Mr. Moro has turned round to blame those who lost their lives for the criminal negligence of the Federal Government.

“Since the Ministry of Interior is vicariously liable for the avoidable deaths of the Applicants we call on the Federal Government to sack the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro. In addition, the bereaved families of the deceased should be compensated by the Federal Government. Henceforth, the Federal Government should ensure that the millions of unemployment youths are paid monthly maintenance allowance in line with the provision of Section 16(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They do not have to take up arms against the State before they are amnestied by the Federal Government.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

6

NEWS

Cancer patients in danger as ministry stalls treatment

Govt tightens security at conference venue

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From Onyedi Ojiabor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ECURITY was tightened yesterday at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, in preparation for today’s inauguration of the National Conference.

At press time, a detachment of the Army joined the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) to provide security.

Gun-welding soldiers, police and DSS personnel were seen at every point in the complex, while men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were also sighted providing security.

Except for the presence of security personnel, there was no sign of a great event taking place in the complex.

There were security checks by the State House security officers at the Andrew Obaseki Auditorium, where the inauguration is scheduled to take place.

Asked the reason for the presence of security personnel at the venue of the conference, an official, who pre-

ferred anonymity, said government did not want to take chances, considering the sensitivity of the event.

He said: “You know this conference is important to all Nigerians and government is aware of the security challenges facing the country. They don’t want to jeopardise the conference through security lapses.

“Even the delegates need assurance on their safety and the only way to assure them is to convince them with this security arrangement.

“It is my belief that if the delegates see these security personnel around, they will relax and feel comfortable to do their job.”

Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria Aloma Mukhtar are expected at the inauguration, which will be conducted

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

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HE survival of cancer patients hangs in the balance, as the two treatment centres in Ibadan and Abuja cannot attend to patients since January, due to the failure of the Ministry of Petroleum to grant licence to the centres to import radioactive materials.

Top officials of the centres are accusing the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, of denying cancer patients access to medical treatment.

It was learnt that cancer patients had died, while others who could afford overseas treatment were left to die in their homes.

The Coordinator of the Nuclear Medicine Project in Nigeria, Prof. Bola O.A. Osifo, said since the beginning of this year, the two centres could not operate due to the increase of licence fee from N250,000 a year to N2million a year by the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, an agency under

Police ‘kill’ scrap dealer in Lagos over petrol

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•Centres can’t operate due to hike in licence fees From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

the Ministry of Petroleum.

Without the licence, the centres would not be given clearance by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to import radioactive nuclear materials used for diagnoses and treatment of cancer patients.

The National Coordinator of the Nuclear Medicine Project in a letter dated December 13, 2013 addressed to Prof. T.C. Akpa, the Director, Radioactive Safety, under the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, expressed bewilderment about the arbitrary increase of licence fees, saying the centres, being a non-profit making body, could not afford to pay N2million every year for licence.

The letter reads: “It is

difficult for me to understand your review of fees after I had applied for licence for 2014 since November 8 last year. The fact is, no Department of Nuclear Medicine can afford to pay your fees. Your commission is ruining our 2014 practice, as our suppliers wrote us to submit our licences latest December 23 last year.

“Please remember that we are practising in a hospital, which is not a profitable business venture. Rather, it is to help millions of Nigerians, who are ill and cannot afford to go anywhere else for their medical care, unlike the elite.

We would like to remind you that we are running an IAEA project where all the equipment are given free of charge by the agency.”

The minister of petroleum is the supervising minister to

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By Precious Igbonwelundu, Staff Correspondet

“As he bent down changing the tyre, a bullet hit his head and he died on the spot.

“While everyone was running for safety, the policemen kept shooting and injured Abiodun and Shola,” a source alleged.

Another petrol black market seller, who refused to give his name, told The Nation that immediately the officers realised that they had gunned down people, they ran and left their victims to die.

“What is most painful is how they left the victims and ran away. When they saw that they had killed people, they quickly ran back, entered their vehicle and zoomed off.

“What kind of country is this? Why must the police always intimidate and kill innocent people?

“That officer (name withheld) should be dismissed because this is not the first time he is killing people. Just last month, he killed someone at Ladilak Bus Stop, Bariga. He is a drunkard and shoots anyhow,” he said.

A woman, who said she was a member of the association, alleged that the police also extorted money from them.

She said they raided the place on a weekly basis “and collect nothing less than N5,000 from us.”

The woman added: “We are tired of their activities.

We do nothing illegal here, we are scrap dealers, yet the police will not let us rest.

“It is not only the fuel sellers they raid. Most times, they will come into our office, arrest us and demand N5,000 to N7, 000 from each person.

“I think government should look into their activi-

•Abiodun, one of the victims

‘As he bent down changing the tyre, a bullet hit his head and he died on the spot. While everyone was running for safety, the policemen kept shooting and injured Abiodun and Shola’ ties because they are the real enemies of peace.”

A worker at the filling station said bystanders and witnesses took the victims to the hospital.

“We took them to Gbagada General Hospital,

PDP owes me debt of gratitude, says Atiku From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

•Two injured

EMBERS of the Scrap Dealers Association, Gbagada, Lagos, yesterday protested the alleged shooting of their colleagues by the police, which led to the death of Olufela Oyetubo.

Two others-Lambo Abiodun and Shola, sustained injuries after men of the Pedro Police Division allegedly opened fire on people at the General Filling Station, because petrol black market sellers refused to give them (police) free fuel.The incident, which occurred about 5pm, according to witnesses, was not the first, as it had become the practice of the policemen to forcefully collect petrol from the sellers to fill their tanks.

It was learnt that the petrol black market sellers bought the product at the Mobil Petrol Station on the expressway and were reselling beside the filling station when a patrol vehicle carrying four policemen stopped and demanded fuel.

“The boys refused, carried their jerry cans and ran across the expressway to General Oil Filling Station. The policemen parked their car near Mobil Petrol Station and pursued the boys.

“We were all here. As the boys ran, the officers opened fire.

“Everyone was confused as we felt their action was unwarranted. The policemen shot about 15 bullets, killed our chairman’s driver, Olufela and injured two of our men.

“The deceased was trying to change our chairman’s car’s tyre. He was sleeping and they woke him on the order of our chairman, Tunde Iyegan, who said Olufela should change the tyre because he wanted to go for a meeting.

the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), saddled with the responsibility of issuing licence to the National Nuclear Medicine Project.

Despite letters to the regulatory authority, nothing positive was done to issue the licence or review the fees.

A source said calls made by the agency to the minister of petroleum were rebuffed.

When our reporter visited the Nuclear Medicine Centre at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, yesterday, the situation was appalling. Some of the patients were turned back, as there was no licence to import the radioactive materials needed for their treatment.

including Olufela’s body,” he said.

At the hospital, The Nation met sympathisers, mostly the colleagues of the victims, who corroborated the story.

Abiodun’s wife was seen sobbing beside her husband, who looked frail and in pains.

The nurses did not allow the sympathisers to take the injured to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, saying there were outstanding debts to be settled.

This reporter, disguising as one of the victims’ relative, paid N4,500 at the hospital to enable Abiodun, who sustained ribs and abdominal injuries, to be taken to LASUTH. After the payment, Abiodun was transferred into an ambulance en route Ikeja in the company of his wife and three others.

The association’s chairman, Iyegan, confirmed the incident, but said he could not comment further because he was at the Ogudu Area Command to make an official report.

Police Deputy Public Rela-

•The late Olufela

tions Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said he was not aware of the incident.

He said: “Where was the case reported? On what grounds were they killed?

Please I need your reply urgently. This your story has no basis for me to confirm because I can’t comprehend what you are saying. Please make it clearer. Where was the case reported and the hospital used? It is a serious matter please.”

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owed him a debt of gratitude and that he owed nothing to the ruling party.

Atiku on February 2 defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a number of anti-people tendencies by the ruling party.

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a recent statement said Atiku owed the PDP a debt of gratitude for providing him a platform, which saw to his emergence as the vice president in the past.

But in a statement yesterday, the former vice president said contrary to the claims by the leadership of the PDP, it was indeed the ruling party, which owed a debt of thanks to him.

Atiku described Metuh’s statement as an attempt to distort history, noting that neither Metuh, nor anyone in the position of authority in the PDP today was there when the PDP was being formed.

“If the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP doesn’t have the knowledge of how the party came into being, then it will be in order that he goes into the archives and reads about the history of the party and the roles certain individuals, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, played in building the party.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar does not owe the PDP. Rather it is the PDP, which owes a debt of thanks to him. Where were Metuh and his paymasters when the PDP was in its formative stage? If he and his paymasters came as free riders into the party that shouldn’t mean they have the licence to distort history.

“The demagogic outburst and the repeated innuendoes by which the PDP has been nursing its wounds, following the exit of its founding fathers, will do no good for the party to reverse the trend of how it is fast losing acceptability by Nigerians,” Atiku said.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

NEWS

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Federalism, State Police, others top conference agenda

FTER months of arguments and preparations, the National Conference begins today in Abuja.

The Presidency will subject the conference’s key resolutions to the consideration of the National Assembly, sources said yesterday.

The Presidency said the National Assembly may have the final say on the resolutions of the conference.

Besides, 10 issues have been identified as being likely to dominate the conference.

These are true or cooperative federalism; presidential or parliamentary system of government; tenure system; derivation principle; state police; creation of states; autonomy for local governments; immunity clause; and indigeneship.

The conference secretariat has said it will ensure the delegates’ protection.

But there will be no official cars or accommodation for the 492 delegates.

According to a top presidency official, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, the decisions of the conference cannot be binding without being sent to the National Assembly for either constitution amendment or enactment of laws

as applicable.

The source said: “Going by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, the legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is vested only in the National Assembly.

“So, delegates should not come to the conference with the notion that their resolutions are automatic.

“After the conference, the Executive will meet to come up with policies and bills that would be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.”

The source explained why the conference is different from the 2005 exercise by the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said: “We have just celebrated 100 years of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates into Nigeria.

“So, we have been together for 100 years. We have had our gains and shortcomings, we need to review our past and set agenda for the next 100 years.

“The centenary perspective makes this National Conference unique.”

According to another source, the presidency’s thinking is that the conference should chart a path for the nation on the type of federalism it should run. The proposals

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Northern leaders divided

ORTHERN elders are divided over the participation of the region in the National Conference.

The Northern Elders Council has accused the Northern Elders Forum of working against the interest of the North by saying that the region will not participate.

In a statement last night by Northern Elders Council spokesman Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, the Northern Elders Council said contrary to the position taken by the Northern Elders Forum at its Kano meeting, the North will fully participate in the conference and defend its own interest.

The statement said the position taken by the Northern Elders Forum is embarrassing and undignifying to the general position of participation, consensus building and constructive engagement of the pan northern socio-political organization the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

The statement said: “The Northern Elders Council wishes to align itself now and at all times with the position of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as the Pan Northern Umbrella Organisation on all issues of national importance, especially on the National Conference.

are fiscal, true and cooperative federalism.

“We also hope that the conference will lay to rest the debate on which system of government we should run.

Some Nigerians are seeking a return to the parliamentary system; others still favour presidential system.

“I think the debates at the

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

“We totally regret the bellicose and belligerent posture of the so-called Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and expressed regret at its utterances, which are to say the least, embarrassment and undignifying to the general position of participation, consensus-building and constructive engagement initiative by the ACF with all and all the different parts of the country “The Northern Elders Council reaffirms its total support to participate in the National Conference and assures all Nigerians that the Northern delegate will participate and contribute actively and will vigorously defend Northern and national interest at the conference. The so -called Kano declaration was an exercise in futility.

“The Northern elders council is always in tandem with ACF position. There was extensive and intensive consultation and presentation by ACF before the Okuronmu Committtee, including presentation of memoranda at Minna , Kaduna, Sokoto and Jos . At no time was the idea of a walk out or boycott ever entertained.

“We believe in justice, dialogue and consensus- and any group spitting fire and brimstone is not speaking on behalf of the north”

conference might largely be on these 10 areas”, another source said.

In a chat with our correspondent, the Assistant Secretary to the National Conference (Media and Communications), Mr. James Akpandem, said yesterday: “We are set for the opening ceremony, everything is in

place. We expect a successful dialogue.

“As far as the conference is concerned, we will ensure that all delegates are protected. We have also advised the delegates to look for suitable accommodation.”

Responding to a question, Akpandem said: “The question of buying cars or pro-

viding accommodation for the delegates does not arise.

The correct position is that their transport and accommodation is monetised.

“As to how much each delegate will collect as allowances/ stipends, it is not for public knowledge now, but the details are being worked out.”

Security arrangement was beefed up yesterday at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in preparation for today’s inauguration of the conference.

A detachment of the Army joined teams of the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) to provide security for guests and delegates.

Gun-welding soldiers, police and DSS personnel were seen at every point in the expansive complex. Men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps were also sighted making rounds.

Except for the heavy presence of security personnel, there was no sign of a great event taking place in the complex.

The Andrew Obaseki auditorium, where the inauguration is scheduled to take placeis also undergoing comprehensive security checks coordinated by State House security officers.

Free milk for Ekiti pupils

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

UPILS in public primary schools in Ekiti State will now take free milk twice every week.

Commissioner for Education Kehinde Ojo announced this at the kick off of the State School Milk Distribution at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Hall in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the objective of the programme “is to ensure that an average Ekiti child is well nourished and well prepared for the rigours of learning”.

Ojo said about 170,768 pupils would benefit from the programme, which is sponsored by the state government in partnership with Friesland-Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. The company donated 42,000 cartons of milk for the programme.

Ojo said: “Today marks another milestone in this administration’s efforts to develop our younger generation by enhancing the nutritional status of our children for excellent performance in schools.

“Parents/guardians should complement the efforts of the government by providing other necessary materials for their wards to make them comfortable in schools and justify the relief packages provided by the state government.”

Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who is the SUBEB Chairman, was represented by the full time member 1 of the Board, Elder Bunmi Awotiku.

Awotiku described the initiative as “a display of the governor’s love for pupils” and the administration’s commitment to standard education.

He said the milk would nourish the children for healthy growth and academic excellence.

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•Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson (left) exchanging pleasantries with the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, during a three-day revival service at the Deeper Life Camp Ground in Okutukutu, Yenagoa.

Vandals attack Lagos, Ogun pipelines as scarcity deepens

S petrol scarcity worsens in the country, vandals have continued to steal petrol from major Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines in Lagos and Ogun states.

The vandals sell the stolen petrol to the public.

Men of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Lagos Command, have foiled an attack on pipelines in Ikate Akute, Ojodu.

Acting on a tip off, men of the task force stormed the crime scene, where the vandals engaged them in a gun duel.

One of the suspects, Abbey Daniel, was arrested but the

By Jude Isiguzo

others escaped.

Five wooden speed boats and about 4,000 empty 50 litres galloon were recovered from the suspects.

An eyewitness, who claims to be a fisherman, said residents were woken up by the sound of gunshots.

He said: “In recent times, the area has been peaceful and these vandals never visited.

The shooting lasted for over one hour, with the vandals firing from the other side of the river. They later fled when they could no longer contain the fire power of the policemen. That was when we fer-

ried the police with our boats across the river.”

Other residents said it was like a war situation, and hailed the police for facing the vandals.

They called for the establishment of a police post in Ikate.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Task Force Friday Ibadin said: “We got a tip off that vandals had resumed activities in Ikate Akute, Ojudu, Ogun State, from an NNPC pipeline. Policemen, led by the newly posted Lagos Sector Commander, DSP Samson Olawoyin, cordoned off the area and the vandals opened

fire.

“The vandals fled when they realised that their game was up. The boat containing countless numbers of 50 litres gallons has been destroyed while one of the suspects was arrested.

“There have been several attempts by vandals in recent times to operate, but our men have stopped them. We are aware that these boys, who know the desperation of Nigerians in search of fuel, see vandalism as a booming market, so we have to fortify the area.”

Daniel said: “I am sorry, but we did it to help Nigerians get fuel, which is not available to them. We knew that before the

police would cross to the other side, we would have disappeared. We got a tip off that they were pumping fuel through that line. There is a high demand for fuel in Lagos and buyers are paying good money for it, especially operators of petrol station. I was not armed and cannot swim; so I had to hide in the bush. I was on my way home when the police traced me through my phone that was left at the scene.

I ask for mercy.”

There is no guarantee that the scarcity would end soon, as it was learnt that there is shortage of the product in Apapa depots.

Long queues have returned

to petrol stations, many of which claim that they are out of stock. Many petrol stations said their tankers have been queuing at depots for days.

Spokesman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, Southwest Zone, Comrade Tayo Aboyeji said over 800 fuel tankers are stranded in Lagos due to unavailability of petrol at depots in Apapa.

He said: “The information reaching us is that there is no more product to dispense at the depots. The only depot dispensing is Capitol Oil, which will soon be out of stock. This scarcity will worsen in the next few days, if the product is not available soonest.”

THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 17, 2014

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

Fuel scarcity: Pipeline ‘vandal’ held as others flee “We ‘We did did it it to help Nigerians to get fuel. We were sure that before the police would reach us, we would have disappeared” disappeared’

•Scene of the illegal activity

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THE police have spoilt “business” for some suspected vandals who cashed in on the lingering fuel scarcity to burst a major Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline.

They had allegedly vandalised the pipeline at a riverine location in Ogun State, where they stole petrol, which they sold to the public.

•Daniel with the gallons abandoned by his gang

By Jude Isiguzo

Their dirty business ended during an encounter with operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Lagos Command. The men aborted a plot by the suspects to steal fuel from an NNPC pipeline at Ikate-Akute in Ogun State.

It was gathered that the operatives engaged the suspects in a gun duel. They arrested one of them, Abey Daniel. The others fled, abandoning their equipment. Five wooden speed-boats and about 4000 empty 50-litre gallons were recovered from them.

An Akute resident said: “Our area had been peaceful until the vandals visited. Shoot-

PHOTOS: JUDE ISIGUZO

ing between them and the police lasted more than one hour.

They (the suspects) were firing from the other side of the river. They later fled when they could no longer contain the fire-power of the policemen.

That was when we assisted the police with our boats to ferry them across the river.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of the Task Force, Friday Ibadin, said: “We got a tip-off that vandals had resumed their activities along Ikate-Akute in Ogun State from the NNPC. Policemen led by the newly posted Lagos Sector Commander, Samson Olawoyin, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), cordoned off the area

and the vandals opened fire.

When they realised that their game was up, they fled. The boat containing countless numbers of 50-litre gallons was destroyed, while one of the suspects was arrested.

“There have been several attempts by vandals to operate, but our men who are always on ground stopped them. We are quite aware that those boys who knew the desperation of Nigerians for fuel would want to cash in on it. Hence, we fortified the areas.”

Remorseful Daniel said: “We did it to help Nigerians to get fuel. We were sure that before the police would reach us, we would have disappeared.

There is high demand for fuel in Lagos and buyers are paying good money, especially operators of filling stations. I wasn’t armed and cannot swim; so, I hid in the bush. I was on my way back home when the police traced me through my phone that I left at the scene. Now, I ask for mercy. “ However, the vandals’ activities may not end soon as another round of scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit ( P M S ) looms. Reason: There is a report of shortage of the product in Apapa depots, worse n i n g queues of vehicles at most filling stations, while others are under lock and key.

Spokesman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, South-West Zone, Comrade Tayo Aboyeji, said over 800 fuel tankers are currently stranded in Lagos owing to the unavailability of the product in Apapa depot. He said the influx of more fuel tankers had exacerbated traffic obstruction in Apapa axis despite the presence of a special taskforce comprising men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

“Some of the tanker drivers are also on hunger strike as most of them who arrived about five days ago waiting to load had been out of cash to feed and are now begging for food in Lagos as they did not expect to spend up to two days,” Aboyeji said.

Vitafoam celebrates World Sleeping Day

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HE Chief Executive Officer of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joel Ajiga, has said the introduction of new products by the company is part of the strategic plan to expand its operations and boost its shareholders’ wealth.

Ajiga, who spoke with reporters at a media conference to mark “Vitafoam Nigeria Plc’s 2014 World Sleep Day,” said as a corporate firm, the company had an obligation to leverage on its technology to make products that would prevent burden of sleep, sleep disorder and alleviate pains.

According to him, a healthy society is a precondition for socio-political and economic growth, adding that this year’s World Sleep Day

slogan, “Restful Sleep, Easy Breathing, Healthy Body,” was targeted at promoting a culture of good sleep.

He said Vitafoam had introduced a range of products which were already in the market, including memory bed topper, memory pillow, spring firm and galaxy.

“People with lumber disc problem will benefit from a firm mattress and sufferers of spinal strenosis need slightly softer mattress to have a restful sleep from a choice of these new mattresses. For those who want the exquisite comfort of softness and orthopaedic attributes of Galaxy, we have a bi-load product called Vita Twill Mattress” Ajiga added.

The Chairman, Apapa Local Government in Lagos State, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, handing over a free UTME form to one of the beneficiaries of the council’s 2014 Free UTME Form programme.

Watching is Mr Kamaldeen Olasode.

THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 17, 2014

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CITYBEATS

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‘Why we celebrate Eledumare’

Police arrest 13 suspected touts at embassies

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HIRTEEN suspected touts who operate car parks and visa agencies around Embassies and High Commissions in Lagos have been arrested by the police.

It followed a raid by the police on Walter Carrington Street, Victoria Island, followed a petition received by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko.

Some riot policemen allegedly aid and abet the touts’ illegal activities.

Embassy sources said the touts charge as much as N1000 to park vehicles in front of the embassies, thus denying applicants and officials easy access.

The touts, it was learnt, also run illegal agencies where they dupe applicants under

Communities decry cultism

By Basirat Braimah

I

MPROPER upbringing, peer group influence and joblessness have been identified as major causes of the present wave of senseless killings and cultism in the Somolu and Bariga communities in Lagos State.

It was at a security meeting attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, captains of industry, market men and woman, representatives of youth movements and top security chiefs in the area.

The residents resolved to abate the killings and shootings that have now turned the two communities into one terror jungle Oba Gbolahan Akanbi Timson, the Jagunmolu 111 of Somolu/Bariga, who summoned the meeting, said he was eager for a lasting solution to the problem as cult-related killings had become a daily ritual within the two communities.

‘Insecurity has affected forestry’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) has attributed the challenges confronting the forestry sector to political instability and insecurity in the country.

The President of FAN, Prof Labode Popoola disclosed this yesterday while addressing reporters at the University of Ibadan (UI) Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to him, any area where conflicts and insurgencies are being experienced, no meaningful management activity can take place.

He lamented that forestry activities had been stalled in most of north-eastern parts of the country and the southsouth zone as a result of insecurity and conflicts.

Popoola explained that since 1960, with the transformation of the economy from agricultural to oil-based one, large areas of the forests have been de-reserved for political reasons or for special projects, such as agricultural plantations, road constructions, development of new settlements among others.

“Most states are still operating obsolete forest laws, not suitable for contemporary forest management,” he said.

“

By Jude Isiguzo

the guise of assisting them get visa documents.

A petition to Manko read: “Touts, agents and vendors have continued to harass visa applicants in front of our embassy building. The property along the road that we use for parking has been blocked by touts. We learnt that some anti-riot policemen attached to some of the embassies were conniving with the touts to collect illegal fees from motorists who park cars indiscriminately there” Sources at one of the embassies disclosed that 27 people were arrested by policemen attached to Bar Beach Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Adegoke Fayoade , a

•Manko

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

According to sources, after the screening of the suspects, 13 of them could not identify themselves with any genuine business around the area.

Manko assured that the raid would continue. He warned that “there is no room for criminals in the state.”

I

F we celebrate Him (Eledumare), he will be happy with us and end all the problems were are facing in this country and the world over.

There will be nothing called Boko Haram-induced insecurity, fuel problem and other causes of tension in the land.”

With these words, the National Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, a pro-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Otunba Gani Adams, yesterday explained the basis of the ongoing 21-day Eledumare Festival 2014, which began on March 11 by Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers. It will end on March 31.

Adams spoke at a media luncheon held in Lagos, where he emphasised that the festival is not about idol worshipping,

By Basirat Braimah

“but a way of reordering the decadent society through the reclamation of our eroded cultural values.”

The festival also features empowerment of some mothers, widows and the blind; taekwondo competition, harvest of praise, beach soccer, ayo olopon, quiz contest, boxing and cultural competition; and fashion show among others.

The festival, he said, was packaged to give reverence to the Supreme God, the creator of heaven and earth, adding: “Without him, we are nothing. Our various religions notwithstanding, we as Yoruba people are out to pay obeisance to Him in a special way and to further seek His face.”

On the objective of the Olokun Festival, Adams said: “It

is to re-awaken the consciousness of the Yoruba race to the lacklustre attitude of the Kaaro Oojire (Yoruba people) to the preservation and nurturing of our moral values and tradition.

“We have thrown our moral values to the dogs while we consciously look bare-faced to the gods, which, from the cradle, charted the way for the liberation of the Yoruba race and more so, left a legacy that has today remained our centre of pride and at the same time, the envy of others. Ours is going to be the first culture-based organisation to celebrate the supreme Creator in world history.”

He revealed that plans were afoot to hold a multi-millionnaira global beauty pageant christened, Miss World Pride, in honour of Eledumare. “It is going to be the mother of all beauty pageants,” Adams said.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

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NEWS

PDP to announce Ekiti consensus candidate on Wednesday

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EADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will choose a consensus candidate for the June 21 election in Ekiti State, it was learnt at the weekend.

Sources said the candidate would be announced this week.

It was gathered that a PDP Presidential Consensus Committee, led by Chief Olabode George, met with the party’s governorship aspirants in Abuja at the weekend.

Sources said the aspirants were told that the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, “would announce the party’s consensus choice among the 14 aspirants within 48 hours.”

It was learnt President Goodluck Jonathan’s “insistence” on a consensus candidate was to eliminate crisis in the party and bolster its winning chances.

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T

HE Ekiti State government has called for calm, following a protest at Ojumose and Ereguru in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday on the killing of a youth, Seun Awoyemi, by a policeman.

In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said Governor Kayode Fayemi directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda, to probe the circumstances leading to Awoyemi’s death.

Ekundayo assured the people that justice would be done, urging them to be calm.

‘

I have obtained my form and submitted it to the national secretariat. I was screened and the last leg of the process is the primary. If an aspirant has paid N11 million for the nomination form, he should have the courage to face the electorate that will elect him as a candidate at the primary.

•Fayose kicks From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Sources said an aide of the President told the aspirants to forget the primaries, as “there was no way a primary would not create crisis that could adversely affect the party’s fortunes in the poll.”

The 13 aspirants at the meeting reportedly agreed with the consensus arrangement and signed an undertaking to support whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer.

According to sources, party chieftains at the meeting in-

cluded PDP National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo; Dr. Jide Adeniji; Dr. Doyin Okupe; Prof.

Tunde Adeniran; Chief Abiodun Olujimi; Chief CK Awoyelu and Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, among others.

Former Governor Ayo Fayose, who is a PDP governorship aspirant, said he would not be part of any consensus arrangement.

Fayose spoke yesterday through his spokesman, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti.

He said consensus was another form of imposition, especially when not all aspirants support it.

’

Fayose said: “Anybody who believes in democracy and in the election must believe in primary. I do not want to be a consensus candidate. Everybody must be given the right to contest as a member of the party.

“I have obtained my form and submitted it to the national secretariat. I was screened and the last leg of the process is the primary. If an aspirant has paid N11 million for the nomination form, he should have the courage to face the electorate that will elect him as a candidate at the primary.

“I reject consensus. I am

•Fayose

ready to face other aspirants.

After all, there will be no consensus at the general election. I believe in party supremacy based on equity and fair play.”

Osun APC accuses PDP of violence

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of allegedly using thugs to attack people at voter registration centres.

It urged the police to arrest the thugs.

In a statement by its Publicity Director, Kunle Oyatomi, APC said: “The situation is dangerously es-

T

Ekiti sues for calm

• Omisore alleges threat to life From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

calating. Within four days (Monday to Thursday), suspected PDP thugs injured and murdered resident’s in their party’s desperation to assume power.

“On Wednesday, the party drew the attention of secu-

rity agencies to the murder of a PDP member at Gbodo in Ile-Ife. Reports reaching the APC Secretariat informed us that a disagreement after a PDP meeting at Gbodo degenerated into violence and their party man was killed.

“In an attempt to divert at-

tention from the crime, the PDP unleashed violence on the father of Ife East Local Government Executive Secretary, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, vandalising the old man’s property.”

“Only yesterday, at the voter registration, alleged PDP thugs struck in several centres, violently disrupting the exercise and injuring APC supporters and other

Osun to discuss Opon Imo at summit

HE Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has invited the Osun State government to its 20th summit to speak on its elearning device, Opon Imo (Tablet of Knowledge).

The four-day summit begins tomorrow at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The theme of the summit is: “Transforming education

through partnership for global competition.”

The Opon Imo Project Manager, Mr. Bambo Bashorun, will lead the Osun State delegation.

Bashorun will speak on how Opon Imo was conceived, became a reality and its impact on the education sector.

According to a letter from the NESG’s Director-General, Frank Nweke, to the

Osun State government, members of the summit panel include the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Plc, Gerald Ilukwe; Country Director (Nigeria) of Microsoft Mr. Kabelo Makwane; Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Ms. Juliet Ehimuan; Managing Director, Bharti Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya and Chief Executive Officer, ICX

Solution, Khalifa Imama Galandaci, among others.

NESG was established in 1996 as a platform for public-private sector cooperation on economic development.

It is an offshoot of the Nigeria Economic Summit (NES), which was introduced in 1993, by the Chief Ernest Sonekan-led Interim National Government.

citizens. Some victims were hospitalised.

“We urge security operatives to take seriously the increasing audacity with which the PDP is operating in Osun and constituting itself into a lawless and reckless army of thugs bent on intimidating the people to support their party. Osun citizens will not be cowed by the PDP’s intimidation and the notoriety for violence.”

APC urged its supporters to remain vigilant, peaceful and law abiding. It warned them against taking the law into their hands, urging them to report attacks on them to the police.

However, a PDP governorship aspirant, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said his life iwas under threat.

Speaking through his media aide, Prince Diran Odeyemi, Omisore said he had been receiving messages from unknown people threatening to kill him.

He urged the police to protect him.

Ondo to transform coastal areas

O

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has promised to transform areas.

Mimiko spoke at the weekend at the inauguration of three projects in riverside communities.

They include a caring heart mega school at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area; a block of six classrooms at Sabomi and a town hall at Igbotu, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

Mimiko said his administration would take steps to speed up development at the grassroots.

He promised to ensure work on the Irele-SabomiIgboru Road, which is under construction by the Niger-Delta Developmental Commission (NDDC).

Mimiko urged community leaders and youths to cooperate with the contractors.

He said his administration would invest in education and ensure children receive quality education, stressing the country’s future is not in oil and gas but in the development of the children.

Culture vital to history, say Awujale, Balogun

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From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

HE Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and the Olori Omoba of Ijebu, Otunba Subomi Balogun, have urged rulers to preserve the people’s cultural herit-

age.

They said a people’s cultural heritage was “a sacred institution that should be protected”.

The duo spoke in Ijebu Ode at the weekend at the inauguration of a multimillion naira Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Museum and Hall, facilitated by Balogun.

Oba Adetona said the institution should be protected against brigands in the ruling house, “who intend to destroy the family’s peace and legacies.”

Speaking on his “ordeal” with aggrieved members of the royal family, who filed a case to challenge Balogun’s position as the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland, the Awujale described the plaintiffs as ingrates.

He said: “The royal family is a sacred institution, which should not be allowed to be polluted by charlatans. It is unfortunate that people with dubious character are finding their way into the royal institution and this has to be checked.”

Balogun said a people’s culture is the only means to trace their history.

He said many past rulers in Ijebuland were buried at the spot where the museum is situated.

Balogun said an ancient crown, staff, books on the origin of Ijebu and the grave of the late rulers were preserved in the museum, adding: “People can travel from all over the world to the museum because there are many ancient and historical artefacts here.”

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THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 17, 2014

NEWS

Bayelsa killing: Police arrest three

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HE police in Bayelsa State have arrested three persons in connection with the free-for-all that led to the death of a youth at the weekend.

The police were said to have launched a manhunt for the masterminds of the crisis, whch almost snowballed into a communal conflict between Otu-Asiga and

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Oruma in Ogbia Local Government Area.

Violence erupted at a wake in Oruma after youths suspected to be cultists turned the ceremony into a supremacy battle.

One of the youngsters from Otu-Asiga was reportedly stabbed during the melee.

He died on the way to the hospital.

Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara confirmed that three persons, including the alleged mastermind of the crisis, had been arrested by the police.

He said one of the ringleaders ran away from the state after the crisis.

Opara said the police ar-

rested him in a community in Rivers State.

The commissioner said the police acted quickly to stop the incident from degenerating into a communal crisis.

He said the police also involved the monarchs of OtuAsiga and Oruma as well as the chairman of the local government, who they urged to help stop the crisis.

Army acquires equipment

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HE 4 Brigade in Benin, Edo State, has acquired modern equipment for the destruction of burnt trucks and materials used by those involved in illegal oil refineries.

The brigade’s spokesman, Capt. Abubakar Abdullahi, spoke yesterday in Benin with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The acquisition “is to ensure that we continue to thwart their nefarious activities, by destroying seized equipment used for pipeline vandalism and illegal oil refining.’’

Capt Abdullahi said the brigade’s operation covers Edo, Delta and Ondo South.

He said officers were “arresting perpetrators of the illicit business, while destroying materials used to carry out the crime’’.

‘Don’t publicise alleged fund diversion’

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OUTHS in Edo State, under the auspices of Edo Youth for Good Governance (EYGG), have warned politicians against taking advantage of the alleged diversion of N113 million belonging to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

A former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekheme and three others are on trial for allegedly diverting the

•Oshiomhole (second right) presenting a flag to Edoror. With them are the Speaker, Uyi Igbe (left)and Prince Tony Omoaghe, at the rally.

Edo lawmaker, 6,230 others join APC

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HE lawmaker representing Esan Central in the House of Assembly, Victor Sabore Edoror, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Edoror and 6,230 of his supporters dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

Edoror, at a rally in Irrua, said he and his supporters joined the APC “because of the ‘intimidating development’ of the comrade governor.”

He said: “The record is such that PDP can no longer campaign anywhere in Edo State, as it has nothing to show for its eight years in power.”

The lawmaker vowed to deliver his constituency for APC. Governor Adams Oshiomhole said: “Today, God has brought us together to consolidate the liberation of the people of Esan Central, Edo Central, Edo State.”

“When I hear the PDP talk that after Oshiomhole, they will capture Edo, I ask: ‘Is Edo a goat that must be captured?’

“In 2007 PDP stole the people’s mandate, I battled and with your support and by the grace of God, that mandate was restored.

“The only reason I am in government is to show that PDP has been stealing and

the only way to prove this is to work.

“People ask me where the money is coming from. Simple, they have been stealing the money.

“On April 14, last year, PDP was defeated in the 18 local governments; the source of my strength was not in empty talk but in action.

“Our people must refuse to be deceived. We have come to stay as APC. As we speak, there are 16 APC governors.”

He assured the people that with the coming of the defection of the lawmaker, APC will “drive other animals from the bush.”

Imoke: I’ll not be succeeded by an ‘outsider’

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ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has stated one of the qualities of his successor, saying such a person must not be an “outsider”.

He spoke at the inauguration of the northern senatorial district caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogoja.

Imoke said: “I do not know who will be governor in 2015, but I know my successor would be someone who knows the people and he

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

must be a member of the PDP family and not an outsider.”

He said people had been pressurising him to anoint a special candidate so that he will not be ‘undermined’ when he leaves office.

“Those who say such are not students of history, because such a candidate is the one likely to undermine you. He would want to assert himself, rather

than come to bow before you.”

Imoke urged the caucus to synergise and communicate

with the caucuses in the southern and central districts for the selection of the next governor.

Imoke called for unity of purpose among the people of northern senatorial district and warned against politics of “push him down” syndrome.

Ogoja Local Government Chair Rita Agbo Ayim urged the caucuses to foster unity among party members and have a collective vision for the growth of the district.

able.

“What is the students’ population for which the state is spending N6 billion yearly? This is outside investments on infrastructure?

“I am aware that the responsibility entrusted on me at this point in our history to bring about restoration means that we must take decisions that are right

and fair even when they are sometimes unpleasant.

“I like to appeal to your sense of commitment and patriotism on this journey.

“I am urging the university authority working with our team to re-order its priorities, so that we can have some funds for capital development, because we want this university to be one of the best in the world.”

‘I do not know who will be governor in 2015, but I know my successor would be someone who knows the people...’

Dickson decries N6b cost of running state varsity

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson decried yesterday the yearly N6 billion cost of running the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) on Wilberforce Island.

A statement by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the governor made the observation when he visited NDU at the weekend.

The governor described the cost as unsustainable and asked the institution to explore other sources of income.

Dickson, who announced the award of N6.1 billion contracts in the university, regretted late payment of bursaries to students.

He attributed the delay to scholarships awarded to postgraduate students.

Addressing stakeholders at the meeting, he said: “This

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

university is the only stateowned university that has a high recurrent expenditure.

“Available records show that the school spends close to N500 million monthly on salaries and sundry entitlements.

“I have told the vice chancellor and the governing council that it is not sustain-

S

Akume donates relief materials

ENATE Minority Leader George Akume has called for peaceful coexistence between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

Akume spoke at the weekend while presenting relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Asunkunya, Tarka Local Government of Benue State.

He said: “There is no alternative to peace as crisis causes great drawback to any society. We are known to be war-

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

like and very courageous. The time for war is over. We should seek peaceful coexistence.”

The Senate leader urged Nigerians to assist the IDPs by donating relief materials to them.

“I want to passionately appeal to men and women of goodwill to extend this kind of gesture to these citizens,” Akume said.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

fund.

The group, in a statement by its President, Osaro Iyamu, said statements from certain individuals were to hoodwink the public to believe rumours.

Iyamu urged the public to disregard these “rumours”, warning those he termed “detractors’’ allow the court do its job.

Total Nigeria debunks reports

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OTAL E&P Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/ Total Joint Venture, has said the board did not make a request or instruct that its operations at Ofon-2 project be shut down.

In a statement, titled: “Notice of Non-Compliance with the Nigeria Oil & Gas Industry Content Development Act,” the firm acknowledged receipt of the notice of noncompliance with the Nigeria Content Act, issued by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) against Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), a contractor on the NNPC/Total Joint Venture’s Ofon-2 project.

The firm said there was no directive from the board that work on the Ofon-2 project be stopped.

It said media reports suggesting there were only two Nigerians working for HHI on the Ofon-2 project is incorrect.

“There are over 100 Nigerians working for HHI, which is just one of the contractors on the Ofon-2 project,” the statement clarified.

The statement added that Total would meet with HHI and NCDMB to ensure a satisfactory resolution of the issues raised by the NCDMB notice.

It explained that the Total Group operates in over 130 countries, saying contractors working for the firm were required to carry out operations in a diligent and professional manner in compliance with, and respect for national laws and regulations.

Ekiti PDP aspirant roots for consensus

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ORMER Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has called on other contestants to imbibe the spirit of consensus so that the party could win the June 21 election.

Addressing party supporters in Ado-Ekiti yesterday before leaving for Abuja for a meeting, he said (APC) the party must put its house in order.

This, he said, could be done by avoiding rancour that congress and primary would entail.

He added that the crisis that followed the last congress was yet to abate and that a painless process to select the party’s candidate was desirable.

He advised that the candidate must be a person with a large heart that would carry everybody along.

“Apart from having a large following in the party, I am acceptable to the various groups in the party and I have the pedigree to hold the office and perform creditably well,” Bejide said.

Akpabio to NDDC: deliver good projects

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KWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akapbio has advised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to deliver quality projects.

Akpabio spoke at a dinner organised by the state for the management and board members of NDDC, who were in Uyo for a retreat.

The governor said: “The first thing I like to say is the quality of your projects. “ Let NDDC provide quality projects for the Niger Delta so that we don’t have to repeat and keep spending so much on maintenance.

“Take it as your personal house, if you want to give

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

your children something, you would give them the best. Do the same and that is when you would have a final thank you.

“I cannot criticise NDDC. I believe you have done well within the beginning of your structure. Maybe if the structures were different, you would have also performed differently.

“I advise you to cooperate with one another, keep an open mind; don’t look for somebody’s downfall. If you see somebody making mistake, correct that person.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

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NEWS

Tension in Southern Kaduna over killings Establish grazing reserves, say northern governors T T

HERE was tension in Kaduna metropolis yesterday, following the killing of over 100 persons in an overnight attack in three southern Kaduna villages.

The attack forced Governor Mukthar Yero to cancel his visit to the United States for a conference on peace and security.

The government called on the people to remain calm and shun rumours capable of escalating the tension.

In Sabon Tasha, at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, people began to run for no apparent reason.

Our reporter observed that residents, petty traders and business owners hurriedly closed shop.

Sources said the confusion was caused by a disagreement over fare between a motorcyclist and his passenger, who was apparently returning from the church.

People were said to have mistook the disagreement for a reprisal attack.

Police spokesmanAminu Lawan told The Nation there was no need for the confusion.

The Director-General of the governor’s Media and Publicity Unit, Ahmed Maiyaki, said Yero was in the United Kingdom en route the United States to attend a symposium organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

Yero was billed to address the conference on the security challenges in the North and Kaduna State but decide to return to Ni-

HE Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday called on the Federal Government to consider a national policy to settle nomads and provide grazing reserves and routes to bring an end the clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the region.

Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu made the call in Minna yesterday while reacting to the killing of about 100 persons in Unguwar Sankwai, Unguwar Gata and Chenshyi villages of Kaura Local Government Area in the southern part of Kaduna State, by suspected herdsmen.

The forum’s reaction contained in a statement by Aliyu’s spokesman, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, also called for a new approach in solving the recurring clashes.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

The forum argued that grazing reserves had proved to be a self-sustaining solution for pastoralists across developed and underdeveloped countries.

“It is the considered opinion of the forum that a national policy be put in place to settle nomads and provide reserves and cattle routes.

It lamented that only 36 of the nation’s 415 grazing reserves were gazetted and urged the Federal Government to set aside dedicated areas of land for pastoral use.

The forum argued that the new approach would help in re-integrating the herdsmen into the mainstream society and reducing or eliminating herdsmen/farmers conflicts,” the statement said.

•Southern Kaduna: we’ll protect ourselves •Governor aborts US trip From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

geria on receiving the sad news.

Maiyaki said the governor left Nigeria on Friday morning and returned on Saturday without attending the USIP conference.

He said the symposium was to be attended by governors from northern states facing security and economic challenges and lawmakers and investors from the US and Europe.

Maiyaki said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) carried out an assessment and began the process of provid-

ing relief to victims.

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) said yesterday the people might take measures to protect themselves and their land.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, SOKAPU’s President Dr. Ephraim Goje said they were tired of watching their people being slaughtered, saying over 40 of their communities had been invaded since 2011.

He said: “When I say we will take action to protect our people and our land, it is all-inclusive. Let me repeat, it is all-inclusive. Whatever

it will take to protect the life and property of our people, we are prepared to do so.

“This thing has been lingering for so long and efforts by government seem not to be working and there is no sign that it will come to an end. Each time, we sit down, people will descend on innocent communities and people are slaughtered like chickens.”

According to him, the attack was led by two well known Fulani resident in Manchok town, saying “this has vindicated us and confirmed our position that the Fulani have

declared a jihad on southern Kaduna and Nigeria”.

He said: “We wish to observe regrettable there is no collaboration between the security agencies in Kaduna and Plateau states so much such that the attackers come in from the Plateau to attack Atakar and Marwa chiefdoms and each time they are chased by security agents from our state, they run over to the Plateau where they work freely celebrating their socalled victories.

“We request the commissioner of Police, GOC 1 Mechanised Division and director of Security Services (DSS) in Kaduna State to temporary relocate to Kaura Local Government.

“We call on the the two states to resolve boundary issues so that peace could be restored.

“We are asking government to consider our request for a military barracks within the radius of 25 kilometres of Kafanchan for a quick response to security challenges.

“Presently, we have over 5,000 internally-displaced persons, who require rehabilitation and compensation. We are asking Kaduna State to implement the recommendations of panels set up to probe communal and religious crisis, including the Peace and Reconciliation Committee by the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, following the 2011 post-election crisis.”

Kwara South PDP alleges neglect

From Johnny Danjuma,

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Lafia

HE Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) at the weekend in Akwanga Local Government threatened to pull down over 40 buildings encroaching on school land.

Board chair Abdulkarim Abdullahi said illegal shops at Akwanga Central Primary School would be pulled down.

“They built houses, restaurants, business centres, and mechanic workshops, among others, on a school land. What if the government wants to initiate projects on the land? See how people want to sabotage the efforts of the government.”

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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HERE is no end to the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State.

Members from the southern senatorial district are accusing an Abuja business woman of hijacking the party structure.

Last week, PDP stalwarts from the central senatorial district threatened to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, if Senator Gbemisola Saraki is appointed minister.

It was gathered that PDP chieftains from Kwara South met at the weekend in Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area and resolved to protest the alleged neglect and domineering influence of the business woman, who hails from Kwara Central.

A source said the meeting frowned at the alleged ambitious moves of the woman believed to be a confidant of President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience.

The parley was held at the home of the senator representing the district in the National Assembly, Simeon Ajibola.

The source said: “The party stalwarts resolved to address the issue in the interest of the party. A situation where Kwara South PDP would be stampeded into supporting any selfish intention against the collective interest of the party would not be tolerated.”

But a source at the meeting denied any accusation of neglect against the Abuja businesswoman.

The source added that a delegation of the party chieftains from the state would meet with the President soon.

Board to demolish buildings

Kwara CAN rejects list

From Adekunle Jimoh, • Supervising Minister of Aviation Samuel Ortom’s house destroyed in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

•The minister inspecting the house ...yesterday

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Ilorin

HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State has rejected the list of the state’s delegation to the National Conference.

The Christian community said the government did not comply with the Federal Government’s directive.

State CAN Chairman Prof Timothy Opoola said: “It is clear in the Federal Government’s directive that the 15 delegates per geopolitical zone must reflect ethnic and religious diversities. Undoubtedly, Islam and Christianity are the two distinct religious bodies in the state.

“The point we are making is that the criteria make it mandatory for the Christian body to be represented. ‘’Regrettably, the three selected to represent the state are Muslims.

“There is either a mistake in the compilation or there is a deliberate exclusion of Christian representation.

“Whichever it is, Christians call on the government to give them their right to be represented.”

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Not a resource curse

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•Okonjo-Iweala misdiagnoses Nigeria’s economic challenges

INANCE Minister and coordinating minister for the economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, may be forgiven for her never-ending dissection of the nation’s economic predicament; not so however, her latest attribution of the nation’s socio-economic challenges to the phenomenon she described as “resource curse”.

In an interview posted on the website of the Council on Foreign Relations, Washington DC, the minister was reported to have said that the country “appears to be suffering from resource curse, whereby a tiny elite benefit from the oil wealth, whereas the mass of people languish in abject poverty”. For reference, she cited the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) said to have tripled since 2004 due largely to the bumper oil revenue, in the background of rising poverty and inequality, even as she would admit that the promise of diversification is yet to be

‘More than any concerns about curses, they want explanations for the appalling failure by the Jonathan administration to tackle, in a sustainable manner, the fuel supply conundrum currently at the heart of massive distortions in the macro-economy; the flight of capital that has seen the naira come under siege in the past few months and the administration’s answer to the massive corruption that has made nonsense of our public finance system’

delivered.

To make appreciable inroads out of poverty like China did, her prescription was that the economy needed to grow at nine to 10 per cent a year – up from the current seven per cent, which, in her view is “pretty good”.

The crux of the matter of course is the growth of the past decade and half that has been most disappointing, both in terms of job creation and poverty reduction – a phenomenon that has spawned a generation of unscrupulous rent seekers and emergency businessmen at a time majority of the population barely exist at the fringes of the economy.

The pertinent question is whether the outcome which the minister did well to highlight can be said to be entirely unforeseeable, given the character of the enclave economy of oil. Another way to put the question is whether the managers of the economy could not have taken a completely different route from the current path now acknowledged as laden with lamentations.

We are referring specifically to the billions of dollars known to have either been stolen by officials or mismanaged outright – an amount which if properly channelled would have gone a long way to turn the infrastructure situation around; the perverse choice in which OPEC’s sixth largest producer would depend on imported fuel; the poor attention to critical industrial enablers like power and road infrastructure; and of course the neglect of agriculture under which a supposedly agrarian economy now relies on food imports to feed her population.

Unlike the honourable minister, we are not able to see any curse – let alone – one

of oil. To agree with her is to suffer an acute misdiagnosis of a fundamental problem. True, it is so easy to point at the mind-boggling heist in the sector, the industrial scale theft currently ravaging the sector, including the bizarre rentier activities in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry as signs of a “curse”.

These are however merely symptoms of failure of governance; they emblematise the blight of leadership – the astounding myopia and its lack of patriotic instinct, the result of which is the failure to leverage on the huge potentials of the resource to lay the basis for an industrial society.

Our understanding is that the problems are precisely what the coordinating minister and the economic management team were hired to solve. The issues go beyond the ritual of self-assessment, or of the snail-paced growth which hierarchs of the Jonathan administration continue to project to sustain the myth of deft management of the economy.

What Nigerians are interested in is whether or not the economy is now better primed to withstand exogenous shocks in the face of its continuing lack of enhanced capacity to produce basic goods. More than any concerns about curses, they want explanations for the appalling failure by the Jonathan administration to tackle, in a sustainable manner, the fuel supply conundrum currently at the heart of massive distortions in the macro-economy; the flight of capital that has seen the naira come under siege in the past few months and the administration’s answer to the massive corruption that has made nonsense of our public finance system.

Flagged off yet again

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•Will the 2nd Niger Bridge jinx be broken this time?

AST week, President Goodluck Jonathan turned the sod for the construction of the second bridge across the River Niger. It was a grand ceremony which had in attendance, several state governors, ministers, senators and a large crowd of government officials and the people of Ogbaru community in Anambra State. The unsuspecting would think the president was commissioning a newly completed bridge, but it was an elaborate celebration of a mere intention to build.

But as eulogies rent the air during the ceremony, no one dared to mention that they had passed that imaginary road before. About seven years ago, in the early days of his tenure in 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had hurriedly flagged off the purported construction of this same bridge amid so much fanfare.

During the 2003 election campaign, Obasanjo had promised the building of that bridge as gambit for winning votes from the people of the Southeast.

It was bad enough that the former president apparently forgot his pledge, the rushed ground-breaking turned out to be an act of grand deception as Nigerians were later to learn that the flagged-off construction of bridge had no plan, no contract and indeed, there was no file of the project in the Federal Ministry of Works. That may sound too fictional to be true, but it happened before our eyes.

President Jonathan’s ceremony last week evokes a sense of de ja vu. This now famous second bridge was part of

his key themes in the Southeast during the 2011 election campaign. He promised to build it over four years if he won. He won and like Obasanjo before him, probably forgot all about his promise until the time-table for the next election was released a few weeks ago. Now that the construction of the 1,590-mtre long bridge has been flagged off one more time by the Federal Government, its eventual construction would of course depend on whether the president wins the much sought-after second term bid and more important, whether the people of the southeast vote for him.

Now the second bridge on the River Niger (the largest body of water in West Africa) is a major national project. The first bridge built in 1965 is of course obsolete and no longer viable as a key thoroughfare between the southeast/southsouth and the rest of Nigeria. The bridge is the major link to the huge commercial centres of Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba, as well as all the major capitals in the south of Nigeria. It is arguably, Nigeria’s busiest interstate bridge today. It is unimaginable that for nearly 50 years, only one two-lane steel bridge crosses the Niger at Onitsha with the attendant bottleneck and unyielding traffic logjam on it. Consider the heavy toll this has had on commerce, business and commuter movement.

It is therefore a wonder that a facility like this is being propositioned as a political favour; a quid pro quo for election votes. The second Niger Bridge just like

the upgrade of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Oyo-Okene highway, to name but a few, should have been prosecuted and completed over a decade ago if we consider their importance to overall national development. But they remain a metaphor for the quality of leadership Nigeria has had in recent times, their conception of national development and their vision for the country. Gone are those days when leaders envision and designate certain facilities as strategic assets of utmost national importance; such facilities that catalyse the overall growth and development of the country.

Now that the bridge has been commissioned a second time, we hope that government is sincere this time and everything necessary will be put in place to realise this milestone.

‘President Jonathan’s ceremony last week evokes a sense of de ja vu. This now famous second bridge was part of his key themes in the Southeast during the 2011 election campaign.

He promised to build it over four years if he won. He won and like Obasanjo before him, probably forgot all about his promise until the time-table for the next election was released a few weeks ago and there is less than one year to the next election’

Malaysia Airlines plane could have been tracked with correct technology

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T’S BEEN nearly a week since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared over — well, no one is quite sure where.

Malaysian officials over the past several days expanded their search area to a mind-boggling 27,000 square miles, on both air and land, spanning both sides of the Malay Peninsula. Even with an international fleet of more than 42 ships and 39 aircraft on the scene, the case of this missing plane “is rapidly becoming one of the great mysteries of all time,” David Gallo, an experienced hunter of plane wreckage with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, told us.

This was an avoidable mystery. There are eminently feasible ways to keep track of commercial aircraft, and it’s inexcusable that they are not being used. In fact, they aren’t operating even in the United States. This country’s air traffic control system still relies largely on decades-old radar networks, which have a variety of limitations. The Malaysia Airlines case shows one problem: It’s hard to track aircraft in remote areas, land or sea. A satellite-based tracking system U.S. authorities are installing will help, but it won’t be finished until at least 2020. The United States should at least stick to its timeline.

International aviation authorities, meanwhile, should insist on the deployment of aircraft technology that transmits information in an emergency. That could require new beacons to cover remote areas of land and sea and satellite broadcasting technology on planes. This is reasonable: There’s no excuse for lost iPhones to be more findable than downed planes. There would be a cost to the upgrade. But there is a huge cost, financially and psychically, in launching an armada on a highly speculative hunt when a jetliner is suspected of crashing into an ocean.

This isn’t a new lesson. In a feat of undersea exploration, Mr. Gallo led a team that recovered the black boxes from a downed Air France jet in 2011 — two years after the plane had crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on its way from Brazil to France. Now, three years later, the world is again at a loss. There’s simply no reason, given the available technology, that it should be just as possible for an airliner to vanish today over the Pacific as it was for Amelia Earhart nearly 80 years ago.

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is like the beautiful sky is falling in the North. The serene landscape of man’s harmony with nature is burning like a desert fire all in the name of fighting for a cause. Some say it is political. Some say it is religious.

The spilling of human blood like the slaughtering of rams to appease an unknown god reduces humanity to a glorious state of ignominy.

The nation buries its head in the sand like an ostrich and presumes ignorance of the genesis of the crisis. The responsibility is on all Nigerians to find a solution to remedy the idiosyncratic anomalies oppressing the country.

Nigeria must grow in unison. It is fundamentally unacceptable in this modern time for any part of the country to lag behind in any critical form. Historically the North has been viewed as the region with the less inclination for modern schooling. It is understandable that there might have been structures in place that necessitated this condition. Today, it is in the best interest of Nigeria that the North is educated in equal pace with other regions.

The reckless destruction of lives in the North cannot possibly be disassociated from the brutal conse-

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North’s glorious state of ignominy quences of group thinking - them against us - that may not allow for intellectual articulation of the facts.

No matter how one looks at the insurgency, it is the North that is being physically, morally and economically decimated. One fears reason has been trounced. If there is going to be an end to this fiasco,

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who gains?

Viewing from a broader angle, the nation cannot afford to go backward while the rest of the world is moving forward especially when some regions are advancing in this state of modernism. It is one’s understanding that a universally educated mind can be able to process

the facts around its existence and push forward the best ideology for the betterment of humanity. One is not canvassing for the abandonment of parochial philosophies but rather an alignment with the moving universe.

The supervising minister for education, Nyesom Wike recently

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• Pius Okaneme Umuoji, Anambra State.

EFCC and its 117 convictions

IR: In a country where corruption is seen as the norms, a tradition and way of life, no meaningful development can be achieved. Corruption seems to have pervaded every sector of Nigeria system. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC despite all odds, gives hope to Nigerians in its fight against the malaise especially with its recent

record of 117 convictions in 2013.

Despite the numerous challenges faced by the commission in prosecuting cases, the rise in the number of convictions shows that obstacles are surmountable. Of the 533 cases filed within the year, it is worthy of note that the commission was able to secure 117 convictions. This to me is commendable effort.

However, it is hoped that the

commission will not rest on its oars in 2014. It is also expected that they will bite harder by securing more convictions especially of public officials who have looted the country’s commonwealth while holding our nation hostage through corruption. They enjoy their loot from the public’s treasury with their families and generations yet unborn. An instance is that of the son of a gover-

demonised. My fear is that years from now, our children will pay heavily to learn the same languages we neglected, then they may even be given scholarships to learn their own language from foreigners. Of course, you won’t expect them to teach it without distortion. It is very much possible if we don’t reconsider our ways.

What happened to language writers? People who actually wrote in their mother tongue, where are they? Do they still exist? Today, everybody wants to write in English or French. We all want to write about big cities, beautiful sceneries filled with surveillance cameras and prompt security operatives who effectively combat crime. We write of

peaceful nations and happy people.

Our writings are disconnected from reality. A writer that cannot first of all write of the realities around him is no writer. If we cannot write things that our people can relate with, then we do not deserve to tell them to read our writings. The West doesn’t like writings that shows the imperfections of the world, they want writings that show what a perfect world we live in and how in control we are of developments and occurrences. But could anything be farther from the truth? The world isn’t perfect, every nation has its peculiarities, we all have challenges we have to battle with, we cannot wish them away by refusing to write about them.

We cannot because of the prizes and awards that come with writings that depict peace and tranquility betray the realities that surround us.

A call for us to awake is what this is. We cannot neglect our languages or refuse to write about the realities we are faced with. A writer’s first motivation should be the existing realities that abound and not the false illusion that comes with craving for the allures of prizes and awards. We must return because our journey to freedom and self-discovery will not start without first appreciating what is ours and working with that.

• James Ogunjimi Ogun State

African language and writings on verge of extinction

IR: “When an old man dies in Africa, it is like a library burning down.” - Hampate Ba I am surprised at the level at which our languages are ‘disappearing’.

Everybody wants to learn the lingua franca, we all want to learn other people’s languages while branding ours vernacular. While we demonise our languages and brand our poems and rhymes ‘incantation’, other people are paying to learn our language and are memorising our incantations. We are not students of history because if we are, we would know that our trip to societal ‘back seat’ started when we allowed our history and and rich cultural heritage to be branded evil, painted black and

announced the re-location of students from five federal government colleges in the North-east to safer ones in the area. Evidently, even the government expects escalation of the insurgent murderous attacks. One would think that the government should fortify the schools against these aggressions. But since life has no duplicate, perhaps the government should spread the umbrella of protection to cover free education for any student in the crisis prone areas who is willing to continue schooling in the safer states around the country.

nor who was prosecuted by the commission and convicted for money laundering.

Sadly too, these so called public officials who guzzle the nation’s fund take advantage of some constitutional loopholes to frustrate trials in court. They do not only frustrate trials, they also try all within their power to cripple the anti-graft agencies in an attempt to make them toothless bulldog and a puppet in the hands of the elite class.

If the truth must be told, the fight against corruption in this country must not be left in the hands of the anti-graft agencies alone. It should be a collective fight. Our laws need to be strengthened in a way that corrupt people will be made to face stiffer penalties. The EFCC Act needs to be amended to make the commission truly independent.

The judiciary needs to step up efforts towards ensuring quick dispensation of justice. Above all, against the backdrop of the public saying that EFCC is grossly underfunded, the anti-graft agency should be adequately funded for it to be able to fight corruption to a standstill.

• Ngozi Alexander Maraba, Nassarawa State

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

COMMENTS

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ITH the benefit of hindsight, the eyewitness account of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit to Rivers State to inaugurate some of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s projects on February 17 and 18 should prompt reflections. According to a report by Bisi Olaniyi of The Nation, “At the commissioning of the Ambassador Nne Furo Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu-Eleme-Ogoni, Obasanjo staged a high drama that sent the audience reeling in laughter and amusement. The state-owned school was built on 21 hectares of land and managed by an Indian firm, named after Nne Furo, the first female Permanent Secretary in Rivers State and a former Nigerian Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, who was present at the commissioning.”

He continued, “Both Governor Amaechi and Kurubo had used the steps to and from their seats to present their speeches, but when it was Obaanjo’s turn, instead of using the steps, he just lifted himself up and jumped up into the 4 to 5-feet podium to the thorough amazement of the audience! The funning ex-President, wearing a smirk, told Amaechi that he jumped into the podium to prove that even though he was older, he (Obasanjo) was stronger. He added that he decided not to inform his security team because they would have dissuaded him against it.”

Furthermore, the report highlighted Obasanjo’s display during “the commissioning of the Buguma Mega Fish Farm in Asari-Toru LGA in the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town Guguma Fish Farm.” According to Olaniyi: “At a point, a member of the cultural troupe broke out and danced towards him (Obasanjo). And quite unexpectedly, the ex-President stood up and danced towards the dancer, obviously impressed by her dancing prowess. However, in the process, Obasanjo himself demonstrated a dancing agility belying a man of his age and status. He engaged the dancer in what looked like a dancing competition. The crowd yelled in ecstasy and awe. Shouts of Baba! Baba! rent the atmosphere. The thoroughly amused guests and hosts laughed to their fill!”

‘What is regrettable about his good fortune is the fact that his track record as a leader is not particularly complimentary.

Indeed, he continues to battle the charge of “wasted years” which, sadly, may follow him to the grave. The truth is that he largely failed to demonstrate sufficient sensitivity to what Jeremy Bentham calls “the greatest happiness of the greatest number”, which is tragically ironic against the background of his own unremarkable, not to say impoverished, early years’

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NTHONY ‘Lee’ Iacocca, the American businessman, titled his 2007 bestseller Where Have All the Leaders Gone? In the book, Iacocca was concerned about the role of leadership in the governance equation of any organisation. In his case, he worried about the lack of direction that characterised the political situation of America. The same worry resonates everywhere that governance fails to meet expectations. This anxiety about leadership is not diminished especially when we consider the relationship that ought to be in place between politics and administration that determines the trajectory of good governance especially within a democracy. The significance of Iacocca’s question is essentially the stress it places on the role of leadership in the evolution of institutions and overall institution building. Where this force is absent, such a state is not going anywhere.

Before my argument is subsumed in nuances, let me state it upfront. I subscribe to the perspective that the future of any nation and the rate of its real development are signalled by the kind of institutions it puts in place. A nation is therefore as good as its institutions or what it makes of them. Leadership effectiveness is thus a function of how effectively the institutions carry the weight of governance and service delivery. The first test for a transformational leader then becomes the priority it places on institutional reform and the building of basic soft infrastructure which s/he will take advantage of to deliver, ultimately, the development outcomes that will in turn translate into good life and prosperity for the teeming masses.

Leadership is a critical issue that straddles much of the ongoing research in the human sciences, especially political science, sociology, policy development and public administration. Achebe’s The Trouble with Nigeria is a short but decisive articulation of the leadership predicament in Nigeria.

We all have something or the other to say about the role of leadership in nation building. Yet, leadership cannot be the omnipotent variable that explains everything; it needs some explaining itself. Within the discourse, the fundamental debate basically surrounds the causal link between leadership and institutions that a leader presides over. Does leadership explain institutions or it is the institutions that influence how a particular leadership behaves?

Both sides of the divide have their unique contention. For the institutionalists, who a leader is, is a function of the kind of institutions that a state has created for itself. Leaders are therefore strengthened or weakened by existing institutions and structure to become or achieve what they are able to.

Thus, a Barack Obama has certain sets of legal and constitutional limitations on his powers. And it was Obama himself who once states that Africa needs strong and behaviour-shaping institutions rather than a strong man. On the other hand, those who advocate the significance of leadership over structures argue essentially that it is actually the presence of a strong man that facilitates the creative combination of cen-

Obasanjo’s problematic age This background proved useful in the context of Obasanjo’s “77th birthday” on March 5. It would appear that his earlier theatrics in Rivers State was a conscious statement on his vitality, particularly for the benefit of those who perhaps underrated his fitness. In other words, his exhibitionism, for that is what it amounted to, had the objective of projecting a sound body.

Obasanjo’s apparent demonstration of vigour was significant, given the fact that his biological age is a subject of debate and the possibility that he could be much older than his publicised age. It is noteworthy that he admits that he does not know his true date of birth, a position he reiterated at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the latest celebration of his “birthday,” saying that he would make it known “sooner or later.”

His words on the occasion: “There are some people, including me, who do not know their exact birthday. My mother told me that I was born on Ifo market day. According to her, in our village, she had prepared to go to Ifo market and Ifo market is every five days. She said as she was preparing, she fell into labour and before those who went to Ifo market returned, I was born. Don’t ask me what month or what year. Whether I know the exact date or not, I think God has made my path to be glorious.”

Nevertheless, there is the inevitable question: Since there is no record of his birthday, how did he arrive at “March 5, 1938”?

Interestingly, the issue was complicated by the contradictory assertion of the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, who described Obasanjo as his “close friend.” He reportedly declared at the event that the former president knew his actual date of birth, adding that a small circle of his friends also had the information. However, it was disappointing that

there was no disclosure.

Without doubt, Obasanjo has understandable reasons to express gratitude to the Almighty. Despite his disadvantageous beginning, the retired Nigerian Army general unprecedentedly became the country’s head of state twice. He was a military ruler from February 13, 1976 to October 1, 1979, and a democratically elected two-term president from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007.

What is regrettable about his good fortune is the fact that his track record as a leader is not particularly complimentary.

Indeed, he continues to battle the charge of “wasted years” which, sadly, may follow him to the grave. The truth is that he largely failed to demonstrate sufficient sensitivity to what Jeremy Bentham calls “the greatest happiness of the greatest number”, which is tragically ironic against the background of his own unremarkable, not to say impoverished, early years.

In this connection, President Goodluck Jonathan’s story unavoidably comes up. His tale of initial poverty, which he made public, drips with touching emotion, particularly his claim that he was “shoeless”. However, again, as in Obasanjo’s case, it would appear that the experience of hardship brought little or no enlightenment on the overriding importance of peoplefocused service in the context of governance.

Remarkably, Obasanjo’s official birthday had what can be considered a moment of illumination, when he said, “I have been very lucky for many things. On one occasion, I said God had never disappointed me and a journalist who thinks that he knows too much asked if I had disappointed God. I said ‘of course’. As long as I am living in flesh and blood, I am liable to be unworthy in what I have striven to meet the standard of what God expects of me.”

He needs to be told that mere philosophising cannot be exculpatory. Being human, which is trite, is no excuse for lowering the standard of good governance. It is disturbing that, despite this admission of inadequacy, he does not extend it to his years in power. If there was any fog concerning his psychological condition, it was cleared by his remarks at the Fourth Annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit organised last year by the Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, in collaboration with African Sustainable Development Network. He seized the platform for self-glorification, and by the time he was done, it was unmistakable that he desperately desired worship. His keynote address at the forum on “Leadership in Africa’s Quest for Sustainable Development” turned out to be an enthusiastic exercise in embroidering his over-dressed conceit. He projected the impossible image of a flawless hero, whereas quite a few would question the basis of his self-perceived greatness.

Obasanjo argued baselessly that the “younger generation” was to blame for leadership failure in the country and, by extension, on the African continent. It is noteworthy that he was quoted as saying, “We had some people who were under 50 years in leadership.” Age, again! For a man who appears to be ignorant of his real age, his problematisation of age should not be surprising.

Crisis of institution in Nigeria’s leadership equation

By Tunji Olaopa tripetal forces and cements their operational dynamics. Without such a strong man or leader, structures and rules would not become institutionalised.

Even though I have simplified this discourse on leadership and institutions, its essence is still clear: We must choose between the agency of the strong man and the strong institutions. I think this is a false opposition. Human behaviour is so vast and complex to be reduced to an either/or distinction.

On the contrary, complex issues like the administration of the human society cannot usually be resolved through one-sided analysis—one singular cause cannot explain political or administrative behaviour of the Nigerian state. A better explanation is found in how leadership and institutions interact: Nigeria’s administrative development requires a critical interaction between the strong man and the strong institution.

In other words, leadership is often tasked with the fundamental task of engineering and strengthening institutional capacities which in turn determine leadership quality. Both become essential leverage for delivering developmental outcomes that transform the lives of the citizens. A structure can only be as good as the vision that guides its functions.

Nowhere is this more urgent than in the collaboration required to propel the political and administrative leadership to a heightened awareness of pushing our institutions beyond the boundaries of low performances and poor outcomes.

‘If there is a spark of genius in the leadership function at all,’ according to Warren Bennis, then ‘it must lie in this transcending ability...to assemble...a clearly articulated vision of the future that is at once simple, easily understood, clearly desirable, and energizing.’ This vision is represented by the entire institutional dynamics that the leadership supervises and motivates. In Nigeria, this translates into the urgent need to create service delivery machinery, represented by the civil service, which serves as the arrowhead for executing the governance strategies of the government. It is in this sense that the civil service, for Schumpeter, becomes a critical complement to democracy.

It therefore stands to reason that the synergy between these two levels of leadership—the political and the administrative—should facilitate the foundation of effective institutions which would, in turn, define the values and behavioural relationship of the leaders themselves. In this way, we can con-

veniently transcend the false opposition between leadership and institutions in the administrative framework. What seems certain within the Nigerian context is that the leadership problem is aggravated within an institutional anomie where decisions fail to impact the governance process and agenda. The decision making quotient of the leadership often serve as the strategic fulcrum that motivates the evolution of sustainable institutions. Thus, leadership is inextricably tied with the institutions and structures that influence it.

The failure to propel these institutions to greater performances results, according to Jared Diamond, from four levels of administrative failures that explain why we allow our institutions to deteriorate to a point of incapacity before we recognise the need to reform them. One, the administrators failure to anticipate a problem before it surfaced; two, failure to see the problem for what it is when it surfaced; three, ignoring the problem even when properly perceived; and finally, failure of attempts to resolve the problem. In other words, the leadership factor in institutional renewal fails to utilise the problem-solving capacity of these institutions for development purposes. It is the task of the leadership to bridge the institutional gap that links decision to social policy and implementation in governance. The first incontrovertible step in this direction is the urgent need to capacitate the institutional matrix to do the right thing and to do things right.

Capacitance, to use an electrical term, requires the ability to generate enough electrical charge within the civil service institution that will jolt it into development-readiness.

The work of development has been laid out for the civil service to do. And here, the truth is that development outcome is dependent on execution relative to national visioning and strategy by a ratio of 85/15 percent. The bigger task, however, is how to execute in an efficient and effective manner that will translate development policies into development outcomes. For Jeffrey Pfeiffer, ‘A company’s...ability to generate those exceptional returns in a knowledge-based economy is dependent, in large measure, upon its ability to attract, retain, and develop the right work force—and whether it succeeds in unleashing their mental capabilities.’ If we are looking for the right leadership direction, this is the path to look at—the path of administrative capacitance. This is where to locate the leaders Iacocca was looking for.

• Olaopa is Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Abuja

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

22

COMMENTS

I

T is getting clearer by the day that something urgent has to be done to stem the recurring clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country. If anything, last week’s attack on the convoy of Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam by suspected Fulani herdsmen has brought to the front burner the potent danger which the clashes have become.

Reports had it that the governor’s convoy came under the heavy gun fire of the herdsmen when he made a stop over at Tse Aekenyi in the Guma Local Government Area of the state to assess the damages done by the invading herdsmen the previous week. In that invasion, 72 villages were said to have been destroyed while 25 residents lost their lives.

About 50,000 people were displaced even as tension is very high with frightening prospects of total breakdown of law and order.

But for the agility of his security men who forcefully bundled him back to his car and repelled the attack, the story would have been another thing altogether.

Expectedly, the incident has attracted wide condemnations from various quarters. Chief Barnabas Gemade, the senator representing the area has raised alarm on what he termed the incessant attacks and killing of the people of Tiv and Idoma ethnic groups by the herdsmen with a warning that the destruction will destabilize the country if not quickly arrested.

He had also alleged that most of the attackers were not herdsmen but hirelings from Chad, Niger and Cameroon with the intent to cause internal crisis or war in the middle belt region.

Coming from such a highly placed personage, it is difficult to dismiss the issue with a wave of the hand. Not with the suspected cul-

‘If a governor could be so attacked even with the security at his disposal, then the matter is turning into something else. That seems to be the point that has been poignantly underscored by the attack on Suswam’

I

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Now, the Fulani herdsmen pability of Chad, Niger and Cameroon in the current war against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-eastern part of the country. Curiously, Benue does not share any common boundary with these African countries.

Which raises the question of how the insurgent managed to infiltrate Benue communities with the military arsenal credited to them without being detected?

It is not that confrontation between herdsmen and farmers is new in this country. Over the years and across the country, loss of lives and property on account of such clashes has been a recurring decimal. From Plateau to Benue, Oyo to Ogun, Nassarawa to Kwara and Imo to Abia, constant clashes between the herdsmen and local farmers have been occurring. In many of these cases, the source of friction can be traced to the destruction of farm crops by the herds. In some others, the crises had their roots in cattle rustling. But by far the main bone of contention has been the crops destroyed by the herds in the process of searching for pasture. That is why suggestions have of recent been made to the effect that grazing routes should be mapped out for the herdsmen and their cattle. A couple of weeks back, the House of Representative apparently moved by these recurring clashes called on the federal government to establish grazing routes for cattle in all the geo-political zones of the country. This followed a motion which chronicled that within 30 days this year, more than 100 lives and property of inestimable value were lost in Plateau, Ogun and Benue states on account of the clashes.

The motion by Sunday Karimi (Yagba West, Kogi State) also gave account of how herdsmen riding on about 100 horses raided bor-

T was purely by chance that I found myself in the chamber of Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday March 11. A wise man once said that it is often by chance that we are present when real history is being made. Now I know what he meant. That morning, I had gone to the National Assembly (NASS) to sit in on the appearance of the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her team before the House Budget Committee. I had looked forward to another series of tales by moonlight by the comedic cast of Diezani Alison-Madueke and company. It was while already at the NASS premises that I learned that the House was resuming from break that day and had indeed declared the day a Day of Mourning in honour of the school children massacred by Boko Harm at Federal Government College Bunu Yadi in late February.

I recall that the first thought that occurred to me when I heard this was to wonder whether the Senate would think of making even such a symbolic gesture. I wondered, not for the first time, how it is that the House always tends to identify with the issues of the ordinary Nigerian far more readily than the Senate. I remember wondering if perhaps this had something to do with the respective leadership of the two chambers. House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has consistently shown himself to be a man with his finger on the pulse of the people. Little did I know that in thinking these thoughts, I was being prescient. For before that morning was over, I was going to receive a crash course on the quality and substance of Tambuwal as a man and a leader.

That morning, unbeknownst to me as I took my seat high up in the gallery of the House chamber, Speaker Tambuwal was about to give the speech of his life, as it was characterized by a clearly emotion-overwhelmed man sitting next to me in the gallery. Addressing his colleagues on the mindless massacre of innocent students and on the general insecurity across the nation, the Speaker gave a speech that would move a heart of stone. I was not surprised to notice that a good number of the Honourable members, especially the female members, were sobbing quietly. It was not just one factor that made Tambuwal’s speech a huge success. It was a combination of factors: the timing, the content the tone, all pitch perfect.

But for me, from the beginning of the speech to the end, it was Tambuwal’s demeanour that caught and held my attention. He gave the speech like a man in pain. He came across as not merely narrating other people’s pain but also addressing his own anguish. He did not stand before Nigerians as a neutral, mercenary spiritual warrior stepping forward to combat and exorcise demons that are tormenting other people.

Rather he came across as a man for whom the fight is personal; a man wrestling with demons tormenting him just as mercilessly as they are tormenting his people. He did not sit

der towns and villages in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State killing two soldiers, 18 farmers and displaced 3000 people.

That is not all as Benue has since been the theatre of constant attacks by the herdsmen.

As this article was being put together, more chilling reports of the killing escapades of the herdsmen in Benue continue to trickle in. To add salt to injury, the ancestral home of Suswam has been reportedly sacked even as the governor is yet to recover from the trauma of his encounter with the marauding herdsmen and their hirelings.

But the Fulani herdsmen have blamed Suswam for being the brain behind the clashes between them and the Tiv. According to them, tension rose when Suswam announced that he did not want the herdsmen in his state thus giving rise to the attendant clashes. They claimed that they have lost 134 of their members and 11,915 heads of cattle to the clashes in Benue, Plateau and Taraba states in the last three months.

Implicit in this recrimination is the fact that the clashes have assumed a disturbing dimension that must be urgently halted. The way things stand this confrontation may well become another veritable source of instability in the country. This is more so with the allegation that foreign African countries may be behind the clashes. And when it is realized that the same countries have contributed in frustrating efforts to contain the Boko Haram menace, the danger in the resurging herdsmen attacks can be better appreciated. The attack on Suswam bears uncanny similarity with the manner the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima was recently attacked when he visited to sympa-

thize with those attacked by the Boko Haram insurgents.

From all indications, it is clear the herdsmen have axe to grind with Benue for whatever reasons. The claim that the crisis was precipitated by Suswam’s alleged statement that he did not want the herdsmen in the state may be part of the grouse. But it cannot account for all. Not with the sophistication in the planning and execution of the attacks by the herdsmen who do not even reside in the state. In one of the accounts at the weekend, the attackers infiltrated through a neighboring state when the indigenes were at the farms and wreaked incalculable havoc on defenseless people. It is therefore clear that these attacks have gone beyond the usual skirmishes that arise from the destruction of farmlands and crops or cattle rustling. That is why the lead that there is a political dimension to this crisis must be explored to the fullest. Gemeda alleged that there is a plan to decimate the Tiv and Idoma ethnic groups. He also averred that the intention is to simulate war within the middle belt region. These allegations are very weighty and cannot be waved aside. This is more so, given the political tension in the country as a result of the fast approaching general elections. From the bitter acrimony generated by power competition at the centre, there is no doubt that we are home to an array of disgruntled politicians. With the dynamics of realignments throughout the country, old patterns of political support are changing.

Some of the zones hitherto assumed to be monolithic with very predictable support direction are now confronted with the challenges of self determination. It will not be surprising, if the resurging insecurity in the middle belt bears positive correlation with this state of flux.

If a governor could be so attacked even with the security at his disposal, then the matter is turning into something else. That seems to be the point that has been poignantly underscored by the attack on Suswam. Perhaps also, the Benue attacks will serve to draw the attention of governments to how political grouses can find ventilation through the instrumentality of the herdsmen. That is why the idea of mapping out grazing areas for the herdsmen in the six geo-political zones cannot fly. Such exclusive areas could further provide the base for the herdsmen to now attack and conquer the zones. There are standard practices in cattle farming. The herdsmen should be made to key into them.

Tambuwal: The speech Jonathan failed to make

By Martin Nwoko there mouthing mere platitudes. Rather he channeled the raw emotions of a whole nation. And, even more importantly, he channeled the raw emotions in his own soul.

In his speech, the Speaker descended with Nigerians into the depths of their grief, and then lifted them up again onto a higher ground from where he invited them to look into the horizon and see in their not-too-distant distant future the glimmers of a normal life of peace. He took Nigerians into the besieged hostels of the school at Bunu Yadi and forced us to witness with our own eyes the horror that transpired that night. After showing us the horror, and acknowledging our justifiable despondency, he reassured us that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. However, he made it clear that to reach that light, all Nigerians must work together to clear the debris that make further progress along the tunnel possible.

He urged us to focus on what is best in us as a nation while inviting us to turn our backs on what is worst in us.

The speech Tambuwal gave that morning is the sort of speech that Nigerians are hungry to hear every time they confront afresh the recurrent nightmare of terrorism. It is the sort of speech the leaders of a nation should give to their people whenever they find themselves swimming against the fast flowing tides of despair. Specifically, it is the sort of speech citizens of any nation expect and deserve to hear from one leader in particular: the President of their nation. Unfortunately, the Tambuwal speech is a speech Nigerians have never heard from their own President. It is the sort of speech President Goodluck Jonathan has never given to Nigerians despite the torrents of Nigerian blood that have seeped into the soil during the Jonathan presidency.

More disturbingly, one suspects that the Tambuwal Speech is not only a speech that Jonathan has never given, but is indeed a speech that Jonathan can never give, for the simple reason that he does not have it in him. President Jonathan has shown himself to be incapable of embodying the grief of Nigerians. He often appears incapable of conveying solemnity even in the most solemn occasions. He seems to lack the acumen to tap into and channel the raw emotions of his people towards the building of a more cohesive nation.

Sadly, President Jonathan has never really come across as truly cognizant of the trauma Nigerians have suffered as a

result of Boko Haram terrorism and other violent manifestations of deep national malaise. How could he when the people around him are more concerned with telling Nigerians who and who said they would make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan? The result is that whenever the President gives another one of his infamously banal speeches, many Nigerians yawn and turn away, convinced once again that that the man simply does not get it.

On Tuesday, March 11, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal gave a heartfelt speech that convinced Nigerians that he gets it.

As I descended from the gallery of the House of Reps afterwards, my one regret was that Speaker Tambuwal’s blockbuster speech had been restricted to the chamber of the House he leads. I was convinced the speech deserved a wider audience. It deserved to be presented to Nigerians in a national broadcast. A speech like that is one that Nigerians deserve to hear directly from the mouth of their leaders. Such a speech would go some way to restore the faith of Nigerians in the ability of their leaders to feel their pain. And if their President is unable to give such a speech, it becomes the duty of any other capable national leader to step up and give the speech. House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal stepped up that morning, and gave one heck of a speech.

•Nwoko wrote from Asokoro, Abuja

‘The speech Tambuwal gave that morning is the sort of speech that Nigerians are hungry to hear every time they confront afresh the recurrent nightmare of terrorism. It is the sort of speech the leaders of a nation should give to their people whenever they find themselves swimming against the fast flowing tides of despair’

BUSINESS

25

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

JOBS

THE CEO

Agric jobs in aviation world - P. 37 News Briefing Govt urged on export reforms THERE is need for the government to revamp the nation’s export by formulating policies that will drive its development, the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr John Isemede, has said –Page 26

Anti-skimming devices on ATMs coming THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend ordered banks to install antiskimming devices on their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to curtail rising cases of ATM-related frauds in the country.

–Page 29

Boko Haram plunges insurance

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

‘Piracy destroying broadcasting - P. 28

NSE’s sale: Brokers may get N200b

M

EMBERS of the Ni gerian Stock Ex change (NSE) may realise more than N200 billion from the demutualisation of the Exchange as government and the council of the NSE prepare the groundwork for its sale.

Sources at the weekend estimated the value of the NSE variously at between $1 billion and N200 billion.

Many analysts estimated the value of the NSE to exceed N200 billion given the recent investments in technologies and new growth initiatives.

The NSE is owned by mainly stockbrokers and some high networth individuals and institutions. At the last count, the NSE has some 350 individual and institutional members includ-

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

ing some 255 active dealing members.

Demutualisation is the process of changing a memberowned stock exchange, otherwise known as mutual exchange, to a corporate entity owned by shareholders. Established as Lagos Stock Exchange (LSE) in 1960, the NSE was conceptualised as a limited by guarantee not-forprofit organisation thriving on the goodwill, reputation and integrity of its members.

A market source said stockbrokers could make representation to the market regulators to use the net proceeds from the demutualisation to beef up their capital base.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed that the Federal Gov-

ernment is currently reviewing the guidelines for the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to ensure that the sale of the Exchange conforms to the international best practice.

The demutualisation entails the allotment of shares of the NSE to existing members and subsequent or concurrent sale of similar shares to strategic and general investing public.

Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, confirmed that the guidelines for the demutualisation are currently undergoing the scrutiny of the Ministry of Finance to ensure they serve the best interest of the country.

According to her, SEC had developed a framework for the demutualisation of the

NSE and future securities exchanges based on the work of the technical committee and inputs from Nigerian and international experts and stakeholders and submitted this to the government for review and consent.

The confirmation comes on the heels of announcement last week by the National Council of the NSE seeking to engage the services of a consortium of two financial advisers in preparation for the commencement of the demutualisation.

Ms Oteh said the public interest is paramount in the demutualisation of the NSE given the symbolic importance of the Exchange as the only equities’ Exchange in Nigeria and the historic role the government played in setting it up.

THE violence launched by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in the Northeast Zone has made insurance more challenging, the Chairman, Northeast Area Committee, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Gbenga Ogunsanya, has said.

–Page 36

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: Senators Abdulkadir Jajere, Odion Ugbesia and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, at the workshop for legislators by NCC, in Lagos.

Ikeja DISCO to invest N9.66b yearly on power infrastructure T

HE Ikeja Electricity Distribution Com pany (IKEDC) would require an average yearly investment of $58.737 million (about N9.66billion) for five years to improve power supply.

This requirement makes the firm to top the list of the 11 distribution firms’ investment.

The distribution firms had a deal with the government through the regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to invest combined $1.8 billion in five years - last year and 2017 - as capital expenditure (CAPEX) to improve supply.

Part of the investment will be used on repairs and replacement of obsolete facilities.

A document made avail-

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

able to The Nation showed that Ikeja makes the highest investment, followed by Eko and Ibadan Electricity Distribution companies with yearly investment of $45.17 million and $43.865 million.

Yola DISCO came last on the list with $13.133 million.

Other DSICOs’capital expenditures are Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, $36.606 million; Kano DISCO, $30.379 million; Kaduna DISCO, $29.96 million; Enugu DSICO $27.23 million; Port Harcourt DISCO, $25.514 million; Benin DISCO $24.314 million; and Jos DISCO, $22.755 million.

Investors in the distribu-

tion firms agreed with NERC as the investment continues; the regulator will implement cost-reflective tariff to enable them to recoup.

A Director in the West Power and Gas Limited, the new owners of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Dr Tunji Olowolafe, said the firm plans a princely N42 billion investment in the next five years to strengthen its network and reinforce electricity supply; this is far more than the amount it agreed with the government.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Oladele Amoda, said the management was exploring other options of getting power other than that the one from the natioanal

grid, following continual gas pipeline vandalism.

“We are looking beyond normal supply through the national grid and discussing deals with private power generating firms,” he said adding that such private generation is called embedded generation.

Owners of other DSICOs also have different plans. The Sahara Group, which owns the Ikeja DISCO, have taken inventory of what should be done to improve power supply in the short term and in the long term.

Its Chairman, Mr. Kola Adeshina said until the processes were concluded, it would be difficult to determine how much investment the new owners would make to enable them to achieve their objectives.

CBN advises PFAs, others on e-tax remittances

By Collins Nweze

T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has ad vised Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) and other revenue collecting agencies on the benefits of e-remittances.

In a circular to banks, the CBN said such institutions must maintain e-paymentaccounts with it or Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

The CBN said there was need for them to make available details of their epayment accounts as well as provide the nature and amount of taxes, statutory levies and dues expected.

According to the apex bank, the concerned firms also need to adopt a bank approved solution for the collection and the associated electronic schedules of such payments.

The banking watchdog said the firms should provide basic infrastructure for confirming e-payments and ensure that employees get basic training on how to use adopted bank approved epayments and collection platform.

There is also need for the firm to ensure seamless interface between in-house systems and adopted bank approved e-payments, to ensure that records of all collected payments are automatically reflected against tax payers’ records on in-house systems and provide evidence of payment to payers at the point of payment.

The CBN said all public and private sector organisations, which maintain relationship with employees, pensioners, suppliers and taxpayers and other entities are considered as relevant stakeholders required to work together for the success of the policy.

It said the e-remittances must align with the objectives of the National Payment Systems Vision 20: 2020 (NPSV) aimed at ensure the availability of safe and effective mechanisms for making and receiving all payments from any location.

• Acting CBN Governor, Sarah Alade

26

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Flight Schedule

‘NPDC’s gas projection’ll improve power’

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

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

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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

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08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana

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

08.00 18.00

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

T

• From left: Regional Director, Southeast/Southsouth, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Okey Ezeala; Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Segun Odusanya (third left); Principal, Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Jehu J. Obobikpe (fifth left) with some pupils of the school during the Financial Literacy programme organised by FCMB for the pupils in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

NCC Act obsolete, says ex-NCC commissioner

T

HE laws regulating the telecoms sector are outdated and should be reviewed to accommodate emerging issues in the sector, a former executive commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Stephen Bello, has said.

Speaking at a workshop for members of the National Assembly on ICT Infrastructure as a key driver for building development - What role for the legislature? in Lagos, Bello said the Nigeria Communications Act 2003 is obsolete and needed to be reviewed to take care of issues which were not captured in the law.

According to him, the Act should not only be rejiged, the Federal Government and the National Assembly must ensure that the law be reviewed periodically,

T

By Lucas Ajanaku

suggesting a timeline of between 10 and 15 years.

Bello, who is a former acting EVC of the NCC, also challenged the lawmakers on the need to streamline the overlapping functions of various government agencies and parastatals to eschew unhealthy competition and rivalry.

He said agencies whose functions are found to be overlapping could be merged for efficient service delivery.

According to him, the information communication technology (ICT) sector globally has evolved with data centres and machine-tomachine communications have become the vogue.

• Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Eugene Juwah

He said the coming of data centres have changed the face of the industry, arguing that the existence of data centres have helped push the business of Facebook and other social media platforms because they have reservoirs where they could warehouse the huge data of users.

NACCIMA urges govt on export reforms

HERE is need for the govern ment to revamp the nation’s export by formulating policies that will drive its development, the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr John Isemede, has said He deplored the attitude of the people and the government towards its dwindling fortunes, adding that the sector holds a lot of promise for economic growth.

To address some of its challenges,

By Toba Agboola

the NACCIMA boss called for the development of a strong value chain as well as an efficient commodity board, stressing that it is impossible to run a successful export market without a commodity board.

He also called on the Federal Government to adopt policies that would propel agro-industrial and manufacturing in Nigeria.

“There is the need to diversify and increase export of high value-added agro-allied and manufactured prod-

ucts, that depend on the natural resources which Nigeria has comparative and competitive advantage,’’ he said.

He advised the government to remove bottlenecks that are incompatible with the attainment of the objectives.

Isemed urged the National Assembly to speed up deliberations on this year’s Appropriation Bill.

He said this would enable the executive arm of the government to implement projects for the benefit of the economy.

Odu’a Group explores alternative energy sources

D

ETERMINED to spur in dustrial development in the Southwest through the supply of constant electricity, the Odua Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ODU’AACCIMA) said it will no longer fold its arms and allow the power challenge facing the nation to stop the growth of the region.

States covered by the group include Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. Chair of the body, Iyalode Alaba Lawson said it had become necessary for the body to fasttrack the development of the region to become a strong and viable economic bloc through the integration of the region by taking advantage of its economic potential.

She said the trend globally is for the countries to incorporate renewable energy into the mix, rather than depend on fossil en-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

ergy sources.

According to her, the programme would be driven by women entrepreneurs who are involved in renewable energy businesses, such as the Council for Renewable Energy and Energy Commission of Nigeria.

She argued that the region could only continue on the path of steady growth above other regions if it taps into the potential of green energy, which is not only reliable, available but also accessible and affordable.

She said: “We need not overstress the fact that energy, which is critical in global economic advancement, is of national challenge today. The truth also remains that the government cannot do it alone neither could the organised private

sector (OPS) or the chambers of commerce. Until we all come together to proffer and agree on solutions to this malignant national challenge, the end in sight is one of economic doom and dependency of our region on grants from donors.”

Mrs Lawson said the project would be driven by women who are engaged in producing and processing alternative energy.

President, Council for Renewable Energy, Mrs Anita Okuribido said the chamber is pushing for the use of alternative energy. She said the green energy is not only environmentally friendly, but have capacity to provide jobs for the unemployed in the country.

She further stated that the project would enhance the lives of the rural dwellers and the economic/agricultural growth and development of the country.

By Akinola Ajibade

HE decision of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to increase its gas delivery from 410million standard cubit feet to 600million standard cubic feet per day by the end of the year will impact positively on the power sector, stakeholders have said.

President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Emeka Ene and President, International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE), Prof. Adeola Akinnisiju, said the issue would bring production and environmental benefits to the economy.

Ene said the development would help in improving the operations of the power generation companies (GENCOs). He said the inability of the firms to access gas is having undesirable effects on power generation and distribution in the country.

He said: “The immediate impact of rise in natural gas delivery by NPDC would be on the power sector. Domestic gas obligations have not been met in Nigeria. Now that NPDC plans to raise its gas delivery from 410mmscf/d to 600mmscf/, it is a good omen for the country. Once the GENCOs are able to get additional gas supply, they would improve their operations by way of meeting the electricity needs of the populace.

“Eighty per cent of the power plants are fired by gas, implying that the firms have a crucial role to play in the nation’s energy sector. Ability to solve the gas problem would help in improving the power industry.’’

Akinnisiju said the environmental and production benefits of increase in gas production cannot be underestimated, giving the fact that Nigeria is an emerging economy. ‘’ Whether the gas is coming from the green field projects or old oil wells, it has an environmental and production impacts on the economy.

If the gas is coming from old oil fields, it would reduce the incidence of gas flaring. Also, if the gas is going to be sourced from green fields, the issue of gas flaring would not arise. It is an associated gas. That means that the gas must have been flared before it is prepared for use.

When this happens, the health hazards occasioned by the release of carbon dioxide into the air would not occur.’’ he added.

Water engineers embrace new tank technology From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

H

EADS of water corporations in Southwest states, water engi neers and construction experts have embraced a new technology for water tanks for healthier potable water.

The technology known as Glassfibre Reinforced Polyester (GRP) water tanks, cylinder tanks and others, were unveiled at an exhibition in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

From their excitement and approval of the new system, new water tanks may soon start to replace steel and plastic water tanks.

The exhibition was organised by Devtek Tanks Limited, major distributors for Glassfibre Reinforced Polyester (GRP) water tanks, cylinder tanks, flexible tanks, pipes and fittings, water treatment and filter action system as well as valves and fittings.

Addressing reporters at the Operations Headquarters of the company in Alesinloye, Ibadan, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the company, Mr Adedayo Adesuyi, explained that time was right for Nigerians to move with the rest of the world by embracing the use of these tanks that have safety advantages over steel and plastic tanks.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

27

THE CEO

‘Piracy destroying broadcasting’

• Meyer

The entry of Multichoice has revolutionised broadcasting, especially TV cable broadcast, in Nigeria. However, there are insinuations that the firm charges higher rates in Nigeria than it does in its home country, South Africa, a charge denied by Nico Meyer, chief executive, Multichoice Africa. In this interview with SIMEON EBULU, he also speaks on piracy and other issues.

H

OW important is Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and its impact on content development in Africa?

From our perspective in Multichoice, we continue to invest in local content and Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards is part and parcel of the recognition of local content and its development across the continent. We use the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards as a platform to help nurture local content.

What is your assessment of the impact of Multichoice, DSTV and GOTV content on African subscribers?

For us, it’s about an experience and the way to convey the experience is through content. So, DSTV, which has already been on the continent for 20 years, does exactly that. We have also recently launched

Profile Institutions attended:

Nyenvode University.

Qualification:

CIMA, SAICA Floriday High

Previous position:

CEO, Multichoice, South Africa

Present position:

CEO, Multichoice Africa

GOTV to enhance the service. So, to us, content is extremely important to both DSTV and GOTV subscribers, especially local African content. That partly accounted

for our huge investment in it, as well as the AMVCA rewards.

People have observed that your charges are higher in Nigeria than South Africa. Why?

That’s simply not true. When compared, in terms of our services that we provide in other African countries, Nigeria is one of the lowest in terms of what we charge.

But also bear in mind that we also provide services for different levels of income. So, we have structured our bouquets to actually satisfy the different levels of income. The GOTV service is by far the lowest as per cost and it goes up gradually into the different tiers of services we provide on DSTV, up to premium bouquet. Now when you compare that to the entire continent, Nigeria is actually one of the lowest.

Normally in financial planning, a large subscriber base should result in reduced charges. How has that worked for DSTV in •Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

28

THE CEO ‘That’s simply not true. When compared, in terms of our services that we provide in other African countries, Nigeria is one of the lowest in terms of what we charge.

But also bear in mind that we also provide services for different levels of income. So, we have structured our bouquets to actually satisfy the different levels of income’

•Continued from page 27

terms of pricing?

There are a couple of factors here that we need to take cognisance of. One is that we continue to invest in local content. So you would have seen over the last 10 years that we continue to invest more and more into local content.

Secondly, with a lot of the international content that we bring, payment is based on the number of people using the services. So, when you have an increase in the number of people using the service, the cost also increases proportionate to the increase in the number of people using the service.

So, you find that when you continue to invest in the industry, that the cost is increasing over time. Part of our investment in local content is because it’s so important to nurture local content in the development of quantities.

For instance in Nairobi, Kenya, we have set up a studio to facilitate the creation of local content.

Also in Lagos, we have studios here, and we are in the process of bringing more and more content into the studios here in Lagos. It is important that we continue to invest in the industry because that is the only way you get the industry to continue to grow.

How is Multichoice Africa positioning, compared to competition?

As I have said, we have been on the continent for more than two decades. So, we are here for the long run. Also, over the last 10 years, we have invested heavily in local content through the means of Africa Magic.

So, we are focused on bringing the best digital television experience to the consumer. And that is where our investment is. Our altitude towards competition is that we welcome competition.

And the reason we welcome competition is that it expands the industry.

Our belief is that as the industry grows, the quality of content will increase over time to such an extent that we will be able to export some of the content into the international market. And that is when we believe the industry will be on the right track.

In terms of Corporate Social Responsibility, how does Muiltichoice contribute to the community?

Corporate social investment is extremely important to us.

Where we see ourselves playing that role is in the area of education on the continent. Our focus over many years, is in the Multichoice Resource Centres.

We have rolled out these resource centres around the continent.

In Nigeria, we have about 300 resource centres. And what we do at the resource centres, is that we utilise the content that we have for the growth of our education sector. We focus around the Natural Geographic Channel, the Animal Channel and the History channel.

In other words, the educational content that we have, is provided in these resource centres, which are school-based for free. And this really helps education on the continent. And this has had a lot of impact across the continent and Multichoice has been doing this for so many years, and we will continue to do so.

What has been the impact of piracy on your subscriber base in Nigeria?

Let me talk a little bit about piracy. It is very detrimental to the growth of the creative industry in general. What really happens here is, you need to pump funds into the local industry to make it grow and with piracy, those

• Meyer

• Meyer

• Meyer

‘Piracy destroying broadcasting’ ‘Piracy is destroying the broadcast industry, and this is applicable to both the local content providers as well as the international content providers. So, we are very active in terms of combating piracy’ funds are not available to pump into the industry. Piracy is destroying the broadcast industry, and this is applicable to both the local content providers as well as the international content providers. So, we are very active in terms of combating piracy. And

piracy comes in many forms, but we have a systematic approach of continuously taking on piracy on all fronts. On one side, we are protecting our business, but also we are protecting the wider business of broadcasting in terms of future development.

Is piracy perculiar to Nigeria alone?

Piracy is across the continent and you see many forms of piracy, but the action we take is across all of the continent. We see the incident all across the continent.

What other innovations should we expect from DSTV, going forward?

The DSTV and GOTV experience is about technology. Over the years, we have brought cutting edge technology to the markets we have operated in. when we brought digital terrestrial, it was the best standard that we brought.

We are also continuing to expand further on our product line up. So, the latest product that we have brought into the market is the explorer PVR Decoder, and this allows consumers to really bring the internet experience into their homes. So even when you do not have a broadband connectivity you can still experience the best film and sports content. And that is what our business is all about, it’s about the experience. The Explorer PVR is the latest platform for enjoying this experience and we will continue to bring this experience to the various markets.

What will be Multichoice’s contribution to the Digital Switch over?

We have been very very active with various governments across the continent to assist with the digital migration. I think it is important to understand that we have already started digital migration when we launched satellite in Nigeria many years ago.

Now that we have got to digital terrestrial we continue to offer our assistance. We are very suitable partner to assist many governments in terms of digital switch over. We have also championed the education of the media on digital migration. We have organised digital dialogue summits for the African media across the continent, including Nigeria. We have the technology, we have the process, and we bring the best expertise to the table. We also have the best of content. All of this we bring to the table.

Many foreign investors in Nigeria do not show commitment by acquiring assets. Is this the same case with Multichoice? Besides, have you come here to stay or are you just a briefcase investor?

We have been in Nigeria for over 20 years. We have local partners and we have invested in numerous properties across the country, From Lagos through Abuja, where we have set up our offices. In the future, we will be setting up significant studios in Nigeria and that construction work has already commenced. So, Multichoice is firmly committed towards Nigeria. We were 20 years ago and we are and into the future. I think our track record says it all. Our commitment spans from investment in properties as well as our philosophy to employ locals manpower.

And through this process we hope to give consumers in Nigeria exactly what they want.

29

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

MONEYLINK

Banks to install anti-skimming devices on ATMs

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend ordered banks to install anti-skimming devices on their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to curtail rising cases of ATM-related frauds in the country.

In a circular to banks, CBN Director, Banking & Payment System, ‘Dipo Fatokun said though the adoption of ATMs by Nigerians, as one of the channels of e-payment is laudable, the transactions through the channels need protection.

He said all banks are to comply with provisions of Section 3.2 ‘ATM Operations’ and 3.4 ‘ATM Security’ of the stan-

Stories by Collins Nweze

dards and guidelines of ATM Operations and also install risk mitigating devices on their ATM terminals on or before June 1, 2014.

He said the CBN is committed to ensuring that the deployment and management of ATMs are in line with global best practices.

“We have observed with dismay, an upward upward increase in ATMsrelated fraud in the banking system.

The development, he said, does not portend good for the industry and requires urgent steps to curb the abuse,” he said.

The CBN had earlier set up a fiveyear Information Technology (IT) Standards for banks. The CBN said the exercise would help banks identify and adopt global IT Standards that address industry problems. It said banks are expected to implement the plan on continuous basis and in accordance with set timelines with compliance audits billed to begin at the end of first quarter.

Fatokun said the introduction of chip and pin payment cards have led to drastic drop in ATM card fraud. He said the Central Bank and other relevant institutions have been able to

reduce card frauds considerably by instituting ATM Fraud Prevention Group and the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF). The groups are to enable banks to share data on fraud attempts and tackle them to reduce losses.

According to Fatokun, the CBN instructed banks to implement the mandatory daily limits for ATM cash withdrawal, while other related transactions, including Point of Sale and Web purchases should be subjected to stringent limit as agreed and documented between the banks and customers.

•Acting CBN Governor Dr Sarah Alade

Institutes unveil global accounting principles

Sterling Bank promises grants to entrepreneurs

S

TERLING Bank Plc has said three entrepreneurs expected to emerge from the ongoing Meet The Executive campaign will not only get project-based grants but would be introduced to local and international investors, according to its Managing Director, Yemi Adeola.

Speaking at the weekend during a meeting with the budding entrepreneurs who took part in the programme, he described entrepreneurs as the backbone of any economy.

He said the programme is driven by the lender’s passion for helping new entrepreneurs to attain great heights.

“We plan to choose three out of the whole people, and work-out the modalities or logistics of the fund with them, but it is easy money. The fund will be project-based,” he said.

He advised the participants to persevere in the face of daunting challenges facing the subsector, adding that it is one’s ability to rise above limitations that determine the level of success.

“Any economy anywhere in the world is driven by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). And unless we encourage them, create conducive atmosphere for them to operate, we will continue to struggle as an economy,” he said.

Adeola said over 700 entries were received from entrepreneurs who also submitted proposals to the bank.

“We then pruned the number. We are about selecting the final list, and by

the country.

Speaking further, he explained that the winners are expected to commit their equity to the business even as the bank is readily available to grant them the loans.

“The programme remains a social responsibility for the bank. We owe it as a duty to continue to create employment, encourage entrepreneurs and ultimately they will become our customers, and their customers will also become our customers,” he said.

the end of the day, whatever project they are putting on the table, we are going to partner with them, and give them grants in the first instance, to assist them,” he said.

Continuing, he said the bank will also introduce the eventual winners to investors and mentors to ensure that they grow into conglomerates. He said the programme is not going to be a one-off thing, but will continue to do so that we build and create more entrepreneurs in

Union Bank adopts school for financial mentorship

U

NION Bank of Nigeria Plc yesterday celebrated Financial Literacy Day with the pupils of St. Mary’s Private School, Broad Street, Lagos.

Speaking during a training for the pupils, the bank’s Managing Director, Emeka Emuwa expressed delight at the level of financial awareness exhibited by the school during the exercise.

He said many pupils showed high level of intelligence and understanding of simple banking transactions.

commemoration of this year’s Global Money Week,” he said.

The Global Money Week is celebrated worldwide from March 10 to March 17. It seeks to create money awareness among children and youths by engaging them in financial education, including saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment, and entrepreneurship.

Last Thursday was designated Financial Literacy Day by the Bankers’ Committee as part of the awareness.

Emuwa advised them to embrace savings culture and understand that earnings come through hard work.

He said the visit kicked off the adoption of the school by the bank in furtherance of its commitment towards financial inclusion and literacy in the country.

“The adoption of St. Mary’s by Union Bank will involve a year-long programme of financial literacy support by the bank to the school.

The visit formed part of wider activities organised by the bank in

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

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

T

HE Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) have proposed a comprehensive framework to bring consistency to management of accounting practices .

This, they have done through the launch of international consultation on new management accounting framework to be done in 177 countries.

CIMA Regional Director for Africa, Samantha Louis, said the framework would help organisations make faster decisions for the long-term amidst growing complexity and change.

He said the draft framework, titled: ‘Global Management Accounting Principles: Driving better business through improved performance’, is out for consultation with feedback sought from businesses and institutions across the world – public and private, small and large.

“Management accountants have the ability to make objective, ethical decisions that are in the public interest. Our principles enable organisations to leverage on financial and non-financial data,” he said.

Price Loss 2754.67

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

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

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

OBB Rate

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

GAINERS AS AT 6-3-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

IKEJAHOTEL OASISINS CUTIX ETERNA BERGER UBN GUINNESS FIDSON CADBURY

0.66 0.56 1.77 3.70 9.29 10.05 166.75 3.11 85.00

0.69 0.58 1.83 3.80 9.48 10.19 166.00 3.15 85.40

0.03 0.02 0.06 0.10 0.19 2.05 2.25 0.04 0.40

Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR 212.4997 NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450 (S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

O/PRICE

CCNN DANGSUGAR WAPIC COSTAIN INTENEGINS NAHCO DNMEYER UPL VITAFOAM INTBREW

9.70 10.45 0.88 1.60 0.60 5.41 1.41 4.08 4.50 27.01

C/PRICE 8.76 9.44 0.80 1.52 0.57 5.14 1.34 3.88 4.28 25.71

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

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%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

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

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 158.93 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.07 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.68 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,628.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,090.40 FBN HERITAGE FUND 114.02 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 1,087.30 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,894.68 • • • •

CHANGE -0.69 -1.01 -0.08 -0.08 -0.03 -0.0.27 -0.07 -0.020 -0.22 -1.30

6-2-14

Name

LOSERS AS AT 6-3-14

SYMBOL

NSE

UBA UBA UBA UBA

Movement

BALANCED FUND BOND FUND EQUITY FUND MONEY MARKET FUND

1.2635 1.2893 0.9419 1.1499

Bid Price 158.40 9.08 1.05 1.17 0.67 1.33 2,540.20 1,090.11 113.22 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 1,890.77 1.2521 1.2893 0.9242 1.1499

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

30

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 3-2-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 3-2-14

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

31

EQUITIES

Nigeria, 16 other SSA countries to borrow $61b in 2014

S

TANDARD & Poor's Ratings Services has said that Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and 14 other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries under its rating services will borrow an equivalent of $61 billion from longterm domestic or global commercial sources in 2014.

This would be a 49 per cent increase in long-term commercial debt issuance compared with 2013. Standard & Poor's (S & P) expects that $48 billion of the total commercial borrowing of $61 billion will be raised in local currencies.

In its "Sub-Saharan African Sovereign Debt Report 2014" obtained at the weekend, S & P indicated that the end of 2014, the stock of total outstanding sovereign debt from commercial sources by rated countries would have risen to $315 billion from $273 billion in 2013.

According to the report, about 26 per cent, or $16 billion of the sovereigns' total gross borrowing will be to refinance maturing long-term debt, resulting in an estimated net borrowing requirement for new debt of $45 billion.

"Consequently, we project that rated sub-Saharan African sovereigns' commercial debt stock will reach an equivalent of $315 billion by the end of 2014, and that the total commercial and concessional debt stock will reach $392 billion, up from $342 billion, a year-on-year increase of $50 billion, or 14.6 per cent," S & P stated.

The report projected that during 2014 the share of commercial speculative rated sovereign debt will stand at 47 per cent of total sub-Saharan commercial debt, while the share of rated in-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market editor

vestment-grade debt--primarily issued

by South Africa--will stand at 53 per cent of total commercial issuance.

The report added that if borrowing from official lenders is included, the overall long-term borrowing will be $74 billion in 2014 as the share of noncommercial official borrowing, including bilateral and multilateral, is set to reach $13 billion.

"According to our calculations, Nigeria and Ghana will face the highest debt rollover ratios, including shortterm debt, as a percentage of total debt among rated sub-Saharan African sovereigns, reaching 28 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. The rollover ratios of sovereigns with a higher proportion of official debt tend to be lower, because official debt typically has longer maturities than commercial debt," S & P stated.

S & P said it believes that the conditions for debt issuance in 2014 will become less favourable because United States (US) Federal Reserve tapering may make emerging market issuance less attractive. It however noted that frontier markets have fared better than major emerging markets and this trend is likely to continue in 2014.

The S & P's estimates focus on debt issued by a central government in its own name and exclude local government and social security debt, as well as debt issued by other public bodies and government-guaranteed obligations. This means, for example, that in Nigeria's case, S & P did not include

the issuance of Nigeria's Asset Management Company (AMCON) to Nigeria's borrowing figures. In terms of commercial debt instruments, S & P's estimates for long-term borrowing include bonds with maturities of more than one year issued either on publicly listed markets or sold as private placements, as well as commercial bank loans.

"Our estimates are informed by our expectations regarding central government deficits, our assessment of governments' potential extrabudgetary funding needs, and our estimates of debt maturities in 2014," the report stated.

"We expect that Nigeria and South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa's largest economies, will issue the lion's share of government debt in the region, at $36 billion in total, or about three-fifths of the total. Nigeria will issue $14 billion while South Africa will issue $22 billion," S & P said.

According to the report, Nigeria's

average debt maturity is shorter than South Africa's, hence its rollover ratio is higher. However, South African issuance is expected to contribute a significant share to total sub-Saharan African borrowing. Less than 20 per cent of Nigeria's and South Africa's debt is issued in foreign currency. However, about 40 per cent of South Africa's debt is held by nonresidents.

The report projected that Angola will be the third-largest issuer of commercial debt in 2014 as it will use this debt to refinance maturing debt and to continue to finance strategic projects for the country.

The report noted that apart from Nigeria and South Africa, three other sovereigns--Uganda, Kenya, and Cape Verde--have more than one-half of their debt outstanding in local currency, while other rated sovereigns in sub-Saharan Africa have most of their debt in foreign currency, due to the dominance of official borrowing.

It pointed out that an increasing num-

ber of sub-Saharan African sovereigns have begun accessing international debt markets. South Africa has been issuing for many years. In 2007 Ghana and Gabon also issued debt, of $750 billion and $1 billion, respectively.

Senegal followed in 2009 with $500 million issuance, followed in 2011 by Nigeria, also with $500 million. In 2012, Zambia issued $750 million, while Angola issued a $1 billion structured transaction. The following year, issuance was led by Rwanda with a debut Eurobond of $400 million, followed by Ghana ($1 billion, including a $250 million buyback), Nigeria ($1 billion), and Gabon ($1.5billion). Of the sub-Saharan African sovereigns not rated by Standard & Poor's, Namibia issued $500 million in 2011 and Tanzania issued $600 million in early 2013.

In 2014, we expect that Kenya will lead issuance, with a $1.0-$1.5 billion bond, possibly followed by Ghana with an issue between $750 million and $1 billion.

Investors lose N353b in three days as equities drop to lows

I

NVESTORS in Nigerian equities have lost some N353 billion to the latest bearish streak as emerging earnings failed to halt a mid-week downtrend that saw several stocks dropping to their lowest values by the weekend.

Aggregate market value of all equities quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed at the weekend at N12.261 trillion, down by N353 billion from the opening value of N12.614 trillion recorded on Wednesday when the bearish market started.

The three-day consecutive decline reversed earlier gains and built up a week-on-week loss of N251 billion for investors. Aggregate market value of all equities had opened last week at N12.512 trillion. The downtrend implied an average week-on-week loss of 2.01 per cent, which further depressed the average year-to-date return at the NSE to -7.64 per cent.

The All Share Index (ASI), the main index that tracks prices of all quoted equities, depreciated by 2.01 per cent to close at 38,171.32 points as against its opening index of 38,952.47 points for the week.

With 65 losers to 18 gainers, the widespread downtrend also impacted negatively on all the group indices at the NSE. The NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks, mirrored the average market with a decline of 2.19 per cent. The NSE Banking Index depreciated by 2.62 per cent. The NSE Insurance Index dropped by 2.06 per cent. The NSE Consumer Goods Index declined by 1.52 per cent. The NSE Oil and Gas Index recorded the steepest decline with 5.02 per cent while the NSE Industrial Index recorded the least depreciation with 0.68 per cent.

Several highly capitalised stocks dwindled to their lowest values so far this year at the weekend. These included Nestle Nigeria, at

N1,026.35; PZ Cussons Nigeria, N34; FBN Holdings, N11.67; FCMB Group, N3.28; Ashaka Cement, N16.16; CAP, N45; Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria, N111; Oando, N16.15; MRS Oil and Gas, N54.44; Flour Mills of Nigeria, N76; National Salt Company of Nigeria, N12.35 and Dangote Sugar Refinery, N9.44 among others.

Total turnover last week stood at 1.99 billion shares worth N15.10 billion in 21,948 deals in contrast to a total of 2.15 billion shares valued at N18.49 billion that were traded in 22,697 deals in the previous week. Financial services sector remained the most active sector with a turnover of 1.61 billion shares valued at N9.64 billion traded in 12,904 deals; thus contributing 80.83 per cent and 63.87 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The conglomerates sector followed with a turnover of 149.22 million shares worth N738.89 million in 1,531 deals. The consumer goods sector placed third with 64.82 million shares worth N2.47 billion in 3,334 deals.

On stock by stock basis, the trio of UBA Capital Plc, NEM Insurance Company and Access Bank Plc were the most active. They jointly accounted for 686.25 million shares worth N2.25 billion in 1,639 deals, representing 34.50 per cent and 14.90 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Analysts at Cowry Asset Management said they expected a positive market situation this week as investors resume bargain-hunting for several stocks that had dropped substantially.

"We anticipate resumption in bargain hunting activities as investors accumulate beat-down stocks on their portfolio s in expectation of more corporate actions," Cowry Asset stated.

GTBank declares N50b dividends on N107b profit

G

UARANTY Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc would distribute a total of N50 billion to shareholders as dividends for the 2013 business year as the bank at the weekend announced that it made a pre-tax profit of N107 billion during the year.

The board of directors of the bank at the weekend indicated that N42.67 billion would be distributed as final dividend, representing a dividend per share of N1.45. The bank had paid interim dividend of N7.36 billion, implying a dividend per share of 25 kobo.

The total dividend stands at N50 billion, representing N1.70 per share.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of GTBank for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed modest growths in the top-line and bottomline. Gross earnings rose by 9.0 per cent from N223.06 billion in 2012 to N242.67 billion in 2013. Profit before tax inched up by 4.0 per cent from N103.03 billion to N107.09 billion in 2013. Profit after tax also rose marginally by 4.0 per cent from N86.69 billion to N90.02 billion in 2013. Earnings per share thus improved slightly from N3.06 to N3.17 per share.

The report showed that the bank recorded 28.6 per cent growth in loan book from N783.91 billion in 2012 to N1.01 trillion in 2013 while customer's deposits grew by 24.3 per cent from N1.15 trillion in 2012 to N1.43 trillion in 2013. Total balance sheet size closed 2013 in excess of N2 trillion while shareholders' equity increased by 17.9 per cent from N281.83 billion in 2012 to N332.35 billion in 2013.

GTBank also maintained top position in the industry with pre-tax return of equity of 34.9 per cent and pre-tax return on asset of 5.6 per cent. Risk man-

agement framework in the bank emerged stronger as non-performing loans ratio decreased to 3.58 per cent in 2013 from 3.75 per cent in 2012.

Commenting on the results, managing director, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje said the results reaffirm the bank's reputation as a market leader.

"As a growing franchise and in spite of the regulatory headwinds, our bank has posted respectable results that reaffirm our reputation as a market leader and a highly ethical financial institution. We have maintained our cost-leadership position among peers year-on-year as typified by the costto-income ratio of 43.5 per cent in 2013

as against 43.1 per cent in 2012," Agbaje said.

According to him, the acquisition of Fina Bank Limited, a Kenyan bank with significant business footprint in Rwanda and Uganda gives the bank the opportunity to commence business in three East African countries via the acquisition of one bank.

"This will give us great mileage and an opportunity to leverage our brand equity. We hope to further tap into the growth potentials of emerging African economies thus bringing us closer to our philosophy of being 'A proudly African and truly international' financial brand," Agbaje said.

NSE lists ETF on 30 top companies

I

NVESTORS in the Nigerian stock market will now be able to invest on the underlying performance of the 30 most capitalised stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with the weekend listing of the Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), an ETF that tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks.

ETF is a security that tracks the performance of a specified security or other assets including stocks, basket of assets, indices, commodity prices, foreign currency rates, and derivatives among others. There are many types of ETF. Index-based ETF, like index fund, tracks specified market index.

A total of 159.40 million units of Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF were admitted to the official list of the NSE on Friday at N17.27 per unit.

The Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund, an index-based ETF, will

track NSE 30 Index, the value-based index that mirrors the pricing trends of the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE. The Offer for Subscription of 100 million units of the Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF had commenced on Monday, 13 January 2014 and closed on Friday, 31 January 2014.

The Vetivat Griffin ETF is an openended ETF managed by Vetiva Fund Managers Limited and it seeks to give investors optimal exposure to the Nigerian bourse, representing more than 90 per cent exposure on a market capitalization basis. The underlying securities are held by a custodian in the name of a trust for investor protection.

It is expected that the ETF will pay dividends twice a year. However, the entry and exit costs for ETFs are generally lower when compared to traditional Unit Trusts.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

32

ISSUES The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), a wholly-owned Federal Government insurance company, was set up to provide agricultural risks’ insurance cover to farmers. But fish farmers are complaining that the corporation has refused to insure their fingerlings and juvenile production, which are considered ’too hazardous. The farmers are wondering where to turn, reports OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO.

• Fish farmers

F

Fish farmers, insurer in row over cover

ISH farmers have criticised the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) for its inability to provide insurance cover for their fingerlings and juvenile production.

Fingerlings and juvenile in fish farming are eggs of catfish hatched after about eight days of incubation and reared in the hatchery for an additional four to 10 days. Thereafter, they are transferred to a nursery pond, raised for three months, and har-

vested.

Fingerlings are then stocked into fish growout ponds, fed daily, and har-

‘

vested when they reach one to two broodstocks, which in fourth to six months produces a food-sized channel

catfish.

Prior to the establishment of NAIC, farmers suffered various losses on their investment and had no means of going back to production. The frustration made them to move into cities in droves in search of other means of livelihood.

This situation led to the depletion of farm populace, which became a serious threat to food security.

Disturbed by the trend, the Federal Government established NAIC to ad-

What is the essence of NAIC when they cannot take all of my risks but the easy part? The one that is more risky, to me, is fingerlings and juvenile production and they refused to grant me cover. I believe they are not helping the nation and I think NAIC have to sit down and look at a way to bring a policy that will accommodate the fingerlings and the juvenile production

’

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

33

ISSUES

‘

I believe NAIC is not helping agriculture and the nation and I think it has to sit down and look at a way to evolve a policy that will accommodate the fingerlings and the juvenile production

• Continued from page 32

’

dress the problems of farmers. This led to the establishment of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Scheme in 1987, and a corporation in 1993 by the enabling Act 37, of 1993.

NAIC offers insurance cover on subsidised crops, livestock, fire/special peril insurance, all risk insurance, burglary, motor insurance, money insurance, professional indemnity, machinery breakdown, among others.

Risks in agricultural undertakings are more widely spread and far-reaching than in most other enterprises. This is because they go beyond all the wellknown and researched entrepreneurial hazards and uncertainties of the modern business world.

Such hazards include natural vagaries, inclement weather conditions, pests and diseases, along with flood and fire outbreaks. All of these impact very seriously on the success or failure of any agricultural enterprise. Any nation with a clear vision for boosting its agricultural production so as to meet the food needs of its populace and industries,s must of necessity put in place mechanisms that would reduce these risks and uncertainties to a bearable minimum.

The need, therefore, for a mechanism that functions specially to keep the farmers in business cannot be over-emphasised.

But fish farmers have cried out, saying NAIC has refused to provide cover for the risk capable of jeopadising their fingerlings and juvenile production.

The embattled farmers said they do not know how to protect their investment since NAIC has refused to protect the risks associated with fingerlings and juvenile as this is the most harzardous part of their business.

According to them, the corporation only provides cover for what they describe as the juicy and lesser risk in the fish farming business, such as the broodstocks, management of fingerlings and pilferage.

Chairman, Shudel Farms, Ikorodu, Lagos, Mr. Lanre Alao, who said he is on the list of West African Agricultural Productivity Programme, (WAAPP), a World Bank finance project under the Federal Government for which he is to produce 300 fingerlings every six weeks and 1,8000 broodstocks.

Speaking with The Nation at a WAAPP forum for fish farmers in Lagos, Alao said he approached NAIC to protect his farm but was shocked when they told him there are categories of risks they can take.

Alao explained that the risk in fingerlings and juvenile can be harzardous when it occurs because it cannot be controlled.

He said: "I was shocked by NAIC revelation that they cannot provide cover for the risk because they are the only specialised insurance company that is expected to create a platform for every

• Minister of Commerce and Agriculture, Adewunmi Adeshina

•Ubaka

• Garba

Fish farmers, insurer in row over cover risk for farmers in the country and this has been disastrous for us as fish farmers because the private insurers do not have the capacity to do so.

"NAIC told me they are trying to move away from risks they believe are not specific, but that they are willing to accept other type of risks which has to do with broodstock. What is the essence of NAIC when they cannot take all of my risks but the easy part? The one that is more risky, to me, is fingerlings and juvenile production and they refused to grant me cover.

"Juvenile is the baby of the fish and for continuity sake, they have to provide cover for it. They want to provide cover for managerial part of the business and theft which is not feasible because farmers can fix the managerial problem on time and control theft to an extent. It has to be composite instead of taking the juicy-side and leaving the other one that is a problem to the farmer.

"I believe NAIC is not helping agriculture and the nation and I think it has to sit down and look at a way to evolve a policy that will accommodate the fingerlings and the juvenile production."

Alao urged NAIC to be alive to its responsibility by creating an insurance cover for the risk, noting that if they are able to underwrite broodstock, they should be able to underwrite juvenile and fingerlings production.

Executive Director, Fishshoal Nigeria and the Divisional Coordinator, WAAP Innovative Platform in the Southwest, Steve Okelaji also said there is no proper insurance for farmers in the country.

Recounting his experience, he said: "I am a victim of NAIC. I invited them over to my fish farm three years ago to provide insurance cover. They accessed it and I paid the premium. I later had crisis on the farm and lost about 300,000 fingerlings. I invited them in March 2010 and they told me they will get back to me.

“They came back eight months after with a letter informing me that they do not cover fingerlings and juvenile production, and I was given N234,300 as compensation out of a total claim of about N6million. They said they gave me the money because of the relationship between us. Meanwhile, it was not

‘

stated in the policy that they do not cover fingerlings and juvenile," he said.

He noted that this was contrary to the Federal Government’s programme which is intended to ban fish import so that they can farm it in Nigeria.

How do you protect the business when local production is not secured? he queried.

He said: "The programme is not sustainable without government’s protection. Most of us are exposed to lots of risks. The government is supposed to be our last resort because the other private companies do not have capacity and cannot protect us.

"At present, we are working on the WAAP platform to push and talk to some principals in the government to find a solution to this problem. NAIC needs to go back to their drawing board and see how they can interact with farmers so that we can find models in which they can adopt to insure the fingerlings and juvenile production," he added.

Mrs Prisca Aseyemo from Rivers State, who engages in smoking fish and seafish, said she does not have insurance neither is she aware of any representative of NAIC in her state.

She said: "I know there is NAIC, but the report I get from my colleagues is not pleasant. Two of them who made claims were not treated fairly and that has made me not to believe in them," she said.

A Professor of Fishes and Agriculture at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Oyedapo Fagbenro, said many farmers do not have adequate insurance required to sustain their business.

He said the insurance industry has grown and it was time for the companies to begin to think of how they could provide agricultural insurance, especially for fish farming.

He said: "Since my days as a Masters student in the 80's, I always felt that it was one opportunity that we had missed. We insure cars, life, but when we have an investment that includes life of other organisms, we don't.

"I know that NAIC insures fishing bowls and fishing utensils, but farms should be included in their policies.

Over 90 per cent of farmers do not insure and they need to insure based on

I know that NAIC insures fishing bowls and fishing utensils but farms should be included in their policies. Over 90 per cent of farmers do not insure and they need to insure base on environmental factors. Different things can happen to their fishes

’

environmental factors. Different things can happen to their fishes."

Fagbenro said NAIC should enlighten farmers at the grassroots, noting this can be propagated through the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), and other organisations, adding: "NAIC also needs to be more accessible to all farmers. It is based in Abuja and Lagos, but is not represented in my state and some other states. They need to inform the people on why they should insure risks against their farm.”

But the Deputy National President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Prince Ike Ubaka has a different view. He said they used to have problems with NAIC, but there is a lot of improvement.

"NIAC has expanded and improved their services. They now provide life insurance for farmers. They also provide fire and burglary and third party insurance, including vehicles such as tractors they use in the farms.

"At present, about two-thirds of the farmers who are seriously into commercial ventures are insured. Before now, we, as farmers, take things such as flood, fire and theft as an act of God, but when the obvious dawned on us and we realised what we lost, we began taking insurance as a serious element in our business. That is why we stepped up our advocacy and prevailed on NAIC to improve their services," he said.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the corporation's reaction proved abortive as the immediate past Managing Director, Dr. Tijani Garba failed to respond to questions sent to him before his exit.

Earlier, Garba reassured NAIC customers of continued and improved service delivery.

He stressed that the government established NAIC to provide succour and extension services to farmers who insured with the corporation to be paid adequate compensation to restore unfortunate farmers to their positions before the various insured events and as such guarantee food security in the country.

A new Managing Director, Bode Opadokun has been appointed for NAIC He promised to give staff training a high premium, saying a well-equipped personnel is key to efficiency and optimal service delivery.

He assured that with his private sector pedigree, he would bring to bear the spirit of robust competition by making NAIC a key and frontline player in the insurance industry.

He noted that NAIC has a competitive advantage of being the only agricultural insurance firm in the country that has the potential to achieve a global benchmark set by countries, such as China, India and America in agricultural risk management and service delivery.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

34

DUE DILIGENCE

V

Vitafoam Nigeria: Still tough

ITAFOAM Nigeria Plc remains under cost pressures on many fronts as the foammanufacturing company struggles with high financial leverage and tight top-line. While the turnover witnessed modest growth and the company held tightly to operating expenses, finance expenses continued to undermine the bottom-line, depressing the bottom-line to another low. For the fourth consecutive period, the company held on to its dividend payout rate of 30 kobo and it still has substantial headroom to pay as much in the years ahead, but the future probability of similar dividend is on the decline.

Audited report and accounts of Vitafoam Nigeria for the year ended September 30, 2013 indicated that sales rose by 12.8 per cent but pre and post tax profits dropped by 22.5 per cent and 18.2 per cent respectively. The largest growth on the profit and loss accounts remains finance expenses, which rose by about 40 per cent.

With basic earnings per share dropping from 61 kobo to 50 kobo, the retention of the 30 kobo dividend payout cut dividend cover from 2.03 times to 1.67 times. This downtrend is also evident in the underlying returns and profitability of the company.

Meanwhile, the company’s balance sheet improved slightly, although the gearing ratio remained high. Marginal increase in equity funding in relation to total assets, similar decline in debt-to-equity ratio and improved liquidity showed modest improvement in balance sheet.

Financing structure

Vitafoam’s total assets declined marginally by 2.9 per cent from N10.26 billion in 2012 to N9.96 billion in 2013. Current assets had dropped by 10 per cent from N6.94 billion to N6.22 billion as against 13 per cent increase in long-term assets from 3.32 billion to N3.74 billion. However, total liabilities also declined by 6.8 per cent from N7.35 billion to N6.85 billion. This was driven largely by decline in current liabilities from N6.54 billion to N5.75 billion. While the paid up share capital remained unchanged at N410 million, shareholders’ funds inched up by 6.8 per cent from N2.91 billion to N3.11 billion.

The financing structure improved slightly in 2013, although it remained precarious and unhelpful.

The proportion of debt to equity stood at 97.1 per cent in 2013 as against 111.4 per cent in 2012. EqFiscal Year Ended September 30 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

uity funds/total assets ratio improved from 28.4 per cent to 31.2 per cent. Current liabilities/total assets ratio also improved from 64 per cent to 58 per cent while longterm liabilities/total assets ratio firmed up to 11 per cent in 2013 as against 7.8 per cent.

Efficiency

Available extracts showed decline in cost efficiency and productivity, although there were not enough details to determine productivity and average employee performance. With16.4 per cent increase in cost of sales and almost 10 per cent rise in operating expenses, the proportion of non-interest expenses to sales increased during the period, underlining the decline in profit margins and returns during the period. Total cost of business, excluding finance charges, rose to 93.1 per cent in 2013 as against 91.8 per cent in 2012.

Profitability

The midline remained the Achilles’ heel of Vitafoam’s profit and loss accounts. While top-line sustained modest growth and the company struggled to curtail non-interest costs, interest expenses stifled overall performance and turned the bottom-line into negative. Both actual and underlying profit and loss items showed indicated decline, although the net bottom-line remained positive.

Group’s total sales closed 2013 at N16.34 billion compared with N14.48 billion recorded in 2012.

Cost of sales however rose by 16.4 per cent from N9.34 billion to N10.87 billion. Gross profit thus inched up by 6.3 per cent from N5.14 billion to N5.47 billion. Total operating expenses rose by 9.8 per cent to N4.34 billion as against N3.95 billion in previous year. Distribution cost had increased from N945.19 million in 2012 to N955.83 million in 2013 while administrative expenses rose from N3.0 billion to N3.38 billion. Non-core business income increased by 13 per cent from N146 million to N165 million.

However, finance expenses jumped by 39.7 per cent to N661 million as against N473 million in previous year. With these, profit before tax dropped by 22.5 per cent from N813 million to N630 million. After taxes, net profit dropped by 18.2 per cent to N410 million in 2013 compared with N502 million in 2012.

Notwithstanding the decline in net profit, the board of the company has recommended distribution of N246 million as cash dividends for 2013, the same amount distributed annually over the past three years. This implied a dividend per share of 30 kobo. Earnings per share had dropped from 61 kobo in 2012 to 50 kobo in 2013.

Meanwhile, net assets per share improved slightly from N3.56 to N3.80.

Underlying ratios showed similar outlook. Gross profit margin dropped to 33.5 per cent as against 35.5 per cent in 2012. Profit before tax margin also dipped to 3.9 per cent compared with 5.6 per cent in previous year. Average return on total assets declined from 7.9 per cent to 6.3 per cent while average return on equity dropped from 17.2 per cent to 13.2 per cent.

Liquidity

The liquidity position of the company improved marginally during the period with better financial coverage and working capital.

Current ratio, which relates easily available finances to similar liabilities, inched up to 1.08 times in 2013 as against 1.06 times in 2012. The proportion of working capital to total sales notched 2.9 per cent as against 2.8 per cent. Debtors/ creditors ratio stood at 74.6 per cent in 2013 compared with 54.4 per cent in 2012.

ling equity stake.

There were no changes in the board and management of the company. Mr. Bamidele Makanjuola remains the chairman while Mr Joel Ajiga still leads the executive management as managing director. The company broadly complies with the code of corporate governance for public companies.

Analyst’s opinion

The latest audited report further underlined the need for Vitafoam to restructure its balance sheet in order to ensure that the gains of its commendable focus on growth and expansion in recent years trickle down to the shareholders. The apparent financial mismatch, orchestrated by the banking crisis and the capital market meltdown, is evidently a limiting factor in the overall performance of the group.

While its modest sales growth is commendable, the interestdominated midline remained a major hurdle.

Directors and other major shareholders in Vitafoam need to summon the courage to conclude the N4 billion new capital issue, which the shareholders of the company approved in the third quarter of last year. No doubt, recent capital investments and expansionary drives have created huge growth potential, which could further insulate the company from extreme

•Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria, Bamidele Makanjuola

shock from a market segment, but the gains of such investments are being stifled by the high financial leverage and resultant interest expense. Given its historic performance and steady fundamentals, Vitafoam stands a good chance of raising additional equity funds either from existing shareholders or other new investors.

And an equity issue to shareholders, even at huge discount, will still be better than the continuing suffocation from financing charges. It’s time Vitafoam addresses the midline discomfort.

Governance and structures

Incorporated on August 4, 1962 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in November 1978, Vitafoam Nigeria is Nigeria’s leading foam-manufacturing group. Now a wholly Nigerianowned company with a highly diversified shareholding structure, Vitafoam engages in manufacturing and distribution of flexible, reconstituted and rigid foams, all in various forms and designs that make the group a one-stop cushion supermarket. With subsidiaries in Ghana and Sierra Leone, Vitafoam Group includes four other subsidiaries in Nigeria including Vita Blom, Vita Visco, Vitapur and Vono Products Plc. Like Vitafoam, Vono is also quoted on the NSE and was Vitafoam’s longstanding competitor until Vitafoam bought the control-

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2013 2012 12 months % change 12 months 16,339 16,339 10,870 5,469 4,341 165 661 630 410 50 246 30 380

12.8 12.8 16.4 6.3 9.8 13.0 39.7 -22.5 -18.2 -18.0 0.0 0.0 6.7

14,480 14,480 9,336 5,144 3,952 146 473 813 502 61 246 30 356

3,376 3,737 1,829 6,224 9,961

13.0 12.7 13.2 -10.3 -2.9

2,987 3,316 1,616 6,942 10,259

2,453 3,021 5,750 1,101 6,851

-17.4 -6.8 -12.1 36.8 -6.8

2,971 3,243 6,542 805 7,347

410 3,110

0.0 6.8

410 2,912

2009

Fiscal Year Ended September 30

2010

2011

2012

2013 %

2012 %

31.2 11.1 57.7 97.1

28.4 7.8 63.8 111.4

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

33.5 3.9 6.3 13.2 1.67

35.5 5.6 7.9 17.2 2.03

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

NA NA 93.1

NA NA 91.8

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.08 2.9 74.6

1.06 2.8 54.4

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

2013

35

THE NATION MARCH 17, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

Insurers tackle aviation agencies on encroachment • Urge NAICOM on challenges

I

NSURERS have criticised moves by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other government agencies under the Ministry of Aviation to provide insurance to passengers and public liability for nuclear risks.

Describing it as an encroachment, they said this was how the health insurancce, pension and the workmen’s compensation scheme were ceded to other bodies, thereby denying the industry the right to prospect.

The insurers under the umbrella body of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), spoke through their Chairman, Mr. Remi Olowude at an interactive session between the Board Members of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and some chief executive officers of insurance firms. The event was organised by the commission.

Olowude listed the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) as new bodies holding sway in businesses that should be administered by insurance firms.

He also criticised the government’s nonchalant attitude to paying premium, restriction on investments and recognition of offshore investments, insurance of oil and gas imports, and enforcement of compulsory insurance.

He said other issues that bother them include the gradual dominance of foreign investors in the industry, unwillingness by the government to bail out firms that lost huge assets as a result of the financial meltdown and crash of the stock market, multiple taxation of insurance firms by various tiers of governments.

Olowude, who is also the Executive Vice Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI), said NCAA was planning to establish a fund for passengers’ liability.

• From left: Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, Mr Fola Daniel; Olowude, and Nwuche, during the event in Lagos.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Stories by OmobolaTolu-Kusimo

He said all over the world, aviation passengers’ liability is subject to international conventions and the risks are covered by conventional insurance policies, noting that Nigeria cannot be an exception.

He added that the Nuclear Agency also wants to establish a fund for nuclear damage insurance, instead of seeking cover for risks, which are covered in the international market.

Oluwode stressed the need for the government to pay premium promptly.

He said: “The government and its agencies have been paying lip service to the importance and benefits of insurance without serious patronage and support. There is hardly sufficient budget provision for payment of premium by government and its agencies.

“Therefore, when insurance services are patronised, payment of the premium becomes an issue, a clear negation of the provisions of the law on ‘No premium, No cover’. Some parastatals or enterprises are funded without allocation for insurance. Many insurance policies

company registered in Nigeria. This law is only observed in the breach.

Consequently, we are seeking enforcement of the Cabotage Act 2003, review of the Insurance Act 2003 and the Nigerian Oil Industry Content Development Act 2010.

“We have also observed the gradual dominance of foreign investors in the market. Although Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) is in the interest of the economy, we want to believe that the foreign investors are not placed at an advantage over their Nigerian counterparts. We welcome foreign investors provided that there is a level playing field for all.

“Also, many institutions and enterprises benefited from bail out plans by their governments after the economic crises and financial meltdown of 2008. In Nigeria, the banking industry, aviation and manufacturing industries benefited from the bailout by the Federal Government. Many insurance firms are still groaning from the losses suffered as a result of the crash in the stock market.

“Recovery has been difficult and returning to profit remains a her-

Boko Haram menace plunges insurance in northeast

STI settles N1.7b claims

T

S

OVEREIGN Trust Insurance (STI) Plc settled claims of N1.7 billion to the insured between January and December, last year.

A breakdown of the claims composition paid revealed that Energy Insurance claim recorded the highest figure of N645 million, followed

by Motor Insurance, accounting for N417 million while N235 million was paid as claim under General Accident.

The firm paid N186 million for Fire and Allied Perils, N186 millionfor Marine Insurance and N45 million for Engineering.

Managing Director, STI, Mr. Wale Onaolapo said there is no compromise to claims settlement in the firm.

He said this has encouraged their customers to come back.

He said: “The company has put in place a friendly claim process which ensures that customers do not go through undue bureaucratic process in getting their claims settled in good time.The processes involved from the moment a claim is reported

contracted by the MDAs in the past were not renewed, thus leaving the assets exposed to risk, damage and losses without protection.

He said there was an urgent need to review the restriction on investment to ensure safe, but adequate returns to stakeholders for the viability of the industry. Investments on equities suffered losses in 2008 and 2009, yet insurers are expected to maintain the same proportionate level of investment in prescribed sectors.’’

He called for an amendment to the provisions of Insurance Act 2003 and Regulation of insurance company investments in line with the realities of business, adding that NAICOM needs to review its position on offshore investment for solvency calculation and actuarial valuation, which he said, is under discussion with the Commissioner and his team.

On the insurance of oil and gas imports, Olowude said there was the need to activate the various laws relating to marine insurance of refined petroleum products imported.

“The Insurance Act 2003, for instance, provides that all imports must be insured with an insurance

culean task. We appeal to the Federal Government through your good offices to look towards the direction of insurers in this regard, Oluwode added.

NAICOM Chairman, Hon Chibudom Nwuche, said the event was aimed at providing a platform for exchange on the performance of the industry, and to brainstorm on areas requiring urgent attention for improvement and mutual support.

He said the thrust of the Commission’s activities is to support the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, providing an appropriate regulatory framework for insurance institutions.

He said the sector is a very important, and trhat it must be properly regulated to enable it to play a pivotal role in the economy.

He said: “We are not unmindful of the fact that there are, indeed, some challenges encountered by you in the course of doing your business. But you will agree with me that while some of these challenges are certainly beyond your immediate control, a lot of the challenges are self-inflicted. So, the onus is really on you to address these challenges.

“On our part, we will go and critically look at some of the challenges you have highlighted to provide solution to all the problems.But we will continue to resolutely support the resolve of NAICOM’s management to ensure effective supervision of the industry in order to protect policyholders and Government Strategic Assets.’’

He continued: “While NAICOM continues to operate within confines of all extant laws, all practitioners in the sector must operate with the rules and internal norms as a means towards deepening public trust and enhancing contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“In carrying out this statutory responsibility, I must emphasise that there should be no one, or group to be excluded from compliance with the rules and regulations.Indeed, there shall be no sacred cows, as nobody will be allowed to be above the laws.’’

• Onaolapo

to the period the customer receives the cheque have been made as seamless as possible.

“Over the years, our prompt claims settlement has helped to strengthen the relationship with our customers; we do not allow them to go through distasteful experience in the process of getting their claims settled. Our processes are hinged on professionalism, speed, ethics and promptness.”

HE violence launched by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in the Northeast Zone has made insurance more challenging, the Chairman, Northern Area Committee, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Gbenga Ogunsanya, has said.

Ogunsanya, who is also the Managing Director of Charlie Life Insurance brokers Limited, Kaduna, spoke with The Nation in Lagos.

He, however, said brokers in the north were hopeful with the Takaful and microinsurance that has takenoff in the country.

According to him, the northerners accept takaful insurance because it is Islamic.

He said while Kaduna is peaceful, the problem they encounter is mainly in Adamawa and Borno.

He said: “Investors are also very skeptical when it comes to investment in the north. Business has been quite challenging in the north.

Notwithstanding we are doing fairly and are optimistic that things will get better soon.

“Part of our projects as a committee, is to increase insurance aware-

ness which has been very low in the north. By so doing, we will focus more on enlightening people at the grassroots about the importance and benefits of insurance.

We are hoping to do a lot of seminars, public lectures.’’

He noted that his colleagues would also sensitise the people on how to deal with claims.

“We have a secretariat in

Kaduna area where people can reach us and lodge complaints or issues of malpractices against any of our member or member of a company while we forward the matter to relevant authorities.

“People need to have value for their money if at all we want them to believe in insurance and this has to be by insurance companies paying claims as at when due,” he said.

NCRIB urges traders, govt to embrace insurance • Condoles Iponri market fire victims

T

HE recurrence of market fires should make the government and individuals to embrace insurance, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Ayodapo Shoderu has said.

He spoke at the weekend in Lagos while condoling with victims of the recent fire at the Iponri Shopping Complex in Lagos.

He regretted the loss, noting that it

had robbed the victims of their means of livelihood.

He advised the government to put in place adequate covers for markets, adding that such steps would relieve the government of avoidable compensation to victims.

He said the utilisation of services of brokers would allow clients maximise their insurance through professional advice to clients from premium payment to loss compensation.

36

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

MOTORING

I

Innoson to roll out new cars in April

NNOSON Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM), Nnewi, Anambra State will in April roll out two sedans - IVM Fox and IVM Amazon.

The cars will be the fore-runners of a total of five passenger vehicles expected out of the plant.

It is in response to the new Automotive Policy of the government, designed to facilitate the production of affordable vehicles in the country.

Powered by a 1.5 litre Mitsubishi engine, Fox is a B-segment sedan with a hatchback version, both of which are driven by either a fourspeed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.

Occupants of the Fox have a very friendly interior ambience, thanks to the well contoured seats, ample legroom and headroom, and an air-conditioning system.

The Amazon, has under the bonnet a two-litre engine (featuring an inbuilt turbocharger) which works in tandem with a fourspeed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox.

Both Fox and Amazon have sleek

N

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo and attractive design which will appeal to both corporate buyers desirous of reliable sedans that are affordable with low maintenance cost.

“For instance, customers who are going to buy the vehicles will be amazed at their fuel economy and driving,” said the Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, while speaking on the cars. He added: “I am sure a lot of people will be impressed by the performance of the cars.”

IVM Phoenix, the latest SUV from the Innoson plant, will go into the market as smoothly as hot knife goes through butter, if the trail of acceptance blazed by its predecessor models is anything to go by. Code-named SUV 6, Phoenix is also powered by a high-performing 2.4-litre Mitsubishi engine, said to have fuel efficiency - like its siblings as its hallmark.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) last month approved the purchase of 44 units of Innoson SUV for the SURE-P programme, thereby borrowing a leave from the Anambra

•The IVM Fox

state government which procured many units last year for traditional rulers in the area, and many other corporate and individual buyers.

Phoenix seats seven adults comfortably – same number of seats as IVM Heritage, a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a 2.0 engine connected to

Monthly sales: Nissan leads

ISSAN Motor Comporation has outperformed Asia-based carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corporation with its mid-size sedan, Altima also known as Teana outsold Camry for the first time in 12 years at the end of February.

Bloomberg, a premier site for business and financial market news reported that Nissan’s United States growth of 14 per cent this year through February contrasts with declines of 5.7 per cent for Toyota.

Altima, Nissan’s top seller, rose by 11 per cent to 30,849 in February, for a total of 53,364, while Toyota’s Camry sales fell 7.3 percent to 28,998 last month, for a yearto-date total of 52,330.

Nissan has to this end set clear objectives and measures for boosting quality-up through the fiscal year 2016 with an ultimate goal “to become the top level in the area of quality from the customers’ perspective.”

The automaker said: “Over the course of our midterm plan ‘Nissan Power 88’, our objective is to establish ‘NISSAN’ in the leading group of global automakers in product quality and to elevate ‘INFINITI’ to leadership status among peer luxury products by promoting quality programme called ‘Enhancing quality’ ”.

The automaker added that through Nissan “Enhancing quality”, customers can expect better-built cars that can deliver optimum performance throughout their lifecycle.

VON Automobile Nigeria, local Nissan assemblers and Stallion NMN, country representative for the brand have applauded Nissan’s rising profile in global markets, saying: “Nissan has the potential to become world leading brand when viewed against its vast experience in the last 80 years.”

Managing Director, VON Automobile Nigeria Limited, Mr Tokunbo Aromolaran, who gave this hint in Lagos, said: “Nissan plant

in Nigeria will soon change the game in Africa’s most vibrant market when the VON Automobile plant with an annual installed capacity for 45,000 vehicles goes into full swing in April.”

He said Nissan’s intention is to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa by doubling the annual sales by 2016.

“We started 2013 on a high note and markets in Africa showed favourable growth indices suggesting positive achievement,” Mr. Aromolaran said.

C

an automatic or manual transmission.

“We are glad that we have been able to keep our promise of producing what the market desires. We also appreciate the patronage from government and transporters, corporate organisations and individual buyers.

It is this kind of support that encourages us to do what we are doing,” Chief Chikwuma said.

He said his company and other local manufacturers are also encouraged by the move by the Federal Government to revive the industry through the automotive policy.

P

Peugeot 4008 wins Quality Award

EUGEOT 4008 has won the 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair quality product Award. Peugeot 4008 was one of the cars unveiled at the fair.

The cross-over, which comes in both Active (top of the range) and Access, has won many laurels in Europe which makes it first SUV in Peugeot family to attract much attention.

The award was announced at the closing of the fair.

Receiving the Award on behalf of the company, the Head of Corporate Communication, Mallam Musa Bashir Usman thanked the organisers for their judgment and

foresight in crowning the Peugeot 4008 with the quality award.

Usman said the car was introduced into the market as a result of demand by Peugeot lovers for 4x4 wheel drive SUV that can offer them the brand, noting that quality, style and elegance are its attributes.

He said the brand has other advantages, which are fuel efficiency, longer service interval compare, adding that these are its selling points.

Coscharis partners Epe Resorts and Spa

OSCHARIS Motors is displaying its exotic MINI range of cars at the Epe, Lagos Resorts and SPA as part of its deal with the centre.

A statement from Coscharis Motors said the display, which started during the Valentine Season, is to reach out to its existing and prospective customers who

visit the Resorts.

The partnership is in fulfilment of both organisation’s vision and mission.

The areas of interest are an enhanced market presence for the two organisations and significant return on investment.

According to the General Manager, Epe Resorts and SPA, Mr

Bruce Prins, Coscharis Motors, was chosen because of its track record in associating with the world’s leading brands and its avowed product leadership, customer intimacy and service excellence.

Prins expressed optimism that the partnership would yield dividends for the two organisations.

SAFE DRIVING

Better approach to road accident prevention (II)

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HE focus on the use of high fines to prevent reckless driving may not be very effective because traffic offenders believe that they are not likely to be caught.

However, drivers should be made to take more responsibility for what is occurring on the roads. This will be more effective than slamming ridiculously high fines on traffic offenders.

•All categories of drivers and vehicle owners must be made to undergo regular refresher courses because peer influence in driving cannot be over looked.

There is always the tendency for those obeying traffic rules to renege and imitate the errant drivers.

•Public and private sector organisations must be encouraged or compelled to regularly train their drivers because of the level of irreparable lives and properties being lost through driver errors and allied factors.

•Insurance companies should have incentives such as discount on premiums for individuals and organisations that sponsored their drivers for re-training programmes. This will encourage driver training and development for accident prevention in the country. This has been very effective in countries such as United States.

•As Nigerian Governments and N o n - g o v e r n m e n t a l Organisations (NGOs) have been focusing on the campaign against HIV/AIDS, they should focus even more attention on the campaign against Road Accidents which is killing more people than HIV/AID and at a faster rate.

•There should be no sacred cow or VIP in the enforcement of road traffic laws and regulations. Leaders or VIPs are expected to lead by example and anything contrary must be resisted vehemently.

I further challenge the Federal

and atate Ministries of Transport, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), state traffic management agencies and other stakeholders to come together in a result-oriented conference to deliberate on the above and other related issues with the aim of coming up with a common resolution to be implemented at the Federal and state levels to enhance the war against road crashes and fatalities.

Otherwise, Nigeria will have little or nothing to show at the end of the United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety in 2020 and the Accra Declaration on Road Safety having failed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing fatality rate through road safety. The goal of all should be to put the safety of lives far above income generation and stop every form of masquerading or pretence.

There has been cases of these Federal and state governments agencies, competing and blackmailing them-

selves to secure the contract for the training of the drivers of some bluechip companies. Can we say their interest is in the drivers safety on the road or on financial gain?

There was even a very funny development where one of the government agencies threatened to be arresting the drivers of a blue chip company if they fail to give them the contract for the training of their drivers. Is it not obvious now, where their interests are?

The regulations guiding the operation of some of these Agencies recognises the driving schools as the trainers of drivers (fresh and re-training).

I am very sure that if this matter is not properly addressed as suggested in this article, Nigeria will continue to move in circles in the war against road crashes and fatalities without making any meaningful impact.

The National and state Assemblies must objectively rise up to this challenge to ensure that the relevant leg-

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

islations are amended or enacted to address the issues raised in this article because if the right steps are not taken to efficiently and effectively address the road safety and road traffic engineering challenges, the consequences can affect anyone in Nigeria no matter the status because we and our loved ones all use the Nigeria roads at one time or the other.

•Concluded

37

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• Airport cargo terminal

proposed 14 perishable cargo airports nationwide Agric The are expected to generate thousands of jobs for skilled and unskilled workers in aviation and agriculture, writes jobs in KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR. aviation F world OR thousands of job seekers in aviation, all hope is not lost. The Federal Government will soon complete the construction of 14 perishable cargo airport terminals nationwide.

There will be job openings - cargo agency freight forwarding, cargo airline personnel, airport ground handlers, air cargo shippers and packers.

The professionals among the job seekers

are expected to be well grounded in handling dangerous goods, live animals, efreighting and perishable cargoes.

Beyond certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), they are also expected to have knowledge of refrigerated storage units.

Besides, the infrastructure can generate millions of dollars as revenue.

This is expected to create the value chain of farm-to-supermarket experience for those involved in agriculture and horticulture.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the first fresh produce for local supermarkets and inter•Continued on page 38

38

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

JOBS

Agric jobs in aviation world •Continued from page 37

national markets will be delivered this year.

The terminals are in Abuja, Akure (Ondo State), Calabar, Asaba (Delta), Ilorin (Kwara), Jalingo (Taraba), Jos (Plateau), Kano (Kano), Lagos, Makurdi (Benue), Minna (Niger), Owerri (Imo), Port Harcourt and Uyo (Akwa Ibom).

The terminals were selected in line with their regional agricultural comparative advantage and private sector expressions of interest.

FAAN said the revenue that would accrue from the export of farm produce by farmers through the perishable cargo programme would surpass oil’s in the next 10 years.

The programme will also empower farmers who constitute 85 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce and eliminate poverty in the country by 60 per cent.

General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, said though the perishable cargo programme was driven by the Federal Government, some states and local governments have keyed into it, adding that it would benefit rural dwellers who toil in their farms but earn little from their produce.

The government is ensuring that certain standardisation is achieved in terms of quality of the produce and the packaging so that they would meet the standard of international consumers in Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.

The collection centres are part of the farming skills centres in each of the state with perishable cargo terminals.

The fresh produce will find its way to local farmers’ markets or be exported to supermarkets in european Union (EU), US or the Middle East where off-takers would have made pre-arranged inspections and processes for the produce.

As lofty as the project appears, some special skills and certification are required

• Okonkwo

• Tyler

•Dati

by people that will drive the processes.

Apart from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), there are other requirements prescribed for professionals that are expected to work in the terminals.

IATA Director-General Mr Tony Tyler said professionals must acquire relevant skills and certification.

Tyler said: ”Experts who could fix ground handling equipment including pallets, loaders, fork lifts, and skills in measurement of produce in handling scales.

“Get the industry recognition you deserve with an Air Cargo Programme (ACP) professional designation from IATA. “If you work in the dynamic air cargo industry you know you must stay sharp to stay ahead. Cargo is a multifaceted business requiring diverse skills in areas such as dangerous goods, live animals, e freight, perishables.

The prestigious ACP designation from IATA will showcase your high level of air cargo proficiency to the world.

‘In line with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), experts expected to work at the perishable cargo airport terminals should be certified in many areas, including dangerous cargo courses, packaging, inspection, ramp operations, loaders, storage as well as logistics packaging’

Who should apply?

Cargo agents. Freight forwarders. Cargo airline personnel. Airport Ground handlers. Air cargo Shippers and Packers.

A logistics expert, Mr Humphrey Okonkwo said: “To work in a perishable cargo airport terminal, prospective job seekers should be proficient or get training on how to handle flowers for export, which should be fresh before arriving destination.

“Skills required include basic transport training, general transport management and experience in moving fresh produce.

“E-freighters will require online knowledge about export processes, cargo clearing and forwarding, ground personnel, loaders, dispatchers, truck drivers.”

He said such facility would require quarantine services, to certify health produce, to offer sanitary certificates.

He said: “This must be issued by quarantine personnel from ministry of agriculture. There would be jobs creation in freight forwarding with bias in agro export. People with knowledge in export processing and industrial zones from farm to supermarket will find jobs.”

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Secret for resounding success at job interviews I SWEAR, I used to get hives at the thought of an interview until, by some twist of fate, the roles were reversed and I actually became an interviewer myself (wahaha – insert evil grin here!).

However, I’ve come to learn that, contrary to popular belief, the interviewer isn’t out to set you up for failure… who knew? So, as a show of good faith, I’ll give you some of my best learned secrets from the other side of the curtain. Here are six secrets for crushing job interviews:

Confidence: fake it till you make it real

The best advice I can give is to be confident and remember that you’ve made it this far for a reason. Hold your head up high, don’t trip, and remember, ‘you got this.’ Interviews are one of the few times in life where narcissism is accepted and maybe even embraced. Remember, there’s a fine line between confidence and arro-

By Olu Oyeniran

gance but during the interview process, you want a beautiful balance of both.

• Side note – if you’re naturally arrogant, then disregard my previous statement: For you I say, smile and sit down – you ain’t all that!

Be a stalker

Knowledge is key and Google is your new best friend. Before you step foot in that interview, you should know everything there is to know about that company. Google it, Facebook it, and study their Linkedin page like you’ve never had anything better to do in your life. Also, if you’re lucky enough to know who’s interviewing you ... stalk away, my friends. Knowledge is power, and we live in the 21st century where a simple Google search can make or break your ability to shine.

Read between the lines

Just about every last one of us has been asked, “What are your strengths and weakness es?” F u nni l y enou g h – curve ball coming your way here – we don’t actually care what you think your strengths and weaknesses are. The reason this question hasn’t been updated in 100 years is because it gives away so much about a person.

• Are they prepared? (Again, it’s been a question for 100 years... how did you not see that coming?)

• Do they have a solid grasp on their own abilities?

• It’s also really fun to watch how people try to turn their ‘weaknesses’ into a (not-sohumble) strength. This shows creativity, thoughtfulness, and an ability to turn negative things into positive.

• We know you Googled your answer ... just so you know! But your ability to deliver and articulate is what’s actually key

here.

Is your mind blown yet?

Wave your freak flag

Ok, maybe not literally – but subtly and just enough to stand out from the crowd and make the interviewer remember you.

Maybe test this out on a few people and make sure you’re not too far out in left field. But if you grew up on a sheep farm (please withhold Kiwi jokes here as I am, in fact, a New Zealander!) or have participated in a triathlon, mention it when it feels right. Keep it short and sweet. Don’t bore them with details but show off that you have a personality and would fit well with their environment.

Don’t settle

Many people come into interviews borderline desperate to get a job. Whether it’s personal financial stress or this happens to be your dream job, calm yourself. It is every bit as important to be prepared for their ques-

tions as it is for them to be prepared for yours.

Don’t settle, you’ll regret it.

Ever heard the expression, “Don’t gamble with scared money?” Well, it applies with new jobs 10 times over. Don’t go into a job so desperate to be hired that you forget to stop and think, ‘is this really what’s best for you?’

Break a leg

Don’t forget to smile and breath throughout the entire process. It’s only an interview, it’s only a job. While it may be the answer to your prayers, or your bank account’s prayers, it’s still not the end of the world.

If you’re prepared and qualified, the rest will fall into place.

Que sera sera! (Whatever will be, will be.).

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

39

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC

Empowering your business with right management team

with

than based on how close they are as friends or how closely related they are to you or their irresistible personality. According to Stever Robbins, a human resource development expert, “That includes you as well— don’t give yourself an impressive title and job unless you’re right for the job. The fact is, many smart entrepreneurs hire their own boss when they realise their skills lie elsewhere in the company,” Robbins advises.

GOKE ILESANMI

I

T is natural, in the early days of running your own business, to try to do as much as possible alone. This is the most sensible, cost-effective and comfortable way to do things at the initial stage. However, as your business continues to witness appreciable growth, you will find yourself not being able to cope effectively. When it gets to this stage, then it is time to think about bringing other high-level managers on board to help you out. You will also need to build a senior management team that will be able to manage all the critical areas of your business for higher growth.

Accurate match-up

Building your team demands matching jobs to people’s strengths. That means giving people responsibilities according to the level of skills rather

Research

Research shows that one challenge that existing and prospective entrepreneurs are likely to face when it comes to building a management team for their business is the number of posts they are going to create and the functions of each post. When it comes to setting up an executive team, you will need to find people to fill the following roles.

Chief executive officer The first of such posts is that of a chief executive officer (CEO).

The fact of the matter is that the CEO is the boss of everyone and is responsible for everything. He determines the company’s strategy, hires and builds the senior team. He makes the final call on how resources are properly deployed to achieve corporate goals.

In short, the CEO’s skills must include the ability to rise above the daily details and decide where the industry and busi-

ness are headed. This role involves strategic thinking. The CEO must be able to decide the company’s best path for navigating the future market conditions. The CEO’s key skill, however, is in hiring and firing, asserts Robbins.

Addition

The right management team can cover a CEO’s shortcomings. A CEO may be able to set a strategy, predict the future and control the budget. However, if he does not employ the right team, he has the great task of mastering it all himself. So he needs to be able to identify and employ the best and fire the redundant or unproductive ones.

You know you need a professional CEO when you are mired in the details for way too long and cannot pull yourself out.

CEOs think about where the organisation is going, the people and processes needed to get there, and how they will work in the current market. If you like details rather than strategy, either shift your thinking or hire a CEO to do the job for you.

Chief operating officer

Another post is that of a chief operating officer (COO). A COO handles a company’s complex operational details. The COO of an organisation ensures that the business can deliver as and

when necessary. He figures out just what needs to be measured to ascertain if things are going well or not. Then his team will create the systems to track the measurements and take action when the organisation fails to deliver.

Experts like Stephen Bastien, a business consultant and an expert on leadership and managing employees and author of Yes, One Person Can Make a Difference and Born to Be educate that in a one-location retail business, the store manager is effectively the COO and when you expand to multiple locations or when ensuring smooth operations becomes a big part of your business, it is time to hire someone who revels in measurements, operations and details.

Addition

In his own submission, Asheesh Advani, president of CircleLending, a loan administration company and co-author of Small Business Financing Guide says in practice, he has found that employing a COO makes sense for some entrepreneurs but is a waste of money for others. Before you decide to proceed, you should ask yourself a few questions about your business and your personality to determine if employing a COO is necessary at all.

The questions you need to ask

are: What will the COO do to leverage my time? How detail-oriented am I? Can I effectively delegate business operations and the decision-making associated with this?

Can I afford to employ a COO or not?

President

The post of a president is another of the posts created in organisations. Robbins says no one knows just what a president does. According to him, “I’ve asked dozens of executives, and everyone’s answer is different. Some say a president oversees staff functions—human resources, finance and strategy—while the COO oversees daily operations. Others proclaim that the president is a synonym for COO, especially in smaller companies.”

Yet sometimes, the president fills gaps left by the COO and CEO. Or sometimes, the title goes to someone you want at the strategy table but who does not have an obvious C-level title. In any case, you should think long and hard about whether you need someone to fill this title, or if your company is fully covered with the employment of a CEO and COO. To be continued PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details.

Till we meet on Wednesday.

WORKPLACE MATTERS

T

Flushing out ‘toxin’ from your workplace

HE word “Toxin” literally refers to those poisonous, dangerous, contaminated and chemical products or by-products. Metaphorically, the word can equally apply to the negative attitude of employees as well as entrepreneurs in the workplace.

Employees’ attitude

negative

It is noteworthy that negative attitude of one toxic employee can be very contagious and seriously dampen the morale of all other committed and well-behaved employees. Therefore, managers who tolerate and pamper toxic employees are indirectly sending a wrong signal to the rest of the team to start misbehaving.

According to Debra J. Schmidt, a top customer service speaker and trainer and author of 101 Ways to Build Customer Loyalty, every employee within an organisation must be held accountable for his or her behaviour and it is unprofessional for any member of the staff to exhibit behaviour that is verbally disruptive or destructive to other staff members.

Beverly Smallwood, Ph.D. a psychologist, professional speaker and author of This Can’t Be Happening to Me! advises on the need to learn how to recognise a potentially violent staff member and take appropriate action well before tragedy strikes. Better still, you need to learn how to avoid the kind of organisational environment where such despicable behaviour germinates and thrives.

Action

You need to deal with danger-

By Goke Ilesanmi

ous employees. Human resource experts advise against being indifferent to toxic behaviour in the workplace. So you need to take prompt action. To achieve results, beam your searchlight effectively to discover the corporate practices that make people get annoyed, exhausted, frustrated, helpless and despised. The toxic workplace is a breeding ground for toxic attitude and corporate leaders are key to the creation of the kind of workplace that generates positive energy, stresses Smallwood.

Toxic entrepreneurs

Apart from the problem of toxic employees, there is also that of toxic entrepreneurs. There are entrepreneurs that target productivity and profitability but surprisingly de-motivate employees and discourage customers and prospects from doing business with them through their toxic behaviour. It is time to take a hard look at yourself to see if your behaviour and attitude are creating a toxic environment in your workplace.

David G. Javitch, Ph.D., an organisational psychologist and president of Javitch Associates, an organisational consulting firm in Newton, Massachusetts says, “But did you ever consider the fact that you could be a toxic person yourself? My guess is, it has never even crossed your mind. After all, you are the boss and you have worked hard to build a successful organisation. So how could you be toxic? It happens all the time. But you are the boss: You call the shots, you are in charge,

you sign the paycheques and employees report to you. So how could your behaviour be problematic? Well, it can be problematic even if you are in charge or, more important, it can be problematic simply because you are in charge.”

Management style

Whatever your management style, company size or industry is, your employees want and need to admire and respect you.

They want to look up to you, and often, they want to model themselves after you. However, when your behaviour or attitude turns toxic, you confuse your employees, who previously looked up to you. They experience a conflict between wanting to see you as credible, trustworthy and admirable, but are actually experiencing you as negative, and counterproductive to productivity and worker satisfaction. Clearly, you have a problem on your hands.

Replication

According to Javitch, employees try—and often succeed—in repeating the behaviour they see, especially the behaviour of their boss. If your actions or thoughts are negative and counterproductive to success, then you have created a standard, a norm and a model for others to replicate.

And neither you nor your employees are immune from the virus-like spread of these behaviour and attitudes to others. Soon, the work environment becomes toxic, with productivity, profits and morale all decreasing. And you may not even know why.

Toxicity signs

As an entrepreneur or boss, the signs of toxicity are often obvious to others but not to you. The signs are most likely hidden by your refusal or inability to see them. Some of the most noticeable forms of this poisonous negativity include increases in turnover and/or absenteeism; increases in industrial accidents; increases in employee complaints; increases in your criticism of others; increases in your employee demands that go beyond acceptability; and increases in your cryptic, negative or sarcastic comments.

Others are increases in arguments; decreases in productivity and profitability; decreases in the numbers of employees who seek out your opinion or direction; decreases in morale; decreases in your satisfaction with others; and decreases in successes and accomplishments from both you and your employees.

Way out

Experts say, as a way out of this situation, the first thing is to calm down. No one is perfect, not even the boss. Being aware of the problem is the first step towards resolving it. Second, identify the symptoms. Third, get objective feedback by confiding in a trusted friend or fellow business owner who can provide you with honest information on your behaviour and attitude, without fear of reprisals for that honesty. Fourth, identify which part of what you do is really the issue. Are you verbally critical or abusive? Are you overly impatient? Are you excessively fault-finding? Do you com-

plain too much about employees or productivity? Are you more negative with certain people, processes or events? Do you believe that people should not need support or encouragement from you?

Final note

Once you have identified someone whom you can trust, you can discuss and share with him or her exactly the behaviour that seems to be the issue. Ensure you both agree on points. State why you want to change or modify the behavior. Identify ways you can begin to transform the challenging areas. Spend a lot of time on this one because this is critical in achieving success. Set up a realistic timeframe to achieve your goals and evaluate your progress level. If you can do all these, you will be well on your way to eliminating the toxin in your corporate life and your business will be successful.

Till we meet on Wednesday.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

TAXATION

A

Basics for Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

CAPITAL Gain may be defined as profit arising from increases in the market value of capital assets to a person or corporate body, who does not habitually offer them for sale and in whose hands they do not constitute stock–in–trade. It is gain from sales of any capital asset where the sale price exceeds the purchase price of the investment. Therefore, it is a tax chargeable at the rate of 10 per cent on the capital gains arising from the disposal of capital assets.

A capital asset These are investments, such as stocks, mutual funds, real estate, precious metals, art works and other collectibles. The increase or decrease in the value of such capital assets is taxed when sold. Income produced by investments is taxed as the income is generated.

Treatment of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) The CGT is under the management of the Board of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and it is administered by the FIRS on corporate bodies and individuals resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including members of Armed Forces, police and foreign serving officers.

The tax is also administered by the state Internal Revenue Service on individuals based on the rules of residence. Under the provisions of the Act, tax liability will arise on Actual Year Basis (AYB), when a chargeable asset is disposed. An aggrieved taxpayer or the tax authority can appeal against the decision of the tax authority to a conventional court or to the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) as the case may be.

Some highlights of the CGT Act •CGT is chargeable at 10 per cent on capital gains from the sale of capital assets.

•Capital loss on disposal of any asset is not deductible from capital gains on disposal of any other asset even if both are of the same type.

•Where consideration is payable by instalments over18 months, the chargeable gain shall be apportioned to the affected assessment years in proportion to the amount of the instalments payable in each of the years.

•Chargeable gains are assessed on current year basis, •Roll-over relief is available to any company acquiring a new asset to be used for the purposes of the trade in replacement of an old one.

•Gains arising from disposal of shares and stocks are currently exempted from CGT Chargeable persons and chargeable assets A chargeable person is one who deals in a chargeable asset.

A chargeable person may be: •A limited liability company, •An individual A limited liability company will remit its tax liability to FIRS while an individual will remit to the SIRS, with the exception of individuals resident in the FCT. Chargeable assets include are all forms of property for the purpose of the Act whether situated in Nigeria or not. Including: •Options, debts and incorporeal properties. Incorporeal properties are assets that have values but are not tangible, e.g. goodwill, copyrights and patent rights.

•Disposal of currencies other than Nigerian currency.

•All qualifying capital expenditure under CITA, PITA, PPTA or any form of property created by the taxpayer •Chattels sold for more than N1, 000 in any tax year Gains chargeable by tax Disposal of assets Disposal of assets by a person where any capital sum is

By Nneka Ifekwuna

derived from sale, lease, transfer, assignment, compulsory acquisition or any other disposition of assets Disposal of assets: provisions as to considerations: 1.Subject to the provision of this Act, a person’s acquisition of an asset and the disposal of it to him shall be deemed to be for a consideration equal to the market value of the asset 2.

Where a person disposes by way of gift of an asset acquired by him by way of gift or otherwise, the person acquiring the asset on the disposal shall be deemed to have acquired the asset.

3.

In relation to any asset held by a person as nominee for another person or as trustee, this Act shall apply as if the property were vested in , and the acts of the nominee in relation to the asset were the acts of the person or persons for whom he is the nominee or trustee 4.

The conveyance or transfer by way of security of an asset shall not be treated for the purposes of the Act as involving any acquisition or disposal of the asset 5.

Where a person entitled to an asset by way of security deals with the asset for the purpose of enforcing or giving effect to the security shall be treated for the purpose of the Act as if it were done through him as a nominee 6.

An asset shall be treated as having been acquired free of any interest by way of security subsisting at the time of any acquisition of it, and as being disposed of free of any such interest or right subsisting at the time of the disposal 7.

Where an asset is acquired by a creditor in satisfaction of his debt or part thereof, the asset shall not be treated as disposed by the debtor or acquired by the creditor for a consideration greater than its market value at the time of the creditor’s acquisition of it, and if a chargeable gain accrues to the creditor on a disposal by him, the amount of the chargeable gain shall be reduced so as not to exceed the chargeable gain which would have accrued if he had acquired the property 8.

Death: On the death of an individual, any asset of which he was competent to dispose of shall for the purpose of the Act be deemed to be disposed by him at the date of his death and acquired by the personal representative(s) or other person on whom the asset devolve 9. Compulsory acquisition of land – a person shall not be chargeable to tax under this Act in respect of any acquisition and the disposal of land by reference to a disposal to an authority exercising or having compulsory powers 10. Any asset acquired or disposed of by any person chargeable to capital gains tax shall be deemed to have been so acquired or a binding duty to dispose of the asset or any right or interest.

Exclusion of losses In the computation of chargeable gains under this Act, the amount of any loss which accrues to a person on a disposal of any asset shall not be deductible from gains accruing to any person on a disposal of such asset.

Computation The computation of any chargeable gains shall be the difference between the consideration accruing to any person on a disposal of assets and any sum to be excluded from that consideration, and there shall be added to that sum the amount of the value of any expenditure allowable to such person on such disposal.

The basic steps are: •Identify the sales proceeds on the disposal of the chargeable asset •Deduct allowable expenses from the sales proceed to obtain Net Sales Proceed.

•Deduct cost of acquisition and other capital costs from

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed

Mashi

the Net Sales Proceed to obtain the Capital Gains •Compute the capital gains tax liability by applying the applicable rate of 10 per cent on the Capital Gains obtained above.

The above steps can be placed in a better format as follows: N N Sales Proceeds xx Less: Allowable Expenses (xx) Net Sales Proceed xx (xx) Deduct: Cost of Acquisition Capital Gains/(Losses) xx Capital Gains Tax @ 10% Roll over relief •This arises where a sole trader, partnership or limited liability company carrying on a trade, dispose of one eligible business asset and replaces it with a new asset of the same class as that sold. The seller will be entitled to deduct the capital gain arising on disposal from the cost of the new asset thereby postponing the payment of CGT on such a gain.

•Roll over relief can be full, partial or no roll over relief.

•The effect of this roll-over relief is to reduce the cost of acquisition of a new asset with resultant increase in the capital gain arising on eventual disposal.

Classes of assets eligible for roll-over relief: Class I: •Any building or part of a building and any permanent and semi-permanent structure in the nature of a building, occupied and used only for trading; •Any land occupied and used only for trading.

•Fixed plant and machinery which does not form part of the building Class II - ships Class III - Aircraft Class IV - Goodwill.

However, the consideration arising on the disposal must be re-invested within 12 months before or after the disposal before the rollover relief can be granted.

BUSINESS NEWS

Intel urges women empowerment through ICT, entrepreneurial skills

G

LOBAL technology giants, Intel Corporation has called for improved commitment towards the empowerment of women and the girl child in all fields of human endeavor including information communication technology (ICT) and entrepreneurial skills.

Country Manager, Intel Nigeria, Bunmi Ekundare, said the firm is committed to supporting creative initiatives that seek to empower aspiring female entrepreneurs with the needed technological and entrepreneurial training that can help them compete favourably in the marketplace.

He said: “Empowering women through information and communications technology has been considered critical to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria. The disparity between men and women with regards to access to basic ICT services has been a gross limitation to the country becoming a major economic bloc in the African sub-region and indeed the world.

“Intel Corporation is thus reiterating its

commitment to partner with any organisation that is helping to bridge access to ICT as well as empower women with entrepreneurial skills that can help them assume their rightful position in the society and thus help the country become a key investment bloc in the continent and beyond.”

Ekundare, who spoke during the celebration of International Women’s Day, said technical skills without complimentary life skills, are a disadvantage and would only impede women from delivering the highest possible value in any field of human endeavour.

“Intel is committed to helping every country we operate to raise the likes of women such as Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg and President of Intel Corporation, Renée J. James. The two women are among the women whose achievements in the ICT sector are celebrated globally.

While Sandberg is the first woman to serve on Facebook’s board, James is ranked 27th in Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in business.

S

MILE Communications over the weekend, launched a 4G/LTE network on 800 MHz spectrum in Ibadan and Lagos, both in Nigeria, making the firm the first to launch LTE technology in West Africa.

Ericsson is the primary vendor for the LTE radio network, leveraging the multi-standard RBS 6000 family of base stations and the compact and fully integrated Antenna Integrated Radio Antennas (AIR) deployed in the subregion for the first time. Ericsson is also providing a complete Evolved Packet Core network including Evolved Packet Gateway and Mobility Management Entity.

Speaking on the occasion, Group Chief Operating Officer, Smile Communications, Tom Allen, said: “At Smile Communications, we seek to deliver affordable, high-quality and easy-to-use broadband internet access and communications services to our customers and in Nigeria, Ericsson is helping us do this. With successful commercial operations since 2013, we are very excited to formally announce today the commencement of our services and the beginning of a cross-country roll-out. We are starting in Lagos and will lay our footprints in other major cities across the country shortly.

“Smile Communications and Ericsson have a three-year network deployment agreement to develop over 1,100 LTE sites across the coun-

Smile Communications launches LTE network in Lagos try. Under the terms of this agreement, Ericsson is responsible for the project management, system integration, interoperability testing, network design and implementation.”

Vice President, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, Magnus Mchunguzi: “With mobile data traffic estimated to grow 17 times by 2019 and Nigeria currently holding the highest number of mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa, superior network performance is imperative.

As a global HSPA and LTE leader, we are committed to partnering with Smile Communications in meeting this growing demand for enriched broadband experience.”

Ericsson is the market leader in LTE. Fifty per cent of the world’s LTE smartphone traffic is served by Ericsson networks, which is more than double the traffic of the closest competitor. Present in all high-traffic LTE markets, including the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada, Ericsson has been selected by the top 10 LTE operators, as ranked by LTE subscriptions worldwide.

POLITICS

43

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

• Kutigi

• Akinyemi

• Dr Azinge

• Okurounmu

• Agbeyegbe

Nigeria is at crossroads. It is beset with crises of nation-building and development, triggered by its refusal to confront the national question germane to its survival as a plural country. Will the national conference make a difference and restore true federalism? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the challenges before the 492 wise men.

Will national conference restore true federalism?

Babalola: I was not S dropped as delegate L

IXTY seven years ago, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, raised the national question.

Which form of government would be suitable for the emerging country of heterogeneous peoples? he asked. The same fundamental question, which successive administrations have evaded, would confront the 492 delegates at the national conference, which is being inaugurated today by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

There are indications that the conference will become a platform for the ventilation of political grievances.

The conflicts of agenda and divergent views underscores the gravity of complaints, disaffection and dissatisfaction among the unequal and competing tribes under the lopsided federal arrangement. The agitations are two-fold: the scramble for federal power and disagreement over the sharing of the national revenue.

Analysts have suggested that the nonresolution of these issues have led to identity crisis, dissention, feeling of marginalisation and fear of domination and cries of despondency among the reluctant component units that have failed to develop national outlook.

The agenda of the delegates underscores the gravity of the national question. Although they represents the states, they will mostly canvass regional viewpoints. Many contentious issues on the front burner at the conference are fiscal federalism, indigene/settler relationship, devolution of powers, regionalism and autonomy, security and state police, status of local government, state creation and boundary adjustment. Others are resource control and revenue allocation, zoning and rotation of the Presidency, single term tenure, and land use act, federal character, federal/ state/local government relations.

In his book, ‘Path to Nigeria’s Freedom’, Awo, who reflected on the amalgam of incompatible, in-cohesive and antagonistic tribes forcefully lumped together by the first colonial governor, Lord Fredrick Lugard.

“Nigeria is not a nation”, he wrote, stressing that “it is a mere geographical expression”. He observed that “all these incompatibilities among the various peoples in the country militate against unification”.

The book was published 13 years before the flag independence of 1960.

In the view of the foremost nationalist, federalism was the answer. “A federal constitution is the only thing suitable for Nigeria. And for the sake of smooth and speedy progress, steps must be taken now to develop the various ethnical groups in the country along this line”, he said. Awo explained that

CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

• • • • • •

Fiscal federalism Revenue allocation State police Zoning of Presidency State/Council creation Regionalism and autonomy

only federalism could give birth to a situation whereby the diverse elements could progress at varying speeds towards a more closely integrated economic, social and political unity without sacrificing the principles and ideas inherent in their divergent ways of life. He also emphasised the importance of autonomy for the preservation of racial group identity and promotion of peculiar social, cultural and political interests.

“Experts can propound learned theories as to why people having different languages and cultural backgrounds are unable to live together under a democratic unitary constitution. But, the empirical facts of history are enough to guide us. It has been shown beyond all doubt that the best constitution for such diverse people is the federal constitution. This is exemplified by the constitution of Switzerland, which is acclaimed to be the best and most democratic in the world, since it gives complete autonomy to every racial group within the framework. The amended constitution of the USSR, wherein each republic becomes autonomous, is also an instance in point,” Awo stressed.

Many historians have pointed out that the practice of federalism has not been adequately explored. Although it did not adequately moderate the tempestuous relationship among the big three-Hausa/Fulani of the North, Yoruba of Southwest and Igbo of the Southeast-there was hope in the First Republic. Acrimonies and inter-tribal intrigues generally shaped the quest and competition among the tribal leaders for federal power, but the three, later four regions had a measure of autonomy in local matters. In that atmosphere of regionalism, there was healthy competition among the diverse nations cohabiting together in

EGAL luminary Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) has said that he was not dropped as a delegate to the conference. He explained that, when he turned down the offer, he nominated the elders statesman, Chief Deji Fasuan, to replace him.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Tunde Olofintola, the eminent lawyer described himself as along standing proponent and protagonist of the national conference.

The statement reads: “Babalola, who was the Chairman of the Revenue and Fiscal Allocation Committee in the 2005 National Conference, remains an unrepentant advocate of one Nigeria governed under a non-presidential federal constitution which concedes only specific powers to the federal government while developmental matters, cultural and traditional, religious and residual matters are left for the states under a new regional or zonal arrangement similar to a less expensive 1963 parliamentary constitution which was made by our fathers.

“As a further demonstration of his belief in Project Nigeria and his unalloyed commitment to the

success of the National Conference, Babalola has volunteered to send a paper to the Secretariat of the Conference, reiterating his views, including some papers earlier sent to the President which were forwarded to Justice Alfa Belgore.

“He hopes that these views and those of millions of other peaceloving Nigerians will eventually come to be considered at the Conference and form the blueprint for a peaceful and prosperous Nation.

“From the above, it is eminently and unambiguously clear that the unrepentant lover of Nigeria was not dropped. But, he appealed to the President to excuse him from the Conference and to nominate a replacement from Ekiti for himself in the Elder Statesman category.”

the larger nation-state.

A political scientist, Boniface Ayodele, noted that the “federal beat” stopped abruptly, following the displacement of legitimate authorities by soldiers.

The military ruler foisted the unitary system on the supposedly federal country, igniting sporadic agitations for decentralisation and devolution of power. “What we now have and which is difficult for the leadership to reverse is the legacy of the military. This id the defective federal structure”, said Ayodele, who teaches political science at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.

Almost 54 years after independence, federalism is still on trial in Nigeria. It has remained an elusive target, especially in post-military period.

Efforts by the military to redesign the

map and boundaries of the ethnic groups through state creation have led to more problems. The distribution of the states and local governments have generated anger because it is skewed, making the South to complain that it was aimed at confirming the dubious numerical claim by the North. In 1947, Awo had warned against creating new states without regard to ethnological factors. “The Yoruba of Ilorin, Offa and Kabba are included with the Hausas in the Northern Region. There is no justification for whatsoever for this arbitrary grouping. Certainly, these minority groups are at a considerate disadvantage when they are forced to be in the midst of other peoples who differ from them in language, culture and historical background,” he pointed

• Aare Babalola

‘Today, Nigeria is a federation of an excessively strong Central Government, supposedly partnered by ridiculously weak 36 states, with a Federal Capital Territory, supported by obviously ineffective 774 local governments. All the other 801 governments combined in Nigeria are weaker than the Central Government’

out.

Former Afenifere Secretary Ayo Opadokun, who hails from Offa, is bitter at the creation of the state by the military without taking into consideration the linguistic parameters. “That is why the Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi are asking for the adjustment of the boundaries so that they can join their kith and kin in the Southwest, especially in Osun and Ekiti states”, he said. Opadokun maintained that when diverse tribes are lumped together in a state, it will breed friction. “The Gwari people are now in Kaduna and Niger states. Some of them are also visible in Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory. The Nupe People are in Niger and Kwara states.

Why? The Igbominas are in Kwara. Their traditional headquater is Ila-Orangun.

The Ekitis are in Kwara. Look at Ijaw people. They are found in Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states. They are minority in several states. It is an unkind and ungodly decision made by the military”, he added.

In 2005, one of the controversial issues that created tension at the Abuja Political Reforms Conference, apart from the third term, was resource control.

Apparently, there is no controversy over revenue generation. The bulk of the national revenue is from oil from the Niger Delta. The bone of contention is the distribution of the wealth, which is typically referred to as the national cake.

In 1999, the vertical allocation formula inherited by the civilian regime sparked off an agitations for review. Then, the distant Federal Government had 48.5 per cent, 36 state governments; 24 percent, 774 local governments; 20 per cent, ecology; two percent, stabilisation; 0.5 per cent, derivation; one per cent and oil minerals producing development company; three per cent.

The Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), which held an alternative conference in Lagos, kicked against the arrangement. The group proposed a new fiscal formula as follows: 50 per cent to the region of derivation, 15 per cent to the Federal Government, 35 per cent to be shared by all regions, 85 per cent Valued Added Tax (VAT) to be retained by the regions and 15 percent should go to the firstline charge account. Other stakeholders called for a drastic reduction in the proceeds accruable to the government.

Since the economy is not diversified, the region producing oil, the main source of income, intensified its struggle for more earnings. The Abuja conference proposed 21 percent earning for the oil-producing states. But, the report did not see the light of the day.

The existing distribution formula is still being contested by stakeholders. Their grievance is premised on the fear that •Continued on page 44

44

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

POLITICS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

National conference and quest for true federalism?

•Continued from page 43

the federal government has financially emasculated the 36 states and 774 councils. The formula, they maintained, is anti-federal in nature.

Many believe that the neglect of the core federal principle has contributed to the fragility of the nation-state. No doubt, the enlarged national question, which involves the division of the public sector functions and finances among the two tiers, has underscored the renewed debate on fiscal federalism and devolution powers.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, who dissected the federal structure, lamented that all is not well. “The peculiarities of the Nigerian landscape demand a creative search for answers to Nigeria’s unique challenges through federalism, “ he said.

Echoing him, a legal scholar, Prof.

Itsey Sagay (SAN), said that only true federalism can avert the collapse of the country. He observed that the foundation of the country was faulty, adding that the mistake of amalgamation was responsible.

Sagay pointed out that the basis for co-existence was neither defined nor mutually agreed upon by the natives.

“Nigeria represents a classic condition for the operation of a very loose federation, “ he added. But, he contented that, since the Nigeria may not embrace conferalism, “true federalism is a condition precedent for the survival of the country as a voluntary union of nationalities and autonomous communities”. The late nationalist, Chief Anthony Enahoro, aptly shared this view. He posited that any form of unitary system harboured the danger of not giving maximum expression to the peculiarities that differentiate the groupings co-habiting involuntarily and without basic, unifying agreement on the terms of coexistence.

POLITICAL scientist, Prof. Dipo Kolawole, also studied some heterogeneous countries across the globe, including the United State, submitted that they are doing well because they are practicing federalism. In addition, he pointed out that two factors also accounted for their survival. “They are federal in nature. Apart from promoting participatory democracy, participation in the federal arrangement is voluntary,” he added.

Kolawole, the former Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, observed that, the lopsided federal arrangement has driven Nigeria to monumental crises, which its weak foundation cannot withstand. “If the Nigerian project was perceived as unworkable from the onset, the form of government to sustain it had no foundation to rest on and therefore, was bound to be a still birth. The argument is that the mode of emergence of the Nigerian federalism constitutes an albatross on its effective workability as an instrument of good governance”, he stressed.

What is worrisome to many stakeholders is that the the agitation for restructuring has often been resisted by the government. Frontline lawyer and politician Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who lamented the resistance, said Nigeria has become a struggling unitary state retarded by its colonial heritage and havoc wrecked by long years of military rule.

In fact, the activist cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, warned that the “fake union” risks disintegration, He said that Nigeria should return to the initial agreement at the constitutional formative stage in the fifties.

“Government that is centralised is satanic and evil,” he said.

A delegate, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, who fought in the three-year civil war to keep Nigeria together, said that the agitation for self-determination by the ethnic groups, are not misplaced. He explained that they emanated from long years of disillusionment, anxiety, injustice, and rejection of the existing flawed system. A retired university

A

• Akinrinade

don, Prof, Ropo Sekoni, said that federalism collapsed when the central government hijacked the responsibilities of the states and local governments, adding that the massive inflow of petrol-dollar also made the federal government to acquire more money and responsibilities which it has poorly or improperly performed at the expense of the coordinate units.

At a lecture in Lagos, former Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Prof.

Adebayo Adedeji, warned that, when true federalism, which is the strength and consolation in a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic country is axed, the result is disaster. The consequence is that, “unity in diversity”, which is the consoling slogan of federalism, is unattainable. The climax of the abuse of power by the centre, as pointed out

by Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), manifested in the overriding power of declaration of state of emergency, in accordance with the whims and caprices of the powerful head of government. “When Obasanjo, a military man became the civilian President, he conducted the affairs of the state as a soldier in utter insensitivity to the core principles of democracy and federalism, which should guide his steps”, he said.

Flaying the military for the ‘nationalisation policy’, Sekoni, who observed that a virulent attack against the federal structure was consistent with Obasanjo’s antecedents, blamed the former military ruler for starting off the process of “deferating” Nigeria.

In his book: ‘How President Obasanjo subverted Nigeria’s federal system’, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) stated that “the former President exercised supreme, absolute and allencompassing power”, adding that he related to the governor as if they were his agents and subject to his direction.

“His attitude towards the state governors as his subordinates, rather than as heads of autonomous governments; a carry-over from the days of his tenure as the Head of the Federal Military Government from 1976-79; is reflected in his insistence that governors must inform him, perhaps, even obtain his permission, before travelling abroad, implying a relationship of subordination, the subjection of the governors to his authority.”

He also objected to the attempt to make the states beggars by the federal government. Nwabueze said: “The mechanism for the disbursement to the state governments of the share of money due to them from the common

‘A united central police organisation is still in place, making serious and effective policing difficult and almost impossible. The chain of control in the Nigeria Police Force today is too long and remote from the centre of operation, weakening discipline and resulting in an ineffective law enforcement process’

pool of revenue, the Federation Account, as it is called, is so contrived by him as to force the governors and their officials to leave their various capitals and go physically, cap in hand, to the federal government at Abuja and hassle for it every month, a situation which creates in them an understandable docility towards the federal government as pay-master”.

Kolawole, who frowned at this, said: “Today, Nigeria is a federation of an excessively strong Central Government, supposedly partnered by ridiculously weak 36 states, with a Federal Capital Territory, supported by obviously ineffective 774 local governments. All the other 801 governments combined in Nigeria are weaker than the Central Government.

“In Nigerian Federation, Abuja dictates the pace and other governments slavishly acquiesced, thereby making a mockery of the purpose, essence and utility value of federalism as a vehicle of good governance for effective service delivery to the country.”.

A Southsouth leader, Chief Fred Agbeyegbe, condemned the federal/ states power relations. “The tail (federal or centre) now wags the body (federating units or states). Even, where the states exercise legislative power, they have no enforcement machinery of their own, since the central police belongs to the federal government”, he said. The APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, shared this opinion. He said the centralised policing system is counterproductive. “It is useless giving governors the appellation of Chief Security Officers of the states when they lack the powers to ask the police command to rise to the challenge of maintaining law and order”.

Also lending his voice to the clamour for state police, a legal luminary, Kola Awodein (SAN), said: “A united central police organisation is still in place, making serious and effective policing difficult and almost impossible. The chain of control in the Nigeria Police Force today is too long and remote from the centre of operation, weakening discipline and resulting in an ineffective law enforcement process.

“The force is still poorly supported and poorly trained and motivated.

Centralisation and unification have also resulted in significant delay in the administration of criminal justice. The Nigerian Police Force today is overburdened as it is responsible for enforcing all federal, state and local government laws and regulations. This is in addition to its responsibility to investigate cases, prosecute offenders, control traffic and do other welfare activities. Little wonder that the Nigeria Police Force is more ineffective, insufficient and corrupt that it was more than 30 years ago.”

The analysis of the distributions of powers between the centre and regions at independence and later, between the federal and state governments in post1966 showed that federalism has derailed in Nigeria. Sekoni pointed out that, in 1960, there were 45 items on the Exclusive List, while there were 29 on the Concurrent List. In 1979, federalism had already shown sign of strains.

While the items on the Exclusive List had jumped from 45 to 66, those on the Concurrent List had only increased from 29to 30. Also, Agbeyegbe observed that, in the 1999 Constitution, which came into effect following the promulgation of Decree No. 24 of 1999, the Exclusive List, which the federal government could legislate upon, had increased to 68. “That means that the subject matter, which fell within the competence of the regions or states, have been hijacked.

Even, the 30-item Concurrent List in that constitution gives unqualified precedence to the centre over the federating units. We are now ‘federal’ only in name”, he said.

But, is hope lost for true federalism in Nigeria? Sagay said: “Any constitution review should make the restoration of true federalism a cardinal objective”.

Adebanjo said the contentious issues would be debated at the national conference. But, will the report see the light of the day? Will the conference restore true federalism?

Okun, a Yoruba ethnic group in Kogi State, has been agitating for its return into the Southwest. At a meeting in Kabba recently, the group resolved to pursue the demand at the national conference.

‘Okun Yoruba should be in Southwest’

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HE Okun Development Association (ODA), an umbrella socio-cultural and development organisation of the Okun Yoruba people of Kogi State, has called for a boundar adjustment to enable the Yoruba in the Northcentral state to return to the Southwest.

At a meeting in Kabba, the association said that it would pursue this legitimate demand at the national conference.

In a communique, the group said: “The experiences from cultural, economic, administrative and geo-political miniaturization of power and politics, which adversely impact the parasitic nature of Okun people, particularly in Kogi State of North-Central Zone, after the collapse of the Northern Nigeria government, have shown glaringly the irreconcilable contradictions and barriers to Okun people’s security and development aspiration.”

The communique, which was signed by its leader, Ambassador Babatunde Fadumiyo, reads: “That the National Conference is a welcome open door to canvass and advocate a redress for multiple injustices that have arisen from the mal-location of Okun people since the “mistake of 1914.”

“Since the collapse of the Northern Nigerian Government in 1966, which Okun people contributed immensely to build and nurture hitherto, the cultural, economic and political fortunes of Okun people have been falling and getting near oblivion in Kogi State amidst intensive parochialism and nepotism.

“The various protests, appeals and advocacy for fairness, equity and justice since the times of constitutional conferences in London in 1959 and before several panels on creation of states and boundaries re-adjustment hitherto, have never yielded acceptable attention, as the people have never been allowed to determine “where” and “who” should rule or oversight her security, livelihood, self-esteem and advancement in a free country, Nigeria.

“The heat on the political life of Okun people is approaching a combustive point, hence every lawful pressure must be put in motion to diffuse the tension and set the people free from the sideline of public life, particularly enabling the youth, women and children to have hope and pride to be a Nigerian.

“That the Okun people in Kogi State support totally, the position of the southwest leadership to politically re-unite their kith and kin in Kogi and Kwara States since the neo-colonial boundaries imposed since 1914 remains artificial, except in politics”.

The stakeholders also passed the following resolutuions at the meeting: “That we, the Okun people in Kogi State and in the Diaspora repose confidence in all Okun Yoruba persons that have been appointed to participate at the National Conference irrespective of the different channels of their appointments.

“The Okun people reaffirm her Yoruba culture, values and territory, which are congruent with the Southwest of Nigeria and without any natural or ecological barrier.

“We, therefore, request as a matter of core demand, the readjustment or relocation of Okun people’s political boundary in Nigeria from the North-Central zone to the Southwest zone of Nigeria.

“The Okun people support and are committed to the principles of federalism, whereby Nigeria adopts a federation of six regions and a federal centre, both tiers working as coordinate rather than subordinate structures, and in accordance with their separate constitutions.

“Each region should consist agreed number of states based on political peculiarities, and each state be divided into Local Government Areas; while each Local Government Area is broken into Districts or Development Areas.

“The Okun people of Kogi State should be carved out as a new state, Okun State in the Southwest region, based on her enormous economic potentials and the 100 years of harrowing political experiences.

‘In enhancing No. 6 above, the Okun people do not object to cooperation and/ or relationship with any group of people that share a similar aspiration and willingness to realign with this core interest and demand.

“Owing to the vastness of each Local Government Area in Okun territory, more Local Government Areas, Districts and Development Areas should be created along with the new state structure to enhance effective participatory democracy and good governance from below.

“We recommend amendments to Sections 7 (1) and 162 (6) and (8) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to properly establish the Local Government system as an autonomous fourth-tier of government in the new Nigeria but second-tier in each of the new state in the new Region; and to replace the archaic functions with responsive responsibilities that are relevant to contemporary development environment; and also remove the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Local Government Commission and transfer their administrative functions to each of the new Local Government.

“A formal referral council should be created to enable the leadership of traditional institution participate on specific matters that promote culture and tradition, energize domestic security, promote peace and harmony and oversight local development resources and project.

“Specific and clear constitutional clause(s) should be made to enforce power rotation - of the executive power seat - among the component parts of the federal, Regional, State and Local Government Areas, to forestall objectionable domination by a particular group of persons or interests.

“The revenue sharing formula for the Federation Account should be adjusted as follows: Derivation- 20 per cent; Federal Government - 25 per cent; Federating Units/Regions - 30 per cent; Local Government - 20 per cent; and Other funds - 5 per cent.

“The pursuit of justice demands unhindered access to the instruments of justice - the courts.

Therefore, every litigant should have access to the highest hierarchy of the judicial system in the pursuit of justice without impediment. The restriction of litigation to only the Court of Appeal especially on election matters is an inhibition of freedom and liberty; hence it should be removed; while each region may have her own supreme • Prof. Lambo court and each state to have a Court of Appeal.

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NEWS

Ex-Ebonyi council boss kidnapped in church

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USPECTED kidnappers yesterday abducted the former coordinator of Okposi Development Centre in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Ihebunandu Okorie.

He was kidnapped inside the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Obioha Okposi, about 1pm, after attending

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

service.

It was learnt that the gunmen waited for him on the church premises and whisked him away in his car, a Toyota four runner sport utility vehicle (SUV) with registration number NCA 94 AA.

A witness told our correspondent that the kidnappers came in a green Mercedes 230 Benz v-boot with a Lagos number plate BS 559 KJA. “As he was coming out of the church, the abductors shot into the air, forcing people to scamper for safety.

They bundled him into the boot of his car and zoomed

off.

“Before they escaped, they deflated the tyres of the Mercedes Benz car with bullets.

They also tried to set it ablaze by shooting at the fuel tank, but it didn’t catch fire,” the source said.

Police spokesman Chris Anyanwu said he was yet to get the details of the incident.

NRC gets six new rail cars, coaches

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HE Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) at the weekend took delivery of six new coaches and six rail cars, otherwise called Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU).

Showing the new rolling stock at the Terminal E of the Apapa Ports in Lagos, the NRC Managing Director, Prince Adeseyi Sijuwade, described it as an epoch in the annals of the 109year-old corporation and another promise kept by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Sijuwade, who was represented by the Director, Mechanical and Engineering, Fidet Okhiria, said the rolling stocks, which

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

had been scheduled to arrive the country in December, is an answer to the mass transit needs of Nigerians, in line with the transformation agenda of the present administration.

He said while the six air-conditioned 67-seater coaches are meant for long distance express passenger shuttle service, the DMUs would be deployed in Lagos to boost the urban mass transit initiative of the corporation, in line with the mandate of the government.

According to him, the DMUs would be a new experience for commuters on the rail lines

when they are eventually rolled out.

Okhiria, who supervised the offloading of the stocks from a Chinese vessel named Wolong Song COSCOL, hailed the government for its investment in the rail sector.

He said the new stocks would be put into use once they have been inaugurated by the Federal Government.

At 3:40pm, the cranes lifted one of the DMUs from the ship and were guided gently unto the rail tracks by officers and men of the Mechanical and Engineering unit of the corporation, while the drivers were also on ground to drive the six new

coaches, which had earlier been offloaded to create room for others to be offloaded from the ship.

A diesel multiple unit is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines.

A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. They may also be referred to as a railcar or rail motor, depending on the country.

Diesel-powered units may be further classified by their transmission type: diesel-electric (DEMU), diesel-mechanical (DMMU) or diesel-hydraulic (DHMU).

•Anambra State Governorelect, Chief Obiano (left), outgoing Governor Peter Obi, his wife Margaret and Obiano's wife being blessed by Bishop Ezeokafor in Awka ...yesterday

Obi, cleric urge Obiano to consolidate on present gains

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UTGOING Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yesterday told the governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, not to be distracted by scavengers, who foment trouble.

He advised him to be focused, decisive and concentrate on the job without being misled.

Obi spoke at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Church in Awka during a mass in honour of the inauguration/swearing-in of Obiano and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, today.

He said: “Consider the children, the masses, in the decisions you make.

“You should not bother about what people will say about you because some will call you names, but the ultimate is to achieve good results.”

The Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said leaders should sacrifice their time and energy for the people.

He said leadership was not about the quest for material things, but service to the people.

The cleric advised that public funds should be meant for public and not private use, urging leaders to forgo personal agenda and pursue that of the public.

He enjoined Obiano to consolidate on the partnership between the church and the government, noting that the church would pray for his administration to succeed.

Ezeokafor noted that with the

•Launches N3b shopping mall in Nnewi From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

level of performance by Obi, Anambra had reclaimed its place in the country.

He advised Obiano to emulate his predecessor and listen to advice.

“It is a means of carrying the people along and ensuring the delivery of democratic dividends to the rural dwellers.”

Obiano thanked Obi and the indigenes for the support given him and Okeke.

He solicited prayers to succeed.

Okeke told The Nation that they would maintain Obi’s legacies.

Those who attended the service included Chief Victor Umeh, Obi’s outgoing deputy, Emeka Sibeudu, traditional Rulers, among others.

Obi visited Nnewi yesterday and launched a N3billion shopping mall project to be built by ZHONTIAN Construction Company at Nkwo Triangle.

He said government paid N600million to the company, which, according to him, was 20 per cent of the total amount of the contract as mobilisation fee.

Obi said his administration

had set 20 per cent aside in the bank as another installment to the contractors, assuring that the project would not be abandoned by the Obiano government.

The outgoing governor said his contract policy was to mobilise the contractors with 10 per cent of the contract sum, but he mobilised the shopping mall contractors with 20 per cent to make up for the delay in launching the project, adding that on completion, it would give Nnewi a facelift.

A consultant for the project, Mr. Allen Duze of Ngonyama Okpanum Associates, said the project was expected to be completed in 14 months, but could be finished in one year.

30 Osun pupils arrested for ‘cultism’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HIRTY pupils of various secondary schools in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have been arrested for alleged cultism.

The suspects were arrested by officials of the Nigeria Peace Corps at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Middle School; St. Mark’s High School and St. James’ High School.

The suspects, who are between 13 and 16 years, allegedly dispossessed other pupils of their belongings, especially handsets.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, State Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps Ayinde Paul Kayode said charms, catapults, broken bottles and 25kg Indian hemp were recovered from the suspects.

He said the suspects were arrested during their meetings, adding that his men are on the trail of some teachers, who had been aiding the suspects.

Ayinde said the corps would work the State Parents Teachers Association (PTA), chaired by Dr. Ademola Ekundayo, to rehabilitate the suspects.

23 people feared killed at Obosi

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HERE is tension at Obosi in Idemmili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, following the alleged killing of 23 people in a renewed ‘cult-like clash’ over who controls the community.

A prominent indigene, Prince Emeka Ike Orizu, who said he was nearly killed, told The Nation that there was crisis the town and many youths had been killed.

He called for an investigation into the alleged killings so that the culprits would be arrested.

The Director, State Security

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development to pipeline vandalism. The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, lamented that about N800 million had been spent on the fixing of the damaged pipelines and blamed it on alleged sabotage of some crucial pipelines, which he said eroded available gas supply to the power plants, leading to incessant blackout.

To avoid the unpleasant situation, most Nigerians have resorted to generating their own electricity, using diesel, or petrol powered generators. This was attested to by the Global Business Intelligence, a research firm which estimated that

Nigerians spent about N70.5 billion on electricity generation in 2011.

Cement manufacturers said although they are trying to make up with Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) supplies from local refineries, the volume from local supplier is not enough to make up for the deficit and they are now resorting to importing LPFO and coal.

A top official of Dangote Cement, the largest producer, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Yes, we are having problems with gas supply to our plants, and it is partially affecting our operations. As soon as the gas supply is restored, cement

Service (SSS) in Anambra State, Mr. Alexander Okeiyi, confirmed the incident, but attributed it to the group his men dislodged last year, which was involved in crimes.

The Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, who spoke through the command’s spokesman, Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident, but said he did not have the figure of the causalities.

Our operations intact, says Medview Airlines

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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HE management of Medview Airlines yesterday denied that its operations have been grounded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), over the false fire alarm raised by passengers on its Boeing 737 aircraft on Saturday.

The NCAA, the airline said, has since cleared the aircraft and released it for operations.

The clarification by Medview Airlines came on the heels of insinuations in some quarters that the airline’s operations have been grounded.

In a statement by Mr. Oyibotha Obuke on its behalf, Medview Airlines said:” The management of MedView Airline has restated its earlier position that its flights to destinations have not been disrupted or its operations grounded by aviation authorities.

“Some fifth columnists are using the social media to peddle misleading information about the status of MedView Airline operations. We urge the flying public to disregard such misinformation.

“At MEDVIEW Airline, safety is the hallmark of our operations.

Saturday’s incident of air return was caused by false fire alarm.

“The pilot initiated air return as a precautionary measure, which is a global standard practice.

The incident did not disrupt the airline flight schedule.

“The aircraft yesterday underwent the mandatory test flight ordered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and certified to enter into service.”

Lagos Water Corporation decries clustering of water pipes in drains

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AGOS Water Corporation has observed with dismay, the unacceptable practices by some residents of the State who illegally connect long service pipes through drains to LWC water mains.

Speaking at the Ijora Headquarters today, the Group

Manufacturers groan under shortage of gas PERATORS in the manufacturing and power sectors are currently groaning under the severe gas shortage and its impact on their production.

A major cement manufacturer at the weekend hinted that the twin problems of pipeline vandalism and the maintenance work on some Chevron gas installations taking place at the same time are responsible for the disruption of gas supply to the cement plants and other manufacturing outfits.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the wake of the gas supply disruption attributed the

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

production will be back at full capacity and supply to the market will stabilise. In our plants for instance across the country, in the absence of gas, we consume up to 3.75 million litres of LPFO daily, which translates to an additional N0.5 billion per day increase in our production cost.

“In the last two years, local manufacturers of cement have ramped up their capacities and have been producing enough cement to meet and surpass cement demand in the country.

They have made the country not only self-sufficient in cement production, but also a net exporter.”

Managing Director, Engr.

Shayo Holloway, says this practice is worrisome and totally unacceptable to the Corporation. He emphasized the fact that the practice compromises the water quality in areas where long service pipes are illegally connected to water mains through drains; thus leading to health hazards like Typhoid, Cholera, dysentery and Hepatitis. He advised members of the public to desist from this unhygienic practice.

As part of the Lagos Water Corporation efforts in eradicating this practice, the Corporation is working with the LGAs and LCDs in the State, such as Oshodi, Oworonshoki, Shomolu, Mushin, Surulere, Itire, Yaba/Ebute-Metta, Isolo (Ago-Palace) and other areas where there are clusters of pipes in drains, by extending LWC mains to areas where water is required; thereby enabling shorter connection and make water readily available to the populace. This program will result in total eradication of pipes in drains.

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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.

140TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

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

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oday Wednesday 12th March, 2014 (11th Jumada Ula, 1435 AH) marked the official last day that begging on the streets of metropolitan Kano is allowed in accordance with the provisions of the Law that was recently passed and put into effect by the present administration. Begging being practiced in our societies has no relationship with the tenets of Islam. While it is true, that some categories of beggars have serious physical, personal or financial problems, there is ample reason to state that begging is being transformed to something else. It is being turned into a gainful profession. But that does not mean there are no individuals needing help and support. The physically challenged people with special needs or the aged are supposed to be catered for by the society or relevant authorities of the State. Thus, proper, reliable and adequately funded arrangements need to be put in place to see to the welfare of these categories of people requiring assistance. This explains the basis for this policy, which is aimed at not only curtailing the number of beggars on the streets but also re-educating those involved on its negativities.

The Kano State Government heralded this effort yesterday Tuesday 11th March, 2014 (10th Jumada Ula, 1435 AH) at an occasion that celebrated the empowerment of five hundred and nineteen (519) beggars among the physically challenged and aged found roaming the streets of metropolitan Kano.

Two hundred and thirty-four (234) of the physically challenged amongst the five hundred and nineteen (519) beggars identified were allocated/donated with N15,000.00 take-off capital (non-refundable), table, chair, umbrella, etc. to enable each of them venture into the business of selling of GSM recharge cards.

On the other hand, for the two hundred and eighty-five (285) of the five hundred and nineteen (519) beggars approval for a monthly standing grant of N10,000.00 toeach for self - maintenance by their identified Local Government Councils was given. This monthly allowance is supposed to keep them off the streets into the comfort of their houses thereby curtailing the daily risk they face while begging from one corner to another.

This policy reflects Government's Empowerment Policy and commitment on the welfare of the disadvantaged individuals requiring support. There are numerous policies that were formulated and implemented specifically for the benefits of the disadvantage individuals. Few require mention, such as, the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC), the State Hisbah Board, and the eighteen (18) Skills Acquisition Institutes that were established to train youths useful skills to be self-employed.

Celebrating the end of street begging in Kano State, the Kano State Executive Council held its One Hundred and Fortieth (140th) sitting today Wednesday 12th March, 2014 (11th Jumada Ula, 1435 AH) under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Ten (10) MDAs submitted forty-three (43) memoranda for deliberation by Council of which twenty-one (21) were approved for execution with an expenditure of Two Billion, One Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Six Naira, Eighty Five Kobo (N2,168,943,196.85) covering sixteen (16) projects.

The remaining five were on policy issues.

However, before deliberating on the memoranda submitted for the 140th sitting Council as usual reviewed the 139th sitting. At that meeting on Wednesday 5th March 2014, ten (10) MDAs submitted forty-two (42) memoranda for deliberation by the Kano State Executive Council. Thus, out of the forty-two (42) twenty-two (22) of the memoranda were approved for execution. Out of the twenty-two (22) approved, eighteen (18) of them were projects tied with an expenditure of Five Hundred and Eighteen Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand, Fifteen Naira, Eighty Five Kobo (N518,734,015.85). The remaining four memoranda were on policies.

After this review, Council tabled the forty-three (43) memoranda submitted for the 140th meeting, which were thoroughly deliberated and decided upon as follows: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The Secretary to the State Government submitted seventeen (17) memoranda on behalf of the Chairman (Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE) and some MDAs for deliberation by Council. Nine (9) of them were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Registration Fees for Thirty Four (34) NCE II Teachers (On Course) and the Sponsorship of Forty Four (44) New Kano State Indigenous Teachers to Pursue a 3 - Year NCE Program at the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Oyo State:The National Certificate in Education (NCE) is the Nationally/Officially accepted minimum professional/academic qualifications for entry into the teaching service in Nigeria generally but due to exigencies and expansion and establishment of primary schools in every nook and crannies of the State the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State still engage some teachers with lower qualifications.

In this vein, the Secretary to the State Government reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of its approval granted on the outstanding payment of School Fees due to the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Oyo State, which commenced the training of the State candidates in the 2013/2014 academic session. The list of the thirty four (34) teachers already on in - service training at the College tagged as list "A" along with yet another list of forty four (44) teachers tagged as list "B" were presented to Council for consideration and granting of approval for sponsorship for the program. Thus: i.

The financial commitment in respect of the thirty four (34) teachers already in the School on in-service training is N1,666,000.00. ii.

The financial commitment in respect of the forty four (44) new intakes into the program is N3,520,000.00.

Total = N5,186,000.00 Council considered the details presented and approved the release of the aggregate sum of N5,186,000.00 to enable the SUBEB cater for the financial commitments stated. b) Request for Funds to Facilitate the Training and Re - Accreditation Activities in Respect of Post - Graduate School (Family Medicine):The Secretary to the State Government notified Council of the cited request, through the contents of this memorandum, submitted from the Ministry of Health.

The details on the request were endorsed and presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications.

Thus:

SN Activity Cost (N) i.

Accreditation 1,720,000.00 ii.

Training and others 1,740,819.00 Total 02 3,460,819.00 As such, the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the request from the Ministry of Health for the release of the aggregate sum of N3,460,819.00 for the stated purposes. Several plausible reasons were forwarded for consideration by Council.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the aggregate sum of N3,460,819.00 to the State Ministry of Health for the stated purpose(s). c) Request for Assistance to the Bereaved Family of Late Alhaji Sani Muhammad Usman (Former Director Press/Managing Director, Kano State Radio Corporation):The Kano State Executive Council commiserates with the bereaved family of Late Alhaji Sani Muhammad Usman for the irreplaceable loss of the versatile Journalist who served the State commendably in various capacities throughout his years of active service. Council solemnly prayed for the mercy of the Almighty Allah in granting the deceased eternal peace and residence in Jannatul - fir - Dausi.

In token support to the bereaved family, Council approved as follows: o Government Property No. G.P.481/1 located at Sulaiman Crescent bequeathed to the bereaved family. o The sum of N1,000,000.00 be released to the Secretary to the State Government for onward release to the bereaved family of late Alhaji Sani Muhammad Usman for the payment of School fees for the children and other necessities. d) Request for Funds to Enable NAPTIP Print the Hausa Version of Posters and Pamphlets for Public Enlightenment Campaign:-

The contents of this memorandum presented the request for funds to translate NAPTIP Posters and Pamphlets to enlighten citizens on the danger of human trafficking.

The Kano Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related Matters (NAPTIP) requested for financial intervention/ assistance from the Kano State Government to enable his organization print the Hausa Version of Posters and Pamphlets produced by his organization to ease public enlightenment campaign against human trafficking and Child Labour Exploitation in Kano State. Details of the requirements were presented to Council along with the request for the release of the sum of N3,498,900.00 as assistance to NAPTIP for the purpose stated.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N2,000,000.00 as the financial assistance to NAPTIP from the Kano State Government to enable the Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso printing of the Hausa Version of the stated Pamphlets and Posters. e) Presentation of Report on the Establishment of Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board:The Secretary to the State Government reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum that the need for the establishment of Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board led to submission of a draft bill for the perusal and approval. Council deliberated on the need and directed the Attorney General/ Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Justice to study the proposed Bill and report back on any amendment(s) of its contents.

The directive was carried out and the amendments proffered on the proposed Bill were presented to Council for consideration and approval pending its transmission to the State Honorable House of Assembly for passage into Law. Specifically, five (5) parts of the proposed Bill were amended. Viz: o Part I - Preliminary: containing short title and commencement as well as Legal Interpretation of key words. o Part II - Establishment of the Board: contains establishment of the Board, composition of the Members, Tenure of Office of the Members, Termination and Appointment of the Members, Functions of the Board as well as Delegation of Powers by the Board. o Part III - Appointment of the Executive Secretary and the Management of the Board: contains the appointment of the Executive Secretary, composition of the Management, functions of the Management and protection of Officers. o Part IV - Financial Provisions: deals with aspect of funds of the Board, Annual Report, Audit Report, Remuneration of External Auditors, Annual Estimate, Restriction on Expenditure, Remuneration of Board Members and Pension Scheme. o Part V - Miscellaneous Provision: Deals with the power to make regulations, meeting and procedure of the Board, forming quorum of the Board meetings, staff regulation, authentication of documents, making an appeal, decision of Commissioner on appeal, review of fees and levies, Quality Education and Supervision, School Uniform, Prohibition/Indecent Public Display, establishment of PTA, payment of Higher Registration Fees, Upgrade of Schools and Repeal of Previous Private and Voluntary Agency Regulation.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved transmission of the amended Bill to the State Honorable House of Assembly for passage into Law. f) Presentation of Report on the 44th Meeting of the Board of Governors of Institute of Administration Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria:Alhaji Yakubu Adamu ably represented Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE at the cited meeting and submitted a report, which was endorsed and presented to Council for consideration by the Secretary to the State Government. Ten (10) major highlights of issues deliberated upon at the 44th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Administration ABU, Zaria were presented to Council for consideration.

Specifically, attention was drawn to the financial disposition of the Institute, which compelled the Secretary to the State Government to forward the following prayers for consideration and approval by the State Executive Council: i.

Council should direct the Kano State Ministry of Education to handle the Annual Grant Contribution in respect of the Institute of Administration ABU, Zaria. ii.

Council should direct all MDAs in Kano State to patronize the Institute of Administration ABU, Zaria for Consultancy Services so as to enhance its revenue generation base. iii.

Council should approve the release of the sum of N3,000,000.00 as the Kano State Government's Contribution to the Institute of Administration ABU, Zaria.

The presentation was appreciated as Council approved the execution of the three (3) prayers forwarded by the Secretary to the State Government in respect of the outcome of the 44thMeeting of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Administration ABU, Zaria. g) Presentation of Report on the Fatal Accident that Occurred at Kanotan S.A. Ltd. Challawa:The Secretary to the State Government endorsed the cited report as forwarded by the Committee constituted to investigate the issue. Council was reminded that the Honorable Commissioners, Ministries of Commerce and Environment were directed to visit the Company and verify findings of the Committee.

Essentially, the five (5) - Man Committee presented fifteen (15) observations for consideration by Council based upon which the following seven (7) recommendations were proffered: o That the effluent Treatment Plant at the Company should be fenced. o Relevantly trained/qualified personnel need to be engaged for the operation and maintenance of the Treatment Plant. o The Company must engage professional Contractors for yearly evacuation of the concentrated sludge in the Treatment Plant. o That the Machinery/Equipment required for smooth and safe operation of the Treatment Plant must be constantly functional. o That the Company must submit details on compensation, benefits and other statutory obligations accessible to the bereaved families of the deceased for scrutiny by an expert insurance firm pending settlement with the beneficiaries. o That there is need for Government to enact a Committee comprising Lawyers so as to ensure mutual understanding, formalization and implementation of any agreement(s) reached between the Company and the beneficiary bereaved families of the deceased staff. o That the State Government needs to support the settlement of compensation out of Court so as to curtail unnecessary expenditure by the bereaved beneficiary families of the deceased.

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as follows; i.

That the Company must abide by the seven (7) recommendations proffered on the issue pending consideration/approval for re - opening the Company by the State Government. ii.

That a Committee should be constituted to legally guide all transactions on the issue between the Company and beneficiary bereaved families. iii.

Payment of compensation to be effected out of Court. h) Request for Funds for the Sponsorship of 158 Kano State Indigenous Students for Postgraduate Studies in Five (5) Universities Abroad Under the 502 Scheme:The Chairman (Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE) notified Council of the cited request, through the contents of this memorandum, as submitted from the State Ministry of Higher Education.

Council was notified that an additional number of 158 Indigenous Kano State Postgraduate Students gained admission into five (5) Universities in two (2) different Countries abroad. Such were to be accommodated under the 502 Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications of the sum of $3,086,400.00.

The money approved for release was projected to cover ten (10) items in respect of each student across the

TH

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 five (5) Universities (4 in India, 1 in Malaysia). The items include: tuition, registration, accommodation, books, upkeep, visa, flight tickets, Laptop Computers, Agency Fees, pocket money. The courses range through M. Tech, MSc and M.A in relevant areas.

Considering agreement of the request with the empowerment policy of the present administration, Council approved the release of the requested sum of $3,086,400.00 to the Secretary to the State Government to enable the State Ministry of Higher Education facilitate for the stated purpose. i) Request for Funds to Address Two (2) Semesters Financial Commitments in Respect of 132 Advance Diploma Students of Kano Informatics Institute to Jigawa State Informatics Institute, Kazaure:The cited request was submitted by the Kano State Ministry of Science and Technology. Details were presented on the 132 Advance Diploma Students along with the financial implications to the tune of N30,920,000.00, which was requested for release to cover the following: i.

Registration fees - N55,000.00 x 132 x 2 = N14,520,000.00. ii.

Examination fees - N50,000.00 x 132 x 2 = N13,200,000.00. iii.

Administration charges - N3,200,000.00 = N3,200,000.00.

Total = N30,920,000.00.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested aggregate sum of N30,920,000.00 to the Ministry of Science and Technology to facilitate for the settlement of payments for the 132 Kano State Advanced Diploma students studying under the auspices of Jigawa Informatics Institute.

1.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH Presentation of Request for the Appointment of Dr. Musa H. Modibbo as Honorary Senior Registrar:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Health presented the cited request from the Hospitals Management Board as endorsed by the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.

The request was on the appointment of Dr. Musa H. Modibbo as Senior Registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with the State Government paying for only the Clinical Services he renders to the State. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the recommendation for his appointment as the decision will certainly benefit the Hospitals Management Board/the State in general.

Council approved the request.

2.

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE Presentation of Report on Courtesy Visit to Kano State by the Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP):The Kano State Head of Civil Service complied with the Executive Instruction to receive the Leadership of NUP on behalf of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The courtesy call was received on 27th February, 2014 by the Head of Civil Service with the Executive Secretary and Two (2) Permanent Members of the State Pension Fund Trustees in attendance.

During the visit, the Head of Civil Service reiterated the commitment of the present administration to work with NUP towards improving the welfare of pensioners in Kano State. Five (5) salient points were emphasized. Thus: o That the upward review from N135.00 to N5,000.00 as minimum pension is a testimony of the positive disposition of the present administration in Kano State toward the welfare of pensioners. o That the incumbent administration assures the NUP of strict observance of existing Laws, Rules and Regulations guiding Pension and Gratuity Issues. o That the NUP should make good use of the check - off dues collected from members to attend to their immediate needs especially regarding Office accommodation and operational vehicle. o That the Union was assured of continued support and assistance to Trade/Labour Unions in Kano State. o That the NUP was urged to maintain the existing cordial relationship with State Government for the benefit of their teeming Members and the system generally.

Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation.

3.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The seven (7) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Provide Base - Protection and Realignment of Overhead Pedestrian Bridge Barriers at BUK Old Campus and Aminu Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies:The Honorable Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport alerted Council through the contents of this memorandum, of the need to undertake the cited projects on the already constructed pedestrian bridges at the two (2) locations.

It was technically observed that the metal barrier should be realigned and the base be protected to provide adequate fortification and beautification to the existing road. The scope of work required at each of the stated bridges was presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications to the tune of N5,352,397.72 for each of the two (2). As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N10,704,795.44 for the stated purpose(s). Council noted, considered and approved the request. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision and Installation of Walkway Lightings Along Major Roads in Kano Metropolis:Provision of qualitative infrastructure and beautification of Urban Kano are among the commendable preoccupations of the present administration in Kano State. Activities/performance of the Taskforce Committee on the Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights were applauded as the effort elevated the status of Kano State as a model worthy of emulation. In the course of its effort the Committee installed a total number of 5582 walkway lights at 46 locations in Kano Metropolis. Details were presented to Council for noting.

Success of the initiative instigated the request from the State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the release of the sum of N39,678,942.50 by the State Executive Council to enable the procurement and installation of yet another set of 5582 walkway lighting at relevant locations in Kano Metropolis.

Congruence of the project with the Urban Beautification policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N39,678,942.50 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the Taskforce Committee on Installation/Repairs/Reactivation of Street and Traffic Control Lights continue with the good work of providing additional set of 5582 walkway lights at relevant locations in Kano Metropolis. c) Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of the Road from Panshekara Police Junction to Challawa Bridge:The contents of this memorandum notified Council that the construction of Challawa Bridge was successfully completed and users currently applaud the commendable effort of the present administration by the prompt response to their plea.

Nevertheless, the Honorable Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport notified Council of the deteriorated condition of the road linking Panshekara to the Bridge. As such, for efficient utilization of the bridge it is important to reconstruct the road from the Panshekara Police Junction Portion to the bridge at a total length (distance) of 1.93KM. In this vein, Council was informed that the sum of N26,026,319.20 was still available from the contingency provision of N26,362,580.00 on the Challawa Bridge project of which only the sum of N336,260.80 was utilized.

Importantly, one (1) of the two (2) options forwarded for the project of reconstructing the road was recommended to Council for consideration. Details were presented along with the financial implications to the tune of N98,810,969.25, which was requested for release to enable the execution of the road reconstruction project stated.

Council was specifically requested to approve the utilization of the available sum of N26,026,319.20 provided as contingency for the Panshekara bridge project and augmenting it with approval for the release of the sum of N72,784,650.05 to add up to the required sum of N98,810,969.25.

The request was considered relevant as Council approved. Thus: i.

Utilization of the available N26,026,319.20 from the contingency provision of Challawa bridge project for the road project. ii.

Augmentation of the available contingency provision with the sum of N72,784,650.05. iii.

Release of the sum of N98,810,969.25 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the stated project. d) Presentation of the Revised Estimated Total Cost (RETC) for the Construction of College of Nursing and Midwifery at Madobi, Kano:The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, the cited project was initially awarded at a contract sum of N987,530,103.36 via Council Extract No. SSCA/CA/EX/10/I/165 and work is at advanced stage nearing completion.

Nevertheless, works not captured in the initial estimates were encountered by the contractor, which were scrutinized and negotiated to a new RETC of N1,216,303,380.83. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the sum of N228,773,277.48 to augment the already approved sum of N987,530,103.36 for the project so as to arrive at the new negotiated RETC for the project.

Council acknowledged the presentation, considered and approved as follows: o Construction project of the College of Nursing and Midwifery Madobi to be executed at the new scrutinized and negotiated RETC of N1,216,303,380.83. o Augmenting the initial Contract sum of N987,530,103.36 with the sum of N228,773,277.48 to total up to the new RETC of N1,216,303,380.83 for the stated project. o Issuance of an AIE by the Ministry of Planning and Budget to the tune of N228,773,277.48 from a Code deemed appropriate in the 2014 Budget Provision. e) Request for Funds to Enable the installation of Galvanized Wire Mesh Barriers at Various Locations Across Kano State:Galvanized wire mesh was presented to Council as a product that effectively performs the function of metal barriers usually erected to safeguard pedestrians against reckless drivers crossing the roads. Such barriers effectively augment the provision of overhead pedestrian bridges.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport deemed it appropriate to recommend the usage of two (2)

55 categories of the product (one each) at two (2) different areas. i.

Locations for long type (1.8 x 2M wire mesh) o Kandahar Mosque (Katsina Road) o Dan Marke Bus Stop (Maiduguri Road) o Fagge Primary School (along Ibrahim Taiwo Road) o FCE Kano, Rumfa College (along Old BUK Road) o Dawanau Market and Town (along Katsina Road) ii.

Locations for short type (1.5 x 1.8M) o Kabuga Motor Park, New Site BUK and Musa Ilyasu College (along Gwarzo Road) o Ja'en Juma'at Mosque o Yan'kaba Market Hadejia Road o Dangora (along Zaria Road) o FGC Kano, Na'ibawa (along Zaria Road) o Kwanar Dawaki (along Zaria Road) Details on the scope of works required were presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implications to the tune of N152,099,920.98, which was requested for release by Council for the stated purpose.

The project was considered relevant by Council as approval was granted for the release of the requested sum of N152,099,920.98 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable execution of the project. f) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Overhead Electricity Power Supply Network at Amana City:Amana City, one (1) among the three (3) established by the present administration under the leadership of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE was designed and implemented along current technological trends with complete provision and installation of overhead (HP and LT) electricity power supply network.

Details of the scope of works required were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the sum of N594,918,491.00 for the purpose.

To actualize the envisaged goal of providing accessible qualitative residence for the citizenry in Kano State, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N594,918,491.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the provision of overhead electricity power supply network at Amana City. g) Presentation of Proposal and Request for Funds for the General Renovation of Muhammad Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) Corporation House (Complex) along Maiduguri Road, Hotoro Kano:ARTV is the only Television Station owned by the Kano State Government and was identified to be in dire need of general renovation after the number of years of its establishment without.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport assessed the required magnitude of works and presented an estimate to the tune of N51,576,193.41, which was requested for release to enable the execution of the project. Council noted, considered and approved the request.

4.

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Two (2) of the three (3) memoranda submitted for deliberations by Council from the Ministry of Justice were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Facilitate for Justice Sector Reform Team Activities:The Hon. Commissioner for Justice notified Council, through the contents of this memorandum that, the Justice Sector Reform Team is a forum at which representatives of all Justice Sector Institutions meet to deliberate on issues that affect Justice Delivery in the State, identify problems and proffer solutions to deal with them.

Further, Council was notified that: o The Justice Sector Reform Team is backed by the Kano State Justice Sector Reform Team Law 2013. o The Justice Sector Reform Team is also supported by the DIFD Program of Justice for All. Five (5) prominent activities of the Justice Sector Reform Team were presented to Council for consideration along with their financial commitments to the tune of N15,000,000.00, which was requested for release to enable the immediate commencement of the Justice Sector Reform Team Activities.

Council acknowledged the noble objectives of the wide range of reforms in the Justice Sector of Kano State, considered and approved release of the requested sum of N15,000,000.00 to the State Ministry of Justice to enable immediate commencement of the Justice Sector Reform Team Activities. b) Presentation of Request for Salary Adjustment in Respect of New Shari'ah Court Judges, Muftis and Promotion/Advancement of Staff Remunerations:The contents of this memorandum substantiated to Council that the monthly salary commitments of the Shari'ah Court of Appeal is N25,176,898.95. However, as a result of the construction/establishment of more Shari'ah Courts, especially in the rural areas, it became necessary to appoint new Shari'ah Court Judges. Further, the State Judicial Service Commission approved the promotion/advancement of some members of Staff of the organization.

Consequently, the monthly Wage Bill increased by N7,775,976.75, which was requested for release monthly to augment the previous sum to the tune of N32,952,877.70.

Council considered the statutory nature of the request and approved as requested in view of the details presented for consideration.

5.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of 1,000 Classrooms Across Kano State:The Hon. Commissioner for Education reminded Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the Executive directive issued to him on the need for all contractors to mobilize to sites to complete the project awarded by the previous administration. This project was amongst many that were initiated and abandoned by the previous administration. However, as with other inherited abandoned projects this administration decided to complete the project for the benefits of the State citizens.

The directive was to sensitize and issue a two (2) weeks ultimatum to those contractors yet to mobilize back to their respective sites for the completion of their projects and submit reports.

The directive was complied with and the ultimatum was issued through media outlets in addition to serving the erring contractors with warning letters. Some contractors complied with the warnings and mobilized back to site preparatory to completing their projects.

Pursuant to the developments on the issue, a team of inspectors were directed to visit all the project sites with a view to assessing the cost implications for the completion of the projects to 100% level. Findings of the inspection team were presented to Council for consideration as follows: i.

N50,144,112.01 was required for those contractors who mobilized back to site to complete their projects. ii.

N166,969,806.62 was required to complete the contracts revoked. iii.

N606,187.76 to be paid by the State Government to two (2) contractors for the work executed. iv.

N8,385,449.60 to be refunded to the State Government by three (3) contractors.

Council appreciated the presentation and approved as follows: o Release of the aggregate sum of N217,720,106.39 to the Ministry of Education to enable the completion of the Construction of 1,000 Classrooms across Kano State. o Directed the refund of the sum of N8,385,449.60 by three (3) Contractors.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 140TH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SITTING 1.

NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM CONFERENCE HELD IN KANO

Council delightfully acknowledged a 2 - day Northern Elders Forum Conference in the State held at Tahir Guest Palace Kano. The host, Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, was represented by the Kano State Head of Civil Service who delivered a message, which emphasized the need for Northern delegates to the National Conference to have a Common Stand on all matters affecting the North. The message stressed the need for good governance, security and economic development of the area and Nigeria in general.

2.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL WORKING VISIT TO TURKEY

a) Visit to SEMA Hospital:In his effort to uplift and provide standard healthcare delivery service in the State, Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE officially undertook a working visit to the Republic of Turkey where he met with the Management of SEMA Hospital, which is amongst the best hospitals in Turkey. The visit was made to strengthen partnership between the hospital and the Kano State Government. Discussions were held on the exchange of manpower and deployment of modern Hospital equipment to the State Hospital. b) Signing of Memorandum Of Understanding (M o U) Between The Kano State Government And the Cyprus University, Turkey:During the official working visit, Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE and his entourage visited Cyprus University where the Governor was given an award in recognition of his educational policy. The Governor also signed an agreement for the University to sponsor two (2) Kano State Indigenous Candidates. The University agreed to admit science biased students from the State with Higher National Diploma to study in the institution for higher degree certificates. c) Meeting With the Business Community And Kano State Sponsored Students in Turkey Council acknowledged the meeting held between the Governor with Turkey Businessmen and Industrialists towards the promotion of commercial and industrial business relationship between the State and Turkey.

Further, the Governor met with the Kano State sponsored indigenous students studying in Turkey in his effort to ensure their welfare and wellbeing at their respective institutions.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

56

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Bayelsa hosts AMAA 10th anniversary sponsors’ night I •Linus

Stephanie Linus inspires students at WATFON

T

OP Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus, has urged Nigerian youths to remain focused and be good ambassadors of their fatherland.

She gave the charge as a panelist at a recent event organized for secondary school students in Nigeria tagged: “We Are the Future of Our Nation- WATFON”.

WATFON is a yearly inspirational event organized by Edumark Consult.

In her speech entitled “What I Wish I Knew When I

was 16”, she explained how she developed a passion for entertainment at a young age and nurtured her dreams.

Other panelists were Dr. Leke Pitan, ex-Lagos State commissioner for heath and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, a former Lagos State governorship candidate.

Toyosi Akerele of RISE Networks moderated the event.

Some of the dignitaries at the event were the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and Sahara Group Executive Director, Tonye Cole.

T will be another memorable event on Saturday, March 22, as the governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, will lead top government officials from the state and captains of industry to the 10th anniversary sponsors’ night of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In a joint statement by the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Board, Mrs. Ebizi Brown, and Chief Executive of AMAA, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the sponsors’ dinner is designed to, once again, engage and partner the private sector on the potentials and benefits of the awards platform to the development of the motion picture industry in Nigeria and Africa, while introducing the tourism development initiatives of the state.

Omoni Oboli’s rising profile

T

OP Nollywood producer and director, Desmond Ovbiagele and movie director, Steve Shodiya, have both described actress Omoni Oboli has a rare talent.

Both made this assertion at an interactive session with the press recently.

Steve, a post-production expert, said, “I sometimes use Omoni’s scenes to clean up other actors’ scenes.”

Commenting on her roles in such films as Render to Caesar, Anchor Baby and Figurine, he said, “No other actor could have played those roles the way she did. Most of them are stereotyped, but she is versatile. She did not only play the role, but she gave the character more than we expected.

“From post-production

views, we see a lot of mistakes, but we are paid to clean up the mistakes before the public sees it. But with respect to Omoni, we hardly throw away any of her shots. In fact, we use her scenes to clean other actors’ scenes.”

Similarly, Ovbiagele, the producer and director of Render to Caesar, said, “I was looking for a professional, in terms of her approach to work and after my research, I found out that she is very professional and is somebody who sticks through to the end.”

Since she came into Nollywood, she has featured in a number of award-winning movies, including Entanglement, Bent Arrows, Fatal Imagination, Deep Inside, Brother’s Keeper, Dining with a Long Spoon and Feathered dreams, among others.

OTABLE actor, Sir Alan Bates, is dead.

He died of cancer at a London hospital on Saturday night. The death of the 69-yearold famous actor has, therefore, cast a pall on the entire acting world.

He made his name between 1950s and 1960s with theatre performances in John Osborne’s Look Back In Anger and Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker.

In films, he was, perhaps, best known for a nude wrestling scene with Oliver Reed in the 1969 film of D.H. Lawrence’s Women In Love. He appeared in more than 50 oth-

•Brain (left) and Weird MC

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AST-RISING act, Matanmi Adeleke Vector, a.k.a Brain, has denied the reports that he poured invective on rap diva, Weird MC, in his new song, Salute.

It will be recalled that the Magikal Entertainment artiste had reportedly been enmeshed in a controversy, fol-

The release further stated that through the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Board, the state had used AMAA as its flagship brand to project the oil-rich state as a destination of choice in areas of business and leisure for foreigners and Nigerians.

According to Mrs. Brown,

er movies, including Zorba The Greek in 1964 and Far From The Madding Crowd in 1967. He received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance as a Russian Jew unjustly accused of murder in the 1968 film, The Fixer. Last year, he won the Screen Actors’ Guild Best Actor award for his role in Gosford Park.

The son of an insurance broker and a housewife, Sir Alan was born in 1934 in Allestree, Derby. His musical parents tried to encourage him to pursue a career as a concert pianist.

But when he was 11 years old, he discovered his real passion

My dream for Yoruba movie industry -Laface

•Anyiam-Osigwe

“This year’s edition of AMAA is a special one for us in Bayelsa State and we want to make our guests, both Nigerians and foreigners, to experience Bayelsa in a different form. Our people, culture and exotic coastal areas will be showcased to attract the right investments and partnership with the private sector. The dinner will afford us to tell the leaders of the pri-

was acting. He took speech and acting lessons before winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he trained as a classical performer. Sir Alan’s studies were, however, interrupted by two years of national service in the RAF. Although he was a prolific screen performer, it is generally accepted that his best work was on the stage and television.

He received the CBE in 1995 and was knighted in the 2003 New Year Honours list. He reportedly acknowledged, in at least one interview, that his appetite for work allowed him to survive two personal tragedies. His son, Tristan, died of an asthma attack in 1990 at the age of 19 and two years later,

•The late Sir Bates

he lost his wife, actress Victoria Ford, after a suspected heart attack. After his son’s death, Sir Alan and Tristan’s twin, Benedick, established the Tristan Bates Theatre at the Actors’ Centre in Covent Garden, Central London.

O

RGANISER of the two-year-old Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMAA), Mr. Tunde Oshinibosi, popularly called Laface, has said that his vision is for the awards scheme to outlive him.

Oshinibosi, who is putting finishing touches to the second edition of the show scheduled to hold on Sunday, March 30, at the Civic Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, said, “I have a dream that the Yoruba movie industry will become a global entertainment brand and will not have to continue to plead

I didn’t insult Weird MC, says Brain lowing what critics described as “abusive” lines in his song.

He, however, said, “I celebrated the rap stars and didn’t run anyone down in the song. I have great respect for Weird MC and look up to her because she is one of the top female masters of ceremonies that have put Africa on the hip hop map.

I don’t need to run anyone down to get spotted. I’m a lover of clean and good music and I’m having a ball of my life, doing what I know how to do best, which is rapping. I thank God for the recognition I am getting with every record I

By Victor Akande

Sir Alan Bates dies at 69

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•Oboli

•Governor Dickson

vate sector to explore the many opportunities in our state and we will seek their sponsorship for this year’s edition of AMAA.” Also, Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe disclosed that the relationship between the awards organization and Bayelsa State had blossomed in the last 10 years and that the 10th anniversary of AMAA was being planned to give the guests an exciting and memorable experience.

“Bayelsa and Africa Film Academy are working to ensure that the infrastructure that will support film-making are readily available. We will like the private sector to support us and sponsor AMAA and other Nigerians initiatives that promote our creative industry, our people and culture. His Excellency, Governor Dickson, will lead this effort and make demand on the Nigerian business leaders at the event.”

have dropped since my debut, So Crazy. That’s why I’m setting the record straight that I have no hard feelings for Weird MC or any other rap artiste out there.”

He also disclosed that the video of the song, which was shot by top Nigerian motion and still graphic designer and animator, James Abinibi, would be released soon.

Produced by Eclispe, Salute, which rap lovers described as creative, is already enjoying massive downloads online and airplay on several Nigerian radio stations

•Oshinibosi

for recognition, even within its own region, the South West.

I have a dream that the governments of the South West, through their respective culture and tourism ministries, will see the Yoruba movie industry as a major platform for strategic investments.

“I have a dream that one day the Yoruba movie industry practitioners will get their benefits for years of hard work and sleepless nights. Also, I have a dream that the Federal Government will take the long-awaited decisive measures to end the dreaded piracy scourge, thereby creating a boisterous movie industry.”

This year’s awards ceremony, according to Oshinibosi, will start with a red carpet by 5pm, while the awards proper will commence by 7pm.

A

WARD-WINNING pop singer, Iyanya Mbuk, is set to launch a foundation called The Iyanya Foundation.

The foundation, according to the Kukere crooner, will cater to orphans and the less privileged members of society.

“I’m one of the very few orphans who had the opportunities to become great and influential in the society through my music and with MTN giving me the platform through Project Fame. Not every talented boy/girl in the streets today will be as fortunate as Iyanya. Through this Foundation, our drive is to help and establish as many orphans as possible,” he said.

It will be recalled that within a spate of three years, the artiste lost his parents and his only sibling. He lost his only brother early in 2012. Later in the same year, he lost his 42year-old mother at a Calabar hospital, where she had been receiving treatment. He had, however, lost his father in 2008 while he was still in the Project Fame Academy house.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

57

NEWS NSE to firms: comply with policies or face sanctions

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Staff Correspondent

T

HE Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema, has warned companies listed on the floor Exchange to comply with corporate governance policies or face sanctions.

Onyema, who spoke in Lagos at a breakfast meeting organised by the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), noted that it has become imperative for public quoted companies to comply with institutional corporate governance policies.

According to him, the NSE has instituted verifiable corporate governance structures with different committees to oversee the activities of its management, noting that the initiative has helped in driving written policies and procedures around corporate governance.

“One of the many visions of the NSE is to promote notable companies that are leaders in their respective sectors that adhere to the highest corporate governance standards and meet stringent requirements by providing them greater, global visibility.

“The corporate governance rating system, recently introduced by the NSE is to promote integrity and transparency in listed companies which would form a natural and integral part of companies’ internal policies.

“The rating system will also provide a framework for rating the best compliant companies on more than just the observance of the codes, rules and post- listing requirements of the NSE,” said Onyema.

At the session were former Exchange’s Chief Executive Officer Hayford Alile; representative of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Ms. Tamsin Freemantle; former, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), Chief Executive Officer, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Tunji Oyebanji; Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe and Vice Chancellor, Pan Atlantic University, Prof Juan Elegido.

Police warn vehicle owners THE Lagos State police command has warned owners of vehicles parked at Ketu police station to come and remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction, two weeks after this publication.

They are Honda Accord CN 809GGE, Nissan car unregistered and Nissan Sunny NE

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ICPC arraigns ruler, brother for alleged N40m fraud T HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it has filed charges against a traditional ruler and his brother for allegedly misappropriating N40million belonging to Ipupe Community in Ubalaka Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State.

The suspects, who will face trial at Abia State High Court in Umuahia, are the ruler of the community, Eze Chima Bolo Ubiaru and his soldier-brother, Iyke Patrick Ubiaru A statement by the Resident Media Consultant Resident Media Consultant Mr. Folu Olamiti, said the suspects were alleged to have diverted N40million of N60million compensation paid to the community for the relocation of some shrines.

The statement said: “The Federal Government had through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited released N60million to the Community as compensation for the relocation of

•Suspects: we’re not guilty

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

shrines in the sacred forest of Okota, Ipupe Community.

“Eze Ubiaru and his brother Patrick were alleged to have diverted the sum of N40million out of the N60million meant for the whole Community into their private use contrary to and punishable under Sections 19 and 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

“Members of the Ipupe Development Union (IDU) had in a petition forwarded to ICPC said that Eze Ubiaru, a retired Captain in the Nigerian Army, acted fraudulently by going to the NIPP alone and deceiving the community as to how much was paid to the community.

“In the petition, it was alleged that Eze Ubiaru also

fraudulently lodged N60million into his personal account unilaterally and that Eze Ubiaru conspired with his brother, the Palace Secretary to change the name of the community to Ajiukwu account.

“In the charge sheet filed by the ICPC Counsel, Raheem Adeshina, the suspects were alleged to have conferred corrupt advantage upon themselves by diverting N40million belonging to the Community for their personal use, and ICPC averred that the accused committed the offence between January, 2011 and March, 2012.

“Eze Ubiaru and his brother were alleged to have stolen N40million out of N60million paid to Ipupe Community by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited to buy some hectares of land in the Com-

munity.

“This alleged stealing of public funds, ICPC Counsel said was contrary to Section 383(1) and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“Patrick Ubiaru was also charged with aiding his brother, the Eze, by making false entry, with intent to conceal a crime contrary to Section 15(a) and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

“He was specifically accused of falsifying the minutes of the meeting of Expanded Eze in the Council held on 3rd March, 2011.

“The presiding judge, Justice A. U Kalu, after listening to the submissions of Counsel for ICPC and the accused adjourned the matter till 16th and 17th April, 2014 for hearing.

“The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the seven count charge preferred against them, and were granted bail.”

• Senator Gbenga Ashafa (right) congratulating a beneficiary –– Mrs Mistura Adebayo after presenting a sewing machine to her during the empowernment for artisans at his constituency office in Lagos... yesterday.

With them are All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Bariu Akewusere (left) and an official of Somolu Local Government Salu Owolabi.

PHOTO. MUYIWA HASSAN

•Chairman, Shomolu Local Government, Mr. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe presenting the budget document to House Leader Adetona Adebola at the secretariat in Lagos

EFCC urged to expose Owo Medical Centre fraud

By Adekunle Yusuf, Assistant Editor

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GROUP, the Concerned National Medical Practitioners of Nigeria CNMPN), has called on the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who are investigating large-scale fraud uncovered at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, Ondo State, not to relent until all the people behind the scam are exposed and brought to book.

The group, after praising the operatives of the anti graft agency, said such a move will help in checkmating malfeasance as well as serve as a deterrent to other people in public offices who may want to loot government treasuries to enrich themselves. In a statement by the group’s coordinator and secretary, Dr Donard Litmus and Dr Ebenezer Julius, CNMPN appealed to the commission to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing investigation so as to unravel the mystery behind the fraud, adding that corruption is the bane of development in the country.

It also urged the EFCC to beam its search-lights on the audit reports of the hospital, saying the development will expose facts on how the frauds were perpetrated in the place. The group said the arrest of a lawyer who came to bribe the operatives of the commission over the issue is a pointer to the fact that the fraud is real and those behind the frauds are desperate to bribe their way out at all costs so as to pervert the course of justice. “We aware of the development going since the commission has been investigating the case of fraud emanated from the Federal Medical Center in Owo and we give kudos to the commission’s operatives for their brave, painstaking and professional tactics used in handling the case so far.

We know more facts may be uncovered that may lead to discovery of bigger frauds.

As you are intensifying efforts to get to the root of the case, we want whoever indicted or involved in the fraud, no matter how highly placed they may be, be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the group said.

There was a mild drama at the FMC, as a senior official reportedly went into hiding to escape arrest by the EFCC operatives who stormed the place. It was gathered the operatives stormed the hospital to verify the claims of the hospital over the CTscans and other equipment worth several millions of naira claimed to have been purchased by the management team.

Only qualified estate surveyors can manage govt property, says BPP

OVERNMENT agencies will henceforth patronise members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in award of government estate surveying and valuation.

A letter from the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) has endorsed Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of

Nigeria (ESVRBON) as the accredited regulatory body for the industry.

The letter enjoined Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to only pre-qualify firms of Estate Surveyors and Valuers for facility management valuation, property management and estate agency services.

The letter signed by Director -General Emeka Ezeh reads, “The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVRBON) regulates the practice of estate surveying and valuation in Nigeria and as such only professionals duly registered with the body are eligible to practice the profession in the country and

can be patronised by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government for valuation, property management and estate agency services”.

This is a major breakthrough for members of NIESV in their age-long campaign to regulate and rid the industry of quacks and nonregistered professionals. Para-

graph 2 (ii) of the letter states as follows, “consequent on the observations made in paragraph 2(1)(a-c), Ministries, Departments and Agencies can as appropriate, pre-qualify firms who have met the mandatory criteria of responsiveness stipulated in the provision of Section 16(6) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 in addition to

project specific criteria stated in the bid solicitation by the procuring entity”.

NIESV’s President Emeka Eleh said the clarification from the government’s procurement agency is a welcome development which will, when implemented rid the industry of corruption .

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

NEWS Jonathan, Tambuwal furious over job seekers’ death Continued on page 4

NIS. A source said: “The President, who was personally devastated by the incidents, demanded an explanation from the Minister of Interior on what went wrong.

“The minister and the Nigeria Immigration Service are expected to turn in their responses latest by Monday (today).”The mood at the Presidential Villa was bad and heads may roll where any case of negligence or tardiness is established.

“All other security agencies and para-military organisations involved in the process have turned in their reports.”

Another top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Ideally, in a nation where there is conscience, the minister ought to have turned in his resignation on Saturday night.

“The international embarrassment created for Jonathan administration by the death of these innocent souls does not warrant those in charge to remain in government.

“The minister’s comments did not help matters. He was busy blaming the applicants for the stampede.”A Presidency source said: “Last year the Ministry of

PUBLIC NOTICE ADEWUNMI

I was formerly known and addressed as Miss. ADEWUNMI GRACE IBIRONKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODETUNDE GRACE IBIRONKE. All former documents remain valid.

FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OFFA KWARA STATE AND (N.Y.S.C) general public to take note.

Interior under Abba Morro outsourced the recruitment into the Nigerian Immigration Service to a company, Drexel Nig Limited.

Over 700,000 (734,000 actually) applied, and paid N1000 to the company.

“Last week, the Minister instructed the NIS to conduct the placement test for those that applied.

“NIS was said to have applied for funds to conduct the recuitment but the company replied that funding the test was not part of the agreement. NIS couldn’t pay for any of the venues as at 9 am on Saturday.

“At the Abuja National Stadium, for instance, while the applicants had massed at the gate from 6 am, the Service could only pay the Stadium authority about 10am and the gates were thereafter opened, hence the surge and stampede.

“If the ministry and the consultants had allowed us to conduct our interview the way we normally do it, we would have segmented it into categories of vacancies, with different dates in different zones. How do you conduct a test for over 700,000

people for 4,560 vacancies in one day? What was the work of the consultants? Couldn’t they have shortlisted the applicants.

“If someone collected that much money, he should take pains to screen their certificates, their ages and other requirements and weed out the unqualified.

And how do you ask an organisation to conduct the test of that magnitude without a kobo?”

It was gathered that the minister and top officials of NIS were battling to save their jobs.

“There is no way heads will not roll; this is really embarrassing to the nation. Many security agencies have begun independent probe into the incidents.”

Tambuwal described as “unfortunate’’.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, the speaker said the death of the innocent youths was sorrowful and regrettable.

He said it was more regrettable, considering the fact that they were at the screening centres in search of jobs that would better their lot and that of their loved ones.

Tambuwal urged the authorities concerned to investigate the tragedy and advised them to map out strategies to prevent future occurrence.

He urged governments at all levels to work closely with the Organised Private Sector to tackle the unemployment problem facing the nation.

The speaker condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones, and prayed for quick recovery of injured ones.

Senate Leader Victor NdomaEgba described the death of job seekers as an unimaginable tragedy for the country.

Ndoma-Egba said the deaths were particularly worrisome, adding: “As a nation, this is an unimaginable tragedy. These deaths are coming at a time when the nation is grappling with the unwarranted deaths of innocent citizens at the hands of Boko Haram sect.

“Regrettably, this is a tragic reminder that our nation must do something very urgently to create opportunities for young men and women. We must do everything to generate employment for our people.”

Eminent Nigerians call for Moro’s, CG’s sack Continued on page 4

They criticised the Minister’s reaction to the incident, arguing that he ought to sympathise with the families of the deceased rather than blame them for the unfortunate incident.

The statement reads: “On

PUBLIC NOTICE ODUDUWA MODEL MARKET TRADER ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that The above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs oladele ayoola Mohammed 2. Mrs oladoyin atinuke korede 3. Ozonna ifeanyi Cornelius AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster unity and business relationship among all traders and customers alike 2. To coordinate all issues in respect of landlord and tenant relationship in the market 3. To create a conducive business environment in the market Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Dave T . Jacobs.Esq

Saturday, 15 March 2014, hundreds of thousands of job-seekers attended job-seeking examinations organised by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in different centres in Nigeria to fill 4,556 vacancies.

The NIS is supervised by the Ministry of the Interior.

“The Ministry and the NIS had compelled each job seeker, as an eligibility condition for participating in this hire process, to pay the sum of one thousand Naira (N1,000).

There is no evidence that these sums were remitted to the Federation Account as required by law.

“In most places, these jobseeking examinations took place in stadia, suggesting that the organisers anticipated large turn outs. Inexplicably, they failed to make adequate or any arrangements for crowd management and control.

“At different centres around the country, including Abuja, Benin, Kano, Minna, and PortHarcourt, many job-seekers, including pregnant mothers, were killed and lots more were injured in stampede caused by grossly negligent and uncaring ground arrangements.

“This tragedy was needless, foreseeable and avoidable. The failures of the Ministry of the Interior and NIS to adequately manage the process and safeguard the safety and security of the jobseekers is inexcusable.

“The deaths that resulted from these failures, therefore, were unlawful. If the lives of Nigerians mean anything, the leadership and management teams in the Ministry of the Interior and the NIS must be held to account for these deaths.

“In his reaction to the deaths, Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, accused the victims of ‘impatience,’ claiming that the deaths resulted because ‘they did not follow the laid down procedures spelt out to them before the exercise.’

“The effort by the Minister responsible for citizenship in Nigeria to blame the victims rather than take responsibility shows a callous disregard for the lives of Nigerians incompatible with his high Ministerial brief. It brings public service into disrepute.

“In the circumstances, we the undersigned, as citizens of Nigeria, respectfully demand that: •The Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; and the Controller –General of Immigration, Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, be immediately re-

lieved of their positions; *The Honorable AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police together with the Director-General of State Security, should launch a joint criminal investigation into the deaths of these jobseekers; •An independent audit should immediately be instituted into the monies made by the Ministry and the NIS from the jobseekers and criminal investigations should be commenced as appropriate; •Government should demonstrate a readiness to address the problem of youth unemployment as a national security priority through a partnership involving the agricultural sector, public sector, private sector, voluntary sector, and multi-laterals.

“To the families across the country bereaved as a result of these and other on going challenges in our country, we take this opportunity to transmit heartfelt condolences and pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of our deceased brothers and sisters.”

The statement was signed by Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, Dr. Ayesha Imam, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, Dr. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi and Dr. Hussaini Abdu.

Others are Mr. Femi Edun, Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed; Mal. Abba Kyari, Dr. Kole Shettima, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, Prof. Ebere Onwudiwe, Mal. Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, Hon. Yusuf Tuggar, Mr. Yemi Candide-Johnson, SAN; Alhaji Tajudeen Fola Adeola, Waziri Adio, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, Iniruo Wills, Mrs. Ayo Obe, Yunusa Yau; Nasir Ladan; Dr. Jeremy Weate, Prof. Nsongurua Udombana, Dr. Charmaine Perreira; Saka Azimazi, Dr. Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, Chief Ziggy Azike, KSC, Roland Ewubare; Mrs. Stella Ugboma, Prof.

Ernest Ojukwu; Chukwuma Odelugo, Dr. Solomon Ebobrah, Afolabi Kuti, Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohiaeri; Ms. Seember Nyagher, Dr. Joan Oviawe, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani); Doueyi Fiderekumo, Dakorim Boma Odunuga, Alaezi Nmezi, Dele Aloko; Mrs. Ozioma Izuora, Ms. Lola Shoneyin, Mal. Bilya Bala; Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, Uba Saidu Malami; Obinna Anaba, Ms. Wumi Asubiaro, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu and Mr. Obi Akaraiwe

Immigration jobs deaths: Families demand bodies Continued on page 4

day. Three injured men were transferred to IBB Specialist Hospital for further treatment.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Ibrahim Sule confirmed that the two bodies were still in the morgue.

“I have been on top of the matter personally since Saturday and I have directed that the injured should be attended to adequately,” the commissioner said.

He blamed the Immigration Service for not liaising with the ministry about the programme.

“It was wrong of the organisers to have planned a programme of that magnitude without provision for medical. They also failed to liaise with my ministry, we would have gone there with mobile clinic,” Sule said.

Speaking from her sick bed, Blessing Bako, a School Certificate holder, said she owed her luck to a sister who saw her when she was trampled upon by other applicants who were trying to run away from the tear gas released by an Immigration Officer to drive away the surging crowd at the Government Girls Secondary School ven-

ue of the aptitude test.

Recounting her ordeal, Bako said: “I recalled I fell down following a surge and people were stepping on me until one of my sisters called two men and came to my rescue.

“I have my waist dislocated and I cannot move. I am also having some pains on my chest and my left shoulder”, she said.

To Hannah Damidami, an NCE holder, how she found herself in the hospital was a mystery. “We were on a queue. I remember that some young men just rushed and pushed those of us on the queue. At a point, I was sandwiched and I lost my breath.

The next thing was to find myself in the hospital.

“I don’t know who brought me here and it was when I became conscious the hospital management took some information and contacted, my people. I thank God and the hospital staff for saving my life,” Damidami stated.

Still with blood shot eyes and a broken arm, Damidami lamented the ordeal applicants suffered. She vowed never to attend such an aptitude test again.

Survivors relive ordeal Continued on page 4

nearly filled - with many unable to gain entry. The source said many candidates had to climb over locked gates to gain entry and to get out; the question papers were inadequate and many could not take the examination; even many of those that took could not submit because the officials were not available.

He said: “The exam was a sham. Those who organised it just did it to fulfill righteousness. They first told us they must sign our confirmation slips (which contained our identity details). I laughed because I knew it was impossible for them to sign all because of the crowd. When they got tired of signing, they told us all to submit the confirmation slips. We struggled to submit.

After the exam, we saw the pile of slips scattered on the foot-

T

ball pitch.

“Many people had to fight for question papers. While I looked for an official to submit my script to, some others had not got question paper to write.”

Another candidate, Yinka Adebisi said though there were three categories of questions, the officials made no distinctions on how they should be written.

“I eventually got to write the exam after much struggle. It got to an extent that the officials started throwing the questions on the field for candidates to scramble and pick. In fact, the whole thing was a sham. It was not well organised.

“There were three question types. I think Type 1 was for BSc holders; Type 2 for HND, and Type 3, ND holders. But the officials did not even specify which one was for which,” he said.

16 died, says Immigration

HE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) yesterday said “over 16” died in four centres during weekend’s recruitment tests.

But newspapers reported 19 dead.

It however said the process was successfully conducted in 31 states.

In the e-recruitment report submitted to Minister of Interior Abba Moro, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the NIS said it was only Port Harcourt, Niger, Jigawa and the FCT that casualties were recorded.

It said that over 16 deaths were recorded in these states and about 20 persons sustained injuries and were currently receiving treatment.

The report said that while immigration officers in Ogun were pelted, the process was cancelled in Lagos State due to unruly conduct of applicants.

Moro said that the ministry still intended to continue with the recruitment of successful candidates.

He said that the process would be held at a later date in Lagos.

The minister said although the ministry had thoroughly prepared for the successful conduct of the exercise, it did not anticipate the large crowd that showed up in various centres. ”We were working with the exact number that applied which is over 500,000 and officers had been deployed to handle this number.

“We did not anticipate that even persons who did not apply and not eligible to sit for the exam will come making the stadia very crowded and unmanageable” he said.

He said that although officials did not thoroughly manage the crowd during the exercise, he called for understanding as the ministry would investigate the situation.

He assured Nigerians that recruitment into the immigration service would still go on as the ministry was poised to ensure employment of successful candidates.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

59

FOREIGN NEWS North Korea testfires 25 missiles

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ORTH Korea has testfired 25 short-range missiles into the sea off its coast, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said.

According to officials, 10 rockets were fired at 0920 GMT, with launches continuing until 1103 GMT with eight more missiles being fired – one every five minutes, RIA Novosti reported.

Another series of launches followed at 1228 GMT. A South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman said the type of rockets wasn't yet clear, according to AP. The test missiles apparently come in protest against ongoing American-South Korean military drills, which Pyongyang sees as a preparation for an invasion.

Suicide bomb kills three in Lebanon

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T least three people were killed and six wounded when a suicide car bomber struck a petrol station in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley near the border with Syria, a security source said.

He said two of the dead were members of Hezbollah who had approached the vehicle in the town of Nabi Osmane, a bastion of the Shi'ite Muslim militant group, which has been the target of attacks over its involvement in Syria's civil war next door.

Hezbollah-operated Al Manar television broadcast images from the site of the blast showing the twisted metal of a burnt-out car. What appeared to be the structure of the petrol station and an adjacent building were heavily damaged. Civilians, soldiers and emergency response workers were on the scene.

Obama wades into PalestineIsrael talks

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HEN President Barack Obama meets Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, it will be the next in a string of meetings held in the US capital to develop a "framework" for peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Supporters on both sides have been making their case in the court of public opinion, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in early March celebrating the "special relationship" between the US and Israel, and critics only a few days later suggesting this relationship receives too much favour.

At AIPAC, US Secretary of State John Kerry, whose visit was meant to bolster support for the framework agreement, said he had no illusions about the state of negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. "This isn't about me," he said of his efforts. "This is about the dreams of Israelis and the dignity of Palestinians."

Obama, who had attended previous AIPAC conferences but was noticeably absent at this year's event, recently expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and spoke of the consequences should Netanyahu not engage more fully in the process.

Exit poll: About 95% of Crimeans in referendum voted to join Russia

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BOUT 95 percent of voters in the Crimean referendum have answered ‘yes’ to the autonomous republic joining Russia and less than 5 percent of the vote participants want the region to remain part of Ukraine, according to preliminary results.

Polling stations closed in Crimea after the referendum where residents were to decide on the future status of the region.

“The results of the referendum exit polls in Crimea and Sevastopol: 93 percent voted for the reunion of Crimea with Russia as a constituent unit of the Russian Federation. 7 percent voted for the restoration of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Crimea and Crimea’s status as part of Ukraine,” the Crimean republican institute for political and social research said in a statement as cited by RIA Novosti.

The overall voter turnout in the referendum on the status of

Crimea is 81,37%, according to the head of the Crimean parliament’s commission on the referendum, Mikhail Malyshev.

The preliminary results of the popular vote in Sevastopol are expected to be announced at 2030 GMT during a meeting in the center of the city that hosts Russia's Black Sea fleet.

Over a half of the Tatars living in the port city took part in the referendum, with the majority of them voting in favor of joining Russia, reports Itar-Tass citing a representative of the Tatar community Lenur Usmanov.

About 40% of Crimean Tatars went to polling stations yesterday, the republic’s prime minister Sergey Aksyonov said.

In Simferopol, the capital of the republic, at least 15,000 have gathered to celebrate the referendum in central Lenin square and people reportedly keep arriving. Demonstrators, waving Russian and Crimean flags, are

watching a live concert and awaiting the announcement of preliminary results of the voting.

International observers are planning to present their final declaration on the Crimean referendum today, the head of the monitors’ commission, Polish MP Mateush Piskorski told journalists. He added that the voting was held in line with international norms and standards.

Next week, Crimea will officially introduce the ruble as a second official currency along with Ukrainian hryvna, Aksyonov told Interfax. In his words, the dual currency will be in place for about six months.

Overall, the republic’s integration into Russia will take up to a year, the Prime Minister said, adding that it could be done faster. However, they want to maintain relations with “economic entities, including Ukraine,” rather than burn bridges.

Moscow is closely monitoring the vote count in Crimea, said Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Karasin.

“The results of the referendum will be considered once they are drawn up,” he told Itar-Tass.

The decision to hold a referendum was made after the bloody uprising in Kiev which ousted President Vladimir Yanukovich from power.

Crimea - which is home to an ethnic Russian majority population - refused to recognize the coup-appointed government as legitimate.

Crimeans feared that the new leadership would not represent their interests and respect rights.

Crimeans were particularly unhappy over parliament's decision to revoke the law allowing using minority languages – including Russian – as official along with the Ukrainian tongue. Crimeans staged mass anti-Maidan protests and asked Russia to protect them.

Syria 'recaptures rebel border town Yabroud'

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HE Syrian military has claimed it has recaptured Yabroud, the last rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border.

Soldiers were going through the town to root out any remaining militants, the military said in a televised address.

Government forces and Lebanese fighters from the Hezbollah group have besieged the town for weeks, as part of a battle for control of key transport routes.

More than 100,000 have been killed in the three-year conflict between rebels and President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

The government launched an offensive in mid-November to oust rebel fighters from the Qalamoun mountains near the Lebanese border.

They recaptured the towns of Qara, Deir Attiya and Nabak, to the north-east of Yabroud along the motorway linking Damascus with the city of Homs.

In mid-February, Assad forces launched a full offensive on Yabroud, which had been controlled by the opposition for much of the three-year conflict.

Putin fears for Russian speakers in Ukraine

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•A woman casts her ballot during voting in a referendum at a polling station in Simferopol...yesterday

PHOTO: REUTERS

Missing jet sought in huge Asia arc

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OME 25 countries are now involved in a vast search operation for the missing airliner that disappeared over a week ago, Malaysian officials say.

The search area - from central Asia to the southern Indian Ocean - takes in large tracts of land and sea.

An already complex search operation has become even more difficult, Malaysia's acting transport minister says.

Crew, passengers and ground staff are being investigated after it was confirmed the jet was commandeered.

Investigators are trying to obtain more radar and satellite data from any of the countries that Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 may have passed over, with its 239 crew and passengers.

The leaders of several Asian countries have been briefed by the Malaysia government in what acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has described as a new phase of the search.

"From focusing mainly on shallow seas, we are now looking at large tracts of land, crossing 11 countries, as well as deep and remote oceans," he said at a news conference.

Malaysian officials are contacting countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, China, Myanmar, Laos, Viet-

nam, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and France.

They are also asking countries to provide assistance in the search for the plane, including satellite data and analysis, ground-search capabilities, and maritime and air assets.

After checking their radar

recordings, Pakistani civil aviation officials said they had found no sign of the missing jet.

Malaysian national police chief Gen Khalid Abu Bakar said background checks had been requested on all passengers aboard the plane, but that so far nothing suspicious had

been reported - though some intelligence agencies still had to respond.

The police are also reportedly looking at the family life and psychological state of the plane's pilot, Zaharie Shah, and co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, and searched their homes on Saturday.

RESIDENT Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday Crimea's referendum on union with Russia was legitimate and expressed concern about Kiev's failure to stamp out violence against Russian speakers in Ukraine.

"Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin drew attention to the inability and unwillingness of the present authorities in Kiev to curb rampant violence by ultra-nationalist and radical groups that destabilise the situation and terrorise civilians, including Russian speaking population," the Kremlin said.

He suggested European monitors should be sent to all parts of Ukraine because of the violence, which the Ukrainian authorities blame on proRussian groups.

Russian parliament has given Putin the authority to use the armed forces if needed to protect compatriots in Ukraine.

LENTEN MESSAGE

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Theme: Joy over Jordan

IVER Jordan may be ordinary to ordinary minds but to spiritually minded beings, there is an historical perspective to it - it is a dangerously powerful river! Jordan is from the Hebrew word, ‘yar-dane’ meaning “the Descender”. When Jesus had an encounter with the River, His heaven opened and that engagement led to the start of His earthly ministry (Mark 1:9-11).

There was also a time when the sons of the prophets were desirous of progress and wanted to build a house, the River Jordan withstood them, took their axe-head and frustrated their plans, but thank God that with a stick in the hand of an anointed of God their joy was recovered from “the Descender” (2 Kings 6:1-7).

Not only that, a great Commander in Syria called Naa-

Text: “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with Him” (Matthew 3:17)

By The Revd. Henry O. Adelegan

man had grave health issues and Prophet Elisha told him that the solution was for him to engage the River Jordan.

When he dipped his body in the River seven times, all that he had lost was restored (2 Kings 5:1-14).

Paul makes it clear that “we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world…” (Ephesians 6:12).

Beloved, there are many challenges that the devil is in-

troducing into the world to kill, steal and destroy lives, marriages, destinies, businesses and nations. The only way to have joy over Jordan is “to be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour ……” (Ephesians 6:10).

Continue to move on in Christ, don’t be intimidated by the Goliath that is threatening you. The armour of God covers every part of the human body apart from the back meaning that children of God are not expected to shy away from any battle because turning back is dangerous. Resist the devil in prayers today and he will flee from you in Jesus’ name.

•Revd Adelegan

As you kit yourself with the full armour of God during this season of Lent and obey what He commands, be assured that God will fight for you, restore all that you have lost, move your life forward and take you to your Promised Land.

Prayer: Almighty God, you are the helper of the helpless, deliver me from the pains of Jordan and take me from where I am to where you destined for me in Jesus’ name.

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‘I complied with all regulations as CBN governor’ Full text of Central Bank of Nigeria’s suspended Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s response to queries on his tenure

I

am compelled to make this public statement to address the various allegations levied against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and cited as the reasons for my suspension from office as the Governor of the CBN on the 19th of February 2014.

As a matter of record, the allegations were made in the following documents: i. Briefing Note of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) dated 7th June 2013, Ref: PRES/188/T&I/89 to His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan [the Briefing Note]; ii. The Letter of Suspension dated 19th February 2014, which I received from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; and iii. The petition dated 9th February 2014 by Mr. Erastus Akingbola.

However, before I go into the above issues, let me reiterate for the records, the achievements of the CBN during my tenure as the Governor: The Record Firstly, let me state that I have been extremely fortunate to have had a solid and supportive team led by the Deputy Governors and supported by the Departmental Directors, as well as thousands of hardworking and dedicated staff who must be given the credit for all that the CBN has achieved. I would also like to acknowledge for the record, the foundation laid by my predecessor, Professor Charles ChukwumaSolu-

PDP demands forensic audit of CBN’s account THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a detailed forensic audit of all the accounts and financial activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 2009 till date.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh , also demanded that the audit must establish and publish all movement of monies from the CBN accounts such as contract sums, donations and other extra budgetary spending under the suspended CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The party said the audit will reveal all contracts awarded by the apex bank within the period, the beneficiary companies and persons behind them as well as the value of the contracts and their status of execution.

It said facts available to it, some of which have already been published by the Financial Reporting Council, show that within the period, the apex bank inflated contracts through which over N680 billion CBN money was frittered away.

Stating that the beneficiaries of the contracts consist of persons who have been hiding under the toga of anti-corruption crusaders and whistle blowers to syphon the nation’s resources, the PDP said it has been established that there were huge infractions on the management of the bank’s funds which made it impossible for it to properly prepare its financial statements since 2012 using the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The PDP insisted that the audit must expose the true beneficiaries of the over N150 billion doled out as developmental donations, especially as some of the institutions listed as beneficiaries, such as the Bayero University Kano (BUK), have denied receiving the sums recorded against their names by the CBN. It noted that BUK was widely reported to have announced that it received only N1billion as against the N4 billion claimed by the apex bank.

“Our great party as well as other well-meaning Nigerians are particularly worried by allegations that such funds may have actually ended up as financial support to clandestine groups working against the unity and corporate existence of do, in a number of areas. The CBN Act, 2007, which he championed, established the CBN as a truly autonomous entity of the Federation, and made it possible for us to take the difficult decisions necessary for restoring and maintaining macroeconomic stability. The FSS 2020 and PSV 2020 documents provided the principal strategic

roadmaps that led to many of the innovations in payment systems, non-interest banking, financial inclusion, the Asset Management Corporation, IFRS, Risk-based Supervision, and the like.

Indeed, it will be impossible for me to review almost five years of revolutionary change made possible by the work of

the nation,” the statement said.

It added that the “forensic audit will provide answers to how the apex bank under Sanusi spent N20.202 billion on ‘legal and professional fees’ in 2011, as well as the N1.257 billion spent on ‘private guards’ and ‘lunch for policemen’ in 2012.

“It will explain to Nigerians how the sum of N23 million and N50 million were spent just to renovate the official residence of the CBN governor, while solving the puzzle of N848 million claimed to have been spent on the purchase of a property from the National Planning Commission even without any transaction agreement.”

The party said the discrepancies noted in the 2011 and 2012 CBN account regarding the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) wherein the CBN claimed to have paid a total of N38.233 billion to the company in 2011 for printing of banknotes whereas the NSPMC declared a total turnover of N29.370 Billion for all its transactions with all clients (including the CBN) were grave issues of corruption that no responsible government will sweep under the carpet.

According to the PDP, this financial recklessness was capped by impudence in the illegal acquisition without the knowledge of the President or the CBN Board, of seven per cent shares of International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation of Malaysia to the tune of N0.743 Billion in a in clear violation of the CBN Act. “The issue of prudence at the apex bank borders cardinally on the health of the economy, the growth and well being of the entire nation. Our demand for a forensic audit therefore tallies seamlessly with our firm position on due process and rule law, bearing in mind the imperative of straightening the records and bringing offenders to book, failure of which will catalyse a furious denudation on the confidence of Nigerians in governance, while emitting wrong signals to the international communities, especially, the development partners.”National Publicity Secretary thousands of employees in the CBN in collaboration with other Regulators, Banks and Other Financial Institutions and Government Ministries in this press statement. However, I will mention a few of the key highlights.

On monetary policy, the Bank has improved the institutional framework for policy-

making. A properly constituted Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) with a clear mandate for maintaining stability has been established. The MPC has been supported by improvements in research, data and forecasting capacity, and we have also paid attention to clear communication of our objectives to the market. As a result, head-

•Sanusi line inflation has remained below 10 per cent since January 2013, from a peak of 15.1 percent and 13.9 percent in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Core inflation declined from 11.2 per cent in December 2009 to 7.9 percent in December 2013, while food inflation maintained a downward trend from 15.5 percent in December 2009 to 9.3 percent in December 2013. In addition to the conventional liquidity management products, the Bank approved financial products to manage liquidity in non-interest financial institutions. The CBN also promoted the formation of the financial Markets Dealers Quotations Over–theCounter (FQDM OTC) Plc as a self-regulatory OTC operator.

In the area of safeguarding the value of the local currency and maintaining stability in the foreign exchange market for the overall sustenance of macroeconomic stability and growth, the CBN over the period has successfully maintained a stable exchange rate regime and a robust external reserve position conducive to sustainable growth and development.

(Continued on page 61

Jonathan approved CBN’s expenditure, says Sanusi (Continued from page 1)

organised the banking sector, through the Banker’s Committee, to pay N280 Million, totalling a sum of N500 Million, for the construction of the IFRS Academy.”

All of these requests Sanusi said were duly submitted to the CBN Board of Directors and were duly approved and the grants under the Intervention Program were duly budgeted for, and made on a limited and selected basis.

On the claims that the CBN’s expenses on Private Guards and Lunch for Policemen went up from N0.919 Billion in 2011 to N1.257Billion in 2012, Sanusi responded that “the CBN retained the services of about thirteen (13) private security companies to provide access control and security check services. In 2012, the CBN budgeted N600 Million for security services but spent N582.2 Million on private guards.”

To complement the efforts of private guards, the CBN Sanusi added “also requested the services of security agencies, in light of the increased security challenges, especially the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group. These security personnel were engaged on a daily basis; and were attached to senior CBN officials; special assignments such as security coverage for currency movements; static guard duties at the bank’s premises nationwide, and other sundry engagements.

About 2,406 Policemen are currently deployed on a daily basis to various branches and other locations of the CBN. These security personnel were paid a daily lunch and transport allowances totalling N675.02 Million in the year under review.”

On the claims that the CBN’s breakdown of “Currency Issue Expenses” for 2011 and 2012 indicated that it paid the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPMP) N38.233 Billion in 2011 for printing of banknotes, whereas the entire turnover of NSPMP was N29.370 Billion,

Sanusi responded that the “expense item of N38.233 Billion to NSPMP was made up as follows: N28.738Billion payment to NSPMP in 2011; N6.587Billion accrued liability in 2011 but paid in 2012 when deliveries were received; and N2.829Billion audit adjustment journal entry into the account at the end of 2011 in respect of prepayments to NSPMP. The difference between the numbers in the financial statements of CBN and NSPMP he said “is a simple reflection of timing differences between recognition of expenses by the CBN and income recognition by the NSPMP, with both entities applying conservative accounting policies.”

That the CBN made fictitious payments to Emirate Airlines: N0.511 Billion which allegedly does not fly local charter in Nigeria; Wing Airline: N0.425 Billion which allegedly is not registered with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); and Associated Airline: N1.025 Billion which allegedly did not have a turnover of up to a billion naira in 2011, the suspended CBN governor answered that the “CBN neither engaged, paid nor claimed to have paid Emirates Airlines.

Rather, the CBN engaged and entered into an Air Charter Services Agreement with Emirate Touch Aviation Services Limited, which is a local Nigerian charter service company. A simple enquiry by FRCN would have clarified and avoided this misrepresentation. ii. With respect to Wings Aviation Limited, the CBN contracted Wings Aviation Limited, which changed its name to Jedidiah Air Limited on 21 August 2009 but only notified the CBN of the change on 28 February 2012. Please, see Annexure C for the letter from Jedidiah Air Limited notifying the CBN of the change of name. Here also, a simple enquiry by FRCN would have made this clear. iii. With respect to Associated Air Limited, the CBN did in fact pay a total of N1.025 Billion to Associated Airline

Limited. See Annexure D for the schedule of payments made to Associated Airline Limited. It is worth stating that the CBN is not responsible for how the company reports its turnover.”

To the allegation that the expenses made by the CBN on account of currency issues and sundry currency charges for the years 2011 and 2012 were identical and therefore difficult to understand, Sanusi stated that “it is incorrect to say that the expenses in 2011 and 2012 were identical. The sundry currency charges amounted to N1.68 Billion in 2011 and N1.87 Billion in 2012. This expense related to amounts paid to Travelex under an agreement to import foreign exchange for licensed BDCs. On the other hand, Currency Issue Expenses totalled N1.15 Billion in 2011 and N1.28 Billion in 2012, relating to expenses borne by the different branches and currency centres of the CBN in the movement and handling of cash” he explained.

With regards to the Fixed Assets Clearing Account comprise properties acquired by the CBN without any expectation to derive future economic benefits and are written off by the CBN on a yearly basis, Sanusi responded that, “Fixed Assets Clearing Account is used by the CBN to record the procurement of fixed assets, physical items and projects-related expenditure for the CBN, using the IT application Oracle ERP. However, some items, which do not qualify as fixed assets under the capitalisation policy of the CBN, he said are sometimes posted into this account.”

The transactions he said “are periodically reviewed for the purpose of capitalizing those which qualify under the Capitalization Policy and posting such to the respective Fixed Asset Account and Fixed Asset Register with tag numbers.

All other assets which do not qualify are expensed through income and expenditure accounts at the end of the year.”

The allegation that the CBN’s leader-

ship uses this head of expense (Facilities Management) to capture what ordinarily should have been accounted for as their benefits-in-kind for tax purposes, and that this head of expense is used for ‘fraudulent activities’ based on the inclusion of items such as “Profit from sale of Diesel”, Sanusi said “the CBN outsources the management and maintenance of its landed properties across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT. This involves three service areas: engineering services, building services and environmental services. These are operational costs relating principally to head offices, branches, currency centres and training institutes.”

On the specific allegation of ‘fraudulent activities’, based on profits from the sale of diesel, Sanusi noted that “the CBN’s Facilities Management Agreements clearly include the supply of diesel for the operation of generators to power CBN offices in 51 locations across the 36 States and the FCT. The Diesel is paid for at pump price, while overhead and profit at 10 per cent is paid to the service providers. This overhead and profit is presumably what the FRCN erroneously regarded as “profits from the sale of diesel”. These profits do not go to the CBN but to the service providers, which is why they are an “expense item”. The CBN does not operate in any sector of the petroleum industry.”

Also responding to accusations that the external audit revealed debit/credit balances of sundry foreign currencies without the physical stock of foreign currencies at the CBN Head Office, Sanusi said “losses or gains may arise out of the account balances, which in turn, may be occasioned by exchange rate differentials.

In either event, once crystalized, the net position is then posted to the Foreign Assets Revaluation Account. As such, as at 20 February 2014, there was no physical stock of currency missing at the CBN.” On the issue of wasteful expenditure

in 2012, Sanusi stated that “this allegation is clearly at variance with the reality of the financial performance of the CBN under my leadership. For example, in the year 2008, just before I took over office at the CBN, the contribution of the CBN to the Federation Account was N8Billion.

Based on the 2012 annual accounts, our contribution rose tenfold to N80Billion, while in 2013, our contribution, based on the audited accounts, was N159Billion.”

Sanusi noted that in the five years of his tenure as CBN Governor (2009 – 2013), “the CBN has contributed N376Billion to the Federal Budget as IGR (InternallyGenerated Revenue). Indeed in 2012, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance publicly commended the CBN for being the highest contributor of revenues to the FGN among MDAs - accounting for 75 per cent of the total IGR contributed by MDAs between 2009 and 2012. The CBN has been able to achieve this through prudent management of costs, including currency expenses and overheads. For example, we brought down currency expenses from N50.8 Billion in 2009 to N29.08 Billion in 2012.”

He also said that “the Ministry of Finance has already received its IGR from the CBN in full, based on our 2013 accounts and the Ministry even requested and received an advance of N70Billion in anticipation of surplus that is yet to be earned for 2014. With this level of prudent financial performance, it is puzzling to imagine the basis for the levied allegation of “Wastefulness”.

Reacting to the allegation that the CBN paid excessive legal and professional fees of N20.202 Billion in 2011, Sanusi said “the CBN, like any other public entity, is not immune from liabilities that arise from judgments and orders of the Nigerian courts. The referenced N20.202Billion spent under this head covered the CBN’s judgment debt liabilities in the year under review.”

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‘I complied with all regulations as CBN governor’ (Continued from page 60)

On the Banking System, I was appointed Governor in the middle of a global financial crisis when the Nigerian banking system was on the verge of collapse. The Bank moved swiftly to remove the managing directors and executive directors of the banks where major corporate governance failures were discovered, provided liquidity support, pioneered the setting up of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to purchase nonperforming loans, recapitalize the banks and pilot a process that led to mergers and acquisitions, as well as recapitalization of all the weak and failing banks. As a result, all financial soundness indicators – Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Liquidity and Profitability ratios – were normalized.

As a result of the work by the Bank, not a single depositor or creditor lost money in any Nigerian bank during or after the financial crisis.

In addition to the quantitative measures, we broke up universal banks and encouraged the setting up of specialized banks (including the first Non – interest Bank in the Country’s history), pushed for the adoption of IFRS and Basel 3, enhanced risk-based supervision, issued Competency Guidelines for the staff in the banking industry, established a Consumer Protection Department and developed a Financial Inclusion Strategy and Roadmap, among others for the CBN. The Bank implemented policies aimed at reducing the excessive use of cash in the system to ensure safety, improve efficiency and curb money laundering. The transformation of NIBSS, the insistence on interoperability of channels, encouragement of electronic banking, the licensing of Mobile Money Operators, the Agent Banking and tiered-KYC frameworks have all led to rapid growth in volume and value of non-cash transaction and enhanced financial inclusion.

The Bank has played its leadership role in ensuring industry compliance with environmental sustainability and governance standards, including a strong focus on women and the handicapped.

The CBN in the last five years has taken a leading role in providing long-term low-cost funding to priority sectors of the Nigerian economy in a bid to help in bringing to reality the Transformation Agenda of the government of your Excellency. We have provided these funds at singledigit interest rates to micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as to companies operating in the power, aviation, and agricultural sectors of the economy, and also to large industrial enterprises with potential for structural transformation.

The Bank has invested in human capital, improved staff welfare and attracted and retained specialized skills in the areas of Banking Supervision, Information Technology, Shared Services and Risk Management.

On Financial Performance, the Bank has in the last five years kept a lid on overheads and cost of currency management. As a result, the Bank has continued to produce sterling results and contributed substantially to the Federal Budget. In the five years, 2009 – 2013, the Bank contributed N376 billion to the Federal Budget as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).Based on 2012 financials alone, we paid N80 billion to the Ministry of Finance. On the basis of the 2013 results and at the request of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), we paid N159 billion to the Ministry of Finance in February this year; the same month the audited accounts of the CBN were approved by the Committee of Governors (COG). Indeed, due to the pre-

carious position of Government finances, the CBN in February 2014, upon the request of the CME, gave the Ministry a further ‘Advance IGR’ of N70 billion in anticipation of 2014 profits.

May I add that, in 2008, the year before my appointment, the CBN contributed N8 billion to the Federation Account. Although the Bank is not a profit-centre, in the first four years of my term, the Bank alone contributed 75 percent of the total IGR paid by MDAs leading to commendation by the House Committee on Finance at several Public Hearings.

Recognitions As a result of these achievements of my colleagues and staff, we received numerous recognitions consistently throughout my tenure from highly-regarded publications. These awards are based on a competitive process where analysts and economists rank Central Bank Governors across regions and the globe.

In 2010, The Banker Magazine, a publication of Financial Times in London, named me Best Central Bank Governor in the World and Best in Africa. At the Annual World Bank/ IMF Meetings, Emerging Markets, a publication of Euromoney Institutional Investor named me Best Central Bank Governor in Sub-Saharan Africa for 2009, 2010 and 2012. The African Banker Magazine named me Best Central Bank Governor in Africa, 2012.

This is in addition to being named Forbes Africa Person of the year 2011 and listed by TIME as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, 2011.

I have always regarded these honours not as personal accolades, but as a tribute to our nation and the committed and resourceful women and men of CBN. Response to the allegations in relation to my suspension On Wednesday 10th March 2014, I submitted a Memorandum to His Excellency, Mr President, with supporting documentation, effectively addressing all the allegations contained in the FRCN Briefing Note, the Letter of Suspension and the Akingbola Petition.

Having submitted my response to the President, I am further compelled, following the recent press briefing and comments by the Senior Special Adviserto the President on Media, as well as numerous other references to the allegations in both local, international and online media, to put to the public my responses, in the interest of transparency, accountability and my responsibility to the Nigerian people.Let me also state that I saw the FRCN “Briefing Note” for the first time when it was attached to the suspension letter. At no time was this report sent to the CBN either by the President or the FRCN for comments or explanations.

As for the Akingbola petition, it is a rehash of baseless allegations he has been making since 2010 which apparently he must have been asked to reproduce on February 9, ten days before the suspension. It is indeed strange that the CBN Governor can be suspended based on allegations written by a man who ran his bank into the ground and against whom judgement has been obtained in a London court, and who furthermore is facing criminal prosecution at home for offences including criminal Theft.

A careful examination of the allegations contained in the FRCN Briefing Note to Mr President, will show that each of the allegations could easily have been resolved by a simple request for clarification or more careful review. There is no doubt that if the CBN had received the Briefing Note, which was prepared in June 2013, all the misconceptions, misrepresentations and erroneous inferenc-

es contained therein would have been cleared.

I am publishing these responses to enable the general public see that each and every allegation levelled against the CBN under my leadership is false and unfounded, and that many of the allegations were malicious and fabricated, having been designed to mislead the President into believing that the Management of the Central Bank was guilty of misconduct and recklessness.

Having provided detailed explanations, backed by verifiable documents, it is my sincere wish that His Excellency, Mr President, in line with his adherence to fairness and justice, will apply the same rationale and rigour to other agencies of the Federal Government that have had serious allegations and queries levied against them, and prevail upon them to provide responses and explanations with the same level of clarity and transparency.

In closing, I would like to place on record the dogged professionalism and patriotism of the staff of the CBN. They have, over the years, conducted themselves very creditably, and discharged their duties with the highest integrity.

Memorandum Responding to THE FRCN ALLEGATIONS 1. Corporate Governance Briefing Note Allegation 1:that there is weak corporate governance at the CBN on account of the fact that the office of the Governor is fused with that of the Chairman of CBN’s Board of Directors.

Response: i.This allegation ignores the fact that global best practice is that the Governor of the central bank is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the central bank. See Annexure A, which shows the composition of the Board of Directors of central banks in over 55 different countries.

2. Alleged Fraudulent Activities Payments to NSPMP Briefing Note Allegation 2:that the CBN’s breakdown of “Currency Issue Expenses” for 2011 and 2012 indicated that it paid the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc(NSPMP) N38.233 Billion in 2011 for printing of banknotes, whereas the entire turnover of NSPMP was N 29.370 Billion.

Response: i. The expense item of N38.233 Billion to NSPMPwas made up as follows: a. N28.738Billion payment to NSPMP in 2011; b. N6.587Billion accrued liability in 2011 but paid in 2012 when deliveries were received; and c. N2.829Billion audit adjustment journal entry into the account at the end of 2011 in respect of prepayments to NSPMP. ii. See Annexure Bfor the evidence of payment to the NSPMP. Evidently, the difference between the numbers in the financial statements of CBN and NSPMP is a simple reflection of timing differences between recognition of expenses by the CBN and income recognition by the NSPMP, with both entities applying conservative accounting policies.

3. Charter Fees Briefing Note Allegation 3: That the CBN made fictitious payments to (a) Emirate Airlines: N0.511 Billion which allegedly does not fly local charter in Nigeria; (b) Wing Airline: N0.425 Billion which allegedly is not registered with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); and (c) Associated Airline: N1.025 Billion which allegedly did not have a turnover of up to a billion naira in 2011.

Response: i. The CBNneither engaged, paid nor claimed to have paid Emirates Airlines. Rather, the CBN engaged andentered intoan Air Charter Services Agreementwith Emirate Touch

•Sanusi

Aviation ServicesLimited, which is a local Nigerian charter service company.A simple enquiry by FRCN would have clarified and avoided this misrepresentation. ii. With respect to Wings Aviation Limited,the CBN contracted Wings Aviation Limited,which changedits name to Jedidiah Air Limited on 21August 2009 but only notified the CBN of the change on 28 February 2012.Please, see Annexure C for the letter from Jedidiah Air Limited notifying the CBN of the change of name.Here also, a simple enquiry by FRCN would have made this clear. iii. With respect to Associated Air Limited,the CBN did in fact pay a total of N1.025 Billion to Associated Airline Limited.See Annexure D for the schedule of payments made to Associated Airline Limited.It is worth stating that the CBN is not responsible for how the company reports its turnover.

4. Deposit for Shares in Bank of Industry (BoI) Briefing Note Allegation 4: that the CBN is yet to receive the share certificate for investments made in the Bank of Industry (BoI) since September 2007 and that the leadership of the CBN was not worried about the delay.

Response: i. On 20 August 2009, shortly after I assumed office, I directed that a reconciliation exercise be carried out by the CBN on all its investments in parastatals and companies. Thereafter, the CBN wrote various letters to the Bank of Industry requesting for its share certificates. See AnnexureE for the letters from the CBN requesting for the certificate. ii. On 20 September 2009, the BoI wrote to the CBN explaining that the delay in the issuance of the share certificates was as a result of the BoI seeking a concession on the payment of stamp duty and other statutory fees from the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with respect to the investment by the CBN and the FMF. See Annexure F for the letter from the BoI.Also find attached the letter dated 21 February 2013 forwarding the Share Certificate asAnnexure G as well as the certificate for the Debenture as Annexure H. iii. It is evident that as at the time theFRCN Briefing Note was written, the share certificate and debenture certificate were already in the possession of the CBN. A simple check by the FRCN would have answered the query.

5. Currency Issue Expenses Briefing Note Allegation 5:that the expenses made by the CBN on account of currency issues and sundry currency charges for the years 2011 and 2012 were identical and therefore difficult to understand.

Response: i. It is incorrect to say that the expenses in 2011 and 2012 were iden-

tical. The sundry currency charges amounted to N1.68 Billion in 2011 and N1.87 Billion in 2012. This expense related to amounts paid to Travelex under an agreement to import foreign exchange for licensed BDCs. On the other hand, Currency Issue Expenses totalled N1.15 Billion in 2011 and N1.28 Billion in 2012, relating to expenses borne by the different branches and currency centres of the CBN in the movement and handling of cash.

6. Facilities Management Briefing Note Allegation 6: that the CBN’s leadership uses this head of expense (Facilities Management) to capture what ordinarily should have been accounted for as their benefitsin-kind for tax purposes. It also alleges that this head of expense is used for ‘fraudulent activities’ based on the inclusion of items such as “Profit from sale of Diesel”.

Response: i. The CBN outsources the management and maintenance of its landed properties across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT. This involves three service areas: engineering services, building services and environmental services. These are operational costs relating principally to head offices, branches, currency centres and training institutes. ii. On the specific allegation of ‘fraudulent activities’, based on profits from the sale of diesel,it should be noted that the CBN’s Facilities Management Agreements clearly include the supply of diesel for the operation of generators to power CBN offices in 51 locations across the 36 States and the FCT. The Diesel is paid for at pump price, while overhead and profit at 10% is paid to the service providers. This overhead and profit is presumably what the FRCN erroneously regarded as “profits from the sale of diesel”. These profits do not go to the CBN but to the service providers, which is why they are an “expense item”. The CBN does not operate in any sector of the petroleum industry.

7. Fixed Assets Clearing Account Briefing Note Allegation 7:that the expenses under the Fixed Assets Clearing Account comprise properties acquired by the CBN without any expectation to derive future economic benefits and are written off by the CBN on a yearly basis.

Response: i. Fixed Assets Clearing Account is used by the CBN to record the procurement of fixed assets, physical items and projects-related expenditure for the CBN, using the IT application Oracle ERP. However, some items, which do not qualify as fixed assets under the capitalisation policy of the CBN, are sometimes posted into this account. ii. The transactions are periodically reviewed for the purpose of capitalizing those which qualify under the Capitalization Policy and posting such to the respective Fixed Asset Account and Fixed Asset Register with tag numbers. All other assets which do not qualify are expensed through income and expenditure accounts at the end of the year.

8. Operation of Foreign Bank Accounts Briefing Note Allegation 8: that foreign bank accounts that were closed down were still operational in the General Ledger for over six months after the accounts had been confirmed closed by the offshore banks.

Response: i. The balances on these accounts simply reflected the fact that the process of the transfer of gains and losses on them had not been concluded, hence their existence in the General Ledger. The process of closing the accounts has since been concluded and the journals evidencing closure are available in the CBN. 9. Unreconciled Real Time Gross Settlement Clearing Account Briefing Note Allegation 9:that the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) Account had longstanding unreconciled items which could not be substantiated.

(Continued on page 62

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‘I complied with all regulations as CBN governor’ (Continued from page 61)

Response: i. These items resulted fromepileptic operations of the RTGS system due to frequent system downtime, which in turn resulted in failure to seamlessly effect funds transfer. These items have since been reconciled and we have put in place an upgraded and more robust RTGS system, which would minimise reoccurrence.

10. Missing Stockpiles of Foreign Currency Briefing Note Allegation 10:that the external audit revealed debit/ credit balances of sundry foreign currencies without the physical stock of foreign currencies at the CBN Head Office.

Response: i. Generally, losses or gains may arise out of the account balances, which in turn, may be occasioned by exchange rate differentials. In either event, once crystalized, the net position is then posted to the Foreign Assets Revaluation Account. As such, as at 20 February 2014, there was no physical stock of currency missing at the CBN. 11. Alleged Wastefulness Briefing Note Allegation 11:that the CBN has been wasteful in its expenditure incurred in the course of 2012.

Response: i. This allegation is clearly at variance with the reality of the financial performance of the CBN under my leadership. For example, in the year 2008, just before I took over office at the CBN, the contribution of the CBN to the Federation Account was N8Billion. Based on the 2012 annual accounts, our contribution rose tenfoldto N80Billion,while in 2013, our contribution, based on the audited accounts, was N159Billion. ii. It is noteworthy that inthe 5 yearsof my tenure as CBN Governor (2009 – 2013), the CBN has contributed N376Billion to the Federal Budget as IGR (Internally-Generated Revenue). Indeed in 2012, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance publicly commended the CBN for being the highest contributor of revenues to the FGN among MDAs – accounting for 75% of the total IGR contributed by MDAs between 2009 and 2012. The CBN has been able to achieve this through prudent management of costs, including currency expenses and overheads. For example, we brought down currency expenses from N50.8 Billion in 2009 to N29.08 Billion in 2012. iii. It is worthy noting that the Ministry of Finance has already receivedits IGR from the CBN in full, based on our 2013 accounts and the Ministry even requested and received an advance of N70Billion in anticipation of surplus that is yet to be earned for 2014. With this level of prudent financial performance, it is puzzling to imagine the basis for the levied allegation of “Wastefulness”. It must be underscored that central banks all over the world are not considered as profit centres. The primary task of the CBN is the attainment of price stability rather than revenue generation.

However, the CBN under my leadership has strived to deliver on its key mandate, while also maximising revenues for government.

12. Promotional Activities Briefing Note Allegation 12:that the sums expended on promotional efforts of the CBN in 2012 were too high.

Response: i. The allegations do not suggest that proper procedure was not complied with in making the referenced expenditure. The Board of the CBN approved all the promotional expenses. ii. In the year under review, 2012, the CBN initiated several reforms and policies in the execution of its statutory mandate of promoting a sound financial system in Nigeria. Some of these policies included: iii. the introduction of the Cash-

less Lagos Initiative and mobile banking; iv. thePower and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF) campaign, for which the FG took credit. The PAIF campaign helped to stimulate growth in the power sector and raise investor confidence generally; v. the National Microfinance Development Strategy; and vi. theNigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS), which supported the FG’s renewed focus on the development of agriculture as a major income earner for the country. vii. Essentially, what are characterized as ‘promotional’ were actually necessary education, enlightenment and awareness campaigns and conferences on initiatives which were, and remain,essential to economic growth, expansion of financial inclusion and the achievement of the policy objectives of the CBN and the FG. 13. Training &Travel Expenses Briefing Note Allegation 3: that CBN’s expenses in relation to training and travel went up from N7.65 Billion to N9.24 Billion.

Response: i. In 2012, the Board of the CBN took the strategic decision to invest in the development and training of CBN staff across all departments. We trained our staff in the most prudent manner possible and this led to the outstanding achievements recorded by the CBN during my tenure. We had to send CBN staff to international finance and regulatory institutions for training; and overseas training comes at a steep cost. ii. Furthermore, in 2012, to match the increased need for bank supervision, CBN staff strength was increased. Thisfurther necessitated orientation and other training programmes to bring the new entrants up to speed with the CBN policies and practices.

14. Expenses on ATM Offsite Policy Change Briefing Note Allegation 14:that expenses on the ATM offsite policy change came to N1.045 Billion.

Response: i. Prior to my appointment as the CBN Governor, the CBN had initiated a policy of increasing accessibility to financial services through the use of ATMs. This was geared towards ensuring financial inclusion for all Nigerians. To achieve this, the CBN licensed independent ATM deployers (IADs). ii. However, it soon became apparent that these IADs had neither the capital nor the capacity to roll out ATMs and manage them at a rate consistent with our cashless Nigeria ambitions, and that a roll-out on the scale envisaged would require allowing banks to deploy ATMs outside their branches. As a result of this change in policy, the IADs incurred losses due to prior investments made based on the previous policy. iii. It was therefore in the interest of equity and fairness that the CBN agreed to negotiate some compensation payable to the IADs after verification of claims of the IADs by the CBN. The verification process resulted in the CBN paying only about 40% of the original claims of the IADs. iv. The implementation of the policy of increasing accessibility to financial serviceshas been very successful with immense benefits to the country. It has led to an increase in ATM penetration and efficiency of the payment system along with all other benefits associated with this channel.

15. Expenses on Non-Interest Banking Briefing Note Allegation 15: that the expenses on Non-Interest Banking went up from N0.977 Billion in 2011 to N1.359 Billion in 2012 and speculation was made as to whether this had any relationship with the CBN’s investment in the International Islam-

•Sanusi

ic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILMC).

Response: i. For the record, this expense item is not connected with the investment of the CBN in the IILMC. As such, there is no basis to make such an assumption. Rather, the item relates partially to the CBN’s specialised and non-interest banking policies and includes other expenses of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department such as (a) consolidated supervision; and (b) Consultancy fees for the adoption of IFRS & Basel II/ III. 16. Expenses on Private Guards and Policemen Briefing Note Allegation 16:that the CBN’s expenses on Private Guards and Lunch for Policemen went up from N0.919 Billion in 2011 to N1.257Billion in 2012.

Response: i. In 2007 (before my tenure), the CBN adopted a policy to outsource non-core functions, including security services. This decision enabled the Bank to focus on its statutory mandate and to reduce its overheads. Accordingly, the CBN retained the services of about thirteen (13) private security companies to provide access control and security check services.

In 2012, the CBN budgeted N600 Million for security services but spent N582.2 Million on private guards. See AnnexureI (A-B) for the breakdown of the costs incurred in this regard. ii. To complement the efforts of private guards, the CBN also requested the services of security agencies, in light of the increased security challenges, especially the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group. These security personnel were engaged on a daily basis; and were attached to (x) senior CBN officials; (y) special assignments such as security coverage for currency movements; (z) static guard duties at the bank’s premises nationwide, and other sundry engagements.

About 2,406 Policemen are currently deployed on a daily basis to various branches and other locations of the CBN. These security personnel were paid a daily lunch and transport allowances totalling N675.02 Million in the year under review.

17. Project Eagles The Briefing Note Allegation 17: that the expenses of the CBN on Project Eagles went up from N63 Million in 2011 to N606 Million in 2012.

Response: i. Under Project Eagles, the CBN caters for all expenses incurred in the course of an internal restructuring of the CBN on the understanding that central banking, by global standards and best practice measures, is an everevolving enterprise, with constantly changing requirements and frameworks that require adaptation. ii. In 2012, the expenses on Project Eagles included the following internal restructuring initiatives: Strategy Execution Framework Project, Transformation of the Procurement and Support Services Department, Transformation of the Finance Department and the NIPOST PPP Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Commu-

nication for the purpose of using NIPOST locations as outlets for our Financial Inclusion Strategy. iii. Project Eagles was carefully designed, well budgeted for and wasapproved by the Board. The objectives are being achieved in light of the improved efficiency of the CBN. 18. Newspapers, Books &Periodicals Briefing Note Allegation 18: that the expenses of the CBN on newspapers, books and periodicals (excluding CBN’s publications) went up from N1.670Billion in 2011 to N1.678Billion in 2012.

Response: i. The CBN’s peculiar status as a regulator underscores the need for its staff to be informed as to every development that has a bearing, however tangential, on the object and functions of the CBN in the economy. The expenses incurred were made in subscriptions for, and acquiring, local and foreign journals, magazines and periodicals for the CBN. These educational and information material are directly useful for the operations of the CBN.The CBNincreased the number of employees entitled to access to newspapers, Books and periodicals.

19. Legal &Professional Fees Briefing Note Allegation 19: that the CBN paid excessive legal and professional fees of N20.202 Billion in 2011.

Response: i. The CBN, like any other public entity, is not immune from liabilities that arise from judgments and orders of the Nigerian courts. The referenced N20.202Billion spent under this head covered the CBN’s judgment debt liabilities in the year under review. ii. Of particular reference is the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Amao v the Central Bank of Nigeria, [SC 168/2007]delivered on 21 May, 2010, wherein the apex Court directed that the CBN pay employees of the Bank who had retired prior to 2000, pension under the harmonised structure introduced by the FG. Note that the negotiated litigation liability that arose from the above-specified matter was approximately N19.8Billion. SeeAnnexure J for the judgment of the Supreme Court in question.

20. Reduced Expenses on Ethics &Anti-Corruption Briefing Note Allegation 20: that the CBN, under my watch, reduced its expenditure on Ethics and Anticorruption and this reduction is purportedly an instance of ‘financial recklessness and wastefulness’.

Response: i. In response to the need to improve ethical and best practice standards in its operations to bring it at par with international standards and the code of conduct requirements, the CBN expended N34Million in 2011 to develop the Code of Business Ethics and Compliance (COBEC) as well as the Code of Conduct for staff, the implementation of which spilled over into 2012. This explains why the expenditure dropped from N34 Million to N18 Million.

21. Auditor’s Fees Briefing Note Allegation 21: that the CBN paid an additional N140 Million over and above the agreed fees for the external auditors.

Response: i. The 2012 financial statements of the CBN stated that the amount paid to the two firms of external auditors for the 2012 financial year was N200Million. The subsequent graduating revision of the fee was to the sum of N230Million effective from 2013. ii. The N140Million purportedly paid to the external auditors as “additional fees”, was paid as reimbursement of the expenses incurred by these firms in the execution of their mandate as external auditors of the Bank for previous audit exercises. See Annexure K for evidence of payments made to the auditors. Payment of re-

imbursables is a standard contractual practice when dealing with professional service firms.

22. Alleged Abuse of Due Process The MoU for the Banking Sector Resolution Cost Sinking Fund Briefing Note Allegation 22: that the CBN issued treasury bills using themoney in the Banking Resolution Costs Sinking fund (Sinking Fund) without the constitution and approval of the Board of Trustees as required under the MOU signed by the CBN and all the deposit moneybanks operating in Nigeria.

Response: i. The contributors to the Sinking Fund are the CBN and all deposit money banks in the country. All the parties agreed at Bankers Committee that the monies contributed should be invested in treasury bills for safety. The CBN, as custodian, simply implemented that agreement. The board of trustees for Sinking Fund has not been constituted as the legal framework for the Sinking Fund i.e. the Banking Sector Resolution Cost Fund Bill is still pending before the National Assembly. ii. It should be noted that AMCON redeemed its due bonds on 27 December, 2013 from this account.

23. Write off of N3.85 Billion Loan Briefing Note Allegation 23: that the leadership of the CBN wrote-off loans supposedly made to staff members to the tune of N3.85 Billion in 2012.

Response: i. The write-off above was not made in favour of CBNstaff. Rather the Board of the CBN approved the write-off of the loan as forbearance to Heritage Bank on 17 December, 2010 as part of the process of facilitating its resumption of business as a regional bank. See Annexure L for the board approval given on 17 December 2010.

24. Overdrawn Accounts by Ministries, Departments & Parastatals Briefing Note Allegation 24: that the deposit accounts of parastatals have debit and overdrawn positions and that this is contrary to government policy.

Response: i. MDAs generally maintain bank accounts with the CBN. Overdrawing of banks accounts is an incidence of banker–customer relationship. However, the CBN experienced some technical problems prior to mid-2012, which affected about 6 of the over 1000 bank accounts maintained by MDAs at the CBN, but the error has been rectified since the middle of 2012.

There were some insignificant over drawings on about six (6) of the accounts and the attention of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has been drawn to the matter.

See Annexure Mfor the letter to the Accountant-General and the Accountant-General’s response ofJanuary 29th, 2014.

25. Investment in International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation Briefing Note Allegation 25:that the investment in the IILMC was not brought to the attention of His Excellency, Mr President, and was not within the exception in Section 31 of the CBN Act. Response: i. Nigeria, through the CBN, is signatory to the establishment agreement of the IILMC. Before proceeding with the investment, I requested for and obtained the written approval of His Excellency, Mr President,via a letter dated 8 December, 2010. His Excellency, Mr President would recall that he approved this request on 22.12.10. See Annexure N. ii. The investment in question is permitted by Section 24 of the CBN Act, in pursuance of whichit was made as investment of Reservesby the Reserve Management Department of the CBN. If at any point, the CBN wishes to divest from the IILMC, one or more of the member central banks will pur (To be continued)

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014

63

SPORT EXTRA

Obuh blasts ref after Rangers’ defeat

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Emenike on target target again again on for Fenerbahçe Fenerbahçe for

S

UPER Eagles’ striker, Emmanuel Emenike continued his scoring form by helping Fenerbahçe secure a 2-1 victory over Kayseri Erciyesspor in the Turkish Super Lig at the ªükrü Saracoðlu Stadyumu (Ýstanbul) on Sunday.

The 26 year old has now scored 9 times this season since joining The Canaries from Spartak Moskva.

Netherlands international,

•Celebrates goal with flips

By Akeem Lawal Dirk Kuyt’s strike in the 33 minute gave the Istanbul giants a first half lead before the visitors leveled up in the 63rd minute through a well taken penalty courtesy Arnaldo da Silver.

Emenike then rose up to the occasion by heading home in

rd

the 64th minutes to move Fenerbahce on 54 points, five points clear of their closest rival, Galatasaray who are on 49 points.

The Nigerian international then thrilled the fans by somersaulting four times to celebrate his goal.

It could be recalled that Emenike was also on target

for the Turkish club last Monday in a bad-tempered game against Trabzonspor that was eventually abandoned.

Emenike struck in the 23rd minute but the irate Trabzonspor supporters inside the Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadyumu soon lost their rag and started throwing objects into the pitch, leaving the officials with no other choice but to call off the match.

TOTTENHAM 0-1 ARSENAL

Rosicky’s goal seals north London derby win for Gunners T OMAS Rosicky’s rocket after 72 seconds fired Arsenal back into the thick of the Premier League title race after a 1-0 victory away to Tottenham.

Some of the White Hart Lane

RESULTS PREMIER LEAGUE Hull City 0 - 2 Man City Everton 2 - 1 Cardiff City Fulham 1 - 0 Newcastle Southampton 4 - 2 Norwich Stoke City 3 - 1 West Ham Sunderland 0 - 0 Crystal Swansea City 1 - 2 West Brom Aston Villa 1 - 0 Chelsea Man United 0 - 3 Liverpool Tottenham 0 - 1 Arsenal SERIE A Hellas Verona 0 - 2 Inter Atalanta 3 - 0 Sampdoria Livorno 2 - 1 Bologna Sassuolo 3 - 1 Catania Cagliari 0 - 2 Lazio Milan 2 - 4 Parma LA LIGA Getafe 3 - 3 Granada Levante 0 - 1 Celta de Vigo Vallecano 3 - 1 Almería Málaga 0 - 1 Madrid A/Madrid 1 - 0 Espanyol Elche 0 - 0 Real Betis Barcelona 7 - 0 Osasuna BUNDESLIGA Augsburg 1 - 2 Schalke 04 Dortmund 1 - 2 M’gladbach Bremen 1 - 1 Stuttgart Hoffenheim 2 - 4 Mainz 05 E/B’weiger 1 - 1 Wolfsburg Hertha BSC 0 - 3 Hannover 96 Bayern 2 - 1 Leverkusen Hamburger SV 2 - 1 Nürnberg LIGUE 1 Reims 1 - 1 O/ Marseille Lille 0 - 0 Nantes Ajaccio 1 - 2 Guingamp Evian TG 0 - 1 Valenciennes Nice 2 - 0 Bastia Rennes 2 - 3 Toulouse Sochaux 2 - 0 Lorient Montpellier 1 - 1 Bordeaux Lyonnais 2 - 3 Monaco GLO PREMIER LEAGUE Kaduna United 3-1 FC Taraba Enyimba 2-1 Enugu Rangers Kano Pillars 2-2 Sunshine Crown FC 1-0 Heartland Gombe Utd 0-0 Bayelsa Utd Sharks FC 1-0 Lobi Stars Nasarawa 1-1 Akwa Utd

faithfuls were still taking their seats when Arsenal took the lead, with Rosicky leaving Hugo Lloris grasping at thin air with a venomous rightfoot strike from the corner of the area which flew across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Rosicky had picked up possession in his own half before advancing into the

space vacated by Danny Rose’s forward foray before playing a slightly fortuitous one-two with Alex OxladeChamberlain and then finding the top corner.

The Gunners were forced onto the back foot for long periods of the north London derby, but the closest Spurs came to levelling was in the second period when Wojciech

Szczesny inexplicably failed to gather a routine cross from the right and had Laurent Koscielny to thank for denying Nacer Chadli a certain leveller.

Arsenal are now third in the table, only behind Liverpool on goal difference and just four points adrift of Chelsea and with a game in hand on the Premier League leaders, while they now boast a ninepoint cushion over their derby rivals in fifth.

Haruna hopeful over World Cup prospects

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YNAMO Kiev midfielder Lukman Haruna hopes he can still make Nigeria’s World Cup squad. The 23-year old has not played for the Super Eagles since the last World Cup in South Africa.

Overlooked by predecessor Samson Siasia and current manager Stephen Keshi, Haruna is confident he has done enough at club level to remain in the coach’s World Cup thoughts.

“I understand my injury history had a role to play for a period of time but I’m in great shape right now,” Haruna told BBC Sport.

“It’s not an easy job for a coach to manage Nigeria

with a lot of quality players in Europe, Asia and Africa.

“I just hope I’ve done enough at club level to be given a chance to fight for a place in the squad.”

With the Ukrainian league season kicking off amid chaos in the country, Haruna has not given up hope of going to Brazil in the summer.

“When I played in South Africa I was very young and a little inexperienced,” he said.

“Since then there have been highs and lows in my career but I’m more mature and hope to fulfil a dream by working extra hard to earn a recall.

“It’s a massive two months for me to prove myself again

because if it goes well then I’ll have another chance.”

The midfielder scored three goals in 15 league appearances for Dynamo Kiev last season and has a solitary goal in seven appearances for the African champions.

Haruna is one of only two players to has represented Nigeria at the FIFA under-17, U-20 and senior World Cups.

His European career began in France when he joined AS Monaco in 2007 shortly after he captained Nigeria to the Under-17 World Cup title in South Korea.

He signed for Ukraine’s Dynamo Kiev in June 2011 after completing a US$2.8 million switch from Monaco.

NWPL: DELTA QUEENS 4 – 0 CONFLUENCE QUEENS

Confluence Queens will bounce back—Zico

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EAD coach of Confluence Queens FC Suleiman Adamu is confident his team will get things right again after his side’s unacceptable defeat away to Delta Queens in the Nigeria Women Premier League, NWPL encounter at the Oleh Stadium.

The week three game played at the Oleh Stadium on Saturday finished goalless in

the first half but the visitors conceded four goals in the spate of 45min as hosts Delta Queens halt the Wada Queens unbeaten tag from two matches.

However, coach Zico noted that the defeat was a shock and the team would make amend in their game. “We are not happy the game finished this way because that was not our target for this match, we put in our best in the first half. We will

go back to the drawing board and work more on our lapses, we have double home matches after this and I think it’s an opportunity for us to quickly get back to winning ways”.

Confluence Queens will return to action next week with a home game against Taraba Queens before taking on Rivers Angels in the following week at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.

NUGU Rangers’ coach John Obuh has blasted referee Amoo Opeyemi for his team’s 1-2 loss to Enyimba in an ‘Oriental Derby’ on Sunday.

“We lost the game to the antics of the referee and his assistants,” blasted the former Nigeria U-20 coach Obuh.

“My players allowed the referee’s action to get to them and they lost concentration which resulted in the two goals.

“All the same, I am impressed with the output of my players and we hope to do better in coming games.”

Sibi Gwar put hosts Enyimba in front on the hour, before Andrew Abalogu doubled the advantage on 79 minutes.

Enyimba Semiu Laide put the ball into his own net on the stroke of time.

Abdulrahman Bashir was wasteful in front of goal for Enyimba in an entertaining, end-to-end derby, with Ejike Uzoenyi dazzling for Rangers.

Champions Kano Pillars survived a scare from Sunshine Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano also on Sunday as they forced the Akure Gunners to a 2-2 draw.

Pillars thus remains unbeaten in Kano for over 10 years in the top flight.

Ezekiel Mba opened the scoring for Pillars in the 33rd minute.

Dele Olorundare then restored parity for Sunshine in

the 71st minute to bring the game to 1-1.

Sunshine Stars were coasting home with a victory after Kingsley Eduwo gave the visitors the lead in the 81st minute, before Gambo Mohammed salvaged a point for Pillars deep into stoppage time.

Rabiu Ali, Bello Kofarmata and Gambo Mohamed failed to find the back of the net when they were clear on goal.

Sunshine goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa kept Sunshine in the game when he saved Rabiu Ali’s spot kick in the 62nd minute.

Crown FC recorded their first win of the season after they defeated Heartland 1-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Crown, who lost narrowly to Lobi Stars last weekend, have super sub Christian Jeckwu to thank as he scored a fantastic match winner in the 78th minute.

Jeckwu, who came in for Yomi Olaoke in the 42nd minute, showed class.

Crown coach Lawrence Akpokona said he expects much more from his newly promoted team.

“As we are proceeding they will make things happen in the league. We have good materials who can perform better in the league, but we have just started and I know we will surprise our critics,” he said.

Dozage Club wins Lagos Close Wrestling Tourney

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RESTLERS of Dozage Wrestling Club were outstanding at the maiden Lagos State Close Wrestling Championship, which was held at the Indoor Hall of the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba at the weekend.

In the final of 66kg male bout, Jonathan Undoku of Dozage beat compatriot Benedict Hunu to win gold, Angel Wrestling Club’s Oyunyo Mike won bronze medal of the event.

Dozage’s Godfrey Jacob won gold medal of 75kg event, Keku Emmanuel also of Dosage won silver, while Issama Samuel of T - Gold Club and Anthony Mike of Hulkman Club were joint third.

According to the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of Lagos State Sports Council, Mr. Bashir Agunloye, the female 40kg was won by Mausi Vinla of Dozage who beat Enitan Folorunsho of Loafem and Yemisi Coker also of Loafem to second and third positions respectively.

Dozage was also winner in the

52kg event with Esther Ayodele and compatriot Bilikusu Dawudu clinching first and second positions respectively, while Bidemi Yanyangbene of Angel came third.

The 66kg female event was won by Reuben Hanna of Nigerian Army Club. Marian Usman of T- Gold came second, while Iyabo Oyeni of Loafem and Ibiyeye Shukura of T- Gold were joint third.

In the individual awards, Hanna Ruben of Nigerian Army was adjudged the Most Valuable Female Wrestler.

Jonathan Unduku of Dozage, Best Wrestler Free Style, Esther Ayodele, Female Best Wrestler, while Segun Adebanwo won Best Wrestler in the Grico Roman category.

Technical Director of Lagos State Wrestling Association, Jude Okikiola Jide said the tourney is one of the competitions designed by the association to discover budding talent and prepare them for future tourneys especially the National Sports Festival.

Ehiosun, Umar secure points for Samunspor

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KIGHO Ehiosun and Aminu Umar were both on target for Samsunspor on Sunday. Their team defeated Bucaspor 2-0 and promoted to 5th place on the league table.

Both Nigerians started the game from the blast of the whistle and both were among the best in their team. In 27th minute Ehiosun bagged first goal after receiving a great pass from the right side.

Aminu Umar could have also intercepted the ball, but he was offside, so he pulled back, allowing his Nigerian

teammate to score from the close range.

Aminu Umar also found the way to score before the break.

His goal was super effort. One of Samsunspor’s players tried his luck from outside the penalty area, Bucaspor’s keeper didn’t catch the ball and Umar kicked it, but didn’t do it correctly, as he was guarded by defender.

Nevertheless the ball slowly slided into the net. It was 7th goal this season for Aminu Umar, while Ekigho Ehiosun has 6 to his name.

WHO SAID WHAT

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 9 NO 2,790

`I do not know who will be governor in 2015, but I know my successor would be someone who has the knowledge about the people and he must be a family member (PDP) and not an outsider.’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

T

HE story fizzes with fear and trembling. Young men and women rose in the morning with zest and hope. For years, all most of them wanted were jobs. Jobs gave them food on the table but, more importantly, the pride of life. But few days ago when the countless numbers of them attended the Nigeria Immigration Services job recruitment exercise, death replaced hope. It skulked and triumphed over at least 19 lives.

Stampede swamped the venues across the country. Imagine the sight of the three pregnant women gasping for air in Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, or the three who lost their footing and choked as the crowds trampled over them in Sani Abacha Stadium in Minna. Imagine the families of the beloved ones in Port Harcourt who had to swap their earlier wishes of good luck with dirges and funeral faces as they headed for the state hospital. Five died in the garden city. In the nation’s capital Abuja, which was the headquarters of the recruiting agency, how could you explain the eight snuffed out giddily?

Explanation will trump explanation in the coming days. The inspector general of police may utter sympathies to the families of the bereaved while doling out symbolic punishments to the police men who shot into the air at the Ogbemudia Stadium. Already the Federal Government is commiserating with the families.

The narrative affirms a cliché narrative of contemporary Nigeria. Our youths are wasting away. To paraphrase the poet Wordsworth, it was not bliss that day to be alive, and to be young was not very heaven.

In fact, some went to heaven prematurely. The youth wanted an opportunity to toil, to be useful to themselves, to their families and their country. Plato wrote youth is the time for any extraordinary toil. They lacked the opportunity. Those who survive would wonder about their own fortunes in a day they wanted to change their fortunes.

These are the youths who belonged to a different universe from the young men who are ravaging northern Nigeria in the name of faith and in rebellion against their despair for a nation. These are the young men who would not rumble like the others in the Niger Delta for the brutal flamboyance of militancy. These are not stalking the well-heeled for kidnaps.

In these days of female vulnerabilities, the young men wanted work, not harlotry.

But what of the sheer numbers of these young men and women? They are big enough to form a division of an army, and fight for their fatherland. But more importantly, shall we not see this as example of a failing state, if some would not call Nigeria a failed state as yet.

I also see the irony of some of the venues,

RIPPLES IT’S TIME THE NATION CRIED TO GOD– Braithwaite

We are tired of CRYING, let’s SMILE TO GOD for a CHANGE

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

On our behalf

‘

But what of the sheer numbers of these young men and women? They are big enough to form a division of an army, and fight for their fatherland. But more importantly, shall we not see this as example of a failing state, if some would not call Nigeria a failed state as yet • Scenes from different centres the stadiums. Stadiums were primarily the fare and fair centres of the land. Football of the local varieties dwarfed any foreign intoxications of the FA Cup of European Leagues. That made the stadiums special places of memory. With increasing poor leadership and the contraction of the economy, every other part of the Nigerian life dipped.

So the value of the stadiums changed. Stadiums became constants not for entertainment, but worship. We did not go to stadiums to play but to pray, not to laugh except in ecstasies of belief, not to kick and clap for the physical prowess of the young. They kicked the devil away – dem mash am – and clapped for

’

the Lord, and hailed the prowess of God. Now, stadiums serve as death marches.

From the recent incidents, the young did not play. They did not pray. They struggled to stay alive. Imagine the five who fainted at the Mudashiru Lawal Stadium in Abeokuta.

The story is the tragedy of a nation unaware of the time bomb of youth. Not all the jobless showed up. Those who did still believe in a nation where many Nigerians think the exercise was mere government public relations move. They think the well-connected are already employed and the many others who came were to broadcast the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment.

HARDBALL

H

ARDBALL will give fillip to this story by opening it with a quote from a national newspaper. Here: “It was horror in Funtua area. In Faskari local council in the southern part of the state, the gunmen came in motor bikes armed with rifles and guns and opened fire on villagers.

“As at 1.00 pm, the death toll was said to have risen to between 80 and 103. The (Katsina) state government officials were busy attending to President Goodluck Jonathan and other personalities at Katsina metropolis where he was commissioning a government structure.

“Some suspected cattle rustlers came on motorbikes, armed with guns. The attack affected Faskari, Sabo and Dangara local councils.”

This is supposedly an eyewitness account of the mayhem visited on the northern state of Katsina, timed to happen simultaneously as President Jonathan visited the city last Thursday. As the story above show, while the President was in the metropolis on an official assignment, the marauders were busy ransacking three local council areas and killing at will.

If there was any doubt that the relentless killings in many parts of the North were premeditated, orchestrated and targeted at destabilising the polity by rendering it un-

Katsina: Potshot at Jonathan governable, this Katsina attack is a dead give away. It was nothing short of a potshot at President Jonathan. A cowardly one in which the lives of innocent citizens were brutishly expended in broad daylight just to prove a maniacal political point.

Again in the neighbouring Kaduna State, in the wee hours of Saturday, hoodlums said to be numbering no fewer than 40 attacked three villages in southern Kaduna killing about 100 persons and razing most of the houses in sight. The villages are Ungwar Sankwai, Ungwar Gata and Chenshayi.

While the Katsina incident happened in the day time, Kaduna was at night but the similarity is that the killers went from one village to the other, taking their time and methodically slaughtering their compatriots unchallenged as if this were a failed state without a government.

The natural question is: how is it that the so-called cattle-rearers abandoned their flock in the fields, armed themselves with rifles and other deadly weapons; acquired motor-

GOVERNOR LIYEL IMOKE

I think our elite have to think deeply from the tragedy. It is a signal and a warning. We cannot continue to live with flamboyance and see the young toil in despair. We cannot ride flashy cars, live gaudy opulence, in palaces and soar in private jets. The political elite ought to think deeply about how selfish efforts cut away employment opportunities.

When a government votes billions for roads that don’t get done, or hospital contracts that go through variations every other year, they fizzle out job opportunities. Imagine if all the road contracts across the country were fulfilled to the letter. They would have not only created many jobs, they would have unleashed wealth in the land. Look at the Lagos- Ibadan Express Way, for instance. Shall we compute how many billions would have gone into it?

And it goes through rigmaroles and nonstarters in the name of election promises and teases.

If all the billions of dollars allocated to revive power have been executed faithfully, shall we not have thriving businesses, and fewer jobless men and women? The tragedy of the new power arrangement is corruption.

Those who arranged the DISCOs and GENCOs allocated them to themselves. When they took over they discovered it was not as cheap and easy. They would need to seek more funds. They had seen only profit before the acquisitions. Well, they did not do due diligence just like other things in government. It has now backfired on them. The Frankenstein wonder has become their Frankenstein monster.

If they followed due diligence, maybe those who really want to do it would have gotten it, and we shall not be in this tizzy of despair over power.

They always tell us they are doing it on our behalf. Subsidy, for instance, is on our behalf.

It is the way the political elite say they are doing infrastructure, roads, hospitals and schools on our behalf. The contracts are given on our behalf but we do not get the roads, or we get them partially done so they can get partially done again. So the unfinished road or school or hospital will remain a basket case for the people but a perennial goldmine for the contractors and the government.

It is in the same way that the subsidy scandal must be viewed. They say they are giving us subsidy on petrol, the price goes up.

They say they are giving us subsidy on kerosene, we don’t see the product. If they do roads, schools, and hospitals we don’t enjoy, why should we enjoy subsidies executed on our behalf? All these they do on our behalf led to the mass hysteria over jobs last week. They are our time bomb, and our political leaders must do something before the kidnappings, Boko Harams, militancy take new dimensions around the country.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above bikes and stormed the towns to kill, maim and raze the abodes their fellow peasants?

As these people acquired arms, mobilised and planned, where was the Joint military Task Force (JTF), where were the police and other security personnel? How come nobody ever picks any signals of the impending mayhem as they were hatched in order to nip them in the bud?

The Katsina killing is a particular affront to the Presidency and the Federal Government. It happened in the daylight while the President was visiting. It has helped to expose the lack of depth of our military and law-enforcement corps. Was the rest of the state shutdown just because the President was in the state capital? By this singular event, we can safely conclude that even cattle-rustlers are out-thinking our trained state operatives. And Saturday’s strike in Kaduna was icing on the cake. These ‘cattle boys’ are passing a message that they can strike at will any day and any time.

Let us leave you with a press release by the Katsina State Government over the incident.

Though the government condoles with the victims and set up a committee to ameliorate their pains, the state government uncannily refers to an incident in which about 100 people died as, “skirmishes between cattle rustlers and local residents.” Whence is a war?

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