The Nation Mar 25, 2014 by The Nation

Conference in stormy session over rules NEWS

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•APC, PDP, LP battle for state•Fayose gets team •NCP fixes April 14 for primary •’Leave President out’ MORE ON •Fayemi Campaign warns PDP candidate •AND PAGES 8 & 43

Ibadan forest of horror: Govt takes over land Stray bullet kills woman Survivors relive ordeal

From Bisi Oladele, Oseheye Okwuofu and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

WNERS of the Soka, Ibadan “forest of horror” lost it all yesterday, with the state government acquiring the land. Some victims of the bestiality were recovering at the hospital. But it was learnt that one of them, a woman, died on the way to the hospital on Saturday. Crowds of curious residents besieged the State Hospital, Yemetu in the Oyo State capital to see the rescued victims. The hospital had a hectic time controlling the crowds who remained resilient for hours in their determination to see the victims. But they were prevented by security personnel to ensure that the vicA bus stopped tims had some and by my side and privacy medical persontwo men nel attending to were not ...rushed me into them distracted. the back seat... Some of the When I regained victims are yet be fully conconsciousness, I to scious of their was in a room in new environment. Others

•SCENE OF HORROR: A crowd of curious residents at Soka forest, Ibadan…yesterday

PHOTOS: AFP AND FEMI ILESANMI

‘

the forest, chained to a wall

’

Continued on page 2

•Ajimobi (left) and Ndabawa at the site ...yesterday

Abacha loot: U.S. serves govt $550m forfeiture notice

U •The late Gen. Abacha

•A policeman arresting one of the protesters…yesterday

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

NITED States has written the Federal Government for assistance to serve forfeiture notice on the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s son, Mohammed, an associate of the dictator, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Dumez Nigeria Plc. The defendants are to forfeit over $550million and £95,910, 222.84(million) in 10 accounts and six investment

•Doraville Properties Corporation •HSBC Fund Administration (Jersey) •Rayville International, S. A •Standard Alliance Fin. Services Ltd •Mecosta Securities portfolios linked to the Abachas in France, the Britain, British Virgin Islands and the United States.

THE ACCOUNTS $287m •HSBC Bank Plc $12m •Blue Holding (1) Pte Ltd/ Ridley Group $1m •Blue Holding (2) Pte. Ltd/ Ridley Group $144m •Blue Holding (1) Pte. Ltd/ Ridley Group $21.7m •Blue Holding (2) Pte. Ltd/Ridley Group

Abacha has up till today(March 25, 2014) to file an application before the U.S District Court for the District of

$1.6 m £6,806,900 £21,846,983 £10,293,343.58 £56,962,996.26

Columbia to either set aside the forfeiture order or vary it. Continued on page 2

•ANGUISH AS MALAYSIA DECLARES 239 PASSENGERS OF MH 370 FLIGHT DEAD P59

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS

•From left: Chief Operating Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava; Mr Paul Osoro (SAN), Principal partner, Paul Osoro & Co.; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Funso Amosun; Arsenal Legend and Ex-England player, Ray Parlour and Foremost British Economist, Terence James O’Neill, at the unveiling of the prestigious Airtel Premier Club in Lagos…at the weekend.

Ibadan forest of horror: Govt takes over land Continued from page 1

have responded to treatment.

Two of them - Nafiu Shittu and Titi Adeyemi - gave some meaningful responses, suggesting that they were mentally stable. Shittu said: “I am a native of Ibadan living in Foko and Olodo area of Ibadan. I sold pile medicine to people in the city. I was doing the business on the day I was kidnapped four months ago. After going round the area where I had customers, I felt tired and decided to rest. It was at the Gate area. Suddenly, a bus stopped by my side and two men came out and rushed me into the back seat. That was all I could remember. When I regained consciousness, I was in a room in the forest, chained to a wall. I was too tired to struggle and as the days passed by, I became frail because I was not given anything to eat.” Asked if he was aware of his environment, Shittu replied: “I am a normal human being. It is not possible for me to know where I was because I was in a room all through my days in captivity.” He said he was not the only one in the building, adding that people passed by it regularly as he heard their conversations. Titi Adeniyi, 45, said: “I live at

Awolowo compound in Oke Bola, Ibadan. I am not mad and I am not an old woman. Two months ago, I was in front of our house when some men grabbed me and said I was under arrest. Before I could protest, I was put in a bus and driven away. We did not go to any police station and I still don’t know how we reached the bush. I had N10,000 with me but they took it. I am 45 but in the few months I spent there, I aged quickly for lack of care. We were fed once in a week.” Governor Abiola Ajimobi and heads of security agencies were at the “forest of horror” yesterday. A woman was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during a clash between policemen and some youths. The main entrance to the forest was cordoned off by the police to prevent more residents from thronging the site, which has been attracting crowds of people since the news broke on Saturday evening. But the security agencies stopped people yesterday morning. The middle-aged woman, identity could not be immediately ascertained. The bullet was said to have hit her in the chest. She died instantly. Ajimobi led members of the State Executive Council and all

the arms of the security agencies with a forensic expert on an on-the-spot assessment of the forest. The convoy was flagged down by the crowd of residents, who reported what they called “police wickedness” and called for Justice. Policemen stationed an Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) a few metres away from the entrance to the forest to prevent residents from visiting the site. The governor urged residents not to take the law into their hands. He promised to address the issue. Ajimobi, who was conducted round the forest by security chiefs, was sad at what he called “man’s inhumanity to his fellow man”. Visibly moved by the gory sight at the forest where many people had been held hostage by yet unknown kidnappers, Ajimobi called for a minute’s silence and led prayers for the repose of the souls of those who died. The governor announced the revocation of the Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) of the expansive forest and directed that the bush be cleared. He also pledged that the entire area would be combed by security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to

Inside Boko Haram camp, by escapees

book. “We came here with all the security chiefs. We have seen things for ourselves. It is surprising that such a thing existed here for a long time. Nevertheless, we will take the following actions: “We will revoke all the C of Os of the owners of the land; government is taking it over immediately. Then we will set up a panel of forensic experts; we will get to the root of the matter and then we will find out those involved in the act. Even though we were told that the inhuman transactions here had been in existence for over 10 years, we will dig it up,’’ the governor said. Ajimobi said it was unimaginable that an event as horrendous as this had been going on in the neighbourhood for over 10 years and the people living in the area had not alerted security agencies about it. He told the crowd who thronged the scene of the incident, including the head of the community, Chief Isiaka Bello Olupoju, that the unemployed youths in the area would get automatic employment in the State Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES-O). He urged those interested in the job to register with the village head. The governor also promised to Continued on page 59

Abacha loot: U.S. serves govt $550m forfeiture notice Continued from page 1

Failure to file a counter-application or ask for a stay will lead to the automatic forfeiture of the cash and other assets today. The letter contains a breakdown of some of the accounts and investment firms/ banks where the looted funds were stashed abroad. The highlights are as follows: Doraville Properties Corporation - $287 million in Account Number 80020796 located at Deutsche Bank International Limited in the Bailiwick of Jersey; HSBC Fund Administration (Jersey) – $12 million in account number S-104460 in the Bailiwick of Jersey; and Rayville International, S. A - $1 million in

account number 223405880IUSD at Banque SBA in Paris, France. Others are: Standard Alliance Financial Services Limited - $144 million in account 223406510PUSD at Banque SBA in Paris; Mecosta Securities $21.7 million in accounts 10030688 and 100138409 at Standard Bank in the United Kingdom; and HSBC Bank Plc - $1.6 million in account number 38175076. Also listed are Blue Holding (1) Pte Ltd/ Ridley Group Limited - £6,806,900; Blue Holding (2) Pte. Ltd/ Ridley Group Limited - £21,846,983; Blue Holding (1) Pte. Ltd/ Ridley Group Limited - £10,293,343.58; Blue Holding (2) Pte. Ltd/Ridley Group Limited - £56,962,996.26

In the letter to the Federal Government by the Associate Director, Criminal Division of the Office of International Affairs of the US Department of Justice, Jeffrey M. Olson, the US government said it sought the help of Nigeria in line with January 14, 2003 Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the two nations. The letter, which was obtained by our correspondent, reads in part: “The United States Central Authority respectfully requests the assistance of the Central Authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pursuant to the Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and

the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (the Treaty). “The United States’ request for assistance stems from forfeiture proceedings by the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section (the prosecutor) against property related to the corrupt conduct of Sani Abacha, the former head of state of Nigeria, and the subsequent laundering of corruption proceeds. “ The United States is required by law to provide notice to natural or legal persons who may have an interest in property that is the subject of forfeiture proceedings, in order to give them Continued on page 59

•We killed 18 insurgents, says DHQ

WO women who escaped from the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents have relived their horrendous experience. Liatu and Janet told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored in Kaduna how they escaped from the insurgents after spending several days with them. Liatu, 23, who claimed to have spent 12 days with her abductors inside the Sambisa forest, said she was captured by the insurgents on her way to her village. The insurgents, according to her, barricaded the road near the Bama Bridge, killing some people and abducting others. One of the men who was also abducted, she said, suggested that they should escape. “One man suggested that we run away because one can only die once. We took a golf car and ran away, the Boko Haram people chased us on a motorbike, shooting at us and killed those who sat at the back. When we were approaching Bama, they retreated and went back,” Liatu said. Liatu, a Christian, claimed that the Boko Haram members had earlier asked her to accept Islam as a religion. She watched while they slaughtered about 50 people. Also sharing her experience with the BBC, Janet claimed that she spent about three months with the insurgents who tried to conscript her after severally violating her. They took her to Gwoza town in the state where they killed people. Liatu claimed that the insurgents gave her a knife and instructed her to slaughter one of the five people, a task she said she could not perform, adding that the wife of the Boko Haram leader later carried out the task on her behalf. Janet said she has continued to live with the nightmare, and the gory details of what transpired when the victims were killed, adding that most of the Boko Haram members were known faces to her because they were neighbours. She claimed that she escaped

Conference in stormy session over rules, others

VEN before it takes off, the National Conference seems to be living up to its billing as a contentious forum. Its plenary started yesterday on a stormy note. The session, which was devoted to the adoption of rules of proceeding, was adjourned without adopting the mode of voting if delegates failed to achieve consensus on an issue.

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

The sharp disagreement on the mode of voting seemed to be a NorthSouth divide with a preponderance of northerners rooting for 75 per cent vote to decide an issue. Most southerners believed that left with 75 per cent, no decision would be achieved. Signals that the session might be

tempestuous emerged as it started more than one hour behind the stipulated 10 am. Mike Ozekhome, a chief, who described himself as an “addendum” from a minority ethnic group, fired the first shot on voting procedure. He requested the Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd) to allow him speak on Order 6 (4) and 11(1)(2), which deals with voting.

The section states in part that any issue under discussion shall be determined by consensus and in the absence of consensus, the chairman shall adjourn proceedings to allow for consultation. It added that where consensus finally failed the issue shall be decided by three quarters of members. Continued on page 4

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

from her captors after feigning illness and was allowed to seek medical attention. “I feigned illness for two weeks; they said I had AIDS and should be taken to their hospital for test. I told them it was stomach pain. That was how I escaped. “The Boko Haram men hide in caves and mountains. They sight jets and other aircraft. I felt happy whenever I saw soldiers, but they could not locate the Boko Haram who were mostly, along the Liman Kara and Gwoza axis. “They took many of us into the bush. If they searched and found ID card, they will say they had warned that people should not work for the government, and they will kill the person. For those Konduga girls, they will select those who perm their hair and kill them.” Also yesterday, the Defence Headquarters said government troops at the weekend, killed 18 suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Bama and Ngurosoye in Borno State. A statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the insurgents were dislodged while attempting to attack some settlements. According to the DHQ, 16 AK 47 rifles, five pick up vans and seven Gulf cars belonging to the insurgents were destroyed. Continued on page 59

•Maj.-Gen. Olukolade

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 08099365644, ABUJA – 08099650602 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Delegates in st B

•Chairman ,National Conference, Justice Idris Kutugi (middle), Deputy Chairman, Bolaji Akinyemi (left) and Conference Secre•Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture Ruralsession Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, CEO/MD, tary, Mrs Valerie Azinge during theAnd plenary of the conference in Abuja ...yesterday. . Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Ghanshyam and foremost British Economist and Honourary Professor Of Economics at the University of Manchester, Terence James "Jim" O'neill at the Launch of Airtel Premier in Lagos

•Former Oyo StateSmile,Dr. Governor Rashidi Ladoja (middle), Isa Aliyu Mohammed (left) and Mamman Jumai Bello... at •Innitiator, Project Amy Traore Shumbusho speaking at the media launch of Project Smile in Lagos at the conference...yesterday. weekend. With her are Brand Communiocation Manager Oral B,Tomiwa Ajewole (left) and Brand Operations and Integrations Manager Oral B,Ojo Folarin. PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

•Continued from page 2

UT Ozekhome reasoned that achieving three quarters would be problematic. He noted that controversial, emotive and sensitive issues were bound to come up. In such a situation, he noted, it would be difficult to get 75 per cent or three quarters to support an issue. The lawyer suggested that the conference should go for simple majority or two-third, insisting that three quarters was likely to produce a tyrannical minority. The tyrannical minority, he said, might shoot down a popular issue because the conference was unable to get three quarters vote. He prayed that the section should be reviewed to avoid a situation where the delegates would find it difficult to take decision on issues. Ozekhome said: “369 is 3/4 of this conference, a number that is obviously humongous, elephantine and behemoth. As we go into the serious issues after adopting this rule, a lot of highly emotive, controversial issues and some demanding primordial sentiments would prop up. “As a Federal Government delegate, I will discuss from the perspective of a nationalist, but there are many delegates here who are from various strata of our society who have their own issues, such as state police, which I vehemently believe in, regionalism or the form of government we are going to take. When such emotive and controversial issues prop up, how do we get 75 per cent or three quarters because it is going to be very difficult if there is no consensus. “In other words, such issues are dead on arrival if we have to go by this rule. “If we also have to go by this 75 per cent rule, it means we are going

•A cross section of the delegates during the plenary session of the Conference in Abuja... yesterday.

to have a tyrannical minority; if 74 per cent of the delegates vote on an issue and 26 per cent voted against but can’t carry through because we have not the 75 percent mark. “The result is that the 26 per cent that voted against has actually won. So, my suggestion is that we should tow the line of parliamentary standard across the world by adopting 2/3 majority.” Perhaps the stage of discord was set when Justice Kutigi told the delegates that the conference was not competent to change three quarters vote to decide an issue. He said that the letter that appointed them stipulated that determination of an issue where consensus failed shall be three quarters of

National Conference unfair to youths

•Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) National Co-ordinator Gani Adams (left), John Dara (middle) and JubrilWariya Munzali, at the •From left: Director, Air Transport Regulation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Justus Managing Conference...yesterday. Director Bytol Travel and Tours, Mrs. Biyi Tunji Olugbodi and Commercial Manager Gambia Bird West Africa, Sodieri Osei - Bonsu at the unveiling of GAMBIA BIRD Airline in Lagos.

HE Southwest Consultative Forum (SWCF) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as “under representation” of the youths at the National Conference. Chairman of the Forum, Mr Akitoye Branco-Rhodes, blamed the Presidency for marginalising the youth,the most vibrant sector of the population. Branco-Rhodes spoke at a news conference in Lagos. He said: “The process of selecting delegates was exclusive and discriminatory, marginalising the most vibrant population of women and youths in Nigeria as well as not adequately representing people living with disabilities.” He added that about 75 per cent of the conference delegates are in the age bracket of 60-85 years old reflecting the deliberate stifling of the voices of

By Leke Salaudeen

the youths who are the major stakeholders and custodians of the future of Nigeria. He said: “Nothing further drives home the leadership’s poor judgment of what their needs are and how to best meet it, than the untimely death of about 19 job seekers on Saturday March 15, 2014, as a result of the illplanned Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise where over a million youths were in attendance nationwide”. According to him, the delegates list is ultra conservative and largely made up of people who are identified allies and party faithful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that prominent and credible Nigerians who would have made useful contributions to the conference did not make the list.

Group to NBA: don’t pull out of confab

•Former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba (right) and another delegate, Chris Agbonwaegba...yesterday.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

RIGHTS group, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHRD), has pleaded with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to rescind its decision to pull out from the National Conference in Abuja. The National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, yesterday said the attention of the group was drawn to the withdrawal of NBA from the conference. He said NBA took the decision after a meeting of its National Executive Council led by Chief Okey Wali (SAN) in Akure, Ondo State. But Ikimi said the resolution could become a tactical blunder. He said: “We, therefore, call for an immediate withdrawal of the decision as same may not be in the interest of the body. “Though we appreciate the fact that allotting a slot to a body like the Nigerian Bar Association was unfair, pulling out of the National conference was a comedy of error. “The only representative of NBA in the conference would have been able to canvass the position of the professional body at the conference bearing in mind that almost one third if not more of the delegates to the conference are both qualified Lawyers and members of the Nigerian Bar Association.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

n stormy session over rules, others

•Former Petroleum Minister Prof Jubril Aminu raising his hand to speak during the plenary session of the conference in Abuja...yesterday. With him is former Minister of Information Dora Akunyili. PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

the delegates. He said that the letter foreclosed discussion on three quarters vote to decide an issue. Most delegates shouted that the section should be revisited. Chief Adeniyi Akintola (Oyo State) wondered why President Jonathan should make up his mind on the issue. He said: “If Mr. President has made up his mind on voting, why did he bring us here?” Prof. Awwulu Yadudu reminded the delegates that there were some no-go areas as stated by President Jonathan. Yadudu noted that Jonathan asked delegates not to discuss any issue that has to do with the continued ex-

istence of Nigeria as an entity. He added that it was his wish that issues would be decided by consensus but where consensus failed three quarters should be adopted. But Chief Ahmadu Ali said that decisions should be arrived at by two-third because three quarters will be difficult to achieve. The ding dong went on unresolved. Attempts by the chairman to shelve debate on the contentious issue were met by a resounding “no!”. The delegates went on break. On resumption from break, the Chairman said: “Let us go to page 12”. But the delegates would have none of it as they shouted: “No, were are still on page 11!” that deals with

I’ll donate N9m Conference allowance to charity, says Ozekhome

ter. On appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees, some delegates were of the opinion that the chairman of the conference and his deputy should not appoint chairmen and deputies of committees, as well as constituting members. Such appointments, they said, should be subjected to democratic norms whereby members of committees should pick their own presiding officers. Chief Olu Falae, among others, supported the idea of members choosing their chairman and vice chairman. The chairman put the question and those against the draft carried the

TITBITS

Complaints galore

MEMBER of the National Conference, Mike Ozekhome, has said the actual monthly take home pay of each member of the National Conference is about N3.3 million. He said he would donate the allowance to charitable causes. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is on the Federal Government delegation, said his approach would be different from those who outrightly rejected the money. Clarifying the total amount allocated to each member, Ozekhome said the N12m for the three month exercise as reported was not entirely correct. “From the alert from my bank, this is entirely untrue. The sum of N1,460,000 was paid in, representing two weeks allowance. Calculated pro-rata, this amounts to N2,920,000 per month. “If we take this as net and assume that 10 per cent was deducted for VAT and TAX, this will still bring the gross monthly take home to be N3,212,000. “If the deduction for Tax and VAT constitutes per cent of the gross, then the monthly net take home is N3,066,000. Either way, the take home per delegate is more like N3m, and not the exaggerated N4m,” he said. Ozekhome commended the decision of Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Pastor Tunde Bakare to reject the allowance.

voting. The chairman noted that some delegates said that the conference should work with consensus. “We shall come back to it later after we’ve taken more arguments,” he said. The issue did not come up again for discussion until Justice Kutigi adjourned the session. Senator Ken Nnamani said there were inconsistencies in the draft rule. He noted that in some place three quarters was mentioned while in other places “two-third” was used. He noted even the Constitution allows for two-thirds to decide issues. The former Senate President wondered why Justice Kutigi did not allow delegates to conclude the mat-

day. Not convinced, the chairman put the question the second time. Those against the draft rule, which vested the power of appointing chairmen of committees on the conference chairman, outnumbered those in support. Justice Kutigi ruled and banged the gavel. Removal of chairman and deputy of committees after review of their performance by the conference chairman was also rejected by the delegates. On quorum, the delegates decided that 1/3 delegate membership should form quorum for deliberation. On replacement of conference official, some delegates wanted a time frame of 48 hours to be given to Mr. President to replace any conference official who resigned or became indisposed. But, others said that Mr. President should not be compelled to announce the replacement of an official. Chief Segun Osoba suggested that the conference should sit between 10am to 5pm. The break period should be reduced to one hour instead of two hours. Osoba proposed an amendment to the provision of the rules of proceedings, saying that the conference should not be rigid about it. The current rule being debated stipulates that plenary begins at 10 am and lasts till 2 pm to give way for a lunch break that lasts till 4 pm when plenary resumes to close at 6 pm. Some of the delegates canvassed for the plenary to hold between 9 am and 4 pm without break. Others suggested the reduction of the break time to one hour, to enable them to close at 5 pm. However, the chairman ruled for the retention of the current provision.

• Ozekhome From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

He said: “I will not agree to further enrich the Federal Government of Nigeria by returning my conference allowance. For one thing, the money has already been appropriated and released from government coffer. “The skewed Nigerian system where corruption is very rife suggests that the money can develop wings and fall into wrong hands within government bureaucracy by simply flying away. “I will not have the means of knowing if it got into the federation account.”

THE first issue delegates to the National Conference had to contend with on resumption from a short break yesterday was human and vehicular traffic challenges caused by security protocols and shoddy registration process. The delegates expressed frustrations at the overwhelming number of security operatives and the protocols they were subjected to which led to many getting to the auditorium well over time. Delegates complained about being asked to register manually by approaching a table where they have to write their names and append their signatures before collecting their conference material. One of the delegates said the Secretariat should devise more creative ways of identifying the delegates, especially through electronic identification and transmission of conference materials to members before the commencement of business each day. The delegates, especially those who could not collect the draft Rules of proceeding last Thursday spent over an hour on the queue before gaining access to the auditorium. The Conference had to adjourn for 10 minutes to allow those on the registration queue to enter the hall for the session to commence when it became clear that the session would start late. The handling of the proceeding was also another area of concern for delegates as the Chairman was advised to take control of proceedings. Several members attempted to advise the Chairman on how to conduct the procedure, especially on adoption of resolutions.

Mrs Josephine Anenih and Senator Ita Giwa among several others said the Chairman should rather exhaust debate on a clause, put the question and take the vote and rule before moving to the next. clause. Senator Ken Nnamani advised the Chairman to stop members from the incessant use of ‘Point of Order’ “You can stop this abuse of the Point of Order by asking for which order, which I am sure is non-existent,” he added. Sitting arrangement A member pointed out that the sitting arrangement of the presiding and principal officers was not right and it was suggested that the Secretariat staff should move their sits back to allow the Chairman the free hand to run the event. The Chairman acknowledged the complaint and promised to address it but it was not strange seeing members referring to issues that have been ruled on before the close of the day. The handling of sitting arrangement in the auditorium also became an issue as some members could not find their seats despite employing the assistance for conference workers to locate them. The Secretary, Valerie Azinge assured the members that it was not an issue as each member was allocated a seat. The delegate was still found in the seat that was not his till the end of the day. Water and six stars While a member asked for the meaning of six stars engraved on the pages of the rules of proceeding, another solicited the Secretariat’s assistance for provision of water in the auditorium. He said it was for the sake of the eld-

erly members of the conference. It was also a common sight seeing agitated members jumping to their feet to make their point while another was still having the floor, shouting point of order. The public address system was another issue as microphone had to be moved around, a trying situation that made members to stress themselves to be identified. Women’s voices Women in the conference also made sure that their voices were not subdued by their male counterparts. While it was pointed out to the Secretariat that there was no reference to the female gender in the draft rule as only ‘He’ was provided for in the document. Though it was pointed that in the explanatory notes that ‘he’ refers to both genders, the women insisted that there must be a distinction between the two. A vote was taken and the women had their way with majority vote. Long sitting hours In the draft rule of proceeding, some members had issues with the long hours allotted to sittings each day from 10am to 6.00pm with two hours break between 2pm and 4pm. While some wanted a reduction of break period to one hour, others suggested a one-hour reduction in the session period. The majority however had their way, stating that it is a national assignment that requires sacrifice. Mrs. Azinge apologised for insufficient food as some delegates were left to fend for themselves as food provided could not go round. She said such experience would not occur again.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS

Woman jailed in London for acid attack on Nigerian girl

Jonathan kicks against nuclear terrorism

• 12 years for Miss Konye

ARY Konye, a woman who threw acid in the face of a friend while wearing a veil as a disguise, has been jailed for 12 years. Her victim, Naomi Oni, 22, has a Nigerian heritage. She suffered burns to her face and chest in the attack near her home in Dagenham, east London, in December 2012. Konye, 22, of Canning Town, allegedly attacked Ms Oni because she had called her ugly. In a victim impact statement, Ms Oni said she had at times felt suicidal since the attack due to her appearance. Judge David Radford told Konye the consequences of her “deliberate” and “wicked act” had been “devastating to Miss Oni”. It was a “premeditated and callous” plan to “burn and disfigure” her victim, he added. “This careful, premeditated criminality was planned against a person who reasonably believed you were a true friend,” the judge said. “Her friendship had been so wilfully betrayed by you.” Following the sentencing,

‘The whole traumatic experience has changed my life. At times I felt suicidal and thought about ending it all’ lawyer Mitesh Patel read a statement on Ms Oni’s behalf, where she said: “My family and I have been forced to put up with false allegations about my character, including the false allegation that I had done this to myself”. In the statement she said the effects of these allegations had been “devastating” and the “negative and false publicity” resulted in some people “distancing themselves from me during my hour of need”. The false allegations referred to by Ms Oni were Konye’s claims in her defence case that the victim wanted to gain media publicity from the attack. CCTV footage captured

•Miss Konye

•Miss Oni

Konye, who was found guilty in January, secretly following the Victoria’s Secret shop assistant home from work while wearing a veil. Ms Oni needed skin grafts and has suffered permanent scars to her leg, chest, stomach and arms and was almost blinded in one eye. She must wear a silicon face mask and faces further reconstructive surgery. In the impact statement, read to the court by prosecutor Gareth Patterson, Ms Oni said she found it very difficult to live with her physical appearance and was now “paranoid and scared” about being outdoors alone. Ms Oni said that before the attack she was a “confident” young woman. “All this changed that day I was struck with acid and my life was turned upside down,” she said. She added it was now a “battle to get by each day”. Ms Oni said: “I’m reminded what I look like every day I look in the mirror

or see the reaction on people’s faces. “The whole traumatic experience has changed my life. At times I felt suicidal and thought about ending it all.” It was her mother who had kept her going, she said. “I feel paranoid and scared going out alone,” she said. “I’m still scared of being attacked again.” On being attacked by someone who had been a friend since secondary school, Ms Oni said: “It was bad enough believing it was a random attack. Knowing Mary planned this is beyond belief. “I don’t trust people in the same way any more.” Konye’s lawyer Sally O’Neill QC told the court she had admitted throwing the acid since her conviction but claims she did not intend to cause injury to Ms Oni’s face. “The reason for this incident will always be shrouded in some doubt and mystery,” the lawyer said.

•Backs nuclear energy for developmental purposes

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reaffirmed Nigeria’s full commitment to the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism. He said Nigeria would continue to pursue efforts to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the president spoke at the third global security summit at the Hague in the Netherlands. He said: “As a developing country, Nigeria needs to harness nuclear technology for socio-economic development. It is for this reason we subscribe to the view that international and regional cooperation efforts should be based on the principle of maintaining a balance between nuclear nonproliferation obligations and the inalienable right of States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy for development purposes.” “While this is important, we would also like to draw attention to the need to maintain the highest standards of nuclear safety and security in establishing peaceful nuclear facilities. “Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts towards ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

of delivery, including nuclear weapons. “To this end, Nigeria has since the last Summit in Seoul, strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption in 2013, of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act, thus ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country. “Nigeria’s ratification of some international treaties and conventions in the realm of nuclear safety, security and safeguards has necessitated the review of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act resulting in the recent decision of the Government to submit a new Bill to Parliament for consideration and passage into law in order to accommodate our obligations under these instruments.” “The instruments include the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and its amended version of 2005, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The intention of the bill is to ensure the fulfilment of Nigeria’s international and national Nuclear Safety, Security, Safeguards and radiation protection obligations, by domesticating the international treaties.”

Airport Terminals to be completed soon

Moro, Parradang, others to face Senate Thursday

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ADEQUATE budgetary provision has been made for the completion of remodelled airport terminals, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, said yesterday during an inspection tour of the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos and Kaduna International Airport. Dunoma charged the contractors to ensure the completion of work in good time. The Managing Director urged the contractors to work with the expected specification and standards. He further expressed appreciation over the level of commitment and improvement in the work done.

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu (middle) and Oyo State Governor’s wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi (right) when Prof. Adelabu visited Mrs. Ajimobi’s Access to Basic Medical Care Hub in Ibadan...yesterday

Minister of Interior Abba Moro and the ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Parradang, will on Thursday appear before the Senate Committee on Interior over the death of 19 applicants during its recruitment exercise. The Clerk to the Committee on Interior, Isah Garba, in a statement, said the Atiku Abubakar Baguduled committee also summoned the representatives of the Police, Federal Civil Service Commission, Managing Director/CEO of Drexel Technical Global Services Limited, trade unions, victims and their families. and other stakeholders directly or indirectly connected to the incident.

APC governors call for national budget timetable

HE Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) yesterday called for the creation of a national Budget Timetable to ensure that the budgeting process is not subject to the whims and caprices of the Federal Government. This followed the recurrent poor implementation of the Federal Government budget. The communique issued at the conclusion of a one-day Roundtable of Progressive Governors, Legislators and Civil Society Organisations, in Abuja also suggested that structures and institutions at

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

all levels must be strengthened to ensure accountability in budgeting. The theme of the Roundtable was : “Improving Governance through Transparent Budgeting, Accountability and Effective Public Financial Management.” The budgeting process must be designed based on sector plans, not mere statements of intended expenditure or mere line budgeting to be executed at the whims of the civil service.

According to the governors who are optimistic of assuming power at the center by next year, “All Progressives Congress (APC) governed states must lead by example and promote citizen participation in the budgeting process.” The forum also recommended that there must be provision for a closing figure for the previous year before any new budget is presented. The National Assembly’s oversight function must be reinvigorated to ensure strict compliance with budgetary provisions, the governors in-

sisted. PGF also maintained that “extra-budgetary expenditure which is an impeachable offense must be reined-in and punished where applicable.” Calling for an end to the present budgetary system, the governors said that envelope system, which guarantees payment amounts to certain lines charges regardless of needs must be discarded. The communique added that : “There is need for more vigorous public hearings in relation to budgets and public expenditure processes; “There is urgent need to

set up a National Assembly Budget Office similar to the Congressional Budget Office in the USA “Progressive Governors should put in place structures and programmes to fight corruption and poverty which undermine transparency, security, participation and fundamental freedom; “Legislators and Civil Society Organisations must work together to promote public awareness and ensure that the public is able to demand for accountability for all public funds budgeted and spent;

“Need for the public to view public funds as their own and respond to the way they are spent.” Those that were present at the event were one of the party’s National Leader Rtd. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman PGF, Rochas Okorocha, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abu Ibrahim, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator, House Minority Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Niger Delta Activist Comrade Timi Frank and others.

THE NATION TUESDAY MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS Mark decries terrorism

CJN urges judges to be neutral

HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, has advised judges to be neutral in handling electoral disputes. She cautioned judges against engaging in unethical conduct and acts capable of lowering public confidence in the judiciary. Justice Mukhtar urged judges to maintain true allegiance to their oaths and abide by the demands of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers. The CJN spoke yesterday in Abuja at the swearing-in of 25 justices of the Court of Appeal. She said: “I advise you to work with your brother justices to sustain the confidence of the public in the judiciary. “Bear in mind that the right to implement legal authority in any matter is predicated upon public opinion and ethics. “Public confidence in the judicial system rests on public trust and perception as well as the established and sustained propriety of the judiciary,, which helps to encourage citizens’ readiness to

•Swears in 25 justices From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

comply with the law. “Thus, societal perception of the integrity of the judicial system occupies an important role in the assistance of social order by directing the law in a manner, which guarantees the important requirements of justice. For this reason, you must contribute your best to administer justice. “I wish to further stress that the judiciary will not tolerate misconduct and disloyalty from judges. So I urge you to maintain true allegiance to your oaths and abide by the demands of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers. “I urge you to understand there is no middle ground and no room for those found to be contemptible arbiters of truth. There shall be zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct in the judiciary. “As judicial officers, you will soon be presiding over election cases, among others. Therefore, as judges you must

be neutral and rise up to safeguard our democracy and ensure the rights of litigants and the tenets of justice are upheld, and help to dispense justice for the purpose of safeguarding and protecting our constitution and its goals. “It is necessary to note that our task in our society is demanding and inexorable. Your judgments and ruling will be tried by public opinion and you will face criticism from the electronic and print media. I urge you to persevere and remain firm in your duties.” The new judges include Justices Hamma Akawu Barka (Gombe State), Joseph Jude Jella (Taraba State), Bitrus G. Sanga (Bauchi State), Muhammed Mustapha (Borno State), Yargata Nimpar (Gombe State), Sa’idu Tanko Hussein (Kogi State), Mudashiru N. Oniyangi (Kwara State) and Amina Audi Wambai (Niger State). Others are Justices Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi (Na-

• Justice Mukhtar

sarawa State), Tani Y. Hassan (Kano State), Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu (Jigawa State), Kadi Musa Hassan Alkali (Kaduna State), Jamilu Y. Tukur (Katsina State), Paul Obi Elechi (Ebonyi State), Ugochukwu A. Ogakwu (Enugu State) and Nonyerem Okoronkwo (Imo State). Also, there are Justices Joseph E. Ekanem (Akwa Ibom State), F.E. Oho (Delta State), Abimbola O.O. Adejumo (Edo State), Bolokuromo M. Ugo (Bayelsa State), Biobele A. Georgewill (Rivers State), Oludotun A. AdefopeOkojie (Ogun State), Misitura O. Bolaji-Yusuf (Oyo State), J.O.K. Oyewole (Osun State) and O.E. Williams-Dawudu (Lagos State).

Fed Govt gives Ekiti varsity N2.1b EDERAL Government has offered Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, N2.1 billion as revitalisation fund this year. Vice Chancellor Prof. Oladipo Aina spoke yesterday at a news conference on the weeklong convocation. He said: “This is besides the N664 million released to the university as Tertiary Education Trust Fund last year.” Prof. Aina said the money was spent on the building of the Biochemistry laboratory of the College of Health Sciences and the new faculties of Agriculture and Arts.”

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The vice chancellor assured that efforts were on to ensure that the university became residential. He said: “Although the money for this has not been accessed, I assure you that we will use it to build hostels. We want our students to have the culture of university education, which they cannot get outside the campus.” Lamenting the poor standard of facilities in most tertiary institutions, Prof. Aina said there was need for the

universities to be creative to ensure they generated income internally to augment their monthly subventions from the governments. He said 5,859 graduates would receive degrees. The vice chancellor said there had been substantial progress in infrastructure in the last few years, adding that the university had produced about 55,000 alumni in the last 32 years. Said he: “They are not only our alumni, some of them are doing well in their chosen careers. The enabling peace and new lease of life on campus is

Immigration stampede: Govt to create more jobs

EDERAL Government has vowed to honour the memory of the dead Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) applicants by creating more jobs. Speaking at the inaugural Housing Stakeholders’ Implementation Summit in Abuja yesterday, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said: “The best way to honour the memory of youths, who died at the Immigration recruitment, is for us to create more jobs. “There is a lot of distress in the country and people are questioning whether the government has created the 1.6

By Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

million jobs it claimed to have created last year. The answer is, it has, according to the information from the National Office of Statistics. However, the problem is we have 1.8 million entrants into the job market every year. So, job creation has not caught up with the number of people entering the job market.” She noted that government is caught between “creating 1.6 million jobs vs. 1.8 million needed per year. So there is a 200,000 job deficit per year. In addition, we have a pool accumulated over time, of unemployed people amounting

to 5.3 million and a pool of under-employed people (those working but the job is not full time) of 13.6 million. So Nigeria has a difficult unemployment challenge accumulated over the years.” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said she hoped the first target of creating jobs for new entrants of 1.8 million was almost in sight, adding: “Once we reach that on a steady level, we can focus on creating more for the unemployed and under-employed pool.” She said the summit had given the government “the opportunity to stand true to the memories of those who died seeking Immigration jobs.”

Financial council to quiz Sanusi, Alade, Lemo, HE Financial ReportMoghalu, Akingbola, 10 others ing Council of Niger-

ia (FRC) will tomorrow and Thursday question the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; CBN Acting Governor, Dr. Sarah Alade; former CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo; CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu; and former Managing Director/CEO of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola. Also to be questioned are

By Collins Nweze

the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BoI), Ms Evelyn Oputu; CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Barau; Mr. Babatunde Dayo; Mr. Gabriel Okpeh and Mr. Ezekiel Ejedele. Also to appear before the FRC hearing panel are the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Security, Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), Mr. Ehi’ E Okoyomon; Alhaji

Ahmed Barmali; Mr. Igho Dafinone; the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede; and his successor, Mr. Herbert Wigwe. While Sanusi, Aalde, Lemo and six others are expected to appear at the interrogation to be held at the FRC head office in Lagos on Thursday at 11 am, Akingbola, Aig-Imoukuede, Wigwe and three others are to appear at the same time tomorrow.

ENATE President David Mark yesterday decried crimes, which have claimed life and property. He said terrorists had degenerated to the level of beasts, and become insane. Mark, who was reacting to the latest attacks in Benue State, in which hundreds died, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, wondered how some Nigerians had become wicked and cruel. He was quoted to have said: “I cannot understand why people have resorted to killing one another at will without the slightest provocation. This is not part of us. This is highly inhuman and unacceptable.” Mark reminded Nigeri-

most noticeable and gratifying with the restructuring of the university’s security department. “This year’s convocation is scheduled for between March 24 and 29. We expect it to be hitch free, given the arrangements and strategies in place.”

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ans of the time-tested philosophy of Africans being their brother’s keeper. Said he: “We are still one people created by the same God. Neither religion, nor politics, nor ethnicity should put asunder our cherished peace and unity.” The Senate president urged security operatives to collaborate for a resultoriented approach towards ending the killings. He sympathised with the government and people of Benue State for the attacks and called for a proactive approach to avoid a recurrence. Mark enjoined the National Emergency Management Agency (NAMA) to provide relief materials to the victims in camps.

Obiano visits injured pupils NAMBRA State Governor Willie Obiano yesterday visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH), to sympathise with survivors of an accident at Awka, in which seven persons died. A reckless driver rammed into the pupils of Union Secondary School and Community Secondary School in Umuokpu while they were waiting for buses. Seven pupils died and

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

many were injured. Obiano assured the pupils his administration would not abandon them. He said: “Don’t despair. You are in good hands. We shall take care of you. We shall pay your hospital bills and make sure nothing bad happens to you.” The governor, moved by the sight of patients sweating, following heat in the wards, promised to provide the hospital with a 500KVA generator.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS

Ibadan Poly students protest levy, epileptic power supply

TUDENTS of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, protested yesterday the N500 levy charged for Entrepreneurship Development (EED), describing it as “illegal”. They also protested against epileptic power supply and irregular water distribution in the school. Over 1,000 students gathered at the campus around 8am and barricaded the polytechnic’s entrances. They obstructed human and vehicular movement for over four hours. Policemen in five trucks were deployed in the campus to maintain order. The school authority invited the Student Union leaders to a meeting, which lasted over an hour. Addressing reporters after the meeting, the institution’s Student Union President, Iyiola Oladimeji, said: “We do not want to pay N500 for EED. The school management has agreed to reduce it to N300 and refund the balance of students who have paid. Also, we do not have stable electricity and water supply. We have been experiencing epileptic power supply for some years now in this academic community. “We have suspended the protest and are giving the management uptil the end of this week to meet our de-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

mands.” The institution’s spokesman, Alhaji Sola Oladoye, said: “The Polytechnic, Ibadan, is part of the Nigerian society. None of us have regular electricity supply in our homes and these students are individuals from various homes. What they are experiencing here is not different from what they are experiencing in their various homes.” He said the management has promised to supply electricity one hour before students leave their hostels in the morning and two hours at night, adding that water would be pumped during the period. On the EED levy, Oladoye said the course charge is for the students’ benefit, adding: “It will make them employers of labour. We are not charging them much because if they go to the street to learn tailoring or auto repair, it will cost them more. When students protest, they also whip up sentiments to achieve their aim. We should leave sentiments apart and understand that this institution is not a profit making venture. We would not extort students. We are building an entrepreneurship village to help students become self-reliant.”

Fire at Ogun secretariat

HERE was a fire yesterday at the Ogun State Secretariat in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. It was caused by an electricity spark from an air conditioner in one of the rooms at the Economic Planning Office. The fire was prevented from spreading by men of the State Fire Service. The air conditioner and a desktop computer were destroyed. Leading Governor Ibikunle Amosun to the scene, the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, thanked that no one died and the damage was minimal. She praised men of the Fire Service for their quick intervention. Amosun ordered her to ensure strict compliance with monthly fire drills in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). He said this will enable workers act appropriately in emergency situations.

Osun pensioners protest non-payment of arrears

ENSIONERS in Osun State protested yesterday the non-payment of pension arrears by the state government. Around 10am, the pensioners converged on the popular Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, blocking the OsogboGbongan road. While the protest lasted, the police, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were on ground to ensure order. The protest caused a traffic gridlock for over two hours. Some of the protesters slept on the road, while others carried placards with various inscriptions. An executive of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Osun chapter, Mrs. Ronke Aderibigbe, said the retirees resolved to protest after several attempts made to dialogue with the state government failed. She said many retirees have died because they had no money to take care of themselves and the children of some have dropped out of school. Mrs. Aderibigbe said: “Many of our colleagues are diabetic and they find it difficult to buy drugs. Many of them have died. A good number of our colleagues are

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

hospitalised and efforts to see the governor failed. He kept promising through his aides that he would pay our pension arrears but nothing has been done.” She said they were protesting the non-payment of their gratuities since 2008; non payment of pension arrears, late payment of monthly pension and the non-inclusion of some pensioners, who retired in 2012, in the payroll. Commissioner for Information and Strategy Sunday Akere blamed the delay in the payment of pension on the dwindling allocation to states from the Federation Account. He said: “Several states of the federation and the Federal Government owe salary and pension running into several months without any hope of quick settlement. Osun has been successfully paying salary and pension with only a few days delay.” Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners. He said the government will continue to open its financial books to stakeholders, so that they can confirm what caused the delay in the payment.

•Izunaso (left) receiving the nomination form from Aregbesola...yesterday. With them is Masari.

Nigeria can’t survive another period of PDP’s misrule, says Aregbesola

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said yesterday that Nigeria may not survive another period of misrule by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He urged Nigerians to work towards replacing the ruling party at the centre. Aregbesola spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja after submitting his nomination form for the August 9 governorship election. He said: “Politicians, particularly in our type of society, can celebrate any political power, but not just any politician. We are politicians with passion for the people and zeal for change. It is the combination of those two things that informed commitment to give Nigeria a rebirth. Going through the years of the PDP’s bad management of our nation, it is the duty of patriots to work

•APC fixes Osun primary for April 12 From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

assiduously for their replacement. I do not think our nation can survive another period of misrule by the PDP.” Telling the APC National Deputy Chairman, Aminu Masari; National Organising Secretary Senator Osita Ozinaso and others the achievements of his administration, Aregbesola that he wants a second term in office to complete the work he has started. He said: “To continue the good work we started in November, 2010, we decided to seek re-election. We have obtained the nomination form and I am joyfully here to seek the nomination of the party to again run for the governorship position in Osun.”

Aregbesola said his administration has almost completed 10-kilometre roads in each local government and is “processing 1,000 kilometres of roads that are 70 per cent completed”. He said his administration met a destroyed healthcare sector and is rehabilitating nine hospitals. The governor said he set up a social security scheme for the elderly, which gives stipends to the aged monthly; created jobs for youths and serve nutritious free meals to about 300,000 pupils daily. He said: “Due to good governance, we have removed fear from the state. I ask the inept PDP that was there for 90 months to tell us what it did for the people. The only thing that is left is the memory of mis-governance.”

Masari said APC is the panacea to Nigeria’s problems, adding: “With the type of governors we have, we have demonstrated good leadership.” The former House of Representatives Speaker, who said he just rose from a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the commission’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, assured parties that the 2015 election would be free and fair. He expressed optimism that the APC would win the presidential and other elections. Ozinaso said: “Ward congresses in Osun will hold on March 29. The local government congresses will hold on April 1 and the state congress April 5. The primary will hold on April 12.” He said the party would be fair to all aspirants at the primary.

Ondo by-election: INEC presents voter register to parties today

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today present the voter register to be used for the Ilaje/ Ese-Odo Federal Constituency by-election to parties. INEC Administrative Secretary Ebenezer Fakorede said the electoral body has concluded arrangements for the election. Speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at an interactive session organised by the police for stakeholders, Fakorede said the commission would paste the voter register in the 395 polling

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

units in the two riverside local governments. He said INEC would use National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the South Senatorial District, which comprises six local governments, for the exercise. Commissioner of Police Isaac Eke assured the parties of security during and after the election. Eke told parties to give details of their public rallies or meetings to the police so that the force can provide ade-

quate security. His said: “Political parties are requested to avoid holding rallies meetings or demonstrations close to one another at the same time. Whenever the date, venue or timing of the activities of different parties clash, their representatives will meet to resolve the issue amicably without resort to intimidation, force or violence. “We are advising you not to resort to the use of inflammatory language, provocative actions that will incite violence, hatred, contempt or intimidation against another

•INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega

party or candidate. All parties are free to campaign for votes, but this should be done in conformity with the law.”

‘Obasanjo candidacy in 1998 was Yoruba’s compensation for June 12’

IGAWA State Governor Sule Lamido has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gave its presidential ticket to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1998 general election to compensate the Yoruba, who were angry about the annulment of the June 12 election by former Head of

State Ibrahim Babangida. He spoke yesterday at the Government House in Dutse while hosting executives of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). Lamido said: “At that time, Northerners were viewed with contempt and disdain because of the past military leaderships. In

1998, we zoned the presidency to the Southwest because we wanted a Yoruba Nigerian president, not a Nigerian Yoruba President and we chose Obasanjo, even though his people did not like him. We did so because of his passion for this country. The choice of Obasanjo, even though he was in prison, became nec-

essary to appease the Yoruba, who were angry over the annulment of the election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.” NGE Deputy President Hajiya Aishatu Sule, who led the delegation, told the governor that they were in the state for the second time for their quarterly meeting.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS EKITI 2014

‘Ekiti PDP should have presented a credible candidate’

Fayose sets up campaign organisation From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Fayemi Campaign warns Fayose against undemocratic acts •’Bamidele is inconsistent’

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi’s campaign organisation has accused the Presidency of master-minding the emergence of former Governor Ayo Fayose as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) flag bearer in the June 21 governorship election. In a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Dimeji Daniels, the organisation alleged that Fayose was “teleguided to win the PDP primary. It said it was sad that the PDP could not present a better candidate than Fayose, who was impeached while in office and is on trial for alleged corrupt practices. Stating that Fayose is well known for his “anti-democratic credentials”, Daniels said: “What this means is that the Jonathan presidency and the PDP have no sense of history regarding Ekiti people. Ekiti people have been known to resist shady characters. Fayose was sent packing with his tail between his legs by Ekiti people when it became apparent that he had no respect for human dignity. By throwing up Fayose in the race, the PDP is clearly trying to relive the gory details of the past. “Fayose, who is now the bride of the PDP, was indicted by a four-man security team instituted by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, when the panel wrote in its report that Fayose had zero tolerance for opposition. “We want the President and the PDP to know that the days when Fayose could ride roughshod in Ekiti State are over. Any undemocratic act by Fayose and his Ogun State wanted fugitive friend will be resisted. We are putting Fayose on notice that he should conduct himself peacefully; otherwise, he would be visited with the wrath of Ekiti people just like in 2006, when he was sent packing with his tail between his legs in the dead of the night. “It is insulting enough that Fayose ever ruled a progressive state of forward-looking people like Ekiti. It is more insulting that the Presidency and the PDP have thrown him up as their candidate again as though we are still in the Stone Age. Though Fayose cannot win a councillorship election in his home-

‘Don’t bring Mr. President into this’

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has said President Goodluck Jonathan had nothing to do with the emergence of former Governor Ayo Fayose as the party’s standard bearer for the June 21 governorship poll. Reacting to the Governor Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation’s (APC’s) allegation that the Presidency masterminded Fayose’s emergence, PDP’s Director of Publicity Mr. Gboyega Aribisoga said: “Fayose is the choice of the Ekiti people.” Aribisogan said: “PDP members in Ekiti , on their own, decided on a candidate of their

town of Afao-Ekiti, it is insulting to have him contest the governorship election in our dear state, particularly after the internationally acknowledged performance of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration in the past three-and-ahalf years and the elevated level of political discourse and culture. This is why Ekiti people, irrespective of political affiliations, would unite to ward off this insult. “The case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Fayose is still in court. It would not be a surprise if he eventually runs his campaign between his campaign office and various courtrooms where he is being tried for alleged murder and corruption. “The Fayose administration

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

choice in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. “Mr. President, the National Chairman and the National Working Committee advocated a constitutional arrangement and stood by it. “If Fayemi is alleging that Fayose is being foisted on Ekiti, it goes to show that he is jittery. Fayemi is being mischievous by mentioning a case that has been decided by a competent court of law. Mr. President should not be brought into this issue at all.”

built the 10.745 kilometres Ado/Afao road, but the road did not last six months. As is Fayose’s tradition, it was another cosmetic project. The unfortunate part of it is that Afao is Fayose’s hometown, but it did not matter to him if the road was of standard quality or not. “That was the first road built by the Fayemi administration and three years down the line, the road is still in good condition. That is the road Fayose now uses to access his town from the state capital. Twenty eight senior citizens in Fayose’s hometown are beneficiaries of the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly. This is besides the 10 young persons enrolled by the State Youth Volunteer Corps, who earn N10,000 monthly. “Under the community self-

help projects of the Fayemi administration, the hall in Fayose’s town was renovated. Fayemi has done more for Afao-Ekiti people than Fayose did.” On the allegation of Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, a governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP), that the Fayemi administration had “squandered” over N400 billion since 2012, Daniels said the Federal Allocation that accrued to the state during this period plus the N25 billion bond accessed from the capital market by the state government were not up to N150 billion. Wondering where Bamidele got the N400 billion figure from, he said the aspirant “has never been consistent in his words and actions and should be disregarded”.

•Dr. Fayemi

Daniels said: “This same man tried to use the 2006 census figures to mislead the people last year. He claimed that there were over 494,000 houses in Ekiti State, but that was in 2006. Bamidele built his house in Iyin-Ekiti after 2006. So, the number of houses in Ekiti in 2006 cannot be the same as in 2013. “When he defected to the LP, he alleged that he did so because there would be no primary for governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), but on the floor of the House of Representatives, he said the reason for his defection was because his party, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), merged with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). “That tells you how inconsistent Bamidele is. As it is, he has reached the end of his political career and he knows it, but like a beheaded snake, he must writhe a bit. That is what he is doing now writhing in pain.”

was presided over by a member of the Osun State House Assembly, Hon. Femi Fafiyebi, were Chief John Filani and Mr. Muyiwa Olarewaju.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

of progress, which is moving fast in the state. Rather, they should rally round Fayemi and ensure that he continues in office until 2018 to consolidate on the achievements so far made. “I urge our people to rise above pettiness and let the June 21 election remain a test case in truth, justice, equity, fairness and the continuation of progress in Ekiti.

“Darkness is never known to have a lasting lifetime. When confronted with the vehemence and ruthlessness of truth and equity, it wavered and eventually gave way in 2010 at the Appeal Court in Ilorin. An opportunity has come not to empower darkness over light in Ekiti. Our people should vote for Fayemi on June 21 for the sustenance of the light that has come to Ekiti.”

PHOTO: NAN

Osogbo

The group said the interventionist programmes of both governors in all sectors have brought relief and hope to their people. It said their creative and visionary leadership had revitalised education and health care delivery and improved security. The group praised the governors’ programmes in youth empowerment, sport, environment, food production and rehabilitation and construction of roads. It said it carefully studied the “progressive achievements” of Fayemi and

Aregbesola before rallying support for them. Mr. Olufemi Adefolaju (Ekiti State) and Adeyemi Taiwo (Osun State) moved the motion for the adoption

of the governors for second terms. The motion was seconded by Segun Erinle (Ekiti State) and Jerry Adetona (Osun State). Also at the meeting, which

•Posters of governorship aspirants at the popular Ijigbo Roundabout in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital... yesterday.

From Adesoji Adeniyi,

NCP fixes April 14 for Ekiti primary HE primary of the National Conscience Party (NCP) for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State will hold on April 14. In an interview yesterday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, NCP’s National Chairman Dr. Yunusa Tanko said: “Machinery is in place to hold the party’s primary on April 14. So far, we have two aspirants contesting the election and we have fixed dates for congresses. Our nomination form is free because that is the policy of the party. What the party does is to check if an aspirant is of impeccable character and has not engaged in fraudulent activities. As long as an individual is free of any negative issue, the NCP is ready to give him or her a nomination form to contest the primary.” He said by giving out forms freely, the party’s candidate would not mismanage public funds, if he is elected. On competing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), Tanko said: “We are not intimidated by their presence. We had a similar situation in Ekiti in 2003. We did not bother about other parties and that was when the NCP won its first election.” He said the party has a chance to win the poll, if it mobilises well. Tanko, who is also the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), decried money politics, saying it was detrimental to the political system. He urged the electorate not to vote for candidates because of money, but to vote for candidates with integrity. Tanko also urged leaders of the party to remain united.

Fayemi, Aregbesola deserve second term, say office holders

LL Progressives Congress (APC) Political Office Holders from the Diaspora, Southwest chapter, have adopted Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, for second terms. Rising from a meeting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the group said Fayemi and Aregbesola should be allowed to continue beyond one term because of their sterling performances. Members unanimously agreed that they have both delivered brilliantly on their campaign promises and deserved to be re-elected.

HE flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 21 June governorship election in Ekiti State, former Governor Ayo Fayose, has appointed Chief Dipo Anisulowo as the DirectorGeneral of his campaign organisation. In a statement yesterday, Fayose named other members of the team as Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, Deputy Director-General; Chief Akin Awodunmila, Treasurer; and Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, Publicity Chairman.

Ekiti deputy speaker rallies support for governor

KITI State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Taiwo Orisalade has urged indigenes at home and abroad to work for the re-election of Governor Kayode Fayemi. He said this would “prove that they are honourable people” who appreciate Fayemi’s accomplishments in the last three-and-a-half years. In a statement yesterday by

his media aide, Mr. Taiwo Oluwaleye, Orisalade said Ekiti people have always stood for the truth in the face of intimidation, pressure and inducement, adding: “The occasion to show their standing has come again.” Orisalade said: “The Ekiti electorate should not allow anything to truncate the wheel

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

BUSINESS

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Senate screens Emefiele today From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

HE Senate may today screen President Goodluck Jonathan’s nominee for the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele. Also to be screened by the Senate in the Committee of the Whole is CBN’s Deputy Governor nominee, Mr. Adelabu Adebayo Adekola. According to a notice paper of the Senate obtained by The Nation yesterday, the Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba would move the motion for the screening and confirmation of the nominations. The order reads in part: “That the Senate do commit to the Committee of the Whole, the request of Mr. President, Commmander-InChief, for the confirmation of the following nominees for appointments as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in accordance with Section 81(1) and (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007.” Emefiele and Adekola and their positions were on the paper. Similarly, the Senate may today confirm Justice Zainab A. Bulkachuwa as the President of the Court of Appeal. Jonathan nominated Justice Bulkachuwa for the Appeal Court President.

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

$500m more coming from non-oil taxes, says FIRS

HE Federal Inland Rev enue Service (FIRS) plans to rake in additional S500 million from non-oil tax collection this year, the Acting Executive Chairman, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, has said. Alhaji Marshi, who made known yesterday in Abuja at the maiden retreat and enlarged management meeting organised for top management of FIRS, said the drive for increased revenue from non-oil tax will be initiated through the Capacity Enhancement Programme (CEP). He said: “It is necessary to improve upon non-oil tax collection for a number of reasons, major among which is the increasing global need to reduce the over-dependence on oil revenue. “Government is targeting revenue accruals of N1.789 trillion from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), N1.030 tril-

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor), Abuja

lion from Companies Income Tax (CIT), N96 billion from CIT on gas, N861 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT) and N10.21 billion from Capital Gains Tax, while N8.46 billion is expected from stamp duties, and Education tax, personal income tax and technology levy are expected to contribute N156 billion, N59billion , N10.6 billion respectively to make up total government’s target of N4.21 trillion.” To achieve these targets, the FIRS boss challenged his staff, saying, ”there is work to be done. We have on-going nationwide VAT and Withholding verification exercise, and depending on the gains from this exercise, we may extend this later in the year.” Shedding light on last year’s performance, Marshi stated that though the FIRS sur-

passed its revenue target for 2013 by N337 billion, or 7.56 per cent, he regretted that the performance was below the Service’s target of N5.803 trillion, or 17.18 per cent. “A closer review of the figures of our non-oil collection will reveal an actual collection of N2.139 trillion, which falls short of the government’s target of N2.188 trillion by about three per cent.” Meanwhile, as plans kicked for the seventh Joint Annual Meeting of the African UnionEconomic Commission for Africa conference in Abuja, today, African Civil Societies Organisations have called on African governments to end the use of tax incentives to woo investors. The CSOs said tax incentives provided by many African countries to investors could trigger illegal movement of money among African countries. The Representative of the African CSOs consultative fo-

rum, Mr Kola Banwo, said evidence has shown that tax incentives are not required to attract foreign investment in most African countries, argued that “estimates from studies conducted by ActionAid, showed that $138 billion was given away by governments in developing countries every year as statutory income tax exemptions”. The coalition urged African countries to demand an inclusive and multilateral global tax reform process in which effective participation of all stakeholders, including civil society organisations are guaranteed in shaping the new international tax rules.” They urged on African countries to protect their revenue bases and review their double taxation treaties, adding that illicit financial flows have continued to deprive the continent of funds for progressive and gender responsive services.

NNPC denies chartering aircraft for minister • Oil giant insists it can own, charter one From John Ofikhenua,

Abuja

HE management of the Nigerian National Pe troleum Corporation (NNPC ) yesterday denied reports that it chartered aircraft for the Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. In a statement, its Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said this was not true. He said: “It has not chartered any aircraft for the exclusive use of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, or any particular official of the corporation. NNPC also noted that contrary to the information being peddled in some quarters, Mrs. AlisonMadueke has not chartered any aircraft for her personal use or the use of her family.” NNPC, however, noted that in consonance with the legal instrument, which establishes the corporation as a commercial entity to engage in the oil and gas sector, the NNPC in the course of discharging its statutory and commercial functions engages third parties for the provision of services outside of its core business. The Corporation noted that this practice is common and acceptable in the local and international business environment in which it operates.

Budget: Reps okay N54.4b for NCC From Victor Oluwasegun,

• Emefiele

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: Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Benjamin Dikki; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali; Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil and Chairman, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Ibrahim Waziri, at the TCN Investor’s Conference in Abuja...yesterday.

Protecting Nigeria’s economy paramount, says Aganga T

HE Federal Govern ment, yesterday held a meeting with the Organised Private Sector to harmonise Nigeria’s position, ahead of the March 28 ECOWAS Authority’s Heads of States and Government’s meeting in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire. The meeting would culminate in the signing of the European Partnership Agreement between ECOWAS and the European Union, Stakeholders agreed at the meeting held in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, that the position to take on whether Nigeria should sign the agreement, or not must be in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and should encourage regional economic inte-

By Simeon Ebulu

gration. Those in attendance were: the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. OlusegunAganga; Supervising Minister of National Planning, Ambassador BasirYuguda, Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu and representatives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and the National Association of Nigerian Traders, among others. Speaking on the outcome

of the meeting, Aganga said there was need for Nigeria to take a strong position that would protect its economy and strengthen Nigeria’s leadership position within the West African sub-region. He said: “We will not sign any agreement that will jeopardise the interest of the Nigerian economy and undermine the on-going efforts of President GoodluckEbele Jonathan towards industrialising the country. We must take the overall best interest of the country into consideration. “Nigeria’s position should however be to encourage regional economic integration, and as well put in place the

conditions that are acceptable for the whole of ECOWAS to enter into such partnership.” Also speaking, the Supervising Minister of National Planning, Ambassador Yuguda, noted that there was the need to consider Nigeria’s overall economic interest before signing the EPA. “Our country’s interest must come first. We need to consider the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan, which is part of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan before signing the EPA. “We have plans to re-base our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and will not do anything that will impact negatively on our GDP and the Nigerian economy as a whole,” he said.

Abuja

HE Hon. Oyetunde Ojo- led House of Rep resentatives Committee on Communications yesterday approved N54.4 billion as the budget of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC). This was sequel to a successful defence of the 2014 estimates before the committee at the National Assembly yesterday. Members of the committee expressed their satisfaction on the efforts of the NCC at improving the communication sector, and subsequently approved the amount. Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Eugene Juwah, while presenting the budget, told the committee that out of the N54.4 billion estimate, N14.8 billion was for recurrent expenditure, with capital and special expenditure having N15.8 billion, and that the sum of N8.4 billion would be transferred to the Universal Service Provision Fund. According to him, N7.4 billion from spectrum fees and N8 billion operating surplus would be transferred to the Federation Account.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Alleged N47.1b theft: Akingbola challenges court’s jurisdiction

ORMER Managing Di rector of Interconti nental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, yesterday challenged the jurisdiction of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja to entertain the N47.1 billion theft charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Two preliminary notices of objection were filed on his behalf by his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) before Justice Lateef LawalAkapo. His co-defendant, Bayo Dada, also filed a similar application before the court. At the resumed hearing of proceedings yesterday, Chief Olanipekun reminded the court about the pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court to en-

By Adebisi Onanuga

tertain the matter. Olanipekun further told the court that the applications had been served on the EFCC. He argued that it was better for the applications to be heard before any further development since the matter was starting de novo that is, afresh. The ground on which Olanipekun predicated the applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction is that there is a similar charge involving Akingbola and the EFCC, which is pending before the Federal High Court, Lagos. He also argued that the main witnesses listed in the proof of evidence at the Federal High Court are the same

as those on the proof of evidence at the high court. He stated in addition that the subject of the alleged offences against his client relates to banking and capital market issues which fall under the Federal High Court. But in his response, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), said

the applications were premature and should be held in abeyance by the court. He argued that the applications filed by the defendants offend Section 262 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2011, which provides for the speedy dispensation of criminal matters.

In his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Lawal-Akapo granted the request of the defendants and opted to hear the applications before further development on the matter. Lawal-Akapo, however, directed that the applications should be consolidated and fixed April 2, for hearing of arguments by parties.

• Akingbola

TCN needs $7.7b to improve power

HE Transmission Com pany of Nigeria (TCN) says it need $7.7 billion to expand and improve the power situation in the country. Managing Director Mr Mack kast, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

Kast said the TCN was working on a five-year expansion plan aimed at increasing the wheeling capacity to 10 gigawatt (GW) by 2017, 13GW by 2018, 16GW by 2019 and 20GW by 2020. “ What we are saying is that in the next five years, we will need about 7.7 billion dollars to expand our infrastructure

and significantly improve the power situation in the country,’’ he said. He attributed the epileptic power to a drop in gas supply in the country, adding that the generating capacity dropped from 4,000 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts. Kast said the electricity supply chain comprised Genera-

tion (GENCOs), Transmission (TCN) and Distribution (DISCOs), adding that disruption to any of the segments would lead to epileptic power supply. “We have some generation issues, the TCN has the capacity to evacuate all the power being generated right now. “The generation capacity right now has dropped to about 3000mw. This keeps fluctuating on a daily basis due to vandalism and gas challenge,’’ he said.

‘Innovation key to knowledge economy’ By Lucas Ajanaku

HE Lagos State govern ment has identified in novation as a major driver of economic development. It has, therefore, taken steps to position the state as innovation hub for the West African sub-region. Speaking yesterday on the sideline at a two-day workshop organised by the state Ministry of Science and Technology in conjunction with an international financial advisory firm, PRI Project Development,Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Nike Animashaun said the application of information technology (IT) to human endeavours has become the vogue, arguing that it is in the realisation of this that Governor Babatunde Fashola is targeting making the state the sub-regional hub. She said: “This workshop is being organised in realisation of the vision of Governor Fahsola of converting the state to the innovation hub of West Africa. Globally, IT is now the way and the state government is taking the lead in the area of innovation in terms of providing infrastructure, financing, ease of doing business. This is because innovation cuts across all facets; in the area of job creation and delivery of services to the people faster. This going to affect the gross domestic product (GDP) of the state. We are bringing in both the public and private sector because we believe there is a symbiotic relationship between the two.” According to her, the government is investing in research and development, which she said is a long term investment. The government is also creating the requisite awareness about science in all the public schools in the state with a view to identifying students with potentials at early stages.

• Mrs Animashaun

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

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TRANSPORTATION

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To protect Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is replacing the asphalt dedicated lanes with concrete from Mile 12 to Anthony. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports.

•A bad spot at Palmgrove Bus Stop on Ikorodu Road. Inset: From right: Mobereola, Yusuf, Elulade and Director Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Fredrick Olofin at the stakeholders’ meeting PHOTO: DADA ALADELOKUN

LAMATA goes for concrete roads to save BRT

HEN the Lagos State Government introduced the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) eight years ago, it never knew that the asphalt roads’ lifespan would impede its efficiency. For reasons ranging from soil nature, rising water level and erosion, among others, most of the dedicated lanes have been washed away, leaving the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to fix them at colossal costs yearly. But a breakthrough came last week, as the agency unfolded plans of replacing all asphalt BRT lanes with concrete, beginning with both carriages of Mile 12 to Anthony Village. Though the project has taken off, the contractor, CGC Limited, has not moved to site, due to what a LAMATA source called “technical hitches”. LAMATA’s Managing Director Dr. Dayo Mobereola said the government opted for concrete because it is cheaper to maintain. He said: “The Bus Rapid Transit lanes are being converted from asphalt to concrete pavement in a bid to reduce the lanes’ maintenance cost, guarantee the longevity of the buses and reduce their downtime.” Where it is used in other parts of the world, concrete pavement, Mobereola said, reduces vehicles’ maintenance cost and preserves the road. Briefing stakeholders, among them, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, cement manufacturers, community leaders and lawmakers, Mobereola said: “Concrete pavements are maintenance free and could last more than 30 years before requiring maintenance.” When completed, he added, commuters would experience improved waiting and journey times between Mile 12 and CMS. LAMATA’s Director of Roads and Traffic Maintenance Mr. Olufunsho Elulade, said the asphalt surface would be removed and replaced with concrete, adding that it would last for over 30 years. To minimise the impact of the construction on traffic, Elulade said the contractor is being encouraged to work at night.

Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Industry and Transportation Hon. Bisi Yusuf, who was at the forum, urged stakeholders, particularly transport unions, to cooperate with LAMATA to ensure the timely completion of the project, adding that delay may cost the government more. LAMATA’s step has further consolidated experts’ push for the adoption of concrete roads against asphalt surfacing or other materials. Construction experts and cement manufacturers at a conference, a year ago, canvassed the adoption of concrete roads in line with their universal acceptance as the best. Statistics show that 40 per cent of roads in the United States and Germany are concrete; two per cent of roads in emerging economies, such as India and less than 0.1 per cent in Nigeria are constructed with concrete. Experts said the relatively scarce and expensive nature of cement on one part and the hitherto low local production capacity, put at less than 2,000 metric tonnes per year, made asphalt or plain laterite road construction the nation’s only choice. However, the total installed capacity of all local cement manufacturers has increased over the years from 2,000 metric tonnes per year in 2003, to 28,000 metric tonnes per year. With the nation moving away from being the world’s leading importer of the product in 2006, to self-sufficiency, cement producers said they are better positioned to meet its domestic needs. Chairman, Cement Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (CMAN), Mr Joseph Makoju, said: “Benchmarking against international practice, about 40 per cent of the roads in the developed countries such as USA and Germany are made of cement concrete, whereas it is only about two per cent in emerging economies countries such as India and less than 0.1 per cent in Nigeria.” Makoju said due to its durability and cost effectiveness, cement concrete would be the best answer to the poor state of the nation’s 195,400 kilometres of roads. The Federal Government has promised to collaborate with the association to test run the use

of cement in road pavements. The Minister for Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said the government would be collaborating with Dangote Cement Plc, Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, Ashaka Cement and United Cement Company, UniCem, Calabar on the new project. He said an experimentation on rigid pavements (which is another name for cement concrete surfacing), would start with the Kachie-Ajie road, which links the Federal Capital Territory to Baro Port in Niger State, and the Ikorodu-Shagamu road. “We want to know what the manufacturers are willing to do to make the project realistic. We would carry out laboratory test on the products to ensure that they are good as we prepare to begin the construction of rigid pavement carriageway in Nigeria. “We have identified major road works where we want to experiment rigid pavement design. Consultants were commissioned and they told me that one of those roads is the Kachie-Ajie road to connect the Federal Capital Territory to Baro Port in Niger State.” “The second one is the IkoroduShagamu road. We have completed the design of the rigid pavement and commenced procurement for the two roads. Once the 2014 budget is approved, the projects will come on stream,” Onolememen said. He said the government is looking forward to collaborating with cement manufacturers in ensuring the success of the experiment. Lafarge WAPCO’s Managing Director Mr Guillaume Roux admits the industry produces far more than the country consumes. Roux, who said his company has nine plants and intends to increase it to 17 at the end of the year, agreed that rigid pavements would make roads last longer. While concrete and cement had a very long history of being used in the construction of buildings, it was not until 1891 that

it was used to build a road. The first of such was the Court Street in Bellefontaine, Ohio, US, where George Bartholomew experimented with concrete. The quality of the material used on the road was over 8,000 pounds per square inch. This is twice the strength of today’s mixes. It may also be why the road is still in place and being used without having undergone any major repairs or improvements. In 1913, the first section of highway in the United States was poured using concrete cement to make the pavement. It covered 24 miles and was five inches thick, spanning a width of nine feet. The highway was just outside of Pine Bluff in Arkansas. One year later, there were over 2,300 miles of highway made from this material. By 1919, Oregon had become the first state to charge a tax on fuels to help fund the cost of installing new highways. In 1930, Pennsylvania began construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This was the first intercity toll road in the country and was made entirely of concrete. The history of concrete and cement goes back many centuries to ancient Egypt and China. In ancient Rome, builders first began to construct roads and bridges using concrete. While the 1960s and 1970s are considered to be the peak years for the use of concrete in road construction, it is still used in road construction around the world today. A cement manufacturer Carib Cement said the benefits of concrete roadways include resistance to erosion from torrential rains and a longer pavement life, “more than three times that of an asphalt roadway. “Concrete roads are also more environmental friendly. Whereas asphalt roads produce more heat and harmful greenhouse gases, and tend to leach into limestone, cement-based roadways do not. Also, at the end of the concrete road’s life cycle, its components can be recycled and converted into aggregates. Concrete roads have a reduced urban heat effect.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

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BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Customs tightens noose around smugglers

USTOMS men are turning the heat on smugglers in the border town of Seme in Lagos State. They have strengthened their presence at checkpoints and swampy areas where vehicles cannot access, The Nation gathered at the weekend. Last Friday, some armed senior officers were seen combing the bushes to find smugglers’ hideout. The Seme Customs Command has also beamed its searchlight on travellers, who bring in rice under the pretext that they are for personal consumption. The commodity is seized from such travellers, no matter the quantity. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ernest Olottah, said his boss, Comptroller Willy Egbudin, introduced the measure to curb smuggling. The Comptroller has also taken steps to tackle the problem at com-

• Seme Command deploys men in swampy terrain

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

munal and inter-agency levels, Olottah said. He said: “Comptroller Egbudin has decided to be meeting with traditional rulers, community chiefs, youth leaders, sister government organisations and all stakeholders in the border project on routine basis, and very soon smugglers will in no distant future have no hiding place in this area. “The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has joined the campaign by urging other traditional rulers to key into this patriotic drive to dissuade their community members from smuggling and any other unlawful activity. “We have a robust Customs-community relations meeting, like a

town hall model kind of interaction. This meeting bridges the gap between Customs officers on duty and the natives. “Continuous education and enlightenment in the simplest forms of communication are among Comptroller Egbudin’s strategies to keeping the locals informed and mobilised in supporting Customs efforts for a more economically viable and secured nation. “Stakeholders have also joined in expanding our intelligence network as we maximise their advantage of knowledge about the terrain to achieve our aim while also urging their youths to explore the very many legitimate means of livelihood outside smuggling.” Contacted, Egbudin said the Cus-

toms Comtroller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi’s interest is service to the state. ‘’The desire of Customs is to reduce smuggling across the nation. That is why we are meeting with the representatives of the various communities in our effort to build and sustain a robust Customs community relation. The agenda for these meetings include asking them to pass the anti smuggling message to the people. “We are also passing the message to all Nigerians too. People are advised to obey the laws of the land, includ-

ing import and export-related laws. “Smuggling is a crime and the more we educate people about it, the better. We achieve prevention through dissuading people to import normally and pay duty to the government. ‘’When I came on board, my message to communities and traditional rulers during my familiarisation tour had been a clarion call to partner with us in the protection of the National economy by discouraging smuggling among their subjects. “We have been utilising every opportunity at various fora to enlighten the citizenry on the ills of smuggling and this is an area where we also seek collaboration with the mass media,” he said.

NIMASA chief vows to fight piracy

IRECTOR-GENERAL of the Nigerian Maritime Admin istration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi has vowed to fight piracy, develop human capacity, ensure safety of vessels and removal of wrecks and mitigate the effects of pollution. Akpobolokemi noted that NIMASA owes the international community the obligation to ensure the safety of their vessels, crew and cargoes to foster shipping trade between Nigeria and other parts of the world. Receiving the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade in his office, Akpobolokemi hailed the partnership with the Nigerian Navy, describing both institutions as partners in progress. The NIMASA boss noted that the importance of the Navy to the development of the nation’s maritime sector and thanked the Navy for the synergy. He commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy for their efforts in combating piracy over the years, pledging the agency’s support to the deal to help it carry out

effectively, its operations. “Piracy is capable of crippling the economy. Since shipping largely contributes to the growth of any economy, the economy cannot thrive where piracy activities are carried out.” He said he was happy that the Nigerian Navy created the Central Naval Command, noting that it would help checkmate illegalities in the industry. Rear Admiral Alade commended NIMASA’s dogged efforts in ensuring that piracy attacks on the nation’s territorial waters are reduced. He thanked NIMASA for extending human capacity development to the naval personnel in the Maritime Guard Command Unit of the agency. Rear Admiral Alade assured NIMASA of a more mutually beneficial relationship, noting that his command would continue to partner with NIMASA for the benefit and good of the nation. “The Nigerian Navy will ensure that the partnership between it and NIMASA grows from strength to strength and will continue to work hard to ensure that the nation’s maritime sector is more attractive and business friendly to potential investors,” Rear Admiral Alade said.

Dikko explains duty free goods

• Egbudin with some of the seized goods.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

‘Why container depots are still idle’

HE Inland Container Depots (ICDs) are yet to take off because they have not been gazetted by the Federal Government, Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) Executive Secretary Alhaji Hassan Bello has said. Until the ICDs are listed as ports of origin and destination, they cannot become functional, he said. Since the dry ports were established in 2006 by the government, cargoes have yet to be consigned to them. They are in Isiala Ngwa (Abia State), Ibadan (Oyo), Kano, Funtua (Katsina) and Maiduguri (Borno). Efforts are on by the government to establish one each in Kaduna and Gombe states. But the ICDs are yet to solve the perennial port congestion. Bello told The Nation that as soon as they are gazetted they would become operational. “There is a legal framework, because these ports have to be designated and declared as ports of origin and ports of destination, before they could operate. “The Inland Container Depots are ports of origin and ports of destination. The Federal Government is very serious about declaring them as such.The ICDs are being concessioned to private opera-

tors and the people are ready to run the dry ports. “Dry ports are conceived to solve the problem of perennial port congestion. They are ports in all aspects. It is just that you do not see water. But cargo can be consigned from anywhere to these ports. They are in six locations for now. “The essence is to have the ports brought to the doorstep of the shippers.” Bello said when the ICDs are ready, shippers would be clearing cargoes from the inland instead of going to the seaports. He said there must be a legal framework for the ICDs to be gazetted, adding that the committee set up by the Minister for Transport, Senator Umar Idris had submitted its report on the issue. “In a very short time, they will be declared as ports of origin and destination. People can consign cargo, or export cargo from the dry ports.” “The ICDs are very significant because they are ports like the Tin-Can Island Port. They are ports in all ramifications in the sense that you will have the presence of Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, terminal operators, clearing agents and

other shippers there. With this, the economy would get a boost and there will be industrial clusters around them like warehouses and haulage businesses and other ancillary industries. “As a matter of fact, Niger Republic is actually waiting for the commencement of these dry ports so that they can consign their cargo to them. This will be easy because it will make transportation cheap and bring shipping to the door steps of inland shippers,” Bello said.

OMPTROLLER-GENERAL of the Nigeria Customs Service (NGS), Dikko Abdullahi has assured Nigerians in Diaspora that items classified under personal effects and charity would not attract duty once supported with appropriate documents. He urged entrepreneurs living abroad to classify every cargo they are importing, warning against the importation of contrabands. Speaking at a round-table in London with members of Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO), Dikko urged entrepreneurs to use the on-line trade hub provided by Customs when importing, saying the hub was put in place to simplify the process. “In order for us to change the face of the Customs Service, capacity

building is a crucial element. “We employed 5,000 youths with IT background recently and trained them. We have also been able to train 12,000 officers to boost our operation,’’ he said. He urged Nigerians and other importers to support the reforms, saying it is key to President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. In her speech, the NIDO Chairperson in the United Kingdom (UK), Mrs Henrietta Abraham, said the conference had further portrayed the enormous opportunities abound in many sectors of the Nigeria’s economy. The event was attended by Nigerian and British investors, as well as members of NIDO and other professional bodies.

ciency in port operations, adding that the objective of the ICT centre is to improve overall efficiency of port operations, block revenue leakages and to provide comfort for members of the shipping community. “Management consequently unveiled the following broad initiatives to deliver our vision for overall transformation of the NPA, which includes; identification of revenue leakages and seeking ways to block such leakages,” he said. He said that the initiative was aimed at investment in massive infrastructural renewal and development projects geared towards deepening the channel to attract

larger vessels and to automate and integrate various ports nationwide using the same information technology platform. He said the new development is also expected to change fundamentally and positively the ICT literacy and interaction level within the organisation by bolstering application of computer automation in the organisation processes and drive the ICT culture, stressing that the ICT helpdesk is specifically designed to escalate hard and soft challenges to ICT engineers for prompt response. He pointed out that management has also identified the need to establish a call centre for clients across the nation.

NPA set to block revenue leakages, boost operation

IGERIAN Ports Authority (NPA) has launched an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) centre to check revenue leakages, improve port operations and provide comfort for members of the shipping community. Speaking while test-running the equipment, the Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said the centre was open as part of NPA’s efforts to meet with international best practices and solve internal problems faced by the agency. He said the centre would be extended to other maritime stakeholders to bring about effi-

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION Gambian Air to fly into Nigeria GAMBIAN Airline, Gambian Bird, is to expand its operations into Nigeria, as part of efforts by the West Coast carrier to resolve the challenge of connecting flights within the continent. Connecting flights within Africa is one of the major challenges of air travel in the continent as some passengers had to travel first to Europe before connecting flights to other African countries. The Commercial Manager, Gambia Bird , Mrs Sodiero Osei – Bonsu, said the airline, through its route connection, would assist to resolve the challenge many African passengers grapple with, in trying to move from one part of the continent to another. From its hub in Banjul, the airline would connect passengers going to Accra, Freetown, Douala, and other cities in West and Central Africa into London, Paris, Spain and other destinations. She said Gambia Bird is set to begin its flight operations into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria beginning from March 30, adding that the airline also plans to negotiate interline agreement with Nigerian carriers for the distribution of passengers on domestic routes from the West African Coast. She said the airlines was coming to Nigeria to tap into its huge market by offering passengers satisfaction. •From left: Managing Director of Wakanow Limited, Mr Obinna Ekezie, Account Officer, Match Connections, Mr Antonio Prado, Deputy Managing Director, Wakanow Limited Mr Ralph Tamuwo and Senior Account Manager, Match Connections Mr Guilherme Sprenger at a meeting with the travel firm in Lagos. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Accurate weather report can prevent air crash, says NIMET boss

IR crashes can be prevented through accurate weather report, Director-General of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Dr Anthony Anuforum, has said. Besides, the installation of critical safety weather detecting equipment, including low level wind shear alerting system at airports, can also help to prevent air mishaps, he said. Towards this end, the agency has installed nine low level wind shear alerting system at the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu , Ilorin, Benin and Akure airports. Anuforom said NIMET has concluded plans to install similar gadgets at the Calabar Airport, which will bring to 10 the number of airports where the technology is in use. On the cost of equipment installed at the airports, he said: “It is difficult to give these numbers off-hand so I don’t misinform anybody. What is important is that government is supporting us financially. I give you an idea, One typical wind shear alert information system costs anywhere between N150 and N180 million each. That gives you an idea of the kind of investment that is required. “I don’t want to talk about the Doppler weather radar. It is a sophisticated piece of equipment. So it costs quite some money. That I can tell you, but I cannot give you now the total figure that we have invested. He said the installation of the equipment became imperative because low level wind shear contributed to the Sosoliso and ADC Airlines crashes in 2005 and 2006.

His said: “These were crashes in the recent times that wind shear had been identified as having a finger print in it. So since then, and based on recommendations from the Accident Investigation and Prevent Bureau (AIPB), government swung into action to provide funding to now equip more Nigerian airports with Low Level Wind Shear alert system. “Prior to that ADC crash in 2006, there was no single wind shear alert system in any Nigerian airport. That is the truth. But after that and based on the recommendation of AIPB, the first wind shear alert system was installed at the Abuja airport. It was also part of the Safe Tower Project. “Wind shear alert system is not a chep technology. It costs quite some money to install one, and of course, we had budgetary constraints. But the happy news is that presently, we have equipped nine airports in Nigeria with wind shear alert system. The tenth wind shear alert system is being installed at the Calabar Airport. The contractor is on site doing the installation.” NIMET could perform its role better as a weather forecasting agency if government provides more funding to support its operations beyond the revenue it generates. Anuforom said: “We cannot continue to go to government for money because the resources are getting thinner and thinner. “So part of what we are doing is that we are working towards

greater sustainability, greater selfreliance; not that you can dispense of government completely. “There is nowhere in the world, even in the UK, government still gives the meteorology agency some funding. They also work hard to generate their own funding.” He said NIMET plans to increase its revenue base through development of a new business model. Anuforom said :” Talking about revenue, we are targeting non aeronautical sources now. The maritime sector, can you imagine the number of ships that come in and out of Nigerian ports and the tonnage . They need our weather information. So part of what we are doing in our new realignment is to develop commercial quality meteorological weather forecast both aeronautical and maritime sector. “We are doing that. We have recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA). “We have also signed impact plan and realignment and gone into collaboration with the UK Met Office. The UK Met Office is a good example of a well-developed, modern meteorological service provider. When we studied their business model it was clear to us that that was a good advanced met office to copy, to emulate because their business model is that they have succeeded in reducing over dependence on government and we want over time to be able to diversify our services to an extent that our dependence for funding will be drastically reduced.”

ment and appreciates the support from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and all other stakeholders in the industry,” Captain Ado added. Last week, the airline operated its scheduled Lagos-New York flight using an A330-200 aircraft with registration number 5N-JID. The feat by Arik Air is outstanding because the operations of the flight was staffed by Nigerians. The airline’s latest milestone was the result of almost three years of

preparation, during which the airline received the Part 129 approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and was also awarded the Extended Range Twin Operations (ETOPS) approval. Arik Air started direct flight operations from Lagos to New York in November 2009, using its foreign registered A340-500 aircraft operated by Hi-fly of Portugal and it was the first direct flight between Nigeria and the United States to be operated by a Nigerian airline in the last decade.

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

Arik Air makes history on US flight

RIK Air has achieved another milestone in aviation, with the operation of its first Nigerian registered commercial aircraft to the United States in two decades. Before now, Arik Air was operating a wet leased aircraft with foreign registration into the US. Arik Air Senior Vice President (Operations)/Deputy Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi described the feat as a major achievement, not only for Arik Air, but also for the industry. “Arik Air is proud of this achieve-

British Airways to train Aviation College students TO deepen its development of the industry, the British Airways has announced the launch of a capacity building initiative tagged ‘Leaders of Tomorrow.’ The programme will see British Airways fund the training of six students to be drawn from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria and the International Aviation College, Ilorin. To qualify, candidates are to send a 500-word write-up on the topic; Building a more Robust Aviation Industry and Travel Luxury; Benefits of International Airlines to www.baleadersoftomorrow.com Speaking at the formal launch of the initiative, the Country Commercial Manager (West Africa), British Airways and Iberia, Mr Kola Olayinka, explained that the idea is part of a larger plan by the company, aimed at contributing to the development of the country’s aviation sector. “This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the actual work environment. We believe in supporting talents by providing them a veritable platform where they can learn and gain experience in their chosen fields.” The internship module, includes understudying Keith Williams, Chief Executive Officer, British Airways in London, as well as visiting other strategic places to get firsthand experience of the workings of a global airline. All interns will receive a British Airways accredited certification from the CEO to mark their graduation from the Leaders for Tomorrow Academy. Entries for the training opened on Wednesday, March 13 and would close on April 10. All entries will be vetted and scrutinised by a panel of three pre-selected judges.

Kenya Airways introduces Nairobi-Abuja service KENYA Airways is set to introduce direct flights between Nairobi and Abuja from June 3. The airline will fly four times weekly between its hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The direct flights to Abuja will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The airline’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Titus Naikuni said the introduction of direct flights to Abuja would help in supporting the continent’s development by facilitating intra-African trade, tourism and interactions between different regions. “This is in line with our long term growth strategy, through which we aim to fly to every African capital by 2016,” Naikuni added. Abuja becomes the second city that Kenya Airways flies into and, the airline has a daily service of 10 flights of which seven are direct to Lagos. Of the 62 destinations that Kenya Airways flies to, over 40 are in Africa.

Delta adds service from Los Angeles DELTA Air Lines will continue its expansion at the Los Angeles International Airport with new daily non-stop service to Austin, Texas, and Boise, Idaho. This is along with new daily non-stop service to San Salvador, El Salvador, pending the government’s approval. Also, Delta has filed for approval to begin daily service between Los Angeles and Monterrey, Mexico. “With direct access to all of the key U.S. tech markets as well as additional Latin service through our gateway at LAX, we can continue to provide business and leisure customers with the best service options to meet their travel needs,” said Bob Cortelyou, Delta’s senior vice president – Network Planning. “Los Angeles is a key market for Delta as we continue growing our presence on the U.S. West Coast.” Delta’s new Los Angeles service includes twice daily nonstop service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Service from Los Angeles to Austin and San Salvador will be operated using Delta Boeing 717 and Boeing 737 aircraft, respectively. Service from Los Angeles to Boise and Monterrey will be operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines using two-class, 76-seat CRJ-900 aircraft.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

property@thenationonlineng.net muyiwalucas2002@yahoo.com

Experts have unveiled the roadmap to harnessing the hidden treasure in climate change and how to explore its potential to tackle unemployment and create wealth. They spoke at the Sixth Lagos State Climate Change Summit. Assistant Editor MUYIWA LUCAS was there.

Preserving the environment to adopt effective climate-sensitive policies and ambitious climate actions, including a well informed high quality climate information on current and future impacts of climate variability and extremes (natural disaster hazards); research and access to better observational data, they noted, are critical to improve understanding of on-going changes in climate and their impacts; the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage established at COP19 in December last year, which offers Nigeria a new opportunity to start looking at, and dealing with climate change from a new paradigm angle; climate resilient agenda is not just about making cities greener, it is about growing businesses and creating employment in the agenda; climate entrepreneurship is the possible way to create employment for the youth in a clean environment. The event also observed that appropriate financing for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures and initiatives, remain a major challenge at all levels, but the newly established Green Climate Fund provides a good opportunity that can be tapped into. It said addressing climate finance readiness would help the state to improve its capacity to absorb financial resources and ensure that it builds up its internal financial infrastructure in order to act as a full participant in emerging international climate financing arrangements. Importantly, speakers emphasised that partnering with the private sector, particularly Financial Intermediaries, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), is critical to seeking financing for business opportunities in climate change mitigation and adaptation because of their ability to help amplify implementation capacity and bring in additional resources. In this regard, AfDB is said to be committed to supporting Africa’s move towards climate-smart development, and it is helping to expand access to international climate change financing such as the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) portfolio. Also, critical to this is the need for an enhanced access to sharing and use of climate data at the regional, national and sub-national levels, such as hydro metrological data and

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•Governor Fashola flanked by Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Commissioner for Waterfront & Infrastructure Mr Adesegun Oniru (right) and Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello at the summit. PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

metadata, on a voluntary basis, to facilitate the assessment and management of climate-related risk. Also, implementing comprehensive climate risk management approaches, including scaling up and replicating good practices and pilot initiatives, needs to be encouraged. Besides, it was observed that cities with high concentration of people and buildings, particularly those along the coastline, including Lagos, will be more adversely affected by climate change in the future and need to adapt to the impacts of climate. By the virtue of its geographical location along the coastal environment, the transport system of Lagos State is highly vulnerable to changing climate, while the design and use of the built environment is a critical arena for climate change mitigation because human settlements and activities within and between them account for over 40 per cent of carbon dioxide emission. It was also observed that the rate and pattern of urban growth in the state may not make land available for Lagosians in the next two decades, and this may force development into areas that are vulnerable to climate change. While the speakers commended the effort of state gvernment for redesigning its roads to make them climate resilient is commendable, it noted that evidence from developed nations indicate that there are viable and profitable opportunities in the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar for power generation.

The speakers made some recommendations. These include challenging the government to reframe climate change issues and seek new kinds of solutions to help affected communities and people deal with negative effects of climate change that exceed their capacity, within the context of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage. The state government was urged that, beyond having a policy on climate change, it should also legislate on it to ensure sustainability of initiatives for climate-resilient development. In addition, it should also lead a strategic stake-holder-engagement programme, with awareness on creation and capacity building on green models and strategies, and, more importantly, on the economics and business of going green. It was also agreed that beyond the support for micro-financing gender - sensitive green small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), the government should put up mechanism that will simplify climate change issues for easier understanding and comprehension by non-experts. Experts also recommended that the government may consider imposing carbon emission taxes on corporations in the energy sector, including generating set manufacturers and merchants to promote investment in climate-friendly business initiatives. In line with the theme of the summit, the state government was also admonished to support business opportunity through feasibility studies in green entrepreneur-

Climate finance readiness would help the state to improve its capacity to absorb financial resources and ensure that it builds up its internal financial infrastructure in order to act as a full participant in emerging international climate financing arrangements

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OR three days, experts gathered in Lagos at the instance of the state government to devise means of how to protect the environment. The summit in which speakers from Nigeria, Brazil, Japan, France, Finland, South Africa, Canada, Ghana, Germany and Cameroon presented 47 papers covered various aspects of business opportunities and financing options for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. With theme: “Exploring business opportunities in climate change mitigation and adaptation: Lagos State in focus” Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) set the tone for the summit, when he expressed concern over the rapid population growth worldwide and the choices people make. He noted that these were compounding responses to the increasing challenge of climate change and the efforts to pursue sustainable development. According to him, with the global population of seven billion that may eventually reach about 10 billion in the next few decades, the world faces a challenge of meeting the needs of the people within the available and technological resources, unless deliberate attempt is made to slow the rate of population growth, particularly in the face of changing climate. This, he said, was one of the main reasons the state continues to see the import of a yearly dialogue on climate change, to draw attention to the need to pursue climate compatible development. He said the state, as the commercial centre of Nigeria, sees a lot of business opportunities in the pursuit of climate compatible development, and it is channelling its efforts towards harnessing such abundant opportunities, through the summit. The President, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Jeb Brugmann, delivered the lead paper on “Exploring innovative opportunity and smart solutions in climate change”. He explored the various ways investors and the public can key into the opportunities in climate change. From the papers, several observations were made. These include the devastating impact of recent extreme weather events (Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, floods in Nigeria and The United Kingdom, among others), which have continued to put the imperative for low carbon climate -resilient green and sustainable development initiatives in the front burner of climate discourse. The urgent need for decisionmakers and the public at large

ship in the energy sector, recycling and waste management, water management, transportation sector, urban agriculture and urban food systems, ecotourism and climate change monitoring to encourage potential investors, and should develop and implement strategies for public-private partnership in climate entrepreneurship to translate marketable opportunities for climate technology ventures into reality. Lagos was also charged to conduct a detailed air quality assessment for its metropolitan areas and set in motion the process to review regulatory framework for enforcing air quality standards, as well as establish an integrated air quality monitoring system for the state. And in partnership with the Federal Government, the state was advised to start reframing climate change issues and seeking new solutions to help affecting communities, to benefit from the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage, and encourage the collection of relevant data and research that will compare climate impact across sectors and to systematically assess climate risks. Stakeholders agreed that the summit was, indeed, worth its content as it is believed to be an agenda setting event even as the fight to save the environment continues to be on the front burners locally and internationally. The summit, which was partly supported by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, brought together a broad spectrum of about 750 stakeholders, comprising traditional rulers, senior civil servants from federal, state, and local governments, political office holders, members of the academia, students, representatives of the private sector, national and international experts in climate change, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and environmentalists, etc.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

The NLNG paradigm • Why doesn’t NNPC adopt the NLNG model for refinery and petrochemical complexes?

T came with so many flaws, including nearly a decade-long delay; monumental graft, notably the bribery- forcontract scam by Halliburton and finally a not-too-transparent modus operandi. But regardless of all these, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project is probably the biggest thing happening to Nigeria and her oil industry today. It is by far her most ambitious and most successful project. The NLNG platform on the Bonny Island offshore from Rivers State was in the news recently when it marked its 3000th LNG export cargo milestone. According to its elated managing director and chief executive officer, Mr. Babs Omotowa, Nigeria has earned over $50 billion from the export of liquefied natural gas in the last 15 years. This huge earning, according to Omotowa, grew from a meagre investment of about $2.5 billion at inception in 1999. The NLNG is a star project of the joint venture between the Federal Government as represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and international oil companies. Nigeria owns about 49 per cent equity while firms like Shell, Chevron and Agip own majority shares. The NLNG, which is developed in trains is now at its sixth. The seventh train is in the making and upon completion, NLNG will control 10 per cent of the world’s liquefied natural gas market. It is the single largest oil and gas project since oil production started in Nigeria over 50 years ago (perhaps only to be

matched by Shell’s Bonga) and NNPC’s assets in the project have grown to $14 billion over 15 years. Nigeria has earned about $13 billion in dividends and another $11 billion earned in the sales of feed gas while more than $10 billion has been injected into the Nigerian economy by way of goods, services and emoluments to thousands of staff. NLNG has also been rated among the companies that have adopted best practices in social responsibility to its communities and corporate governance in managing its affairs. This is especially so after it rose from the ashes of a macabre scandal involving its contractors and Nigerian government officials which spanned various regimes. With the culprits convicted and punished in the United States, NLNG introduced fresh set of strict ethical conducts in all its transactions at all levels and benchmarked against the best corporate governance practices in the world. Though the earnings over 15 years may seem meagre considering the magnitude of the project, the bigger gains lie in providing quality jobs and affording worldclass training to thousands of Nigerian youths, especially its technical staff. NLNG’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities span almost all spheres of life but most notable is providing free electricity to its immediate communities of Bonny and Finima. The NLNG Annual Award for Science and Literature for Nigerians is among the most rewarding and most prestigious in the world today. But most important of all is that the NLNG

has been able to reduce gas flaring in Nigeria by some fraction. It has been able to put into lucrative use, gas that otherwise would have been flared. Nigeria is second only to Russia in gas flaring in the world and she is said to lose aboutN286.24 billion to it. We wager that if the NNPC had adopted the NLNG template for the development of Nigeria’s refineries and petrochemical projects, the country would not only have been a major exporter of petroleum products but it would have long overgrown her perennial fuel and energy crises that still continue to dog her. The country would have also developed ancillary industries in the oil and gas sector as well as deepened her local content, technical and technological expertise. The NLNG is a success story and we applaud it as it celebrates this milestone. It remains an oasis in an ocean of rot and despondency.

‘It came with so many flaws, including nearly a decade-long delay; monumental graft, notably the bribery- for- contract scam by Halliburton and finally a not-tootransparent modus operandi. But regardless of all these, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project is probably the biggest thing happening to Nigeria and her oil industry today’

Poly students’ plight

•Nigeria has to decide what exactly she wants to do with the polytechnics

SN’T it indefensible that for seven consecutive months, polytechnic education in the country has been grounded due to strike embarked upon by their lecturers ? More disturbing is the fact that not a whiff of concern has come from government. In the course of this period, students that were expected to be in school have been roaming the streets, with some unscrupulous ones amongst them becoming social burden on the society. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the umbrella body for lecturers at the technical level, has been on an indefinite strike since September, 2013. ASUP is protesting the non-release of the White Paper on Visitation Panel to Federal Polytechnics as well as non-commencement of the NEED Assessments of Nigerian polytechnics. The union’s other grievances include: that serious official attention should be given to the obviously deplorable state of government-owned polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology across the country; need for full implementation of the Consolidated Ter-

‘The pathetically concerned students’ symbolic action should not be overlooked in official quarters. The government should see their protest as a window that must be exploited to resolve the lingering crisis that has kept polytechnic education on hold’

tiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS 15) and an end to discrimination between holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) and degree holders, among others. Grudgingly, the Federal Government offered a token and obviously insincere offer to pay N40billion to ASUP and colleges of education lecturers as CONTISS 15 arrears in two installments. This has expectedly been rejected because of the antecedent of the centre government that hardly adheres to agreement reached with academic unions in the past. Sadly, this intractable strike would have remained in the background but for recent protest in Lagos by polytechnic students under the aegis of Concerned Students Against Education Commercialisation. Though a peaceful protest, the action caused slight disruptions of vehicular movement for over three hours on the ever busy Ikorodu Road. The students displayed placards with various inscriptions such as “HND is equal to or greater than B.Sc”; “Stop the discrimination.”; “we say no to strike” and; “we want to go back to our classrooms.” The pathetically concerned students’ symbolic action should not be overlooked in official quarters. The government should see their protest as a window that must be exploited to resolve the lingering crisis that has kept polytechnic education on hold. What the centre government must realise is that both the polytechnic lecturers and students have a genuine case. Apart from the issue of remuneration of lecturers, the government has to decide now on what it intends to do with the polytechnics. However, the issue of scrapping them

should not arise because the nation needs them in her bid to attain reasonable technological height. To realise this goal, the government needs to restructure polytechnic education such that the polytechnics can, within a short while, become degree awarding institutions without losing their primary focus of providing technical back-up for the country. Some years back, the government announced the elevation of some polytechnics, including Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos; Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, among others, to degree awarding institutions but the necessary backing to bring this policy action into fruition is, sadly, not on ground. The current infrastructure and personnel orientation at this level of tertiary education is far below par. Top on the agenda in this area is to ensure that lecturers in the polytechnics possess the requisite educational qualifications. But it is only when the entry criteria for polytechnic applicants and those of prospective undergraduates are harmonised, among other things, that the clamour for parity can make sense; the way things are, it is going to be difficult to sustain. Not a few will argue that many polytechnic students found themselves in the polytechnics because they failed to meet the admission criteria into the universities. So, for the strike to come to an immediate end, stakeholders must know which of their demands are sustainable and which are not. The government, on its part, must be ready to show leadership by settling the aspects having to do with money and infrastructure in the polytechnics as soon as possible so that the schools can reopen.

Willfully endangering drivers

HE delayed recalls of millions of defective cars by Toyota and General Motors put the American public at risk and shows glaring deficiencies in enforcement of auto safety regulations. Last week, Toyota agreed to pay $1.2 billion to settle a four-year-long federal criminal investigation that found the company had concealed information from regulators and the public in 2009 and 2010 about a defect that caused some of its most popular cars to accelerate suddenly. And G.M. recently recalled 1.6 million cars to replace ignition switches that the company, for more than a decade, knew to be faulty. Auto-safety advocates have long called for changes in the recall and regulatory rules that might have prevented deaths and injuries in these cases. Even Congress, which will soon hold hearings on the G.M. recall, may no longer be able to ignore these demands. One good starting point would be the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a sensible measure that Congress failed to pass in 2010 because of opposition from the auto industry and Republican lawmakers. That proposal would have provided more money to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate auto defects; instructed the agency to make more information available to the public from a database of early warnings that is made up of notices from carmakers about potential defects and is maintained by the government; and given the regulator power to levy bigger fines against companies that did not recall faulty cars. The federal safety agency says that it is protecting consumers even with its current resources, noting that traffic fatalities are at their lowest levels in decades and that its investigations have led to 929 recalls of more than 55 million vehicles in the last seven years. But the Toyota and G.M. cases suggest that some significant defects can readily escape the agency’s notice. This may be a growing problem because the complexity of electronics and other technology in cars makes it harder to identify flaws and their causes. At the same time, the agency’s resources have not kept pace. It had 28 investigators last year, barely up from 26 in 2001 just after Congress passed the last major auto-safety law in the wake of the Ford Explorer-Firestone tire debacle. In that case, the treads peeled off tires, causing the sport utility vehicles to roll over, a defect that was eventually linked to 271 deaths. The agency’s annual budget for investigating defects and seeking recalls is a modest $10.6 million, which has barely grown in recent years. Safety regulators say the agency started using software from IBM in 2012 to detect patterns in databases that contain tens of thousands of consumer complaints and reports of possible defects filed by automakers. Had that software been in place earlier, the safety agency might have been able to identify a pattern that would have prompted it to open an investigation into G.M.’s ignition switches. Congress clearly needs to increase N.H.T.S.A.’s resources. The 2010 proposal, for example, would have doubled its vehicle safety budget. Lawmakers should also give the agency the power to levy bigger fines. The law currently allows fines of up to $5,000 per car, up to a maximum of $35 million, on carmakers that fail to disclose a defect in a timely manner. Either lawmakers should eliminate that upper limit or raise it substantially to deter automakers from delaying or avoiding recalls. Legislators should also consider giving officials the power to pursue criminal penalties in cases where automakers actively conceal information about defects. (The Justice Department charged Toyota with breaking a criminal wire fraud law, but that statute may not be applicable in every case.) And the agency should be required to disclose to the public detailed accident and defect reports submitted by car companies to its early warning system. There is no question that in these cases the automakers failed the public. But federal regulators — and a Congress that has denied them the weapons they need — are complicit in that failure. – New York Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: The Olabisi Onabanjo University chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities held a peaceful protest on Monday, March 17, to alert the public to their plight and take a decision. They have not been paid their salaries and they are expected to go to work in the midst of the fuel scarcity/hike. They decided that since they’ve not been paid, they should not be expected to come to work. Now students and parents are screaming blue murder. We’ve just come from a seven-month strike and we’re embarking on yet another strike? We have a confused definition of sacrifice and a disturbing concept of patriotism. The university is not a non-profit venture; it’s an institution that rakes in money and whose maintenance and running is the responsibility of the government. The lecturers that work at the university are not volunteers for a charitable organisation; they are people who have an agreement with the school that they will get paid for services rendered. If their employers are now defaulting on existing agreement, should the employees continue working for free because they want to be ‘patriotic’? Have they no kids of their own that must go to school? Have they no family that looks up to them for survival? Have they no

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ASUU strike: In defence of common sense responsibilities within the society? Look, we must perish the thought that some people must make sacrifices on our behalf. Even if ASUU doesn’t go on strike, the very thought that our lecturers have to teach us without pay should upset us. What kind of knowledge do we expect them to give us in that state? The alternative left for us is to join our voices with ASUU’s to de-

mand prompt payment of salaries and better working conditions with the understanding that better working conditions for our lecturers mean better learning environment for us. If we will not learn from anything, let us learn from the recent immigrations recruitment disaster. If the myriad of unemployed youths that trooped into the stadia had been told to come out for protest against the high rate of unemployment in the country

and government’s insensitivity, we wouldn’t have seen 1000 people, yet over 80,000 people turned up in the different locations across the country. There are no two ways about it, there’s nothing like “both parties should iron out their differences”. The only solution is for government to live up to its responsibilities and stop taking education with loose hands and putting it at the bottom of their priority list. The

My injury as passport to NIS job

IR: If injuries are now the credentials one needs to acquire before getting a job in Nigeria, I believe I qualify. I was at the National Stadium Abuja to participate in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) examinations exercise but it turned out to be waste of time, energy and resources. Now, President Goodluck

Jonathan has canceled the entire exercise without even thinking twice. From the information I have gathered from the media, the examinations have been canceled due to the poor coordination of the exams at the different centres across the country the result of which some people were sent to their

good machine was eventually secured. A member of the state executive (Exco) who hails from the ward had to step in to secure an additional machine to cover the lost ground in voters’ registration in the ward. When, at the close of registration, it was obvious that the lost ground might still not be covered the next day, the Exco member had to open a fresh discussion for yet another DCM for the next day, which was going to be the last day. Because the pressure of work prevented a conclusion of discussion at the registration centre, the Exco

member had to visit the INEC office to pursue the request for an additional DCM. And, just as he was coming out of the INEC office, he met an opposition stalwart, who went theatrical, demanding the mission of the Exco member, giving him no space for explanation. The opposition party stalwart later zoomed off only to return with armed thugs who invaded the INEC office, put off the generator that was working there and started to smash the breakables and destroy whatever their torchlight could reveal, forcing the INEC staff, including engaged corpers, to scamper for safety.

early graves with countless other left with serious injuries. President Jonathan has since promised automatic employments to those that sustained injuries including compensation to the families who lost their relations during the exercise with additional offer of automatic employments to three of their relations.

Ekiti 2014: Nipping thuggery in the bud

IR: Given the state of political activities in Ekiti State now, particularly the fact that political campaigns are officially flagged off, what happened in Oye-Ekiti on Sunday, March 16, is of interest as a potent cause for caution against thuggery as a threat to free and fair election. The day preceded the last day of INEC’s voters registration programme in the state and Oye Ward II had particularly been unlucky to have malfunctioning data capturing machines(DCMs) such that the device was replaced up to three, if not four times, in two or three days before a

same students that are victims will refuse to call their political office holders to order but think it’s their own lecturers that are rightfully demanding for payment for services rendered that deserve to be abused. The bottom line is this; we are victims and will always be victims until we get it right. The student population must realise that only unity of the oppressed can break the stranglehold of the oppressor. No worker deserves to work without pay. We must prevail on government to pay our lecturers and provide them with better working environment because it is only then that we’ll be taught the best and have a better learning environment. • James Ogunjimi Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

At the end of the operation, a car’s windscreen was also smashed while a corper was manhandled. As at the time of writing, the profuse splash and lined drops of blood from the injuries as well as the smashed INEC office window are still visible in the INEC office, Oye-Ekiti. While the investigation of the incident lasts, it should serve as a warning in Ekiti State that thuggery is an electioneering danger which would need to be nipped in the bud early enough for the state’s election to be free and fair. • Jide Oguntoye, Oye-Ekiti

I wish to bring to the kind attention of the President that some injured persons at the National Stadium Abuja, where I did the examinations were neglected by the rescuing officers; only few were taken to the hospital for treatment. Therefore, how would the President get the accurate number of the injured applicants? I was one of those injured; my friend Godspower who narrowly survived the stampede like many others was neglected by the rescuing officers at the National Stadium. We are now treating ourselves at home. So, what is our fate of getting automatic employments that you promised for injured applicants? Dear President, I will wait to monitor and watch with keen interest to see you fulfill your promise of giving the automatic employments to the affected applicants. My friend Godspower and I look forward to that promise of automatic employment. • Awunah Pius Terwase Makurdi, Benue State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

COMMENTS You see that Benz sitting at the rich’s end? Ha! That motoka is a motoka It belongs to the Minister for Fairness Who yesterday was loaded with a doctorate At Makerere with whiskey and I don’t know what Plus I hear the literate thighs of an undergraduate — Theo Luzuka, “The Motoka”

realpolitik trounced constitutional legality, which should, as routine, be supreme. Until the Senate came with its “doctrine of necessity”, the almighty state was at the mercy of the rogue few. A country that relies on realpolitik, rather than manifest justness and the routine Olakunle triumph of its laws, is terribly ill. A people given to cutting lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola LL of a sudden, the National ugly compromises, rather than Conference (NC) buzzes with a an uncompromising national fervour of patriotism and ethos of justice, equity and fair Nigerianness, that you doubt if the whole play, are endangered. exercise was not a wilful waste of time, Nigeria is such a country. Every Nigerian indeed dreams of a great Nigeria, a country energy and resources. Nigerians are such a people. Both need urgent fixing. that would compete with the best in the world, and deliver If Nigeria were such a model country, and its citizens proud But even as the Senate’s legal contraption dislodged the prosperity to its citizens. But right now, Nigeria is starkly and sated patriots, why then the eternal agonising over its Yar’Adua power cabal, the Jonathan presidential emergence opposite what it should be. That is why it needs urgent fixing. possible failure, that has forced a consistent clamour for a has implanted another future power bomb. A good example of the Nigeria dissonance is the NC legal Sovereign National Conference (SNC), in response to which Jonathan’s 2011 presidential candidacy issued from a toxic status. Right now, there is no legal plank on which the NC the Goodluck Jonathan National Conference (NC) has been fountain of lies and damn lies, against the zoning formula of stands. But that is no accident. It is because, even as Lugard’s called, with all its perceived booby traps? the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which ironically fetched contraption shows signs of acute, if not terminal distress, there Of course, such cheap patriotic grandstanding, in the face of Jonathan the vice-presidency under Yar’Adua. is no pan-Nigeria consensus on how to save it. nation-threatening fundamental problems, is no different from Jonathan’s 2011 presidential win issued from a near-hysterical That is no country deserving of glum patriotic gushing. It is vainglorious personal emptiness aptly demonstrated in the South-Middle Belt Vs North emotive electoral sentiments, even a country in acute trauma; and the earlier the NC delegates see Ugandan Theo Luzuka’s poem, “The Motoka” (which opening with Jonathan’s so-called pan-Nigeria mandate, loudly touted themselves as life-saving emergency medics, the better for lines are quoted to begin this piece); and in Nigerian Nkem by his Neighbour-to-Neighbour campaign lobby. everyone. Nwankwo’s novel, My Mercedes is Bigger than Yours. Now, all Jonathan craves is an encore, when he knows all he Then, take the dysfunctional presidency. Even before All too sudden, our NC conferees have become excellent has done is earn himself a massive electoral shellacking, even President Jonathan, the presidency — democratic or military citizens of an excellent country. Yet, resource-parched if he wins PDP nomination. — has been a terrible breed. The “military presidency” of Nigerians, whose longsuffering youth gain death for fighting But even if he gets his desire, that future danger still looms. Ibrahim Babangida annulled Nigeria’s freest election; and the pain of joblessness, are being forced to cough out N7 billion A wounded North would feel no obligation to follow any nearly plunged the country into needless war and avoidable to purportedly fix their eternally sick country! future political arrangement, strictly outside the Constitution. destruction. Under another Khaki presidency, Sani Abacha It is indeed, a rhapsody of patriotism! Some happily declared More noxious: there is this abiding centrist mindset among stole the country blind, so much so that his thick odour of themselves ethnic vacuums, and that, their formidable ammo the northern political elite, which tends to long for central infamy still oozes from his grave. to fix Nigeria. power as it is, despite the clamour for federalism and Olusegun Obasanjo, even as elected president, suborned the Others said, rather glumly, they wouldn’t clamber on board restructuring. Nigerian economic bluebloods to fund a personal project, thus if they weren’t sure Nigeria was on the right track. Now, if the North does get power back as it is, and political grossly abusing his high office. The other day, President Yet others solemnly swore “Nigerian unity” — that comiczoning is out, what happens? The North can try power in Jonathan himself declared, in the heat of the Sanusi Lamido tragic fixation that often begs the question, and may yet end in perpetuity — which it can ill sustain — claiming it has the Sanusi saga, that he had “absolute powers”! Absolute powers, costly disillusionment — was beyond question. And all of population to do it. But other parts of the country too will be in a democracy, with supposed institutional checks and these from “elder statesmen” who had earlier contributed more up in arms against such, but they have lost any pro-zoning balances? than a fair quota to the Nigerian fiasco! argument by their 2011 anti-zoning conspiracy. That, to be sure, was an un-presidential Freudian slip. But But before our esteemed delegates get too carried away by That would be a recipe for disaster. that is what the Nigerian Presidency has been all about: their own illusory poetry, it is high time someone jolted them That is why NC delegates must suspend their showy rakishly insensitive, bordering on the tyrannical — and back to the stark reality. patriotism and alter the present format for good. A future parasitical to boot! time bomb ticks. But only restructuring can defuse it. is no prime organ to crow about, in a model state, that ‘Restructuring would turn Nigeria into a byThat That would turn Nigeria into a productive federation, pare its performance should earn the love and affection of its productive federation, pare down the citizens. Nigeria is no such model state. That is why it needs down the presidency, drain the centre of excess cash and change the revenue relationship from revenue allocation (by the centre fixing. presidency, drain the centre of excess cash urgent to states) to revenue contribution (from regions/states to the But the Jonathan presidential temper is a grand irony, given and change the revenue relationship from that a cabal of the Umaru Yar’Adua presidency nearly made a centre). That is how Nigeria can emerge the country of our collective presidency a still-birth. At the height of that revenue allocation to revenue contribution’ Jonathan dream; and have a fair chance to scale its second century, after presidential criminality — in the name of a gentle but dying the fiasco of the first. president, who did not know what was going on — brutal

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NC and the return to the basics

AST week, something I consider as remarkable took place in Abuja. The National Economic Summit Group (NESG) held their 20th summit with the theme “Transforming Education through Partnerships for Global Competitiveness”. The focus was on galvanising a “national consensus on what is required to rebuild, revamp and reinforce the education sector to secure the nation’s future”. A conclave of different actors in the educational value chain, call it, an assembly of providers and consumers of products of the educational system as well as other important stakeholders, the common thread in the deliberations was the insistence by participants that challenges faced by the sector were such that demanded more than the ritual of endless dissections and bewailing of the sorry state of the sector. For me, the idea of bringing the demanders and suppliers of educational products to same table to forge a consensus on the way forward was remarkable. However, what I consider even more remarkable – beyond the customary resolve to chart a different paradigm to reclaim what is left of a sector in tatters – was the opportunity provided for the interment of the oversold lie that the government possesses all the answers to the problems of the sector. For sure, if the lessons of the critical interconnectedness between industry and business – as demanders of educational products which thrusts on them the responsibility of influencers of educational curriculum – and the educational system have been learnt at all, it would appear as coming late in the day. Beyond the singular revelation of the paradox of an educational system, steeped in old analogue ways but would rather pretend to be in steady course to the fast-paced digital future where competition and competitiveness rule, the shattering of the long-held illusion which insisted that a country of the future can be constructed on the old, ancient educational paradigm would be for me the defining moment. As was made clear from the deliberations, the choice facing Nigeria is either to accept the reality of that imperative to align with the requirement for competitiveness through multi-level investment in the infrastructure for nurturing tomorrow’s skills or in the alternative watch the rest of humanity leave her behind. Coincidentally, much as the Abuja conclave proved to be something of a landmark, another event of revolutionary import would be aborted in Edo State. I refer here to the competency test instituted for teachers by the Oshiomholeled administration in the state. For months, Edo teachers, through the state chapter of their union, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools had been locked in battle with the state government over the latter’s insistence on determining the continuing fitness of the teachers in its employ for their job. As it turned out, the test, slated for last Saturday

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New wine, old wineskins was an anti-climax of sorts. Of the 13,000 strong teachers, only 200 – a figure representing less than two percent of those expected –showed up for the test – no thanks to a court order allegedly obtained by the teachers body stopping the exercise. In this, Edo teachers would appear to have borrowed a leaf from their counterparts in Ekiti State where a similar programme tagged Teachers Development Needs Assessment, TDNA ran into a stormy weather in 2012. If my memory serves me right, that exercise had to be aborted by the state government. For me, the two events merely underscore the difficult challenges ahead. For starters, I do not think that anyone denies that the debate on how we got to this point is legitimate. After all, the bureaucracy is supposed to have in-built failsafe systems to sift qualified candidates from the unqualified and to ensure that the former not only makes it to the teachers’ nominal roll. The same goes for rewards which are supposed to be guided strictly by performance/competence. But then we are talking here of our bureaucratic institution - one so steeped in the culture of impunity, of bastardisation of process, in which subversion of rules of hiring are on such scale that would make Max Weber turn in his grave. While the remedial measures ordinarily appear drastic, they are best appreciated in the context of the highlighted problems. The issue, understandably, isn’t whether or not the labourer is worthy of his hire. The teachers, particularly in our public schools, obviously deserve far more than what is currently on offer. I say this borne of my profound understanding of their importance in the educational system, in the larger society and also in the shaping of the destinies of our young ones. The real problem is that the teachers are not even per-

suaded that the exercise which holds so much promise for upgrading their status as professionals amounts to anything. Instead, what they see are grand schemes to deny them of the comfort of permanent employment not minding whether the classrooms are empty or full. Not even government assurances that the test merely seeks to identify relevant skillgaps to enable them take remedial measures. With just enough paranoia to go round about the real intentions of government, the needless scaremongering would seem inevitable. Lost on the teachers is the hefty price on both sides of the divide: the true professional forced to trade off the prospects of enhanced motivation for the morsel – if you like, the drudgery – of lifetime employment, and the society robbed of standards leading to empty schoolrooms. The truth of course is that the failure is as much of government and those of the Teachers Registration Council; the former for abdication, the latter for scorning the challenge of self-regulation. To the extent that no one argues these days for the retention of the stenographers of yore in the age of personal computers and tablets, by the same token, the requirements for progress in our world are such that demands modern, cutting-edge skills from those charged with imparting knowledge to our children. Once upon a time, it was possible to suggest that a half-baked teacher is better than nothing; today, most people would wager than an ill-equipped teacher is worse than sweet poison; worse than useless. Let me end on this note: the general debate on how to bring the fundamental changes in the educational sector is certainly not about to end. Surely, the debate on the vast range of issues of structure, funding, issue of access would remain open for a long time to come. Much as our teachers are entitled to our understanding, what is not right is their attempt to compel a foreclosure of the debate on quality assurance which the loathed test seeks to bring about. How about teaching us to make a meal of omelette without breaking an egg?

‘Much as our teachers are entitled to our understanding, what is not right is their attempt to compel a foreclosure of the debate on quality assurance which the loathed test seeks to bring about. How about teaching us to make a meal of omelette without breaking an egg?’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

COMMENTS

RIVING at night in Lagos could be fun and pleasurable but it has its own flipside. While one is guaranteed a near traffic free situation on the road, one would also need all the senses to be at full alert because in this mega city anything could happen. For those who live around the abattoir at Oko-Oba, Agege or who have cause to drive along Agege Motor Road up to Abule Egba, driving at night requires the use of one’s sixth sense. And the reason is simple. From 11 pm or thereabout every day, tens of cattle are released in batches from the main abattoir on to the road and herded by two or three stick wielding herdsmen on their way to the smaller abattoirs scattered all over the metropolis. All you need to look out for are flashlights in the darkness and you know the herdsmen and their cows have taken over the road. You risk being attacked by the cows or their managers if you fail to dim or put off your headlamp. It could be a dangerous experience for a first timer some of whom had ran into the herd of cattle in the past with serious and at times fatal consequences. The menace posed to others by the herdsmen and their cows is not restricted to the rural area or farmland alone as city dwellers are also exposed to the danger. The issue of the herdsmen always wanting to have their way without minding the feelings, interests and safety of others is fast assuming a dangerous dimension that requires urgent government attention. The problem in the rural area is always

‘For those of us in the cities while we thank our stars that we have no farm that the herdsmen could devour with their cattle, the long convoy of cows on the road at night poses danger to motorists who have no choice but drive at night’

Menace of the herdsmen grazing right. The herdsmen, mostly Fulani are always looking for green areas where their animals can feed, and in the absence of specially designated grazing zones or areas, farmlands are becoming attractive for this purpose. But the farmer who had toiled to prepare his farm waiting for a bumper harvest would have none of this and is ready to defend his investment even with his life. So, there is always a clash of interest and when the interest is economic you can expect a fierce battle. But of recent, the interest is becoming ethnic and political as can be seen from the recent gun attack on the convoy of Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam by some Fulani herdsmen as he was heading to Guma Local Government Area in the state where several Tiv farmers were wounded during clashes with the herdsmen. Since the attack which left many people shocked and alarmed at the dimension this perennial Fulani herdsmen/farmers conflict has taken, both parties have been pointing accusing fingers at each other’s direction, with the governor calling the attackers terrorists. The sophistication of the weapons used by the herdsmen in their attack on the farmers has led to speculation that interests other than mere grazing rights are behind the attacks which continued over the weekend at Gbajimba, headquarters of Guma Local government where no fewer than 25 farmers were killed and 50 others injured. With the present poor security situation in the country especially in the North East region, genuine fears are being expressed

HE Nation on Sunday is the only Nigerian newspaper that I have become so addicted to. This is because of its stable of highly cerebral columnists, who, in their high-octane narratives of various issuesforces me into deep thinking and reflection about this badly managed and highly traumatized country and one’s place, if any, in it. I always look forward to what virtually all these columnists would say about anything. In no particular order of importance, I am always in anticipation of what Idowu Akinlotan, Tatalo Alamu, Ropo Sekoni, Femi Orebe, Festus Eriye, Adekunle Ade-Adeleye; Biodun Jeyifo, Lekan Otufodunrin, Tunji Adegboyega, Briane Brown, to name just a few, would say about any of the contemporary socio-economic and political issues of the day in their columns. Although these guys are no doubt shouting themselves hoarse about the abject Nigerian condition, I have no doubt that this country and its people would be truly and better served if our political leaders simply heed these voices. Although Brian Brown’s writings are global in nature and outlook, but their effects on Africa and the black race never escapes me. With Brown, you cannot but wonder if our so-called leaders really understand what the global issues are and their impact on their own people. You wonder if they understood the question in the first place let alone havingthe mental acuity to proffer the right answer. Juxtaposing Brown’s analysis of how the Western and the European powers and their institutions are reshaping the global socio-economic order with the vacuous style and the primitive level of governance being displayed by our political leaders, you cannot but wonder if they ever realized how much of the global socioeconomic cards are deliberately stacked against them and their people. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that they’re in a race with the rest of the world. And whoever does not know he’s in a race is bound to lose it, so says Brown himself in one of his many articles. But I digress. The well-respected Orebe’s column in The Nation on Sunday of February 9, titled “The place of visionary leadership in economic development” in which he chronicled the accomplishments of Governor Kayode Fayemi since he assumed office in 2010 till the present gladdened my heart just as much as it also depressed me. The list of employment-generating and wealth-creating socio-economic infrastructures by Fayemi enunciated by this ace columnist in his piece rekindled my hope that with the likes of Fayemi, my own little corner of the South-west, at least, is poised for better days in my generation. The piece also depressed and angered me when I realized how little has been accomplished by the governor of my own

that if the Fulani herdsmen were not stopped by government, elements with interests other than those of the herdsmen could infiltrate their ranks and turn their ‘genuine’ agitation for grazing right for their cattle into another terrorist agitation the type which Boko Haram is championing in some parts in the north. Those who know say Boko Haram began with limited sporadic attacks like what the herdsmen are doing now and with no serious effort by government to stop them grew into the monster it is today. The question is who is arming these herdsmen and could their fight be just over grazing rights alone? When Boko Haram started we didn’t pay enough attention with the Federal Government treating it as a local problem of the Kanuri of the North East, but today the group has turned into a monster that is threatening not just the north but the security of the entire nation. The group also has the tendency to destabilize the ECOWAS sub region if West African leaders fail to act in unison to defeat this terror. When Biafra started then Head of State General Yakubu Gowon thought the police would be enough to contain it and treated it as a police action. What probably could have been nipped in the bud led to 30 months of civil war and loss of millions of lives on both sides. I hope the Goodluck Jonathan government would learn from our mistakes with Biafra and the current insurgency by Boko Haram and treat the Fulani herdsmen and farmers incessant clashes in different parts of the

country with the seriousness it deserves. Ask the farmers in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State and they will tell you of their bitter experience in the hands of the rampaging herdsmen. Today there is a semblance of peace in the area between the two groups. How was this achieved? May be the government of Oyo State could teach its counterpart in Benue and indeed the Federal government one or two things on how to achieve peaceful co-existence between warring groups. May be as way of permanently settling this recurring conflict, dedicated grazing zones should be created by both federal and state governments to take care of cattle and other animals grazing. The herdsmen can then be restricted to those areas so created and be provided with infrastructure both for their personal convenience and their animals. The so called nomadic education programme of the federal government could be included in the scheme with schools built for the children of the herdsmen in the grazing zones. But more importantly, is it not time we change the way animals are brought from the north to the south? As was suggested sometime in the second republic by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, big abattoirs could be set up in cities in the north like Kano, connected to the railway system where these animals would be slaughtered and transported to the south by high speed train in specially refrigerated coaches. This would eliminate the need for herdsmen to bring their animals by foot or road to the lucrative market in the south and reduce the tendency to clash with farmers on their route over grazing right. For those of us in the cities while we thank our stars that we have no farm that the herdsmen could devour with their cattle, the long convoy of cows on the road at night poses danger to motorists who have no choice but drive at night. And to our children, stray cows are also dangerous. So, no one is immune to the menace posed by these herdsmen, but they also need our understanding. I think it is about time government intervenes to protect the interest of all the parties and stop further herdsmen/ farmers bloodletting.

Between Fayemi and Mimiko By Femi Odere state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State despite the fact that Ondo State collects probably 10 times more than the monthly federal allocation that Ekiti State receives. The innumerable socio-economic milestones that are geared towards the creation of jobs and wealth by the Fayemi administration within a short span of a little over three years in a state that comes second from the rear out of 36 states in terms of federal allocation speaks volume about a leader who knows what needs to be done for his people. This constellation of private business enterprises, not to talk of state-owned investment entities in Ekiti State obviously are poles apart from what obtains in a neighboring Sunshine State that has hardly seen any rays of sunshine, but rather some overcast darkness, both figuratively and spiritually speaking since Mimiko assumed office. It takes a political genius, a well-prepared leader, and a state custodian who takes the people as the centerpiece of development to accomplish what Fayemi has accomplished in office. I cannot regurgitate the developmental feats that Mr. Orebe chronicled in this column for lack of space for the benefit of those Ondo State indigenes who might have missed the piece. But the mother lode of them all, it seems to me (although not mentioned in the article), is the monthly social security benefit of about N5,000 for the state’s senior citizens. Even though it pales in comparison, it’s important to bring into the fore Mimiko’s idea of wealth and job creation of his government, in order to properly situate the man’s performance in his five years in office. Mimiko flagged off his administration by announcing the construction of a Dome in Akure about five years ago. This year, this Dome is still under construction even after its cost had been reviewed upward. Mimiko established a Tomato Processing factory somewhere in Akoko in his first term. But no sooner after this factory was commissioned than the place got converted into a pure water factory. Mimiko announced years ago that a cement factory will be built in the state, but the bush where the factory was to be sited is yet to be cleared. Mimiko announced during his first term that privatization of the state’s moribund industries is the way to go in order to spur economic growth and job creation. This is fine and dandy. But Oluwa Glass Factory, one of the industrial flagships of the late Papa Adekunle Ajasin administration which

fell under his privatization sledgehammer is yet to produce a single piece of glass years after its privatization. The factory has remained moribund as ever. The state government decided to relinquish its controlling equity in the Okitipupa Oil Palm Processing Factory in accordance with this same privatization policy, but no sooner than this privatization was completed that several financial scandals started to rock the factory’s governmentappointed Managing Director. The factory has once again become comatose. The Akure-Oba Ile airport road was started during the first term of the Mimiko administration at a cost of several billions of naira. Not completed, the state government recently announced that this mere eight-kilometre stretch had been awarded at another cost of several billions of naira. The Olokola Free Trade zone, an initiative of the late Agagu administration that could have been a major catalyst in spurring huge economic growth in the entire state was jettisoned by Mimiko because the politics of the Free Trade zone is more important to him than the economic and job-creation benefits of this trade zone would create for the people of the State. One can go on ad infinitum. For a state that places second to the last in federal allocations, Fayemi has proven right the time-tested adage that “it is not how much you make that matters but what you do with what you make.” Unless the people of Ondo State reopen their sealed lips and start asking some serious questions about their collective patrimony, we might as well ask Fayemi to annex Ondo State for prudent and intelligent management of the state’s resources. Every concerned indigenes of Ondo State must say NO to the reckless financial profligacy currently underway with the Mimiko administration. • Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com

‘For a state that places second to the last in federal allocations, Fayemi has proven right the timetested adage that “it is not how much you make that matters but what you do with what you make’

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

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INEC must understand that their role is not just to conduct elections, but to ensure that this country continues to exist and be respected among the committee of nations

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See page 37

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

There seems to be a need for more judges at the Federal High Court. Observers believe that some of those in service are being overworked as they often rise to attend to their health. Eric Ikhilae reports

•Chief Justice Mukhtar

•Justice Auta

Wanted: More judges at the Federal L High Court

AST Wednesday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Courtin Abuja sat a little after 11am. On taking his seat, he apologised for coming late, explaining that he went for a medical check up. Midway into the hearing of the case between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and five governors, who defected from the party, the judge rose ; saying he needed to take his drugs. When he eventually adjourned the case, most senior lawyers in court, including Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Alex Iziyon (SAN), Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Damian Dodo (SAN) told him to take time off to attend to his health. About two weeks earlier in another court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed’s announcement that he was not feeling too well, prompted some lawyers among them, Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN) and Mahmoud Magaji (SAN) to concede to an adjournment to allow the judge attend to his health. Many have attributed these developments to a com-

How Supreme Court decide controversial constitutional cases -Page 27

bination of factors, prominent among which is the judges increasing workload. This, they said, arises from the obvious shortage of judges in the court. There are others who blame the development on the work pattern of the judges. According to them, some judges still record in long hand and are made to entertain all applications even when such lack merit. This is shown in the way court’s dockets are crowded daily; the increasing number of empty courtrooms, where the judges have been retired, sacked or elevated to the Court of Appeal. The shortage in the number of judges, aside from taking its toll on the health of those serving, also contributes to slowing down the pace of justice delivery.

‘Our constitution gives wide room for abuse of political power’ -Page 37

The importance of this court, established in 1973 as a Federal Revenue Court, has led to the frequency with which its scope is enhanced and the number of its judges increased. At inception, the court had five judges. The number rose to 32 with the promulgation of the Federal High Court (Amendment) Decree No. 4 of 1990. A further amendment of its establishment law (Decree No. 16 of 1992), which expanded its jurisdiction led to a further increase in the number of its judges to 50. The number rose to 70 in 2007. In 2012, the Senate endorsed an increase in its number of judges to 100, following the passage of a bill to that effect. Before the passage of the bill, Senate President, David Mark urged judges to take steps in dispensing cases pending before them speedily. “With the passage of this bill we hope that we will see some level of expeditious trial of most cases that •Continued on page 26

Food, key to national security -Page 37

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

LAW COVER CONT’D

Wanted: More judges at the Federal High Court •Continued from page 25 are pending at the moment. If there is a request for further increase in the number of judges we are always here. But there is need to get most of the cases tried because there are so many of them. “We sympathise with our judges for the volume of work they have to do, but if there is anything they want us to do, we are always ready to cooperate because they say: Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said. More than two years after the bill was passed, and despite existing provisions that allow the court to appoint the number of judges it requires, the highest number of judges it has attained between late 2012 and now is about 69. Today, the number has reduced rather than increase. Even when some of the judges have retired, others elevated and others sacked, the court’s management appears reluctant to replace them. This development, observers argued, is worrisome, because of its implications for the justice administration system. They wonder why the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, is reluctant in making requisition to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), a critical player in the appointment of judges. Lawyer argues that the appointment of the appropriate number of judges for the court, irrespective of any considerations, was necessary to prevent delay in the justice administration system and stop the overburding of those in service with responsibility. They urged Justice Auta to “urgently” begin the process of appointing more judges and providing the judges so appointed with adequate facilities to ensure optimal performance. A lawyer, Dr Sani Uthman, argued that except the Chief Judge is running away from something, he must at this moment, and in view of the state of things begin the process of appointing more judges for the court. “You can see that about three to four courtrooms are unutilised at the court’s headquarters alone. This is as a result of the fact that the judges, who have left service are not replaced promptly. And this has resulted in undue delay of cases and has subjected judges to over labour. “Added to this is the work environment

•Gadzama

•Dodo

•Iziyon

that is not conducive. This court complex was commissioned for use in 2007. Today, most of the facilities are not functioning. The central air-conditioning system is no longer working. It is now a common sight in every courtroom to see people fanning themselves with whatever objects they can lay their hands on. Most courts now rely on standing fans to prevent heat in the court-

room. “Huge electronic screens that were meant to display proceedings merely exist now as means of decoration. They hardly function. And where they do, they are not utilised,” he said. Chukwuma Nwankwo argued that it was imperative that more judges are employed

Falana urges Rights Commission to probe Immigration recruitment deaths

CTIVIST lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has asked the National Hu man Rights Commission (NHRC) to investgate the death of 20 applicants during the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment test on March 15. The activist said the bereaved families should be compensated and the N526. 650 million extorted from the applicants refunded to them. The request is contained in a petition to the Commission’s Executive Secretary. Falana argued that the Ministry of Interior is vicariously liable for the avoidable deaths of the applicants. He also said all the officials involved in the reckless killing of the 20 applicants, including three pregnant women in the stampede which occurred at Benin, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Minna, ought to be charged to court for conspiracy and murder. The activist described as highly insensitive the reaction of the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro to the tragic incident.

•Ali

at the Federal High Court to reduce the workload of serving judges, and help speed up the process of justice delivery. He said the responsibility is on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, who is required to notify the FJSC about his desire for more hands. “If the Chief Judge fails or is reluctant to demand for more judges to be appointed, he would be failing in his responsibility,” he said. Donald Akinlade argued that there is no justification for the reluctance in appointing more judges at the Federal High Court, as recently done at the Court of Appeal. He, however, noted that the delay could result from the dwindling budgetary allocation to the judiciary by the Executive arm. He noted a recent comment by the Chief Justice (CJN ) Justice Aloma Mukhtar that over the years, funding of the courts has remained a challenge as evidenced in the condition of many courts in Nigeria today. The CJN added “Statistics have shown that, funding from the Federal Government has witnessed a steady decline since 2010, from N95billion in that year to N85 billion in 2011, then N75billion in 2012 and dropped again in the 2013 budget to N67 billion. “Indeed with this amount, if the amount allocated to the extra-judicial organisations within the judiciary is deducted, the courts are left with a paltry sum to operate. The simple implication is that our courts are increasingly finding it difficult to effectively perform their day to day constitutional roles. “The resultant effect of a slim budget in the judiciary is that a number of courts in Nigeria today evince decay and neglect of infrastructural amenities particularly at the state level. In some cases the court buildings do not possess the required well equipped library for judges to conduct their research. “This may make judges rely on information supplied by lawyers which should not be the case,” she said. Akinlade said although the CJN’s position could not be contradicted, he argued that such excuse cannot be sustained in the face of the recent appointment of justices of the Court of Appeal. He argued that the ball is in the court of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to save his brother judges from the yoke of over-labour by initiating the process of appointing more hands, or choose to pretend as if nothing is wrong.

By Adebisi Onanuga

He noted that Moro claimed that “the applicants lost their lives due to impatience and because they did not follow the laid down procedures spelt out to them before the exercise. He described the statement of the minister as reckless and as one designed to cover up the criminality involved in the job scam. According to him, the recruitment exercise was outsourced to a private company called Drexel Nigeria Limited, which had never handled a project of that nature before the tragic incident. “In a clear case of obtaining a large sum of money by false pretenses the sum of N526.650 million was collected from the 526,650 applicants who paid a registration fee of N1,000 per person. Although there were only 4,556 vacancies the Ministry of Interior, the Nigerian Immigration Service and Drexel Nigeria Limited did not deem it fit to prune down the number of the applicants. Hence, the entire 526,650 applicants were invited to the various stadia in the

country to write qualifying examination without tables and chairs. “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 Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Federal Ministry of Health 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,” he said. Falana argued that since the applicants applied on line, the qualifying examination should have been conducted on line, but they decided “to make a public show of the criminal enterprise of extorting money from the innocent citizens in desperate search for employment.” Falana recalled that 17 people were also killed in a similar recruitment exercise by the Ministry of Interior and Nigeria Immigration Service in 2008. In view of this, he argued that the negli-

•Falana

gence, which led to the killing of the 20 job seekers in 2014 is criminal in every material particular.

Lawyers hail Jonathan over Emefiele’s choice as CBN governor

GROUP, the Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL) has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan’s nomination of Godwin Emefiele as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It said Emefiele is fit and proper person for the job. The group’s President, Abdul Mahmud said although his group had opposed Emefiele’s choice, it is now convinced that he possesses the capacity to handle any task assigned to him as the CBN Governor. “Mercifully, as our checks reveal, and judging by a groundswell of opinion of

From Eric IKhilae, Abuja

insiders of the banking sector and the financial market, Mr. Emefiele is an expert in forecasting and bench-marking and he is known to be deft at taking informed decisions, while leveraging on his sometimes calculated-risktaking skills to crystallise benefits from existing and future opportunities. “Our expectation is that he will set our financial stores out with the best of his entrepreneurial and managerial abilities. Contrary to wrong perceptions in some quarters, we are made to understand that Mr. Emefiele is a

very unassuming personality who has never been associated with unethical practice in his over 27 years professional career. “Verifiable evidences show that during his stint as MD, Zenith Bank he became the first bank to achieve N100 billion after tax profit in a financial year,” Mahmud said. He described Emefiele as a resourceful manager of people and resources with roots in the academia, as a former lecturer at University of Nigeria, Nssuka and the University of Port Harcourt. “We are confident he will put his knowl-

edge and experience to excellent use, make significant contributions to our country’s micro and macroeconomic growth, going forward. As he appears for screening before distinguished senate committee, we throw our weight behind him in a positive nod of approval”. Mahmud said his group also discovered that Emefiele was not connected with the N3.6 billion allegedly stolen from Zenith Bank, and that “as a top executive of Zenith Bank at the time of the heist, he was never arrested or quizzed by the EFCC.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

LAW SOCIETY Even as the final arbiter, judgments of the Supreme Court are sometimes the subject of criticisms by lawyers who feel differently about them. A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte spoke on how the apex court decides controversial constitutional matters, reports JOHN

AUSTINUNNACHUKWU

How Supreme Court decide controversial constitutional cases

OW Superior Courts in the country de cide cases, the rules and principles that guide judicial reasoning in determining cases before them was the focus of this year’s Founders Day lecture of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies(NIALS) presented by Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (JSC) rtd in Abuja last week. The retired jurist reasoned that though the Supreme Court has the right to be wrong, yet the court does not arbitrarily decide or reach conclusion on matters before it. The court is highly guided in doing so by constitutional and legal principles that might not be too obvious or clear to the uninitiated, who most of the time end up becoming armchair critics. Presenting the lecture titled: “In the Eyes of the Law” the learned Jurist used the critical question raised by the decisions in the cases of Senator Abraham Adesanya v. President of the Republic of Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo v. Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Peoples Democratic Party & Anor v. INEC to illustrate the extent of the courts’ duty in construing statutory and constitutional provisions. Justice Karibi Whyte examined the judicial powers, the nature of judicial office and function, and noted that “ it is understood that in the demonstration of impartiality and courage in coming to a decision, the judge is bound strictly by the established principles of law, precedent governing the issues litigated in dispute”. He said all rights and privileges emanate from the constitution, no right can be enjoyed which does not emanate from it. Accordingly, wherever there is a right, the law provides a remedy” Ubi Jus Ibi remedium” He examined the exercise of judicial powers, distinction between rights and privileges, the mode of interpreting the constitution among others. Justice Karibi-Whyte said: “The four Nigerian cases analysed in the lecture, the critical issues have been whether the courts make laws or interpret laws. What is the duty of courts in construing statutory and constitutional provisions? The secondary issue is the attitude of the Supreme Court to technicalities. “From the First Republic, we have had several election petitions, but I chose to discuss three of the election petitions that I consider novel in many respects. What is 12 two-third of 19 will continue to resonate in this country and beyond. The expanded definition of ‘death’ in the Adamawa case will remain a challenge to lawyers and medical practitioners and that someone whose name was omitted in election boxes and was deprived of standing for election was eventually declared a winner has remained jurisprudential.” He continued: “In this lecture, I concede that the decisions of the Supreme Court are the positions of the Supreme Court. That is why their decisions are final in Nigeria. However, I have attempted to review the cases and state my positions on them so as to open up the debate. The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies is a proper forum to expand the frontiers of knowledge. Like jurisprudence, with many rooms, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies is an Institute where new extensions are added to the mansion regularly.” “In the words of Hohfed, I hope I have added something of value, even if that consists only in so rearranging the data which others have accumulated as to throw new light upon the subject a light, which will serve to illuminate the pathway of those who come after us and so enable them to make still further progress,” he said. In a remark, the Director-General of NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azine (SAN) said: “The maiden Founders’ Day lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies was delivered on March 17, 1979, the day the Institute was officially commissioned. Ever since, the Institute has conscientiously ensured that the anniversary and founders day activities of the Institute are marked on March 17, of every year. Apart from being a day to pay special tribute to those who nurtured the dream that has today become opportunities for intellectual discourse on issues of national and global importance, the 35th Founders’ Day lecture entitled “In the Eyes of the Law” is an incisive piece of work put together by of one of Nigeria’s finest judges, Justice Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte (rtd).” He continued: “His erudition and intellectuality are showcased in this discourse, which articulates, under the succinct subtitle, ‘The Right

to be Wrong’, the perceived impropriety or otherwise of certain decisions the Superior Courts have made at various critical stages of our evolving legal jurisprudence. According to Azinge the learned justice lay the foundation for the discussion by stressing the need for rules to govern the conduct of persons living within a society. “He expresses that the rightness or wrongness of a conduct is determined by the society which lays the ground rules for the manner in which persons must conduct themselves within the society. Thus justice is determined according to rules of society because disputes are settled between estranged members of the society in accordance with the rules formulated by the society resonating the age old maxim, “ubi just ibi remedium” . The learned jurist, Azinge said, posited that “…all rights, duties, immunities, privileges emanated from the Constitution. No rights can be enjoyed, which do not originate from it. “Accordingly, wherever there is a right, the law provides a remedy… Plainly, where there are rights there are remedies and so the author asks, what happens where there are no rights or where there are not clear cut remedies or where the relevant provisions are ambiguous? Azinge said: “The author attempts to tackle these questions by examining the extent of the courts’ duty in construing statutory and constitutional provisions. In throwing more light on this issue, he proceeds with a thorough analysis of some landmark Supreme Court judgments, which elicited mixed reactions from various quarters as a result of the perceived impropriety of these decisions. The critical question raised by the decisions in the cases of Senator Abraham Adesanya v. President of the Republic of Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo v. Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Peoples Democratic Party & Anor v. INEC was the extent of the courts’ duty in construing statutory and constitutional provisions.” He continued: “Viewing these cases through the eyes of the law, the learned justice provides a critical and in depth analysis of the reasoning informing the controversial decisions handed down in these cases. He applauds the liberal approach applied by the Supreme Court in the case of Senator Abraham Adesanya v. President of the Republic of Nigeria, in giving meaning to sections 6 (6) (b), 141 (1), 226 and 277 (1) of the 1979 Constitution, and having dissected the rationale behind the courts determination in Chief Obafemi Awolowo V. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the learned justice opines that the decision was iformed by the need to save rather than destroy Section 34 (1) (c) (ii) of the Electoral Decree 1977. Accordingly, he states that, “… since Alahji Shehu Shagari had already scored a majority of the overall votes in the election and scored 25% of the votes in 12 states of the Federation, a strict construction of the provision which is clearly impracticable will result in absurdity…” In relation to the third case, Peoples Democratic Party v. INEC, the author leans more to the side of the dissenting minority when he opines that as Section 37 (1) of Decree No. 3 of 1999 is clear and unambiguous, there was no need for the majority decision which ascribed the maxim ut res imagisvaleat quam pereat to the case. Justice Karibi-Whyte, Azinge said, concluded the paper by stating, amongst other things, that the rules of interpretation are meant to aid the proper construction of statues and so in the absence of any ambiguity, words should be give their ordinary and natural meaning unless unless such construction will lead to absurdity. “The paper is insightful and in-depth, in analysis. The author no doubt brings his invaluable years of experience to bear in composing the paper and this is evidence by the skilful manner in which his mastery of the subject is demonstrated. I have no doubt that this lecture which is indeed, a befitting tribute to our founding fathers, would benefit lawyers, legislators, law students and the general public, who have been incensed at some point or the other by what they perceive to be the justice or injustice meted out by the courts,” “In a chat with The Nation, Azinge said: “The choice of Justice Karibi Whyte resonated very well with us as an Institute because we feel that hitherto, it is difficult to get people to understand basically the intricacies behind certain judgments and for somebody of the caliber of Justice Karibi Whyte to speak after leaving office as a Justice of the Supreme Court, will now give us a better opportunity to hear from those behind the mask what and what inform certain judgments. Mark you, sometime in 2010, Justice George Oguntade

•From right Director-General NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), chairman NBA Abuja branch, Desmond U. M. Yamah and Secretary NBA Section on Legal Practice (SLP) Elachi Agada

From left: Col. Bello Fadile (rtd), former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte (JSC) rtd and Chief Ethelbert Nwanedo

From left Former Director-General NIALS, Ignatius Ayua (SAN), Prof Yinka Omoregbe and former Director-General NIALS, Prof. Ayo Ajomo

•Justice Doyin Rhodes-Vivour (JSC) and Prof. Ameze Goubadia

had the rare opportunity of speaking on the issue of Amechi ‘s case, which he participated on the panel that gave the judgment. Now, this is another opportunity to corroborate what Justice Oguntade said, truly there are certain issues for extra-legal considerations that come to bear in the adjudication of cases and only the initiated, may be a lawyer or judge will understand some of those things. He continued: “The public may not agree in terms of the issues and the conclusion, but basically, it is important that they understand that the Justices are always there to do justice accordingly, in accordance with the laws and that if there is anything wrong somewhere along the line, it must be that may be the law needs to be tinkered with in order to bring it in consonance with the dicates with what the public may want but as far as the justices are concerned, it is for them to make sure that the law is obeyed. “So, using four cases, the Adesanya’s case, Chief Awolowo and Alhaji Shagari case, the Adamawa case whereby Atiku Abubakar left office and Boni Haruna had to come in and of course, Governor Amaechi’s case. Using those four cases, Justice Karibi Whyte was able to clearly and brilliantly made the presentation that there are so many other inner inarticulate major premises that would always come to bear, but give and take, people should always

believe that judges are trained to interpret the law within the framework of the constitution, their primary responsibility and that we should accord them that respect in the discharge of that obligation, believing that at all times they always do it in the best interest of the public and of course in the interest of Justice, but where people feel that miscarriage of justice one way or the other, it is always an opportunity for the Supreme Court sometimes to overrule itself if the opportunity presents itself,” he said. He added: “That is why the Institute is always at the forefront of insuring that we continue with the publication titled: ‘The review of Supreme Court judgments’. In other words, we try to bring to their notice and their knowledge, the fact that more often than not there are certain judgments that may not well be received by people, even within the legal scholarship world. So we try to draw their attention to this so that tomorrow if the need arises again, they will have an opportunity to revisit whatever they had done, which obviously we may not all have agreed with. But give and take, we agree that the lecture delivered by Justice Karibi Whyte was highly informative, highly illuminating and I believe that it is one that the Institute is proud to have anchored and is one that obviously, many people would be happy to read and be proud to read in many years to come.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

LEGAL OPINION The effect of underfunding of the judiciary is reflected in the dilapidating state of the National Industrial Court (NIC) as painted by a lawyer, Emeka Nwadioke who was at the court recently

Judiciary underfunding: can we jail the Senators? T HE underfunding of the Judiciary in the country has assumed such a dangerous dimension that threatens the basis of the rule of law and electoral process. Many Nigerians are worried that if nothing drastic is done to checkmate this ugly trend, it is likely to consume all of us. It is against this background that I am calling for the imprisonment of all the senators. I came face to face with the crisis wrought by the unconscionable underfunding of the Judiciary about a fortnight ago. The occasion was the hearing of a matter, which shall remain nameless for obvious reasons. The ostensible ‘theatre of dreams’, which every courtroom ought to be, quickly turned into a theatre of nightmare. It was a most macabre and grotesque sight to behold in one of the world’s leading oil producing countries As I walked into the court premises, an eerie silence pervaded the entire environment. It was obvious to me that, aside from the fact that courts are usually sombre environments, the absence of cacophonous clattering of generating sets could only have been the handiwork of an improved NEPA, but I was in for a rude shock. The entire National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division was not only bereft of any sign of power supply from either NEPA/PHCN or generating sets, its court rooms competed with the ovens at Ajaokuta Steel Complex for the ‘newest hell on earth’ prize! If I thought I had seen the worst, I was mistaken. Sooner than later, as the sweltering conditions inside the courtroom became increasingly intolerable, at least one lawyer sought leave of the court to take off his wig and gown. This is not a request any lawyer makes lightly. He was not only obliged, the judge even gave a blanket approval for any lawyer who may wish to toe that line. One or two other lawyers grabbed the offer with both hands. Expectedly, the judge and most of the lawyers remained fully robed, soaking in the heat and sweating profusely. As the ungainly condition worsened, the judge asked his registrars to open all the windows and blinds. The respite was only marginal. A most ghastly sight was soon thrust on us all as the judge soon fetched his handkerchief and, his equanimity partially giving way, began wiping sweat off his burrowed face with as much dignity as he could muster. It was obvious to all that things had come to a head.

Unable to hold it any longer, the apparently assiduous judge, who sat at exactly 9 o’clock, appealed to all concerned to intervene in the criminal (not his words) underfunding of the nation’s judiciary. With a voice laden with deep emotions, the jurist informed his stunned audience that not only had the entire court been in darkness throughout the week due to lack of funds to purchase diesel to power the generating sets, he used his own funds to fly into Lagos for the court session! He noted that aside from the sessions holding in such unsavoury conditions, nothing else was going on in the premises as a result of power outage. He was unable to access his computer and Internet facilities, especially to write rulings. The court’s registry and administrative staff were on forced holidays, no thanks to the electricity crises. He lamented that while the new Judicial Policy imposes fresh and arduous duties on judges, its realisation is daily threatened by judicial underfunding. Noting that the spectre of judicial underfunding was coming at a time the judiciary is being thrust with additional functions, the apparently pained jurist urged Nigerians to intervene and save the justice sector from total collapse. Let me confess that while this intervention was remotely spurred by a similar outcry by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, the judge’s impassioned plea and my tortuous experience in his court are the immediate motivations. The CJN is not given to frivolities. It was, therefore, obvious that the nation’s Judiciary was in grave danger of implosion when the CJN made a ‘cry for help’ at the commencement of the 2013/ 2014 Legal Year on September 23, 2013, urging stakeholders to intervene and stem the grievous descent of budgetary allocations to the Judiciary. The sordid picture of decay could not have been painted better. Her words: “Over the years, funding of the courts has remained a challenge as evidenced in the condition of many courts in Nigeria today. Statistics have shown that, funding from the Federal Government has witnessed a steady decline since 2010, from N95 billion in that year to N85 billion in 2011, then N75 billion in 2012 and dropped again in the 2013 budget to N67 billion. Indeed, with this amount, if the amount allocated to the extrajudicial organisations within the

Judiciary is deducted, the courts are left with a paltry sum to operate.” Lamenting further, the CJN warned: “The simple implication is that our courts are increasingly finding it difficult to effectively perform their day-to-day constitutional roles. The resultant effect of a slim budget in the judiciary is that a number of courts in Nigeria today evince decay and neglect of infrastructural amenities particularly at the state level. In some cases the court buildings do not possess the required well equipped library for judges to conduct their research. This may make judges rely on information supplied by lawyers, which should not be the case.” “A resultant effect of low budgeting for the courts is inability to fully embrace ICT as it does not come cheap,” she observed. In fact, you may be surprised to know that in many magistrate and high courts across the country, the manual method of record keeping is still being used instead of computers where information from records can easily be accessible and retrieved. Capacity building for judges and court staff has also been imperiled,” she said. Needless to say, her SOS yielded ‘immediate result.’ As against N28 billion that was shaved off the Judiciary’s budget within three years, the Executive graciously reversed the trend; it not only sustained the Judiciary’s budget, but even ‘dashed’ it an additional N1 billion! This would have been highly comical if not that, it is quite tragic, involving as it does, lifeand-death matters. If the justice system collapses, anarchy is bound to reign as more and more people may resort to unwholesome tactics, including self-help. This cannot be sufficiently emphasised. But in an election year, the tendency for these warnings to go unheeded is indeed, very high. Curiously, National Assembly members, civil society advocates and individual opposition parties did not seem to fully grasp the danger the underfunding debacle poses to our collective well-being and the safeguarding of our nascent democracy. It is recalled that it was the rather tenuous Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) that had the presence of mind to interrogate the CJN’s plea. The CNPP had stated that “her point that poor budgetary allocation to the judiciary not only fuels corruption, but undermines and subverts the growth of democracy in Nigeria is well noted.”

•Nwadioke

Querying the Presidency and its economic team, the CNPP said: “In one breath the economic team will deny that Nigeria is not broke because of monumental corruption going on in the land and in another breath they refused to fund adequately critical infrastructure, social services and the judiciary.” The CNPP noted that: “In sum, we challenge the Jonathan regime to explain the dysfunction in Nigeria that rakes up annually over N4 trillion from Federal Inland Revenue Services, over N1 trillion from Customs’ Duty-and the price of Oil and Gas has never fallen below budget benchmark; yet the country is under stress and dangerously sliding into a failed state.” It was Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), who recently pointed out that while an entire arm of government, namely the Judiciary, receives a paltry N68 billion for itself and all its numerous agencies, the sole Office of the National Security Adviser, in the unwieldy Executive Branch, has been allocated about N100 billion in this year’s budget. There are strong indications that while Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) now secures for the judiciary a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation, the judiciary has again been brought to its knees through a devious underfunding tactic. The scenario is not different between state Governors and the courts at that level of government, even as it has been stated that due to this dependency syndrome, no judge can now be appointed without the permission of the relevant Governor. It is recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC) was recently reported as broke. Perhaps sooner than later, a similar cry would be heard from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). It then behoves on all stakeholders to raise serious posers on whether all agencies meant to checkmate official corruption are being systematically undermined to compromise their independence and or effectiveness. All said, the CJN has assured that “the judiciary must continue to defend its independence so that it should not merely be apparent, but must be seen to be real.” This may, however, become a mirage in a situation where the Judiciary is being punched into the ungainly corner of going cap-in-hand to the Executive to beg for funds. As the lawmakers prepare to bequeath another Appropriation Act on the hapless Nigerians, Agbakoba’s insights again come to mind. His words: “Look at the National Assembly, all the sprawling mansions they have built. How many judges have access to competent secretaries, typists, stenographers? And you expect them to deal with rulings and all that and churn out orders? Compare a judge and a minister, if a minister is receiving so much emoluments, I can assure you that the judge is receiving one tenth of what a minister is receiving.” It is hoped that the lawmakers will urgently revisit the allocation to the Judiciary with a view to redressing the long-standing injustice meted to that long-suffering arm of government. Or should we jail all the Senators to drive home this point?

‘There are strong indications that while Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) now secures for the judiciary a firstline charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation, the judiciary has again been brought to its knees through a devious underfunding tactic’

Woman arraigned for ‘N4.8m fraud’

•From left: Chief Chris Uche, (SAN), Julia Utulu, Chairman NBA Abuja branch, U.M Yamah , Secretary NBA Section on Legal Practice (SLP) ElachiAgada, Justice I.U Bello, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Former Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Lawal Gumi (rtd), Dr. Alex Izinyon, (SAN), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, (SAN) at the IBB Gulf Club, Abuja.

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a middle-age woman, Funmi Joseph over an alleged fraud of N4.8million. The defendant, with her company, Rockdale Synergy International Limited were charged before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja for stealing and issuance of a dud cheque. According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant on March 7 and May 3, 2010, with intent to defraud, fraudulently converted N4.800.000.00 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) belonging to Dr. Denies Oyakhire. It was said that the money was meant to purchase a property situated at RCCG Camp, Mowe, Ogun State. Accoding to the charge, the defendant on October 31, 2012 with intent to defraud, issued a United Bank for Africa Plc cheque with no.

By Adebisi Onanuga

44172685 for the sum of N4.800.000.00(Four Million and Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only) which when presented at the bank was dishoured on the grounds that no sufficient funds were in the account from which the cheque was drawn. The offense was said to have contravened Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17, Law of Lagos State, 2003. While moving for bail application, counsel to the defendant, Babatunde Awotunbosun urged the court to grant Joseph bail on liberal term. The lawyer held that the defendant has no criminal record. He added that she is sick and has been attending hospital as patient. Justice Ipaye, however, granted the defendant N1m bail with two sureties in the like sum.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

PAGE 29

Fulani-Berom peace talks collapse

•PAGE 30

'How God saved child seminarians from Boko Haram’ •PAGE 31

•Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed launches the health insurance scheme. With him are state government officials

A healthy package for Kwara residents

HAT better way to ensure a vibrant population than enhancing the health of women and children? In Kwara State, the answer is clear. Women and children, crucial in the growth of a society, are often economically weak and vulnerable to diseases. To head off this danger, the state government floated a health scheme that ensures they are in good health but won’t cost them a fortune. About 80,000 residents of the state have enrolled in what the state government callled Community Health Insurance Scheme. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed launched it in his country home, Share, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area. Ahmed said the scheme, which started in the regime of former governor Bukola Saraki, aims to have up to “600,000 low-income earners in rural communities by 2018, with the premium subsidy entirely paid by the state government.” Each of those who enrolled pays a token of N300 a year, while the state government picks up the bulk of the cost. The governor added that 15 clinics and hospitals, all of which have

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

been upgraded to acceptable standards, are participating in the programme. The governor spoke at the launch of the scheme and the flag-off of the renovated General Hospital in Share, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. He said: “In terms of patronage, we have recorded one million visits to the clinics and hospitals since the beginning of the programme seven years ago. As a testimony to the programme’s success, it has received commendations locally and internationally, including from the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Kimoon, who described our health insurance programme as

groundbreaking and innovative. “I therefore heartily welcome and commend our development partners for their formidable support, valued collaboration, and technical input. “We shall continue to provide an enabling environment for other innovative and impactful interventions by duly meeting all our financial commitments. “Going forward, this administration is committed to providing and improving 50 primary healthcare centres across the state annually.” The governor continued that “this programme commenced in Shonga in Edu Local Government Council in 2007 and has since made significant progress. “Indeed, it is an ideal example of the much-recommended public-pri-

‘The programme involves the provision of subsidised health insurance and accessible healthcare to the rural people for as little as N300 per annum as well as the upgrading of healthcare facilities to ensure quality’

vate partnership, as it involves the state government, the Dutch Health Insurance Fund, Hygeia Community HealthCare, and PharmAccess Foundation with public and private healthcare providers in the state. “The programme involves the provision of subsidised health insurance and accessible healthcare to the rural people for as little as N300 per annum as well as the upgrading of healthcare facilities to ensure quality. “We will provide further demonstration of this commitment by prioritising the prompt payment of counterpart funds in view of the positive impact of this scheme and its huge potential for enhanced access to quality healthcare for a greater number of our people. The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kayode Issa urged healthcare providers in the state to be patient-friendly and display good conduct while attending to patients. “You are expected to be pro-active, more dedicated to duty and uphold the ethics of the profession to deliver the best healthcare services to the people for the current administration to achieve its goal of effective, accessible and affordable healthcare delivery under a conducive atmosphere.

Decent housing for the poor •PAGE 34

APC thrills sacked sports minister •PAGE 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Fulani-Berom peace talks collapse I

T has been tough fostering peace on the Plateau, but not for want of trying. Several interventions by the government and other agencies have yielded little result. Bothered by this development, stakeholders launched another bid to resolve the seemingly interminable crisis. They wanted to clean up the bad blood between the Fulani communities and their Berom neighbours. The two parties came to the table, and at some point, there was hope that, at last, something good was in the air. But to the chagrin of the stakeholders, the peace collapsed as the Fulani delegates withdrew from the dialogue. Governor Jonah Jang and some civil society organisations were concerned when the Senior Special Assistant on Fulani community Alhaji Salim Bello Muhammed boycotted the peace meeting held in Cabinet Office Jos. In the past two years, some nongovernmental organisations, in collaboration with the Plateau State government, have brokered several peace forums in a bid to ensure that the communities lived in harmony, especially between Fulani herdsmen and Berom farmers. Sadly, when the much-needed peace was about to be attained, the Fulani community protested and announced its withdrawal from the peace meeting. Delegates of the Fulani herdsmen alleged that their men and their cows were being killed by gunmen, alleging that the security agencies and state government had failed to protect them. The peace meeting, organised by Search for Common Ground, was the second time the Fulani community had boycotted peace meetings. Special Adviser to Governor Jang on Peace Building, Mr Timothy Parlong gave the hint about the Fulani community’s representative, Alhaji Salim’s absence from the 5th Plateau Peace Architecture Dialogue Meeting held at Cabinet Office. He said: “It is indeed a major source of concern and worry to government, stakeholders and the entire citizens over the Fulani issue. “This is the 5th in the series of peace building dialogue launched last year to ensure peaceful co-existence of all citizens of the state. “But my colleague representing the Fulani community in Governor Jang administration informed me that he has pulled out of the dialogue process as a protest over continuous killing of cows belonging to Fulani herdsmen. “Though the development could be a setback to the peace process, we will not suspend the dialogue. The meeting must go on. Government and relevant agencies will address the complaints raised by the Fulani because government considers them as critical stakeholders. “I assure the Fulani that government is aware of their concerns and will do its possible best to address the issue with dispatch.” Organiser of the peace architecture dialogue, Country Director of Search for Common Ground (SFCG) Mr Chom Bagu said: “The protest by Fulani community is already compounding tension across the state and would liaise with the state government and security agencies to ensure that the issue is addressed as quickly as possible.” Bagu urged other stakeholders not to be discouraged by the withdrawal of the Fulani from the peace process, saying they should continue to make significant contributions towards peace building. He added that the situation calls for

•There has been little peace for herdsmen and local communities From Yusufu Aminu Idgeu, Jos

perseverance of all stakeholders in the peace process. However, the Berom community has described the claim of cow rustling by the Fulani herdsmen as false alarm. Acting National President of the Berom Youth Movement, Rwang Dantong called on security agencies to investigate the claims and ascertain its verity. Dantong said: “We have set up local security arrangements in every Berom community and if such rustling were reported, a search would have been conducted to recover them as we have done several times.” Meanwhile, Plateau State government is concerned about the safety of its residents as the insurgents dislodged by the Joint Task Force (JTF) from Yobe and Borno states may have infiltrated the state. The Director of Research and Documentation to Governor Jang,

E was jettisoned in Abuja but in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, he got a hero’s welcome. Sacked Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi was treated like a super star as he touched down in his home state following his ouster from the sports ministry. Scores of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, elders, loyalists and supporters were at the Ilorin International Airport to receive Abdullahi who, they claimed, distinguished himself as a minister. The former commissioner for education relished the moment. On the day of his arrival, a crowd of APC faithful, as early 8am, gathered at the airport along IlorinOgbomoso Expressway, waiting patiently until the aircraft conveying him landed around 2pm. The anxious crowd felt that its hero was used as a cannon folder by the President Jonathan administration for his loyalty, dedication and unalloyed support for Senator Bukola Saraki who had since defected to the APC. Leading the pack of the jubilant crowd were the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Saka Onimago and Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Political Matters, Alhaji Bibire Ajape etal. These government functionaries were on hand to receive the ‘omoluabi’ as the axed minister is being fondly referred to. From the airport Mallam Abdullahi’s train meandered through the traffic trudged on in a long convoy with minister waving all through

‘The protest by Fulani community is already compounding tension across the state and would liaise with the state government and security agencies to ensure that the issue is addressed as quickly as possible...We have set up local security arrangements in every Berom community and if such rustling were reported, a search would have been conducted to recover them as we have done several times’ Chris Kwaja said during the 5th Plateau Peace Architecture Dialogue held at Cabinet Office, Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat Jos that the dislodged insurgents might have entered the state secretly to wreak havoc on the state.

Kwaja said: “The Plateau State government is worried about threats by terrorists. We are more bothered about the hundreds of insurgents that were dislodged from Yobe and Borno states. “It is the task force’s duty to dis-

lodge them, but where is their next destination after they were dislodged from their base? “One feels that the Federal Government should investigate where the insurgents go from their original base. This is important because they could regroup elsewhere to attack other communities.” Organizers of the peace dialogue, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) had earlier revealed that there was still tension in some communities as residents receive threat messages through letters and SMS. Country Director of the NGO, Mr. Chom Bagu said: “Our early warning system show an escalation of tension since the beginning of the new year and that violence has been concentrated in Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas respectively. He also said the withdrawal of the Fulani communities from the peace process also portend another threat to peace in the state.

APC thrills sacked sp

•Bolaji Abdullahi acknowledges greetings from the crowd From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

to the hilarious crowd. The scene resulted in chaotic traffic snares on the popular expressway just as the convoy headed via the Gari Alimi roundabout, for the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari’s Palace for the traditional homage obeisance.

From the palace the train moved to the Government’s House where Governor Ahmed, his executive council members, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly were on hand to welcome back home a worthy ambassador and an illustrious son. Little wonder, Ahmed spoke glow-

ingly of the former minister, saying: “We are welcoming home our own dear illustrious son, who by all standards up till today is the best minister of sports that has served in Nigeria. We are indeed very happy to receive you. Some of us were not surprised about what you have done because you have always demon-

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

•Parts of the destroyed seminary

'How God saved child seminarians from Boko Haram’

EFORE February 18, 2006, Maiduguri was peaceful. There was no sign of insurgency. Things have since changed. Boko Haram insurgents have killed thousands of people and wiped out almost a hundred Christian worship centres in eight years. For Christian schools, the number is triple. The first attack on a church by the sect was in 2006. That is why the Bishop of the Catholic Church of Maiduguri, Oliver Dashe is deeply worried. Briefing reporters on how God saved students of Minor Seminary, Shua from being slaughtered by the Boko Haram members, Bishop of the Catholic Church of Maiduguri, Oliver Dashe harped on the effects of the insurgency which, he said, are affecting the north. He condemned killing of innocent citizens. The Bishop called for fervent prayers by the whole nation so that God will touch the hearts of the insurgents who have wreaked havoc on the Northeast of the country. Dashe, a native of Plateau State, is not new to crisis. The bishop, who assumed office in 2009, maintained that life is sacred and should be cherished. He believes that peace is far better than war. He therefore urged them to lay down their weapons and embrace

From Bodunrin Kayode, Maiduguri

negotiations. "I have witnessed senseless killing of our people, Christians and Muslims and those outside the two religions. I am really concerned about the killings and I want to use this medium to call on the killers to stop. No human being will like to see his loved ones killed in such dastardly manner," said Dashe who added that corruption is one of the causes of the crisis. He said: "This occurs because few people are sitting on the resources meant for the rest of the country. I agree with Bishop Kuka that Boko Haram is a product of corruption. This is why I am calling on the Federal Government to fight corruption as a major deterrent for the silent growth of the Boko Haram syndrome. I wish to use this medium to ask politicians to avoid the use of religion for their own selfish interests. Whoever is bringing religion into politics definitely does not mean well for us as a people." Bishop Dashe called on Boko Haram to lay down their weapons and talk with their people about their grievances. According to him, if not for the grace of God, the throats of kids of the Catholic Junior Seminary in Shua would have been slashed by the long

ports minister strated that you are a man quality, target and focus. “Any position such people find themselves they do it well. We can go back to history. When you came as a special assistant to the Governor Bukola Saraki you exhibited enough support for government that for the first time you were the first special assistant to become member of the state executive council. You have a way of understanding what is going on in government and a sense of relevance in driving governance. It is not common. “For us in Kwara we are exceptional proud of you and we are happy that you have gone and served very well. I’m happy that you left when the ovation is loudest. This is the choice of God. “Allah created an edge for you into an administration that required a lot to be put in place to get public confidence and you were initially placed in ministry of youth and for the first time people know that there was youth ministry in Nigeria. Then you brought to the fore that the most important people in the country today are the youths and that dovetailed into the establishment of the current subsidy reinvestment programme (SURE-P). “When you got to the sport ministry all the problems that existed and stopped Nigeria from making progress and winning laurels, you

solved them all and we now have a fantastic ministry of sports. The results are history. No doubt this is a reflection of your person and for us it is part of the qualities which have been imbued in us under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki. A lot of us went through the tutelage and exhibited that confidence in every assignment that we were given. For what you have done I will glory be to Allah and I know this is just the beginning, because you have a lot of steam, energy and mental capacity to continue to contribute to grow Nigeria to greater heights. “We all know that this is a turningpoint in the political history of Nigeria, as quite a few have things have happened was never happened in the past. We can see the security challenges; we can see the current political trend where it has become desirable to effect a change from the needs and aspirations of our people. This change only be carried on by people who generation recognizes him. “And I’m very happy that we have all imbibed the need to effect a change on the lives of our people. I want to assure you that Kwara is still you home. It will not be different from the one you left behind. I beg you to continue to do the good works you have been doing since your incursion into politics in 2003. “Therefore I urge all that whenever

knives of the insurgents and he would have been in double pains explaining same to the parents of the children. His words: "It was the saving grace of God, which protected the young seminarians from being killed by the approaching arsonists who would have roasted them right inside their sleeping dormitory. "The killing of our young ones is a bad sign for the future. I think this must stop and it is important that we end all elements that will destroy our common vision as a nation." The Maiduguri diocese of the Catholic Church said he was aware that the social, political, economic lives of the people are being affected with the insurgency, adding that Nigerians must embrace one another to get to the bottom of the matter. "I am really apprehensive that the spate of killings keeps on increasing and it should not be so. Yes, the military are doing their best. There is no doubt about that but there is room for improvement. I equally think the equipment given to the military is not sufficient. They do not have enough equipment to contain the insurgency. Therefore I am calling on the government to equip the military sufficiently. "I believe the Federal Government should try its best by way of equipyou find ourselves in position of responsibility we should put him our best as that is what is speaking for the former minister today.” For Abdullahi it was an opportunity to recount his ordeals as a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet before being fired. He said severally he came close to throwing in the trowel but Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed encouraged him to hang on. He added that he was not surprised by his sack, saying as “a political appointee you expect that you can be relieved of your post anytime.” Said he: “Several times I came close to walking away but you always encouraged me to hang on there. I thank you very much and I pray that almighty Allah will continue to guide you, abide by you and he never bring you down. You are my brother and my friend, but I’m not thanking you only for this day. I am thanking you for standing by me throughout very difficult periods. “What else can I say, apart to say that the almighty Allah will reward you for the love you have shown to me today. I have never seen anything like this in my life. And in my wildest imagination I did not expect that a day like this will come. As stood in the vehicle waving to the tumultuous crowd all the way from the airport to the Emir’s I kept asking myself what is it that I have done to deserve this and that is why I want Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed very sincerely.”

•Bishop Dashe

ment so that they should be able to contain the insurgents in physical battle. I cannot forget in a hurry the attack on one of our churches in Chakawa, in Madagali Local Government Area where residents were slaughtered inside the Church. You can imagine what is going on in the minds of other people whose loved ones have been killed." The Bishop praised the people of Maiduguri for coming together against the insurgents by forming the civilian JTF which is the prime intelligence network handled by civilians in strategic areas of the state capital to ensure that these people do not walk pass even if they dodge the check points. While Nigerians from all walks of life have been protesting the killing of kids in several schools in the Northeastern region, the Bishop urged Nigerians not to forget that prayer is the first step to solution for a problem. Dashe said it was obvious that there were criminal tendencies in what is going on, adding that "we cannot rule out the spiritual angle because it is when Nigerians turn to God about this matter that He will look down from heaven and heal their land. It was the unceasing prayers of people that saved the innocent students from being sent to their early graves at Shua in the northern fringes of Adamawa State. Dashe revealed that "over 20 Catholic Churches and residences of Priests have been razed so far since the insurgency started in 2009. "The first crisis in Maiduguri was actually on February 18, 2006. Out of the 52 churches that were standing in the state capital, only two were left, the remaining 50 were destroyed. Even the secretariat we are sitting in here was affected." The Junior Seminary also houses St Stephens Boys' High School. Jacob Julius, who teaches English, Hausa and Christian Religious Knowledge in the Seminary said: "We were saved by God's grace because if they had captured us inside, we would have all being killed. We heard their sound from a distance. So, as the hostel supervisor, I had to ensure their escape through the fence. Rector Alex Miskita was not in so they had to take decisions for themselves in order to protect the kids." Chairman of the Academic Staff

Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri branch, Dr Musa Abdulahi, equally called for the increase of the military presence in Borno State to enable government to curtail the insurgency. He told our correspondent in Maiduguri that the management of the war by the 7th Division was cosmetic and was hardly getting to the roots of the matter which he said seems to be getting out of hand. Abdullahi corroborated the views of the Catholic Bishop, even as he regretted that "it is sycophancy that will make anybody suggest that a solely military solution will end this insurgency when it has been clear that the soldiers are not well equipped and are more protective of themselves which is why they run away at sighting the weapons of the insurgents leaving them to slaughter the civilians like chicken. "What I think is important now is that they should make it full-scale and if they are willing to use the political angle, we should see it in a holistic way and not piecemeal which is what we are seeing. They should stop all this piecemeal deployment and declare a full scale operation and get to the root of this thing if they have the capacity to do so." The sociologist alleged that the crop of soldiers that have been managing the insurgency in the northeast has not shown much loyalty to the service like their counterparts most of whom paid the supreme price in other countries where they were sent to fight. Defence spokesman General Chris Olukolade, however, thinks differently. He believes that there are too many Boko Haram collaborators impeding the function of the military on the ground. His frustration is obvious because the insurgency is lingering. Speaking with this reporter on phone, he said he does not believe any soldier will back down during fire, surely not the Nigerian soldier because of his training. With the threat of an onslaught on Maiduguri by the Boko Haram insurgents who have been arrested several times with military uniform in the last week, most commercial enterprises including banks within the town are reviewing the safety of their staff who are on red alert in case they are attacked by suicide bombers.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 34

Decent housing for the poor

S the picture in one of Abuja’s oldest communities about to change? The cost of living in the nation’s capital remains forbidden. Many residents crowd into outlying districts looking for affordable accommodation. Some move out to neighbouring states, seeking to avoid the high cost of living as well as the attendant hassles of the seat of federal power. In all this, the poor have always been the hardest-hit. And the question has always centred on how they can live in decent homes and get on with their lives. An estate firm believes it is possible to house this bracket of residents decently. For those who are still tenants, their salaries, combined with incomes from their personal businesses, are most times not enough to take them home let alone getting them a decent accommodation. High cost of accommodation is one of the things that scare most people who intend to reside in Abuja away. Some live in fear of demolition, and to avoid tragedies, some have had to relocate to neighbouring states like Niger and Nasarawa. As the accommodation tussle is unending, an estate firm has indicated interest in constructing a low cost housing on an 1140 plots of land in Gurku, one of the oldest communities in Nasarawa State. Gurku, well known for its crafts and textile works lies about 10 kilometres from Keffi highway in the Maraba axis of the state. To solve the housing challenges, President Goodluck Jonathan, who

From Faith Yahaya

commented recently on the housing situation in Nigeria, said the country needed a minimum of N56 trillion to be able to bridge a deficit of 17 million housing units. He said the deficit, which did not cover the cost of providing infrastructure, translated to an average cost of N3.5 million per housing unit. With this statistics, does the average Nigerian and those in the lower rung of the ladder have hope of owning a house they can call their own? Out to solve the housing problems, the Managing Director of IPC Homes Limited, Wale Owomoyela, said the housing deficit in Nigeria requires multiplicity of strategies. Owomoyela said: “We have a deficit of 17 million housing units. The President said N56 trillion is needed to bridge the gap. By some accounts, Nigeria’s home ownership rate, currently put at 25 per cent is very low when compared with the housing situation in some developing and developed countries. “Available statistics show that Benin republic has home ownership rate of 63 percent, Kenya 73 per cent, Singapore 90 per cent, the US 70 per cent, South Africa 56 per cent, and Libya 41 per cent. “While the government is strengthening mortgage institutions, private organisation like us must also chip in our bit to provide housing solutions. He blamed the poor housing solution to disconnect between the solution and the people. He said: “The reason government’s efforts have not yielded as much fruit is that housing solutions by the gov-

‘The reason government’s efforts have not yielded as much fruit is that housing solutions by the government is that, there is disconnect between the solutions being proffered and the people the solution are for’ ernment is that, there is disconnect between the solutions being proffered and the people the solution are for. “Which government solutions is targeted towards a barber or pepper seller? All the mortgage solutions are targeted towards people with decent jobs and average income. On the choice of the community, he explained that the people of the land who are mostly Gbagyis and Gwandaras are peaceful and open to development.

“IPC homes aims to provide 50,000 housing solution by 2020. By solution we mean site and service products and services. “We provide solution to housing challenges currently faced by lowincome earners, artisans, traders, professionals, public and civil servants in Nigeria through realistic low-cost and affordable housing schemes. The house will enable artisans, traders and low income earners opportunity to own their own land at our Olive Garden Estate,

Gurku. “IPC is one of the few real estate organisation that real estate solutions to people that cannot afford to part with more than N750 per day or N3500 per week or N15, 000 per month. Also speaking, the crowned Prince of Gurku, Moses Shekwoaga said it is a welcome development to see the land in Gurku occupied by the lowcost housing estate. Prince Shekwoaga said, “Gurku is one of the oldest places in Nasarawa State, well known for its crafts and textile works. Also, it was one of the first towns around Abuja to own a primary school. Only Dikko, Keffi and Gurku could boost of primary school then. “With its long years of existence, one would expect that basic infrastructures will be in place but the land lacks basic infrastructures. The Prince called on government to put in place electricity, potable water, and hospital.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

•Vice President Namadi Sambo with some members of the Parliament at the 20th Nigerian Economic Summit at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•From left: Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina; Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna; Minister of Environment, Lawrencia Laraba Mallam and Vice President Namadi Sambo during the meeting on Shelter Belt at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

•From left: Legacy Account Manager, Idris Rabiu; SME Manager, Dr. Anthony Onwuha, and Group Head, Human Resources, Ejiro Esiri during the Simple Money Solutions seminar on Small and Medium Enterprises in Abuja

•Minister of State, FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide (left); Minister of State, Works, Bashir Yuguda; Minister •From left: President, AES, Dr. Ausbeth Ajag, Chairman, AES Excellence Club, Chief Onikepo of Special Duties, Taminu Turaki; Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and Minister of Culture, Akande and Maj. Gen. Patrick Ogah during the quarterly Business Dinner and inauguraEdem Duke during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja tion of the AES, Abuja Chapter at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja

• Labour Party governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Opeyemi Bamidele (left) with National chairman of the party Dan Iwanyanwu after submitting his nomination form at the party headquarters in Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (milddle) and Board of Trustee member, Prof Mrs Omolara Orafidiya (left); Senator Babajide Omoworare (right) with some executives of Safety for Sustainable Environment and Conservation Initiative in Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, many observers believe, is becoming largely unpredictable on some pressing national issues. His moves and decisions have continued to take many Nigerians by surprise. When public opinions continue to grow and sway to one side and the President was expected to act in line with the general view, he has continued to surprise many stakeholders as he mostly addresses the issues from different angles. The style is likened to those adopted by the former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, which earned him the name 'Maradona' after Argentina's football legend, Diego Maradona in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Unpredictability in governance has been a key ingredient that has, however, helped some past world leaders dodge booby traps and banana peels that could be detrimental to their survival. Some of Jonathan's recent surprise packages have to do with his action on the recent deaths of about 19 job seekers during the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise, sacking of the immediate past Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, and his seemingly inaction on the calls for the sack of some members of his cabinet who are believed to have soiled their hands. Worried by the death of the 19 job seekers and injuries sustained by many during the poorly organised recruitment exercise, some stakeholders called for the sack of the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, whose ministry supervises the paramilitary outfit and the NIS boss, David Parradang. The Board of Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Prisons and Fire Service, which ought to carry out the recruitment exercise has also disowned the minister before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, claiming that the minister acted alone and did not follow due process. A commissioner on the Board, Mr. S D Tapgun maintained before the panel that neither the Board nor the NIS boss, David Parradang was allowed to carryout their statutory roles on the recruitment exercise. He said: "Only the Interior Minister and the consultant he engaged for the exercise can tell Nigerians exactly what happened. Even the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service was not involved. He was not part of the recruitment at all. There was no board resolution to recruit anybody. "When we, the members of the board, learnt about the recruitment, we wrote the minister that we are

Immigration jobs tragedy: What next? ‘The Board of Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Prisons and Fire Service, which ought to carry out the recruitment exercise has also disowned the minister before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, claiming that the minister acted alone and did not follow due process’ not in support of engaging the services of a third party to conduct recruitment for the Immigration Service, but he ignored our letter and went ahead to engage the consultant named Rexel Technical Global Nigeria Limited. The Consultant fixed everything, including a N1, 000 fees, which they claimed was administrative charges." he said. From all these, not a few Nigerians were expecting the sack of Abba Moro on or before last Wednesday's Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. Many were hopeful of this hap-

From the Villa By Augustine Ehikioya pening when it was gathered that President Jonathan will preside over the meeting before embarking on his six-day working tour of Netherlands, Italy and Namibia. But their hopes were dashed as the President, at the FEC meeting, did not sack the minister. He announced automatic employment for three members of each family of the deceased job seekers and automatic employment for all hospitalised injured job seeker. The Information Minister, Labaran Maku, also could not give a definite answer to journalists on the fate of Abba Moro and what is to be done about the exploitation of the job seekers who were made to pay N1, 000

each. It is still early to believe that the curtain has been drawn on the matter as the President could probably be saving the best for the last since anything can still happen on the matter. Another recent surprise package was the removal of the immediate Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi. Many thought Abdullahi who has performed meritoriously and won laurels in sports should not have been sacrificed for any political or other considerations. But sports-loving Nigerians, I believe will not bother so much about Abdullahi's removal if Nigeria, after his exit, will continue to win laurels at both continental and global sport-

ing championships. His removal may have resulted in the woeful performance of Nigeria at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland. Nigeria ended up 26th position without any medal. Even though nobody is indispensable, Abdullahi, before he was dropped had also set a target that the Super Eagles will at least get to the semifinal stage of the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil. It is hoped that the team can still achieve this, otherwise it will show that Abdullahi holds the magic wand in Nigeria sports and any failure will also be a bad omen of what to expect in other upcoming international sporting championship Nigeria will participate in. Many Nigerians in recent months, have at different fora, called for the sack of some ministers whose ministries are believed to be involved in massive fraudulent practices. But such Ministers have remained unshakable in the cabinet. These set of Nigerians pushing for this to happen can only hope and pray that every element of corruption in the system will be promptly and properly investigated and those culpable adequately punished to act as deterrence. This is because that is where Nigeria's development lay.

NGO creates awareness on glaucoma

•Director General, Consumer protection council , Mrs Dupe Atoki on A motorbike with Charley Boy during a consumer awareness rally in Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

HE Social Welfare Network Initiative (SNI) a non-governmental organisation, has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to undergo regular eye screening to avoid glaucoma-induced blindness. The National Coordinator of the organisation, Mr. Emmanuel Osemeka, who addressed reporters in Abuja during the 2014 World Glaucoma Week, said glaucoma remains the second major cause of blindness in Nigeria with 17 to 40 per cent people living with it. Over 342 participants took part in the sensitisation and free glaucoma screening exercise carried out at the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command. Mr. Osemeka further explained that the NGO, in collaboration with Keen Vision and Florida Eye Clinic, will continue to provide three days-a-week free glaucoma eye screening for residents of the FCT. He said: "Glaucoma is the silent thief of sight. In Nigeria, it is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting an estimated 17-40 per cent of the population from 41 years and above. "Our desire is to ensure that the poor and those in the rural areas are reached. It is not everybody that is

‘Our desire is to ensure that the poor and those in the rural areas are reached. It is not everybody that is aware of the disease. That is why we have carried out this free eye screening exercise to create awareness for residents of Abuja. We urge them to do regular check-up and screening to avoid blindness’ From Frank Ikpefan

aware of the disease. That is why we have carried out this free eye screening exercise to create awareness for residents of Abuja. We urge them to do regular check-up and screening to avoid blindness." Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually causes vision loss due to damage of the optic nerves which carry images from the eye to the brain.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

LAW PERSONALTY Silas Joseph Onu of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja branch, in this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU speaks on the forthcoming NBA elections, 2015 general elections, administration of justice and the opposition.

‘Our constitution gives wide room for abuse of political power’

HAT is your appraisal of the country’s political situation? We live in interesting times. Nigeria today is at a crossroad and the direction we take politically, will determine how well we will fare in time to come. Today, we have people at many levels of our leadership structures, who simply stumbled on power without any vision and the repercussions are obvious. We are gradually loosing the democratic gains made between 1999 and 2011 to many undemocratic elements, who flared up at anyone for expressing worries over the way the nation is being managed today. These unfortunate politicians have created a heap of leadership rubbish, which presently threatens the corporate existence of Nigeria. However, one must commend the dexterity and persevering commitment of the opposition and its recent merger, which suddenly beamed a ray of hope for the survival of our democracy and a promise of purposeful empowering leadership. The emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of greatest and most daring political successes in our history as a nation. I say this because we live in a nation where many so called politicians are simply after what they can benefit personally at the expense of the people and it wasn’t fashionable to be in the opposition. But today, the emergence of the APC, after all attempts to frustrate it, has already begun to achieve results as the government is constantly afraid of being constructively criticised. I make bold to state that with our mass exodus from the ruling party in spite of the benefits it promised us individually, the party (PDP) has come to the end of its road and you can tell by the desperate campaigning tactics employed by the PDP. What is your political background like? As a young man growing up in Kaduna, I was exposed to politics and political activities very early in life. As you know, Kaduna is the heart of Northern politics and has produced some of the best politicians in this country. I am not speaking of the self-serving politicians that we see today. So, I started early when I was always in the midst of local politicians during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) days which was one of the best times for our political development that was thrown away. With that early exposure, it was easy for me to get deeply involved in Students Unionism while studying Law at the University of Jos. My participation in school politics is still a subject of public discussion amongst undergraduates of the university today. What do you mean? I am always told, even though they never met me, that many of the students share my idea and passion and I still get friendship requests from many of such people on facebook, who desire to know me more. As a card carrying member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, I ventured into the larger scene in 2003, when my friends and I formed a student support group for Atiku Abubakar Presidential bid that was shortlived as Atiku eventually teamed up with the President Obasanjo for continuity and we never liked that. Since then, one has been involved in one event or the other and for the first time I have also left the PDP for a more progressive platform to develop myself for the benefit of our nation. This is an election year for the NBA, what kind of President do you expect for the Bar? I was sad when I heard the comment by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola during the just concluded National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the NBA in Ado-Ekiti that the Bar has lost its voice. He spoke my mind and I am sure that many a lawyer will completely agree with him. The Bar is

gradually slipping into oblivion and that is as a result of very bad leadership style at the top level of the Bar. What is the way out of this? Past presidents of the NBA gradually personalised the position and ran the Bar like their private law offices, thereby killing the spirit of the profession and completely making the NBA less effective as a professional pressure group. Today, even the Transport Workers Union is more organised when compared with the NBA. If we do not take the issue of rescuing the Bar serious now, we will soon have none to become presidents. Personally, I have assessed all the aspirants for the NBA Presidency and can only state that at this moment the interest of every lawyer should be to rescue the Bar from further commercialisation and personalisation of its Presidency. From the number of the aspirants, their profile and records of previous services to the Bar, it is clear that we need a Bar man/ woman, who will reclaim our Bar. What we have today is a shame, though it is not entirely the fault of the incumbent leadership. The security of lives and property has remained one of the greatest challenges facing the Nigerian State especially in the northern parts of the country, how do we get out this? The threat is everywhere and as an expert in Humantarian Law, I can tell you that unless we get our leadership right in this country, these problems will persist. We didn’t just get here, it has been a gradual and frustrating long journey of bad leadership that has brought us to the point where we are today. As if that wasn’t enough, we are still politicising the serious issue of lives being lost on a large scale on weekly basis. What do you mean by this? When the ruling party comes out to say that the killings were sponsored simply because the President is a minority, then you will understand the scale of our present leadership challenges. The killings began at the rate it is going today during the late President Yar’Adua’s term and in any case, since the October 1 bombing, no reports have been made on who was really responsible for that bombing. Today, it is convenient to christen every attack as being from the Boko Haram and that has become a cover for more crime, because once it is labeled Boko Horam, it seems no investigation will be done concerning it. The death of young men and women during the immigration recruitment exercise is also a symptom of security failure and that tells you how we can get out of this situation, everyone must take part in determining who leads this nation and what qualities such a person possesses, without inclinations to religion, ethnicity or tribe. Only then can we begin to put more value on the lives and properties of our people. The 1999 Constitution has been continuously amended by the National Assembly, which areas of the constitution would you like amended? Honestly, I will be glad if the entire constitution is reworked to reflect the realities of our existence and subject it to a referendum to make it a truly people’s constitution. The constitution, as it is today, is so vague and gives room for wide abuse

of political power. A case in point is the recent suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan and what the President said that the creation of CBN is not mentioned in the constitution. I was shocked. Such abuse of constitutional powers were also seen during the term of President Obasanjo, when he woke up one day and removed his Vice President from office. We need a new document and I doubt if the PDP national conference will achieve that. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)has started preparations for the 2015 general elections, what is your advice to INEC on how to conduct successful elections? I received the announcement of electoral time table by INEC with deep suspicion as to INEC’s intentions. We know how the present time table worked in time past and I doubt if it will change anything this time around. It is a platform for confusion, which is a recipe for rigging. INEC receives so much funding only to turn around and tell Nigerians how impossible it is to conduct all elections in one day, very funny. INEC must understand that their role is not just to conduct elections, but to ensure that this country continues to exist and be respected among the committee of nations. Most of the threats of disintegration made concerning this nation are directly linked with INEC’s duty to the nation. If they fail, who knows what will follow? This is why they must be sincere in the discharge of their duty and ensure that they live above board. The slow pace of justice has continued to worry lawyers in this country, how do we fast track the administration of justice in the country? Well, the administration of justice is not a one way traffic. It always involves the litigants, the lawyers and the Bench. Delays do come sometimes, as a result of the combination of several factors emanating from any of the three or a combination of two of them. I have always argued that the judge is the master of his court and can discourage undue delays in the conduct of any matter before him. Presently, I must commend the National Judicial Council (NJC) for ensuring that judges account for their time by making quarterly returns on the number of cases they were able to conclude. Judges are now more forthcoming with the discharge of their responsibilities than before and I urge the NBA to follow suit and ensure that lawyers are discouraged from seeking unnecessary adjournments. Also, litigants should ensure to perfect the brief given to a lawyer to facilitate his job. There have been serious re-alignment of political forces in the country in recent times, how do you think this will affect the forthcoming elections and what role do you foresee for the opposition in the country in post 2015? As I earlier mentioned, the opposition is the ray of hope for the future of our democracy and for a better leadership that will lead with vision and purpose. 2015 is the year for the opposition. However, we must get our candidates right as Nigerians are weary of clueless leadership that brings nothing but misery and death to our youths. Nigerians are tired of a government that lies about creating millions of jobs and yet

‘ ‘

Today, it is convenient to christen every attack as being from the Boko Haram and that has become a cover for more crime, because once it is labeled Boko Horam, it seems no investigation will be done concerning it

•Onu

millions pay for job interviews only to meet their early death at the interview venue. The APC is waxing stronger by the day and will continue to be strengthened as more young persons continue to register as members. APC is a platform for the youth to make their contributions to nation building. APC is a new era for Nigerians to correct the mistakes of the past and kick out clueless leaders. It is widely speculated that you intend to contest for the office of National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) what is the true position? I made no pretences when I left the PDP with the sole intention of ensuring a change, Nigerians deserve a better deal and APC presents a veritable platform for that change. I am in it for a change and I will be the happiest man to see that my generation takes part in redirecting our drifting nation and put it back on course. I am interested in running for the post and will present myself during our national convention in May and the decision is that of party delegates to make. However, I must reiterated that any Nigerian who desires a change can achieve it on the platform of our party APC and my mission is to mobilise Nigerian youths to rally round our party across the country. Why did you intend to go into full time politics? I have always been a politician and will continue to be. My main push is service to humanity and fatherland. I am always joyous whenever someone says well done to me for a little thing that I did in any capacity. This is a calling and I answered it a long time ago. What changes do you think you can bring into the party to re -focus the youths? The Nigerian youth must be made to realise the power that we command in this nation. We must realise that we are the reasons for having a government and that the government is to cater for our needs not to take from us and trample upon us. The youth must be actively involved in politics to achieve the change for a better life that we all crave for and as youth leader, I will explore all possible avenues to empower the Nigerian youths intellectually for greater benefits to the nation. Kindly give us an insight into your background, the university you attended, your year of call to the Bar and the offices you have held in the NBA? My name is Silas Joseph Onu, I studied law at the University of Jos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009. I am from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. I was born and raised in Kaduna. I, therefore, speak Igbo and Hausa very fluently. My activities at the Bar began immediately after my call and since then, I have been privileged to serve in so many committees of the NBA Abuja branch, which is where I practice. I have also served the NBA national in some capacities through my branch. I have learnt so much by participating in Bar activities each day and I am still on course.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Food, key to national security

O •NBA General Secretary, Emeka Obegolu, 4th from left and participants at the Kano Branch Law week.

Lawyer canvasses use of litigation to reduce abuse of power

KADUNA-based lawyer, Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) has called on lawyers to use legal actions to prevent abuse of powers by political leaders. Usman spoke at the Annual Law week of the Kano branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Usman said: “One of the most effective ways of curbing abuse of power is by institution of legal actions particularly for judicial review. The weapon of judicial review can only be used against inferior tribunal and administrative actions. From the High Court to the Supreme Court, there can be no recourse to judicial review. Thus, the Supreme Court in the State vs. Lawal & 3 Ors, Senior Magistrate Grade II (2013) 7 NWLR (Part 1354) page 565 held as follows: “The prerogative writ of certiorari is available under the 1999 Constitution in Section 272 (2) and the various states High Court laws and the state High Court Civil Procedure Rules to empower the various High Courts to act as watchdogs over judicial activities of inferior courts or tribunals.” “The process,” Usman said, “is meant to provide a supervisory process or measure to keep in checks the excesses and arbitrariness of such courts. In England, the Court of King’s Bench has inherent jurisdiction to control all inferior tribunals, not in an appellate capacity, but in a supervisory capacity. This control extends not only to seeing that inferior tribunals keep within jurisdiction, but to seeing that they observe the law. The control is exercised by means of a power to quash any determination, which on the face of it offends the law or is excessive, arbitrary or oppressive. He said: “Certiorari is a prerogative order or writ of common law origin available to the High Court in the exercise of its supervisory control over an inferior court, tribunal or a body entrusted with the performance of a judicial or quasi-judicial function to ensure that it does not exceed its jurisdiction or commit irregularities thereby making its decision bad on its face.” He continued: “By virtue of Section 272 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constriction, subject to the provisions of section 251 and other provisions of the Constitution,

By John Austin Unachukwu

the High Court of a state shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil proceedings in which the existence or extent of a legal right, power, duty, liability, privilege, interest, obligation or claim is in issue or to hear and determine any criminal proceedings involving or relating to any penalty, forfeiture, punishment or other liability in respect of an offence committed by any person.” According to him, leadership can be effective if the populace understands how to choose the most effective leaders, make minimum non-negotiable demands on such leaders and force them out if development is not seen. “Until that is done, the general populace will be blind to their responsibilities as the choice maker of who their leader should be,” he said. He noted that “once the majority is aware of its powers, it will check misrule, brazen corruption and leadership ineptitude fairly, easily and consistently”, adding: “This is what Africans need, the most to move forward, that is, an aware populace not afraid to make demands or show ineffective leaders the door.” He said: “We know for example that it is wrong for Nigeria, a very poor nation, to currently exist under the bloated cost of governance in place currently. We know too that our big federal structure is insincerely designed to enrich a small percentage of ‘leaders’. The problem is that most Nigerians are not politically sophisticated enough to demand, with overwhelming majority action, that this must change. Usman continued: “In most nations of the world where the majority are politically sophisticated, hineous misrule and corruption, such as seen in Africa, will simply not be tolerated. The position of leaders becomes untenable very quickly if they stray too far from delivering in relation to the resources at their disposal,” adding: “Once quality leaders begin to come in and succeed each other continuously, the system will evolve and we will see African nation enjoying decent leadership.” He said the key is getting the average African to be a politically sophisticated to the extent

that he will not stand for others misruling him. He called on African leaders to work harmoniously using the platform of African Union (AU) and Peer Review Mechanism to pursue and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)” Another speaker, Aliyu Umar, who spoke on a paper titled: “Scourge of rape in our society, identified the causes of rape scourge to include: lack of adherence to religious injunctions He said: “In this age of liberalism, abuse of power, religious extremism, inadequate punishment, human indecency and lack of adherence to religious teachings, modern parents, delay in prosecution, and rape as tools to attain power or wealth, “The only way to stem the tide,” he said, “is to go back to the solution of the creator in the Bible and the Quran. The courts and the Attorneys-General must do more to convince every potential rapist that he will and must pay for his action.” He continued: “My little effort, when I was Attorney-General was to get the former Governor of Kano State to direct his Commissioner for Health to establish a special unit at Murtala Mohammed Hospital and Abdulahi Wase Hospital for examining and issuing of reports on rape victims. “I directed the Commissioner of Police ‘D” Department to also establish a unit for the investigation of rape cases. Efforts must be made to convince potential rapists who think that, they can scourge for sex through rape that they will incur the wrath of the law. “Before I left office, I established a unit to deal exclusively with persecution of rape cases. This was as a result of reading the case diary concerning the rape of Maryan by policemen. I also want you to consider this ‘poser’ is it right for a husband to have sex with his wife and be charged with rape even if she says ‘no’ is her no, no in this situation? In his welcome remarks, the branch Chairman, Ibrahim Aliyu Nasarawa thanked participants for attending the week and urged them to partner with the bar in its efforts in enthroning the rule of law.

NE of the greatest challenges to our country’s general wellbeing, as shown by the recent ill-fated Nigerian Immigration Service’s employment fiasco, is youth unemployment. Many have appropriately described it as a time bomb. Clearly, the greatest tragic consequence of unemployment is hunger. And as the cliché goes, a hungry man is an angry man. In local parlance, we say, man must wak. So, unless something is urgently done about unemployment, especially at the youth level, our country is staring at its own Armageddon. Discussing this national emergency with a friend, who has invested in chicken farming, he lectured me on the immense potentials and challenges of that sector. According to him, if only the Ministry for Agriculture, the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture and other key interest groups could put on their thinking cap, that sector is enough to dwarf the touted 1.5 million employments that the present federal government claims to have generated. My friend gave a clinical comparison of the chicken value chain in a country like Brazil and compared it with his practical experience in Nigeria. From his analysis, while there is standardisation in the production chain of chicken in developed countries, the reverse is the case in Nigeria. He gave a practical example, that while the drum-stick eaten in restaurants across cities of Europe and America are substantially similar, you find different sizes, and of course lower quality, in the ones eaten in Nigeria. He said the landing cost of an imported chicken parts, is about half of the cost of the locally produced, despite the added cost of transport. He ticked off the extra costs that make local production uncompetitive, and proffered solutions to those challenges. No doubt, I was impressed with his analysis of the challenges and potentials of an improved chicken value chain, and I told him so. In fact, I told my friend that he has a patriotic responsibility to our country seething in angst of youth unemployment and the nihilistic insurgency, to share his ideas with the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and possibly other key drivers of the agricultural sector. Well, that is if the Honourable Minister is not already satiated with his well advertised, but truly impressive award as Forbes African Person of the Year? But why should he, considering that President Jonathan’s administration is faced with perhaps the greatest security challenge in the history of our country, since our last unfortunate civil war. As a matter of fact, there is little doubt that the greatest inducement to the armed challenge that our country is facing in the North Eastern states and increasingly now in the Middle Belt states is poverty. The poverty index in the affected states is abysmally higher than the equally high poverty index in other parts of the country. This critical state of affairs is daily made worse by the exponential youth unemployment, from where the armed bearing militants are easily recruited. And according to the Honourable Minister who has shown impressive excitement in the discharge of his duties, despite criticism from the press, agriculture is the key to the unemployment challenges facing our country, and I add, the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the Northcentral. The United Nations, World Bank and other multinational development agencies have confirmed inexorably the connection between poverty and insurgency. In a recent interview with this paper, the Bornu State Governor, Kashima Shetima was sport on this connection, when he said: “There is a lot of correlation between the poverty that has engulfed the Northeastern region of Nigeria and the Boko Haram insurgency. Because the World Bank described the Northeast portion of Nigeria, the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Niger, and the Darfur region of Sudan as one of the poorest places on earth. Hence, the emergence of militant organisations like the Janjaweed militia and the Boko Haram in the Northeastern region. And I believe once we engage the youths, once we create jobs, this madness, this nihilism will evaporate”. Those who try to play down this connection are merely playing the ostrich. And unless we act very urgently, the entire country may soon be engulfed in an insurrection by the youths, whose patrimony has been criminally wasted by decades of irresponsible leadership. Of course, the quickest and the only realistic way to go, is agriculture. Otherwise we will continue to suffer our country’s peculiar contradictions of national economic growth, without corresponding impact on the populace. Indeed, according to Goldman Sachs, Nigeria ranks amongst the next 11 emerging markets group, even when it also acknowledges that about 100 million of its population is living on less that $1.25 a day. Also, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 60.9 percent of Nigerians in 2010 were living in absolute poverty, up from 54.7 percent in 2004. This staggering increase in the poor, regrettably amidst ‘plenty’, may explain the unlimited supply of canon fodders to the Boko Haram madness. Speaking to a Financial Times Publications Limited publication, Dr. Adesina put his enthusiasm in historic perspective thus: “We were not looking at Agriculture through the right lens. We were looking at Agriculture as a development activity, like a social sector, in which you manage poor people in rural areas. But Agriculture is not a social sector. Agriculture is business. Seed is business, fertilizer is business, storage, value added, logistics and transport – it is all about business.” He added that “Agriculture is the future of Nigeria”. After listening to my friend, speak on the potentials of the chicken business and how and why the stakeholders must come together to improve the value chain, I have become an enthusiast.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

LAW PERSONALITY The Lagos judiciary was thrown into mourning last Tuesday with the death of the secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Mr. Tola Apata. Lawyers have since been paying tribute to their departed colleague, who they loved so much, writes JOHN AUSTINUNNACHUKWU

Legal Appointment

Lawyers mourn ex-NBA secretary Apata

AWYERS have been flocking the home of Secretary of Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the late Mr Babatola Apata to condole with his family. Apata died a few days after a motor crash on his way to Ado Ekiti for the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NBA. He died last Tuesday following his discharge from hospital. In his tribute, Chairman, Lagos branch, Mr. Alex Muoka said: “It is often said that death is unexpected, truly the passing on of Babatola Apata , Secretary of the foremost branch of the NBA was as sudden as it was unanticipated. “Babatola was injured in an auto accident about 10 days before his demise. The accident was bad, but his injuries in comparison were minor - a fractured left foot and sprained right wrist. He had been treated, his foot was in POP, he had been discharged and was recovering well at home. So well that he was back to his usual ebullience and itching to return to work. The cast and crutches were a distraction he did not want. “At home on Tuesday night, he complained of difficulty in breathing and then slumped. He was rushed to hospital but died on the way in the arms of his darling wife. When I saw his still body that night at LASUTH I could not accept it. The big lumbering frame that was so full of life laid out prostrate and lifeless! O death... “Babatola will be sorely missed by his dear wife Deola. His siblings, who looked up to him will miss him. G.Elias & Co where he was a valued Associate will miss him. The judges before whom he appeared regularly will miss him. Lawyers will miss him. And the NBA Lagos Branch where he was building a reputation as a fine Secretary will surely miss him. “Adieu Babatola. You have run your course here. It appears that you were called early to record the minutes of the meetings over there...We will mourn you. And we will treasure your memory.” In his tribute, the Chairman NBA Ado-Ekiti branch, Mr. J. O. Adewumi said: “Although my personal acquaintance with you was very short; nonetheless, you left a lasting impression on me, as you must have done to countless of others who knew you, as a highly cerebral and promising gem. Your contributions at the few meetings of the Egbe Amofin Odu’a where I had opportunity to watch and interact with you gave eloquent testimony to that conclusion. “In any case, the fact that you won an elective post as the erstwhile secretary of one of the very critical, vibrant and popular branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, that is, the Lagos Branch, had removed any doubt, if any ever existed, as to your political dexterity and upcoming higher leadership traits. Dear Late Tola Apata, Esq., I must say that we in the Egbe Amofin Odu’a will greatly miss your wonderful contributions and unrelenting efforts at rebuilding the Egbe, our Legal Forum - on the part of popular democracy and justice. “ I, however, earnestly believe and pray that your contributions in that regard will not be in vain. How great the Egbe, by your untimely and painful demise, has lost your contributions toward that great and urgent task!! However, I take solace in that biblical and time-honored phrase: “… the LORD gave, and the LORD had taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD”. (Job 1:21). Adieu my learned friend, as you rest

in the bosom of your creator” Chairman NBA Ilesa branch, Mr. Oluwaseun Ajoba in his tribute said: “I had to put calls through to my members in Ilesa that one of our colleagues was involved in an accident in our territorial jurisdiction, upon being so informed. Colleagues rallied round at Mosaic Hospital. While NEC meeting was on in Ado -Ekiti, words came from them to me that all was well and this was passed to all that were panicking and soothed us. Unfortunately, the unexpected filtered in of the death of a hitherto well man. O death you have done your worse! But, we rejoice that as we say goodbye to this Tola, he is being welcomed home somewhere. So death, you have lost the battle as you are not the end. Adieu Babatola Akpata! Colleagues in Lagos branch our condolences.” Chairman NBA Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani in his tribute said: “The news hit me with a devastating blow that Tola Apata is dead! It is a lie, I retorted. My informant, a colleague insisted on the veracity of his information as he got it from a reliable source, the chairman of Lagos Branch. “What”! I finally exclaimed when it became obvious that I was not dreaming. Indeed life is like a flower, it blossoms in the morning and fades away in the evening. “ In protest I conjured his face and placed it right before me in my mind’s eye and started to remember personal encounters I had had with this amiable, ever smiling friend. The last encounter was at the Bench and Bar Forum presided over by Hon. Justice Ayo Philips, the Chief Judge of Lagos State. Tola made very useful contributions courteously and in his usual manner he was profound and insistent on some of the ideas he proffered. Some of those ideas were taken. “Why this death is very painful is the fact that I am told and I verily believe my source that Tola’s doctor had examined him and pronounced him alright, in other words that he did not sustain external or internal injury from the accident he had while traveling to Ado Ekiti for the last NBA NEC Meeting. Was the doctor correct in this deadly diagnosis? From this sudden death, it is obvious that he was not correct.. That again speaks volumes on the state of our health infrastructure in Nigeria. “Adieu! my brother Tola. Life is a stage and we are the actors, evidentially you have played

•Late Apata

your own part and the verdict is that you acted your part very well. On behalf of Ikeja Branch executive and members I console the wife, children and entire family of the Apatas and pray for the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. I also extend our condolences to the executive and members of the Premier Branch for this loss. We share your grief and pray for strength in this hour of need. To all, let us all remember that death is inevitable. What matters is what we shall be remembered for when we exit this world. Tola be rest assured that we shall all meet again! Rest in Perfect Peace” Former Assistant National Punblicity Secretary NBA, Mr. Ike Uko said: “It was on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 on my way from the National Industrial Court, Ikoyi to the High Court Lagos, that I got alert on my phone. When I parked, I check my phone and saw the bad news from the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos branch, that our branch that Secretary, Babatola Apata, passed on the pervious night. I could not believe it and I headed straight to the branch secretariat on the ground floor of the High Court building. On my way, I was stopped by a Security officer of the High Court, an acquaintance, who bellowed “ former secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, Lagos branch secretary is dead” I became more confused and anxious. “On my way to the secretariat, I ran into the office clerk, Alex, and asked him what happened. He confirmed the bad news. Babatola Apata was gone. He was involved in a car crash earlier in the month on his way to Ado-Ekiti to represent the branch at the National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association that held between March 5-7, 2014. “The location was Ijebu-Ijesha in Osun State. He was admitted to a hospital there. For better medical attention, he was transferred to LagosCentre of Excellence. He was improving. He was going for check ups from home. But on the faithful day, he gave up the ghost. No man can avoid fate. There, lay the fallen soldier, our branch secretary. A consummate bar man. Like his name, Apata, he was a human Iroko. He stood over six feet and weighed over a hundred kilograms. May be a younger version of myself. His minutes excited me to no end. Robust in content and style. I can’t imagine a better scribe. Now he’s no more. Oh! Death, why take him away so soon? Our branch needs him. His wife needs him more and the family yearns for him most. “I wish the issue of his death is a matter of law alone. His Lagos branch has over 100 Senior Advocates to stand in for him probono to the highest court of the land. If it’s about number, Lagos branch has the numerical strength to sway the vote his way. It it’s about seniority one of our own is the oldest lawyer on roll having been enrolled in 1950 with 64 years post call experience! “Babatola, rest in peace. We mourn you, but celebrate your excellence even while the candle burned so briefly. At the University of Ilorin, you topped your law class. Law School was also excellent. And barley 10 years post-call, you became branch secretary of the premier branch secretary of the premier branch. We imagine the height you would have reached if…” For the immediate past chairman of Lagos branch and a very close friend of Tola Apata, Mr. Taiwo O. Taiwo: “To say that I was shocked

•Chief Idigbe

Idigbe named research coordinator

HE Managing Partner of Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) has been appointed as the National Coordinator for the research project on insolvency law and company law. His appointment was made by the Partners involved in the Global Forum of Law, Justice and Development, including the World Bank. By this appointment, Chief Idigbe, a coleader of the Community of Practice on Insolvency and Creditor/Debtor Regimes, is expected to conduct research on the first phase of the project on the “Treatment of Shareholders’ Rights in the Insolvency of Companies”.

Legal Diary

•Bello

Judges’ seminar to solve Maritime issues

HE Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello has said the forthcoming 13th Maritime Seminar organised for Judges of the nation’s judiciary will address many of the current challenges facing the maritime sector. The seminar, which is being organised by the NSC in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), will hold on June 12 and 13, 2014 at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja Mr. Bello explained that a lot of legal issues bordering on activites in the maritime would be addressed at the Seminar and possible solutions proffered by different authorities. The theme for this year’s Seminar is “Sustainable Development in the Maritime sector in Nigeria” and will focus on different aspects of maritime activities in the country including: Introduction to maritime law and admiralty jurisdiction; piracy, armed robbery at sea and maritime boundaries in Nigeria; charter parties; issues on lay time and demurrage; an overview of section 20 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court; liability of terminal operators and marine insurance in relation to oil and gas. Speakers and commentators at this great

Lagos Judiciary holds workshop

THREE-day workshop on ‘Basic Management Improvement Techniques’ organised by the Lagos State Judiciary will start today in Lagos. The workshop, organised in collaboration with Emvid Consulting, will hold at the Vintage Hub, Mosesola House, Allen Avenue, Ikeja. The event, which is packaged to improve the skills of the junior workers on judiciary matters, will end on Thursday.

NBA Oleh holds law week

T •NIALS Director-General Prof. Ephiphany Azinge (middle) Prof. Deji Adekunle (5th from left) representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Professors of the Institute cutting the 35th anniversary cake during the dinner.

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA ) Oleh branch will hold its first annual law week from tomorrow to Thursday. The event will hold at the NDDC Hall, Faculty of Law, Delta State University , Oleh Campus. The opening ceremony will take place on tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 while lectures will take place in the lecture rooms of the campus from tomorrow till Thursday, March 27, 2014. The Annual Bar Dinner of the branch holds on March 28, 2014.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

DISCOURSE CENTENARY FLASHPOINTS Continued from yesterday

HE soldiers took him away and after some days his decomposing body, still covered in his native wrapper clothing, was discovered at Ogwu’s rubber plantation. Many years later Elue’s first son “Deputy”, confronted the Obi on why he did not make a move to save his father. The Obi replied: “when they went to Isheagu they buried the Chief alive. I’m sorry about your father, I was just not ready for that kind of death”. George Ngwuamaka Ozieh – ‘Jalla the Incomparable’ Few days to the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war, the nation was shocked by the violent death of the army Chief of Staff. A helicopter crash had claimed the lives of Lt. Colonel Joe Akahan, his navigator Lieutenant Salami and his young Igbo pilot. The late pilot, George Ngwuamaka Ozieh, popularly called “Jalla’ by his friends and colleagues had recently returned from an Air Force training course in West Germany. He was among the second batch of the Nigerian graduating air force pilots returning to the uncertainty of the Nigerians civil strife. On arrival in Nigeria, the Midwesterners in that group moved to Benin City for posting. It was in Benin that George made his decision to join forces with the federal side. According to his sister, Mrs. Grace Iloanya, the circumstances of “my brother’s birth and the obvious mysteries surrounding his many actions convinced us that George would not stay long with us.” The saddest day for the family, recalled Mrs. Iloanya, was when he resigned his lucrative job with the Federal Ministry of Finance and enlisted with the armed forces. Our fears for his life increased and for that matter, it was the first step in the fulfillment of that prophesy by a Yoruba seer, who after the stormy weather and many deaths by lightening that heralded George’s unusual birth, predicted that he was a child of war, he was therefore going to die by the sword…” George, born April 9, 1942, was picked specifically by the Army Chief of Staff to fly his official tour of duty. Completing this particular mission to the army base in Makurdi, George on the orders of the Chief of Staff diverted to an unscheduled trip to Gboko, a few miles from Makurdi in Benue State. Gboko is Col. Akahan’s hometown. It was in this semiequatorial forest, where the Savannah tapers off the hilly topography of the expanding forest that George, his navigator and the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff saw their last action. His cousin, Police Commissioner Nzemeka of the Lagos Police Command, identified his body. Bringing his remains to OgwashiUkwu was to take another month, following the surprise offensive of the Biafran Army that took over the Midwest on August 9, 1967. His body, which arrived Benin City August 3, was to lie in the mortuary for another 12 days as power changed hands in the capital city. Ironically, George Ozieh was to be given a decent burial by the Biafran Command. Like the late Nzeogwu, it was a sad irony that the army they fought against could not help but give them recognition and honour. These two fine soldiers who fell defending their beliefs and ideas, earned respect on both sides of the fighting lines. The Biafran Command, at the pilot’s funeral, saluted his passage by conducting a parade of full military honours at Ogwashi-Ukwu on August 15, 1967. Joe Obiakpani – Death of a Prophet The last born of the brilliant Obiakpani family, Joe was an all-star sportsman with great inclination to the Physical Sciences. By 1966, he was already admitted into the very competitive higher school programme of the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu. It was the tradition laid out by the Reverend gentlemen managing that school at that time, that all their ‘prophets’ on completing the secondary school education earned automatic enrolment into higher school. The ‘prophets’ were those students expected to make distinction in the School Certificate Examination. On the strength of his academic records, Joe was a ‘prophet’. On October 7, 1967, he could not prophesy the tide or the shape of the war. He allowed the decision and his fate to be

Obituary portraits •Victims of Asaba Civil War genocide determined by his ageing father. When the soldiers came they gunned down the “prophet”. Benedict Ikenye Okocha – The End of Infinite Variety My father, Ogbueshi Nnayelugo Benedict Okocha, had no reasons for staying back when the bullets started flying into Asaba. A retired Civil Servant, he had many of his friends in Onitsha and beyond. His last station, the Uzuakoli Leper Colony, dreaded on account of society’s attitude to that disease, would have been a welcome refuge. But my father never considered himself or his family first in times of emergencies. Just as there was no counseling before the family ran into those patients for the first time in Uzuakoli, my father did not show any emotions, as my mother cried and begged him to evacuate us from the booming mortars and the rattle on the machine guns. My father was rather most concerned with the safety of the whole community. At one of the meetings, he thought it would be discreet to ask the Biafran army to withdraw in time across the river to avoid civilians coming under crossfire if the Federal army was to fight for the town. My father’s community inclination was a product of his background, as a character that needed applause, he bought it with laughter and generosity. For example, when the Barclays Bank needed an office in Asaba and approached him for a deal he selflessly went to Oji Joseph Nwokolo, a descendant of an Asaba ruling family and offered him a new house, if he would vacate his more visible estate on Nnebisi road for the bank. In one stroke, he made money for the Nwokolos, gave them a new home and succeeded in co-founding the first major banking facility for Asaba and parts of Aniocha areas. A self-taught historian he was the richest philosopher in that community. No wonder, he read so wide, kept files and clippings of the activities and speeches of the leading philosophers of his era. John F. Kennedy, Nikita Khruschev, Mohandas Gandhi, Josef Goebells, Sukarno, Gamel Abdul Nazeer, Adolf Hitler, Churchill, De Gaulle, Patrice Lumumba, Fidel Castro, Dias Bandaranaike, Mao Tse Tung, Josep Tito, Francisco Franco, Ahmed Ben Bella, Kwame Nkwumah, Dunduzu Chisiza, Nwalimu Nyerere, Yuri Gagarin (first man in outer space) Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aminu Kano, Olu Akinfosile, Obafemi Awolowo, Adegoke Adelabu, Sanya Onabamiro, Peter Enahoro, (Peter Pan) Justice Udo Udoma, Dennis Osadebay, Chike Idigbe, Obi Eluaka, Okafor Edozien, F. H. Utomi, Okonkwo Adigwe and Nduka Eze. There were also his very close friends, fellow activists and sartorial pacesetters with whom he exchanged correspondences. Those letters border on community developments, on politics, history, education and of course the latest fashion from Ozendale, Manchester! In those days the African civil servants ordered their wears direct from England. Those circle of friends included “Clever” Nwokobia, “Smart” Ijeh, “Confidential” Okonweze and Gwam the “Insurmountable”. As an accountant, he frowned at the fraud that reigned within the Umuezei land transactions. Umuezei, the richest quarters in Asaba owned the sands and swamps of the River Niger, Cable Point

victim of the potent forces of the native African civilization which at that period in history, were in collusion with the law and-order system set up by the emerging brutal colonial leviathan. Their Christian dogma would not accept the Africans’ tested prowess that by and large fulfilled the cardinal pivots of scientific research. For universality, the native African did not know of any other world but their own. For example “Onyema Na Eke” was a regular visitor to Okocha Mkpagbu. They experimented together and my grandfather who crossed the River Niger in seconds but never was a swimmer also returned his visits in far away Eke. Was it not a statement of fact as observed by living Asaba centurions that Okocha Mkpagbu could metamorphose from man to a lion? When others were dancing, he danced in the air, catching the rythmn by stomping from one rooftop to another, then, all of a sudden, he was gone. He could disappear into thin air… Okocha Mkpagbu! Agogo Wa oba! The Lion that devours his friends! … the living Python! and much of the property across the Asaba Textile Mills. When the chiefs in charge did not present good books, he led the youths to sue. He thought that the villagers, instead of sharing money from the community land proceeds, should organize scholarship funds and build their own schools and hospitals. Under the early guidance of Madam Christy Okocha, a wealthy trader and the first African to marry E. C. Palmer, an English Resident Officer for Asaba Division, my father steadily grew in community influence. Using the wings of his sister to shape opinions and confer status, he kept files on notable personalities, history of the world and community events leading to his gruesome death. A lover of the diary and newspaper clippings, his hobby included European War History, Geography and listening to the World News by the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the Voice of America. “This is Paul Park reporting in special English from the Voice of America in Washington D.C.”, that was my first contact with the electronic media back in 1966. As a teacher, he approached us in the evenings and with the exact dramatic panache of Josef Geobells, the German War Minister of Enlightenment, he would describe to his bewitched audience the panza military offensive that toppled the old European order. Then, momentarily replacing the rim of his glasses, playing the stages and pathos leading to the capitulation of Paris “the most beautiful, my father would suddenly announce: “Gentlemen, King Hawkin of Norway is a king without country. And General Charles de Gaulle of France is a general without an army”. My father was Josef Geobells! With his background, my father regarded the war on the Niger as something romantic, to be added to his rich archives. That would be his last assignment as a war correspondent without media accreditation. As the federal army moved into Asaba after a bloody contact on the outskirts, my father took notes and filed his reports. When he was being taken away, few took notice. My father at that point became a

My father knew the incantations but as a Christian was never schooled in the methodologies of the native occult or their metaphysics. Because he was never an apprentice as required by the custom, Okocha Mgbagbuwa Attah, when he saw his death coming, had in 1923 buried his box of medicine (akpati ogwu). Okocha Mkpagbu apparently never forgave his Christian first son for abdicating the great traditions of his forefathers. Now my father at that terrible exigency wished he could do those notable tricks. That was when he suddenly realized my presence and he shouted. “Move and go with your mother! Awolo adi efu uzor”. The Lion dynasty can never get lost! At this time Cable Point was burning. My father would be among the first victims of the soldiers whose mission to Asaba on October 7, 1967 was to destroy and take no prisoners. We may never know the amount of “treasure” that was destroyed at No. 38 Nnebisi Road. For the custodian of those archives, an irreplaceable soul of infinite variety went with the ball. E.C. Philips (MBE) – The Last of the Origins In 1970, the war was over. The military government of the Midwest State, appalled by the state of destruction at Asaba, rushed relief materials to the returning refugees. Only one individual could be trusted to posses the honesty and the organizational capability to distribute the relief materials so as to reach all the refugees. Therefore, the government requested for Mr. E. C. Philips, (MBE), to take charge. When the materials arrived, Mr. Philips, a highly regarded civil servant honoured with the title of Member of the British Empire by the Queen of England, failed to turn up. The government agents moved the relief materials to the Catholic Mission. The Reverend gentlemen in the mission knew the fate of E.C. Philips and at once set up an organization to distribute relief to the refugees. But unknown to the government, Mr. E. C. Philips had been felled with the other pensioners by Federal troops during the blind rage and the subsequent killings that devoured Asa-

ba natives, on October 7. A keen historian, Philips had observed in the 40s “that the fundamental problem of the African education was the mechanical imitation of British education” He denounced the requirements of a “foreign syllabus as unsuitable for students of this country”, explaining that “teachers, using books written by Englishmen for English boys are talking about things they do not understand”. He was among the pioneers that encouraged Africans to write their own books. He reintroduced the African Syllabus for examination purposes. As a teacher who was familiar with the histories of the American civil war and of the two world wars, Mr. Philips had advised the people to receive the Federal troops and stay calm. He did not budge with his friends from the East, led by the former Justice of the World court, Sir Louis Mbanefo, asked him to cross over and seek sanctuary in Onitsha. Mr. E. C. Philips pioneered education projects in Udi, Ajalli, Onitsha and in parts of the old western Nigeria at Ibadan. A winner of the Victoria Cross For Service To Humanity, Philips was also the first African Justice of Peace in the old Asaba Division. As the first commissioned Higher Cambridge University Examination Invigilator in Onistsha, he invigilated the papers of such future geniuses as Professor Chike Obi, Professor Nwabueze and Justice Kaine. It was therefore, a sad irony that such an accomplished gentlemen, one of the last of the diminishing stock of Nigerians who made it by merit, was executed by gunmen dangerously ill equipped to understand the worth of their victim. His monument of artifacts, pre-colonial historical documents, merit awards and mementos were not spared. Those collections that could fill a state library and embellish the life and times of this influential light of the pre-independence era were obliterated along with the foundation of the Philips family riverside home at Otuogwu, Asaba. We are not likely to ever meet his kind of meteor for a long time. Indeed, he was the last of the ‘Origins’. Augustine Egbuiwe – Pioneer Without Claims Pioneer graduate of St. Thomas’ Teachers College, Ibusa, Augustine Egbuiwe started teaching in 1924. Standing in front of a class of men of his father’s age, he would be provided with a stool to enable him reach the blackboard. As the headmaster of Sacred Heart School, Warri, he prepared and influenced the career of some of the present leaders of the Delta region. Shortly before independence, the colonial government mindful of his excellent contributions towards the education of the African people, moved him to the Local Government Division. He served as the District Officer of Oshun, Midwest from the Western Region, he was named the (DO) District Officer for Benin and later promoted Senior Divisional Officer (DSO) for Warri and Western Urhobo provinces. His adept knowledge of the people’s culture, his reputation for forthrightness and discipline, were to be a major asset whenever the government appointed him arbiter to many of the traditional chieftaincy feuds in the communities under his charge. In 1967, as the war approached the Urhobo Provinces, the Ovie of Ughelli sent a message to the Igbo senior divisional officer. The royal father in appreciation of Mr. Egbuiwe’s contributions to the development of his division promised him the security of his palace in case he decided to remain at Ughelli. A touched Egbuiwe remembered two of his sons abandoned in Benin. Other members of his family were at Asaba. But on October 15, 1967, Tony Egbuiwe, his second son lay prone, crying all day in a ceiling hideout in Benin. His host had reported to him that his father’s car with plate numbers MA 1018 had been located in Benin. Soldiers were driving about in his father’s car and were telling horrible stories of the wipe out operations in Asaba. •To be continued

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS

•Vice President Mohammed Sambo (right); Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu and Chairman, Technical Committee on Privitisation, Mr Atedo Peterside at a meeting on Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... at the weekend.

•L-R: Chairman, Organising Committee/Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye and Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi at the second Oba Okunade Sijuwade Annual Leadership Lecture and Awards, where Erelu bagged the Distinguished Award for Exemplary Leadership, in Ile-Ife.

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (second left) and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Ndabawa (right) decorating the governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Mr. Olu Akinmoladun, who was promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police, at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan...at the weekend. With them is the ADC’s wife, Adekemi. •Former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon (middle) congratulating Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Mr. Ayodele Adewale after Adewale was presented with the award of Emerging Leader 2013 in Nigeria at the second Oba Okunade Sijuwade Annual Leadership Lecture and Awards at the Banquet Hall, Ooni of Ife’s palace, Ile-Ife... at the weekend. With them is Oba Sijuwade.

•General Secretary, Emeralds Club of Lagos, Bolaji Williams (rtd); Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Seyi Williams; President of Emeralds Club, Admiral Mike Adelana and Air Vice Marshal Funsho Martins at a reception by Emeralds Club in honour of Lagos State Head of Service in Lagos. PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH

•President, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, Muhammed Aliyu (second left) greeting Chief Executive Officer, International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management, Malcom Youngson at the Annual Conference/Award Dinner of the Institute in Lagos. With them are Gen Abubakar Mustapha Gana (left) and Maj Gen ThompPHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA son Oliomogbe.

•Immediate past Chairman, Personnel Practitioners Consultative Association (PPCA) Ikeja Zone, Mr. Henry Awodele, Vice Chairman, Mr. Joseph Ogunade, Chairman, Mrs. Ifeoma Onwuachu and Election Committee Chairman, Jide Ologun at the PPCH’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)/ election

•From Left: Executive Director, Afribaby Initiative, Mrs Olayinka Odiboh; Past President, Paediatrics Association Of Nigeria, Dr Dorothy Esangbedo;Founder Afribaby Initiative, Dr Oscar Odiboh and Director, Nursing Services, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Mrs Jokotola Shode, at the inauguration of the association of Nigeria Nannies and Caregivers (ANNC) In Lagos... at the weekend.

•Southeast Zonal Manager, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mrs Ngozi Okeke (left), addressing a news conference on seized broadcast equipment in Enugu... at the weekend. With her is the Zonal Administrative Officer, Mrs Maria Machebe

•L-R: Ketiku Christopher Olayinka, Odubiyi Adekunle Oladele, Mrs. Deborah Akinseye, Egbaiyelo Francis Olushola, Neji Peter Eta, Prof. Antonios Georgious, (Lead Consultant), Dr. Zenon Adamek (College Principal), Ibitola Florence Idowu, Akinseye Martins Damilola - all participants at the Effective Human Resources Techniques Course at Peacock College, United Kingdom.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

EKITI 2014 Ekiti State is warming up for the June 21 governorship election. Three governorship candidates-Governor Kayode Fayemi (All Progressives Congress), former Governor Ayo Fayose (Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele (Labour Party) will kick off their campaigns this month. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the issues that will shape the exercise.

• Fayose

• Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (fifth right),Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu (fourth left); Mrs Bisi Fayemi (fourth right); (from left) former Governor Niyi Adebayo; Speaker House of Assembly Adewale Omirin; Secretary to the State Government Ganiyu Owolabi, Chief of Staff Yemi Adaramodu (second right) and APC Woman Leader Mrs Funke Owoseni at a rally in Isan-Ekiti.

N June 21, the governorship election will hold in Ekiti State. Three candidates are competing for one crown. Who will secure the key to the Government House? The three politicians are household names in the Fountain of Knowledge. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is the incumbent governor. He is seeking a second term. His challengers are former Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party (LP). There will be other candidates running on the platforms of smaller political parties. But, they will become spectators on the election day. Before the poll, these smaller parties may form alliance with any of the three parties or endorse any of the three flag bearers. Fayemi, the war scholar and pro-democracy activist, was elected as the governor in 2007. But, his mandate was stolen by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2010, the stolen mandate was retrieved. In the last three and half years, he has worked tirelessly to change the face of the state. He was unanimously endorsed for continuity by his party few months ago. Fayose was the governor between 2003 and 2006. He had unfolded plans for a second term before he was removed as the governor. In protest, he supported Fayemi against the deposed PDP governor, Mr. Segun Oni, when the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate was struggling to reclaim his mandate. In 2011, the former governor contested for the Senate on the platform of the LP. But, he was defeated by the ACN candidate, Senator Babafemi Ojudu. He left the LP for the PDP two years ago. A street wise politician, Fayose moved swiftly to get hold of the party’s executive committee by sponsoring his associates into party offices during the state congress. Other PDP governorship aspirants who lost to him at the primaries have discredited the exercise. Former Police Affairs Minister Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, former High Commissioner to Canada Ambassador Dare Bejide, former Afenifere Publicity Secretary Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former Deputy Governor Bisi Omoyeni, and Senator Gbenga Aluko have protested to the PDP national leadership that the shadow poll conducted by a panel chaired by former Rivers State Governor Peter Odilli was a farce. The National Chairman, Alhaji

APC, PDP, LP battle for Ekiti Adamu Mu’azu, is yet to verify their claims. Bamidele is likely to emerge as the LP candidate. He left his original camp for the LP last year to pursue his ambition. Initially, many thought that both the PDP and the LP will combine their strengths to confront the APC. However, with Fayose’s emergence, that calculation may not hold because Bamidle may not play a second fiddle. Many are of the opinion that the House of Representatives member should have stayed on in the APC and compete for the ticket with Fayemi, instead of leaving his political family to seek refuse in the LP. Many issues will shape the contest on June 21. In the last 14 years, Ekiti has produced seven governors and administrators. None of the governors before Fayemi was re-elected, owing to some circumstances. The first governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who was in the saddle between 1999 and 2003, claimed that he was rigged out by the PDP. Fayose, who took over from him, was removed by the House of Assembly before the expiration of his term. In 2007, Segun Oni, an engineer, became the governor on the platform of the PDP. But, in 2010, he was deposed by the court for rigging. The mantle fell on Fayemi, who has in the face of difficulties and financial constraints, mustered the strength to return Ekit to its glorious period. House of Representatives member Hon. Bimbo Daramola, who chairs Fayemi Campaign Organisation, said that the governor deserves a second term because of his performance. He scored Fayemi high on job creation, infrastructural development, road construction, civil service reforms, school rehabilitation and social security. “Governor Kayode Fayemi has lived up to expectation. He has justified the confidence reposed in him. We has served Ekiti most faithfully”, Daramola said, as he reeled details of the governor’s achievements. There is no sector that the governor has not touched. A searchlight has been beamed on his activities and there is no iota of doubt that he has run a transparent government. Worried by the plight of vulnerable aged people, the governor set up the social security scheme. No fewer than 25,000

‘Fayemi has a united party behind him. There is no crack on the wall. The team is solid in reputation, character and patriotism. There are less distractions within the ruling party. Therefore, the platform will focus its energy on the governor’s reelection bid because it is insulated from post-primary crisis’ of them receive a monthly stipend of N5,000 each. This feat has been particularly lauded by many people because Ekiti receives almost the least monthly allocation from the Federation Account. The staff audit, using biometrics, has enabled the government to bridge the loopholes. The method has curbed the incidence of ghost workers. Workers who were short-changed in the past now receive their normal salaries as they are no more paid by middlemen. Also, the concerted effort at computerising the school system has yielded dividends. It has boosted computer literacy among pupils. Ekiti pupils no more learn under trees. The modern classrooms provided by the government has enhanced the learning environment. Road projects abandoned by the previous administrations have been completed. The urban renewal programme has given Ado, the state capital, a facelift. Owing to the commitment to road projects, Ekiti has become a huge construction site. Daramola also pointed out that Fayemi has created employment opportunities by reviving the Ire Burnt Block Industry, Ire, and the Ikogosi Warm Springs. The free health services for the children, old people and pregnant women have been sustained and reduced mortality. He said that, unlike the past, Ekiti is also largely peaceful. “One of the issues that will shape the contest is the performance of the governor. We knew where Ekiti was before he came in and we know where Ekiti is now. We believe that he deserves a second term because he will build on the achievements of his first tenure”., Daramola added. Unlike the two parties; the PDP and the LP, Fayemi has a united party behind

him. There is no crack on the wall. The team is solid in reputation, character and patriotism. There will be no acrimony over the choice of a running mate because there is no need changing the winning team. There are less distractions within the ruling party. Therefore, the platform will focus its energy on the governor’s re-election bid because it is insulated from postprimary crisis. The PDP does not have this advantage. Although Fayose was declared the winner of the shadow poll by Odili, other aspirants have rejected the verdict. Ahead of the primary election, one of them, Deji Ajayi, had approached the court to stop the exercise. But, the case was not assigned to any judge before the exercise. Urging the PDP leadership to cancel the result, Senator Aluko alleged that the contest was fraught with irregularities. He complained that the ward delegate congress was skewed towards Fayose, who he described as a non-party member. Aluko alleged that Fayose’s return to the PDP was ot formalised before his participation at the primaries. Before the shadow poll, 13 aspirants had canvassed the option of consensus candidacy to prevent post-primary crisis. But, the former governor kicked against it, describing them as unpopular contenders who wanted to get the ticket through the back door. Omoyeni explained that the option was embraced to forge unity and harmony, wondering why an individual could object to it for selfish interest. “This is laughable and mischievous and, if urgent step is not taken by the leadership, the party may be heading into a serious crisis,” he warned. At the weekend, some PDP aspirants forwarded petitions to Muazu. They also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the crisis, which they said, may slow down the PDP campaign activities. A party source said that the declaration of Fayose as the winner is not final, adding that the process should be validated. “There are complaints. 13 people are against one man in the same party. Their grievances will be looked into and reconciliation effected. If this is not done, the party may go for the election as a divided house”, he said. But,

• Bamidele

Fayose’s media aide, Idowu Adelusi, said that the complaints of the aspirants are baseless. He described them as bad losers, urging the party faithful to ignore them. He debunked the claim that the case against the primary election was in court, pointing out that it was neither listed nor assigned to any judge. Another party source said that Fayose and other aspirants may be invited to Abuja by the national PDP secretariat for a truce. If Fayose is handed the ticket, his running mate will come from either the North or South Senatorial District. Fayose is from the Central District. The LP is yet to conduct its selection process. But, there are indications that the party will field Bamidele, the federal legislator from Iyin-Ekiti. Bamidele is not a baby politician. The former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) learned politics at the feet of his benefactor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he served as a Personal Assistant when he was a senator. Under the Tinubu Administration in Lagos State, Bamidele has also served as a Special Adviser, Alliance for Democracy (AD) Director of Research and Publicity, and commissioner for eight years. In 2011, he was a senatorial aspirant. However, the party asked him to go to the House of Representatives. He was beside Fayemi during the battle to reclaim the stolen mandate. However, during that struggle, a gulf suddenly developed between the two compatriots. A party source said: “During that time of liberation battle, as we now call it, it was suspected that the former Lagos commissioner was warming up for the governorship, thinking that a structure should be on ground for progressives, if the case failed at the Court of Appeal. It was about ambition, or a clash of ambition, that led to the problem between the two friends. But, one would have expected our leaders to settle the difference or quarrel that came out of that. Since that mutual confidence collapsed, the two, psychologically speaking, parted ways.” For now, many believe that the LP has a weak structure in Ekiti. How far the LP aspirant can re-organise the party and reposition it for the June 21 contest is a challenge. There are fears that Bamidele’s entry may divide the APC votes. But, Daramola rejected this argument. “Even, in Iyin Ekiti, Fayemi will beat him,” said Daramola.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

The World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is a global effort to create awareness on the disease’s eradication. The day was celebrated worldwide yesterday. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA examines why TB is still prevalent in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s long search for TB cure T

HIS year’s World Tuberculosis (TB) Day theme: “Find TB. Treat TB. Working together to eliminate TB” encourages local and state TB programmes to reach out to their communities to raise awareness about the disease. According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), countries do not have to fight TB alone; but should partner with others that are also caring for those most at risk of TB such as people with HIV infection, or diabetes, and the homeless. Everyone has a role in ensuring that one day TB will be eliminated. The Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) is one of the centres dedicated to the research and treatment of TB in the country. A senior researcher, Dr Dan Onyejekwe while commenting on the institute’s experiences at a forum, said: “While great strides have been made to control and cure TB, people still get sick and die from this disease in our country. Much more needs to be done to eliminate this disease. TB is still a life-threatening problem in Nigeria, despite the declining number of TB cases. Anyone can get TB, and current efforts to find and treat latent TB infection and TB disease are not sufficient. Misdiagnosis of TB still exists and health care professionals often do not “think TB”. “This World TB Day, we call for further collaboration to find and treat TB. By working together to raise awareness that TB still exists and sharing the personal stories of those people affected by TB, we can bring attention to this public

•Dr Onyejekwe •Testing for TB

Symptoms of TB TUBERCULOSIS, MTB, or TB (short for tubercle bacillus), is a common, and in many cases fatal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. Most infections do not have symptoms, known as latent tuberculosis. About one in 10 latent infections eventually progresses to active disease which, if left untreated, kills more than 50 per cent of those so infected. The classic symptoms of active TB infection are chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss (the latter giving rise to the for-

merly common term consumption). Infection of other organs causes a wide range of symptoms. Diagnosis of active TB relies on radiology (commonly chest X-rays), as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of body fluids. Diagnosis of latent TB relies on the tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or blood tests. Treatment is difficult and requires administration of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Social contacts are also screened and treated if necessary. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) infections. Prevention relies on screening programs and vaccination with the bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine.

health problem. This year’s World TB Day theme encourages local and state TB programmes to reach out to their communities to raise awareness about TB. We don’t have to fight TB alone; we should partner with others who are also caring for those most at risk for TB such as people with HIV infection

or diabetes, and the homeless. Everyone has a role in ensuring that one day TB will be eliminated. NIMR and our partners are committed to a world free of TB,” he said. Dr Onyejekwe said: “The fight to eliminate TB will only be successful if local, state, national, and

Source: Wikipedia

international partners from all sectors of our society join resources and collaborate to find solutions. “Our united effort is needed to reach those at highest risk for TB and to identify and implement innovative strategies to improve testing and treatment among highrisk populations.” Highlighting some of the challenges in treating TB, Dr Onyejekwe said: “Progress towards the achievement of global targets for TB control remains slow. The control and prevention of Tuberculosis in contemporary times have many faces and challenges. These among others include the impact of HIV/AIDS and the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The HIV/AIDS pandemic is not only fuelling the burden of TB but also poses great challenge to its diagnosis and management. People living with HIV or AIDS who are also with TB, due to stigma do not always want to come for TB treatment.” According to the Federal Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Workers’ Manual (Fifth Revised Edition), the recorded HIV preva-

Airtel gives free glasses in schools

IRTEL Nigeria, has commenced free eye screening exercise for pupils and teachers in three of its adopted schools. The Eye screening programme in the company’s adopted schools involved conducting free eye tests and giving glasses for hundreds of pupils and teachers in three states of the federation starting from the 17th of this month and ending today. The beneficiary schools are Community Primary School, Amumara in Imo State; St. John‘s Primary School, IjebuIgbo in Ogun State and Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State. According to the Telecommunication company, the eye screening test will offer realtime Medicare to underprivileged children and will help to detect and treat conditions that may lead to amblyopia; which are refractive errors causing visual impairment and strabismus.

Chevron supports elimination of HIV transmission in Bayelsa

•From left: Former President, Global Family Doctors (WONCA) African Region, Dr Sylvester Oshinowo; Proprietor, Maryland Specialist Hospital, Dr Ore Falomo and other participants at the Conference/ Workshop on: “Improving the outcome of surgery-suture materials”, held at First Foundation, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

lence among TB cases in Nigeria is estimated at 27 per cent according to the World Health organisation (WHO, 2009). “Apart from the HIV/AIDS situation, the emergence of MDR-TB not only presents additional burden to the control of TB, but is capable of obliterating all the gains of TB control over the years. Although the current burden is currently unknown, the WHO estimates MDR-TB rates of 1.8 per cent of the new TB cases and 9.4 per cent among re-treatment cases. Institution-based reported from 2006 to September 2009 showed that 97 MDR-TB cases have been notified so far in the country. This is certainly a tip of the iceberg and it is hoped that the on-going TB drug drug resistance survey (DRS) will establish exactness in the burden of MDR-TB,” the manual stated.

HEVRON Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has announced that it will commit additional N280 million in its funding support for the community-based Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) project known as the PROMOT project, in Bayelsa State. This additional commitment raises Chevron’s five-year investment for the PROMOT Project to N873.4 million. The PROMOT project is sponsored by Chevron and implemented by Pact Nigeria in partnership with community based organisations (CBOs), to achieve the primary goal of educating and mobilising the population in targeted communities to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV in Bayelsa state. The project, which began in September 2012 with a funding of N593.2 million over three years, had in the first year, reached more than 6,500 individuals in Sagbama and Yenagoa Local Government Areas with critical HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention information, tested more than 7,000 women during prenatal care, and arranged for HIV counseling for

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

nearly 700 people. In addition, 147 community health workers were trained to carry out community PMTCT activities. The additional support will facilitate the expansion of the reach of the PROMOT project to all Local Government Areas in the state with a target of reaching at least 120,000 men and women of reproductive age. Also, the PROMOT project will train an additional 300 community health workers on community PMTCT approaches to enable them continue in creating demand for PMTCT services in existing health facilities across the state. According to the 2010 National HIV zero-prevalence sentinel survey, HIV prevalence in Bayelsa is the third highest in Nigeria at 9.1 per cent. It is estimated that 98,000 women are pregnant annually in the state and only a quarter of them access ante natal care (ANC) during pregnancy. Through the PROMOT project, Chevron, Pact and other implementing partners will contribute towards the elimination of mother to child transmission in Bayelsa State for national good.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Firms seek govt’s intervention in deepwater I lease renewal

NTERNATIONAL Oil Companies (IOCs) have called for a review of the 20-year grace for renewing deepwater acreage leases. The Vice President, NigeriaGabon Shell Upstream International, Markus Droll, said during the presentation of a paper at the just-concluded Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja that the review had become imperative to ensure oilfirms’ survival. According to operators, it takes between 10 and 15 years to develop a deepwater acreage and about 15 years to recover costs of investment; therefore, to renew deepwater lease within 20 years, as stipulated by the guidelines, is not viable as operators of such fields are yet to recoup their investments.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Droll, called on the government to revisit lease renewal periods of deep-water assets, adding that the deep-water acreage has a shorter window compared to the period in which it is developed into a more productive usage. He said: ‘’We see that there are many leases that will expire in a few years’ time. Given the number of time required for developing resources and then the time required for recovering costs, the industry often needs 10-15 years or more to make confident investment decisions, especially when we are talking about green-field

type of developments. I do believe that the industry’s stakeholders, including companies and regulators need to work together productively to avoid this issue stifling investments into perfectly good projects.’’ Droll also identified other challenges facing IOCs and local operators, including oil theft, security, funding, production leases and fiscal environment. He added that despite these challenges, Shell has contributed in various ways to advance the growth of the industry. He said: “A difficult and growing problem is the issue of oil theft. 2013’s production was badly af-

fected by the direct impact of thieves placing illegal oil tapping connections on oil infrastructure. In SPDC alone, we removed around 300 such connections during the year. “Security is a concern for many of us on a daily basis. Over the years, the industry has learned and adapted well to the threats, but it comes at a cost. It is hard to put an accurate figure on this issue, but clearly both development and then operating costs are substantially higher than in many other operating environments due to this issue. “On funding, our belief is that for Nigeria to fulfill its oil and gas potential, more funding is required by the industry than we have seen in recent years. We are in a high cost environment, and in order to collectively climb towards

significantly higher production levels, we need to find better ways to fund development. Decline rates in the industry can be as high as 15-20 per cent, and you will appreciate to simply replace natural production decline rates requires much of the funding that is currently available.” On fiscal environment, he said it was important that fiscal environments are reviewed to maintain a fair investment climate for all stakeholders in the industry. “Fiscal stability and predictability are absolutely key in ensuring investors of all sizes can commit confidently, government revenues can be forecast reliably, and a capable service industry is maintained with steady workload. We cannot succeed on this; my fear is that we will not attract as much capital to Nigeria as we need,” he added.

Ikeja Disco invests N600m in power supply •Ibadan firm restores metering scheme

•From left: Co-CEO, Atlantic Energy Scott Aitken; MD, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company(NPDC), Iyowuna Briggs; and CEO, Oildata Energy Emeka Ene, during a panel discussion at the just-concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja.

National Assembly raises hope T on PIB

HE National Assembly has raised hope on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Its Committees on Gas Resources, Upstream, and Downstream at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja, said they were holding technical sessions on the bill to pass it into law. They spoke during a discussion on the ‘’Petroleum Industry Bill, its Passage and implementation- How will it move the Nigerian oil and gas sector to the next level? ’’ at the just concluded Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja. They were represented by their Chairpersons, Nkechi Nwogu (Gas Resources, Senate), Emmanuel Paulker (Upstream, Senate) and Muraina Ajibola (Upstream, House of Representatives) at the session. The sessions, they said, were looking at the interests of stakeholders, such as the indigenous operators, International Oil Companies (IOCs), oil producing communities, impact and evaluation programmes, to move the industry forward. Nwogu said the sessions were examining issues hindering the passage of the bill, as well as helping to address them. She said the three committees were analysing

By Akinola Ajibade

the bill, improving its contents to boost performance of the industry. She said: “The bill has gone through public hearing and second reading. We, the (Chairmen), have gone to our different committees to hold technical sessions. In my committee, we are trying to see whether the contents of the gas are good enough or not. We are comparing the developments in the gas sector to what the government has proposed to be the best practices. “We are looking at gas production and exploration, and what PIB is talking about it. How would investors choose Nigeria as gas market’s destination ahead of other countries, is one of the questions we are asking ourselves at the committee. PIB is everybody’s concern since it is the only way of redefining the oil and gas operations. We would try and pass the PIB, even though there are other important issues waiting for approval. One of them is the issue of 2014 budget.’’ Ajibola said a sub-committee had been constituted by the House to hold a technical session on PIB, add-

ing that the Committee was looking at the upstream as it relates to PIB. He said the interests of local operators would be galvanised when the bill is passed. ‘’By paying attention to technical details of the bill, we hope to come out with a bill that Nigerians would be proud of; a bill that would protect and promote investment in the oil and gas sector and further ensure Nigeria is in a good position in Africa. “We know that oil and gas investments are at a standstill because the bill has not been passed. We are aware that Ghana, Benin Republic and Uganda are joining the league of oil producing nations soon. They have just discovered oil. The development is going to have a far-reaching consequence on Nigeria in the future if we address the problems in the industry and pass the bill.’’ According to Paulker, the PIB is of importance to the National Assembly, going by the efforts being made to ensure its passage. Paulker said the Senate would do everything possible to pass the bill and further re-define the oil and gas. He said with the technical session in progress, Nigeria is getting to a level where the bill would be passed.

O improve power supply, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has injected about N600million into its operation. Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, said at the firm’s customers’ forum in Lagos that this was a quick intervention to ensure short-term customer satisfaction. The management, he said, was continuing with its long term plan for sustainable electricity supply. He explained that the essence of the forum was to create mutual interaction between the firm and its customers, and to identify areas that would enable the company serve the customers better. He said the forum would be held regularly as a communication window and feedback mechanism. He said: “We conduct customers’ forum in all our business units so that we can use the opportunity to meet with them and tell them what we are doing and our plans for the future. We also want to create a twoway mutual interaction aimed at finding ways to improve service and serve our customers better. “Our board under the quick winwin intervention, approved about N600 million for us to do all projects including metering, inauguration of on-going transformer projects, replacement of vandalised transformers, re-metering and also do some overhead line clearance, which often cause network disability.” Ajifowobaje also said about 30 transformers had been installed to cushion electricity supply, and about 115 transformer installation projects were on-going and would be completed within the next one month. He said about 30 transformers parked up, while about 42 were vandalised before the new management took over last November, adding that all the bad transformers had been repaired. “The Board has approved installation of some transformers under what we call ‘win-win’ approach to address customers’ complaints and to replace all the bad transformers. Going forward, we will be repairing all bad transformers and reinstalling them, as well as completing all pending transformer installation projects in all sites within the network. With all these, we assure customers within our network of

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

stable power supply when completed. “Our technical partners have commenced evaluation of meter system and very soon, we will come out with very robust metering system, but pending the completion of this arrangement, the company is installing meters for customers who have paid for meters. “About 6,000 customers have paid for prepaid meters and we have commenced metering them, while we also target about 7,000 customers to be metered by next month,” he said. He appealed to customers to alert the management of any suspicious movement from anybody, adding that protecting the equipment would help to ensure stable power supply. He said the management of IKEDC sought the assistance of the Nigerian Army, State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Police and the state government in protecting its equipment. Meanwhile, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has revitalised its Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme to hasten the metering of customers’ houses. Its spokesman, Tokunbo Peters, explained that under the scheme, which was first introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), customers who make advance payment for meters would be attended to within 45 days from the date of payment. The amount advanced by customers for the meter would be refunded with a nominal interest over a period of not more than three years through rebate in the monthly fixed charge component of their electricity bills, he said. He encouraged customers on estimated billing and prospective ones to visit their office and apply. “The revitalisation of CAPMI scheme is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to metering all its customers and ultimately eradicating estimated billing in its entire franchise area,” he said. Ibadan DISCO area is Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Kwara states, as well as parts of Ekiti, Kogi and Niger states.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

OGUN STATE OF NIGERIA LAND USE DECREE, 1978 The applicants below have applied for certificate of Occupancy on parcels of land stated in front of their individual Names. Any person who may object to the grant of the Certificate of Occupancy may do so by notice in writing on the appropriate form (LUD) obtainable at a cost of N10, 000.00 from the Bureau of Lands & Survey Abeokuta. The aforementioned form is only executable by the petitioner or his agent and should be delivered at the Land Registry within a month from the date of publication of the advertisement. The notice must state the ground, or grounds for the objection while relevant documents to support the claim should be attached. 1

A piece of land situate at elebute village, Papalanto, along Lagos/Abeokuta expressway, Ewekoro Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1643/ 2014/002 of 09/01/2014 with an area of 1.602 hectares and granted by HRM Oba Rasaki (Oni Papalanto) & Chief Asisi Adebayo (Balogun of Papalanto). EW/PL/C.54 A piece of land situate at Abalabi town, Ewekoro Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1044/ 2013/006 of 04/06/2013 with an area of 3.437 Hectares and granted by Mr. Laisi Gbadamosi. EW/PL/C.55

A piece of land situate at Omu-Isoko village, via Ofada, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/2005/2013/26 of 02/05/2013 with an area of 645.604sq. metres and granted by Wale Olomide. OW/PL/R.213 A piece of land situate at Asero Phase II, Government released land, Akinde village, Asero, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1212/2012/79 of 27/08/2012 with an area of 2489.325sq. metres and granted by Engineer Morrof Akinola Oritola. AS/PL/R.105 A piece of land situate off Abeokuta/Aiyetoro road, Idiya Abeokuta, Abeokuta North Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/784/2012/045 of 31/10/2012 with an area of 1534.172sq. metres and granted by Joseph Adetunji and Chief Oluwo of Imeko. AN/PL/R.76 A piece of land situate along Sorobi/Irepa road, via Obada-Oko, Ewekoro Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/0265/2008/112A of 07/08/2008 with an area of 6377.324sq. metres and granted by Yemisi Aboaba and Toyin Aboaba. EW/PL/C.57 A piece of land situate along Sorobi/Irepa road, via Obada-Oko, Ewekoro Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/0265/2008/112C of 07/08/2008 with an area of 7894.452.324sq. metres and granted by Yemisi Aboaba and Toyin Aboaba. EW/PL/C.56 A piece of land situate at Baba Asogbo's Compound, Oja-Ale, Ijaye Kurunwi, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1194/2010/10 of 27/04/2010 with an area of 1502.689sq. metres and granted by Chief Sodiq Bello and Chief Lateef. AS/PL/C.54 A piece of land situate along Lafenwa/Ayetoro roaod, Oke-Agbede, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Abeokuta North Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/0759/ 2008/157 of 05/11/2012 with an area of 1333.801sq. metres and granted by Alhaji Imam Sheu Aloba and three (3) others. AN/PL/C.28 A piece of land situate at Ijemo-Nla village, via Kobape, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1856/2013/028 of 10/04/2013 with an area of 3736.162sq. metres and granted by Mr. Francis Odebiyi. OW/PL/C.250 A piece of land situate along Abeokuta/Lagos expressway, Ewekoro, Ewekoro Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1200/2012/067A & B of 19/07/2012 with an area of 2194.218sq. metres and granted by Mr. Moses Gbadebo Adeyemi. EW/PL/R.52 A piece of land situate at Igbehinadun street, off Ojodu Abiodun, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: ASU/OG/520/2000 of 05/11/2000 with an area of 741.128sq. metres and granted by Y.K. Shitu. LUD6/R.2011 A piece of land situate at Oke-Yeke, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1306/2013/061 of 20/08/2013 with an area of 358.211sq. metres and granted by Chief Kehinde Esuruoso and three (3) others. AS/PL/R.107 A piece of land situate at Oke-Aregba, via Aregba Police post, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1200/2008/112 of 04/11/2008 with an area of 598.463sq. metres and

Mr. Okonji Chukwudi Elvis Plot 73 F, Block 17, Undeveloped Chukwudi Elvis Crescent, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State.

16 Mr. Gbenga Owolabi & Mrs. Monisade Undeveloped Owoolabi 7, Alhaji Azeez street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos State. Mr. Joseph Adeyemi Alli Undeveloped Plot 4, Block A 21, Golden heritage estate, Ogun State. Engr. Samuyiwa Olusanya Sowemimo. Undeveloped No 1, Sowemimo Compound, Ogbe, Abeokuta. Arc. Samuel Adeleke Bada. Adesba Hotel, Developed Mercy road, Onikolobo, Panseke-Ibara, Abeokuta Alhaji Sakirudeen Tunji Labode. Undeveloped 19, Salawu Olabode Avenue, Tekobo Junction, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. Habeeb .A. Labode 19, Salawu Olabode Avenue, Idi-Aba, Undeveloped Abeokuta. Ijaye Kurunwi Muslim Community. In care of Olupe Undeveloped compound, Adebakin square, Abeokuta. Alhaji Musedik Adeniji No 27, Ajeeigbe Undeveloped street, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Mr. Lukman Kolawole Undeveloped Arogundade. 103, Falolu road, Surulere, Lagos. Abdul-Rafiu Olakunle Jinadu. No 2, Oladapo Bello Undeveloped street, Adigbe, Abeokuta.

27 Mr. OShatuyi Samuel Idowu. Undeveloped 11, Igbehin-Adun street, Ojodu-Abiodun, by Saabo Junction. Chief Okwundu Linus No 44, Nawairudeen Undeveloped road, Isabo, Abeokuta

29 Alhaji Isiaka Soretire. Developed Opposite police post, Oke-Aregba, Abeokuta,

granted by Mr. Olugbade Adeboye. AS/PL/R.108 A piece of land situate off Ayetoro road, Lukosi village, Adehun, Abeokuta, Abeokuta North Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1212/2012/62 of 19/07/2012 with an area of 707.993sq. metres and granted by Alhaji Tajudeen Agboola. AN/PL/R.78 A piece of land situate along Abaren/Ofada road, via Ofada town, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1447/2013/054 of 31/ 07/2013 with an area of 11.479 hectares (28.365 acres) and granted by Chief Olufemi Esuruoso. OW/PL/C.251 A piece of land situate off Olowokojebi village road, Okutankangbo village, near Owode Egba, Obafemi/ Owode Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1323/2008/013 of 17/07/2008 with an area of 20610.407sq. metres (2.061 Hectares) and granted by Chief Jimoh Raimi & two (2) others. OW/PL/F.37 A piece of land situate at Idi-Ope area, via ifo town, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/2265/2013/023 of 01/08/2013 with an area of 866.549sq. metres and granted by Mr. Ahmed Shoremekun. IF/PL/R.250 A piece of land situate at 21, Olu Adejobi street, BaaleAkinosi, Ajuwon Akute, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1184/2010/14 of 03/04/ 2010 with an area of 1967.535sq. metres and granted by Mrs. S. O. Owolabi & Mr. S. I. Owolabi. IF/PL/R.109 A piece of land situate at Yewande village, near OkeAro Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1447/2013/052 of 30/07/2013 with an area of 258.256sq. metres and granted by Mr. Romanus Madu. IF/PL/R.03 A piece of land situate along Olorunda/Aiyetoro road, Olorunda, Abeokuta North Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/0611/2004/02 of 12/02/ 2004 with an area of 1828.566sq. metres and granted by Mr. M.A. Ilebiyi anf three (3) others. AN/PL/C.39 A piece of land situate along Babatunde Fadiya street, Asore, Akute, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1447/2012/038 of 19/04/2013 with an area of 788.912sq. metres and granted by Alhaji Bolaji Fadipe. IF/PL/R.252 A piece of land situate off Aboro road, Agbado railway station, Agbado, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/0542/2009/039 of 15/09/2009 with an area of 668.820sq. metres and granted by Aboro family. IF/PL/R.253 A piece of land situate at Eleyele Ojualale village, Gbokoto village, Ilaro area, Yewa South Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1272/ 2012/078 of 25/09/2012 with an area of 202.012hectares and granted by Mr. Ezekiel Adeoye. YS/PLC.26 A piece of land situate off Ofada/Mowe road, Arogun village, via MOwe, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1214/2013/016 of 08/03/2013 with an area of 2240.840sq. metres and granted by Mr. Tajudeen Sodunke. OW/PL/R.214 A piece of land situate along Oluwajoba street, Adesan, Mowe, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1344/2010/085 of 28/ 10/2010 with an area of 1438.313sq. metres and granted by Chief Rabiu Adesanolu. OW/PL/R.215 A piece of land situate at Kotogbo village, Asero, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1670/2011/11 of 03/02/ 2011 with an area of 1285.210sq. metres and granted by Barrister Adewale Olabode. AS/PL/R.109 A piece of land situate along Alhaja Senab street, Osaro Ashore, via Akute, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1940/2013/010 of 24/07/2013 with an area of 387.984sq. metres and granted by Saula Ogundimu. IF/PL/R.254 A piece of land situate at Agoro/Ogungbade village, near Ifo, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/0338/2005/011 of 04/11/2005 with an area of 669.786sq. metres and granted by Sariyu Aderonke Ololade. IF/PL/R.247

Ogun State. Mr. Mavin Samuel & Mrs.

Undeveloped

Rasidat Omolola Samuel. No 12, Ibidun street, Off Arowojobe street, Oshodi, Lagos. Unilag Guest House Cooperative Thrift & Credit Society Ltd.

Undeveloped

Unilag Guest House Cooperative Thrift & Credit Society Ltd, Lagos.

Mr. Egwolo Okeoghene Okore & Agricultural Mrs. Oyiemi Helen Land Okore. 8A, Sparklight Estate, Isheri, Lagos. Engr. James Tuyi Osadare. Undeveloped 18b, Adehuwa street, Back of Sango Plaza, Sango Ota, Ogun State. Mr. Victor Olajide Adeeniyi & Mrs. Glady's

Developed

Iyabode Adeniyi. 21, Olu-Adejobi street, Baale,Ajuwon. Anayo Nathaniel Okpara. 147, Abeokuta

Developed

expressway, Araromi BusStop, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Mr. Rasaki Adedapo Adeniyi.

Developed

5, Alayo street, Sabo, Abeokuta. c/o P.O.Box 5282, Totoro, Abeokuta.

Mr. Alagbe Akeem Olaniyi. Developed Along Babatunde Fadiya street, Asore, Akute. Mr. Olawale Nurudeen. Undeveloped 28, Aboro street, Aboro, Agbado, Ogun State. Olabel Farms Limited Ilu-Ata Quarters, Undeveloped Ilaro.

Mrs Dorcas Bosede Atoki 52,Upper dive,

Undeveloped

Palm Grove Estate, Off Ikorodu road, Ilupeju, Lagos.

Mrs. Abiodun Bolanle Soyewo Undeveloped 8, Oduttan street, Ketu, Lagos State. Mr. Talabi Adekitan No 7, Nwachukwu Undeveloped drive, Okota, Lagos.

Developed

Undevloped

Mr. Adediran Popoola Smith. 14, Alhaja Senab street, Osaro, Akute. Mrs. Funmilayo Oluyemisi Orukotan. 33, Americanna street, Agric road, Igando, Lagos State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

OGUN ST ATE OF NIGERIA STA L AND USE DECREE, 1978 30

A piece of land situate at Agoro/Ogungbade village, near Ifo, Ifo Local Government Area. Shown on survey plan no: FPA/OG2000/19 of 19/09/2000 with an area of 669.774sq. metres and granted by Sariyu Aderonke Ololade. IF/PL/R.248 A piece of land situate At Araromi, Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0515/2013/087 of 04/07/2013.With an area of 1274.435 sq.metres and granted by Mr Jacob Sotayo Sotunde. RN/PL/R.11 A piece of land situate At Araromi, Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0515/2013/078 of 04/07/2013.With an area of 1273.531 sq.metres and granted by Mr Jacob Sotayo Sotunde. RN/PL/R.12 A piece of land situate Off Lagos/Ibadan Express Road,Ode- Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0515/2013/090 of 04/07/ 2013.With an area of 6871.707 sq.metres and granted by Mr Jacob Sotayo Sotunde. RN/PL/F.6 A piece of land situate At Araromi, Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0515/2013/079 of 04/07/2013.With an area of 1275.941 sq.metres and granted by Mr Jacob Sotayo Sotunde. RN/PL/R.13 A piece of land situate Off Lagos/Ibadan Express Road,Ode- Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0515/2013/081 of 04/ 07/2013.With an area of 6697.044 sq.metres and granted by Mr Jacob Sotayo Sotunde. RN/PL/F.7 A piece of land situate Off Lagos/Ibadan Express Road,Ode- Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0515/2013/080 of 04/07/ 2013.With an area of 6924.854 sq.metres and granted by Mr Jacob Sotayo Sotunde. RN/PL/F.8 A piece of land situate Along Ibadan Road, Ode- Remo, Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0361/2009/91 of 08/11/2009.With an area of 975.514 sq.metres and granted by Dr.Kola Oyefeso. RN/PL/R.14 A piece of land situate Along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Ogere Remo Ikenne Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1200/2013/101 of 13/11/2013.With an area of 25.035 Acres and granted by Mr.Albert Sunday Awosanya And 3 Others. IKN/PL/C.30 A piece of land situate Along Itoikin/ Ijebu-Ode Road, Idowa Village, Odogbolu Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0702/2011/001 of 08/09/2011.With an area of 40.889 Hetares and granted by Alhaji Jimoh Otun Babakale And Elder Julius Adeleke. ODG/PL/C.31 A piece of land situate Along Abeokuta- Iperu Road, Agbele Farmland, Ogere Remo Ikenne Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0557/2011/066 of 09/ 08/2011.With an area of 8545.136 s q.metres and granted by Dr.Kolawole Olasunbo. IKN/PL/C.31 A piece of land situate At Lusada Igbesa Town AdoOdo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1552/2011/003 of 23/03/2011.With an area of 2.193 Hetares and granted by Alhaji Saidi Obanla Arepo and Chief Taofeek Akoko. AO/PL/C.337 A piece of land situate Off Ajebo/ Abeokuta Road, Abule-Nla Village Odeda Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1565/2013/065 of 27/08/2013.With an area of 5991.396 sq.metres and granted by Mrs. Mulikat Kuforiji and 2 Others. ODD/PL/C.54 A piece of land situate Along Abioro Street, Off Sango Ijoko Road, Sango Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/301/2012/020 of 11/07/ 2012.With an area of 1970.310 sq meters and granted by Chief S.A.Abatan and Alhaji Chief W.A. Daodu. AO/PL/C.388 A piece of land situate Along Itoikin/ Ijebu-Ode Road, Idowa Village, Odogbolu Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/07065/2013/30 of 08/09/2011.With an area of 500.575 sq meters and granted by Olayinwola Alimi Agbedina. IF/PL/R.255 A piece of land situate Along Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway Idena Village, Iperu Remo Ikenne Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1950/2013/077 of 19/06/2013.With an area of 6.705 Hectares and granted by Chief J. Oluwaloni Olayinka Sobawo and 3Others. IKN/PL/C.32 A piece of land situate Along Lagos / Ibadan Expreess Road, Ode-Remo North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0557/2010/063 of 30/09/2010.With an area of 5.885 Hectares and granted by Chief Suluka Oladele Oyetola and Pa Ademola Sokonla. RN/PL/C.19 A piece of land situate Along Ahmadiya Strret, OtunOla Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1421/2013/035 of 25/06/2013.With an area of 448.481 sq meters and granted by Alhaji Jimoh Afolabi

Undeveloped

Mrs. Olubi Grace Olubukun Abass Olaotan street, Agoro Ogungbade, Ifo, Ogun State. Mrs. Olufunke Iroegbunaam 54, Norman Williams Street, South-West Ikoyi, Lagos State. Dr. Babatunde Sotayo Sotunde. 54, Norman Williams Street, South-West Ikoyi, Lagos State. Mrs. Olufunke Iroegbunaam 54, Norman Williams Street, South-West Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Miss. Marie Therese Olufunmilayo Sotunde.

Undeveloped

54, Norman Williams

Street, South-West Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Miss. Marie Therese. 54, Norman Williams Undeveloped Street, South-West Ikoyi, Lagos State. Dr. Babatunde Sotayo Sotunde. Undeveloped 54, Norman Williams Street, South-West Ikoyi, Lagos State. Mr. Olatilewa Oyefeso. Undeveloped Plot 102, Isheri Road, Lagos State. Chief James Obafemi Saliu. Undeveloped 5, Oluga Street, Olrunsogo, Idi-Aba Abeokuta. Petrolex Oil & Gas Limited. Undeveloped 1A Rycorofi Road, Apapa G.R.A, Lagos State. Dr.Olatunde Aiyedun Agbato. Undeveloped Odueso Street, Ogere Remo.

The World Intl Sacred Peace Movement.

Undeveloped

1, Peace Movement Avenue Ibiye Town, Badagry L.G.A

Lagos State.

Seventy-day Aventist Church In Nigeria. Undeveloped No 524,Ikoyi Road, Maryland, Lagos State. Fumman Nigeria Limited. Undeveloped 22, John Olugbo Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

Alhaja Omotayo Musiliat Azeez 1, Badaru Street,

Romona Oil & Gas Limited. Eleganla Plaza, Gemini

Undeveloped

Block 1st Floor 1 Commercial Road, Apapa, Lagos.

Alhaji Olayinka Undeveloped Sadiku. 23, Ilara Road, Ode Remo. Mrs Abimbola Saidat Bakare. Undeveloped 50, Ammadiyah Road, Roru- Otun

Deacon John Oyekan Adeleke. Undeveloped P.O. Box 2795 Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Mr Olawale Mudashiru. Block 10, Plot 8A,

Developed

OGSHC Estate, Along Idi-Iroko Road, P.O.Box 710, Ota, Ogun State. Common Sense Limited 288, Ajanaku Street,

Undeveloped

Awuse Estate Salvation Bus Stop Off Opebi Road, Opebi Lagos.

Mr. Oladunjoye Noble & Mrs. Undeveloped Olubunmi Noble. 52, Sipeolu street, Palm groove, Lagos state. Mr. Mike Uduebor 62, Community Undeveloped Road, Akoka. Lagos state.

Developed

Mrs. Olufadekemi V.A. Oladeyi Iju Ilogbo Road, Liasu Balogun via Iju Ota. Alh. Imam Maruf Adeola Adekunle

Developed

No57, Asanran village, Oke Arakanga, Elega, Abeokuta.

Mallam Sule Ojoye. No 2, Mallam Sule Developed Street, off Moshood Abiola way, Abeokuta. Standard Metallurgical Undeveloped Company Limited. Plot C 51, Obiking Street, Amuwo. Bingo Food and Beverage Nigeria Limited.

Undeveloped

Akinwunmi Land, Lusada, Ogun State. No57, Asanran village, Oke Arakanga,

Green Gates A piece of land situate At Oreigbe Village, Off Lusada Specialties Limited Igbesa Road, Igbesa Ado- Odo/ Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0495/2012/009 of 28/12/ Undeveloped 294, Murtala Mohammed Way, 2012.With an area of 2.030 Acres and granted by Chief Yaba, Lagos State. Nasiru Gbadamosi Saka and 2 Others. AO/PL/IND.16 Mr Mba Chidozie A piece of land situate At Ikoga Zebbe village ADONnaemeka Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/704/2011/10 of 2/06/2011.With an area of 664.202 Undeveloped No 1, Aboaba close, off Imam Memudu street, coker sq meters and granted by Mrs Sejoro Zungbede Amos. village, orile, Surulere, AO/PL/R.662 L.G.A, Lagos State

Matogun Agbado, Ifo Local Govt.Area. Ogun State.

Ota. Mr. Akinyemi Idowu Akinremi. Undeveloped 838, Lagos- Abeokuta, Express Road, AnijeAlakuko. Princess Ramota Adedayo Oseni. Undeveloped 1, Oba Palace Iba Town.

Elega, Abeokuta.

Undeveloped

Egbeyemi. AO/PL/R.666 A piece of land situate At Ewupe Ijaliye town AdoOdo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1292/2011/055 of 28/09/2011.With an area of 825.899 sq meters and granted by Captain Alexander O.Ajibade. AO/PL/R.670 A piece of land situate Along Atan Agbara Expressway, Lusada Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/928/2013/48 of 12/04/2013.With an area of 1359.895 sq meters and granted by Pa Tijani Ajankose and Mr Ibraheem Shittu. AO/PL/C.339 A piece of land situate At Ajoloju Ota Street, Sango Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. SJA/145/2001/OG of 19/02/2001.With an area of 667.726 sq meters and granted by Abosede Tomori. AO/PL/R.667 A piece of land situate Along Fakunle Oyebaniyi Street, Olorunda Area, Ntabo-Ijoko Otta Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1214/2007/ 059 of 06/08/2007.With an area of 1359.895 sq meters and granted by Alhaji Chief Fatai Akani Matanmi and Others. AO/PL/R.668 A piece of land situate Along Ajibawo- Ajegunle Road, Ajabawo Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0991/2011/90 of 28/12/2011.With an area of 193.420 Acres and granted by Chief Owolabi. R.Coker. AO/PL/C.284 A piece of land situate Along Mojoda/ Emuren Road, Mojoda Via Emuren Sagamu Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1335/2010/01 of 07/01/ 2010.With an area of 4200.766 sq meters and granted by Mr.Aminu Suberu Atoyebi and 3 others. SA/PL/R.181. A piece of land situate Along Imota/Emuren road, Emuren Sagamu Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1192/2013/003B of 05/03/2013.With an area of 4246.005 sq meters and granted by Mr. Monsuru Oladunni. SA/PL/R.182 A piece of land situate Off Ilogbo Road, Balogun village via Iju-ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1068/2010/033 of 22/04/2010.With an area of 671.039 sq meters and granted by Chief Sunkanmi Olubiyi. AO/PL/R.655 A piece of land situate At Asanran village, Oke-Arakanga, Elega Abeokuta, Abeokuta North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/602/2013/37 of 21/05/ 2013.With an area of 746.913 sq meters and granted by Mr. Muraino Adenekan. AN/PL/R.77 A piece of land situate Along Mallam Sule Street, Off Moshood Abiola way, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1280/2011/ 049 of 17/05/2011.With an area of 997.991 sq meters and granted by Mrs Kuforiji Aremu. AS/PL/R.106 A piece of land situate Along Igbolo/ Emure Road, Holiness way, Igbafa, Via Sagamu Sagamu Local Govt. Area. Show on survey plan no. OG/0357/2012/011 of 09/02/2012.With an area of 4.142 Hectares and granted by Mr Sunday Ogunlesi and 3 Others. SA/PL/IND.10 A piece of land situate At Akinwunmi Village, Via Lusada Off Atan Agbara Express Road, Ado- Odo/ Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/602/2013/ 20 of 21/03/2013.With an area of 1.623 Hectares and granted by Mr. Jimoh Oniyide. AO/PL/IND.15

A piece of land situate Along Oremeji street, Odo- Alere Mrs Adebowale Quarters, Ososa Odogbolu Local Govt. Area. Show on survey plan no. OG/0986/020/2009 of 20/0/2009.With Undeveloped Iyabo Adeniji 81, Opebi Road, an area of 1989.645sq.meters and granted by Mr Rufus Ikeja, lagos. Ajayi Olujagun. ODG/PL/R.46 Mr Babatune A piece of land situate Off Sagamu/ Iperu Road, IperuOshinlaja Remo Ikenne Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0759/2012/118 of 24/09/2012.With an area of Undeveloped No1, Hospital Road, Sagamu. 1.386 Hectares and granted by Madam Abibatu Osibote and 5 others. IKN/PL/C.29 Alhaji ambaliu A piece of land situate At Ayegbami, Off Olofin Road, Adewoga Gbadamosi Ilisan Remo, Ikenne Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1313/2008/037 of 13/05/2008.With an area Developed 8, Olofin Road, Ilisan- Remo of 702.518sq. meters and granted by Alhaji Gbadamosi Sanni. IKN/PL/R.32

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

OGUN ST ATE OF NIGERIA STA L AND USE DECREE, 1978 65 A piece of land situate Within Isheri Future Expansion Scheme, Isheri-olofin, Ifo Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1200/2013/090 of 23/10/2013.With an area of 612.092 sq meters and granted by Chief Akinronbi Daramola and 2 others. IF/PL/R.251 66 A piece of land situate On Oluye Family land, Poolo Ogijo Town, Sagamu Local Govt. Area. Show on survey plan no. OG/1309/2013/053 of 19/07/2013.With an area of 2563.916 sq.meters and granted by Mr. Abdulwasiu Aregbesola. SA/PL/C.102 67 A piece of land situate Along Akinola Afoke Crescent/ Ilogbo Rd., Borehole via Ojuore, Ado-odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/2005/2013/ 034 of 19/06/2013.With an area of 1043.942 sq. meters and granted by Mrs. Olatoke Eunice Taiwo. AO/PL/R.664 68 A piece of land situate Along Ilaro/Papalanto Road, Ajegunle Village, Ewekoro Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1033/2013/056 of 06/09/ 2013.With an area of 7808.403 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Taofeek Olawale and 4 others. EW/PL/C.58 69 A piece of land situate Along Watchman Avenue, Isorosi Village, Ijako via Sango-Otta, Ado-odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0180/2013/002 of 21/06/2013.With an area of 4394.045 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Taoreed Ojuko. AO/PL/R.665 70 A piece of land situate Along Labuja Street, Ewupe Singer, Sango Ijako Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1912/2013/03 of 07/ 03/2013.With an area of 667.864 sq. meters and granted by Latteh Adokun. AO/PL/R.656 71 A piece of land situate Along Rakedo street, off Ado Odo Road, Ikoga-Zebbe village Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/1619/2013/ 013 of 17/10/2013.With an area of 2407.322 sq. meters and granted by Pastor Emmanuel Potefa and Pastor Asorose Torokono. AO/PL/C.334 72 A piece of land situate off Ere Road, Ikoga Zebbe, Ado-Odo Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no: OG/213/2012/010/of 27/12/2012.With an area of 3780.680 sq. metres and granted by Ibrahim Singbenu. AO/PL/R.660 73 A piece of land situate Along aranse-olu street off jacross road iyesi-ota Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/2127/2013/644 of 3107-2013. With an area of 437.553sq meters and granted by Alhaji Yisa Adisa Balogun. AO/PL/R.658 74 A piece of land situate Off Sodunke Ogundalu street, Ikenne Remo, Ikenne Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0291/2013/048 of 28/06/2013. With an area of 2563.398 sq. meters and granted by Chief J.A. Sonuga. IKN/PL/R.34 75 A piece of land situate Along Musa street, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0515/2013/040 of 10/04/2013. With an area of 435.944 sq. meters and granted by Madam Sabitu Aranni and 3 others. YS/PL/R.19 76 A piece of land situate At Owode Town, Owode Ijako, Ado-odo/Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/928/2013/081 of 19/09/2013. With an area of 816.542 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Osanyintola Odunbaku and 5 Other. AO/PL/R.663 77 A piece of land situate Along Ado-Odo/ Alapoti Road, Idobarun Village, Via Ado-Odo, Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0557/2012/ 016 of 21/03/2012. With an area of 4087.824 sq. meters and granted by Chief Abudul-Lateef Adeniran. AO/PL/C.324 78 A piece of land situate At Isolu Village, Via Camp Odeda Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/2092/ 2013/16 of 27/02/2013. With an area of 2299.212 sq. meters and granted by Mrs. Mary Anne Oluwayemisi Akinbo. ODD/PL/C.53 79 A piece of land situate At No90, Ibadan Road, IjebuOde, Ijebu-Ode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/704/2013/004 of 16/02/2013. With an area of 6003.577 sq. meters and granted by Mrs. Fausat Omotayo. IJO/PL/C.21 80 A piece of land situate Along Ajegunle Street, Ajegunle Ofin Sagamu, Sagamu Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1270/2012/33 of 05/04/2012. With an area of 1208.899 sq. meters and granted by Mrs.Modupeola Olufunke Oduwole. SA/PL/C.86 81 A piece of land situate On Igboloye Family Land, Igboloye Village, Via Iju Otta, Ado-Odo/ Otta Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1344/2013/ 122 of 17/12/2013. With an area of 605.903 sq. meters and granted by Chief. Adebayo Okeshade and 3Others. AO/PL/R.672 82 A piece of land situate At Igboko Nla Via Igbesa Ado-

Mr. Mufutau Olaniyi Fasasi Undeveloped Plot 2, Bosmide street, Isheri Olofin. 83 Mr. Ajiboye O. Moses (Christ Lead Nursary. Undeveloped School) No3, Kajola street, Ogijo, Ogun state.

Mr. Jacob A. Adeyemo & Mrs. Deborah A. Adeyemo

Developed

Along Akinola Afoke Crescent/Ilogbo Road, Borehole via Oju-ore,

Ado-odo/Ota L.G.A.

Alhaji Jamiu Azeez 7, Maye Ipapo street, Undeveloped Off Ijoko Road, Water Gate Bus-stop. 83

Developed

Engr. Ganiyu Adedapo Ajadi & Mrs. Olamide Temidayo Ajadi. 22, Adefunwa Ore street, Ejigbo Tuntun.s

Mr Kayode James Olagbaiye. 20, Association Crescent

Undeveloped

Abimbola Awoliyi Estate Abule Egba Lagos.

Ayotolu Bolarinwa Ebenezer Undeveloped c/o, Plot 3, Housing Estate, Oke-Oyinbo Quarters , Ado-Odo.

86 Pius Chinedu Okoye No 150, Muiyibi Street, Undeveloped Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

Mr Paul OKonkwo Agbasiere Undeveloped No 16/20 idiroko road sango otta, Ogun state.

Chief Joseph Akintunde Aina, Undeveloped 3, Isaac Salako Aina Closed, Ikenne, Ogun state. Mr. Kehinde Fadayiro 3, Osi Quarters, Ota Undeveloped Ogun state.

Mrs. Sherifatu Lawal 2, Dayo Akinyemi Undeveloped street, Owata Agric. Ikorodu, Lagos. Mr Aloysius Madubugwu Undeveloped Onwutalobi. Along Ado-Odo/Ota Alapoti Road, Ado-Odo. Mr. Qasim Olusola Bello Undeveloped 4, Popoola Closed, Araromi Adigbe, Abeokuta. Alhaji Adewale Akeem Giwa. Undeveloped 90, Ibadan Road, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. Mother Care Preparatory School Ltd. Undeveloped Along Ajegunle/ Bolaji Street, Ajegunle Sagamu, Ogun State. Mr. Jimoh Fatai Adesina. Developed 16, Alhaji Sulaimon Street, Killington Akera Alagbado, Lagos State. Mrs. Funmilayo Temitope James.

Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/2008/2012/013 of 24/05/2012. With an area of 639.049 sq. meters and granted by Wasiu Gbodu and Jamiu Gbodu. AO/PL/R.671 A piece of land situate Along Ijebu- Ode / Benin City Road, Ijari Ijebu-North East Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0759/2011/125 of 28/10/2011. With an area of 2784.724 sq. meters and granted by Alhaji Adesina Adesanya. IJNE/PL/C.43 A piece of land situate On Igboloye Family Land, Igboloye Village, Via Iju Otta, Ado-Odo/ Otta Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1344/2013/122 of 17/12/ 2013. With an area of 605.903 sq. meters and granted by Chief. Adebayo Okeshade and 3Others. AO/PL/R.672 A piece of land situate Along Ntabo/ Ijoko-Ota Road, Ntabo Ota Ado-Odo/ Otta Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/794/2012/069 of 28/09/2012. With an area of 1941.806 sq. meters and granted by Alhaji Oseni Adisa Sodipo and Alhaji Saidat Fowoke Bello. AO/PL/C.355 A piece of land situate Along Idorawa Community Road, Idorawa Village, Agbara Near Igbesa Ado-Odo/ Otta Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1352/2012/003 of 26/04/2012. With an area of 669.742 sq. meters and granted by Chief Ganiu Tajudeen. AO/PL/R.650 A piece of land situate At Ibenefu/ Lisoku Farmland, Along Ibelefu/ Atoyo Road, Sabo- Ofin, Sagamu, Sagamu Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0357/ 2013/025 of 14/03/2013. With an area of 508.959 sq. meters and granted by Chief Mrs. Taiwo Akinwunmi. SA/PL/R.180 A piece of land situate On Irenu/ Orekan Farmily land, Off Sagamu/ Ikenne Road, Sagamu Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/330/2008/004ABB of 25/ 03/2008. With an area of 3.345 Hectares and granted by Mr Sikiru Ogunlana. SA/PL/C.104 A piece of land situate Being Block B, Plot 6, On Ijari Development Scheme Off Ibadan/ Ilese Road, Idi-Ire,Ijari, Near Ijebu-Ode Ijebu North- East Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/276/2013/039(6) of 26/03/2013. With an area of 3.345 Hectares and granted by Mr.Kayode Olusina Onakoya and 3Others. IJNE/PL/R.42 A piece of land situate At Arije Village Via Abule-Iroko Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0265/2012/73 of 11/07/2012. With an area of 651.169 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Olakunle Fashogbon. AO/PL/R.676 A piece of land situate Along Olowokere Osinlusi Close, Owode Ijako Via Sango- Ota Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1292/2013/071 of 12/11/2013. With an area of 639.905 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Z.O. Oderinde and 5 Others. AO/PL/R.533 A piece of land situate On Odo Familyland, Off AgoIwoye/ Ijesa Road, Ago-Iwoye Ijebu-North Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1306/2013/080 of 04/12/2013. With an area of 767.839 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Olufemi Adekoya & Alhaji Tajudeen Owolowo. LUD 5/R.993 A piece of land situate Off Sokoto Road, Alaga- Ilewo Village, Kooko Ebiye Town, Via Atan- Ota Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/ 551/2012/007 of 15/06/2012. With an area of 3723.064 sq. meters and granted by Alhaji Yahya Alani Dada. AO/PL/C.244 A piece of land situate Off Sokoto Road, Alaga- Ilewo Village, Kooko Ebiye Town, Via Atan- Ota Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/ 551/2012/007 of 15/06/2012. With an area of 3723.064 sq. meters and granted by Alhaji Yahya Alani Dada. AO/PL/C.244 A piece of land situate At Ketu Adie- Owe Village, Via Lusada Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1643/2010/066 of 23/11/2010. With an area of 1296.437 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Apagbo Elijah. AO/PL/R.639 A piece of land situate On Elemijan Family Land Tigbo Ilu Ota Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/767/2013/033 of 25/04/2013. With an area of 4849.298 sq. meters and granted by Mr Thomas Okoya On Behalf Of St I Properties Company. AO/PL/C.340 A piece of land situate Along Lagos/ Ibadan Express Road, Ode Remo Remo North Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0557/2013/051 of 26/06/2013. With an area of 1296.437 sq. meters and granted by Prince E.A Adesanya and Taiku Onayiga. RN/PL/F.9 A piece of land situate Along Ode-Remo/ Ilara Road, Ode- Remo Remo North Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0144/2013/011 of 09/12/2013. With an area of 2785.852 sq. meters and granted by Adesola

401, Road, E Close, Blk 2,

Undeveloped

Flat 1, Festac Town, Amuwo- Odofin L.G.A, Lagos State.

Alhaji Akeem Giwa. Undeveloped 5,Osiyemi Lane Off Awokoya Street, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Mr. Jimoh Fatai Adesina. 16, Alhaji Sulaimon

Developed

Street, Killington Akera Alagbado, Lagos State.

Mrs. Mutial Oyeyinka Salami. Undeveloped 5, Moshood Street, Off Ntabo Road, Ijoko-Ota. Pastor Kelechi Charles. Undeveloped 25, Aina Road, Ireakari Estate Isolo, Lagos State. Mr. Onasanya Onatade Joseph. Undeveloped 11, Ibelefu- Atoyo Street, Sabo- Ofin Sagamu.

Undeveloped

Developed

Undeveloped

Oba Micheal Adeniyi Sonoriwo. 36, Bolaji Street, Off Ajegunle Street, Ofin Sagamu. Mr. Omoniyi Rotimi Godwin. 5, Kolawole Shosanya Close, Onibudo Village, Akute, Ogun State. Mr. Olalekan Olayemi Sunmbola. 3, Oseni Street, Akera Estate, Alagbado Ogun State. Mr. Olanrewaju Busayo Abiodun. 8, Ajoke Street, Fagba, Abule Egba, Lagos. Mr. Mufutau Adelagun Balogun. 13, Bahare Street, Ago- Iwoye IjebuNorth, Ogun State.

Priamers Industries Limited. Undeveloped 2, Iporo-Ake, Oke-Jigbo Road, Iporo-Ake Abeokuta. Priamers Industries Limited. Undeveloped 2, Iporo-Ake, Oke-Jigbo Road, Iporo-Ake Abeokuta. Mr. Quadri Tajudeen Kayode Undeveloped Plot 3, Esupe Close, Agbado Yidi Asuje Bus-Stop. The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Undeveloped Sango Ota Area Lawna Territory.

Alhaji Muibi Olayinka Sadiku. Undeveloped Ilara Road, Ode Remo. Olakleen Holdings Ltd. Undeveloped 5, Adedeji Adelowo Street, Off Admiraity

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

OGUN ST ATE OF NIGERIA STA L AND USE DECREE, 1978 96

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

Awoyade and Isau Adesola. RN/PL/IND.2 A piece of land situate Along Abeokuta/ Ajebo Road, Ikopa Obafemi Owode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0699/2012/01 of 21/06/2012. With an area of 6868.999 sq. meters and granted by Mr Olugbenro Amosun & Mr Biodun Amosun. OW/PL/C.254 A piece of land situate Along Ode-Remo/ Ilara Road, Ode- Remo Remo North Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0144/2013/008 of 18/06/2013. With an area of 53.434 Hectares and granted by Mr Akobi Onajoko and 4 Others. RN/PL/IND.3 A piece of land situate Along Oba Adegboyega Road, Imoru Ijebu Odogbolu Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/634/2013/034 of 14/03/2013. With an area of 4220.672 sq meters and granted by Mr Grace Adetutu Omo-Olofin. ODG/PL/C.35 A piece of land situate Along Popoola Street, Egushi Ota Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0987/2012/086 of 7-12-2012. With an area of 704.512 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Taiwo Alimi. AO/PL/R.678 A piece of land situate Along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Temidire Sango-Ota Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/OG87/2003/ 012A of 21/03/2003. With an area of 554.631 sq. meters and granted by Barrister Oye Olawuyi. AO/PL/R.615 A piece of land situate Along Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Ode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/276/2011/107 of 2-11-2011. With an area of 1375.710 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Surajudeen Olatunbosun Odukoya. IJO/PL/R.49 A piece of land situate Along Akinola Iroko Close,Okesuna,near Abebi-Ota Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1616/2013/ 100 of 10-12-2013. With an area of 661.998 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Rotimi Alabi. AO/PL/R.677 A piece of land situate Along Mesan Road,Iju Ota AdoOdo / Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/01447/2012/050 of 30-05-2012. With an area of 716.171 sq. meters and granted by Mr.Olaleye Oguntola and 2 Others. AO/PL/R.680 A piece of land situate Along Ibadan/ Benin Ilese Road, Oke Ewodi Quarters, Ogbogbo Near Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North East Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1344/2012/066 of 08-06-2012. With an area of 1720.206 sq. meters and granted by Pa J.T. Okulaja and Engr (Chief) E.B. Osoba. IJNE/PL/R.44 A piece of land situate Along Adigbogbo Street, Jidah Agbara Ado-Odo/Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no LAKS/OG/2013/719 of 05-10-2001. With an area of 758.626 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Sikiru Kotiseyen. AO/PL/R.683 A piece of land situate Along Idiroko/ Sango Express Road, Benja Village Iyana-Iyesi, Ota Ado-Odo / Ota Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1296/ 2013/42 of 15-05-2013. With an area of 1568.011 sq. meters and granted by Chief Alani Bankole and Miss Fatimo M. Bankole. AO/PL/C.342 A piece of land situate Along Adeoye Adeyemi Street, Ogijo Sagamu Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0759/2011/121 of 28/10/2011. With an area of 758.857 sq. meters and granted by Chief Lamidi Odusanya Okumoye. SA/PL/R.150 A piece of land situate At Enilolobo Road, Giwa OkeAro Ifo Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/10921/2013/07 of 29/10/2013.With an area of 1219.170 sq meters and granted by Mr. Sesan Ajibose IF/PL/C.71 A piece of land situate Along Ilaro/Papalanto Road, Papalanto, Ewekoro Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1339/2008/013 of 30/12/2008.With an area of 3646 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Lawrence Olawale Akinoso. EW/PL/C.59 A piece of land situate Along Ilaro/Papalanto Road, Papalanto, Ewekoro Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1434/2013/007 of 03/09/2013.With an area of 21613.043 sq. meters and granted by Alhaji Ganiyu Balogun and 2 Others. EW/PL/C.60 A piece of land situate At Soluade Compand Opposite Election Company, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Abeokuta South Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/0265/ 2010/120 of 15/10/2010.With an area of 1584.211 sq. meters and granted by Rev. Rufus.O. Owoade. AS/PL/C.55 A piece of land situate Along Lagos/Abeokuta Express Road, Abeokuta, Abeokuta North Local Govt. Area. Shown on survey plan no. OG/1738/2013/006 of 19/06/ 2013.With an area of 1935.713 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Sunday Adebimpe and Mr. Adebimpe. AS/PL/C.40

Way, Lekki Lagos State.

113

Mr Olugbenga Olusegun Fashina and Mrs Subomi Rashidat Fashina.

Undeveloped

7, Alamu Alaleye Street, Off Kajola Road, Ikotun Igando,

114

Lagos.

Undeveloped

Olakleen Holdings Ltd. 5, Adedeji Adelowo Street, Off Admiraity Way, Lekki Lagos State. H.R.H Oba Murudeen Adeposi Bashorun. 17, Oba Adegboyeya Street, Imoru Via, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Mrs. Patricia Chika Iheme Popoola Street,Ota

115

116

117 Mrs Olaitan Ayodele Aluko 2,Jaiyeola Adepeju

Undeveloped

Crescent, Off Sabaina Taiwo Street, Dalemo, Sango Ogun.

Developed

118

Alhaji Akeem Giwa 210,Imowo Ibadan Road, Ijebu-Ode. 119 Engr. Robbie James Owivry & Mrs Adebunmi Owivry.

Undeveloped

Block 1, Flat 2, Millenium Estate Oko-Oba, Agege,

120

Lagos.

Undeveloped

Mr Gbemisola Oluwatosin 21, Ibrahim Street, Iloye Baale, SangoOta, Ogun State. Dr Leke Osoba 1, Elebute Street, Oliworo Quarters, Ijebu-Ode Area.

121

122 Mr Christian Onwukwe Obi.

Undeveloped

C/o Alliance Consulting UBA House (8th Floor) 57

123

Marina, Lagos.

Undeveloped

Grand-Bank Link Hotel Ltd. 19, Olayiwola Bankole Avenue, Onikolobo Abeokuta. 21, Ibrahim Street.

124

Mr. Sakiru Adebajo.

Developed

27, Osunlana Lane,

125

Ijasi Quarters, Imodi-Ijebu. 11, Ibelefu- Atoyo Street, Sabo- Ofin Sagamu.

Undeveloped

Developed

Undeveloped

Mr. Abisoye Adebayo. 3, Lawal Close, Off Adefoji Street, Oke-Aro.

126

Chief Isan Aremu Adelani. 44, Orile Ifo Road, Abeokuta, Ifo, Ogun State. Chief Isan Aremu Adelani. 44, Orile Ifo Road, Abeokuta, Ifo, Ogun State. Disciples Gospel Mission. 33, Lisabi Elite Road, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. Eco Bank Nigeria Limited Plot 21, Amodu Bello way, Victoria island, Lagos.

127

128

129

A piece of land situate At Abule Oke via Imasai,Yewa North Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/ 2167/2012/041 of 13/12/2012. With an area of 4047.59sq. meters and granted by Mr Salami Akinsanya and 2others. YN/PL/R.8 A piece of land situate At Abule Oke via Imasai,Yewa North Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/ 2167/2012/040 of 13/12/2012. With an area of 4447.21sq. meters and granted by Mr Salami Akinsanya and 2others. YN/PL/R.9 A piece of land situate Off Owode-Ofada Express way, Ojo Village Near Ofada Town, Obafemi Owode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/301/008/2010 of 18/ 05/2010. With an area of 8037.316 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Nojeemudeen Jolade and 6 Others. OW/PL/C.253 A piece of land situate At Agba- Akin Village, Obafemi Owode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/ 1211/2013/08 of 26/12/2013. With an area of 18.365 Acres and granted by Mr.Jimoh Ayodele and 2 Others. OW/PL/F.40 A piece of land situate Off Magbon Pakuro Road, Kara Ewumi Village, Obafemi Owode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/0515/2013/139 of 30/12/2013. With an area of 4144.205 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Prince Ademola Oluseye and Mr Amusa Sodiya. OW/PL/R.183 A piece of land situate Off Abeokuta/ Ibadan Road, Aregbesola, Obantoko Odeda Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1280/2013/006 of 03/09/2013. With an area of 5398.609 sq. meters and granted by Alhaji S.A Okesanjo. ODD/PL/C.55 A piece of land situate Along Iretedo Street, Ikelaye Idiroko, Ipokia Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/ 1991/2012/011 of 07/02/2012. With an area of 583.814 sq. meters and granted by Mr. Ajasa Eniola. IPK/PL/R.19 A piece of land Situate At Ogunrun Eletu Village, Via Mowe Obafemi Owode Local Govt Area. Shown on survey plan no OG/1640/2012/076 of 17/10/2012. With an area of 1247.808 sq. meters and granted by. Pastor Joshua Obagbemi on behalf of Blessed Men Fellowship Redeemed Christian Church of God. OW/PL/R.207 A Piece of land situated at Abeokuta/Igbo Ora Road,Ajegunle-Olope Estate Via Abeokuta-Odeda Local Govt Area Shown on survey plan no OG/1193/2012/042 With an Area of 1139.656sq meters and granted by Alhaji Isiaka Sakariyau. ODO/PL/R.79 A Piece of land situated at Abeokuta Sagamu Road,Porogun Village Obafemi/owode Local Govt Area Shown on survey plan no OG/1272/2012/103.With an Area of 2.118 heet acres(5.234 acres) and granted by Alhaji Waheed Ajani. OW/PL/IND6 A piece of land situated off Ogunmakin Road,Ogunmakun Town Obafemi/Owode Local Govt Area shown on survey plan no OG/1447/2012/099 of 11/12/2012 with an Area of 48,708.664sq metres granted by Mr Isiaka Ogundiran Fashola. OW/PL/F.41 A piece of land situated ay Awokoya Road,Ijebu-Ode,Ijebu East Local Govt Area shown on survey plan no OG/744/ 2012/074 OF 27/12/2013 with an acres of 532.646sq meters and granted by Mr Ayodele Kasim. IJE/PL/R.11 A piece of land situatedalong Ijoko/Akute Road,Olori Village,Via Akute Ifo Local Govt Area shown on survey plan no.OG/0785/2001/89 of 972.126m2 granted by Alahaji Saula Ogundimu. IF/PL/R.256 A piece of land situated at Ayepe Ogunro Village via Ifo Ewekoro Local Government Area shown on survey plan no,OG/1106/2014/001 of 5/02/2014 with an area of 4.290 hectares and granted by Pa. Taiwo Isaac Sunday and others. EW/PL/C.61 A piece of land situated along M.K.O Street,Sabo Abeokuta North Local Govt Area shown on survey plan no,OG/ 1670/2013/062 of 12/09/2013 with an acres of 613.792sq meter granted by Chief Samuel Olakunle Balogun. AN/PL/R.81 A piece of land situated at Fadipe Estate,Akute Town. Ifo Local Govt Area shown on survey plan no OG/1199/2008/ 08 of 30/04/2008 with an acres pf 1185.404sq metres granted by Taoreed Lawal Ogundimu. IF/PL/R.257 A piece of land situated at Basorun Village,Near Kenta Idi-Aba,Abeokuta Obafemi/Owode Local Govt Area, Shown on survey plan no OG/1212/2012/55 of07/06/2012 with an acres of 3990.178sq metres and granted by Mrs Sariat Adekunle. OW/PL/C.255

Mr Olusola Onadipe. 2, Onadipe close Undeveloped Ogudu GRA, Lagos State. Mr Olusola Onadipe. 2,Onadipe close Undeveloped Ogudu GRA, Lagos State. Chief. Liadi Idowu Ajagunna. Undeveloped 1A Lagos Street, Keke Agege, Lagos State. Thomas Beckett Integrated Farms Limited. 14, Oluwole Akinosho

Undeveloped

Street, Magodo GRA, Phase 11, Lagos State.

Pastor (mrs) Agatha Unoma Chukwura. Undeveloped 57, Ajpose Street, Mende Maryland, Lagos State.

Developed

Mr. Sanusi Kolawole Babatunde. 14, Alhaji Sanusi Street, Goshen Estate Asero, Abeokuta. Olori Olubunmi Abosede Olakunle.

Undeveloped

Oba Onikos Palace, Idiroko, Ipokia Local Govt Area.

Mr &Mrs Ayoola Funmilayo Undeveloped Bamigboye. Ogunrun Eletu Village Via Mowe. Mr Adeyinka Ganiyu Adebayo Undeveloped SPAC,21/22 Marina, Lagos State Nanozma Nigeria Limited Undeveloped No 10,Ijeun Titun Road, Ewang Estate Abeokuta. Mr Godwin Olusegun Mamud Undeveloped 22,Kayofola Street, Felele Ibadan Ogun State Mr. Oluwafemi Iyiola Alabi &Mrs Aderonke Dorcas Alabi

Undeveloped

No 6,Gbolahan Adeyinka Street, Quarry Road, Abeokuta. Adeshina Bamidele& Mrs

Developed

Adebimpe Nancy Lawal 7, Soyemi Street, Lagos State.

Pastor (Mrs) Mary Mosunmola Ayodele Undeveloped 5th Avenue, A Close, House I, Festac Town, Lagos. Alhaji Jubril Ola-Ayo Ogunsolu Undeveloped 25, Ita-Iyalode Akinolugbade Oke Sokori, Abeokuta. Mr Deke Efeunu

Developed

Plot 1, Road no Block X Area B Ogun Housing Corporation Estate Ota El- Shaddai Nursery and Primary

Undeveloped

............................................... Adewale Oshinowo, Special Adviser/Director General, Bureau of Lands & Survey, Abeokuta.

School No 28,Old Grammer School, Isale Igbehin Abeokuta

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

MONEYLINK Defending naira with foreign reserves unsustainable, says Onasanya

SING foreign reserves to defend the naira is not sustainable in the long run, Managing Director FirstBank of Nigeria Bisi Onasanya has said. Speaking yesterday at the ongoing The Economist Conferences held in Lagos, he said the exchange rate should be allowed to find its feet rather than using billions of dollars to defend it. He said Nigeria, as a nation, must decide whether it wants to achieve a psychological means of defending the naira by depleting the foreign reserves or saving the real sector. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has consistently pursued a policy aimed at achieving exchange rate stability, banking sector stability and single digit inflation target. Pursuant to these, the apex bank has consistently supported the naira by selling foreign currency at twiceweekly Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to keep the naira within a range of three per cent around N155 per dollar. An average of $600 million is used weekly to support the naira. Data from the CBN showed that gross external reserves as at December 31, 2013 stood at $42.85 billion, representing a decrease of $0.98 billion or 2.23 per cent compared with $43.83 billion at end- December 2012. The reserves have further dropped to $38.06 billion as at March 21 dropping by about $3.7 billion in six weeks. The CBN noted that the decrease in the reserves level resulted largely from a slowdown in portfolio and foreign direct investment (FDI)

Banks, NIBSS urge use of e-payment platforms

Stories by Collins Nweze

flows in the fourth quarter of last year resulting in increased funding of the foreign exchange market by the CBN to stabilise the naira. According to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), there has been a negative spike in foreign portfolio transactions this year, with more funds moving out than coming in. Its maiden foreign investment report said total foreign outflow was N50.14 billion in January as against inflow of N39.53 billion during the period, bringing total foreign transactions to N89.67 billion. In January, last year, foreign inflow was higher at N40.96 billion against outflow of N20.50 billion. Onasanya said there is an urgent need to halt the decline in FDI flows. “We have billions of dollars at the

EPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) have urged Nigerians to embrace e-payment platform as the best option for settlement of business transactions. In a statement, Lilian Phobi, Head, Corporate Communication, NIBSS said, the e-payment platforms – Point of Sale (POS) and instant payment platforms have benefits of convenience safety and receipt of instant value to enable people make payments for their transactions. She said such transactions can be carried out using the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mobile phones, laptops, desktops, notebooks, I-Pads, among others. The banks and NIBSS have also commenced a communication awareness campaign to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of these epayment platforms, encourage usage and adoption of these payment

•Onasanya

CBN. However, the more such funds are used to defend the naira, the less is available for lending to small and medium enterprises,” he said. Onasanya said infrastructure deficit is adding to cost of production in the country. He explained that cost of borrowing for Small and Medium Enterprises is high because of rising cost of production in the economy.

ANAN laments dearth of accounting educators

HE President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Alhaji Sakirudeen Labode, yesterday expressed concern over the short supply of accounting educators in the country. Labode made the remark in Keffi during a courtesy call on the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University (NSU), Prof. Muhammed Mainoma. He said ANAN intends to partner with NSU for the production of accounting educators at the MSc /PhD levels as they are in

DATA BANK

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

readiness to sustain the GAFAR Accounting Research Centre of the University. “As a body founded with the object of advancing the science of accountancy, ANAN is very willing and ready to collaborate with the university on sponsorship of accounting research in furtherance of its objectives. We will surely look at the expansion of the accounting research centre in the university,’’ he said. Labode described Mainoma as a person who had been very serviceable and whose role the association appreciates as a member.

ANAN-Certified Public Accountants of Ireland (CPAI) co-operation for capacity building for members of the association to the public at large. “Hope you will see this as a sign of our readiness to collaborate with the university. We deliberately choose this institution to host the first edition of our collaboration workshop on IPSSA. “We encourage every professional accountant to come and benefit from the latest developments in the area of IPSAS during the workshop,’’ he said. Labode also pledged ANAN’s

short supply in the country. “ANAN will also collaborate with NSU to find ways and means of including current trends in Accountancy profession like the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), ‘’ he said. Labode said these topics and International Auditing Standards (IAS) should also be incorporated in the curriculum of universities’ accounting students. The ANAN president said the association was in Keffi to launch the maiden edition of a two-day

FGN BONDS

NIDF

options.”Nigerians are enjoined to embrace the e-payment platforms due to their safety, reliability and efficiency. This is also coupled with the attendant security issues with making payments through cash transactions. These e-payment platforms have become globally acceptable means for financial transactions and encouraged Nigerians to adopt same for their transactions,” it said. She said the e-payment platforms are highly convenient, safe and efficient, and with improved infrastructure, transaction values can be received instantly. The improved efficiency of the e payment platforms enhances greater penetration and accessibility to financial services by the people. The on-going campaign on print and electronic media will be complemented by the use of consumer engagement activities (road shows, one on one contact marketing), online advertising.

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 Currency 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 “

OANDO DANGSUGAR UBCAP BERGER LIVESTOCK PRESCO CUTIX UPL UBN WAPIC

O/PRICE 16.04 8.81 2.28 8.56 3.23 38.80 1.82 3.34 10.00 0.71

C/PRICE 17.68 9.68 2.50 9.30 3.39 40.72 1.91 3.50 10.44 0.74

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

CHANGE 1.64 0.87 0.22 0.74 0.16 1.92 0.09 0.16 0.44 0.03

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

LOSERS AS AT 24-3-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

AIRSERVICE ZENITHBANK JBERGER NEIMETH MANSARD IKEJAHOTEL ABCTRANS TRANSCORP WEMABANK LEARNAFRCA

2.93 22.00 75.00 1.60 2.10 0.63 0.93 3.98 1.02 1.56

C/PRICE 2.66 20.15 71.25 1.52 2.00 0.60 0.89 3.81 0.98 1.50

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

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

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 155.16 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.03 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.68 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,618.91 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 -0.27 -1.85 -3.75 -0.08 -0.10 -0.03 -0.04 -0.17 -0.04 -0.06

NSE

Name

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 24-3-14

SYMBOL

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

Year Start Offer

UBA UBA UBA UBA

Movement

BALANCED FUND BOND FUND EQUITY FUND MONEY MARKET FUND

1.2557 1.2916 0.9156 1.1552

Bid Price 1548.58 9.08 1.02 1.17 0.67 1.33 1,616.04 1,090.11 113.22 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 1,894.36 1.2446 1.2916 0.8987 1.1552

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-3-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-2-14

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

EQUITIES High-cap stocks drag equities into negative

FTER two bullish trading sessions, Nigerian equities opened this week with a tinge of bearishness as losses by several highly capitalised stocks overwhelmed the overall market situation and shaved off about N61 billion from total market value. Aggregate market value of all quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed the first trading session of the week at N12.078 trillion, down from its opening value of N12.139 trillion. The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), also slipped from its opening index o 37.790.12 points to close at 37,601.53 points. The day-on-day loss of 0.50 per cent yesterday further depressed the average yearto-date return at the stock market to -9.02 per cent. While there were more advancers than decliners at 24 to 22, the overall market position was depressed largely by the quantum of losses, especially by several highly capitalised stocks. Leading stocks such as Nigerian Breweries, NSE’s second most capitalised stock, Zenith Bank, FBN Holdings, Forte Oil and Julius Berger made the top 10 losers’ list. The relapse underlined fears that the modest recovery witnessed towards the end of last week might be short-lived as investors continued to re-evaluate exposures to Nigerian market. Julius Berger Nigeria topped the losers’ list with a loss of N3.75 to close at N71.25. Forte Oil trailed with a loss of N3.36 to close at N90.50. Nigerian Breweries lost N1.89 to close at N151. Mobil Oil Nigeria declined by N1.86 to close at N123. Zenith Bank lost N1.85 to close at N20.15. Stanbic IBTC Holdings dropped by 65 kobo to N20.35. FBN Hold-

Stories by Taofik Salako, Capital Market Editor

ings slipped by 45 kobo to N12. Airline Services and Logistics dropped by 27 kobo to N2.66. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) lost 17 kobo to close at N3.81 while UACN Property Development Company dropped by 15 kobo to N19.10. There was a relative slowdown in momentum of activities at the stock market. Turnover volume and value dropped by 18.2 per cent and 33.6 per cent respectively. Aggregate turnover stood at 253.34 million shares worth N3.36 billion in 4,462 deals. Financial services sector remained the main driver of the market, accounting for 202.76 million shares worth N2.10 billion in 2,311 deals. The trio of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), United Bank for Africa (UBA) and FBN Holdings were the most active stocks. ETI led with a turnover of 65.77 million valued at N887.02 million in 67 deals. UBA placed second with a turnover of 26.34 million shares valued at N187.46 million in 272 deals. FBN Holdings recorded a turnover of 22.34 million shares worth N269.68 million in 620 deals. On the positive side, Guinness Nigeria led the bullish stocks with a gain of N5.15 to close at N169. Presco followed with addition of N1.92 to close at N40.72. Oando added N1.64 to close at N17.68. Dangote Sugar Refinery rose by 87 kobo to close at N9.68. Berger Paints garnered 74 kobo to close at N9.30. Ashaka Cement gathered 49 kobo to close at N14.49. Union Bank of Nigeria rose by 44 kobo to N10.44. Unilever Nigeria added 40 kobo to close at N45.50. UBA Capital rose by 22 kobo to N2.50 while Livestock Feeds gained 16 kobo to close at N3.39 per share.

11-Day Pricing Trend at NSE (All Share Index

NSE launches online whistleblowing portal HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday strengthened its surveillance framework with the launching of an online whistleblowing portal through which investors and other stakeholders can tip off the Exchange on perceived or known infractions. The online portal, known as X-Whistle, allows members of the public to submit information without disclosing their identity while it also provides reference that allows the whistleblower to track NSE’s response and investigation on the tip off. Speaking at a media parley on X-Whistle at the NSE yesterday in Lagos, General Manager, Legal & Regulation Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tinuade Awe said the new initiative was in furtherance of the ongoing efforts to build Nigerian stock market into a world-class market. According to her, the new initiative cues into several other initiatives that arose from NSE’s five pillars of transformation and strategic objectives. She said the X-Whistle is designed in a way that will protect the identity of the whistleblower, ensure the tip provided is acted upon irrespective of the person or issue involved and the whistleblower can track the progress of investigation into the issue. “We are trying to build a world-class market, that’s why we need a world-class surveillance environment. We need this surveillance initiative because we want to have a market with integrity, where people are safe to invest their money,” Awe said. She noted that in order to enhance its market surveillance capacities, the NSE recently join International Surveillance Group (ISG)

as a means of leveraging upon global best practices and sharing of critical market trend. She clarified between the new initiative on whistleblowing and existing complaint management framework noting that a whistleblower is not usually directly or personally affected by the matter reported and thus rarely has a personal interest in the outcome of any investigation into violations disclosed while a complainant has vested interest in the case. She said the NSE will not request for any proof from the whistleblowers urging the general public to support the initiative by providing information which may not otherwise be available to the Exchange so that it can take required action. “If the Exchange is not aware that violations have occurred, are occurring or about to occur, it cannot take appropriate action, action taken on such information leads to the promotion of investor confidence in the capital market,” Awe said. She however assured that the NSE has put in place investigative procedures that will not allow people to use the portal for witchhunting or vendetta. In his remarks, head, market surveillance, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Abimbola Babalola, said the whistleblowing portal allows the whistleblower to lodge in tips on various infractions ranging from market abuse, fraud and conflict of interests among others. He pointed out that it is practically impossible for anyone at the Exchange to suppress any tip received through the portal as such information is dispersed simultaneously to many officials.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS ‘East-West road ready next year’

•Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (right) receiving the Indiana Graduate School Award for Education and Culture from representatives of Valparaiso University, Indiana Graduate School, Ms Linda Oyewopo and Abbey Badejo in Washington DC

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

HE biggest Federal Government project in the Niger Delta, East-West road, will be ready in 2015. The last scheduled completion date for the over N300 billion project was December. The completion of the project has suffered many postponements. Despite the major constraints, the supervising Minister for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku, said the project had reached 70 per cent completion. Ishaku, who addressed reporters in Abuja yesterday, said the completed sections of the road were being used. The minister said the ministry would work out alternative funding outside the budget line for the project. He said the African Development Bank (ADB) and the SURE-P had proven to be worthy alternative sources of funding. Ishaku said the ministry had accessed $150 million of the $300 million ADB loan. The minister, who attributed the slow pace of work to kidnapping and excess demands on contractors, assured the people the ministry would ensure it delivered on its mandate. Speaking on other projects in the region, the minister said the ministry trained 701 of the non-militant youths in agriculture.

‘Tuberculosis kills 1.3m globally’

HE Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof. Etete Peters, said yesterday over 1.3 million people have died from tuberculosis-related diseases worldwide in the last two years. Prof. Peters spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the World Tuberculosis Day. He explained that in 2012, there were an estimated 8.6 million new cases with over 95 per cent of death in low and middle income countries. According to him, not less than one third of people living with HIV worldwide in the last two years were infected with TB bacteria. Peters, who is the president of the Nigeria Thoracic

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Society, said the tuberculosis burden in Nigeria was further compounded by the high HIV/AIDS prevalence of 4.6 per cent. He explained that the Federal Government developed a strategy to maximise collaboration between HIV and tuberculosis programmes and instituted a policy whereby tuberculosis patients were screened for HIV and HIV-positive patients screened for tuberculosis. With this policy, Peters said 58,942 tuberculosis patients (65.2 per cent registered in 2008) were screened for HIV last year, of which 14,698 (24.94 per cent) were found to be HIV-positive.

Bayelsa Police probe new trick by rapists

HE police in Bayelsa State are investigating a new trick used by rapists to lure their victims. It was gathered that rapists now pose as hair stylists. Investigation showed that most saloons in Yenagoa were operated by men. Most female residents patronise male stylists, who also perform home services. A senior police officer told The Nation that the command uncovered the trick and had begun investigation. He said three ladies were raped at the weekend by three men, who posed as hair stylists. The officer, who pleaded

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

for anonymity, said the incident occurred at Ekeki area of Yenagoa. He said one of the suspects deceived the girls, who were looking for a saloon, by telling them he could help them. The officer said the suspect, instead of taking the girls to a saloon, led them to

his room. On getting there, he said the girls suspected a foul play but the suspect was able to convince them. “He told them he had no saloon yet. He said he operates from his room and he had everything he needed. He said it would be cheaper. “Unknown to the ladies, there were two other men in the room. “The assailants bolted the

door and threatened their victims with weapons. They defiled them,” he said. Police Commissioner Hilary Opara said one of the suspects had been arrested. He said the suspects held their victims for more than 12 hours before releasing them at 2 a.m. “We are looking for two of the suspects and we are going to get them,” Opara said.

Ugborodo crisis: Warring factions meet

HE protracted crisis in Ugborodo, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State may end soon. Stakeholders and leaders of the two warring factions at a meeting in Warri agreed to pursue peace and unity. But leader of one of the two factions, David Tonwe, was absent. His delegate could not represent him because proxy attendance was not allowed. The meeting, which was said to be a follow-up to a March 20 meeting in Abuja, was described as one that

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

would bring a united and peaceful Ugborodo. The Abuja meeting had resolved, among other things, “to maintain peace in the community while anybody seen with arms will face the law. “That displaced persons must freely return to their communities and not disrupt work at the NNPC EPZ Gas City Project being sited in Ogidigben, one of the five Ugborodo communities.” It was gathered the agreements reached at the Warri

meeting showed that normalcy could return before the end of March. A source, who was part of the meeting, said the two factions agreed to constitute the EPZ committee for peace to reign. “Resolving the crisis is almost a done deal. I am not disposed to speak, but I can assure you before the end of March or by first week of April, a new, united Ugborodo would be born. “Both parties have committed to constituting the new EPZ committee, which has been the nagging issue.”

Why some lecturers were sacked, by VC

HE Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, has explained the fate of the lecturers, who went on strike to protest the reappointment of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barineme Fakae. The university said it could not sacrifice academic excellence on the altar of blind unionism. Fakae said the institution would not tolerate blind unionism aimed at causing confusion in the school. The vice chancellor spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday ahead of the university’s 26th convocation on Saturday. He said the lecturers were expected to pay allegiance to the university and not to a union. A group of 20 lecturers issued a sevenday ultimatum to Governor Rotimi Amaechi to remove Fakae.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

When the governor failed to comply, the lecturers later wrote a letter to withdrawal their services. Fakee said it was clear the target of the lecturers, who were leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, was to cause confusion. “We are not saying the union should not ask for something, but it should not be at the expense of the university and the students. Only the foolish parasite will kill the host. This is because it needs the host to survive. “But some persons go on blind unionism to throw the system into chaos and score cheap point. That is what we disagree with.” On the university’s convocation, the VC said 4,298 graduates would be awarded first degree. Three students got First-Class and 305 graduated with Second Class Upper degrees.

‘Leave Itsekiri alone’

N Itsekiri leader, Chief Ritalori Ogbebor, has urged the delegates of the national conference to call on the Egbema Radical Group, comprising the Ijaw, to desist from killing the Itsekiri. At a briefing in Lagos yesterday, Ogbebor bemoaned the fate of the Itsekiri, who have been under attack since

By Musa Odoshimokhe

the group blew up a pipeline in Idibi community on Robin creek. She said: “This group threatened and killed so many Itsekiri at Ajameta, Gbokoda, Tubu, and Udo in Olero creek. This is the state of menace, threat and violence which the Itsekiri go

through every day.” Ogbebor recalled that the Itsekiri/Ijaw crisis has become a recurring decimal in the crises rocking the country. “This is how the previous Warri crisis started and hence I am appealing to members of the national conference to address this matter.

THE NATION TUESDAY MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS

Death toll rises in Tiv-Fulani crisis

HE carnage which started on Sunday in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, continued yesterday as suspected Fulani herdsmen killed 26 Tiv farmers. The number of Tiv farmers killed so far in Gbanjimba stands at 51. The Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Investment, Abraham Kwaghngu, told The Nation that the attackers, who were over 200, launched another round of attacks yesterday morning and set many houses ablaze. “As I speak, the gunmen are burning Gbajimba, unchallenged, in the presence of soldiers deployed to the area. “We have counted 26 bod-

•Aondoakaa condemns killings From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

ies, I think the soldiers just came to supervise burning of Gbajimba,” said Kwaghngu. The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Makurdi North, Avine Agbom, told our correspondent that half of Gbajimba has been reduced to rubbles. “Soldiers went to Gbajimba with three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), but stood by and watched as helpless Tiv farmers were killed indiscriminately and their houses set ablaze.” He accused soldiers of con-

niving with Fulani herdsmen to kill Tiv farmers. A man, described as Fulani, has been lynched to death by a mob in Gboko. According to an eyewitness, the man was brought to a bank in Gboko by Uwouku Abanka, the father of a Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship aspirant, Andy Uwouku. It was gathered that somebody alerted some hoodlums that his boss was coming to the bank with a Fulani. The hoodlums waylaid the Fulani man, who was dressed like a Tiv traditional chief, in front of the bank and hacked him to death.

Uwouku escaped but his vehicle was set ablaze. Policemen restored normalcy. Police spokesman Daniel Ezeala confirmed the incident. On the Gbajimba attack, he said he was yet to get the report. Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mike Aondoakaa has condemned the killings. The former minister said the attack on Benue could bring about famine as farmers were being killed daily. Aondoakaa called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the victims.

Mobile units deployed in Benue

HE Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday said four units of mobile police (about 600 men) have been deployed in Benue State to tackle the communal crisis. He spoke shortly before a meeting with assistant inspectors-general (AIGs). The AIGs are in charge of the 12 zonal commands across the country. He said the meeting would review the security situation in states under the zones and adopt strategies to address them. “As I talk to you, I have four units of mobile policemen from the headquarters in Benue bush. “They are led by the deputy inspector-general (Operations) and commissioner (Mobile Force); they are there to protect innocent people,’’ he said.

Abubakar named Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna and parts of Zamfara as locations where there were clashes between herdsmen and farmers. He listed some challenges in tackling the clashes as difficult terrain, delay in getting information and lack of police presence. “These attacks take place in the bush; most of the victims are in the villages and we encounter difficult terrains. “Second, information comes to the police late because of network problems; remember, in most of these places, there’s no police station or posts. “So, the commissioner in each command has to grapple with how to take policemen to such places and how they will remain there for the duration of their work,’’ he said.

Abubakar noted that years back, there were grazing areas and routes for herdsmen, adding: “Today, the story is different; no grazing places and no routes; so this is part of the problem.’’ But he said the situation in the Northeast was getting better due to efforts by the police and other security agencies. “On terrorism in the Northeast, I am glad to say the situation is getting much better than before,’’ he said. Abubakar said the police had not failed in the fight against terrorism, although he admitted the military had taken the lead. “You need to understand the difference between the declaration of war and internal security in Borno. “When it comes to war, the military is in the lead; it is not because of the failure of the police. Once there is war,

Gombe to spend N17b on water

OMBE State government is to spend N17 billion for the expansion of its water treatment plant from 50,000 cubic metres to 85,000 cubic metres The General Manager, Gombe Water Corporation, said the expansion would cater for the population explosion in Gombe. “The treatment plant was designed to serve about 50,000 cubic metres per day. In 2006, the population of Gombe was estimated at around 261,000, but by projection now we have around

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

dorsed as our consensus candidate. “It is not true. What is true is that Kente hails from Taraba South where we are negotiating the 2015 governorship slot should rotate to. “It is also true that the Taraba North and Central districts have produced governors, who have served for 18 years. The Southern district has not. “Kente is eminently qualified to contest and be governor but he has not been chosen to represent our interest. “We want to make it clear that we have not endorsed any candidate yet. “We are still assessing our aspirants to ensure that we

‘Kente is eminently qualified to contest and be governor but he has not been chosen to represent our interest’

HE Niger State government is to name a hospital in Lapai Local Government, Gulu, after former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar. This is in recognition of the meritorious service rendered by Abubakar to the state and his contribution in ushering democratic rule in 1999. Governor Muazu

•Abubakar

the military takes the lead. “In Borno State, we work with the military; where the military finishes its job, the police occupy the place and provide security and allow constituted authorities to exist,’’ he said. Abubakar said robbery and kidnapping had declined significantly. “You will agree with me that robbery and kidnapping have declined significantly but we won’t take chances,’’ he said.

must come out with a consensus candidate in the interest of the zone.” The forum warned politicians to stop calling on former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd) to support Kente’s “dubious endorsement.” “If Kente says he was endorsed by Taraba South,

Youths clash in Nasarawa

Committee to review salaries

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has set up a committee to review civil servants’ salaries. The committee is to come up with recommendations on improved internal revenue generation and ensure steady salary payment. In a circular by Permanent Secretary, Establishment and ServiCom Matters Bureau, Hashimu A.Dori, the government said it could no longer cope with the over-bloated workforce and wage bill. The circular reads: “I’m to inform you with regret that the all-time high dwindling resources of government can no longer allow the payment of salaries in advance of federal allocations, until the financial situation of the state improves. “I am to say that additional measures will be taken to curtail increases on the wage bill.”

which stakeholders endorsed him, or doesn’t he know the (real) stakeholders of the zone?” The forum said the issue of consensus candidate for Taraba South is a collective agenda of all stakeholders from the zone’s five local governments: Ibi, Wukari, Donga, Takum, Ussa and Yangtu. The forum said it was not against Kente or any other aspirants. “We only want the people of Taraba South, our supporters from the other zones and the public to note that what happened was just a farce by the staff of the DSK Foundation –Kente’s employees, who feel they should support their employer’s candidacy.”

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

UPPORTERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State clashed yesterday at the gate of the Government House during the inauguration of local government chairmen. The PDP won four councils and the APC got six. Elections were inconclusive in Akwanga, Obi and Nasarawa local governments. It was gathered the supporters, mainly youths, were dispersed by the police after they were said to have destroyed 10 vehicles. Governor Tanko Al-Makura called for peace, describing the council polls as historic. The governor urged the people to sustain the tempo of peace in the state. He assured the chairmen they would be given a free hand to administer their domains.

Gombe

360,000 in Gombe metropolis. “Presently, the water demand of Gombe has increased. It is around 57,000 cubic metres per day, which is beyond the capacity of the Dadin-kowa treatment plant. “This is why Gombe State government is now trying to see that the treatment plant has to be expanded. The design is almost completed, and the cost of the expansion is about N17b,” he explained.

Hospital named after Abdulsalami

‘ No consensus candidate in Taraba South’

HE Southern Taraba Stakeholders Forum (STSF) has denied reports that David Sabo Kente has been endorsed by the zone as its consensus candidate for the 2015 governorship election. The northern and central zones have produced Governors Jolly Nyame and Danbaba Suntai. The southern zone has not ruled Taraba since its creation from the old Gongola State 25 years ago. It was reported Kente was endorsed as the zone’s consensus candidate. The forum’s spokesman, James Abe Nwunuji, in a statement, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a fraudulent report that David Sabo Kente has been en-

By Vincent Ohonbamu,

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

By Remi Adelowo

Babangida Aliyu described Abdulsalami as a distinguished officer, gentleman and a statesman, who has brought honour to the state. Thursday’s ceremony, which is coming ahead of the 71st birthday of the former head of state in June, is in keeping with the tradition of the government in honouring former leaders.

THE NATION TUESDAY MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS Ojukwu gets posthumous doctorate From Chris Oji, Enugu

HE late Biafran leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is to receive an honorary doctorate in law (Hon. LLD) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Africa’s richest woman, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, is also to receive a doctorate in Business Administration. Also on the list are Chief Executive of Peace Mass Transport, Samuel Maduka Onyishi and Chief Executive of Innoson Group of Companies Innocent Chuk-

wuma. Speaking yesterday at a pre-convocation news conference, Vice Chancellor Prof. Bartho Okolo said the award would take place at the 43rd convocation on Saturday. He said the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, would deliver the Convocation Lecture: “After the Insurgency: Some Thoughts on National Cohesion,’’ on Thursday.”

Ultimatum for vehicle owners

HE Ogun State Police Command has warned owners of vehicles parked at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Abeokuta and Agbara police station to remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction, two

weeks after this notice. The vehicles are Nissa SV365AAA, Paragon bus XL369APP, Jetta Vento BE805AKD, Acura Laral Jeep CM443RBC and six unregistered Bajaj, Four unresgistered Jincheng and three unregistered Haojue motorcycles.

Kashamu hails group over Bankole

HE Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has spoken of the role played by former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole, in the alleged trading off of Southwest people. In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Kashamu said: “I hereby confirm some of the issues raised by a group, the Voice of Reason, on Page 59 of The Nation of yes-

terday’s edition, about the alleged trading off of the interest of the people of the Southwest by the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, on the choice of his successor. “Indeed, it was the climax of his usual politics”. Thanking the group for its courageous intervention in the issues leading to the 2015 general elections in Ogun State, Kashamu urged more individuals and organisations to join the fray.

‘Pan-Biafran group’s leader wanted’

HE Enugu State Police Command yesterday declared the leader of the Biafra Zionist Federation (BZF), Ben Onwuka, wanted for “treasonable felony”. This is happening almost three weeks after the group invaded the Government

PUBLIC NOTICE AJAYI I formerly known and address as Miss Ajayi Iyadunni Tolulope Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyewole Iyadunni Tolulope. All former documents remains valid, general public should please take note.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

House to hoist the Biafran flag. Police Commissioner Mohammed Adamu had accused the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) of carrying out the attack. Onwuka was detained with over 500 members of his group after re-declaring the Republic of Biafra in Enugu on November 5, 2012. They were granted bail on December 11 of the same year.

PUBLIC NOTICE: I Dr (Mrs) Tolulope Fagorala of bungalow 9 LSDPC medium income estate phase IV,Ijaye, Ogba.Lagos notify the general public that I have applied to the LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of a 4 bedroom, flat 1 Blk 172 at LSDPC medium income estate phase IV, Ijaye, Ogba. Lagos, which was originally allocated to Mrs Abigail Taiwo Doherty . I have made series of efforts to contact Mrs Abigail Taiwo Doherty, the assignor from whom l bought the property, but all efforts have proved abortive. I hereby indemnify the Corporation against any future claims that may arise if my application is granted, and undertake to pay cost of any dispute that may arise on same. LSDPC, Mrs Abigail Taiwo Doherty and General Public, Please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE GOD'S SPIRIT TOUCH CHURCH INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notified that God's Spirit Touch church International has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, Nigeria for the registration under the part "C" of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Evangelist David Chimezie Osuala 2. Evangelist Justina Eyo Ita 3. Evangelist Agnes Solomon Odemero 4. Evangelist Ukariwe Kalu Onuoha 5. Evangelist Dominic Usi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of God 2. To glorify the God of the Scripture 3. To Maintain & promote the worship of God 4. To preach peace among religions Any objection to this registration should be directed to Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Sign: Evangelist Ukariwe Kalu Onuoha For the church- 08081731133

•From right: Governor Willie Obiano, wife, Ebere and Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke, with the Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Prof Igwegbe, at the bedside of one of the accident victims during a stop over visit by Obiano... yesterday. PHOTO ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

Mark’s convoy ran into robbers, says police commissioner Alleged attack: Okorocha berates Orji over statement I I MO State Commissioner of Police Abdulmajid Ali said yesterday the convoy of Senate President David Mark ran into a robbery and was not the target of the attack, as speculated. The convoy of Mark’s advance team was attacked last Thursday on the way to the funeral of the late Richard Anyaehie, a businessman from Nkwere in Imo State. Ali said the attack was a coincidence, as the convoy ran into a robbery gang operating at the boundary between Abia and Enugu states. He said although Mark and his ADC were not in the convoy when the incident happened, reports said the robbers, on sighting the convoy, shot sporadically. The police chief, who claimed that he fortified the security network a few days before the funeral, following a rumour of a security threat, said he was surprised to read the next day of the attack on the Senate president. “Because of the importance attached to the ceremony, I was there on the eve of the funeral till 3 a.m. Patrol vans were positioned everywhere. I returned with a full

MO State government has described the utterances of Abia State Governor Theodore Orji on the alleged attack on the convoy of Senate President David Mark, by suspected gunmen, as a cheap blackmail. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the government said: “Orji’s utterance is a shock, emanating from such office as the chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum. According to the statement, “Orji’s utterances are full of insinuations. Government has taken cognisance of the reaction of the police command, which denied the attack.” Onwuemeodo said in the reports on the alleged attack, the reaction of the Abia governor and denial by the police aroused suspicions on the veracity of the alleged attack. He said since the reports of the alleged attack did not disclose the exact spot the incident occurred, the allegation looked vague. His words: “The reaction of Orji was surprising and shocking. He spoke as if he knew those who carried out the alleged attack. He condemned the purported attack and said it

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

was aimed at eliminating the Senate president, urging him not to be deterred. “In an attack as the one being alleged, Orji would have called on the police to investigate the incident, where the attack really occurred, to know whether those behind it were after the Senate President or it was a mere coincidence, and whether it was politically-motivated or purely a criminal operation. “These questions have justified our suspicion as a government that the allegation could be aimed at blackmailing the Imo government and denting the state’s record as the most peaceful state with the lowest rate of crime.” The governor’s aide also wondered why Mark or his convoy should be attacked in the state by anybody or group when he is not from Imo or Southeast. “Of what need would his elimination serve any state in the Southeast and Imo in particular?” Onwuemeodo asked. He urged the inspector-general of Police to conduct an investigation into the alleged attack.

•Lawyer decries attack From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri and Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

squad on the funeral day. The incident never happened,” Ali added.

A human rights lawyer, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, condemned the attack on the convoy of Mark. He said the incident signified that the National As-

sembly had failed the citizens. Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, Agbazuere urged Nigerians to desist from violence and embrace peace and dialogue to ensure a strong democracy and national development.

MASSOB to sue police for wrongful accusation

HE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has threatened to sue the police for wrongful accusation. The police in Enugu State had accused MASSOB of carrying out the attack on the Government House about three weeks ago. It condemned the parade of some people as MASSOB members without investigation, saying it was childish and an act of cowardice by the police. In a statement by its Enugu East Zonal Administrator, Mrs. Augustina Ugwoke, the group

•Cites Enugu Govt House attack •Illegal raid on office From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

said the police should apologise or face legal action. The statement, titled: “Apologise now or get sued”, reads: “MASSOB, for the last time, demands an unreserved open apology from the Enugu State Police Command for gross abuse and disrespect to our image. “If this does not happen, we will sue them for defamation, false information and public deceit.

“Their declaration of the invaders of the Enugu State Government House as MASSOB members is done out of hatred for MASSOB. We are a respected organisation in Igbo land. “The antics of the police can never deter us from our goals.” MASSOB said yesterday it would sue the inspector-general of Police, Anambra State police commissioner and the divisional police officer in Otuocha for illegally raiding its Anambra North zonal office at Umueri.

Deputy National Director for Information Mazi Chris Mocha, who spoke after a meeting at Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government, said: “Our lawyers have been contacted to file the necessary papers.” He alleged that three members arrested by the police were released after paying N10,000, N12,000, and N13,500. “Okechukwu, who was ordered by the police to climb a tree and untie MASSOB flags, falling in the process and was taken to an unknown hospital, is yet to return,” Mocha said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Anguish as Malaysia declares 239 passengers of MH 370 flight dead

T was the unwelcome, anguishing news that families of the missing had dreaded, and when they heard it from Malaysia’s prime minister yesterday night, there were shrieks and intense heartbreak: The missing Malaysian Airlines flight whose fate was a mystery that consumed the world had crashed into a remote corner of the Indian Ocean. The news, based on fresh evidence gleaned from an unprecedented analysis of satellite data, meant it was all but impossible that any of the 239 passengers and crew on board the jetliner could have sur-

•’Plane crashed into Indian Ocean’ vived. That realisation may help bring some closure to families 17 days after their nightmare began when the Boeing 777 inexplicably disappeared from Asian skies during what was supposed to be a routine overnight flight from Malaysia’s capital to Beijing on March 8. But the latest clue is also only a small step toward solving one of the greatest puzzles in aviation history. With the location of Flight 370 itself still unknown — most likely

somewhere at the bottom of the sea in a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean — profound questions remain unanswered about what brought down the aircraft and why. And the grueling search for the wreckage and the plane’s black boxes could take years. The task, involving a multinational force sweeping a vast region of ocean whose dark floor is up to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) deep, has been daunting. So much so, that it is also possible that what is left of the plane

may never be found. In Beijing, family members who have followed every twist and turn in the search shrieked and sobbed uncontrollably when they heard the news. One woman collapsed and fell on her knees, crying “My son! My son!” Dressed in a black suit, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak somberly announced the news in an unexpected late night statement to reporters in Kuala Lumpur. The information, he said, was based on a study of data from a satellite that had received the final known signals from the plane as it tracked

LENTEN MESSAGE

HEN we take a cursory look at what is happening around us in the polity at such a time viz turbulence of politics, gross economic instability, unsecured security system across the length and breadth of the nation, unreliable transportation system, pervasive job insecurity, gross unemployment, public sectors taking turn to go on strike and avoidable human losses consequent on ill-equipped health sector, it is logical to harbor the thoughts of fear, dejection and hopelessness. We might actually begin to look at ourselves as failures or consider our nation as a failed state. Beloved in Christ, there is no bad case with God. There is no failed life or state before God! He has promised us that if only people called by His name can call on Him with humility and turn from our evil ways, He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land (2 Chro. 7:14). Whenever we call on God and forsake our pervasive evil ways, He is able and

NEWS Continued on page 2

an opportunity to file a claim. “Therefore, the prosecutor requests that the Federal Republic of Nigeria provide notice of the pending forfeiture action to Mohammed Sani Abacha, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and Dumez Nigeria Plc “ The prosecutor also requests

Theme: It is not over! Text: “.....there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again.....”(Job 14:7) By The Revd. Henry O. Adelegan

willing to turn things around for us. He said that with men (family, leaders, security officers etc) some things are impossible, but with Him all things are possible (Matt. 19:26; Mk. 9:23). From our passage, God promised that there is no hopeless case with him. In fact, He said even a dead tree that had been cut down has hope of springing back to life. He said that even if the root of a tree has waxed old in the earth and the stock has died but the scent of water will bring it back to life. The Almighty God is God of all flesh with whom nothing is impossible (Jer. 32:27). He was the One who created the heaven and earth (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17). From His glorious antecedents,

there is nothing He cannot do. When the Israelites had no food and water to drink in the wilderness, He made ways where there was none - they had quails from heaven and water came from the Rock. When the Egyptians continued to harass the Israelites on their way to the Promised land, the Almighty God intervened and fought for them. The Red Sea that opened for them to pass through was the burial ground of their pursuers. Beloved, the Almighty God is a man of war (Exodus 15:3). Whenever you call on Him, He would intervene in your case, provide for you, change your story, restore your lost grounds and fight your battles for you (Joel 2:25). He has promised that even when people or institutions saddled with the responsibility of care, provision and

Continued on page 2

security fail, He will never leave nor forsake us (Is. 49:15-16; Hebrews 13:5). It does not matter what you may be passing through at this time, God is able! When you call upon Him during this time of lent and pray for your family and our nation, He would hear you, wipe away your tears, make you happy and minister life to your health, marriage, family, business, places of interest and nation in Jesus’ name. Prayer: Oh Lord, let the scent of water touch every aspect of my life and restore all my lost grounds in Jesus’ name.

Abacha loot: U.S. serves govt $550m forefeiture notice

that the Federal Republic of Nigeria serve Mohammed Sani Abacha and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu with the record of proceedings under the United Kingdom Civil Jurisdiction and Judgement Act, which is needed in order to enforce the warrant of arrest in rem issued by the United States District Court for the District of

Columbia.” In separate letters to Mohammed Abacha and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu by a counsel, Herbert Smith Freehills(LLP), the defendants were told that they have up till March 25 (today) to “set aside or vary the court order”. The counsel warned that a breach of the forfeiture order might

Ibadan forest of horror: Govt takes over land

meet with the community next month on their needs, with a view to addressing them. He advised the people to avoid brigandage, thuggery, violence and all anti-social activities and to give security agencies information on strange movements within the neighbourhood. Olapeju and two other members of the community urged the government to come to their rescue. In the abandoned buildings, with many room apartments were evidence of rape, torture and killings of the victims. Also, seen are chains, charms, and a slab which appeared like where victims are killed and cut into parts. -Among the items found in some of the containers are travelling bags, foot-wears, clothes , national drivers licence,wallets and passport photographs . A national driver’s licence bears the name Akinola James Idowu (Ogun State) whose address is NYSC Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan with an expiry date of April 4, 2014. Another national driver’s licence found in one of the places where the victims were dispossessed of their personal effects, has the name Saidi R. Adetoro of 52,Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba Lagos State with issuance date 29 March, 2003 and expiring date 3 November, 2006. No one could say precisely

•Revd Adelegan

southward. The data indicated that the jetliner flew “to a remote location, far from any possible landing sites,” Najib said. “It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, Flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.” In China’s capital, family members had been called to a hotel near the airport to hear the announcement. Afterward, they filed out of a conference room in heart-wrenching grief. Medical teams arrived with several stretchers and at least one elderly man was carried out of the conference room on one of them, his faced covered by a jacket. Minutes later a middle-aged woman was taken out on another, her face ashen and her eyes blank and expressionless. NanJinyan,whosebrother-in-law Yan Ling was aboard the flight, said she had been prepared for the worst but the announcement was still “a blow to us, and it is beyond description.” In Kuala Lumpur, family members also broke down in sobs. Selamat Omar, the father of a 29-year-old aviation engineer who was on the flight, said: “We accept the news of the tragedy. It is fate.” In a statement to the families, Malaysia Airlines said: “We know there are no words that we or anyone else can say which can ease your pain.” The airline said it would transport families to the western Australian city of Perth if parts of the plane are found and brought to a military base there now being used by search planes. It said the “ongoing multinational search operation will continue as we seek answers to the questions which remain.” The plane’s disappearance has

what might have happened to these persons, but it is assumed that they may be some of the victims. Youths in the area acting on a tip-off that another victim (a cyclist) allegedly sent distress calls for help, attempted to storm the main building in the forest. They were rebuffed by the police who allegedly fired shots. A youth said: “A commercial motorcyclist is still trapped in the building and we learnt he sent a text message that kidnappers were about to kill him. “We were only attempting to storm the place and find out the true situation of things when policemen who have been keeping vigil here repelled us.” One of the youths was allegedly shot. In a reprisal, two vehicles - one a shuttle bus (Ajumose shuttle) and another belonging to the Ibadan zonal station of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) - were vandalised. Some of the youths stripped themselves naked in protest over the shooting of their colleague. The police on Sunday confirmed the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the gory discovery. Police Commissioner Mohammed Indabawa said forensic experts would be engaged in investigating the killings of no fewer than 20, whose decomposed bodies were recovered in the forest. Some emaci-

ated captives were found. Indabawa said: “I am personally involved in the investigation of this case and whoever is involved shall be apprehended. “We will leave no stone unturned and I can assure you that investigation has commenced which would involve the services of forensic experts.’’ He denied an allegation that the police failed to take action after being informed of the suspicious activities going on in the forest. “It would be wrong to say that the police knew about it before now and did nothing. “You will recall that we responded to the situation immediately we heard of the place from the people. “I will, therefore, request that if anyone has a vital information, he should come to my office or call me on my personal telephone number 08032002676. “I will, however, say that people should allow the police to conduct their investigations without interference. Let us all be law abiding in this situation,” he said. Indabawa also advised residents not to act on rumours, saying: “Rumours break and destroy the nation and the peace of the state and should, therefore, be avoided.’’

be punished with a fine or a term of imprisonment. The letters said: “We act for the United States of America which, on 25 February 2014, obtained a freezing order from Mr. Justice Teare (the “Order”) in relation to assets held in the names of Mohammed Sani Abacha, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Mecosta Securities Inc (“Mecosta”), Ridley Group Limited, Blue Holding (1) Pte Limited and Blue Holding (2) Pte Limited (together, the “Primary Respondents”) “We enclose, by way of service upon you, a copy of the Order. The Order grants a freezing injunction over specified assets in the names of the Primary Respondents. These include the following assets (the Assets”) believed to be held in your name or in the name of Mecosta (see paragraph 5(1) to (3) of the Order) “Any money (or other assets) in accounts in the name of Mecosta at Standard Bank Plc, including or traceable to account numbers 100130688 and 100138409. “Any money (or other assets) in

account at HSBC Bank Plc in your name, including traceable to account number 38175076 and “Any money (or other assets) in accounts in your name at HSBC Life (Europe) Limited including or traceable to account number 37060762. “You should read the Order carefully and also urgently take legal advice. Under the terms of the Order, you are prohibited from removing from England and Wales or in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of the Assets, save with the consent of our client or the permission of the Court. “We draw your attention to the Penal Notice on page one of the Order, the implication of which you may wish to discuss with your legal representatives. You should understand that breach of the Order may be contempt of court, which may be punished with a fine or a term of imprisonment. “The Order lasts until 25th March 2014 (the Return Date), although you do have the right to

baffled investigators, who have yet to rule out mechanical or electrical failure, hijacking, sabotage, terrorism or issues related to the mental health of the pilots or someone else on board. Malaysian authorities have said that evidence so far suggests the plane was deliberately turned back across Malaysia to the Strait of Malacca, with its communications systems disabled. They are unsure what happened next. Earlier Monday, Malaysia’s police chief, Inspector General Khalid Abu Bakar, reiterated that all the passengers had been cleared of suspicion. But he said the pilots and crewwerestillbeinginvestigatedand declined to comment on whether officials had recovered files that were deleted a month earlier from the home flight simulator of the chief pilot. Officials have said the plane automatically sent a brief signal — a “ping” — every hour to a satellite belonging to Inmarsat, a British company, even after other communication systems on the jetliner shut down. The pings did not include any location information, but an initial analysis showed that the location of the last ping was probably along one of two vast arcs running north and south. Najib said Inmarsat did further calculations “using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort,” and had concluded that the plane’s last position was “in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth.” He gave no indication of exactly where in the Indian Ocean the plane was last heard from, but searchers have sighted possible debris in an area about 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) southwest of Perth, and Najib said more details would be released today.

apply to set aside or vary the Order in the meantime (see paragraph 7 of the Order). On the Return Date the applicant will apply for the Order to be continued. However, you must obey the order in its current terms until it has been set aside or its terms varied. “The Order was made as part of legal proceedings in which you were named as a defendant. We therefore enclose, by way of service upon you, a sealed copy of the Claim Form and a Response Pack, a sealed copy of the Application Notice, the evidence in support at the hearing at which the Order was obtained, and the skeleton argument used at that hearing. A note of the hearing at which the Order was granted is also enclosed. “We have not included the Bundle of Authorities referred to in the Skeleton Argument. However, please let us know if you require a copy of this. “We also enclose a sealed copy of the Application Notice for the Return Date hearing in respect of the Order.”

Inside Boko Haram camp, by escapees Continued on page 2

The statement however said the attack at Bama market in which about 20 persons were reported killed had not been verified, adding that 75 villagers were screened and released in the course of cordon and search in the adjoining communities. The statement added: “In a related development, a total of 16 AK47 rifles were recovered in the course of cordon and search of communities, while mop up operations are ongoing on Mandara mountains and Haraza hills. “Troops eventually overran camps in the outskirts of Gombole, Mele, Kecheri, Dufrfada, Yuwe, and others around Man-

dara mountains and Sambisa forests after stiff resistance. Many terrorists died in the encounter. A soldier lost his life and five others were wounded. “The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has also stepped up patrols of the banks of Lake Chad as well as surrounding communities in addition to air surveillance and patrols designed to smoke out the remnants of the terrorists. “The air raids on some camps sited on Islands have also recorded successes in dislodging the terrorists located there. “Cordon and search for the terrorists have been focused on thorough screening of the villagers in

surrounding communities. Many terrorists have been identified and subsequently apprehended by troops in the process. “Meanwhile, troops morale and fighting spirit have remained noticeably high while some of the terrorists camps falling to the forces in the ongoing counter terrorists campaign have been found deserted. “Food items earlier seized by the terrorists from the villagers are often found stockpiled along with other items such as electronics and power generators. The camps were swiftly razed by the troops”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

NEWS

Buhari denies link with Boko Haram

• May go to court

Blasts oil minister for fuel importation

FORMER Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has denied either sponsoring or backing Boko Haram as alleged by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). He said the PDP is playing politics with Boko Haram insurgency to cover up for the deluge of public perceptions against the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. But there were indications last night that Buhari might go to court to clear his name if the PDP does not withdraw its allegation. Buhari, who made the clarifications through his spokesman, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, likened the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh to Joseph Goebbels in the last days of Adolf Hitler’s regime. He said: “For clarity, Gen. Buhari has never supported or sponsored insurgency. He has no link with Boko Haram; he cannot do any of such things, he would never be involved in insurgency. They are just afraid of this man at the poll “In all his years, in the service of Nigeria, he has always shown total patriotism for the state. It is total arrant nonsense.

FORMER Head of State Gen Muhammadu Buhari flayed yesterday the Federal Government for running petroleum importation regime instead of refining products. He spoke at a one day Roundtable of Progressive Governors Forum at Abuja. Buhari wondered what the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke’s claim of fuel subsidy means now that petroleum products are more expensive than ever. He said: “When I heard the Minister of Petroleum saying we are subsidising I said what are we subsidising? The cost at which Nigerians are filling their tanks is higher than ever so, what are we subsidising?” Buhari maintained that while he was the Head of State, Nigeria was exporting 100,000 barrel of redined petroleum products. He recalled that Nigeria used to have Port-Harcourt Refinery, refining 60,00 barrels per day and was eventually upgraded to refine 100,000barrel daily. Buhari added that another refinery was built in Port-Hacourt From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

It is a ploy by PDP to cover up the deluge of negative perceptions against the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan because the general elections are around the corner. Unlike 2011, they know they have a mountain to climb to convince Nigerians to vote for them. “PDP has found it convenient to play on the very thin line of religion and ethnicity to remain in power but Nigerians are wiser. “General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) has proven his met-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

with the capacity of 100,000 barrels per day. The former Head of State said that Kaduna Refinery has the capacity of 100,000 barrels per day. He recalled that there were 20 depots and 3,200 pipeline with a capacity to refine over 400,000 barrel of oil per day. His words: “Ladies and gentlemen, the comment I will make is based on our contributions in government, I think you all know that oil is responsible for over 85 per cent of the revenue of the country and 90 percent of our foreign exchange. I will like to take an example where everybody will understand, today, what the firstspeaker Senator Saraki and subsequent speakers said. “We used to have only one refinery which is in Port Harcourt, refining 60,000 barrels a day. It was eventually upgraded to refine 100,000 barrels a day. Another refinery was built in Portharcourt with the capacity of 100,000 barrels a day.

•Gen Buhari

tle as a patriotic Nigerian leader whose passion for the virility of the Nigerian nation is untrammeled. “He is still the reference point in transparent, honest and compassionate leadership. This, obviously, contrasts the present leadership that constantly evinces larcenous disposition in its governance of the nation. Indeed, Nigerians are asking: where is the $20 billion that NNPC has not remitted to the Federation Account?” Replying to a question, Fashakin, who was a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) added:

“Gen. Buhari might go to court; he has had enough of this nonsense from PDP and the likes of Metuh.” A follow-up statement condemned Chief Metuh for showing desperation with fabricated lies to gain political advantage. The statement added: “Metuh is showing as much desperation as Joseph Goebbels in the last days of the Hitler regime. “It is sad that Mr. Metuh decided to deal in despicable fabrications with a view to gaining political advantage through iniquitous revisionism. “The former NSA, late Gen Andrew Azazi, was unequivo-

cal in his assertion that the power play in the PDP was the raison d’etre of the Boko Haram insurgency. Apparently, the discomfort caused within the PDP hierarchy was the reason for his sack. “Furthermore, we knew of the confessional statement to the SSS by one of the PDP stalwarts that the contact with Boko Haram was with the imprimatur of a high ranking member of the party! “It is well understood that after the ruinous Jonathan regime had impoverished the teeming population of Nigerians through its deliberate policy of leadership-centred corrup-

tion, there will obviously be a desire to attempt to deflect the pressure put on it by Nigerians.” The statement asked the PDP and Jonathan administration to address exploitation of jobless youths instead of clinging to any excuse for not providing employment. It said: “An exploitative and iniquitous regime that specialises in exploiting poor Nigerian youth on the pretence of providing elusive job placements.” “This is a regime that has shown culpability in the needless deaths of vulnerable Nigerians through the callous lusting for greedy gains by the key honchos of the PDP party, as seen in the botched immigration job recruitment. “This is a regime that is now so desperate as to employ the services of an Olisa Metuh, who, without scruples, evinces infernal asininity with his press statements.”

ties explore the out-of-court settlement option. Alegeh informed the court about his intention to amend his statement of defence in view of the failure of the effort to ensure amicable settlement. “I have not been part of that meeting when the settlement talk was on going, we did not amend our statement of defence. The need to amend it has arisen due to the collapse of settlement talk,” he said.

He urged the court to direct the plaintiffs to provide him with their amended statements of claim to enable him amend his statement of defence accordingly. Reacting, a lawyer to the governors, Yusuf Ali (SAN), though did not oppose Alegeh’s request, however noted that the information which the defendant required were already included in the papers the plaintiffs filed be-

fore the court. He said his clients last met with the Federal Government in 2011 as part of the settlement efforts, and that the meeting yielded no result. Ali wondered why the defendant was just coming in 2014 to amend its defence. He described the move as a delay effort intended to delay hearing in the suit. He also argued that the defendant’s request to be allowed

to amend its defence now was an abuse of court process. Justice Walter Onnoghen granted defendant’s request to amend his defence. He ordered the plaintiffs to supply, within seven days, all additional information required by the defendant, and that the defendant should, within 21 days, file his amended statement of defence He adjourned to September 23 for hearing.

Fed Govt: Settlement with states on SWF has broken down

HE Federal Government yesterday told the Supreme Court of its inability to reach an amicable settlement with governors of the 36 states in the dispute over the maintenance of the Excess Crude Account and its plan to move $1 billion from the account to establish Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). This is the second time such effort will fail. The Vice President was handling the settle-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ment for the Federal Government. Lawyer to the Federal Government Austin Alegeh told the court that the office of the Vice President, saddled with the co-ordination of the meeting, briefed him that the settlement failed to yield the desired result. The court had delayed hearing in the case to enable par-

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘That is no country deserving of glum patriotic gushing. It is a country in acute trauma; and the earlier the NC delegates see themselves as life-saving emergency medics, the better for everyone’

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

NO. 2,798

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

ON'T get me wrong. As far as I know, the former military Head of State and two-term elected President has not sired another offspring lately in or outside the curriculum. To be sure, his born-againism is not all encompassing, as he once, with a mirthful wink, cautioned a friend who expressed surprise that he had not reined in his roving eye. But, to be fair to OBJ, he has been minding his own business. If you can get close enough to ask how he is doing, he is unlikely to respond, "I dey like I no dey." On a good day, he will rejoin rather expansively, "I dey kampe." On a different kind of day, he will still give the same response, but perhaps with a hint of impatience. But all in all, what you will get is the unvarnished OBJ. Much to the relief of Aso Rock, he may not have fired off any missives lately. But that doesn't mean that he has given up that line of penmanship entirely. Get him worked up, and you will get a dose of what he gave President Goodluck Jonathan the other day. Meanwhile, even as he rests that bracing pen, he has found other ways of registering his disdain. He never misses an opportunity to excoriate a certain person in high public office whose solemn word, given not once but twice, counts for nothing. The OBJ who is as blunt as a punch to the nose has not changed a whit. He rarely introduces himself these days in a self-deprecatory tone as a chicken farmer. Nor are you likely to find him holding court at his sprawling Ota Farm. But he still takes great pride in farming. True, he has stayed away from leadership selection and recruitment in the PDP. Having single-handedly made and un-made six party chairmen, he has earned his rest. Still whenever he sneezes, they catch cold at Wadata Plaza, all the way to Aso Rock. So, this is not about OBJ without clout. Nor has there been any indication of a change in his approach to conflict resolution. At one point, the chimurenga, or war of resistance, against the racist white minority regime, was not going well because of personality and ideological differences between the two protagonists, Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo. This conflict stood in the way of the support that Obasanjo was eager to provide, in keeping with Nigeria's Afrocentric foreign policy. So, the story goes, Obasanjo invited them to Lagos, put them in a room, gave each of them a loaded pistol and said he would be back in 30 minutes to embrace whoever survives the shootout and mobilise Nigeria's support behind him. Whereupon, he locked the door and departed. Thus was born the uneasy collaboration between Mugabe and Nkomo that led to the Lancaster House talks, and ultimately to Zimbabwe's independence. Obasanjo has not changed to the point that you could count on him not to try that formu-

RIPPLES PETROL, KEROSENE SUBSIDY MAY GO THIS YEAR-FED GOVT

And you need our votes next year… ehn?

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

There is a new Obasanjo (OBJ) in town

‘

‘Gone from his wardrobe for the most part are the colourful adire ensembles with the perfunctory embroidery, the nondescript cap that sat jauntily on his head, and the reading glasses that seem to have been purchased from a street vendor at Anthony Bus Stop in Lagos’ •Chief Obasanjo

la or a variation thereof between Salva Kiir Mayardit and his estranged vice president Riek Machar during his coming assignment as Africa Union Mediator in the South Sudan conflict. Nor is there any indication that the new OBJ will flinch from giving any person the Savimbi treatment if that is what the situation calls for. Savimbi, you will recall, was until his death in combat the leader of the South Africa-backed rebel UNITA army in Angola. I will never forget how, at a chance meeting over lunch with Togolese President Gnasssingbe Eyadema in Lomé, Obasanjo rounded on him. "Jonas," Obasanjo said, calling the guerrilla chieftain by his first name, "I proceed from the principle that my enemy's friend is my

’

enemy. South Africa is Africa's enemy. You are South Africa's friend. Therefore, you are Africa's enemy." That Obasanjo is alive and well. What then does Obasanjo's newness consist in? The newness is to be found in his wardrobe. To finally come right out with it, I am here calling attention to the new, sartorially improved Obasanjo. Time was when he went all over the place in nondescript clothes that seemed to have been made by a journeyman carpenter. Never crumpled, to be sure, but seldom remarkable. He would never have won a prize for excellent grooming even if he was the only candidate. That is no hyperbole, believe me. I was myself once sole candidate several decades ago for

HARDBALL

T is the eternal lot of the journalist in Nigeria to suffer image problem and poor self esteem. Though we are touted to be of the Fourth Estate of the realm, that claim is either a huge joke or the worst self delusion ever invented for most journalists cannot boast of a tin roof, not to talk of an entire estate. While half of Nigerians would probably vote the press and its practitioners as necessary evil, the other half would surmise it is an unnecessary evil. But evil it is either way. Thus though the press is tolerated, used and even abused, there is a subterranean disdain for the media, especially among the new, cabalistic elite of today. While an erstwhile president of the United States famously said he would rather have the press than the senate, Nigeria's ruling elite of today will gladly abolish the press and go to bed with the senate (no 'offence' intended!). The above rigmarole of an introduction is an attempt to surmise the thinking of the National Conference administrators when they threatened they would withdraw the accreditation granted to a media house for the covering of the talk-shop if it proves to be 'antagonistic' during the course of the

a technical position at a Lagos brewery, and had been assured that the job was mine for the taking. The interview was a formality, conducted to fulfill all righteousness. Yet I did not get the job. To return to Obasanjo: He cared passionately about policy and programmes and national unity and how to make Nigeria great, and still does. But about his tailoring, his personal grooming, he did not give a damn. Not even the stylish and delectable Stella Obasanjo, of fond memory, could move him to mend his unprepossessing tailoring. And he expected his children to be just as indifferent to matters sartorial. He was genuinely surprised that I was not scandalised when he told me of how one of his young sons had asked him in the time of structural adjustment for all of N25 to buy just a pair of underpants. "On what waist was he going to wear such finery?" he asked in astonishment. He was even more astonished when I told him that his son was probably settling for the cheapest stuff in the market and that the young man would be lucky it held together for three months. Today, going by his official age of 77years, Obasanjo has got rank among be the bestgroomed men of his generation. If you add five years to that official age, as I have reason to do, you would have to bracket him with the venerable pioneer merchant banker Otunba Subomi Balogun and the senior attorney Lateef Olufemi Okunnu as leading exemplars of sartorial elegance in the ranks of the nation's octogenarians. These days, you have to look very closely not to mistake Obasanjo for the younger, unfailingly dapper Aremo Olusegun Osoba. Gone from his wardrobe for the most part are the colourful adire ensembles with the perfunctory embroidery, the nondescript cap that sat jauntily on his head, and the reading glasses that seem to have been purchased from a street vendor at Anthony Bus Stop in Lagos. Now, you are more likely to see him decked out in fetching, made-to-measure, tastefully embroidered ensembles cut from the finest fabrics, matching caps that have character and designer eye-wear, all colour-coordinated to produce a visual delight. Everything about the new OBJ bespeaks superior grooming Look no farther than any of his recent pictures for the new, sartorially improved OBJ. See how he stands out resplendent in all his new elegance in the picture of former heads of state as they were being presented with the Nigeria Centenary Medal in Abuja the other day. The credit for this stunning turn-around belongs unquestionably to his consort Bola, herself a lady of great chic. How did she get Obasanjo who never gave a damn about such matters to submit to her Transformation Agenda? •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

'Offend' and be damned confab. This threat is contained under Order 14 - Miscellaneous of the National Conference Procedure rules, 2014. To quote from the rule books, "The Conference may withdraw approval to the representative of any media to attend the sitting of the conference if the medium publishes a report on the proceedings which the Conference considers unfair, offensive and not a true reflection of what transpired." Hardball insists that this is an outright gag and intimidation of the press and asks that this Order 14 must be expunged immediately from the confab's Procedure Rules. It is unacceptable that the media is being singled out here for harangue, intimidation and bating. If the confab could do without the press, well and good, the entire independent press would stay away. Otherwise, the press must be allowed to participate on its own terms, according to its professional dictates and without being limited or shackled. This is neither the first conference nor biggest national event ever to be covered by media houses in Nigeria and never had a

special rule of engagement been drawn for the media. The administrators may also be overreaching itself a little to think that it can bar the press or that it reserves the right to accredit the press to cover the conference. The press, especially Nigerians, need no accreditation whatsoever to report the conference. Let us not forget that the entire junket is being bankrolled by tax payers and that automatically gives us all entry tickets to the confab under the law to play our legitimate roles. Finally, what constitutes an unfair or offensive report? Who determines it? What does the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria admonish in a situation like this? Why do we split hairs about 'unfair' 'untrue' and 'offensive' reports? Is our media law not replete with prescriptions, charges, punishments and even remedies for sloppy, poor and willfully malicious reporting? While we await the confab's rethink of Order 14, let it be noted that should this one too fail, it would not be due to 'offensive' reporting.

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