The Nation - March 22, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

New tax policy on the way

Jimoh Ibrahim’s mother kidnapped

NEWS

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NEWS

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•Police search for suspects

•Jonathan meets businessmen http://www.thenationonlineng.net

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VOL. 6, NO. 1706 TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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Jega: INEC official for trial over voters register fraud Commission gets new ICT head Police quiz five suspects

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OW did some sensitive materials for next month’s elections in Oyo State get into wrong hands?

This is the subject of a probe by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the arrest of some suspects in Ibadan. They were said to be tampering with the voters register in 27 local governments. The suspects were reportedly sponsored

by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, who denied it all and dismissed it as pro-

From Yusuf Alli, Jide Babalola, Abuja and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

paganda by the opposition.

Among the suspects is an INEC official, Osunlola Akinyinka, head of the Information Technology Unit, who lost his job yeaterday. A new man was appointed.

Akinyinka may face trial, if found to have erred, INEC chair Prof. Attahiru Jega said yesterday.

It was also learnt that Jega directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners to protect voters registers in their cus-

tody.

The original voters register for Oyo State is still intact at the INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, it was learnt.

Jega spoke on the matter yesterday in Abuja. He told some civil society organisations that INEC strongly believes that staff who exhibit inclinations towards subverting its aspirations for probity deserve to be prosecuted. He said the Head of INEC’s ICT Unit in Ibadan, who was caught in a hotel with four others along with six Direct Data Capture machines was

acted without the knowledge or consent of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State.

Jega said: “What has happened in Ibadan is very, very unfortunate. The head of the ICT unit in Ibadan was caught in a hotel room with four other people who are not INEC officials with six DDC machines.

“Obviously, they have been arrested; investigation is going on in trying to determine whether he was acting alone or whether he had partners who are his collab-

orators within INEC or outside.

“He left people in the office who were still working overnight, producing the voter register to say he was going home around 8pm and, evidently, he left and went to the hotel to perpetrate whatever crime he was caught perpetrating.

“So, I think as I speak with you now, the picture is not complete; but the

good thing is that you were trying to do something wrong and you were caught.

We are doing our best now to investigate and determine the extent to which damage has been done with our data in Ibadan.

“Obviously, we are committed to prosecuting any person who has committed any offence and this is a very Continued on page 2

NATIONAL LIFE GOES DAILY •Page 5

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (right) receiving a N50 million cheque for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund from the Chief Operating Officer of Dangote Group, Mr. Olakunle Alake in his office at Alausa, Ikeja …yesterday

Olurin vows to probe Daniel G

OVERNOR Gbenga Daniel yesterday appeared at the campaign rally of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) to stump for its candidates, including Gboyega Isiaka, its governorship candidate.

Although Daniel said he remains with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose governorship candidate is Gen. Adetunji Olurin, his action is an indication of the total breakdown of his truce with former-President Olusegun

Governor seeks votes for PPN Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Bisi Oladele Ibadan

Obasanjo.

Olurin yesterday vowed to probe the administration of Daniel, if he is elected.

The governor was at the PDP rally also at the MKO Abiola Stadium when President Goodluck Jonathan came to launch his campaign in the state, but he was booed.

Obasanjo won the battle for the PDP, Ogun forcing Isiaka, Daniel group’s factional candidate, to defect to PPN. Daniel vowed a few days ago to hand over power to the “person who is the Continued on page 2

•POLITICS P12 •SPORTS P23 •ENERGY P47 •AVIATION P53 •PROPERTY P25

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

NEWS Olurin: I’ll probe Daniel Continued from page 1

From left: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed, Bishop David Oyedepo, Chancellor, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, the state’s ACN gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), and Hon Dele Ishola PHOTO: KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE after the dedication of the new university on its campus in Omu-Aran...yesterday.

people’s choice”. He described Olurin as the court’s not the people’s candidate.

He also solicited support for his deputy, Alhaja Salimot Badru, and one of his commissioners, Prince Segun Adekoya, who are running for House of Representatives seats on the platform of the PPN. But the governor, who is the Southwest co-ordinator of the Goodluck Sambo Campaign Organisation, called on members of the PPN to vote for Jonathan in the presidential election.

Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Founder Dr Frederick Fasehun was at the rally to support Daniel and the

INEC official for trial over Oyo voters register fraud ACN, Ladoja, Balogun seek action

Continued from page 1

grievous offence. We have taken decisions; we have already sent somebody to take over as the head of ICT in Ibadan so that all these investigations can be done and the work also as we prepare for elections can continue.

“It is very unfortunate. I have said it before that there is no overemphasising the fact that wherever you have thousands of people in an organisation, there are bound to be those who are reckless, who are fraudulent and who, in spite of whatever else you do, they are still criminally minded and determined to perpetrate crimes.

“The challenge for every organisation is to have the capacity to apprehend such offenders in order to penalise them in accordance with the law. It’s a very unfortunate thing that has happened.”

Jega said since all data had been forwarded to the headquarters, it is easy to verify if any had been tempered with.

Five employees of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State were yesterday quizzed by the Police in connection with the voters registration manipulations.

It was gathered last night that the five officials were invited by the police after the INEC official arrested on Saturday gave information suggesting that more officials of the commission were involved in the illegal act.

They were quizzed in the afternoon at the SCID Iyaganku and released immediately.

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has asked INEC to explain to Nigerians the arrest of suspects, who allegedly tampered with registration materials, barely two weeks to the polls.

Governorship candidate of Accord in Oyo State Senator Rashidi Ladoja and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Senator Lekan Balogun, called for a thorough investigation into the matter.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the ACN said unless INEC acts quickly to regain the confidence of Nigerians, who were shocked by the Ibadan incident, it will be difficult for anyone to have confidence in the ability of the commission to organise free, fair and credible elections next month.

The ACN said the questions that INEC needs to provide answers to urgently include how the suspects got hold of the DDC machines and the voter register that were found with them, on behalf of which political party they were acting and whether the DDC machines were among those stolen or not. ‘’We have read in the papers that the suspects were acting in collusion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but it will be important for INEC, acting with the police, to inform Nigerians whether this is true or not, and to reveal whether or not the Resident Electoral Commission for Oyo state was involved, in which case he will have to be sanctioned. ‘’It is also necessary for INEC to confirm published reports identifying one of the suspects as Osunlola Akinyinka of INEC’s information It was also learnt that the arrested INEC official was brought to the Agodi headquarters of the commission in handcuff. His office was thoroughly searched by the police before he was taken back.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adisa Bolanta, confirmed the incident last night. He said

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

unit. If this is true, what is INEC doing to put its unscrupulous employee in check before and during the polls? And how pervasive is this kind of activity?’’ ACN queried.

The party recalled alerting Nigerians to the dangers posed by the stealing of INEC’s DDC machines at the airport, and INEC’s assurance that the theft would not have any effect on the registration process.

Ladoja, and Balogun called for a thorough investigation of the alleged manipulation of the voters’ registers in 27 local government areas.

Balogun also called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ayo Adakeja, to restore the confidence of the electorate in the electoral umpire.

The two politicians spoke through separate statements in Ibadan yesterday.

Four people were arrested on Saturday at a private hotel in Old Bodija area of Ibadan while allegedly tampering with voters’ data in six computers belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Some other items recovered from them were said to link them with the PDP. Ladoja, who spoke through the Director General of his campaign organisation, Hon. Adeolu Adeleke, condemned the illegal act and called on the Inspector General of Police, Hafeez Ringim, to bring perpetrators to book.

Balogun said the action is a negation of the hope expressed in Prof. Attahiru Jega’s leadership of INEC the umpire, adding that it was a sad reminder of the country’s dark days.

investigations would continue, adding that no one found to have committed any illegal act would go scot-free.

A report suggested that the REC, Mr Ayo Adakeja, was summoned to the national headquarters of the commission by Jega. But the Public Relations Officer of the commis-

sion in Oyo State, Mr Ayodele Folami, denied this.

According to source, a committee in the commission has been inaugurated to look into how Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines were smuggled out of INEC’s office in Oyo State and taken into a hotel in Ibadan.

A source in the commission, who pleaded not to be named, yesterday said: “We have started probing the theft of these DDC machines and we may engage security agencies to get to the root of the falsification.

“We are yet to ascertain whether the suspect had worked under instruction or in collusion with some people. Also, it is too early to jump into conclusion whether the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ayo Adakeja, was involved or not.

“We want to appeal for understanding as INEC chairman and his National Commissioners are on top of the situation “The good thing however is that the tampering will not have affect. The original register of Oyo State is in our custody. We want to assure the people of Oyo State that there is no cause for the alarm.

“Already, a new Head of ICT has been appointed for the INEC office in Oyo State to go and put things right.”

Responding to a question, the source added that all Resident Electoral Commissioners have been directed to protect registers in their custody.

“This latest dimension is an eye opener that we have to be extremely vigilant as the elections approach,” he said.

The Chief Press Secretary to Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said: “Investigation has commenced and INEC has taken all measures to make sure that what ever has been done will not infringe on the authentic voters register.”

Akwa Ibom laments loss of 86 oil wells to Rivers

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KWA Ibom State has continued to lament its loss of 86 oil wells to Rivers State and its implication for its economy.

Senator Akpan Udoedohe also spoke on how a deal was struck between the two states.

Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Patrick Ekpotu described last Friday’s decision by the Supreme Court, which ceded 86 oil wells to Rivers, as “surprising, worrisome and unfortunate”.

Ekpotu, who is the Chairman of the State’s Boundary Committee, spoke yesterday in Uyo. He said for the Supreme Court to base its decision on an agreement between two state governors

From Iniobong Ekponta, Uyo

and not on technical and historical arguments, meant “it has invariably empowered state governors to adjust their common boundaries without recourse to the National Boundary Commission”.

He said the essence of the National Boundary Commission had been threatened by the Supreme Court, which, in his view, did not allow the Commission to play its constitutional role, or follow constitutional provisions on the matter.

He said the Commission was set up in the aftermath of the ceding of parts of Nigeria to Cameroon through an

agreement signed between then Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and his Cameroonian counterpart, Ahmadu Ahidjo, to prevent a recurrence of such a unilateral signing off portions of its land to a neighbour by any political leader in the country, The Deputy Governor said if governors were disallowed from creating Local government areas, a matter which only affects their states, as was the case with Lagos State; it became curious that an agreement by two governors of neighbouring states could adjust their boundaries.

Describing the judgment as a bad precedent, he warned that if the Supreme Court’s

decision was not reviewed, the country could witness governors having problems with neighbours and countries because of similar agreement.

He urged legal minds to rise and prevail on the Supreme Court to review itself on the issue.

Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator John Udoedehe, yesterday gave an insight into the controversial oil wells’ deal between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States was struck.

Speaking in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Udoedehe said former President Olusegun Obasanjo brokered the deal between former Governor Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom and

his Rivers State counterpart Dr. Peter Odili “to stabilise the region.”

He denied that former Governor Victor Attah signed an agreement ceding the wells to Rivers State.

“I am very happy that Secretary to the State Government Obong Umana Okon Umana has come forward to put the record straight. Attah, who fought for the oil money that the state is now enjoying did not sign any agreement to forego 86 oil wells to Rivers State”, he said.

He recalled that he was a senator during the period and was privy to the deal for peace and stability of the region.

Goodluck/ Sambo ticket.

Isiaka said posterity had programmed him for the service of the citizens at this “critical moment in the history of Ogun state.”

Noting that PPN is the party to beat in next month’s poll, Isiaka pledged to run a people-oriented administration anchored on four pillars – “growing the economy, providing quality services, strengthening our people and society and energising our government and the polity”, if elected into office.

Speaking during a “Meet the people” programme organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abeokuta, Olurin said he would “examine closely” the finances of the Daniel administration to ascertain whether the huge debt incurred by the state followed due process in the last eight years.

He said he had observed that the state’s debt profile is not only a subject of controversy between the governor and members of the House of Assembly, but also because the interest of Ogun people will be better served, if they know how much the state owes and whether the debt was judiciously incurred.

Finance Commissioner Mr Kehinde Shogunle had stated that the state’s debt profile as at late 2009 stood at N21bn.

Represented by his running mate Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, Olurin said his motive was “not to witch–hunt anybody”.

His words: “We are not after anybody. We will not witch-hunt anybody. What you and I know is that if you move into a new house, even if the house is painted, you may want to apply your own paint. It is very natural for you to look at it closely.

“And don’t forget, there has been an issue of controversy and doubt over how much Ogun State owes, especially between the House of Assembly and the present governor. So, it is just natural that when we take over, we will ask questions because Ogun state wants to know.”

Olurin has faulted the inclusion of Isiaka’s name in the list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said the process may be challenged in court.

According to a statement by the Head of the Media Committee, Olurin Campaign Organisation, Mr. Lai Labode, Isiaka’s name was “smuggled into the list through the back door”.

Said Olurin: “We are concerned at the way and manner his name was smuggled into the list through the backdoor. It is clear to all that the deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of candidates was February 28, 2011.

“So, the questions that all men of good conscience should ask are: At what point did Isiaka become a candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN)? Was it before or after the judgment? What would have happened had the court declared him the candidate of the PDP? What is the role of INEC in all of these?”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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NEWS

Gaddafi’s whereabouts unknown after allied forces’ strike on compound T

HE heart of Muammar Gaddafi’s compound in Tripoli lay in shambles yesterday following bombing by the United States and its allies, prompting a debate about whether the allies were trying to kill the Libyan leader.

U.S. Vice Adm. Bill Gortney said neither Gaddafi nor his residence had been targeted. “We are not going after Gadhafi,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. Asked about reports of smoke rising from the area of the Libyan leader’s palace, Gortney said, “We are not targeting his residence.”

The British called off a second bombing run targeting the compound for fear of hitting civilians, a Ministry of Defence spokesman told CNN yesterday, declining to be named in line with British tradition.

The ministry said earlier that Royal Air Force GR4 Tornadoes were told not to launch weapons after “information came to light that identified a number of civilians within the intended target area.” At the time it did not identify the target of the aborted mission.

Gaddafi’s whereabouts — and his plans after promising a “longdrawn war” — remained unknown yesterday.

The U.S. military mission in Libya may have peaked, spokesman Vince Crowley said yesterday.

“We are moving from the action phase to a patrolling phase,” said Crowley, a spokesman for the military’s Africa Command. “Our aircraft participation has... plateaued, if not reduced somewhat.”

A witness in the Libyan city of Misrata reported “absolute destruction and carnage” by Gaddafi forces on Monday — despite the regime’s recent call for a cease-fire.

“Misrata is being flattened and razed to the ground as we speak,” said the man, whom CNN is not naming to protect his safety. “He (Gaddafi) is using tanks and snipers to terrorize the city.”

The man added, “They are shooting people in the main street and on the back street.”

The Libyan military announced the cease-fire after an attack near Benghazi — the heart of the Libyan opposition forces. Coalition forces pounded a Libyan military convoy

•People mill around Gaddafi’s residence after a missile totally destroyed an administrative building in the Libyan leader’s complex in PHOTO: AFP Tripoli…yesterday.

185 stranded Nigerians arrive in Lagos

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

BOUT 185 stranded Nigerians were at the weekend evacuated from Libya.

The returnees arrived in Lagos on Sunday night aboard an Air Malta flight.

Of the 185, 10 of them were children. The rest were adults.

About 128 Nigerians returned on March 10, aboard the same Air Malta flight.

According to the spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Yishau Shuaibu, the returnees comprise men, numbering over 92, while the rest were women.

Shuaibu said 170 Nigerians were being expected but only 128 made the journey.

A fortnight ago, about 128 Nigerians were also evacuated.

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there Sunday. At least 70 vehicles — including armored personnel carriers and tanks — were destroyed.

British military spokesman Maj. Gen. John Lorimer Monday dismissed the Libyan announcement.

“Although a Libyan cease-fire was announced again there has been no evidence to suggest there has been a change in their stance,” he said.

Asked about the possibility of trying to kill Gaddafi to end his regime, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said it would be “unwise” to set specific goals.

I think that it’s important that we operate within the mandate of the U.N. Security Council resolution,” Gates told reporters Sunday while on a plane to Russia. “If we start adding additional objectives, then I think we create a problem in that

respect. I also think that it is unwise to set as specific goals things that you may or may not be able to achieve.”

The Security Council resolution, which passed Thursday, allows member states “to take all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack in the country ... while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory.”

Gates did not mention Libya in St. Petersburg, Russia, during his appearance Monday with Russian military officials. Russia has been critical of the air bombardment of Libya.

CNN’s Nic Robertson was a m o n g several Western journalists taken ins i d e Gaddafi’s bombed compound

EFCC recovers $9b in three years •Waziri advises developed nations on looted funds CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission chair Mrs. Farida Waziri, has advised developed countries to stop serving as safe havens for looted funds from developing nations.

She said the commission had recovered over $9billion in three years.

She also called for more global actions against the scourge of money laundering across the world.

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mrs. Waziri made the call at the weekend at a conference against money laundering and economic crime in London.

Mrs Waziri, who presided over the three sessions of the conference explained in the paper she presented that the Nigerian government has continued to take steps to address the menace of money laundering through “a comprehensive AML/FC regime that encapsulates legal framework, regulatory framework, and institutional framework as well as domestic and international cooperation.”

She said: “I agree with the UN which says that around $148 billion is stolen from Africa by the political leaders, the business elite and civil servants with the collusion and connivance of banking industries in Europe and North America.”

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From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation.

“This tells us that both the developing economies, who are the victims of this menace in terms of losing their resources through corrupt leaders and getting stigmatised as a result of negative publicity, as well as the developed economies which provide safe havens for these looted funds, have to do much more in term of waging a dispassionate war against the scourge of money laundering.”

She said the EFCC had recovered over $9billion in three years from looters of public funds.

The EFCC boss also disclosed that in the past two and a half years, she has introduced several preventive measures such as sustained public awareness campaigns through the Anti-Corruption Revolution; Budget Tracking; Transactions Clearing Platform, TCP; Foreign Remittance Monitoring.

She explained that the detection and enforcement approaches had also been enhanced through relevant legal frame works such as the recent passage of the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Acts; Sustained intelligence gathering on Politically Exposed Persons, PEPS; Prosecution of cases as well as conviction, recoveries and confiscation regime.

She added: “It was a combination of all these efforts that have led to the recovery of over $9 billion USD in less than three years; a conviction record of over 150; 1500 cases charged to court including over 60 high profile ones within the same period.

“The EFCC will continue to work with other stakeholders to stamp out the menace.

“Between 2005 and October 2010 the Commission through the Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU received 5,063 Suspicious Transaction Reports, STRs and a total of 46,507,704 Currency Transaction Reports within the same period, adding that more of such reports are daily analysed by operatives to curb money laundering.

Other speakers at the conference praised the commitment of the EFCC to the war against graft in Nigeria and called for closer ties across the borders.

Those who delivered papers at the conference include: Phillip Hacket QC of Argent Chambers, UK; Daren Allen of Berwin Leighton Praisner LLP; Zia Ullah, former Group Head of Sanctions and Policy at Barclays Bank; Emma Oettinger of Law Society England and Wales; Dr Gbenga Oduntan of University of Kent, UK; Chris Chukwu of CBN; Tonye Cole of Sahara Group; Yemi Johnson of Openspaces Compliance, UK among others.

by Libyan officials to survey the destruction.

Robertson reported a four-story building was heavily damaged. He held a chunk of metal retrieved from the site — with writing in English — that appeared to be from a cruise missile.

A Libyan government official said the building had been used by Gadhafi officials and said there were no casualties from the strike.

The building is about 100 yards from a statue of a golden fist crushing a model plane emblazoned with “USA” — a monument to the 1986 American bombing of Libya in which a U.S. plane was shot down.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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NEWS Fed Govt to announce new tax policy

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has assured the Organised Private Sector (OPS) of government’s readiness to address the infrastructural problems in the country.

The President promised to provide various incentives.

He said government would also look into multiple taxation.

He said a national tax policy will be announced within two weeks.

Addressing the OPS in Lagos, Jonathan said government is aware of all the various problems facing the OPS. He said basic infrastructure will be provided.

Minister of Finance Olusegun Aganga said multiple taxation is very critical to the development of the economy, hence a national tax policy will be established in two weeks.

President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Kola Jamodu said issues such as multiple taxation, decay in infrastructure and policy inconsistency should be looked into.

Those in attendance included representatives of MAN, NECA, LCCI, NACCIMA, among others.

Kwara begs health workers to end strike

890 to contest senatorial seats

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday released the list of candidates contesting the 109 seats in the senate. The list posted on the commission’s website showed that 877 candidates passed the test at the close of nomination and substitution on February 14.

In Ogun State where the listing of Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka as governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), the senatorial candidates were named as Waliu Taiwo for the West, Monday Ijaduoye for the Central and Prince Abiodun Odusanya for the East.

Sokoto State has 44 candidates, the highest in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory; 41 in Ogun and 36 in Anambra and Zamfara States.

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By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

Yobe, Gombe, Cross River and Jigawa are fielding the least number of candidates.

Only 10 candidates are contesting on the platform of four political parties in Yobe State. Three, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP in the East and West senatorial districts, while National Conscience Party, NCP, also has a candidate in the North.

Gombe has 13 candidates, including the outgoing governor Alhaji Danjuma Goje, while 14 candidates are contesting in each of Anambra and Jigawa States.

Other former and serving elected governors on the list include Boni Haruna (Adamawa North) Orji Kalu (Abia North), Chimaroke

•INEC chair Attahiru Jega

Nnamani (Enugu West), Saminu Turaki (Benue North West), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) and Olusegun Agagu (Ondo South).

Others are Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna North), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun Central), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti Central), Achike Udenwa (Imo West), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe East), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno Central) and Jolly Nyame (Taraba North).

HE Kwara State Government has appealed to the health workers and their union leaders to immediately suspend the strike embarked upon by the union and resume negotiation with government officials in the interest of peace.

The appeal, which was made on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ladi Hassan became necessary in view of the strategic importance of the sector to the people.

Alhaji Hassan, who disclosed that government had already offered the union 40per cent of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), given the prevailing economic situation in the country, also promised to review same when the National Committee on Review of Revenue Allocation completes its assignment.

He therefore advised the health workers to follow the path of honour and resume work immediately at their respective duty posts.

The Commissioner described the action of the union leaders as unprofessional especially when negotiation on the matter is still on-going and advised them to suspend the industrial action immediately and go back to the drawing board.

He assured that adequate security arrangements have been provided for all health facilities in the state as well as security of lives and properties of those who were prepared to resume work immediately.

Hassan however warned that the rule of no work no pay is still in force and will be invoked on any health worker that fails to comply with government directives.

EFCC arraigns lawyer over tax scandal From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has begun the trial of a United Statesbased Nigerian Lawyer, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye, for alleged diversion of $1.550million tax refund in respect of the sales of five houses belonging to Nigerian Mission in Washington DC .

Ugwuonye was arraigned before an FCT High Court on a one-count charge bordering on fraud.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said: “Ugwounye was arraigned yesterday before Justice Suleiman Belgore for defrauding the Federal Government of $1.550m.

“His arraignment followed the leave sought by the EFCC through its counsel, Festus Keyamo, to file criminal charges against him.”

•ACN presidential candidate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu addressing the crowd at the presidential rally in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday. With him are from left Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, party chair Chief Bisi Akande, running-mate Fola Adeola, Governor Kayode Fayemi and Ekiti Central Senatorial candidate Babafemi PHOTO: TOYIN ANISULOWO Ojudu

Court told how EFCC official ‘forged documents’ to defraud

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N Ikeja High Court, yesterday heard how an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Davies Ibrahim, allegedly forged the agency’s documents to perpetrate fraud.

Ibrahim, an administrative officer with EFCC, is standing trial with Somorin Olusegun, a G.S.M repairer, before Justice Joseph Oyewole for allegedly defrauding a policewoman.

At the resumed hearing yesterday,

By Joseph Jibueze

the EFCC witness, Mr Efa Okim, told the court that EFCC sent some documents found in the possession of the accused to handwriting analysts for verification.

EFCC also wrote to some banks and telecommunication firms to ascertain if Ibrahim was indeed involved in the alleged fraud, Okim said.

His words: “We needed to ascertain his involvement because he is one of our staff, despite the fact that he had already confessed to the crime volun-

tarily.

“So, we sent the documents to handwriting analysts because they were official documents which had minutes on them, but which have not passed through official channels.”

The witness added that the EFCC took a sample of Ibrahim’s handwriting, which was sent to the analysts for comparison.

Okim said they discovered that they were his forged handwriting.

Ibrahim and Olusegun are facing a seven-count charge, which includes conspiracy to obtain money by false

pretence, forgery and tendering of false documents.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges during their arraignment.

EFCC alleged that the accused with others still at large obtained N55, 000 from Mrs Augusta Eleshin on August 16, 2008 .

They collected the money from Eleshin under the pretence that it would be used to compromise the investigation of a petition purportedly written against her husband, Saka Odofin, the EFCC alleged.

‘Alleged N6b fraud in NJI committed before judge’s tenure’

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HE alleged N6billion fraud in the National Judicial Institute (NJI) was committed before its Administrator, Justice Umaru Eri (rtd) came into office, the Institute has said.

The fraud is being probed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The NJI made the clarification in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Information, Mr. Madu Emezie.

Emezie said: “ The N6billion fraud investigation is the figment of the imagination of the former secretary of the institute, Mrs. Bolatito

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Ajibade, the alleged petitioner, whose appointment was terminated along with 34 others as a result of their involvement in the alleged graft matter.

“The contract for the development of the NJI was awarded by the Federal Tenders Board in 2002, when the current administrator was still the Chief Judge of Kogi State. The contract’s worth was N4.6billion and certificates of payment made by the NJI were awarded by the Federal Judicial due process office.

‘The N6billion fraud investigation is the figment of the imagination of the former secretary of the institute.’

“The contract was awarded before the constitution of the current management of the institute. There was already a case of financial misconduct levelled against the institute before the coming of Justice

Eri. This was the reason Eri, a retired Chief Judge, was appointed to come to reform and re-position the outfit.

“The Justice Eri – led management caused the allegation against the former management to be investigated. The result was the termination of the appointment of some culpable staff.

“However, a few of them remained in NJI, until further investigations revealed their identities.

“Those identified also had their appointments terminated.

These are the people, led by the former secretary, Mrs. Bolatito AJibade, who are now work-

ing hard to discredit the institute,” he revealed.

Emezie queried ICPC’s probe of alleged N6billion fraud “ when only N4.6billion was approved.”

“And mind you, if N6billion was squandered, it means the worth of the contract should have been at least three times that amount for you to be able to steal so much,” he added.

Emezie also clarified that the Administrator “never sponsored any of his children abroad with NJI’s funds.

He said: “Only two people had ever been sponsored abroad by NJI, and they were

not Justice Eri’s children. They were the secretary, Body of Benchers, who was sent on a workshop to London in 2008 and the then president of Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association, CMJA, who attended a conference of the CMJA in Turks and Calicos. These were not Justice Eri’s children.

“In fact, Justice Eri caused a revenue account to be opened, which had two accounts: Contractor Registration Fees and the NJI workshop fees.

These records and cash books and others are available for any one to cross-check,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

5

NEWS Defend your votes, Mimiko urges electorate From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday urged the electorate to protect their votes.

He spoke during the Labour Party (LP) campaign rally at the Government Field in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area.

Addressing a mammoth crowd, Mimiko said the only thing that could keep the rigging machine of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in check was the vigilance and resilience of the people during next month’s polls.

He said: “We promised four years ago to deliver the promises of democracy in an unprecedented manner. The results are there for all to see in the areas of health, education, markets, roads and other infrastructure, both in the urban and rural areas.

“What has become obvious is that the PDP has no clue as to how to win any vote, having squandered the last opportunity.

They are only concerned with ways to rig elections and prevent lawful votes in the state, having not made the most of the opportunity they had until they were voted out of office in 2007.

“We know they are stockpiling arms and recruiting youths to help them foment trouble. We also know they are trying to move fake policemen into identified locations to intimidate the people into apathy and submission.

“Their thinking is that if you are prevented from voting, they can inflate figures and announce fake results. So, you have to prevent them, and the way to do so is to vote and wait to see the result of your votes declared.”

National LIFE now daily

N

ATIONAL LIFE will hit the newsstand as a daily today.

The newspaper, which has been a bi-weekly, producing on Saturdays and Sundays since July 2008, goes nationwide today.

In a statement by its Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Louis Odion, the management said National LIFE will continue to be strong on in its reporting, analyses and commentaries.

The statement reads: “In its almost three years of operations, National LIFE, one of the rare genres of vanishing tabloid newspapers in this country, has been unique in its underscore of human-angle stories, entertainment and politics.

“These are our core drive areas as we place human beings and humanity at the helm of our operations. In our renewed drive to serve the people better on these triangular core areas, the newspaper will even be more resilient in the underscore of these areas.

“The newspaper, which is simultaneously printed in three parts of the country-Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, affords advertisers and readers an opportunity to read fresh news in all parts of the country on a daily basis.

“One of National LIFE’s core strength is that it is being run by seasoned journalists, who have made their marks in the Fourth Estate of the realm.

“The daily production of the newspaper would give the organisation an opportunity to demonstrate to the reading public, our philosophy of putting people at the core of our operations. We make no pretension to anything other than rigour and courage in pursuit of the truth.”

Explaining the modification of its old pay-off, ‘Heart of the Matter,’ to ‘The People Power,’ the management said it was consistent with its avowed commitment to the cause of the downtrodden.

AD in alliance with ACN, says Koleoso •’We have not endorsed Jonathan for President’

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HE Alliance for Democracy (AD) yesterday said it has formed an alliance with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the purpose of winning next month’s general elections.

Its National Chairman, Chief Michael Koleoso, called on members of the party to vote for ACN candidates.

He ruled out any deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that AD has not endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the Presidency.

Koleoso, who has informed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, about AD’s alliance with ACN, denied a statement credited to Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa that the party has endorsed Jonathan.

He said Akinfenwa was not mandated to speak on behalf of the party, adding that he is not a member of the AD’s decision-making organ.

Koleoso said INEC had rejected the party’s move to fuse with the ACN, following its

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

convention in Lagos last year.

He lamented that INEC’s response to the fusion of AD with ACN was communicated to factional leaders of the party, who had earlier been disowned by the commission.

Koleoso said: “We accept INEC’s position that fusion may be impossible, but that does not in anyway change the leadership of the party. We have since opted to enter into an alliance with the ACN, instead of fusion.

“We have ordered all AD aspirants and candidates to run on the platform of the ACN. We did it before in 1999 when the presidential candidate of the AD, Chief Olu Falae, ran on the platform of the then All Peoples Party (APP).

“We are ready, willing and able to cooperate with your visionary leadership as chairman of INEC, but we stand for justice and rule of law in the country.”

•Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko addressing a crowd of Labour Party (LP) supporters at the Government Field in Ore...yesterday

Jimoh Ibrahim’s mum kidnapped in Ondo OUR unknown gunmen on Sunday stormed the Igbotako country home of billionaire businessman Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim and kidnapped his 65-year-old mother, Mrs. Mafe Ibrahim.

Police spokesman Aremu Adeniran, who confirmed the development, told reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday that the incident was reported at Igbotako police station around 11.30pm on Sunday.

It was gathered that the gunmen arrived at the one-storey building in the outskirts of town around 8pm, pretending to be customers, who wanted to buy some locally made mats from her.

The guard on duty, Donatus Ekuma, said Mrs Ibrahim was upstairs when the kidnappers arrived.

Ekuma said: “Four of them came in a vehicle. Two alighted and demanded to see mama. They claimed to be her customers and said they wanted to buy some mats.

“I told them she was resting upstairs, but they insisted on seeing her personally before making their purchase and I obliged them. When mama came out, they dragged her forcefully into their vehicle.

“I immediately raised the alarm, but the gunmen pointed their guns at me and other domestic staff, ordering us to lie face-down.”

Sources said the kidnappers were yet to demand any ransom from the family.

F

•’I’ve confidence in police’ •Aregbesola challenges security agencies •Ibadan politician, Osogbo businessman abducted From Damisi Ojo, Akure, Bisi Oladele, Ibadan, and Soji Adeniyi, Osogbo

It was learnt that Mrs Ibrahim left her phone at home and does not know any number off-head.

Jimoh Ibrahim said: “I was at a function in Omu Aran, Kwara State, when I got a text message of the incident in Igbotako. Even though it was late at night, I informed top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police.

“Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim quickly responded by swinging into action. The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State, was also kind enough to visit Igbotako within a short period of time.

The police have commenced investigation and they are making useful progress.

“Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko made a telephone call to me yesterday afternoon and promised to work with the police to unmask this gruesome crime, which is unacceptable in a civilised society.

“I thank the public and assure them that the Nigerian security agencies are up to the task. I am confident that mama will return home safely.

“The public is urged to note

that the police will publish the full report of their investigation. I will not be able to make further statement on this matter in order not to obstruct investigation. I’m sure that God Almighty will give us success in this matter.”

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola decried Mrs Ibrahim’s abduction.

Aregbesola said her kidnap further raises questions on the deplorable security situation in the country and urged security agencies to ensure that she’s released safely.

A chieftain of the Accord Party (AP), Mr Julius Olaoye, was allegedly abducted at the weekend in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by suspected members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Another member of the party, Mr. Ajasa Balogun, and his wife, Kehinde, were injured, while appealing to the hoodlums not to abduct Olaoye.

The incident reportedly occurred at an AP office in Iyana Church at about 7pm on Sunday.

A factional leader of the NURTW was said to have led the armed men to the scene in a Mercedes Benz jeep and whisked Olaoye away to an unknown destination.

The AP House of Assembly candidate in Lagelu Constituency, Mr. Temitope Olatoyin (a.k.a Sugar) told reporters yesterday that the case had been reported at Monatan police station. He said the Commissioner of Police had also been petitioned.

Police spokesman Olatunji Ajimuda said he had not been briefed.

An Osogbo-based businessman, Alhaji Raufu Olaiya, was on Sunday evening abducted by four gunmen.

Olaiya, a leading beer distributor, was abducted around 8.30pm, at a gas station located at Olaiya junction.

A source said: “They were four in number. Two of them, who were wearing army uniforms, pretended to be dragging one of them in a fight, until they came close to Olaiya. They suddenly let go of the man they appeared to be fighting with and made for Alhaji, saying this is the man.

They carried Alhaji like a small boy into their jeep, where the driver was holding a gun to scare people way.”

Olaiya’s daughter, Bolanle, said they had reported the case to the police.

Police Commissioner Solomon Olusegun said he wasn’t aware of the incident.

Alao-Akala, Ladoja too corrupt to return as governor, says Oyelese A GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Elder Wole Oyelese, yesterday said Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his predecessor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, do not deserve to return to office.

Alao-Akala is the governorship candidate of the PDP and Ladoja is the standardbearer of the Accord Party (AP).

In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, Oyelese, said the duo were corrupt and performed poorly in office.

He alleged that Alao-Akala and Ladoja were responsible for the state’s retrogression, urging them to shun do-or-die politics.

•’Oyelese is frustrated’ From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

The statement reads: “I find it difficult to reconcile myself with the idea of a second term for an administration with a record of pedestrian performance, monumental corruption, hypocrisy, indifference to egalitarianism, a fire brigade approach to issues, decadence of unparalleled proportions and a complete failure to make Oyo State excel.

“There is no moral justification for a thief to condemn a pick pocket. They are both guilty.

“I challenge Akala to waive his immunity for one week and walk freely on the streets of Ibadan to see if the public is on his side.”

In a statement, Alao-Akala’s Special Adviser on Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said: “Oyelese has finally woken up to the grotesque realisation that none of the three candidates is good enough for Oyo

State.

“It is very strange that after losing the PDP ticket, he has not thought it fit to forget the past and support his party. We still encourage him to summon courage and join the victory train.”

Director-General of the Ladoja Campaign Organisation Adeolu Adeleke said: “Oyelese needs the sympathy of all, having failed in his bid to get the governorship ticket of the PDP. “Oyelese had in the past praised Ladoja’s administration. Therefore, his recent outburst against Ladoja is as a result of anger, disappointment and frustration.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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NEWS CAMPAIGN

2011

•Fashola, with ACN chieftains addressing party supporters in Ikorodu ...yesterday

Ekweremadu begins ward-to-ward campaign

By Nneka Nwaneri

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EPUTY Senate President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial candidate for Enugu West Senator Ike Ekweremadu has begun a ward-to-ward campaign tour of the five local governments in his district.

The campaign started in Ezeagu yesterday.

Ekwremadu will visit Udi, Oji River, Awgu and Aninri.

In Ezeagu, the candidate met with the executives of more than 20 wards.

Ekweremadu’s Media Adviser Paul Odenyi said the campaigns were a follow-up to the rallies by the Senator and the governor in the zone.

Odenyi said: “ The Senator does not take for granted the goodwill which he enjoys among his constituents. ‘’That is why he is meeting them at the ward level and give opportunity to those who want to ask questions.

“We believe that the President’s campaign for one-man onevote is a laudable project and that is why the Deputy Senate President is going from ward to ward. ‘’It is a victory carnival because the village will have see their candidate and connect with him directly.’’

The lawmaker representing Udi/Ezeagu in the House of Representatives, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, were among those who accompanied the senator to Ezeagu.

Mr. Toby Okechukwu, candidate for Oji-River/Awgu/Aninri will join Ekweremadu on the visit to his constituency.

Tallen decries neglect of Jos East

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LATEAU State Deputy Governor and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate Mrs Pauline Tallen has decried the neglect of Jos East by successive governments.

She spoke during a campaign visit to the Ada Gwom of Afizere, Mr Emmanuel Magaji.

The candidate said the area had remained backward following “neglect and injustice.”

Mrs Tallen regretted shameful that there was only one government secondary school in the council.

She said if elected, her administration would not neglect education of the youths because it’s a major way to empower the people.”

Mrs Tallen deplored the continued closure of schools by the Jonah Jang administration.

She said this had brought hardship to families.

The LP governorship candidate said: “We shallconsult you before any project is exe-

cuted in the area, because what we may consider to be important, may not be what you want. ‘’We will work together for the good of the council.’’

She said the restoration of peace in the state would be her priority, adding that no development couldtake place in a violent place.

The Ada Gwom of Afizere assured the candidate that his people would vote for her.

He said: “We have suffered and are tired of people who pay lip service to our plights.

“A particular governorship candidate came here and promised to give us a mortuary. I want to tell you that people of Afizere have rejected his mortuary.”

Magaji said the area needed secondary schools, roads, water and health care facilities.

The monarch said: “We have tried others and they failed us. We believe you will save us.”

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Fashola promises to turn Mile 12-Ikorodu road to six lanes •Says PDP wants to cause violence L AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has promised to rebuild the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road, if re-elected into office next month.

He said commuters, who avoid the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, use the road as an alternative.

The governor said this had put pressure on the road.

Fashola said: ‘’There is too much pressure on Mile 12-Ikorodu road. When Lagos-Ibadan Expressway packed up, commuters shifted to this road.’’

He said: “We have completed the design for the road. It will be a six laneroad, with one line for BRT.” Fashola urged the people of Ikorodu to be vigilant.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was allegedly planning to mobilise thugs from Oyo and Ogun states to disrupt the elections in Ikorodu.

The governor spoke at the campaign rally organised by leaders and members of the Action Congress of Ni-

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor and Miriam Ndikanwu

geria (ACN) in Ikorodu.

Fashola said: “PDP held a meeting. They are afraid of elections. They mobilised people from Oyo and Ogun states to create confusion in Ikorodu. ‘’They want to repeat the same during elections. Let our fathers and leaders be vigilant.

We will resist them.

“On the day of election, thumb print the space where you see the broom. Give us that one day and we will give you four years of great and unquantifiable service.”

Party supporters from Ijede, Ipakodo, Owutu, Imota, Ibeshe, Isiwo, Odogiyan and and Igbogbo were hosted by Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Olukoga and Prince Lanre Balogun.

State Chairman of the party Otunba Dele Ajomale presented flags to Alhaji Gbenga Ashafa (Senate), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa (House of Representatives), Sunai

Agunbiade and Mrs Nosmot Akinsola (House of Assembly).

Defectors from the PDP, led by Olu Ogunborisa, a former lawmaker, were admitted into the ACN by Ajomale.

The party chairman enjoined them to work for the success of the party at the polls.

Present at the campaign, which took place at the Ikorodu Town Hall, were Fashola’s wife, Abimbola, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Joko Pelumi, Chief Adeseye Amingo, Mrs Toun Ajomale, Chief Funso Ologunde, Kayode Opeifa, Mrs Folake Sokunbi-Kalokalo, Bolaji Sanusi and local party leaders.

Fashola paid tribute to the monarch, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salau Oyefusi, and other eminent Ikorodu leaders, including the late TOS Benson, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Chief Babatunde Ogunsanya, Olukoga, Baso-

run and Ogunleye.

He said they were credible leaders.

The governor hailed the people for defying the sun to hear their leaders.

He said it was a demostration that they were ready to support him and ACN at the elections.

Fashola appealed to the party leaders and followers to put the acrimony behind them and work for the interest of the party.

He listed his achievements in Ikorodu as the building of a High Court Complex, provision of water, jetties, roads and establishment of a drivers’ institute.

The governor said: “Thirty-one road projects are going on. We have awarded Ibeshe road and Isawo and Isheri roads.

Fashola told the people to reject the PDP. He said the PDP frustrated the Independent Power project (IPP), which was hosted by the division.

Fashola said PDP could not do much for Nigerians because it devoted 25 per cent of the budget to capital project.

Lam challenges Oyo Police boss over security

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EADER of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State Alhaji Lam Adesina has warned the Police Commissioner, Adisa Bolanta, against compromising security before, during and after next month’s election.

Adesina gave the warning at a rally in Ogbomoso at the weekend.

The rally witnessed a huge crowd, as people trooped out to declare their support for the party’s governorship candidate, Abiola Ajimobi.

The people carried soli-

From Bode Durojaiye, Ogbomoso

darity placards, some of which read: ‘’We want a change’’, ‘’Enough of PDP’s token governance’’, ‘’Ajimobi, save our souls from political thuggery,’’ and ‘’No water, electricity and good roads in Ogbomoso.’’

Policemen and other security agencies had a hectic time controlling the crowd.

At some communities in Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere councils, the people presented a catalogue of problems to the governorship candidate.

Ajimobi also visited traditional rulers in the areas.

Lamalleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had sown fake police uniforms to be used during the elections.

He said: “We wish to tell the Commissioner of Police to be above aboard and live up to expectation. ‘’We are law-abiding, but will resist plans by the PDP to rig the elections.’’

The ACN leader appealed to parents to prevail on children not to allow themselves to be used as thugs.

He said: “If the youths fail to heed the warning, and go ahead to wear the fake police uniforms to cause mayhem, they will not remove the uniforms again till they die. We mean it. ‘’Anything can happen anytime. We have had enough of political robbery and won’t tolerate it this time around.”

Lam told the people that a vote for ACN was a guarantee for a better future.

He said the four cardinal programmes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo would be implemented.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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NEWS CAMPAIGN

2011

Buhari promises true federalism From Yusufu Idegu and Marie Therese Peter, Jos

THE presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Gen. Muhammedu Buhari (rtd) has promised that he would enthrone true federalism if elected next month.

He spoke at the Gen Usman Hassan Katsina Polo Field Jos. He said: “My government will ensure the principle of true federalism as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Because I believe true federalism will bring an end to the civil unrest we have been witnessing in the past 12 years of democracy.

“True federalism will give rise to the establishment of state police where every state governor will control the police of his state. ‘’The Nigerian Police will be answerable to the state governors and there will be police-community relations.

“I have come to address my supporters in Jos although the security attempted to frustrate my visit to Plateau State.

“Having ruled the nation before as Head of State, I know more of the needs of the country than any of the candidates on the presidential race.”

Gen Buhari was accompanied by his running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

The presidential candidate said: “Change in this country is inevitable, because the situation is alarming. ‘’Insecurity, hunger, cheating and criminality had become landmarks. ‘’The citizens of this country have been left in the hands of selfish and corrupt leaders.”

Oghiadomhe’s in-law dumps PDP for ACN AN in-law of Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, the President’s Chief of Staff, Mr Jacobson Nasamu, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Edo State.

Nasamu, first cousin to the wife of Oghiadomhe, led his supporters to the ACN at a rally in Fugar, Etsako Central, on Sunday.

He hailed Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s achievements in Etsako.

Nasamu urged defected ACN members to return and join the governor in developing the state.

Oshiomhole said ACN was peace-loving and urged the people to shun violence.

He warned that “anybody planning trouble will meet a strong force.”

Oshiomhole said: “We want progress, we want development and I don’t want our people to be used for battle. We will insist on a free and fair election based on ‘One man, One Vote’. Anybody who is buying weapons, tell them to bring their own children.”

•From left: Plateau State CPC Chairman, Alhaji Mubashiru Aliyu, Plateau CPC governorship candidate Mr Podar Johnson and Gen. Buhari...yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

PDP accuses LP of planting bombs in Jos •Labour : it’s all lies •Ruling party shelves rally T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the Labour Party (LP) of masterminding the explosion that rocked Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday.

PDP denied that it shelved its governorship campaign rally scheduled for Bukuru, Jos-South, over the explosion.

PDP Deputy Chairman Mr Raymond Dabo claimed the opposition was responsible for the explosions.

He urged the police to ensure that the perpetrators were prosecuted.

Dabo said: “Our opponents are planting bombs everywhere in Jos now; the aim is to scare people away from voting, but we urge our sup-

porters to remain calm.”

Director of Publicity, Jang Campaign Organisation Mr Jonathan Ishaku, said LP should be investigated because of its perceived violence at campaign rallies.

Ishaku said: “Everywhere it goes to, you find it inflicting violence on the people. ‘’It is a violent party and such things cannot be beyond it.

“The party perpetrated violence in Mangu where they brought PDP billboards down, injured our members and destroyed our office. ‘’But we have appealed

to our supporters to remain peaceful because we are a peaceful party.”

Ishaku said the campaign rally was not put off because of the security situation.

The Publcity director said: “We shelved the campaigns to pay our respect to the late Head of Plateau State Civil Service, Mr Satti Dakwak.’’

LP has denied the allegations that it was behind the blasts.

It accused the PDP of politicising the explosions to gain sympathy.

LP’s Director of Publicity Mr Sylvanus Namang told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that LP was not a vio-

lent party.

Namang said: “PDP knows that it has lost the elections. It is becoming desperate by embarking on diversionary tactics. It is the PDP that is planting these bombs.

“Even the way PDP went on air when the incident happened was enough to create suspicion. ‘’The state government responded even before the police said anything.

“Nigerians are no fools and they know those behind these bomb explosions. The LP certainly cannot be behind such dastardly act.’’

Two people, who were allegedly about to bomb a church on Sunday, died when the bombs exploded in their hands.

Special Task Force (STF) spokesman Capt. Charles Ekeocha, told NAN that another bomb explosion was foiled at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church on Sunday.

Capt. Ekeocha said the two men, who planted the bombs, came on a motorcycle and disappeared after dropping the explosive.

Policemen stationed around the church, he said, observed the action and alerted the AntiBomb Squad, which rushed to the scene and removed the device.

ACN broom revolution sweeps across Ekiti, Osun

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HE Broom Revolution of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) swept through Ekiti and Osun states yesterday.

A huge crowd turned out in Ado-Ekiti and Osogbo to receive the party’s presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, his running mate, Fola Adeola and other leaders of the party.

The party’s National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, and National leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu, addressed the crowd in Ado-Ekiti.

Tinubu described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the enemy of the people.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti and Suji Adeniyi, Osogbo

He urged them to sweep away the ruling party during the elections.

The former Lagos State governor urged the crowd to vote and defend their votes to ensure that they were not ‘stolen’.

Ribadu promised a better life for the people.

The train of the ACN campaign stormed AdoEkiti at about 3:55pm.

It comprises a richly adorned Marcopolo Luxury bus and a convoy of about

50 cars.

Also on the entourage were: Chief Audu Ogbe, former national chair of the PDP and Chief Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State ACN governorship candidate.

Present are Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, Deputy Governor Funmi Olayinka, Senatorial and House of Representatives’ candidates of the party They were presented with the party’s flags.

The space beside the NNPC mega station on IworokoUNAD road was filled as thousands of party faithful shouted in joy to welcome the presi-

dential hopeful and his entourage.

They sang different familiar ACN tunes.

Morakinyo Adebayo, a member of the House of Assembly representing Ikole Constituency I and Femi Adeleye, representing IdoOsi Constituency II defected to the ACN. Thousands of members and supporters trooped out yesterday to receive Ribadu Adeola in Osogbo.

Despite the late arrival of the Ribadu campaign team, the ACN supporters waited to receive the party’s presidential candidate.

The Ribadu campaign team moved to Ekiti State by road.

Ribadu addressed his party supporters in many communities on his route to Ado-Ekiti.

He drove to Ila, country home of Chief Akande.

Addressing party supporters at the Osogbo City Stadium, Governor Rauf Aregbesola praised the people for their patience.

He urged them to vote for ACN. Senatorial candidates Prof Sola Adeyeye, Mr Mudashiru Hussani and Jide Omoworare were presented to the people.

I’ve no plans to lobby Isiaka, says Olurin

T

HE Chief Adetunji Olurin Campaign Organisation yesterday said it has no plans to lobby the Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Gboyega Isiaka, to quit the race.

Olurin, in a statement yesterday by his campaign or-

ganisation, said he did not need Isiaka’s support to become governor.

He said there was no attempt to pressure Isiaka to concede the governorship to him.

The statement reads: “Olurin has his machinery and he enjoys support, not

only among the Yewa-Awori people, but throughout the state. He does not need any opposition politician, least of all, an opponent he has defeated. ‘’They may both hail from the same part of the state, but Olurin and Isiaka now belong to opposing parties.

‘’It is not true that Olurin and his supporters are interested in closing ranks with Isiaka’s camp.

“We reiterate that no one has, and no one will consider persuading Isiaka to ‘step down’ for Olurin.

“The position of the Olurin camp is that every

candidate for the governorship seat of the state should prepare and go to the polls next month to prove their popularity. ‘’We have no doubt that Olurin and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) enjoy wide acceptability and will emerge victorious in the elections.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

8

NEWS CJN inaugurates Tribunal Judges From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

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HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, yesterday inaugurated 110 of the 210 Election Tribunal Judges, in Abuja.

This was in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the sixth schedule to the Constitution (Second Alteration Act), 2010.

They have the original and exclusive jurisidcition to hear and determine petitions relating to National Assembly, House of Assembly and governorship elections in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The CJN advised the judges to guard against unscrupulous persons who would try to corrupt, infuence and/or coerce you into taking wrong decisions.

“This you must resist at all cost. You must act in accordance with the dictates of the oath which you have just taken as well as your good conscience”.

•The judges taking their oaths...yesterday

PHOTO:NAN

Candidate to sue Jega From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Funeral for Emenike’s father THE remains of Chief Bartimaeus Emenike Uwagbama, father of Chief Ikechi Emenike, will be interred on Saturday, March 26 at the Uwagbama family compound in Umukabia, Ohuhu Umuahia North Local Governorment, Abia State. He was 91.

The late Uwagbama was a successful businessman, who specialised in automobile repair. He is survived by his wife Helen; eight children and many grand children.

Man arrested over alleged killing of son A MIDDLE-aged man is assisting the police in Delta State in their investigation into the murder of his four-year old crippled son.

Ighohwo Ibo, who is from Oginibo in Warri South Local Government, allegedly poisoned his son with Gamalyn 20.

Commissioner of Police Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe made this known yesterday during his maiden briefing in Asaba, the state capital.

Tsafe said Ibo confessed to the crime and has been charged to court.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

He said: “Police investigation revealed that Ibo gave his son Gamalyn 20 because he claimed the boy had become a burden to him.

“He allegedly buried the corpse near his bathroom with the intention of concealing it from his wife, who was away when the

crime was committed.

“His cover was blown when his wife returned and asked after the boy. He could not give any reason. She reported him to the police.”

The commissioner said the command had arrested 18 persons for robbery, murder, kidnapping and vandalisation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) cables.

According to him, items re-

covered include 15 locally made pistols, live cartridges, battle axe, and handsets.

Other items include charms, bags, DVD players, cash and a Toyota Camry car with registration EZ 567 LSR. He said some of the suspects had been charged to court , adding that investigation was still on going in some cases.

Tsafe warned car owners, who have tinted glass to remove them, as it was an offence under motor vehicles (prohibition of tinted glass) Decree 6 of 1991.

I’m under pressure to rig, says Anambra REC

T •The late Uwagbama

Woman passes on PRINCESS Rebecca Ukiaroro Alufohai of Sabongida-Ora, Owan West Local Government of Edo State is dead. She was 101.

On Friday, there will be a wake-keep at her residence, 124 Obe Street, SabongidaOra. Her remains will be interred the following day after a service at the Cathedral of St. John, Sabongida-Ora. She is survived by five children, 24 grand children and 11 great grand children among whom are Mr. G.P Alufohai, former Provost, College of Education, Igueben, Edo State; Dame V.O. Alufohai-Iruobe Principal, Uhonmora Secondary Commercial School, UhonmoraOra, Edo State, and Mr. A.J Alufohai, Managing Partner, Costec Consultants, Lagos.

HE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu, yesterday said he is under pressure to compromise next month’s elections.

But he said he would not give in to the demands of mischievous politicians.

Onukogu spoke in his office in Awka, the state capital. He said some politicians had approached him with demands to do their bidding during the elections.

From Adimike George, Onitsha

The REC said his character and commitment to his job cannot be sacrificed for any person or group.

He decried the antics of politicians who he described as irresponsible, stating that they do not adhere to nor respect the constitutions of their parties.

His words: “If politicians cannot put their houses in order, I wonder the kind of leadership they want to of-

fer.

“My refusal to do the bidding of politicians has elicited malicious reactions from them but no amount of blackmail can change my stance.”

Onukogu allayed the fears of voters and parties over the discrepancies in the voters’ register.

He said his office has received software to correct any short coming, adding that no one will be disenfranchised.

The REC said “mischievous politicians”, who are hoping

to win through rigging, will be disappointed as there cannot be a successful rigging if the REC is not committed to rigging.

“It is impossible to rig election in a state if the REC is not totally committed to it, so in Anambra it will be impossible to rig because I will not change my zero tolerance to electoral vices.”

He warned INEC workers and ad hoc staff against any form of electoral malpractice.

ACN candidate escapes assassination

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate for Edo South, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, last weekend escaped assassination when a four-man gang opened fire at his convoy.

His police orderly, Sgt Ekaeze Onyinchi, was killed and his driver, Mohammed, was wounded.

The incident occurred on Zabayo Street off Stadium Road in Benin.

One of the attackers was, however, killed while at-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

tempting to retrieve Onyinchi’s gun.

It was learnt that the combined effort of the vigilance group in Ugbihoko village and policemen led to the arrest of two others. One escaped.

Uzamere said: “We took cover to identify where the shots were coming from only for me to discover that my orderly and driver had been hit. My orderly was shot in the chest and my

driver in the hip.”

“My orderly shot at them and killed one but others escaped. I was informed this morning that the police have arrested others.

“My party believes in one man, one vote and not one man one bullet. The killing in Benin is too much. Tensions are high. The primaries within the ACN are over and we are only three senatorial candidates.

“The struggle of moving my people out of mental slavery will continue. This is what I believe in even if it cost me

my life. I am not going to be moved. We must get to the promised land.”

The ACN Chairman, Thomas Okosun, condemned the incident. He said: “We are not out to capture votes.

We believe in serving the people. The people should curse whoever wants to take the blood of another person.

The police should investigate the matter.”

Commissioner of Police David Omojola said the police were on the trail of the attackers.

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Anambra South senatorial zone, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, has threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, if some “atrocities” are not corrected.

Ukachukwu said INEC substituted his name with that of Dr. Andy Uba. He said: “From where did Andy Uba’s name come into the list? Who conducted the primaries that produced Andy Uba? All these things they did during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and got away with will not repeat themselves again.

“PDP has written Jega to do the right thing or be prepared to face contempt proceedings in that respect. I’m assuring you that if Jega fails to do the right thing by correcting all these atrocities within one week, he risks going to jail before the election, we are ready.”

Enugu Govt replies CNPP From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

HE Enugu State Government has decried the reaction of the opposition to the investigations into the recent bomb explosion in the state.

It said it acted in the best interest of justice and the security of the people.

The opposition had through a statement by the SecretaryGeneral of the Coalition of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezeugwu, alleged that the government was using the issue to muzzle the opposition.

But, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sullivan Chime on Media and Communications, Chukwudi Achife, dismissed the claim as lacking in substance.

He said the reaction of the opposition figures to their invitation by the police raises suspicion, regarding their innocence.

Achife dismissed insinuations that the government was behind the bombings, saying that those making the insinuations were mocking their intellect.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

9

NEWS Why Nigeria is poor,

by Oyedepo From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

P

PRESIDENT, Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo yesterday said the country is poor because of lack of adequate manpower. He spoke at the commissioning of the Landmark University Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Chancellor of the University, Bishop Oyedepo said the institution would place attention onagricultural revolution.

He described as painful the fact that Nigeria still imports the bulk of her food needs.

He said the University, which will commence academic activities with over 1,000 students, would strive to produce graduates with the required man power to develop the country.

Oyedepo said: “Nigeria and some other oil- rich nations are still poor because they are nation of lack of capacity and ability to form full capacity for what they have.This is the reason why private sector thrives more than the public sector.”

He added: “Universities are supposed to be cooking pots of development.

In the next 10 years there will be unprecedented development in Omu Aran area.

“With this University, God is setting a stage for unstoppable development in Omu Aran and Kwara State. Education is responsible for nation’s attainment of independence. All strong nations today derivedtheir strength from transformational education.

Political violence rises in Anambra •Okonkwo stabbed •Ngige’s vehicles destroyed

T

HE SENATOR representing Anambra Central Senator An-

nie Okonkwo was attacked with a matchete by a suspected hoodlum at the popular Eke Awka market.

Also, the campaign train of the former Governor Chris Ngige was stopped at the main market, Onitsha, yesterday with four of his campaign vehicles destroyed.

Okonkwo is seeking reelection on the platform of Accord Party.

Ngige is also gunning for the same seat on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The state police command through its Public Relations OfficerEmeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incidents yesterday.

Okonkwo described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric.

He said: “I thought that this contest is going to be a free and fair one. I never knew that some people are desperate. Only God saved me in the hands of those hoodlums.”

The Director-General of Annie Okonkwo Campaign

PDP sues Salami over Oni, Oyinlola’s removal From: Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has sued the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami before a Federal High Court, Abuja, over his alleged roles in the judgment that removed former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Segun Oni (Ekiti).

Joined as defendants in the case are the Attorney-General of the Federation (A-GF), National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

In a motion on notice filed by the party’s counsel, Mr. Segun Ilori, the party wants the court to also restrain the AGF, NJC and the FJSC from admitting, recognizing or treating Justice Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal pending the hearing and determination of the substantive case before the court.

The party wants the court to restrain Salami from performing his function of office pending the hearing and determination of the case.

PDP claims Justice Salami is being investigated by the NJC for over allegations of abuse of judicial powers in respect of its petitions against him.

His continued exercise of powers, the party argued, may prejudice the outcome of the investigation.

The party also said that Justice Salami is also being investigated following a petition by 1000 registered voters of Ido Osi Local Government Area in respect of abuse of power of the court, breach of fundamental rights of the voters.

It also alleged that Justice Salami is subject of investigation on his affinity and unethical communication with the leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the parties participating in the 2011 elections in April. ‘’His continued exercise of the power of his office in relation to setting up of election tribunal may be prejudicial to the interest of other political parties and candidate for election’’, the party said.

In the originating summons, the plaintiff wants the court to declare that Salami is not fit and proper person to continue to perform the functions of the President of the Court of Appeal during the pendency of the investigation. *A declaration that the continuance of the performance of the functions of office of the President of the Court of Appeal, particularly as it relates to the setting up of Election Tribunal, supervision of justices of the Court of Appeal by the 1st defendant will prejudice the rights, interest and obligations of the plaintiff and its members.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

T

Organisation, Martins Igbokwe said: “The traders invited Okonkwo to come and address them at the market because of the transformer he gave them, having been in the dark in the market for eight years and around 10am when the senator arrived and wanted to mount the podium, a man ran towards him with a brand new matchete to stab him. He was prevented by the security people but the knife slightly touched the senator who was bundled out of the place.

“Things got out of hand when the boy wanted to kill the mobile police man, who shot him in the leg.”

Some of the traders said the hoodlums were allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

However, the state chairman of APGA, Chief Mike Kwentoh denied the allegation.

He said:“APGA can never attack anybody. We are not violent. The allegation is not true.”

Some thugs believed to be

• Okonkwo at the police station...yesterday

members of the state government task force prevented Ngige from addressing the traders.

Ngige said the attack on

his convoy was terrible, adding that he was not aware of this point-and-kill politics in Anambra.

He said three of his vehi-

cles were destroyed, including two belonging to ACN senatorial candidate in Anambra North zone, Mrs. Jessie Balonwu.

Seven die in Jos violence

V

IOLENCE erupted in Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area yesterday, leaving seven people dead.

There was a fight in Faringada between Christians and Hausa-Fulani settlers around Tomatoes Market.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu and Marie Therese Peter, Jos One Christian boy was allegedly attacked and killed by suspected Hausa Muslim in Farin-Gada.

Some Christian youths in

the area protested the killing of their colleague.

Business activities were paralysed, as people were forced to remain indoors.

Soldiers patrolled the area. y.

In a similar development, the men of the STF engaged the youths of Jenta Adamu,

parts of Jos North local government as the youths attempted to disrupt the campaign rally of Gen Muhammed Buhari. Though no life was lost in the encounter, the STF members arrested three of the youths.

Tinubu’s wife appeals to residents over toll gates

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lagos Central Senatorial Candidate, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, oon, on Monday spoke in defence of the Lekki toll.

She said its import far outweighs the hordes of complaints trailing it and urge the concerned citizens to give the government some time to work things out as the present state administration has been doing.

The Senatorial Candidate met with residents of Lekki Phase 1 in an interactive session as part of her campaign train.

The gathering was marked with quality attendance of the residents.

Responding to series of posers by the residents on the toll gate, Mrs. Tinubu said: “The toll gate was built by investors to generate investments through publicprivate partnership. And I am

sure that with time, there would be rebate for frequent users because the ACN is a listening party that is also poised to ensure the Lagos, and indeed, Nigeria is reinstated as a reference point in the committee of Nations in Africa and the world at large.

“We are seeing a situation in which Lagos State will soon become like the United Kingdom and even, the United States of America

(USA); and even citizens of those countries will run to Nigeria as some of our people have been running to them.

All we need to do to ensure that we attain the Nigeria of our collective prayers is to vote out the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and vote in the ACN across the board and with that in place we shall have true federalism.

From that point, everything will be harmonized and Nigeria will surely work.”

ACN douses tension over Ekiti Central candidate

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday moved to douse tension over its candidate for Ekiti Central Senatorial district.

This follows a court order obtained by Senator Bode Ola, to the effect that he is the candidate of the party.

Party chairman in Ekiti State Mr. Jide Awe said last night that the party did not authorise Senator Ola to go to court. He reaffirmed that the ACN candidate is Mr. Babafemi Ojudu.

Awe, who said the party decided its candidate long before now, said: “We were not notified of any court case up till now.”

He said his signature was forged in some of the documents presented before the court.

“It’s all forgery, we have reported to the Police. We were not in anyway connected to this action, our candidate for the senatorial election is Babafemi Ojudu,” he said.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday said Ola is the ACN candidate for the senatorial district.

Delivering Judgment in a suit Ola filed against the Independnet National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ACN, Justice Abdul Kafarati said the only valid and authentic list of nominated candidates of the ACN is that containing Ola’s name

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

——a list Awe said never existed.

He gave the declaration upon reading his Affidavit and after hearing his lawyer, Mr. A. A. Williams.

The Judge observed that the party did not file any counter affidavit to the deposition of the Plaintiff.

“That the order for declaration that based on the dictates of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010, the second defendant (ACN) candidate for the Ekiti Central Senatorial district election to be held on April, 2011 must be the person who secure majority of the votes cast in the indirect primaries conducted by the 2nd defendant for the Ekiti Central Senatorial District on January10, 2011 is granted.

“That order for declaration that the only valid and authentic list of nominated candidates of the second defendant for the general election is that which bears the name of the plaintiff as the 2nd defendant’s candidate for the Ekiti Central Senatorial district is granted.

“That the 1st defendant is hereby ordered to recognise, screen and publish the name of the plaintiff as the authentic candidate of the second defendant for the general elections for the senate in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

10

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

NEWS Corporation produces 200m gallons of water

Lagos residents demand quality representation

R

ESIDENTS of Anthony Village, Ajao Estate in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, have said they would not allow any elected office holders to trample on their rights.

The residents said at a Town Hall meeting that they would demand effective and accountable representation from elected officers.

They were led by the publisher of Vanguard , Mr. Sam Amuka, Dr. Basirat Giwa, Mrs. Sola Adebule, Ibironke Gbenle and Victor Mbamalu.

The meeting was held at Anthony Village Recreation Ground.

Of 14 candidates seeking election into the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly

from the council, nine were present at the meeting.

They are Mr. Uchechukwu Donatus (ADC, Lagos House of Assembly), Mr. Courage George (ADC, House of Representatives), Mr. Anuoluwapo Akerele (CPC, House of Representatives), Dayo Alebiosu (ACN, House of Representatives) and Mr. Olatunji Adesanya (CPC, Lagos House of Assembly).

Others are Adedoyin Adeyemi (LP, House of Representatives), Mr. Lanre Ajose (PDP, Lagos House of Assembly), Prince Olusegun Adefioye (APGA, House of Representatives) and Abeeb Olayinka Mustapha (ANPP, Lagos House of Assembly).

Amuka noted that Anthony Village had enlightened residents, including the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Dr. Beko

Ransome-Kuti.

He said: “The people we elect to office should know that they can no longer take the people who elected them to office for granted. ‘’They are supposed to be serving us. They are not our masters. And the message from what you have heard from these people today is that they must be accountable to the community. ‘’We take this quite serious.

Our secretariat is here. We are going to demand from those we have elected, summon them to attend to us from time to time and, if they do not respond, we have access to newspapers, television and radio and we will let the people know.”

The candidates said if elected they would be responsble to the people.

20,000 traders for market carnival

L

AGOS State Market Development Board has said it has mobilised over 20,000 market men and women from the 433 major markets in the state to feature in the state’s first market carnival.

The board’s Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said the carnival is expected to hold on tomorrow and Thursday at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo said Governor Babatunde Fashola will attend the programme.

He will be joined by his wife, Emmanuella, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Rotimi Agunsoye; his counterparts in Economic Planning and Budget and Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ben Akabueze and Mrs. Adejoke Ore-

lope-Adefulire and the Chairman of the State Market Board, Mama Abibatu Mogaji.

Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo said: “The carnival, with the theme ‘The Role of Market Operators in The Development of Lagos State, as a Mega City, will feature road show from Ikeja, through Surulere, Isolo and Oshodi, including interactive sessions and exhibition.”

By Yinka Aderibigbe

T

•Mr. Amuka

Lawmaker for Kosofe Dayo Bush-Alebiosu distributed a leaflet outlining 60 projects he attracted to the constituency in the last four years.

The residents condemned those who did not attend.

Fire guts market

P

ROPERTY valued at millions of naira were destroyed on Monday following a fire outbreak that gutted a section of the Katsina Central Market.

Eye witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina that the fire, whose cause was yet to be established, started around 9 am. and razed 30 secondhand clothes’ and shoes’ shops.

A victim, Salisu Mohammed, told NAN that the fire allegedly started from a generator repair shop.

Malam Ibrahim Abubakar, who also lost everything to the inferno, praised the fire service for their response.

He said their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP I, Mrs. Florence Olugbenga Omotehinwa of No. 85, Akerele Street, Surulere, Lagos notify the general public that I have applied to LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of No. 85, Akerele Street, Surulere, Lagos, which was originally allocated to Edward Iwegbuna. I have made series of efforts to contact Edward Iwegbuna the assignor from whom I bought the property but all efforts to locate him proved abortive. I hereby indemnify the Corporation against any future claims that might arise if my application is granted and undertakes to pay cost of any dispute that might arise on same. LSDPC, Edward Iwegbuna and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP I, Mrs. Abraham Folashade of Block 5B Red Street, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos notify the general public that I have applied to LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of Block 5B Red Street, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos, which was originally allocated to Deaconess Otedola Folake M. I have made series of efforts to contact Deaconess Otedola Folake M. the assignor from whom I bought the property but all efforts to locate her proved abortive. I hereby indemnify the Corporation against any future claims that may arise if my application is granted and undertakes to pay cost of any dispute that may arise on same. LSDPC, Deaconess Otedola Folake M. and general public please take note.

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HE Lagos State Water Corporation has said it produces 200 million gallons of water daily.

It said the daily water need in the state was 500 million gallons At a news conference to mark the World Water Day today, the corporation’s Group Managing Director Mr Shayo Holloway said the Corporation would meet the deficit by December.

Holloway said: “The first phase of the plan is the completion of 15 mini-water works, with five yet to be officially inaugurated. ‘’The 15 mini-waterworks are in Ajangbadi, Ikorodu, “Epe Agric”, Meiran, Abule-Egba, Ikate, Mosan Okunola, IsheriOshun and Ajegunle.”

He said they were initially designed to have a five-kilometre reticulation to serve 500 houses.

The Corporation chief said they would be expanded to cover all houses in their respective locations.

He said the theme of this year’s Water Day: Water for Cities: Responding to Urban Challenges, was designed to address the government’s response to the water needs of residents.

Holloway said: “The current water needs in Lagos today is 500 million gallons per day, whereas we provide above 200 million gallons, an almost 45 per cent deficit. ‘’But this deficit is being addressed with additional water works and the provision of an independent power project that has stabilised the capacity of the Adiyan and Iju Water Works since last year.”

He said Phase 2 of the Adiyan Water Works, which has been approved by Governor Babatunde Fashola would double the 70 million gallons produced at Adiyan.

Jonathan’s men meet with Afenifere

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

E

MISSARIES from President Goodluck Jonathan have held meetings with selected Yoruba leaders at Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, to seek the support of the Southwest for the President in next month’s elections.

The delegates, led by former Presidential Political Adviser and governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, met with the factional leadership of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, at the home of the late Senator Abraham Adesanya.

The delegation, comprising members of the rested Southern Leaders Forum, were in the ancient town to attend the funeral of Adesanya’s widow, Mrs Rosanna Aarinola Adesanya, who was laid to rest at the weekend.

Sources said the President was worried over the popularity of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Southwest.

Besides, they said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in deep crisis in the region.

Except in Ondo State, where the Labour Party (LP) endorsed the President for the election, other states have refused to yield to appeals that the zone should get into mainstream politics, following past neglect by the Obasanjo Administration.

Ezeife’s group met with Pa Reuben Aregbesola, Chief Supo Sonibare, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, Senator Biyi Durojaye and other Afenifere chieftains.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a staunch critic of the PDP was said to have deliberately avoided the President’s delegation.

A source said the representative of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the funeral ceremony, Dr Leke Pitan, representative of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Prof Dele Badejo, and Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, refused to attend the meeting, despite entreaties by the delegation.

He said: “Senator Durojaye was caught unaware, but as an experienced politician, he employed tact, reason and wisdom. he reluctantly attended the meeting, which was informal anyway. ‘’But he stood firm. Otunba Durojaye told Dr Ezeife that the Southwest has made up its mind and that it is too late to strike any deal whatsoever.

“People like Akinfenwa and Sonibare appeared keen, but the delegation took the observation and remarks of Senator Durojaye serious. The delegation promised to continue with consultations in the Southwest”, the source said.

PUBLIC NOTICE DIVINE RHEMA BELIEVERS CHURCH The general public is hereby informed that the above named CHURCH has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of The Companies and Allied Matters Acts, 1990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1. PASTOR VICTOR KALUNTA IWUALA - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. PASTOR EZENWANYI JANE ONYEABO - TREASURER 3. SISTER MYRA ADAKU IWUALA - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (a) To propagate the Gospel of Christ (b) To Establish churches to fulfill the propagation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (c) To establish, promote and organize prayer centres for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. (d) To enhance deliverance by means of fasting and prayers, and to promote the well-being of members. (e) To establish educational and health institutions.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to The RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plots 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Sign EMIOLA LAW CHAMBERS PLOTS 100-102, AKUTE-OJODU RAD, MARTINS BUS-STOP, OGUN STATE. 08023205394

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

11

12

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

President Goodluck Jonathan may not forget in a hurry his experience in Katsina when he took his campaign there. Besides a tragedy that nearly marred the show, some irate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths did the unthinkable.

ISAH IDRIS was there.

I

T was a frightening spectacle last Tues day. Midway into President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in Katsina, protesting hoodlums popularly referred to as ‘Kauraye’ took over the arena, looting campaign platforms on which audience stood.

While the chains of presidential and state security agencies kept watching, the Kauraye boys constituting the chunk of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) youth supporters in the venue waited till midway into the president’s campaign, to pull down the platforms made of irons and metals.

As President Jonathan was descending the stair-case of the platform, the kaurayes started dismantling and looting metals, furniture and plastic chairs, while the security personnel watched the ugly scene that turned out to be a national embarrassment.

Source informed The Nation that, though the presidential team equally felt embarrassed, they were forced to stomach the ugly sight in the spirit of partisanship.

It was not a particularly joyous moment for the president’s campaign train. Reason: Five persons including the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State, ASP Aminu Ibrahim, were killed instantly when the governor’s convoy was involved in an accident along Daura road early on that day.

The accident which occurred in Zakaliya Village of Mashi local government council along Katsina-Daura Road around 9: 45 am, involved the governor’s official vehicle, a black Land Rover Range Rover SUV and a commercial bus.

It was before the arrival of President Jonathan.

While Governor Ibrahim Shema was later with the presidential campaign team, the Deputy Governor, Bar. Surajo Danmari led the team to Dan Marna grave-yard where the remains of the ADC were interred.

Other dignitaries at the burial were included Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service of the state; state PDP Chairman and some other government functionaries. The late Aminu Ibrahim who was survived by two wives and seven chil-

• From left: Sambo, President Jonathan and Shema at the Katsina presidential rally before the crash.

Sour moment for Jonathan in Katsina dren was buried according to Islamic rites.

The deceased who died at his prime age of forty years old, was described by many as a big loss to the Katsina community for his unparalleled humility, dedication to work and his unique relationship with others.

Earlier, President Jonathan promised he would not fail Katsina people for supporting him in the last primary election which gave him and Namadi Sambo the presidential ticket to contest this year’s general election to lead the country for the next four years.

Exuding sobriety, the president, in his speech, said his campaign would have been coloured with singing and dancing, saying: “It is a very sad day for us; we mourn with the family of the ADC, and we really have sympathy for the family and we pray that Allah gives them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

He thanked the Katsina PDP family for their votes for him and Sambo during PDP primaries in which they won clearly to become flag bearers in 2011 presidential election coming up in April this year. “I will not disappoint you; we will work with you. What the late president Umar Yar’adua would have done for Katsina people, we will do for you,” he pledged.

The president, still in sober reflection, said God used so many people to bring him to where he is today and the three principal people among them are; his former Gover-

nor Dipreye Alamieseigha, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

Unfortunately according to the President, Yar’Adua couldn’t complete his first four years, adding that owing to the development, he could not execute his robust plans for Nigeria as exemplified in his Seven Point Agenda which included the issue of power, water and other things that would have been solved.

He promised to join hands with the state governor, the sons and daughters of Katsina to develop the state as he would develop other parts of the country.

President Jonathan who also appreciated Governor Shema’s achievements in the state said he had commissioned some projects including a ring road, 250 tractors and the stadium under construction in the state.

The president also commended the late Yar’Adua family for their warm reception and for always taking him as their son right from the time he was a vice president, a gesture which he said, had given him a sense of belonging as a son of Katsina.

He said he had also been more challenged by the warm reception given him by the Emirs Daura and Katsina and the traditional title given him by the former, which conferred on him some rights as a son of Katsina. He therefore promised that he would not disappoint the people of the state for the four years he

and Sambo hope to lead the country.

Sambo, also in sober mood, offered oneminute prayer repose of the soul of the governor’s aides who died early hours of the day to rest in peace. He thanked the president for the federal university given to Katsina and assured the people of more development if voted into power for the next four years.

Sambo also promised to establish schools for the Almajiris where they would have both the modern and Arabic education and be relevant to themselves and the society.

The acting national chairman of People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Bello Halliru said President Jonathan had taken over what President Yar’adua promised to do for Katsina and the country in general.

Governor Shema who was just recovering from the shock of accident and the death of his ADC prayed for the soul of the deceased for the brief moment he addressed the crowd.

He added that Katsina was the home of PDP with an overwhelming support but must go out soliciting for people’s votes during the general elections.

Governor Shema assured the president that, out of over three million people who registered during the last registration exercise, 99.9 per cent would vote for PDP to achieve the desired victory.

Ekiti deputy speaker recounts ordeal with thugs

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T is perhaps no longer news that three per sons were arrested by men of the Ekiti State Police Command in connection with the clash that broke out in Aramoko in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state. It occurred last Wednesday between the loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their counterparts in Action Congress of Nigeria It was a crisis between the loyalists of two brothers, Mr. Gbenga Odebunmi, an ACN member and Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi, a PDP chieftain and serving member of the House of Representatives who is eyeing the same seat in the April elections.

The Deputy Speaker exonerated himself in the attack that disrupted the campaign rally of his elder brother (Kehinde), claiming that

From Toyin Anisulowo, Ado-Ekiti

it was PDP thugs that attacked his convoy on his way to a neighbouring town, Efon Alaaye.

The younger Odebunmi alleged that the PDP destroyed his campaign office in Aramoko Ekiti and other property.

Addressing newsmen in his community, the Deputy Speaker, who was alleged by the PDP to have masterminded the attack, said two cars in his convoy were marked by machete cuts and his cloth torn to shreds by the PDP thugs.

He alleged that his elder brother and a senatorial candidate of the PDP in Ekiti Central Senatorial District in the forthcoming election, Mr. Kayode Alufa allegedly blocked the road as early as 9.30am in company of hired thugs and threatened to deal with any ACN member that came their way.

Odebunmi disclosed: “My brother and his

PDP thugs did not only attack me and some of my loyalists, they went as far as Erinjiyan, Ipole, Ikogosi and other places within my constituency and dealt with some of our members simply because they had been rejected by the people for their lack-lustre performance in the last four years “The PDP has been threatening my people in the last two weeks, but I decided to handle the matter with maturity. It got to a stage that I had to lodge complaints at Aramoko Divisional Police Station. When my brother realised that his people were going wrong, he had to call me and apologised personally over this threat “How on earth could I have hired thugs to destroy my people and my town, where I had my treasures? My children, wife, parents and mansion were there, unlike my brother who has not even a single block of house as a member of House in that community.”

• Odebunmi

13

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

POLITICS Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the battle of wits between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition parties as Delta State warms up for the next month’s elections.

PDP, DPP, ACN battle for Delta North A

HOUSE that is divided against itself cannot stand.

That is the lot of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State as preparations for the next elections hot up.

Its rancorous primaries and loss of internal democracy are its albatross. Now, the pendulum of victory seems to be swinging in the direction of opposition parties.

Delta North Senatorial District is worst hit by the internal bickering.

The highest political office being contested by notable political actors in the area is the senatorial seat.

Leaders of the zone have resolved to wait till 2015 before trying their luck at the goverorship race.

However, what will happen in next month’s election may be a predictor of what is likely tohappen in 2015.

There are two camps working at cross purposes. The first camp is loyal to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Members of this caucus loath the way the party chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has run the party in the last four years.

On the other hand, another caucus is made up of aggrieved members who have either defected to other parties or continue to fight the injustice from within.

In either situation, the opposition party, particularly the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN),Justice Party and Accord Party (AP), have become the major beneficiaries. Although some PDP members have argued that the ruling party, which won the January 6, 2011 re-run election, is better placed to repeat the feat, the path is laced with thorns.

The DPP, one of the opposition parties, has not relented. Also, ACN is forging ahead with optimism.

Delta North, which has always held the balance of power in Delta State, has often voted for PDP, but in the last six weeks, DPP is itching to change the equation. has become a formidable opposition, no thanks to DPP leaders, including Hon. Ned Nwoko, Dr. Oliseh Imegwu, Hon.Okoh Festus

Chukwuyem, Chuks Austine Esogbue, Osi Okocha, Joe Utomi, Nwanze Oduah, Noye Philips, and Chike Ugwunmadu.

Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency During the re-run election,DPP won in Ndokwa East, Oshimili South and Ukwuani local governments. PDP won in Ndokwa West.

Today, the picture has changed as DPP appears to have gained foothold in Ndokwa nation, with the likes of Dr.Oliseh Imegwu and Elder Chike Ugwumadu rom Ndokwa East joining the party.

This has bolstered the support base of Chief Fidelis Tilije, the deputy governorship candidate of DPP, who is from Ukwuani local government.

In Ndokwa East, Dr. Oliseh Imegwu, who was the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, has joined DPP. He is now the House of Representatives candidate for Ndokwa Ukwuani Constituency.

Imegwu was removed from office and suspended for complaining about the marginalisation of his area.The people of Ndokwa later vent their anger on PDP at the rerun poll.

Imegwu and Tilijie are popular in the zone and they are thorns in the flesh of the ruling party. They have vowed to cut to sizes the influence of the PDP. However, the PDP still has a strong and effective structure in the area a free and fair election will show which of the two is stronger.

Ika Federal Constituency The PDP is vulnerable in Ika Federal Constituency. In this constituency, the party is utterly divided.

The gap between the governor and Hon. Sam Obi, who acted as governor for two months when he was dethroned by the court, has widened. A source said: “Prince Sam Obi is being queried seriously for the actions he took while he acted.

The people of Ika South are very uncomfortable with such moves, which might lead to the impeach-

ment of Obi. This is the constituency of Dr Cairo Ojugboh and Hon. Kingsley Noye Philips, who briefly dethroned the former Speaker, Hon. Martins Okonta of PDP. Both men are back to the trenches” Eyes are on Dr. Ojugboh, who is fighting for personal survival, rather than the victory of Dr Okowa. Sources said the camp of Ojugboh is uncomfortable with the political ascendancy of Dr. Okowa.

There is the suspicion that he is scheming to become a minister, if President Goodluck Jonathan wins next month.

As Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Dr. Ojugboh is still a committed member of PDP, but he will not be pre-disposed to giving his full support to Dr. Okowa, said a source.. Another point hurting PDPin Ika Federal constituency is the imposition of Hon. Doris Oboh on the people of the constituency.

Thus the people see DPP and ACN as credible alternatives.

Aniocha /Oshimili Federal Constituency During the re-run in January, PDP won in three of the four local government areas that make up Aniocha Oshimili Constituency.

But the party lost in Oshimili South, the seat of government. The mismanagement of the ward, local government and state congresses has led to disenchantment against the PDP. Over the race for Delta State House of Assembly, Osi Okocha is challenging Victor Ochei, an engineer, in court. In Oshimili North, Hon. Emeka Nmadu is also in court protesting an alleged imposition of Pat Mozea, on the people. Consequently, Uche Ugeh and Osi Okocha are hoping to benefit from voters’ anger against PDP and its candidate. The people of Oshimili North are known for their resistance to imposition of any candidate on them. This is the local government of Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, but political observers argue that the PDP party chairman is still unhappy that his ego was bruised at the PDP primaries.

• Nwoko

‘There are two camps working at cross purposes.

The first camp is loyal to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Members of the caucus loath the way the party chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has run the party in the last four years. On the other hand, another caucus is made up of aggrieved members who have either defected to other parties or continue to fight the alleged injustice from within’ In Aniocha North, the defection of Prince Ned Nwoko into DPP has changed the fortune of the party in the area. This is due to his outstanding performance as a federal lawmaker between 1999 and 2003 where he sponsored 23 bills, including the New National Minimum Wage Bill and the EFCC bill. The rumbles that trailed returning of Engineer Victor Ochei in Aniocha North is also another factor hurting PDP in Aniocha North. Aggrieved members have either gone to court or vowed to vote against imposition of candidates by the PDP. This is an ominous development for the party.

Chief Nwanze Oduah who is contesting the Oshimili South seat in Delta State House of Assembly said that “DPP has a firm grip of eight of the nine local government areas in Delta North and that is not good for PDP”.

In Delta Central Senatorial District where the deputy chairman, Chief Ighoyota Amori, was returned as the winner, there have

been massive protests and this may work in favour of Chief Pius Ehwerido, who is contesting on the ticket of DPP. Chief Ogboru performed well in the Delta Central Senatorial Zone in the last election and the can be sustained, if DPP puts its house in order. But DPP has to contend with the presence of ACN, which has Obarisi Ovie Omo- Agege as its flag bearer. He is from comes Delta Central District.

In the last election, DPP won in Isoko South, but now Isoko North has embraced DPP. In Delta South Senatorial District, Chief James Manager remains favoured to return to the Senate and Chief Solomon Ogba, who lost the Senate seat, may be compensated with a ministerial nomination. Things look good for PDP in this region, but a close geo-political survey of the political development in Delta State shows that PDP is vulnerable in 20 of the 25 local government areas in the state.

Waiting to reap from that vulnerability are the opposition parties.

Ashafa: Nigerians are tired of PDP

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• Ashafa

AGOS East Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Alhaji Gbenga Ashafa, has reviewed the 12 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration at the federal level, describing the party as the problem of Nigeria.

“The tsunami that is happening in Japan is natural. The tsunami that is killing Nigeria is PDP. They have done it for 12 years and the masses have not benefitted”, he told reporters at a media session held by his campaign organisation in Lagos.

Urging Nigerians to insist on change in the next election, the 56year old retired Permanent secretary said a vote for the ACN presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and his running mate, Mr Fola Adeola, is a vote for transformational leadership.

“Ribadu will take Nigeria to its

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

pride of place in the world”, Ashafa added, assuring that he would implement the time-tested progressive programmes.

He expressed delight at the warm reception accorded to the presidential flag bearer across the country, pointing out that ACN has succeeded in enlarging its coast.

“ACN will clear the Southwest States. The party has excelled in Lagos, which is the mirror of Nigeria.

Governor Fashola has built on the foundation laid by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a dogged fighter. ACN will replicate these achievements at the centre:, he added.

The candidate unfolded his vision for the Lagos East District, promising to engineer a legislative advocacy that would tackle power outage, flooding, promote education, foster youth development and

boost employment.

But, like other senatorial candidates, he has not spoken on the agitation for special status for the state within the federation and the unfinished business of possible listing of the additional Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), although these two challenges are germane to the progress of Lagos.

The senatorial candidate said that Lagos East District deserved effective representation which the outgoing senator, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, had offered for eight years in the Upper Chamber.

“Having served in Lagos State meritoriously, I wish to serve in a higher capacity. There is a revolution in Nigeria. It has started in Lagos. It has moved to Edo, Ekiti and Osun. Ribadu and Adeola would consummate it at the center. “ I am happy to take over from Dr Mamora. He is the face of the

senate. We have been friends. We served together in 1979. I will improve on what he has done”, Ashafa said.

The technocrat-turned politician recalled that he had commissioned a research team to analyse the needs of the local governments constituting the district.

He promised to encourage agricultural development by enhancing the Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme through a collaborative effort with the state government, corporate bodies and international agencies geared towards youth employment.

Ashafa lamented the menace of flooding at Mile 12/Ikorodu area, promising to mobilise the federal government to arrest the trend.

“Flooding is due to the law of nature. The Mile 12-Ikorodu entrance is below sea level. federal government should commit ecological fund to arrest the menace”, he said.

14

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

15

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Remarks such as ‘great Australian’, ‘larger than life’ are sometimes used where they are not appropriate. But in the case of Kerry Packer both of those descriptions are entirely appropriate. He was a great Australian, he was a larger than life character and in so many ways he left his mark on the Australian community over a very long career in business, particularly in the media and also that other great passion of his, Australian sport –John Howard

OkerekeOnyiuke: Court suspends judgment on NSE’s request

Traders lament farm lands acquisition by foreign Investors From: Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

T

HE National Associa tion of Nigerian Trad ers (NANTS) has decried the spate of land acquisition by foreign governments and interests in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Relying on the United Nations report on this development, the President of the association, Mr. Ken Ukoaha, said the UN report stated that “74 million acres of farmland in the developing world were acquired by foreign governments and the so called foreign investors over the first half of 2009, an amount that equal to half of Europe’s farmland”.

Though he applauded the government’s effort to invest in agriculture, he lamented the neglect of small-scale farmers in the scheme of government policies for national agricultural growth. 2008 he said, witnessed “a truly extraordinary number of negotiations on the part of governments and private firms looking to sign agreements that would confer ownership of, or long term leases on, land abroad”.

Ukoaha stated these at the validation workshop of Land Grab study in Nigeria and Its Effect on Small Scale Farmers in Abuja, stating that the focus of the workshop was to see the adverse effect of land grabs on small scale farmers.

He noted that all the deals resulted in signed contracts, stressing that while many were still under negotiations, “others have fallen apart because of adverse reactions in the countries where the land is located or because the global financial crisis has dried up available capital.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.3/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.8 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -11.1% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -6.50% Foreign Reserve -$34.7 bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 208 £ 243.00 $ 150.79 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 235.1 RIYAL 39.3

By Eric Ikhilae

J

• Mr. Keith Richard, Managing Director and Mr Kachi Onubogu, General Manager, Marketing all of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, at the unveiling of new communications materials for Cowbell Milk in Lagos... yesterday.

Pay Fed Govt’s N640b debt, NEITI tells NNPC • Asks civil society to question budget

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HE Chairman of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Prof. Assisi Asobe, yesterday urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to pay into the Federation Account the remittances it is withholding.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Asobie said during NEITI 2005 audit, it was discovered that NNPC owed the Federal Government N640billion.

He claimed that when NEITI questioned the debt, NNPC owed the Federal Government, the corporation argued that it withheld the money because the government was owing it subsidy funds that was even over

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the N640billion.

He added that NEITI, however, urged the corporation to comply with the standard accounting process by paying the Federal Government and later demanding for its subsidy money.

He said: “Let me give you one typical example that is causing problem between NEITI and NNPC. We said NNPC is owing the government N640 billion. That is what NEITI 2005 audit found.

“But NNPC said no and we asked why ? They said because the government is owing us for subsidies or something even greater than that.

We said the government should pay NNPC but NNPC

should not use the non-payment of subsidy as a basis for not paying the government what it owes. We don’t do accounting that way. We don’t. If I owe you I pay and then demand what I owe.”

Commenting on the audit report, Asobie said: “If you go to the 2005 audit report, and go back to 1999, it would be discovered that the amount of money that was got from the oil sector alone was over N16 trillion.

“But go and look at the government budget from 1999 to 2005, it will be discovered that the figure is close to N16 trillion.

“He, however, raised some questions saying: “The question is what about VAT? What about in-

come tax. If this is what the government is getting from the oil sector alone and this is what the government is putting in the budget, you should ask questions. But who is going to ask the questions? It is not NEITI. It is the civil society.”

He said NEITI is not a toothless bulldog as critics claim because the law that established it makes provision for sanction except that the organisation cannot prosecute.

He said if an organisation or firm gives NEITI a false information, the law provides for action to be taken including the imprisonment of the staff and it can recommend to the Federal Government to seal up an entity.

‘Nigeria loses N153b yearly to software licensing’

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IGERIA is losing N153 billion ($1 bil lion) annually to software licensing, delivery services and technical support in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it was revealed yesterday.

According to the President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. Chris Uwaje, this is in addition to evidence of colossal losses to banks, oil sector, and the government.

This is due to inconsistent version upgrade and processes leading to failed software products, project implementation and services.

Uwaje spoke in Abuja when

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

he led members of the institute on a courtesy call on the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah where he lamented that the state of ICT in the country could not contribute substantially to national development.

He listed unregulated state of foreign software products in Nigeria, non-existent national policy and legislation on software, implementation of e-government, e-education, tele-medicine and protection of our cyberspace for national security and sur-

vivability as other factors confronting the growth of ICT. He said the visit was in furtherance of the institute’s national advocacy for the establishment and adoption of national software strategic policy.

Uwaje stressed the need for collaboration between key stakeholders on the critical and challenging ICT issues in national development.

He said it was the institute’s “professional opinion that our nation is faced with a monumental challenge on how to structure, configure and reposi-

tion Information and Communications Technology and especially software Nigeria, as a prime industry for nation building, national security and global competitiveness.”

According to him, to address these concerns, “there is fundamental need to establish an initiative to review existing ICT policies, strategies and establish as well as implement a National Software strategy and policy aimed at ensuring that Nigeria will be able to satisfy its domestic, regional and international requirements for application software solutions, content development and usage.”

USTICE Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday suspended judgment in a suit by sacked Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, in view of the NSE’s request to file defence in the case.

Okereke-Onyuike is by the suit, contesting her sack last year, by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) allegedly in connection with the then dwindling fortune of the capital market.

Justice Idris told parties yesterday that he intended to entertain an application by NSE, seeking to either be allowed to file a defence to the case or that the plaintiff be directed to reargue its case.

The judge said he had to abort his scheduled judgment in the case on discovering the NSE’s application.

Lawyer to the NSE, Babatunde Irukera, later moved the application and urged the court to either order that the plaintiff should re-argue the case, or that NSE should be allowed to put in its defence to the suit.

Okereke-Onyiuke’s lawyer, Bode Olanipekun, argued that NSE’s motion was intended to arrest the judgment, and that it had been overtaken by events.

He further stressed that the prayers sought by NSE could not be granted until an earlier proceedings of the court was set aside. He observed that there was no application to that effect.

He urged the court to dismiss the motion and proceed to deliver judgment.

Justice Idris consequently fixed April 4 for ruling on the motion and possible judgment.

Okereke-Onyiuke is contesting her removal on the grounds that she was denied fair hearing and that the action was part of the elaborate design orchestrated by SEC to “humiliate” her.

She urged the court to among others, award N3 billion damages against SEC for her allleged “unlawful removal.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

16

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.

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LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

But where it is above N5 million in value or the dealing member had engaged in such unauthorised sale of securities on a previous occasion, the upcoming penalty says, “the member shall have its dealing licence withdrawn by the Council of the exchange,” and as well face other sanctions.

For equity and fairness, the new rules say, “No dealing member shall have its licence withdrawn, unless the Disciplinary Committee of Council has made a finding that the Dealing Member engaged in the unauthorised sale of securities within the ambit of Article 1(b)(iii) and has made a recommendation to Council that the licence should be so withdrawn, provided always that during the pendency of any investigative or disciplinary proceedings, the Dealing Member shall be suspended from

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

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LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

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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

By Tonia Osundolire and Eshiet Uyoatta

trading.”

Determined to enthrone confidence in the market and bring sanity to the exchange, the Council recommends that “any dealing member that in connivance with another verifies shares owned by any other person, shall be liable to pay a fine of N50,000.”

Furthermore, the draft states that under no circumstances “shall a dealing member that misappropriates its clients funds be permitted to keep any benefits accruing from such misappropriation, including but not limited to bonuses, rights, cash dividends, capital appreciation and any profit whatsoever.” It added: “where the funds are N5 million and below in value, member will be liable to return the funds with interest at two per cent above the Monetary Policy Rates, or where he was found guilty before and it is above N5 million, the member’s licence will be withdrawn by the council of the exchange and in addition return the money with interest at two per cent above the Monetary Policy Rate.”

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

HE Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday rolled out penalties for breach of the rules governing dealing members.

The recommendations are to be effected after input from brokers and final approval by the Council.

The Council said these infractions include unauthorised sale of securities, verification of shares in connivance with another, misappropriation of funds and third party transactions, among others.

Part of the draft recommendations contained in the document obtained by The Nation, states that if a dealing member sells “securities without the authorisation of the owner, the dealer shall be required to buy back the securities, and where the sale transaction is N5 million and below in value, he would be liable to pay a fine of N100,000 and N5,000 for every day from the day of the unauthorised sale until the day the dealing member completes buying back the shares for the owner.

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

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New capital market rules coming T

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: Area Sales Manager, Lagos Gateway Nigeria Plc, Dele Akinloye; winner of a brand new Chevrolet in the Guinness Win Big promo, Olushola and Category Manager (Innovation), Guinness Nigeria Plc, Gbenga Olujuyitan, during the raffle draws and prize presentation in Lagos.

Fed Govt targets $10b investment in gas From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Federal Government has set a target of $10 billion as Foreign Direct Investment between 2012-2014 from a new Gas Revolution Agenda.

President Goodluck Jonathan is also scheduled to launch the agenda on March 24, said the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the minister said:”Today’s event is meant to acquaint you with major developments in the oil and gas industry which, we believe, will have far reaching effect on the socio-economic development in Nigeria. This is specifically in respect of Mr. President’s gas revolution agenda which will be launched on Thursday, the March 24, 2011, by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

She noted that in view of the abundant availability of 187 TCF natural gas in the country, Jonathan is of a strong vision to re-industrialise Nigeria using this vast natural resources.

But Alison-Madueke explained that the vision is anchored on the key cardinal principles, which include: significantly improved power availability for all, re-positioning of Nigeria as the undisputed regional hub for gas-based industries such as fertiliser, petrochemical and methanol, a geographical spread industrialisation, and creating wealth rapidly across the nation.

The envisioned gas based industry, which she called industrial rebirth, comprises the following: “A world scale petrochemical plant. Two world scale fertiliser plants. Five fertiliser blending plants, A methanol plant, an LPG distribution plan.”

Asked where the plants will be located, the minister said they would be based near their sources in the Niger Delta, while other plants will be spread across the country.

Odu’a partners Canadian telecoms firm to reposition O’net From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Why Nigeria’s economically under developed, IGERIA cannot develop eco of science and technology to

by NBTI chief dends nomically if her research in the people. We do realise the po-

N

novations do not get to the public, the Director-General, National Board for Technical Incubation (NBTI), Prof. Gambo Laraba Abdulahi, has said.

She expressed disappointment that the country is only interested in wooing investors, a development she described as unhelpful.

She spoke before the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja between NBTI and the National research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) on how to take the research materials from the research institutes and establishments to the door step

From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

of the public.

Abdulahi disclosed that through industrial development, Nigeria can generate wealth and create jobs.

She said can only be achieved by creating sustainable industries: She said: “Those sustainable industries have to be based on innovation.This is a very important opportunity for us that we are coming together to formalise an agreement between the two organisations. We have to partner to serve the country and at the same time able to deliver the divi-

tential of NARICT. I can say that we know NARICT to be one of the most productive research institutes in the Ministry of Science and Technology.

“NARICT has been struggling to see how its research can reach the general public. There are quite a number of attempts of commercialisation but most of it remains a prototype, pilot level or slightly a bit beyond that. And the problem being that in Nigeria, economically we are not developed in terms of industrialisation to allow the industries to come forward looking for this kind of output.

Contractors threaten to liquidate M-tel over GROUP of contractors to the by the court if the company is N400m debt up Nigeria Mobile Telecommu unable to pay its debts.”

A

nications (M-tel), mobile subsidiary of Nigerian Telecommunication Ltd (NITEL), has initiated the process of winding the telecoms firm, for failing to pay its debts.

The group, M-tel Contractors Group, had through its counsel, Mr Sulaiman Usman, served a demand on M-tel requiring her to pay its members over N400 million owed them.

In a statement by its Secretary-General, Sebagen Noboh, the group said

From: Dele Anofi, Abuja

it is exploring a legal means to seek redress, since the demand notice, which lapsed after three weeks, is the first step required for a creditor to liquidate a company unable to pay its debts.

The demand of payment of debt notice was served and recieved on March 17, 2011.

It reads: “According to the Companies and Allied Matters Act section 408(d), “A company may be wound

Section 409(a), says: “A company shall be deemed to be unable to pay its debts if a creditor, by assignment or otherwise, to whom the company is indebted in a sum exceeding 2,000 then due has served on the company, by leaving it at its registered office or head office, a demand under his hand requiring the company to pay the sum so due, and the company has for three weeks thereafter neglected to pay the sum or to secure or compound for it to the reasonable satisfaction of the creditor.”

O

DU’A Investment Limited has sealed a partnership agreement with a Canadian telecoms firm to reposition its telecoms subsidiary, O’net.

The new partner, Concave Telecommunications International Group, Canada, is coming about two years after a careful search for a serious partner for the firm began.

In a statement by the Media Relations Manager, Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr Victor Ayetoro, the company said the new deal with a foreign firm would help make O’net services more efficient, enhance its coverage and make it more responsive to the unfolding dynamics of the telecommunication market.

Ayetoro explained that with the new agreement, Concave, with operations spread across North America, Europe, Middle East and Nigeria would provide technical manpower and funds for the system upgrade and overhaul of O’net, which would enable the company to become a dominant player in the Southwest telecoms market and beyond.

At the signing of agreement at Odu’a corporate headquarters in Ibadan, Ayetoro quoted the Group Managing Director (GMD), Odu’a, Mr Adebayo Jimoh, as saying that the deal was to retool O’net and reposition it to meet the yearning demands of its ever loyal customers for sustainable service delivery, comparable with international best practices.

17

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

West African deepwater production soars by 300%, says ExxonMobil Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

• MD, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mark Ward

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HE Executive Director/ General Manager, Deepwater, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr Jide Ayo-Vaughan said oil production from deepwater province of West Africa has risen by 300 per cent in 10 years from 85, 000 barrels per day in 2000 to 2.5 million barrels per day as at the end of last year.

Ayo-Vaughan, who spoke at the just-concluded Offshore West Africa conference in Accra, Ghana, also reiterated ExxonMobil’s commitment to promoting the development of the industry in West Africa.

He said: “Deepwater production has been the biggest success story in West Africa in the past decade.

From 85,000 barrels of oil per day in 2,000, production has risen steadily to 2.5 million barrels of oil per day in 2010, a 30-fold increase.

Over 25 billion of oil equivalent barrels have been discovered in deepwater West Africa since the early 90s and the potential remains significant.

“ExxonMobil is playing an active part in enabling the successful development of the West African oil and gas industry. This conference

comes at a pivotal time in the fortunes of the global energy industry and ExxonMobil fully supports the goals and objectives of this conference in effect Nigerian deepwater output is currently 800,000 barrels per day, which provides job opportunities that support indigenous oil service companies.

The Managing Director of National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Lewis Binitie-Cassidy, also said the engineering company grossed a turnover of N5 billion in 2010.

The NETCO boss told newsmen on the sidelines of the Offshore West Africa conference that “the global financial meltdown, the Petroleum Industry Bill and the unrest situation in the delta region, negatively impacted on the volume of jobs we had during last year,” adding that the company plans to diversify into procurement and construction services through partnerships, but that involves increasing its capital base.

He said the PIB, which is before the National Assembly, when passed into law, would address the challenges facing the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

He said NETCO spearheaded the execution and practice of engineering jobs and construction supervision in all the project management required in the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries.

His predecessor, Kenneth Ejuoneastse, had also noted the strength of the engineering company saying their engineers can compete in a part of the world. He said the jobs NETCO gets were not

• NETCO rakes in N5b turnover as a result of being a subsidiary of NNPC, but due to competence and standard delivery.

Binitie-Cassidy said: “It is part of our mandate to train our engineers and build capacity. With the Nigerian content bill now in place, and the IOCs still bent on moving jobs abroad, we should also be thinking of how we can come up with strate-

gies to keep the jobs within the country.”

NETCO, he added, plans to give maximum support and confidence to Ghana National Petroleum Company to develop its engineering arm and technology.

“We are offering ourselves to Ghana National Oil Corporation and encouraging them to start an engi-

neering arm, now that they are producing oil, they will want to refine, build petrochemical plants to keep adding value rather than just exporting.

NETCO started commercial operations in August 1989 as a joint venture with Bechtel and has executed more than 50 engineering projects, which includes Chevron’s onshore gas plant of the Escravos Gas Project Phase 1, a project that involved more than 143,000 engineering man-hours.

• Nuhu Wya, Minister of State for Power, inspecting facilities at the Olorunsogo Power Plant, while officials of the company look on.

NERC moves to create effective power industry

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commision (NERC) has revealed the strategy it is deploying to restructure the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for a better performance on the general economy.

The Chairman of the commission Dr Sam Amadi, who disclosed this at the power sector reform platform workshop organised by Centre for Social Justice in Abuja, said the strategy involves putting in place policies that would ensure a significant improvement in available and declared generation capacity required for meeting permanent growth in demand across the network.

Other measures include reductions in transmissions and distribution losses, thermal losses, revenue diversion and infrastructure theft and delivery of smart grid and networks by expanding the density of metered customers.

Amadi noted that the commission in line with its mandate would formulate policies for effective regulation of transmission and distribution and stimulation of competition wherever feasible in generation and supply.

He stated that the need to have better formulated policies explains why the commission has been consulting on appropriate processes and making stakeholders an integral part of all policy proceedings.

“It is obvious that we are on

course for a workable policy. For instance, stakeholders’ consultations, which began in Calabar in February had sectoral participants, investors, stakeholders and institutional agencies coming together for deliberation.

“Our intent was to invigorate the reform process by understanding external perceptions regarding progresses made, potential success factors and shortcomings while ascertaining issues that stakeholders may want NERC to include in its long range strategic goals,” he said.

He added that from the Calabar and most recent stakeholder engagements, the commission has been able to articulate its tactical and strategic vision for the sector while learning some of the things stakeholders may want to see the commission do.

He noted that the group consultation, which was held recently also afforded corporate bodies, civic society and consumers the opportunity to distil their views regarding NERC’s policy making process.

The final stage of the consultation process he said will be scheduled as soon as NERC board completes internal conversations on the feedback the commission received from stakeholders’ engagements that have been concluded.

He promised that all concerns, anxieties, hopes and aspirations for the reform would be attended to

but pleaded with consumers, civic society and all interested parties in the power sector to support NERC in carrying out its role.

When all these policies are implemented, he assured that the government’s goal of powering our national economy to the top 20 by 2020 through energy security would be achieved, adding that there would be tangible improvements in many areas.

“With all the efforts being made

by the commission and the government we are certain we will meet up with our desire to be one of the 20 greatest economises by the year 2020 “That would mean that we would have been able to record improvements in many areas.

“There would have been wider spread public power accessibility, especially covering the inner and remote communities. Also, the unwarranted status of Nigeria being

• One of the turbines at Omotosho Power Plant

the largest market for generator would have been reversed. Apart from this, the disturbing fact that our power output is far less than those of less populated countries like Ghana, Egypt, Venezuela, Algeria and Indonesia would have been addressed. In addition, the gradual progression towards national energy sufficiency which will ultimately build to national energy security would have been realised,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

18

ENERGY

Oando invests $1m in lubricants to boost quality O ANDO Marketing, a subsid iary of Oando Group, has invested over $1 million in its lubricant business.

The company said the investment was to optimise production of lubricant and improve capacity at the blending and filling plants.

The measure is seen as proactive, said an industry operator, especially now that the government wants to flush out illegal distribution and sales points to check faking and adulteration.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Standard Organisation said they resolved to ensure that the sale of base oil as lubricant to Nigerians should be stopped and that culprits would be sanctioned.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

The DPR official in charge of downstream operations, Mr Gbenga Koku, had told The Nation that from January this year, lubricants should only be sold at filling stations and designated areas and such lubes must be branded in the name of the company that blends them.

Such decision is to ensure that the discovery of any adulterated lube, the company that owns product would be held responsible. However, counterfeiting of lubricants has been a common practice in Nigeria and that most companies in the business said eradication of such practice might be unachievable but efforts are being

made to reduce it drastically.

Oando Marketing with the current investment, has purchased and installed new automated, high capacity machines, which have the capacity to carryout automated quality checks, which will further improve the existing high quality standard Oleum brand of lubes from Oando’s stable that is already in place.

The fund injected into company’s lube sector has been used to improve its Kaduna blending plant, introduce bulk oil in one litre and a device to check counterfeiting of its lubes.

A source from the company said: “Kaduna Lubes Plant now has an installed filling capacity of 100 million litres of lubricant per annum, so Oando Marketing can meet huge

demand arising from the ban of low quality lubricants and base oils from the streets by SON and DPR. “The company has also introduced the production of bulk oil in one litre can in compliance with SON’s directive and Oando Marketing has also introduced a seal and spout cap to curb counterfeiting to ensure value for money for the customers. This device ensures that any of customers that buys our lubricant would confident that the lube oil is genuine and of international standard.

“There is now an optimised distribution channels with an in-built loyalty scheme to boost speedy delivery and constant availability nationwide.”

• Wale Tinubu, Group CEO, Oando

PIB: Group urges Senate to pass bill into law

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HE Civil Society Coalition on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has lauded the House of Representatives for making considerable progress towards the passage of the PIB into law and urged the Senate to follow the footsteps of the House of Representatives by acting urgently on the bill before end of their tenure.

Currently, the House of Representatives considered the report of the Joint Committee on the Bill but the Senator stood it down on the excuse that they “are being put under unnecessary pressure” by civil society groups who protested the delay at the National Assembly.

Reacting to the developments, Dr. Otive Igbuzor of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, said: “We commend the House of Representatives for its positive disposition and response to the yearnings of Nigerians on the PIB, which will bring proper regulation, corporate social responsibility, transparency and accountability in the oil and gas.”

He expressed disappointment with the Senate for refusing to listen to the voice of Nigerians calling on them to concur with the House of Representatives to ensure that the Bill is passed before May this year.

The group also called on the executive arm of government to demonstrate more seriousness toward the passage of the bill.

The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and Coordinator of the Civil Society Campaign on the PIB, Rev.

David Ugolor, said: “This is an executive bill but while Mr President has repeatedly reassured Nigerians that the bill will be passed before May this year, the body language of the executive arm of government seems to suggest that there is no strong commitment to seeing the PIB become law. Nigerians want to see more executive commitment to its passage rather than the present preoccupation with politics. We cannot afford to sacrifice governance on the altar of politics.”

Reacting to the complaints by the Senate that it is “under unnecessary pressure” from civil society groups, the group said it would not yield to blackmail because citizens engagement with legislative processes is a fundamental right that cannot be denied. “In an era where inclusion of civil society voices has become the norm, rather than the exception, it is sad that our legislators would attempt to discountenance the people’s yearnings,” Ugolor added.

The PIB is a comprehensive legislative document that seeks to introduce changes that will make Nigeria’s oil and gas sector more transparent, efficient and responsive to the needs of the nation’s citizens. It has suffered several setbacks since it was first presented three years ago due to what has been described as a “conspiracy” against it by forces that are benefitting from the rot in the sector. The delay has bred uncertainty in the oil and gas sector, which has deterred potential investments into the sector estimated at billions of dollars.

• From left: Mrs. Buki Bademosi, Head, Administration and Operations, Strategic Energy; Adeyemi Oreagba, Manager, LPG, Oando Marketing and Auwulu Ilu, President, Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association, at a briefing by Nigeria LPG Association in Lagos.

‘Nigeria needs $50b investment in deepwater development’

By Bidemi Bakare

Iraq plans to increase crude storage capacity

I

RAQ plans to boost its oil stor age capacity to 7.8 million barrels per day by the end of this year, an official said, as the Organisation of Petroleum Countries (OPEC) member has embarked on major crude production and export expansion plans.

Iraq is building eight new tanks in the southern Faw peninsula, which will add a storage capacity of 2.8m bpd to Iraq’s capacity of 5m bpd now, Uday Nader, an engineer at state-run South Oil Company, said.

“The company is undertaking an ambitious project on two stages to raise the export capacity from the southern terminals,” he said during a visit to Al Faw oil warehouse, south of the oil

hub of Basra.

“We are building now eight storage tanks with capacity of 2.8m bpd which will be finished by the end of this year, and we are also building another eight tanks with the same capacity, which we will finish by the end of next year.”

Nader said construction of two southern oil export terminals was on track. Iraq intends to build at least four new floating ports.

That would raise Iraq’s export capacity from Basra to 4.5m bpd by the end of this year from 1.9m bpd now.

Iraq is likely to increase its storage capacity to 50million barrels by the end of 2012, to help cope with the anticipated jump in crude production and because it wants to broaden the range of crude export grades.

• Fawthrop

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IGERIA will have to invest an estimated $50 billion for the development of oil reserves in its deepwater fields it has been revealed.

The Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria, Andrew Fawthrop, stated that the amount was needed to develop existing fields and to recover known accumulations.

The existing fields would require $10 billion while known accumulation would need $40 billion, he said.

Fawthrop noted that resources in the deepwater are so huge that the government, Nigeria National Pe-

troleum Corporation (NNPC) and International Oil Companies (IOCs) through their JVs needed to brace for big investments in the deepwater to increase reserves and production.

He stated that the investment would be for the building of facilities and platforms and pipelines at a reasonable cost, adding that stable government policies, taxes and financial terms would, however, be required for the investment to be viable.

Fawthrop said such investments would, however, need a portfolio of opportunities for efficiencies and impact for investors and service companies to build support capabilities and continuity of programs for communities.

To this end, the Chevron boss believes the government, IOCs, NNPC, indigenous companies, service companies and communities, all have a part to play if the deepwater project must be successful.

On the current condition of its fields, Fawthrop stated that the company has continued to improve the recovery from current fields by studying and gathering more data on the reservoirs through intelligent completions or higher seismic that allow improved techniques to be used to increase the percentage of oil from a reservoir.

He added that the company has been very active in supporting marginal field operators by providing technical and operational

support to operate old fields or old discoveries.

He noted that this has helped in building economic and technical proficiencies of indigenous oil and gas players for them to add reserves to their companies and to Nigeria by developing fields that fit their portfolios.

He assured that the company is always ready to support the government aspirations for increased reserves and productions just as it has being doing for close to 50 years.

“For us in Chevron, we are proud to be partners with the Nigerian government and have been active in the country’s upstream energy business for about 50 years now.

We will continue to pursue an enduring partnership which is a key to strengthening the Nigerian industry in today’s complex global energy environment. We will actively strive to add reserves in Nigeria, “ he said.

In the area of gas, Fawthrop expressed confidence that the company will continue to add reserves for it to be a reliable supplier of high quality gas to plants in Nigeria and also to regional projects such as the West Africa gas pipeline Before the deepwater project came on stream in 2005, the production of oil has been largely accounted for by onshore and shelf production activities. But since its arrival the production from deepwater has filled the gap and this has caused onshore and shell production to dip.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Sound judgment Sitting governors that win rerun can only conclude their tenure HE controversy regarding the tenure of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has been judicially resolved, unless an appeal leads otherwise. His current term, according to the Federal High Court in Asaba will now end on May 29. This makes him eligible to stand as candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the April 16 governorship election.

The Court of Appeal, Benin City division, had on November 9, 2010, nullified Uduaghan’s election victory of April 14, 2007, thereby ordering a re-run that took place on January 6. He took an oath of office on January 10 at about 5-6p.m. But President Goodluck Jonathan signed the amended 1999 Constitution into law at about 10.00am the same day Uduaghan took oath of office and allegiance for the

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‘We agree with the position that the constitution did not ever contemplate a situation where a governor will serve for seven or more years in office just because he won a re-run election. The judge was right in his observation that the mandate of the governor is with ‘the electorate and does not lie with the court under a thin disguise of official interpretation’

second term as governor. This presidential act was the genesis of the court action that the Asaba court adjudicated over.

The two principal issues that the court decided over were whether Uduaghan was entitled to fresh four years based on his fresh oath of office of January 10 and if he was caught by the web of Section 180 (2) (A) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Section 180 (2) (A) of the amended 1999 Constitution of Nigeria states: “In the determination of the fouryear term, where a re-run election has taken place and the person earlier sworn in, wins the re-run election, the time spent in office before the date the election was annulled shall be taken into account”.

In tandem with the true purport of this provision, the Justice Ibrahim Buba who presided over federal high court ruled against tenure renewal for the incumbent governor of Delta State. By this judgment, no sitting governor that wins a re-run election will henceforth start a fresh term of office but conclude his remaining term.

The learned justice, with this judgment, has cured the mischief inherent in the former constitution regarding re-run election-cum-tenure. The reviewed constitution hereby mandates the current Delta State governor to be a “de jure and not de facto governor”.

We agree with the position that the constitution did not ever contemplate a situation where a governor will serve for seven or more years in office just because he won a re-run election. The judge was

right in his observation that the mandate of the governor is with ‘the electorate and does not lie with the court under a thin disguise of official interpretation.’

It is a good thing that the court in this regard did not allow itself to be used to achieve an immoral political end.

This case must be distinguished from any other before it. The judgment is unambiguous and a courageous interpretation of the real intendment of the lawmakers’ mindset while reviewing the particular section. We call on lawyers in the country to give proper legal advice to their clients on very glaring cases that can lead to an affront to the law and an avenue to not only waste the time of the court but also ridicule it. But for the mischief of these lawyers, most of whom are, unfortunately, senior men in the Bar and inner Bar, the courts would have on several occasions been spared the agony of time-wasting litigations. There should not have been any argument regarding what a fresh election and a re-run election means.

We hope that now that the issue has been resolved by the court in Delta State on who is entitled to a fresh term as serving governor, no one will ever bring up the matter again. The judgment that emanated from the federal high court, in our view, is very reasonable. It has definitely helped us to resolve, once and for all, one of the contentious issues in this democratic dispensation.

Killer convoys • Innocent people will continue to die unless we check executive drivers’ recklessness on our roads

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IVE persons died and 10 others were injured on March 15 when two commercial buses collided with the official car of the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, on KatsinaDaura Road. The accident, which was avoidable, occurred at about 9.30 a.m. in Zakalia Village in Mashi Local Government Area of the state. Governor Shema was travelling to Daura to receive President Goodluck Jonathan, who was expected to pay courtesy calls on the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk and that of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, before proceeding to address party faithful in Katsina, in continuation of his presidential campaign.

Although the governor only had minor injuries, his Aide-de-Camp, ASP Aminu Ibrahim, and four passengers in the buses died.

If eyewitnesses’ accounts were anything to go by, the accident might have been avoided if the road had been in good shape and if the convoy was not over-speeding. The accident reportedly occurred on a failed portion of the Katsina/Daura Road when an on-coming vehicle, in an attempt to avoid some bad portions of the road, broke into the governor’s convoy. This action caused the vehicles in the convoy to suddenly screech to a halt. The result was the multiple crashes which became inevitable considering the speed at which the convoy was trave;lling.

This wasn’t the first fatal crash involving President Jonathan’s campaign. A vehicle in his large convoy crashed into a civilian vehicle just outside Port

Harcourt during a February 12 visit to the city. At least two people were reported dead from the accident, although authorities would not confirm that. Without doubt, car crashes are common on the country’s poorly maintained roads, with drivers often travelling at high speed and overtaking slower vehicles, leading to head-on collisions and high death tolls.

But the recklessness of executive and politicians’ convoys is something else.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, once advised the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to train drivers on convoys and certify them fit before issuing them with certificates of proficiency before they can be allowed to drive. “… It is even worse sometimes when the governors are not in the convoy,” Dr. Uduaghan said.

This is not all; politicians’ convoys also flout the country’s traffic rules, with armed men with machine guns using threats and force to push traffic out of the way. In short, it is an understatement to say that convoy drivers have become a serious menace on the roads as evident in road obstructions and lane indiscipline, which have become their major hallmarks. They need to be tamed.

This is where the police come in. Former Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, said the force had set up monitoring teams to carefully evaluate the driving behaviour of convoy drivers; and whoever is found to have contravened the rule would be summarily tried in accordance with the service rules and meted with appropriate punishment.

We are not aware of any such punishment meted to anyone. And this is so because the governors and other public officers in the convoys are the real culprits by proxy. Our laws prohibit any driver revving above 100 kilometers per hour (KMPH), even on the express way. So, for any public officer, no matter the position, to allow his or her driver to overspeed is tantamount to abuse of office and a breach of the road safety laws.

Still, the buck stops at the desk of the law-enforcement officers. They must rein in people who terrorise other road users. If their own lives have duplicates, others’ haven’t. This is why we have to get tough with those who maim and kill ordinary Nigerians with impunity just because they have the privilege of driving public figures. After all, Nigeria is not the only place where there are public officials. It is not so in civilised climes.

‘We are not aware of any such punishment meted to anyone.

And this is so because the governors and other public officers in the convoys are the real culprits by proxy ... Still, the buck stops at the desk of the law-enforcement officers.

They must rein in people who terrorise other road users. If their own lives have duplicates, others’ haven’t’

Too soon to write off nuclear power

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IRST CAME an earthquake so powerful that it shifted Japan’s largest island, Honshu, eight feet eastward. Thirty minutes later a tsunami washed away thousands of lives. Now, a third disaster threatens as technicians desperately try to keep the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station from releasing radioactive material.

During all of this, the Japanese people have reacted with fortitude. In a rare television appearance, the emperor asked Japanese to “hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times.” That seems to be exactly what they are attempting; and the skeleton staff at Fukushima Daiichi is taking on more than its share, only briefly evacuating the site after detecting a radiation spike on Tuesday, then returning to continue cooling the reactors.

Though the reactors are shut down, they are still producing immense quantities of heat. It doesn’t appear that catastrophic levels of radiation have leaked from the plant’s thick containment barriers, but U.S. officials still have few details. The next few days will be critical.

On this side of the Pacific, the crisis has reinvigorated a debate on nuclear safety. Opponents of atomic power say this crisis proves that the risks can never be eliminated. That’s true. There will always be challenges that designers don’t fully anticipate.

Yet Energy Secretary Steven Chu insisted Wednesday that he and President Obama want to retain nuclear energy as an option, and they have good reason to do so. Generating electricity carries risks, no matter how you do it. Burning fossil fuels pumps harmful gases and particulates into the air every day, causing respiratory illness and cancer in thousands. People die in explosions of coal mines, oil drilling rigs and natural gas pipelines. Unlike nuclear energy, burning fossil fuels contributes to the gravest environmental threat of our time — climate change, which is likely to affect not thousands or millions of people, but billions.

Nuclear accidents pose a uniquely frightening danger: the prospect, in a worst case, of large swaths of territory being poisoned and uninhabitable for decades or longer. Mr. Chu and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko are right to have the government closely examine what happens in Japan and adjust U.S. policy as necessary. But the Fukushima plant is old. New plants would use more sophisticated technology, such as small-scale high-temperature gas reactors that use fuel in forms that shrink the risk of meltdown further still. A proposed nuclear plant in Georgia would not require backup power in order to activate emergency cooling systems.

Events in Japan will affect the “nuclear renaissance” to some extent, no matter what Mr. Chu or anyone else says, and all the more if the damage is not contained. Our thoughts, as ever, are with the Japanese people struggling to cope; beyond that, it is too soon to form broad and absolute judgments on relative risks.

• Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: It is election time hence the chant of ‘vote for this, don’t vote for that’ has covered the atmosphere. Opposition parties are naturally making the failures and shortcomings of incumbent elected officials the subject of their campaigns rather than telling people their own programs where they have any. What about a situation where the incumbent have done well, does it mean that the opposition will have nothing to campaign about?

This question pops up anytime I think about the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Lagos State.

I use to wonder what the opposition will use in their campaigns of calumny. Can opposition parties in Lagos State reasonably tell the people to vote for change? If they tell people this, will Lagosians not ask them – what change?

I have noticed that it is only in Lagos State that the opposition have not been able to say to the people that the incumbent elected government has not performed; maybe because of the fear of being stoned by Lagos residents who are living witnesses to the peaceful atmosphere and the incredible development going on in Lagos State in the last four years. It is hard to deny that the four years of Fashola administration has significantly touched all the aspects of people’s lives in Lagos State. To

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Fashola: second term guaranteed some of us, Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) is the only person we point to, when people argue with us that there is no hope for Nigeria.

That is why the campaign by the People’s Democratic Party in Lagos State is more of a tussle for power and the quest to capture the greatest state by all means rather than any promise or readiness to even do half of what BRF has done. Even the minority said to be not in support of BRF for the second term are afraid of the consequence of not

casting their votes for him because nobody in Lagos wants any standard below the status quo. The fear that another person may not uphold the great policies of BRF have left his critics confused. Lagosians fear that a new government may abolish the BRT system, return Oshodi market to its old ways, return the beggars to the streets, bring back the car-parks to roadsides and return the metropolis of Lagos to its old ways of heightened insecurity.

As I look into the next four years of Fashola’s administration, I see greater things to come; but more than those greater things, I fear for whoever will succeed him in 2015.

The reality is that such a person will have to go extra miles to outshine him in performance. The truth is that any subsequent administration that achieves an inch less than the achievement of BRF’s administration will not be appreciated by Lagosians.

This is a great lesson to other politicians that rather than kill innocent citizens and rig elections, the secret to an easy climb into second term in office is good governance in the first term. When a public officer performs beyond the expectations of the people, they will be ready to even elect him the third time if not that the constitution will not permit.

For now, we are only releasing Babatunde Raji Fashola to Lagos State for the next four years to conclude his transformation programmess. After that, the moment he evaporates in Lagos, we want him to condense in Abuja.

• Akintujoye Eniayo Israel (Peniela) Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

President of PDP or Nigeria?

IR: It is high time we find an answer to this question. Is our President the President of Nigeria or the President of Peoples Democratic Party? Why do PDP aspirants believe that until when we align with the central government, we cannot enjoy dividend of democracy?

Listening to the party’s aspirants

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on national television boast that Lagosians must vote for them in order to connect to federal government, one is tempted to ask: is Mr. President our President or their President?

If being in opposition is to be disconnected from federal government as they say, then kudos to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola for doing a

wonderful work since 1999 when they were disconnected from federal government.

Have those governments connected to the centre fared better?

Lets ask the PDP, what do they have to show for their 12 years in office. What have they offered except high level of crime in the country, killing every minute in Jos, bomb attack in kitchens and bed-

rooms, goats and sheeps playing Olympic games at our airports, dying educational systems, sick health sector, crippled judiciary and sleeping economy.

Isn’t Nigeria herself disconnected from the presidency?

•Alonge Oladele Lagos

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARACH 22, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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EMEMBER Ola Rotimi’s biting comedy, Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again? That sets the tone right now, in the political South West, with the burlesque going on among disgraced and ignominiously ousted mandate robbers in Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states.

Olakunle Were the inimitable Prof. Rotimi Abimbola still alive, and was tickled enough lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) to put pen to paper to write a play to capture the on-going absurdity, he probably would title it, Our Mandate Robbers Have Gone Mad Again!

God bless Prof. Rotimi, the famous playwright of blessed memory. But even he was a product of the rich Yoruba oral tradition, rippling with wit that would have made envious John Donne (1572-1631), the clear leader of the English poetic Mr. Oni, judicially certified beneficiary of vote robbery and school called the Metaphysical Poets, and world acclaimed illegal governor for three-and-a-half years, and in Ekiti of all master, of his age, of poetic wit and conceit. places, still has the effrontery and temerity to mount a road The Yoruba, never ever short of words to hammer repro- show in a comic suit asking the Court of Appeal to reverse bates, have come down hard on the proverbial fool, who itself in a terminal judgment that even those Abuja demigods would rather lose his life than be separated from his freebie: telling Oni and co fancy tales about night magically turning “Eni ri nkan e, to fe ku pelu e; owo eni to ti sonu nko?” If you into day, know is unimpeachable! happened on fortune and would rather die than give it up, And if you want any further evidence that Mr. Oni has virwhat would the owner, who lost that fortune, do – die many tually turned alien to those pristine Ekiti values that purporttimes over? edly moulded him, you need not go far. A few days after Mr. It is a mark of the moral sewers of Olusegun Obasanjo’s Oni’s road show of shame in Ado, the Ilawe-Ekiti commumainstream children, which jars on the Yoruba pristine val- nity, at the launching of the Veritas Catholic University, again ues, that they appear deaf, dumb and blind to this Yoruba wit. manifested those simple and honest values that made Ekiti They did not hap on any mandate. They stole it – and in the world famous, as a land of honour and virtue. most brazen of manners. Yet, they would rather die, because Receiving a donation at the university launch, the Ilawe the stolen mandates have since been prised off their itchy folks insisted on publicly writing a receipt for the donated fingers! sum, just to prove to the donor who was represented and the That is the only way to explain the outrage going on – if world that the donation was delivered. Could the same Ekiti people are not too repulsed to even want to discuss it. have produced the unrepentant Oni vote-thieving gang and After wasting precious breath on infantile newspaper inter- this hardy people of honour as Ilawe so gloriously demonviews and corrupted the public space with fond and self-serv- strated? Indeed, as the Yoruba say, a sheep that frolics with ing arguments, Olusegun Oni, the disgraced gubernatorial dogs is doomed to eating faeces! usurper of Ekiti, has since actualised the absurd potentials of But move over from the Ekiti Oni of yesterday to the new the proverbial alien who turns himself into an abject object of Rip Van Winkle of the neighbouring Ondo State. Now, the mockery, but insists he is celebrating the Muslim eid: Gambari original Rip Van Winkle, in the tale of American Washington nseleya, o loun nsodun ileya!

Irving, slept for 20 years only to jerk awake to find the world completely changed.

Olusegun Agagu, Ondo’s new Rip Van Winkle, has “slept” “Oyinlola, Omisore, Agagu and for only two years. But for all you know, his two-year stupor Oni embark on the proverbial would appear to have done more damage to him than the original Rip – or how else would anyone explain Dr. Agagu, tortoise’s journey. They are sworn judicially and judiciously ousted two years ago, just jerking to not coming back until they are awake to write a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) to have a second look at another terminally determined fully and thoroughly disgraced.” and well acclaimed case?

epublican ipples

And pray, what would the NJC be reviewing? That a certain Sam Omatseye, a journalist and The Nation Editorial Board chairman, did not turn a palm wine tapper to vote Agagu, in a voodoo election organised under the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, Agagu’s father in mainstream politics, in the best tradition of do-or-die elections? Or that Nelson Mandela did not abandon the high ideals that made him a global icon, to vote Agagu? Or that Mike Tyson did not desert his boxing ring and self-inflicted personal problems to coast down Ondo’s waterside to vote Agagu?

Of course, an ousted “governor” of the wehave-rigged-the-election-and-there-is-nothing-anyone-can-do-about-it hue is back mounting the soap box to become senator of the same people whose mandate he so outrageously abandoned! Is shame dead in the land of Oduduwa? Of course, it is the same federal powered-impunity that wilfully refuses to punish electoral malfeasance that is making Agagu and fellow mandate robbers get more brazen by the day.

That takes the matter to the third leg of the unholy trinity, across the border in Osun: the pair of Iyiola Omisore and Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Now, the less said in decent and cultured company, of Iyiola Omisore, the better. It is only in the sickly mainstream of Nigerian politics that an Omisore, nearpariah in Omoluabi company, would make it to the Senate and even chair the Senate’s appropriation committee. So, if Omisore tried to malign people with honour as he did in his infamous advertorial, it is a clear case of wilful destruction of what he has not and may never have.

As for retired Brig-Gen. Oyinlola, his is an abiding record of disappointment, both as military administrator in Lagos and controversial and later illegal governor of Osun, in a way that conclusively proves his arid thinking and near-zero vision. But Oyinlola too, like Dr. Agagu, has petitioned the NJC and is warming up for a shot at the Senate.

But what is Oyinlola telling his constituents – that he stole their votes once and he would steal it again? That incompetence is virtue in politics and therefore his proven incompetence as illegal governor should propel him to the Senate?

But, of course, Oyinlola, Omisore, Agagu and Oni embark on the proverbial tortoise’s journey. They are sworn to not coming back until they are fully and thoroughly disgraced.

As for their Abuja sponsors, whose sense of impunity gifts these South West reprobates Dutch courage, history is there to make mincemeat of them and their illusory power. Before then however, let them be wary of turning Nigeria into another Somalia. Destroying the Judiciary, because political cry-babies and mandate robbers would not be consoled, because they have lost what they stole, is akin to building a sold expressway to Mogadishu.

Are the Abuja demigods too far gone to realise this selfimposed danger?

Our mandate robbers have gone mad again

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Y delving into the raging issue of wages on this page last week, although I knew I was touching a “live wire”, I least expected that the ordinarily rational discourse on the wage albatross would arouse kind of emotive reactions I got on the matter. While some descended to name calling for what they considered an attempt at playing the devil’s advocate for the governors, some responses were simply un-put-down-able!

I must say that I saw it coming. After all, blackmail, ever a poor substitute for logical arguments would seem permissible in the season of politics. However, the development has somewhat reinforced my belief that the time to confront the politics of blackmail as far as the wages conundrum is concerned is now.

The issue seems clear as daylight. We cannot pretend to be “federal” when the states are effectively vassals to the federal behemoth. The states have a duty to resist, administratively, legally and constitutionally unfair federal impositions. It is not just in the matter of wages alone but in every aspect of their relations.

That was the crux of my message last week.

Not surprisingly, no less than half-a-dozen of my readers called to express the view that I wrote the way I did because Lagos, currently locked in tango with its doctors over the wage issue, is involved. They are right. Apart from serving as a model in the federalist quest; the centre of excellence has never pretended to be anything but a clear leader in the battle charge to re-configure the landscapes of our federalism. I consider both crucial and essential to the health of the republic hence my being enamoured.

The point again is that unified wages across the board is not only unworkable, it has become iniquitous in the current circumstances. Some say why not; after all political office holders maintain unified wages? Myanswer is: that itself is anomalous; there should be no need for unified wages, be it for governors or whoever, across the states.

That is the whole idea behind fiscal independence.

By glossing over the finer principles underlying their tango with the state government, issues such as contracts between employers and employees, the boundaries of contracting parties in wage negotiations, the striking health workers laid themselves open to charges of arbitrariness.

This I consider unfortunate given their privileged positions.

How does one explain the threat by doctors in federal establishments in Lagos State to join their state counterparts in solidarity over pay? The threat to shut down the remaining point of access to public health care services in the state (if the threat has not been carried out already) is obviously meant to pressure the state government to turn the treasury taps to usher in the CONMESS deluge! Does that sound familiar? Does anyone

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

More on rage over wages need additional evidence of the militaristic mindset driving the rage over wages?

Where will it end? No one knows. As if readers do not know already, nurses in Lagos last week joined their doctor counterparts to “consolidate” their demand for CONMESS. Yes, they also want the federal pay for their members.

Should we be surprised to see ambulance drivers, mortuary attendants, laboratory technologists join to press for CONMESS? With CONMESS’ anarchy set loose on the health sector, society, not just the health sector is already falling apart.

Why would teachers not demand for their equivalent of CONMESS? Or even civil servants?

May God help us all.

FEEDBACK Re: The politics of wages I have just read your Tuesday column titled “The politics of wages”. The whole problem with our industrial relations system should be blamed on the military incursion into politics. It was the military that came with the idea of unified salary structure for Nigeria. Before the military incursion, the four regional governments were paying wages according to their abilities and workers were contented. As a Grade Two teacher in the Northern Region, I was earning 20 pounds (1967) while my colleagues in the Western region earned 16 pounds and six shillings. In the eastern region it was 15 pounds. That was the operation of true federalism. After enjoying a unified salary structure for several years, it has become impossible for Nigerian workers to accept the idea of each state paying according to the resources available to it.

The new minimum wage, if it is to be implemented by all states without separate negotiation would lead to job losses

or early retirement except the revenue formula is reviewed in favour of states and local governments.

Barrister Ayo Olalere, Ibadan It is tragic that the low trust level the unions have for the governors. What with the profligacy and wastage of scarce resources, unaccounted for security votes and other malfeasance? Only good governance can bring the desired change in wage distribution and end the malaise of strikes ravaging the economy.

Adamade I agree that you have the right to advocate for the states especially when Lagos is involved. Sir, try and find out the genesis of the CONMESS issue and who were the parties from inception. You have the right to your bias but try and put it on sound logic. I guess you have never seen anything wrong with federally directed political office holders’ emoluments?

Dr. Olatunji, Ibadan.

Thanks for your reasoned views as always. But the politics of wages raises some issues that I want to clarify.

National minimum wage is not peculiar to Nigeria. It operates in the UK and USA. It was also introduced in Nigeria by Awo. The base line is to ensure that no worker is paid slave wage. This would happen if there is no regulation. Minimum wage is the determined baseline for further negotiation by various unions and governments which you cannot go below. The 18,000 was agreed to by the tripartite committee of federal, state governments and labour; so why the cry now?

The lifestyles of governors, their spouses and children call to question their insistence that there is no money to pay. N18,000 translates to N600 per day for eight hours job. However, there should be relativity of pay to stem the tide of agitation.

Lanre With a sound electoral system this wage problem would not be there. Any governor not willing to pay should be ready to go. Most states have potentials to generate enough to pay but only wait for federal allocation and treat such money as personal.

Yinka.

‘With CONMESS’ anarchy set loose on the health sector, society, not just the health sector is already falling apart. Why would teachers not demand for their equivalent of CONMESS? Or even civil servants?’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION WAS on the entourage of a one time health minister, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti shortly after he assumed office. The late professor who served under then military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida was on his first official visit to federal government health institutions in Lagos and as his convoy left Yaba for the Central Laboratory at Oshodi, the pilot car was blowing siren, clearing the way for the Honourable Minister. As we approached Fadeyi on Ikorodu Road, the Minister, narrating his experience to the Reporters Corps later, said he drew a deep breadth and looked at where he was and what was happening on the road as the traffic started giving way to allow his entourage to pass. He said he felt embarrassed. Why should anybody clear the road for him, he wondered? He said he felt out of place in that kind of environment given the fact that as a Prof. at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) then, he could only afford a Gulf car and was enjoying himself.

Now in a big car and a long convoy of official vehicles, with one clearing the way for him., he felt he was oppressing the public; and the man felt sad. The Prof.you’ll agree with me belonged in the old school.

Our public officers today, save a few, don’t care whatever happens to the motorists whenever their convoys of at times twenty cars’ were on the road. if you refuse to leave the road for them or give way when you hear the siren, you have yourself to blame. They

I

‘The problem is not with the suicide drivers and their accomplice bosses alone, it is a general problem, it’s just that accidents involving VIPs get reported in the media because of the personalities involved.

How many times have we urged our drivers to speed up so that we can meet our appointment even when we didn’t leave home on time?’

Suicide drivers drive anyhow without regard for traffic rules and regulations. They often drive at top speed and recklessly too as if they have an appointment with death. Some of them do and have actually kept that appointment with death and are in their graves now. My annoyance is that they did not die alone; they took innocent souls along with theirs.

One of these mad drivers nearly took the life of one state governor, Barrister Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State whose convoy was recently involved in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of his Aide de Camp, a police officer, and some innocent civilians in the other vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Thank God for His mercies, Governor Shema is still here with us.

Then sitting governor of old Sokoto State in the second republic, Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa was not that lucky as he fell off a horse and lost his life while playing Polo. Though his death was also an accident, but of a different type, late Kangiwa, I think, was the first sitting State governor to die in office, but at the rate at which some of our State governors today are conducting themselves on the road, one or two of them might soon join him on the other side.

Just when you think the Shema experience might have taught these suicide drivers a lesson, a vehicle usually in the convoy of Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu was last week involved in a fatal crash as the driver was heading to a location a day ahead of the Governor who was to address a rally at the town the following day.

This executive lawlessness/recklessness on our highways is getting worrisome and the earlier the matter was addressed the better. The various law enforcement agencies charged with ensuring safety on

our roads, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, seem to be losing the battle to bring these drivers and their bosses who either encourage them to over speed and drive dangerously or indulge them, to book. In fairness to the FRSC, the Corps has almost shouted itself hoarse warning drivers on convoys of state chief executives, top government officials and top military chiefs against dangerous driving. The Corps seem helpless in the face of lack of cooperation by the top functionaries whose drivers were involved in this act of recklessness. First, it is very difficult for the Police of FRSC Marshals or Commanders to stop the driver when he is overspending and when they succeeded in doing this, the boss at the back of the car instead of cautioning his driver or allowing the road safety official do their work, would rather tongue lash the officials questioning their temerity for stoping his convoy. What can the poor official do? If he insists on booking “Oga’s” driver, the boss could order his boys to teach him a lesson or he could be gentle with him by only calling the commander’s boss on phone and reporting the embarrassment the ‘small rat’ has just caused him. Pity the Commander or Marshal on the road as he would be lucky if his boss merely warned him against such act of rudeness to a VIP in future. In extreme cases he could lose his job or posting. So, to avoid any of these, the safety official on the road simply ignores these drivers and their bosses whenever they encounter them on the road hoping that one way or the other the road would punish them. By the way, the road doesn’t forgive, at the appropriate time it

punishes such reckless drivers; and it’s punishment could be fatal. Ask Governor Shema.

If these guys and their bosses die through their reckless driving without taking any other life with theirs not a few will not blink an eye, after all it’s their lives. But when one consider the collateral damage involved and the damage done to the families of the innocent victims’ one is left with no other option than to call for harsher punishment for drivers of these VIPs whenever they were caught violating traffic rules.

But beyond this, the bosses involved should be able to rein in their drivers when they indulge in overspeeding or dangerous driving. If for no other reason. they should remember that their own lives are at stake and accident doesn’t discriminate.

Nigeria has lost too many lives to road accidents and road traffic accident has probably claimed more lives in the country than say malaria or such other killer diseases. Road Traffic Accident is fast becoming a major public health concern and everybody must get involved in efforts to tackle it. The statistics are scary. A visit to the accident wards at our major hospitals will reveal the truth. We need to change our driving culture. it is a fact that most drivers on our roads including the ones on official convoys never went through any formal training before sitting behind the steering. Majority were self thought. Children learning how to drive by driving daddy’s spare car while he was away at work is almost the order of the day. Prospective drivers get driving license delivered to them at home without going through the rigours of a driving test once they can pay for it. How many of our drivers know the highway code? The worst culprits are even the commercial drivers as some of them can neither read nor write. So, where do we go from here?

The problem is not with the suicide drivers and their accomplice bosses alone, it is a general problem, it’s just that accidents involving VIPs get reported in the media because of the personalities involved. How many times have we urged our drivers to speed up so that we can meet our appointment even when we didn’t leave home on time? Unless we change our attitude and mind set to this and our other problems, no amount of legislation will save us from the impending disaster. Let’s act now.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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EST satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they will”- Pythagoras When Abdullahi Dikko was appointed the customs helmsman 18 months ago, not many people gave him a chance to succeed. The reception, expectedly, had a grill of reservation and caution, a mix that neither expressed friendship nor hatred. But like a man armed with the vision for achievement, Dikko, not minding this initial distraction, soon settled down, mapped out a clear programme for his job. He has since gone about it with utmost dedication, candour and commitment.

He left no one in doubt that it was not going to be business as usual at the nation’s ports and borders. Naturally, his boldness, courage, and uprightness have elicited a foggy relationship between him and some old fogies. That has attracted unrelenting smear campaign, malicious propaganda and out right false hood. After reading through the puerile reasons adduced by a faceless group, which gave its name as ‘Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders group, calling for the probe and removal of Dikko as customs helmsman, one can not but laugh over their palpable ignorance about the man, Dikko. Since providence thrust Jonathan on Nigeria as its helmsman, he has sufficiently demonstrated that he is not an ethnic bigot that will sacrifice merit on the altar of political expediency. Not a few would readily attest to the circumspection and large- heartedness of President Jonathan in retaining Dikko as the customs helmsman and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the CBN governor, despite the frivolous petitions sent to him by economic saboteurs to make him relieve them of their jobs.

The wisdom in his decision to retain the duo of Dikko and Sanusi is evident for all to see today.

At this period of global economic meltdown, calling for the removal of Dikko whose initiatives and exemplary integrity has translated into additional revenue to the nation’s coffers is the greatest disservice any one can do to the economic well-being of Nigerians.

As St Christopher once remarked, “If you doubt my ability, behold my work!

Dikko’s laudable and verifiable achievements in the last 18 months as customs helms-

A look at Dikko’s stewardship at Customs

By Lanre Aminu man are reassuring testimony of his greatness. On assuming the leadership of the service as the Comptroller-General, Dikko and his management team in line with World Customs Organisation (WCO)’s diagnostic team report rolled out a six-point agenda to drive the reform process. These include,maximising the potentials of the service through capacity building; moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in the service; rewarding productivity and ensuring an enhanced welfare package for officers and men of the service; consolidating on the current e-Customs initiative through ASYCUDA for international best practices; continued collaboration and partnering with stakeholders and international organizations, and fostering understanding of the service, in the eye of the general public, using an intensified and a well-coordinated public relations platform.

There has been collaboration, cooperation and partnership with stakeholders and international organizations and, also fostering of mutual understanding between the Customs Service and the general public through coordinated public relations. There have also been collaborations between the Nigeria Customs Service and Customs administrations of other nations in various areas of mutual interests.

His management team did not loose sight of the fact that enhanced welfare package boosts the morale of workers and their commitment to duty. This made him to repair all broken down vehicles hitherto considered irreparable. A major agenda of Dikko led management team is the consolidation of the current E-customs through ASYCUDA for international best practices and ensuring welfare package for officials. With the improved welfare package for officers and men, his management team has restored a new spirit of hard work and zeal to earn more revenue

to the coffers of the nation. Dikko administration has drastically reduced human contact with funds, through e-declaration, e-payment and e-remittance to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Also under Dikko’s leadership, the service has been repositioned and re-energized to man porous borders in the country.

Before assuming the mantle of leadership, it is on record that the service found it difficult to contain the hazardous task of curtailing and possibly eradicating smuggling. This illicit trade seems to have defied all solutions known to previous management teams of the service. With his coming on board, smuggling activities have not only been drastically reduced, all areas of revenue leakages have also been blocked through aggressive border patrol.

He took bold steps to reduce corruption in the service and consequently, increase revenue accruing to the nation’s coffers. Among the measures is the review of the processes in the nation’s port done in 2009 which led to the setting up of customs duty investigation team. Between October and December 2009, the team successfully investigated 118 cases!

In the process, underpayment to the tune of N12 billion was recovered to government coffers. Secondly, the special operation of the Joint Task Force on physical examination of goods at the ports led to the discovery of evasion of import duties and fees, underdeclaration of imported items, sharp practices by importers and non-payment of other sundry charges.

The Joint Task Force on Physical Examination of goods at the ports which comprises the men of the Nigerian Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt

Practices and other related Offences Commission recovered over N99 billion under-declared import duties in Apapa Ports in two months.

The other two task forces set up by the Dikko led management to check the influx of contraband into the country and to block revenue leakages have not only minimized smuggling, but have also added additional N9 billion to government coffers. On January 6, this year, the head quarters of Nigeria Customs Service released the score card of its activities in 2010. The service disclosed that it generated a total revenue of N546, 640, 394, billion between January and December 2010, out of its N561 billion target for the year, this apart from seizures of prohibited goods running into billions of naira it made.

According to the release, a total of N24, 719, 936,666 was lost to waivers and concessions granted by the federal government. This, the release revealed, accounted for the short fall in the revenue collected for the year.

Putting into consideration the global economic melt down, the score card is certainly no mean feat. The questions that should agitate the minds of right-thinking persons and all those who meant well for this country is why would any one want him remove as the customs boss? The answer to this poser can not be far-fetched: Those that want Dikko removed for no other reason than not pandering to their selfish biddings are the smugglers and dishonest importers and freight forwarders who are not finding it easy to continue with their dishonest activities which is harming the economic well-being of Nigerians. One wonders why any body would want to rise against the custom boss at this time when he has opened a channel of communication with all the stakeholders that has promoted peace at the port. The attacks on the customs boss is as a result of his far reaching reforms that has led to plugging all the loopholes through which revenue is frittered away. Dikko’s detractors, irrespective of his widely acknowledged achievements, are not happy with the new dispensation because it is no longer business as usual.

• Aminu is a public affairs commentator and the National Coordinator of Oodua Youth For Good Governance

Taye Taiwo seeks solace in AC Milan

Pg. 24

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ronaldo in fitness race for Spurs’ clash

Pg. 24

Nation Tuesday, March 22, 2011

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PAGE 23

AHEAD OF ETHIOPIA CLASH

Enyeama out, Victor Moses in N

IGERIA’s 22-man list for Sunday’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia in Abuja is retained despite the forced absence of World Cup dazzler and reigning Nigeria Footballer of the Year, Vincent Enyeama.

Enyeama sent word to Head Coach, Samson Siasia at the weekend that he was down with ankle injury for which he has been receiving injections, but medical personnel at his Israeli club, Hapoel Tel Aviv have now told him to rest the ankle.

However, Siasia’s selection for the mustwin tie against the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia at the National Stadium, Abuja is un-reduced after Wigan Athletic ace Victor Moses confirmed he would be available for the encounter.

The 22-year old becomes the tenth striker in Siasia’s line-up for the must-win tie, and all players are expected in camp latest this evening, when the training commences.

Yesterday, Siasia released Nnamdi Oduamadi of AC Milan and Ekigho Ehiosun of Warri Wolves to Eguavoen for the Olympic Games qualifier against Equatorial Guinea taking place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday.

However, midfielder Oduamadi and forward Ehiosun will join up with the Super Eagles after the match in Benin City.

They will be part of the international friendly game between Nigeria and Kenyan senior teams billed for the National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 29th March.

Also yesterday, Siasia denied news making

•Enyeama

the rounds that he had invited Sunderland FC ace Nedum Onuoha for the match.

Meanwhile, all members of the technical crew including Head Coach Siasia have turned up at the team’s Transcorp Hilton hotel camp.

PLAYERS’ PROPOSED ARRIVAL DATES Monday 21st March (yesterday) 1. Joel Obi 2. Obinna Nsofor 3. Sunday Rotimi 4. Chibuzor Okonkwo 5. Julius Ubido 6. Ikechukwu Uche 7. Kalu Uche 8. Peter Utaka 9. Ahmed Musa Tuesday 22nd March (today) 1. Obafemi Martins 2. Bamidele Aiyenugba 3. Taye Taiwo 4. Fengor Ogude 5. Mikel Obi 6. Victor Moses 7. Osaze Odemwingie 8. Victor Anichebe 9. Olubayo Adefemi 10. Joseph Yobo 11. Efe Ambrose 12. Solomon Okoronkwo 13. Dele Adeleye

Eagles camp scanty

Pg. 24

Siasia: Adeleye my biggest discovery

Pg. 24

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

Ronaldo in fitness race for Spurs' clash REAL Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo could be sidelined for up to three weeks due to a hamstring injury, leaving him in a race against time to be fit for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Tottenham.

Ronaldo recently missed two games with a hamstring problem but returned to action in Wednesday’s Champions League game against Lyon.

He also started Saturday’s derby win at Atletico Madrid, playing around 70 minutes in both matches before being replaced.

The £80million man complained of

pain in his left thigh following the derby and he underwent medical tests, where the extent of the damage was confirmed.

Ronaldo is now set to miss Portugal’s upcoming friendlies against Chile and Finland. He may struggle to befit for Madrid’s league match against Sporting Gijon in a fortnight and the Champions League clash with Tottenham on April 5.

Nine-time European champions Madrid reached the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in seven years after knocking out Lyon in midweek.

Terry: I never gave up skipper dream JOHN TERRY Sunday night declared he would be 'honoured and proud' to be asked to captain England.

He said: "I never stopped hoping I'd lead my country again."

England boss Fabio Capello publicly revealed he plans to give Terry his old job back for the Euro 2012 qualifier

Man City fines Balotelli £300,000 MANCHESTER City striker Mario Balotelli has been fined a staggering £300,000.

The Daily Star says Balotelli has been fined £300,000 by the England Premier League side for his red card challenge on Dynamo Kiev’s Goran Popov.

Balotelli, 20, met his angry boss Roberto Mancini on Saturday to be handed a punishment of two weeks’ wages.

The stroppy Italian international travelled to London with the rest of the City squad for Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.

It could become a permanent appointment with Capello believing the Chelsea defender has served his punishment a year after his sacking.

Speaking for the first time about the captaincy, Terry told SunSport: "I've always done whatever the manager needs of me to make sure we win.

"Beating Wales is the most important thing as it's a massive game. I moved on very quickly from the decision about losing the captaincy and I've never fallen out with the manager. But I've never given up hope that I will captain England again.

"When the manager told me in that meeting at Wembley that I was losing the job I accepted and respected his decision - even though I did not necessarily agree with it - shook his hand and his assistant Franco Baldini's hand and told them I'd always give 100 percent.

"The manager said he really appreciated that and hoped that would be the case.

"Since then he's said to me how I've done that and he's been proud of me for it.

"I've always respected him as a coach, a manager and as a man."

Presidential reward: AFN dispels athletes fear

T

HE Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, (AFN) Sunday Bada has addressed the concerns of athletes waiting on the Presidency for rewards for winning laurels in major competitions in 2010. Bada told NationSport that it was in the government’s plans.

He said: “I think it is still in the pipeline, you know how government bureaucracy works. It is in the offing and most of the athletes that went for the Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010) were rewarded. I think the government is trying to imbibe this culture of reward of excellence.”

Athletes had expected President Goodluck Jonathan to receive them in December last year and shower either praises or more likely reward them monetarily but, days into the end of the first quarter of the New Year, there is still no inkling from the seat of power as to when or if indeed they

•Gattuso

Gattuso: Milan needs more ruthlessness MILAN midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has pointed out that the Rossoneri need to be more ruthless in front of goal in the wake of his side's 1-0 Serie A loss away to Palermo on Saturday evening.

"We have conceded two easy goals in the last two games. We created plenty of chances ourselves, but scored only one goal. We need to be more ruthless in front of goal and we also need a bit of luck," the midfielder was quoted as saying by Sky Sport 24.

Gattuso went on to say that Milan are apparently not doing enough at the moment and that he fears i Diavoli could blow the Serie A title.

"We know that we need to improve, as what we're doing apparently isn't enough. There's always a fear you could blow it, because having earned just one point from our last two games makes you aware that things aren't going as expected."

The influential midfielder then looked ahead to the derby against rivals Inter after the international break.

the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday.

Dalglish was able to name the duo together in his starting line-up for the first time since they were signed during the January transfer window.

Suarez netted the second goal at the Stadium of Light and King Kenny could not be happier with the pair's contribution.

The Reds boss said: "The two lads we brought in during January played together for the first time and showed a lot of very encouraging signs.

"Andy made a fantastic physical effort

Ivory Coast/Benin tie moved to Accra THE 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash between Ivory Coast and Benin this week will be played in Ghana.

The civil unrest in the Ivorian capital in the wake of the political unrest in the country has forced the decision for the game to be moved.

The Group H match will not be played in Accra.

The Ivorian Football Federation boss Jacque Anouma had resisted FIFA’s earlier attempt to have the game moved to Accra because of the violence in his country.

But after consultation with CAF, the Ivorians have agreed the security of players and fans could not be guaranteed if the game is played in Abidjan.

“We thought we could host the match in Abidjan even after FIFA’s pressure to move it from here,” Anoma said.

“But the situation on the ground and lack of security guarantee from the government led us –we and CAF to decide on relocation to nearby Accra, Ghana.

"The players will be in Accra from Tuesday, March 21. They will do a few days of preparation and will play this match that is very crucial for Ivory Coast,” he added.

Ivory Coast are top of Group H with maximum six points after two matches.

Second-placed Benin have four points, Rwanda are third with one point while Rwanda have no points.

AHEAD OF NIGERIA/ETHIOPIA CLASH:

Eagles camp scanty A Siasia: Adeleye my biggest discovery S S at midday on Monday, March 21 2011 only four players had turned up at the

camp of Nigeria’s men national team, the Super Eagles.

The four players, Sunday Rotimi

UPER Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has picked Metalurh Donetsk defender Dele Adeleye as his biggest discovery thus far.

The central defender was a rough, unpolished diamond and not yet 17 when Siasia took a chance on him at the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.

“I got (Dele) Adeleye from nowhere; he was not even playing for 3SC. I saw him and I liked his height,” revealed the Eagles coach.

“He was too rough even back then that his tackle cost us the cup at the Junior World Cup, but he was responding to training and was willing to learn that by the time I took him to the Olympics, he finished the tournament without a single booking.”

Siasia has now given Adeleye another chance to be part of the full international team against Ethiopia on Sunday in Abuja.

This was after he was shut out following a blunder that allowed Tunisia to draw level with Nigeria in a crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier in Abuja, which almost denied Nigeria a ticket to South Africa.

“That mistake started from the attack and it was not just Dele who was to blame,” defended Siasia.

“We’re all human and so make mistakes.

We need to be corrected, not cast away, especially a young player like that. If we don’t make mistakes, we cannot learn.”

The Eagles handler will therefore challenge the Ukraine-based centre half to work harder and not allow what he has so far achieved, get into his head.

“He should not let ego get into his head, rather he should work hard and keep his head down, be disciplined and be more consistent,” he offered.

At the weekend in Ukraine, the 23-yearold Adeleye celebrated his return to the Eagles by scoring his second goal of the season against Vorskla in a league game.

SUMMER TRANSFER

Taye Taiwo seeks solace in AC Milan

T

HE controversies surrounding the proposed move of Super Eagles’ left back, Taye Taiwo may soon be laid to rest with the recent resolve by the Olympic Marseille (OM) ace to team up with Serie A side AC Milan.

Taiwo, whose contract with the France Ligue 1 giants is billed to expire this season, has declared that Milan is his favoured destination when he moves from OM in the summer.

Over the weekend however the Nigeria international was heavily linked with a move to Premier League

Dalglish tips Carroll, Suarez to restore glory KENNY DALGLISH has backed Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez to bring the glory days back to Anfield.

Liverpool's new forwards are beginning to strike up a good understanding and impressed during

By Stella Bamawo will get any government remuneration.

Sports men and women awaiting rewards include those that competed and did well at the IAAF and the African Athletics Championship in Kenya.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) had proposed a uniform reward system for all the country’s athletes.

The Presidency bought the idea and a committee with the Secretary to the Federal Government as chairman and members from the Finance Ministry, NSC and other ministries was set up.

A letter was forwarded to the Presidency for a date in December to host the successful athletes but till date no reply has been received.

It will be recalled that Nigeria won 8 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze to take second position with an overall point of 198.0 behind host Kenya.

to play 90 minutes on Thursday in the Europa league and another 70 at Sunderland.

"Luis chipped in with a fantastic goal and the two of them showed encouraging signs of what we can look forward to.

"I don't think there is a set time for partnerships to form — it either happens or it doesn't.

"Suarez looks a good player and scored a fantastic goal for us. We have a lot of good viewing ahead of us."

by Innocent Amomoh with Agency report side Aston Villa, but from all indications, the Netherlands 2005 U- 20 World Cup silver medalist will snub the move for a sojourn in Italy.

“I’m very pleased that Milan have shown an interest in signing me. Milan are my first option when I leave Marseille this summer,” he told Canal

Foot Club.

One sticking block would be the fact he does not hold an EU passport, thus if signed he would take up the season quota assigned to each Serie A team and subsequently limiting Milan’s other transfer targets.

However, being a free agent, he certainly fits in with the current transfer strategy at Milan of picking up good players on the cheap.

OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Ehiosun to lead U-23s attack •Player’s participation threatened by agent’s N2m claim

IGERIA’S Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has released striker Ekigho Ehiosun, who is enmeshed in a row with his agent, to lead Nigeria’s attack in an Olympic qualifier against Equatorial Guinea this weekend.

The Warri Wolves striker, who made a sensational goal-scoring Eagles debut against Sierra Leone last month, is entangled in a spat with his Londonbased agent after he stayed away from trials in Norway recently.

The player’s agent has threatened not to surrender the player’s passport until

N

he receives two million naira (about $13,000) to offset his investment.

Were he to carry out his threat, Ehiosun will be ruled out of even featuring for the Olympic team in Saturday’s qualifier in Benin City.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have since waded into the drama.

MTNFootball.com was informed that Ehiosun and AC Milan left winger Nnamdi Oduamadi were let go by Siasia for the country’s Olympic team.

This followed the release of Parma midfielder Obiora Nwankwo earlier last week by Siasia to the Olympic team.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE...UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE...UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE...

Champions League final: UEFA stands by ticket pricing UEFA on Monday ruled out any change to the ticket prices for the Champions League final at Wembley in May despite

FRANCE 1998 WORLD CUP DEFEAT

Ronaldo's incident had no bearing —Rivaldo

AGED 38 and in the twilight of his career, Brazilian star Rivaldo remains troubled by the 1998 World Cup final loss to France.

The Samba Boys went down 3-0 in the showpiece match, but 13 years on Rivaldo still can't shake the bad memories.

"It was the worst defeat [I have expereinced]," Rivaldo told FIFA.com.

"It was really sad, particularly with the amount of rumours and nonsense that were flying around afterwards," he continued.

Rivaldo, who now plies his trade for Brazilian giants Sao Paulo, is admanant Ronaldo's infamous 'tongue-swallowing incident' had no bearing on the outcome of the final.

"There are a lot of people from that Selecao who use that as an excuse. They say things would have been different. But I’m of the opinion that, even if [Ronaldo had] been 100 per cent, we’d have still lost because we played badly."

Michel Platini admitting they were too expensive.

The cheapest ticket on public sale for the final on May 28 will be £150 plus a £26 booking fee and UEFA president Platini has said family tickets should be half the price they are on sale for.

But UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said at a news conference in Paris: 'The ticket prices for Wembley will not change - the ticket sales have already started and the president expressed his opinion about that.'

The final will be the second time it has been played on a Saturday - a move Platini championed to enable more families to attend.

•Platini

NATION SPORT Falcons to play in Abuja

Wenger: Cup loss has increased pressure on Arsenal ARSENE Wenger has admitted that being knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona has had a psychological effect on his Arsenal side.

The Gunners, who dropped two points in the Premier League title race away to West Brom on Saturday, underwent a nightmare week earlier this month, losing the League Cup final and then crashing out of both the Champions League and FA Cup to see their silverware aspirations take a hammer blow, having not won a trophy in six years.

Now, Wenger's side are five points behind league leaders Manchester United with a game in hand and the Frenchman has admitted that the pressure to take the title has increased since going out of Europe.

Wenger was quoted as saying by The Sun: "You cannot go out of the Champions League like we did and have no doubt. It's a massive blow.

"We had four targets and suddenly we have only one. So the pressure increases.

"But this team wants to do well and I'm so desperate to help them get what they deserve because their attitude from the first day of the season has been absolutely spot-on.

"That's why I think they deserve to be rewarded and I'm confident they will."

T

(Dolphins), Julius Ubido (Heartland), Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland) and Ekigho Ehiosun (Warri Wolves) all play in the domestic League but chief media officer of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire says there is really no cause for alarm.

Olajire told naijafootball247.com that the camp opened on Monday morning and the players based in Europe were expected to arrive later yesterday.

“Right now there are just four players in camp and they are the ones that play in the home league,” Olajire told naijafootball247.com yesterday.

“The camp opened today (Monday) so you would expect them to come in later. So I believe they will actually start full training tomorrow (today),” Olajire said.

Captain of the team, Joseph Yobo, Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor, Dele Adeleye were expected to arrive last night.

Others players who promised Monday arrival were Adefemi Olubayo, Ahmed Musa, Joel Obi, and Nnamdi Oduamadi.

Head coach of the side, Samson Siasia has already given the players today as their deadline to arrive.

The Eagles play against Ethiopia in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Abuja on Sunday.

•Ike Uche

Pepe signs new Madrid deal until 2015

OLYMPIC GAMES QUALIFIER

Faith Irabor gets FIFA appointment

R

ETIRED FIFIA-badged referee, Faith Irabor of Nigeria has been appointed to supervise the Olympic Games qualifying match between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea on April 2 in Yaounde at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.

Irabor, who is the first Nigerian former Woman FIFA Referee to serve as Match Commissioner in any international football competition, retired from active refereeing in 2004, after participating in the Zonal CAF

•Nigerian to supervise Cameroon vs E/Guinea clash Referees Instructors Course in Ghana the same year and the CAF Reevaluation Course in Cairo Egypt in 2009 where she excelled with other Women Instructors in both the theoretical and practical tests that were conducted by the CAF Referees Committee.

The performance in the Instructors course singled her out to be among the Women former FIFA Referees

Eguavoen’s pros toInsurance hit Benin today FC of Benin.

A

LL the foreign-based players invited to the camp of the national U-23 team by Head Coach, Austin Eguavoen are expected in Benin City today, ahead of a friendly match against

•Eguavoen

The 12 players will join up with 18 domestic League players as preparation intensifies for Saturday’s 2012 Olympic Games qualifying match against Equatorial Guinea, slated for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday, March 26.

Among the foreign-based called up by the former Super Eagles’ supremo are former U-17 World Cup –winning captain Haruna Lukman, U-20 World Cup captain Jude Ighalo, Nosakhare Igiebor, Nurudeen Orelesi, Ibok Edet, Dele Ajiboye, Obiora Nwankwo, Chukwuma Akabueze, Ganiyu Oseni and Danny Uchechi.

With Siasia’s release of AC Milan’s Nnamdi Oduamadi and Warri Wolves’ striker Ekigho Ehiosun to the U-23 team, Eguavoen’s hands are indeed full.

and Assistant Referees CAF and FIFA would like to designate in support of women football refereeing in Africa.

"I am very happy that Faith Irabor is now being uplifted to serve football at a higher level but I strongly advise that to succeed she needs to show a lot commitment to her assignments and thoroughness in presenting reports that will meet the high standard expected by CAF and FIFA," Linus Mba, another retired referee, advised.

as possible in all competitions. It will be very difficult to win the treble again, but it's definitely not impossible. We have to stay focused for every game," said Alves to El Mundo Deportivo.

"It'll be very difficult to win La Liga. It won't go unpunished if we lose a league game. We have to stay concentrated to avoid any more difficulties."

The Brazil international then looked ahead to the Champions League final at Wembley and stated that he's eager to write history.

100 goals T-shirt: Defoe urged not to tempt fate HARRY Redknapp has urged Jermain Defoe not to wear a T-shirt saying ‘100 Goals’ under his Spurs shirt again.

The England striker moved up to 99 Tottenham goals with his double at Wolves – his first top-flight strikes of the campaign “I hope he doesn’t wear the T-shirt again – it’s tempting fate,” said Redknapp. “He was unlucky.”

“To be fair to him, he was up half the night because one of his -grandparents died last night.

“But he wanted to play and I’m sure he’d have loved to score against the Hammers because the fans love him there. He always gets a good reception and I’m sure he’d like to have put a goal past them.”

REAL Madrid's Portuguese international Pepe has agreed a contract extension until June 2015, sports daily Marca reported on Monday.

The 28-year-old defender, who joined Real from Oporto in 2007 for 30m euros after helping the Portuguese side win back-to-back league titles, will sign the new contract before the end of the season, the newspaper said.

His current contract with Real ends in June 2012.

Under the new deal Brazil-born Pepe will earn around four million euros annually, up from 1.8m euros, according to Marca. His agent had been asking for his salary to be lifted to six million euros per year.

Pepe moved to Oporto from CS Maritimo in 2004 after three successful seasons with the Madeira club which he joined from third division SC Corinthians Alagoano in Brazil.

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports

Djokovic beats Nadal in Indian Wells final Tiger Woods has NOVAK Djokovic proved he is a real threat for the world number one spot with victory over Rafael Nadal in the BNP Paribas Open final in Indian Wells.

The Serbian, who guaranteed the number two ranking by defeating Roger Federer in the semis, beat Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-2 in two hours and 25

Barca could win treble again —Alves BARCELONA defender Dani Alves is full of ambition for the remainder of the season and is hopeful of winning the treble again with the Spanish powerhouse.

The Blaugrana currently sit top of the Liga table with a five-point lead over rivals Real Madrid. They take on Los Blancos in the final of the Copa del Rey on April 20 and meet Shakhtar Donetsk in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"We are only thinking of one game at a time and we're hoping to go as far

HE national women’s team, Super Falcons will play their 2012 Olympic Games qualifying match against Namibia at the National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 3rd April.

Assistant General Secretary (Competitions) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said yesterday that the Federation had already communicated the venue and date of match to world football –governing body, FIFA. “The match is an Olympics qualifier and we had to communicate early enough to the world football – governing body on date and venue.

The match will be played at the National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 3rd April,” said Dr. Sanusi.

The Super Falcons, reigning champions of Africa have been training in Abuja ahead of the two-leg fixture, with the second leg coming up in Windhoek mid-April. Namibia overpowered Angola on aggregate in the earlier round while the Falcons drew a bye following the withdrawal of Congo.

•Djokovic

minutes.

Djokovic, who won the Australian Open in January, remains unbeaten in 2011 following his 18th victory of the year.

He moved up to second in the rankings - behind Nadal - on Monday.

And after defeating the Spaniard in a final for the first time in six attempts, he will surely have his sights set on overhauling him for top spot soon.

Sunday's final was a pulsating encounter from the outset, with the feeling of a Grand Slam clash, and both men were keen to stamp their authority as early as possible.

Nadal had the first chance at 2-2, 040, but four break points went begging as he appeared to get edgy at the key moments, before he finally converted his fifth oppportunity.

Djokovic, bristling with intent, hit back straight away with a spectacular backhand cross-court winner and a forehand up the line to make it 3-3, only to then slip behind again with the first really loose game of the day.

Nadal was able to keep Djokovic at bay as he served out the set and it was now a question of whether the Serbian, who had not suffered a defeat since losing to Federer in London four months ago, had the energy to come back.

new girlfriend A 22-year-old blonde is reportedly the new girlfriend of sex addict golfer Tiger Woods.

Alyse Lahti Johnston, the step-daughter of an official at IMG sports agency which represents Woods, was introduced to the golfer by her step-father, The Sun reported.

News of their relationship emerged after Woods's ex-wife Elin Nordegren, 31, bought a mansion worth 7.5 million pounds ($12 million) with divorce money she got from the golfer.

Woods will reportedly have to pay around 100 million pounds to his ex-wife after the divorce settlement. They have two children - Sam, 3, and Charlie, 2.

Another mistress of the golfer, 36-yearold Rachel Uchitel, has reportedly qualified as a private detective.

•Woods

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Are CBN reforms a disincentive to housing?

Complaints are rife that the Central Bank’s reforms have hindered growth of the property market because many choice estates are out there without buyers.

Stakeholders believe that the CBN reforms have been more of a drawback than an incentive, OKWY IROEGBU reports.

T

HE property market used to be booming. There were investors and buyers. The investors are still there, but there are no longer buyers. What could be responsible for this glut? Developers blame it on the economy. To them, the economy in the first quarter witnessed severe credit squeeze because of the CBN’s intervention in the banking industry which manifested in a slump in the real estate business as funding was not forthcoming for new developments.

They also noted that there is a sharp decline in demand for properties, especially at the upper end of the market, such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki. Some have their valuation reduced by as much as 10 per cent in the highbrow areas.

In a paper, entitled, “Banking reforms, economic empowerment and the real estate sector,’ delivered in Kaduna last week, the 2nd Vice President, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, James Omeru, observed that real estate developers and manufacturers as well as financial sector operators, are currently lamenting that the banking reforms have created more problems leaving in its trail collapse of scores of businesses, unemployment and low capacity utilisation.

He said a cross section of players in the industry believe that the reforms ought to have brought succour and relief to their business but were disappointed at the fallout of the much trumped reforms.

National President, Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Chief Olabode Afolayan, said the CBN reforms fell short of expectation.

“The short and long term effects of such reforms ought to have been envisaged. I

•Luxury flats such as this may be hard to replicate

mean for almost six months, no single transaction took place in the real estate sector.

Tell me for how long shall we wait to reap from the reforms,” he stated.

He lamented that the intervention has created fear in the minds of some developers and as it stands currently, no bank wants to take the risk of giving loans to creditors, not minding the fact that some of them actually rely on the credit facilities from the banks to carry out their businesses.

Afolayan furthermore, stated : “ The banking reforms actually forced property prices to decline in some areas, which is believed to be a result of banks’ debtors selling off their properties below open market values to enable them to settle their debts and thus avoid prosecution by the Economic and Fi-

•Diamond Bank trains construction entrepreneurs

- PAGE 26

nancial Crime Commission (EFCC). “ I think there is rapid disposal under selfimposed forced sale conditions of property and real estate owned in the country and abroad by the big debtors of many banks in Nigeria”. The proceeds of which are being applied toward the prompt amortization of their loans to avoid prosecution by the EFCCC and possible conviction as well as disgrace,” he added.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, chief executive of a Lekki-based Microfinance Bank, said: “ The MFBs and the micro sectors are the worst hit by the effects of Sanusi’s reforms because of their level of dependence on funds.

“Our activities have almost become paralysed due to over dependence on two ma-

•Wastewater management: Lagos shops for N75b - PAGE 27

jor sources of funds, which are the depositors’ funds and funds from commercial banks for on-lending. But unfortunately, the commercial banks are not lending anymore due to the tight measures of the reforms.”

Omeru, in his paper, also noted that manufacturers on their part, are lamenting that the reforms aggravated a bad situation in the real sector. He said from his investigations, they complained that due to the ‘unique approach’ of the CBN Governor, “who made many banks to take risk management to a ridiculous level and in the process denying many firms and ancillary business the much needed funds •Continued on page 26

•‘Experts fret over sub-standard iron rods

- PAGE 37

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Are CBN reforms a disincentive to housing?

•Continued from page 25

to operate,” their businesses have collapsed.

Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria Breweries PLC, Chief Kola Jamodu, while reacting to the effects of the reforms, said one of the consequences of the sweeping reforms in the banking sector, is that access to credit facility remained a major challenge especially to companies and entrepreneurs. This had a profound effect on our supplies, customers, other key partners and consumers he added.

President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Bashir Borodo, told journalists that long before the banking reforms, the manufacturing sector had been on its knees, crippled by protracted infrastructure challenges, particularly power, but averred that the banking reforms aggravated an already bad situation.

President, Lagos Chamber of commerce and Industry LCCI, Otunba Femi Deru, in a position paper on the issue stated that the economy in the past few months witnessed severe credit squeeze.

He ascribed it largely to the ongoing reforms of the banking sector. He said: “The credit condition took its toll on businesses in the first quarter, manifesting in areas such as reduction in capacity utilisation of many manufacturing concerns as a result of lack of access to working capital from banks.

There was abandonment of projects in the construction industry by contractors who could not get funds to complete the projects.

Many of them could also not be paid by their clients; slump in the real estate business as funding was not forthcoming for new property development.

Also there was a sharp decline in demand for properties, especially at the upper end of the market.

Omeru further in his paper maintained that despite the reforms, investing in housing development is still characterised with challenges of exit point for the disposal of the completed housing units after construction which prevents property developers from recycling their finances to provide more houses to the people.

He said: “The available funds from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) are not enough to service the National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors that apply for loans and private developers that require Estate Developers Loan (EDL). For instance, the NHF had as at September 2005 an outstanding commitment of over N15 billion as undisbursed approved loans as both facilities granted from it against a net collection of less than seven billion.

This is besides the outstanding applications valued at N44billion, this unarguably does not encourage investment.’’

Furthermore, he decried the fact that people are not adequately empowered to access the NHF

•CBN’s head office in Abuja

loans which affects the demand for completed housing units resulting into housing glut in major state capitals in the country.

There is high profile of affordability question among intending and prospective buyers of completed remuneration of most workers unable to afford the selling prices of houses developed by

the developers, he added.

Lending his voice to the discourse the President of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV), Mr. Bode Adediji urged his colleagues to all ways make intellectual contributions towards the revival of the real sector of the nation’s economy which he said, has been neglected for a

,long time. He pointed out that that no meaningful economic transformation especially the much trumped vision202020 can make any meaningful impact without the active participation of surveyors. He asked that interest should be rekindled on why policies fail in the country even with all the resources deployed into them.

Diamond Bank trains construction entrepreneurs

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IAMOND Bank organised an enterprise seminar in Owerri, Imo State, to raise the hope of some of its customers and other operators of micro small and medium enterprises in the construction sector.

It was also put in place to enable these small to medium scale players in the sector to learn how to grow their businesses and also imbibe modern trends in the management of their businesses by developing a website to let the world get information about them and their businesses.

Bank customers were also excited to hear that they could grow their businesses through loans without the rigorous process of coming up with collateral, but the Co-ordinator for MSME Chima Nnadozie was quick to add that bank customers seeking loans to grow its business must also meet the bank criteria by providing satisfactory history of the business.

The bank’s aim to provide solutions to entrepreneurs at this level was well-explained to participants.

Topics treated include four ways to grow your business by Tolu Delano; effective partnership for business growth by Hillary Oguguo; the web and you by Zero One and business insurance by Clara Ezuruike.

On ways to grow business, the seminar offered the participants the opportunities of identifying key issues in this direction, which it said, include the task of increasing number of customers suitable to their line of businesses, increase in the number of times customers come back, increase the value of each sale and increase the effectiveness of each process within the business.

The resource person stated that it is cheaper to maintain existing customers than to look for new ones

•From left: Oguguo and Peters at the event

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

and advised that entrepreneurs should spend more time with their existing customers and map out new strategies to capture new customers.

This would mean, he said, ensuring that every entrepreneur should be peculiar in a particular sector by making sure that its products and services can be distinguished from others. The participants were informed on the need to implement sales system using research and promotion plan to achieve maximum results They were also told to remain in business to achieve their inherent vision to deliver services on prom-

ise and should not allow themselves to be moved by market dictated changes of reducing quality of products or changing business focus because others have changed.

On effective partnership, Oguguo said no business can survive without trust and integrity.

He attributed most failed businesses in Nigeria to entrepreneurs not being trustworthy and advised participants to build their businesses on trust. “Effective partnership must be built on trust and integrity,” he added.

He stressed that relationships are not left to chance as they must be developed intentionally. He advised the participants to enforce agreements, keep promises and also

meet the people’s need.

Oguguo reiterated that effective partnership must also be driven by the entrepreneurs’ desire to acquire the necessary skills and capacity to implement business plans, which must also be understood by those working with these entrepreneurs.

This, he said, must be with up-todate legal status and refusing to compromise ethics.

Nnadozie, said the bank is targeting the group because they are the engine room of the nation’s economy.

“They are responsible for 80 per cent of the GDP. They are responsible for employing the majority of people in the country, which contribute to the growth of the economy.

The seminar, he said, was part of Diamond Bank offer to its customers for providing solutions to their problems. The bank in its desire to assist customers can also provide loans to enable entrepreneurs grow their businesses without tears of providing collateral, he said. The seminar he explained have been extended to non-customers of the bank since it is aimed at developing a survival strategy for entrepreneurs across the country.

To the participants, it was a useful time spent with the bank’s resource persons.

According to Joy Ukachukwu Nwaiwu, participating in the seminar has opened her eyes to new and profitable ways of doing her interlocking stone manufacturing business.

She acknowledged that she gained a lot, particularly in partnership, trust and integrity as ingredients to enable her to move its business forward. “I learnt also that l can get loan without collateral to expand my business,” she added.

Another manufacturer at the event, Ibe Ikechi, commended the organisers of the seminar. “I learnt a lot on how to expand my business by opening a website, insurance and partnership,” she said.

A contractor, Chief Aham Ikeadi said: “I am into road and housing construction. I got to understand that no matter the kind of business you do, it is necessary that it must be ICT compliance. You can open a website to give the world the opportunity to know about yourself and your business. I am now convinced about insurance. Insurance is good for persons and businesses. My car was stolen by armed robbers but insurance agency paid me substantial sum to minimise the pains of losing my priced car,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

27

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Wastewater management: Lagos shops for N75b T

HE Lagos State Gov ernment has urged the private sector to build N75 billion infrastructure for managing wastewater.

Speaking at the wastewater investment forum tagged Wastewater sectoral policy – unveiling the investment opportunities held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Governor Babatunde Fashola said the government decided to adopt private financing to complement budgetary funding to address the problem.

Fashola lamented that management of wastewater has been neglected in the state ,adding that there is an urgent need for the state to embark on rapid infrastructure procurement and development to provide the required facilities needed to manage the wastewater generated by the residents of the state.

He said: ”The state will through the five-year aggressive infrastructural policy provide 10 new mega wastewater treatment plants and rehabilitation three existing ones in conjunction with our development part-

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

ners .

These, in addition, to the four recently rehabilitation at Oke-Afa Abesan, Iponri and Alausa will cut across 32 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas to serve almost six million inhabitants of the state and increase capacity to about 35 per cent.”

He said the state’s existing wastewater infrastructure capacity is deficit with over 90 per cent, adding that the shortfall provides opportunity discerning investors to benefit from huge population, cosmopolitan lifestyle and high level of economic power of the people.

“Its successful implementation signifies a healthier environment, a wealthier and productive population and ultimately, a prosperous people. From long time concessionairing to short term operations and management contract, supply and management contract, turnkey project, concession and even private ownership of assets , the

•Wastewater House, Ikeja, Lagos

wastewater sector in Lagos state is an investor haven,” he added.

Corroborating the governor’s view on the need to effectively manage the state’s wastewater , the state Commissioner for Environment Dr. Muiz Banire, said the state’s wastewater facility is six per cent, saying there is

Implement new salary for engineers, group urges govt

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HE Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has charged the National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission (NISWC) to determine an enhanced entry point into the civil service for engineers like other professionals.

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, made the call when he visited the Commission, Chief Richard Egbule, in Abuja. He noted that despite government’s promises in the past, the salary has still not taken effect.

“We are worried that the placement of engineers on Salary Grade Level 08 step 4, on entry into the civil service has not taken into account the peculiarities associated with the training, work schedules and responsibilities of engineers.

“We note that other professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants and geologists are placed on enhanced entry points in the public service while this is not the case for engineers.

“The society has since 2005 made proposals to the government for the improvement of conditions of

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Engineering practice in Nigeria which he said led to a government white-paper on Strategic plans for Engineering Development and Control in Nigeria amongst, which is a proposal for an engineering salary structure.

“Other professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants and geologists were placed on enhanced entry points in the public service.

“We, therefore, seek your support for a new entry point to be approved. We ask that the entry point for engineers into the public service should be Grade level 10 step 4 and that engineers should be upgraded to GL 12 step 5 immediately they get registered with COREN while those already registered with COREN on entry will be on grade level 12 Step 5,” he emphasised.

Responding, the Chairman of the National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission, Chief Egbule expressed shock that engineers were not taken along with other professionals. He asked the society to fight for

the revision of the scheme of service for engineers which he said was the only way the society can achieve enhanced entry point.

There may be need to make fresh engineering graduates go through some form of internship before their registration. He said such an arrangement will enhance their escalation to the entry point requested.

Chief Egbule asked the society to liaise with the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, which he said had the power to initiate the processes needed to realise the request of the society.

He observed that the society’s request was legitimate and promised that the commission would support the process if the need arose. He noted that a National Committee of Experts on Parameters for Wage fixing had just recently submitted its report to the Federal Government and was awaiting the whitepaper.

He expressed optimism that the White Paper would correct some of the injustices meted out to the engineers in the structure, saying the society had a good case.

‘The society has since 2005 made proposals to the government for the improvement of conditions of Engineering practice in Nigeria which he said led to a government white-paper on Strategic plans for Engineering Development and Control in Nigeria amongst, which is a proposal for an engineering salary structure’

the urgent need to quicken the pace towards providing the 94 percent infrastructure deficit to cater for the growing need of wastewater management in the state.

The commissioner said the private sector need to partner with the state government to raise the money needed for effective manage-

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU

ment of wastewater in the state to ensure the septage treatment facilities are made available with provision of reasonable access to haulage trucks , while all existing waste water treatment plants in the state.

“The government, through her policies, has created enabling environment to ensure

sustainability of investment in the short, medium and long term investment plans to assure good Returns On Investment (ROI) that abound in the wastewater sector and benefit of for the citizens, adding that the partnership with the private sector would yield mutual benefit.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

LAWMA distributes tricycles to PSP operators T HE Lagos Waste Manage ment Authority (LAWMA) has bought and handed over tricycles to some Private Sector Participants (PSP) ‘under the pay as you go scheme’ to combat waste in areas not accessible to the compactor trucks.

The Managing Director of LAWMA Mr. Ola Oresanya, disclosed this at the launch and handing over of the tricycles to PSP operators.

According to the LAWMA boss, the statutory responsibility of LAWMA is to ensure that Lagos is clean irrespective of the socio-economic status of the residents. He noted that his agency is committed in the drive to ensure a sustainable, clean and healthy Lagos environment and would stop at nothing to achieve the desired result.

He acknowledged that certain areas in the state have very narrow roads where the waste compactors cannot maneouvre and has introduced the tricycles as a solution for their waste management and also an avenue to integrate cart pushers into the bigger programme of waste management to preserve their means of livelihood and protect them from crime.

He reiterated the ban on cart pushers in Lagos State, called on disbanded members to form cooperatives to benefit from the tricycles waste management programme.

Explaining how the pay as you drop scheme works, the LAWMA

ment under a flexible and conducive arrangement.

Speaking further he said LAWMA began a pilot scheme of using tricycles about three years ago in Ijora Badia, adding that the

success of the scheme in the area is what necessitated the procurement and handing over of tricycles to more PSP operators.

He charged the operators to observe a maximum radius of 3km to the compactor trucks while working on the streets, adding that when the tricycle is filled up, the refuse will be evacuated into the bigger trucks, which would move the waste to the dumpsite.

Beneficiaries of the newly delivered tricycles are Dark Gold, from Aboru in Abule Egba, Bola Gold from Isale Oja in Agege and the pioneer operator, Biospheres who covers Badia.

On the payment model for the beneficiaries, Oresanya revealed that the operators of the tricycles are to pay for it by instalments for four years without any initial deposit, while other slum areas as identified would be covered under the new arrangement.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Abdulwaahid Adeleke, commended the management of LAWMA for making good its promise of procuring more tricycles for waste management and noted that with the initial introduction of the scheme, waste management in the former unaccessible areas of Badia has increased tremendously.

The LAWMA chief called on residents to join hands with the state government by paying for waste bills promptly and urged them to call on LAWMA for backup service.

both sectors.

Earlier, the Environment Commissioner, Dr Muiz Banire, in a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Titi Anibaba, commended the children on the awareness and commitment on climate change issues but encouraged them to do more.

He said part of the success story of the club is the docudrama entitled: “If Only,” debate competitions and expository lectures delivered by members of the club.

He noted that part of ways the ministry devised to strengthen the club is through the organisation of a workshop for principals and teachers in the state public schools sensitise and preparing them to take over the clubs in schools where they are already mature to break new grounds. Banire also said: “We have expanded the

scope of the knowledge shared with our children on issue which bother on solid waste, sewage and waste water, erosion and flood management. Equally placed on the front burner are desertification, protection of wetlands and coastal lines which are the environmental problems we face as a nation. Educative materials such as hand book, manuals and CDs were (and are) still being distributed to the students to further sharpen their knowledge. In conclusion, the Commissioner maintained that as a responsive government, they cannot but come to terms with the fact that the young ones are more effective in information dissemination and have greater stake on the issue. What our response is today determines their future and perhaps the continuity of mankind,” he added.

•Oresanya at the tricyles’ launch Stories by Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

boss said it is designed for low income earners who cannot afford to pay for waste management bills at the end of the month but find it

more convenient to pay per drop as its being collected or operated by cart pushers.

According to him, the state government wants residents of such areas to enjoy a healthy environ-

Three years on, club makes impact

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AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has commended the Climate Change Clubs in schools for keeping faith with their ideals three years after their establishment.

He spoke during the third year anniversary at the Police College, Ikeja.

Fashola said the club remains the seed of a passionate generation of environmental activists and the brigade of a greener and sustainable environment. He said: “Early in the life of this administration, we acknowledged that the most potent of the weapons at combating climate change is advocacy through public education..

“This is what led us to the pursuit of advocacy aimed at informing and empowering our young ones about the ideals of a healthy environment through the establishment of the Climate Change Clubs”. Fashola, who was represented by the Environment Commissioner, Dr. Muiz Banire, commended the pupils on their contribution as active players in the regeneration of the State environment. He regretted that the beauty of the environment vanished as a result of neglect of urban planning in the process of city expansion and development that was uncontrollably struggling to meet the needs of a growing population.

The governor boasted that the state is successfully building a generation that will not repeat the mistakes that adults have made.

•Youths at a Climate Change programme

He said: “There is no doubting the capability of children in effecting desired change in the society, whoever still thinks otherwise belongs to the past. You are very influential change agents in the society.“ He warned of the looming danger and the need to avert it or its consequences mitigated to the barest minimum.

According to him, as a result of Climate Change, water sources have been polluted, lives lost, forest wiped out, desertification, wide spread diseases and pestilence with near extinction of biodiversity.

He observed that the frequency of disasters around the globe has been increasing in a manner unprecedented in human history.

Fashola recalled that at the last Lagos Climate Change Summit, Dr. Kenny Tang, a global leader

in sustainable and environmental finance, described 2010 as year of disasters, and that 373 natural disasters occurred in last year alone with a consequential economic loss of 110 United States billion dollar where 300,000 people were reported killed and 207 million others affected.

He warned that the nation is in the legion of world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts.

According to him, desertification, flood, drought, erosion are some of the dangerous consequences of global warming in the country. On the options available, he responded: “The first is abatement or mitigation option and the other is adaptation and as far as our administration is concerned, we are at the forefront of both options, deploying enough resources, human and material, to

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TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• Oyinlola

•Oni

•Agagu

Three ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors are seeking to return to power at all cost. Former Governors Olusegun Oni (Ekiti); Olusegun Agagu (Ondo) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) have petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the Election Appeal Tribunals, which sacked them of wrongdoing. Oni went a step further by praying the Court of Appeal to reinstate him. What are these former governors up to? ERIC IKHILAE and JOSEPH JIBUEZE ask

Theatre of the absurd •Experts sneer as Oni, Agagu, Oyinlola seek a return to power

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HE three of them have certain things in common. They are former governors and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They were beneficiaries of the electoral fraud which characterised the 2007 polls. They lost their jobs because of this monumental fraud. Now they are fighting back. Former Governors Olusegun Oni (Ekiti State); Olusegun Agagu (Ondo) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) are seeking a return to office at all costs.

They have suddenly overcome the shock which overwhelmed them and have embarked on an unusual - many said doomed - adventure that has no precedence in the anal of electoral dispute.

The first casualty of the three was Agagu who, on February 23, 2009, lost in his appeal against an earlier judgment of the

lower tribunal that sacked him.

On the said date, the Justice Umar Abdullahi-led appeal panel of justices of the Court of Appeal, which sat in Benin, Edo State, confirmed an earlier decision handed out by the Ondo State Governorship Election Tribunal on August 26, 2008, headed by Justice Garba Nabaruma.

The lower tribunal, while ruling in favour of the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party, had, after nullifying all votes from Ilaje Local Government Area, where Agagu hails from, held that Mimiko scored 198,269 lawful votes as against 128,669 votes left of what the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had unlawfully credited to Agagu of the PDP. On October 15, last year, Oni also fell from power, courtesy of the decision of the Justice Isa Ayo Salami-led appeal panel, which after a painstaking analysis of evidence presented by parties, held in favour of Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The case, which began shortly after the April 14, 2007 election, went before the lower tribunal twice and also the appeal tribunal twice. Oni won twice at the lower tribunal, Fayemi won twice at the appeal tribunal, the last being that of October 15 in which he was asked to assume office.

The appeal panel, which sat in llorin, Kwara State, resolved four out of the five grounds of appeal in favour of Fayemi. It nullified the contentious results of four wards in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Oni’s home.

It subsequently deducted the nullified votes from the final score of both candidates, thus leaving the ACN with 105,

• National Industrial Court ready for trade disputes

– P.30

631. PDP scored 95, 176.

The last to fall was Oyinlola, who was sacked on November 26, last year by a unanimous decision of the appellate court’s panel headed by Justice Clara Bata-Ogunbiyi. In the judgment that ended the longest election dispute in the nation’s history, the panel upheld the prayers of the ACN candidate, Rauf Aregbesola, particularly on nullification of elections in 10 local governments. After deducting the nullified results, ACN was left with 198, 799 votes as against PDP’s 172, 880.

Everyone had thought Agagu, Oni and Oyinlola took their fate with equanimity, hoping that they had gone under to strategise for the next elections.

A few weeks earlier, they had, on separate occasions, filed petitions at the National Judicial Council (NJC) and copied President Goodluck Jonathan, raising spurious allegations they are yet, and may never be able, to substantiate.

Oni took the unusual drama a step further on March 14 when he went before the Appeal Court, Ado –Ekiti, to challenge his ouster five months ago.

Oni, in the suit filed on his behalf by constitutional lawyer Prof Ben Nwabueze (SAN), is, among others, praying the regular court to reverse a decision that was given by a panel set up strictly for election appeals. He also prayed for the constitution of a new appeal panel to re-hear the case.

Since the three ex-governors seem to be exposed to similar legal counsel, it is believed others may follow Oni’s step by returning to court.

•Continued on page 38

•LAWMA driver jailed for driving on BRT lane

- P.36

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

30

LEGAL OPINION Labour disputes are major issues in the country. It was for this that President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the use of strikes by workers to settle scores. However, with the signing into law of the Industrial Court Bill, succour seems to have come the way of both employers and employees. VINCENT IKUOMOLA writes on the long journey to the coming of the bill that observers say is poised to change the face of the legal system.

‘National Industrial Court law ‘ll promote harmony’

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N this era of incessant strikes by workers , there could never be any

better time for the coming of the Industrial Court, which accords the status of a superior court of record on the court.

Not only that, with the signing into law of Nigeria Third Alteration Bill 2010, which establishes the National Industrial Court as a court of superior record, it has also given the court the needed legal backing to intervene in industrial disputes.

For President Goodluck Jonathan to okay the bill, it was not just a matter of necessity but that of a burden. Earlier, he queried the incessant use of strikes in the country, an instrument that ought to be the last resort after other means of negotiation or dialogue have failed.

This, he noted, has impacted negatively on the country’s economy, adding that labour matters always suffer delays at conventional courts. But the same cannot be said of the Industrial Court, a specialised court set up to deal with trade and industrial-related disputes in the workplace.

The Minister of Labour, Emeka Nwogu, described the signing of the bill as a milestone in the history of industrial and labour relations in this country.

“The importance of the law to labour and industrial harmony cannot be over emphasised. Apart from promoting industrial harmony, it will equally serve as an appellate court in cases coming from the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), which is set up to handle issues concerning labour crises in the country. ‘’It will also promote foreign direct investments because investors will have confidence in the judicial system on industrial cases that will emanate from their investments in the country.

“It will equally ensure speedy settlement of industrial cases,” the minister said.

The court was established in 1976 by Section 19(1) of the Trade Disputes Decree No.7 of 1976. According to it, the court is to have jurisdiction and power on the settlement of disputes. The Act has since been made to go through some amendments before the bill was assented by the president.

Besides, it must also be noted that it was not a smooth sail for the new law. Given the strides and level of transformation that have gone into the court that took off in 1978 and regarded as a desert prior to 2003, the turn of events has shown the level of work that have been put to bear on the court under Justice Babatunde Adejumo, its president. All these were almost affected by a pronouncement of the Supreme Court in February last year.

The apex court had ruled that “the jurisdiction of the state High Court as conferred by the constitution can only be curtailed or abridged or even eroded by the constitution and not by an Act or Law respectively of the National Assembly or of a state Assembly. It means, therefore, that where there is a conflict in that regard between the provisions of the constitution and the provision of any other Act of law of the National Assembly respectively, the provision in the constitution shall prevail except by direct and clear provision in the constitution itself to that effect.”

This declaration, according to Adejumo, rather than allow it kill the transformation spirit that was already in place, became a source of inspiration. So, not willing to allow the pronouncement throw spanner into the works of the court, which has moved from its water-logged abode in Lagos Island to a more suitable environment in Victoria Island, he wrote the Chief Justice of the Federation seeking his permission to submit the Industrial Court Bill to the National Assembly. He was given the green light and that marked the beginning of the journey aimed at bringing confidence to investors and workers alike.

Let it be noted that this was not the first time the bill would come up. It was part of the attempted 1999 Constitution amendment that was thrown into the dustbin with the controversial Third Term Bill.

That was why while watching President Jonathan signing the amendment to the constitution into law some days ago, Adejumo said he was just full of gratitude to God, noting that the event signalled a new beginning of a brighter future for employees and employers.

The president said it is the beginning of

• Justice Adejumo greater commitment to settling industrial disputes with dispatch, adding that the bill has placed on the laps of the court a great responsibility which it could not afford to mishandle.

He also noted that NIC is important to inflow of foreign investment. He explained that no foreigner would want to invest in an economy where he is not sure of a mechanism for dispute resolution apart from the conventional court.

Investors “would want to be sure that there is a place they can go in case there is a dispute with his workers. So, before coming, they would always find out from their embassies and those who do not have, would always ask friendly nations with embassies. So, you can see that the court is central to attracting investors into the country”.

No doubt the challenges ahead of NIC are enormous but the court is very much prepared for it, Adejumo noted.

NBA holds seminar on election petitions Ahead of next month’s general elections, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP), chaired by Mr Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) will, at a seminar, examine the challenges of effective conduct of elections petitions and appeals.

• Ukala (SAN) HE Section on Legal Practice of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is scheduled to hold a one-day seminar in the Rivers State capital city of Port Harcourt on March 29, at the Conference Hall of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Port Harcourt.

The theme is: Effective Conduct Of Election Petitions And Appeals.

This seminar is topical and could not have come at a better time in view of the promises held out by the Nigerian Government and the Electoral Commission (INEC) to Nigerians and the entire world that next month’s elections will be credible, free and fair. There is no doubt that the credibility of the electoral

T

process in Nigeria cannot be seen as complete without judicial intervention in the resolution of electoral disputes and grievances, where such disputes arise. It is for the purpose of positioning the lawyer and, indeed, the Judiciary to deal effectively with the fall outs of the electoral process, especially by way of election petitions that this seminar has been put in place.

The essence of the seminar is to focus on practical ways of ensuring proper and effective conduct of Election Petitions and Appeals as well as highlighting some of the avoidable pitfalls which militate against the effective conduct of election petition proceedings.

Although the primary target audience for the seminar is the young lawyer who will perhaps be conducting his first election petition proceedings, there is no doubt that the seminar will be very beneficial to judges and judicial officers, especially those that will be charged with the conduct of Election Petition proceedings as Chairmen or members of Election Petition Tribunals/Appeal Panels. It will equally be of great benefit even to those legal practitioners who are considered veterans in the conduct of election petition proceedings since the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) is new.

The seminar is designed to facilitate the empowerment of the target audience with the necessary rudiments and knowledge base required for effective conduct and participation in an election petition proceeding or appeal. Renown Judicial Officers and experts in the field of election litigation have been lined up as paper presenters and resource persons and topics to be discussed include: •Election Appeals: Avoidable Pitfalls; •Conduct of Election Petitions: Best Practices; and •Effective Conduct of Election Petitions: Useful Tips.

Participants will thus have the unique benefit of peeping into the working of the mind of the Appellate Judge while engaged in the conduct of election petition appeals as well as to be exposed to those considerations relevant to the Election Petition Tribunal Judge while determining an election petition.

The seminar promises to effectuate knowledge transfer and empowerment of the young lawyers in the field of election petition which hitherto seemed to be the exclusive preserve of a few notable industry giants. Eminent jurists and legal icons are expected to grace the occasion including the President of the Nigerian Bar

Association, Joseph B. Daudu (SAN), the Chief Judge of some states among other judges and judicial officers.

The highlight of the event will be the official presentation of the first Section on Legal Practice Manual on election petitions in Nigeria. The manual is both incisive and in-depth in the topic it treats and is designed as a “road map” to enable any practitioner navigate his way through the murky waters of election petitions sometimes considered as the minefield of technicalities.

The manual is the first of its kind from the stable of the Section On Legal Practice and will be presented by Hon. Justice Iche N. Ndu KSC, the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

The manual is a “must have” for anyone seriously considering the prosecution or defence of an election petition, election petition Appeal, or contemplating the task of hearing and determining one as a judicial officer. Adroit and savvy politicians will also find the manual most illuminating as it discusses the dynamics of election litigation in a step by step approach.

The participants will also earn credit points for this seminar under the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Scheme of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) and enjoy the traditional hospitality of Rivers State, the Garden City of Nigeria.

2, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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LAW COVER CONT’D “(Segun) Oni should tell the whole world if he won the primary election of his party let alone the real election.”

Theatre of the absurd

Ebunolu Adegboruwa Mr. Ebunolu Adegboruwa argued that although Oni’s recent move may not amount to a mission impossible, it is an uphill task with a slim chance of success.

“Yes, if they are able to establish that the judgments are nullities or based on frauds, they (the judgments) can be set aside by the same court that gave the judgments. It will be a serous proceeding,” he said.

•Continued from page 29

In their bid, they have thrown to the wind all sense of caution and civility, throwing unsubstantiated allegation at every direction, without bothering who is hurt. As at the last count, two libel cases had been filed against them. One by the ACN and the other by Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), with another senior lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN) putting finishing touches to his own case.

Critics are curious as to what their true intention is, bearing in mind that by the provision of the 2006 Electoral Act, under which the 2007 election was conducted, and which guided the conduct of the electoral tribunals, governorship election disputes end at the appellate court.

There has never been any departure from that provision, except the new amendment to the Electoral Act 2010, which has now extended governorship election disputes to the Supreme Court.

Oni, Agagu and Oyinlola are not hoping to reap from this new amendment as such alteration is never allowed to assume a retroactive effect. Their election was held under the 2006 Act, so also will their case be conducted under the same Act. Observers are, however, not underestimating the capacity of the ruling PDP to spring a surprise through its agents within the Judiciary. They cite the Sokoto episode where the Supreme Court assumed unlawful jurisdiction over a case that was never meant to be adjudicated on by the apex court. Are these three again counting on the Supreme Court this time? Will the apex court act as an interloper in this case as it did in the Sokoto case?

What plans do they have up their sleeves this time around?

Experts have described their new move as an adventure to no where, arguing that such steps are not supported by any known laws in the land. They also queried the role played by lawyers in all these confusion. They asked for instance, why a lawyer would indulge in such act intended to abuse the nation’s justice administration process. They wonder what happens to the trite saying thatthere must be end to litigation of a single issue.

To them, the Judiciary should be spared the unhealthy episodes that played out at the apex court in the cases involving Andy Uba of Anambra State and Agbaso of Imo State who kept bordering the court with a single issue.

Experts say this development has further reinforced the need for the establishment of an Election Offences Tribunal (EOT) recommended by the Justice Mohammadu Uwais’ Electoral Reform Committee (ERC).

They argued that had such a tribunal been in existence before now, people such as Oni, Agagu and Oyinlola, whose culpability for electoral offences have been established by the judgment handed out by the tribunals, would have by now, been serving their punishments rather than being left to disturb the people’s peace.

Rickey Tarfa (SAN) A senior lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), said such a request by Oni has no legal basis in law. He described it as an abuse of the processes.

“It is an abuse of the administration of justice. If there was any petition or application like that, it is an application that is predicated on recklessness. We should not really be condoning this kind of things. They make nonsense of the process of administration of justice. I don’t subscribe to that kind of approach.

Tarfa said the time is over due for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Tribunal, saying: “I guess they need to work on the need to put in place the Electoral Offences Tribunal. “This is because the success of every democracy is dependent on the transparency of the process of electing the leadership. If we don’t get it right we can not grow.

People must be punished for electoral offences. Otherwise we may never get it right,” he said.

Femi Falana

•Nwobike

• Falana

Theophilus Akanwa “It would have been in the interest of the nation to have an Electoral Crimes Tribunal or Commission to deal decisively with electoral offenders. The reason Nigeria is where it is today without meaningful development is because of bad leadership. The manipulations, snatching of ballot boxes and all manner of electoral fraud is the course of bad leadership. The lack of good roads, electricity, security, etc all start from rigging the wrong people into elective positions.

“If electoral tribunal is set up to bring to book the perpetrators of electoral crime, it would be better for the future of Nigeria. If electoral offenders go unpunished, Nigeria would remain stagnant while the treasury would continue to be looted. Then the time would come when Nigerians would no longer believe in the electoral process if nothing is urgently done to punish electoral offenders.”

•Tairu

•Ofuokwu

Rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, described Oni’s return to the court as one embarking on a “stupid adventure,” noting that the ousted governor returned to the court because he lacked honest and sound legal advice.

Falana said Oni made some money while in office and he must spend it. “There is no precedent for this case and the timing is also wrong. Oni lost twice at the Court of Appeal, but he has chosen to challenge the latest one.

Why not challenge the first judgment from the same court, which nullified his election and ordered a rerun?

“Segun is suffering from an uncontrolled dose of hallucination compounded by lack of honest and sound legal advice.

“He has taken his complaints to the NJC, the only body empowered by the law to deal with cases of allegation of corruption against judges. While the body is yet to decide on his complaints, he rushed to the same court he is accusing of misconduct.

“It is only a confused mind that can engage in such a wasteful misadventure. Oni held thanksgiving service twice following his removal, where he asked God to forgive him for engaging in manipulation of election. We can only wish him success in his ill-advised adventure,” Falana said.

enced judicial officers who are capable of reaching just decisions on the matters,” he said.

He also supported the urgent need for the establishment of the EOT, which he said would go along way in deterring intended election laws violators.

“The need to either establish electoral offences tribunal or empower the electoral tribunals to try electoral offenders can not be over emphasised. We need it now. It is either the government set up separate tribunals to prosecute people involved in electoral malpractices or it gives the regular electoral tribunals or power to prosecute such offenders.”

Joseph Nwobike (SAN) Another senior lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), denied knowledge of any law that supports Oni’s new adventure. He advised that the court should be allowed to deal with the case appropriately on its own accord.

“I am not aware of any law which supports those applications. I am also aware that the judgments are final decisions which have been obeyed. However, since the applications have been filed, it is prudent to allow the courts to decide them one way or the other.

“The courts are manned by highly experi-

Ike Ofuokwu “The Court of Appeal cannot reverse itself. They become functus officio once judgments/rulings are delivered. If the framers of our Constitution did anticipate a reversal, they would have drafted it to be so in clear terms.

“The establishment of an Electoral Crimes Tribunal/Commission would have been excellent and most appropriate to effectively tackle and eliminate to the barest minimum electoral frauds. However, not establishing it should not adversely affect future elections as we still have existing courts that can handle issues if we’re truly serious about tackling them.

“The credibility of our elections lies in the hands of the electorates and the politicians themselves if they are willing to play by the rules. What guarantee do we have that the electoral courts would not be a further avenue to continue to celebrate criminality?”

Nojim Tairu Also, Nojim Tairu said Oni’s request is absurd as there is no legal basis for his prayer.

He noted: “For the purpose of election proceedings, the Court of Appeal is the final court of jurisdiction.

“A review of its judgment will be malapropos in the present legal regime. The idea of electoral offences tribunal may be desirable, but at present unrealistic at this 11th hour of the election itself. But even if established, the tribunals will still operate under the same setting as the present courts.

“The operators of such a specialsed court won’t be a special breed of judges, lawyers, officials and litigants in a different environment setting than we have now. So then, our expectations about ideas that worked well in other climes should not be higher than the existential realities we know about ourselves.

You smile at a mirror, you see a smile; you frown at the same mirror, you get a frown.”

Morakinyo Ogele To Mr Morakinyo Ogele, Oni is unsure of what he actually desires. He wondered why the ex-Governor would ask a court he accused of corruption to reverse his removal from office.

Jonathan Iyieke “The Court of Appeal can under certain circumstances where its decision is perverse and/or reached per incuria reverse itself. This is the practice of the courts. Even supreme courts in Nigeria and United States of America have had occasion where its decision were reversed.

“However, it’s not the law that even where the decision of the court is clear on a matter that an aggrieved party would apply for reversal of the judgment of the court. The court will simply decline jurisdiction on the mere fact that it has become functus officio and can only be corrected by the appellate courts.

“The creation or non-creation of electoral crime tribunal in Nigeria, in my opinion, may not simplicita or by itself correct the future electoral processes in Nigeria. The problem we have is implementation and corruption. Once we are able to tackle the problems, the criminals will be sure that they will be punished.

Udoka Ejilibe “The Court of Appeal can’t reverse its decision for the simple reason that once it pronounces its decision, it becomes functus officio. Its decision can only be attacked by way of further appeal to the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeal like other courts of record are empowered to correct certain slips in their judgments, such as clerical errors.

“The establishment or non-establishment of electoral offences tribunal is not a sine qua non to having a free, fair and transparent election. What is needed is avoidance of collusion and connivance of the police, INEC and other federal agencies. You don’t need to style a criminal court any special name to enable it to try electoral offences. What is lacking is the total absence of political will of either the police, Attorney-General of the Federation or other prosecuting agencies to try the offenders.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

LAW & SOCIETY NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) FOUNDERS’ DAY LECTURE AT UNILAG CAMPUS, AKOKA, LAGOS

•From left: Guest lecturer, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo (SAN); Chairman, Prince Bola Ajobola (SAN) and Director-General, NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN).

•From left: Prof. Peter Fogam, Prof. Nnamdi Aduba and Mr J. T. Aajegbajo

•From left: Alhaji Tofunmi Salman, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun and Prof. Paul Idornijie.

•From left: Mrs Uwen Eteng, Akin Ajibola and Prof. Adebambo Adewopo

•From left: Dr. Mosope Fagbongbe, Prof. Animi Awah and Mrs Sena Jerry-Imahiagbe.

•Dr Chinyere Ani and Okay Agu

•A cross section of participants

•From left: Dr Adebisi Arewa, Jeoma Omaliko and Mrs Helen Chuma-Okoro PHOTOS:DAVID ADEJO

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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LAW & SOCIETY ONE-DAY TRAINING ON VOTER EDUCATION ON MANDATE PROTECTION IN NIGERIA BY THE CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (CDD) AND THE OPEN SOCIETY INITIATIVE FOR WEST AFRICA (OSIWA) IN LAGOS

•Mr Tunde Akanni and Mrs Omolara Qadri

•Idayat Hassan and Kolawole Ogunbiyi

•Mr Suleiman Arigbabu (left) and Tunde Olakunle

•Dr Peter Okereke (left) and Jone Michael

•From left: Mr Tayo Olaifa, Ayinde Semiu and Muniru Bello

•Moyeni Bukor and Patience Yawus

•Mrs Olusola Akai and Alhaja Billi Balogun

•From left: Babatunde Awe, Nwabueze Emeka and Nwagu Kenechukwu

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

36

FROM THE COURT

LAWMA driver jailed for driving on BRT lane

A

LAGOS Magistrates’ Court, Igbosere, has jailed a driver of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Samuel Adeniyi, for driving a refuse disposal truck on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.

The Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore (SAN) arraigned him on a count charge of driving the truck, numbered 69, on the BRT corridor at Palm Groove Bus stop, on Ikorodu Road on February 2.

The offence is contrary to Section 9 (1) of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lite Regulation, 2007.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with

By Joseph Jibueze

Adeniyi pleaded guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mrs M. O. A. Ogunsanya, convicted and sentenced him to 14 days imprisonment. She gave him an option of a fine of N5,000.

Shasore said Adeniyi’s conviction and sentencing “has clearly sent a signal to officers who discharge public functions in Lagos State that they can be prosecuted if they flout the law.”

A Punch photojournalist, Stanley Ogidi, had taken a photograph of the convict as he drove on the lane.

gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

•Shasore

It was reported in the newspaper on February 3.

Man sues Seven Up, demands N250m

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BUSINESSMAN, Kalu Ezema, has sued Seven Up Bottling Company Limited before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere for N250 million. He accused the firm of being negligent, a development he said resulted in his permanent disability.

In the suit numbered LD/490/201, filed by Mr. Tochukwu Aboh of the firm Onu, Uduma and Associates, the plaintiff wants the court to declare that Seven Up was negligent in its action, a situation which led to his permanent disability.

The claimant, in the statement of claim, stated that he is a staff member of Allan Quarter Ventures, a company that is responsible for making pallets and general carpentry for Seven Up’s trucks He stated that he had been on the employment of the said Allan Quarter since February last year and that

By Eric Ikhilae

he had risen to the post of a Supervisor of all the works contracted to his company by the defendant.

The plaintiff averred that on October 23, 2010, he was at the defendant’s office at about 8:30am for official assignment, but that the Seven Up staff member who was to assign work to him was busy, a development that compelled them to reschedule the task for another day.

He stated that on his way out of the company’s premises, a lorry belonging to Seven Up, with registration number XQ 727 FST, driven by one Mr. Jimoh alias Alfa was speeding towards the gate and later lost control.

The claimant further averred that the lorry eventually hit him, and slammed his two legs and fractured with bruises on him, adding that it

took efforts and with difficulty before his legs were pulled out from the truck with the assistance of people around.

He added that ever since the event, the defendant abandoned him to his faith, and even ignored the letters written by his lawyer on the need for the bottling company to take care of his medical expenses.

The claimant added that secure of the incident, he could no longer take care of his six siblings, wife and four children who have hitherto depended on him for survival.

He is, therefore, urging the court to declare that the defendant was negligent in the event that led to his permanent disability and is liable to pay the damages as compensation.

The defendant is yet to respond to the case and no date has been fixed for its hearing.

•Oba Aladejugbe unveiling the centre while guests and officials look on

‘Afe Babalola tasks lawyers on juniors’ welfare’

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SENIOR Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Aare Afe Babalola, has urged senior lawyers to improve on the welfare of the junior ones under them. This, he said, would encourage the young lawyers to work with more dedication for the benefit of the profession.

He berated the habit of senior lawyers who, he said, pauperise those under them by paying them poor wages.

“I respectfully advocate that successful seniors who handle big cases should endeavour to give a percentage to their useful juniors when fat fees are collected on such fat briefs.

“This would go a long way in encouraging and motivating the juniors into putting in their best the more. At the end of the day, both parties are the better for it and this

By Adegunle Olugbamila

makes the profession grow.

“This, I believe, is one surest way by which we, as lawyers, can help one another, the profession and the nation.”

Babalola spoke at the inauguration of a Bar Centre which he donated to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ekiti State Branch. The centre is located at the High Court in Ado-Ekiti.

Babalola added: “A lot of damage has been done to our infrastructure and the practice of law is no exception. Today, lawyers now ride on Okada (commercial motocycles) to court. In the court room, seniors showcase their age at the bar with tattered gowns, dirty and perforated wigs and bibs. Out of 10 lawyers interviewed, hardly would you

find more than four who could write a letter free of grammatical errors.”

The secretary to the State Government Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, who represented Governor Kayode Fayemi, assured the lawyers of the governor’s support and cooporation.

The magnificent structure valued at N100 million, according to the NBA Chairman, Luke Ogundele, consists of a perimetre fence, drainage system, conference and relaxation hall, among others.

Ogundele canvassed the need to equip the building and maintain it.

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti Oba Rufus Adeyemo Aladejugbe, urged all prominent descendants to imitate Aare Babalola by coming back and improving the land with their wealth.

PHOTO ADEJO DAVID

Tenure extension for governors is wrong

T

HE attempt by some governors to surreptitiously serve more than four years for a first term in office is worrisome. The governors of Adamawa, Cross River, Bayelsa, Kogi and Sokoto states are celebrating what they should rather see as our country’s constitutional predicament. For them, the constitution is a dumb document that should be exploited. Now the ‘dumb’ constitution would have become exceptionally numb if Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had gotten away with his attempt to spend more than seven years for his first term in office. I think Nigerians should be worried that despite the clear signals from the Maghreb countries that a fraudulent law is no law, our politicians are not perturbed.

The treatise on this development by Stephen Kola-Balogun a guest columnist in Thisday newspaper edition of Tuesday, March 8, 2011, arguing that our courts reached their decisions in error is very interesting. In the article he argued that the constitution did not use the word nullification, as one of the envisaged contexts for the removal of a governor in Section 188 of the pre amended constitution; and the importation of the word by the learned justices in their judgments nullifying the elections and ordering new elections were, therefore, unconstitutional.

There is no doubt that a combined reading of sections 180, 188, 189, 190 and 191 of the pre-amended constitution shows clearly that the makers of the constitution did not envisage a situation where a person purportedly elected to the office of governor would spend some years in office after which the election is declared a nullity.

While the word ‘nullity’ may not be in the constitution, I do not agree that such importation renders its usage unconstitutional. I am of the view that what the learned Justices did was to assume the status of a law maker to fill the lacuna in the law. That I think with respect they are entitled to do by the provisions of Section 6 of the constitution, particularly in its subsection (6)(a). That provision gives the court the preeminence authority in its exercise of judicial powers, when it provides that it “shall extend notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law.”

That, in essence, gives the court enormous powers as long as it is excising the due powers of a court of law. With due respect I also believe it is that constitutional provision that allows our law practitioners to resort to the traditions and procedures of English courts, whenever they are challenged by any lacuna in our own laws. But in making up for such a constitutional or statutory lacuna, the courts can not go lay wire and seek to undermine the ground norm, the edifice upon which the whole enterprise of constitutionalism depends? I think it should not, otherwise it will be removing the rug from its own feet, for which it will only precipitate a fall.

What I think the courts with due respect can do in the case of the governors is to look at the constitution as a composite document, and apply the mischief rule of interpretation, by seeking to mitigate the injustice that the lacuna attempts to foist on our constitutional democracy. There is no doubt that the extension sought by the five plus one governors, is an attempt to exploit what they see as a constitutional loophole. So, the mischief rule should be used to stop them. Because both in law and logic, their effort to appropriation a first term of office that will effectively last more than four years is repugnant, reprehensible and undemocratic.

In law there should be no reasonable doubt that what the five plus one governors went for after the nullification of their elections were a re-run, whatever words the courts may have used. It is definitely not a fresh election as envisaged by Section 178 of the pre amended constitution. Where it not a mere re run, such elections would have been open to all qualified candidates, as provided by section 177 of the pre amended constitution, instead of only those who ran in the previous election that was annulled. With the closure of the public space against bonafide citizens willing and constitutional empowered to contest such elections every four years, from a court ordered re run, the logic of a fresh mandate for the reelected candidates is defeated.

There would have been a constitutional quagmire were entirely new candidates to emerge from an ordered re run, if such fresh candidates are asked to merely complete the balance term of four years, at least in logic, if not in law.

The dilemma arises from the lack of social justice in such an instance, as a pretender would have enjoyed substantial part of a mandate, while the owner deals with a left over.

It was to resolve the lacuna in our constitution that the learned Justice easily relied on Section 180(2)(a), using the date of the oath of office as a commencement date once a Governor is re sworn in. That reliance with due respect was wrong. So with utmost respect, my take is that a composite reading of the constitution, would reveal that section 180(2)(a) cannot apply to the oath taken by a Governor after a re run election as is the present case.

So with respect, there are no compelling reasons for the court to declare that the mandate of the governors of Adamawa, Cross River, Bayelsa, Kogi and Sokoto should extend beyond a constitutionally envisaged term of four years. Such an extension, I am of the opinion, is without a foundation in law and logic, as should be set aside on appeal.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

37

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Experts fret over sub-standard iron rods

•Predict serial building failures

B

UILT environment professionals have raised the alarm over fake and substandard iron rods in the market.

They warned that if nothing is done to redress the situation, the building sector may face unpleasant consequences.

Mr Victor Oyenuga, President, Nigeria Institution of Structural Engineers (NISstructE), said the prevalence of substandard iron rods and the high cost of cement remains the main issue in building collapse. He said: “The situation being created by cement scarcity and poor quality iron rods reinforcement has become a threat to the aspirations of potential house-owners. We, the key professionals in the building design and construction field, would not escape blame in the resultant effects or consequences of building collapse that might be attributed to the present situation”.

Oyenuga revealed that samples of iron bars procured from major distributors around Lagos failed the structural tests they were subjected to. More astounding, according to him, is the revelation that identical high tensile (HT) iron bars of the same size, produced by the same manufacturer recorded varied and conflicting results. On current cement price hike, he said: “ The required quantity of cement in the mix for block moulding, setting, plastering and for concrete will be compromised if clients could not go beyond budget or provide extra fund to catch up with the inflationary trend. The prevalence of rebagged cement and sharp practices may lead to defective buildings that might fail in future.”

Agreeing with the fact that cement manufacturers is faced with the monumental challenge of en-

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

ergy provision and logistics, he called on the government to address with urgency the privatisation of power generation and distribution to enhance efficiency in the sector. said: “The increase in the cost of diesel, which has raised the cost of haulage, should be looked into. Improvement on the condition of our roads will drastically reduce vehicle repair cost being incurred by haulage firms. Intensifying efforts to revitalise our railway system, especially to link steel rolling and cement factories is a task that must be given a priority”. He argued the need for a policy framework based on analytical observations and rational decisions in the cement sector, especially as it relates to importation of the commodity.

According to him, if the nation is endowed with limestone and iron ore, if the drive for alternative source of revenue overcomes the oil syndrome, if there is commitment in the backward integration policy, cement will be available at a very cheap rate.

Oyenuga said with the present level of local production and future capacity, the nation would on exporting pedestal, earning foreign currency to boost its monolithic export economy.

Speaking further on iron rods, he urged that for quality production, manufacturers of iron bars should consider billet for their raw materials and avoid the use of scraps or if it must be used, care should be taken to ensure that the embedded impurities be properly separated.

Immediate past Chairman of the

•Iron rods

•From left: Awobodu, Shodunke, Oyenuga and Abass at the event in Lagos

Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos chapter, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, urged the government to create various testing centres for iron rod tensile strength. He decried a situation where builders have to contend with the state Materials Testing Centre at Ojodu no matter the distance from their op-

erational site. He said if the government can replicate the testing centres, that it will go along way to deter people from using sub standard iron rods.

In her remarks, Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos Chapter, said the institute is concerned about the hike in the

PHOTOS: OKWY IROEGBU

price of cement. He warned that if it is not checked urgently, the cases of building failure may increase.

The NIA chairman, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr Femi Shodunke tasked the government on verifying the actual local capacity in cement manufacturing to do the needful.

How to combat Climate Change, by researchers

T

WO Researchers have said the most effective way to tackle the effects of Climate Change ravaging the world is to educate the public on the menace of land erosion and the public’s role in tackling the problem. They said public awareness is the best way to approach the problem stare off the menace.

A Research Fellow at the African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE), Mr. Emeka Celestine Nzeh and Mrs. Rita Ogugua Eboh, the Extension Specialist II of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research (CEDR) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka states this of their research in Enugu being spearheaded by the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS).

According to them, different communities in Enugu State, Nigerians need to be more educated and better informed about Climate Change, noting that people should also be made to understand how Climate Change can adversely affect their lives drastically, especially when adequate modern adaptation measures are not applied.

They said key indigenous technologies adopted by farmers in Enugu to combat Climate Change in planting date, change in cropping patterns, change in harvesting date of crops, change in planting distance, introduction of new

breeds of crop(s), changes in the storage mechanism and change in the processing techniques.

Others are use of mixed farming/cropping, agroforestry, and lastly tunguya farming techniques, among others.

The report also added that all economic activities is affected by Climate Change, as is quality of life, saying: “It is obvious that unless we concern ourselves now, it will be too late to help Enugu State society take preventative measures and we will end up being ill-equipped to deal with our new reality.

The scientific community must be involved in studying Climate Change and forecasting weather, and then transmitting this information to all sectors of the society, industry and economy so that these sectors can adapt and be ready to meet a very different future than the present.

The Enugu State government, especially, should adopt strategies and policies that will encourage improved farming practices and

agricultural methods, and that will protect our cherished agricultural activities which is the mainstay of our economy”.

According to them, individuals and communities in Enugu State have adapted behaviour or policies geared at restoring and conserving the environment and Increased self-reliance, avoiding unregulated forest exploitation, planting appropriate tree species, protecting water sheds, using agroforestry and organic farming techniques and maintaining adequate food supplies lessen the vulnerability of the food supply sector are some of the recent adaptive measures by different farming communities in the state.

“Also maintaining water levels so that fish can spawn, planting drought-resistant crops, draining wetlands for rice cultivation, and reforming land tenure and land management policies in some communities are the recent mechanisms in place. At some local communities, erecting contour bunds around farmlands as a safe-

guard against soil erosion and flooding; using organic manure instead of the more preferred chemical fertilizers; establishing wood lots with fast-maturing plant species that yield domestic fuel wood for community members; reducing bush-burning; using disease-resistant, quick-maturing crop and plant species (cassava sticks, fruits and nuts); properly preserving seeds and plant seedlings to ensure healthy germination in the succeeding farming season; also helps to mitigate the affects of climate change.

Furthermore, limiting access to eroded and erosion-prone areas, and initiating and stringently enforcing anti-erosion laws which act as human deterrents has been put in place in some communities.

Other adaptation measures include adopting new farming approaches (such as mushroom farming and planting more fruit tree orchards), using improved varieties; identifying and conserving threatened and endangered species of plants and animals and rais-

‘Also maintaining water levels so that fish can spawn, planting drought-resistant crops, draining wetlands for rice cultivation, and reforming land tenure and land management policies in some communities are the recent mechanisms in place’

ing public awareness on the importance of bio-diversity in different communities,” the report noted.

The researchers called on the people to control human activities which can adversely affect the environment, stressing that human activities are probably what drive both land degradation and climate change.

“Deforestation”, for example, “a human activity is a well-known factor causing land degradation by erosion. Also, contributing to the problem are population pressures (urban populations are growing and contributing to environmental decay and pollution), failure to implement appropriate technologies (the burning of fossil fuels and firewood is prevalent), poverty, and local land-use policies. Humankind is guilty of decreasing forest density, pollution of environment and degradation of land resources that result to food storage. While changes in climate conditions affect agricultural and forest productivity overall, illegal logging in Enugu State has exacerbated the decline in both density and floristic richness of the forests. With the progressive and rapid disappearance of the most popular indigenous timber species, attention has now shifted to virtually every other tree species to meet the rising demand for wood,” they averred.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

38

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT ‘Land Use Act review in favour of individuals is anti-development’

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HE clamour to vest land in the hands of private individuals in the country will stifle developmental projects of state governments, the DirectorGeneral of the Kwara State Bureau of Lands, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade, has said.

In his view, therefore, the call for the review of Land Use Act in the country in favour of private ownership is an abnegation of development.

Ajibade added that it would become almost impossible to purchase land needed for development by state governments from private concerns.

The director-general told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, adding that the bureau had in the last 15 months generated over N750 million to the state government coffers.

He noted that the increase in land revenue was due to the various efforts of the agency that which has succeeded in curbing leakages and other corrupt practices in the management of land in

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the state.

Ajibade, a commissioner nominee in the outgoing administration, explained that under the new regime, the sanitisation of activities involving the acquisition of land in the state had made it possible to issue Certificates of Occupancy in less than three weeks and praised the foresight in granting the agency autonomy to operate outside the ministry.

He said the development was partly responsible for the success recorded during the period.

Another advantage of the reform, according to Ajibade, is that it has now become impossible for one department to commence and conclude the allocation of land without reverting to other departments in the bureau with the creation of a Front Desk, which has helped in reducing underhand activities of employees.

With this, the value of land

has also appreciated across the state, according to Ajibade, who revealed that whereas a plot of land could be sold for N25,000 in the past, such property now sells for between N2 million and N5 million.

His words: “Last year, the bureau contributed N500 million to the state Internally Generated Revenue and in the first quarter of this year, we have exceeded half that amount. We have also ensured that customers have been detached from our staff to reduce the incidences of underhand activities. We have also eliminated double allocation of land by the introduction of the front desk which now dispatches letters of allocation.

“The land regularisation programme, which was meant to curb the activities of land speculator has also been very effective. Today, every piece of land that is allocated is audited. Transactions in cash have also been stopped to eliminate corruption.”

•FHA Diamond Estate, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos

Lagos to excise 503 communities in Ibeju-Lekki , Badagry, others

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HE Lagos State Techni cal Committee on Land Excision has visited 316 communities out of the identified 503 communities for the granting of excision rights by the government.

Excision areas are geographical land areas exempted from the government acquisition as the Land Use Act of 1978 had vested all land within a state in the governor, who is expected to hold it in trust for the public and allocate portions of the land to individuals for development purposes and retain some for overriding public interest.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, of the Lands Bureau, Mr. Moshood Adebisi, on Friday, he stated that the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Land Matters, who is also the Chairman of the committee, Mr Aina Salami, revealed that 503 commu-

By Okwy Iroegbu, Asst Editor

nities had earlier submitted applications for the release of parts of their original land to them.

He quickly added that the mere fact that members of the committee had visited a community did not signify that the excision process had been completed, but noted that final approval would be granted by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The aide to the governor said the reform of the system of processing applications for excision, was to ensure thoroughness and proper titling of excised land in the state.

He was quoted in the statement as saying: “The procedure is also to ensure that in the process of considering excision applications, the development planning of the Lagos mega city is maintained.”

Salami said details of approvals would be published in newspapers at the conclusion of the processing of the applications, while the government would subsequently issue Certificates-ofOccupancy on the approved land, but land speculators not to pre-empt the outcome.

According to him, applications from settlements along the Ibeju-Lekki axis constitute about 60 per cent of the applications received, while the balance are from Epe, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Ogudu, Badagry and Ojo areas of the state.

He assured that the remaining communities that had not been visited by the technical committee would be reached before the end of the month, while noting that the final report on those already visited were being collated preparatory to been forwarded to the governor for approval.

BUILDING MATERIALS PRICES Materials

Market Prices

Blocks 9x9 6x6 Cement per bag Cement per tone (20) Doors 33x81 Malzonia 33x81 Teak 33x81 Omo 33x81 Unpolished Omo 33x81 Maliana Polished 33x81 Maoghany Earthwork wash gravel (5tons) Unwashed gravel (5tons) Granite per lorry load(30 tons) Sharp sand per lorry (5tons) Sharp sand per lorry (10 tons) Laterite filling sand per lorry (15 tons) Hardcore per lorry load (30 tons) Electrical cables 1mm 2 single core per roll 1.5mm 2 single core per roll 2.5mm 2 single core per roll 4mm 2 single core per roll 1mm 2 twin cable per roll 1.5mm 2 twin cable per roll 1.5mm 2 three core per roll 2.5mm 2 three core cable 4mm 2 three core cable per roll Galvanised Mild Steel/Electrical Conduct Pipes 20mm diameter pipe 3.60m length (dignity) 25mm diameter pipe 3.6m length (dignity) Glass 6x24 plain 5mm 6x36 plain 5mm Louvre carrier UNIC 8 blade carrier UNIC 6 blade carrier Nails 1" Ordinary per bag 11/2 Ordinary per bag 2" Ordinary per bag 4" Ordinary per bag 5" ordinary per bag 1" UK per bag 2"UK per bag 3" UK per bag 5" UK per bag Plywood ¼ white imported plywood ½ white imported plywood ¾ white imported plywood ¼ Mahogany veneer plywood ½ Mahogany veneer plywood ¾ Mahogany veneer plywood ¼ particle board ½ particle board ¾ particle board PVC Electrical Conduct pipes 20mm diameter pipe per 3m length 25mm diameter pipe per 3m length Reinforcement 25mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 20mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 16mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 12mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton 10mm full standard Ukraine hit imported rod per ton Roofing and ceiling sheet Super light weight 31/2x8feet Super light weight 31/2x6feet Super light weight 21/2x6feet 31/2x8 feet s.t.

31/2x6 feet s.t.

Tiles 20x30 Viaeny wall tiles 20X30 wall tiles (carton)

N 150 130 2,000 32,000 15,000 4,000 7,000 5,000 7,000 12,000 27,000 25,000 165,000 17,000 26,000 23,000 200,000 2,000 1,900 2,800 4,800 2,000 4,000 6,000 7,500 18,000

K 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

150 160 90 140 600 450

00 00 00 00 00 00

6,000 6,000 4,600 5,000 5,500 6,000 4,600 4,600 5,500 1,200 2,300 3,400 1,700 2,700 3,750 700 1,500 1,900

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

100 120

00 00

165,000 155,000 150,000 145,000 145,000

00 00 00 00 00

1,200 1,500 800 2,000 1,600

00 00 00 00 00

700 1,500

00 00

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

39

DISCOURSE

IFRS roadmap: Planning a safe, economical trip F

URTHER to the approval by the Federal Executive Council of the Road Map for Nigerian Companies to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued directives to all quoted and significant public interest entities to submit their IFRS roadmap to the commission for review and subsequent periodic monitoring. This SEC directive has positively elicited conscious deliberations by management of affected entities on IFRS implementation implications. Other regulators (CBN, NICOM, PENCOM, NSE) are also pushing hard within their jurisdiction to ensure that the planned adoption date on January 1, 2012 is accomplished. As entities move to comply with this national policy on IFRS, planning is paramount, and procrastination and passivity, likely counterproductive.

The European experience When the European Union converted to IFRS in 2005, it was, for many companies, an unpleasant trip driven by the tight timelines imposed by the European regulators. Without the luxury of time to convert on a staggered basis, many companies were forced to rush through the process, leading to inefficiencies and ineffectiveness. Among the lessons learned were the following: The magnitude of the project was underestimated: Some companies began the process with the misconception that conversion was primarily an accounting issue. That notion was replaced with a dawning realization of the true scope and complexity of the project.

Some projects were too narrowly focused: Due to the tendency cited in the bullet above, some companies didn’t pay proper attention to the nonfinancial impacts of conversion, including the effect on information technology, human resources, legal and tax.

Procrastination and delays were sometimes costly: Some companies paid a price for waiting until the (already tight) deadline was imminent, in terms of higher costs and greater diversion of resources.

Manual processes were relied upon: Some companies relied upon manual changes and spreadsheets, which led to errors, costly rework, and other unintended consequences.

The information systems implications were often underestimated: Due to exhaustive disclosure requirements under IFRS, significant upgrades to software applications were required to capture the additional information. Upfront planning to carry this out was not always implemented on a timely basis.

Some companies resorted to extraordinary measures: These companies did not achieve “business as usual” state for IFRS reporting because they weren’t able to fully integrate IFRS into their systems and processes. Instead, the first-year financials were produced using extraordinary, labor intensive and unsustainable measures.

Potential benefits were deferred: In some cases, due to these cited factors, the first-year effort focused primarily on “getting it done.”

Potential benefits in terms of reducing complexity, increasing efficiency, decreasing costs, and improving transparency had to be delayed. Several years in, some companies are only now starting to realize benefits from IFRS implementation.

‘Communicate frequently. Be vocal with internal and external constituents regarding the changes around IFRS. Consider creating websites, blogs and road shows to educate employees, avoid confusion, and engage the larger organization in the effort. Investors and analysts will appreciate being kept informed, and such communications may even contribute to the perception that your company is forwardthinking and ahead of the pack’

• CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido

By Uwadiae Oduware

Drafting the implementation roadmap.

A carefully drafted roadmap may allow a company to generate value from an exercise that otherwise could be solely reactive and compliance-driven. The map may lead to reduced implementation costs, standardization and centralization of statutory reporting activities and related controls, potential tax savings in certain areas, greater consistency of accounting policy application, and, if desired, even core finance transformation.

The following items may help lead through a safe journey.

Designate a sponsor and a project leader.

Someone needs to take charge, so identify a leader with clout to sponsor the effort, such as your chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, or other C-suite executive. Also choose a project leader who will run the dayto-day aspects of the operation and report back to the sponsor. Because the effort will require the cooperation of many, your designees will likely need sophisticated people skills to persuade when possible and demand when necessary. These leaders should be able to exert influence across the organization when there are IFRS-related changes to implement, problems to solve, and decisions to be made. This role becomes especially important in larger, matrixed organizations that may have dozens of different IFRS work streams - from accounting and tax to systems and controls - working in parallel.

Create a PMO. A project management office provides a single point of coordination that can help you leverage project benefits; facilitate the consistent application of accounting policy and changes across a global enterprise; issue important communications and consistent nomenclature; deploy standard templates; and help all parties adhere to a single, unified plan.

Determine where you are. It’s hard to reach your destination if you don’t know your start-

ing point. Find answers to these preliminary questions: What are our current and pending IFRS reporting requirements?

How many local GAAPs do we currently report under?

How many of our business units already prepare IFRS financial statements?

How many of our competitors have converted?

Do we have a major ERP or finance transformation project in the works?

Are we involved in or considering a major acquisition?

What is the level of IFRS knowledge within the company, both domestically and globally?

Will training or hiring be required to augment it?

Prioritize your people needs. Many companies face a dearth of IFRS knowledge within their organizations. You may need to employ a combination of training, hiring, and transfers to bridge the gap.

Engage your independent auditor. Consider getting assistance with your effort by drawing upon a well-informed source - your independent auditor. Larger accounting firms likely have participated in numerous conversion projects; tap into that knowledge early in the process.

Get your team aligned. Gather key members of your executive team to bring everyone up to speed and get thinking aligned.

Consider asking your independent auditor to make a presentation. Make sure your agenda includes an IFRS primer and a regulatory update. Discuss your current reporting status across all entities. Explore the potential impacts across departments, divisions and geographies. And end up with a Q&A session to hear and address concerns.

Budget now, even if you plan to spend later.

The financial implication could impact significantly on the company’s cash flow; there is need for proper financial planning.

Address accounting changes. Your first step is the most obvious: develop a full understanding of the accounting changes associated

with a transition from GAAP to IFRS. Significant variability exists by industry; seek out guidance tailored to your sector. Some multinationals can find in-house expertise in units already reporting under IFRS. Other organizations may need to develop their talent through training or hire professionals already versed in the standards.

Refresh your policies. Conversion to IFRS may facilitate a revisit of fixed asset componentization, inventories, derivatives, revenue recognition and other accounting policies. In other words, IFRS provides a refresh exercise for accounting policy implementation, with the aim of more transparent and timely financial reporting.

Consider nonfinancial impacts. Expand your focus to include operational adjustments, including systems, people and process implications. Consider, for example, how an accounting change such as revenue recognition might impact the configuration of an ERP system.

Investigate presentation and disclosure requirements. IFRS rules for presentation and disclosure differ significantly from GAAP and may require data and information that you don’t currently capture. The differences may necessitate changes in systems, processes and controls.

Communicate frequently. Be vocal with internal and external constituents regarding the changes around IFRS. Consider creating websites, blogs and road shows to educate employees, avoid confusion, and engage the larger organization in the effort. Investors and analysts will appreciate being kept informed, and such communications may even contribute to the perception that your company is forward-thinking and ahead of the pack.

Leverage existing projects. If you have started - or are about to start - an enterprise resource planning (ERP) or finance transformation project, now is the time to factor in IFRS considerations. Recent versions of major ERP systems are designed to accommodate IFRS, which can be mapped in, usually with significant cost savings. A finance transformation project, conducted hand-in-hand with an IFRS conversion, can yield efficiencies for both.

Consider shared services centers. IFRS provides a compelling reason to establish shared services centers, with the prospect of consolidating dozens of local GAAPs down to a single reporting standard. Geographically dispersed finance offices could be drastically reduced or even eliminated in favor of a central finance function, strategically located to take advantage of tax incentives, payroll savings and facilities cost reductions.

Conduct a trial run. Implementation might be easier if you take a bite-sized approach starting with a single country or reporting entity. Use existing reporting requirements and local country IFRS requirements to your advantage. For example, subsidiaries in countries adopting IFRS over the next years may be good candidates for a trial run. Learn from this initial conversion exercise, and apply the lessons learned to the global rollout down the road.

• Uwadiae is Partner, Akintola Williams, Deloitte, and can be reached via ouwadiae@DELOITTE.com

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Australia mulls contentious carbon tax to cut emissions USTRALIA’s Labour government is grappling with potentially combustible plans to introduce a carbon tax as part of efforts to cut emissions of greenhouse gases.

After the basic framework of the proposal was announced, public support for Julia Gillard’s administration collapsed to historic lows, weighed down by concerns about rising household energy bills.

Voters according to Bloomberg news, were baring their teeth at a prime minister who promised before last August’s election that her party had no intention of pursuing a pollution tax.

Citing the realities of minority government, Ms Gillard now wants to set a carbon price next year before moving to an emissions trading system as early as 2015 as part of key structural economic reforms.

The conservative opposition leader, Tony

A

Abbott, accused the Prime Minister of deceit and told reporters her dramatic change of heart “was a performance worthy of Walt Disney”.

Supporters, though, say the carbon tax would lift Australia, which emits more greenhouse pollution per person than almost any other country, out of the environmental “dark ages”.

For their part, business groups insist the country would bleed jobs if the levy became a reality.

“There is a lot of apprehension within our membership on the possible impact to Australia’s competitiveness of an economy-wide carbon tax or emissions trading scheme in the absence of a binding global agreement,” said Peter Anderson, the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Critics say Julia Gillard’s change of heart on the carbon tax is ‘deceit.’

Two of Australia’s resources giants, Rio Tinto and Woodside Petroleum, have joined the criticism.

They insist that without wholesale alterations, the tax could be potentially ruinous for business, although some of the major banks have welcomed the proposal.

It would affect 1,000 Australian companies, including some of the country’s biggest polluters.

In theory, they would be encouraged to clean up their act, because lower emissions would lead to a smaller financial liability.

Although precise details are still to be worked out, the government would use the receipts to compensate industry and households for higher energy bills, as well as funding renewable energy projects to create employment.

Chris Dunstan, research director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, says the carbon tax would put a price on emissions from Australia’s coalfired power stations and the burning of fossil fuels.

In absolute terms, we’re about the 10th larg-

est emitter of greenhouse gases in the world” Said Chris Dunstan of the University of Technology Sydney.

He adds that this pollution is an “external economic cost” that is borne by the community and the environment, but is not built into the retail price of electricity and petrol, for example.

A tax, likely to be between 20 and 30 Australian dollars (US$19.90-$29.80; £12.30-£18.50) per tonne of emissions, would start to incorporate that externality into the cost of energy and other sources of carbon pollution, at a time when academics believe Australia needs to show global leadership.

“When it comes to carbon emissions, we’re one of the highest per capita emitters of carbon,” Mr Dunstan told the BBC in Sydney.

“But also, in absolute terms, we’re about the 10th largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, so what we do actually matters in the context of international action.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

40

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Japan tsunami: Global telecoms market may be affected, says Ericsson E RICSSON, leading provider of technology and managed services to telecoms operators, has said Japan ’s status as a large supplier of semiconductors and other components to the global telecoms market will have a serious impact on supply as a result of the quake-triggered tsunami that hit it a week ago.

The company, however, added it was too early to say to what extent.

It assured that the economic situation in Japan would have no material impact on the company’s sales in the first quarter of 2011.

In a statement made available to The Nation, the company, while commiserating with the Japanese

By Adline Atili

on the state of affairs in the country, said it remains fully committed to supporting all its customers in all ways possible in ensuring that the vital mobile networks are functioning satisfactorily.

According to the Media and Public Relations Officer, Ericsson Nigeria , Omasan Ogisi, the company will focus significantly on supporting customers in securing functionality of vital telecommunication services.

Ogisi said: “The situation in Japan is still developing and focus of

Japanese authorities is on saving lives and supporting affected areas.

“At the same time, Ericsson is analysing the broader effects on the telecommunications industry and Ericsson’s business. The telecommunications industry, as well as many other industries, source components from Japan .

“It is reasonable to expect that the events in Japan will affect supply of components but it is too early to say to what extent.

“Business continuity plans and work to assess the impact on Ericsson and mitigation activities has been ongoing since March 11.

“Typically such activities include supply and sourcing activities such as spot market purchases, redirecting orders to alternative suppliers and tight collaboration with our Japanese supplier base.

“Although it is too early to get an accurate picture of how Japanese enterprises are affected, and how this affects Ericsson and the industry, no material impact on Ericsson’s sales are expected for Q1 2011.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Japan to take further action where necessary.

It is however too early to draw any

further conclusions before we can fully assess the situation.”

0A massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake had occurred near the northeastern coast of Japan a week ago, creating extremely destructive tsunami waves which hit the country just minutes after the earthquake, triggering evacuations and warnings across the Pacific Ocean .

The earthquake and tsunami have caused extensive and severe damage in the north-eastern part of the country, leaving thousands of people confirmed dead, injured or missing, and millions more affected by lack of electricity, water and transportation as a result of the effect on the country’s nuclear plant

Middle East stocks rise on Saudi cash injection

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ISEN sharply, despite regional unrest and western air strikes on Libya, after King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia boosted government spending on Friday.

King Abdullah announced about $93billion (£57billion; 66billion euros) of benefits to lift wages and create jobs in order to quell any potential unrest.

On its first day of trading since the move, the Saudi stock market rose 4.5per cent, while the Qatari exchange climbed 2.6per cent.

The Oman exchange was up 1.3%.

“Saudi Arabia contributes almost 50% of the GDP of the Gulf Co-operation Council countries... a boost in the kingdom’s economy will reflect in all regional markets and that is what we saw today,” said Hesham Tuffaha at Riyadh-based Bakheet Investment Group.

The council comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emeriates (UAE).

The latest stimulus package included $67bn to build 500,000 new homes, with additional funds go-

ing towards creating new jobs and paying higher wages for civil servants.

A similar package worth about $36bn was announced last month.

Meanwhile, the Saudi central bank said regional unrest would have little impact on the country’s economy.

“I have checked all the numbers and there has not been any noticeable outflows or abnormal outflows in Saudi Arabia during the past few weeks so it has been business as normal,” said the bank’s governor.

One market not to benefit from the Saudi stimulus was Kuwait, where shares fell 1.6% after UAEbased telecommunications company Etisalat dropped its $12bn bid for local rival Zain on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia has largely escaped the mass protests shaking the Middle East.

But in the country’s oil-rich Eastern Province, bordering Bahrain where Saudi Arabia has sent 1,000 troops to help quell unrest, there have been protests from the minority Shia Muslim population.

Toyota, Sony disruptions may last weeks

S

ONY and Toyota have both fallen 12 percent in Tokyo trading since March 10, the last day of trading before the quake.

Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and Sony Corp. (6758), two of Japan’s biggest manufacturers, are facing worst-case scenarios of long-term production shortfalls as scores of plants remain closed and workers are idled in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

“The current situation is still difficult,” Chisato Kitsukawa, a spokesman for Tokyo-based Sony, by phone weekend. The company has shut eight plants in Miyagi, Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures, and workers are inspecting equipment and facilities, he said.

Toyota has said it will keep 21 auto and components plants closed until March 22.

Sony and Toyota’s efforts to resume production are complicated by the need for hundreds of different components to build TVs and cars from a variety of different suppliers that may have suffered plant damage in the earthquake and tsunami.

Japan is also facing electricity shortages because a nuclearpower plant was crippled by the temblor.

“This will be played out not in days, but in weeks,” said John Hoffecker, head of the automotive practice at consulting firm AlixPartners LLP in Detroit.

“Nothing on this scale has really occurred before.”

The earthquake and tsunami killed more than 7,000 people and damaged or destroyed more than 100,000 buildings in the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan, according to the National Police Agency of Japan. Workers are also battling to prevent a nuclear meltdown at a plant north of Tokyo.

Sony and Toyota, based in Toyota City, Japan, have both fallen 12 per cent in Tokyo trading since March 10, the last day of trading before the quake. The Topix Index has dropped 11 percent.

Keisuke Kirimoto, a Toyota spokesman, didn’t immediately reply to message left on his cellphone weekend.

For Sony, the most significant damage is to its Tagajo plant, in Miyagi prefecture, that produces coating materials for magnetic tapes, touch-panel mobile devices and Blu-ray discs. Short-term recovery is “very difficult due to flooding caused by the tsunami,” Sony has said.

The electronics company and its suppliers probably have at least two weeks of inventory on hand, which offsets disruptions, said Jordan Selburn, principal analyst for consumer electronics at IHS iSuppli Corp. The more likely challenges are a shortage of basic components and power supplies, he said.

• Dr. Alex Otti, Group Managing Director/CEO Diamond Bank and HE Alh (Dr.) Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the Excutive Governor of Sokoto State at a courtesy visit by the Bank’s mamagement to the government house recently.

$22b increase in payouts, buybacks after Fed review

U

NITED States bank investors may be rewarded with an extra $22 billion annually after government tests showed the industry has regained enough strength to boost dividends and share buybacks.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) were among six lenders that disclosed more than $16.2 billion in share buybacks and $5.4 billion of annualised dividend increases yesterday, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg. The banks made their announcements after learning they passed a Federal Reserve review of their financial health.

“This is a real signal by the Federal Reserve to tell the world that the US banking system is back,” said Gerard Cassidy, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets. “We are going to see, in our view, over the next three years, a dramatic increase in the dividends.”

Regulators are allowing banks to begin restoring dividends that were cut in early 2009 during the financial crisis, when investors and analysts were speculating some banks might need to be nationalised. Losses tied to home mortgages, commercial real estate and business lending drained capital, leading to more than 300 failures.

The Fed had demanded 19 of the biggest lenders undergo stress tests before they could consider actions that would reward shareholders by dipping into capital.

The process was formally completed weekend, and within hours, banks began announcing their plans.

JPMorgan said it may repurchase $15 billion in shares and boosted the payout rate to a level equal to $3 billion in additional

annual payments, while Wells Fargo said shareholders could receive as much as $7.7 billion.

Goldman Sachs said it will buy back $5 billion of preferred stock sold to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. during the financial crisis and may raise its dividend or repurchase common stock.

The six banks that raised payouts and approved share buybacks took more than $64 billion in bailout funds during the financial crisis.

The total increase in payments to shareholders announced yesterday was calculated by adding the value of the share buybacks plus dividend increases.

Dividends were annualised over four quarters and multiplied by the number of outstanding shares, which were reduced to account for the total stock buybacks. The value of the shares repurchased was pegged to the closing price on March 17.

JPMorgan leads Saudi crude oil January exports rise as Nigeria, Algeria fall

S

AUDI Arabia’s crude oil exports increased by 5.4 per cent in January as exports from other Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries such as Algeria, Nigeria, Ecuador, and Kuwait fell, official primary data from exporting countries showed.

Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports reached 6.39 million barrels per day in January from 6.05 million barrels in December, according to Saudi official data posted on the Joint Data

Initiative website, known as JODI. Exports from Algeria fell by 122,000 bpd to 684,000 bpd, while they fell in Nigeria by 146,000 bpd to 2.41 million bpd. Kuwait’s exports fell slightly by 11,000 bpd and exports fell by 17,000 bpd in Ecuador.

Exports from the rest of the 13 member countries of OPEC increased during that month with exception of the UAE, which did not submit data.

Significant increase in crude oil

exports during January came from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela after they added 347,000 bpd and 168,000 bpd, respectively.

JODI is supervised by the Riaydhbased International Energy Forum and its data goes back to 2002. The initiative only runs primary official data from submitting parties.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest holder of proven oil reserves, increased crude oil output in January by 460,000 bpd above its OPEC quota.

SLIDING TACKLE

“...they know they could have easily scored seven or eight goals here (Ijebu-Ode) and the fact that they missed so many goal scoring chances was not such a good thing.”

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

42

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE...NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE...

FIFA and CAF instructor, Paul Bassey assessing the performance of Sunshine Stars of Osun State in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match played in Ijebu-Ode.

Five NPL coaches for the sack

T •Ajani Ibrahim celebrates after scoring a goal for Sunshine

Ajani Ibrahim brightens Sunshine Stars

L

EADING scorer in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Ajani Ibrahim, scored one of the goals as Nigeria’s Sunshine Stars defeated Tiko United of Cameroon 2-0 in a CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match in Ijebu-Ode. Nigeria’s other representatives in the competition, Kaduna United, were equally 2-0 winners over visiting Foullah Edifice of Chad, also on Sunday.

Young striker Kayode Abiodun, a replacement for ill Ukeyima Akombo, opened scoring for Sunshine Stars two minutes after the break.

This was after a scoreless first half during which the Akure team wasted several scoring chances and missed the experience of Cletus Itodo in midfield.

Abiodun’s goal forced the Cameroonians out of their defensive shell and they fought hard to cancel this deficit.

Sunshine Stars young goalkeeper Moses Ocheje even had to make a point-blank save on one occasion when a Cameroonian striker was clear on goal.

However, the lively Ajani, with 10 goals in the NPL by the halfway mark, made victory certain for the team in the 75th minute with a superb header

off a cross from the right by Dayo Ojo. At the Kaduna Township Stadium, Ali Adamu gave the hosts a 37th minute lead with a superbly struck, left-footed

drive from inside the box, before a Linus Adams free kick made it 2-0 in favour of the Confederation Cup debutants 10 minutes after the interval.

Foullah Edifice fought to

reduce the tally, missing two clear chances late in the game to fire a warning signal they will be more dangerous at home when they will attack more.

Paul Bassey praises Nigeria’s CAF Cup rep.

C

ONFEDERATION of African Football (CAF) instructor, Charles ‘Sports’ Bassey believes Nigerian club, Sunshine Stars will progress to the next stage of the Orange CAF Confederations’ Cup. Bassey was among the spectators at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode as Sunshine outclassed Tiko united of Cameroun 2-0 on Sunday.

Bassey, who expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian club to post another victory over the Cameroonians on their own pitch, however bemoaned the failure of the Nigerians to score more than two goals on the night.

“This was a game Sunshine should have put to bed here in Nigeria,” Bassey told SuperSport.com.

“Having said that, they know they could have easily scored seven or eight goals here (IjebuOde) and the fact that they missed so many goal scoring chances was not such a good thing,” he stressed.

The CAF chief is however optimistic about the chances of Sunshine Stars in the return fixture.

“With what I saw in the first leg, Sunshine can win in Cameroon because they are much better than their opponents. I will be surprised if they fall at this stage,” he said.

Bassey also praised Enyimba FC and Kaduna United following impressive results in their respective Continental games.

Enyimba drew 0-0 with Gabonese side, Union Sportive Bitam in Gabon while Kaduna United were 2-0 winners against Chadian outfit, Edifice Foullah in Kaduna.

“Kaduna United have done well as they are relative newcomers in the competition. As for Enyimba I really cannot comment since I did not see the game to assess their performance.”

HERE are two types of coaches – those who have been sacked and those who will soon be sacked.

Several coaches have already been shown the door by the first round of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) – Erasmus Onuh (Bukola Babes), Kennedy Okogba (Ocean Boys), Tunde Abdulrahman (JUTH), Ladan Bosso (Niger Tornadoes), Emmanuel Osigwe (Heartland) and Ndubuisi Nduka (Plateau United).

MTNFootball.com now lists the top five coaches most likely to get the chop as the league hots up in the second round.

5. Fatai Amoo (Shooting Stars) The former Eagles assistant coach is first to admit that his team were the biggest underachievers of the first round of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

They lie in 14th place, only four points from the drop zone, despite an improved financial assistance from owners, Oyo State government.

Amoo is also realistic to tell MTNFootball.com that the job is about hiring and firing.

“I agree we have not met expectations as the results have not been coming, but at the same time we are trying to build a new team,” argued Amoo.

“I’m ready for whatever outcome because this job is all about hiring and firing.

“But I also trust my management because they know we are heading in the right direction, all the hard work is beginning to manifest positively and the fans should just be patient.”

4. John Zaki (Lobi Stars) With vice-chairman and former international Dominic Iorfa breathing down coaches necks, the coaching post at Lobi Stars is easily one of the most unstable in the league.

Former schoolboy

international John Zaki has supposedly been calling the shots at his hometown club, who are within the top 10 clubs in the first round, but face a more difficult second round that could see them slip down the relegation pack, if their cash problems persist.

The consequence would be Zaki having to look for another job elsewhere…

3. Bernard Ogbe (Gombe United) The experienced former Niger Tornadoes and Enyimba coach may have eaten more than he could chew as his Gombe United are looking more and more ordinary with every kick of the ball.

When the ‘Desert Scorpions’ insist on veterans like Bala Manu, who should be knocking the 40s, and Alhaji Kwaranga, very little should be expected of them. Relegation will certainly sound the death kneel for Ogbe.

2. Garba Gusau (Zamfara United) Zamfara United have managed to hang on to top flight action for several seasons now despite having a shoestring budget.

However, it is looking increasingly likely that their luck will not hold out this term and they will slump to the lower tier finally.

This would mean that coach Garba Gusau will be made one of the scapegoats for this demotion.

1. Larry Eceli (Ocean Boys) The little known Ocean Boys coach is top favourite to be sacked in the second round of the season after he was placed on half salary following his team’s thrashing at Heartland on the second to the last game of the first stanza.

His team, champions only five years ago, will barely squeeze past an unlucky 3SC on the final day of the first round as the sword of Damocles hangs over him.

Injury blow for Pillars’ Thompson

K

ANO Pillars star midfielder Joseph Thompson is likely to miss his team’s CAF Champions League return leg tie against Morocco’s Wydad early next month after he suffered a knee injury in Casablanca on Sunday.

“His knee was hit from behind after just 25 minutes and so he could not continue the match,” Pillars spokesman, Idris Malikawa, told MTNFootball.com.

“It looks to be a serious injury that may keep him out of the return match in Kano.

But we will really know the extent of the injury after a scan back in Nigeria.”

Thompson’s enforced replacement, Obi Eguene,

would later be red-carded for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 79th minute of a match won 2-0 by Wydad Casablanca.

Officials informed MTNFootball.com that Pillars are contemplating an early kick-off time of 2pm local time for the Champions League second round, second leg match at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The match is now fixed for Sunday, April 3, a shift by day because of the start of general elections in Nigeria on April 2.

Two years ago, Pillars reached the semi-finals of the continent’s foremost club competition on only their debut appearance.

Ogunjobi wants more from Sunshine

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HAIRMAN of Osun State Football Association, Taiwo Ogunjobi, has charged Sunshine Stars to improve on their performance in the CAF Confederations Cup. Ogunjobi, a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was at the Gateway Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, when Sunshine Stars earned a 2-0 victory over Cameroonian side, Tiko

United, to mark a historic debut in the continent.

Two second half goals from Kayode Abiodun and Nigeria Premier League (NPL) top scorer, Ibrahim Ajani ensured maximum celebration for players and supporters of the Akure side.

“Sunshine have justified their second position on the NPL log with their performance against Tiko United. However, they must

work harder to complete the job during the second leg in Cameroon.

“The players were more coordinated in the second half, which explains why they were able to break the resistance of the opposition.

Dayo Ojo was one of the players who impressed me,” Ogunjobi told SuperSport.com.

The football administrator expressed concern about the output of Sunshine’s strikers

on match day. “I think there should be more work on the attack,” he said.The absence of Ukeyima Akombo and Ibrahim Babale resulted in a series of missed chances on match day.

Highly rated former ASEC Mimosas forward, Ifeanyi Inyam, was the worst culprit on match day and Sunshine boss, Gbenga Ogunbote, gave him a desired break minutes after the interval.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

MARITIME

Govt to maximise opportunities in maritime T

HE Federal Government is to maximise the unlimited opportunities in the maritime sector, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Omar Suleiman told The Nation in Lagos last week.

Among the opportunities, Suleiman said, are the nation’s territorial waters, with a total coastline of about 800 kilometres which provides for investment in shipbuilding and Greenfield port development.

Suleiman said the Federal Government has embarked on wrecks removal, port expansion, channel and towage management, safety of navigation, protection of marine environment, container stacking at Kirikiri and Tin Can Island ports and provision of additional car parks for port users.

He said the Federal Government has also concluded plans for the rehabilitation of Tin Can Island port quay wall and apron, Julius Berger terminal and Koko port as part of its port development plan for the next 25 years.

Suleiman stated that the procurement process for the construction of Marina Jetty, Bonny Jetty, Calabar Finger Jetty and Port Harcourt Finger Jetty is already in progress.

He said plans are on to see to the pilotage and berthing of vessels with deeper drafts in Lagos pilotage district, adding that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, banks and concessionaires have dropped their various charges in a bid to reduce the cost of doing business.

The NPA boss said the council has also removed port administrative and sorting charges, saying it has commenced implemention of the

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

Inland Container Depots (ICDs) project on Build Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) to bring shipping services to the doorsteps of shippers and maximise the opportunities in the industry The ICDs, Suleiman said, apart from helping in reviving and modernising the railways, would help in decongesting the ports and promote comprehensive modal integration and proffer permanent solution to some of the problems facing the industry.

To achieve the required depths and maximise the opportunities in the sector, he said the dredging of Lagos and Bonny/Port is on.

He said he was not happy over the delay in cargo clearance at the port.

Suleiman suggested a Single Window Electronic Trade Facilitation initiative, which could resolve most of the major problems confronting cargo clearing at the ports to be adopted.

“A Single Window Electronic Trade Facilitation initiative will eliminate human contact and the use of discretion, which have been identified as major causes of delay in the clearance of cargo at the ports.

“The electronic system would not only facilitate trade but also ensure improvement in revenue generation and help developmental plans.

He said the situation at the seaports calls for a one-stop-shop that will accommodate all relevant agencies where importers and their clearing agents can clear their goods at the same time.

He said: “A one-stop shop would

•Lagos port

stop a situation where one government agency will clear goods here and another will intercept it there.

Corruption needs to be eradicated at the ports to boost revenue and enhance trade facilitation.

Technology, he said, has brought about the need for speed. Shippers, importers and freight forwarders are constantly searching for more efficient ways to get their business done at the port.

On port concession, Suleiman said the Ministry of Transport has set up a committee to audit the performance of the concessionaires and that government is planning to review the tariffs charged by the terminal operatos.

He said the review would make the ports competitive, encourage importers and their agents since it would eliminate arbitrariness and ensure parity with ports of neighbouring countries.

The NPA boss said shipping plays a vital role in world trade

and sees it as the backbone of the world economy. “Without ships and transportation services that ships provide the world would not be as prosperous as it is today and many countries would not be able to participate in world trade hence the reason why the Federal Government is set to maximise the unlimited opportunities in the maritime industry,’’ Suleiman said.

Suleiman praised the concession programme, noting that it was the only way the ports could compete favourably globally.

He bemoaned the delay in paper documentation by the Customs and the banks and said the issue needs to be addressed to enhance efficiency and boost revenue generation.

The NPA boss said the Federal Government to repositioning the rail system for more efficient transportation of goods.

The revitalisation of the rail sys-

• Suleiman

tem, he said, would also ensure safety of lives and properties and provide unlimited opportunities for investors.

Operators score Customs boss high

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• Dikko

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HE Marine Board of Inquiry has started probing the fire incident involving a fishing trawler (M/V ZAHRA) at Musheshe Jetty, Kirikiri light terminal 11, Tin Can Island, Lagos.

Chief Magistrate Nureni Kuranga is the President of the board.

The board was set up to investigate and establish the circumstances that led to the fire incident and subsequent explosion of the trawler; to investigate and establish owners and chatterers of the vessels and those who may have connection with the vessels.

According to its President, the board was also mandated to identify and cross-examine the crew members on board at the time of the incident with a view to establishing the cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to it.

HE Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdulahi has been described a good trade facilitator.

Operators said no other Comptroller has achieved what Abdullahi achieved since he was appointed.

With his revenue generation initiative and anti–smuggling activities, operators said, he has performed wonderfully well.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos on Friday, the National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said the Customs

• Dikko gets Maritime award on April 8 boss has brought modernisation and welfare of his officers to the front burner to reduce leakages and corruption in the service.

On the issue of upgrading of working tools and provision of equipment to boost productivity, Abdullahi, the ANLCA chief said, has emerged as a frontline motivator.

Another operator and Chairman, Soul Enterprise, Mr Folusho Adelakun, said from his first emergence on the public scene as the Customs helmsman, “he has left no one in doubt that he came with only

what can, without doubt, be a messianic zeal to reposition the service.

“He came with a six-point agenda to reposition the service. As a fine Customs personnel whose rise through the ranks saw him acquiring wholesome skills and experiences until he emerged as the Comptroller General, he was conversant with the needs of the service. He was also quite uncomfortable with the public image of the Nigeria Customs Service. ‘‘On both fronts, he came determined to change the course of the NCS for the better with a clear un-

Board probes fire incident The board, he said, needs to establish the actual crew members on board with a view to determining the nature of the incident, to assess the compliance of the vessel with the standard prescribed by the International Ship and Ports State Control (ISPS) code at

the time of the fire and to recommend appropriate measures needed to be put in place to ensure safer shipping and cleaner oceans.

The board has experienced hands such as marine engineers, captains, safety officials and rel-

evant experts who would work as a team to ensure thorough investigation and transparency in the exercise.

The court was set up as a seven member Marine Board of Inquiry as part of the efforts of the Federal Government to find the cause

derstanding that a well trained, remunerated and motivated personnel is key to maximising the potentials of the service. ‘‘Within the first 15 months of his emergence as the number one Customs personnel in the country, Abdullahi’s score card has set him out as an outstanding trade facilitator, a motivator extraordinary and an unflinching reformer,”Adelakun said.

It is for this reason that the board and management of Maritime Media Limited intends to honour him on April 8, as the Maritime Man of the Year 2010.

The event would take place in Abuja. of the fire incident and to reiterate its position in promoting safety in the maritime industry. ‘‘I pledge on behalf of members that our assignment would be carried out transparently and professionally,” Kuranga said.

Operators said the effort by the Federal Government to set up the board was commendable as it shows its sincerity in promoting safety in the maritime sector.

Apapa Customs approves rerouting of containers

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REA Controller of Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Suleiman Idris, has approved the rerouting of all homogeneous containers that are more than five for physical examination.

Idris disclosed this while ad-

dressing Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), in Apapa during the week.

He said the rerouting of containers will be based on application.

Idris urged all government agencies participating in examination at the port to ensure all examinations are done jointly to

reduce some of the re-occurring problems militating against trade facilitation and productivity.

“It is the desire of the Comptroller General to improve the service delivery of the Nigeria Customs Service in order to reciprocate the kind gesture of the

Federal Government and consolidate the gains of modernisation embedded in the destination inspection contract.

These are some of the reasons why we have approved rerouting of containers to make our ports attractive for business,” Idris said.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

MARITIME

Customs, ICPC vow to stop corruption

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HE Nigeria Customs Service’s Anti-corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), Southern Zone, in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have declared total war on corruption.

It said officers, who engage in the vice that has robbed the Customs of its reputation would have themselves to blame.

ACTU said it is determined to fight and rid the service of bad officers and men that are tarnishing the image of the organisation.

The monitoring unit said any Customs officer accepting bribes from importers, smugglers, clearing agents and other port users would be exposed, and could be dismissed from the service.

Speaking at a seminar jointly organised by ACTU and ICPC to boost the anticorruption crusade among officers and men of the service, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, said the leadership of the service has put in place a lot of measures to improve the living and working conditions of officers and men of the service, to discourage them from engaging in acts of corruption.

The event was held last week, at Customs zonal headquarters, Yaba, Lagos.

Abdullahi was represented at the event by Comptroller Jack Y Bot. The fight against corruption, the Customs boss said, is not a fight against individuals or personality, but a fight against vices.

Abdullahi, who harped on the need to re-focus and consolidate as the nation’s leading non-oil revenue earner, said his administration will demonstrate a zero per cent level for all the vices that have dented the image of the service and reduced its efficiency.

The guest lecturer from the Lagos State University (LASU), Dr Dapo Thomas, said the fight against corruption will not yield the expected result except the government is ready to enforce

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

the legislation that set up anti-corruption agencies.

Corruption, he said, is so embedded in our national life that everybody appears to be involved in it and if not, must know of someone who is.

Thomas said it is widely held that corruption is so pervasive that the public and private sectors are affected.

According to him, a cursory prognosis of the phenomenon reveals that corruption in Nigeria manifests in at least four major varieties: • Occasional or opportunistic – this comes in the form of paying bribes to gain an unfair advantage and or abuse of position by taking bribes • Widespread corruption – Society endorses taking bribes by all and sundry as being socially acceptable.

• Systemic corruption – Everyone is on the take, from employees to employers, private citizen to office holder, in an attempt to reap

personal gain. This often leads to outright extortion from anyone requiring service.

• Destructive corruption – This manifests clearly in the attitudes of politicians, government officials and security operatives seeking more wealth, while brazenly showing off extravagant lifestyles that can only provoke others to think that corruption is a way of life.

From these, Thomas said, Nigerians are conscious of the fact that these various forms of corruption not only stultify development as state resources are diverted for personal use but also imbue governance with inefficiency and bad leadership.

Contributing, the Officer in Charge of ACTU at the zone, CSC Joseph Awodu, said the focus of the seminar was to sustain the drive against all corrupt tendencies in the service, educating and sensitisation of all officers and men of the service and the general public about the destructive effect of corruption on the economy.

Over 3,000 ACTUs, he

said, were established by the government to complement at the micro-governmental level the duty of ICPC with the hope that the ACTUs would constitute a constant internal check on corrupt practices in any government establishment.

In Awodu’s paper entitled: Where are we? And where are we going in the corruption crusade, he urged officers and men of the service to avoid the following corrupt tendencies: Running of entries, release of goods without proper examination and documentation, ‘Flying of containers’, improper tallying, conniving with other security agents, bank officials, importers and their agents to defraud government, use of recycled cheques, fake RAR, fake SGD, overlooking of concealment, falsification of documents, under invoicing and under declaration, releasing of prohibited items and aiding and abetting smuggling among others.

Over 60 officials of Customs, ICPC, reporters and other stakeholders attended the event.

• L-R: Jack and Assistant Controller-General, Customs, Taylor J. Olufemi at the event.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Cargo clearance, payment made easy

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ARGO clearance at the seaports has been made easy with the introduction of a new IT initiative tagged Call-Customs-tariff.

The initiative was introduced by Peace Global Satellite Communications Limited, a telephone network operator based in Lagos.

Speaking with The Nation on the new concept in Lagos on Friday, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Livingstone Oreye, said it was developed to make it easy for people to access and know the Customs duty payable and also help in making clearing of goods easier and faster.

He said the initiative puts all the amount payable on imported goods at the fingertip of every importer, clearing agent and the general public by using their phone. ‘‘What the importer, agent or member of the public

needs to do is to dial 012303333 and follow the voice directive.

“The enquirer will then hear the rate of import duty and other charges, without human intervention. Everything is automated. This is at no cost to the inquirer outside the call cost. ‘’ The beauty of Call-Customs-tariff, Oreye said, ‘‘is it also offers users the opportunity to access the tariff through interactive text messages.

“The strength of the Callcustoms-tariff concept is that it is new and unique with the potential of placing Customs tariff at the palm of everybody that has a phone.”

The initiative, apart from giving users Customs tariff for imported goods, also helps prospective importers to know whether the items to be imported are prohibited or not.

“This saves the importer

the embarrassment of having his items seized and being prosecuted for importing contraband. ‘‘The adoption of the initiative will translate to higher compliance hence higher revenue collection by the Customs Service on behalf of the Federal Government. ‘‘Call-customs-tariff will enable easy reference to the tariff even while on the move; thereby enhancing conflict resolution between Customs officers and stakeholders in the field. It would also promote justice and honesty in accordance with International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) committee on Customs and Trade Regulations Guidelines 40, 41, 42 and 43 interpretations paragraph 5 which states, among other things, that “Transparency is essential for both customs and the trading community. ‘‘The initiative is in accor-

dance with ICC guideline Nos. 28 and 35 which expect Customs information to be available to the public through the media and that tariff and related information/data be available to the trading community from an automated system” which an (Interactive Voice Response ( IVR) server is.

“Being available on the phone of everyone 24 hours, the initiative removes a lot of ignorance and administrative bottlenecks thereby helping the current drive by the Federal Government to see that goods brought into country are cleared within 48 hours. It also helps increase the level of efficiency and service delivery in Nigerian ports.

On how to use the facility, Oreye said a first timer should access the users guide by visiting www.peaceglobal.net.ng where the users’ guide can be accessed in PDF format.

Maritime Watch Terminal invests N2.5b on infrastructure Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

THE management of ENL Consortium Limited said it has expended N2.5 billion on infrastructure at its Apapa terminal. The company took over the terminal five years ago.

The General Manager of the company, Mark Walsh said the amount was spent on infrastructure and manpower development.

According to him, the need to invest the sum was borne out of the desire to ensure efficiency in service delivery.

“What we have been able to do is to invest approximate close to N2.5 billion into the terminal. Fixing the roads through provision of basic infrastructure, providing more equipment, having things available, and having more expertise inside the field here. So, the money has gone back into the industry,” he said.

Walsh said the port concessionaires have been able to increase cargo throughput at the nation’s gateway, adding that there was the need to reduce cargo dwell time so that containers could be cleared on time.

“The main achievement of port concession in the last four years is the increase in throughput. The turnover of cargoes has made it cheaper for shipowners to come to Nigeria. Instead of their vessels staying 10 to 15 days on the high sea, they now stay just five and eight days. So, it saves them a lot of money daily.

This improvement should reflect in the overhaul cost for consumers at the end. But unfortunately, in between what the middlemen and some of the agents do, it affects the overhaul cost. But on the terminal operators, especially here, we have been able to reduce cost to make it cheaper and easier for the consumer or the consignee to get their goods into the country.”

Activist commends FOU THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone A has been praised for protecting the nation’s economy with its adoption of unique approaches to combat smuggling activities in the zone.

A rights activist, Mr. Martins Ikhilae, gave the commendation in Lagos on Friday.

He said the Zone is living up to expectation based on the arrest of some smugglers who attempted to import multimillion naira contraband through the Agbara water ways.

The activist said the anti-smuggling unit’s performance in recent time was an indication that the nation was adequately endowed with committed and patriotic Customs officials who have the country interest at heart.

To him, the criticism of the Customs Comptroller’s decision to deploy junior officers for sensitive assignments was baseless. He said what should form the basis of assigning people for assignments are professional ability and intelligence, not seniority.

Ikhilae said the anti-smuggling unit led by Mr. Victor Dimka, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, has performed well having recorded numerous successes in the interception of multi-billion contrabands from smugglers.

He said the achievements were informed by the various staff motivational policies introduced by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko who is fondly referred to as father of all by officials of service.

He described Dikko as a man laden with professional ideas and experience, attributes which he said has now manifested in the improved services of the NCS. Describing the unit’s achievements as outstanding, Ikhilae praised the Customs leadership for its ability to source capable and reliable personnel for the highly sensitive assignments.

He said the outstanding performance of the Zone has demonstrated its ability and resolve to rescue the nation from its economic crisis.

ANLCA challenges agents IN line with the new system of data capturing machine proposed by the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) known as the WIFI, the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Chapter, Mr. Kayode Farinto, has charged all clearing agents on the need to have an attitudinal change towards the new development, as it deals with integrity and honesty.

Addressing agents in Lagos, Farinto explained that the machines have been installed at the various ports in Lagos and were ready to start operation.

According to him, each of the machines can cover about 1.5-kilometre radius, with two of them already installed at the TCIP. Inaugurating a new set of coordinators for the chapter, Farinto said there is the need for them to improve themselves and be ICT-compliant in order to function properly in the new system.

He said a register would be opened at the secretariat so that agents who wish to be trained would put down their names and a specialist would be invited to come and train them for one week on how to use the Wifi system.

“The new system is password-driven and you must protect your password jealously so that someone else will not use it to commit fraud, otherwise we will not be able to defend you again, because it has to do with integrity.

Customs have always accused agents of corruption, but this time around we are ready to prove to them that agents are not corrupt but we are compliant by the success of the new system put in place,” Farinto stated.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

AVIATION AIRPORT WATCH with

Kelvin Osa-Okunbor kelvinokunbory2k@yahoo.co.uk kelvinokunbory2k@yahoo.co.uk

Dreams die first

• Arik aircraft

Arik to establish national airline for Sierra Leone F

RONTLINE airline Arik Air is to establish a national carrier for Sierra Leone under a multi-billion dollar deal, The Nation has learnt.

Leon Air will begin operations in July, barring last-minute hitches. It will be operated by Arik Air under a joint venture agreement (JVA).

The airline will, initially, be flying between Freetown and Heathrow in London, Arik Air Managing Director, Chris Ndulue said after Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma visited Arik’s facilities in Lagos.

He said the first phase of the operation would be carried out with two of the airline’s B737-800 airplanes on a wet lease arrangement.

Wet lease means Arik Air will supply the airplane, crew and also handle the maintenance, while an agreement on how the Sierra Leonean government pays will be worked out to suit both parties.

According to Ndulue, necessary papers and approvals have been sought, while licenses have also been applied for.

“The new airline has a board and I happen to be a member. Arik Air has the controlling stake in the joint venture. The new airline also has a Managing Director. We will use the B737-800 for the services.

The airline has already applied for slots and approvals to commence direct flight services between Freetown and London Heathrow.

The number of frequencies and other destinations will be worked out with by Leon Air and the Sierra Leonean authorities. We will register about three or four airplanes with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sierra Leone so that we can easily joggle airplanes in the event that the initial two have

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

to be withdrawn for maintenance or something,” he stated.

Ndulue said Koroma was impressed with the top-level facilities the airline has, stressing that concerted efforts are on to ensure the success of the joint venture.

Ndulue also frowned at the multidesignation of foreign airlines on lucrative routes in Nigeria, describing it as a development capable of strangulating existing domestic carriers. He thus urged the government to involve the airlines in meetings where Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) are signed or deliberated upon.

“Multi-designation weakens domestic airlines because routes where they fly to feed international airlines, they lose it and when you lose it, in translates to revenue loss.

From constant revenue loss, your operations shrink because the lucrative routes are gone.

That’s why various countries’ government are careful in signing BASA agreements. They are bent on protecting their own airlines.

So, they hardly embrace multi-designation and that’s why we should stop it in Nigeria. We have made this known to the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). It should be stopped,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani, has been named the ‘Airline CEO of the Year 2010’ at the air transport award in Nigeria – the Nigeria Aviation (NIGAV) Awards. The ceremony was held on Saturday, March 12, at the Ocean View Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the NIGAV Awards

Committee, Hathiramani clinched the award for his exemplary leadership and passion for excellence which has seen Dana Air grow to become one of Nigeria’s leading airlines in just over two years of its operations, and his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the aviation industry.

In his response, Hathiramani expressed appreciation to the organisers of the award for the honour bestowed on him and reiterated his commitment to steering Dana Air to enviable heights, not only within the local travel industry but on the regional and international front too. He also pledged to continue to work with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders on programmes that will better the lot of the industry and the travelling public.

Initiated in 2007, the NIGAV Awards is an annual event held to recognise those companies and individuals that have made outstanding contributions towards the development of the aviation industry and related activities in Nigeria. The award aims at promoting development and healthy competition among players in the industry. It encourages best practices, helps continuity in aviation programmes and enhances air transport trade.

This year’s award was themed ‘Expanding Air Transport Business Opportunities’ and had in attendance notable aviation personalities such as the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, who gave the key note address on the essence of maintaining high level customer-centered air transport services.

Kenya Airways considers faster means of payment

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ENYA Airways (KQ) Information Service Director Mr Kevin Kinyanjui has said the airline will in the coming months introduce better means of providing quality services to its customers through the use of information technology.

Speaking at the official inauguration of Mandilas Traders Association Secretariat at Tinubu Square, Lagos, Kinyanjui said the airline would not rest in its quest to make the airline better. He said his major preoccupation now would be to keep introducing a far more accessible way of payment to customers.

“Our duty is to communicate our network on time to our numerous customers through the use of

internet services. That’s why we at KQ have embraced the use of infotech for dissemination of information from KQ to our customers.

“We always want to keep working hard day and night in our quest to introduce a more accessible way of payment in KQ each time our dear passengers want to fly to our numerous routes. We will not rest until we make KQ the best in the world in terms of services provided and internet services,” he stressed.

Kenya Airways has also introduced more international destinations to its long lists of routes namely Luanda (Angola), Nampula (Mozambique), Rome (Italy) and Malindi (Kenya).

The airline will on July 3

introduce Abuja-Nairobi route as part of its plans to provide far more improved services to its numerous customers in Nigeria. This cherry news was disclosed by KQ Country Manager for Nigeria and Republic of Benin, Daniel Maundu.

“We shall be introducing AbujaNairobi route in July by the special grace of God. It is part of our plans to make life more convenient for our numerous customers in Nigeria who travel to the Far East for business and holiday. Passengers in Abuja will not need to move down to Lagos from Abuja, rather they can easily book their flights from Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja enroute our hub in Nairobi,” he said.

AIR MidWest Airlines had a dream. The dream was for an all-business cabin aircraft. If it had gone ahead with the idea, it would have been the first airline to have such a plane in its fleet in the industry. But the dream died before it became a reality. The airline itself is gone; gone with the winds, so to say. Last year, it was learnt that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had deregistered the aircraft belonging to the airline.

The reason for the action, it was learnt, bordered on the seeming difficulty of the airline to service the lessor, thereby raising fresh doubts over its viability.

Although neither the regulator nor the airline has confirmed the development, there is disquiet in the industry that the airline’s wings may have been clipped before it could dominate the Nigerian skies.

With this development, what has become of the partnership between operators of the carrier and the Imo State government, which is said to have a stake in the airline?

What also happens to the airline’s dream, of having an all-business cabin aircraft?

Will Air MidWest Airline fly again? Questions; questions; questions.

Will somebody provide the answers?

Operation stop the bomber ONE could imagine the state of minds of passengers aboard the Arik Airplane following last Wednesday’s bomb scare. The passengers had barely boarded when one of them received a message alerting her to a bomb planted inside the plane. The passenger quickly notified the security agencies and in no time, there was bedlam at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa .

The development brought out the best in Arik Air. It showed its readiness to handle emergencies whenever they arise.

The ripple effects of the bomb scare could not have come at a better time than now, that aviation authorities unveiled a new technology to identify explosives aboard any aircraft.

The technology - Trace Detector equipment – was unveiled at a training workshop for aviation personnel.

They were trained by British experts on the use of Explosive Trace Detectors (ETD) being installed in major international airports in the country.

The explosive detectors are fitted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

“Nigeria remains an important air-bridge to the UK and we are keen to facilitate the legitimate movement of people in both directions,” said Robin Gwynn, deputy high commissioner of the British Embassy in Nigeria during the closing of the workshop held at the training school of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos.

“But our governments are also determined to work together to preempt and frustrate those who seek to do us harm. Once identified, including through programmes like this in the use of state-of- the-art equipment, the full powers of the law can be applied,” said Gwynn.

He said his home government was delighted in partnering with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, adding that this is supposed to provide maximum protection and mutual assistance for both nations.

Curbing poachers’ excesses As reported on this page last week, there is urgent need for perimeter fencing of the nation’s airports. Nothing drives home this point more than the fire which engulfed a section of the air side at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, barely a week after rams and goats invaded the Bauchi airstrip.

The fire was said to have been caused by people living around the airport who were burning bush while hunting for wild animals. Going Game hunting near the airport did not start today. It is a pastime they engage in at the expense of the airport.

In a statement the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said: “The FAAN last week lost one of its fire officials, Subairu Mohammed, in a fire at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

“The inferno emanated from a bush fire from the neighbouring community and spread to the airport around its perimeter fence with the aid of the raging wind, often experienced during the harmattan in the northern part of the country.

“Officials of the Air Rescue and Fire Fighting Services of the Authority, rushed to the scene in two fire trucks and an ambulance immediately they observed smoke at a location about 150 metres from the threshold of runway 24 at 10.50am.

“Though the fire officers were able to contain the fire at about 11.25am, it, however, went out of hand about 1pm as there was a sudden change in the wind direction and strength, developing whirl wind or devil dust, resulting in the escalation of the fire.

“The resultant blaze spontaneously engulfed one of the fire tenders, which was equipped for combating such fires and positioned at the approach of runway 06, about 200 metres from the threshold, trapping the fire officers.

“All efforts by the authority’s fire officers on ground to put the fire out proved abortive.

“Though four of the trapped fire fighters were rescued with various degrees of injuries and burns, one of their colleagues, however died in the disaster. The injured are receiving treatment at a government hospital in Kano.

“Mohammed, whose death was later communicated to his family members by the management of the airport, has since been buried according to Islamic rites.”

Get in touch on this line 08023509878

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

55

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Expert set to boost health service I

MAGINE receiving home nursing, and a quality health care, based on referral from doctors, through insurance company, personal referral or through governmental and non-governmental agencies in the comfort of your home.

That was the vision of Olatunji Awonusi some eight years ago when he left the shores of the country for the Asia Pacific. Then, many saw him as a brain drain, but the vision he held so closely to his heart pushed him on. He garnered every medical knowledge and experience he could. Now he is back in the country and zealously putting his knowledge to action.

He has established a medical outfit called Medic Angels to pass the message.

Dr Awonusi , a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State could not hide his disdain for a situation where many Nigerians are dying of long forgotten diseases such as diarrhoea, polio, malaria or pneumonia. And others such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension mitigating the lives of Nigerians. He said the global trend now is patient’s safety and not really to admit patient in the conventional hospital.

“What pains most is that we have the resources, human and natural to ensure good health care delivery. You can imagine a patient receiving treatment at a facility and after being discharged, he is back there to receive attention for another disease he picked up there. Or even his condition worsening when on admission, all because the hospital is not part of him. It is good to catch diseases in a proactive manner.

“People prefer to stay in their natural habitat. That is what Medic Angels wants to add as value to Nigeria as is being done in places like Australia. I have over seven years work-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha, Senior Health Correspondent ing experience in the health care industry both in Nigeria and Australia. I was involved in managing various projects with major trauma hospitals in Australia, providing evidence based care to clients and patients. I am setting out to transfer home based health care here in Nigeria, a novelty in the country at the moment.”

He noted that Nigerians do not practise preventive medicine but curative, “Many do not go to hospitals for medical check up. They go when their conditions have worsened like in cancer cases. A simple step at home, of taking the Blood pressure (Bp), urine test, self-breast examination are all preventive measures that can be done at home. There is no need to get to the hospital to do that. At the hospital, one may pick some other infections. Medic Angel innovation is about pro-activeness, more of field work.”

Medic Angels will assist in facilitating trips to its partner hospitals in Australia for clients that might need further trips to its partner hospitals in Australia for clients that might need further specialist attention, as well as facilitate medical tourism for those who desire to go to Australia for comprehensive checkups or treatment.

The organisation also will provide individually planned and co-ordinated packages of care, tailored to help older Nigerians to remain living at home. Aged Care packages are designed for people who need assistance with bathing, meals, shopping, medication management and getting around.

Medic Angels extended aged care at home are tailored packages of care, for people with more complex needs, and require services such

•Awonusi

‘Nigerians do not practise preventive medicine, but curative.

Many do not go to hospitals for medical check-ups. They go when their conditions have worsened like in cancer cases. A simple step at home, of taking the Blood Pressure (Bp), urine test, selfbreast examination, are preventive measures that can be done at home’ as registered nursing care, care by a physiotherapist, dietician or other type of allied health care, personal care, transport to appointments, social support, home help and assistance with oxygen and/or enteral feeding.

Dr Awonusi is exploiting avenue where he will be able to access grants from Aus-

tralia to ensure free fee paying services, as “Before coming home, I have already registered Medic Angels as a non governmental organisation (NGO). In Australia, there is AusFund. We want to start Medic Angels as a profitable organisation and then translate it to non-governmental organsation (NGO).

Out there, they want records of performances, the money is there and they are willing to assist developing countries like Nigeria. When I left things were a little okay, but now, things have gone really bad.”

So, to set the ball rolling, the Medic Angels is providing an affordable fee-for-service health care such as Hospital-in-the-Home and Post-Acute Care as at now, because, “As I used to say, I do not see problems but challenges, the situation here of epileptic electric supply, low flow of water, poor remunerations of doctors are all challenges I am overcoming gradually and which must not be allowed to kill the vision.

“Medic Angels believes one of the best places to get well and remain independent is in the comfort and privacy of your home.

We provide a range of nursing and healthcare services in your home or other place such as work or school. When you are referred to us or you sign on with us individually, our nurses will assess your health needs and work with you to develop a care plan that best suits your requirements.

Where appropriate, we also teach you or your family to provide the care, or parts of the care if you wish. Our services are delivered in an environment that promotes dignity, integrity and a respect for cultural, linguistic and social differences.

“We have consultants and a network of facilities with state-of-the earth equipment.

We will tap into tele-medicine as well. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) will be reduced.

When people screen, for example, hypertension, we will tell him what to do. Not just give him the result to walk away with, as being done here. Mental health and counselling are part of qualitative health care delivery. The innovation will reduce the load in the hospitals, reduce presentation.

Nigerians’ health index will pick up.”

Firm deploys SMS to fight counterfeit drugs It is not easy to know a fake drug by merely looking at it. Some counterfeits look identical to the genuine products, even to the trained eye. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports a company’s effort to protect its products and safeguard consumers’ health via mobile authentication service (MAS).

C

OUNTERFEITERS are becoming increasingly sophisticated and able to imitate companies’ packages, appearance of medicines and security devices. This makes it difficult for end users - patients and medical practitioners to differentiate genuine and counterfeit medicines.

Technology is now to the rescue. The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is introducing cutting edge information technologies (IT) to fight counterfeiting.

These include Minilabs, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for securing NAFDAC’s documents; Mobile Authentication Service (SMS to confirm the authenticity of NAFDAC numbers on medicines) and the use of Raman Spectroscopy, that is, the TruScan, for on the spot identification of counterfeit products.

A company, the Janssen-Cilag Pharmaceuticals, an offshoot of Johnson and Johnson, in an attempt to stamp out the ripping of consumers by fakers of its product, Nizoral has bought the idea of Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) and partnered Sproxil Inc., to provide IT services on each pack of the product for consumers to either purchase a genuine product or decline fake product.

It is in form of scratch-off labels. It is easy to use and with no cost to consumer. It actually works anywhere there is a mobile phone. The anti-counterfeiting strategy delivers automatic protection with the Mobile Product Authentication solution. All a consumer needs do is to scratch and text PIN code on the product to 38353. The consumer will instantly receive an SMS confirming the authenticity or inaccuracy of the product.

•From left: Director Brand Protection, MEA, Tim Hayes; Deputy President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo, NAFDAC Port Inspection Directorate, Momodu Segiru and President, Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, Prof. Abel Onunu, at Janssen-Cilag Anticounterfeiting Summit in Lagos.

All the GSM mobile networks in Nigeria are involved in this. And they share the common short code 38353. It is encouraged that if a consumer does not have a cellular signal at the point of purchase, he should check the medication as soon as his phone picks up a cellular signal.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sproxil, Dr Ashifi Gogo, during the launch of the tech-

nology for the product said: “As mobile network operators aggressively expand their coverage, areas without cellular signal are fast becoming rare.”

He warned consumers not to be gullible to fakers who may say a code represents all the packs in a box. “There is a need to scratch and text the Sproxil codes on each blister before consumption. The MAS technology is very

secure. It is based on Asymmetric Encryption, the same technology that powers trillions of dollars in bank transfers and E-commerce worldwide. We have simplified access to such trusted technology and localised it for cash based societies. It is better to save the code 38353 in one’s address book to help avoid being tricked by counterfeit label instructions.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

HEALTH

Minister reiterates govt’s commitment to disease control

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EALTH Minister Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has assured of Federal Government’s continued effort to ensure disease prevention, management and control.

Chukwu said this at the inauguration of the Avian Influenza Treatment Centre (AITP) and the Diagnostic Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

According to him, the human health AITP and diagnostic laboratory in Lagos is one of the laboratories and treatment centres built for the diagnosis of influenza and treatment of serious cases of respiratory disorders.

Chukwu said the Federal Ministry of Health through the Avian Influenza Control Project (AICP) it charged with helping to prepare the health system for a possible pandemic of influenza.

He said the Ministry of Health and the World Bank have started building three new influenza diagnostic laboratories at Ibadan, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt in

I

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha and Wale Adepoju

2008 to serve as a regional reference laboratories.

Chukwu said the ministry has also commenced the upgrading of four zonal laboratories at Lagos, Kano, Enugu and Sokoto last year to enhance medical response capability and also virological diagnostic capability.

He said work is in progress to establish treatment centres at the eight teaching hospitals where laboratories were located with the support of the World Bank.

Chukwu called on interested scientists, researchers, chest physicians and other health workers to make the best of the facilities and come out with meaningful findings or discoveries that will benefit the people through the control of emerging and re-emerging diseases.

He said Africa is the most affected continent, adding that scientists must rise up to the occasion by coming up with appropriate scien-

tific solutions and contribute to the global knowledge on how to fight the disease.

He said the laboratories and centres will provide an atmosphere for enhancing the beginning of such collaboration, an idea which he said was supported

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chukwu urged state governments and the health institutions to put in place sustainable mechanism and make adequate provision to address emergency situations and pandemic.

The Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun, said Lagos is a good location to implement interventions of importance to protect the health of the public, and the decision to establish the AITLC at Lagos which has between 10 and 18 per cent of the country’s populations is most appropriate and commendable.

Osibogun said about 10 million people live in Lagos, adding that the hospital will continue to provide succour to the sick and hope to the dying.

Haematologists to hold inaugural conference

NADEQUATE haematologists and safety of blood are part of the problem affecting blood transfusion in Nigeria.

These problems, among others, will constitute the topics of discourse at the inaugural conference of the African Society for Blood Transfusion, Economic Community of West Africa (AFSBT ECOWAS).

AFSBT ECOWAS’s Regional Vice-President, Prof. Banji Adewuyi, said the problem of blood transfusion is too large, hence the need for regional cooperation to ensure safety of blood and blood recruiting. “We have two sub-region groupings coming together to address the issue.”

He briefed the press on the Inaugural conference of AFSBTECOWAS billed for March 29 and 30, at De Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Adewuyi said AFSBT ECOWAS is a sub-regional group of the African Society for Blood Transfusion (AFSBT) and was established at the annual general meeting of the body held between June 24 and 27 in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to him, the mission of AFSBT is to promote the knowledge and ethical and professional practice of blood transfusion, towards attaining greater quality, safety and sufficiency of blood in Africa.

Wale Adepoju

The objective of AFSBT, he said, is to serve as advocacy to national governments for improvement in blood safety and sufficiency, and setting standards and goals in blood transfusion practice.

Other objectives of the body are exchange and dissemination of knowledge of blood transfusion and extension of the frontiers of knowledge in blood transfusion science and practice through research and publication of findings.

Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Sulaimon Akanmu, said the three plenary sections of the programme would address quality assurance in blood banking, blood component preparation without centrifugation, accreditation criteria for blood bank and nucleic acid testing for TTI. Akanmu said not many doctors were willing to go into the subspecialty of haematology due to economic reasons, adding that more doctors needed to be encouraged to specialised, “At the moment, there are about 50 haematologists in the country. In a country of about 140 million people, at least one haematologist to 100,000 would be necessary.”

He identified non-availability of blood, safety of the practice,

infrastructural and fractionation as some of the challenges of blood transfusion practice in Africa.

Akanmu added that people always give 1,001 reasons they should not donate blood, adding that blood transfusion has different dimensions to it such as the technological know-how to screen blood.

Akanmu said the places where blood is received are not befitting enough and donors may not want to give blood as a result of this.

He said the country is still lagging behind in fractionation of blood because the equipment and training to break blood into its various components such as red blood cell, platelets plasma is not available. “A patient may need only platelets and not the entire blood, but if the total blood is transfused to the patient it may affect him because he only needs a particular component of blood,” he said.

Akanmu said there must be other ways to recommend patients for stem cell transplantation also known as bone marrow transplantation, adding that in the past only clinical recommendation is relied upon but there are other ways of determining patients who need the transplant.

Delegates are expected from ECOWAS countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia.

•From left: Akanmu, Adewuyi and Consultant Haematologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Titilope Adeyemo at the event

Health Tourism With Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

Robotic surgery in India

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ECHNOLOGY is revolutionising the medical field with the creation of robotic devices and complex imaging.

Robotic surgery, computer-assisted surgery, and robot-assisted surgery are terms for various technological developments that are developed to support a range of surgical procedures.

Robot-assisted surgery was developed to overcome limitations of minimally invasive surgery. Instead of directly moving the instruments, the surgeon uses a computer console to manipulate the instruments attached to multiple robot arms. The computer translates the surgeon’s movements, which are then carried out on the patient by the robot. In simple words robotic surgery is microsurgery in which the surgeon performs surgery by manipulating the hands of a robot “Robotic surgery in India is a new and exciting emerging technology that is taking the surgical profession by storm. Up to this point, however, the race to acquire and incorporate this emerging technology has primarily been driven by the market. In addition, surgical robots have become the entry fee for centers wanting to be known for excellence in minimally invasive surgery.”

A robot performing surgery sounds like a scene out of a Hollywood sci-fi flick. But fiction is fast turning into reality in Indian operation theatres where highprecision robotic surgeries – a less cumbersome procedure than conventional operations – are gaining acceptance. Leaving behind the days of low technology methods, doctors are now ushering in a new era of medical treatment successfully. Robotic surgery is the next major revolution in the field of surgery since the discovery of anaesthesia. So far more than 60 chest surgeries have been performed through robots in India. Earlier, the use of robotic surgery was confined to the field of cardiology. However, the doctors soon discovered that it was much more useful for other surgeries.

During the procedure, a surgeon is seated at a console that contains several advanced controls, not unlike video game controllers (though much more advanced).

This console also contains a monitor on which she can view the patient through one or more video cameras. At the patient’s side, the robotic apparatus is guided by the surgeon—from first incision, through all of the surgical maneuvers, and then finishing with the closing sutures. The “robot” is equipped with various robotic arms, specialised gripping devices and laparoscopic cameras to provide the surgeon working at the console full control of the surgery. Since the surgeon is always present during the procedure, one obvious question that arises (even from other surgeons) is: why perform robotic surgery at all? Apparently the robotic arms allow for unprecedented control of the surgical area. The move-

ments of the surgeon’s hands are captured, filtered, and transmitted to the robot to provide fluid movements while minimising tremor and unwanted motion. Initial use of robotic surgery has been highly successful and the rate of complications has been quite low.

Patients, while somewhat apprehensive at first, appreciate the success and quick recovery from robotic surgery.

Currently there are three types of robotic surgery systems available in India: Supervisory-Controlled systems, Telesurgical systems and Shared-Control systems.

• Supervisory-Controlled systems (a.k.a. Computer Assisted Surgery) are the most automated of the three. The surgeon undertakes considerable prep work, inputs data into the robotic system, plans the course of action, takes xrays, tests the robot’s motions, places the robot in the appropriate start position and oversees the robotic action to ensure everything goes as planned.

• The Telesurgical robotic system is the second type of device used in modern robotic surgery.

The most common variety, the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, enhances the surgery by providing 3-D visualisation deep within hard-to-reach places like the heart, as well as enhancing wrist dexterity and control of tiny instruments. This technology allows surgeons to make quicker, more controlled and more accurate movements by using the robot arm with its wider range of motions.

• The Shared-Control System is the final category of robotic surgery devices. In this system, the human does the bulk of the work, but the robot assists when needed.

In many cases, the robotic system monitors the surgeon, providing stability and support during the procedure. Before getting started, the surgeons program the robots to recognise safe, close, boundary and forbidden territories within the human body. Safe regions are the main focus of the surgery.

Robotic surgery in India is used for a number of different procedures, including: • Coronary artery bypass • Cutting away cancer tissue from sensitive parts of the body such as blood vessels, nerves, or important body organs like prostate • Gallbladder removal • Hip replacement • Hysterectomy • Kidney removal • Kidney transplant • Mitral valve repair • Pyeloplasty (surgery to correct ureteropelvic junction obstruction) • Pyloroplasty • Radical prostatectomy • Tubal ligation • Gastric Bypass Robotic surgery cannot be used for some complex procedures. For example, it is not appropriate for certain types of heart surgery that require greater ability to manipulate instruments in the patient’s chest.

Dr. Bojwani is the Chief Executive of Forerunners Healthcare Consultants, India’s Pioneer Medical tourism organisation.

Tel: 07042394040, 07090830097, 08191462542.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-03-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 2 0.54 11,000 LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC 13 0.50 1,324,420 PRESCO PLC 12 6.85 124,214 Sector Totals 27 1,459,634 AIR SERVICES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 3 1.86 36,500 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMP PLC 64 9.30 326,425 Sector Totals 67 362,925 AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 1 0.50 1,000 R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC 13 2.90 106,167 Sector Totals 14 107,167 BANKING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ACCESS BANK PLC 162 8.57 10,642,324 AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC 45 1.81 1,482,634 DIAMOND BANK PLC 67 7.35 10,986,463 ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC 31 4.29 571,998 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC 141 6.30 40,498,184 FIDELITY BANK PLC 57 2.78 4,428,707 FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC 752 13.46 13,693,616 FINBANK PLC 46 0.70 3,003,087 GTBANK PLC 405 19.00 15,177,854 STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC 33 8.83 512,637 INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. 98 1.36 3,171,027 OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC 133 1.90 5,862,721 BANK PHB PLC 44 1.38 2,028,848 SKYE BANK PLC. 90 8.10 1,552,103 SPRING BANK PLC 2 1.46 9,678 STERLING BANK PLC 47 2.50 1,925,075 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. 171 8.37 4,130,007 UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC 146 2.98 3,181,920 UNITYBANK PLC 23 1.06 1,416,883 WEMA BANK PLC 46 1.59 3,616,617 ZENITH BANK PLC 331 14.70 7,190,526 Sector Totals 2,870 135,082,909 BREWERIES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC 55 195.00 66,668 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC 11 6.08 25,783 NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC 155 75.20 1,945,140 Sector Totals 221 2,037,591 BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ASHAKA CEMENT PLC 60 26.70 552,626 CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC 21 10.51 442,114 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 17 124.89 42,235 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC 18 37.18 305,360 Sector Totals 116 1,342,335 CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC 10 37.00 26,819 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIG PLC 2 5.28 1,500 Sector Totals 12 28,319 COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 3 2.90 504,500 Sector Totals 3 504,500 CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC 3 1.90 28,464 JOHN HOLT PLC 1 7.21 774 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 11 31.92 300,482 SCOA NIGERIA PLC 1 7.48 247 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG PLC 3 1 0.78 21,308,208 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 71 31.35 219,522 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 71 24.36 383,098 Sector Totals 189 22,240,795 CONSTRUCTION Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded COSTAIN (WA) PLC 2 6.60 95,208 JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC 10 47.25 14,013 Sector Totals 12 109,221 ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CUTIX PLC 1 2.06 5,000 Sector Totals 1 5,000 FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC 11 45.00 15,465 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC 33 25.00 88,807 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 112 15.86 324,334 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 130 12.38 2,628,082 FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC 11 87.00 6,564,651 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 14 5.51 70,800 NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC 11 5.75 47,324 NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC 18 35.50 74,341 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC 53 425.50 205,243 TANTALIZERS PLC 16 0.53 1,397,400 UTC NIGERIA PLC 1 0.77 2,750 Sector Totals 410 11,419,197 HEALTHCARE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded EVANS MEDICALPLC. 2 1.20 112,300 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 15 2.03 1,441,865 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 23 29.65 108,845 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 19 4.65 268,720 MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1 10.02 5,000 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMA PLC 27 0.99 486,810 PHARMA-DEKO PLC 1 4.28 100 UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC 2 0.50 57,100 Sector Totals 90 2,480,740 HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CAPITAL HOTEL PLC 4 3.34 100,005 IKEJA HOTEL PLC 23 1.47 1,656,420 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC 1 4.76 100 Sector Totals 28 1,756,525 INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 1 0.66 21,400 VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC 12 5.00 166,724 VONO PRODUCTS PLC 1 3.25 50,000 Sector Totals 14 238,124 INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CHAMS PLC 5 0.50 1,330,000 STARCOMMS PLC 5 0.90 131,560 Sector Totals 10 1,461,560 INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 2 0.50 15,000 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 27 0.99 2,899,936 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 14 0.90 5,441,900 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 5 0.50 300,000 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 45 3.20 52,986,710 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 4 0.59 8,750 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 3 1.68 216,500 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 28,198 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSUR COMP PLC 1 0.50 200,000 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 3 0.50 110,000 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 3 0.52 130,100 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 4 0.50 55,800 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 66 0.52 12,765,934 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 0.67 250,000 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 1 2.12 1,678 STACO INSURANCE PLC 1 0.50 2,000

Value of Shares (N) 5,720.00 672,372.00 816,481.52 1,494,573.52 Value of Shares (N) 68,205.00 3,043,115.99 3,111,320.99 Value of Shares (N) 500.00 301,920.16 302,420.16 Value of Shares (N) 91,203,376.35 2,686,242.05 78,224,869.10 2,359,062.82 248,635,247.86 12,286,538.94 182,288,887.35 2,114,563.45 288,263,412.28 4,498,634.72 4,294,642.47 10,937,635.36 2,766,868.98 12,546,028.25 13,452.42 4,806,944.49 33,965,096.44 9,327,641.24 1,523,843.80 5,916,037.39 104,841,467.44 1,103,500,493.20 Value of Shares (N) 12,378,343.33 160,986.00 146,279,316.92 158,818,646.25 Value of Shares (N) 14,066,799.93 4,734,037.34 5,039,234.50 11,368,011.00 35,208,082.77 Value of Shares (N) 1,003,215.90 7,530.00 1,010,745.90 Value of Shares (N) 1,463,205.00 1,463,205.00 Value of Shares (N) 51,519.84 5,301.90 9,591,385.44 1,756.17 16,620,402.24 6,890,129.66 9,525,359.14 42,685,854.39 Value of Shares (N) 628,372.80 634,970.53 1,263,343.33 Value of Shares (N) 10,800.00 10,800.00 Value of Shares (N) 696,138.09 2,227,558.74 5,221,115.89 32,240,875.44 570,966,398.85 393,128.00 282,412.02 2,630,409.50 87,265,693.24 731,049.00 2,035.00 702,656,813.77 Value of Shares (N) 134,760.00 2,858,708.50 3,069,166.65 1,258,686.72 47,600.00 468,504.90 407.00 28,550.00 7,866,383.77 Value of Shares (N) 318,015.90 2,419,586.40 476.00 2,738,078.30 Value of Shares (N) 13,482.00 816,159.00 162,500.00 992,141.00 Value of Shares (N) 665,000.00 118,404.00 783,404.00 Value of Shares (N) 7,500.00 2,884,326.20 4,890,710.00 150,000.00 165,267,768.40 4,987.50 362,400.00 14,099.00 100,000.00 55,000.00 67,652.00 27,900.00 6,529,914.71 167,500.00 3,607.70 1,000.00

CIS chief lists gains of Middle East crisis •ASI extends gain by 0.72%

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HE crisis in the Middle East, according to the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) President, Mr Mike Itegboje, should be seen as a positive effect on the capital market.

Reacting to opinions attributing the crisis in Middle East to the recent losses in the market, the CIS chief said it should rather put smiles on the faces of the Nigerian investors since it is more like an advantage because the next point of call may be Nigeria.

“I feel it should be an advantage to us in Nigeria that there is crisis in the Middle East because the next question will be, where will the investors want to put their money, if they pull out of the Middle East? The next destination will be our market,” he said.

He said attributing the major daily transactions to foreign investors is not true as majority of investors in the market are Nigerians and will always be them.

He said losses recorded in the market have to do with the up coming election where many politicians are selling off to fund their campaigns.

“When more people are selling to make money, the supply will be higher than

By Tonia Osundolire and Eshiet Uyoatta

the demand. As soon as the elections are over, things will return to normal,” he said.

Also, he said another angle to the situation is that investors outside the country are wary of how the elections will go and the impact it will have on the economy.

“There is a possibility that they are afraid of something happening to their investment and their not being able to move out of the market. This makes them hold back their money rather than invest in the market.

Meanwhile, activities at the capital market sustained the positive tempo recorded last Friday. Yesterday, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.72 per cent over its last closing position. The NSE ASI closed at 24,555, up from 24,378.72 points recorded at the end of the previous trading session. The market capitalisation equally appreciated by N56 billion as it stood at N7.845 trillion, up from N7.789 trillion last Friday. The NSE-30, used in monitoring the activities of the blue chip companies in the market also appreciated by 8.10 basis

points as it close at 1,056.02, up from 1,047.92, its last closing position.

On the sectoral standing, it was a mixed bag as two out of the four sectors recorded points appreciations while the remaining two recorded further losses of positions. NSE Food/Beverages lost 5.73 points, NSE Oil/Gas depreciated by 7.24 points. The NSE Banking and NSE Insurance appreciated by 11.59 points and 0.92 points, respectively.

Investors yesterday exchanged a total of 279.791 million shares from all the sub-sectors worth N2.416 billion in 4,886 deals. The Banking sub-sector was the most active with 135.082 million shares worth N1.10 billion exchanged by investors in 2,870 deals. FCMB, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc were the most active in this sub-sector as their combined volume was 90.99 million units valued at N888.61 million.

At the end of transactions, 29 stocks recorded share price appreciations led by Zenith Bank with a gain of N0.70, while on the opposite side of the table, 30 stocks depreciated and were led by PZ with a drop of N1.68 from its share price.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-03-11 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 3 0.50 60,000 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 1 0.50 66,500 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 3 0.50 60,000 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 1 1 0.56 281,150 Sector Totals 199 75,880,156 LEASING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded C&I LEASING PLC 2 1.48 22,000 Sector Totals 2 22,000 MARITIME Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC 114 1.50 5,739,244 Sector Totals 114 5,739,244 MEDIA Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded AFROMEDIA PLC 1 0.53 100,000 DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 8 0.50 47,000 Sector Totals 9 147,000 MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 25 0.68 3,238,233 Sector Totals 25 3,238,233 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. 3 0.50 160,000 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC 15 0.54 659,407 Sector Totals 18 819,407 PACKAGING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMP PLC 9 0 2.88 4,941,307 POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. 1 1.77 2,794,588 Sector Totals 91 7,735,895 PETROLEUM (MARKETING) Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. 37 22.52 157,058 BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 22 0.50 1,251,480 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC 10 66.56 10,947 CONOIL PLC 1 38.00 173 ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. 3 4.55 73,700 MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. 22 150.10 189,982 OANDO PLC 192 56.60 1,009,987 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC 17 216.92 73,597 Sector Totals 304 2,766,924 PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC 2 6.84 571,859 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC 10 5.15 140,854 Sector Totals 12 712,713 REAL ESTATE Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC 7 16.30 1,123,697 Sector Totals 7 1,123,697 ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC 8 0.61 92,270 Sector Totals 8 92,270 TEXTILES Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC 2 0.70 1,034 Sector Totals 2 1,034 THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORP 11 15.50 875,888 Sector Totals 11 875,888 Overall Totals

4,886

279,791,003

30,000.00 33,250.00 30,000.00 154,381.00 180,781,996.51 Value of Shares (N) 31,020.00 31,020.00 Value of Shares (N) 8,597,683.89 8,597,683.89 Value of Shares (N) 53,000.00 23,500.00 76,500.00 Value of Shares (N) 2,181,536.58 2,181,536.58 Value of Shares (N) 80,000.00 348,574.79 428,574.79 Value of Shares (N) 13,931,018.71 4,946,420.76 18,877,439.47 Value of Shares (N) 3,528,009.20 625,740.00 709,614.88 6,245.30 319,121.00 28,574,050.70 56,235,490.18 16,001,573.77 105,999,845.03 Value of Shares (N) 3,911,515.56 731,326.20 4,642,841.76 Value of Shares (N) 18,318,636.10 18,318,636.10 Value of Shares (N) 55,420.00 55,420.00 Value of Shares (N) 754.82 754.82 Value of Shares (N) 13,073,186.64 13,073,186.64 2,416,971,741.94

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

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FOREIGN NEWS

Gaddafi ‘not targeted’ by allied strikes A LLIED forces carrying out air strikes in Libya say Colonel Muammar Gaddafi himself is not a target, despite an overnight attack against his compound.

The head of the US Africa Command Gen Carter F Ham said attacking Col Gaddafi was not part of his mission.

And a French spokesman said that even if the Libyan leader’s exact location was known, he would not be fired on.

The United Nations has passed a resolution to protect civilians as Col Gaddafi fights a rebellion that broke out last month.

On Sunday United K ingdom Defence Secretary Liam Fox said targeting Col Gaddafi could “potentially be a possibility”.

However, on Monday Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, Sir David Richards, said targeting Col Gaddafi was “not allowed under the UN resolution”.

And Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs that while he still wanted Col Gaddafi to go, the UN resolution was “limited in

scope” and “explicitly does not provide legal authority for action to bring about Gaddafi’s removal from power by military means”.

Two allied raids on Tripoli provoked heavy barrages of anti-aircraft fire aimed at missiles and aircraft that we in the city could neither see nor hear.

The city echoed with gunfire and the sky lit up with the red glow of tracer rounds. Several loud explo-

sions rocked the city, including one at Col Gaddafi’s own residential compound.

The compound had filled up with enthusiastic supporters of Col Gaddafi only the previous day - civilians who said they were ready to die with him if necessary.

It is not known whether any of them were still in the compound when the missiles struck. Some journalists were taken to the site during the night.

Benin President Boni Yayi’s victory confirmed

T

HE constitutional court in Benin has confirmed President Boni Yayi as the winner of last week’s presidential election.

It said President Yayi, who has been in power since 2006, had received 53% of the vote.

Opposition leader Adrien Houngbedji has said he will not accept the result, calling the election a “plot”.

Correspondents say Benin is regarded as a democracy in the troubled West African region.

The vote was twice delayed following complaints that more than one million people were not registered to vote and preparations for the poll were not complete.

Gbagbo’s supporters join Ivorian army

T

HOUSANDS of supporters of Ivory Coast’s disputed President Laurent Gbagbo gathered yesterday at an army base to enlist, amid fears the crisis could destabilise West Africa.

The young activists were heeding a call to join the army from a key ally of Mr Gbagbo, Charles Ble Goude.

He urged them to fight supporters of Alassane Ouattara, widely recognised as the winner of last year’s elections.

Forces loyal to Mr Ouattara have gained more territory in the west.

The New Forces ex-rebels have taken the town of Blolequin, residents say - the fifth they have seized in recent weeks.

The fighting has led some 90,000 people to cross into neighbouring Liberia, the UN refugee agency says.

UNHCR head Antonio Guterres said the conflict could affect countries across West Africa.

“The risks of destabilising the region are enormous,” he told the BBC’s Network Africa programme.

He pointed out that Liberia was a poor country recovering from its own civil war and said hundreds of other refugees had also crossed into Ghana.

Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, used to enjoy the highest living standards in West Africa.

SThe November election was supposed to reunite it after a 2002-3 civil war but

•Gbagbo

Mr Gbagbo refuses to cede power.

On Saturday Mr Goude, appointed as Mr Gbagbo’s youth minister, urged his supporters to join the army and “liberate” the country the New Forces still control northern areas.

The BBC correspondent in the city says the crowd pushed at the gates of military headquarters as soldiers struggled to keep order.

Koroma unveils agenda for Sierra Leone

P

RESIDENT Earnest Koroma has launched a five point programme christened “Agenda for Change” in Sierra Leone. It encompasses the government new strategic development plan.

The agenda for change will focus on five key sectors namely: energy, agriculture, infrastructural development, health and education.

Koroma disclosed that his administration has with the completion of a hydro elec-

tric power project improved power supply in Freetown and rural areas.

Government is also working towards commercialization of agriculture. The ultimate goal is to transform small scale farmers from subsistence to commercial level.

Already, government provides farmers with inputs, extension services, and seedlings to boost productivity.

On infrastructural development, major towns have been linked with trunk A roads. It

has stepped up the development of feeder roads in the rural areas so that farmers could have access to markets in urban areas.

The Koroma administration has introduced free medical health for pregnant women. Beside, it has improved on hospital facilities and supply of drugs.

A panel set up to review the education sector has submitted its report and the government White paper is ready.

Yemen’s top generals back protesters

T

OP generals, ambassadors and some tribes threw their support behind Yemen’s anti-government protesters yesterday in a major blow to President Ali Abdullah Saleh as he tries to survive growing demands for his immediate departure.

The president, a perennial survivor who has stayed in power for 32 years

throughout a civil war, numerous uprisings and militant campaigns, has seen a string of allies break ranks with him in recent days.

Despite that, pan-Arab TV channel Al Arabiya quoted Saleh as saying the majority of Yemenis were with him and that he was “holding on,” while Al Jazeera said he had asked Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal to mediate in the wors-

ening crisis.

Defence Minister Mohammad Nasser Ali was due to read a statement on state television announcing that the defections were against the constitution, an official source said.

The latest defections and resignations were apparently sparked by Saleh’s decision to resort to violence to deal with the continuing protests against his rule.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

SPORT EXTRA

Ibadan set for Kanu to Eagles: Don't Splash marathon take Ethiopia for granted A

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ captain Nwankwo Kanu has challenged the Siasia tutored side not to take Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia for granted in Sunday's African Nations Cup qualifiers at the Abuja National Stadiumas there are no minnows in African football.

Kanu, who said every team wants to play in the Nations Cup, advised that the Eagles should approach the game with the East Africans as if they are playing world top football playing nations.

"My advice to Eagles is to approach the match as if Nigeria is playing against Argentina or Brazil.

Everybody is ready for the game. Let's see the match like a World Cup final.

Football, at times is not what we think.

"In those days when we played countries like Ethiopia, we knew the results would either be 6-0 or 8-0, but now, it is no longer like that. For now, I believe they are well equipped for the match," Kanu said.

The Portsmouth forward however urged Nigerians to be patient with the Super Eagles.

"We have to be patient

•Sets July date for cardiac hospital fund-raiser

By Bimbo Adesina especially now that we have a new coach in Samson Siasia who is doing great.

The way he started is encouraging and I think we should all support him to build a good team. Lets give him time and he will come up with a good team that we desire," Kanu stated.

Meanwhile, the former Inter Milan striker has given a July date for the

fund-raising ceremony of his N5 billion Kanu Cardiac Specialist Centre proposed for the city of Abuja.

Kanu revealed that the Federal Government has already allocated a 5000sqaure metre of land to the Kanu Heart Foundation for the medical centre in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) which will house a fully equipped 40-bed cardiac hospital and other

infrastructure.

In addition, there will also be six cardiothoracic ICU beds for post-operative cardiac surgery patients and six coronary care unit beds for cardiology patients.

"We want the dream to come true. I'm appealing to Nigerians to help make the dream come true. Kanu cannot do it alone, but with the cooperation of wellmeaning Nigerians, I’m convinced we can do it," Kanu added.

LL is set for the 3rd Splash FM Integrity Marathon billed for Sunday in Ibadan. The event which started in 2009 remains the only full marathon race in the country, with the runners expected to cover a distance of 42Kilometres.

The designated routes for the race, according to the organisers, are the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ring road-Dugbe road.

Athletes and officials are expected to start arriving Ibadan on Thursday to familarise with the routes. Spokesman for the organisers, Shina Alawode disclosed that the race will flag off at 7am by the Sports Minister, Taoheed Adedoja.

We didn’t invite NFF to pay Kenya N7.8m Onouha, insists Kalika EAGLES/HARAMBEE STARS FRIENDLY

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will pay the Harambee Stars of Kenya the sum of N7.8 million (about $50,000) for the match against the Super Eagles on Tuesday, next week.

NationSport gathered from a source at the NFF secretariat that the sum will be paid as appearance fee to the East African country who are expected in the country on Sunday.

According to the source, the NFF will have to cough up the $50,000 (about

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja N7.8m). The Kenyans, expected to arrive in Abuja on Monday morning, will be lodged in the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja, where the Super Eagles will also be housed for the match against the Ethiopians and will be there for the friendly against Kenya.

The match against the Kenyans was hurriedly organised by the NFF as a face saving measure after two others were called off at the last minutes.

A

SSISTANT coach of the Nigeria National Team, Simon Kalika has disagreed with the information from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that Sunderland of England player, Nedum Onouha has been drafted to the Super Eagles team that will play Ethiopia on Sunday.

He told 2muchsports.com at the team’s camp in Abuja that there was no time that they had extended an invitation to the player who had refused on several occasions to play for the Nigeria National team.

"We did not invite Nedum Onouha for this match. And we do not have the plan to do that at present. There is no truth at all in the news of the invitation," Kalika said.

Meanwhile, he confirmed the invitation of Wigan FC striker, Victor Moses for the match. The team is expected to fully come to life today when all the invited players would have arrived in the camp.

Kalika maintained that the performance of the players during training will determine who will be selected to play the match against Ethiopia.

By Stella Bamawo

He confirmed that over 700 runners both in the male and female category have registered for the race which has a total of two million naira as prize money. “All the logistics have been put in place and indications are rife that more runners will register before (Sunday) March 27. We have secured two hospitals for emergency even though we don’t pray for any disaster.”

Alawode also dismissed the rumour that the Ibadan marathon will from 2012 be upgraded to an international event, with Athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and other nations expected.

“What we are doing now is to help our athletes improve their status; we understand the passion of our people to see the likes of Haile Gerbressalisee, Martin Lel, Paula Radcliffe and other top marathoners and this will be possible when we have a corporate sponsor.”

Meanwhile, sponsor of the Splash Integrity Marathon, Bayo Akande has promised to continue the sponsorship of the annual event. An elated Akande said the idea is to flush out corruption which has affected every sector of the country including sports.

“This race is designed to kick against corruption, we sports people must come together to tackle corruption and that’s why it’s being staged in conjunction with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.”

Tomorrow in THE NATION

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6

NO.1,706

‘With the spate of violence that has characterised this year’s electioneering, no one is quite sure of what will happen during the actual elections which start on April 2’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

W

HEN did Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan become governor of Delta State?

Two months ago, says Dr Uduaghan, when he won a court-ordered poll and took a fresh oath of office.

That singular act, he claimed in a recent court petition, eviscerated the oath of office he took when he was elected for a four-year term in 2007, and with it his tenure between then and the day the courts voided that election.

The petition failed.

If it had succeeded, Dr Uduagahan would olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net have gone on to hold office for eight years, and would have been eligible for four more.

For, technically, the eight years would have counted as a single term that was only briefly interrupted. He might yet succeed on appeal.

Five other state governors whose 2007 elections were voided and who, like Uduaghan won the subsequent poll, have successfully moved the courts to hold that their substantive terms began the day they took the oath of office following the poll, and that no elections could be held in their states until four years have passed, counting from the poll that restored them to power.

They all appear to have taken to mind the assurance late President Umaru Yar’Adua gave Segun Oni that if he won the rerun election in Ekiti, he would be the first Nigerian to hold the office of governor for six years, comprising the two years he had already served, plus a fresh four-year term.

Oni was declared winner of the rerun all •Oni •Oyinlola right, but served no more than a year before the courts cut through all the fraud and subterfuge and voided his purported election.

He is back in the courts again, Oni, asking the court of final jurisdiction to vacate its own ruling. He is probably calculating that if he succeeds, he might return for a fresh oath and another four years in office, counting from the day the court reverses itself. His fellow petitioners, Dr Olusegun Agagu and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola are probably making the same calculation.

If they succeed, and the statute of limitation has not expired, it cannot be long before Professor Oserheimen Osunbor files for restoration in Edo, too. Nor would I rule out Rashidi •Uduaghan Ladoja seeking to supplant the Oyato of Oyo •Agagu No two cases are exactly alike, and it may well be that Ibrahim Idris of Kogi, Liyel done or purported to have been done pursuant All official expenditure during the period Imoke of Cross River, Murtala Nyako of to that first oath? would amount to misappropriation, if not Adamawa, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, and It would mean that between the first oath and outright looting, since it was not backed by Timpriye Sylva of Bayelsa, may well succeed the second, the governors had held office ille- any authority. Having been bestowed on the where Delta Governor Uduaghan failed. gally. In practical terms, this would mean that wrong persons, all their titles and awards But they must not push too far the claim all the bills they signed into law are null and would stand revoked. The titles and awards their tenure started only when they won the void and of no consequence whatsoever; that they conferred on others would stand revoked poll ordered by the courts to resolve disputes all those who held office under them — the too. arising from an earlier poll.

Each time their sirens blasted the air, they commissioners with or without portfolio, the For if the second oath truly and legally evis- special advisers on dirty tricks and other “spe- stand accused of wantonly causing panic and cerated the oath they took on being elected in cial duties” — had done so illegally, since the alarm. Each time their motorcade raced 2007 as they claim, does it not follow, mutatis governors had no legal authority to appoint through residential neighbourhoods, they mutandis, that it must also eviscerate all acts them. stand accused of endangering the lives of the

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD

The coming reparations

‘It would mean that between the first oath and the second, the governors had held office illegally. In practical terms, this would mean that all the bills they signed into law are null and void and of no consequence whatsoever; that all those who held office under them ...had done so illegally, since the governors had no legal authority to appoint them’

RIPPLES Presidential debate: WHY I DIDN’T ATTEND–Jonathan

...TRAFFIC JAM?

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is probably the only gravity-defying party in Nigeria. While other political

parties have their feet firmly planted on earth, offering programmes, ideologies and achievements for votes, the PDP allows itself the ambition of capturing the federal seat of power, states and legislatures without concrete achievements. The clearest manifestation of this utter disconnect is the party’s ambition to retain its hold on Oyo and Ogun States and to seize Lagos State from the hands of a performing opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Where the PDP got this chimerical notion of offering nothing for something is hard to tell. As reward for the confusion and paralysis in Ogun State, the PDP and its presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, are plotting feverishly to ensure the state stays in the ruling party’s bag.

The PDP factions in the state are irreconcilable, and the war between them interminable, but leaders of the party are determined to hold on to the state. Do they hope to bring peace sometime in the near future? There is absolutely no indication the ruling party elders understand anything but war. Indeed, there is even a hint in their

people. Each time their entourage was involved in an accident, they should be charged with reckless driving. If the accident resulted in any deaths, they stand to be charged with culpable homicide.

If the five governors – call them the Tenacious Five –succeed, it would be open season for aggrieved persons to file all manner of claims against then, in respect of which they will no longer be able to claim executive privilege.

I am also thinking of those who contributed campaign funds or other assets on the explicit or implicit understanding that commensurate returns would follow. Where no returns followed, the governors should be prepared to face breach-of-contract lawsuits for compensation that may well run into the billions.

The governors were privy to state secrets and highly confidential information they were not entitled to receive. This, I gather, is a breach of the National Security Act and the Official Secrets Act, for which they will now have to answer.

Those among them who may have broken anyone’s heart had better start short-listing smart lawyers for the “wanton infliction of emotional distress” lawsuits that are sure to follow.

Women who traipsed all over the place commanding obedience and awe as “first ladies” must at the very least now be deemed accessories to grand impersonation. Some of them will doubtless qualify as grand impersonators in their own right, which would make them doubly answerable at law.

All in all, it is going to be a time of reparations, the kind of which the world has never seen.

Those who served under the Tenacious Five in one capacity or another will have to refund to the Exchequer, with compound interest, the total amount they earned during the entire period by way of salary and allowances, and the cash equivalent of other benefits.

The governors who suborned them into living on illegal earnings in the first place will, of course, bear the brunt of the reparations.

All those “security votes” will have to be repaid in full, plus all the salaries and allowances, not forgetting all the expenditures they unlawfully authorized.

All this is without prejudice to other claims that aggrieved persons may institute against them or their proxies.

So, their Tenacious Excellencies, and the formerly excellent but now desperate trio of Oni, Oyinlola and Agagu, not forgetting Uduaghan, had better be careful what they ask for. They just might get it.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Tilting at windmills

become detached from reality. To worsen its quixotic politics, the party is even advertising its plans to light up Nigeria after the electorate might have voted for the party’s presidential candidate. What did it spend 12 years in power doing? After spending more than a decade in power and shovelling billions of dollars down the large throat of power projects, neither electricity generation nor distribution has improved. The party mutes that failure, but urges us to vote for Jonathan on the basis of his “recently unveiled power plan which will achieve steady power and light up this country like never before.” If only they could light up this country like before – like in the 1960s and 70s.

When a party, its presidential candidate and governorship standard-bearers are running for office on poor records and empty boasts, the country must steel its mind in readiness for a perversion of the democratic process, for a dangerous tilting at windmills. That perversion is already manifesting in the ruling party’s desperate tactics to sequester opposition leaders and undermine the balloting process. If only they can read the signs of the times in West and North Africa.

carefree attitude to politics that they hope their gladiatorial contests would interest the electorate. The most remarkable thing about the stagnation in Ogun is that no week passes without one effort or the other to hammer a peace deal between the warring factions. At the weekend, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and a few party elders in the state failed to reach some form of understanding with the Group of 15 legislators who fought Governor Gbenga Daniel to a standstill. The president is also reported to be trying to reconcile all the warring groups in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos in order not to lose elections in the three states.

So far, the efforts have failed.

Yet, the PDP has talked confidently of winning the three states. However, by including Lagos, which the PDP has neither given any special help and consideration nor done anything whatsoever in the state in fulfilment of its constitutional responsibility, it is obvious the party has

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