The Nation Mar 4, 2014 by The Nation

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33m litres of petrol for Lagos

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VOL. 9, NO. 2777 TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

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Boko Haram: Hunters comb bush for pupils 32 die as sect sacks village Parents protest in Lagos How bomb suspect was seized •The protesters at Alausa, Ikeja ... yesterday.

ANY pupils of the Federal Government College Buni Yadi, Yobe State, are still missing – one week after a night attack on their dormitory by Boko Haram insurgents. No fewer than 43 pupils are believed to have been killed in the attack, which

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja and Duku Joel, Damaturu

has attracted wide condemnation, including a protest yesterday in Lagos. Many were injured. Some of the pupils were burnt beyond recognition by the fire set to the hostel by the insurgents. Those who attempted to flee

the attack were shot. Parents of pupils who are not among the dead and the injured have been asking for the whereabouts of their wards and children. The Yobe State government set up a committee, led by Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ahmed Mustapha Goniri, which has

engaged hunters and herdsmen to comb bushes for missing pupils. The plan is to find them alive or recover their bodies. Goniri, who hails from the area, spoke yesterday of the “collaboration with hunters in search of missing pupils in the bush”. He said the measure be-

came necessary because “many parents are still complaining of not seeing their children after the attack”. The commissioner added: “We decided to make this contact with the hunters and some herdsmen in the area because some parents have come up to lodge complaints that they have not seen their

Kutigi to chair conference From Yusuf Alli and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ETIRED Chief Justice of Nigeria Idris Legbo Kutigi will chair the national conference billed to be inaugurated on Monday. He will be assisted by former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim announced the appointments last night. Dr. Mrs. Valerie Azinge was named the secretary of the conference. The statement announcing the appointments reads: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck •From left: President, Lagos Polo Club Habeeb Fasinro; Mr. Babajide Sipe, Managing Director of Bank of Industry Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

Dangote is world’s 25th richest

•Akinyemi is deputy chair

children since the attack. “Though we have not received a report of any student found in the bush, we are working on the assumption that some of them may have run into the bush for dear lives. “We have also contacted

(BoI), Ms Evelyn Oputu and Chief Marketing Officer MTN, Larry Annetts, at the finals of the 2014 MTN co-sponsored Lagos International Polo Tournament ... at the weekend.

HE ranks of the world’s billionaires continue to scale new heights–and stretch to new corners of the world. Forbes global wealth team found 1,645 billionaires with an aggregate net worth of $6.4 trillion, up from $5.4 trillion a year ago. The magazine unearthed a record 268 new ten-figure fortunes, including 42 new women billionaires, another record. In total, Continued on page 2

•PROPERTY P14 •TRANSPORT P16 •SPORTS P24 •POLITICS P43 •ENERGY P50

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

Kutigi to chair conference Continued from page 1

•Gen. Muhammadu Buhari flanked by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike (left), his wife (right) at the funeral of Emenike’s father in-law in Abia. With them are ace columnist Mohammed Haruna (second left on second row) and others.

Boko Haram: Hunters comb bush for pupils Continued from page 1

vigilance groups to give any information to the village heads and religious leaders for rapid action.” The commissioner said Yobe government was committed to bringing succour to the victims of the attack. “As you are aware, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam donated N100m to members of the staff affected in the attack. This is just one aspect. The government is committed to assisting the victims. The governor will continue to do everything within the confines of its resources to bring succour to the families and victims,” he said. After a weekend of violence in which no fewer than 90 people were killed, in what has now become a daily attack on Borno State, the insurgents killed 32 people in another attack on another village, on Sunday night. Soldiers, outgunned by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, reportedly fled Mafa, leaving residents to their deadly fate. Thatched roofs were set ablaze as gunmen rolled into town, shooting at about 8 p.m., witnesses said. All homes, shops and government buildings were destroyed. Senator Ahmed Zannah said two policemen were killed in a bomb blast early yesterday, as they attempted to rescue other victims. Zannah said a week before the attack, most Mafa residents fled their homes after leaflets were dropped in the village, warning of imminent danger. He said seven soldiers are believed to be missing. It also emerged yesterday that the alleged “mastermind” of last Saturday Maiduguri twin-bomb explosions was arrested after missing his way. The mastermind was said to be driving a bomb-laden Golf car to the Artillery Unit of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri when the vehicle exploded. The military was working on the theory that the Golf Car was carrying timed bombs. A military source confirmed that the Boko Haram insurgents struck between Sunday night and Monday morning in Mafa village. The military said it was still taking stock of the attack, making it “too early to give casualty figures”. A top source said: “The village of Mafa was actually attacked by the insurgents on Sunday night till the early hours of

Yobe killings: Parents, groups protest to Fashola’s office

CORES of parents and other concerned groups yesterday besieged the office of the Lagos State Governor in Alausa, Ikeja to protest the massacre of school children and other innocent people in Yobe, Borno and Yobe states. The protesters under the aegis of Unity Schools Old Students Association, (USOSA), said the killing of pupils of Federal Government College, Yobe state and others slain in the north left much to be desired. The aggrieved parents said the incidents have plunged the region into a war situation. Dressed in black attire to express their concern over the continuous killings, the protesters sang solidarity songs and urged the Federal Government, governors and the military to end the insurgency. They brandished placards with the inscriptions: “Boko Haram, stop killing our children’, Fashola Speak For the Voiceless’, ‘Enough of senseless killings’, among others. As they rued the violent acts that have come to define human existence in the region, each of the protesters held placards bearing the names of some of the pupils killed in the school. Some of the names on their placards were: Peter John, Abbas Ibrahim, Musa Y. Buba, Hamadu Bala, Ali

Monday. It was a massive raid by Boko Haram. “The report we got yesterday morning was that the entire village was wiped out but we are still investigating this claim. “We have not got the clear picture of the situation. We are in a circumstance whereby you hear all sorts of reports but in the military, we usually take stock before we make public confirmation.” Preliminary investigation into last Saturday’s twin-bomb explosions in Maiduguri indicated that the arrested “mastermind” was heading to Artillery Unit barracks in the city. Another source said: “While one of the vehicles was a van carrying firewood, the other was a Golf car going to one of the Artillery units in Maiduguri. “Since there are two Artillery units in Maiduguri, the arrested ‘mastermind’

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Ayuba and others. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Ibiyemi Olufowobi lamented that the state of insecurity in the north had defeated the essence of the establishment of the unity schools in the country. She explained that the unity schools were established to foster unity irrespective of the language, faith, ethnic and tribe and development in the country. Mrs. Olufowobi demanded that the Federal Government offer free medical service to all the victims of previous attacks, Bunu Yadi attack and subsequent attacks; and compensate the families of the victims. She lamented that her child in one Unity schools in Lagos, was already panicking that his school could be attacked by insurgents. Another protester, Mr. Bestman Izi, explained that they all graduated from different Unity secondary schools, adding that “the only thing we could do was to embark on this protest, to draw the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan and governors to the plight of the pupils.” Receiving the protesters, Governor Babatunde Fashola lamented the gruesome murder of the innocent children. He assured Lagos residents of the adequate security of lives and property. could not find his way. “He decided to alight from the car to ask the locals in Ngomari-Bulukumtu Quarters of his way to one of the Artillery units. As he was doing that, the Golf car exploded. The explosion coincided with that of the van carrying firewood. “The residents of the area were vigilant enough to arrest the suspect, handing him over to the military.” It was gathered that a Chadian and a Cameroonian were arrested yesterday in Jos as part of the manhunt for fleeing Boko Haram members. A military source said: “We have been on the trail of fleeing Boko Haram members and we arrested a Chadian and a Cameroonian in Jos. “This development has confirmed that some foreigners have been recruited by the insurgents.”

Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the appointment of the Leadership of the National Conference as follows: Honourable Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi-Chairman Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi-Vice Chairman Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie AzingeSecretary” “The appointees are to resume at Abuja on Wednesday, 5th March, 2014 and would be received on arrival by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.” Mrs. Azinge is the wife of the DG of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Prof. Epiphany Azinge. Investigation by our correspondent showed that the President decided to choose Kutigi and Akinyemi because of their belief in the unity and stability of Nigeria. A source said: “I can tell you that the pan-Nigeria attitude of Kutigi and Akinyemi earned them the appointments. “Jonathan opted for them because he does not want any issue at the conference which could affect our corporate survival. “Also, the preference for

THE MAN KUTIGI JUSTICE Idris Legbo Kutigi was born on December 31, 1939. He was the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from January 30, 2007 to 30 December 30, 2009. Born in Kutigi, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State. He attended elementary school in that town and middle and secondary school in Bida. He attended Government College (now known as Barewa College), and then to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and the Gibson and Weldon College of Law, before returning to attend the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. Kutigi served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State before becoming a high court judge in 1976.

Continued from page 1

African, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, breaks into the top 25. Worth $25 billion, he moves up 20 spots. Gates, whose fortune rose by $9 billion in the past year, has held the top spot for 15 of the past 20 years. Spanish clothing retailer Amancio Ortega (best known for the Zara fashion chain) retains the No. 3 spot for the second year in a row, extending his

lead over Warren Buffett, who is again No. 4. American gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson, who added $11.5 billion to his pile, makes it back into the top ten for the first time since 2007. Another first: A record net worth of $31 billion was needed to make the top 20, up from $23 billion last year. The year’s biggest dollar gainer was Facebook’s Mark

Zuckerberg, whose fortune jumped $15.2 billion, to $28.5 billion, as shares of his social network soared. Tech, and more specifically Facebook, helped propel numerous fortunes lately. The company’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg, joins the ranks for the first time, as does Facebook’s longtime vice president Jeff Rothschild. Also, thanks to a $19 billion deal (including restricted

•Justice Kutigi

He joined the Supreme Court in 1992 and served for 10 years before President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him Chief Justice to succeed Salihu Alfa Belgore. On Kutigi’s retirement on December 30, 2009, he swore in his successor, Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu because President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who should have sworn him in was not available due to illness.

THE MAN AKINYEMI

•Prof. Akinyemi

Business mogul Dangote is world’s 25th richest with $25 billion there are 172 women on the list, more than ever before and up from 138 last year. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is back on top after a four-year hiatus, reclaiming the title of world’s richest person from telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, who ranked No. 1 for the past four years. Also for the first time, an

Kutigi was informed by his tough and principled stand on issues. He is not somebody you can sway by tribal or political persuasion. “Since he left office, he seldom speaks truth to power. So, you can see that the government is really determined not to influence the conference. “He is not a blind critic or a friend of the government. Kutigi has the opportunity to lead the conference to preserve our unity.” Responding to a question, the source added: “The fact that Kutigi is a former Chief Justice of Nigeria would help address legal and constitutional issues at the conference.” On the appointment of Akinyemi, the presidency source said: “He loves Nigeria with an uncommon passion and he is internationally exposed. He deserves such a post. “He is also a patient Nigerian whose bridge building experience nationwide could assist in managing the tempo at the conference.” It was learnt that the President decided to appoint a secretary from the South-East so that the conference can start on a national tripod from the onset.

stock) with Facebook, WhatsApp founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton join the ranks of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest for the first time. They are 4 of 26 newcomers whose fortunes come from technology, 10 of whom are American, including Dropbox CEO Drew Houston and Workday cofounder Aneel Bhusri. Continued from page 60

PROF. Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi was born on January 4, 1942 in Ilesa, Osun State. The political science professor was the External Affairs Minister from 1985 to late 1987. He attended Igbobi College in Yaba from 1955 until 1959, Christ’s School in Ado Ekiti from 1960 to 1961, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1962 to 1964, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, US, 1964 to 1966, and Trinity College, Oxford University, EnContinued from page 60

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

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), Consul General, People's Republic of China, Liu Kan (second left), Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mrs. Olusola Oworu (left), her Works & Infrastructure and Science & Technology counterparts, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (second right) and Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje (right) during the Consul General's visit to the Governor at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

Oil sector fraud The Senate Committee on Finance, probing the alleged mismanagement of oil proceeds, will reconvene on Thursday. ERIC IKHILAE, in this report, observes that rather than help resolve knotty issues thrown up so far, the legal opinion given the committee by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), has raised more questions for which the senators now seek answers.

S •From left: Senior Manager, Customer Loyalty and CRM Commercial, Arik Air, Kaushalya de Alis, Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, Kamaldeen Shonibare, Responsible Drinking Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Chukwunonso Ndukwe and Human Resources Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Wale Adediran, at the Glo Evergreen Series Sponsored by Guinness Nigeria Plc in Lagos.

•From left: General Manager, Air France, Mr. Jean Tauzin, popular music act, KCEE; Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company, Mr Hakeem Ogunniran and General Manager, Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Mr Shousha Mohsen at a news conference to publicise the second annual music festival in Lagos.

•Chairperson, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Pediatric Advisory Board ,Dr.Dorothy Esangbedo, cutting the tape to inaugurate the LUTH Fun Centre in Lagos ...With her are Director,Administration,Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ayoola Olagunju (left), Medical Director, Sanofi Health Initiative, Dr. Fifen Inoussa, Head of Department, Nursing, LUTH, Iyabo Basto (second right) and Head of Department, Pharmacy,Omobolanle Adekoya (right). PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

USPENDED Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi jolted all when he alerted the nation to the practice by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of withholding part of its earnings. He said the NNPC has failed to remit an estimated $20billion into the Federation Account. The disclosure by Sanusi caused the Senate, through its Committee on Finance, headed by former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to open investigation into the management of the nation’s oil affairs. Since it commenced sitting, the committee has taken submissions from key players in the nation’s oil, revenue management and legal sectors. The first set of invitees included the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu. Mrs Alison-Madueke and Yakubu, in the course of their presentations, raised some issues. Yakubu stated that part of the funds Sanusi accused NNPC of withholding had actually been expended on operational expenses, including the payment of some billions of US Dollars to some unnamed oil firms in kerosene subsidy claims. He also claimed that NNPC paid $6billion to one of its subsidiaries the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) - to defray its operational expenses. Mrs Alison-Madueke, in attempting to rationalise her ministry’s position on the issue, justified the continued payment of subsidy on kerosene after a presidential directive in 2009 halting such payment. She argued that an inter-ministerial committee elected to continue with the kerosene subsidy payment, even without the National Assembly’s approval, because the presidential directive was not gazetted. Unsure of the position of the law in relation to issues raised by AlisonMadueke, Yakubu and others, the Makarfi committee sought the opinion of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN). During his appearance on February 20, Adoke read a prepared speech, in which he addressed only

•Sanusi two out of the three issues he formulated. When Adoke exited the committee’s sitting venue, with a promise to return at a later date, everyone, including the committee’s members were not better educated. In fact, they became more curious. This may have resulted from Adoke’s unsatisfactory resolution of the three issues he formulated and those for which the committee had sought his expert opinion, which the committee’s members described as key to their investigation. The legitimacy of Adoke’s position, as queried by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman (a member of the committee) and the outright denial by NPDC’s Managing Director, Iyowuna Briggs that his company did not receive $6b from NNPC, contributed to people’s heightened hunger for explanations from those managing the nation’s oil affairs. It was part of Adoke’s opinion that NNPC could legitimately transfer its participating interest in OMLs to its wholly owned subsidiary, and in this case, the NPDC. He relied on the provisions of Paragraph 14 to 16 of the First Schedule to the Petroleum Act Cap P10 LFN 2004 (NNPC Act) and Regulation 4 of the Oil Drilling and Regulation 1969 (as amended), Section 6(1)(c)of the NNPC Act, Article 19(2) of a Joint Operating Agreement, otherwise known as Shell/NNPC JOA and Article 2 Para 6 (1) of the JOA to support his position. The second issue was whether all revenue derived by NNPC from its upstream petroleum operations, including all those under which the OMLs in the Joint Ventures operated by its subsidiaries fall under, are payable to the Federation Account (FA) under Section 162 of the Constitution’. Adoke’s view on the issue was that it was only the net revenue that should be paid into the FA. He said what NNPC is required to pay into the FA is the net revenue as opposed to the gross revenue. In supporting his position, Adoke relied on the provision of Section 7(4) of the NNPC Act, which he said complements Section 162(10)(C) of the Constitution. He also cited the Supreme Court decision in the case of AG, Ogun State vs AGF 2002 18 NWLR part 798 page 232 at 284. Section 162 (10) provides that: “ For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or de-

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

d ...Many unanswered questions ‘

The impression created by the legal advice by the AGF is that the NNPC is not obligated to render account. This is clearly inconsistent with the attitude of a government that has repeatedly expressed commitment to fight corruption, and in fact signed the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act

•Mrs Alison-Madueke rived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes(a) any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law; (b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation; (c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body”. While Section 7(4)(b) of the NNPC) Act provides that “such monies as may be received by the Corporation in the course of its operations or in relation to the exercise by the Corporation of any of its functions under this Act, and from such fund there shall be defrayed all expenses incurred by the Corporation”. Adoke said he could not immediately provide response to the third issue about whether due process was followed by the NPDC in engaging strategic partners for the funding and operations of the oil blocks assigned to it by the NNPC. The AGF, who promised to return back to address the issue, explained the relevant agencies delayed in providing him with necessary documents to enable him address the issue. When asked by former Special Assistant to the President, Senator Andy Ubah whether Section 7(4) of the Act did not conflict with Section 162 (10)( C ) of the Constitution, the AGF said “it does not conflict with the constitutional provision. In fact, it complements it.” Another member, Senator Isah Galaudu (Kebbi) observed that the AGF did not address the issues on which the committee sought his opinion, but rather, raised three issues on his own, from among which he answered two. He said the AGF addressed the second issue, relating to what the NNPC is required to pay into the FA, without any foundation. This, Galaudu said, was because the resolution of issue two is dependent on the proper resolution of issue three, which the AGF sought time to address. Galaudu said “if we do not resolve the issue of due process in the engagement of strategic partners, the issue of distributing revenue does not arise. I think we need to answer question three before you can know the answer to question two.” He said the most important legal opinion the committee needs from the AGF is in respect of an issue raised in

•Makarfi page 14 of the committee’s letter to the AGF, where it was indicated that about $7b worth of crude was shipped by NPDC. Another member, Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo) sought to know from the AGF, the definition of net revenue. He asked if there was any clear definition of allowable expenses deductible from the gross revenue specified in the NNPC Act. He said the definition should be in figures so that the component of the net revenue due to be remitted into the FA out of the N6b is spelt out. He said the committee is only concerned about the true position of things. Reacting, the AGF said the issues raised by Galaudu were not contained in the letter sent to him by the committee. Adoke said he distilled the issues he addressed from the information contained in the letter he received. Makarfi, who immediately directed that the missing part of the letter be given to him, said the committee was actually interested in hearing from the AGF, what portion of the money NNPC claimed to have paid to NPDC ought to be remitted into the FA. He said although issues two and three were related, they are distinct. “One is that, if you have a property worth 1billion, if you sell it for 100m, you cannot begin to talk of how much you lost because you sold it at 100m. You can talk of, maybe how stupid you were, because you were the one that sold it for 100m. “But where public property is concerned, the issue of whether due diligence was exercised in assigning or transferring the public property in such a way and manner that the revenue that should accrue to government was just and fair revenue should be ascertained. “The summary, the Attorney General, is that the pages we have quoted will be given to you once again. You will combine those pages we have quoted with the outstanding issue, which is central; because the issue of due process is central to this issue. That is where, possible loss of revenue can be established. “ Makarfi said. The NPDC MD also provided a puzzling dimension to the investigation, when during his appearance on February 20 he denied receiving $6b from NNPC, but that his company only received money from the NNPC to fund its budget. “Giving its funding relationship with its parent company, the NNPC, NPDC will like to confirm that it re-

•Adoke ceived funds from NNPC to cover its capital and operating expenditure, as approved by NNPC for the NNPC funded assets during the period under review ( that is, Jan 2012 to July 2013),” Briggs said. When asked by Makarfi, how much NPDC received out of the $6b, which NNPC claimed to have paid to it, Briggs said “we did not, in NPDC account, receive $6b. Like I stated in the letter, from the account managed by NNPC, royalty and taxes are paid. We receive funds that are required to fund the budget. A specific amount of that I can provide.” He promised to provide that at a later date. At that point, Mrs Usman drew members’ attention to page six of the AGF’s presentation and observed that by the AGF’s opinion, NPDC is required to pay only the net profit, which is the dividend, to the NNPC for onward remittance to the FA. She noted that this opinion by the AGF is at variance with the position of the NPDC boss. She observed that the NPDC boss, in his presentation, said his company is not expected to pay anything to the NNPC, and that all the funds given to the NPDC, was to fund its budget, an observation Briggs confirmed, represented his position. Mrs Usman then concluded that “it means even this legal opinion (by the AGF) is wrong then.” Bothered by Briggs’ denial, another member, Adamu Gomba (Bauchi) asked the NNPC boss – Yakubu, whether he was comfortable that the NPDC MD denied receiving any $6b from NNPC, a query Yakubu promised to address later. Yakubu said he will address the issue along with other questions regarding how the NNPC relates with its subsidiaries and manage their funds when next he appears before the committee. While everyone expects more revelations as the committee reconvenes on March 6, The Nation sought the views of some lawyers on the legitimacy of the positions of the AGF and the Minister of Petroleum. Dr. Abubakar Uthman and Adetokunbo Mumuni faulted the position of the AGF that NNPC was only required to pay into the FA, its net revenue. Also, Johnson Daramola and Anthony Nwanchukwu faulted Alison-Madueke’s position that it was right for her ministry to have overridden the presidential directive on kerosene subsidy.

Uthman argued that there is nothing in Section 7 (4) of the NNPC Act that confers the power on the NNPC to refuse to pay into the FA, monies realised from the sale of crude, on the excuse that it must first, defray expenses it incurred in the course of running of its affairs. He further argued that Section 7 (4) of the NNPC Act cannot override Section 162 (1) of the Constitution, which is the basic law of the country. Uthman argued that by virtue of it being the grundnorm, the Constitution is the highest statute in the hierarchy of legislations in the country, which could give validity and efficacy to the NNPC Act. “In other words the NNPC Act is an inferior legislation to the Constitution because it derives its validity from the Constitution. It goes without saying that where the provisions of an inferior legislation, such as the NNPC Act, conflicts with the Constitution, it (the inferior legislation) must yield ground for the superiority of the Constitution. “I am, therefore, surprised that the learned AGF would take umbrage under the provisions of Section 7 (4) of the NNPC Act to justify the failure of the NNPC to account for an humongous sum of $ 20 billion. “It follows that revenue derives by the NNPC from the sales of crude oil amounts to any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source as contemplated by Section 162 (10) (a) (b) & (c) of the Constitution. “Where the words used in a statute are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their ordinary and natural meaning otherwise it will lead to absurdity. From the provision of the Constitution, revenue from the sale of crude does not fall within the exception provided by Section 162 (1) of the Constitution and so, the NNPC is obligated to remit revenue realised from the sale of crude into the FA,” he said. Uthman also faulted Adoke’s reliance on the case of the AG Ogun vs AGF (2002) 18 N. W.L. R (Part 798) 232 @ 284 on the ground that the facts of that case and the case under review are not the same. He said in the AG, Ogun case, the plaintiff had sought the payment of proceeds of privatization of public enterprises, capital gains tax and stamp duties into the FA, and an order that the payment of Local Gov-

‘

ernment Allocation directly to the Local Government and charge of Federal Government debt to the FA is unconstitutional. The lawyer noted that in the case, the issue is whether the NNPC was right to have refused to remit the $20 billion realised as revenue from the sale of crude oil into the FA. “Thus the case of the AG, Ogun vs AGF cannot be the authority for the failure of the NNPC to remit revenue collected by it from the sale of crude oil as canvassed by the AGF. Mumuni argued that the advice by the AGF “is patently inconsistent with the letter and spirit of Section 162 of the Constitution, which is to establish a dedicated account into which all public revenue by the Federal Government shall be paid, as well as to remove any arbitrary and non-transparent and non-accountable spending of public revenue. “Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the NNPC is required to pay into the FA only the ‘net revenue’ and not the ‘gross revenue’ as Mr. Adoke has argued, this will still not remove the fact that the NNPC is a trustee of the public revenue collected. Therefore, as a trustee, the NNPC has a legal duty to render account to the beneficiaries (Nigerians) of the trust, if and when called upon to do so. We believe that the NNPC has woefully failed to discharge this sacred responsibility. “Unfortunately, the impression created by the legal advice by the AGF is that the NNPC is not obligated to render account. This is clearly inconsistent with the attitude of a government that has repeatedly expressed commitment to fight corruption, and in fact signed the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act,” Mumuni said. On the whether the Petroleum Minister was right to have ignored a subsisting presidential directive, Daramola argued that it was unlawful for a minister to override presidential directive just because it was not gazetted. “A presidential directive remains a directive whether gazetted or not. I think those, who advise these government officials always end up misdirecting them,” Daramola said. In similar vein, Nwachukwu faulted the Petroleum Minister’s position and argued that it was wrong under the law, for her to claim that she was a party to the disobedience of a presidential directive on the ground that it was not gazetted.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS Stand firm on anti-gay law, church urges Jonathan

ONTRARY to claims by the National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that the fuel scarcity was caused by hoarding, the problem is a result of late release of import allocation to oil marketers, gap in importation and short-supply of petroleum products to filling stations, The Nation has learnt. It was gathered that the first quarter (Q1) import allocation released in February by the Petroleum Product Regulatory Pricing Agency (PPPRA) did not only come late, but made it difficult for major oil marketers to import products. An independent marketer, who pleaded for anonymity, said the inability of government to place order for the first quarter allocation early has resulted in the shortage of the petroleum products. "The truth is that the products are not available in Nigeria now. You can only stockpile the commodities that are at your disposal. NNPC is being economical with the truth. Instead of telling the public the true position of things as relates to fuel scarcity, they are playing around. The import allocation came late, and as such, marketers have to wait for at least two weeks to bring the products in. In between the period, there is tendency that they have run out of stocks.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Why fuel is scarce, by marketers •GOODNIGHT •GOODNIGHT: An empty filling station on the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway... yesterday. By Akinola Ajibade

The Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMON), Femi Olawore said hoarding was not responsible for the scarcity of petroleum products that pervaded the country since last Thursday, adding that the problem is beyond that. Olawore told The Nation that short-supply of the products has

been the major problem in the country. He said: "It is not true that hoarding is the chief cause of the lingering fuel scarcity. However, we are making efforts to resolve the problems this week. NNPC is bringing the products to reduce the gap in supply and make them available to consumers. In fact, one marketer has just brought a shipload of fuel into the coun-

try. Before this week runs out, the problem would be resolve. Nigerians needs not panic as efforts are being made to proffer solution to the fuel scarcity. Dr Omar Ibrahim, the Acting Group General Manager (Public Affairs) in NNPC, still insisted that fuel scarcity in Lagos was artificial. Ibrahim said the corporation would introduce new meas-

APC to presidency: don’t profit from Boko Haram insurgency T HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the failed attempt by a presidential aide, Reno Omokri, to link suspended CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to the heightened attacks by Boko Haram, has shown the presidency may be seeking to profit, politically and otherwise, from the insurgency that has dispatched thousands to their early graves. In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Omokri’s attempt to push an article he authored into the public domain, using a fake name, is the clearest indication yet that the Presidency has a case to answer and may have been feeding Nigerians with doctored information.

It said the attempt to blame the recent spate of attacks by Boko Haram on Sanusi raises some pertinent questions: Is the presidency trying to gain political mileage from the death of innocent Nigerians, including school children, whom it could not protect? Could this be why the government has largely treated the insurgency with levity, especially in its early days? Does the presidency know more than it is telling Nigerians on Boko Haram? Is there a government Boko Haram that acts on instructions from some quarters? Is anyone in government profiting financially from the battle against Boko Haram that they may be sabotaging efforts to end the insurgency?

Expert predicts boom for the economy

HE economy has a bright future, the hairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof. Herbert Onye Orji, has predicted. Orji, an investment banker and award winning author of five books on banking, finance, capital market, risk management and applied economics, spoke in Lagos at the weekend during a pre-presentation discourse on his book, “Platinum Essays in the philosophy of Applied Economics of Development”. He said: “Yes, we have a plan and the competitive level is beginning to shoot. It’s just that Nigeria allowed itself to lose out when countries, such as Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Brazil, were running; we were changing governments a little too frequently. So, we lost out but with the comprehensive strategy plan and the 2020 Programme, Nigeria is on

By Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie

course. “The Nigerian economy is making its own effort. It’s trying it could definitely be better and the difficulties cannot be quarantined into the current administration. This is something that started many years ago.” The book is due for presentation on Thursday. Guests expected at the ceremony scheduled for the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), include the Chairman of the occasion, one-time Foreign Minister and former Governor of Imo State, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, GCON; Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, the President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the immediate past Group MD/CEO, Access Bank, Mr. Aig Aig-Imoukhede, who is also the chief presenter.

‘’The best way to know the answers to these questions is for the State Security Service to immediately arrest and question Omokri on why he was trying to act by subterfuge to misinform Nigerians, how long he has been engaged in this shameful and irresponsible act, what his connections are, if any, with Boko Haram, and whether or not his handlers, including the President, approve of his chicanery,’’ APC said. The party said Omokri’s dangerous game should be seen within the context of some curious coincidence between several past Boko Haram attacks and certain low moments and/ or at critical junctures in the administration of President Jonathan, giving the impression of an unseen hands playing the puppeteer. Giving some instances, it said the Jan. 20th 2012 deadly attacks in Kano that left about 162 dead occurred at the height of the fuel subsidy protests that shut down the country; the Christmas Day attack in Suleja that killed about 37 people and injured 57 seems to be a distraction from the series of deadly attacks that had rocked the country earlier; the fact that Boko Haram struck within days of Alaemieyeseigha and Diyarbakir amnesty that attracted widespread criticism, and then the resurgence of Boko Haram that coincided with Sanusi’s suspension. ‘’The coincidences become even more curious when viewed against the apparently informed statements by two Governors in the North-east, where recent attacks have been concentrated. First, Borno Governor Kashim Shettima called attention to the fact that we need to do more to fortify our troops if they are to defeat Boko Haram, only for the statement to be twisted out of context and

a vicious offensive launched against him by presidential attack dogs ‘’Secondly, Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, himself a retired military top brass, wondered aloud why the checkpoint near the FGC in Yobe was removed before the attack and who ordered the removal? Why the authorities have not been able to trace the deadly weapons being used by Boko Haram to the manufacturers? Who transports the weapons and how is that possible when the states affected are under a state of emergency? why retired Gen. Shuwa was killed and the army failed to respond during the attack on his residence, and why the air force base in Maiduguri was attacked even with an army unit nearby ‘’Thirdly, the fact that the attacks have spiked as we move closer to the 2015 elections, and a presidential aide is trying to link a perceived enemy of the Jonathan Administration to the insurgency suggest the government may be viewing the terrorist attacks as a wild card to be leveraged one way or the other ahead of the elections,’’ APC said. The party said while these are complex issues, the first step in resolving them should start with Omokri, the President’s Social Media attack dog who may have now overreached himself!

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

ures to halt the "artificially-induced fuel scarcity.'' ``NNPC, in conjunction with the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, will commence detailed monitoring of fuel stations in Lagos and environs,'' he said. Ibrahim said the monitoring would also extend to other states of the federation to check the incidence of hoarding.

HE President, Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev Samson Ayokunle, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly not to succumb to pressure from the western world on the anti-gay law. Rev. Ayokunle spoke with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday at a news conference on the “Baptist Night of Wonders” slated for March 21. He said: “Why of course is gay relationship human rights and polygamy is not? I am not saying this approving the practice of polygamy, but I am pointing out the attention of the west to their double standard on issues and their hypocrisy. Not everything the West is doing is good; we have come of age to know this. “Gay relationship is against our culture in Nigeria and is against our religious beliefs. We make bold to say here that whatever God has said ‘NO’ to, human right does not negate it. God is supreme.”

APC presents 16 bills, 23 motions in three months From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives presented 16 bills and 23 motion between October and December of last year, it emerged yesterday. Leader of the caucus and Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, in a statement yesterday said the modest achievement was in continuation of the party’s determination to ensure transparency and accountability in its legislative responsibilities. He also said it was a way of reaffirming the loyalty of the APC lawmakers to Nigerians and their collective bid for change. It reads: “In continuation of our determination to ensure transparency and accountability, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House Caucus hereby unveils Bills and Motions presented by its members. “The APC House Caucus members presented 16 Bills and 23 Motions between October and December last year. “The crux of some of these value- laden Bills is to provide timeframe of not exceeding two years within which casual or temporary job employment shall be regularised to permanent status; to include National Security Agencies and Nigeria Police in the first line charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. “Another was, to make mandatory for immediate issuance and release of certificates to graduating students in all tertiary institutions in the country; and to ensure non-parallel requirement for candidates aspiring to join the House of Representatives and Minister in certain ministries requiring technical expertise contrary to provisions of Section 147(5) of 1999 Constitution amongst many other citizens-centered provisions in Bills presented. “Our members also put forward 23 Motions which addressed issues of security, economy, probity and accountability. “Among those motions are the legislative instrument mandating the House to investigate the alleged lopsidedness in admission and recruitment into Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna; investigate the NCAA over the alleged purchase of bullet proof cars for the former Aviation Minister; passage of the 2014 - 2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper amongst others. “With the release of two quarterly editions after making our intention public during our press conference in 2013, members of APC House Caucus do reaffirm their loyalty to Nigerians in our collective bid for change.”

Confab should be used to draft new Constitution

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain from Eket, Akaw Ibom Senatorial District, Robert Umoette, has urged the government to use the National Conference to produce a new Constitution. He added that such a constitution would be a a Constitution of the people as differ from the present one, which was handed to us by the military. Umoette spoke to reporters at the party’s secretariat in Lagos, where he announced his

By Nneka Nwaneri

intention to vie for the governorship seat in Akwa Ibom State in the next election. He said: “Despite the compromise that may arise there, it should be a give-and-take thing and others should sacrifice for the other regions to benefit from.” On his ambition, he said: “I will make people gainfully employed by bringing my international knowledge to us.”

THE NATION TUESDAY MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

Boko Haram: ‘Govt should consider military, political solution’

NON-GOVERNMENT organisation (NGO), the Governance Watch Initiative, yesterday urged the Federal Government to consider military and political solution to Boko Haram insurgency. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the National Coordinator, Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi, said it appeared unlikely to defeat Boko Haram militarily. Said he: “The Federal Government should pursue and align military with political (negotiated solution). Boko Haram is unlikely to be defeated militarily. Most insurgencies are ended through negotiation. “The President Goodluck Jonathan administration must emulate the humility of the late President Umarru Yar’Adua (over the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger - MEND insurgency in the Niger Delta), by de-ethnicising and depoliticising the response to Boko Haram and exploring genuine negotiated solution.” The group warned the Federal Government not to consider 2015 politics in any policy to end the insurgency. Ogunwuyi said: “Federal Government must avoid any action, which seems to suggest, even remotely, that it is trying to politicise the response to the Boko Haram crisis. “The calculations for 2015 must not feature in any policy considerations to end

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the insurgency.” The NGO, which cried out over the serial killings in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, sought an end to the inter-agency rivalries, which could weaken the fight against the terrorists. Condemning the discordant voices of the governors and Federal Government, the national coordinator advised that Federal Government must see the governors of the frontline states as partners, who are committed to ending the crisis. He said the governors’ commitment should not be doubted since they were the direct victims of the insurgency and would be the beneficiaries of a peace restoration. Ogunwuyi urged the Federal Government to involve them in every decision, “instead of being threatened with removal and verbally assaulted by overzealous officials.” Seeking regionalised responses, the national coordinator enjoined government to solicit the operational involvement and assistance of ECOWAS and the African Union. He said government should seek the deployment of multinational security operations across the Sahel, to track and hunt Boko Haram operational chain. According to him, “it is clear that Boko Haram is no longer a ‘Nigeria-only’ prob-

•National Coordinator , Governance Watch Initiative, Rotimi Ogunwuyi (middle), Deputy Coordinator, Aminu Mohammed (right) and Publicity Secretary, Omolara Alakija during a press briefing on the security challenges and killings of innocent people by Boko Haram in the North East in Abuja Yesterday.

lem, but a regional security menace, which requires regional responses.” The NGO recommended that there should be effective information management and strategic communication. Ogunwuyi said government needs to reform the way information is released and managed on Boko Haram. He asked the Federal Government to go beyond official information management to include working with print, electronic and online media organisations and local information channels. On the marshall plan for Northeast, Ogunwuyi noted that the “proposed N2 billion recovery fund for the Northeast is laughable. Clearly, more financial resources are needed. “The economic recovery goes beyond providing sub-

Suspension: Olotu petitions Muktar, NJC

USPENDED Justice G.K. Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar, following her suspension. Also petitioned was the three-man investigation committee of the National Judicial Council (NJC). She described the petition, which warranted her suspension, as malicious and in bad faith. The judge was suspended, following a petition against her by Harvey Ideozu and S.V. Harry on behalf of Ponticelli Nigeria, in respect of suits FHC/UY/CS/

governance, and the insurgency in a part of the country has further limited the ability of the people of the affected areas, who represent a chunk of the population, not only to realise their full potential, but also to enjoy their right to life. “We are talking of the Boko Haram insurgency or terrorist attacks that seem to have been on steroids in weeks, with thousands sent to their graves prematurely. “Of course, the height of these attacks was last Monday’s cowardly invasion of the Federal Government College in Yobe State, which left at least 29 pupils dead. “The ferocity of the attacks, the callousness of it all, the seeming helplessness of the authorities, the quick return to business as usual and the discordant tunes from those we all look forward to, to help end the insurgency, have prompted us to call this con-

Tribune man is NUPPPPROW President By Busola Odugbesan

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

250/2003 and FHC/PH/ CS/450/2010. The cases were between Mona Yousseffian vs Ponticelli Nigeria Ltd and Mona Yousseffian vs Standard Chartered Bank. The petitions alleged that the judge obtained a fiat to conclude the suit after she was transferred. They brought the allegation of judicial frustration against Justice Olotu, adding that witnesses in the case testified, while the final addresses had been filed before she was transferred, which triggered her suspen-

stantial funds – it has to be guided by clear objectives, the roles of public and private sectors and civil society groups, and must include social (education, health, religion, culture and traditional institutions), environmental and political aspects, in addition to economic issues.” He advised the Federal Government to involve peace-building organisations. “There is a wrong assumption that security forces and agencies will bring peace to the Northeast.” The group said: “Uniformed personnel are never peace-builders. Government needs to involve local and internal peace-building organisations, including NGOs, CSOs, etc, to design peace-building initiatives for the Northeast.” On the killings, Ogunwuyi said: “Sadly, our country is yet to become a model of good

•Muktar

sion. However, in her petitions to NJC and the chief justice, Justice Olotu debunked the allegation against her. The petitions by Justice Olotu were dated April 2, 2013 and February 5 through Justice Ibrahim Ndali Auta and the chief judge’s chambers.

IGERIAN Tribune’s Senior Manager, Marketing and Publications, Comrade Ayokunle Olaoye, has been elected President of the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW). Olaoye, who was returned unopposed, is the union’s past Vice-President. He was elected during the 4th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of NUPPPPROW in Calabar, Cross River State, last Friday. The union’s outgoing President, Comrade Danjuma Papa Kunini, urged his successor to take the union to a higher level. He urged members to support Olaoye. Kunini said the printing industry had huge employment opportunities, which government had not tapped from. He enjoined government to invest in printing. Olaoye urged his executive members to work together and render the services for which they were elected. He said he did not have a monopoly of knowledge and needed every member’s support to move the union forward.

National Assembly to support INEC for credible poll

HE lawmaker representing Edo North, Senator Obende Domingo, has said to ensure free, fair and credible elections next year, the National Assembly will assist the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) with legislation. He said the Senate would ensure next year’s poll was better than the previous ones. The legislator was fielding questions from reporters in Benin yesterday.

From OSemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

He said to get the support of the National Assembly, INEC must first admit its challenges to conduct free and fair elections. Domingo lamented that the Anambra governorship poll was an embarrassment, stressing that everything must be done to avoid a repeat. He said: “When you have a challenge, you must first understand it and when you

understand the challenge and then discuss it, then you are having a headway to finding a solution to the problem. “In all the elections INEC have conducted, they will always tell you that arrangements are in place and that they are going to have a perfect poll. “But at the end of the day, you will always see those challenges staring them in the face. “For me, INEC has never admitted that it has a chal-

lenge. If they admit that they have one, then they must tell us what these challenges are. “Because if it is a human challenge, it is easy, do more of orientation; if it is financial, it is also simple, request more funds to tackle the election you have at hand. “If Anambra election went the way it went, how do we know what is going to happen in Ekiti and Osun states? “So, I am of the view that

INEC must buckle up. I also believe that the commission needs to tell us what its problems are. “It is only when the problem is placed on the table that the National Assembly will discuss it and find a solution to it. We cannot do anything about it when we don’t know what its problems are. “The National Assembly will assist the commission to hold a free, fair and credible election.”

ference and offer our own perspective which, we believe, can contribute to ending the insurgency.” He traced the history of the sect’s crisis to 2002 or even before. Ogunwuyi recalled that the immediate trigger for the insurgency occurred seven years later, in 2009, when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua ordered a joint security operation, following the killing of over a dozen policemen, and the failure of police action to curb the crisis. According to him, the operation led to the killing of an estimated 1,000 suspected Boko Haram members, including the extra-judicial murder of Boko Haram leader, Muhammed Yussuf. The national coordinator said: “What we are witnessing today are the direct fallouts of the failures of that joint security operation.”

Nigeria ‘ll be great again, says Adeboye By Adeola Ogunlade

HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, as the country would be great again. He spoke on Sunday at his 72nd birthday message at the national headquarters of the RCCG in Ebute-Meta, Lagos. Adeboye said Nigeria belonged to God, adding that no matter what it was going through, it would be great again. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, Adeboye noted: This year,“2014, is a glorious one and a new beginning for as many that will put their trust in God and not in man in the face of the challenges facing the country.” He decried the insurgency in the North, which has led to the killing of innocent people, saying: “We cannot agree to the terms of Boko Haram, as the condition that Western education is a sin is terrible. But let us hear them out while we also apply the use of force to curb attacks on innocent people.” Adeboye said the Boko Haram insurgency would soon end, as Nigerians in the past experienced religious crises and God intervened.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS ‘Call for Osun REC’s removal idle’

HE Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Afolabi, has described the call for the removal of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Rufus Akeju, as “not only pedestrian, but idle.” Speaking with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, Afolabi said the attack on Akeju was “calumnious and unfounded.” The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for the REC’s removal, accusing him of being partisan. Afolabi said Akeju was neither an agent of the government nor of the ruling party. He described the allegation as “a propaganda orchestrated by the frustrated PDP.” On the issue of contempt against the REC, Afolabi said the PDP played to the gallery, as the case was stayed by an order of an Appeal Court. He said: “The truth here is that during the elections in April, 2011, the PDP approached the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, seeking the determination of five issues, all relating to the competence/legality or otherwise of the REC to conduct the April, 2011, elections in Osun. “An order preventing the REC from conducting the elections was granted on

March 28, 2011 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appealed against it at the Court of Appeal, Akure. It is important to emphasise again that the interlocutory orders granted by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, was appealed against and thence put the enforcement and further proceedings in the case in abeyance pending the outcome of the appeal. “Curiously, it was the counsel to the plaintiff/now respondent (PDP), against known practices, that approached the lower court for a stay of proceeding. The practice, which the court described as “curious and bizarre”, albeit was granted and the proceedings stayed. The originating summons and the prayers sought therein were in respect of the April, 2011, elections. It is trite and an elementary principle of law that no court will grant what is not sought or prayed. “Therefore, the impression that the court gave a perpetual order against INEC restraining its officer from conducting any election in Osun is not only erroneous, mischievous or, at best, a display of ignorance of this universal principle of law.”

Insist on fiscal federalism, Fayemi urges lawmakers E KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has lamented the poor fortune of states in the "sham Nigerian federation". In his "State of the State" address to the House of Assembly yesterday, Fayemi urged the lawmakers to join the struggle against "repressive federal power." He said: "Because every state in Nigeria depends largely on the allocation from the federation account and the annual budgets of states are predicated upon earnings from the federation account, any major change, due to poor handling/depletion of the nations' resources, will expectedly have ripple effects on the implementation of budgets at the state and local government levels." Fayemi said Nigeria earned more revenue from oil sale in 2013 and 2014 than budgeted, given the fact that "the average oil benchmark prices in

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

the national budget are $79 per barrel for 2013 and $77.5 per barrel for 2014", adding: "At no time did Nigerian oil sell less than $95 in 2013 and $110 in 2014." He urged the Assembly to critically assess the revenue going into the federation account and direct that they should be reported in the consolidated revenue fund. The governor called for the abolition of the excess crude account, saying it allows the Federal Government to "manipulate" the proceeds into the federation account. He urged the Assembly to join in the struggle to ensure the separation of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of

the Accountant-General of the Federal Government; creation of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which shall be separate from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federal Government; audit of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) account; payment of outstanding revenue due to the federation account by NNPC; and review of the revenue allocation formula, which was last done 15 years ago. Fayemi said N4.929 trillion had not been remitted into the federation account in the last three years, noting that the country's oil proceeds had consistently shrunk due to the alleged schemes of the Federal Government through the consolidated revenue earnings.

On the Sovereign Wealth Fund for the excess crude account, Fayemi said the deductions by the Federal Government were "insensitive and criminal", adding: "Ekiti was shortchanged of N481 million in terms of monthly allocations from the federation account between September, 2013 and February, 2014. "What we are doing today is necessary to ensure that our people are not left in the dark because Nigeria's economy depends largely on oil." The governor urged members of the Assembly to alert people of the state's unstable earnings and the "mismanagement of funds by the Federal Government". He urged the Supreme Court to hear cases of illegal deductions before it to halt the impending financial crisis facing some states due to the paucity of funds.

‘PHCN left a mess behind’

HE Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), one of the private companies that bought the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has said it inherited "heavy liabilities." To serve its customers, it said it started cleaning up the "mess" left behind by PHCN. IBEDC Business Manager, Apata Business Unit, Alhaji Abdulrahman Yusuf, urged customers to be patient, adding that efforts were on to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. Yusuf said: "When the new investors took over the management, a lot of mess was left behind by PHCN. Some of us worked for the PHCN and there is a lot of difference between working for PHCN and working for the new company. A lot of things were wrong with PHCN but there was nothing workers could do. "Politicians were the ones calling the shot and they are responsible for the mess in the power sector. But now, the whole thing is in the hands of the private sector, which has come to change the system to ensure good services. "In the end, the people will enjoy the services they are paying for. What is important now is that we are clearing the mess on

Lecturers hail Fashola By Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

HE Colleges of Education Academics Staff Union (COEASU) and the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija-Epe, have hailedLagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola for releasing the first tranche of the 2010/2011 salary arrears. According to a statement by the union and signed by its Chairman, Olumide Kupolati, the governor showed his concern about the development of the people. Kupolati said the teachers were motivated and would put in their best . He urged the governor to release the second tranche of the payment soon.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

‘Politicians were the ones calling the shots and they are responsible for the mess in the power sector. But now, the whole thing is in the hands of the private sector, which has come to change the system to ensure good services’ ground and we are appealing for patience and the people's understanding. I assure you that soon, there will be light at the end of the tunnel." On requests for pre-paid meters by customers, he said: "There is adequate provision for prepaid meters to be installed and connected by our vendors. If you need a prepaid meter, you need to collect a form, fill it and go to the bank to pay for the meter. After that, bring your teller to show evidence of payment and you will have your meter installed by our vendor."

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) and his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi (right), dancing with Daddy Showkey after receiving the Silverbird Man of the Year awards at the Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos...yesterday. (Story on page 9)

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

More Ekiti PDP aspirants back consensus option

ORE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State have backed the call for a consensus candidate. Despite former Governor Ayo Fayose's insistence that the party's flag bearer should emerge through a primary election, four more aspirants have supported the consensus option. The four aspirants - Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju, Mrs. Bola Oloyede, Mr. Adewale Aribisa-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

la and Dr. Peter Obafemi - spoke with reporters yesterday after picking up their nomination forms at the PDP national secretariat. This brings the number of aspirants, who have obtained the form, to 12. Adeyanju is a former aide of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. They said the consensus option saves cost and reduces dis-

affection among contestants. Fayose has continued to object to a consensus candidate, saying it is arbitrary, undemocratic and capable of throwing up an unpopular candidate. He urged the party's national leadership to fulfil its promise to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants through a transparent primary election. Another aspirant, Chief Bosede Dada, objected to a consensus candidate, describing it as “undemocratic.”

She said: “I do not want consensus. I have paid for my form and I am ready for the primary. The Chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, has assured me that there will be a primary.” Other aspirants, who have obtained their nomination forms, are former Minister for Police Affairs Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade(rtd.); Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Senator Gbenga Aluko; Chief Bisi Omoyeni; Chief Biodun Aluko and Fayose.

Slain policemen in Ibadan church robbery not on official duty

HE two policemen killed in a church robbery at Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday, were not on official duty. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa, made this known yesterday. The policemen were killed by robbers, who invaded the Vine Branch Church, on Queen Elizabeth Road. The policeman were said to have escorted a bank official to pick up the offering and

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

tithes. Many worshippers were injured, but the robbers were unable to access the money. Indabawa, who described the incident as unfortunate, said: “We are investigating what or who took them there.” Also yesterday, three suspected members of the robbery gang that attacked a member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Waliu Adekunle, at his Oke Olola home in

Oyo town on February 6, last year, were paraded at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. They are Ismail Olusegun (26), Amodu Garba (20) and Oluwaseyi Oyeniran. Indabawa said the suspects were arrested at Oroki in Oyo town. Other members of the gang are at large. Olusegun confessed to the crime. Also paraded was a suspected ‘’trailer hijacker", Olatunbosun Ojotunde, who was arrested in possession of a cutlass stained with blood after he and his cohorts alleg-

edly attacked a truck conveying Soya meal on February 6. Indabawa said: "After the driver of the hijacked truck, who was injured, alerted the police, the Skynet patrol team attached to Ijokodo axis intercepted the truck, but the hoodlums abandoned it and ran away. They were pursued and one of them, Olatunbosun Ojotunde, was arrested with a cutlass stained with blood. On February 16, SARS operatives recovered a Mazda car; RSD 31 AA, which the robbers used for the operation.

"Upon investigation, an exemployee of the company of the hijacked truck, Wasiu Folarin, was arrested for masterminding the attack and he confessed." Ibitoye Modesola and Tolulope Ojebode were also paraded for allegedly raiding a house in Moniya. Indabawa said the two suspects confessed to robbery, adding that two AK47 rifles with 15 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

Students decry non-accreditation of school

TUDENTS of the Oyo State School of Hygiene, Eleyele in Ibadan, have decried the non-accreditation of the institution. About 8:30 a.m. yesterday, the students assembled at the gate of the State Secretariat, demanding to see

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Security operatives, who initially prevented them from going in, later allowed them into the secretariat. The leader of the students, Mr. Ayuba Ibrahim, said

Fashola canvasses facilities for the physically-challenged

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged private and public institutions to consider people with disabilities when providing services. Speaking at the Silverbird Man of the Year 2013 Award in Lagos, Fashola regretted that the physically-challenged suffer due to deficient public facilities. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi also got the Man of the Year Award. Fashola said: “Prof. Chinweizu Ibekwe, one of the awardees of today, could not come to the podium because he is physically-challenged. I think it is time public and private institutions take them into consideration when providing public service. ‘’Facilities that will ease their suffering should be at airports, hospitals and banks to enable them access services without hindrance.” Chairman of the occasion Odein Ajumogobia said the awardees, including the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagama, and his Sierra Leone counterpart, Ernest Bai Koroma, were worthy of the honour. He said Kagama and Koroma were recognised for their efforts to rebuild their war-ravaged countries. President Koroma, who was represented by the Serria Leonean Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Henry Macauley, said the administration empowered anti-graft agencies to do their job effectively. He said: “We have empowered the anti-graft commissions to investigate and fight corruption because this is the only way Africa can impact on its people. We have also defended democracy because that is another way our people can feel the impact of the government.” Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, who got the Lifetime Achievement Award, said he was not used to receiving awards but preferred this one because “it is unique.” He said until the right thing was done, he would continue to defend the masses, who have been “disproportionately affected” by government policies. Ibekwe, who also got the Life Achievement Award, said the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914 was the beginning of evil for the country, describing it as a marriage of incompatible people. He said: “The centenary being celebrated is inconsequential because the poverty level is rising on a daily basis and, going by the trend, over 90 per cent of Nigerians will live below poverty level, if this is not addressed.” Chairman of the Silverbird Group Ben Murray-Bruce said the country’s leaders

By Musa Odoshimokhe

must do the right thing at the right time, adding that the people’s security must be guaranteed. He said: “People must not use public offices to suppress others because they hold these offices in trust for the people.

their graduate colleagues do not participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after the Higher National Diploma (HND). He condemned the poor state of infrastructure in the institution. Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ismail Alli said the government had sent a bill to upgrade the school to the House of Assembly. Alli said the bill would be considered this week, adding that with the upgrade to a college of technology, its facilities would be uplifted. He said funds were earmarked to improve the institution’s infrastructure in the 2014 budget. Alli said: “The budget includes the upgrade of facil-

ities at your school and the conversion of the institution to a college of technology. Everything you are clamouring for is in progress. They include a functional library and laboratories. “The repositioning of your institution is part of the transformation agenda of the Ajimobi administration. This governor believes in quality education and he will ensure that state institutions become first-class. We shall leave your school better than we met it.” Commissioner for Health Muyiwa Gbadegesin told the students to set up a committee to monitor deliberations on the bill this week. The students thanked the government officials and returned to their school.

Court expunges Awujale’s name from suit

N Ogun State High Court sitting in IjebuOde yesterday struck out the name of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, from a suit filed by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode against the founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun; Otunba Olu Adebanjo and Alhaji A.O. Sote. This followed an application filed on February 14 before Justice S.A. Olugbemi by Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, Prince Rasaki Akeju, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba and Prince Adeleke Adeyemi for themselves and on behalf of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. When the matter was mentioned yesterday, the respondents - Balogun, Adebanjo and Sote - were absent, while the applicants - Owoyemi, Akeju, Ajidagba and Adeyemi- were present.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Prince Adesegun Adebayo and two others appeared for the applicants/claimants while Mr. Kolade Otukoya, who announced his appearance for the second respondent (Adebanjo), told the court that they were not unaware the matter was coming up yesterday. Otukoya said he was “surprised” to hear the case being called because he was in court for a different matter. Justice Olugbemi struck out Oba Adetona’s name from the suit and gave the applicants a week to amend the case and expunge the monarch’s name. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is challenging Balogun’s “attempt to impose himself as their Olori Ebi (family head).”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Was this man murdered?

HO killed Balogun Saheed Muhammed? This is the puzzle residents of Ojo, a Lagos suburb, have been trying to unravel since Sunday, when they found his body at the bank of the lagoon. Yesterday, most of the shocked residents stood in groups, discussing Mohammed’s death. It was rumoured that the late Mohammed might have died while swimming. But members of his family suspect that he might have been strangled. Sources told The Nation that last Saturday, the deceased went with some friends to a beach in Ibeshe, Ojo, where he allegedly injured his head while swimming. A source said he went with friends to Ibeshe to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Two scars which look like machete cuts on the lower part of his right chest and his left shoulder are fueling his family’s fear that he might have been killed. On Sunday afternoon, the deceased’s relations had a heated argument at the palace of the Olojo of Ojo, Oba Galib Rufai. The late Muhammed’s cousin, Mr Lateef Balogun, faulted the claim that he died while swimming, noting that

Alleged N30m fraud: FCMB suit for April 7

•Death shocks family, community

‘I asked him: ‘Egbon, where are you going at this time?’ He said he was going out with his friends. I dissuaded him, but he said there was no problem ... I never knew that was the last time I would see him’ By Adegunle Olugbamila

the mark on his forehead showed that it was hit with a heavy object. He wondered why the deceased’s friends with whom he attended the party abandoned his body at the shore. He urged the monarch to investigate an employee of deceased,

who was among of the those who first saw his remains. The suspect allegedly took the deceased’s key from his pocket and dashed to his house to loot his valuables. She was reportedly caught by family members while trying to open the late Muhammed’s door. The monarch said two persons suspected to have accompanied the deceased to the party were being detained at the Ojo Divisional Police Station. He urged the family to leave everything to God. A resident, simply identified as Samson, said he saw the deceased last Saturday night with his friends. He recalled: “I asked him: ‘Egbon, where are you going at this time?’ He said he was going out with his friends. I dissuaded him, but he said there was no problem. He then gave money to me and my friend to enjoy ourselves. I never knew that was the last time I would see him.” Samson said he saw the deceased’s friends whom he could not recognise, while dropping him off at the shore early on Sunday, adding that his attempt to question them was rebuffed.

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Staff Reporter

•The late Mustapha The officer-in-charge at the Ojo Police Station could not be reached for comment. But an officer, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “Yes, the suspects are in our custody, but our DPO (divisional police officer) is not around; he is the only one who can allow you to interrogate the suspects, but if you can wait awhile, he might come anytime from now.” At the time of filing this report, arrangements were being made to bury the deceased according to Islamic rite.

• Fuel scarcity bites harder: A long queue at the Conoil Petrol Filling Station on the OshodiMurtala Mohammed International Airport Road in Lagos ... yesterday

Health award nominations end tomorrow By Wale Adepoju

PHOTO:

ISAAC JIMOHAYODELE

Court: Ajudua has case to answer

USTICE Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed an application brought by a lawyer, Fred Ajudua, seeking to quash the $8.395 million fraud charge against him. Justice Ipaye, held that Ajudua had a case to answer, adding that the court is competent to hear the charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC charged Ajudua before the court for allegedly defrauding former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd.) of about $8.395 million between November 2004 and June 2005 at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, when they were being detained. Ajudua filed a preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him on the grounds that he was charged under the repealed Advance Fee Fraud Act. He had also asked the court to try Bamaiyi for money laundering.

THE alleged N30 million fraud suit instituted against First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) and its former branch Manager, Rosemary Usifo at a Federal High Court in Lagos, has been adjourned till April 7. At the resumed trial before Justice Saliu Saidu yesterday, counsel to FCMB, Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN) prayed the court for an adjournment to commence trial. The prosecution had at the last adjourned date, informed the court that the bank was willing to settle; but Ogunlesi, while praying for a trial date, said the bank never conceded to settling the complainant, Archibong Nkanga, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, with the amount as alleged in the charge. Usifo, a former Manager of the Okerin branch of defunct Fin Bank Plc (now FCMB), was alleged to have defrauded the complainant of N30million from his fixed deposit account. She was arraigned by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), on December 5, 2013. But she allegedly committed the offence in 2011. Usifo had pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence which contravenes Sections 1(2)(a), (c) and 3(1)(2) of the Miscellanous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Since the prosecutor, Effiong Asuquo, did not object the prayer of the defence counsel, Justice Saidu adjourned the case till April 7 for trial.

‘The judge held that the defendant’s argument that the victim of the crime was tainted cannot be a ground for dismissing the charge ... facts about the credibility of the victim were not before the court’ By Adebisi Onanuga

He said Bamaiyi should stand trial along with him for admitting in his statement to the EFCC that he attempted to bribe a sitting judge. Yesterday, Justice Ipaye held that EFCC was right in charging Ajudua under the repealed Advance Fee Fraud and Other Re-

lated Offences Act of 1995, since the act was in force when the crime was committed. The judge held that the defendant’s argument that the victim of the crime was tainted cannot be a ground for dismissing the charge. She said that facts about the credibility of the victim were not before the court. However, Ajudua’s formal arraignment could not proceed as his lawyer sought time to study the charge. The judge adjourned the case till March 11 for his arraignment. Ajudua is the only defendant in the fresh charge as others who allegedly committed the offence along with him were said to be at large. They include Alumile Adedeji (a.k.a Ade Bendel), another, Mr. Kenneth and Princess Hamabon William. EFCC claimed that the suspects fraudulently collected the money from Bamaiyi in parts as the “professional fees” charged by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to handle his (Bamaiyi’s) case in court and to

• Ajudua

facilitate his release from prison. The prosecution has listed about 10 witnesses including Bamaiyi and prison officials to give evidence in the matter.

NOMINATIONS for the maiden edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) holding in Lagos on March 21 will end tomorrow. The organisers, Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) and Anadach Group, United States, who announced it, said about 43 individuals and organisations had been nominated for the various individuals and corporate bodies listed for recognition in the 16-category award. According to them, NHEA aims at recognising the rapid growth in the sector and the capacity of individuals and corporate organisations to set new performance standards in the country and beyond. The event, GHPR, said would hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, adding that it would focus on improved performances, creation of new business models and inspirational performances, among others. Programme Coordinator, NHEA, Dr Shola Alabi, said: “We want health care stakeholders to visit www.nigeriahealthawards.com to make their nominations.” He said the groups decided to organise the award to recognise and celebrate the individuals and organisations that have contributed to the improvement of the sector. The mission, Alabi said, was to provide a virile platform for proper recognition, rewarding and celebration of successes, innovations, growths and excellence in Nigeria's health sector. Parts of its aims and objectives, Alabi noted, were to suggest policy framework for achieving global standards of healthcare across the country.

BUSINESS

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

At the moment, there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap. - Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Dikko arrests two Customs officers in Lagos By Oluwakemi Dauda

HE Comptroller-Gen eral of the Nigeria Cus toms Service (NCS) Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi yesterday arrested two of his senior officers at the Lagos ports. According to sources, the officers were allegedly arrested at Tin-Can Island port for delaying cargo clearance and ‘extorting’importers and their clearing agents. The alleged arrested officers are the Head of the terminal, Mrs Jane Soboiki and Chief Superintendent of Customs, Ejesi. The activities of the officers, the source said, were against the trade facilitation programme of the Federal Government hence, the order from Dikko that they should be detained at the Customs Enforcement Unit at the port and be queried. Dikko, the source said, paid an unscheduled visit to the port following a tip-off by the Association of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) that some of his officers at the Tin Can port were frustrating the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) recently introduced by the Federal Government and unnecessarily delaying cargo release from the port. Customs Public Relations Officer, Mr Chris Osunkwo confirmed that the officers were queried for ‘un-procedural activities’ at the port by the CG. “The officers were accused of un-procedural activities at the port and issues relating to non-trade facilitation programme of the government. The officers were taken to Enforcement Unit and they were still there as at the time I left office. The officers are the Head of the Terminal Mrs Soboiki and Chief Superintendent of Customs, Ejesi,” Osunkwo said.

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: Head of Sales, Nokia Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Joseph Umunakwe; Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Nokia West and Central Africa, Mr. Olumide Balogun, and Head of Sales, Nokia West and Central Africa, Mr. Chris Brown, displaying the newly introduced Nokia X range of smartphones at the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Insurance firms petition Okonjo-Iweala, others over N3.5b police cover I NSURANCE companies are at war over the al leged diversion of N3.54 billion Police Group Life Insurance premium to Custodian Life Insurance. AIICO Insurance Plc and Standard Insurance Consultants Limited are leading a group of other 42 underwriters and brokers in protest against the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged action They have petitioned the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, through the legal firm of Alade Agbabiaka & Co., seeking their intervention on the matter. They described the action as astonishing, unlawful and out of order. Copies of the petition were also sent to the Director-General, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Ezeh; Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Jonas Otunla and the Commissioner of Insurance, Fola Daniel.

• NAICOM disclaims involvement By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

AIICO and Standard Insurance Consultant said they were appointed to provide group life insurance for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from January 1 to December 31, last year, claiming the deal was approved by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, (HCSF). They claimed that after offering the service and it was time for payment, the money was diverted to various set firms, namely- Custodian and Hogg Robinson. But, in a statement signed by its Head, Corporate Affairs, Rasaaq Salami, the Commission said there is no substance in the allegation The statement reads: “The attention of the NAICOM has been drawn to a report in Premium Times, an online media publication and blueprint newspaper on her purported connivance with the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation in

the alleged diversion of the Police Group Life Insurance premium to Custodian Life Insurance Company. “While it is not in the character of NAICOM to join issues with insurance industry operators on the pages of newspapers, it is, however, imperative to present the facts before the press and members of the public to avoid being further misled. NAICOM hereby disclaims the allegations in the strongest words possible and state thus: “The Commission is not involved in the pre-qualification and selection of awarding the Group Life Insurance Policy (GLIP) of the Nigeria Police or any agency to insurance brokers or underwriters.” The Commission has no mandate to direct the Accountant-General of the Federation to effect premium payment to any particular insurance company or Broker for any insurance contract, Salami stated, adding that the

Commission could not, did not direct the AccountantGeneral to pay an insurance firm in a transaction she was not a party to nor has no powers over. He added: “Having said this, it is, however, pertinent to note that the Commission is aware that the Pension Reforms (Amendment) Act 2011 provided that “The categories of persons mentioned in Section 291 and members of the Armed Forces of the Federation in Section 217 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and members of the Intelligence and Secret Services shall be exempted from the Scheme.” Records reveal that PENCOM wrote the Inspector-General of Police on August 7, 2012 to advise the Police Force “on the need to expedite action and solely/entirely handle the Nigeria Police Force’s Group Life Insurance Policy from 2013 financial year ... and to make necessary arrangements to submit the 2013 budget proposal on Police’s GLIP to the Budget Office of the Federation.”

Firms to invest $1b in 450Mw IPP

ZURA Power Hold ings Limited (APHL), a private sector company, is working with 13 firms and financiers to invest $1 billion in the Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant (IPP) to generate 450 Megawatts (Mw) of electricity. Receiving the investors in her office in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr NgoziOkonjo-

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

Iweala, described the deal as a huge display of confidence not just in the power sector but in the economy. She said: “By committing this level of financing, which is virtually $1 billion, it means you have great confidence in the country.” Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said the lead sponsor of the IPP is

APHL, which is owned by Amaya Capital and American Capital Energy & Infrastructure. She said: “PHL is co-sponsors in the Azura project consisting of the Edo State government, Aldwych international, Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 (AIIF), and Asset and Resource Management (ARM).” She said the combination of the two sources of simultane-

ous lending has unlocked more than $700 million investment in a large scale IPP and more than $300million worth of investments in gas processing, for a total of $1 billion worth of investments. She said: ’’This milestone project is also being supported with guarantees and insurance coverage by the World Bank and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).’’

ITF, SMEDAN, BoI to train, fund youths From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

HE Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Prof Sambo Longmas Wapmuk has said the agency is partnering the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) to train youths in skills acquisition and provide funding for them after graduation. According to him, at the end of the three-month training, they will be handed over to SMEDAN, which will teach them how to access funding from the BoI. Wapmuk, who spoke during the presentation of an award to him by a group in Abuja, said ITF is expected to provide skilled manpower for the economy. He said: “The National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) is part of industrial revolution plan, thereby charging ITF with the responsibility of providing skill manpower for the economy. The steady growth of the economy depends strongly on constant skills acquisition by the nation’s youths. “The ITF has been directed by the Minister of Trade and Investment Mr. OlusegunAganga to carry out skill gap survey, so skills that are lacking can be set up. ITF has started the survey with UNIDO; this partnership has identified the instruments to be used. The only challenge now is making funds available for UNIDO, Bureau of Statistics, and other stakeholders involved.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

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

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

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1. 2. 3. 4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

By Oziegbe Okoeki

country has recorded walk-outs staged by commissioners of finance during meetings of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FACC) in Abuja. He said the first one happened in 2011, while the country witnessed more of such walk-outs last year due to irreconcilable accounts of the federation. As a result, he said, some states have had to borrow to keep the government going. He said:“The reasons for those disagreements were largely reported revenue declines that were disputed by the various states as represented by their various finance commissioners,” he said, add-

ing that the pattern had continued right from the second half of last year to January this year. “Now whilst this revenue decline has gone up, we have been unable to hold the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. “In the past, the meetings had held every month. The meeting has not been held now for, at least, six months in spite of clear revenue declines.” He said the NEC is a forum for the discussion of economic issues concerning the 36 states of the federation and it is made up of governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the ministers of National Planning, Finance and others. The meeting is chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo. He said the revenue decline

12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

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

• NNPC under-remmitted N2.4tr

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

1. Dana

AGOS State govenor Distreict 13 Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has painted a very grim picture of Nigeria’s economy saying the situation demands urgent attention. Addressing members of the state House of Assembly on the state of the nation at plenary yesterday in Lagos, he complained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under-remitted N2.4 trillion to the Federation Account. The governor, who was visibly saddened by the situation, gave the impression that no state would be able to meet its target for the year 2014 as the 36 states of the federation are in serious financial problems. According to the governor, for the first time in almost 14 years of the nation’s democratic experience, the

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Nigeria’s economy in dire strait, says Fashola

08.00 18.00

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

• From left: Chairman, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Director, Ej Agbonayinma; Director, Mechanical/Electrical and Signal, Fidet Okhiria and Managing Director, Adeseyi Sijuwade, during the maiden visit of Tukur to the corporation Headquarters, Ebute Metta, Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

NCP to open bids for 10 power plants Friday

HE National Council on Pri vatisation (NCP) and the gov erning board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) have approved the opening of the financial bids of the 42 pre-qualified bidders for the 80 per cent equity in the 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs). The joint meeting in Abuja that was chaired by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo that gave the nod, also directed that bids be opened on Friday this week, in keeping with the published timeline for the transaction. According to a statement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the 42 bidders emerged out of the 66 bidding consortia, adding that they have been prequalified because they met the criteria set in the requests for proposal (RFP) and passed the due diligence verification conducted on technically qualified bidders. Vice President Sambo commended the Joint Technical

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Transaction Committee (JTTC) chaired by Governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswan, noting that the transaction, “was a highly transparent process and government had assured investors participating in the NIPP transaction that the same level of transparency will be replicated.” The JTTC is made up of the Technical Committee of NCP and Technical Committee of NDPHC. The NIPP privatisation is a joint transaction between the NCP and the Governing Board of NDPHC. The 10 plants are jointly owned by the three tiers of government; local, state and Federal Governments with the Federal Government contributing 47 per cent equity stake and the local and state governments with the remaining 53 per cent equity. The Vice President further said the privatisation of the 10 NIPPs marks the first time the private

sector, National Assembly, federal, state and local governments are joining forces to ensure an all inclusive transaction process, following a highly successful investors’ fora spanning five countries He said all the three tiers of government and the private sector in Nigeria were collaborating in the privatisation process of the power plants which is being jointly offered for sale by the BPE and NDPHC to ensure that the same level of transparency acclaimed the world over in the PHCN transaction was replicated in the NIPP transaction process. According to him, if Nigeria was going to be among the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020, the right steps must be taken, adding that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to ensuring that the right steps are taken in implementing the Transformation Agenda.

How Adigwe, others wrecked Afribank, by EFCC

N Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness yesterday gave a detailed account of how former Managing Director of the defunct Afribank Plc, Sebastian Adigwe, former chairman, Osa Osunde and former executive directors Jibrin Isah, Isa Zailani, Chinedu Onyia, Henry Arogundade and Peter Ololo conspired to steal huge sums from the bank. The witness, Emmanuel AlHassan, while testifying before Jus-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

tice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, disclosed that the defendants granted questionable loans. Al-Hassan told the court that the questionable loans were granted to several firms to buy shares of blue chip organisations but the sums were later diverted, adding that the defendants transferred N15 billion in favour of Rehoboth Asset Limited.

According to al-Hassan, the money was approved as loan by the defendants at the 252nd board meeting of Afribank for the transferee to buy shares of blue chip companies on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The shares, Al-Hassan asserted, were not bought as agreed in the offer letter, while the sum was eventually transferred into AIL Securities Limited account on September 15, 2008 through cheque numbers 11418001 and 11418002.

should have been a major issue for discussion at the NEC meeting since the constitution of the country provided for it. Fashola reminded the House that he had always complained of decline in revenue and the inability of the state to meet optimal budget performances, lamenting that the government has left social services to meet welfare needs of personnel. According to him, the revenue declines are credited to “what is characterised as uncoordinated and discretionary application of the Federal Government’s fiscal policy on waiver and negotiating the duty credit certificates.”

Award for Adenuga

HAIRMAN, Globacom Lim ited, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, has been conferred with the Centenary Award by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government for his outstanding entrepreneurship and immense contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. Adenuga was bestowed with the prestigious award in the category of ‘Accomplished Contemporary Entrepreneurs’ over the weekend at the grand finale of the celebrations of the centenary anniversary organised to mark 100 years of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria. The Federal Government described Adenuga as a distinguished entrepreneur and renowned employer of labour in Nigeria. Ninety nine other eminent Nigerians were honoured at the event in various categories ranging from “Contributors to the Making of Nigeria” to “Heroes of the Struggle for Nigeria’s Independence/Pioneer Political leaders”, “Pioneers in Professional Callings/Careers”, “Pioneers in Commerce and Industry”, “Promoters of Democracy in Nigeria”, “Heroes in Global Sports Competition”, “Accomplished Pioneer Public Servants”, “Accomplished Contemporary Entrepreneurs”, “Distinguished Academics”, “Internationally Acclaimed Artists, Literary Icons and Journalists”, “Outstanding Bravery and Public Spiritedness”, “Outstanding Promoters of Unity, Patriotism and National Development” and “Exemplary Service in the Promotion of Peace and Moral Excellence”.

OneCard, LCC partner

FRIM that provides top up solutions on multiple plat forms, OneCard Nigeria, has signed a service agreement with Lekki Concession Company (LCC). By this agreement, motorists registered with LCC’s eTag electronic toll collection device can now top up their toll account through any of the three channels of the firm, namely MyTopUp Nigeria, MyTopUp Business and Direct TopUp. MyTopUp Nigeria is a secure web (internet) platform, which is designed to enable top-up of all prepaid accounts at once using debit or credit cards. MyTopUp Business is a robust service designed for corporate customers that allows them to top-up bulk accounts simultaneously in a quick and secure manner. The third service, Direct TopUp, is designed for retailers and it involves the use of branded mobile agents whose responsibility it will be to assist new and existing eTag customers to top up their toll accounts. Its Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Ahmad Baba, said the partnership with LCC was another demonstration of ‘the fact that his company was innovating in a meaningful way.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

REFUTTAL

WE DID NOT ENDORSE PROF. JULIUS IHONVEBRE. WE ABIDE BY ETSAKO FOR SENATE 2015 RESOLUTION. ETSAKO CENTRAL AND EAST APC LEADERS

he attention of APC Leaders and Stakeholders in Etsako Central and East has been drawn to the Obnoxious and deliberate distortions of facts to disparage our hard earned reputation which is contained in the newstory carried by THE NATION Newspaper of Tuesday and Thursday of February 25th and 27th 2014 respectively.

We make bold to state that the reports were maliciously slanted to serve a political motive using the media to blackmail and arm-twist us to submission. Ordinarily, we would have ignored the write-up and concentrated on the onerous task before us as leaders of our cherished party but in order to set the records straight and also to correct some misrepresentations as contained in the said publication, we (1) Akhabue Thomas; (2) Ugbajie Braimah Apeanaye; (3) Chief Dennis Osikhena; (4) Akpechemhe Aliu; (5) Chief Amodu Yusuf; (6) Austin Onagaumah; (Etsako Central). And (1) Hon. Peter Okponokhe; (2) Adamu Ototobor; (3) Ogedengbe Majesty; (4) Ogbuma Gentle; (Etsako East) as members of the party who were in attendance during the meeting have taken the pains to make this refuttal. On page 10, of the Tuesday edition of THE NATION Newspaper with the catchy headline “EDO SSG OKAYED for Senate”. The story was based on the visit of Prof. Ihonevere to Etsako Central to consult APC leaders and solicit for their support for his senatorial ambition. In response, Hon Momoh Emmanuel, the council chairman, who as the host, welcomed the August visitor and his entourage, as norm pour accolades on him and wished him luck. Then, on Thursday edition of the same newspaper, the headline reads “ETSAKO, EDO NORTH LEADERS ENDORSED IHONVERE FOR SENATE”. The kernel of this story was the Ihonevere’s visit to Etsako East to again seek support from APC leaders. In his response on behalf of the party leaders, Prince Afegbua Malik said thus “WE HAVE OUR LEADERS. WE WILL NOT IMPOSE YOU ON OUR PEOPLE. WE WILL CONSULT AND LET YOU KNOW OUR DECISION”. In the two instances cited, there was no time the aspirant (Prof. Ihonvere) was endorsed or adopted by the party leaders in the two mentioned Etsako council areas but unfortunately the newspaper in question reported the contrary. We are therefore embarrassed by Prof. Ihonvere‘s attempt to use the media to paint a picture to make it seem as if we adopted or endorsed his senatorial ambition when nothing of such ever happened. This to us is morally and politically wrong and does not speak well of a serious contender. We considered the visit or tour by aspirants to party leaders as lobbying to promote their chances for any race which is normal to do so but becomes worrisome when such visits are misconstrued and riddled with falsehood. We are indeed, concerned that Prof. Ihonvere, as SSG, is using state machinery to undue advantage during his tours of LGAS thereby giving it colouration of tacit government support to intimidate government officials working with the State government. Much as we are not against his ambition, but, by now, we felt he ought to have resigned to face politics squarely. Again, we appeal to the SSG to devote more time building the party (APC) in his Owan base especially since key party members recently defected to the opposition-PDP. Similarly, if the SSG is sure that his Owan people have adopted him as claimed, is it then improper or wrong if the same privilege is extended to aspirants from Etsako by their people.!!! A case of each man, his tent, an approach initiated by him. Most importantly, both Etsako Central and East as integral part of Etsako Zone, met on Sunday, 23rd February, 2014 and resolved that it is their turn to produce the next senator to represent Edo North in 2015. We wholly stand by this resolution and abide with it.

SIGNED

ETSAKO CENTRAL Akhabue Thomas; Ugbajie Braimah Apeanaye; Chief Dennis Osikhena; Akpechemhe Aliu; Chief Amodu Yusuf; Austin Onagaumah; ETSAKO EAST Hon. Peter Okponokhe; Adamu Ototobor; Ogedengbe Majesty; Ogbuma Gentle;

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 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

•A cross section of the LagosHOMS at Shitta, Surulere, Lagos

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

The first draw for the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS) holds today. Beneficiaries are upbeat about the scheme, but there are questions about its sustainability amid rising loans’ repayment problems, reports Assistant Editor MUYIWA LUCAS.

Lagos HOMS: Homes at last for the needy?

ODAy, history will repeat itself in Lagos State. Since the housing scheme of the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration of the early 1980s, there was no other such scheme until that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration between 1999 and 2007. Continuing in Tinubu’s strides, Governor Babatunde Fashola, has upped the ante, with the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS). The draws for the first set of 200 houses under the scheme holds today. The initiative is the state government’s way of addressing part of the country’s 17 million housing gap. The Lagos HOMS is designed for tenants desirous of having their own homes. After today’s draws, expectedly, 200 families, would become house owners under the scheme, which offers a 10-year tenor of loan repayment at 9.5 per cent interest rate. This is seen by industry players as a mortgage scheme reflective of global best practices considering that it is targeted at first-time home owners. The scheme is the outcome of three years of debates in government circles on who should benefit from it.This, perhaps, informed Fashola’s explanation last month, at the kicking-off when he said while the state’s Tenancy Law is representative of his administration’s moral intervention to protect salary workers landlords that demand multiple-year advance payments, LagosHOMS represents the administration’s leadership intervention to increase the stock of affordable housing on convenient payment terms. “As we flag-off this scheme, there are 1,104 completed homes, while another 3,156 units are at various stages of construction and we intend to start more. We are starting 132 units in Iponri; 720 in Ibeshe Ikorodu; 420 in Ajara Badagry; 648

Pre-qualification

The Lagos Mortgage Board (LMB) processes your form for pre-qualification and if you meet the requirements, you will be assigned a Draw reference number. • Draw: LMB enters you for the draws which are conducted periodically on announced dates, through a transparent, fair and well publicised process.

Post draw processing

LMB forwards names of successful Draw applicants to the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) for mortgage processing. When you receive an Offer Letter from LBIC, you should confirm acceptance and comply with the conditions set out, including the payment of a 30 per cent initial deposit to LBIC within the period stipulated in the Offer Letter.

Closing

The Contract of Sale and Deed of Mortgage are executed (signed) by you and the LMB/LBIC and the keys to your home are delivered to you.

Eligibility criteria

•Applicants must be primarily resident in Lagos State and will be required to provide proof or submit a copy of their Lagos State Residents Registration Card where applicable. • Applicants must be a First Time Buyer. • Applicants must be 21 years old and above. • Only tax compliant applicants will be eligible under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme and must provide proof of tax payment for the last five years. • Applicants must be able to make the 30 per cent down payment (equity contribution) and meet their monthly repayments. in Sangotedo Phase II; 216 in Obele; 36 in Akerele Phase II; 48 in Oyingbo; 125 in Ilubirin and 1080 in Ijora. These projects are funded from the taxes that our people have paid as the monthly internally generated revenue,” Fashola noted. The Lagos HOMS encourages and supports home ownership of First-Time Buyer (FTB) residents of Lagos through the provision of accessible mortgage finance. Lagos HOMS is administered by the Lagos Mortgage Board (LMB) in collaboration with the Lagos Building and Investment Company (LBIC), through which the state provides housing stock. The scheme provides access to mortgage

finance for beneficiaries. Under the scheme, outright purchase of the house will not be permitted. This is to prevent moneybags from hijacking it and to enable a larger number of residents to have their own homes over time, and to avoid purchase by multiple property owners, who may distort the intention to meet the large-scale demand for affordable housing. With an initial 30 per cent contribution of the actual cost of a house, plus any other prescribed fees, an applicant becomes an owner. Yet, to ensure that it is truly a mortgage finance scheme, and for effectiveness, owners are discouraged from exceeding payment of the minimum

requirement, just as they will not be allowed to commit more than 30 per cent of their monthly income to mortgage repayments. It is planned that, beginning from today, there should be a minimum of 200 new home owners in Lagos monthly. But, going by the fate of previous housing initiatives, fears of a possible hijack of the scheme by the rich, who may want to trade with the houses allotted, are rife. So, also is the fear of loan repayment default. However, such fears seem to have been cleared by Fashola, who said measures have been taken to ensure that such apartments can only be rented out after 10 years when the owner would have fully paid for the house. He added that prompt payment of monthly mortgages will be enforced because, from past experiences, of payment default and difficulty of re-possessing houses from defaulters were a major disincentive to investment in the property sector, especially by private developers whose participation in housing development is critical to the scheme. The LagosHOMS encourages private developers to build and sell to the government on the condition that their housing units are built to specifications and standards under which HOMS houses are developed. “If you do not live in the house that you win, you would have violated our first home owner rule and it is a ground to re-possess the house, pay you off and offer it to those who really need a home,” Fashola warned, adding that the government has resolved to quicken recovery of houses from defaulters through the use of arbitration rule, which have been drafted into the contract of sale and the mortgage agreement and the arbitration proceedings are expected to be completed in 21 days. Only Lagos residents, who are tax payers will benefit from the scheme. In arriving at •Continued on page 15

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

FHA targets 25,000 housing units in Abuja

HE Federal Housing Authority (FHA) will soon start work on the New Town project in Bwari, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to provide cheap housing for workers, its Managing Director, Mr Gerver Cremade, has said. Speaking in Abuja during an inspection of the site with members of his management, Gemade promised that houses in the new town would be affordable. It will least at least 25,000 units. Gemade said experience in the past few years underscored the urgency to relieve the city centre of pressure on its facilities and infrastructure. Already, enumeration of properties has started and

Stories by Muyiwa Lucas

compensation would be paid to those to be affected by the development for work to start on schedule. The project, which would consist mainly of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments in highrise structure, is aimed at saving cost on infrastructure and the serviced land, and would be delivered through direct construction and public-private partnership (PPP); it would be serviced on completion, by its own independent power and water treatment plants. The FHA boss said the authority’s new focus on the construction of housing for low and medium income earners, looks beyond the pursuit of profit, but a commitment

to contributing its quota to the realisation of the housing and job creation components of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. Gemade said the FHA had acquired land in 17 states for housing estates and that consultations were on with the Lagos State government on the titling of FHA’s land holdings in the state. According to him, the emphasis

on housing for low and medium income earners is informed by the need to cater for the vulnerable segment of the population and to assist the government in combating crime, disease, unemployment and other economic problems facing the people. He said FHA had been a major player in the effort to deliver to the natio a modern capital city and that it had delivered no fewer than 15,

000 housing units in the FCT. He disclosed that work was progressing satisfactorily at the Authority’s new site at Apo in the Gudu District of Abuja, where about 1,300 housing units are expected to be delivered through direct construction by the FHA and in partnership with private sector operators. The FHA chief executive said the Authority had plans to open more of such new towns in Kwali, Kuje and other satellite towns of Abuja.

Lagos HOMS: Homes at last for the needy? •Continued from page 14

this conclusion, the state took cognisance of the definition of residency applicable in the countryh’s tax laws which is a continuous period of residency for a minimum period of 189 days or about six months irrespective of one’s original root. A public analyst, Ade Shonobi, said if the government can adhere strictly to the terms of the scheme, then it would be a huge success. Besides, he said the effort would go a long way in reducing the homelessness in the society, while also serving as a means of forcing shylock landlords to reduce the high cost of rent, which has become prevalent in the state. He wants the government to have a strong hold on the owners and the buildings even after they have completed payment. This is to ensure that the houses do not become a slum as a result of bad usage and alteration to the original master plan by the owners. “There should be a monitoring unit to constantly ensure that this houses are not turned into slums or ghetto from misuse by the owners; we should remember that Lagos is now a megacity and that standard must be maintained at all times,” said.

Five steps to Lagos HOMS •Application and sub-mission You complete the application form in accordance with the instructions, pay the prescribed processing fee and collect a receipt after submitting copies of all necessary supporting documents. The form can be submitted in person or online. Originals of supporting documents will be required for sighting if you are successful at the Draw.

Hints about Lagoshoms To prevent property speculators from defeating the objectives of the Scheme, there shall be an enforceable “No buy-to-let” clause in the contract of sale. Homes will be delivered only on an owneroccupier basis. Applicants must be primarily resident in Lagos State and will be required to provide proof or submit a copy of their Lagos State Residents Registration Card where applicable. Duly completed Application Forms will be submitted online or in person to the LMB with the prescribed processing fee and copies of all required documents attached. Originals of documents must be brought along for sighting.

Co-Applicants will be permitted but will have to take joint title. Both applicants must be first time buyers. Only tax compliant applicants will be eligible under the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme and must provide proof of tax payment for the last five years. Once an application is submitted, it will go through a prequalification process at the LMB. If additional information is required, the LMB will contact the applicant through the contact details submitted. This process may take up to 30 days, after which Draw Reference Numbers will be issued in respect of approved applications. Applicants will be contacted with their Draw Reference Numbers and will be notified of the Draw date so they can attend if they wish. The Draws will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Successful draws will be published while unsuccessful applicants are at liberty to re-apply. Applicants who have applied before will not be required to submit a fresh Application Form unless the information contained in the original form has changed. Applicants who are re-applying will depose to an affidavit declaring that the information in their form is still correct. Any false deposition will result in automatic disqualification. The processing fee is payable each time an applicant re-applies. Applicants who are successful at the Draw will be eligible for access to mortgage finance subject to postdraw processing administered by the LBIC. The post draw process involves (amongst others) a credit appraisal to assess the applicant’s ability to make the 30 per cent down payment and meet the monthly repayments. Lagos HOMS has a speedy and effective dispute resolution mechanism. This will take the form of arbitration by a single arbitrator appointed by the President of the Lagos Court of Arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted under the specially designed Lagos HOMS Housing Arbitration Rules to be administered by the Lagos Court of Arbitration. The cost of arbitration is nominal and has been pegged at two per cent of the value of the purchase price, to be shared in equal part by the parties. Prospective applicants will be required to depose to an affidavit attesting that they are first time buyers. Applicants will also undertake in their mortgage deeds, not to abuse this understanding. A breach of this provision will make the homes liable to re-possession and the applicant criminally liable to be prosecuted for making a false deposition.

•The 552-km Kano-Maiduguri road being expanded and dualised passing through Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Bornu states by Federal Ministry of Works.

‘Ignorance, poor cement use, others cause building collapse’

HE high level of ignorance among consumers coupled with negligence on the part of producers, have been blamed for the controversy over cement quality in the country. Founder, Society for Quality Awareness, Abdullahi Mailafia pointed out that there was no substandard cement in the country, but a misapplication of use of the existing types of cement. Nigeria, he said, is not isolated from the proven correlation and direct relationship between falling standards or misapplication of cement produced and the frequency of collapsed buildings in any country, because the higher the amount of misapplication of cement types used in construction, the higher the number of collapsed buildings and physical structure. “The right knowledge and application of cement types in the country will be to the benefit of

manufacturers, architects, engineers, foremen and builders, under their respective associations and groups as well as artisans and the general public,” Mailafia said, adding that)) consumers need to deepen their knowledge of goods and services on offer, not only about cement, but on all other goods in the market. To address the issue, he said the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should summon a meeting of technical committee of stakeholders for a review of the practice, taking into consideration what happens in other countries. He commended SON for ensuring standard and quality of other building materials such as steel to be of international standard and its efforts in upgrading national quality infrastructure such as the enumeration of standards, upgrading of testing laboratories

like the one which offers testing of building materials in Enugu. He said attention must be focused on cement, which is a major component of any building or construction work. A coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry recently threatened to launch a major campaign for what they called the “standardisation of cement production and importation in Nigeria”. According to them, government is turning a blind eye to the scourge of substandard cement in the country. They seek to engage other groups such as the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and the National Assembly to help in the fight for standard cement in country and the enforcement of building codes.

Commissioner inspects drainage projects

HE Lagos State government has said there is need to protect drainange channels and free to avoid erosion and its harmful effects. Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello and Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment Dr. Taofeek Folami while inspecting drainage projects, said the state government was working assiduously to ensure that the state is free of flood in order not to record any disaster as being experienced in the United Kingdom (UK). “This we have strengthened with the intensification of our pre-rain cleaning and maintenance programme across the state,” Bello said. The mass cleaning and maintenance of drainage channels and canals across the state will allow free

flow of storm water as well as eliminate the incidence of flooding, which is of great consideration to the state, in order to ensure safety of life and properties. Folami said the inspection of prerain cleaning and maintenance was to assess communities’ readiness for this year’s rain, and also note areas of challenges across the state. He said the Ministry of Environment had kicked off a campaign on radio and television to complement government’s effort at reducing flooding in the state. Canvassing the support of residents, Folami cited the flooding ravaging the UK, despite their advanced technologies. He advised Lagosians to prevent its reoccurrence in the state by de-

sisting from acts that could lead to flooding, adding that Lagos is a coastal state. He urgedLagosians to desist from dumping refuse in drains and canals, and stop patonising cart pushers. He urged them not to build on drainage alignments, warning that clogging of drains hinders free flow of water because, whenever it rains, flood will definitely carry the filth into the drains. “We should desist from all acts that could lead to flooding because Lagos as a coastal state is susceptible, and if advanced nations could experience flooding, then we should all join hands with the state government on its effort to reduce the incidence of flooding to the barest minimum in the state,” Folami cautioned.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

TRANSPORTATION

E-mail:ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Governor Babatunde Fashola was right on cue when he described Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials as ‘people Lagosians love to hate’. In 12 years, LASTMA has carved a niche for itself despite the excesses of some of its officials. But the government is doing everything to whip these bad eggs into line. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports.

•LASTMA officials at a training

Making LASTMA more public-friendly M

RS Agnes Daniel could not believe her eyes. Since she was late for a meeting, she thought she could park across the road and ask her office guard to pick up her car. She had not crossed the road to her office at Ketu, Lagos, before some Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) officials arrived on the scene in their towing van. Her office guard met them about to tow the car. They rebuffed all entreaties that he had come to pick up the car. The woman paid N10, 000 to get the car released. “I stopped taking my car to the office since then,” Mrs. Daniel said. “It was,” she continued, “a bitter experience for me. That experience left me with the impression that LASTMA has become the cash cow for many of its workers.” Francis Adebambo, a 40-year-old marketer, is another Lagosian with a sad experience. He was apprehended about 7.am, two years ago, and his vehicle impounded on the Dopemu Bridge by LASTMA officials for negotiating the bridge through a one-way under the bridge. Adebambo denied the offence, but his denial incensed the LASTMA men. Adebambo said he was rudely shoved out of his car, as a LASTMA official took over the driving. Another LASTMA official, who was in mufti, sat at the passenger’s side. He was asked to report at LASTMA’s Egbeda office to retrieve his car. The matter, however, took another turn when he reported at the office and discovered that his two android phones and earpiece were missing. The two offficials denied seeing the phones. Angry, he abandoned the car there and opted for legal redress to recover his stolen property valued at N150, 000. At Ojota, all the side windows and rear glass of an Oshodi-bound commercial bus trying to avoid being apprehended for driving against traffic, were shattered by four LASTMA officials, who pursued the driver. At place in Oregun Lagos, a couple attending a wedding returned to discover that their car had been towed by LASTMA officials. The man said he had been directed to park at the spot by one of the LASTMA officials deployed in controlling traffic on the venue. Over the years, LASTMA has enlarged its scope, covering all the 57 local government areas in the state. Its activities are complemented by the LASTMA Special Traffic Mayors (STM), an elite cream of volunteers, recognised by law, to play

a role in keeping traffic moving in the state. Some accidents and deaths have trailed the excesses of LASTMA officials. A motorcyclist lost his life at Ikotun, a Lagos surburb recently. He was trying to avoid being caught by a LASTMA official, when he crashed into a vehicle. At Iponri, a LASTMA official was crushed by a fleeing commercial bus driver, as he attempted to arrest a car owner for flouting traffic regulations. The arrested car owner regained her freedom at the Lagos High Court, as video evidence from eyewitnesses, exonerated her of culpability in the death of the LASTMA official. Established in 2002 by the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to tackle the traffic bottleneck in the state, LASTMA has become the most feared of all traffic agencies. If LASTMA had some powers during the Tinubu era, it was invested with more, with the amended Law 2008, by the Babatunde Fashola administration. At some point, LASTMA was speculated to be another revenue generating agency with a fixed target. Government’s stand on traffic rules, which, among others, stipulate a psychiatric test, as penalties, has created an opportunity for LASTMA officials to exploit traffic offenders’ ignorance and milk others who want to get off the hook by ‘settling’ to secure their release. Except where tickets are written, money paid to LASTMA is often diverted, with some LASTMA man have become emboldened to demand and negotiate with traffic offenders despite government’s insistence that no one should have any cash transaction with any public official. Despite these challenges, Fashola has been canvassing strict compliance with traffic rules and LASTMA’s ecpected to enforce same. For him, the task of keeping the over 20 million people in Lagos moving must not be left to

chance. With two million vehicles using the 9,100 roads built on a land mass of 3, 577 square kilometres, the volume of traffic in Lagos is above the national average and over the traffic prevalent in more than 10 states of the country. This is why Fashola believes the agency must be appropriately empowered to cope with keeping the state moving. The governor knows there are bad eggs in in the agency, but he believes it must repositioned to overcome the excesses of motorists. At the launch of the Lagos State Enforcement Training Institute, Fashola challenged LASTMA officials to rededicate themselves to better service and improve their perception in the public space. He said: “You are the people that Lagosians love to hate. It is your responsibility to turn that into a love-love relationship. Lagos State Traffic Management Authority is a concept that has extended beyond the confines of Lagos. It is a good brand which we must improve upon. It is a brand which only dedicated men can improve on.” Fashola believed Lagosians’ anger against LASTMA is not a verdict to disband the traffic army that has become a toast of other states who have come to understudy it and are deploying it to control traffic in their domains. The solution, he said, is to increase its capacity and revamp its image. He said: “The people of Lagos already recognise that you are a necessary part of their lives. In my several conversations with the people, they all agree that you add value, what they are saying is simply a challenge to make it better because we had already done the hard work. Each time they complain, they are endorsing our capacity to do it and they have asked me to ask you to do it well.”

‘The people of Lagos already recognise that you are a necessary part of their lives. In my several conversations with the people, they all agree that you add value, what they are saying is simply a challenge to make it better because we had already done the hard work. Each time they complain, they are endorsing our capacity to do it and they have asked me to ask you to do it well’

It is not only the governor that believes in what LASTMA is doing. His Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, does too. Opeifa believes LASTMA is the best public policy the state has come up with and the best dividend of democracy. To critics of the agency, Opeifa said the option is to withdraw LASTMA from the roads for a day and see how chaotic the roads would be within hours. He expressed the readiness of the government to combat the bad eggs within the establishment and ensure that committed ones operate in a conducive environment. He said the state’s traffic Law 2012 would improve the agency’s efficiency. Last year, the government began a mandatory Career Evaluation Training Programme (CETP) for selected LASTMA officers. The officers and their Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) colleagues were taken through more institutional training and standards to change their orientation. The need for the training was reinforced by the Senior Special Assistant on Transport Education Dr. Mariam Masha, the CETP coordinator, who said the training would enhance the officers’ efficiency and achieve the goals of law enforcement. Masha said the first set of 3,311 officers of LASTMA and KAI graduates of the CETP would be the pilot of the change that the government envisaged in LASTMA, which is suffering from a low perception by Lagosians. Masha as the head of transport education has pioneered innovative ideas ranging from strategic meetings with schools, and frontline clubs and prominent associations all aimed at changing peoples’ perception of the agency, which as at 2011 become a burden on the government. She said: “Our officers needed to know that for any society to thrive, allowing the citizens to live full, meaningful lives, law and order must prevail and that everyone must appreciate that laws are made by man for his protection and preservation and must therefore observe his civic duty and accept the basic principle of obeying the law and protecting the officers who enforce it.” To ensure this, Masha counselled that officers needed not intimidate others into behaving, when they themselves are misbehaving. •Continued on page 17

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

TRANSPORTATION

Rail assures pensioners of improved welfare

HE Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, has assured the corporation’s pensioners of improved welfare. He spoke at the beginning of a week-long nationwide verification exercise of the pensioners held in 33 centres across the country. He said: “The welfare and wellbeing of our pensioners will receive a boost through enhanced pension rates as all the recommendations made by the Ministerial Committee on pension rate increase are receiving attention and very sooner than anticipated, monthly pensions of our pensioners will be scaled up. Having worked for the Corporation for so many years of your life and now that you are senior citizens, you deserve nothing less than a retired life of bliss and plenty”. He continued:“As you come out to participate in the 2014 exercise, I share in your joy of having another opportunity in the land of the living, to visit your former place of work where you will meet other retired men and women with whom you had worked when you were young and energetic men and women. I am sure that some great and nostalgic thoughts of yester-years will be running through your hearts as you come into the warmth and beauty of a new Nigerian Railway. I must thank you for serving the Corporation so dutifully well and for sustaining it for my generation to meet to work in. As the management and the workers of this Corporation are concerned, we are determined to do our best and to live a better Railway for the generation coming behind us.” Sijuwade said the Federal Government had been funding the Corporation to enable it pay the pensioners. The General Secretary of the Rail-

Stories by Adeyinka Aderibigbe

•Cross section of the pensioners

‘As you come out to participate in the 2014 verification exercise, I share in your joy of having another opportunity in the land of the living ’ By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

way Branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Mr. Rafiu Balogun, said the pensioners identified with the exercise to eradicate ghost pensioners.

“This exercise will go a long way to justify and sustain our persistent claim that there are no ghost pensioners in the NRC. It is the tradition of the Pensioners’ Union to collaborate with the management in lobbying for funds to offset genuine

clams and entitlements of the pensioners. Therefore, we cannot afford to allow such money to go into wrong hands. Our Union is proud to associate with a management that does not tamper with or mismanage pension funds”, Balogun said. The Assistant Director (Pensions), Mrs. Adunola Oshunmakinde, said the pension verification exercise was imperative so as to generate a database of the pensioners. The database, according to Mrs. Oshunmakinde, would help the corporation to determine what amount of funds should be mobilised to pay the pensioners as and when due.

Making LASTMA more public-friendly •Continued from page 16

“Let me remind you of the tools of your trade. They are the law which empowers you to work, your physical body as you carry no weapons and importantly, your ability to positively influence the members of the community you serve to do the right thing. They must trust and respect you. It is mutual, as you must do same,” Masha further emphasised. She reminded that it was in recognition of their significant role in keeping the state moving that the governor recently approved their conversion into the state civil service and the creation of the law enforcement cadre in the civil service for LASTMA and other sister agencies in the state, which entitles them to all the benefits every civil servants has including pension rights under the contributory pension scheme. The arrest of a dismissed LASTMA official caught carrying out an illegal operation recently, and another, caught on tape demanding for a bribe are indicators that the task of reforming the traffic army in the state remains enormous. While the government is not denying that there might still be such elements, it assures that it has adequate capacity to effect change and transform the agency. Much of what it claims to be doing are still to manifest, but lagosians are patiently waiting to see a transformed LASTMA on the streets in the metropolis.

Fashola warns reckless drivers AGOS State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has warned motorists aagainst reckless driving. He said avoidable deaths caused by reckless articulated vehicle drivers would no longer be tolerated. At a meeting with truck and articulated vehicle owners and operators, Fashola expressed displeasure at the increasing rate of accidents involving trucks, trailers and tankers, urging drivers to be more careful. He said the increasing rate of accidents was making the government’s duty of protecting citizens’ lives and property difficult, noting that people that should contribute to nation building were being wasted by some careless articulated vehicle drivers. The government, he said, set up some agencies to improve the standard of driving and to promote safety on the road. These include the Lagos State Drivers Institute, urging them to avail themselves of its services. Earlier, in his presentation, titled: Articulated vehicle related incidences and accidents on Lagos roads in the last six months, Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa said the state, apart from being the commercial nerve of the country and the West African subregion, also has one of the world’s busiest road traffic vehicular density, with 90 per cent of the nation’s articulated vehicle traffic. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Union of Truck and Quarry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEN) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others.

‘How not to fight poverty’

P •Omafu (left) addressing some offenders at his office before taking them to court.

Court convicts 33 traffic offenders

O fewer than 33 traffic offenders have been convicted by a Mobile Court in Ota, Ogun State. Their conviction followed their trial, by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS2.22, Ota; RS2.26, Idiroko; RS2.27, Agbado and RS2.28, Itori Unit Commands. The court sits monthly to try traffic offenders. The offenders were convicted for offences ranging from driving with worn-out tyres (TYV), seat belt use violation (SUV) overloading violation (OVL), driver’s licence violation (DLV), vehicle windshield violation (VWV), caution sign violation (CAV), fire extinguishers violation (FEV), light and sign violation (LSV), among others. Some of the offenders were con-

By Olalekan Ayeni

victed with options of fine, while others were cautioned by magistrate Mrs A. O. Abimbola. The state Sector Command’s Legal Officer, Mr Uzoma Enwereuzo, said: “Utmost discipline is expected of drivers while on the road. “That obedience and compliance of traffic rules and regulations can only reduce number of crashes on the road.” He advised motorists, after reading out the 44 FRSC offences, to ensure that their vehicles were road worthy, adding that there is no ignorance in law. The lawyer warned motorists against fighting with marshals on

patrol, or speeding to avoid arrest, noting these are capital offence, he said. He advised motorists to obtain the new national driver’s licence and vehicle number plates, saying the old ones would expire on June 30. The enforcement of the new number plates and driver’s licence starts from July 1, he said. The Ota Unit Commander, who is also the coordinating commander, Mr Sunday Omafu, said the number of crashes reduced as a result of the compliance by motorists in the last yuletide. He appealed to drivers to drive carefully to save lives, time and properties.They should also ensure that other road users are not endangered or threatened while driving.

OLITICIANS and philanthropists have been asked to stop distributing motorcycles and tricycles as tools for poverty alleviation. Speaking in his office at Alausa, in Ikeja, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said the vehicles were not in tandem with the transportation master plan of the government. He said rather than buy motorcycles and tricycles, well-meaning Nigerians should pull resources and invest in the government’s public transport empowerment, job and wealth creation programmes. On restriction of motorcycles and tricycles on some streets and areas, Opeifa said the policy arose because some of the motorists had become a menace, adding that they compound the traffic situation in the state. He appealed to motorcycle and tricycle drivers to obey traffic rules and to go to the Driver’s Institute and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) for accreditation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

Stakeholders set agenda for would-be minister

TAKEHOLDERS have set agenda for the would-be Minister of Aviation, asking that the remodelling of airports initiated by the former Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, be completed. The stakeholders, among whom are airline operators, aircraft engineers and concessionaires, told The Nation that damage would be done to the sector, if the projects are abandoned. The projects include the building of 11 terminals in the second phase of the airport remodelling; five international airport passenger terminals being built by Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and the construction of 11 perishable cargo terminals. An Airport Concessionaire with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Adeola Omikunle, said investors were worried over what would become of the infrastructure projects initiated by the former minister, if they were not sustained. She said: “The best thing that the next minister should do is to ensure the completion of on-going projects, including airport terminals, air navigation equipment upgrade, the aviation master plan, the organised template designed for

airport concessions, the increased investor confidence and other projects initiated by Princess Oduah, adding that it is the best way the government could reposition the sector. An aircraft engineer, Fred Bulus, said the legacies of the former minister should be sustained by her successor, whom he said must ensure that the five modern international passenger terminals being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu are completed.

He said over 20,000 jobs have been created in the sector in the past two- and- a-half years as a result of the on-going construction works in the sector, stressing that these laudable programmes must be sustained in order not to retard the tremendous progress already recorded in the sector. The Executive Director, Centre for Aviation Safety and Research, Sheri Kyari also urged that whoever takes over from Princess Oduah should complete her projects.

‘The best thing that the next minister should do is to ensure the completion of on-going projects, including airport terminals, air navigation equipment upgrade, the aviation master plan, the organised template designed for airport concessions, the increased investor confidence and other projects initiated by Princess Oduah’

Enugu Pilgrims terminal ready IIMMEDIATE past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-East zone, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma has expressed happiness over the completion and use of the Pilgrims Terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu as take off point by Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. The pilgrims terminal was completed by the immediate past minister of aviation, Princess Stella Oduah . Bishop Chukwuma, who is also the Bishop of Enugu Diocese of the Anglican Communion,told journalists in Enugu at the weekend after the ceremonies to mark the departure of Anambra pilgrims to this year’s Easter pilgrimage to Israel that Akanu Ibiam International Airport has indeed become international as that was the fourth time pilgrims would use the airport facility as take-off point to the Holy Land. This, he noted, has saved the pilgrims the stress of first flying to Lagos, as was the practice in the past, before the upgrading of the Enugu Airport, before jetting out of the country. “We are now happy that we are packaging our pilgrims from Akanu Ibiam Airport. This is the fourth state; the first state we packaged from here was Abia state, the next one was Ebonyi state, the third one was Enugu state last year, and Anambra state now being packaged for Easter Pilgrimage. We are happy that the Atlas Jet is taking them from Enugu Akanu Ibiam Airport, making this place an international airport indeed and we feel so happy.” “So we are hoping that the pilgrims will go as good Ambassadors of Nigeria and will allow this pilgrimage to go through them so that they can be transformed and come back not the same again but transformed to be better Christians to influence others.

Arik Air increases routes

AS part of its expansion programme, Arik Air has extended two of its routes in the West African, the Managing Director, Chris Ndulue, has said. Starting from March 10, he said the airline would add Cotonou to its route network by operating the Lagos-Dakar flight via Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin Republic. Similarly, Arik Air will also from the same day, extend its daily AbujaAccra service to Dakar. Ndulue said as the dominant commercial airline in West Africa, the airline is seeking to strengthen its services in the region to give passengers more value. “We will not shy away from providing greater choice and a convenient, accessible network to our valued customers in the West Coast of Africa,” he said, adding that the Lagos-Cotonou-Dakar route will operate daily with the outbound flight departing the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and arriving at Cotonou International Airport. As a result of these developments, Arik Air will be the only carrier offering daily non-stop service to Dakar from Accra and Cotonou each catering for the needs of both the business and leisure passenger market segments.

Overland cuts fares

OVERLAND Airways has introduced special fares on Lagos-Asaba, LagosMinna, and Minna-Ilorin routes to reward their loyal customers. Overland, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Captain Edward Boyo said from this week, passengers will enjoy Overland Airways flight services from Lagos to Asaba and return, Lagos to Minna and return at N20,000 only, and Minna to Ilorin and return at N10,000 daily. It explained that the introduction of the new fares is to appreciate customers for their patronage and loyalty since Overland Airways resumed flights at the Minna Airport and to reward customers for their patronage on LagosAsaba route.

Delta Airlines gets awards

•Afolabi flanked by Managing Director SAHCOL, Mr Oluropo Owolabi, and other during an inspection of a warehouse of the firm at the Lagos Airport.

How to remain the best, by SAHCOL chief

ORKERS of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) have been asked to be more dedicated to meet customers’ expectation. SAHCOL Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi gave the advice at a retreat tagged: “Exceeding customers’ expectations in 2014 and beyond”, held for workers in Ijebu Odo, Ogun State. While thanking the workers for their efforts since the take-over of SAHCOL by Sifax Group, he said through the firmhas continued to take steady steps in meeting its vision. Afolabi said though SAHCOL has

not met its target, through commitment, loyalty and dedication of staff to duty, the firm would get there. He explained that the Sifax Group invested in SAHCOL to reverse the decline in service delivery sector, and build a firm that compete in ground handling, not just in Nigeria, but globally, and as well provide a platform through which employees would develop expertise and achieve their various ambitions. He said in the last four years, huge investments have been made in the critical ground equipment division running into billions of naira, while plans are on to take

delivery of more modern equipment in the months ahead. “The ultra-modern cargo warehouse, which will become operational in the second quarter of the year, has the state-of-the-art handling equipment, and it is the first of its kind in West Africa,” Afolabi urged the workers to be customer focused, saying they are the reason the business is in existence. “As service providers, customers are the only reason we are in business today, and for us to remain in business tomorrow, our collective efforts must be directed at delivering quality service that will exceed their expectations,” he said.

DELTA Air Lines received two top Latin Trade’s Best of Travel Annual Awards. Delta is the only United States’ airline in this year’s rankings. It got the ‘Most Improvement Overall’ and ‘Best Partnerships and Alliances,’ recognising Delta’s improvements in customer experience and strengthened partnerships with regional airlines GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, Aeromexico and Aerolineas Argentinas. “We are humbled to see our efforts recognised by the readers of one of the most influential business publications in the region. These awards validate the focus, strategy and diligent work Delta employees execute to achieve our goal of becoming the best U.S. airline in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean. “As Delta’s partners, GOL and Aeromexico are also committed to building a better overall experience and global network for our customers.” In the last two years, Delta Air Lines has invested more than $3 billion to improve all levels of services.

ICAN chapter praises NAHCO THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ikeja District has commended the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco Aviance) for its track records in the Aviation Industry. Its Chairman, Francis Egba, made the commendation during a courtesy call on the management of nahco aviance. He expressed the desire of his district to partner Nahco Aviance, calling for collaboration between the two organisations. The immediate past chairman of the district, Mr. Patrick Sanni commended the aviation handling firm for maintaining its integrity despite the challenges going on in the industry, saying it is a pointer to a wellmanaged and efficient company. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nahco Aviance, Mr. Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo thanked the visitors, assuring them of the firm’s resolve to continue to play its role as a leading aviation company in the country and in sub-Sahara Africa.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Dangers of docility •Nigerians must revive the culture of popular protests to call the government to order

RDINARILY, Nigerians should need no lectures on the importance of civic action and a demonstration of people’s power in checking the excesses of the state, holding governments to account and promoting responsible governance. Popular struggles involving mass action by citizens played a key role in the country’s liberation from colonial rule. Various civilian and military regimes in post-independence Nigeria were confronted with popular protests and demonstrations against policies and actions perceived to be anti-people. Notably, the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election by the military resulted in a protracted pro-democracy struggle that ultimately saw the military retreating to the barracks, leading ultimately to the current civilian political dispensation. It would , however, appear that with the democratic restoration of 1999, Nigerians

‘Nigerians surely have some useful lessons to learn from recent developments in countries like Ukraine or Venezuela ... In sharp contrast to these examples, Nigerian protesters promptly quit the streets when President Goodluck Jonathan ordered troops out to quell nationwide protests against a clearly untenable fuel price increase in January 2012. It is thus not surprising that the Jonathan presidency has shown ever increasing confidence in perpetrating acts of impunity’

have retreated behind a veil of docility even when confronted with heinous acts of corruption, ineptness and other acts of impunity by their supposedly democratic governments. Such acts that violate the rule of law and the elementary ethics of effective public administration have become the hallmark of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. Humongous amounts of public funds (fuel subsidy, kerosene subsidy, pension funds, revenues of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, etc.) are declared missing with little or no reaction from the public. The administration is therefore encouraged to turn a blind eye to even more outrageous acts of corruption that occur right under its nose. Nigerians surely have some useful lessons to learn from recent developments in countries like Ukraine or Venezuela. In the former, President Viktor Yanukovych provoked the ire of thousands of his country men and women when in November, last year, he opted for stronger ties with Russia and rejected a much anticipated farreaching accord with the European Union. In reaction to demonstrations by thousands of aggrieved Ukrainians at the Independence Square in Kiev, the police attacked student protesters; opposition activists were beaten and abducted while parliament passed stringent anti-protest laws. The Ukranian people were not deterred. They intensified their protests until Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his government had to resign and parliament ultimately ousted President Yanukovych from office. Despite the pro-Russia demonstrations in the Eastern part of the country and the military posturing of Russia, it is unlikely that an unpopular government can be imposed on the majority of the people of Ukraine.

Venezuela offers another example of the deployment of people’s power to check an arrogant and insensitive government. For over a month since February 4, there have been widespread protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro who succeeded the late President Hugo Chavez, last year. The demonstrations, which have rocked major cities, including San Cristobal, Barquisimento and Puerto Ordaz, have been in reaction to insecurity, government repression and shortages of basic goods. The detention of hundreds of people, including opposition leaders and the arrest of foreign journalists are high handed tactics that have only worsened the crisis. In an obvious attempt to undermine the demonstrations, Maduro declared a six-day holiday to commemorate the country’s yearly carnival; a gesture which majority of Venezuelans shunned. The protests have been sustained. In sharp contrast to these examples, Nigerian protesters promptly quit the streets when President Goodluck Jonathan ordered troops out to quell nationwide protests against a clearly untenable fuel price increase in January 2012. It is thus not surprising that the Jonathan presidency has shown ever increasing confidence in perpetrating acts of impunity. Good examples are the illegal suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami. When a government perceives its people as being docile or vulnerable to being divided along primordial lines, it will not hesitate to take them for granted. Popular docility could be the greatest threat to democratic sustainability in Nigeria.

A welcome challenge

•Sanusi’s decision to challenge his suspension in court is good for rule of law

ANUSI Lamido Sanusi’s recourse to seek judicial salvation in his bid to reclaim his post as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor is commendable. He was suspended as Governor of the CBN by President Goodluck Jonathan last month, and he is now in court through his attorney, Kola Awodein, SAN, to challenge the suspension in an Abuja Federal High Court. Such seeming presidential impunity had hitherto gone unchallenged. His bid to restrain the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector- General of Police from giving effect to his purported suspension from office, pending the determination of the suit, has been, understandably, rejected by the court. This interim setback notwithstanding, the court has in the interest of justice, ordered that the President should be put on notice while the matter was fixed for March 12 so as to avail both sides the opportunity to argue the motion. Justice Gabriel Kolawole, the presiding judge’s ruling would definitely allow the defendants to appear before the court to explain why the application should not be granted. Despite this justice-oriented legalese, we must quickly state that what is of more significant interest to us is that the substantive suit will go a long way in determining whether statutory laws guiding the operations of institutions of government can be breached by the President when suspending or removing the heads of such agencies from office. We do know that Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 in Section 11 clearly pro-

vides instances under which the governor or any of his deputies can be removed from office. None, to the best of our understanding, allows for presidential suspension of the governor. The only mention of the word ‘suspension’ is in section 11(1)(d) and that relates to the removal of the governor whenever he is disqualified or suspended from practicing his profession in Nigeria. And surprisingly, that was not the case in the prevailing circumstance. Furthermore, the only time the President can exercise any disciplinary control or recommend the removal of the CBN Governor is under section 11(1)(f) and that recommendation must be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate before the CBN governor can be successfully removed. We will always stand by the tenets of the Rule of Law because this is by far preferable to the rule of the jungle - which we are deeply convinced Nigeria is not -but a sovereign country governed by rules and regulations. Her affairs should be devoid of sentiments but anchored on these written rules and regulations. We abhor official meddlesomeness, which is why the recourse to judicial solution in the present impasse is well appreciated. Some years back when Professor Maurice Iwu was unilaterally removed by the President, the move was applauded not because of its legality but because the public was already fed up with his leadership style as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Sadly, the seeming public approval given that illegal presidential act must have given the President the

impetus to go ahead and suspend Sanusi as CBN governor. Unfortunately, in Sanusi’s case, this act is only tantamount to an indirect termination of his appointment because before the expiration of the period of suspension, his tenure would have expired, thereby making restitutio in integrum impossible. We consider this case a testy good one that is capable of extending the frontiers of constitutional governance and causing a reduction in executive impunity, now or in the future. It is even the more imperative that we know the position of the law on such matters, especially with general elections only about a year away. A situation where the fear of the President will be the beginning of wisdom is not good for INEC, for example. This would have been settled long since if Iwu had the courage to challenge his removal by the President.

‘What is of more significant interest to us is that the substantive suit will go a long way in determining whether statutory laws guiding the operations of institutions of government can be breached by the President when suspending or removing the heads of such agencies from office.

Thailand at the Brink

OLITICAL tensions that have long simmered in Thailand have exploded into violence in recent days. Clashes and gunfights between antigovernment protesters and security forces led to several deaths and many more injuries over the weekend. But the country’s elected leaders and the protesters are digging in their heels even as the conflict tears their country apart. The leader of Thailand’s army recently warned that continued violence could lead to a “collapse” of the country. Since November, the protesters have been trying to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her government. In response, she and her allies called for an election earlier this month. But voting was disrupted in many parts of the country, preventing a new government from being formed. The election commission has not said when it will complete the election. Both sides have been unwilling to compromise, and their supporters appear to be girding for more violence by forming militias and armed gangs in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country. The current crisis is the result of years of increasing regional and class divisions that have been exploited by leaders of all Thai political parties. Ms. Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, represent the north and northeast of the country, which has historically been more rural and poorer than the rest of Thailand. The antigovernment protesters, led by a combative opposition politician, tend to be from the south and from Bangkok, which is home to the country’s economic and cultural elite. Among other issues, the urbanites say Ms. Shinawatra has given overly generous subsidies to rice farmers that the country cannot afford. Resolving the current standoff will not be easy. The protesters want to replace the country’s democracy temporarily with an appointed council to enact unspecified political reforms. They argue that voters from the north and northeast cannot be trusted to elect an honest and competent government because they are easily influenced by populist policies. And supporters of Ms. Shinawatra argue that the Bangkok elite are trying to suppress the rural majority’s political voice and deny those people a fair share of the country’s wealth by preventing them from voting. The country’s two powerful institutions, the military and the royal family, which have previously stepped in to resolve political disputes, do not seem willing or able to intervene this time. The military, which has taken power in a coup or attempted to nearly 20 times since 1932, has said it will not take sides and has called on protesters and political leaders to respect the country’s Constitution. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is 86 and ailing, has not publicly spoken about the crisis. One potential solution to the current crisis would be for the national government to delegate more power and taxing authority to provincial administrations. That would allow different regions greater control over matters like agricultural and social welfare policies, which have been a major source of tension between the north and Bangkok. But no proposal can make headway until both sides renounce violence and agree to talk to each other. – The New York Times

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: There is no better way to describe suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by President Goodluck Jonathan than to say that it is a crude display of power and an attack on free speech, especially when it is evident that this is coming on the heels of accusations of corruption against the NNPC by the CBN governor. The oil sector is believed to be under the ampits of those highly connected to the president. This shameful action also lends credence to the fact that President Jonathan has continued to live in denial as he has demonstrated in recent time that the powers conferred on him by our extant laws are not enough

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Sanusi: A case of executive recklessness for him. It is even more sad that these violations keep happening before the very eyes of the nation’s number one legal officer, Attorney General of Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). Ordinarily, Nigerians expect that the AGF should advise and properly guide the president on a right legal approach to take.

The Presidency’s action is a paradox. The reason is that its action is completely at variance with what he would want Nigerians to believe informed the suspension of the CBN boss from office. For instance, the purported suspension was anchored on “financial recklessness” levelled against the governor by a so called report of the Financial

Reporting Council. The CBN governor was accused of taking actions and financial decisions that ran foul of the law. It is worthy to note that the president has not demonstrated a better respect for existing laws in this regard. If President Goodluck so much cherishes rule of law, one wonders why he had to circumvent the provisons of Section 11 of CBN

The writer must concur with me that Obahiagbon deserves not only a ‘million’ praises but infinite praises for having that sagacious capacity in expanding the scope of world vocabulary. The writer also misfired when he wrote: “My concern is the recurring infusion of Latin and Greek terminologies in his discuss as well as verbosity…’’ To be candid, this writer, from my own estimation, does not know the beauty and dynamic nature of language coated in neologism, poetic licence and ‘register’. To him, the infusion of Latin in a speech made by a lawyer negates the principles of communication; then, why were we taught ‘register’ in school? But I will excuse my friend. Perhaps the school he attended never taught him ‘register’

as a basic form of communication. I also wish to remind him that verbosities are not necessarily bad in oral communication because they are necessary lexical ‘lubricants’ that oil the wheels of oratory. He can run a check on speeches made by great orators if he doubts the veracity of my submission. The writer went on to announce to the world that he was conferred with the sobriquet ‘Obahiagbon’. If true, I think the raison d’être for that sobriquet was to praise him for his grammatical wizardry. Since his peers did not burry him, then it will be an unforgivable sin for him to contemplate burring the political cum legislative lexicologist (Obahiagbon) of our time. The writer relied on Reuben

Abati’s cliché which states that “we seem like in a generation in a hurry; we hurry to live, to love…” to straighten his point. Yet he fell prey to the force of ‘hurriness’ as shown in his spelling of the word ‘Crinkum – Crakum’ as ‘Krikum – Krakum’ in his piece. He also erred in his peroration when he wrote: “But what we have failed to understand is that oratory seems to have been lost especially in today’s Nigerian political sector”. I wish to admonish him to always listen to the like of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Babangida Aliyu, Pat Utomi, Peter Esele and the great Obahaigbon again and again. God bless Nigeria. • Ehi Godfrey O. Benin City

this innovation. Most youths from every states of the country registered on the site in other to enjoy this benefit from the federal government My greatest surprise is that many were notified that they won and the winners were given some certain sums of money to empower them, but some states were exempted, including Ekiti. Is Ekiti State not part of Nigeria? Some of the youths

there were notified that they won in the programme; the YOUWIN representative came to Ekiti State to meet the winners there. The winners were given a shirt, a jotter and a pen and with the promise by the representatives that they would be back in a short time to empower them financially. After a year, they came (October 2013), with the expectation of empowering the young folks there.

Re: To praise or bury Obahiagbon

IR: I am compelled by simple reason to strongly express my disapprobation with the piece titled: “To praise or to bury Obahiagbon.” It was authored by one Gilbert Alasa on page 43 of The Nation of February 20. The writer clearly anchored his caption on ‘ignoranti facti’ and missinformation because empirical fact supports my claim that the caption should have been: ‘To praise Obahiagbon’. I strongly defer to the forgoing caption in view of Obahiagbon’s dexterous and acrobatic use of the human language with effortless precision. It is on record that Obahiagbon’s popularity rest on the oasis his unbeatable idiolect and mellifluous dialectal delivery. Such admirable feat can only be attained by self intellectual effort as opined by Saint Austine in one of his mantra that: “The heights that great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling in the night.’’ Therefore, I think we should not blame Obahiagbon for the inability of his audience to grasp his thoughts at times because while he makes all available etymological dictionaries his ‘vade mecum’ in the dead of the night, others retire into deep slumber and ‘doclce farnient’(pleasant idleness).

Act 2007 (as amended) in suspending the governor. The implication of this action is abundantely clear: the Presidency has come to equity with soiled hands! He has no such power to suspend the CBN governor. He only has power to remove the governor subject to 2/3 approval of the Senate. Unfortunately, the supporters of this authocratic action have not been able to justify their supports beyond the fact that the CBN boss deserved to be shown the way out for “running aground” the institution. I know as a fact that Nigerians would not be opposed to the removal of the governor if he was found wanting. Our contention is that such removal must and should conform with laid down norms. It should not be done at the whims and caprices of the presidency. The argument that he who hires has the right to fire does not hold any water under the circumstance. Unlike in the normal contract of service, the appointment and removal of the CBN governor is strictly regulated by the Act and until such provisions are altered, the action of the president remains ultra-vires In a sanner society, where parliamentarians perform their duty without fear or favour, the action of the president is enough to start an impeachment proceeding against him. The simple reason is that nothing could be more gross in conduct than this flagrant violation of our law. Nigerians must demand from their lawmakers to do the needful on this matter. It would be most miserable of us to allow the president get away with this inpunity. •Barrister Okoro Gabriel, Lagos

YOUWIN: Ekiti youths are exempted

IR: I wonder why some citizens and some states of Nigeria are not benefitting from the federal government empowerment scheme: (YOUWIN) www.youwin.org.ng. This programme was established to finance and assist the youth in creating job opportunities for themselves and others in the country. This is a good idea from the federal government; the young folks were so happy for

They were given a certificate that they had participated in the YOUWIN programme instead of empowering them. They even took their photographs as if they had given them money. Mr President, no youth in Ekiti State has benefitted from your administration’s YOUWIN programme. Please note sir. • JoySunday ggodisgoodd@yahoo.com

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

COMMENTS

trap! OODLUCK Ebele Jonathan, As for Chief Ernest president of the Federal RepubShonekan, who neither staged lic, feasts with his centenary a coup nor won an election, crowd, over their centennial wonder. his sole ticket to centenary But the nation — or more correctly, honour was being the chief the country — over which he and his tool of sustaining the crime of foreign and local revellers swoon, sinks annulling MKO’s mandate. more into the quagmire, of a hundred Now, how can that be a motiyears of pretence. vation to Nigeria’s generation The grim trophy: slain school chilOlakunle next — that perfidy pays? dren and mass bombing by Boko Haram; lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola These were the unconscionand paralytic fuel queues that show the able leaders that have left NiNigeria of Jonathan’s celebration is no geria in a ditch at the turn of more than a centenary joke! its first century. Yet, these That was the grand contrast, that faced leaders (more of power dealluckless Nigerians, in the last week of ers!) toast themselves to high February. There, Boko Haram continues to spill innocent blood, the heavens, not caring a hoot about how prostrate they have left Even at a crucial crossroads, there appears no link between most outrageous being the 29 minors, killed at the Federal the poor people in their charge! Nigeria’s rulers and the ruled. Government College, Boni Yadi, Yobe State. Phew! A federal Indeed, reading Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s book, AdvenIn that cynical spirit, President Jonathan beatified a horrigovernment that cannot secure the lives of its young citizens, ture in Power Book Two: The Travails of Democracy and the rule of ble past, with the fond hope that would blot out the hard in its own secondary school, must find time to clink glasses! Law, clearly showed Nigeria’s leadership crisis started from present, which portends a grim future. Some hope! Does it not know it is the raw blood of its slaughtered youngthe very beginning — at independence. Dazed Nigerians, not a few caught in a debilitating ennui, sters it drank as wine? Instead of envisioning a bright future for their new councould only look on and wonder! Away from foreign colonisers, Jonathan’s centenary hontry and working hard towards it, the federal leadership at Talk of the beatification of horror, and the so-called centeours list crawls with local colonisers. To start with, the ace nary honours list jumps into the mind. Sitting atop the list is independence was rather fixated with crushing Awo’s Action thief, Sani Abacha! Abacha was a classic example of how not Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, Lord Frederick Lugard and even Group (AG); and with it, all its developmental strides. to be a citizen; yet, no thanks to the mechanical balancing of his girlfriend — as far as the Nigeria story goes — Flora But even if Awo was biased for himself, as he articulated the dysfunctional Nigerian state, he is a Jonathan winner! Shaw. his own case in his own book, how the Tafawa Balewa fedStill, none of the rabble of ex-Nigerian leaders that queued Now, the queen is a wonderful personage, adored by her eral government milked the Western crisis to get at their for the so-called centennial honours could be said to be morpeople. But as far as Nigeria’s British colonisation goes, she perceived nemesis is all too clear, from accounts from that ally superior to Abacha. Sure, Abacha was their collective heads a bandit state — every empire is a bandit state — that troubled era. image at its most decayed, but their image all the same! stole from, and raped the peoples of Nigeria, simply because But the moral, in the context of Nigeria’s centenary misGen. Yakubu Gowon would perhaps enjoy most of histoit had superior arms and inferior conscience. And all these celebration, is that that fixation turned out a grand distracry’s sympathy. His, from military rule’s days of innocence, is under the grand hypocrisy of Pax Britannica! tion, with the tragic consequences of a relay of bad leaders, of perhaps a charge of culpable omission. Not the others! So, for beatifying the queen in the context of Nigeria’s colowhich Jonathan is only the latest. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida wilfully annulled the freest elecnisation, is Jonathan endorsing that evil? That is house negro But just as well: the bright sparks in Nigeria’s opaque skies tion in Nigeria’s history. He stands legitimated charged, for complex taken too far! — Wole Soyinka, the families of Gani Fawehinmi, Fela Nigeria’s current rotten public morality. As for Lugard, he did his job as a patriotic Briton. But that Anikulapo-Kuti and the grand martyr of Nigerian democHis two successors, Abacha and Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, boon to Britain was — and still — is a mess to Nigeria. That racy, MKO — have rejected the centenary awards. take the can for the fate that befell MKO Abiola, winner of Lugardian mess is still being sorted out by the Nigerian peoStill, the irony is that, pound for pound, they are far more that presidential election of 12 June 1993. ple, even if the Nigerian state appears to have made its peace deserving of the awards. Despite the long haul in the wilderFor insisting on his mandate, Abacha locked up MKO and with the unconscionable Lugardian court. ness, they have shone brightest; and demonstrated what dazthrew away the key. MKO died in custody under Abdusalami’s It is only such a soulless court that can proceed to celebrate zling heights Nigeria can attain under the right leadership. charge, even if the general had the presence of mind to quickly as epochal, a non-event as 100 years of Nigeria’s slavery — If any good can come out of a gaffe, the Jonathan honours release Olusegun Obasanjo. Yet, the duo are honoured as and, to boot, in the midst of intense anguish in sections of the list, with its parade of leadership fat cats, has shown somenational builders, while their acts, by commission or omiscountry, especially in the North East. thing: those leaders are the direct opposite of what Nigeria sion, could well have pushed the country over the cliff. needs to be great. Gen (President) Obasanjo was, of course, key to the conSo, as the country takes its first gingerly steps in its next of the old order under a new guise. So, scratch the ‘For beatifying the queen in the tinuation century, Nigerians must vote the direct opposite of these Ota farmer, and you probably would locate the roots of the context of Nigeria’s colonisation, is current unease. He is the author and finisher of health-chal- past leaders. Much more importantly, the National ConferPresident Umaru Yar’Adua, whose death in office has ence must radically restructure the country for productivity Jonathan endorsing that evil? That lenged brought about the peculiar mess of the Jonathan presidency. and sustainable development. is house negro complex taken too Though Obasanjo now cries the cry of the innocent and the If not, a second centenary for Nigeria would be a pipe wronged under Jonathan’s onslaught, perceived or real, it is dream, for Nigeria would have sunk without trace, in the far!’ rather the deserved shriek of a plotter snared by his own violent ocean of its own contradictions.

epublican ipples

Jonathan feasts, the nation sinks

HE dynamics of modern development weigh heavily on effective planning and management of resources in the attainment of developmental objectives. Gone are the days when development is measured by immediate gains at the expense of future benefits. Gone also with those days is the culture of unrestricted spending of government funds by state officials. There is a new thinking that governments at all levels should save for future generations as well as diversify their revenue sources. United Arab Emirates (UAE) which is investing in other sources of revenue from its oil earnings is a good example of countries that have embraced this venture. Empirical evidence abounds to buttress the fact that states create and set aside funds as security against economic volatility and a savings mechanism for future generations. The existence of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) across the globe in the last 150 years, starting with when the US state of Texas in 1854 deliberately funded public education through this initiative, called the Permanent School Fund (PSF). At the time, an appropriation from the state legislature ensured that endowed public lands and saved funds by the state of Texas ran the school system on a roller coaster. Perhaps relying on this well-thought out prognosis, Nigeria at the twilight of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration saw a window to set aside a certain percentage of its oil revenue earning and commenced a process of stocking excess crude revenue with multilateral agencies for future infrastructural development. Though there are contentious legal issues surrounding its implementation, the moral aspects of saving for the rainy day are infallible. The logic behind this global venture entails setting aside a fraction of today’s earnings for future generations of Nigerlites. Encapsulated under a programme of action, the Niger State version of the Sovereign Wealth Fund considers the welfarist option of ensuring that no matter how meagre the resources available to the state may be, a certain proportion of it must, as a matter of law, be invested in anticipation of our children’s future need. The premise is simple. Niger State cannot continue the “feeding bottle” system of expecting money

Niger: For their tomorrow By Danladi Ndayebo solely from the federation account which is based only on revenue from oil that has its peculiar challenges with more countries that hitherto relied on our oil now becoming oil-producing nations themselves. Equally, disturbing is the system that sees many states incapable of solving its problems if something radical is not done to save the future for the unborn generation with the manner successive administrations empty the treasury when leaving or even live on borrowed times while in office. Determined to chart a new path of fiscal prudence and discipline in the management of scarce resources, the Niger State government decided to thrust the management on the professional cadre of the state civil service. It is an ingenious way to prepare for a new wave of economic transformation at this most critical trajectory of the state’s political evolution. The Niger State Commonwealth Fund is being managed by an amalgam of political thinkers and financial whiz kids, including the governor, representatives of the senatorial districts and officials from the ministries of Justice, Finance, Investments, Commerce and Cooperatives, as well as representatives of women, civil society, youths, the academia and the council of traditional rulers. It has been done in a way that the present does not suffer either. With a dedicated financial stream of five percent of the gross internally generated revenue, two percent proceeds of monthly revenue, 30 percent of proceeds from excess crude revenue accruable to the state and the local governments from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), 30 percent of extraordinary savings or income due to the state and LGAs from time to time and investments portfolios in all companies it has shares, as well as those from assets of MDAs. Unlike

in the past, the Babangida Aliyu is concerned about tomorrow’s Niger. Even when he quits the stage, the resources would have with compound interests withstood the inflation risk over time. Without doubt, these measures would collectively contribute to reducing the risk level inherent in the economy. The Niger economy will with time certainly become more attractive for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The high level seriousness the governor is pursuing this investment agenda signals government’s commitment to the global standards of transparency and accountability in the management of resources. The culture of unrestricted spending of unanticipated income will be curtailed. Investments will be based on sound, clear and beneficial economic/financial parameters and up the availability of a pool of savings or back-up funds for future generations. Availability of an Infrastructure Fund will provide intervention in critical areas of the state economy because the infrastructure deficit of the state is a major challenge that requires massive investments in resources. This benefit will cut across different sectors in line with due to the multidimensional nature of the potential/actual interventions. A prophet may be without honour in his home. But that lasts for a generation. Successive generations will applaud the foresight of a visionary with the knowledge of hindsight. It has always been so. Babangida Aliyu may have attracted as many friends as he has garnered foes, but this sovereign fund initiative is simply altruistic and beyond his time. For the future of young and unborn Nigerlites, the governor is committing today’s scare funds. • Ndayebo writes from Minna, Niger State

‘Availability of an Infrastructure Fund will provide intervention in critical areas of the state economy because the infrastructure deficit of the state is a major challenge that requires massive investments in resources’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

COMMENTS

HE Nigerian military since inception has proven not only to be a good, effective and efficient fighting machine but also a strong vehicle for national unity and cohesion. When the country was on the verge of disintegration following the crises that led to the unfortunate 30-month civil war, it was the patriotic soldiers that fought to hold us together. The patriotic slogan then was ‘To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ and the Khaki boys were up to that task. When the likes of the murderous Maitatsine religious sect decided to strike in Kano and later Maiduguri in the 80s, the military moved swiftly to wipe them away from the face of the earth so to speak and Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief. Even across our borders in the ECOWAS sub region in the 90s, the Nigerian military proved its mettle first in Sierra Leone and most importantly Liberia where a band of rebels had moved in from the bush to destabilize the legitimate governments. Leading soldiers from other West African countries under a sub regional military group called ECOMOG, the members of the Nigerian armed forces drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force fought heroically to restore peace to the two countries and saved West Africa from a crisis that could destabilize the entire sub region. Let’s forget about what went into those

‘It is easy to blame the Babangida era for the rot in the Nigerian Air Force and to some extent the rest of the armed forces, but then we have had 15 years of civilian rule during which if we are serious, we would have rebuild our armed forces to such an effective fighting machine capable of routing irritants such as Boko Haram in a matter of weeks’

Where are the soldiers? wars in terms of human and material resources and who got what and not, the fact was that even opponents of the Liberian/Sierra Leonean adventure by the Nigerian Military were proud of our boys even if they failed to openly admit it. The roles our boys have played in peacekeeping operations around the world have earned praise for Nigeria not only from the United Nations but also other big players in the international arena including the United States. With all these domestic and international accomplishments not a few Nigerians believed that our military could rank among the medium powers in the world in terms fighting capability and efficiency. I remember Babangida’s Foreign Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi even floating the idea of what he called a ‘Concert of Medium Powers’ to bring together those countries that are slightly below the two super powers of that era and their allies. He believed Nigeria qualified to be in that league; not many argued with him. The belief then was that we could take on and crush any opposition at least in the sub region, and if push comes to shove, our military could raise our flag high even in the continent. Between that time and now a lot has happened to our military as a fighting machine and in the last four years or so the Boko Haram insurgency has really exposed or rather confirmed the fears of most patriots that the Nigerian Military is no longer what it used to be.

HE binge is on and those close to he powers that be are at it again strutting about and laughing to the banks even though we are told that the centenary celebrations are sponsored by the private sector. Those who milk us dry to the marrow always have justificatory excuses to give in their consistent manipulations that negatively affect the good people of Nigeria. The promoters and beneficiaries of the on-going centenary celebrations are inured to the damnable condition of life in Nigeria manifested by an acute unemployment that has ballooned to as high as 37.7%, gruesome killings of innocent citizens by the Boko Haram bandits, kidnappings, oil-theft, a resurgent fuel scarcity, epileptic power supply (in spite of the new owners of the former PHCN), and sundry life-threatening activities that have daily defined the people’s existence. The ruling elite and their friends and supporters must exploit every opportunity to their advantage. And so, one hundred years of Nigeria’s existence must surely be celebrated. In their usual hurry to take advantage of every situation, lame duck officials always mess things up raising more questions than answers. Otherwise, how can one explain the inclusion of the late General Sanni Abacha as a Centenary awardee? General Abacha, it must be remembered was one of those in league with the ‘’dribbling’’ General Ibrahim Banbagida who denied Nigerians of their choice of leader when Babangida’s regime flagrantly and criminally annulled the 1993 Presidential election clearly won by the business mogul, the late M.K.O Abiola. Apart from working in cahoots with the evil General, Sanni Abacha continued from where Babangida stopped, throwing bombs here and there and stealing without qualms. Abacha’s loot stashed away in many countries of the world is yet to be fully recovered by the Nigerian government. The pertinent questions that arise are: Do we need to celebrate characters like Abacha? Is it not shameful that after all the shenanigans of Abacha, Nigeria’s current leaders showcase him as one of our heroes past? Is it not strange that Abacha occupies the same space in our pantheon of icons as the likes of Gani Fawehinmi, Fela RansomKuti and other shinning men and women of virtue living or dead? Why have we gone so low as a nation? It must be stressed that those who have hijacked the Nigerian society at all levels of its life appear to be the tenth eleven with mediocre dispositions in all their assignments. It is laughable that a scholar of Richard Olaniyan’s stature will be completely left out of matters concerning the 1914 Amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates. Professor Olaniyan, a distinguished Diplomatic Historian who retired from the prestigious Department of History, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, some years ago has written quite extensively on issues bordering on the Amalgamation. He edited a book with its comprehensive totality entitled: The Amalgamation and its Enemies and many academic monographs and essays in Journals and books including a chapter entitled ‘Disamalgamation: A Chronicle of the Codes and Conduct of its Advocates’ in a forth-coming book edited by

Since the insurgency began somewhere in Bauchi State in the north east some four years ago, the terrorists have been waxing stronger and stronger and the Nigerian military seemingly unable to contain let alone crush them. Each time I hear stories of how armed insurgents drove into villages in convoys and spending hours unchallenged killing and maiming innocent people my heart cuts and I ask, where are the soldiers? Sometime in 2012 I went round the country campaigning in the run up to the then upcoming national elections of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Nowhere in that region was as militarized as Borno and Yobe States yet the insurgents were still able to sneak and cause death and destruction. In Yobe State as you approach Damaturu, Potiskum and such other big settlements there are military check points at almost 200 metres interval and you have the impression that if this is replicated in almost all parts of the state then the people are or should be safe. The same situation is obtainable in Borno and lately Adamawa State. So, when one now hears that Boko Haram insurgents have struck again and our soldiers were nowhere to be found one gets confused. It is more confusing when one throws the Air Force into the equation and one begins to wonder how could a band of at best rag tag insurgents operate in a place for hours and our fighter jets or helicopter gunships could not go there to bomb them. Where is the

pride of the Nigerian Air Force if it cannot police our air space and pick out enemies from the air, especially in the desert and destroy them? When vehicles move in convoys, especially in the desert and in day light, they can easily be spotted even at night and should be easy targets. Markudi where the Air Force Tactical Air Command is located should be within two minutes flying distance to anywhere in the North West for our fighter jet. So, even if NAF cannot put them on ground at Maiduguri Airport or Air Force base for whatever reason, its pilots should be able to reach and bomb any target from Markudi within seconds. Why are we not doing this? All militaries in the world rely heavily on air power to subdue their opponents in any warfare whether conventional or not. The Air Force is regarded as the teeth of the armed forces; go in there, subdue the opponent, then the foot soldiers (Army) can then move in and finish the task. Where are the teeth of our own armed forces in this battle against terror? Where is the Nigerian Air Force in the war against Boko Haram? It is easy to blame the Babangida era for the rot in the Nigerian Air Force and to some extent the rest of the armed forces, but then we have had 15 years of civilian rule during which if we are serious, we would have rebuild our armed forces to such an effective fighting machine capable of routing irritants such as Boko Haram in a matter of weeks. But here we are, four years or so on and we can seem to make any head way. Until we address the problem of the Nigerian military the war on terror especially against Boko Haram would be difficult to win. It is not just about personnel alone, what kind of training are we giving them? The war on terror is not a conventional one and we need to master the tricks of the terrorists and outwit them before we can defeat them. Let’s not play politics with this war, it is not President Goodluck Jonathan’s war or his problem, it is our problem, our war and together we must fight it and win.

The Centenary Celebrations: another elite jamboree By Chijioke Uwasomba Ayoade Bunmi and Adesanya Adeoye. The most annoying and insulting aspect of the list of awardees is the deliberate exclusion of the late Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, the first Military Governor of the then Western Region of Nigeria who sacrificed his life for his visitor, colleague, fellow compatriot, friend and Commander – in- Chief. It is instructive to note that Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi would not have been brutally eliminated, if he wanted to play coy, by allowing Theophilus Danjuma and company to kill Aguiyi Ironsi.It is indisputable that the Danjuma group was on an insensate and wicked revenge mission over the January 1966 Coup d’etat seen in many circles as a nationalist movement to rescue the country from the vice gip of corruption and mis-governance. There is no doubt that the late Fajuyi was a man of honour whose bonhomie was matchless and superbly great. Fajuyi’s Christ–like display of sacrifice is peerless in the history of Nigeria. His fidelity to friendship is a value that needs to be drummed into the ears of Nigerians especially the young Nigerians who have become dis-enchanted with the high level of thievery and other forms of impunity that have characterised Nigerian life over the years. Arguably, there is no Nigerian leader, living or dead that has demonstrated the profundity of love, sacrifice, patriotism and selflessness that Fajuyi effortlessly but remarkably gave to humanity. Leaders of Fajuyi’s hue are rare to find in this clime of charlatans who always take refuge in their ethnic cocoons to protect their undeserved interests. Today’s Nigeria is one in which the dirty past of some people does not count but what they have been able to acquire politically and economically. Looking at the Centenary Awardees’ list, one feels appalled and ruefully concerned that included in the list are some of the mutineers who killed Fajuyi and his august guest, General Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi. Some of these people have become political leaders and operators of the Nigerian economy, owning the commanding heights of the economy. They are the owners of oil blocks, insurance and financial institutions, universities, big farms and firms, shipping and fishing companies among other big profit- making organisations across the world. With their obscene wealth they are able to negotiate a space in all spheres of Nigerian life. It is not surprising that the list is littered with names of these categories of people who by their various acts of omission and commission have injured the country. These ele-

ments do not believe in the Nigerian idea. Because the country has been rigged and ravished in their favour they posture about and corner every available space and resources to themselves at the expense of the majority of the people. But all hope is not lost if the latest news from the families of the Afro-beat King, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Gani Fawehinmi is anything to go by. The rejection of the awards by these two great families casts a slur on the awardees’ list. One will not be surprised if Achebe’s family does the same thing. Achebe had twice while alive strongly rejected the national awards offered him by the Nigerian government because of his insistence that the country should be run properly along the lines of probity, accountability, democratic norms, transparency and rule of law. These values of civility have been assaulted by the Nigerian ruling clique with their supporters. Chinua Achebe, the highly celebrated prose stylist will tumble in his grave to hear that he and the thieving General Abacha will be garlanded in the same fashion by mimic men and women who are in charge of the affairs of Nigeria. Meanwhile, the government that is honouring Abacha as a Centenary award winner is also at the same time claiming to be doing everything humanly possible to recover humongous sums of money stolen and stashed away in foreign banks by Abacha. As the government and its supporters celebrate their centenary activities with éclat and joy, it is meet to wish them well and to insist that Fajuyi has been ‘killed’ the second time by the unconscionable Nigerian ruling elite who glories in all kinds of sybaritic activities at the expense of the people in particular and Nigeria in general. • Uwasomba is of the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile

‘As the government and its supporters celebrate their centenary activities with éclat and joy, it is meet to wish them well and to insist that Fajuyi has been ‘killed’ the second time by the unconscionable Nigerian ruling elite who glories in all kinds of sybaritic activities at the expense of the people in particular and Nigeria in general’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Let us have the will to do what we have seen accom’ plished somewhere before, let us lend our voices to the resolution of the missing $20billion, it is an awful huge sum of money and we must not keep quiet at all

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E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 28

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has sanctioned five judges for what it called ‘gross misconduct’ and ‘low performance.’ Its action brings to nine the number of judicial officers penalised since July, 2012 when Justice Aloma Mukhtar became its chairman following her appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Lawyers argue that though the effort to enhance ethical conduct among judicial officers is commendable, the big stick should be applied with caution. ERIC IKHILAE reports.

Lawyers to CJN: Tread with caution T

INSIDE:

HE National Judicial Council (NJC) has wielded the big stick, again, sanctioning former Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu and four judges. It suspended Justices Gladys Olotu (of the Federal High Court) and Ufot Inyang (Abuja High Court) and recommended that they be retired by President Goodluck Jonathan. It sent warning letters to Justices Adamu, A. A. Adeleye (Ekiti State High Court) and D. O. Amaechina (Anambra State High Court). They were accused of engaging in acts amounting to “gross misconduct.” In the case of Justices Olotu and Inyang, the NJC said its decision was informed by its findings after investigating thr petitions against them. In justice Olotu’s case, the Council said it found: •That she “failed to deliver judgment only to deliver same in Suit No. FHC/UY/250/2003, 18 months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit, contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days”; •That she “admitted before the Fact Finding Committee of the Council that investigated the allegations that she forgot she had a pending ruling to deliver in an application for joinder”; •That she “entertained a post-judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after delivering judgment, which made her functus officio” and

Arewa lawyers meet, call for NBA President that will resist pressure

•CJN Mukhtar

•That in another case: Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/505/2012, “Hon. Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment twice.” As regards Justice Inyang, the NJC said it found, among others, that he “included in his judgment, references to the Garnishee Proceedings, which came after the judgment had been delivered on December 20, 2011. It added that Justice Inyang “included the name of the counsel to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), who came into the matter after the judgment of December 20, 2011 was delivered.” Justice Inyang was said to have “recklessly signed a writ of execution, a day after delivering his judgment of December 20, 2011, the same day a Notice of Appeal and Motion on notice for stay of execution were filed.” The NJC said it found that the judge continued with the garnishee proceedings, despite application for stay of execution; and that before delivering his judgment of December 20,

Nigeria can live without oil, says Fashola -Page 26

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2011, Justice Inyang “ignored a properly filed Motion on Notice for leave to file additional witness statement on oath.” Justice Adamu, who presides over the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, was warned for “deliberately absenting himself from duty”, which the Council said “is an act of gross misconduct contrary to the provisions of the Constitution and the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The offence of Justices Adeleye and Amaechina was that of “very low performance.” This latest case brings to nine the number of judges that has so far been sanctioned since the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and NJC Chairman Justice Aloma Mukhtar, assumed office on July 16, 2012. •Continued on page 26

Court’s jurisdiction and enforcement of foreign verdicts -Page 37

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

LAW COVER CONT’D

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Lawyers to CJN: Tread with caution •Continued from page 25

Others were Justices Thomas Naron (Plateau State High Court), Charles Archibong (Federal High Court), Abubakar Talba (Abuja High Court) and Okechukwu Okeke (Federal High Court). Justices Naron and Archibong were recommended for retirement; Justice Talba was suspended for 12 months; Justice Okeke was warned. Beside, the firmness with which the NJC now enforces the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, the current leadership of the judiciary has also introduced some measures for eliminating identified institutional challenges. Some of them are the review of the Rules of Practice and Procedure and the issuing of Practice Directions to eliminate trial delays. Each judicial officer’s performance is now being evaluated based on key performance indicators to enhance efficiency. Developments in the judiciary since the emergence of its current leadership have attracting divergent views, with some praising the forces driving the changes. Others called for caution, warning that a possible derailment could occur. Those in support have termed the seeming frequency of sanctioning judicial officers and the various initiatives introduced in recent time as an attempt to ensure discipline among officers and enhance performance. They also see the developments as a realisation of the CJN’s Justice Muktar pledge, on assumption of office, to cleance the judiciary. During her screening by the Senate on July 11, 2012, admitted that the temple of justice had been desecrated by some elements. “As at now, it is very bad and I am saddened by it. I will try. I don’t want to sound like a broken record. I will try to make sure that the confidence reposed in the judiciary, as it was before, is returned. I will try to en-

sure that the bad eggs that are there are flushed out. That there will be a cleansing by the NJC based on petitions. “It is sad that the ordinary man on the street thinks and feels that he cannot get justice. This is because of the situation we find ourselves. I will ensure that this perception changes,” Justice Mukhtar had said. Critics, however, are of the view that there is the need for caution to prevent a situation where judicial officers begin to exhibit what they termed symptoms of excessive control, which include demotivation. They argued that a situation where a judge begins to look behind his or her shoulders, before exercising his or her discretion in taking decisions, would be antithetical to the known tradition of judicial independence. Critics noted that a cleanse and upright judiciary cannot be attained under the prevailing practice where judges’ appointment and promotion are influenced from outside the system. They observed that most judges toil daily to ensure balance between objectivity and pressure from the interests that influenced their appointment and promotion. To ensure a cleanse and an upright judiciary, critics said emphasis should be on how to ensure a system that abhors patronage but rewards hard work and merit. Lawyers, including Dr. Abubakar Uthman, Johnson Daramola, Anthony Nwachukwu and Gideon Tokori are of the view that while the current reforms in the judiciary are welcomed, it must be carried out with caution to avoid a situation where the ‘baby is thrown away with the bath water.’ Uthman said while the promptness with which the NJC addresses petitions against judges is commendable, “the Judiciary must evolve a system that effectively screens out frivolous and malicious petitions from meritorious ones that require attention.” He urged the NJC to always subject peti-

The lady (CJN) should be cautious. Every wrong should not end in compulsory retirement. Some of those, who have been sacked, are seen by some of us as good materials, who ought to be encouraged •Justice G K Olotu

tions and complaints against judicial officers to thorough scrutiny before taking action. Daramola stressed the economic implication of having many retired judges, who draw retirement benefits from the public fund. He said cases where judges are retired prematurely, unwittingly populates the rank of retired judges. “In such cases, we lose their services prematurely and yet, pay them retirement benefits for life.” He said those, whose cases are proved to be bad, and are found to have breached their oath of office and committed gross misconduct, should be sacked outrightly. “The idea of compulsory retirement is like giving soft landing to people, who are found wanting,” he said. Nwanchukwu contented that since Nigeria is reputed as a corrupt nation, the judiciary should not, in a bid to prove to the world that it is better than the other sectors, over subject its personnel to scrutiny. “This can result in loss of self-confidence and independence of mind on the part of the judges. Why is the NJC harsh on judges when

‘

the Executive pampers the rogues among them? “Don’t we read in the papers and see on television how these ministers loot the nation’s treasury blind and yet, the President looks the other way or at best reluctant to sanction them? The NJC should stop being quick to fire or sanction erring judges. They should be given opportunities to make amend. Tokori advised that the NJC, under Justice Muktar should not be hasty in wielding the big stick. He observed that more judges are being sanctioned now than before. He wondered how many will still be affected before the CJN retirees later this year. “The lady (CJN) should be cautious. Every wrong should not end in compulsory retirement. Some of those, who have been sacked, are seen by some of us as good materials, who ought to be encouraged. These people are faced with a lot of pressure and tempting offers. It really takes the grace of God not to fall for such tempting offers as a judge in Nigeria,” Tokori said.

•Secretary Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF), Mr. Garungabas (left) and Chairman (ALF) Mr. M. A. Abubakar •Mr. Liman Hassan (SAN) left and Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).

Arewa lawyers call for a resolute NBA president

ITH less that four months to the July 2014 elections of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Northen Lawyers Association popularly called Arewa Lawyers Forum, has called on lawyers to elect a resolute president who will not bend to political pressure. In a chat with The Nation, the forum chairman, Mr. M. A. Abubakar said: “ I t is obvious that the NBA is a mirror that reflects all the good things that should happen in Nigeria, particularly when it comes to elections, the NBA shows the way. So, it is incumbent upon the NBA to elect a President that would fly the flag of the association very high. Like I said, we are like a cursor,

By John Austin Unachukwu

we show the way for other Nigerians to follow therefore, it is really necessary for us to have a President that will not bend to any type of pressure “ He commended members of the association for turning up for the meeting, stating that the previous venue of the meeting had to be changed to accommodate the expected large turn out. Abubakar said: “ The meeting went on very well, first and foremost, we recorded an unprecedented large number of people in attendance. Out of the 36 branches in the North, only two branches were not here, those two branches were those who have

been very active in the politics of the forum and I think they must have very strong reasons for not attending this meeting and we expect to see them in future meetings of the Arewa Lawyers Forum.” On major decisions taken at the meeting, he said: “The major decision we took here has to do with the strive to place the Arewa Lawyers Forum on a very solid foundation. We are just taking over because the last executive of the forum was a caretaker committee, we are the first elected officials of the Arewa Lawyers Forum. He added: “So, what we want to do is to place it on a very solid foundation so that it will constitute a legacy we are going to pass on to

those who are going to take over from us.” On the role of regional fora on NBA elections, Abubakar said: “The regional fora are keys to ensuring seamless transition in the NBA. There are other professional associations in Nigeria whose constitution provide for a smooth succession by a deputy president of the association taking over from the incumbent.” He continued: “However, the NBA constitution is a little bit different from those constitutions, but that notwithstanding, the emergence of regional fora has now engendered in the NBA a seamless transition because through the fora, presidents of the association are produced through

less rancorous conditions so that by the time a forum is now able to zero in on one person, the other fora will just adopt and that will engender a very smooth and rancour free election for the NBA. “In the past, he said, “we had experienced that in the NBA, nothwithstanding the fact that some members will feel strongly that they will want to contest despite the fact that their forum has said that it is another person that they adopt. “We have had that type of experience, but invariably, the adopted candidates of the various fora succeeded in the elections. So, I feel very strongly that the forum plays a very important role in entrenching democracy in the NBA.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY

Court rejects robbery suspect’s claim of police torture

Lagos High Court, Ikeja, last week rejected the claim by a robbery suspect, Seun Omolade that he was tortured by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and forced to make a confessional statement. The suspect said he made the statement under duress. The suspect and co-defendant, Gbenga Kayode are standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye for alleged criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

By Adebisi Onanuga

At the resumed hearing of the matter, Omolade told the court that he was forced to make the statement after he was allegedly beaten in a “theater” at SARS’ office in Lagos. In his testimony, a police officer attached to SARS, Mr Garuba Usman said the two accused persons were referred to his team on November 10, 2011 for further investigation after they were ar-

Shippers’ Council holds 13th maritime seminar for judges

•Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council Mr. Hassan Bello

HE Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), will on June 12 and 13 hold the 13th Maritime Seminar for Judges at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja.

The theme for this year’s Seminar is “Sustainable Development in the Maritime Sector in Nigeria” the conference 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 the event will include: Dr. Wale Olawoyin, former Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha (rtd), Prof. Akin Oyebode, Chidi Ilogu (SAN), former DirectorGeneral, NIMASSA, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, Chairman and CEO, NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, Mrs. Vicky Haastrup, Prof. Ademun-Odeke, Funke Agbor Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore and others.

NBA holds NEC meeting tomorrow

tarily. The judge then directed that a trial-within-trial be conducted to determine the validity of the statement. In his narration, Omolade claimed that when he got to SARS office after his arrest, he was taken to the back of the main building to a place called theatre. “When I entered the theatre I saw blood on the ground. It was Mr Usman who took me to the theatre. “He asked me to look to my left and I saw things that look like a man and a woman. The ‘woman’ had blood on her mouth. He said I should go and kiss the woman with blood on her mouth. “Then he said I should move to the other side and stand in the blood. He took a big iron and wood and began to hit me and said I should say something. One man came in and said they should hang me,” he said.

The defendant said that as a result of the ordeal he went through, he became so weak that other suspects had to be called in from another cell to carry him out. When he was shown the confessional statement to confirm if it was his signature that was on it, the defendant said he signed it, but that he did not sign it on the day Usman claimed. “I did not sign the statement on November 10, 2011 as Usman said. I was given a paper to sign on December 20, 2011 before I was taken to court,” he insisted. Ruling on the trial-within-trial, Justice Ipaye admitted the confessional statement in evidence and said the court would weigh its content before reaching a decision. “The statement will be based on weight of evidence to be attached,” she said. She adjourned further hearing till April 8, 2014.

•From Left: Prof. Duro Oni, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Service), UNILAG; Aina; Prof. Babajide Alo, Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academics & Research), UNILAG; Prof. I. O. Smith (SAN), Dean, Faculty of Law, UNILAG; Prof. Musbau Salau, a Law lecturer, Faculty of Law, UNILAG at the presentation of Certificate of Incorporation of the UNILAG-NCMG College of Negotiation.

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold its quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the Fountain Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State from tomorrow, March 5 to 7, 2014. Consequently, a meeting of the National Officers of the association is scheduled to hold today at the national secretariat, Abuja by 2. 00 pm. NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) has called on NEC members to attend the meeting as a lot of important issues would be discussed and decisions taken. He therefore, called on lawyers to be focused and passionate as decisions would be taken on issues that would affect the future of the association. Fielding questions on the participation of the NBA at the forthcoming national confab, Wali said the NBA will painfully not participate at the dialogue because the one

rested in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. According to him, a Suzuki motorcycle, a locally-made cut-to-size single barrel gun, one live cartridge and one expended cartridge were allegedly recovered from the defendants. Usman admitted writing the statements for the defendants based on their confessions. He explained that he had to do it because they could not write. “I recorded their statement. They said it verbally and I put it in writing. They went through it themselves and signed it. Both of them made a confessional statement to the allegation of conspiracy and robbery,” he said. Counsel to the defendants, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, however, objected to the tendering and admittance of the confessional statement, which he said was not made volun-

T •Wali (SAN)

delegate slot given to the NBA clearly showed that the NBA presence is not needed at the national dialogue. On whether he would lift ban on campaigns at the meeting, Wali said: “When we get there, we will know what to do.” However, it is widely speculated that the electoral committee that will midwife the next NBA elections would be constituted in Ado-Ekiti.

Expert canvasses enhanced application of ADR mechanisms

HE growth of Africa’s economy and its increasing relevance in the global environment is dependent on its capacity to negotiate and utilise quick, effective, equitable and economically viable dispute resolution alternatives, an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) expert, Mr. Kehinde Aina has said. Aina, who is the founder of and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG) International spoke at the presentation of certificate of incorporation of the University of Lagos(UNILAG)-NCMG College of Negotiation (College of

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Negotiation), a joint initiative of UNILAG and the NCMG. He said the college seeks to focus on increasing the competence with which people, corporations and governments deal with disputes and decision-making, while promoting social order and economic development in the country and Africa. Aina explained that the college, “a product of over seven years of planning, negotiation and resource mobilisation, is the only institution of higher education in the country, devoted to the study, teaching and

research in the field of negotiation, mediation, arbitration and conflict management mechanisms. The college, which he said is modeled after the Harvard Program on Negotiation, will foster a mix of top academic and practical learning experience. Aina said the college is in the process of commencing Masters Programmes in Legal Studies, Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management. “Each programme is a four-semester, part time programme, targeted at senior managers, legislators, public and civil servants, government officials, professionals and business executives,” he said.

N4.4m subsidy fraud: Court declines to quash charges against oil marketer

N oil marketer, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo has lost his bid to quash N4.4 million subsidy charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC). Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of an Ikeja High Court in Lagos declined to strike out an application filed by Ogunbambo, seeking to quash the charge against him and three others by the EFCC. Justice Onigbanjo dismissed the application for lacking in merit. Those charged by the EFCC with Ogunbambo are Mamman Ali, son of Dr. Ahmadu Ali, a former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Christian Tay-

By Adebisi Onanuga

lor and their firm - Nassaman Oil Services. Ogunbambo was, however, absent in court. In the application filed by his counsel, R.A Oluyede, the defendant had prayed the court to quash all the counts and information filed against him for lack of jurisdiction. The application brought pursuant to Section 66(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and supported by a

26-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Kunle Shote, also urged the court to discharge him. Responding to the application on point of law, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court to dismiss the application on the ground that it is premature at this stage when plea had been taken by the defendant and trial had commenced. Oyedepo said the issue of competency of the charge could not be raised at the stage when the prosecution has not closed its case and had only called three witnesses, add-

ing that it could not be said that the information filed against the defendant was an abuse of court process. Justice Onigbanjo in his short ruling, however, dismissed the application for lacking in merit. Earlier, the judge re-emphasied his bench warrant issued against Ogunbambo in another subsidy matter for the defendant to be produced in court. EFCC counsel, Oyedepo urged the court to issued another bench warrant against Ogunbambo despite a pending one issued against

him earlier in another matter. Oyedepo argued that since Ogunbambo’s lawyer had tendered same medical report, he tendered in the other matter and claimed that the defendant had sustained a spinal cord injury after falling from a bathtub in this same matter, another bench warrant should also be issued on him. But in his ruling, Justice Onigbanjo emphasised that the earlier bench warrant issued against the marketer still subsists and ordered the EFCC to execute the warrant. He adjourned the case till May 6, 2014.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

LEGAL OPINION A paper presented by CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA (SAN) at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Law School.

50 years of legal education in Nigeria: A critique legal education.

•Continued from lastweek THAT way, a student with good potential would not be sidelined simply because he is from a less prestigious University while one who is less endowed intellectually gets to attend the law school because he is from a prestigious University.

(b) Too many students to manage While it is, on the face of it, a good idea to have as many lawyers as possible, it should not translate to the law school being inundated with too many students. It is not uncommon for a campus to have as many as 1, 500 (One Thousand Five Hundred) students. This does not allow for efficient teaching as students get to engage in other activities besides listening in class due to the sheer number of law graduates in the lecture hall. This in turn is reflected in the overall performance of the students in their Bar Final exams. The fact that the Nigerian law school is the only institution allowed to admit students from faculties of law also contributes to this problem. There are clamours for private law schools or an adoption of the American model where each University has its own law school. In the UK, from the original four Inns of Court, there are now ten institutions that run the Bar Vocational Course. According to Idornigie25 “Legal Training in the United Kingdom from which that of Nigeria evolved has changed. Today, to become a Barrister in the UK, an aspirant undertakes the Bar Professional Training Course (Bar Vocational Course or BVC)26. The BVC is a graduate course that is completed by those wishing to be called to the Bar, i.e. to practice as a barrister in England and Wales. The ten institutes that run the BVC27 along with the four Inns of Court are often collectively referred to as ‘Bar School’. This vocational stage is the second of the three stages of legal education, the first being the academic stage and the third being the practical stage, i.e., pupillage” It is imperative that the Nigerian law school is not burdened with the sole responsibility of training law students so as to reduce the number of students that it has to manage. Private Law Schools can therefore be established for this purpose.

(c) High Tuition Fees This is one of the problems that some critics have complained of, although it must be established from the start that I do not consider it a problem. Recently, Bamidele Aturu, a Human Rights Lawyer sued the Council of Legal Education over what he termed “excessive and oppressive” tuition fees28. The suit, which was filed at the Federal High Court was dismissed on October 18, 2013. As earlier stated, I am of the view that Law School fees are not too high. Nothing good comes easy and one must be prepared to pay for a sound education, particularly

(d) Lack of synergy with the Faculties of law As earlier stated, there appears to be a slight disconnect between what the law school wants and what it is given by Nigerian Universities. On the surface, it looks as though the provision of a strict curriculum for Nigerian faculties of law by the Council of Legal Education suffices but some of the Nigerian faculties of law take liberties with this curriculum, offering courses that could only be described as distractions. By the time these students, having graduated, get to the Nigerian law school, they meet a whole new world; one they had never imagined. This lack of synergy between the Nigerian Law School and faculties could also be identified as one of the reasons Nigerian law graduates fail at the law school, as the transition is not smooth enough. It is therefore important that the institutions of legal education cooperate and arrive at a meeting point.

6. Effect of problems of legal education on legal practice in nigeria in the last 50 years Education is supposed to provide students with the general ability to think critically and independently and apply this line of independent thinking to the practical aspects of what they have been thought. This paper does not aim to create the impression that there is nothing good about legal education presently; it only aims to show us where we are and what can be done to improve it. The Nigerian legal education system has produced some of the best brains in legal practice all over the world in the last 50 years, but there is still room for improvement and the full utilization of the vast potential. I feel highly uncomfortable commenting on the competence or otherwise of some of my colleagues at the Bar, but this must be said without mincing words. Since 1962, it seems the quality of lawyers turned out every year has been on the wane. We have lawyers who cannot draft processes, who cannot speak good English and who argue illogically. A lawyer should stand out from the crowd, even if he/she is not in active legal practice. Sadly this is not restricted to junior lawyers. Even Lawyers of over 10 years’ post call experience do make these mistakes. The blame here lies largely on our training institutions, particularly our Law Faculties and the Nigerian Law School. The Law Faculties of Universities owe a duty to adequately prepare Nigerian Law Students for the largely procedural law that will be studied at the Nigerian Law School and encountered in practice. That way, the transition from substantive law to procedural law will not be too sudden. The law school, in turn, owes a duty to ensure that those who are eventually called to Bar are competent and can defend their Call to Bar Certificates at all times. Every year (sometimes once, sometimes twice) over 3, 000 (Three Thousand) lawyers are released into the society and it saddens me to say that many of them do

•Governor Fashola flanked by George Etomi (right) and Mike Etomi

•From left: Former NBA presidents, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) and Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and the paramount ruler of Twon, Brass, Serena Dokubo By John Austin Unachukwu

by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Fashola said: “The problem is not in oil; the problem is in us.” He frowned at a situation where lawyers discuss national issues and quote laws and the constitution on the television, saying that very soon doctors will begin to prescribe drugs on the television. He said the history of missing pe-

not have a clue about what legal practice entails. In most cases, they have to be trained all over again by their prospective Chambers. From my own experience, and indeed from the experience of many of my colleagues, our offices in most cases become an extension of the Law School as we have to re-introduce these young lawyers to the basics of the legal profession. That high sense of ethical responsibility that once pervaded the legal profession has somehow been lost amidst all the fanfare and celebration that greets each admission of lawyers to the Nigerian Bar. In the last three (3) years alone, two (2) Senior Advocates have been temporarily stripped of the prestigious rank. Something is obviously wrong with our noble profession. In the past, the disciplinary issues never involved Senior Advocates but now we have seen two (2) of our senior lawyers affected within three (3) years. Lawyers insult each other in court; there was even a reported case of two senior lawyers exchanging blows within the court premises. It is now the norm for senior lawyers to refer to our younger colleagues as “my juniors”. I refer to my younger colleagues as my colleagues. I sincerely hope I am not in the minority. This is a classic case of “physician heal thyself”. A lot of in-house cleansing needs to be done if we are to improve the quality of our lawyers29. •To be continued next week

•From left: Former Lagos State Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yemi Osibajo (SAN), Prof. Yinka Omoregbe and former Minister of Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN).

Nigeria can live without oil, says Fashola OVERNOR of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has stated that Nigerians can live a better life without oil if we remove corruption from the system. Fashola made this statement while speaking at the annual lecture organised by a Lagos law firm, George Etomin & Partners to mark 30 years anniversary of the law firm. Speaking on the topic: “Life without Oil”, Fashola said life without oil is not reasonably feasible in the near future. Rather, he advised that Nigerians should look at the topic that has been variously described as the reversal of oil curse of better Delta without oil as it was described

•Gadzama

troleum money in the country started in 1980 when it was reported that about $2.8 billion was missing from our oil money and thereafter, during the gulf war, it was reported that $12 billion oil windfall was missing before the current allegation of non remittance of $20 Billion to national treasury by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He called for the reformation of the oil

sector through legislation. Fashola urged all Nigerians to demand for the missing oil money because it is significant enough to address some of the crucial infrastructure challenges facing the country. The Governor said the money can fix the East-West road, build the second Niger bridge an assist in developing useful infrastructure in the country. He frowned at the report that the country looses about 44,000 barrels of oil per day to oil thieves. He noted that if oil money is deployed to developing infrastructure in the country, it would definitely liberate other sectors of the economy like agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors of the economy. He said: “If you visit shopping malls across the world, most of the things you see on the shelves are agricultural products, be it food items, clothing, textile materials and so on, they are all agricultural products. So if agriculture does not thrive, there will be nothing to put on those shelves and our economy will not deepen unless we get to that level.” He gave example of Dubai and Lagos

model, stating that every penny from the federation account goes into infrastructure financing in the state. Fashola said: “ Let us have the will to do what we have seen accomplished somewhere before, let us lend our voices to the resolution of the missing $20billion, it is an awful huge sum of money and we must not keep quiet at all.” The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) said the value of oil is in its derivatives, one barrel of oil is about 42 gallons and when a barrel of oil is exported, gasoline and all derivatives of oil are being exported. He called for appropriate policy framework to be in place in order to make maximum benefit from oil resources. Ajumiogobia recalled that when he was Minister of Petroleum resources, Indonesia pulled out of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) because it transited from being a net exporter petroleum to net importer of same because its economy grew and there was increased demand and consumption of petroleum energy in their economy.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Virtually all the 36 states suffer ecological problems. In Plateau State, illegal mining is the root of its ecological disasters. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU traces the origin of these mining activities.

PAGE 29

Lawmaker empowers constituents

•PAGE 30

‘How I succeeded in transport business’ •PAGE 31

•An abandoned mining pond

Plateau’s forsaken mining ponds M

INING of solid minerals, especially tin and columbite, was a major economic activity in Plateau State during the colonial era. The colonial government began mining in the state in 1909. But, mining tin and columbite was neglected when oil was discovered in Olobiri in Bayelsa State. Mining has left a scare on the psyche of Plateau State, where no fewer than 3,000 ponds dot the landscape. Many of the ponds are in the Northern and Central senatorial Dis-

tricts comprising 12 of the 17 local government areas. With over 70 per cent of the land despoiled, over 80 per cent of the population who are peasant farmers can no longer till the land. The solid mineral exploration has today resulted in ecological problems. Reason: land excavation and felling of trees gave rise to numerous mining ponds, mount of sand, desertification and gully erosion, among others. This is because the mining sites were not reclaimed by the companies in violation of the

Bwari: community in need of infrastructure

•PAGE 33

•Part of Jos community

compensation and reclamation policies as enshrined in the 1945 Mineral Act. The Act stipulated that 10 per cent of the mining proceeds would be paid to land owners and 90 per cent in the native treasury fund for land restoration after the end of mining. It was estimated that six million tons of earth was dug each year to get tin, columbite and other solid minerals. This was said to have lasted 100 years. The residents, especially women and children, seem averse to these ponds. A resident of Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area, Matthew Dadung who is indigenous to Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area said: “We wake up every morning and are confronted by these ponds

that are quite frightening. Apart from that, most children have drowned in the ponds. “Children never knew how deep the ponds are. Most of them are more than 100 meters deep, and while playing around them, a number of children fell into them and got drowned. A lot of money goes into government’s coffers from proceeds from these ponds but the host communities now live in fear.” A seventy-eight-year-old Rhodah Pam from Barkin Ladi said: “I grew up to meet these ponds and gullies as a young girl. There are so many big reptiles in some of them and they crawl into our homes at night. Some of them come after our domestic ani•Continued on page 32

Group condemns Boko Haram’s killing of pupils in Yobe •PAGE 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Lawmaker empowers constituents

ETERMINED to improve the lot of members of his constituency, member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituents of Plateau State in the House of Representatives Hon Bitrus Kaze has been addressing some of their needs. Hon Kaze recently donated dry season farming tools to some farmers in his constituency. He also executed a solar-powered electricity project for people of Zarazo Village, and donated electricity transformer to the community. Youths, women and senior citizens of Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency have never had it so good until the tenure of Kaze as their representative in the Lower Chamber of the legislature. The people have been counting their blessings since they gave their mandate to Kaze in 2007 and 201. The list of what he has done for his people is endless, all aimed at poverty alleviation. A member of the constituency Atang Abel Izam from Angware, headquarter of Jos East Local Government Area said: “Our lawmaker is such a man that doesn’t sing his own praises, else, judged by what he has done for us in this community, he would be boasting about his achievements. Rather than boast, the man has even forgotten that he has done so much for his people. But we have our list of what he has so far done for the constituency.” Continuing, Izam said: “The man provided self-employment for hundreds of youths during his first tenure. He also provided facilities to farmers to embark of dry season farming. He gave women sewing machines and above all, he is the reason behind the peace we are enjoying in the local government and the entire constituency.” Praising Hon. Kaze, another member of the constituency, Dung Davou Pam said: “The most important quality I recognised in the man is that he is a man of peace who has worked tirelessly to ensure that we achieved peace in the constituency. “Hon Kaze has constructed boreholes in for people living in the rural areas who never expected such projects. If you go round some of the villages in Jos South and Jos East, you will see the electricity he provided. He provided solar-powered electricity in some villages while he donated transformers to some.” However, Hon. Kaze feels that he does not need to talk about whatever he is doing for members of

•Solar energy providing light for the community

•Hon Kaze (left) during the presentation. •Hon. Kaze From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

his constituency because, he said, those things are not part of the primary roles of a federal legislator. He said: “Fundamentally, there are three key roles of a legislator; first is law making, second is representation, third is oversight role. “Let’s examine appellation House of Representative. We can also be called house of lawmakers or house of oversight. By referring to us mainly as members of the House of Representatives

I’ve built classrooms blocks for some communities. Within my first tenure, I provided at least 150 motorcycles for the youth as a means of livelihood and take them out of idleness and unemployment. Some of the beneficiaries of the motorcycles have used their own so well that they saved their funds enough to buy a car is putting in the front burner our capacity to provide representations to the people that gave us the mandate to represent them.

•Out-going President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN)Mrs Olayinka Abdul (right) congratulating Mrs Nnoli Akpedeye, the 13th President of APWEN. With them is President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Mr Ademola Olorunfemi during Nnoli’s investiture in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

“Representation means bringing and forwarding the wishes and aspirations of your people for discussion on the floor of the

House of Assembly, bringing to the front burner the aspiration of the various ethnic nationalities that made up the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is our job. “We speak on behalf of our people, we table their views and wishes which form the agenda for discussion on the floor of the House of Representatives. We actual represent the bigger voice of our people because when we speak, the government listen because we are not speaking as individuals but as representatives of millions of Nigerians. “These are the basic roles we play, but at times, we do things that are not supposed to be our duty. We have to do them if we must raise our people out of their poverty level. So, while I tried to play my primary role in the National Assembly the best way I can, I must also think of how to alleviate poverty of my people who gave me the mandate. “For instance, I had to use my personal funds in providing electricity, boreholes, clinics and primary schools, among others. Any elected member must make it a point of duty to add value to the lives of the people he is representing. These are not done in developed democracy, but we have to do it because our democracy is new and is still growing. “We are still undergoing gradual mental changes in our democracy. Gradually those things are going to be less important as we grow. But for now, our level of poverty is so much that we cannot ignore them. He said he was not counting what he did for his people because he so much valued the confidence they reposed in him. “They elected me for the first term in 2007; they also repeated the same gesture in 2011 election. I so much appreciate that. I am not the best candidate from my constituency, but twice they said it had to be me. I am only trying to show my appreciation to them. So, I don’t count what I do for them. I wish I have the means to do more for my people,” he said. He disclosed that he had provided solar-powered electricity for six villages in his constituency. Some of the villages include Shere West, Rizak, Fudawa, Gwash and Jirki, even as he said that in his first tenure, he sunk over 41 boreholes apart from the ones he influenced through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). •Continued on page 32

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Terna Hembah is the Chief Executive Officer of Nezam Group of Companies. After leaving the university, he and some friends pooled resources to form a mortgage bank, which failed. In this interview with UJA EMMANUEL, he tells the story of how he became a successful transporter

‘How I succeeded in transport business’

•Mr Hemba

•Some of the trailers

HOW did you come about Nezam as your business name? Nezam is my grandfather’s name. It’s actually pronounced Nezan. However, during the process of registration, the lawyer made an error since I called the name to him on phone and he, being Yoruba, couldn’t fathom it and ended up spelling it that way. But since my own Nezan was not a very popular one, I decided to leave it that way to differentiate between my own Nezan and the very popular one that everybody knew in Tiv land. That is the way Nezam came about but Nezan is my grandfather’s name. Did you consider it appropriate to use your grandfather’s name as a business identity? It is rooted in the family. My grandfather was a polygamous person. He married two wives. The first wife had nine children, nine sons; the second one had only one and my father was that only one. However, the man was a bit close to my dad and I remember my dad told me when I was a kid that his father told him that he would be the person to make his name known. So, when the opportunity came for me to start a company, I remembered what my dad told me and then the Nezan name came naturally to me. What are your lines of business? We are basically into logistics. We are in haulage business and we do National President, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees Solomon Adelegan(left) Chairperson, Women’s Committee of Public Services International (PSI), Englishspeaking Africa, Naomi Dede Otoo and SubRegional Secretary for English speaking AfricaSani Mohammed at a meeting in Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

‘For the first time in the transporter’s life, he made me a signatory to the company’s account and I was signing cheques with him. Impressed by my honesty, he decided to give me a target which I should meet every month and then run the business. So, he withdrew completely from running the business and handed it over to me’ passenger transport on a small scale. We are dedicated transporters to Nigerian Breweries. We have 200 trailers in Nigeria and 50 in Tanzania. We also haul for Lafarge in Shagamu. We have 100 trailers with them in Shagamu. We also import tyres. So, we’re basically a logistics company. That’s what we’re doing. What’s your staff strength? At present, I have staff strength of 680. How did you start? I had always wanted to be in business from my childhood. I loved doing business. I studied Economics at the University of Maiduguri after which I served with the then Allied

Bank and the bank retained me. But after three years, I and some people came together to establish a mortgage bank. I was working in the Apapa branch of the Allied Bank in Lagos. We formed the mortgage bank but like so many other mortgage banks, the bank failed in 1993. I became jobless. I looked for a job everywhere but I couldn’t get one. Instead of begging, I had a Nissan Laurel which I bought when I was working. Initially, I took the Laurel to the airport to engage in airport taxi. It didn’t work out well because the union there was so powerful. I decided to sell the Laurel and buy a

Danfo bus which I painted in yellow colours. I drove the Danfo myself. I plied the Apapa-Oshodi route. There was one particular woman that used to board my bus. One day, she asked ‘you this Danfo driver you speak good English did you go to school?’ I told her that I’m a graduate. She could not believe it that a graduate could be a danfo driver. Then she asked me ‘do you love the business?’ I said yes, it is my life. I love the business. She said okay she is going to introduce me to her customer. She was a senior staff with Union Bank. She said she would introduce me to her customer who is a transporter. Then, one day, she gave me a note and I took it to Mr. Chidi Anyaegbu the proprietor of Chisco Transport Company. After reading the note, the man interviewed me. He was satisfied and he offered me a job as an Operations Manager. At that time in his entire fleet there was no graduate. They were only his relatives who were not graduates. What was your schedule of duty? My schedule of duty was controlling the drivers; the drivers were reporting to me. I was the one recruiting them. If there was an accident, I would be the one to go there and I was the one looking after the vehicles. I was organising training for the drivers. Basically, it was an operational task and the man discovered that I was do-

ing the job so well and his company’s business performance increased. Gradually, we built so much trust that he decided to remove his brother who was the General Manager and replaced him with me. By then his income tripled. The man was impressed. One day he called me and said ‘at the rate you are going, I don’t think I have any role to play in this business.’ For the first time in the transporter’s life he made me a signatory to the company’s account and I was signing cheques with him. Impressed by my honesty, he decided to give me a target which I should meet every month and then run the business. So, he withdrew completely from running the business and handed it over to me. I was running the business as mine. That was the first time many Tiv people were employed by the company because I came home and recruited drivers, clerks, and many others. I took half of the drivers in Benue Cement Company (BCC) to Chisco. Initially, the agreement was that I should serve him for six years, but after six years, he didn’t allow me to go. He requested that I should spend another two years which I did. After that, he requested for additional two years which I obliged him. After 10 years, he sorted me out. He introduced me to the bank and the bank gave me my first facility with which I bought 15 trailers.

Girl, 21, remanded for alleged murder

MAGISTRATE’S Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has remanded in prison custody a 21-year-old high school leaver for allegedly stabbing her brother to death. The accused, whose name was given as Aishat Elizabeth Eze was said to have stabbed her brother, Francis Eze in the chest early this month during a brawl over plastic bucket. Miss Eze allegedly confessed to have stabbed her 17-year-old brother with a knife. The incident took place in Chikanda, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. She was said to have gone to pick a bucket to fetch water to bath their younger sister, but the bucket a bone of contention between the late Francis and her. This, according to her, resulted in a fight between them. She overpowered the late Francis who was already armed with knife. She took the knife from her late brother and allegedly stabbed him in the chest and he died. Narrating the incident in court, the accused said she immediately felt like killing herself when she noticed that she had killed her brother inad-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

vertently. She was arraigned in court on a one-count charge of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state police command’s First Information Report (FIR) stated that the case was reported by Chinyere Gladys Eze (their mother) and transferred from Yashikira Division to the Department of Investigations for thorough inquest. The charge sheet added that the accused and the deceased engaged each other in a fight and the accused took the knife from her brother and stabbed him on the chest. He eventually gave up the ghost. The sheet further stated that the incident resulted “from a mild argument on rubber bucket.” She said: “I wanted to bath our younger sister that day and I went to fetch a bucket. My younger brother came and was dragging the bucket with me. I reported him to my mum and before I knew it, he had gone for a knife.”

The high school graduate added that “it was the knife that I took from him and stabbed him with it. I took him to the hospital in our village but there was nobody to attend to us. It was while on our way to the next village that he died.” Counsel to the accused, Ike Sunday though conceded that the case was not ordinarily bailable, prayed the court to discountenance the argument of the police prosecutor. Mr. Sunday added that the law still empowers the court to admit the accused to bail pending the determination of the case under Section 341(3) of the CPC Act and presumption of innocence as enshrined in 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Police Prosecutor Bilikis Audu had opposed a bail for her, saying that the accused be remanded in prison, as investigation into the matter was still ongoing. She added that releasing her might truncate police investigation into the matter. In his ruling, the trial Magistrate Noah Ajide refused the oral application for her bail. He remanded her in Oke-Kura Minimum Prison and adjourned the case to February 26.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Plateau’s forsaken mining ponds •Continued from page 29 mals at night. We are haunted by the presence of these ponds around us because they give us nightmare. When you come out at night, you see very mighty snake chasing our goats and fowls about. The only option is to run back and shut your door, because such snake can swallow human beings.” One source of worry about the story of tin mining in Plateau State is that the multi-national firms operating carrying out these economic activities are not committed to their corporate social responsibilities. Efforts by the affected communities to draw the attention of government to their plight have often been ignored. Since there are insufficient land to erect residential houses and for farming, citizens resorted to building their homes and engage in farming around the ponds in spite of the risks involved. Worst still, citizens live with what experts call mine tailings which are radioactive substances that are harmful to mankind and animals. An unpublished research carried out by Illiya Jerome of the National Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos in 2011, indicates that “the mining wastes which were indiscriminately disposed all over the communities are the second major causes of cancer of the lumps apart from cigarettes. The radioactive substances have been found to cause cancer in humans and animals.” Apart from the harmful effects of the mining wastes to human, citizens of the state are also at risk of radioactive gas called ‘Randon’. According to experts, randon is a radioactive gas that emanates from uranium-bearing soil and porous rocks. Randon migrates from soil and rocks into the surrounding air. It has detrimental health effect because it is likely to cause cancer in both cigarettes smokers and non-cigarettes smokers.

The mining wastes which were indiscriminately disposed all over the communities are the second major causes of cancer of the lumps apart from cigarettes. The radioactive substances have been found to cause cancer in humans and animals.”

•One of the erosion sites

•One of the abandoned mining ponds

Mr. Jerome said: “There are high level radiation exposures from the mine tailings of Jos area. Those who live close to indiscriminately dumped tailing will be exposed to higher dose

of the harmful substances.” Due to limited land for agricultural purposes, majority of the population has embarked on small-scale manual mining of the mineral long after the

major mining companies had left. The health hazards associated with such manual practice is immense. Experts had expressed fears that the death of about 400 children due to lead poison in Zamfara State in 2010, may occur in Plateau State as a result of manual mining activities. The numerous un-reclaimed ponds and artificial lakes are said to be the major attraction for Fulani cattle grazers into the state. The struggle for farming and grazing spaces remains major source of conflict between the natives and Fulani herdsmen which has caused so much deaths, trauma and indescribable hardship for the citizens.

ESIDENTS of Utan Lane, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have protested what they regard as deliberate neglect of their community by Governor Jonah Jang administration. The community of over 100,000 inhabitants is said to be backward as a result of lack of basic social amenities in their locality. The community has no motorable road, medical facilities and potable water. Governor Jang administration embarked on construction of road in the community which was later abandoned by the contractor, even as government feigned ignorance of the contractor’s absconding. Apart from lack of road, the community has no functional medical facilities to cater for their health needs. The only existing health clinic meant to serve over 100,000 residents of the locality has become dilapidated. Both Jos North Local Government Area and the state government have not made any move to revitalise the facilities which became decrepit for the past five years. The greater burden of suffering is said to be borne by women of the community. Having endured much, they took to the street to protest what they described as criminal neglect of the area by government by not providing them with the necessary amenities. The women numbering hundreds and dressed in black attire lamented that their community has been abandoned by the Plateau State Government. Spokesperson of the group Ladi Andah said the road was taken over by Governor Jang for construction. The contractor scraped the road and abandoned the project. We are currently suffering from all manner of diseases. Several children have died from asthma and other lung-related diseases as a result of the dust from the bad road.

Residents protest alleged govt neglect

SOME OF THE PROTESTING WOMEN

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

She said: “We don’t know what we have done to this government. All roads in Jos South Local Government Area have been constructed with nylon asphalt, but those in Jos North Local Government Area were started and abandoned. Why is this so? Our men no longer find us attractive. They now see us as pigs as our clothes are dusty. We look dirty no matter how well dressed we are. All these are as a result of the dusty nature of our road. “The worst is our health clinic. It has been abandoned. We don’t have one now. You can imagine how long we go to access the next clinic. We are being exploited by private hospitals around here and we have a govern-

ment that should provide these services for us. Most of our expectant women lost their babies before or during delivery as a result of the bad condition of the road and the poor facilities in our clinic.” Continuing, Mrs Andah said: “Governor Jang is a friend of the poor. He might not know what we are going through. His aides are not telling him the truth about our plight. That is why we have to take to the street to register our grievances to the governor in Rayfield. He should come to our aid.” The protesting women carried placards some of which read:, “Please Governor Jang save us, our children are dying,” “to avoid dusty lungs government repair our roads,”, “save

our lungs from inhaled dust.” Responding to the protest women, Plateau State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Solomon Maren lamented the neglect the community has suffered by successive administrations. He said: “This government commenced the construction of this road, but government is not aware it has been abandoned.” The commissioner assured the aggrieved members of the community that their problems will be addressed through this year’s budget. He promised that as soon as the budget is signed into law, contractors will be mobilised to site to complete the abandoned project.

Lawmaker empowers constituents •Continued from page 30

Reeling off some of the projects he had executed for the well-being of his people, Hon. Kaze said: “I’ve built classrooms blocks for some communities. Within my first tenure, I provided at least 150 motorcycles for the youth as a means of livelihood and take them out of idleness and unemployment. Some of the beneficiaries of the motorcycles have used their own so well that they saved their funds enough to buy a car. “I gave out 30 brand tricycles to some other youths when the use of motorcycles was outlawed. I also gave out 40 vehicles. At the end of it, you can count about 500 youths of my constituency that have been made to be self-employed and who have established permanent source of economic independence. “In the area of education, I have a scholarship scheme for students through which I spent N3 million yearly. This has gone a long way in improving literacy among youths in my constituency. “Again, there is nothing more pleasing to people of your constituency than seeing their representative talking on the floor of the House over their own issues. But my overall project for my people is to help them fight against poverty.” In the area of peace advocacy, Hon Kaze regards the entire Plateau State as his larger constituency. “The constituency I represent is in Plateau State. So, in most cases, I consider myself representing the entire state. This is particularly in the course of fighting terrorism in Plateau State. “At a time, the state government came up with what we called ‘Operation Rainbow.’ That government security outfit was attacked on the floor of the House. The House wanted the establishment of operation rainbow to be suspended. The resolution was that an investigation should be carried out on the issue. “For those of us in the Parliament, if a motion was subjected to investigation, it might not see the light of the day. It is a way of dumping that motion; nothing will come out of it. The report of the committee that investigated the 2008 crisis in Plateau State has not been discussed on the floor of the House till today because I took time to analyze the report critically and I pointed out its flaws on the floor of the House. I told the House why that report cannot be discussed. The report was as good as useless. Some members of the House wanted it suspended but I stood firmly in defence of the security outfit. I came up with superior arguments in support of the outfit and the entire House was convinced. That is why we have ‘operation rainbow’ existing on the Plateau today. “Again, remember there was an emergency here that affected my constituency. Statutory allocations for my people were withheld as a result of the state of emergency. There was poverty everywhere. Local government workers were owed salaries. So, I argued the issue on the floor of the House and Mr President listened to my view and directed that the statutory allocation of all the affected local governments be released to them immediately. Following that directive, local government workers were paid and normalcy resumed at the grassroots again. To me, this is a sign of quality representation.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 33

•Part of Bwari Area Council

Bwari: Community in need of infrastructure B

WARI, one of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is the host community of the Nigeria Law School, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other financial and educational institutions. Despite these organisations’ presence in Bwari, some communities there are still seeking the FCT’s attention.attention from the Federal Capital Territory for better living conditions for better living conditions. One of them is the Tokulo community. The villagers are proud of the name ‘Tokulo’ which means a village that cannot be harmed by strangers. However, the community has experienced what a member described as “indescribable lack of basic infrastructures.” Tokulo, a community in Igu Ward of Bwari Area Council has been living in unity and peace. But supply of electricity is what the community sorely needs. Due to lack of electrification, Tokulo residents make do with lanterns and or the smallest size of electricity generating set which some residents refer to as “I better pass my neighbour.” In a chat with our correspondent on the amenities the community needed, some of the residents said: “We need light mostly to charge our phones. You see all these poles for antennae? That shows you that we watch television too but we do that when we have enough money for fuel. It is only in this community that watching television is still a luxury. We need electricity which is a catalyst for development.” As a result of lack of electricity, members of the community lit their

‘We are farmers and we produce yam, guinea corn and other farm products. We go to the Bwari Market to sell our farm produce and buy whatever we need. Imagine when it rains heavily, what do we do? We have to stay hungry…Construction of bridge across the river will help us a great deal. During rainy season, it rises and we are cut off from other communities’ From Bukola Amusan

lamps when it is dark, praying hard for the day they will begin to enjoy electricity like other communities. The inauguration of “Light-Up Rural Nigeria,” by President Goodluck Jonathan in Durumi community of the council rekindled their hope. While inauguration the project, President Jonathan had pledged to constant power supply to Nigerians. The project is aimed at using renewable energy to make electricity available in all the rural communities in the 36 states of the federation, especially communities that are not yet connected to the national grid. Narrating how painful lack of electricity and other essential amenities have resulted in economic backwardness of the area, Mr. Bilikisu Dauda who owns a shop in the area said lack of electricity had made the community stagnant, stressing that electricity is essential for the opening up of communities to economic

development. “Wherever there is electricity, there is development. I have a shop here but there is no appreciable improvement or growth due to lack of electricity. My drinks are hardly cold. Things I would have preserved in the refrigerator always get spoilt. “We have a makeshift place where we charge our phones. The owner puts on his electricity generating set and charges N50 to charge a handset. We hope that something will be done for our community this year so that we will experience development,” he said. Another thing that will help bring the needed development to the community is a bridge across River Tokulo. The river, which is along the road to the community rises when it rains. In such situation, the people find it difficult to cross over to the other side of the community. For a community that is predomi-

nantly populated by farmers who go to Bwari town to sell their farm produce, rainy season is always ruinous as it is difficult to wade through the river which sometimes is so deep so much so that it gets to the chest of a tall man. One of the chiefs in the community, Zaki Elisha said building a bridge across the river was very necessary, adding that it is one of the amenities needed to be provided urgently so that the community will not have the perennial flood it experiences every year. “The stream prevents us from moving from one area to the other. There was a time I had wanted to go to Bwari to sell some of my goods but rain prevented me from going. Some people who depend on proceeds of what they sell or buy from the Bwari Market to take care of their families have suffered greatly. “We are farmers and we produce yam, guinea corn and other farm products. We go to the Bwari Market to sell our farm produce and buy whatever we need. Imagine when it rains heavily, what do we do? We have to stay hungry. “We appreciate the effort of the area council for grading the road leading to this community. But there is something that needs to be done urgently. “Construction of bridge across the river will help us a great deal. During rainy season, it rises and we are cut off from other communities until it subsides,” he said. Another essential amenity which the community needed sorely is a well-equipped clinic with qualified personnel. Sick people, including pregnant women, visit the community clinic but people with serious health issues

and women in labour travel to Bwari. As a result of the long distance and uncertainty of River Tokulo, some women chose to be delivered of their babies at home. “Most women are delivered of their babies at home. So, women who couldn’t trek to the hospital at Bwari are handled by the traditional birth attendants. During that process, we fervently pray against any form of complication. This is why we are appealing to the council authority to renovate and equip the clinic in the community,” he said. He noted that the roof of the clinic had fallen off and rain had destroyed the available equipment in it. “The clinic when renovated will help us a great deal,” he said. The residents also believe that lack of potable water is another problem that needed to be taken care of in the community. Tokulo community is also among the many other communities where the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Water project has been forgotten. As one gets to the community, one notices the dilapidated overhead water tank that has stopped storing water for years. The residents complained that they have sent several letters requesting the chairman of the Bwari Area Council, Peter Yohana to come to their aid, adding that there was no reply from him. Some youths in the area who spoke to our correspondent, however, promised to stage a peaceful protest to the office of the FCT Minister in Area 11 to register their displeasure over lack of amenities in the community.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

Community pleads for basic infrastructure

From left: Secretary-General, Dauda Iliya, Hon. Elendu-Ukeje and Alhaji Kabiru at the press briefing.

Ex-students condemn Boko Haram’s killing of pupils in Yobe

EMBERS of the Unity School Old Students’ Association (USOSA) have described the killing of students of the Federal Government College BuniYadi in Yobe State by the Boko Haram insurgents as “barbaric, wicked and heartless.” The group demanded the immediate closure of all the eight Federal Unity Colleges in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, including every other school that may experience the dangerous activities of the Boko Haram sect. Briefing newsmen after observing a minute silence for the dead pupils, President-General of USOSA, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabiru who wore black suit said after the closure, the students should be transferred to other Federal Unity Colleges across the country to continue their studies. Kabiru advised the Federal Government to deploy resources to find an end to the insecurity in the Northeast and prosecute those involved in the killings. He said: “Members of the Unity Schools Old Student Association (USOSA) totally condemn the senseless and callous slaughter of innocent students of the Federal Government Colleges Buni-Yadi in Yobe State in particular and the whole of the northeast in general. USOSA condoles with the families of the deceased, students and staff of the college and the government and people of Yobe State. “The situation is so agitating and alarming that the association calls for the adoption of the following measures: immediate closure of all the eight Federal Unity Colleges in the three states where emergency rule is in place, which are Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. “Transfer all students in the colleges to other Federal Unity Colleges in the country to continue with their studies. The Federal Government should deploy all necessary resources towards ending the insecurity situation in the northeast and bring the culprits to book.

Members of the Unity Schools Old Student Association (USOSA) totally condemn the senseless and callous slaughter of innocent students of the Federal Government Colleges Buni-Yadi in Yobe State... The association calls for immediate closure of all the eight Federal Unity Colleges in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states From Gbenga Omokhunu “We call on all civil society organisations, women groups, unions, associations and all peace-loving Nigerians to condemn these killings and abduction of innocent young girls and women in the northeast. It is our belief that there is nothing more sacrosanct than the security and protection of life and dignity of all citizens as the bedrock of the unity of the Nigerian nation. We are struggling to fight back tears because this kind of thing, for any normal mother or father, is a sad development.” A member of USOSA and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, who also wore black attire, could not hold back tears. Expressing her sadness over the situation, Elendu-Ukeje said it has come to a time when killings by the Boko Haram sect will stop, urging government to find a different approach to fight sect. She advised that the National Flag should be flown at half mast across the country to mourn the dead students. Elendu-Ukeje, who is the Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs said: “Today is a very sad day not only for USOSANS but for Nigeria. The rising state of murder and senseless slaughter of our children has continued unabated and I think it has to stop. We have come to a point where we actually had enough of it. It is sad

that children who were sent as symbols of unity of this country have been killed just like that. The National Assembly is not relenting on this matter. This is not the first time that the House of Representatives has tackled the issue of insurgency in Nigeria. Unfortunately, this happened when the House of Representatives is on a two-week break from plenary. ”I intend to engage the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Education who will take the message very strongly. There is obviously no alternative to these recommendations. We must ensure that there is compliance with the Ministry of Education. Our Senators will also prevail on this issue. Let me assure you of our commitment as members of USOSA and members of the legislature. We must look at different approach towards tackling this insurgency because the target is now moving to our harmless children. “We have women and children who are unharmed and we have a hundred thousand people internally displaced. We have the problem of grappling with refuge situation of 20,000. I wish the military will get the situation under control. And the flag should be flown at half mast.” While condemning the killings, the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi OdiKalu said the reason for the spread of Boko Haram activities is that there is leadership vacuum in government.

•President, Aregbesola Northern Solidarity Movement, Kazzim Yusuf (middle ) flanked by a member of the House of Representatives Ajibola Famurewa(left) and members of the Movement during a visit to the House of Representatives members from Osun State at National Assembly PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

ESIDENTS of Kuwizhi community in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the chairman of the council, Mr Shaban Tete to provide them with basic infrastructure that would make life better for the people. Mr Augustine Zakare, a native of Kuwizhi said successive administrations have neglected them in terms of infrastructural development so much so that the community lacks potable water, electricity, access roads and healthcare centre, among others. According to Zakare, they have been appealing to past administrations of the council through their elected ward councillors to come to their aid, yet nothing has been done to alleviate the suffering of the people through provision of the much-needed infrastructure. “I do not understand why our leaders are treating us this way. Our politicians will take their campaigns to the farthest communities just to win elections, and after they won their elections, they forget to take make dividends of democracy available to the people that voted them into power. “We had made several appeals to past chairmen of Kuje Area Council that we need electricity, water boreholes, health centre, access roads for us to access the town and other parts of the council, but they have always turned deaf ears to our pleas. We are still appealing to the present chairman, Hon. Shaban Tete to consider our plight and come to our rescue,” he said. Miss Asana Abila, another native of the community said life in the community is far from what is expected from a fast-developing capital city, since development is fast taking over the capital territory, saying that as part of the city, most communities should be experiencing real development along with the FCT. “Whenever I leave the city centre to Kuwuzhi, which is my village, I

Whenever I leave the city centre to Kuwuzhi, which is my village, I feel pains because life here is very challenging. There is nothing here to make the people feel that they are in Abuja. We need all the basic amenities that can make us feel the sweet air of development that is being experienced in the city and other satellite towns in Abuja From: Gbenga Omokhunu

feel pains because life here is very challenging. There is nothing here to make the people feel that they are in Abuja. We need all the basic amenities that can make us feel the sweet air of development that is being experienced in the city and other satellite towns in Abuja. “Most of our politicians have forgotten that they came from villages. That is why most of them neglect the communities in their jurisdictions. When they need the votes of the people, they look for them anywhere inside the hinterlands. But whenever the people need them, they will abandon them. We really need the present council chairman to come to our aid,” she said.

Individuals, organisations honoured for FCT development

NDIVIDUALS and organisations have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).They were given Capital Territory Advancement Award. Among those recognised were the Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed, Senator Philips Aduda and the Director Procurement, Ministry of Education, Mallam Shehu Aliyu. Speaking during the event, the president of Newaves Innovation, organisers of the award, Derick Akakabota, stated that the award was created to encourage individuals and corporate organisations to put in their best in creating a place of excellence for the FCT. ‘’We are committed to providing extraordinary perspective for promoting and rewarding excellence in the capital territory with each award designed to leave a lasting impact FCT and Nigeria at large. We bring together the best in FCT in all sectors acknowledge their contributions to national development. ‘’The Capital Territory Advancement Awards formerly known as Federal Capital Advancement Award (FCAA) was rebranded in

•Senator Mohammed From: Gbenga Omokhunu

2013 in order to showcase the true essence of the award as a private sector- driven initiative to give room for genuine participation and transparency,’’ he said. Akakabota, who congratulated those honoured, stated that the vision of the organisation was to become the reference for excellence and professionalism by identifying and rewarding excellent achievers in the FCT. Speaking after the award was given to him, Mallam Shehu Aliyu who won the best performing director of the year, expressed gratitude to the organisers of the event for the honour bestowed on him, adding that the award would spur him to do more for the betterment of FCT and the nation in general.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

•President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) inaugurating the Auditor-General of the Federation’s office in Abuja. With him are the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts Senator Lawan Ahmed (second left); Auditor-General Samuel Ukura (third right), Minister of FCT Senator Bala Mohammed (second right) and others.

•From left: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives,Hon Emeka Ihedioha; Chief Whip Hon. Ishaka Bawa and Minority Whip Hon Samson Osagie during a press conference by the Constitution Review Committee at the National Assembly Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

• From left: Minister of State Trade and Investment Sam Ortom; Minister of Transport Idris Umar; Minister of State, Works Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; Minister of Power, Prof Chenedu Nebo and Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr, Ngozi OkonjoIweala during a meeting of the National Council on Privatisation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

•Members House of Representatives:From left Hon Muniru Hakeem (left), Aliyu Dakawa and Kingsley Chinda after a session at the National Assembly

•National Organising Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abubakar Mustapha (right) presenting a nomination form to Ekiti State governorship aspirant. Adedayo Adeyeye at the PDP headquarters in Abuja. PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

• From left: Research Fellow, National Defence College Dr Freedom Onuoha; Senior Programme Officer, Cleen Foundation Valkamiya Ahmadu-Bomby and Canadian First Secretary, Political and Regional Affairs Addrew Ng during the public presentation of findings from study on Youth PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN and Radicalisation in Abuja.

The Young Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria on a peaceful protest over non-implementation of the direct entry point for medical laboratory scientists at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

IGERIANS are still in celebration mood. The centennial festivity to mark the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in the past 100 years ago began last week. But many questions have come to the fore on whether Nigeria has adequately tapped and utilised its Godgiven resources to the benefit of the masses. Despite attaining 100 years as a corporate entity, many observers believe that Nigeria is still far from taking its rightful place in the African Continent and the comity of nations. For this reason, many Nigerians did not support any celebration at this time. People are of the view that Nigeria and Nigerians should reflect on how they have never gotten it right and go back to the drawing board in order to rescue the country from the effects of neglect by successive administrations on how to make the country attain the much-needed growth and development that would enhance the people's well-being. Among the factors many stakeholders have put forward for the lethargic development of the country is corruption and infrastructural decay. From independence, successive administrations are believed to have stolen huge sums of money from the public treasury at the expense of the masses. No wonder some international leaders at the Nigeria' Centenary conference in Abuja last week listed corruption, bad governance, injustice and inequality as some of the obstacles to development on the Continent. They believed that these factors are also responsible for the series of war and conflicts being witnessed in many parts of Africa. The United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, who spoke on behalf of the U.K. Prime Minister on 'African Choices in a New Nigerian Century' said: "To get the wheels off the ground, African economies will need to choose to couple transparent, capable and visionary economic management with investments in infrastructure, education and energy. "At the same time, the journey towards sustainable prosperity can only be fuelled through African governments taking strides to unlock barriers to markets; reducing the cost of doing business; and stamping out corruption. "Here, once again, Nigeria is critical to success in the region and beyond. Non-oil growth is still 6 per cent. But there's potential for much more: genuinely transformational growth, especially if privatisation underway in the power sector delivers what it promises.

Surmounting Nigeria's development problems "But democracies do not flourish nor do economies grow in the midst of instability. So, the final area I want to highlight-for Nigeria and elsewhere-is the imperative of providing security for all citizens. Any government has the right, and indeed the obligation, to defend its territory and people from terrorism. As it does so, it also has a duty to be the protector of its citizens and their universal and inalienable human rights. "The UK will partner African governments in seeking the eradication of violent extremism. But if we ignore the values that we want our own children to benefit from, we will act as a recruiter for the likes of Boko Haram and Al Shabaab. We must not forget what it is that we defend," he added. The President of European Union Commission, Jose Barrosso noted that no country in the world can prosper in the face of conflicts tearing it apart. He said: "Recent cases demonstrate that conflicts can be fuelled by inequality and the burden of poverty on different social and ethnic groups. Bad governance and denial of human rights and rule of law could scuttle any effort towards economic prosperity. "They can also stem from corrup-

From the Villa By Augustine Ehikioya tion, exclusion and marginalisation of social and ethnic groups." Reflecting on the Liberian experience, the Liberian President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said: "In the interest of creating a free, fair and open society, we strive to have an inclusive government, one that is courageous enough to include people from all parties, all religions. "This is in line with our policy to create an environment where all Liberians are assured of their rights and to enjoy the benefits of their homeland." Calling for drastic steps to create employment for youths, President Goodluck Jonathan, at the conference,

said by 2050, about 40 per cent of the population of Africa will be made up of young people below the age of 15 years, while about 60 per cent of the population will be made up of young people below the age of 25 years. He said: "A major concern is the high level of unemployment among the youth, especially those that are educated and skilled. No priority for human security is more important for African countries than a sharp focus on creating jobs for this teeming youth population. Skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, encouraging the youth to go into agriculture as a business, and providing them with access to cheaper financ-

ing to fulfill their dreams, are all needed to harness and unleash the power of our youth to secure our collective future. "To foster this, we need to further strengthen intra-Africa trade to create jobs. Africa must add value to its primary products and commodities to ensure that wealth is created on the Continent. This will create wider scope for prosperity for our populations. Also urging leaders in the Continent to take steps to address the issue of inequality on the Continent he said: "There is no doubt that Africa is growing and our economies are among some of the fastest growing in the world. But this growth is not creating enough impacts in terms of improving the living standards of our people. "We need inclusive growth that can stimulate broader shared prosperity among our citizens. Social policies that improve access to food, water, housing and education are crucial for inclusive growth and social participation." One hopes that government will strive hard to tackle corruption in the system and effectively develop basic infrastructure in the country in order to progressively develop Nigeria.

‘Show commitment to kids’ education’

From Faith Yahaya

GROUP, Ibadan Social and Evaluation Research Team (ISERT), has advised parents to be curious about the kind of lessons their children receive at schools. The group gave the advice during a workshop whose theme was “Evaluating the Implementation of Sexuality and Life Skills Education for Inschool and Out-of-School Adolescents in Nigeria.” It claimed that education on family life and HIV and AIDS suffers from low commitment on the part of teachers who are not sufficiently motivated. The Director of Research, ISERT, Prof. Bola Udegbe who spoke in Abuja during the workshop said: “Teachers sometimes don’t know what to teach. So, parents should be concerned about what their children are taught in schools. Parents should find out the kind of education their children and wards receive in schools so as to improve on it because children are very inquisitive; what you don’t teach them, they will find out. “It is better they know the right thing. So, parents should be better informed about what is being taught in school and complement such teachings through discussions with their children.” Prof. Udegbe further explained that teachers generally consider their assignment as add-on, and tend to exhibit low level of commitment to their responsibilities. According to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole who was represented by the Deputy V-C, Prof, Idowu Olayinka the Nigerian society is composed of a very young population, out of which about 22 per cent are adolescents, many of whom are vulnerable to numerous reproductive and development risks. “Nigeria has a very large proportion of youth population being out of school. About 10 million of our children are out of school.

•Children at the launch of Kidz Pleasure Family Funfair at Old Parade Ground Area 10 Abuja

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

FROM THE COURT The issue of jurisdiction has again brought to the fore the futility of instituting suits abroad for offences committed locally as litigants are often faced with the problem of enforcement of judgments from such suits, writes ADEBISI ONANUGA.

Court’s jurisdiction and enforcement of foreign verdicts O F late, Nigerians and corporate bodies desirous of obtaining convictions against individuals and other bodies they have disputes with often take to instituting suits, irrespective of the jurisdiction of such suits. But they often times find it difficult enforcing judgments delivered in their favour by a foreign court, especially where defendants may not have appeared throughout the duration of the trial resides. The above scenario may have played itself out in an attempt by Access Bank Plc to register and enforce a judgment of a United Kingdom (UK) Court against a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr, Erastus Akingbola. On September 13, 2012, Access Bank Plc approached a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos, presided by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji and filed an ex-parte application seeking to register and enforce a London Court judgement against Akingbola. The High Court of Justice, Queens Bench in London, had on August 1, 2012, ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank £654 million (N212.2 billion) for alleged illegal purchased of shares when he was in charge of the defunct bank. Justice Oyebanji granted the bank’s request by registering the London judgment as a judgement of a Lagos High Court and ordered Akingbola to pay the judgment sum. But Akingbola, through his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) petitioned against the decision of the court and subsequently filed an application dated September 27, 2013 before the court presided by Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson of the Lagos High Court in Igbosere asking the court to quash the registration of the said judgment for lack of jurisdiction. After a trial that lasted about six months, Access Bank lost its bid to get the court to enforce the judgement on the defendant. Justice Candide-Johnson on February 18, 2014 granted Akingbola’s prayers. He did not only set aside the order of Justice Oyebanji, he also set aside the controversial London judgment against the defendant. According to him, the London judgment and accompanying order of Mr. Burton of the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division Commercial London lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case in the first place being a matter exclusively for the Federal High Courts. The judge explained that Capital Marketrelated matters are issues which only Federal High Courts have exclusive jurisdiction. “In the final analysis, I hold that the High Court of Lagos State within the meaning of Madukolu Versus Nkemdilim lacks jurisdiction and competence to have entertained, heard and/or determined any aspect of the Registration and Enforcement proceedings in respect of the Foreign Judgment and Accompanying Enrolment Order of Honourable Justice Burton….”, Candide-Johnson declared. With these words, Johnson then vacated the exparte order of July 4, 2013, which originally empowered Access Bank to register and execute the judgment debt and subsequently struck out the Bank’s application. This decision is reminiscent of the Court of Appeal Judgment of November 21, 2013 which struck out a theft charge preferred against former Managing Director and Chief Executive of Finbank Plc, Mr. Okey Nwosu on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. About a month after the removal of the Bank Chiefs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them before the Federal High Court Lagos accusing them, among others, of share fraud, concealment and reckless granting of loans without adequate collateral. However, while the charges before the Federal High Court were still pending, EFCC in 2011 rearrested them with a view to rearraigning them on stealing charges at Lagos High Court and by May 31, 2013, the trio of Akingbola, Nwosu and Francis Atuche, Former Managing Director of defunct Bank PHB, had all been rearraigned at the Ikeja High Court. But in a judgment delivered on November 2013, the Court of Appeal held that the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, where the stealing charges

•Akingbola

If likelihood of bias ‘does not vitiate a

judgment in other climes, it certainly does in Nigeria; if hearsay evidence can ground a judgment in the UK, same cannot ground a judgment in Nigeria

’

were filled against Nwosu and others lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter because it arose from Capital Market-related transactions, which only Federal High Courts have exclusive jurisdiction to handle. “What is therefore, in existence is the fraudulent conversion of funds of the bank as instructed into shares. If the funds in question have turned into shares which is an issue in the Capital Market, can the High Court of Lagos State therefore invoke its jurisdiction on such matter on a charge of stealing? Why will the prosecution then resort to another charge of stealing at the High Court of Lagos when the existence of the thing said to have been stolen is turned under the control of capital issue….?”, the court had questioned. From the foregoing, a spectre appears to be haunting prosecution, a development which former Justice Charles Archibong made a veiled reference to on April 2, 2012. The former Justice of Federal High Court, Lagos had on that day struck out the case against Akingbola for “lack of diligent prosecution”. This happened because several months after Akingbola’s arraignment, EFCC failed to call any witness. Also, during the period, the commission amended the charges against him three times and was not allowed to take his plea. The February 18, 2014, ruling by Justice Candide-Johnson setting aside the judgment of the London Court and rejecting its registration may well be another judicial score for the former boss of the defunct Intercontinen-

tal Bank. The Akingbola matter is not the first to be undertaken by Access Bank in a foreign court. A similar scenario occurred recently when the bank, had rushed to United Kingdom Court to obtain injunction against another Nigerian company, Capital Oil Limited before a Federal High Court ordered the withdrawal of the case from London and for it to be heard in Nigeria. There is a notion that some Nigerians are now in the habit of rushing to foreign courts, especially United Kingdom, to institute cases which ordinarily should have taken place in Nigeria. This practice happens even when concerned parties are Nigerians resident and doing business in Nigeria such as the one leading to Burton’s judgment. Commenting on the development the Managing Partner of Indemnity Partners, a Lagos based legal services firm, Chuks Nwachukwu condemned the situation, adding that it undermines Nigeria’s judiciary. He argued that: “It appears the UK system eagerly adopts any case brought to UK and supports the plaintiff as an economic strategy to fund its system and earn huge legal fees from outside UK jurisdiction.” Justice Burton’s judgment arose from a civil suit filed in 2009 by Access bank in London against Akingbola in the wake of his removal by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as Chief Executive of defunct Intercontinental Bank. The judgment, delivered in July 2012, found Akingbola liable of causing substantial loss to the defunct Bank to the tune of N212,294,089,160.15 when the Nigeria stock market collapsed. He was ordered to pay personally. The judge, although, said there was no evidence that Akingbola participated personally in the share purchase as the CEO of the bank, but that “on balance of probability” he must have knowledge of it. Consequently Access Bank sought to execute the judgment in Nigeria and on July 2, 2013, it brought an exparte application to the court to register the judgment as that of the Lagos court, a request which was granted by the court on July 4, 2013, but swiftly challenged by Akingbola in September 2013. Prior to the ruling Akingbola and Access Bank had on January 16, 2014 exchanged legal argument with the Bank insisting on the enforcement of the judgment debt. Counsel to the Bank, Mr. Kanyinsola Ajayi (SAN) in his submission argued that the Bank

had satisfied all conditions for the registration and enforcement of the judgment. He said Akingbola was served with all the processes filed at the English Court and that he submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and personally gave evidence with other witnesses, concluding that the court acted with jurisdiction when it gave judgment. But Akingbola countered Ajayi’s argument in his submission byhis counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who argued that both the English Court trial and subsequent judgment were riddled with multiple illegalities. Olanipekun argued that the English Court first, lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case. He quoted several decided cases both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria including Supreme Court cases, to support his position. He said a foreign court could not assume jurisdiction on a person who is transiently present within the jurisdiction in respect of assets outside the jurisdiction. According to him, it was the freezing order obtained by the Bank in the United Kingdom against Akingbola that compelled his presence in London and stranded him there. The learned counsel also argued that Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to register the judgment since it could not have entertained the claim leading to the judgment in the first place. Only Federal High Courts, he argued, could handle civil causes and matters arising from Companies and Allied Matters Act, which is the subject of the judgment. Olanipekun contended that the procedure adopted by the High Court of England in arriving at the decision was in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution and Law of Evidence. He stated for instance, that the trial was conducted over video, with the judge sitting in London, while Akingbola and his witnesses were compelled to give evidence over video in a Lagos Hotel via video link. Also, the British judge tried to seek the assistance of the Federal High Court to compel the witnesses to appear, but the Federal High Court replied that the procedure being adopted was alien to Nigerian Laws as witnesses could not be compelled in a civil case. Olanipekun told the court that his client was not only denied his right to appeal the decision of Justice Burton, the court also relied on hearsay testimonies of four claimant witnesses (Mr. Mahmoud Lai Alabi, Mr. Owolabi, Mrs. Folake Akingbade and Mr. Olusola Olayinka) to establish the truth of allegations made against Akingbola without producing them for cross examination. All the Banks witnesses, he argued, refused to come to court to testify on oath and be cross examined on their statements. Following Justice Burtons judgment and accompanying orders in July and September, 2012 respectively, Akingbola, in exercise of his right of appeal, applied to the same High Court of England for leave to appeal its decision, but he was refused. Dissatisfied, he made two separate applications to the Court of Appeal of England and was again refused the right of appeal. Accusing the Bank of not disclosing the foregoing facts to the court while bringing the application for registration, Olanipekun faulted the process which produced a judgment while denying an accused the right to appeal, fair hearing and using hearsay evidence to support a claim of that magnitude. Quoting several legal authorities, Olanipekun maintained that the Supreme Court holds inalienable an accused right to appeal as set forth in Abubakar V Yar ‘Adua (2008) 4 NWLR (Pt 1078) 465 at 496 where it held as follows: “An appeal is a constitutional right which cannot be taken away from or denied an appellant. No court of law has the jurisdiction to take away from or deny an applicant his constitutional right to appeal”. Olanipekun concluded “If likelihood of bias does not vitiate a judgment in other climes, it certainly does in Nigeria; If hearsay evidence can ground a judgment in the UK, same cannot ground a judgment in Nigeria; Furthermore, If fraud can be proven in UK on the balance of probabilities, such procedure is expressly forbidden in Nigeria”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

FROM THE COURT Two Supreme Court Justices, others honoured

HE association of Igbo lawyers in Lagos, (Otu OkaIwu) has honoured two Supreme Court Justices and 12 other jurists for their contributions to law development. Also honoured at the 2014 Annual Dinner and award night of the group, was Anambra State Governor and Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum (SGF), Mr. Peter Obi. The association’s former president Senator Onyeabo Obi, who chaired the event, said the association’s mission was to fight all kinds of discriminations and social injustices as they affect Ndigbo and promote social harmony amongst the various ethnic nationalities in Nigeria through the promotion of the rule of law. Those honoured include justices of the Supreme Court Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta and Mary PeterOdili, and a judge of the International Criminal Court at The Hague Chile Eboe-Osuji. They were honoured for their distinguished and selfless service to the judiciary and the legal profession. Also honoured was Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, “for his contribution to the development of election and governance laws and jurisprudence in Nigeria.” Others are Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, Amina Augie; Justice Chinwe Iyizoba and Justice Samuel Oseji of the Court of Appeal; and Justice Kenneth Amadi of the National Industrial Court, Lagos. President, Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Louis Mbanefo (SAN); and former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); Mr Etigwe Uwa (SAN), Elder Paul Ananaba (SAN) and President of Aka Ikenga (an Igbo Tink-tank) Chief Anayo Uwazurike and Abia State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Hon. Umeh Kalu are among the awardees. Others are Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja and Lagos branches chairmen, Monday Ubani and Alex Muoka, and Chairman, Capital Market Solicitors Association, Mr Uche Val Obi. Otu Oka-Iwu’s President, Zik Obi II said the association, in accordance with its Constitution, always honours “any of its members and non-members elevated or appointed to any high office or position in the country or abroad.” He said the association was set up in the early 70s after the civil war to cater for the interest and welfare of Igbo lawyers in Lagos, including rendering assisting in the event of death of members, who enjoy insurance benefits. The group, he said, meets once a month except August (during NBA conference) and December ( Christmas holidays), during which experts in various fields of law are invited to give talks as part of their continuous legal education. “We also discuss and take necessary action on matters concerning Ndigbo. We organise and invite guest speakers to lecture our members on different aspects of law and legal practice every other general meeting. “These lecture series have caused a massive increase in the number of members attending our general meetings,” he said. According to him, the association held many lectures and continuing education for its members, adding that, many more of such lectures are planned for this year. Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Mr. President has no absolute powers •From left: Justice Iyizoba, President Otu Oka-Ikaiwu, Zik Obi 11 and Senator Obi

•From left: Dero Daniels, chairman NBA Lagos branch Alex Muoka and Mrs. Adejumo Arije.

•From left: Gerald Enyinnaya, Mbanugo Udenze, Attroney-General and Commissioner for Justice Abia State, Hon. Umeh Kalu and Chidi Nwauke

•L-R: Austin-Coleman Onyemaechi, Emeka Nwadioke (Publicity Secretary, Otu Oka-Iwu), Bob Ijioma, Afam Osigwe (immediate past chairman of NBA Abuja Branch), Chukwuma Ezeala, Mrs. Omohafe Opara and Anthony Atata

Patrick Akpobolokemi, represented by a director in cabotage services Hassan Yakubu, delivered a lecture on the agency’s services at the event. Among NIMASA’s objectives, he said, is “to vigorously pursue accelerated development of indigenous shipping capacity, particularly in the area of vessel acquisition and ship building facilities through the application of appropriate fiscal and operational incentives.”

Guests include Abia State Attorney-General Umeh Kalu, who represented Governor Theodore Orji; his Anambra counterpart, Peter Afuba, who represented Governor Obi; and a judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Sybil Nwaka. Also present were Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN); Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN); Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN); former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Taiwo O. Taiwo, among others.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan after the ill-feelings of the penultimate week following his suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has been in celebratory mood, as his government rolls out the drums in celebration of our country’s 100 years of existence. A major blot on the canvas of the celebrants is however the ongoing war between the murderous Boko Haram elements and the Nigerian Military. Unfortunately while the chief celebrant, President Jonathan, is shouting on top of his voice at every turn, that the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorate is not a mistake, the Boko Haram insurgents are recklessly shooting to death everything within their site, in Bornu, Adamawa and Yobe states. Before the Boko Haram killings supplanted the Sanusi saga, in the media, President Jonathan tried to soften the public outcry. At the media chat, called to explain the suspension of Sanusi, Mr. President when asked whether he has powers to suspend the bank chief, enthused: “the president has absolute powers …” However in his address at the centenary conference, Mr. President, said, concerning the Boko Haram mayhem, “in concert with our regional and global partners, we will continue to respond strategically and decisively to this scourge …” Privately I had remonstrated that the President should have said that he has absolute powers to deal with the scourge, just like he claimed with respect to the Sanusi challenge. But does a democratically elected President Jonathan has any absolute powers, in the exercise of his duties; not to talk of where neither the constitution nor the principal act grants him the power so exercised? The answer is an ABSOLUTE no. Such a claim by the President - a constitutional authority - to have ‘absolute power’ must be a faux pax; for ‘absolute powers’ is an aberration for any constitutional authority. This was the guidance for Obaseki JSC, in the celebrated case of Military Governor of Lagos State vs Ojukwu, when he held: “the Nigerian Constitution is founded on the rule of law, the primary meaning of which is that everything must be done according to law, it means also that government should be conducted within the framework of recognized rules and principles which restrict discretionary power…” As earlier held by the learned Justice in the same case, “in the area where rule of law operates, the rule of self-help by force is abandoned.” Considering that the embattled ‘substantive Governor of Central Bank’ has taken his case to the court, I shall restrain my self to general comments on the exercise of governmental powers under the prevalence of rule of law. No doubt, the President is a creature of the 1999 constitution as amended, and as such his powers derive from the constitution and other laws lawfully made under the constitution. Instructively, Nnaemeka Agu JSC, in Tukur vs Gongola State, held: “this court has said it several times that the provisions of the constitution ought to be read and interpreted as a whole in that related sections must be construed together”. In the 1999 constitution, the executive powers of the federation are provided principally in section 5 of that constitution. The principal provision is section 5(1)(b) which provides: “subject to the provisions of this constitution, the executive powers of the federation shall be vested in the President … and shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this constitution, all laws made by the National Assembly and to all matter with respect to which the National Assembly has, for the time being, power to make laws.” The further powers of the President with respect to Central Bank is within the provisions of the Central Bank Act 2007; being a law made by the National Assembly. Where a lacuna is deemed to exist in the law, the executive authority has no powers to fill in the blank spaces. This is because the power to make laws for the federation is effectively vested in the National Assembly, by section 4. This includes the power to make laws for matters within the exclusive legislative list, of which Banking is item number 6. Of course where an executive choose to fill in the blank space for an extant law, apart from the clear intent of usurping the legislative powers, which it does not posses, it also amount to self help. Again in Military Governor of Lagos State vs Ojukwu, supra, Oputa JSC, adopted the Black Law Dictionary definition of self help, which defined it thus: “taking an action in person or by a representative with legal consequences, whether the action is legal or not; for example, a self-help eviction may be a landlord’s removing the tenant’s property from an apartment and locking the door against the tenant.” The learned Justice also succinctly held that: “the rule of law presupposes: that the state is subject to the Law; that the judiciary is a necessary agency of the rule of law; that governments should respect the right of individual citizens under the rule of law; and that to the judiciary is assigned both the rule of law and by our constitution the determination of ‘all actions and proceedings relating to matters in dispute between persons or between government or an authority and any person in Nigeria’”. The learned jurist observed that even during the World War 11, Lord Atkins, was still able to hold concerning United Kingdom: “in this country, amid the clash of arms, the laws are not silent. They may be changed but they speak the same language in war as in peace. It has always been one of the pillars of freedom, one of the principles of liberty for which on recent authority we are now fighting …” For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY

•From left Prof. Idornigie, Prof. Adewopo and Prof. Owasanoye

•Udotai (left) and Prof. Azinge (SAN)

Experts canvass sanctions against social media, internet offences

ARTICIPANTS at a roundtable on cyberspace and social media disputes organised by Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), at its Supreme Court Abuja, complex office, have called for serious sanctions against cyberspace offences, especially defamation. They critically examined the issues from the following perspectives: online disputes resolution; designing new legal processes for cyberspace; trademarks in cyberspace; domain name disputes; cyber squatting and internet issues; social media; frontier for employee disputes, cybercrimes, offences: confronting emerging criminality undercover, cybercrime usage: challenges and disputes, privacy and personal information security: issues and challenges. In his opening speech, the Director-General of NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said there is a lot of misleading statements and defamation coming from the online space and platforms. He frowned at the fact that people no longer check the legal implication of what they push into the internet neither do they bother about how such information and massages affect people, who visit the internet, especially children and the vulnerable group. Prof. Azinge said: “The essence of the roundtable is to see how we can regulate these, whose responsibility it is to do them and why the bill to regulate them has remained in the National Assembly for the past three years without being passed into law, stating that whatever we do, we need to protect the interest of Nigerians” Speaking on cyberspace, social media and jurisdictional issues, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye said: “Web based social networking or social media is less than 20 years in use, yet they have radically changed our world and shrunk it beyond what the most visionary could have thought was possible 30 years ago. “What is social media? A simplistic definition will be to say it is the social interaction platform provided by the internet for persons who subscribe to the platforms to communicate. The internet is the modern day wonder that digitally connects billions of people across borders and boundaries in a way that today keeps more people glued to their laptops, smartphones, tablets and other digital devices to read newspaper on line, chat with known and unknown contacts, play music, watch videos, purchase products, search for information, get an education or just generally engage in a public discussion through several available public and interract “The most popular platforms with global appeal and also in Nigeria are the American based services such as Facebook, Google, YouTube, Linkedln, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter and What’s App. There are others such as Nexopia in Canada; Badoo, Bebo and VKontakte in Russia, Delphi Forums and Draugiem in Latvia, Hi5 in Europe, Hyves mostly in Netherlands, IWiW mostly in Hungary, Nasza-Klasa and Soup in Poland and Glocals in Swit-

By John Austin Unachukwu

zerland. “There are others such as Skyrock, The Sphere and StudiVZ in Germany, Tagged and Tuenti in Spain, Xing in some parts of Europe Orkut in South and Central America, Mxit in parts of Africa, Cyworld, Mixi, Orkut, REnREn, Weibo and Wretch in Asia and the Pacific Islands and naija Politics. According to Owasanoye, “closer to home, social media has played major roles in Nigeria’s political life. For example, the events that transpired in the hallowed chamber of the Governors forum were made public by the release of videos placed on social media that went viral. Similarly, abuse of human rights by angry mobs have been captured on video such as the brutal killing of Aluu 4 in Rivers State, demand for bribes by police officers etc. “In the same way, social media has been used to boost political campaigns, organise social demonstrations, boost business opportunities, advertise products and enhance payment systems,” he said. On the disadvantages of social media, Prof. Owasanoye said: “Social media means instant information sharing globally. However, due to its very nature, its weakness is inherent in its strength therefore the biggest casualty of social media revolution is reputation and privacy especially for the famous, rich, powerful and so called celebrity.” He said social media disseminate information without investigation, verification or confirmation. “In the world of social media, everything is true unless and until the contrary can be proved. As a result of this risk some people refuse to have a presence on social media. The question is if they are safer without a social media presence. Is the privacy of a celebrity better protected by his or her absence from the social media?” he asked. Social media presence, he said, enables one to “hear” what is being said, which if not correct can be refuted immediately. “Complete absence makes the falsehood spread almost beyond remedy,” he said. He continued: “Given the negative uses to which social media can also be used e.g. for spreading hate, destroying relationships or violating privacy, developed countries have laws that regulate playing in this domain. In Nigeria, there is no regulation. Sometime back, the President of Senate, David Mark suggested that Nigeria should regulate social media. By the time the social media war-

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•From left Dr. Ani, Prof. Ngozi Ugo and Emeka Nwabuzor

riors finished with him. “In such transactions how do we meet the requirements of the law that some transactions must be under seal or evidenced in writing e.g. contracts of guarantee, a lease for more than three years, wills, money lending agreement, bills of exchange, promissory notes. There is the requirement that a document be signed. “As the courts grew, delays, formalities, technicalities, corruption and the like crept in. Similarly, the cause lists became overcrowded and court environment and sittings became intimidating and oppressive to the uninformed. Owasanoye said there was a realisation that rights and revenge are not the focus of most disputes as many disputes involve misunderstandings, accidents or other situations where getting the problem resolved quickly is more important than placing blame. “These led to a re-thinking and hence, the emergence of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes. Thus from resolving disputes in a fixed and identifiable place called a court or courtroom, disputes were taken from the courtrooms to any place. “With the development of ICT, electronic commerce (e-commerce) and electronic signature (e-signature) emerged. We have now moved from the physical to the non-physical terrain – the cyberspace. This led to paperless and borderless transactions. By using internet, we have not only devised new ways to create value and new ways to cause problems but also it became possible to resolve disputes online and hence online dispute resolution (ODR), sometimes referred to as Internet Dispute Resolution (iDR) or Electronic ADR (eADR),” he said. According to him, while ADR takes disputes away from the courtroom to anywhere, ODR takes them further away to outer space by designating cyberspace as locations for dispute resolution. Many mediation and arbitration providers make substantial use of the internet to promote their services. Prof. Idornigie stated that “There are various websites offering mediation and arbitration services – The

In such transactions how do we meet the requirements of the law that some transactions must be under seal or evidenced in writing e.g. contracts of guarantee, a lease for more than three years, wills, money lending agreement, bills of exchange, promissory notes.

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Mediation Room, E-Mediator, Dispute Doctor, Resolute Systems, Cybersettle and the National Centre for Technology and Dispute Resolution (NCTDR). Arbitration can be conducted partly or wholly online. In the pre-internet world, one would not have had the opportunity to violate trademark law easily but the internet empowers us to do all kinds of novel things – getting into disputes in new ways is one of them. By using internet, we have devised new ways to create value and new ways to cause problems – thank God that is still not possible to physically assault someone online. Another participant, Prof. Idornigie said: “At one time, business was done in the physical space. There is now a paradigm shift. Similarly the thought of someone seeking legal redress was that of suing and “going to court”. However, today, with ADR the route is “going out of court” to any place and with ODR to cyberspace. The effect is frightening, but we must be commercially ingenuous and legally pragmatic. He continued: “Nigeria has not fully adopted any of the Model Laws on Ecommerce and E-signature though the Evidence Act had addressed the problems that existed under the Evidence Act 2004. The government is enjoined to pass all necessary laws that will facilitate international business if we must attract direct foreign investment especially the Model Laws on E-Commerce and E-Signature. The European Union, according to Idornigie, in 2000, adopted the E-Commerce Directive. “It is meant to have a common approach to dealing with disputes relating to goods purchased online, to support the development of a common commercial market across all EU countries. It is recommended that the Economic Community of West African Stats (ECOWAS) should sponsor a similar directive,” he said. H e continued: “As members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Legal Practitioners are enjoined to embrace ICT. After all the legal profession is international and therefore, as legal practitioners, we either travel on holidays or do business in other jurisdictions where the Model Laws have been passed into law. It is instructive, therefore that we embrace ICT in all its ramifications.” He said having repealed the Evidence Act 2004, there is the need to amend the Interpretation Act so that the definition of document, writing and signature are consistent. “It is conceded that like ADR, ODR creates problems of effectiveness. Similarly ODR creates problems of independence and transparency. Thus how do we develop standards that will take care of these problems? Who should formulate international standards – the In-

ternational Bar Association, ICC or intergovernmental organisation,” he explained. He said until internationally accepted principles emerge and are accepted, or case law becomes clear and generally accepted, dispute resolution is likely to depend on the principles of contract. All internet users and people transacting business in cyberspace should take great care to read and be satisfied about the terms that apply to any commercial transaction into which they may enter. Presenting her paper on Online disputes resolution, designing new legal processes for cyberspace, Dr. Chinyere Ani said: “Close to a million disputes are resolved yearly online with over a hundred online dispute resolution providers worldwide. Online commercial transactions have come to stay and have potentials of rapid growth. ODR is a concept that we must accept with open arms as it offers better opportunities for settlement of online disputes given its advantages over litigation. International trade organisations, dispute resolution organisations, states and all stake holders should seriously consider a proper legal regime to regulate ODR.” On cybercrimes and offences, another participant, Basil Udotai said: “It is inconceivable that despite the growth and overwhelming use of ICT in critical sectors of our economy for sensitive processes; not to mention widespread adopted of ICT by governments at all levels, businesses and individuals, the evolution of a legal framework to tackle the negative aspects of our interactions online, continue to elude Nigeria. It is hoped that the ongoing effort at NASS will finally yield the desired outcome” Speaking on privacy and personal information security, issues and challenges, Emeka Nwbuzor said: “ The Internet has made worldwide, instantaneous communication easy. The average user now has the power to be heard by hundreds or even thousands of other users, but in terms of libel and defamation, the Net is not a new world of freedom. The reality is that libel and defamation laws are enforceable in the virtual world just like they are in the real world.” “Defamation as an offence, he continued, “is created under Chapter 33 of the Criminal Code. Section 375. It criminalises the publication of a defamatory matter – the publisher is liable to imprisonment for one year; where such a person knows that the defamatory matter is false, he will be liable to imprisonment for two years. Publishing of defamatory matter with intent to extort is punishable by seven years imprisonment.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY The controversy on whether a police permit is required for rallies and political processions has taken the centre stage lately. Lagos lawyer, IKECHUKWU IKEJI writes on why a permit may be needed for rallies

‘Police permit may be needed for rallies’

E have been reading and following with relish and a learning mentality the recent outbursts of emotions on the subject whether or not police permit is required to hold protests or rallies or demonstrations. The issues are direct fall outs from the present trend of events in Rivers State where police has had to intervene to stop certain rallies, which hide under the cloak of NGO meetings to further pursue political agenda. Several commentators, legal or otherwise, have lent their voices in one way or the other to the debate. One of the loudest voices has been that of learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and lawyer per excellence, Femi Falana, who was very clear in saying that police permit is not required for rallies. Our view is that, on the face of it, police permit is not a sine qua non for rallies or demonstrations. However, it goes beyond that sweeping statement as a deeper study will show that, indeed, police permits may be a requirement for rallies and processions. Everything depends on the circumstances of each case. We, therefore, most humbly beg to disagree with the learned silk and others who are in agreement with that sweeping statement. We state with every sense of responsibility that police permit, which by implication means a permit issued under the delegated authority of the Governor under the Public Order Act Cap P42, LFN 2004 (the Act), may be needed in certain instances, especially those instances where there is a threat of, or there is likely to be or there is a clear evidence of, a breakdown of law and order or where there is a conflicting claim of the same right of protest or right of venue, as the case may be. Our disagreement stems from the angle of objective analysis of the issues involved, devoid of emotions and bearing in mind the overriding need to adopt proactive measures of law enforcement rather than waiting for actual breakdown of law and order before reacting, a situation that may lead to loss of lives and property that otherwise could have been avoided. The bone of contention actually is the constitutionality or otherwise of the Public Order Act Cap P42, LFN 2004. In our view, to dismiss the Act as unconstitutional with a wave of the hand and without more is too hasty a conclusion to be reached in the face of the delicate nature of our democracy and the peculiarities of the African political terrain and going also by the antecedents of the events in issue. We do not want to have anarchy on our hands and when it is too late, we begin to live in regret of what we could have done to prevent such. Even beyond the Act, the issue of police interference in the exercise of the fundamental rights of citizens may extend to an examination of the powers of the police under the Police Act, especially Section 4 thereof, which provides for the general duties of the police to the effect that the police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them by, or under the authority of this or any other Act. This is an omnibus provision that the police sometime misuses, but which it nevertheless uses, sometimes lawfully. Under it, the police can stop a rally pursuant to its power to preserve law and order, and to protect life and property. With regards to rallies, there are some questions to be asked namely: whether the rallies are political or not and if they are, whether the time is right for political rallies/campaigns or not. In Nigeria today, we agree that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed commencement of campaigns for sometime in November, 2014 the implication being that political campaigns are unlawful presently. Again, we must also ask whether the rallies are peaceful or not or whether they have the likelihood of being peaceful or not or leading to a breakdown of law and order or not. We cannot play the ostrich and close our eyes to this reality. No doubt, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, guarantees the freedom of association and right to assemble

freely, but is the right unlimited? Is the right guaranteed here an absolute right? We submit that it is not an absolute right, as can be seen from the provisions of Section 45 of the Constitution, which we shall highlight below. Can we say, for example, that a gathering of armed robbers is lawful by virtue of Section 40 and under the pretext of freedom of association? Can two distinct groups gather on opposite sides with daggers drawn, threatening at each other with violence, and we say that such gatherings are lawful? The foregoing is the reason why the question must be asked whether obtaining police permit may be required in certain circumstances. What is the state of the law today on the issue, beyond the known provisions of the Public Order Act? The Public Order Act clearly empowers the Governor of the state to issue permits for processions or gatherings in public places or on public roads. The Governor may also delegate such power to the Commissioner of Police. Specifically Section 2 of the Act empowers any police officer of the rank of inspector or above to stop any assembly, meeting or procession for which no licence has been issued or which violates any conditions of the licence issued under Section 1 thereof. Section 1(2) actually provides that if the Governor is satisfied as to give a license to assemble, he shall direct any superior police officer to issue a license. By Section 1(4), “the Governor may delegate his powers under this section- (a) in relation to the whole state or part thereof, to the Commissioner of Police of the state or any superior police officer of a rank not below that of a Chief Superintendent of Police....” From the foregoing, it may safely be presumed that when acting with regards to public processions or rallies, the Commissioner of Police is acting under the delegated authority of the state governor. Where the Commissioner of Police is deemed to have acted wrongly, the Public Order Act makes provision for an appeal to the Governor within 15 days and the decision of the Governor is final. In the final analysis, where any person alleges that pursuant to the exercise of the powers under the Public Order Act, his or her rights have been infringed, Section 46 of the Constitution empowers the person to approach a High Court for redress under the fundamental right enforcement procedure rules. The simple implication of all this is that, the police may lawfully insist on a permit before any rally can take place. But, this position has received judicial interpretations in recent times raising even more confusion as to the exact position of the law. As at the last count, there are two conflicting judgments of the Court of Appeal on the issue and it will serve well for our jurisprudence if the Supreme Court is approached to make final pronouncement on the matter. On one hand, in ALL NIGERIAN PEOPLES PARTY & ORS. v. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (2006) CHR 181, the Court of Appeal held that police permits are not needed for protests or rallies, while in CHUKWUMA v COP (2005) 8NWLR Pt. 278, the same Court of Appeal was also very unequivocal in declaring that a police permit is definitely required for protests and rallies. Those who argue that police permits are not needed for rallies rely on the ANPP case while those who argue that police permit is needed rely on the CHUKWUMA case. This writer’s position is a middle point, not completely excluding the requirement of police permit. One can, however, conveniently decipher a dividing line between the two decisions of the Court of Appeal. In the case of ALL NIGERIAN PEOPLES PARTY & ORS. V. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (2006) CHR 181, the court declared that police permit is not needed for citizens

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to gather or to protest or to engage in rallies. This is a fair statement of the law, in our view. The court, however, went ahead to declare that Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution, which derogates from the right to freely hold rally can only be invoked under a state of emergency. It was on this premise that the court declared that there is an inalienable right to hold rallies without the need for a police permit. With the greatest respect to the honorable court, no interpretation of the said Section 45 can be farther from the intendment of the Constitution than to say that it can only be used under a state of emergency. For the avoidance of doubts, we hereby reproduce the said Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution as amended: “45. (1) Nothing in Sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this Constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society (a) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or (b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom or other persons (2) An act of the National Assembly shall not be invalidated by reason only that it provides for the taking, during periods of emergency, of measures that derogate from the provisions of Section 33 or 35 of this Constitution; but no such measures shall be taken in pursuance of any such act during any period of emergency save to the extent that those measures are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of emergency: Provided that nothing in this section shall authorise any derogation from the provisions of Section 33 of this Constitution, except in respect of death resulting from acts of war or authorise any derogation from the provisions of section 36(8) of this Constitution. (3) In this section, a “ period of emergency” means any period during which there is in force a Proclamation of a state of emergency declared by the President in exercise of the powers conferred on him under Section 305 of this Constitution.” From Section 45(2) above, it is clear in simple interpretation, that a state of emergency is specially mentioned only with particular reference to Sections 33 and 35 both of which deal on right to life and personal liberty respectively. Where there is no state of emergency, Sections 33 and 35 cannot be abridged arbitrarily. This is not the case with Sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41, all of which, by the express provision of Section 45(1), can be derogated from by a law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society without the need for a declaration of a state of emergency. This is where we respectively disagree with the decision of the Court of Appeal in ANPP & ORS V. IGP, supra. One common denominator in terms of requirement that runs through Section 45 is that a law that portends to derogate from the fundamental rights listed therein shall be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, and not that it should only be during a state of emergency. This must be clear, so that we all proceed from a correct premise since a wrong premise will always lead to a wrong conclusion. Our enquiry should always be whether the law or the action proceeding from under such law is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, and not to make a sweeping statement that all laws or actions abridging these rights are in themselves without more unlawful or to even suggest that the rights can only be derogated from only when a state of emergency is declared. In point of fact, in the ANPP case, there was clearly no threat or likelihood of vio-

From the foregoing, it may safely be presumed that when acting with regards to public processions or rallies, the Commissioner of Police is acting under the delegated authority of the state governor

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•Ikeji

lence or breakdown of law and order as the rally was meant to be a simple protest march to show disaffection with the results of an election. All the police needed to have done in the circumstance was to provide adequate protection and security while the protest goes on. It was, therefore, inappropriate for the police to have stopped the said protest march. On closer scrutiny, and given the circumstances of the clearly irrational action of the police, one can easily proffer that the distinguished Court of Appeal had no option than to declare the action of the police as unlawful. But to extend its opinion in such a way as to bring in a state of emergency as the sole purview of Section 45 appears to be an inappropriate extension of the principles as intended under Section 45. The Court of Appeal’s decision in CHUKWUMA v COP (2005) 8NWLR Pt. 278 presents a balancing perspective to the question of the need for police permits. In that case, their Lordships held that police permit is a requirement for the holding of public meetings or assembly in private or public places. There is no doubt that this case upholds the constitutionality of the requirement of police permits for protests. Perhaps, an understanding of the facts of the case will help the reader appreciate why there is some justification in asking for police permits in specific instances. The CHUKWUMA case involved a potential conflict between two warring factions of a socio-cultural association known as Igbo Community Association. While one faction of the Association wanted to host a meeting of all Igbo delegates assembly comprising of all Igbo Community Associations in Northern States of Nigeria in Ilorin, Kwara State, the other faction petitioned the Commissioner of Police alerting his office that the meeting was going to constitute a security risk. This petition informed the decision of the police to disperse the meeting. The Court of Appeal while stating that police permit is required for such rallies held, and rightfully so, that the dispersal of the gathering by the police was lawful as anything less may have seen the gathering lead to a breakdown of order. Since we have two conflicting judgments of the Court of Appeal on our hands, it may be misleading to uphold only one of the decisions and ignore the other given the fact that our laws are based on judicial precedents. What we need to do is to look at the circumstances of each case and make appropriate opinions with regards to the peculiarities of same. To make a sweeping condemnation of the requirement of police permit is not a true reflection of the law as it is today in Nigeria and the earlier we bring this to the notice of the populace the better for us all. We have a responsibility not to fuel anarchy while maintaining the basic elements of fundamental rights. The appropriate step to take is to approach the courts anytime anybody complains of breach of his or her right. If the police refuses to allow a rally, the organisers should do well to take advantage of Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for such a person to approach a court for redress. To do otherwise or to stubbornly enter the streets under the impression that it is an inalienable right can only lead to unpleasant circumstances.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

DISCOURSE

The travails of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

HE former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is not my favourite person and I have differences with him on many issues. I must however, commend his immense courage for speaking out and exposing the monuemental corruption in the government that he once served and that has now decided that they no longer require his services. Two weeks ago, he claimed that 20 billion US dollars had gone missing from the coffers of the NNPC. Today he has been suspended and relieved of his duties for exposing the rot and speaking the truth. I have little doubt that the next thing that will happen is that he will be subjected to a formal probe and the EFCC will be called in to investigate his tenure of office. They will throw everything that they have got at him including the kitchen sink simply because he refused to play ball with them and cover up their penchant for monuemental corruption and graft. Some of us have been there before and we know what it is like. If you speak truth to power and you take on the system be rest assured that the system will fight back and they will attempt to destroy you and all that is yours. Yet none of that matters because the only thing that is relevant is the fact that history and posterity will be kind to Sanusi on this matter based on the choices that he has made. He spoke out when others chose to remain silent and to compromise. Unlike others, he refused to sell his soul to the devil and to sell his heritage and birthright for a mess of pottage. Despite the significant differences that I have with this man in terms of our different outlooks to how and what Nigeria ought to be as a nation I salute him and commend him for his efforts. I also make bold to say that with his noble stand he has assured himself of a great place in the next dispensation and he will play a key role in the future of this country one way or the other. May God guide and protect him in all his endeavours and may he continue to speak out with courage and strength and not allow himself to be intimidated or silenced. ong is the road of righteousness and truth and it is often tarred with the spikes of persecution, misrepresentation and falsehood. Yet at the end of the day it is the only road that is worth taking and it is the only one that leads to lasting honour and glory. May that honour and glory find Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and may God reward him for putting the interests and welfare of the Nigerian people before that of the woeful and rotten administration that he once served. This government has once again shown that it has no shame and that it is utterly

By Femi Fani-Kayode

bereft of any semblance of decency or morality. A man blows the whistle and exposes the fact that 20 billion USD has been stolen and instead of commending him and promoting him he is accused of wrongdoing, criminalised, villified and suspended. It is only in Nigeria that this sort of thing can happen. It has happened to me and many others before and now it is happening to Sanusi. I commend his courage and his ability to stand up and speak the truth to power. No matter what the government accuses him of now and no matter what trumped-up charges or baseless allegations they may come up with against him in order to justify their actions, the Nigerian people will always be grateful to him and indebted to him for exposing the rot and filth that constitutes the very foundation of the government that he once served. The level of impugnity and disdain that the Jonathan administration has for the people and for probity and accountability is second to none. The message that they are sending is clear- no whistleblower is safe in this country and in this government. Their intention is to destroy all those that have the courage to stand up to them and to intimidate us all into silence but they will fail woefully. The more people they seek to destroy for no just cause and the more innocent men and women that they persecute for telling the truth and for exposing their monuemental corruption and incompetence, the more they shall be resisted by people. What they have done to Sanusi is disgraceful and they ought to bury their heads in shame. Pertinent and appropiate are Sanusi’s own words when, after he was informed about his unceremonious suspension, he responded all the way from Niger Republic by saying ‘’you can suspend an individual but you can’t suspend the truth’’. He immediately boarded the plane and headed for Nigeria knowing full well that the security agencies were waiting for him. The plan was to arrest him on arrival in Abuja but he cleverly diverted his chartered flight to Lagos where close friends of his, including the former Minister of FCT Mallam Nasir El Rufai, a true and loyal friend and brother if ever I knew one, was waiting for him. He managed to avoid arrest but on arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos the authorities stopped him briefly and took his passport from him. By that single act they have served him notice of their sinister intentions. In the coming days, weeks, months and even possibly years they will seek to humiliate him, to denigrate him, to malign him and to destroy his entire future. That is their

intention but I firmly believe that it is not the intention of God and consequently they will fail. Providing he continues to stand firm and strong and remains undaunted such an evil plan cannot work and will not work simply because, as the Holy Bible says, ‘’the counsel of the ungodly shall not stand’’. It also says ‘’to subvert a righteous man in his course is not allowed’’ and that ‘’many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord will deliver him of them all’’. No matter how long it takes and no matter what they put him through Sanusi’s innocence will speak for him before God and before the Nigerian people. It is from the fiery furnace of persecution, misrepresentation and victimisation that true heroes are born. There is a spirit that emboldens and that stirs the passion and the soul of true warriors once they are sufficiently provoked. That spirit is known as the spirit of truth and it cannot be intimidated or denied. I must confess that it is very clear to me that Sanusi has that spirit and is possessed by that virtue. I say this because he was intelligent enough to know that with his utterances and his explosive disclosures about the graft in the NNPC and at the Ministry of Finance he was stepping on very powerful toes, treading on very dangerous grounds and swimming in very troubled waters. Yet despite the obvious dangers he continued and he was quite unmindful and unperturbed about what the direct consequences of his actions may be in terms of his personal safety, the security of his tenure of office or his career as a public servant. e was prepared to stand by and speak the truth no matter what and he was prepared to pay any price no matter whose ox was gored. That is the stuff of which heroes are made and I salute his courage. How I wish that more of our people were made of such stern stuff. If President Jonathan was really interested in fighting the war against corruption he would stop using his security agencies from tormenting and harassing innocent people. If he wanted to suspend some of his key officials and if he really wanted truth and justice to prevail he would not have targetted an innocent whistleblower who had constituted himself into a thorn in his flesh but instead he would have suspended Mr. Andrew Yakubu, his Group MD of NNPC, Mrs. Dieazani Allison-Madueke, his alluring Minister of Petroleum Resources and Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, his Minister of Finance pending the investigation into the missing 20 billion USD. Until he does that and as long as he continues to cover them all up and treat the Nigerian people with contempt and impugnity, no right-thinking person will take him or his administration seriously. This is all the more so for the following reasons. Firstly because

it is a matter of public record that the accounts of NNPC have not been audited since 2005, secondly because Mrs. AllisonMadueke and the NNPC have admitted that 3.5 billion USD was spent on kerosene subsidy without appropriation and specifically against Presidential directives and thirdly because, Okonjo-Iweala has conceeded that at least 10.5 billion USD has gone missing and she has called for a formal probe into the whole matter so that all the figures can be reconciled. How I wish that at this point she would have resigned. The Ngozi that I once knew, who was a woman of impeccable breeding and deep substance and character, would certainly have done so. Sadly not many of the Jonathonians are familiar with the works of William Shakespeare simply because Shakespeare is not too popular in the creeks. Yet the few amongst them that are up to the task would do well to consider the words of Julius Caeser when he said “it is the custom of the immortal gods to grant temporary prosperity and a fairly long period of impunity to those whom they plan to punish for their crimes, so that they may feel it all the more keenly as a result of the change in their fortunes”. Those amongst the President’s supporters that truly love him and that have his interest at heart would do well to explain to him the import of these deeply profound words and wise counsel from Shakespeare’s ‘’Julius Caesar’’. In doing so they may save him and his entire court of royal jesters from a whole load of misery that undoubtedly awaits them in the future. As for Sanusi Lamido Sanusi it is very clear to me that the sky is the limit for him. Whether he likes it or not his journey into the turbulent world of partisan politics has just began and I suspect strongly that he has an appointment with destiny. Permit me to end this contribution with the following observation. In the last few days, much has been made about the fact that I have criticised Sanusi quite often in the past and that I have openly disagreed with some of his actions as Governor of Central Bank. It has also been said that on another occassion I raised some fundamental questions about what I described as his ‘’flawed and indefensible’’ position on the oil subsidy debate in 2012, his controversial views on Boko Haram, his position on revenue allocation vis a vis north and south and his harsh and historically inaccurate assertions about the Yoruba people a number of years ago. It is true that I opposed him on those matters and that I took those positions on those issues and I stand by each and every one of them. I do not see any big deal in that. Yet, many appear to be rather surprised that I would now be one of those that is defending the very same Sanusi that I have opposed in

•Chief Fani-Kayode

the past. Those that have expressed such surprise and that see this as some kind of glaring contradiction simply do not understand me. And neither do they appreciate the complexities of national debate and the importance of being completely detached and objective when it comes to any form of intellectual or public discourse. The truth is that I do not take positions against individuals but rather on specific issues. Hence I may be your friend and defender one day and your greatest critic and detractor the very next depending on what your position is on any specific matter. That is the essence of public discourse and intellectual debate. That is it’s nature. We must not be motivated or moved by personal considerations or by our love or hate for any individual but rather by principle, morality, logic, facts and figures, justice and the rights and wrongs of the specific issues of the day. No-one is all good and no-one is all bad. And neither is anyone, including yours truly, always right. he fact that I have disagreed with Sanusi over the last 20 years on a number of matters including his assesment of the Yoruba people, his views about the cause of the scourge called Boko Haram, the oil subsidy issue and the ‘’National Question’’ does not mean that I ought to support the fact that he is being treated in the most deplorable way by President Goodluck Jonathan. Though he and I disagree vehemently on many things it does not mean that we are enemies for life and neither does it mean that I should relish in it and remain silent when he is being treated unjustly and when he is being persecuted, humiliated and rubbished by the Federal Government. This is all the more so when he has courageously exposed the rot in the Jonathan administration. He may have got it wrong on other matters but on this issue I make bold to say that Sanusi got it right and he did the proper thing. He deserves my support, just as he deserves the support of all right-thinking people, and he can be rest assured that he has it.

•Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Lagos State, Dr Aderemi Desalu(middle) receiving relief materials for Lagos State Environmental Management Agency (LASEMA), from Lion Chika Ikem. With them are Lion Ukegba Margaret (second left); Lion Ronke Eleguishi and Head Planning LASEMA Mr Magnus Davies •Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (right) and Sir Mark Wabara at a reception by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Aba, South Senatorial for the governor.

•A non-governmental organisation,Tehila Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation at a rally on sexual abstinence

•Chairperson, Mushin Local Government, Mrs Oludayo Adepitan immunising baby Joseph Adefisan at the Methodist Church, Palm Avenue, Mushin Lagos... With them are Rev David Daramola of the Methodist Church (left); Vice Chairman of the council, Emmanuel Bamigboye (right) and medical officer of Health Dr Hammed Ubani (middle)

POLITICS

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Following the gale of defections, some political parties have embarked on subtle campaigns, ahead of the November deadline stipulated by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission looks on helplessly. This development, Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI writes, portends ill for the political process.

Season of subtle campaigns T

HE campaign for the 2015 election may not have started officially, but the political arena is agog with activities, as major political parties jostle for relevance ahead of the contest. For instance, Owerri, the capital of Imo State, was practically shut down last weekend, as President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state to attend the sensitisation rally organised to welcome some party faithful who returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Senate President David Mark, were among the party bigwigs at the rally at Dan Anyiam Stadium, in the city, to receive the returnees, including: former Governor Achike Udenwa, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Senator Chris Anyanwu. Similarly, the hiring of AKPD, a foreign public relations firm by the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, to manage the image of the party, as it oils its machine in readiness for the 2015 electioneering campaign, has raised the stakes for the epic battle. David Axelrod, who founded AKPD in 1984, was the manager of the Barack Obama campaign for the White House in 2008. In the words of Jerry Chukwuokolo, South east Secretary, Campaign for Democracy, CD, it is evident from the body language of politicians that a keen contest is in the offing. “These manoevres are geared towards winning people’s loyalty, as the country gradually approaches the 2015 general elections,” he told The Nation on the telephone from his base in Enugu. For instance, he said, politicians now extend politics to places of worship, such as churches, mosques and the like and that rallies to receive new members defecting from other political parties have become a subtle form of electioneering campaign. To Norman Osakuni, a Lagos chartered accountant and lead partner, Egba Osakuni & Company, the unfortunate aspect of the trend is that nobody is punished for breaking the law. “We have a problem in Nigeria; we don’t know how to follow simple directives that have been put in place in the overall interest of everyone. The result is that politicians have started their campaign at least two years before the election,” he added. As far as Osakuni is concerned, it is a case of two wrongs, as politicians from the two major political parties are guilty. His words: “For instance, the way they are going about it, it is obvious that members of the main opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, want to get power. They have no consideration of giving the incumbent government enough space to work to deliver its promises to the people.” He said on the other hand, “those in government are very much aware of the strategy of their opponents, so they too are indulging in campaigning because they do not want the opposition to become so popular to the extent of displacing them during the election.” The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is worried over the ongoing defiance of campaign ban, especially by major political parties. But it has not been able to force the parties to stick to the timetable for the election. Going by the timetable released by the commission, political parties are expected to begin campaigns from November 16, 2014. But, following the gale of defections, some parties have embarked on what a source described as “subtle campaign” ahead of the No-

•President Jonathan (fourth right) and other PDP chieftains at the rally in Owerri, Imo State capital.

vember timeline. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega said the commission has observed that some politicians and registered political parties have begun unbridled campaign towards the election, thereby heating up the polity. “This trend is unhealthy and portends ill for the political process. Indeed, it is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy. The commission hereby reminds all players of the provision of Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended), which states as follows: For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.” One of the efforts by the authorities to enforce the ban on electioneering campaign has been criticised as selective. For instance, the APC recently accused the police of bias in its enforcement of the ban on political, socio-cultural or religious rallies at the nation’s airports. In a statement issued in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the police was wrong to have allowed the ruling PDP to flout the ban with impunity on February 1, when hundreds of PDP members thronged the Bauchi Airport to welcome the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. The APC said the police looked on as PDP supporters and praise singers danced round the plane ferrying the PDP Chairman as soon as it touched down. “This does not augur well for the image of the police, and it sends a wrong signal about whether or not the police can be neutral and professional before, during and after the 2015 elections. It also raises doubt about the ability of the police to effectively carry out their constitutional duty of ensuring the protection of lives and property”, the statement from the APC read.

However, in the view of elder statesman and Second Republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, there is no campaign yet. “How can you start campaigning for an election without candidates? You can only campaign effectively for an election, after the emergence of candidates,” he told The Nation. Nevertheless, he said the hullabaloo in the political arena is a ploy by the opposition to dictate the pace of the game. “It is you journalists that are helping them to heat up the polity,” added. Yakassai noted that the opposition is afraid of nominating a candidate at this point in time. “They are waiting for Jonathan to declare officially for his re-election before they come up with their candidate,” he said. The consensus of the respondents is that governance is suffering in the midst of it all. “There is confusion in the air: Politicians are heating up the polity and causing confusion. I don’t see any governance taking place again until 2015; what we’re witnessing all over the place is politics,” Monday Ubani, chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja Chapter, noted. He added: “Don’t be deceived, all these defection and attendant rallies are a form of campaign. Nowadays, National Assembly members are always at their constituencies, campaigning; especially with the announcement of the political timetable.” Ubani said the political elite have unleashed so much trouble on Nigerians, who sit down helplessly watching them. Similarly, Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chairman, Board of Trustees, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, said the implication of political parties and their supporters flouting INEC guidelines for campaigns is that it would not only heat up the polity, but also cause breakdown of law and order, which would possibly lead to violence. “Other political parties and their supporters may become lawless too and take laws into their hands,” he added.

‘The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is worried over the ongoing defiance of campaign ban, especially by major political parties. But it has not been able to do anything to force the parties to stick to the timetable for the election’

Akintunde Maberu, a Lagos-based finance and investment consultant, observed that one can only find this sort of thing happening in a society where the people cannot hold their leaders accountable for offices they occupy. “If politicians have at the back of their mind that they would work when they get there, to increase internally generated revenue, provide infrastructure and that they would be held accountable for all the allocations received during their tenure, that would not be the case,” he added. Maberu noted that Nigerian politicians are not interested in working, and that they are only interested in sharing money. “This is because they are not really concerned about the welfare of the people. They get away with it because they are not held accountable about their performances,” the consultant argued, adding: “We have a situation where politicians don’t have ideologies, they don’t have policies; otherwise they would know that they have to work for four years considerably before thinking of campaign.” Chukwuokolo said that Nigeria has not fully embraced democracy and that the INEC is not helping matters in this regard. “If people have absolute trust on INEC, I don’t think when the commission says one thing, politicians would do another. If you’ve been following this issue, you’ll realize that the consensus of stakeholders is that the commission is in support of the party in power at the federal level. The result is that politicians at various levels have left governance for political expedience,” he explained. The CD scribe added that there are landmines here and there that may explode, as the country inches closer to 2015. Osakuni said that the current war of words between the opposition and the ruling PDP at the centre would benefit the latter positively because in his opinion the desired result of the opposition would not be achieved. His words: “It would work in favour of those in power in the sense that the flaws that would have become their Achilles’ heels have been pointed out in advance and they would perfect their strategies to overcome them before the election. It is also a positive one for Nigerians because the man in power would seize the opportunity to correct the flaws pointed out by the opposition and in the end the life of the average Nigerian would be better for it.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

POLITICS

‘Defection ‘ll not affect PDP in Kaduna’ Alhaji Bashir Sakadadi is the Political Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Yero. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, he speaks on the protracted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crises and future of the party in the state.

OVERNOR Yero has been in the saddle for over one year now. As his Political Adviser, how would you access his performance? God gave him the opportunity to govern this state. Before he assumed office, there were many challenges, especially in the area of security. But, looking at the issue of insecurity in the state at the moment, we have course to thank God because, at the moment, we are enjoying some level of peace. I can tell you that, among the 19 Northern states, Kaduna is one of the few states where people go about their businesses freely. You know that many states in the North have banned commercial motorcycle operation; but many of them have been accommodated here, particularly those from the states close to us and they are enjoying their stay in the state. In view of this, I can tell you that Kaduna has turned to a mini- Nigeria. In terms of projects, when Governor Yero came to power, he promised that he will continue from where the late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa stopped and that is exactly what he is doing right now. We want to believe that the people of Kaduna state are really enjoying the dividends of democracy. But, there are those who believe that Governor Yero has not done well in the last one year. I disagree with them. We have just one government and it is a government of continuity. Don’t forget, the governor was the deputy to the late Yakowa and we have already made plan from 2011 to 2015. I will appeal to the people to give us more time because the governor has studied the situation of governance and he is very well equipped to lead the people and to provide them with social amenities. When he came to power, we were having problems of insecurity. But when he stepped into office, he gave more priority to security and now, we are enjoying peace. Secondly, he realised that youths in the state lacked em-

ployment and we started recruiting science teachers. We have already recruited teachers, right from secondary to our higher institutions. Infact, we have employed more than 6,000 teachers. We have also trained about 7500 youths under the SURE-P programme. They were in block making, fish farming, printing among others. But the people of Southern Kaduna alleged that projects in their areas stopped after the death of the former governor? That did not happen only in Southern Kaduna. There was a time when on-going projects across the state stopped due to several reasons. Those handling the projects were expecting the government to give them additional payment. I was the Commissioner for Science and Technology and Commissioner for Agriculture. At a time, the governor invited stakeholders and told them what is on ground, with regards to funding. When Yakowa was alive, the state collected a loan, which the late governor promised to pay back within four years of his administration. That money was used to mobilise contractors for the projects. All of them collected part payment, but most of the contractors were expecting additional payments. But the government was having shortage of funds and that made most of the contractors to stop work. But today, if you go through most of the 23 local government areas, you will discover that most of the contractors have gone back to site to continue their work. There seems to be a sort of religious segregation, with Muslims and Christians living in different parts of the state and afraid to miss. What is government doing about this? You will agree with me that it is not going to be easy to ask somebody from Ikara to go to Southern Kaduna to build a house and live there. The reason why Christians and Muslims occupy Kaduna is because that is the headquarters of government and the centre of busi-

ness. What we are saying is that, if we must live together, we must agree to live in peace. We must learn to work and eat together. The previous misunderstanding in the state was brought about because of religion. The late Patrick Yakowa set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which involved almost 160 people, including religious, traditional leaders. They did their best and have submitted their report. Population growth has led to increased agitation for amenities. What is the government doing about this? If you look at the state budget for this year, you will discover that security was given top priority. This was followed by education. Considering the influx of people from other states, I must say that we in Kaduna State have done our best. We pay attention to security because, without security, there is no way people will enjoy staying here. We also have a new Millennium City where a 300 bed hospital is being constructed by the government. The Millennium City was conceived as part of our plans to continue accommodating people that are coming into the state. Kaduna State University is one of the newest in the country. But, when you go there, you will testify that the state government is really doing something. Some prominent members of your party, the PDP, have defected to the APC. How would you react to this development? To me, it is not new because, in politics, we don’t have permanent friend or enemy. If you are talking about interest, it comes with a reason. Before the merger, we had three major parties in the state. These are the ANPP, the CPC and the PDP. Now that we are approaching elections, some people will start calculating and looking for a party to belong to win elections. For those who are defecting from the PDP to other party, it is my opinion that they have not taken the right decision. To us

•Sakadadi

in PDP, it is not a big loss because we are talking about individuals and not the party. If I decide to the APC, I am going with my attitude and character because you cannot change me at my age. How prepared is the PDP for the 2015 elections, in view of the potential threat by the APC in the state? I don’t agree with you that the APC poses a threat to the PDP in the state in 2015 because there is no fact to back it. The PDP structure is on ground and the fact that one or two PDP people defected to the APC means nothing to us. We are talking about elections. Let us wait for the election to come and then, we can decide. Are you confident that the PDP will retain power in 2015? Of course, I am confident that we are going to retain power, especially when you look at the initial starting point of the APC. It is not going to be easy for them to take away government from the incumbent government because they do not even believe and trust themselves. Everyone among them wants to be a leader and after the interim leadership, there will be time for the original leadership of the party to be formed and later to get who to represent them at the general elections.

Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Chief Adebayo Dayo, in this interview with JEREMIAH OKE, speaks on the crisis rocking the party, defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and preparations for next year’s elections.

‘PDP can survive without Obasanjo’

•Dayo

HAT is your reaction to the election timetable recently released by the INEC? When Professor Jega assumed office as the INEC Chairman, we are all rejoicing that the Messiah, who will salvage the commission and perform wonders, has arrived. Now that he is ready to carry out his duties, why are people complaining about ordinary timetable? If you are sure of your party, whatever timetable presented by the INEC, you have to accept it. It is the right of the INEC to tell us how the election will be conducted. Either the presidential election comes first or the governorship election comes last, I do not see anything bad in it.The most important thing is to prepare for the election. It is the people that are not prepared that are complaining about time-table. But, as for the PDP, we are ready. You said the PDP is ready. But there are factions in the Ogun State chapter. Is the party really ready? There are no factions. Chief Fadairo completed his tenure when we had the last congress, even though there were disputes after the congress. Dayo Soremi took over from Chief Fadairo. Later, Dipo Odujirin was talking about the non-existence of the executive in Ogun State. Odujinrin did not participate in the March 2011congress. Meanwhile, there was no reason for him to participate in the election because the whole 36 states of the federation had their congresses the same day the ward, local gov-

ernment and state levels. There is no reason why that of Ogun State should be different.It is unfortunate that people who are holding sensitive positions in the country insist on imposition, instead of the due process. Odujinrin was imposed, but we said no, we don't want imposition. We insisted on the congress, which was held in the presence of the INEC officials, security agents, and press men. But, to our surprise, the National Secretary then, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, ensured that our executive was not recognised at the national level. They also went to court and the court ruled that we had a legitimate congress because there was an order from the national headquarters that Dayo Soremi-led executive should conduct the congress. It was in February, last year that I received a letter from the NEC which stated that our committee has been recognised by the NWC. That was when we started representing Ogun State at the NEC meetings and other national assignments. Your explanation has confirmed that there is division in the chapter. How do you intend to win election in 2015 when the house is divided? The PDP is one in Ogun State. Dipo Odujirin has nowhere to go, even though we heard that they had decided in Baba Obasanjo's library to defect to the APC. But as at today, I know they are still in the PDP. Obasanjo himself said he will keep his membership card and he will stay in the PDP. Other dissenting members have come to terms with the court ruling. We are one and we work together. Few days ago, I was in Imeko-Afon to visit Chief Adejobi, one of the staunch members of Baba Obasanjo's group.The situation is unlike when the former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, had his own PPN as a faction of the PDP. Today, most of the people in

the PPN are back in the PDP. For instance, the representative of the PPN in my own local government is now my Personal Assistant. Do you agree that the Ogun PDP crisis led to the sack of Oyinlola, Oni and others from the national executive? To certain level, it is correct. We had one national convention and six zonal congresses. The Southwest congress did not follow the rule of law and the party’s constitution. We in Ogun State went to court to challenge the validity of the zonal congress that produced Oyinlola and others as national officers. We believe Oyinlola and others were not duly elected at that congress, since the congress was faulty. The case of Ogun State is different from Adamawa. In Ogun, Chief Buruji Kashamu is fighting for the rule of law. He is fighting for the masses. He is fighting for the people to know their right. We have people here in the state who believed in staying in their living room and writing down names of those who are going to represent the state at the federal level. The court had pronounced the congress held in the Southwest illegal. I am close to 70 years now. Why must I be afraid to call a spade a spade? This country does not belong to a single individual. It belongs to all of us. Former President Obasanjo has not be participating in the activities of the party. Don’t you think it will affect the party? If a single individual says he does not want to go ahead any longer, would that consume a national party? The PDP still remains the only national party in Nigeria. So, what you are saying is that the PDP can win election without Obasanjo... With or without anybody, the PDP will win elections. When Chief Obasanjo won the Presi-

‘What I am telling you is that, when he contested the presidential election, he did not win his ward, polling booth, local government and the state’

dency, he did not win his polling booth, he did not win his ward, he did not win his local government and he did not win his state. Yet, he became the President because God wanted him there. For Jonathan to contest and win election, it is up to God and not that an individual will be telling us that it is over. If anybody loses his life today, people will continue to live. Despite the fact that we are having three solid groups in the Ogun PDP, we are still going to win election. Northerners are clamouring for power shift and Obasanjo is backing them. In view of the North’s voting strength, do you think it will be possible for Dr. Jonathan to secure second term? Where have you ever heard an African President losing election? Not that they usually rig, but the power of incumbency is very strong in Africa. People love Jonathan and they will vote for him in 2015 because of his performance. Are you saying both at the national, regional and state levels, Obasanjo is not a factor... What I am telling you is that, when he contested the presidential election, he did not win his ward, polling booth, local government and the state. G5 governors, Atiku and many National Assembly members have defected to the APC. Don't you think it is a threat to your party? Well, politics is a game of number. But, don't forget that, when we lost one person to the APC, 10 members of the APC will also defect to the PDP. So, if anybody leaves, there are thousands who are ready to join the party. The governors did not believe in the party supremacy. They are indisciplined and they wanted to dictate for the party, which is not acceptable in the PDP. Do you think Chief Obasanjo can move to the APC because you said he is planning to defect? Yes, they are already negotiating with the APC. Have you not heard that? They negotiated with Amosun and they have succeeded in working together. Is that the guarantee that Amosun will retain in Ogun State? If Obasanjo supports him, it is never a guarantee for him that he will return to government.

HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

UBA sponsors LASUTH’s staff training in India By Wale Adepoju

• From left: People living with Cerebral Palsy (CP), Benson; CP Ambassador and a teacher, Miss Madueke; Director, These Abilities Foundation (TAF), Adeboye Abioye and Miss Olubusola Akinsola at the event. PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

Children with cerebral palsy can live a near normal life if the condition is well managed, according to a nongovernmental organisation, Benola Cerebral Palsy Initiative (BCPI). OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports.

How govt can tackle cerebral palsy

T is a child birth defect which comes in different manners. Known as Cerebral Palsy (CP), the ailment can affect various parts of the body. Sufferers are born either totally or partially paralysed. There are cases of quadriplegic/bilateral in which both arms and legs are affected. The muscles of the trunk, face and mouth are often also affected. There is diplegia/bilateral where both legs are affected. The arms may be affected to a lesser extent. There is also hemiplegia/unilateral in which one side of the body (one arm and one leg) is affected. For now, there is no cure for CP and parents with such children virtually go through hell managing the condition. Besides, it is also expensive treating the disease. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Benola-a Cerebral Palsy Initiative (BCPI) is waging a silent war to get the Federal Government to address the problem. In what it calls "Benola's Roadmap for Cerebral Palsy in Nigeria," the group calls on all tiers of government to initiate, coordinate and harmonise policies for the management of CP. Presenting the document in Lagos, the group urged the Federal Government to stimulate the political will to draw a plan of action for CP; establish and strengthen special structures responsible for initiating and coordinating matters related to CP; accord priority to CP and make necessary budgetary allocations to support better management options; develop affordable programs to ensure better management of CP at all levels. It urged the government to establish a Primary Health Centre (PHC) with expertise in the general aspects of childhood disabilities and early intervention techniques to help with the early detec-

tion of developmental delays at the community level; provide free medication and other related services for CP, as is currently being administered for HIV patients; introduce courses on general aspects of childhood disabilities and early intervention techniques, into the curriculum of Medical Colleges, Schools of Nursing and other training institutions for health workers. It also wants the government to expand the content of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme to include a basic awareness of childhood disabilities and early intervention techniques for CP. At the ceremony, Benola Ambassador, a graduate, still searching for an employment, Miss Uchenna Madueke rendered an inspiring speech on the need not to give up on children with CP. Also an artiste with CP, Emmanuel

Benson rendered a special song. He has an album to his credit.

The founder of the NGO, Air Vice Marshal Femi Gbadebo (rtd), said he and his wife, Alaba are the parents of Olaoluwa, a young man born with the illness some 17 years ago. “And though the condition is widely known and well-managed in developed countries, our experience has been that because it’s not one of those medical conditions that people see every day and the fact that affected families, out of fear of stigmatisation often prefer not to talk about it, the general impression in Nigeria is that Cerebral Palsy is an alien condition while in reality, the condition is widespread, affecting every arm of the Nigerian society. It’s just that most people don’t know what it is or the proper name for it,” he said. On how the disease can be managed, the document said evidence points to a multidisciplinary approach, where in-

terventions are aimed at treating and preventing complications which are likely to occur as a follow up to the condition, as being the best form of management. It said: “This is because, while it is likely that the manifestation of brain damage in CP may change as the brain and body develop, the extent of damage to the brain itself does not increase. Therefore, treatment of a CP patient is primarily focused on preventing the damage in the brain from prohibiting healthy development on other levels. Early detection and early intervention are important. “Detection should start in the neonatal period through new-born examination that includes early features of CP such as lethargy or hyper-aletness, poor sucking reflexes, seizure cataracts.” According to Gbadebo, early intervention is vital to the treatment of CP because the brain, not being concrete in its development up to about eight years, has the ability to re-organise and reroute many signal paths which may have been affected by the initial damage. “Therefore, the earlier it has helped in doing this, the more successful it would be because research has shown that the earlier treatment begins, the better the chances affected children will have in overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways of accomplishing tasks which challenge them.” “Cerebral palsy is real and it exists all over Nigeria, affecting all levels of society. As of today, the condition has no cure. It is the most expensive childhood disability to manage. A lot of men tend to abandon affected children which further complicate matters for mothers who already have little or no means of livelihood. The lack of understanding of CP in Nigeria has led to

stigmatisation and all kinds of family and marital problems for many, mostly in our rural communities. “Most children with CP are either born premature or manifest the symptoms in early childhood, which calls for major improvements in Antenatal, Maternal and Early Child Care, particularly in rural communities, if we are to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary expenditure by parents who will try anything in their desperation for a miracle cure. Communities, especially rural ones, lack adequate support systems to sustain affected families. “Having seen the reality of the condition in Nigeria, the state of our medical facilities and the options available to families of children with CP as briefed above, we at Benola worked with relevant experts and came up with a roadmap, which we hope will help relevant authorities do that which is right and proper for affected children and their families. Both foreign and indigenous paediatricians among others worked assiduously to put the Roadmap together.” While presenting the book, former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) said everybody must continue to commit themselves to uplifting and impacting our society by seeking ways of transforming it into the desirable highest standard that command respect and admiration. “I consider this a commanding imperative, especially at this critical time in the annals of our national life. I urge us all to continue to get seriously and positively engaged in the crucial task of re-inventing our society in general by seeking to help those who are less fortunate than us by developing a culture of altruistic service.”

HE United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has sponsored the training of two doctors and three nurses of the Neonatal Unit, Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH) to India. The bank paid the N5,843,750 cost of the programme and travelling expenses to the hospital at its headquarters in Lagos. LASUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Wale Oke said the hospital could not afford the cost, stressing that the training was important to reduce the disturbing rate of newborn deaths in Lagos and Nigeria at large. “No fewer than 700 newborns die daily in Nigeria; totalling 250,000 yearly,” he said. Oke, represented by the Head, Neonatal Unit, LASUTH, Dr Elizabeth Disu, said: “Nigeria has the highest newborn death ratio in Africa and second across the world behind India, which has a far larger population than Nigeria.” He said newborn intensive care unit (NICU) is presently non-existent in public hospitals in the country, adding that some private hospitals have it. The government, he said, cannot provide all that the people needed, hence the need to appeal to wellmeaning individuals and corporate organisations to lend a hand. “They were supposed to start the programme on February 1, but the staff couldn’t go but they can now begin on March 1. Newborn yet unborn would forever be grateful,” Oke said. UBA Group Managing Director, Mr Phillips Oduoza said the country needed the training for the staff to reduce health tourism to India. He said the bank had been looking at three key areas: education, environment and economic empowerment.

Seminar on child nutrition

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO), Baby Grubz Nigeria, will hold a seminar to address the problems of poor nutrition in children on April 28. According to the Founder, Mrs Seun Sangoleye, the seminar tagged: ‘My Healthy Baby’ is collaborative and community-oriented initiative that addresses various factors that lead to malnutrition and hunger in children, especially when mothers feed their children with non nutritious food, fizzy drinks and pastries. “Its aim is to improve the standard of nutrition, menus and food safety knowledge and practices of the home and day child care centeres/schools. “We will be engaging every sector of the society that impacts the health of children especially under five years to provide child care centres/schools, families and communities the simple tools they need to help kids to be more active, eat better, and get healthy, and to promote healthy eating habit in children. “The initiative seeks to demonstrate, teach and provide resource materials to the public on these subjects: Understanding nutrition information; physical activity for children; balanced meal planning; food allergy and intolerance and food safety practices.” She said the programme is organised to educate mothers and care givers about making healthy choices for their children in an entertaining and appealing way.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

HEALTH Do you want to prevent a disease in your offspring or desire a gender balance in your family? OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes that Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) offers some answers.

‘Hereditary diseases can be prevented’

COUPLE, Mr and Mrs Saheed Solape, had three girls. They wanted two children, a boy and a girl. But as fate would have it, they had two children in quick succession and both were girls. They wished for a boy in their third attempt but the wife again delivered a girl. Since it was their desire to have a boy, they visited their family planning clinician, who briefed them on sex selection. They were curious and sought more information. They even rued their ignorance in not seeking their clinician’s advice at the initial stage. They were directed to a fertility clinic that briefed them on Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). It was okay by them, despite its involving IVF. They went through the procedure and had their desired baby boy. This couple was not the only beneficiary of PGD. Another, Mr Chukwuma Okonkwo and his wife, Joyce are of the same genotype group. Being AS carriers, they were told of the implica-

tions of getting married, since as carriers of the S gene, they could give birth to offsprings with SS genes, with its attendant problems. They were madly in love. They got married. Fortunately, they heard of PGD at one of their counselling sessions and since it was affordable, they went for it. With two children free of ‘SS’ genes from the procedure, they stopped procreating. According to Dr Abayomi Ajayi, Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Clinic, PGD is not new. It is a 1988 medical breakthrough that offers the world many benefits, especially in the prevention of hereditary diseases or gender selection. He said, for instance, the use of PGD to perform a chromosomal analysis is increasingly common in IVF procedures, largely to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. PGD is frequently recommended for patients over 35 years of age, as the risk of chromosomal abnormalities is higher in older women, or for patients who

•Dr Ajayi

have experienced repeated IVF failure. “Other possible applications of PGD include its use to select an embryo that is an immunological match for a sick sibling, to select the sex of an embryo purely for gender preference, that is, in the absence of a sex-linked disease risk, and to test embryos for gene mutations associated

with adult onset diseases such as Alzheimer disease or mutations that indicate a heightened but uncertain risk of developing a particular disease, such as hereditary breast cancer. “At Nordica, we do offer such service now. And it is amazing how clients that want family balancing are requesting for the service. So also women with advanced maternal age, failed or repeated miscarriages or those with issues with their genes, such as cancer, ‘SS’ or outright prevention of extra Chromosomes are harnessing it,” he said. On embryos that are ‘defective’, such as the ones with “SS” genes, Dr Ajayi said: “It is usually comfortable to pontificate when not faced with a medical challenge. And there is no wastage per se of any embryo because the argument is on when actually life starts. Until there is implantation and heart beat, there is no life”. Although there is an increased patronage of the service, the major challenge is lack of Genetic laboratory in the country.

•Some beneficiaries waiting to receive drugs during the free medical scheme organised by the Mike Egbayelo Foundation as part of the independent mobilisation programme of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Apapa, Lagos

•From left sitting: Chief Executive, ASPIRE Mr Angus Dickson; Brand Ambassador Mrs Ifeoma Emakwue; Dr Babatunde Ogunkinle. Standing from left: ASPIRE Ambassador, Mrs Ifeoluwa Okunsanya; her colleague Mrs K. Ifeyinwa Kpajie and Counsellor, Mrs Etang Abang, at the event.

HEALTH and wellness expert, Mrs. Shola Tinuoye, has advised Nigerians to cultivate the right habits to promote healthy living. Speaking while giving a health talk during screening and medical check-up organised by Hydra Edge Foundation for the aged in Agege, a Lagos suburb, Mrs Tinuoye said adequate rest, physical exercises and the right food intakes enhance one’s health.

‘Cultivate right living habits’ By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

She said: “You have heard that rest is only for the lazy man, but I say your body needs to rest. Medically, it had been proven that man needs at least eight hours of sleep every day, but even if you can’t sleep for that long, ensure you have adequate rest. “A man who doesn’t rest would die a premature death

than he had anticipated. Also, ensure you indulge more in physical exercises that would promote adequate intake of oxygen. The third is to mind what we eat, as we grow older, let us cut down on our food intake, reduce the fat, and the size of what we eat and avoid sugary foods as much as we can.” Tinuoye said many have been consigned to the sickbed as a result of their dis-

obedience to these three articles of wellbeing. She also enjoined the people to visit the hospitals for adequate checkup on their health status. Also speaking, the founder of Hydra Edge Foundation, Mrs Abiodun Olajumoke Opeifa praised the people for trooping out to be part of the exercise. She urged women to regularly visit the hospital for adequate cancer tests.

DENTAL TALK with Dr Samuel Awosolu 08108155239 (SMS Only); email- samawosolu@yahoo.co.uk

Injurious habits that must be discouraged

ABITS tend to be developed, these habits are often difficult to shake off, whilst a considerable number of these habits are relatively harmless from the health and indeed, oral health point of view. However some if continued over a period of time may become harmful and could easily be initially avoided. • Breaking hard objects / crushing iced cubes /opening bottle corks /wine bottle corks/unsrewing bolts with the teeth. Human teeth though relatively strong and having similar physical and chemical properties with the bone in the body is not designed to be used in the fashion as enumerated. Iced cube crushing and eating is common amongst children. This can result in the tooth getting fractured and excruciating pain needing either an extraction of the tooth or extensive restorative work on the tooth. •Piercing the tongue and or lip/tattoing the tongue or lip/ scarification of the oral cavity either cutting notches in the tongue , shaping it out to form a forked tongue/ any other means of scarifications. The use of studs rings and other ornaments to pierce the lips, tongue, cheek and other parts of the oral cavity was fashionable for many years past in most of Europe and the north Americas. The practise was commonest in the members of the hip-hop music , entertainment industry, sports personalities and others in the public glare often practiced this habit which is to be highly discouraged. Like every copied fad, it has arrived in Nigeria and similarly copied by the music industry , movie industry, wannabe celebrities etc. From a personally perspective it is a highly offensive habit as I often ask proponents to mention one responsible person who has piercing and sags their trousers or dresses indecently and they have always come short of words, some professionals typically frown at these kind of habits. I will point to the health hazards oral health-wise. There is the danger of infection and risk of blood borne diseases, with infected needle , it is possible to contract HIV, Hepatitis and several infections. It is pertinent for tattoo parlours to imbibe the principle of infection control , this is because people will have tattoos and piercing anyway but the essence of the article is so they make an informed choice. Smoking caries a warning on the label of the hazards of smoking, people will still smoke anyway, but they cannot claim ignorance should they develop any problems as arising from smoking. The infections could be fatal or life threatening. There is the added risk of bleeding when the blood vessels are damaged, the tattooist or the piercing parlour is not equipped to deal with bleeding or haemorrhage. Physical injuries may result as these studs , rings and other accessories could act as missiles and further traumatise the oral structures causing pain etc. It definitely is not clever way to advertise oneself or attract attention. •Involvement in contact sports without protective gear. The bones of the oral and maxillofacial complex are vulnerable to fracture and damage in contact sports such as boxing , wrestling , karate, kick boxing, taekwondo, judo, hockey, ice-hockey and honestly just about any sport these days as fist-cuffs occur quite easily. The most readily forms of protection for the head and neck region are headgears, mouth-guards, face-masks, gum shields, face-protector, throat-guards as seen icehockey. These protective gear are either generic or custom made to fit individuals, all sorts of pimping can be done to the custom made ones . They can be engraved with names , colour coded just like football boots are colour coded these days against jerseys as against the traditional black boots. This personalisation brings the game to another level. These items protect the face and structures of the oral facial complex from injuries and fractures. Parents have a duty to ensure if they have wards or children participating in contact sports make available and insist on the use of protective gear as stated above. Similarly adults should ensure they procure protective gear when they engage in contact sports. Sports governing bodies should ensure compulsory/mandatory use of protective gear in their respective sports. The decision whereby professional boxers do not make us of protective headgear is to be discouraged, the amateur boxers do use. Boxing has had its fair share of fatalities from head injuries. The famous Mohammed Ali once had his jaw fractured in a fight, his first loss to another boxer Ken Norton. Football should make the use of gum-shields and mouth•See you next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Clearing agents, Customs bicker

• Some of the vehicles.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Customs seizes N200m worth of vehicles

HE Customs has impounded over 250 exotic vehicles estimated at N200 million after bursting a smuggling ring. Security sources at the Seme border told The Nation that the vehicles were brought in from Lome (Togo), Accra (Ghana) and Cotonou (Benin). Last Friday, armed Customs officers were seen moving the vehicles from towns before Gbaji River to their office at Seme. The vehicles include Lexus, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Prado, Mercedes Benz C-Class, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Avensis, Honda Civic cars, Honda Odyssey, Grand Cherokee Jeep, Honda CR-V, Toyota Space Bus, Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot. Some of the vehicles, a source said, were ferried into the country through the Gbaji River. It was learnt that the smugglers used the new number plates on some of the vehicles as a decoy to beat Customs’ checks. But unknown to them, Customs officials had been monitoring their movement at Owode, Owode-Apa and Gbaji for over four days before swooping on them. The Seme Command, the source said, deployed over 20 officers in mufti in some of the communities to track the smuggled vehicles. Smuggling is said to be on the increase, following the new auto policy which took effect on February 28. The policy imposes higher tariffs on imported vehicles. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ernest Olottah, said when some of the smugglers saw the Customs team at Gbaji, they abandoned the vehicles and jumped into the river to evade arrest. He said the anti-smuggling drive

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

was part of the Customs’ move to enforce the new auto policy, prevent the influx of prohibited goods and boost the economy. Last October, the government unveiled new duties and levies for imported new and used vehicles, and imported new tyres. Under the policy, a fully built car will attract 35 per cent duty and another 35 per cent levy of the vehicle cost, raising the tariff from 20 per cent to 70 per cent. The implementation of the policy, Olottah said, took effect from last Friday, adding that the policy seeks to encourage the growth of local industries and discourage the importation of tokunbo vehicles. The Command, he said, had not received any order from Abuja banning the importation of used vehicles. He said the Area Controller has introduced community relation, which has triggered synergy and collaboration with the community leaders, assisting the Command to fish out the smugglers. He said: “For criminal gangs that specialised in tokunbo vehicles’ smuggling, they may believe it is

the new cash cow because of the new auto policy introduced by the government, and that is why we have collaborated with community leaders and held meetings with importers operating in this area on the need for them to pay government duty on imported vehicles. “It is the same groups that are responsible for smuggling of rice, narcotics, counterfeit medical products that are smuggling vehicles. “We understand that for many youths in the communities around this area, smuggling has become a socially acceptable trade. But when the new Controller assumed office at Seme about three months ago, he introduced community relations which has triggered synergy and collaboration with the community leaders and some of the youths who are now working with Customs to fish-out the smugglers and stem all acts of criminality in the border area. “The criminal gangs are using increasingly creative means to bring smuggled vehicles and other prohibited items into the country, but we have also mapped out strategies on how to intercept the smuggled goods and arrest the criminals involved.”

LEARING agents at the Lilypond Container Terminal in Lagos have accused the Customs Service of delaying goods clearance. The Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chuks Njemanze, alleged that some Customs officers deliberately delay cargoes at the terminal for about 24 hours. The new policy stipulates that goods should be cleared within 15 hours. “We do not know if there are periods allotted to jobs because some officers treat their jobs based on personal relationship and not on merit,’’ he said. He accused the Customs desk officers of inability to operate computers, thereby causing delays during processing of clearing documents. “When you came, you made a policy statement that you want to reduce the hours of cargo clearance from 24 to 15 hours. But it might interest you to know that the policy is not achievable. Cargoes are deliberately being delayed and one of the reasons I could adduce for the delay, is that most of the officers are not very conversant with the use of computer. “Because some of the officers were not promoted, they are happy, some of them don’t even pay attention to the work,” he claimed. He urged the Customs Area Controller, Ms. Talatu Isa, to resolve the problems to facilitate trade at the terminal. Reacting, Ms Isa said no Customs officer would delay the clearing of containers. She said a Debit Note could be raised at the gate if the owner of the consignment was suspected to have underpaid.

She advised clearing agents to produce the right documents to get prompt service, urging them to visit the right Customs section for classification of their goods. She canvassed the cooperation of stakeholders at the terminal to make the 15-hour cargo clearance possible. Meanwhile, the terminal said it would start Sunday clearance of cargoes if importers submit their documents for clearing procedures. Its Managing Director, Tristram Denyer, said plans were underway to bring in more equipment to clear containers. He said with the innovation, the terminal can handle about 50,000 containers at a time, up from the present 20,000 containers. Its Commercial Service and Intermodal Manager, Kayode Daniel said the terminal has created a conducive atmosphere for stakeholders to clear their consignment. The terminal is also partnering with CGM CMA, PIL and Maersk Line firms to move containers to its off-dock-terminal at Ijora. He said the company was not relenting in its efforts to ensure that stakeholders got maximum service delivery and to meet international best practice. “We want to encourage importers to take advantage of clearing your containers from the terminal on Sundays, because we find out that traffic over the weekend is usually very light, but please ensure to carry out proper documentation on Saturday,“ he appealed. He assured that “provided you meet up with the adequate requirement, you container will definitely leave the terminal on Sunday”.

AP Moller Maersk makes $3.77b profit

P Moller Maersk reported a profit of $3.77 billion for last year compared to $4.04 billion in the previous year. However, the 2012 result benefited from the one-off positive impact of Maersk Oil’s $899 million settlement of an Alergian tax dispute. Revenues were also four per cent lower at $47.39 billion in 2013 compared to $49.49 billion in the previous year. The Group Executive Director, Nils Andersen, told The Nation that “Maersk Line strengthened profitability despite challenging shipping markets and both APM Terminals and Maersk Drilling had their best result to date.” He said Maersk Line made a profit of $1.5 billion compared to $461 million a year earlier with the improvement credited to vessel net-

work efficiencies resulting in lower units cost and a lower bunker price. This, he said, is despite average freight rates decreasing. APM Terminals also reported an increased profit of $770 million in 2013 compared to $701 million in the previous year. The number of containers handled increased by three per cent to 36.3 million. A full utilisation of its rig fleet drove Maersk Drilling to a historic high result of $528 million compared to $347 million in 2012. During 2013 Maersk Drilling secured contracts for six out of eight new buildings to be delivered in 2014 – 2016. Maersk Tankers, however, booked yearly loss of $317 million, almost the same as the $315 million loss in 2012. The result was impacted by impairment losses and provisions, as well as restructuring costs.

NIMAREX seeks local participants at exhibition

HE organisers of the Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) have called on indigenous firms to take advantage of the event to exhibit their goods. Speaking on this year’s edition, which holds between March 10 and March 12, its chairperson, Mrs Margaret Orakwusi said there was a gap in the number of indigenous operators, adding that this has given room to the dominance of international oil

companies. “The expo is a call to Nigerians to come out and invest in the sector, to partake in the shipment of our cargo, to own vessels, NIMAREX is crucial in trying to drive the economy. “Maritime has always been seen as a closed shop, and this is what the expo is all about; to showcase the sector to investors, if you don’t showcase your opportunities, then investors will not come in,” she

stressed. Apart from this, Orakwusi said the event will witness the display of the first indigenous war ship, NNS Andoni, which was built by the Nigerian Navy. The Nigerian Navy, represented on the committee by Commodore P. A. Onaji sought the support of NIMAREX for the Navy, saying that its first indigenous war ship will be on display at the event.

“The Nigerian Navy is strongly behind NIMAREX, we have started a process of being selfsufficiency in ship building, we built NNS Andoni, the first indigenous war ship, and efforts are still going on to build more,” he added. Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida is expected to chair the event. The President of the African Union (AU) will cochair it.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

House to probe meter scarcity, says lawmaker T HE power distribution companies (DISCOs), the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and other stakeholders may appear before the House of Representatives Committee on power over the scarcity of prepaid metres, a member, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said. Speaking during a tour of Momas Meter Manufacturing Company Limited (MOMCOL) in Mowe, Ogun State, Mrs DabiriErewa said the probe was necessary to get to the root of the problem. She said the Committee would probe metres’ scarcity, low patronage suffered by indigenous manufacturers, and local content, adding that manufacturers have suffered despite the huge market. The lawmaker said: “We are going to invite all parties involved, be it DISCOs owners, NERC, Ministry of Power and all stakeholders to know why local manufacturers are not been patronised. “Nigerians deserve better electricity services and we are going to get to the root of the challenge in the sector. There is need for us to give deadline to all DISCOs on installation of pre-paid metre to all electricity customers, but we equally gathered that most new owners face the challenge of finance.” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said the House

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

would have given deadline to all DISCOs on installations of prepaid metres, if not because of the financial challenges facing them. She urged investors in the power sector to step up efforts aimed at improving electricity generation, transmission and distribution in the country. She said DISCOs must ensure that customers are metered to prevent estimated billings, and other problems faced by the consumers. She urged power firms to improve electricity generation, distribution, and transmission in the country Mrs Abike-Dabiri said metres had become difficult to come by in many homes, advising the firms to make the product available in the country. ‘’We should learn how to believe and celebrate ourselves. We should be determined to develop. As a parliamentarian, I am going to discuss with my chairman on power on ways to enforce local content through patronage of local metre manufacturers,” she said. She said the House would ensure that local content is embedded in power sector, as done in the oil and gas sector. MOMCOL’s Chairman Mr Kola Balogun decried poor patronage of metres by companies and government agencies in the country.

NERC, BPE to monitor DISCOs, GENCOS

HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) are contemplating an inter-agency committee to monitor the 15 power firms. BPE’s spokesman Joe Anichebe told The Nation that the committee would monitor the activities of the firms since they took over the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets last year to ascertain whether they have complied with the post-privatisation and regulatory laws. He said the committee would look at whether the companies have achieved some of their objectives or not, and their ability to meet the goals enshrined in the reforms act. The modalities for assessing the operators, he said, would be provided by the Committee. Anichebe BPE and NERC perform different functions, hence the need for them to jointly monitor the firms’activities from their perspectives. He said: ‘’There would be an inter-governmental agency committee to work out modalities on how to monitor the activities of the newly approved players in the power sector. The committee would be saddled with the responsibility of providing accurate and objective observation of the events in the sector to foster growth.” Anichebe explained that while the BPE would look at the post-acquisition plans of the companies and the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), the NERC would look at the technical and regulatory obligations the companies are expected to meet to achieve their goals of improving electricity supply. ‘’ Under the post-acquisition plans, the firms told us the things they want to do; they told us what they intend to achieve within a par-

ticular period of time. Through the exercise, we would find out whether the companies have accomplished some of their set goals or not.’’ Also, the NERC’s Chairman, Sam Amadi said the commission would ensure that the firms comply with the best practices of corporate governance. Amadi, who gave the assurance in a telephone interview with The Nation, said no stone would be left unturned in making the companies operate in line with the established frameworks. He said there would be checks and balances, adding that the firms must obey the laid down rules to ensures success of the reforms. NERC, in line with the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRAct 2005) is expected to formulate and implement policies that would protect the interest of consumers. It will also set and review tarrifs, issue licensces to operators, and where possible promotes competition.

•From left: Managing Director/ CEO, Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company Mr Lucas Scaraffiotti, Hon DabiriErewa and Balogun during the visit.

He said Nigeria does not need to import metres, given the potential available in the country. “Indigenous (metres) manufacturers do not get enough patronage from government ministries and that is why our economy is not growing. The story of poor patronage is still the same in

meters a month,’’ he said. Balogun said manufacturers are facing funding as they find it difficult to access credit facilities from banks. He said the Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) needed to be encouraged to produce metres’ spare parts to grow the economy.

Power plants: Bid winners to emerge this month

HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) will this month announce winners of the bids for the power plants built under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC). The 10 medium power plants, which were built to add at least 5,000 megawatts (Mw) to the national grid, are Alaoji Power Station in Abia State; Calabar Power Station, Cross River State; Egbema Power Station, Imo State; Geregu Power Station in Kogi State; Ihovbor Power Station in Edo State; and Olorunsogo Power Station, Ogun State. Others are Omoku Power Station in Rivers State; Omotosho in Ondo State; Gbarian Power Station, Bayelsa State; and Ogorode Power Station, Delta State. Stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to evolve a comprehensive gas plan to improve power supply. The President Liquifield Petroleum Gas Associa-

tion of Nigeria Mr Dayo Adesina said the government’s decision to build more gas pipelines, pressure stations, central processing facilities (CPFs) and stripping plants, among other infrastructure, would help in increasing power generation. Adesina said shortage of gas had weakened the ability of the power firms, to improve generation and distribution since taking over the assets of the defunct PHCN late last year. The 15 power generation companies (GENCOs) and distribution companies (DISCOs), he said, had battled gas shortage, advising the government not to allow the independent power plants to suffer similar problems when they are privatised in June, last year. He said a sustained investment was needed to drive the sector, adding that certain number of megawatts must be added to the grid yearly to achieve growth. He said: ‘’There must be a concerted and sustained investment in

the sector in the next couple of years. We should be adding 5,000Mw to the grid yearly to meet the demand. The population size keeps increasing which means that the demand for energy would also increase. As the infrastructure gets better, more people would come to grips with their jobs especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The manufacturers, artisans and others need electricity for growth. “If today, they say the power plants can generate 10,000Mw available, where is the gas to power it? The whole value chain needs to be looked at. If you are producing 5,000MW, how many kilometres of pipelines are coming? How is the gas going to get the targeted power stations? ‘’ He urged the government to introduce third-party scheme to enable power firms acquire gas through a secondary arrangement, such as buying gas from the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG) for power sector development.

Why vehicles should run on natural gas, by firm

• Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo

metres manufacturing sub-sector where foreign firms are patronised by government agencies. I can confidently say that local manufacturers can meet our needs. Nigeria has reached a stage where she is not supposed to be importing metres. In our company alone, we have a production capacity of 500,000 to one million

REEN Gas limited (GGL), a joint venture company of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in partnership with Nipco Plc, has explained why cars should run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). In a statement, it said motorists, whose cars run on CNG, would save on fossil fuels, such as petrol and diesel. The benefit is premised on the current selling price of N97 per litre of petrol compared to the N55 per Standard Cubic Meter (SCM) of gas, equivalent of a litre of petrol being offered by GGL to vehicles running on CNG. CNG’s General Manager, Natural Gas, Anirudh Narula, while

evaluating the growing benefits of CNG powered vehicles said vehicles running on CNG tend to move around at relatively cheaper rate in gas consumption than they could with petrol of equivalent litre content. While giving an illustration of a journey from Lagos-Benin City covering 320km, he said the cost of travel on petrol is N6, 208, while that of CNG is N2,933, creating a saving of N3,275. Motorists in Edo State and its environs have been enjoying the savings following the inauguration of CNG stations in the ancient town, aside from other ancillary gains of using compressed gas as vehicular fuel. He pointed out that GGL has inaugurated various CNG sta-

tions in Benin City and is expanding to highways and other cities to provide avenues through which interested motorist could convert their vehicles to use CNG and re-fuel. More CNG stations, he said, were being constructed in 10 different locations on the BeninWarri Expressway, Benin-Abuja Expressway,wBenin-Lagos Expressway, and in Warri metropolis, all to make access to CNG better for existing and prospective motorists in the country. He said last year, over 3,000 automobile customers switched to CNG in Benin alone, stressing that they are already enjoying the benefits of having their vehicles run on natural gas as against the conventional liquid fuels.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

ometimes when I am having intercourse I hear sounds that feel as if I am farting from my vagina. Should I be worried? Hauwa There is no need to worry. Those sounds occur as a result of air displacement, especially when the man is coming from behind– Uche. Please can a pheromone be effective when one has other things they are using that are scented such as body cream, roll on and perfume? John Yes pheromones can still be effectivebut if you are using a pheromone perfume like the Yes pheromone Cologne, you don’t need to wear an additional perfume on top of that – Uche I am 30 years old and experiencing poor erection and very quick ejaculation. Please what do I do? I want to know the recommended drugs for this if any. Please I need urgent answer as I am about to marry and need my manhood to be strong and last long enough to satisfy her. Thanks – Seyi Seyi, for your age, it is too early to panic. Age related erectile dysfunction is an ailment suffered by older men and it is usually caused by the limited supply of blood to the erectile tissues of the penis due to shrinking veins. So ifyou experience weak erection once in a while, it won’t be serious. Alcohol, hard drugs, depression and anxiety can all affect a man’s sexual ability and performance. If that is the case with you, simply changing your mental state and the stimulants you may be taking can restore your erection to its normal healthy state. But if you are diabetic, hypertensive or have undergone nerve or arterial damage due to surgery, then you have got a major problem on your hands. Men with such health problems can still get help with the use of the right aphrodisiacs but your doctor must approve. Supplements like Exploding Thunder and Stiff 4 Hours have helped a lot of people with similar problems. As for your premature ejaculation, there are many ways to approach it. The use of ointments that prolong intercourse is one option. If you choose to go

with that, then get the Prolonging Delay Cream or Rock Hard Delay Cream. There are many of such ointments out there. You can also wear a penis sleeve to help control your quick ejaculation. The Nasstoys Penis Extender and the Cyber Skin Transformer are both examples of penis sleeves you can wear to last longer. They also make the penis appear much bigger than it actually is, which men like. There are also condoms and wipes that can help you such as the Pasante Delay Condom and theSex on the Go Delay wipes. So you can get help for this in a variety of ways – Uche Are there risks involved in the use of a vibrator for a woman and which vibrators do you recommend? Ify A vibrator is a plastic stimulator and when used with a lubricant, there are no risks involved. Are you allergic to rubber or plastic? If you are not then you have nothing to worry about. If you are looking for a really good vibrator to use, go for the Remote Control rabbit Pearl or the Jelly Chocolate Wall banger – Uche Sometimes I use cooking oil as a lubricant when I don’t get wet. Is it okay? It works for me – Silifat There are women who use cooking oil as well. If it is good enough for food, it is certainly not a health risk but I don’t advice using oil based lubricants. Oil based lubricants are more difficult to wash off afterwards especially because they enter inside the body. So use water base lubricants instead. The Swiss Navy Water Based Lubricant is a good example – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 07086754515 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

MONEYLINK

CBN to sanction banks violating rules B ANKS that fail to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) guidelines on sustainable banking practices will henceforth face sanctions, Acting CBN Governor, Dr. Sarah Alade has warned. Speaking yesterday at an International Sustainable Banking Forum organised by the CBN in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), she said lenders that consistently fail to comply with the set guidelines will not be spared. Alade, who was represented by CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Dr. Kingley Moghalu said the regulator is not going to set compliance guidelines for the

Stories by Collins Nweze

lenders, but that their levels of conformity will be assessed at least every two years. “The banks are trying to apply those principles on their operations. Although the principles have become part of banking system supervision process, we cannot set a compliance timeline for that. However, if a bank does not comply, then we will take sanctions if non-compliance becomes consistent,” she said. According to her, the CBN directive on board membership will be assessed by year-end. She said the CBN is also partnering with the IFC to create

a movable collateral registry that will make lending to women much easier, stressing that there is need to increase lending to women by ensuring that collateral to loans are creative. “The CBN recognises that unless social concerns such as gender disparity and women economic empowerment are addressed, economic and environmental goals and overall sustainable development will be difficult to achieve,” she said. Alade said sustainable practices will look at how banks are managing environmental and social risks in lending investment decisions, safeguarding human rights, promoting women economic par-

ticipation and empowerment and leveraging collaborative partnerships to accelerate sector progress. IFC Country Manager for Nigeria, Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor said Alade encouraged the adoption of sustainable banking in Nigeria because global business case for practices from a wide range of countries show that environmental and social responsibility supports business success and long term economic growth. “Today’s forum presents a platform for regulators to share insights on environmental and social risk management and sustainability-related tools for long term economic growth,” he said. Adegbie-Quaynor said

Mainstreet Bank supports agric

AINSTREET Bank Limited has pledged support to famers and agric entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in agricultural business at the on-going 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair. In a statement, the bank’s Head, Agricultural Desk, Kabir Usman commended the organisers of the fair for focusing on “Agricultural Transformation for Industrial Development: Public Private Partnership (PPP) Approach”. He noted that through PPP, skills and resources of each sector (public and private) are shared to assist agro-allied industries develop to their full potentials. This, he said, clearly reveals the important role the private sector is expected to play in ensuring the development/ industrialisation of the agricultural

sector in Nigeria. Usman said the bank has over the years been a proud partner of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA); organisers of the

DIAMOND Bank Plc has been recognised for its market leadership in the banking industry. The lender was presented the award of the Best Issuing Partner Bank in the sub-Saharan African category by the International Finance Corporation. The award was presented to the bank’s officials at the inaugural Global Trade Partners Awards dinner held at the conclusion of the IFC Sixth Global Trade Partners Meeting. The meeting took place last week in Lisbon, Portugal and attracted over 350 delegates from 56 countries. Portuguese Deputy Prime Minister, Paulo Portas delivered the opening keynote address, kicking off two days of insightful discussions on building cross-border banking networks, developing innovative solutions for agribusiness and commodity finance, and enhancing global value chains by financing small and medium enterprises. Global Head of Trade and Supply Chain Solutions at IFC, Georgina Baker, said: “Our annual conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for our partners to learn from global experts and develop business leads in all regions. “We are pleased to acknowledge those banks that innovated or worked extensively with IFC last year to support the growth of emerging market trade and help more countries and firms integrate into global supply chains.”

Oyewole & Co and later established his own law practice. He has played a significant role in several big ticket transactions and has been awarded several prizes and awards in recognition of his contribution. In addition to holding several appointments he is a very active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Awodein is well known for his publications and editorials.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 3-3-14

SYMBOL UNIONDICON CCNN UPL TRANSEXPR EVANSMED STERLNBANK RTBRISCOE NB SKYEBANK CUSTODYINS

O/PRICE 12.45 9.24 4.10 2.68 2.68 2.27 1.30 152.00 3.70 2.20

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

C/PRICE

CHANGE

13.07 9.70 4.30 2.81 2.81 2.38 1.36 158.99 3.87 2.30

0.62 0.46 0.20 0.13 0.13 0.11 0.06 6.99 0.17 0.10

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

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

MCNICHOLS MOBIL CONTINSURE INTBREW MAYBAKER AIICO OANDO VITAFOAM OASISINS ETI

O/PRICE 1.43 124.85 1.14 29.40 2.17 0.87 19.40 4.28 0.55 14.76

C/PRICE 1.37 120.14 1.10 28.55 2.11 0.85 19.00 4.20 0.54 14.50

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 156.27 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.06 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.69 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,620.45 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.83 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,886.59 • • • •

CHANGE -0.06 -4.71 -0.04 -0.85 -0.06 -0.02 -0.40 -0.08 -0.01 -0.26

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Name

LOSERS AS AT 3-3-14

SYMBOL

sustainability is central to inclusive economic growth and aligns with IFC’s strategy for long-term economic development.

Diamond bags award

International Trade Fair. He said the bank considers this year’s fair unique given its focus on promoting agricultural enterprise and by extension job creation and food security.

Awodein retires from Skye Bank

NON- executive director of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), has retired from the board of the bank. In a statement, the lender said the board and management thanked him for 12 years of meritorious service and wished him success in his future endeavors. Mr. Awodein is graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School. He started his legal career at Olajide

•Acting CBN Governor Sarah Alade

UBA BALANCED FUND UBA BOND FUND UBA EQUITY FUND UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

Movement

1.33363 1.2859 1.0198 1.1454

Bid Price 155.84 9.08 1.05 1.17 0.68 1.33 1,618.47 1,000.00 115.13 100.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 1,883.42 1.3245 1.2859 1.0013 1.1454

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY,MARCH 4, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT

3-3-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 3-3-14

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

EQUITIES

NSE opens March on low note

OST price changes ended on the downside but gains by highly capitalised Nigerian Breweries rescued the overall market position as the Nigerian stock market opened a new trading month with low investors’ appetite. Out of a total of 100 stocks that were traded yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), 33 closed on the downside while 22 closed on the upside. The widespread downtrend was however moderated by substantial gain recorded by Nigerian Breweries, the second most capitalised stock with market value in excess of N1.2 trillion. The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), closed yesterday with a marginal day-on-day return of 0.01 per cent. ASI inched up from its opening index of 39,558.89 points to close at 39,564.43 points. Aggregate market

HE board of directors of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc has recommended distribution of N1.9 billion as cash dividends to shareholders, the first time the conglomerate will be making such payment since incorporation. The dividend recommendation followed a double in the profit of the conglomerate to N9 billion during the year ended December 31, 2013. The dividend will be paid on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 to all shareholders in the book of the conglomerate as at Friday, March 7, 2014 Investors’ notice by the board of Transcorp yesterday indicated substantial growths in the top-line and profitability of the conglomerate. The report indicated that turnover rose by 42 per cent while pre-tax profit grew by 129 per cent. The breakdown of the dividend recommendation showed that shareholders would receive a dividend per share of 5 kobo. Extracts of the audited reports showed that turnover rose to N18.8 billion in 2013 as against N13.2 billion recorded in 2012. Profits before tax rose from N3.9 billion in 2012 to N9.0 billion in 2013. Commenting on the results, president

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

value of all equities also increased slightly from N12.707 trillion to N12.709 trillion. Stockbrokers said there was substantial drop in activities’ log d while the market was heading for a negative close before Nigerian Breweries rallied back the overall market position. Nigerian Breweries’ share price rose by N6.99 to close at N158.99 per share. Unilever Nigeria followed on the gainers’ list with a gain of 95 kobo to close at N48. Union Dicon Salt added 62 kobo to close at N13.07. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria gathered 46 kobo to close at N9.70. Zenith Bank

rose by 43 kobo to close at N20.93. Union Bank of Nigeria chalked up 27 kobo to close at N9.47 while University Press rose by 20 kobo to close at N4.30 per share. Several highly capitalised stocks made the losers’ list with Guinness Nigeria leading the pack with a loss of N9.80 to close at N188.10. Mobil Oil Nigeria followed with a loss of N4.71 to close at N120.14. PZ Cussons Nigeria, which was adjusted for dividend payment, dropped by N2 to close at N36. Dangote Cement lost N1 to close at N239. International Breweries dropped by 85 kobo to N28.55. Oando lost 40 kobo to close at N19 while

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) slipped by 39 kobo to close at N3.61 per share. Aggregate market turnover closed below recent average with the exchange of 239.86 million shares valued at N2.44 billion in 4,353 deals. Financial services sector accounted for 150.66 million shares worth N1.42 billion in 2,297 deals. Transcorp was the most active stock with a turnover of 62.34 million shares valued at N229.67 million in 419 deals. Zenith Bank followed on the activity chart with a turnover of 33.01 million shares valued at N682.05 million in 256 deals. Nigerian equities had recorded a loss of about N298 billion in February, making the month the most

bearish month so far this year. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the NSE had closed February at N12.707 trillion as against its month’s opening value of N13.005 trillion. The ASI indicated average monthon-month return of -2.50 per cent, dropping by 1,012.73 basis points to close February at 39,558.89 points as against its index on board of 40,571.62 points for the month. The downtrend in the second month worsened the overall return outlook of equities. The two-month average year-to-date return closed February at -4.28 per cent. Equities had recorded average return of 1.83 per cent in January. Average year-to-date return closed yesterday at -4.27 per cent.

Transcorp records N9b profit

and group chief executive officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Obinna Ufudo said that the full-year audited accounts reflected the conglomerate’s commitment to its long term strategic plan of strong and sustainable growth. “We are excited about the achievements we recorded across our businesses within the past year. Our entry into the power sector has been a significant driver and we are already running ahead of our 2014 estimates. We expect significantly better results this year, as our diversification and growth strategies continue to gain momentum,” Ufudo said. In his remarks, chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu said the board was particularly pleased to be able to recommend a dividend to shareholders for the first time in the company’s history.

•Declares N1.9b dividends According to him, this is the beginning of a very bright future for all the patient and loyal shareholders. “With the tremendous progress we have already recorded in our power business – taking the Ughelli plant’s power output from 160mw when we took over on November 1, 2013 to 360mw within three months, 2014 promises to be a very rewarding year for the company and our 300,000 shareholders,” Elumelu said. The company also announced that its annual general meeting will be held on March 31, 2014 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Transcorp is one of the largest quoted conglomerates. Its notable businesses include Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja; Transcorp

Hotels, Calabar; Teragro Commodities Limited, operator of Teragro Benfruit plant; Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited and Transcorp Energy Limited, operator of OPL 281. Transcorp Ughelli Power Ltd (TUPL) recently signed a capacity-expansion agreement with General Electric (GE) to expand its Ughelli power plant by 1000 megawatts over the next three to five years. Transcorp and GE also signed a separate agreement to rehabilitate the damaged GT 15 turbine at the Ughelli plant, which will add 115 megawatts to the plant’s output. Currently, the Transcorp Ughelli power plant generates 360 megawatts, up from 160 megawatts on November 1, 2013 when Transcorp took ownership of the plant. With the additional 115 megawatts, as well as other rehabilitation works planned at the

•Elumelu

plant, the company projects that output at Ughelli will increase to 700 megawatts by December 2014. The Ughelli power plant is Nigeria’s largest gas-fired electricity generation asset. It was purchased by Transcorp for $300 million during the 2013 power privatization programme.

Oando extends ConocoPhillips’s acquisition to March 31

ANDO Energy Resources (OER), the upstream subsidiary of Oando Plc, yesterday stated that it has reached agreement with ConocoPhillips (COP) to extend the outside completion date for the acquisition of COP’s Nigerian oil and gas business by Oando till March 31, 2014. A regulatory filing submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and obtained by The Nation stated that the extension of the outside date for completion was necessary to enable the parties satisfy all closing conditions, especially the approval of the deal by Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources. Oando had technically concluded the momentous acquisition as it pooled the final financial considerations to complete the $1.55 billion agreement with COP in January 2014. The completion

of the financial considerations sealed the deal for Oando, although the two parties will still have to wait for the final approval by the Federal Government. In December 2012, Oando, through its subsidiary Oando Energy Resources (OER), entered into an agreement with COP to acquire COP’s Nigerian businesses for a total cash consideration of US$1.55 billion. Oando confirmed at the weekend that it has raised the balance of funds and attained financial closure for the deal, pending the approval of the government. Oando had made an initial deposit of $450 million to COP. It subsequently undertook many capital raising exercises through a combination of equity and debt including $200 million from a special

placement of two billion shares, $100 million through the sale of its subsidiary East Horizon Gas Company and debt from financial institutions totaling $800 million. While Oando had duly completed all financial commitments regarding the acquisition, closing of the COP acquisition remains subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, including approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources. COP was said to have already submitted an application to the Minister of Petroleum Resources to approve the transaction. Speaking recently during a visit to the NSE, group manag-

ing director, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, confirmed the financial closure and said the group’s acquisition of COP Nigerian assets would dramatically impact on the fortunes of the group going forward. According to him, Oando will more than double its pre-tax profit to some N100 billion as the integrated energy group looks to unlock immense potential of COP acquisition. He said with the conclusion of the acquisition of COP, Oando’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) will rise from the current annual average of N45 billion to N100 billion. He said the increase in earnings would also lead to improvement in dividend payout to sharehold-

ers going forward. He earlier noted that the audacious acquisition is a game changer for Oando as it will immediately position the company as the largest indigenous oil producer in Nigeria. “We are immensely pleased to have secured all funding to complete our. We are tremendously excited about the future of our organisation as this acquisition will not only provide significant growth in size and scale; but will substantially strengthen our position in the upstream sector,” Tinubu said. Oando through OER currently produces 4,500 barrels of crude oil per day from two producing fields, with this acquisition it will start producing circa 50,000 barrels per day from six producing fields.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has urged the Federal Government to address defects in the Nigerian federation at the National Conference. The governor spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while inaugurating the state’s delegation to the conference. The delegates are Chief Oladeji Fasuan, Prof. Akin Oyebode, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Prof. Olabisi Aina, Oba Adamo Babalola and Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye. Fayemi urged the Federal Government to provide legal support for the confab to enable it have desirable results. He urged the delegates to be focused and justify the confidence reposed in them. Fayemi said the state government plans to organise “a mini conference” to enable the delegates interact with people at the grassroots and get their input for the national conference. He said: “This confab is an opportunity to restructure Nigeria in a way that will bring equity and justice to all Nigerians. It is critical to the existence of a country

Fayemi to Fed Govt: straigthen defective federation at confab •Fayemi (middle); his deputy Prof Modupe Adelabu (fourth right); Dr Olajide (left); Prof Oyebode (second left); Prof Aina; Oba Babalola; Assembly Speaker Adewale Ominrin (third right); Chief Fasuan and Rev Ajakaye. From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

like Nigeria that is bedeviled by multifarious challenges.”

On the selection of the delegates, Fayemi said: “It was not easy to come up with the eventual selection. You can imagine what I went through to arrive at these eminent indigenes among

thousands of qualified people. “The delegates were chosen based on their comportment, attainments in life and their integrity. They are people who have contributed to

the state’s development. “Chief Fasuan, who will be leading the delegates, played a major role in the creation of Ekiti. I have no doubt that they will do us proud.” Fasuan, who responded on

Reps lament effect of insecurity on tourism

I remain authentic PDP national secretary, says Oyinlola

ORMER Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has warned that no one should parade himself as the national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said he remained the only authentic secretary . At a rally organised by the PDP in Osun Central in Okuku, his home town, Oyinlola said he had challenged the PDP national leadership on his suspension. He said: “Until the court decides otherwise, I remain the PDP national secretary. I am the only authentic national secretary of the PDP. Any other person, who claims that office, is an impostor and should be treated as such. If any other person acts as the PDP national secretary, it can affect our party in future because other parties can use that

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

against us. “Only the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) has the right to discipline a NEC member. I have studied the constitution of our party and as a lawyer I know that the state chapter of the party or any other organ within the party lacks the prerogative to discipline me.” Recalling that the crisis in the PDP at the national level led to the birth of the new PDP, Oyinlola said: “There is only one PDP in Nigeria now and I belong to the party. There is no old PDP or new PDP again. We are all in PDP.” The former governor, who explained that he had no link with the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was invited to join the party.

behalf of the delegates, described their choice as a “call by history and a challenge by history”. The delegates pledged to represent the state well.

•Chief of Staff to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr. Kayode Oladele (left) presenting the Integrity Heroes Award to the Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale as “ The Most Transparent and Accountable Local Government Chairman with integrity in Lagos State’’ at the 2013 Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance Integrity Heroes Awards, at the Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

NSECURITY in parts of the country is taking its toll on the development of the nation’s parks, Conservator-General of the National Park Service (NPS), Haruna Tanko told House of Representatives Committee on Environment yesterday. The Committee expressed dissatisfaction over challenges of inadequate funding facing the Parks. The NPS currently operates seven national parks across the country covering a land area of 24, 000 square kilometers. Tanko, who appeared before the House Committee on Environment to defend the agency’s budget and the level of 2013 budget implementation, said insecurity and infrastructural deficit were responsible for the shortfall in its revenue. Saying that the change in status to para-military agency has drastically affected the operations of the Service, Tanko added: “The National Park Service has been playing a crucial role in intelligence gathering for the country’s military in the Northeast and the forest bothering Chad and Cameroun, “Since we have been upgraded to a para-military agency by the President, we have been working closely with other security outfits as well as have a joint boarder patrol. “National parks are located in the rural areas and mostly in the borders between Nigeria and other African countries. In most cases, when there are cases of insecurity, especially coming from those areas, there is always collaboration between us (and other agencies in terms of patrolling the areas. “The national parks and the ranchers are familiar with the terrain. For the military, it’s very difficult for them having access in the areas. In most cases, they work hand-in-hand with our staff. “We have acquired security vehicles, bikes, bicycle and even horses for proper surveillance because that is the only way to effectively protect the various parks in the country from criminals and insurgents”. He regretted that insecurity and infrastructure deficit have been a challenge to maximizing the potentials of the Parks, “The park realised N32,533,680m as against the N47,500m projected for 2013, he added.

National Conference: Cleric, don, advocate equal representation

•Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment (office of Drainage Services), Mr Muyideen Akinsanya speaking when he visisted a drainage channel in Kosofe Local Government as part of the pre-rains deflooding programme. With him are Chief Engineer Mrs Helen Lanke Taiwo (left), Public Relation Officer Fola Adeyemi (second right) and Resident Engineer Olutayo PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Fagbekun.

From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

HE National Vice President of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Primate Okikiola Ositelu, the Archbishop of Ibadan Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen and the Vice Chancellor, Caleb University Imota Lagos Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju have advocated equal representation at the coming National Conference. They spoke in Lagos at the 3rd Annual Rufus Okikiola Ositelu Colloquium tagged: “The National Conference: The Germane Issues”. According to the men, equal representation is the only means to solve the challenges facing the country. Primate Ositelu said 20 per cent of the delegate should be nominees of professional bodies, trade unions, civil societies, religious bodies and traditional rulers, while five percent should be nominated by the Presidency. He said: “Others are five per cent nomination of the House of Representatives and Senate, while the other 70 per cent should be representatives from the states. “Our prayer is for the organiser of the conference to ensure equal representation to address the challenges facing all sections and compositions of polity.”

THE NATION TUESDAY MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

Fraud allegation rocks Imo Assembly •Speaker’s aide indicted in phoney contracts •Allegation debunked

FORMER aide to the Imo State Speaker, Mr. Samuelson Iwuoha, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud allegedly perpetrated by the Office of the Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu. Iwuoha, who until his resignation was the special assistant to the speaker on Media, said he wrote Gov-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ernor Rochas Okorocha to compel the House leadership to set up a panel to probe the allegations he levelled against the Office of the Speaker. The ex-aide alleged that an official in the Speaker’s office awarded road contracts on behalf of the government to inexperienced contractors and signed contract papers for contractors, who had

abandoned their jobs, to facilitate payments for contracts that were not executed. He also alleged that close aides of the Speaker were awarded juicy contracts, which they abandoned after collecting payments. Iwuoha said over 120 people were recruited as the Speaker’s personal staff, against the approved number. According to him, a certain percentage of their salary was deducted illegally by the of-

ficial. The media aide to the Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ahaneku, debunked the allegation, saying: “It is common knowledge that the Houses of Assembly in the country, Imo Assembly inclusive, do not have budgets and as such cannot afford to fund contracts. So how can an institution, which cannot fund contracts, give out road contracts in a state where the Works Ministry is active?”

EFCC seeks bench warrant against Cross Country boss

By Adebisi Onanuga

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday asked a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for a bench warrant for the arrest of the Cross Country boss, Chief Bube Okorodudu. The request followed the failure of the defendant to appear in court for the second time. At the resumed hearing before Justice Lateef LawalAkapo, counsel to the EFCC Emmanuel Jackson asked the court to issue a bench warrant on the defendant. EFCC said for the second time, Okorodudu failed to appear to take his plea on the charges against him. Counsel to Okorodudu Chief Robert Clarke (SAN) objected to the application for a bench warrant. He said there was a subsisting application by his client challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the charges against him by the EFCC. Clarke argued that the proper procedure was for the court to resolve the issue of jurisdiction before ruling on EFCC’s application for a bench warrant. Justice Lawal-Akapo adjourned the matter till April 8.

‘Encourage good sanitary habits in markets, communities’

•Governor Orji inspecting a portion of the college. With him from left are Dr. Chukwuka, the acting head teacher and Sir. Nnaji, PTA chairman.

Gundiri dumps APC for PDP

FOUNDING member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Markus Gundiri, has dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Addressing reporters yesterday in Yola, Gundiri said his decision to defect to the PDP was based on “breach of trust and lack of accommodation” in the APC. Gundiri, a governorship candidate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, said his action was aimed at “strengthening

democratic norms and principles”. He said he was initially optimistic that the merger to form the APC would provide a rare opportunity for the APC to defeat the PDP in 2015. Gundiri listed “injustice and impunity’’ displayed by the interim committee of the APC as other reasons that forced him to dump the party. The candidate criticised the way the interim committee of the APC was constituted in the state without “due recognition and respect’’ for senior partners in

the coalition that formed the APC. He alleged that trained registration supervisors were not allowed to handle the APC membership registration in some local government areas as demanded by law, adding that the exercise was cancelled in some local government areas. Gundiri called on his supporters and the electorate in the state to support the PDP to move the state forward in 2015. He said arrangements were on to receive him and his supporters into the PDP. But some of his supporters

have vowed to remain in the APC. His running mate, Abdurazak Namdas, said the followers of the defunct ACN are still in the APC. The State Interim Public Relations Officer, Salihu Baba Ahmed, said as far as APC is concerned, Gundiri was still a member as he has not formally withdrawn his membership. “For us to acknowledge his defection, he has to go back to his ward and tender his membership card or even come to the state interim committee and tender the membership card.”

Chief Ifeanyi Ezeamadi takes over from Mr. Vincent Iloh in Onitsha North Local Government, Nze Christian Umeaka replaces Chief Stephen Ahaneku in Onitsha South Local Government; Mr. Damian Nzekwe takes the place of Chief Arinze Igbani Ayamelum, while Chief Dennis Nworah takes over from Osondu Okwaraeke in Anambra East.

The MASSOB leader appealed to market leaders in Onitsha to see MASSOB as their own and work with the new administrators. He urged them to assist MASSOB in arresting any person using the group’s name to harass or extort money from the public. This, Uwazuruike said, was to ensure sanity in Onitsha and its environs.

Tension in MASSOB over change of administrators

HERE is tension in the leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), following the replacement of the suspended regional administrators in Onitsha and its environs. MASSOB leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who announced the replacement in Onitsha after the face-off be-

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

tween MASSOB and traders, said it was with immediate effect. Uwazuruike, through the Zonal Leader, Anambra North and Deputy Director for Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, said Mrs. Virgina Ubaezuonu replaces Emmanuel Omenka in Ogbaru Local Government;

Onitsha traders receive Sun team

RADERS at the Main Market in Onitsha, Anambra State received yesterday the management of the Sun Publishing Ltd, led by former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. It was during their weekly Monday prayer session. The guest speaker at the event, Prophetess Joy Chinyere of the Victory Base Deliverance Ministry, 3-3, urged traders to develop

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

a new attitude towards reorganising their lives to suit the Lord. She thanked The Sun for being the light with which Nigeria sees, enjoining the traders to be alert in their spiritual lives. The Chairman, Onitsha Main Market Amalgamated Traders’ Union (OMMATU), Chief Innocent Agudiegwu,

thanked Kalu for worshipping God with the traders. He said it showed a life of humility and thanked him for the help he had rendered to the traders, especially during a fire, which affected them. The Catholic Archbishop and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, the Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, has urged journalists to be fair in their reporting. He spoke when the Sun

Publishing Ltd, led by Kalu, visited him at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha. Rev. Okeke, hailing the company for enlightening the public, said the task of verifying news before publishing should be accomplished. Kalu lauded the Catholic Archbishop for his contribution towards the sustenance of peace in the country, especially in the Southeast.

HE Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, has urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) to ensure that people observe good sanitary habits in their communities and markets. Ojelabi spoke at a sensitisation programme on hygiene and eradication of open defecation, organised by the ministry for traders, CDAs and Neigbourhood Watchers in the 57 local governments (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs). The commissioner said a situation where people defecated in the markets and communities should not be encouraged by the CDAs. Ojelabi noted the terrible situation at Maidan community near Mile 12 Market where people defecated everywhere. He enjoined the CDA chairmen, particularly the newlyelected ones, to ensure that their members observed proper hygiene by not dumping refuse in the drains “now that the rainy season is approaching.” Ojelabi said they should ensure drains and gutters are emptied, to complement government’s efforts to be free from diseases caused by stagnant water. The commissioner advised them to be proactive and show concern about their

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

people and environment, so that the money spent in hospitals could be used for developmental projects. Ojelabi said residents should make use of government hospitals, which were well-equipped with trained personnel and cheaper. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Mrs. Yewande Adesina, urged CDAs to be good ambassadors of the Ministry of Health by promoting government health programmes and policies The guest speaker, Dr. Ismail Abdul Salaam, an epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, said people spent so much in hospitals because of their poor sanitary and hygiene habits. He added that cholera, typhoid and other diseases “are rampant in our communities because of poor hygiene in our markets and homes.”

PUBLIC NOTICE ALEBIOSU I, Formerly known and addressed as ALEBIOSU TAIBAT KEMISOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINLONU TAIBAT KEMISOLA All former documents still remain valid. The Nigerian Immigration Service and General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE TAIWO I, Formerly known and addressed as TAIWO BOLUDE FAGBULU, now wish to be known and addressed as MARY OLUWASEYI FAGBULU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE NEW HEAVENS CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notified that the above mentioned Gospel Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act LFN (cap 20) 2004. BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS ARE 1) REV AMANGI D. PETERS - General Overseer 2) DEAC HELEN PETERS — Member 3) DR LAWRENCE A. B. IYAGBA - Member 4) DR EBONG JOSEPH ESSIEN UDOM — Secretary 5) PST AMANARI OKOP — Member 6) ELDER FELIX OBULO — Member 7) EVANG PROMISE CHIEPAKA — Member 8) PST TIBIDABO PETERS — Member THE • To • To • To

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ carry out charitable works minister to members’ felt needs

Any objection should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral,Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 21 days of this publication. Signed: DR EBONG JOSEPH ESSIEN UDOM (Secretary)

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

Three policemen killed in Katsina From El-Zaharadeen Umar, Katsina

UNMEN yesterday killed three policemen at Gidan Mutum Daya check point on the KanoKatsina road, Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State. An eyewitness, Malam Kabir Sa’adu, said four policemen were on duty when the gunmen struck. He said: “I am a driver. The incident occurred about 10 a.m. while I was coming from Kano to Katsina. We were stopped by policemen at the checkpoint. They allowed us to go. “A few metres away, we stopped to do something and heard gun shots everywhere in the area. “The gunmen were four and they told us we are not after you; we were looking for policemen. They continued shooting and fled into the bush.” Police spokesman Aminu Abubakar Sadiq said suspected castle rustlers attacked the officers at a check-point. He said officers were trailing the suspects.

Bauchi spends N425m on scholarship From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

HE Bauchi State government has paid N425 million as local and foreign scholarships for the 2011/ 2012 academic session. Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Kulloma Hardawa, announced this yesterday in Bauchi. He said the scholarships were part of government’s effort to reduce the financial burden of students and parents. Hardawa said 48,075 students were studying various courses here, besides the 35 in over 20 foreign countries. The chairman said the board would payment N83.6 million to 8,120 students, who were admitted in 107 higher institutions. He said the board paid the 2011/ 2012 allowance in 2014 because funds were not released on time, but hailed Governor Isa Yuguda for approving the funds.

Award for security expert

SECURITY expert, Ona Ekhomu, has been honoured by the Port Harcourt Chapter of ASIS International (American Society for Industrial Security) for his pioneering efforts in Nigeria’s security industry. Ekhomu was given the Security Pioneer Award at the ASIS Port Harcourt chapter’s two-day International Security Conference at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. The Assistant Regional Vice President of ASIS International, Mrs. ElizabethYakubu, who chaired the conference organising committee, said Ekhomu was the first chartered security professional in West Africa, with a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) in September 2000. A native of Irrua, Edo State, Ekhomu got a PhD, specialising in Policy Management from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985. He is the author of Effective Personal and Corporate Security (2009), a seminal book on security awareness.

•Suspected killers of Sheikh Auwal Adam Albani, his wife and son being paraded by the Department of State Security (DSS) in Abuja...yesterday. See story PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE on Page 59

North’s governors scrap fees in secondary schools N O more fees in secondary schools in the North, the governors announced yesterday. Besides, they agreed to harmonise fees paid in stateowned tertiary institutions. Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said the governors took these decisions to reposition education. Aliyu, who spoke at the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) national award

ceremony in Minna, said the forum would re-introduce the Grade 2 teacher training programme abolished across the country to improve teaching in schools. Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Muhammad Bashir Nuhu, the NSGF Chairman said an education summit

aimed at addressing the problems impeding the growth and development of education would be held soon. He said the forum decided to close the educational gap between male and female pupils and tackle the problem of Almajiri. The governor said his administration computerised the payment of scholarship to students in tertiary insti-

We joined APC to change lives, says Ahmed

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said yesterday that he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give voice to the people and secure their well-being. Ahmed spoke at the distribution of 100 taxi cabs to commercial drivers on a revolving loan scheme. “I invite those who continue to cling to the notion that our move does not enjoy the support of the people of Kwara State to wake up to the reality. “The people of Kwara State are enthused by our determination to uphold their interest and are firmly behind our leadership. “As the nation moves to-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

tutions and introduced scratch cards to beneficiaries as a way of plugging wastage. He said the administration paid out over N1.8 billion as scholarship and allowances. Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Lapai, Umaru Bago, praised the governor for transforming the state. He hailed the non-discriminatory fees policy of the administration.

wards the elections in 2015, I urge you to utilise your votes judiciously. “I have often said that good governance and respect for the rule of law should be the guiding principles of our democratic experience. I urge you to be guided by these values as you make your choices in 2015.” The governor said the state spent N150 million as an empowerment scheme for beneficiaries.

He added that his administration had disbursed N674 million to grow micro and small scale enterprises since 2012. Ahmed said the first tranche of N50 million of the N150 million approved for the transport scheme was applied for procurement of 100 units of taxis, adding that the scheme would include buses and trucks. The governor urged beneficiaries not to see the scheme as government largesse. He urged them to repay on sched-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

cil for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), urged all Nigerians to jettison political and religious propaganda. The religious leader said the nation was going through trying times and “all hands must be on deck to collectively combat these calamities’’. “We must all rescue our nation from impending doom and ensure that we restore peace and sanity in our country’’ Oloyede said. The NIREC Secretary called on men of goodwill to work to curtail the menace, which has taken a dangerous dimension of killing innocent school pupils. “While we appreciate

the efforts of government and other security agencies, we urge them to be more tactical and strategic in confronting the unfortunate development,” he said. Oloyede equally called

PUBLIC NOTICE •Ahmed

ule for others to benefit. The governor advised the transporters to adequately maintain their vehicles.

on all parents, to take good care of their children and prevent them from taking drugs or join gangs. He commiserated with the families of the victims and called on security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

Woman’s body found in hotel

THE Young Women Christian Association of Nigeria (YWCA) has sought a piece of land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to build a hostel for stranded young girls in Abuja. Its National President, Mrs. Hwongchun Majek, said yesterday that the association needs N1.2 billion to enable it build a secretariat in Abuja. Mrs. Majek decried an increasing rate of cohabitation among young girls, adding that the hostel would cushion the effect of high rent in Abuja. LOSS OF DOCUMENT

Killings a national tragedy, say Muslims

HE NIGERIA Inter Religious Council (NIREC), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit and The Criterion, a group of Muslim Women in business and p r o f es s i o n s , h av e d e scribed the killings and bombings in the country as a national tragedy. NIREC Executive Secretary Prof Is-haq Oloyede, told reporters in Ibadan yesterday that he was pworried that the killings were on the increase, despite all efforts to curtail it. “It is a national tragedy which defies all logic and civility,’’ he said. Oloyede, who doubles as the Secretary-General of Nigerian Supreme Coun-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

This is to inform the general public on the loss of my land allocation paper (Plot No. 377, Old Kutunku Compensation Layout, Gwagwalada). Anybody that comes across the document should please contact the owner, Mrs Akinyele Busayo Grace on 08103082424 or report to the Divisional Police Headquarter of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwagwalada.

•Governor distributes 100 cabs From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

YWCA to build N1.2b office

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

HE police in Gombe State have confirmed the discovery of a woman’s body in a hotel in Gombe. Police spokesman Fwaje Atajiri said the body had been taken to the Gombe State Specialist Hospital for autopsy. Atajiri said contrary to rumours, no part of the body was missing or severed. There was also no injury. He said: “The incident happened around Sabon-Layi in Gombe. The area has splinters of hotels; you can’t differentiate between residential houses and hotels. “That area is a criminals’ hideout, where anti-social activities take place. We’ll find out whether it’s a hotel or not.”

CHANGE OF NAME ERHABOR

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ERHABOR SARAH ESEMWENRE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OZUEM SARAH ESEMWENRE . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. AGAMEGWA I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AGAMEGWA QUEEN IJEOMA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ORLU QUEEN IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. NNADI I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS. NNADI HELEN ONYINYECHI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UGWU HELEN ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. ODILI I, Formerly known and addressed as ODILI MARTHA CHIKA now wish to be known and addressed as EGWU MARTHA CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, EMMANUEL ONYA UDUME and EMMANUEL ANYA OJIM refers to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL ONYA UDUME. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS

NUT flaws Edo competency test •Says it is futile By Nneka Nwaneri

HE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday rejected the move by the Edo State government to conduct competency tests for teachers. It said teaching is a service industry and not a product industry where products pass through quality control mills to qualify for the market. The union, which spoke through its National President, Michael Olukoya, in Lagos, said the best way to discover quacks is not by aptitude test, but by ensuring that inspectors wake up to their duties. It alleged that the competency test is alien and illegal and is a plot to downsize teachers, adding that it will resist the move. “We are test administrators and Nigerians are who they are because they are products of teachers’ tests. The exercise is futile and cannot be condoned. We are ready to submit our teachers to professional competency testing by a legally constituted body, which is the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria and not to political licensing. “Edo government has to recall the 926 sacked teachers on account of their age declaration. Such sack defeats the law of equity and justice, “Olukoya said. The union called on governments to purchase Group Life Insurance cover for teachers in the country. It said it will close down schools in vulnerable areas, if government fails to heed the call. NUT pleaded with the Benue State government to pay its teachers the minimum wage, to end the five-month strike.

Elumelu denies interest in Senate THE member representing Aniocha/Oshimili, Delta State, in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, has denied he will vie for a Senate seat in 2015. Reacting to a report of his alleged interest to go to the Senate, Elumelu, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Emeka Anyaeagbunam, said: “Elumelu had never discussed with anybody or group of persons of his alleged intention to run for the Senate. “What Elumelu is doing now is consultating with the people, including opinion leaders, just as other aspirants, on the way forward for 2015. “He had made it clear that after due consultation with stakeholders, he would make his intention known to all,” the statement said.

SSS parades ‘killers’ of Islamic cleric, wife, son T HE Department of State Security (SSS) yesterday paraded seven men suspected to have killed an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Auwal Adam Albani, on February 1. Albani was murdered with his wife and son at Gwagwaja, Zaria, Kaduna State, while returning from a preaching session at Markaz Salafiyya Centre, in Tudun Wada. The suspects are: Yakub Abdullahi (42); Ibrahim Shuaibu (22); Bilyaminu Usman (22); Yasir Ibrahim

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Salihu (35); Sahabi Ismail (27); Umar Farouk Ismail (35) and Musa Abubakar (54). DSS’ spokesperson Ms. Marilyn Ogar said they confessed to have joined the insurgent group, Boko Haram, between 2009 and 2012. Another suspect, who the SSS simply identiufied as

Kabiru, was said to have been killed while attempting to snatch a weapon from one of the security operatives who arrested the suspects. According to Ogar, the suspects were among Boko Haram members operating in the Kaduna-Niger axis. The suspects were said to have killed Sheikh Albani for his ‘’pro-Western posture’’ in the propagation of Islam.

One of the suspects, Yasir Ibrahim Salihu is a graduate of English literature from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He worked as head of Records and Billing Department at Horizon Medical Centre, in Wuse 2, Abuja at the time of his arrest. A number of weapons, including AK 47 rifles, were recovered from the suspects. Ogar said investigation was ongoing, adding that they would be charged to court.

Court joins Rivers CJ nominee in suit From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

USTICE Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court sit ting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday joined the Rivers State chief judge nominee, Justice Daisy Okocha, as a party in the suit by the National Judicial Council(NJC), challenging the refusal of Governor Rotimi Amaechi to inaugurate her as the chief justice. At the last sitting, Justice Okocha, through her lawyer, Emmanuel C. Ukala, told the court that she should be joined because the outcome of the suit would affect her. The NJC had, prior to the retirement of Chief Justice Iche Ndu in August last year nominated Justice Okocha; but the governor refused to inaugurate her. The NJC last month sued the Judicial Service Commission, joining Amaechi and the Attorney-General Worgu Boms. Yesterday, the court granted the application, saying the applicant should be joined, since she would be affected by the outcome of the matter. Justice Akanbi adjourned the matter till March 7.

Tukur resumes at NRC

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

•From left: Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw; Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, Tuoyo Omatsuli and Cross River State representative on the NDDC board Adah Paul Adeshi, during an inspection tour of the on-going 13km Adiabor-Eseku road project that links Odukpani and Calabar local governments of Cross River State.

Man arrested for assaulting daughter

29-YEAR-OLD man, Kelvin Kokori, has been arrested by the police in Edo State for allegedly assaulting his eightyear-old daughter. He was said to have committed the act while the girl was asleep. Also, a man, Adamu Abudu (57), was arrested for defiling a 13-year-old girl. They were among 50 suspects paraded by the Edo State Police Command yesterday for robbery, cultism, rape, illegal possession of

•Police recover dynamites, explosives From Osagie Otabor, Benin

firearms and defilement. Kokori, who denied the assault on his daughter, said he was framed by his wife because he refused to sleep with her. He said the daughter used to sleep on the same bed with him. Adamu said he slept with the minor over a N100 change she was supposed to give him after he bought

something from her. Ten persons were paraded in connection to cultrelated killings in the state. Commissioner of Police Foluso Adebanjo said three persons were victims of the cult killings, contrary to the high figure of deaths published in the media. The commissioner decried the rising incidences of “child molestation and rape” and called for action against the trend.

Adebanjo said two persons were, on February 8, arrested and firearms as well as dynamites recovered from them. He said the police recovered explosives, electrical detonators, vehicles, arms and ammunition. “We must take action against child molestation, particularly in Edo State. This trend must stop. Rape of the girl-child is becoming alarming, we must do something about it,” he said.

NLC shelves proposed strike

RGANISED labour in Edo State has suspended its planned indefinite strike scheduled to begin yesterday. The decision to suspend the strike was contained in a communique issued after an enlarged state executive council session on Monday. NLC threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the government refused to pay the arrears of 10.5 per cent Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA), release of backlog of promotions, recall the 920 teachers whose salaries were stopped in December, among others. The State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Emmanuel Ademokun, had said there was no going back on the strike until all their demands were met.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Osagie Otabor, Benin

The communique noted that the government has made an offer to meet the request of organised labour in relation to the 53.37 per cent salary relativity in question. Ademokun said Governor Adams Oshiomhole wrote an apology letter to the unions on the alleged manhandling of some labour leaders by Per-

‘The government has made an offer to meet the request of organised labour in relation to the 53.37 per cent salary relativity in question’ manent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment,

Lawrence Loye, last year. He said the government agreed to pay a part of the salary relativity and added that the unions were waiting on the directive of the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on the next line of action based on the assessment test and on the sacked 920 teachers. The NLC chairman said they would support whatever action the planned to take.

Al-Makura sacks two aides

ASARAWA State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura yesterday sacked two aides without giving details of the development. The announcement of the sack of the two special assistants on Media was contained in a statement by the governor’s Press Secretary, Iliyasu Ali Yakubu, yesterday in Lafia.

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

The statement reads: “Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has relieved Shuaibu Ibrahim Baba and Abdullahi Mairiga of their appointments as special assistants. “The governor thanked the appointees for their time while in office and wished them well in their future endeavours,” the statement said.

ORMER Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday resumed at the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). He described President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda as one which had awakened the sleeping giant that was the Railway. Tukur, who praised the level of funding for the corporation, assured that there would be adequate funding to ensure the success of the corporation. He said he was bringing to the saddle a wealth of experience, which saw him leave a legacy at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), where he built 18 ports across the country within five years. “There is the will, the wish and the available capacity to bring about the kind of capacity we deserve as Nigerians and this is what we are bringing to this job,” Tukur said. He pledged to heal the Railways and leave a legacy of transformation that would surpass his achievements at the NPA. Said Tukur: “I have come to see for myself what is on ground. My appointment is to find a healing for the age-old institution and with the support of other members of the board of directors and management of this corporation, we will achieve success.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NEWS The man Akinyemi

Nasarawa deputy governor joins PDP

Continued from page 2

gland, from 1966 until 1969. He was a visiting professor at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva and at the Diplomacy Training Programme, University of Nairobi, Kenya, both in 1977. He was Regents Lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, US in 1979, Professor of Political Science at the University of Lagos, from 1983 until 1985, and Visiting Fellow, St. John’s College, Cambridge, England in 1984. Akinyemi was Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) from 1975 until 1983. During the short-lived Third Republic of 1993, he called on the military to overthrow Ernest Shonekan’s administration; Gen. Sani Abacha, defence minister at the time, later did so and assumed the position of head of state. Akinyemi was later among those who opposed Abacha’s regime. In August 2007, President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed him to the Justice Muhammadu Uwais-led Electoral Reform Panel. He was also recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as a member of the Kabiru Turaki-led Presidential committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North otherwise known as Boko Haram panel. He has been married to Rowena Jane Viley since 1970. They have one son and three daughters.

•President Goodluck Jonathan (second left); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Adamu Mu’azu (left); Senate President David Mark (third right); Board of Trustees chair Tony Anenih (right), defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate 2011, Mohammed Dele Belgore (second right) and others at a rally in Ilorin, Kwara State ... yesterday

UMAN rights activist, Mr Femi Aborisade has described the suspension of Governor of Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as a fight back by the powerful forces in the structure of the Nigerian State. He said the injustice meted out to Lamido must be condemned at all times regardless of the person or class of persons involved. Aborisade regretted “that a regime that seeks to be per-

•Mrs Azinge

Aborishade condemns Sanusi’s suspension By Leke Salaudeen

ceived as fighting corruption can have the effrontery to suspend a CBN Governor who has been revealing leakages in the fuel subsidy scam.” In a statement titled: “Suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi: An Indication of Corruption Fighting Back”, the activist noted that Section 8(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 provides that the Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed

by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate. In the same way, he claimed, the provision to Section 11 (2) of the CBN Act states that the removal of Governor, Deputy Governors and Directors of the CBN by the President is subject to being supported by twothirds majority of the Senate. Aborisade said from the foregoing provisions of the CBN Act, there is no provision for the suspension of the CBN Governor, Deputy Governor or Director.

Reiterating that the position of law is that the right to suspend must be expressly stated; it cannot be implied, he declared the suspension of Lamido Sanusi as not only illegal, it ultra vires the powers of Mr President. Aborisade pleaded that the fight to resist Lamido Sanusi’s illegal suspension should not be left to him alone but should be taken up by the National Assembly, whose role in the removal process has been usurped by Mr President.

parties on how to ensure peace and security in the state.” Gambo said the meeting became necessary, “to spell out clearly their responsibilities to the people in Sokoto State. “We have a lot of political parties that are represented in Sokoto State, but we have problems with only two political parties in the state,” he said.

He urged that politics should not be regarded as “a do or die affair’’, but simply, a free association in which people come together for the development of their society. “So, there is no point for the political parties recruiting thugs to intimidate members of the public or killing one another. “The political parties can hold their meetings, but com-

ing out for political rallies or campaign is not allowed until three months before the election,” Gambo said. The commissioner said that any political party having any activity should inform the police so as to provide them with security cover. “The police are not happy with the shedding of blood and burning of the political parties’ structures in the state.’’

Police ban rallies, posters in Sokoto

HE Police in Sokoto State yesterday banned all political parties from holding rallies, pasting of posters and billboards. Commissioner of Police Shuaibu Gambo, who stated this after a meeting with the party leaders, said it would foster sustainable peace and unity in the state. “The meeting is to discuss with the leaders of political

HE Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Damishi Luka, on Monday renounced his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is contained in a statement signed by his Director of Press, Danjuma Joseph, and made available to reporters in Lafia. The statement said that the deputy governor would soon make public his reasons for leaving APC. “The Deputy Governor has submitted his letter of withdrawal from APC and will brief the press on Tuesday on his next line of action,” the statement said. It said that the deputy governor would consult with his associates before deciding on the next line of action. It also said that he would brief the press on Tuesday to give more explanation on why he decided to leave. He therefore urged his supporters to remain calm and be law abiding as their destinies were in the hands of God.

Army alerts public to weapon testing

HE 2014 edition of the Army Headquarters Garrison Range Classification exercise began yesterday at the Guards Brigade Range, Keffi, Nassarawa State. The exercise, billed to end on March 14, is designed to further test the art of weapon handling, expertise and marksmanship of officers and men under the Army Headquarters, Departments and Units. “The public is advised not to panic when movements of troops are noticed along Abuja –Keffi road, or if firing is heard within the exercise area. “This information is to the benefit of the public, to avoid unnecessary rumour mongering, in view of the current security challenges”, a statement yesterday by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, said.

APC councillor stabbed to death in Port Harcourt NNPC releases 33 million •Amaechi condemns murder as PDP warns against threat to members’ lives

MEMBER of the Legislative Assembly of the Akuku-Toru Local Government of Rivers State, Sotonye Melford Georgewill, was on Sunday night stabbed to death in Port Harcourt. Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi described the murder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) councillor, who represented Ward 2, as “very sad and shocking.” He said the state government would await the outcome of police investigation, before deciding on the next line of action. Amaechi, who spoke yesterday at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Port Harcourt, while presenting the state of the nation address to the lawmakers, urged the good people of the state to be calm and never to take the law into their hands. Witnesses told our reporter yesterday in the Rivers State capital that the councillor, who was married with two children, was murdered in

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

front of his grandfather’s residence, along Accra Street, near the Lagos Bus Stop in the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town. It was about 9:45 pm. It was also gathered that Georgewill came to the front of the house to attend to someone who earlier called him through the telephone and indicated that he was waiting for him outside. On getting to the car that was waiting in front of the house, the witnesses stated that two men came out of the vehicle, one of who stabbed the councillor on the chest. He fell to the ground, while the murderers escaped, shooting into the air in the thicklypopulated neighbourhood. Shortly after the killing, some policemen in a white Toyota patrol van took away the body of Georgewill. Rivers Police Spokesman Muhammad Ahmad said he was indisposed and not able to speak. The Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter, which claimed that the murdered councillor was a member of the party, however, warned against the continued threats to the lives of its members across the state. The Rivers PDP said: “Hon. Sotonye Bobmanuel, a serving councillor in Akuku-Toru LGA and a member of the PDP, was assassinated a few days after the kidnap of three stalwarts of the party, who are still being held captive.” The Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Jerry Needam, alleged that the councillor’s murder was nothing short of a calculated plot by political opponents to provoke the party’s members and ignite crisis in the state. He said: “It is now crystal clear why these agents of disharmony and destruction were hell-bent on seeing the former Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, transferred out of Rivers State. “There is no denying the fact that Governor Amaechi’s

agents, the APC and the Save Rivers Movement (SRM), are responsible for the unfortunate acts of lawlessness in Rivers State. “Even in the face of all this, Governor Amaechi remains unperturbed and is rather busy celebrating. “We condemn these inhuman and lawless acts in their entirety and call for an immediate stop of the senseless insurgency and also appeal to the security agencies to wake up to these challenges posed by these undesirable elements and enemies of the state. This is the only way to guarantee peace and harmonious co-existence in the state, since no one person or group has a monopoly of violence.” Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant, Media to the Rivers Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, urged Rivers people to ignore the confused and violent PDP members, who were asked to produce the killers and kidnappers.

litres of petrol for Lagos

N its determination to ease the discomfort being experienced by motorists and commuters in Lagos and its environs, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday supplied an additional volume of 33 million litres of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) for onward distribution to fuel stations across the metropolis. Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim stated in a statement that the extra volume of 25, 000 metric tonnes of fuel, the

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

equivalent of 33 million litres of petrol was supplied to the marketers as part of measures by the oil giant to end the artificially- induced scarcity. “While we intensify our ongoing direct monitoring of fuel stations across Lagos and its environs, we are providing the extra volume of product to eliminate the noticeable queues arising from the induced scarcity,’’ Dr. Ibrahim stated. The NNPC appealed to marketers and members of the public to refrain from hoarding and panic buying.

Dangote is world’s 25th richest Continued from page 4

Thanks to the tech boom, and strong stock market, the U.S. once again leads the world with 492 billionaires, followed by China with 152 and Russia with 111. By region, Europe boasted the most billionaires outside the US, with 468 in total, closely followed by Asia, which had 444 billionaires. The list suggested that wealth was spreading, with four new countries featuring for the first time - Algeria, Lithuania, Tanzania and Uganda.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NATION SPORT ROBERTO MARTINEZ

Lukaku our Messi

VERTON boss Roberto Martinez has d e s c r i b e d matchwinner Romelu Lukaku as “irreplaceable”. Lukaku struck the winner against West Ham United on Saturday. Martinez said: “Lukaku is an irreplaceable footballer and that is a reality. “There are certain players in certain squads that can’t be replaced. “Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world, but when they have not got Messi the team suffers. You can go on and on and every team has a player like that. “It is important that he is back and important that he is fresh. This break for him has been perfect. And now he has a clear period of 11 or 12

games with a real freshness about his play. “He is an important player for us, there is no doubt about it.”

Kroos weighs up United move

ONI Kroos has discussed a move to Manchester United with his family, according to his brother. The Bayern Munich midfielder is yet to agree a new contract with the European champions and has been scouted by United manager David Moyes. Kroos’ current deal at the Allianz Arena expires in 2015 and the Germany international has said he will not make a decision about his future until the summer.

•Kroos

But his younger brother Felix, who plays for Werder Bremen, said the 24-year-old is aware of United’s interest as he weighs up his options. He told Sky Germany: “We have already talked about it. Manchester has been the team of my dreams since I was a child. “However, I don’t give him any advice. He will take a good decision for himself. There are worse situations than having to decide something like that.” Moyes has made signing a central midfielder a priority since his appointment at Old Trafford last summer. He failed in bids for Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Daniele De Rossi, Sami Khedira and Ander Herrera before buying Marouane Fellaini from his former club Everton last summer, but remains eager to strengthen in that department. Moyes, who has also been linked with Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho, went to watch Kroos in Germany when Bayern faced Borussia Monchengladbach in January and was at the Emirates Stadium, when he scored in a 2-0 Champions League win over Arsenal.

Pardew facing hefty stadium ban, anger management

EWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew may be encouraged to take anger management classes in a bid to calm down his touchline antics, according to several reports in the British press. Pardew is facing severe action from the FA, which could culminate in a hefty stadium ban, after he headbutted David Meyler during Newcastle’s 4-1 win at Hull City on Saturday. The 52-year-old apologised in the aftermath of the incident but Newcastle reacted swiftly and fined Pardew £100,000 for his misdemeanour as well as issuing him with a formal warning. Pardew later accepted the sanction from the club. In the latest collection of our favourite images from the sporting week, Lizzy Yarnold goes knock-door-running, the Red Bull team gets a little distracted at testing and Chris Powell tries his hand at gymnastics. However, Pardew could

now become the first manager to be handed a Premier League stadium ban should the FA decide to throw the book at him. The FA has issued the punishment before; Steve Evans was handed a stadium ban in September 2012 for abusive behaviour while former Blackpool manager Paul Ince received similar last October, following a foul-mouthed tirade at a fourth official. Furthermore, League Managers Association chief Richard Bevan condemned Pardew’s behaviour and insisted his actions are “insupportable.”

•Pardew

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL...

‘Killer’ Suarez is Premier League’s best, says Gerrard

TEVEN Gerrard believes Liverpool is lucky to have their “killer” striker Luis Suarez and has admitted the club is finally daring to dream of winning the Premier League title. Suarez marked a landmark 100th league appearance with his 24th goal of the season during Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday, a performance which Gerrard described as “relentless.” “I’ve run out of words to describe him. We’re blessed in this country to have some really top forwards, top, top attacking players,” Gerrard said. In the latest collection of our favourite images from the sporting week, Lizzy Yarnold goes knock-door-running, the Red Bull team gets a little distracted at testing and Chris Powell tries his hand at gymnastics. “But for me, without being biased, he’s the best. I’ve said it many times, I look at Messi and Ronaldo and, yeah, they’re world class players. But outside of that, you’ve got Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Suarez who are pushing those two really close. “Performances like this, where he hasn’t scored for four or five games, but he’s getting assists, he’s causing so much problems. He’s relentless. He’s a winner, he’s a killer and we’re lucky to have him.” Victory at St Mary’s boosted Liverpool up to second in the league on goal difference and four points behind leaders Chelsea. Following the match, manager Brendan Rodgers once again played down his side’s title chances but Gerrard indicated Liverpool are genuine contenders to secure what would be a first topflight crown in 24 years.

“I think it is very nice that people are talking about us and we are in the title race there’s no getting away from that. We’re in it,” Gerrard said. “But it’s important that we stay calm, keep taking it game by game and try to win as

many as we can. “Man City and Chelsea are still the favourites if you like because they’ve got that experience of going to win it. But I think they both know, listening to Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini, that

•Suarez

Wilshere: Arsenal still in title race

•Wilshere

we are a big threat because we’ve got no Europe and we can be fresh every game. “It does suit us at the moment being underdogs. What suits us as well is that we’ve got a lot of time to prepare.”

ACK Wilshere insists Arsenal is still in the race for the Premier League

title and is relishing the prospect of make-or-break games against Manchester City and Chelsea this month. His team’s ambitions took a hit on Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 by Stoke and they have now slipped to third in the table, with leagueleaders Chelsea extending

their advantage to four points and Liverpool moving up to second. “The good thing is that this month we play all the teams at the top,” Wilshere said. “If we win those games, we can be up there. We’ve got to keep going to the end. Anything can happen in this league as you’ve seen this weekend and in previous weeks.” Arsenal is in danger of dropping to fourth if City win

their two games in hand. Arsene Wenger’s side also face a challenging month in the Premier League, with a trip to Tottenham on March 16 followed by another away game, at Stamford Bridge, against Chelsea before City goes to the Emirates. They also face the complicating factor of having to go to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, before they face Spurs, needing to turn around a 2-0 first-leg defeat to stay in the competition.

Pellegrini makes embarrassing United gaffe

ANUEL Pellegrini committed an embarrassing faux pas when describing himself as Manchester United manager immediately after winning his first trophy in charge of Manchester City. Pellegrini’s side won the League Cup on Sunday by beating Sunderland 3-1 at Wembley to give City the first silverware of the season. But in a pitchside interview, Pellegrini said he was: “Very happy, very happy. I love pressure so I have to manage a big team like Manchester United.” It is not the first gaffe

Pellegrini has made during his time at City. City beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the Allianz Arena in December but Pellegrini did not realise that a 4-2 triumph would enable them to top the group, thinking they required a fifth goal, and left top scorer Sergio Aguero on the bench as he brought on midfielder Jack Rodwell in Germany. However, while Pellegrini mistakenly declared he was managing United, his only Manchester derby in charge finished in a resounding 4-1 win for City. Pellegrini will lead a team at Old Trafford when City visits United on March 25.

•Pellegrini

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

NATION SPORT Ibrahimovic: PSG too tough to stop

LATAN Ibrahimovic has told Le Parisien it is hard to see how Paris Saint-Germain will be stopped from claiming a second consecutive Ligue 1 title following their 2-0 win over rivals Marseille on Sunday. Second-half goals from Maxwell and Edinson Cavani gave the defending French champions a victory which — coupled with Monaco’s 2-0 defeat at Saint-Etienne — sees them stretch their lead at the top to eight points. With only 11 league matches left to play, Ibrahimovic, 32, believes nearest challengers Monaco will now find it difficult to overhaul PSG. “If we continue like this, we will be champions at the end of the season,” the Swedish striker said. “An eightpoint lead, almost nine with our goal difference, that’s a big step to overcome. “It would mean us losing three matches and Monaco winning every game.” Midfielder Blaise Matuidi, 26, said the title race is not over yet, but believes that his side can only throw it away. “As long as it’s not done mathematically, we can’t say that,” RMC reports him as saying. “But if we continue to do what we’ve done since the start of the season and we retain our philosophy, then there’s no reason why the title might escape us.” But the France international, who signed a new four-year contract last week, has warned that there is still work to be done. “We can’t get too excited,” he continued. “We have to stay concentrated until the end. We still have some difficult matches, starting with a tricky trip to Bastia next week.” Meanwhile, Marseille coach Jose Anigo said his team were disappointed, but not ashamed, to lose to the Parisian heavyweights. “I feel that there wasn’t a world of difference, at least in the first half,” L’Equipe reports him as saying. “We gave what we could. When you see [Yohan] Cabaye, [Javier] Pastore and Cavani come on and the whole group, you see that the league has taken on another dimension for PSG. The others, Monaco as well, are going to have to suffer.” “Look at their bench and you see how much it cost. Look what they have on the pitch. They’re a team that’s made for the Champions League.”

MADRID

would have paid £150m for Ronaldo —Ferguson

IR Alex Ferguson has revealed he told Manchester United to put a £150 million price tag on Cristiano Ronaldo’s head in 2009 and believes Real Madrid would have paid it. Ronaldo became the most expensive player in football history when he joined Madrid for £80m but Ferguson believes United could have

million. Perez would have paid,” Ferguson told AS. “The only thing that hurt me, and I said this repeatedly to David Gill, was that we didn’t demand enough. “I told David, ‘Ask for £150 million’. He said: ‘Don’t be silly. They’ll never pay £150 million’. Ronaldo, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, had scored

Tevez revels in ´important´ Juve victory

ARLOS Tevez hailed an “important” win after scoring a superb goal as Juventus beat Milan 2-0 to move further clear at the top of Serie A. With Roma only managing a 0-0 draw at home to Inter on Saturday, Antonio Conte’s men stretched the gap at the summit to 11 points, though Juventus have played a game more. Juve’s San Siro triumph was not without complications, as Milan enjoyed concerted pressure for the majority of the first half. But Fernando Llorente’s tap-in on the stroke of half-time put the hosts ahead, before Tevez extended the lead with a fierce strike that hit the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net. Juventus have now gone 18 matches unbeaten in Italy’s top flight, and Tevez stressed the importance of

•Ibrahimovic

brought in almost twice as much money. Ferguson is convinced Real president Florentino Perez would have paid such a staggering sum to take the winger to the Bernabeu and remains disappointed that former United chief executive David Gill ignored his advice. “I told David Gill to ask for £150

defeating Clarence Seedorf’s men. “(The) win was so important,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “We knew that Roma hadn’t won against Inter and

•Tevez

it was important to get three points – even if this match was worth more than that.” On his goal, he added: “The ball dipped very sharply, that’s what stopped the goalkeeper from saving it.” Strike partner Llorente was also thrilled with the hard-fought win, though the Spaniard was thankful to an improved second-half showing from the defending Serie A champions. “It was a difficult game,” he added. “They played well in the first half, putting us under pressure throughout. “We didn’t expect it and struggled, but in the end we put together a nice move for the first goal and then regrouped in the second half, when we played better. (We) deserved the victory and gained three golden points.”

Title race not over, says Blanc

LAURENT Blanc insisted the Ligue 1 title race is not over after Paris Saint-Germain moved eight points clear with a 2-0 win over Marseille. PSG opened up a commanding lead at the summit of the French top flight by completing a league double over their arch rivals with a confident performance at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Maxwell opened the scoring for PSG early in the second half, before Edinson Cavani marked his return from injury with a goal that sealed the points 11 minutes from time. The victory puts the capital club in pole position to retain the title following Monaco’s loss at SaintEtienne on Saturday, but coach Blanc is refusing to get complacent. “Nothing is decided in our minds until it is mathematically proven,” Blanc told Canal . Marseille showed plenty of industry but struggled to create chances in a game dominated by the defending champions from start to finish.

And Blanc was quick to highlight the hosts’ command of possession as the reason for their victory. ‘I thought it was good that Marseille brought their own game to us,” Blanc added. “They played their own way. “As is often the case it was possession that made the difference. We forced them to defend and did not allow them the ball.” Meanwhile, Blanc’s Marseille

•Blanc

counterpart Jose Anigo felt Maxwell’s opener effectively ended his team’s hopes of getting anything from the game. “In the first half there was not a world between the two teams,” he said. “After the first goal it becomes difficult. They (PSG) had too much talent. “We are disappointed but not disheartened by this match. We showed fight.”

91 goals in his final three seasons at Old Trafford when Real came calling. He has gone on to score 238 goals in just 233 games for Real and was named the world’s best footballer in 2012 by FIFA. Real have gone on to break the world transfer record again by spending £85m on Gareth Bale last summer.

Lewandowski eyes happy exit

•Lewandowski

OBERT Lewandowski would prefer to win silverware with Borussia Dortmund than the top goal-scorer’s award before he crosses over to Bayern Munich in the off-season. The Poland international starred for BVB in the 3-0 victory over Nurnberg on Saturday to give his side sole ownership of the runnersup spot with 11 matches to go in the campaign. He scored his 15th goal of the season in the match with what was a clinical finish and he was involved in Mats Hummels’ opener, as well as the third goal scored by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. However, the striker maintains that he is not thinking about the race to be the league’s top goal-scorer. “It’s too soon for that,” Lewandowski told the Bundesliga website. “I fear I’m going to have to score a lot of goals yet before I can think about that. “But of course it would be a nice way to leave. What’s more important, though, is that we’re successful as a team,” he added. Bayern enjoy a 20-point lead in the Bundesliga standings, and as such the league title appears out of reach for Dortmund, but is still in contention for the German Cup and UEFA Champions League.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

SPORT EXTRA CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

MEXICO FRIENDLY

Eagles to play in cold weather

HE international friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their Mexican counterparts is slated for Atlanta in the United States on Wednesday, will be played in freezing weather it has been revealed. In a release made available to NationSport yesterday, the media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya, said at 8 degrees celcius, the weather in Atlanta is rather cold for those who are coming from Nigeria but the foreign based stars seem to like it that way.

The Eagles will, however, have a feel of the Atlanta Dome for its last training session tonight, in order to get used to it before the game on Wednesday. The international friendly has become the talk of the town here in Atlanta city as both teams and their officials have arrived the American city for the World Cup preparatory game. The Nigerian delegation which left Lagos on Sunday night arrived the Atlanta International airport at about 5:05 am local time, which is 12:05pm in Nigeria. After

airport formalities, the team’s officials and four players were taken to the W. Hotels in the city centre where they would be lodged for the encounter. At the hotel, the Nigerian Ambassador/Consul General, Ambassador Geoffrey I. Teneilabe, was on hand to receive the team and assured that the Nigerian community will come out to support the team on Wednesday against Mexico. He believes the team has the ability to overcome the opposition. Head Coach, Stephen Keshi

joined the team at lunch time and to his delight, most of his foreign based invited players for the encounter had arrived. First to arrive Atlanta, was John Mikel Obi of Chelsea of England who was soon joined by Monaco of France new boy, Elderson Echejile and Emmanuel Emenike. All invited players were being expected before the team departs for training. The team will have its first training session on Monday evening at 8pm local time which will be 2am in Nigeria.

•Coach Stephen Keshi addressing Super Eagles players during training in South Africa

Enyimba suspends coach after loss

WO-TIME African champions, Enyimba, have suspended their goalkeeping coach, Shuaibu Suleiman indefinitely, supersport.com can report. This comes after Enyimba's 1-2 loss at home to Malian club, AS Real Bamako, in an African Caf Champions League match on Sunday. An official of the club informed that Suleiman, who is fondly called 'Shuaibu Style Imam,' was handed the suspension for endorsing goalkeeper Femi Thomas for the match following a meeting that took place around 9.30pm to past 12 midnight Nigerian time. Real Bamako scored twice via two corner kicks and the leadership of the club has blamed the goals conceded squarely on goalkeeping errors leading to Suleiman coming under the heat. Apart from Suleiman's suspension, Enyimba chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, was said to have told the coaching crew led by Zachary Baraje that they have no choice than to win in Bamako and ensure the People's Elephant progress to the next round. "I've never seen the chairman (Anyansi Agwu) this

angry before. He was so furious and he made his intentions very clear by suspending indefinitely the goalkeeping coach for what he believes was poor goalkeeping from our keeper. The other coaches including head coach Zachary Baraje have been told they must win in Bamako and that means trouble if they don't win. It was a very long meeting that lasted into this (Monday) early morning," said the Enyimba official. Supersport.com can also reveal that Enyimba's plan to camp in Otta ahead of the second leg clash in Bamako has been called off for now. The Enyimba team were billed to travel to Lagos and head straight to Otta for a threeday camping before flying out to Bamako this week for the return leg of the CAF Champions League. The 1-2 home loss to AS Real Bamako was the third time, the six-time Nigerian champions will lose a CAF Champions League match in Aba. Enyimba's previous home losses in the CAF Champions League were to Africa Sports and Al Ahly in the 2004 and 2005 editions. Both games ended in identical scorelines of one-nil.

MTN/LAGOS’2014INTERNATIONAL POLO

5th Chukker/Ironclad wins Majekodunmi Cup •GoodFellows/Ark clinch Low Cup

Glo to Eagles: you can beat Mexico T

HE major sponsor of Nigerian national teams, Globacom, has urged the Super Eagles to triumph over the El Tricolor of Mexico in the pre-World Cup friendly billed for Houston, USA on Wednesday. The Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Keshi, had said that the friendly will be used to assess his players’ readiness for Brazil 2014. It is likely that players that will make the final 23-man list will

emerge after the encounter. “For us, the game is more than just a friendly. Our national pride is at stake and we expect the Eagles to exert as much energy and resolve to triumph just as they will do at the World Cup finals,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos on Monday. “We expect the Eagles to consolidate on the momentum achieved at last November’s friendly with Azzuri of Italy by taking this match to the

Mexicans. “As the reigning African champions, the Eagles should use the match to demonstrate their readiness to make the continent proud at the global competition.” The telecommunications company commended the Nigeria Football Federation for its effort at organising Grade A games for the national team ahead of the World Cup, saying it would put the Stephen Keshi-

tutored side in great shape for the quadrennial event. “We are aware of other tuneup games being planned before June and we believe they will make the Eagles battle ready,” Globacom further said, while urging Nigerians not to waver in their support and prayer for the team. Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of the Nigeria national teams.

Flamingoes friendly to improve squad, says Nkiyu

OACH of Nigeria's female Under-17 national team, Bala Nkiyu, has stated that he was not concerned about today’s friendly result game against their Belgian counterparts in Brussels but to improve the team before the U17 World Cup in Costa Rica. Nkiyu added in a chat with brilla fm, that facing the Belgians will be just like other games they have played, where winning was not the major priority, but to learn and make necessary corrections in the team. In his words, “I don't know what the Belgium team looks like, we are not after whether you are in any division or whatever, our own concern is after we play you, we must have been able to learn one or two things, if you're better than us, we learn one or two things from you and then we go ahead from there". “ So there is no problem, maybe the Belgium team could be better or we are expecting to win or whatever, winning for now in friendly games, if we win, good and fine but it's not the ultimate." He added However, Flamingoes of Nigeria recorded an emphatic 5-

By Bowale Odukale 1 victory over Portuguese women club, Clube Futebol Benfica in an international

friendly match. A brace from Ugochi Cynthia and solitary efforts each from Ajibade Rashidat and Chinwe Ihezuo

helped the Nigerian girls to victory in an encounter played at the Clube Futebol Benfica Stadium in Benfica on Sunday.

Tears as Aisha Falode’s son Toba is buried

AMILY, friends and colleagues of ace sport presenter Aisha Falode thronged the Trinity House Zion Center, Victoria Island yesterday, for the funeral service of her late son Oloruntoba Oluwadamilola Falode who died February 15 at the age of 19. It was attended by several dignitaries, including Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Hon. Abike Dabiri, Kola Kuforiji, Bimbo Akintola, students of Atlantic Hall among others It was a solemn event, which brought tears to many especially at the Ikoyi Vaults and Garden where he was laid to rest. The service was presided over by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House. In his sermon, he urged all to see life as an opportunity to live no matter how short. “Toba took his opportunity to live life. It was almost as though he knew that his life would be rather short. Life is an opportunity

By Mercy Michael to live therefore you need to take it with both hands. Some of us delay our living for many years. Some of us say when I get to a certain age I would do a certain thing, when I get to another level I would do another thing. We delay our life to live and before we know it life is over. Know you direction in life as soon as you can and whatever you need to do, do it quickly. My children from Atlantic Hall, study hard, understand the principle of life, understand the dynamics of life and begin to live it as quickly as you can. Do not procrastinate. Do not take the wrong turn. Do the right thing according to how life should be lived. And the right thing can be found in one book and one book only, it is called the Bible”. The service highlighted the qualities of the deceased. The late Toba was said to be humble, friendly and considerate for the

feelings of others. To several people especially his friends, Toba meant a lot of things. But to his mother she was Toba and Toba was her. “…Who can console me but God? I will forever remember you my son. Those fun times, the times you held me when I was down, like the man of the house, which you became so early in life…I am consoled because I know for sure that you are in the bosom of the Lord. I know for sure that we will meet again. She continued, “You have not died, you are only asleep. This thought will keep me going until I behold your delightful presence again. I know you are here for I am you and you are me”. For his sister Tolu Falode, the late Toba she referred to as “My Eminado. “Toba…Tyler Hendrix Fray…my eminado, my heart, my love. I will miss you so much sweet brother I love you more than words can describe. This loss has scorched my soul and a part of me is lost through your death.

HE Prestigious MTN powered Lagos International Polo tournament came to an exciting climax Sunday night, with 5th Chukker/Ironclad team emerging champion of the tourney by carting home the event’s biggest prize, the Majekodunmi Cup. The team was rated favourite in the build up to the glamorous Lagos international event that attracted over 20 teams this year; the 5th Chukker/Ironclad side which paraded Obafemi Otudeko, Adamu Atta and two Argentine professionals, Ezekiel Martinez and Tito wrote their names in gold with a historic victory. Revered for its robust competition, the MTN powered Lagos international fiesta, lived up to its billing in the Majekodunmi Cup, as the

team that emerged champion, coming together for the first time, finished on the high by defeating two former champions, Kano Titans and Lagos Auden/ Delany 15-12 in a fiercely fought final to clinch the Majekodunmi trophy. Auden/Delany boosting the likes of Tayo Owogboro, Musty Fashinro, Marcelo Pascual and Frankie Menendes, were upbeat to carry the day, but found themselves trailing all through the explosive final. They came close to winning after drawing level 10-10 in the fifth chukka but it was too late in the day, as the Man of the Match, Ezekiel Martinez scored early in the decisive sixth chukka, while Tito who was playing his first Majekodunmi Cup final, slotted home the winner seconds before the final whistle.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

Nigeria retains African title

•Qualifies for World Team Cup

IGERIA beat Morocco 2-1 to emerge winners of the 2014 African Wheelchair Tennis Qualifying Championship in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday. Nigeria’s duo of Wasiu Yusuf and Alex Adewale both won their singles matches which was enough to clinch the continent’s sole ticket to the World Team Cup billed for Holland in May. Two-time Paralympian Yusuf was stretched to the limit by Ayoub Etali as he needed a decisive final set to claim a 6-4, 36, 7-5 win against his opponent who is the top-ranked player in his country. Adewale, a London 2012 Paralympian, was equally given a run for his talent as he also scrapped a 2-1 (6-2,1-6,6-1) win over Ihaj Boukartacha to give an

unassailable lead to Nigeria thus making irrelevant the doubles encounter which they lost to their singles causalities 6-1, 4-6, 9-11. Both Nigerians, before the final have not dropped a set all tournament having defeated 30 wins over hosts Kenya and Egypt before the final and Nigeria’s coach expressed worries that the gap between Nigeria and other nations are getting narrow because of dearth of exposure by the Nigerian players. “I’m worried in the aspect that other countries are narrowing the gap between us and this was largely because they have been attending tournaments while that cannot be said of our players,” he said from Kenya. The team is scheduled to return to Nigeria on tomorrow.

TODAY IN THE NATION

‘‘For beatifying the queen in the context of Nigeria’s colonisation, is Jonathan endorsing that evil? That is house negro complex taken too far!’.’ TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9

NO.2,777

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

HE Nigerian Centennial was always going to be a tough sell How do you celebrate and invite the world to celebrate with you an act that millions of those in whose name you are rolling out the drums regard as a monumental mistake? How do you bring on the trumpets to celebrate an entity regarded by millions of those inhabiting it as a mere geographical expression and a dysfunctional one at that, in need of radical re-composition, if not outright dissolution? Wasn’t the whole thing a misapprehension? After all, the cobbling of the autonomous territories and peoples inhabiting the area around lower Niger and Benue into one political unit by imperial fiat — “amalgamation” is the soulless term its progenitors called the process and by which the natives denote it — produced no amalgam. Something went horribly wrong in the foundry. One hundred years later, calls for reverse engineering of the process are growing louder and more insistent among the natives. But those determined to stage a huge fiesta would not let such considerations and even much more sobering thoughts get in the way. The run-up to one of the major events of the celebrations and the days following could not have been more sobering. Elements of the terrorist organisation Boko Haram broke into one of the symbols of “national unity”, the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, in Yobe State, and killed at least 29 and perhaps as many as 40 students in yet another orgy of bestiality. Troops guarding the school had reportedly withdrawn some 12 hours before the attack. The day following this slaughter of innocents, two car bombs flattened a neighbourhood in Maiduguri, killing at least 51 persons, most of them young men and women attending a wedding or watching a soccer game at a television viewing centre. Emergency responders were removing the bodies when Boko Haram struck again in Manioc, near Maiduguri, and burned down the entire town. Some 39 residents were killed in the raid, bringing Boko Haram’s grisly harvest in the last two weeks to some 300 defenceless Nigerians. As they were clinking their wine glasses at the Centennial Dinner in Abuja, petrol stations across Nigeria were running out of supplies. Where supplies were available, prices rose sharply, more than two-fold in some cases. Long queues at filling stations backed into the highway, paralysing traffic. Longscheduled travel plans and social engagements had to be abandoned. Motorists and travellers across Nigeria, this newspaper said in a round-up of the situation, “could not have had a worse weekend”. In Abuja, they went into a rhapsody on the Transformation Agenda and the great wonders it has wrought. As they must have known, the television stations covering the centen-

RIPPLES

NFF BEGS GOD TO HELP KESHI CHOOSE GOOD WORLD CUP PLAYERS–News

So Nigeria now has a HEAVENLY TECHNICAL ADVISER? Ehn?

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

A Centennial and its discontents

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It was cynical in the extreme and downright indecent to accord victim and oppressor the same honour. Even where the oppressors have shown remorse and atoned... honouring them and their victims in the same act would still be reprehensible nial feast were in all probability running on generators, and at least one-half of the national audience was viewing the show on generator-powered television sets. But all that is about to be fixed, permanently. How about one more toast then, Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Lords Temporal and Spiritual, not forgetting the distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen here assembled: How about one more toast, to the coming Industrial Revolution. In what is billed as a year-long bash, there may yet be highlights to beat all highlights. But Centennial Medal awards will be talked about long after the celebrations have ended, for better and for worse. In a refreshing departure from entrenched practice, the nation honoured some of its best and brightest, persons who have held and can hold their own among the best and brightest anywhere, and who have made imperishable contributions to the political, social, material and cultural life of Nigeria. Of them, it can be said truly and finally that their labours were not in vain. No list can do justice to all the deserving, of

KAY, there was a scattered incidence of cholera in a few states of the federation recently which has been largely ‘managed’ by health officials of the affected states. But Hardball speaks metaphorically here deploying cholera to depict the myriads of economic, social and political ills afflicting our dear motherland today. It is not about that vicious ailment that makes your tummy run as if there is a damaged tap in it; it is about the surfeit of awards and recognitions being thrown about like confetti all over the country. And they come with large, grand ceremonies which often remind of what someone once described as the bonfire of vanities. Open newspapers, watch the television and you are likely to see such honouree tags like Corporate Titan of the year, Life-time Achievement Award; Man of the Year Award; The Best Dressed First Lady of the Year Award; The Most Amazing First Son of the Year Award. There is no configuration award merchants have not come up with (well, except the Most Excellent First Mother Award, upon which Hardball has initiated a patent action for obvious reasons).

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course. Still, some of the omissions are puzzling. By any measure, Chief Simeon Adebo, who headed a regional civil service ranked among the best anywhere and went on to serve with distinction as Nigeria’s first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, should have been a recipient of the Centennial Medal. How could they have glossed over Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, who told the mutineers that if they must kill his guest and commander-inchief, Major-General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, they would have to kill him as well? Can it be that they are strangers to this kind of loyalty? Professor Ishaya Audu, the first indigenous vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, the economist, Dr Pius Okigbo, first indigenous Federal Economic Adviser, former ambassador to the European Economic Community and public intellectual of the first rank, as well as the legal titan Professor Ben Nwabueze, qualified to be named recipients. The educator and social critic, Tai Solarin, widely regarded in his time as the conscience of the nation despite one or two memorable gaffes, surely belongs among those cited for courage and moral integrity.

HARDBALL

Awards in a time of cholera But the Federal Government under the auspices of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) recently determined to blow away all other small-time award hawkers when it organised the mother of all events and awards. That came in the form of the Centenary awards which raised a staggering 100 honourees. Media houses and individual hustlers who thought they could make a nice living feeding off award ceremonies would be sulking at the muscling into their business by the federal might. It is remarkable that any award which did not come before the end of February this year may turn out to be an anticlimax and a no show as the centenary awards would have taken the shine off it. Indeed the centenary people were as indiscriminating as a scarlet woman the way they dished out the thing to all and sundry. As if afraid to leave out anyone, the Centenary

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

Emmanuel Ifeajuna’s gold medal in the 1954 British and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Australia, was a first for Nigeria. Should his part in the 1966 coup have effaced this epochal achievement and rendered him ineligible for centennial recognition? If these and several other omissions are curious, some of the entries on the list are scandalous almost to the point of vitiating the entire list. I will dwell on just four such entries. For eight years, General Ibrahim Babangida ruled Nigeria virtually unchallenged. Like no ruler before after him, he was handed a chance to propel the country to greatness. Instead, he drove it to the edge of ruin with one duplicitous, self-serving scheme after another until he was forced into a ragged retreat from Abuja. The nation is yet to recover from the depredations of his time. Ernest Shonekan, who was supposed to oversee the transition from military to democratic rule, connived in subverting the process, emerging as prime beneficiary of the subversion. Among his own people, he is justly reviled as a quisling. Yet Abuja conferred him with a Centennial Medal. The psychopathic Sani Abacha was far and away the most loathsome and the most debauched leader Nigeria has ever had. If he was not also the most corrupt, he cannot be far behind. He stole and plundered like a raven. The say they are honouring him for rescuing the Nigerian economy from the depredations of the Babangida era. But was Abacha not for eight years Babangida’s confederate? In any case, where were the manifestations of the miracle a year after he expired in an orgy of concupiscence? They should have used the good offices of the Minster of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, to beseech the IMF and the World Bank to endow a professorship in his honour at Stanford or the University of Chicago. Abdulsalam Abubakar bears moral responsibility for the death of President-elect Moshood Abiola. Rather than free him from the infernal detention into which he had languished for years for refusing to bargain away his election mandate, Abubakar stalled and schemed until Abiola was murdered in his custody. It was cynical in the extreme and downright indecent to accord victim and oppressor the same honour. Even where the oppressors have shown remorse and atoned, which is not the case here, honouring them and their victims in the same act would still be reprehensible. Our compatriots who feel insulted by this conflation and rejected the Centennial Award showed far greater moral integrity and judgment than the people who approved the final list of recipients. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above award people cynically threw in all the good guys and all the bad guys into Nigerian cauldron. There may have been a sinister motive to make them all stew in the boiling pot; something akin to a mass burial and a mass redemption being executed with one wave of the magic wand. Our Centenary hackers must be the craftiest people in Nigeria’s history; rest assured that they would not be around in another 100 years to face the judgment of history, they have gotten away with historical homicide, so to speak. Not content with sitting our history on its head by seeking to paper over our colonial experience, they have also tried to muddle our current history. By Jove, every country must have her villains but the Centenarians have deprived us of ours when they honoured our coup plotters, treasury looters and grandee deviants. They have branded them as Outstanding Promoters of Unity, Patriotism and National Development. Now that every two-bit fellow who ever sat over our national treasury has been certified a hero, how come the country is so disheveled like one huge dung hill; how come there is so much cholera in the land?

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