The Nation March 04, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Damoche: Police arrest 70 suspects

Federal Govt’s N3b grant for Nollywood NEWS Page 61

NEWS Page 7

•Tension in LASU over killing

•Special project to begin next month

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VOL. 8, NO. 2418 MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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Shell threatens shutdown over oil thefts

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•Sunmonu

IL giant Shell is threatening to shut down its operations, following massive crude oil thefts and bunkering in the Niger Delta.

The Managing Director of the Anglo/Dutch company, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, said: “We have now witnessed a significant upsurge in the ac-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

tivities of crude oil thieves. The situation in the last few weeks is unprecedented. The volume (of crude oil) being stolen is the highest in the last three years.

Over 60, 000 barrels per day from Shell alone. So, that, for me, is a great concern.

“Over time, this whole crime has got a lot more sophisticat-

ed and you could see that the perpetrators are now setting up barge building yards; they are setting up storage facilities; they are setting up tank farms for storing the crude oil, prior to shipping out.”

Sunmonu, who spoke to reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday, did not blame it all on the oil communities.

He said: “This (oil theft/ille-

gal bunkering/illegal refining) is beyond communities. This is well-funded and heavily-armed gangs. What type of collaboration with communities will help you against people carrying guns, people who are very well armed? It is a reality that we have to face. You cannot even put the poor boys in the communities at risk.

“They (the Joint Task Force

(JF) operatives) need to step up their game. If you look at what happened between July, August and November and probably December last year, we saw a significant drop in the amount of crude oil that was being stolen. But in January and February this year, it has gone back up.

“So, that is a challenge for Continued on page 4

Boko Haram loses 20 men as army barracks raid fails Security agents probe Shekau’s whereabouts

THE MAN ASADU

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

S

ECURITY agencies have launched a fresh probe into the whereabouts of Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau, who denied calling for a ceasefire in a video released at the weekend.

They are working on clues that Shekau and his wanted commanders may still be holed up either in Northern Mali or among Al-Qaeda in The Maghreb.

Twenty suspected members of the sect were killed after a failed attack on a military barracks in Borno yesterday.

The video tape has forced the government to direct all military formations, the police and security agencies to be on the alert.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The sudden appearance of Shekau has created a fresh security challenge to locate his actual whereabouts. It also showed that his lookalike might have been shot to death in the past few months by security agencies.

“We are suspecting that he is either still holed up in Northern Mali or among the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb with his commanders.

“We are collaborating with France , Niger , Chad and Malian authorities to locate these Boko Haram leaders.

On the alleged ceasefire declared by the sect, the source said: “It is obvious from Shekau’s video message that a faction of Boko Haram was interested in dialogue. This has confirmed intelligence report that the ceasefire should not be trusted in any manner.

“It has become obvious too that the sect had broken into factions. Members of one of the factions also came out in masks to address a briefing in Maiduguri last week.”

Concerning Shekau’s threat that Boko Haram will strike soon, the source added: “All military, police and security agencies have

•The late Asadu

•Born 60 years ago •Hailed from Onuiyi, Nsukka, Enugu State •Trained as a lawyer •Served at Force Headquarters •Commissioner of Police (CP) Border Patrol •Commissioner of Police (CP) Special Fraud Unit •Commissioner of Police (CP) Kwara State INSIDE •A growing list of unresolved murders •A two-page focus on insecurity (Pages 2 & 3)

Gunmen kill Kwara Police Commissioner •SEE PAGE 4

UNIABUJA is rotten, says panel From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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HE Presidential Visitation Panel to the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has recommended the sack of the university’s management.

The panel, which said the university was stinking, also said the top officials should be reprimanded for contract splitting and irrational decision to buy N37 million plastic chairs.

About N110, 647, 045.00 is believed to have been misappropriated in the name of security honorarium.

A top official of the university is recommended to refund N25, 501, 415. 08 “needlessly and unilaterally spent on image making and public relations”.

But some top officers of the Federal Ministry of Education are trying to shield the report away from President Goodluck Jonathan, it was learnt at the weekend.

The rot in the university was discovered by the Visitation Panel headed

by Dr. T. C. Osanakpo (SAN).

According to the panel’s report, many students graduated from the university without completing the requirements.

IG deploys special squad to hunt down killers •SPORTS P23 •JOBS P27 •CEO P32 •POLITICS P43 •MOTORING P45 Continued on page 4

Story on page 5

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

2

NEWS INSECURITY

A growing list of

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle), General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanise Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Ahmed Tijani Jubril (second right), Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Kunle Amos, (second left) Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and Division Intelligence Group, Col. Ibrahim Salihu, during the GOC’s visit to the governor at Government House, Osogbo...on Friday.

From Dele Giwa, who was murdered in 1986, to Commissioner of Police Chinwe Asadu, who was killed on Saturday, Nigeria seems doomed to have its best wasted without being able to bring the evil doers to book, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

• The late Giwa

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• Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (second left), International President, Society of Petroleum Engineers Egbert Imomoh, G/M, Dangote Group of Companies and representative of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Esan Sunday and Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Ogadomen at the grant reception in honour of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Conferment of an Award of Excellence on President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Danote by Etsako Club '81 held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, V.I., Lagos... at the weekend

• Sales Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Hubert Eze, Managing Director Nicolaas Vervelde, presenting the prize to the third place winner, National Champion Category, Micheal Dede of GN Anyoha and Sons Limited Onitsha at the presentation of the distributors awards in Lagos …on Friday night. With them is Marketing Director, NBL Walter Drenth •Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha (right), Dr. Robin Nibblet, Director, Chatham House and Sen. Ahmed Lawan (left), at a Diaspora Consultation on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Chatham House London

VER twenty-five years ago, the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch, Nigeria’s version of Time, which was started in 1984, was killed. On that scary morning, death, wrapped in an envelope, visited House 25, Talabi Crescent, off Talabi Street on Adeniyi Jones Avenue, and sneaked away with Giwa. Nigerians were shocked.

Reason: Giwa, who would have been 65 last March 16, was the first Nigerian to have been killed by a parcel bomb.

He was at home having a late breakfast with a colleague, Kayode Soyinka, who is the publisher of London-based Africa Today and former governorship aspirant in Ogun State, when death came. Giwa did not die immediately. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died.

Amid the rubbles of the television set, louvres, chairs, a table and other domestic appliances, Giwa was quoted as saying, “they‘ve got me!”

Until then, many did not know such a killer device existed. Then it was parcel bomb, but today it has gone haywire. Nigerians are hardly shocked when bomb blasts, which are now a daily thing, occur. No thanks to the Boko Haram sect, which seems to derive joy from shedding innocent blood.

The sect went berserk when it targeted the UN House in Abuja.

Before then, it had attacked the Police headquaters in Abuja. The Eagle Square had also felt its ‘fangs.’

Though Nigerians seem not to be shocked again by murder, not a few were shocked by Saturday’s murder of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Chinwike Asadu. He was killed in Enugu, the Enugu State capital.

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his major challenger in the last election, Mohammed Belgore said they were shocked by the development.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, Ahmed said the death of Asadu was a huge loss.

He said: “Late CP Chinwe Asadu, in the discharge of his duty in Kwara State, contributed immensely to the sustenance of peace in the state and in the upholding of our values as a state of harmony.”

Belgore (SAN) said the assassination again exposed the spate of insecurity and declining respect for human lives in the country.

He said: “Mr Asadu’s assassination again pointed out the spate of insecurity and declining respect for human lives across the country, which, alongside corruption and poverty, are great challenges confronting the governments at all level. We urge the government to attack these menaces frontally using different approaches that not just deploy the force of arms but address their socio-economic and political roots.”

The death of Asadu, who was shot on Saturday night at Amorji-Nike in

• The late Harry

Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State by unknown gunmen, paralysed activities at the Kwara State Police Command and Police Officers’ Mess in IIorin yesterday.

The command and other police formations were like ghost towns.

In January, Ikechukwu Udendu, the Editor of Anambra News, was murdered. The late editor, who was buried last Thursday buried in his Ogidi home-town in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, was interred amidst tears and sorrows by his family members, friends and professional colleagues.

His 82-year-old mother has remained unconsolable.

His elder brother, Emmanuel Udendu, described his killing as a mystery that would take a long time to understand.

He said the family was pained that “you left without saying good bye, but we have taken our case to the Almighty God to console and heal us and we know you have found peace with the Lord’’.

Since the return of the country to democracy, life seems to have become cheap. From politicians to businessmen and so on, people are assassinated, without the security agents unable to solve the murder.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar last year lamented the unsolved murder cases and other heinous crimes in the country, describing the situation as unacceptable.

Abubakar said: “We are aware of the fact that there are several unresolved cases of murders in this country, there are several unresolved cases of theft, kidnappings and several unresolved heinous crimes in this country.”

“When we came on board we realized there are lapses and incompetence’s of not only the officers, but the incapacity of our departments to be able to resolve certain criminal cases that ordinarily should have been resolved with quicker and faster investigation.

“The CID we want is not the CID of today, we want a very effective and efficient CID, that will have the respect for Nigerians, that will respect human rights, that will do their job without fear or favour to anybody. And that will do justice to all at all times. A CID that will run away from torture, a CID that will

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

3

NEWS INSECURITY

unresolved murders

Boko Haram: Jonathan hasn’t shown leadership, says ACN •Party hails progressive governors for Borno visit

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• The late Williams

• The late Ige

• The late Dikibo

• The late Ayo Daramola

Some victims

Date

•Hon. Monday Ndor •Barnabas Igwe and his wife, Amaka •Hon. Odunayo Olagbaju •Chief Bola Ige •Chief Victor Nwankwo •Isiaka Mohammed •Professor Chimere Ikoku •Theodore Egwuatu •Marshall Harry •Anthony Nwudo •Ikenna Ibor •Emma Onyewuchi •Toni Dimegwu •Chief Ajibola Olanipekun •Aminosoari Dikibo •Chief Philip Olorunnipa •Sunny Atte •Alhaji Alabi Olajokun •Patrick Origbu •Hajiya Sa’adatu Rimi •Olufunsho Anthony Williams •Dr. Ayodeji Daramola •Chief Layi Balogun •Chief Lawson Onokpasa •Sheikh Jafaar Adam •Tunde Awanebi •Alhaji Mohammed Auwal Jibrin •Sheikh Umaru Hamza Dan Maishi’a •Victor Obajaiye not detain people illegally, a CID that will not detain people over 24 hours, and a CID that will grant bail to all bail able offenses without collecting any money.”

Before and after Abubakar’s lamentation, many had fallen. Prominent among them are the late Chief Bola Ige, who was killed in his Ibadan home on December 23, 2001. The murder of Barnabas Igwe, a lawyer, and his wife, Amaka, on September 1, 2001 shocked many to the marrow.

No less shocking was the murder of Alhaji Alabi Olajokun in Osun State on

August 19, 2001 September 1, 2001 December 19, 2001 December 23, 2001 August 29, 2002 September 24, 2002 October 13, 2002 February, 2003 March 5, 2003 March 21, 2003 March 27, 2003 April 19, 2003 April 29, 2003 June 20, 2003 February 6, 2004 March 7, 2004 February 5, 2005 May 15, 2005 June 3, 2000 January 14, 2006 July 27, 2006 August 14, 2006 December 7, 2000 February 5, 2007 April 13, 2007 May 30, 2007 June 19, 2007 July 18, 2007 August 19, 2007

May 15, 2005. Others who have also died in yet-to-be-solved circumstances include: Hajiya Sa’adatu Rimi, who was killed on January 14, 2006, Lagos politician Olufunsho Williams, who was killed on July 27, 2006, Ekiti politician Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, who was killed on August 14, 2006 and Alhaji Mohammed Auwal Jibrin, who was murdered on June 19, 2007.

Going by experience, the CP’s murder won’t be the last. Who is next is what no one knows.

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan has not shown leadership by refusing to visit Borno State, Boko Haram’s stronghold.

The party hailed the progressive governors, under the aegis of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who defied the scare-mongering tactics of the Federal Government to visit Borno State last week, saying their pace-setting, courageous and compassionate action is a boost to the country’s unity and a blow to anarchists.

In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by their action,the governors have reassured the people of Borno and Yobe states, which are the most affected by the Boko Haram crisis, that their fellow Nigerians have not abandoned them to their fate.

It said the visit has also exposed the baseless fears of those at the helm of affairs at the centre, who have hitherto failed to show that the Boko Haram crisis is not just a problem of a section of the country, but a national problem. ‘’There can be no better assurance of solidarity and support for the beleaguered people of the states affected by the Boko Haram crisis than to see leaders from various parts of the country walking - without donning bullet proof vests and helmets - on the open streets of a city that has been described as the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. It does not mean the crisis does not exist, but it sends a strong signal to the insurgents that they have only succeeded in cowing a very few, not all, Nigerians, and that indeed under a purposeful APC government the conflict w ill in no time become history,’’ ACN said.

The party said to the Federal Government in general and to President Goodluck Jonathan in particular, the message conveyed most succinctly by the visit is simple: ‘’No part of Nigeria should be a no-go area, especially for the President and the Commander-in-Chief.’’

It added: ‘’Part of the reason this needless Boko Haram crisis has festered is that the President in particular has failed to show leadership. By staying away from the affected parts of the country since the crisis started in 2009 for fear of his personal safety, and also receding behind the safe walls of the Aso Rock fortress to celebrate independence anniversaries, the President has unwittingly

‘

They have forgotten that in a democracy such as ours, freedom of association is guaranteed by the Constitution.

They have forgotten that our country is drifting and needs to be saved by people of like minds •Jonathan

By Precious Igbonwelundu

emboldened the anarchists who have killed and maimed thousands. ‘’When Presidents in other lands defy terrorists, it is not that they don’t care about their own safety, but that they simply want their compatriots to know that whatever fate befalls them is shared by their leaders. That was why President George W. Bush of the US flew to Iraq in the heat of the insurgency there, and President Barack Obama also of the US travelled to Afghanistan even amid threats. By the way, both places are thousands of kilometres from the United States.’’

The party said if it is true, as reported, that President Jonathan now plans to visit Borno this week (for the first time since the crisis started in 2009), it then means the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been waiting for the kind of ground-breaking visit of the progressive governors - who by the way are mere titular security chiefs of their states - before deciding whether or not it is safe for him to visit.

ACN said it was particularly disturbing - going by yet-unrefuted published reports - that the Federal Government worked clandestinely to abort the trip of the governors, using the State Security Service (SSS) and its phantom report of an attack

‘

against the governors. In the end, all the governors, acting individually, dismissed the threats with a wave of the hand and embarked on their great mission.

The party said the Federal Government’s failed attempt to scuttle the trip to Borno is a reflection that it is perpetually driven by fear.

It said: “The PDP and the government it controls at the centre have been cowering under the sheets at the prospect of the emergence of the APC, not minding the bold front they have been putting up. They have labelled a yet-to-be formed party as a cult. They have denigrated the group, playing on its acronym. They have put over a dozen of their governors and the legislators therefrom under security watch for fear they may escape to the APC. This is all the PDP and the Federal Government have been doing, while neglecting the act of governance. ‘’They have forgotten that in a democracy such as ours, freedom of association is guaranteed by the Constitution. They have forgotten that our country is drifting and needs to be saved by people of like minds who are ready and willing to jettison personal ambition for the general good, not those who are driven by blind ambition, personal considerations and myopic tendencies.’’

Quality leadership Nigeria’s problem, says Obasanjo

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has identi- I see in what Profs. Akin Mabogunje and Peter Okebukola fied lack of quality leadership as a major hindrance are putting together (the debate).

“It’s to try and prepare African youths, for the future to development in Nigeria and other African counbelongs to you youth. tries.

“Nobody will help Africa, nobody can help Africa and Obasanjo, who acknowledged that Nigeria and Africa had enormous potential, said it was only quality leader- that is the truth. If we expect others from outside to come and help us, it is a second class help. ship that could bring such to realisation.

“We have calibre of women, men, young and old that He spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta during the final of Africa Region Intercollegiate Debate on Human Security Africa needs to pull itself up and to make its voice heard Africa, organised by the Centre for Human Security, (CHS), in the world today and tomorrow.

“Alfred Mills in his book Why Africa is poor said the an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

The former President said the leadership in any country choice is ours, a choice that our leaders have made.

“But here watching you (students) at the college level was important to development and growth.

He said: “On the topic you have chosen for this debate, and university level. I believe that the materials are there.“ Obasanjo said he was shocked when Mr Aliko Dangote ‘Human security in Africa’, whether it’s a myth or reality, threat to human security, high economic growth, told him that six Phd holders and 600 master degree holders were among applicants for truck driver vacancy in whether it is flash in the pan or sustainable.

“All comes to one major thing and that one major thing his (Dangote) company.”

He said the issue boils down to the problems of job creis leadership.

“I realise that we have many Nigerians and there are ation, wealth creation, among others.

While expressing satisfaction with the quality of the denot many good leaders in Nigeria.

“Whatever is the reason, it is something we have to bate, he said Africa would soon resolve the crisis of leadership in order to achieve noticeable and sustainable detackle because we cannot continue this way.

“That brings me to the hope and the bright future that velopment.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

NEWS Boko Haram loses 20 men as army barracks raid fails Continued from page 1

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, addressing cadets of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O-Yes) after an endurance trek in Osogbo…on Saturday

Shekau: no dialogue with govt

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HE leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has denied the purported ceasefire and dialogue with the federal government by his group.

Shekau, in a new video released by the sect at the weekend, also denied Sheikh Abdulazeez, stressing that nobody has asked anybody in the name of Abdulazeez to represent him or his movement.

His translated message reads: “May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.

This is an important message to all people.

“There is this wicked rumour making the rounds that we have dialogued with government of Nigeria which led to a ceasefire on our part. We have also heard how some of our operations and attacks are being credited to criminals. As such the security agents have been killing our armed members in the name of criminals. We have seen how our members who were out on holy mission are being attacked and killed with the label of criminals.

“We are telling the world

that whoever kills any of our members in the name of being criminals, would surely be avenged unless such person repents now.

“We are stating it categorically that we are not in any dialogue or ceasefire agreement with anyone. And we have never asked anybody in the name Abdulazeez to represent me, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of this movement.

“I swear by Allah that Abdulazeez or whatever he calls himself did not get any authority from me to represent me in any capacity. I do not know him. And if we per adventure encounter Abulazeez and his group, I swear by Allah we are going to mete them with the grave judgment that Allah has prescribed for their likes in the holy book.

“I want the world to know that we have no dialogue with government . I have on several occasions attempted to pass this message across via the Internet and Youtube and we later realised that some agents of government kept removing our messages from the net and preventing its online publication so that

our messages will not be heard. They know that If the world hears our position on this fake dialogue, their efforts of deceit would be exposed.

“We are also sending this strong message to the people of Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, and any state that whoever kills any of our members should await a grave retaliation from us.

God knows that we don’t kill unjustly except those that conspired against us or those that directly fight us, or the government that is waging war upon Allah and His Prophet. We will continue waging war against them until we succeeded in establish an Islamic state in Nigeria.

“This message is prepared by me and targeted towards clarifying the issue of ceasefire. We have never had any dialogue with anyone. How would we have had dialogue with the government when our members are being killed and detained in cells, both women and children. Do you call this dialogue? That is not dialogue or truce in Islam. In

•Shekau

Islam there are condition prescribed for us to go into dialogue, and there are also situation in which we cannot go in to dialogue. What we are doing now is what is prescribed for us by Allah and his holy prophet. We are workers in the vine yard of Allah.

“We are not out to cause destructions, but correct the ills of the society. And Allah is more powerful than all, and He has the might. Allah will surely assist us to victory. This is my message to you. If you have not heard from me all this while, now my message should have reached you all”.

been re-directed to be on the alert. We are not taking it lightly at all.

“We will re-strategise because it is obvious that they went underground in the last few months to evaluate their methods. These Boko Haram leaders are however still wanted by the Joint Task Force(JTF).”

On the JTF’s list are five members of the Shurra Committee (the highest making body of the sect) and 19 Boko Haram commanders.

The five members of the Shurra Committee, are Imam Abubakar Shekau (N50million); Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi) N25million; Khalid Albarnawai ( N25million); Momodu Bama (N25 million), and Mohammed Zangina (N25million).

The Boko Haram Commanders are: Abu Saad (N10million), Abba Kaka (N10million), Abdulmalik Bama (N10million) , Umar Fulata(N10million), Alhaji Mustapha (Massa), Ibrahim (N10million), Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid), N10million; Hassan Jazair N10million, Ali Jalingo (N10million), Alhaji Musa Modu (N10million), Bashir Aketa (N10million), Abba Goroma(N10million), Ibrahim Bashir (N10million), Abubakar Zakariya (N10milion), and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed (N10million).

The Joint Task Force (JTF) or Operation Restore Order (ORO) said yesterday that it repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the military barracks in Munguno, Borno State.

Munguno is about 200 km

from Maiduguri, the state capital.

“Information available to JTF indicated that some suspected terrorists attempted to attack a military barracks in Munguno, headquarters of Munguno Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday.

“The attack was repelled by the JTF troops on the outskirts of the barracks,” JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa stated in a statement in Maiduguri.

He said 20 of the attackers were killed during a gun duel with soldiers.

“The encounter led to the death of 20 suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

“Three four-wheel drive vehicles and eight motor cycles used by the suspects were destroyed and several arms and ammunition were recovered.

“The following items were recovered. Seven AK 47 rifles, 10 rocket propeller grenade, two RPG Tubes, large quantities of assorted ammunition and eight assorted magazines,” he said.

Lt. Col. Musa said that the JTF arrested also the suspected masterminds of last week’s bomb blasts in Maiduguri.

“In a related development, based on intelligence reports, a special operation was conducted by the JTF, which resulted in the arrest of two suspected high profile commanders of the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri.

“Those arrested were suspected to be responsible for the February 28 explosions which coincided with the Progressive Governors’ meeting in Maiduguri,” Lt.-Col. Musa said, adding that the two suspects were being interrogated.

Shell threatens shutdown Continued from page 1

the JTF to also look into. I mean, let us not underestimate the cleverness of the people who are perpetrating this act. I have always said with 6, 000-kilometre network of flow-lines and pipelines, even if you throw the entire Nigerian army into the creeks, it is not going to solve the problem.

“So, I am sure these guys are monitoring what is going on.

They are moving to areas of resistance. So, it is a combination of things, but certainly we have seen that when the JTF really went after it, we got results.

“It is very clear to me that this is not just an act by desperate individuals trying to make a living. This certainly is a wellfunded criminal activity, probably involving international syndicates. We are in a crisis.

Continued on page 61

Kwara Police Commissioner assassinated in Enugu CALAMITY befell the police at the weekend.

Kwara State Police Commissioner Chinweike Asadu was shot dead on Saturday in his home state Enugu.

His orderly, Aloha Olaniyi, and driver, Oliver Omeh, were injured.

Both of them are lying critically at the National Orthopeadic Hospital in Enugu.

Asadu, who was transferred to Kwara last year had only about 50 days left to retire.

Enugu police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said Asadu was gunned down as he was about to enter his Enugu home in Abakpa Nike around 9.45 p.m. on Saturday.

Amaraizu said the officer was rushed to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, where he was confirmed dead.

He was driving in when the assailants, who seemed to have laid ambush for him struck, about 100 metres from his house.

The late Asadu, according to sources, saw off a visitor, his lawyer-friend, and was re-

A

Kwara Police office paralysed as Ahmed, Belgore mourn

A

LL was gloomy yesterday at Kwara State Police Command and the Police Officers’ Mess in IIorin following the assassination of Asadu in Enugu.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round the city, reports that the command and other police formations were like ghost towns.

At the command and other formations visited by NAN, officers and men were seen discussing the demise of the police chief.

Some top police officers were in tears.

Others were too dazed to utter a word.

Some of the officers, who spoke to NAN but refused to give their names, described the death of the commissioner as “a big tragedy” to the command and the police.

“We have lost a fine gentleman and a hardworking officer,” they said.

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed described as “shocking” and From Chris Oji, Enugu and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

turning home when he was attacked.

He left behind the official escort team that came with him from Kwara Police Com-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

“unfortunate”.

Ahmed, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, also described Asadu’s death as a huge loss, not only to the police but Kwara State security apparatus in particular as he exhibited a high sense of discipline and professionalism.

“The late CP Chinwe Asadu, in the discharge of his duty in Kwara State, contributed immensely to the sustenance of peace in the state and in the upholding of our values as a state of harmony,” the governor said.

Ahmed noted that it was particularly painful that Asadu had become another index in the annals of the growing national insecurity, adding that it has become very expedient for us as a nation to rally round in finding enduring solution to the national malaise of insecurity.

The Governor, who described late Asadu as a quintessential police officer, prayed God to grant the family and the police fortitude to bear the loss.

Kwara ACN chieftain Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), urged the security agencies to launch

mand.

As the late CP was returning home, he suddenly noticed a bus trailing his car, as they branched into his street.

The gunmen opened fire at the vehicle from the rear.

an immediate manhunt for Asadu’s killers.

Condoling with police authorities and the late Asadu’s relatives, Belgore said the assassination again exposed the spate of insecurity and declining respect for human lives across the country. He called on the authorities to stem the tide.

Belgore said in a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye: “We condemn the killing in the strongest terms possible and call for immediate manhunt and, on apprehension, trial of the culprits to enable the state to get at the roots of this senseless murder.

“Mr Asadu’s assassination again pointed out the spate of insecurity and declining respect for human lives across the country, which, alongside corruption and poverty, are great challenges confronting the governments at all level. We urge the government to attack these menaces frontally using different approaches that not just deploy the force of arms but address their socio-economic and political roots.”

The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically killing the CP and injuring the two policemen. The yet unknown gunmen reportedly took away the orderly’s rifle. The orderly’s body was riddled

with bullets.

He was shot in the chest, stomach, hands and leg. The driver was shot in his legs.

Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has given the marching orders to

•Ahmed

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Tonye Ebitibituwa to find Asadu’s killers in record time.

Police spokesman Frank Mba told our correspondent Continued on page 61

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

5

NEWS

Panel uncovers rot in UNIABUJA •Says academic rating is below standard •31 students graduated with carry-overs

T

HE Presidential Visitation Panel to the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has recommended the sack of the university’s management.

The panel, which admitted that the university is stinking, also said the top officials should be reprimanded for contract splitting and irrational decision to buy N37 million plastic chairs.

About N110, 647, 045.00 was uncovered to have been misappropriated in the name of security honorarium.

A top official of the university is expected to cough out N25, 501, 415. 08 “needlessly and unilaterally spent on image making and public relations”.

But some top officers of the Federal Ministry of Education are trying to shield the report away from President Goodluck Jonathan, it was learnt at the weekend.

The rot in the university was discovered by the Visitation Panel headed by Dr. T. C. Osanakpo (SAN).

According to the panel’s report, many students graduated from the university without completing the requirements.

It established a case of 31 students in the English Department, who graduated desspite having a number of carry-over courses in the 2003/2004 academic session.

Besides lack of infrastructure, the panel said, the university’s admission has been abused without taking cognisance of the capacity of its staff and facilities.

The report said: “The quality of the buildings and environment on the minicampus is well below the standard expected of a university. The mini-campus is indeed a mockery of a university. The buildings on both the Mini and Main campuses do not provide adequate number of staff offices, classrooms, lecture theatres, laboratory spaces and other facilities for the use of both the staff and students of the university.

“After a careful review and evaluation of relevant documents on admission and examination, interaction with management and senior staff in the Registry and academic Planning Unit, some heads of departments and deans, it became clear to the Panel that: “Up till now, there is no Admissions Office and a clearly identifiable desk officer. From July 2009, the Senate Committee on admission, which hitherto handled admission, became extinct.

“However, it was also revealed to us that there are at present two Admissions Committee, namely Central Admissions Committee and Senate Admissions Committee, whose members were handpicked.

“A large number of the final Admission lists submitted to the panel did not have JAMB or Post-UTME scores; thus their authenticity was in doubt.

“The administration of Post-UTME test was not consistently done and used for admission purposes. While in some cases it was written, in others it was either oral or not done at all. It is clear that the admissions based on 40 per cent of the total were solely handled by the Vice Chancellor’s office (which should not be so) after departmental and faculty recom-

•From left: Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade; Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, at the opening ceremony of the 10th biennial Police Games in Port Harcourt...yesterday

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

mendations of the first 60 per cent.

“Only the first 60per cent of admissions adhered to the JAMB Admission categories of merit, catchment and EDLS to a large extent, while there was no evidence of how the balance of 40 per cent was done except for staff and some concessional requests from outside the university. Nonetheless, the 40 per cent often exceeded the numerical value of the earlier 60 per cent as the final figure often exceeded by a large percentage of the carrying capacity of the university. It would be safe to say that the second-tier admission exercise for a so called 40 per cent violated JAMB guidelines in every aspect.

“Record keeping on examinations is very poor. Similarly the computation of students, Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was found to be poor resulting in wrong determination of final degree classification.

“Thirty one (31) students of English Department graduated with varying numbers of carry-over courses in 2003/2004 session which the university panel investigated but not determined to date. This indicates the highest degree of carelessness, incompetence and insensitivity. The Department has not been able to defend this. We have every reason to believe that there could be more of such cases. The senate should be directed to revisit these cases and take appropriate action.

“A number of students both regular and part-time (CDL & CE) have graduated without completing their requirements for graduation. We would by sighting some departmental results and receive complains. It is like a fairy tale what is going on in the University of Abuja . There were also petitions on errors in degree classifications of graduands already issued with success letters signed by the Registrar of the university.

“Generally, it was observed that most of the departments followed the correct format of presenting results that go to Senate for approval. However, the following departments were found to be the only ones that kept spread sheets. Linguistics and African Languages, Geography and Computer Science. We also observed that there is no Examination Records Office in this university to handle all examination matters, instead they are handled either by the Academic Office or Academic Planning office with none being solely responsible.”

On financial management, the panel called for the replacement of an audit firm which had undertaken the University’s Audit for the past eight years (2004 to 2012) should be replaced by the council It added: “The Auditor-General for the Federation should in the interim be directed to appoint the external auditors for the university and superintend their work plan and the segmented execution of the audit to completion

“The financial system in the university needs to be overhauled.

There should be a customised Accounting Manual as well as an Internal Audit Manual designed by Professionals, using the NUC Manual as a guide.

“The manual which should also incorporate the computerisation of the system will help to strengthen the financial system, standardise and improve general financial operations of the university. It would also strengthen internal control and correct the anomalies of the present system whereby the operations are centered on an individual in the person of the Vice Chancellor.

“The budgetary system in the university needs to be improved and budgets implemented according to plan. The Finance and General Purposes Committee responsible for budget monitoring as a committee of the university council, should stringently monitor and review the university budget implementation from time to time and report to the Council accordingly.

“In accordance with the laws of the land, the university should as a matter of urgency remit all taxes deducted from contractors as well as PAYE. “The management of the university should be advised in strong terms that this matter of expenditure amount to financial impunity which should not be tolerated in a federal establishment “The total amount of N25, 501, 415. 08 needlessly and unilaterally spent on image making and public relations should be recovered.

“The amount of N110, 647, 045.00 misappropriated in the name of security honorarium should be recovered.

“The rates applied for the payment of sitting allowances and other entitlements to external members of the University Council should conform to the provisions of the extant of government circulars.”

“The university with the support of the government should embark on massive infrastructural development to correct the perceived imbalance between facilities and end users, as a way of improving the learning environment and addressing the welfare issues arising. While this is being done, the existing facilities should be revamped to serve their purpose more effectively.”

A member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIABUJA Chapter, said: “Some top officers of the Ministry of Education have been trying to suppress the report.

Instead, they have been encouraging security agencies to clampdown on our members.

“Yet, our position is that UINABUJA ought to be a model university and not a glorified secondary school that it is today.”

Soyinka to receive Awo’s prize Wednesday

N

OBEL laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has been named as the winner of the maiden award of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, an initiative of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation.

Soyinka was picked in December last year after a rigorous selection process by a panel of eminent Nigerians.

The actual presentation of the prize, which consists of a plaque, medal and the certificate of award, will be made on Wednesday at a ceremony, expected to draw an array of distinguished Nigerians.

Prof Soyinka is billed give a lecture on the occasion.

Also scheduled are: a dance performance, a musical celebration, goodwill messages, as well as a documentary on the late Chief Awolowo and the Foundation itself. The foundation was establised in 1992 to preserve the intellectual legacy of the late sage.

The documentary on the late Chief Awolowo is expected to refresh the national memory concerning critical milestones in his political career with a view to teasing out, in a didactic fashion, edifying lessons for a generation, groping for direction and leadership renewal.

Former Head of State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Awolowo Foundation, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), will chair the occasion.

Among the guests of honour are: former heads of state, governors, monarchs and other distinguished Nigerians.

Glo begins sale of BlackBerry Z10

G

LOBACOM at the weekend began the sale of the new BlackBerry Z10 (BB Z10) at the company’s office on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The company’s Ambassadors and Nollywood stars, Chioma ChukwukaAkpotha and Desmond Elliot, joined the company’s sales and marketing team to attend to postpaid customers who had earlier pre-ordered for the new handset during the pre-booking campaign which ended on February 28.

Among those who picked up their BB Z10 phones were former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Chief Executive Officer of BUA Group of Companies, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and the Principal Partner of E.E. Ogboru and Associates, Mr. Ogboru Elmoni.

Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, Kamal

Shonibare, said the customers who collected their handsets were those who had booked either at Gloworld or Glo zone outlets or those who completed the online pre-booking form on www.gloworld.com/blackberry10.

He expressed delight that Glo made it possible for its customers to be among the first set of Blackberry users to own the latest Blackberry smartphone, which was launched recently.

The handset being sold for N100,000, has a convenient N3,000 monthly subscription fee.

“You will recall that Globacom made history in 2005 as the first telecommunications company in Nigeria to launch BlackBerry Services. I am happy that we have always offered our customers the latest technology to keep them at par with the rest of the world,” Shonibare said .

Brand India Pharma in Lagos

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ORLD’S second largest pharmaceutical country -India, will hold the second edition of the Brand India Pharma Expo in Nigeria on March 7 and 8 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

Brand India Pharma, is an exhibition comprising Indian Pharmaceutical companies already doing or intending to do business in the country. India is a principal supplier of Pharmaceuticals to Nigeria either directly from India or through the significant number of Indian pharmaceutical companies operating the country.

More than 50 firms are faeturing at the exhibition, a marked increase on the 40 companies that participated

in the maiden edition two years ago.

The exhibition, which is organised by Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil ) and hosted by the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria, His Excellency Mahesh Sachev, will have in attendance the Director-General of the Nigerian Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) Dr Paul Orhii, Mr Rajeev Kher, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, India, Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Bunmi Olaopa, as well as other major players in the pharmaceutical sector.

Police warn vehicle owners

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HE Ogun State Police Command has warned owners of accidented and abandoned vehicles and motorcycles parked at Iperu Divisional Police Station to remove them within two weeks or lose them to members of the public through auction.

They (vehicles) include: a Nissan car marked BH 580 PHC; a Toyota Corolla masrked EV 297 AAA; a Siena Ford marked ER 334 EKY; a Honda car marked AC 943 KRD; a Omega Opel marked CE 631 JJJ; a Nissan Vannete bus marked AM 421 SGM; and a Ford bus XF 407 NRP. , unregistered Nissan Almera Car, and Volvo Car AA 981 TTN. Others are Mitsubishi Space Wagon Car SD 309 KJA, Opel Car AH 731 GNN, Mitsubishi Gallant Car, unregistered Lifan Car, Bajaj DV 232 APP, Boxer QC 879 FFF, unreguistered Jincheng, Jincheng QR 402 AKJ and Zusuki 90 unregistered.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

6

CITYBEATS Man commits suicide T over impotence From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

A MAN, simply identified as Nwandu, has allegedly hung himself following his inability to perform his matrimonial duties.

The Ogbaru, Anambra State-born deceased, was a palm wine tapper in Ugbolu, Oshimili North Local Government area of Delta State.

He allegedly committed suicide last Thursday due to his inability to sexually satisfy his wife since February.

The deceased, it was gathered, married his wife seven years ago and the union had produced three children before he started suffering from erectile dysfunctions.

Sources hinted Nwandu’s suicide might not be unconnected with repeated quarrels that sometimes resulted in physical combat between him and his wife.

The Nation learnt that on the fateful day, Nwandu had complained of stomach upset to his wife who gave him tissue paper, but the husband allegedly went into the nearby bush where he allegedly hanged himself Spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, ASP Famous Ajieh, could not be reached to speak on the incident yesterday.

Governor Fashola explains Ayobo-Ipaja Road delay

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

THE installation of gas pipelines and electricity cables on the MoshalashiIpaja-Ayobo Road is delaying the completion, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said.

The governor, who spoke at the commencement of National Immunisation Plus and D-day Eko Free Health Mission programmes in Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), promised that the road would soon be completed.

"The cables are not what we can just remove by ourselves; we have addressed it with Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Now, work will go on without any hitch," he said.

In his welcome address, the council chairman, Hon. Yusuf Adisa, expressed appreciation to the government for embarking on the project, adding that on completion, it would be of benefit to the people.

Adisa added: "Sir, out of 350 roads in Ayobo-Ipaja, only six are tarred by both the state and the council. I am, therefore, appealing that you should please come to our aid because our people are suffering heavily in this regard."

NOA laments falling standard of education The Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State, Mr. Waheed Ishola, has reiterated the urgent need to address the falling standard of education in the country.

He addressed stakeholders at a one-day interactive forum on the standard of education in the country.

The NOA boss said: "The issue of education is what I strongly feel should be on the front burner of our national discourse owing to its pivotal role in national development and coupled with the fact that the educational sector has gone downwards."

Ishola noted that it was in view of the challenges posed by this negative development that the NOA, led by Mr. Mike Omeri, swung into action and had been campaigning across the country on how to arrest the awry development.

"It is this disturbing trend in our educational system that has spurred the NOA under its current leadership to embark on the campaign: Do the Right Thing; Transform Nigeria and Raising Integrity in Schools," he said.

RADERS at the popular Ladipo market, Mushin, Lagos Mainland, which was shut last Monday over poor sanitary condition, got a breather yesterday.

Governor Babatunde Fashola said it would be reopened if environmental sanity is restored.

Inspecting the auto spares market, Fashola said that apart from the traders spearheading a clean-up exercise, they would formally undertake that never again would trading take place on the roads or the bank of the canal that runs through the market.

The market was shut following repeated warnings and visits by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello and the Chairman of Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

The governor's visit came on the heels of repeated pleas by the traders and the leadership of the Igbo Council in Lagos State, led by Professor Anya O. Anya that visited the State House, Ikeja last Monday to present members of its new Council to the governor.

Several days after the market was shut down, evidence of environmental degradation was still visible when Fashola visited the market.

Speaking after the inspection, Fashola said: "It is a massive degradation of a section of Lagos and this is not acceptable. People should not carry on like this. But what is, perhaps, worthy of note is that those who are involved have seen the error of what they have done here and are ready to work with us to clean up and I have said here that they must take the lead."

On the canal blocked by waste, Fashola said: "The canal there poses a lot of danger and we are expecting heavy rains. I don't want to come back here to pick any dead body. We built the canal and we must make it work by not trading and dumping refuse in it".

"People told me that they picked engine parts and other things from the canal. It must stop", the governor said, adding that there was already an agreement between the traders and the government to work together to clean up the place and continue with their business.

While addressing the leadership of the Ladipo Auto Dealers' Association led by its President General, Comrade Ikechukwu Animalu, Fashola said: "If you must trade here, you must stay behind the property line.

You can see the damage you have caused to the road. We have to come back to re-do the road. Now this will be done with taxpayers' money. It is fine that you want to do business but those who pay the money used to construct the road must also be able to use it and how do they do that if you take over the road?"

Urging the traders to work with the Mushin Local Government authorities to ensure sanity in the market, Fashola said: "The only reason we are in government is to make you prosper but you must help us do that. You are going to work with the

A

N expectant mother working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, was on Saturday allegedly beaten to coma for booking and impounding a bus allegedly belonging to a lawmaker, Hon Ikem Uzoezie.

The bus, according to the Sector Commander, Anambra State Command, Mr Hyginus Omeje, was booked for dangerous driving. But rather than explore peaceful means of recovering the bus, the lawmaker allegedly led thugs to FRSC office and beat up the woman, Omeje claimed. The woman is attached to the Command's Igbo-ukwu unit.

Omeje deplored what he called political office holders' abuse of the law they swore to protect and called on the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Chinwe

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

•A part of the market yesterday. Inset: Fashola and other members of his visiting team.

Fashola lists conditions for reopening Ladipo market . Senator Uba pleads with governor on behalf of traders

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Ministry of the Environment. You are going to clean up the place yourselves.

"You will clean first and when you have done it, I will come back and I will bring members of your leadership who came to me and we will say this is the agreement now. We will sign a new agreement, nobody trades on the road; it must be behind the property line. Nobody trades on the pavement, it is for pedestrians.

"It is in your own interest that the roads are open to vehicular traffic.

We have seen the volume of vehicles that ply here; they need parts, but they cannot even get here because of the road. Also disease will come so that after you make the money you fall sick and die prematurely instead of living to an old age".

The governor reiterated that in order to bring sanity to the market, the traders and the government must work together, adding: "You have to take responsibility. It is not only to come and clean the place and later fall back to the old situation. There is a simple problem here; it is an environmental issue. We must treat it for what it is and get on with our lives".

Responding, Animalu said the market's environmental condition was bad and apologised on behalf of

‘The canal there poses a lot of danger and we are expecting heavy rains. I don't want to come back here to pick any dead body. We built the canal and we must make it work by not trading and dumping refuse in it’ the traders. He pledged that he would lead the traders to clean it up and also ensure that no more trading takes place on either the road or the canal.

He pledged that the traders would, henceforth, maintain high level of environmental sanitation, including keeping the canal clean and free of any material that could block the free flow of rain water.

With the governor were: Bello, CSP Sulaiman, Director, Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Toyin Onisarotu and Chairman, Mushin Local Government, Mr. Babatunde Adepitan, among other top government functionaries.

Meanwhile, Anambra South Senator Andy Uba has urged the

Lagos State government to reopen Ladipo market, saying its reopening would guarantee the traders' survival.

In a statement yesterday, Uba said: "The continued closure of the Ladipo market which is one of the biggest spare parts markets in Africa is not only a drain on tio the country's economy, but has adversely er affected the survival of the traders. This is tio a great source of concern to me as most of A the traders are from Anambra State and I me am worried that their source of living has La been shut down for so long, making life ric difficult for them."

Gb Uba said the market should be reopened go in the interest of harmonious relationship mi that had existed between the traders and the government over the years, adding: "I hereby appeal to Governor Babatunde Fashola to re-open the market urgently so that these traders can resume their businesses without further delay. I believe that the issues which led to the shutdown of the market in the first place can be amicably resolved and normalcy restored.

"It is not in the interest of the traders, the government and the public for the market to remain shut. I, therefore, urge the governor to use his good offices to reopen the market so that our people can return to their business."

The senator described Ladipo market as crucial to the survival of the state, the traders and the country at large, as people from all over the country patronise it.

T

Lawmaker, others 'beat' FRSC woman to coma From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Nwebili to intervene in the matter.

Omeje said: "The bus is said to belong to one Honourable Ikem Uzoezie who represents Aguata Constituency in the House of Assembly. The bus was driven by one Hon Okoli, a Supervisory Councillor for Works. This morning, the Honourable carried his thugs to my office, beat up the pregnant woman on duty to coma and forcefully removed the bus. The woman is presently lying critical in one of the hospitals in Igboukwu. Political office holders are not above the law and are ex-

Lawmaker: it's not true pected to be role models."

Hon Uzoezie, however, denied the allegation, saying there is no way he would give FRSC pains since he was instrumental to the Corps getting a good place to work in his constituency.

He said: "I am just coming from a burial outing in Nimo. I was not there and I didn't know what actually happened, but I got information that my men had a problem and I responded positively. I assured that once I got to the village, we would sort things out because I have not been around.

"I didn't go to their office and how could I, when I am the one that used my money to paint their office and make the place habitable? I am still committing resources to their welfare in my constituency. I don't have any ill intention against any staff of FRSC or office, but if they had a problem with my people and I am briefed, I should be able to intervene and settle things.

"If a campaign of calumny is what they would specialise in, then no problem; by Monday (today), we will get ourselves in court to get things straightened," said Uzoezie.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Billionaire couple dies in mystery fire

I

T was a moving scene. In the bathroom, the clung to each other. They were probably desperately seeking a way to escape the fire that gutted their home. They did not make it. Husband and wife were burnt to death.

Nobody knows how the mystery fire started yesterday in the palatial home of the Mr. And Mrs. Boniface Ndubuisi.

Sympathisers only came and met the bodies of the multi-billionaire couple, who just returned home from abroad, in

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

the bathroom of their 2, Arinze Lane, off Okolo Street, American Quarters, Onitsha, Anambra State home.

The building was said to have been razed before fire fighters could gained access into the compound. The couple's valuables, worth billions of naira, reportedly went with the fire.

In a tension-soaked atmosphere yesterday, tongues

wagged over the likely cause of the fire.

An eyewitness could not fathom how and where the fire started in the one-storey building, but confirmed that it started about 4am.

The couple, The Nation learnt, had six children; three in America, two in Abuja and one in Lagos.

The eyewitness said the couple's bodies were found inside their bathroom, clinging unto each other.

The Divisional Police Of-

ficer, Onitsha Central Police Station, Mr Tope Fasugba has visited the scene with his men. He said the incident is being investigated.

The police, it was learnt, have taken the bodies to the morgue in Onitsha.

Many blamed the incident on power surge from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Fire fighters strived to prevent the fire from spreading to other compounds.

Damoche: Police arrest 70 suspects

T

HE Lagos State Police Command yesterday arrested seventy students of Lagos State University (LASU) suspected to be cultists.

The arrest, the police said, was in connection with the ongoing investigation of the murder of an fast-rising pop artiste, Damino Damoche. The singer was murdered on Thursday last week.

The suspects were taken to the Command's headquarters, Ikeja, in three commercial buses, where they were asked to lie face down.

A dependable police source said the suspects, who were picked at different places in Ojo area, are currently being interrogated.

By Jude Isiguzo and Ebele Boniface

"After the interrogation, those found culpable would be detained for further investigations and those found to be clean would be released," the source said.

The suspects were arrested during random raid in the area where they were suspected to be regrouping for reprisal attacks on rival cult members.

Since the 400-level student of Banking and Finance was killed in a shooting in front of the university's gate, rumours of reprisal attacks have held the entire univer-

•The late Damoche sity community in fear.

There have been unconfirmed reports that two students were killed on Saturday as Damoche was being

buried at the Badagry cemetery. Efforts to get official comment from police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide failed.

Lagos to help farmers with better transportation

T

HE Lagos State has said it is committed to providing processing and transportation infrastructure to enable farmers reach domestic and international markets.

Addressing the stakeholders meeting on agricultural estates in Lagos, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolohan Lawal, said the state government remained fully committed to ensuring that Lagosians

By Daniel Essiet

have unhindered access to affordable quality food and agricultural produce.

He said it is based on that conviction that agriculture featured prominently at the just concluded Ehingbeti 2012 Lagos Economic Summit which focused on PATH, an acronym for Power, Agriculture, Transportation and

Housing.

To this end, he said the state government was ready to assist farmers growing crops and raising livestock to add value to their agricultural commodities through processing all around the state.

According to him, food processing will not only add to farm products, but provide tens of thousands of jobs.

He said the establishment of the 20,000 metric tonnes Imota Rice Processing factory, was one of the efforts of the state government to build capacities across the farm estates.

He said a robust, wellmaintained transportation system is important to economic vitality because it links producers with consumers.

Lions seek improved welfare for the poor

P

RESIDENT of Ikeja (Women) Lions Club, Aret Paul, has restated the club’s readiness to do everything within its available resources to improve the living condition of the needy, even as she sought more support for them.

She spoke at the club’s monthly meeting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday She notedthat the club had renewed its commitment to helping the needy in the society, including those with health challenges.

She explained: “We at the Ikeja Lions Club are making efforts to attract more members who have the heart to serve humanity. But if you are looking at the financial aspect, you probably would not want to get involved. It is not about money, it is about the time and talent you can give to the service of humanity.”

She maintained that Lions Club is particularly concerned about improving people’s welfare, adding: “We have embarked on a lot of community projects that members cannot handle alone, but we know that there are some

•From left: Dr. Susan Chinweike, Carol Enuha, Dr. Funke Adebajo and Aret Paul

By Musa Odoshimokhe

individuals out there who can assist us to serve the society better.”

She recalled some of the club’s humanitarian gestures: “We have done eye surgery for people with eye defects and have given glasses to over 2000 patients; most of them don’t have the money to manage these challenges.”

Explaining further, she stressed that the club’s impact had not only been felt in Lagos but across some states in the country through

its programme, Lions Across The Border.

“We have visited motherless babies’ homes in many parts of Lagos, but this year, our core project is to build a Medical Centre in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, through the project, Lions Across The Border. This, we have been doing for years. The surgery operations I mentioned were also done in Asaba, Delta State,” she explained.

Lion Paul stated that as an

organisation that renders accounts, it would always embark on projects that the people can easily verify and commend. This, she added, would further strengthen the trust that had long existed between the club and people.

Lion Funke Adebajo, a medical practitioner of note, who is vying for the position of 2nd Vice District Governor, District 404B, was there. She urged Nigerians to join Lions Club and other humanitarian bodies in order to complement government efforts at lifting the poor in the society.

CITYBEATS

7

Expectant mother beaten to death A couple in Ibala area of Ede in Osun State has allegedly beaten a woman, Mrs. Lateefat Odediran, to death. The late Mrs Odediran was said to be carrying an eight-month pregnancy.

It was gathered that a quarrel arose between the late Mrs. Odediran and her friend, Tawakalitu Musibau, on Saturday.

It was said that Tawakalitu's husband fled

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

when he noticed that the expectant mother had died.

The incident has thrown the community into mourning.

Tawakalitu has been arrested by the police; lawenforcement agents are looking for her fleeing husband.

The Command's Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Folashade Odoro, said the police were investigating the matter.

Tricycle operators protest IKEJA Government Reserved Area (GRA) residents and commercial tricycle operators are at each other's throats.

The residents' association is reportedly insisting that it must register tricycle operators plying the PWD-Ikeja and PWD-Country Club routes, but the riders do not agree. The riders' union maintains that it is an affiliate of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to which it pays its dues.

PWD tricycle operators' chairman, Comrade Daniel Ojoola, told The Nation yesterday that the residents are asking each rider to register his tricycle with N7,000; Reflective Jacket, N1,000; Identity Card, N1,000; Branding N1,000, with two passport photographs.

Ojoola said: "We have been plying these roads for the past nine years. We are affiliated to the NURTW. We obtain tickets from the national union and the local government, and we all pay our taxes. Suddenly, a member of the association invited us for a meeting and brought a form under a name where all these items which will

By Segun Balogun

cost us N10,000 are listed. Is this not outrageous and callous?

"Since we started working here, there had never been any case of robbery with the tricycle; so why will someone or a group of people arbitrarily want to regulate us. Are they government? The saddest part of it is that they are not private estate and there are over 20 roads connecting it. So, why gag us? We are peace-loving people and we urge the Lagos State Governor and the Commissioner of Police to please save us from this harassment and attempt to defraud us."

When contacted, Mr. Dimeji Aluko, the Secretary of the residents' association, debunked the allegation, saying that they never asked anyone to obtain any form.

He therefore appealed to parents: "When the virtue of hard work is inculcated in our children's psyche, they will be able to compete favourably with their contemporaries in other climes. So, let our parents preach hard work."

Academy set to empower youths AN empowerment programme

by Magnus Film Academy on film making and media practice, aimed at training youths on acting, voice modulation, directing, cinematography, editing, scripting (screen interpretation and screen play), will hold in Lagos in the month.

It is aimed at taking the youths off the streets for meaningful engagement. The programme, which is supported by Lagos State Ministry of Youths, Sports and social Development, will hold at the Ikeja Youth Centre.

Managing Director of Magnus Film Academy, Mr. Cyril Odenigbo, said the programme is open to every youth with the desire to take up career in the film industry.

Odenigbo explained that part of the motivation for the

programme was because the film industry in Nigeria lacks formal training.

He stressed that the scheme is designed to reach out to lessprivileged youths and the public who desire to take up careers in film making and media practice but cannot bear the cost of training. He added that part of the package is to retain trainees within the production company.

The film production expert called on local government councils in Lagos State, and legislators representing Lagosians at state and federal levels, to take advantage of their constituency projects to sponsor youths within their constituencies for the programme which basically is meant to empower the youths.

8

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

NEWS

President Goodluck Jonathan with members of Cote D’Ivoire National Assembly in Abidjan during his visit to the country...on Thursday.

N20b loan: Reps give AccountantGeneral, DMO deadline T HE House of Representatives Committee on Environment has given the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla and the Director- General Debt Management Office Abraham Nwankwo till March 31 to pay N20 billion into the Ecological Funds Account.

The amount represents outstanding loans given out to states and local governments from the Ecological Funds since 2010.

According to the lawmakers, the loans were given without the National Assembly’s approval.

While giving the instruc-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

tion at the weekend, the chairperson of the committee, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife accused the Accountant General’s office of “abuse of processes,” wondering if the Ecological Funds office is “now a lending bank.”

According to the committee, the fund, strictly meant for Ecological and environmental challenges, was misapplied.

The committee noted that

the recipients ought to pay with interest since they have been holding on to the funds for three years.

The House Committee also said states and local governments should be on first line charge as regards the collection of their share of the Ecological funds.

Mrs. Ekwunife said the states and local governments should have their Ecological funds paid into separate accounts so that the funds would be utilised specifically for environmental related is-

sues and would not have to run to the Federal Government over every little environmental challenges.

The committee also said the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) should be given its allocations on a monthly basis and not quarterly.

Ekwunife gave the Accountant General’s office amd the Debt Management Office a month to recover N20 billion unrepaid loans.

Babayo Shehu, Director of Funds, Office of the Accoun-

tant General of the Federation, who represented the Accountant-General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, said they had authorisation from the Presidency for the disbursement of the loan, adding that the Office of the Accountant-General is working with the Debt Management Office to ensure that the loan is paid.

He also said the Federal Government would work out the modalities for separating the accounts of the Ecological Funds from the mainstream derivations paid the States and Local Governments as requested by the committee.

Fayemi, Oshiomhole, Obi, Tinubu, others greet NGE President Adesina S

OME state governors and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday congratulated the Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Mr. Femi Adesina, on his election as the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Tinubu described Adesina’s victory as a victory for change and a more progressive leadership.

He said: “Organisations and professional groups soon wither into irrelevance if they align themselves against the people or remain weak and ambivalent about developments in the political environment they operate. Your emergence, I trust will give the organisation (NGE) the muchneeded fillip it needs. It is a vote for change”.

Tinubu urged Adesina not to abandon the discipline and ideals that paved the way for his victory.

“You have exhibited a commitment to deep professionalism and unbiased journalism.

You have, through the years, dedicated your writings to the promotion of a just, fair and more equitable society. Now is no time to rest on your oars. No. It is time for you to practise what you have preached and to make journalism a more decent profession.”

The National leader of the Action Congress also warned Adesina against elements who would seek to corrupt him.

Tinubu said the preservation of the profession he represents, the survival of the industry of which he is part of and the protection of the rights of the industry should be paramount on his mind.

“Nigeria is in dire need of institutions and individuals who can re-tune the present dominant orientation selfishness to a more patriotic and accountable one. The media industry, historically known to be pivotal to any change, whether positive or negative that happens to any nation. The media in Nigeria is one of Nigeria’s hope for change and there is no better time for it to rise up to the challenge. You can lead that charge.”

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said Adesina would lead the guild aright.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described Adesina as “a consummate journalist who has over the years adhered to the tenets of the pen profession.”

“His emergence as the President of NGE is therefore well deserved,” the governor said.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode

Fayemi expressed confidence in the ability of Adesina, a respected journalist and celebrated writer, to lead the Editors Guild to greater heights.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, congratulated members of the Guild for a successful election.

He also hailed the choice of Adesina as President, saying that the Sun’s Deputy EditorIn-Chief possesses the requisite experience, exposure, contact and maturity to succeed in his new office and reposition the guild.

He urged Adesina to see his emergence as NGE President as an opportunity to make history by using his position to contribute to efforts to deepen democracy accountability and good governance in the country.

Fayemi urged the NGE President, whom he described as “a gentle man and courageous writer” not to shirk in his responsibility of speaking truth to power, for which he is well respected as a reporter, editor, columnist and newspaper executive.

The governor, who described Adesina as an epitome of journalistic excellence, urged the newly-elected NGE President to build on the success recorded by the outgoing execu-

tive led by another excellent journalist, Mr Gbenga Adefaye.

He praised the NGE for organizing a peaceful, transparent and credible election which he described as a good example of how electoral process should be.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi also congratulated Adesina.

The governor who said he had followed the career progression of Adeshina with admiration, said that he represented the best of journalism, marked by love for the profession in an era when everything appeared to have cash value.

Obi said: "Femi is one journalist that does not flow with the currents. He is always himself and once convinced of his view point, which is always informed by objective reality, would only need superior argument to give way."

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole said Adeshina would bring a breath of fresh air to the Guild.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said "your election to lead the elite group of Nigeria Editors is well deserved as you have proved beyond reasonable doubt that you have the capacity to lead the Guild.

•Adesina "I recall my encounter with you at the Nigerian Editors Conference in Benin City in 2011, where you displayed intrinsic intellect, and with your election, I have no doubt in my mind that the Guild is in safe hands.”

Kwara State Governor Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed advised Adesina to push further the frontiers of the guild in the building of qualitative journalistic practice in Nigeria.

Ahmed, in a congratulatory message to Adesina, said the guild under the presidency of Adesina should not only continue with the good deeds of his predecessor, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, but work with other stakeholders in the profession to ensure that challantans and quacks have no place in journalism by ensuring that the ideals of journalism are strictly adhered to by practitioners.

Satellite broadcast at no cost to Fed Govt, says Wike MINISTER of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education and Daar Communications Plc to broadcast educational programmes for pupils and students of the basic education sector is at no cost to the Federal Government.

The minister spoke when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Education in Abuja.

He said the Ministry of Education is providing curriculum support for the educational broadcast on 22 dedicated channels to ensure that all subjects taught are in line with approved curricula.

Wike added that the Federal Ministry of Education would also provide technical support for the teaching personnel of the programme, providing them with the training as the partnership progresses.

He told the senators: “We are working out ways to ensure that we increase access to quality education for our children and we believe that the direct-tohome satellite broadcast will assist us achieve our goal”.

The minister explained following the endorsement of the project by the Federal Ministry of Education, the state governments were convinced to sponsor the broadcast.

“As we speak, many states have indicated their readiness to participate after officials of Daar Communications Plc interacted with them on the benefits of the project. I also want to state that electricity would not be a major challenge challenge because all the broadcast centres in the schools will have generating sets”, he said.

Responding, chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije said that the project was worthwhile as it would create more access to education for children across the country.

9

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

NEWS

Police await IG’s directive on ‘killer’ officer O NDO State Commissioner of Police Patrick Dukumor has said the command would soon prosecute the police officer who allegedly killed his colleague at a beer parlour in Ondo town.

Dukumor spoke with reporters at the weekend in his office in Akure, the state capital. He said the suspect is in police custody.

The late Police Inspector Adelakun Lawal was allegedly killed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kazeem Shehu, at a beer parlour in Okerowo, Ondo town, on February 2.

It was learnt that the two of-

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

ficers were close friends.

An eyewitness said an argument ensued between them and other people in the bar tried to broker peace between them, but Shehu allegedly brought out a pistol and shot the late Lawal.

Lawal was taken to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.

Shehu was apprehended and handed over to the police.

Dukumor said the command

Group decries non-payment of salary in Ondo

A

GROUP, the Ondo Rescue Mission (ORM), at the weekend faulted the non-payment of the salary of council workers and primary school teachers by the state government.

It described it as “callous and an attempt to impoverish workers”.

In a statement by its Chairman, Otunba Razak Isijola, and Secretary Wale Ozogoro, ORM alleged that the Labour Party (LP) administration has deliberately diverted the allocation of the 18 local governments.

It said: “The attitude of the LP administration in the management of council resources is unbecoming and unfair. The administration has continued to corner the allocation of councils in connivance with the caretaker committees instituted by the governor for

such purpose.

“Primary school teachers, who are supposed to draw their salary from council allocations, are also victims of the callous and inhuman LP administration.

“This segment of the public service is suffering and the fragile peace in our state could be compromised, if their salary/benefits are not paid soon.

“We will continue to condemn the insensitivity and inhuman treatment that is being meted out to these government officials in the name of the Caring Heart, when what is due to them is not given as at when due.

“We urge the state government to refrain from the deliberate mismanagement of our common wealth, such as the spending of over N1 billion on the governor’s inauguration.”

Lagos sacks street traders at Ido

O

FFICIALS of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Brigade, a Law Enforcement Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, at the weekend chased away street traders and hawkers from Ido and its environs.

They demolished and evacuated illegal structures, including containers, shanties and kiosks erected on drains and walkways.

The operation lasted several hours and many street traders were arrested.

KAI Marshal-General Capt.

Danjuma Meigeri (rtd.) said

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

it was to sanitise the area.

He said the arrested traders have been arraigned before the Special Magistrate’s Court, Ikoyi.

The development has given way to free-flow of traffic and a clean environment, as traders no longer dart in between moving vehicles to sell their wares.

Law abiding traders and commuters hailed the government for sanitising the area and called for the stationing of KAI officials there to prevent the illegal traders from returning.

Court to rule on stolen DDC machines

A

N Ibadan High Court presided over by Justice A.A. Adeyemi will today rule on whether to admit or decline a no-case submission filed by the sacked head of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Osunlola Akinyinka, and three others, allegedly caught with six Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines belonging to the electoral body in a hotel in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The prosecutor, Mr. Shuaib Alaran, urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission made by the defendants.

The accused are charged with conspiracy and unlawful revision of the voters’ register in 2010.

Akinyinka was accused of conspiring with others, including Olufemi Samuel, Dauda

By Adebisi Onanuga

Oladeji and Salami Adetola, to tamper with the DDC machines containing the names and particulars of some eligible voters.

The accused were also said to have been caught with one laptop, 11 chargers and 11 external discs belonging to INEC. In their no-case submission jointly filed before the court, the defendants urged the court to acquit them on the grounds that the prosecutor failed to prove his case against them.

They argued that the prosecutor cannot establish the commission of any offence and failed to provide evidence that the DDC machines were tampered with.

The prosecutor prayed the court to dismiss the no-case submission, insisting that a prima-facie case has been established against the defendants.

is waiting for a directives from the Inspector General of Police on the matter.

He said: “The police officer has been in detention since he killed his colleague and we are awaiting directive from the IG on the next line of action.

“I am optimistic that the officer will be dismissed and punished for killing his colleague.”

Dukumor reiterated the command’s resolve to rid the state of criminals.

He said: “We are modernday policemen. We shall be people-friendly but would not tolerate criminals. We will protect law-abiding residents and give people confidence to sleep with their two eyes closed.”

More PDP witnesses fault T Ondo poll HE candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last October’s governorship poll in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, at the weekend presented more witnesses at the Election Petition Tribunal.

The former PDP National Legal Adviser is challenging the declaration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of the October 20, 2012, election.

The witnesses, who identified their statements on oath and adopted them as evidence before the three-man panel, complained of “improper accreditation” of voters in the election.

They were led in evidence by Oke’s counsel and cross examined by the respondents’ counsel - Yusuf Ali (SAN), Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN) and A. Ik-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

peabu (SAN).

Mr. Felix Adamolekun from Okeagbe, Akoko North West Local Government, said the number of voters in the area did not tally with the number of names in the voter register.

Adamolekun said there was “massive rigging” in the election. He alleged that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) colluded with LP supporters in the area to perpetrate the electoral fraud.

Omole Kehinde from IpeAkoko, Akoko South East, said the votes declared for LP in some units were not properly recorded in form EC8A. During cross-examination, Ogunmolayan Busayo from

Ondo West Local Government insisted that the voters’ register used in most of the wards in the local government were inflated.

Lawal Olanrewaju from Arigidi-Akoko, Unit 001, Ward 02 and Ayetomo Smart from Ode-Mahin in Ilaje Local Government alleged that there was ballot box snatching and party agents were chased away by thugs.

The Justice Andover Kaka’nled panel granted Oke’s prayer to present form EC8A, which contained the result of all units in Ilaje Local Government.

Justice Kaka’n accepted two certified copies and 27 duplicates of the result sheets, excluding those of units 009, 013 and 018.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

10

NEWS

Ajimobi vows to kick out killer diseases

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said his administration would not rest until childkiller diseases are kicked out of the state.

He spoke at the weekend during the kick off of another round of National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) at Ibadan NorthWest Local Government Council, Onireke, Ibadan.

He said his government would ensure effective, efficient and accessible immunisation services in all nooks and crannies.

Ajimobi directed his special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants to monitor the immunisation to achieve a polio-free state.

He said the administration is determined to reduce child mortality and urged stakeholders and development partners to collaborate with the government to achieve this goal.

Ajimobi said: “We have entered a new phase of rapprochement, networking and interfacing with development partners and organisations to protect our people, especially children,

•Ajimobi immunising some children...at the weekend.

from polio and other killer diseases.”

He said the government has

started distributing drugs worth N200 million to hospitals and primary health care

centres, as well as recruiting health workers for general hospitals.

Commissioner for Health Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the state has been polio-free in the

last four years. He said the regular immunisation was to sustain the trend

and Health Survey: 1,920 Vandals cause petrol spill in Ibadan Demographic households to be interviewed in Ondo community T T HOUSANDS of litres of petrol spilled over

Oluode, a community in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the weekend.

The community is in Ido Local Government Area.

The spill was caused by the vandalisation of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by hoodlums.

Mostly affected are farmlands, water sources and some residential areas.

It was learnt that residents discovered that oil thieves were operating at the pipelines in the early hours of Saturday and notified the police.

‘

This is very disturbing. If criminals can go to this extent, then we are in trouble in this country From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

The vandals escaped before the police arrived.

When The Nation visited the area, security agents, NNPC officials and men of the Oyo State Fire Service were on ground.

Ido Council Chairman

’

Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, who visited the area with environmental officers, said it was sad that the vandals did not mind exposing residents to danger.

He said the situation is been attended to by the NNPC technical crew from the Ibadan Depot and warned residents against ig-

niting a fire.

Olowofela urged NNPC officials to live up to their responsibilities, adding that the spill would cause environmental hazards in the community.

He urged members of the community to be more security-conscious.

An NNPC official, who did not want to be named, said: “This is very disturbing.

If criminals can go to this extent, then we are in trouble in this country.”

The community leader, Pa. Lasisi Oyedele Oluode, said the community has never experienced such an incident before, but thanked God that no life was lost.

Osun awards N14.5b road contract, N1.7b for hospitals

T

HE Osun State Government has awarded a N14,568,500,834.22 contract for the construction of the Osogbo East Byepass Dual Carriage Way to Messrs Slava-Yeditepe Projects Limited.

It also awarded a N1,712,528,000 contract for the rehabilitation of state hospitals to 51 contractors.

Commissioner for Infor-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

mation and Strategy Sunday Akere told reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, that the contracts were approved at the last State Executive Council meeting.

Akere said the road contractor would be paid 45 per cent mobilisation fee which would be backed by an Ad-

vance Payment Guarantee (APG). He said the contractor would give the government a performance bond to cover 20 per cent of the mobilisation fee.

He said five per cent retention fee would be paid to the contractor six months after the completion of the project.

Akere said the project would be completed within 12 months, adding that un-

der the contract terms, no price fluctuation would be entertained.

He said the project would start from the roundabout on Iwo Road and pass through Ofatedo, Ataoja School of Science, Ilesa Road and OkeBaale to Stadium Roundabout.

The upgrading of hospitals is to be completed between six and nine months.

THE 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) would be conducted in 1,920 households in 14 of the 18 local government areas in Ondo State.

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Eze Odimegwu, spoke with reporters in Akure, the state capital, on the kick off of the survey.

Odimegwu, who was represented by the state NPC Federal Commissioner, Dr Oluremi Akinbobola, said the survey would take place in 24 randomly selected clusters, made up of 80 households per cluster.

He said only persons aged between 15-49 years would be interviewed and urged the people to cooperate with the interviewers.

Odimegwu said: “The survey is designed to generate information on a wide range of health indices and, expectedly, the interviewers will ask a wide range of questions. I urge the respondents to be patient with the interviewers and provide truthful answers to the questions asked.”

The NPC chairman described the NDHS as a national representative survey designed to provide information on the demographic and health status of the population.

He said it provides detailed information on the levels and trends of fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and sexually transmitted diseases in the country.

Odimegwu said: “Today’s event marks another giant stride in the efforts of the commission towards effective management of the nation’s population through provision of accurate and reliable demographic data for development planning.

“Effective management of Nigeria’s population for sustainable development requires collection, processing and dissemination of demographic data, not only through periodic census, but also regular collection and dissemination of data on births, deaths and migrations.

“Such regular collection and dissemination of demographic data ensures that detailed and up to date information on the characteristics of the population is available for planning purposes.”

He said measures have been put in place to ensure the success of the survey.

Odimegwu said: “To ensure that the outcome of this year’s NDHS meets international standard, global best practices are being mainstreamed into its planning and conduct.”

11

THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 4, 2013

NEWS PDP wins Rivers by-election From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the chairmanship seat in the by-election conducted in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Its candidate, Austin Ahiamadu, scored 37,570 votes.

Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Prof.

Augustine Ahiauzu, who announced the result yesterday in Port Harcourt, said of the 126,430 registered voters; only 40,436 voted during the election.

The PDP won all the councillorship seats in the 17 wards, with its candidate for Ward 14 returning unopposed.

•President Goodluck Jonathan (second left); Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (left); First Lady Patience Jonathan (third left); wife of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark (third right); Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikeze and the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu (right), at a dinner for Nollywood in Lagos...at the weekend

Court indicts NLC over sack

T

HE National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja at the weekend awarded damages against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for unlawfully terminating the appointment of Iduh L. Onah, an Assistant General Secretary, who acted as the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Relations Department, between September 2009 and March 2011.

This is the second judgment in which the NIC is indicting NLC for violating the rights of its employees.

In January, the court gave a judgment that re-instated John Odah, who was removed as NLC General Secretary in May 2011.

The court, presided over

•Awards damages to former employee From Dupe OlaoyeOsinkolu, London

by Justice Babatunde Adejumo, delivered judgment in the suit in which Onah sought for a declaration that the termination of his appointment on May 24, 2011 was a ruse and therefore unlawful.

He asked the court for N10 million damages.

In the judgment, which lasted one hour, 53 minutes, Justice Adejumo ordered the NLC to pay Onah two years’ salaries as general and aggravated damages as well the payment of three months salaries in lieu of notice to which the claimant is entitled.

The NIC President further ordered NLC to pay Onah all other entitlements due to employees of the NLC within the last two years and awarded 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum from the date of the judgment until when it is fully liquidated.

Justice Adejumo lampooned the NLC for its contempt for both its own constitution and the 1999 Constitution.

“The appointment of the claimant herein was summarily determined in flagrant disrespect and disregard of the cardinal principles of the conditions of service of the claimant as contained in the constitution and conditions of service of the first respondent (NLC).

“The protection of fair hearing accorded the claimant was contemporaneously jettisoned, thus infringing the claimant’s fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and made part of the conditions of service of the claimant.

“This court cannot, and will not, encourage a situation whereby the consti-

tution of this country is treated with contempt or where the constitution of an organisation is treated with contempt.

“It has a sacred duty to protect and promote its observance. I agree with the claimant (Onah) that his feelings have been affected negatively by the actions of the respondents (NLC and its president, Abdulwahed Omar) in this case more so when his appointment was terminated based on a false reason.”

Justice Adejumo declared that Onah successfully proved his case that his appointment was unjustly terminated.

He added: “Flowing from the fact that the appointment of the claimant was wrongfully terminated on the basis that the reason given for the termination was found to be false and that the appointment was not determined in accordance with its (NLC’s) conditions of service, the claimant is entitled to damages.”

Speaking to reporters after the judgment, Onah said he is “happy that justice eventually triumphed over impunity.”

Babalakin seeks commitment of varsity councils

P

RO-CHANCELLOR of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State Dr. Wale Babalakin is seeking the commitment and dedication of members of the governing councils of Nigerian universities to ensure significant development of the Ivory Towers despite scarce resources.

Babalakin, who is also the Chairman of the Committee of ProChancellors of Federal Universities, gave this advice at the weekend while inauguration more that 50 projects, including the firstever School of Pharmacy in the Northeast, which were initiated and completed during his tenure as the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of UNIMAID. Congratulating the Federal Government for what he described as “its vision in implementing the University Act, which enabled the governing council of each varsity to appoint all the principal officers, thus placing the success of the institution squarely in the hands of the council”, Babalakin described the inauguration of the projects as a confirmation of the thought process and wish of President Goodluck Jonathanthat varsities, henceforth, should demonstrate the ability to run their own affairs and improve revenue.

He noted that with these achievements, members of the UNIMAID Governing Council have “demonstrated that with unity, commitment and dedication, a lot can be done in the university environment with scarce resources.”

He observed that the achievement of the council was “not a product of abundance, as we have no money. Rather, our achievement is premised on a total commitment of council and management to the frugal expenditure and protection of every resource.”

Babalakin, who expressed his delight, while inaugurating the Faculty of Pharmacy, added: “I must immediately confess that I am overwhelmed by the extent of this new infrastructure. It demonstrates clearly the far-sightedness of the council and management of this university. As mentioned by the vice chancellor, it is the first College of Pharmacy in the Northeast. It is our fervent belief that the completion of this project will boost rapidly the teaching of Pharmacy in the region and the whole of Nigeria in particular.”

Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Mohammed Daura said the university management was proud of the Babalakin-led council “for its commitment and support for four years of prudent management and four years of unprecedented development in UNIMAID.

Fed Govt discourages Nigerians’ migration to UK

T

HE Federal Government at the weekend cautioned prospective Nigerians seeking residency in the United Kingdom.

It said the country is not the paradise of their dreams.

Receiving members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) at the Nigeria High Commission in London, the High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, said the UK does not have enough jobs for its citizens, hence the employment problems being faced by other nationals, Nigerians inclusive.

Reacting to a question on why Nigerians in London are complaining about the High Commission’s inability to help Nigerians, Tafida said: “The challenges in most cases are jobs. The truth is

From Dupe OlaoyeOsinkolu, London

that there is nothing to admire in this country. Our country is one of the best countries in the world.

“I know we don’t have electricity; we don’t have this; we don’t have that, but efforts are being made.

“But in this country, maybe you are a professor, you hardly can get a Nigerian, who has a balance of £500 at the end of the month.

“Most of them do not have enough to pay for the rates – water, electricity, transportation, and then if you have a mortgage, that mortgage, you would never finish paying it until you die.

“If you are a Nigerian, you want to go home after being here for 40 years, maybe they would sell the house and you would get nothing out of it.

“Whereas in Nigeria, it is

not so. That is the life here.

People who are ignorant think the people here are in heaven, whereas we are in hell.

“But the truth is that if you know how Nigeria is moving, even if you don’t have a job, you can use your physical strength and make it, have enough to spare, enough to even get a little piece of land in your town.

“If you are here, they would forget you in your town. You would never have a piece of land to develop.

“If you are in Lagos or Abuja, you would be able to get a small piece of land in your town, you would develop it and be more comfortable. This is the truth. I am telling you the truth, and nothing more.”

The High Commissioner said the Commission is do-

ing its best to satisfy Nigerians living in the UK. He blamed what he called the “Settlers’ Syndrome” for most of the problems faced

by Nigerians in the UK. “We have more than a thousand groups. It is impossible to meet and interact with all these groups.”

NAWOJ organised a week-long training for its members in the United Kingdom.

The training, held at the Goldsmith International Business School, London, covers - writing for the web and effective news gathering from the web.

The classes, facilitated by Ms Audrey Laurencelle, Mrs Sala Kamkosi Banda and Mr Ladi Tokosi under the tutelage of the Principal, Emman Aluko, introduced the women to new things in online journalism.

THE NATION MONDAY MARCH 4, 2013

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NEWS

Obi, Okorocha’s ‘face-off’ deepens

PPA Chair hails ABSU

T

HE “cold war” between Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, assumed a new dimension last week, with Obi allegedly shunning his colleague during his visit to Owerri, the Imo State capital.

In a manner that could be best described as breach of protocol, Obi visited the state to inspect the damage on the demolished Ojukwu Library and Resource Centre, without stopping over at the Government House.

The governor went to the country home of the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, shortly after the widow of the late Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Bianca, arrived.

Accompanied by former

N

ATIONAL Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) Ken Gbalikuma has hailed the Abia State University (ABSU) for stripping former Governor Orji Kalu of the degree certificate he received when he was the institution’s visitor.

Gbalikuma said the award of the certificate to Kalu had constituted a moral burden on the university, “which has just been discharged by its withdrawal.”

He said: “The award of the certificate was patently a clear indication that his admission and graduation violated the institution’s extant rules and regulations.”

He said the university senate’s decision, which considered the recommendations of an investigative panel, was proper, even though it came late.

Gbalikuma argued that based on the strength of the findings and the panel’s recommendations in Kalu’s admission process, its Senate’s overwhelming vote of 88 to three was in order.

He said those who believe that the withdrawal is political should read the university’s extant laws, which show the violation of the academic regulations on Admission-by-Transfer, which rendered the offer irregular and the noncompletion of the mandatory six semesters ( three academic years of study), before Kalu was awarded a degree.

Minister of Information Prof.

Dora Akunyili and close aides as well as government officials, Obi held a one-hour meeting with Mrs. Ojukwu, Uwazuruike, Mrs. Akunyili, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and a few others.

Speaking shortly after the meeting, Obi said for members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the visit became imperative as Ojukwu remained their leader, even after his death.

“We are here to sympathise with the MASSOB leader because this edifice is built in honour of our late leader.

“Anybody who erects anything in the memory of Ojukwu should be respected.

“I assure you the renova-

tion will begin immediately.”

Obi also pledged to replace the two vehicles destroyed by the collapsed building in a nearby compound.

However, brief as the visit was, its import was not lost on politicians in Imo State and the Southeast.

The Nation gathered that aside from accessing the damaged structure, Obi’s camp of the APGA got an opportunity to meet and deliberate on possible ways of stopping Okorocha from using APGA structure in the state for the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC).

It was also learnt that Obi’s meeting with Uwazuruike and Mrs. Ojukwu was intended to whip up sentiments among the people of the Southeast, using Ojukwu’s

name and MASSOB. Although media aides debunked insinuations of a “cold war” between the governors, The Nation’s sources said things are no longer the same with the erstwhile political associates, who emerged governors on the platform of APGA. Obi’s Chief Press Secretary Mike Udah said: “My boss has not told me that he is not in good terms with his Imo counterpart.

“Moreover, I have known him for over 34 years and I can authoritatively state that he has no such thing as enmity in his dictionary.”

Okorocha’s Special Assistant on media Ebere Uzoukwa said the two APGA governors remained friends and colleagues.

Imo Security Network man kills colleague

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MEMBER of the Imo Security Network has allegedly shot

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From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle) presenting cheques of N80 Million to Bishop Hilary Okeke for projects at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala...yesterday

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•Aides deny frosty relationship

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

his colleague, Peter Uche Erekwe.

The incident occurred at Ezeogba Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government.

The 39-year-old victim, who hailed from Egbelu Obibe community, was said to have attended a meeting with his colleagues at the Ezeagba home of their unit commander, Ifeanyi.

He was standing beside their patrol vehicle, discussing with others when a colleague’s gun went off and

shattered his right leg.

It was gathered that Erekwe was rushed to a private hospital where he died due to loss of blood.

The suspect and another member of the group have been arrested and detained by the police.

Police spokesman Vitalis Onugu said investigation is going on.

There are mixed reactions to the incident as members of the deceased’s family are insinuating that he was murdered.

It was gathered that the

family is suspecting that the victim was deliberately killed.

Their suspicion was strengthened by the fact that since the incident happened “no official has visited the family.”

There is tension in Erekwe’s community as youths are spoiling for a showdown.

The youths said the late Erekwe complained to them about threats to his life.

But a source denied any misunderstanding among the unit members.

Kalu lashes Orji over withdrawal of certificate

F

ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has described his successor, Theodore Orji, as a political neophyte.

Kalu, in a statement yesterday, said the move by Orji to revoke his Bachelor’s degree certificate from the Abia State University is just the latest in the failed attempts of Orji to silence him.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, Kalu said Orji’s intimidation of the University Senate to purportedly withdraw his certificate does not invalidate the au-

thenticity of the certificate.

Rather, he said the move has only put to test the pedigree of the men and women who make up the Senate of the university, the credibility of the certificate issued by the school and brought to fore the warped nature of Orji.

The statement said: “What the Senate of ABSU has done amounts to shifting the goal post after the goal has been scored.

“No one can deny the fact that Kalu was in ABSU for lectures and examinations.

“And how do you withdraw a degree that has been

duly awarded?

“And to think it is the same Senate that awarded it that is withdrawing it.

“It is obvious where the drummer is playing for the Senate to dance from.

“Must the academic community allow politics and politicians to influence its decision?”

Kalu said Orji was looking for any straw to hold on to after his failed bids to nail him with trumped up charges of corruption, prevent him from returning to the Peoples Democratic Party and run him out of Abia State completely.

“That Governor Obi has a different perception of the APC which Governor Okorocha is one of the major promoters does not mean that they are quarrelling.

“I don’t think that he must visit Okorocha whenever he comes to Imo State, but if protocol demands that, it therefore lies with him to explain his action.”

CBN graduates entrepreneurs From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Entrepreneurship Development Centre yesterday graduated over 130 graduates at its Ojoto Centre in Idemmili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof Chukwuemeka Uzoma Okoye, said Ojoto remained the only community that has sponsored students in entrepreneurship studies.

Okoye represented by the EDC Project Manager, Southeast, Uchenna Anikwe, said the EDC was a 2008 initiative programme of the Federal Government through the CBN to tackle unemployment.

“The major objective of the training is to train youths to develop insights into creating wealth for themselves.

“We pray that this training will not only produce entrepreneurs but provide jobs for our people and reduce social vices in the society.”

Orji: create state in Southeast

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has urged the National Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity to create a state for the Southeast.

Orji said if the doctrine of necessity could be employed by the Senate to empower Dr Goodluck Jonathan to become acting president, the same should be adopted to create an additional state for the Southeast.

The Southeast, with five states, has the least number of states among the nation’s six geopolitical zones.

Orji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communications,Ben Onyechere, said although the region wants the presidency to be zoned to it, it needs an additional state more urgently.

He said: “The need for the National Assembly to adopt the doctrine of necessity to create an additional state in the Southeast, cannot be more expedient than now.

“History will not adjudge this generation of Igbo leaders rightly, if we don’t get more committed in the pursuit of creation of an additional state for the Southeast.

“The creation of an additional state will yield fulfillment in the psyche of the Igbo.

“As present day leaders, responsibility behoves on us to bring about the materialisation of this long over due dividend.”

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

At last, Budget 2013 • Despite coming weeks late, the issues, unfortunately, have not been resolved

A

FTER dithering for nearly four weeks, President Goodluck Jonathan on February 26 signed the 2013 Appropriation Bill into law, thus putting to an end the bickering that had dogged the exercise. The National Assembly had passed the law to the President for assent on January 15. Although the executive branch had expressed misgivings with National Assembly’s tinkering with the provisions in the course of its passage, the indication that the President was not well disposed to appending his signature to the budget as passed would come shortly after it was transmitted to his office.

Among the issues listed by the presidency were the hiking of the budget from N4.92trillion to N4.98trillion.by the lawmakers; the raising of the benchmark crude price from $75 to $79 per barrel in the computation; the constituency projects which the executive found objectionable, and finally, the issue of zero allocation for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In the following weeks, the President was reported to have sought advice on possible use of veto to which an irritated National Assembly equally contemplated the possibility of overriding – if it came to that.

There is clearly a lot to say about the posturing on both sides while the ‘feud’ lasted. To start with, it was unhelpful that the two parties stuck to their respective positions, which they claimed were in the best interest of the economy even when

the issues came to no more than chasing mere shadows.

That the threat to override the presidential veto worked is nothing but failure of engagement and reasoned dialogue. The presidential promise of possible amendment to accommodate areas of concerns in a subsequent bill comes to no more than a face-saver.

The entire development is certainly unfortunate. Unfortunate, because the issues said to underlie the disagreement have even now, neither been addressed nor solved. If anything, the development suggests that few lessons have been learnt in the last 14 years. The other point is that the President has shown, contrary to his posturing, that he has neither the stomach to stand by his resolve nor is he willing to show leadership on a matter in which the citizens were told could either make or mar the fortunes of the 2013 budget.

The question is – why allow the matter to drag to a head if the President knew that he would later cave in? Or, as the cliché goes – why heat up the polity needlessly just to make a point? More fundamentally, what is the idea behind the prebudget briefings of principal officers of the National Assembly if not to narrow down the areas of differences between the two arms of government?

One area of disagreement is the budget benchmark which the lawmakers hiked by $4 in the guise of reducing the deficit in the budget. Whereas the executive has not quite sufficiently explained

how the $4 addition to the revenue from the hike would prove toxic to a budget with a huge deficit component, the National Assembly has since shown that its motive is hardly altruistic in terms of the stated objective, but motivated by its desire to accommodate constituency projects which the lawmakers want at all cost.

To the extent that constituency projects are oftentimes state and local government projects packaged as the Federal Government’s, they have not only become sticky issues in their relations with the executive, they are increasingly antithetical to good governance and best practices. We urge the National Assembly to reconsider this as well as other areas of concern with the executive.

‘The question is– why allow the matter to drag to a head if the President knew that he would later cave in? Or, as the cliché goes – why heat up the polity needlessly just to make a point? More fundamentally, what is the idea behind the pre-budget briefings of principal officers of the National Assembly if not to narrow down the areas of differences between the two arms of government?’

Justice delayed •The NJC has a duty to reinstate Justice Salami as PCA USTICE Aloma Mukhtar has demonstrated within seven months in office as Chief Justice of Nigeria, that she would do all within her power to restore the dignity of the third arm of government, She told the nation during her screening for the office by the Senate that she would not tolerate corrupt practices and would defend the integrity of the judiciary.

Last month, the National Judicial Council (NJC) over which she presides recommended to the president the sack of Justices Charles Archibong and Thomas Naron for acts unbecoming of judges.

Prior to her appointment, the petition against Justice Naron over his unethical conduct while presiding over the election tribunal in Osun State had failed to attract the necessary punishment. Now, it has been laid to rest.

However, the Justice Ayo Salami case

J

‘The NJC must rise now to assert the independence of the judiciary and show that it is a temple of justice by forthwith giving effect to its decision to reinstate Justice Salami. All committees set up by the body so far have exonerated him. It will amount to a travesty of justice if he is allowed to stay in limbo until he attains the retirement age later this year’

has cast a blight on the judiciary. The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) was recommended for suspension by the NJC in August 2011, for allegedly failing to apologise to Justice Katsina-Alu whom Salami claimed strongly intervened in the Sokoto election petition in a manner that suggested he had more than a passing interest in the matter.

It is time to lay the Salami case to rest in the interest of justice. It is unfortunate that the judicial authorities played into the hands of the politicians in the executive arm by referring the case to the president. The president’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was the beneficiary of the alleged involvement of Justice Katsina-Alu in the case. Therefore, referring the fate of Justice Salami to him (the president) was an indication that the NJC at the time was willing to sacrifice the integrity of the judiciary and invest in the president a power he clearly lacks.

Nowhere in the 1999 constitution is the president empowered to discipline a President of the Court of Appeal. In case of gross misconduct, all that section 292 of the constitution and the Third Schedule to it allows is removal by the president, acting upon an address supported by two-thirds of members of the Senate.

The manner the NJC adopted in referring the matter to the president and the consequent removal suggest that there might have been a meeting of minds between the heads of the executive and the judiciary and the ruling party, at the time.

Since then, under one guise or the other, Justice Salami has been locked out of his office while the president chose to act il-

legally. Acting on powers purportedly derived from section 238 (4) of the constitution to appoint an acting PCA, President Goodluck Jonathan was very quick in appointing Justice Dalhatu Adamu to the office. However, he did not care to check the proviso that such an appointee who must be the most senior justice of the court should not act longer than a single term of three months. It is clear from the section that the constitution does not envisage that there could be any circumstances that would warrant the office being vacant for more than three months.

Under Justice Mukhtar, the NJC has admitted that it acted in error in recommending the dismissal of Salami and actually getting him suspended from office. The body also confirmed the submission of senior lawyers that in exercising its power to discipline erring judges, Section 21 (b) of the Third Schedule to the constitution fully placed disciplinary powers in the hands of the NJC. It is not subject to the action or review of the president or any other public officer.

As judges in Pakistan and Egypt showed courage in similar circumstances, the NJC must rise now to assert the independence of the judiciary and show that it is a temple of justice by forthwith giving effect to its decision to reinstate Justice Salami. All committees set up by the body so far have exonerated him. It will amount to a travesty of justice if he is allowed to stay in limbo until he attains the retirement age later this year.

Washington’s last chance to help Syria

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N HIS first trip as secretary of state, John F. Kerry has been raising expectations that the Obama administration will soon take new action to help the Syrian opposition. President Obama, he said Monday in London, “is currently evaluating precisely what steps we will take in order to . . . lead on this important issue.” He added: “We are determined that the Syrian opposition is not going to be dangling in the wind, wondering where the support is or if it’s coming.”

Mr. Kerry spoke those words because he had to.

Rebel leaders, fed up with America’s refusal to supply the weapons, money and training they need to accomplish the stated U.S. goal of ending the regime of Bashar al-Assad, were threatening to skip a “Friends of Syria” meeting in Rome on Thursday.

But Mr. Kerry’s promises also set up an important test of credibility for him, and for the president. If the administration now fails to move decisively to break Syria’s bloody stalemate, it could lose what may be a last chance to partner with the more moderate forces challenging Mr. Assad and to steer the country toward a new regime that the West could support.

What could those steps be? A State Department adviser on Syria during Mr. Obama’s first term, Frederick C. Hof, offered a good outline in a recent paper for the Atlantic Council. The United States, he said, should build “close working relationships” with “carefully vetted elements of the Free Syrian Army.”

That means, at the least, providing training, tactical intelligence and nonlethal equipment; we believe that heavy weapons are also essential. So far U.S. policy has been to refuse all aid to such groups — a practice that, as Mr. Hof puts it, ignores the reality that “men with weapons will be very influential in charting Syria’s future.”

U.S. policy must also aim at helping the rebels establish a full-fledged alternative government on Syrian territory and recognizing it as the legal government of Syria. That would legitimize the supply of arms and allow the U.S. military to protect the Syrian population with airstrikes or Patriot anti-missile batteries, if that were necessary to stop the regime’s unconscionable targeting of civilian neighborhoods with missiles and artillery. It could also help to marginalize the growing al-Qaeda presence in rebel forces.

The Post reported Wednesday that the administration is considering the supply of nonlethal equipment to rebel forces, a measure Britain and France have already decided on. But in public, Mr. Kerry has spoken only of increased aid to the opposition Syrian National Coalition — which also has yet to receive direct U.S. aid. The Post has reported that new supplies of weapons are reaching rebels in southern Syria, probably with financing from Saudi Arabia and coordination by the United States. This is the extension of an operation that has been underway for some time, but it is too small to quickly decide the war.

Mr. Kerry still speaks of seeking “a political solution,” though the hope of brokering a deal between the regime and the rebels proved illusory long ago.

He says that he aims to “change the calculation on the ground for President Assad,” as if it were still conceivable that this blood-drenched butcher could be induced to quietly step down. And Mr. Kerry is still seeking the cooperation of Russia in ending the war, though Vladi-mir Putin has made it clear that his first purpose in Syria is preventing a U.S.-engineered regime change.

Such tactics are doomed to failure. They will serve only to prolong and intensify the bloodshed, to the ultimate benefit of al-Qaeda and those, such as Iran’s leaders, who would prefer endless civil war to any change of government. If the Obama administration is to lead on Syria, it must commit itself to steps that can bring about the early collapse of the regime and its replacement by a representative and responsible alternative. Only direct political and military intervention on the side of the opposition can make that happen.

- Washington Post

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: The presidency has denied that Nigeria’s economy is weak and wasted. How can the presidency know whether the economy is weak or strong, when its personal budget runs into billions of naira, and picks no electricity, food and water bills? What does the presidency lack, financially?

Yes, nothing. What do the legislators lack financially? Indeed, nothing.

The former President of America, Bill Clinton, who took time to study the situation, knows that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians are wallowing in abject poverty. The international community knows a lot about how Nigeria exports crude fuel, imports refined fuel, and the scam surrounding the enterprise perpetrated by the powers that be through cronies and proxies.

America and other well-meaning peoples and personalities advised President Goodluck Jonathan to engage in dialogue with Boko Haram, but he prefers to spend unlimited amount of money on the search for security.

With unbridled corruption and impunity, since the corruption is perpetrated by the rulers, how can the presidency insist that the economy is buoyant? That is because what we have in Nigeria is governance by deception. When you hear “I have no shoes”, don’t believe it. If you are told the government has done this or that, go and find out.

It is hoped that the All Progressive Congress will make a difference, but it must caution the cur-

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Presidency out of touch on economy rent opposition governors politicizing religion and banning commercial motorcycling insensitively.

Lack of sympathy for the less privileged is a major and prevalent problem in Nigeria, it pervades the entire society, and it is rampant. That is a major concern about most Ni-

S

gerian leaders.

Nigerian rulers’ priorities are more often than not misplaced. Take the case in which the National Assembly is asked to approve four billion naira to build a First Lady’s quarters? What is the place of the “First Lady” in Nigeria’s Constitution?

Yes, it is one of the newest idols that our Christian and Muslim rulers are serving in lieu of the old “idols”.

Unfortunately, contemporary idols are financially demanding much more than the ancient idols. Are there no halls where the “First Lady” can meet with her visitors if

Hope rises for educational reforms in Ekiti

IR: Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, may have finally struck the right chord to soothe the nerves of teachers with the recent reconstitution of the state’s executive council, which brought on board a respected, renowned teacher Kehinde Ojo, as Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.

Bringing in Ojo, a one-time Best Teacher of the Year in the state who retired as a permanent secretary in the education ministry could have been the governor’s most innovative way of emphasizing ‘education’ as the centre of his government’s developmental strategy.

It could have been the governor’s trick at securing the cooperation of

the bulk of Ekiti teachers who had hitherto suspected every move at improving their lot; perhaps until the state’s secondary schools were being standardized via impressive renovation and appreciable supply of teaching equipments.

The governor’s motive could have been anything positive but we wouldn’t have desired to know if the NUT (Ekiti State chapter) had not practically jumped for joy with booked slots of welcome adverts on radio in which they described Ojo as “one of our own” and “a round peg in a round hole” to thus, unwittingly, attract attention to Ekiti teachers again.

It has been a pleasant surprise to hear the teachers appreciate the appointment of the Commissioner

for Education, for there had been no such acknowledgement by teachers before. Not even the renovation of schools or the supply of teaching and sports equipments were applauded by the teachers.

When computers were supplied to secondary schools in Ekiti-State, the teachers didn’t appreciate it but rather went about whispering that the computers were being put to deplorable use by students while teachers, impliedly, folded their arms and looked the other side.

From all indications, the main headache of the Ekiti teachers has been the Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) which the state government had proposed to the chagrin of the teachers, a proposal which the teachers challenged

PDP, Kalu and his media trumpeters

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IR: Orji Uzor Kalu’s desperation to force himself on the people’s Democratic Party in Abia State has been amusing and irritating. The generality of Abians are appalled at what has become a band-wagon line up of whistle blowers who as it where, are taking turns in Kalu’s media platform to pitiably delude themselves into believing that Nigerians will be swayed by their deluge of white lies, which tried in vain to legalize illegalities and maliciously demonized Governor T.A. Orji whose meteoric credentials they struggled in vain to ridicule.

Kalu’s lackey’s and media hackers may have advanced their deadon-arrival case against T.A. Orji but for the generality of Nigerians, nay

she must? Very many roads need much less than a quarter billion naira to get solidly tarred; one billion can fix some dams, etc.

Most ordinary Nigerians are faced with hyper-inflation, but Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is insisting that Nigeria’s economy is robust.

Yes, she has to justify her resignation as the Managing-Director of the World Bank to become Nigeria’s Finance Minister. Unfortunately, don’t ask her anything about corruption in Nigeria, because she knows nothing about it, talk less of what to do about it. She is only a world-renowned economist.

• Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

Abians who are well versed in their masters questionable lifestyle, those ranting have been confined to the tinkling cymbal of a politician who has exhausted what remained of his once hailed relevance.

Kalu’s next gambit: “Njiko Igbo” is a bargaining chip, intended to unsettle Jonathan against his 2015 Presidential bid and force him to conscript him into the ruling People’s Democratic Party. Yet another colossal failure and the desperate Kalu, who has lost every sense of reasoning, stripped himself of his remaining dignity to approach the indifferent PDP for the second time no matter how insignificant the position was going to be. How is the once invincible Kalu

itching to go back to his vomit?

The right of association being bandied by Kalu’s cohorts will only fly in the event that one side to a party accepts the other side’s hand of fellowship. It is practically impossible for one side to force themselves on the other. In this wise, Kalu’s media attack dogs are saying crucify T.A. Orji, crucify T.A. Orji, our master breathed life into him, yet he betrayed him. Some have even alleged they were there, when T.A. Orji’s release from detention was negotiated et al.

These parochial and mischievous submissions pretended not to know about the superior favour of yester years, which compelled T.A. Orji to literarily take bullets for Kalu by opting to languish in detention in-

stead of betraying Kalu who obviously was the main target of economic and financial crimes commission.

Kalu’s ignorant media drummers will be battling with the pertinent reality of wanting to reconcile his touted popularity, against the overwhelming rejection trailing his yearning to come back to PDP. Kalu is at his best, when disaffection reigns and this background dossier has made the people weary of his come back bid, failure which the state will relapse back to its horrendous past. As a make believe leader, who has abysmally denigrated himself to irrelevance, I would rather we leave Kalu at that.

• Emmanuel Onyema, Aba, Abia State

and the political opposition took for ‘weeding test’ in a state where teaching had already been abandoned for institutionalized exam mal-practices with its attendant loss of professionalism in the system.

It is noteworthy that there has been no known moment of truce between the teachers and the state government since the controversy was thrown up. It has only reduced in intensity to a state of quietude with time, perhaps because the wellmeaning governor decided to shift his attention to developing school structures and supplying teaching equipments.

With Ojo, a model of professional teaching by all standards, coming in to mount the saddle at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ekiti State governor might just have simply intended to make a show of him, for teachers to see him as the standard to aim at, as the model to emulate, as an example of the gains or benefits of professionalism to professional teachers, an attestation to the saying that “the reward for hard work is more work”.

As he is returning to work, this time to reform education in a higher capacity, we have cause to heave a sigh of relief and expect things to happen more positively, more smoothly, more rapidly.

We hope that the warm embrace that the Ekiti State NUT has given him means that the man the teachers would work with has arrived and that Ekiti is likely to witness actions and a good rapport with the teachers in achieving desired results of educational reforms.

• Jide Oguntoye Oye Ekiti

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

COMMENTS

If I were President Jonathan

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HE Almighty God who created heaven and earth surely has purpose for all that He created. This is to say nothing, or nobody, was brought into this world without Divine rationale.

Destinies that are ordained from the beginning might have to pass through narrow and rough roads to fulfillment.

But whatever and whoever align with the purpose of the Creator, no matter the challenges and obstacles on the path, must end the journey of life gloriously. Unarguably, failure is not of God but of the devil. Many fail to end well when things of the world are made preference to rule.

Today, Nigeria that was once on the path of greatness has been downgraded. Rather than being lifted up, varied distractions are being ingrained to further tie down the glory of the nation. Leadership after leadership has been emerging; yet seeking and implementing solutions to challenges confronting the people hardly becomes priority.

Being in power over the massive millions of population, either under military dictatorship or civil democracy was a privilege. Those who manipulated their emergence to the throne or destined to ascend had the opportunity to excel and be glorified but could not attain the moment they started seeing their position as their right and being occupied by their power and authority. Instead of serving the people, they serve self interest. And this was why the length of years in office notwithstanding, legacies of value are found wanting today.

Whether we admit it or not, Nigeria is continually being relegated because of unrighteousness that is allowed to be reigning and ruling over the affairs of the land. All what are naturally bestowed on the nation should by now be making the glory to shine. But the devil has implanted all sorts of atrocities – corruption, fraudulence, kidnapping, robbery, killing, cheating, selfishness, deceitfulness and many others.

The genuine and unadulterated hands that ought to be upholding and propping up the nation are being withered instead of being strengthened. Those privileged to be aligned to power hardly see nothing wrong in stinking immorality and indecency as long as they are positioned to benefit from the loots of the land. Many struggle to remain in power more for self-enrichment rather than serving the people for the development and promotion of the country. Things are failing to work fundamentally and the

T

HE news of the decision by Joseph Ratzinger, the cerebral but conservative German Catholic priest to resign as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome came as a big surprise to both the adherents of Roman Catholicism and the other faiths the world over.

Given the place and the role of the papacy in the affairs of the world, most people could not fathom the idea of a Pope resigning from his enviable ecclesiastical duties with all the attention and positioning that surround the office.

Apparently, the explanation by Pope Benedict XVI, in his notice of resignation to the effect that he is physically incapacitated to continue with his headship of the church is not convincing enough to sceptics. One of these bashers and pugilists of the Church and Pope Benedict XVI is A.H. Wilson who in his recent essay published in Newsweek tries to make disparaging comments bordering on the age and origin of popes. As Wilson in the said article attests to, the Pope is both ‘God’s Rottweiller’ and the people’s shepherd. This means that age and place of origin of the pope are extremely irrelevant in matters that concern religion and the fate of man/woman in his/her continual quest for the meaning of existence and salvation. The world is terribly in turmoil and most of the gains and values heralded by modernity are vanishing with such rapidity that is sweeping humanity and its essence away. In such a world, a Pope immersed in conservative values opposed to rampaging liberalist values and conjectures is a necessary welcome development to nudge humanity along the path charted by the almighty.

There is no doubting the fact that secular idiocies and wanton inanities have crowded Christendom even to the point of dictating and directing its trajectory, blurring the boundary between the sacred and the profane. Many Christian faiths especially the Pentecostal wing engage in all kinds of jockeying gambits aimed at being relevant in a world that has lost its meaning and edifying ramparts. Prosperity proselytizing is the order of the day as those who are in dire need of eking out bare existence in a world that is dominated by exploiters of the highest order riven with class contradictions and rifts are deceived more and abandoned.

Both the poor and those seeking for more in their quest for attention and position are in most cases conned by these new church owners and preachers who employ all kinds of tools to deceive the people. Indeed, the state of hopelessness and the accompanying angst and ennui present humanity with many challenges and options. These options must be guided and directed by reason and forthrightness.

It is instructive to note that the western church is thoroughly embroiled in crises of immense proportions. In the name of liberalism and human rights, those who are entrusted with the responsibility of attending to the spiritual needs of the people have taken it upon themselves to ravish the people and their souls with reckless abandon. The Church of England in-cahoots with some of its American counterparts have in the name of liberalism condoned same-sex

nation is not moving forward because of self-centeredness.

Yet, those in government would still step forward pretending to be defending the president by saying what they know is not true. They are refusing to see the senselessness in the assertion by some so-called international rating agencies upgrading the country’s economic standing when the reality of the penury in the land is practically visible.

Events pouring out from the ruling authorities in the last few weeks are becoming more discouraging. Politics to satisfy self-interest is overwhelming focus on resolving the nation’s afflictions. People who know what is right are choosing to hang on to what is evidently erroneous. It is as if they see Nigerians as ignorant and senseless of their parlous situations.

Midway to tenureship, there is now diversion from assessing and consolidating whatever has been attained (if any) to how positions in office will be retained. Even as a purported “good governance” ministerial tour is having fun across the nation, it is as if those in power are not getting genuine feedback from the populace. And this is where Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan comes in.

That Dr. Jonathan is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today is not by his power. He has acknowledged severally how the grace of God has moved him from being a shoeless kid to becoming the number one citizen. This is to say that he was ordained from his mother’s womb in remote Otuoke to wearing the crown in the presidential villa. His story has not been an automatic easy pathway to the top. Challenges confronting others were the ones lifting him up. So, he is what he is today not by the error of God. But let us imbibe wisdom to learn vital lessons from the lives of others. The scripture has it how the likes of Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and Herod were rulers over the world, yet failed at points of their reigns. What happened in the ancient days is still being repeated over and over in contemporary times. Close to us in Africa, the stories of Egypt’s deposed President Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s butchered Muammer Gaddafi and South Africa’s glorified Nelson Mandela are classical local realities that it is not how long one stays in office that matters, but how well. It is possible to end disastrously and also probable to hands off gloriously. The choice is made available by the Maker.

It is the duty of patriots to pray continually for the leadership of the nation because if the will of God is allowed to manifest, they too will become beneficiaries of the good of the land. But is our president responding to the counsel of those who truly love him or is he succumbing to the selfish advocacy of those around him who care less seeing him impact positively on the people? Is the president being encouraged to inspire all those in position of authority to be committed and be devoted to pull the nation out of stagnancy?

Let’s put partisanship aside and face reality. Has the ruling party been moving the nation forward since 1999?

Can a party that just wants to hold on to power for the sake of control be of needful significance to a challenged nation? The depressing thing is that the internal battle going on now is not in the interest of Nigeria but aimed at achieving personal desires. The on-going struggle in the Governors’ Forum is a distraction that cannot bring forth meaningful progress through the ruling party.

If the opposition is merging to present a formidable alternative, so be it. It is essential that a party in power be enforced to perform on its campaign promises if it is made to know that the people must have a choice at the next election. An attack from the opponent ought to inspire the serious-minded to aspire to go higher. An eagle would not hit back on the obstacle on its path, but would just flap its wings and soar higher. Afterall, our national football team, the Super Eagles had numerous challenges ahead of the last AFCON in South Africa. The team was condemned and ruled out of success. And indeed, it started sluggishly and barely struggled to qualify from its group.

But with a determined spirit and focus on its purpose, the team moved up step-by-step and ended up victoriously as the winner.

If I were President Jonathan, I will pick a crucial lesson from the Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi. I will not let my personal aspiration, even when still not publicly declared, divert my attention from impactful performances capable of truly transforming the life of the people. I will not be shaken by governors working on their political aspirations or opponents condemning me. I will not be afraid even if it is true that the legislative arms are laying landmines for me. I will not sweat to restore a Mr. Fixer without political integrity, looking unto him to re-install me into the office he did not create me to occupy.

Was I to be privileged to be Mr. President, I will prefer to look up to my creator whose grace has made me to become who I am because I know He can give the vision of my mission. Listening to Him and not to deceitful politicians and selfish advisers would mean pursuing His will that would ensure excellent performance to meet the desire of the people.

If I were President Jonathan, I will always talk to the people I am serving in humility and not in arrogance and annoyance. Afterall, if not for them, I will not be where I am. I will work to fulfill all my promises and will always put my ears to their chest to hear from them and not from the unfaithful liars the enemy has placed to surround me to satisfy their personal interests.

May the Lord visit our president and empower him to implement the actual agenda that will transform and lift this nation out of the miry clay of retrogression.

As Pope Benedict XVI retires

By Chijioke Uwasomba marriages even amongst the priestly caste. For years, the former Prelate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Akinola with other African Anglican Bishops fought a bitter war with the leadership of the Church of England and its willing counterparts in America and elsewhere over their acceptance of degrading and dehumanizing lifestyles that question the core of ethical values. Many priests in the West are alleged to harbour and engage in sexual activities even with children under their care. The strong allegation of a gay network inside the Vatican is making its rounds alongside wild allegations of financial impropriety.

What crystallizes from the above is that the universal church is divided along two lines-those who in the name of liberalism indulge in all sorts of activities that are not in tandem with God’s wish and will for mankind, and another group seen as conservative because of the latter’s insistence that the mission of Christ on earth as dictated by God should not be allowed to be trifled with in the name of excessive human right promotion. The resolution of the disagreement between these two forces has serious ramifications for Christendom, and necessary implication to the entire world at large. It will amount to a naïve thinking to assume that the conservatives will have their way without a serious fight.

It is in recognition of the above, that whoever takes over from Pope Benedict XVI, should be one who must at all times not give in to the liberals who are bent on enshrining a freefor all etiquette that only satisfies human beings and their longings and desires, at the expense of the well-cherished injunction of God. Christians are saved by faith in Christ and as Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr, the renowned American Civil Rights activist posited, Salvation is by faith in God, and that penance cannot be bought by money, but the just shall live by faith. The ways of God are not determined by the mundane and capricious fancies of men, but by righteousness and holiness.

The universal church of today, operating in a world characterized by all sorts of shenanigans, driven by an unfeeling capitalism with its damning consequences for the poor and the meek, must be protective of the human soul with the assurance that there is life after our earthly sojourn. In the realisation of the stated will of God for humanity, apostles of Christ cannot but lead with sincerity, selflessness, conviction, authority, wisdom and unflinching commitment to the ‘truth’. It is by so doing that those ‘brood of vipers’ with their hypocritical stunts can be defeated as their activities are not sustainable.

As Pope Benedict XVI retires, it is incumbent on the Con-

clave of Cardinals to elect a man as pious and conservative as the retiring Pope. Age and the hemisphere that one comes from should not be among the criteria for choosing the Pope.

After all, the Cardinals are led by the Holy Spirit and their choice is a product of divine directive and support. Many commentators in their analyses of the goings on in the Vatican have made many suggestions including the type of Pope they want. The head of the church is a divine leader with God’s mandate to prosecute. It is not like other secular authorities in which geo-political and other frivolous considerations are given free reign. The secular has no business in the church of God. What remains paramount to the church of God is the capacity to nourish the body and the spirit of the faithful with a view to ensuring that the salvational creed is preached anywhere in the world irrespective of hostilities from satanic forces. The new Pope does not need to be an African, Asian, American, European, etc. God’s ministry is opposed to classifications along racial and class lines.

Most of the former Popes in spite of their ages and places of origin were very charming and gentle and as the moral consciences of a debased world spoke for the poor, the elderly, the exploited, and even the underdeveloped. Pope Benedict XVI continued with this tradition. Perhaps, the new Pope should be made to accelerate these reforms started by the retiring Pope especially in the area of Catholic theology whose purport will emphasise the cardinal goals of the Church and de-emphasise the creeping destructive values that may rubbish the church if not checked.

It is meet to state that the Pope is well until he dies. This is wishing Joseph Ratzinger happy life in his retirement as a Pope for he remains an apostle of the Christian Church. The Christian Church needs more God’s Rottweillers like him.

• Uwasomba is of the Department of English, OAU, Ile-Ife

‘Many commentators in their analyses of the goings on in the Vatican have made many suggestions including the type of Pope they want. The head of the church is a divine leader with God’s mandate to prosecute. It is not like other secular authorities in which geopolitical and other frivolous considerations are given free reign’

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

22

COMMENTS

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HEN recently former president Olusegun Obasanjo unleashed a tirade against President Goodluck Jonathan, I had observed in this column that Obasanjo has embarked on a journey which nobody dared when he held sway without severe repercussions. This conclusion was largely informed by his strong aversion to and intolerance of criticisms especially from public functionaries.

Then, you dare criticize or challenge his influence at the risk of having all manner of subterfuge pulled against you including but not limited to unleashing the all powerful EFCC just to settle scores. And those who had the effrontery to nurse presidential ambition without his consent saw the rough side of him. Ask former Rivers state Governor Peter Odili how he had to chicken out of his presidential ambition at the last minute. And what happened to Audu Ogbeh the then national chairman of the PDP for attempting to assert his independence?

Such was the high level of intolerance of that era that many had likened him to a dictator masquerading as a democrat. Then, the fear of Obasanjo was the beginning of wisdom.

It was therefore curious reading Obasanjo’s criticisms of Jonathan on sundry issues and even leading a coalition of the PDP governors and the party’s National Working Committee against him. We saw how the party’s decision in the Adamawa crisis was upturned to spite the president and the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. We saw how the election of the chairman, Board of Trustees of the party was severally stalled until just last week when Jonathan woke up from the slumber and tried to

‘Jonathan, like Obasanjo his mentor has definitely succumbed to the corrupting influences of power and logic of self preservation. And in the matter of the election of the chairman of the Board of Trustees BOT of the party, he has also demonstrated very strikingly that he is no alien of the game of self survival’

L

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Jonathan going Obasanjo’s way rescue himself from an apparent loss of control of the party. Obasanjo was said to be the unseen hand in all those events to whittle down the powers of Jonathan.

All these tended to portray the picture of a weak president or one who was bereft of the right ideas on how to confront the mounting challenges increasingly eroding the credibility of his regime.

Questions were raised as to why in and out of government, Obasanjo still remained the dominant character shaping the course of events. This became more puzzling given that even when he is known to have fallen out of favour with the government, Jonathan did not seem to have a handle on him.

Not unexpectedly, the scenario began to raise some possibilities in the minds of discerning members of the public. Some of these were that perhaps, Jonathan was afraid of Obasanjo, his towering stature and background as an army general. The fact that he literally picked and installed him both as a vice president and in his present capacity, further created doubts as to whether Jonathan could possibly turn against his mentor.

But all these doubts began to fizzle out last week with some actions initiated by the president to regain firm control of his party and the government and unambiguously reassert his capacity to bite. So it was when in a pre-determined meeting at the seat of government, a new body known as the PDP Governors Forum emerged with Akwa Ibom state Governor, Godswill Akpabio as chairman.

Apparently buoyed by the success of that election, Akpabio was to announce soon after that the new outfit became imperative to enable them

ET’s take a close look at the seat of government in France, Great Britain and United States of America, in comparison to our own- the Presidential Villa which we refer to often, as Aso Rock in Abuja.

Downing Street is the seat of the British government. It was named after Sir George Downing (1623-1684). It is a street in the West End of London- Westminster, in central London.

Along the street, the British Foreign Ministry is located, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister is also located there. It has been so since the time of Sir Robert Walpole (1721-1742).

Tourists go there often. It belongs to the British people.

Prime ministers often test their popularity or the acceptability of their policies, through the mood of those who gather often along that street.

The Elysee Palace in Paris has been the official residence of the President of France, since 1873. The palace is on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. It was built in 1718 and was once property of Mme de Pampadour. The landlord of the palace is France and the first tenant was Louis XVIII brother of King Louis XVI. General Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970) once said that Elysee Palace is the only barometer through which he feels the heat of France.

Elysee Palace is a pride to every Frenchman. Pictures of the palace form part of the architecture of France. If you get to Paris and you want to get to the palace, just to view the place or photograph it, you will be welcome.

When the United States government moved to the largely unfinished new capital at Washington, DC, in 1800, President John Adams and his wife Abigail entered with some trepidation into the executive mansion.

After the design competition had been won by Hoban, construction began in1792 and the original structure was built by 1800 at an estimated cost of $400,000.

When President Thomas Jefferson (who had submitted a lasting design) moved into the White House in 1801, he began energetically planning additions, but these were not finished until after the mansion was partly burnt by the British during the War of 1812. It was painted white for the first time under James Madison, filled with elegant French furniture by James Monroe and graced with indoor plumbing by Andrew Jackson and given the official designation ‘White House’ by Theodore Roosevelt.

The White House contains 54 major rooms and including porticos, measures 168 feet in length by 152 feet in width. It is surrounded by more than 18acres of landscaped lawns and gardens.

The White House is normally open from 10 a.m. to 12.00 noon Tuesday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in summer. Only the public rooms on the ground floor and state floor may be visited. As everyone knows, it is the residence of the President of the United States.

do away with the Judases in their midst. This was a veiled reference to some PDP governors known to be anti-Jonathan. Among them is Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers state who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum NGF. Not only has he been very critical of the Jonathan administration, the move is part of the strategy to weaken the growing influence of the NGF which he leads and his loyalty to Obasanjo. It was for the same reason that election into that body was stalled with the government making frantic efforts to see to it that he does not return.

Since then, Tukur has been telling whoever cared to hear that the PDP will field a consensus candidate for that post come May. That candidate can be any person but definitely not Amaechi. It is also very instructive that Akpabio emerged from the South-south as the new leader of the PDP governors. That choice definitely forecloses the chances of Amaechi irrespective of the support he enjoys from some of his colleagues and governors of the opposition parties.

With that, Jonathan has put at bay the overbearing influence Obasanjo on the NGF and PDP governors which in the last couple of months had generated tension and paralyzed activities in that party. We also saw how key personages loyal to Obasanjo have been edged out of their posts in the party including that of the national secretary.

So who says Jonathan cannot bite? Even Jonathan with his seemingly gentle mien and non controversial disposition could also succumb to the prism that power corrupts and

absolute power corrupts absolutely? Jonathan, like Obasanjo his mentor has definitely succumbed to the corrupting influences of power and logic of self preservation. And in the matter of the election of the chairman of the Board of Trustees BOT of the party, he has also demonstrated very strikingly that he is no alien of the game of self survival.

Loquacious Jerry Gana did the magic. His committee did the ‘wonderful’ job that enabled Jonathan to install Chief Tony Anenih as his choice BOT chairman without Obasanjo and haven did not fall. Obasanjo is no longer talking. He may have recoiled to his shells. Who says Jonathan has not succeeded in silencing him at least for now?

The scenario playing out is akin to what Obasanjo did to Ibrahim Babangida and Atiku Abubakar when he was in power. Obasanjo may have after all, fallen victim of the monsters he created during his autocratic regime. It is nemesis. That is the danger in playing god with temporary power. That is the folly of those who see power as an end unto itself rather than a means to approximate public good. That is the inherent dysfunction of creating personality cult around leaders instead of building self-sustaining institutions and structures. It is largely on account of these institutional weaknesses that very ambitious and self-serving leaders manipulate the rules to satisfy their selfish predilections. Africa is replete with such characters and Jonathan is not immune to the dire repercussions of such monsters.

At the centre of the current manipulations by Jonathan is his desire to run for another term.

Though he is constitutionally entitled to another term, the circumstance of his ascension to power and the realities of the power equation in the country are such that some shoulders would be ruffled if he runs. That was the purport of the reminder by the Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu that he signed a single term pact with the governors before the 2011 elections.

Events of the primaries of the PDP for that election, account for the escalation of insecurity in the country. The situation is bound to polarize with the current bickering in that party over the presidential ticket in 2015. Yet, Jonathan’s posters have once again appeared on the streets of Abuja. Tukur has said that he has a right to run. Other key officials like Kema Chikwe have equally been drumming up support for Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.

Jonathan silence or ambivalence in the face of these weighty campaigns for him can be taken as acquiescence. And like his estranged godfather Obasanjo, he is set to uproot all obstacles to that ambition. How this will eventually work out and its larger repercussion for the polity is only a matter of time. But the future is loaded, very loaded indeed!

The synthetic of Aso Rock

By Eric Teniola On August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (72) toppled General Muhammadu Buhari (71) and was proclaimed President of Nigeria by the then General Officer Commanding Second Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army based in Ibadan, Major General Sanni Abacha.

On December 20, 1986, the then Minster of Defence Major General Domkat Bali (73) announced that the government had uncovered a plot to overthrow the government of General Babangida.

Major General Ajiya Mamman Vatsa (1940-1986) and others were implicated in the coup attempt and those found guilty including Major General Vatsa were executed on March 5,1986 following a trial headed by the Delta State born Major General Charles Ndiomu.

Other members of the tribunal were Major Akin Kejawa, Brigadier Yohanna Kure, Commodore Murtala Nyako, Colonel Rufus Kupolati, Group Captain Tony Ikazohbo, Lt. Col. Dansogo Muhammed and Police Commissioner Mamman Nassarawa.

On April 20, 1990, another coup attempt was made on General Babangida’s government in Lagos by Major Gideon Gwaza Orkar and others.

After a military trial headed by the then General Officer Commanding the First Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu (72), 42 of the coup plotters including Major Orkar, Captains Nimibowei, Harley Empere and Perebo Aboela Dakolo, Lts. Awokoya, Akogun, Cyril Okusor Ozoalor and Nicholas Odey and second Lieutenants Arthur Badenyinte Nmukoro, E.J. Esuku and Emmanuel Alade were executed on July 27, 1990 in Lagos.

But nine others were declared wanted including: Lt-Col. G.A.A. Nyiam; Majors Saliba D. Mukoro, C.O. Obahor, C.O. Edoga; Captains V.S. Tolofari and B.I. Ozeigbe; and Lts S.O.S. Echendu, A.H. Ogboru, P.C. Obasi and also Chief Great Ogboru.

In a recent television interview, General Babangida disclosed that but for Captain Bade Omowa from Oka, Akoko area of Ondo State who smuggled him out of Dodan Barracks in an Old Volkswagen car, anything could have happened to him. His then A.D.C., Lt. Col. Usman K. Bello was not that providential, for he died in the failed coup.

So as to prevent another coup in Lagos and obsessed with insecurity in Lagos, General Babangida on December 12, 1991 moved the presidency from Dodan Barracks to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ignoring the gradual movement as was done in Brazil and as recommended by Dr. Akinola Aguda’s committee which was inaugurated on August 5, 1975 by the former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed.

By the time General Babangida landed in the Presidential Villa in Abuja on that sunny day, there was no accommodation for his top

aides including his then deputy, Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu (Oct. 20, 1939 to August 17, 2011) except for them to sleep in hotels.

Between 1991 till he handed over power to his appointed successor, Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan (77) on August 26, 1993, Babangida was literally guiding his personal safety.

In short he went to hide in the Presidential Villa in Abuja and not to govern, hence the terrible mistakes he made in the last months of his regime including the annulment of the Presidential election, which is still his affecting his destiny.

He moved to Abuja to cache.

He glued himself to the villa, constructing structures in the villa and other parts of Abuja while the rest of the country was getting poorer.

General Babangida and his other successors made Abuja an El Dorado while the rest of the country is still wallowing in poverty and neglect.

You need to see the villa; it was designed purely to cut off the people. It is anti-people. It occupies one-tenth of the whole Central district of Abuja and it is one of the biggest Presidential Villas in the world with a large undeveloped space. If you enter the villa is as if you are in a golden palace.

The tragedy in our Presidential system of Government is that the people really have no role. Once they vote, until the next four years, they are completely ignored.

It is only the executives and legislators that profit from this our democracy.

We have a system of government that slights the people and a Presidential Villa that has completely fenced them.

Double punishment.

Worse still, they are now constructing an express lane from the villa to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in Abuja, which will make our leaders to be completely invincible to the people.

Pity.

• Teniola retired from The Presidency

‘In short he went to hide in the Presidential Villa in Abuja and not to govern, hence the terrible mistakes he made in the last months of his regime including the annulment of the Presidential election, which is still his affecting his destiny’

E

FE Ambrose has said he has a positive mind ahead of the UEFA Champions League second leg game against Juventus in Italy on Wednesday March 6, 2013 despite the first leg result.

Ambrose returned from winning the Africa Cup of Nations in order to help his team secure home points, only to make errors that cost Celtic two of the three goals conceded in Scotland, and the Nigerian is ready to make it up to Celtic.

I’m the kind of player who really likes working and playing. I love my job and this club and they really needed me at that point to help them qualify, although it didn’t work out the way it was supposed to, said Ambrose on express.co.uk “You just have to think positively.

There’s nothing we can do about the first game now and the most important thing is to leave it behind and look forward to the next.

“It’s going to be difficult but nothing is impossible in football. Anything can happen, as we have seen before.

“We can wish for a miracle and it could be the day that everything works in our favour.

“But Juve are a good, hungry side who want success. Winning the Italian championship last year gave them a taste for doing more in Europe. They have young players and are building a team. They are like we are.

The Super Eagles' player could be getting set for national duty as Coach Stephen Keshi may include him in the squad that will host Kenya in a world cup qualifier on March 23 in Calabar.

25

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ISSUES

JOBS

Market making: The gains, the risks - P. 27 News Briefing $180m content scheme set for take-off The planned pilot scheme on how to use the Nigerian Content Fund meant to aid Nigerian oil and gas companies secure loans from banks for projects and capacity development, will start this month, it was learnt.

- Page 26

‘Nigeria loses N90b to tax evasion’ Nigeria lost N90 billion ($550million) in revenue from tax evasion to the grey market of the automobile industry of the country over the last four years, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Bismark Rewane, has said.

- Page 26

Investors stake N296b on bonds, equities Investors staked about N298 billion on equities and bonds as the equities market grappled with negative swings. They staked N24.63 billion shares on 2.28 billion shares in 28,170 deals last week. On the Over-theCounter (OTC) bond market, where the Federal Government’s bonds are traded, investors staked N273.31 billion on 219.02 million units through 1,158 deals.

- Page 34 DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.560 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation 11.9% Treasury Bills 7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending - 15.87% Savings rate 2% 91-day NTB 15% Time Deposit 5.49% MPR 12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

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

-Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

ICT still holds the ace - P. 37

More brokers opt for debt forbearance • AMCON offers concessions M to reluctant dealers ORE highly ind e b t e d stockbroking firms are opting for debt forbearance from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as broker explore opportunities of business combination to deepen capital and competencies.

The Nation’s investigation showed that the number of stockbrokers that have opted to take debt forbearance has risen from 54 to 59 stockbrokers, leaving 25 indebted brokers yet to embrace the bailout.

A source close to AMCON said the total forbearance value would be about N11 billion, which represents the difference between the N27 billion value of securities paid by the corporation and

• Industry faces consolidation

By Taofiq Salako

current value of about N16 billion.

According to the source, AMCON will open a window of dialogue with the remaining stockbrokers to find out their constraints and amenable ways of resolving the debts.

The source hinted that the corporation might consider the possibility of granting certain concessions and flexibility that could encourage the brokers to quickly resolve their outstanding debt overhang.

“There is a possibility that

‘Why some states are yet to pass their budget’

T

HE inability of states to key into the intricacies of the new financial reforms in the country as well as float an effective Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) programme are some of the reasons many states are yet to pass their 2013 budget, The Nation has learnt.

A Commissioner of Finance from the Southeast explained that the delay stemmed from transiting to the new Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTE), which is new to states.

He said many of the governors, commissioners of finance, state budget offices and state legislators were learning the details of MTE. The new financial reform and the global fiscal responsibility provisions, he said, have been instituted to guide states in the preparation of their budgets.

The norm is that the budget is passed by the end of the year so that it becomes effective in the New Year.

However, in 2013, the commissioner said many states including those that had passed their 2013 budgets made their projections on the basis of last year in anticipation of when the new budget is passed.

He lamented that many states were slow in preparing their budgets for this year, because they failed to use last year’s or 2010 budget as a guide in the preparation of the new budget, adjustments, which he said “can be made after if there are variations between the projections and what actually manifests.”

Another reason for the delay in the take-off of the budget in many states was

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor), Abuja

the “horse trading between governors and legislatures like at the federal level.”

Another Commissioner of Finance from the Southwest noted: “A lot of states totally depend on the federal budget before they prepare their own.”

States with vibrant Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) programme, the Finance commissioner said, “have prepared and passed their budget, but others are waiting for the Federal Government budget.”

The commissioner disclosed that many states got their fingers burnt in the 2012 fiscal year when they assumed that the Federal Government would implement its planned deregulation policy.

The failure of the deregulation policy the commissioner said affected some state governments’ budgetary process for the year. Consequently, he said states decided to be cautious, especially with the benchmark this year’s budget that had caused a rift between the executive and legislators.

“Last year, some states expected deregulation, but when it did not materialise they were disappointed so they had to adjust their budget. They do not want that to happen to them again this year. That is why the budget is being delayed.”

All the states have presented their budgets to their various state assemblies, but only a handful ,such as Lagos, Ogun, Anambra and Delta states have started implementing their 2013 budgets.

those (brokers) that do not accept the forbearance want to pay or come for discussions because of the strict conditions attached to the forbearance deal. But AMCON is open for discussions, the brokers can and discuss how they want to pay,” she said.

The increasing recourse to forbearance came on the heels of increased tempo of business combination in the stockbroking industry.

Market sources and official reports indicated that stockbrokers might have evolved self-induced business consolidation to enhance the competitiveness of the trade group and build up enormous

capital and other resources needed to compete with foreign and domestic investment banking and advisory firms.

Official report from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed increasing requests for business consolidation among stockbroking firms.

Market sources said they expected the number of stockbroking firms to reduce considerably in the period ahead as more business combinations come to fruition.

According to sources, stockbrokers, who are mostly sole proprietorships, are now more than before open to discussions on mergers and acquisitions, given the shrinking operating space for small firms in the industry.

There are 300 stockbroking firms trading at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Stockbrokers earn barely four per

cent as total brokerage on complete buy and sale stockbroking transaction.

Although several stockbrokers are registered for other functions such as corporate finance and investment advisory, they face strong competition from banks, insurance and other financial services companies, which provide similar functions.

Besides, regulatory requirements stipulate different capital for each function, which limits the capacity of small firms from adding functions to their basic stockbroking licence.

A market source pointed out that though the risk-based capital requirement regime being proposed for the industry may still allow small firms, the convergence of foreign and domestic big players would continue to put pressures on small firms.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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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 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 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. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

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LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

but the board through the fund would guarantee and pay up to 50 percent of the interest accruals on a loan a beneficiary company is seeking from a bank.

The Chairman of PETAN, Emeka Ene, said the pilot scheme, which would have started much earlier, would take off this month. He said the delay was due to time spent on educating the banks on the unique nature of oil and gas projects and how the fund would be used through the banking system.

He said: “In case of the pilot scheme, the financing process is much slower than we anticipated simply because the board has been educating the banking system on the unique structure of oil and gas projects and the deployment of the fund.

“The NCDMB has been partnering with PETAN to see how

this can be rolled out. We expect that the pilot will be in place by March. From there, other companies can tap into the Nigerian Content Fund to grow their companies and be able to fund their contracts with lower cost finance.”

On PETAN’s partnership with NCDMB on the building of industrial parks in the Niger Delta, Ene said: “On the initiative that was announced by the Executive Secretary, I think it is targeted at the grassroots entrepreneurship and manufacturing. The idea is to make some investments at the grassroots where it matters. For instance, simple nuts and bolts, most of them are imported and the technology for manufacturing nuts and bolts is not rocket science.

“Therefore, by going to the grassroots and creating these industrial parks, the idea is to create the enabling environments where these equipment and services would readily available and affordable for the industry.

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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

HE planned pilot scheme on how to use the Nigerian Content Fund meant to aid Nigerian oil and gas companies secure loans from banks for projects and capacity development, will start this month, it was learnt.

The fund was established in view of the constraints experienced by local firms in accessing loans from banks. By virtue of the Act establishing the fund, one per cent of contracts in the oil and gas industry go into the fund, which has netted about $180 million.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, said the board would start a pilot scheme with two or three member-companies of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) on how the fund would be used.

He also explained that the deployment of fund is structured in such a way that cash would not be given to a beneficiary company,

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

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$180m content fund scheme set for take-off T

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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: Mr Adefemi Adewusi of e-Business Group, Sterling Bank Plc; Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna North, Malam Mohammed Rabiu; Chairman, Dynatech Solutions System Limited, Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar Bello, and Group Head, Retail Lending, Mrs. Kikelomo Kuponiyi, at the signing of an agreement between Sterling Bank and Dynatech in Kaduna ... at the weekend.

T

AMCON hires receiver/manager for Fiogret’s assets

HE Asset Management of Nigeria (AMCON) has again bared its fang on one of its debtors - Fiogret Limited. It has appointed a receiver/manager for “the entire undertakings, stocks, goodwill, plant and machinery, moveable and fixed assets,”of Fiogret Limited.

The corporation said its decision to appoint Kunle Ogunba (SAN) as the receiver of Fiogret assets was in line with a deed of mortgage debenture dated February 1, 2008 registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

AMCON said the deed of appointment of the receiver dated November 2, 2012 has equally been registered with the CAC. It listed some of the company’s

By Eric Ikhilae

properties in possession of the receive/manager to include 43, Norman Williams Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; Plots 230-234 Ikorodu, Owutu-Ikorodu, Lagos; Plot 15 Layi Ajayi Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos; Etete Road, off Benin-Sapele Road, Benin City and East West Road, Rumuokwurush Obio/Akpo Local Government Area, Rivers State.

AMCON, in an advertorial dated March 1, 2013 and signed by Ogunba, urged all debtors to Fiogret to pay directly to the receiver/manager.

The company’s creditors are also to send proof of claims to Ogunba within 14 days of the publication of the advertorial in newspapers.

It urged all banks and other financial institutions currently in custody of deposits, cash and other assets of Fiogret to continue to hold them until the receiver/manager issues further instructions “in accordance with the pre-emptive orders of court in suit: FHC/L/CS/63/2013 pending within the bosom of the Federal High Court, Lagos division.

“All holders of such deposits should contact the receiver/manager, stating the balance and where secured facilities are granted, the type of security attached should be disclosed,” AMCON said.

Nigeria loses N90b to tax evasion, says Rewane

N

IGERIA lost N90 billion ($550million) in revenue from tax evasion to the grey market of the automobile industry of the country over the last four years, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr Bismark Rewane has said.

In a report released weekend, he said the loss was equivalent to 4.5 per cent of the total exports of Kenya or four per cent of the total exports of Ghana. “This amount could fund the construction of one petroleum refinery or a modern power station with 1000 Mega Watts capacity. On a leveraged basis of one is to three (1:3), it can finance the rehabilitation of two seaports and two modern airports. With an income per capita of

By Collins Nweze

$1500 and infrastructure gap of $200 billion, “he said.

The expert said in some cases, automobiles that are destined for land-locked nations such as Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and transshipped through the ports find their way to the Nigerian market and custom duty payment is avoided in the process.

He said the FDC Lagos urban inflation rose by 1.39 per cent to 12.77 per cent in February from 11.38 per cent in January.

He said the increase was mainly attributable to a rise in the prices of a few items with higher weights in the index Rewane said the Monetary Policy

Committee (MPC) will meet on March 18 to determine what monetary policy action to employ in a benign inflation environment.

According to him, the naira may depreciate marginally due to lower interest rates, leading to a reduction in foreign investors’ appetite for government debt instruments and lead to capital flight. With the high external reserves level (currently at $47.3 billion), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) willingness and ability to support the naira could increase in the near term.

He said the strength and direction of the naira against foreign currencies is critical to importers of raw materials, adding that a weak currency will increase the cost of imported goods and may erode manufacturers’ profits.

Price of rice soars as govt hikes import duty

By Oluwakemi Dauda

T

HE price of rice has gone up astronomically, following the 100 per cent special levy imposed on the importation of the commodity by the Federal Government.

Yet, the duty on rice in other parts of West Africa is 10 per cent.

On January 1, this year, the Federal Government raised the Special Levy on imported parboiled rice from 40 per cent to 100 per cent.

With the 10 per cent statutory duty on rice added to the figure, importers pay 110 per cent duty on importer rice.

A 50kg bag of Mama Gold, Royal umbrella, Carp rice, Tomato, Royal Stallion, Oriba, Indian parboiled, Special rice, Royal Crown sells for between N9,500 and N12, 000, depending on the market and the brand at some major markets in Lagos.

They include Daleko, Oshodi, Agege, Iyana-Ipaja, Igando, IyanaIba, Sura at Adeniji and Alaba Rago markets.

Most marketers said the increase in the levy has serious implications for the economy and Nigerians, whose major food is rice.

A trader at Daleko Market, Lagos,Mrs Medinah Abiodun, blamed the government for the increase.

Before the increase, Mrs Abiodun said a 50kg bag of rice sold for between N7,200 and N8,000.

A trader at Alaba Rago market, Mallam Audu Habeeb, said the rise in the cost of rice is affecting their business.

Those that are making gains, he said, are smugglers.“Those of us that are buying Nigerian rice are making less than N40 per bag while the smugglers are making as much as N350 and N400 per bag,” he said

Cocoa production increases to 75% in 25 years

By Toba Agboola

L

OCAL production of cocoa has been raised from 25 per cent to 75 per cent between 1987 and 2013.

Speaking with The Nation, the Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Peter Onwualu, said the Council achieved this in the last 25 years, adding that over 2,000 jobs were created.

He said over the years, RMRDC developed policy guidelines and action programmes on raw materials acquisition, exploitation and development.

“RMRDC has consistently pursued a central mandate aimed at promoting the exploitation, development and utilisation of local raw materials with the objective of accelerating the emergence and growth of research and development of process technology required by resource based industries in Nigeria,” Onwualu said.

Onwualu blamed inadequate technological capacity of Nigerians for the low level of use of local raw materials.

He said almost every attempt to use local raw materials for production was inhibited by the high cost occasioned by importation of all equipment which could have been produced locally.

He said there is need to build the capacity of Nigerians to go beyond the processing of raw materials alone to the fabrication of equipment and machines needed for processing. “I believe that there is a new zeal, but in all these, the major constraint is lack of local capacity, lack of local capacity for technology, and that is why we are talking about research.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

27

ISSUES From optimism to scepticism, market making is at the heart of growing concerns about the prospects of the capital market, reports TAOFIK SALAKO

• Trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Market making: The gains, the risks N

IGERIAN equities are setting new highs. With a full-year average return of 35.4 per cent implying accretion of about N2.44 trillion in capital gains to investors last year, a strong start this year has seen most equities rising.

The stock market opened last week with a year-to-date return of about 19 per cent, indicating addition of almost N1.71 trillion in capital gains in the past two months.

Beyond the fundamentals, one of the initiatives driving the market is the introduction of market making by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The NSE introduced the market making initiative on September 18, last year with an initial portfolio of 16 stocks. Market making refers to the system of providing liquidity to securities through provision of bid and of-

fer prices in the trading system of a stock exchange. A member of the exchange that undertakes the function of market making, is called a market maker. Market makers can be categorised according to the level of liquidity support they provide.

A primary market maker is regarded as the foremost liquidity provider of a particular security, while the supplemental market maker acts as a supplementary liquidity provider.

In April last year, NSE ap-

pointed 10 stockbrokers as primary market makers. They include Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers, Renaissance Capital, Future View Securities, Vetiva Capital, ESS/ DunnLoren Merrifield, WSTC Financial Services, Capital Bancorp,

‘The introduction of market making was a major landmark aimed at bringing back liquidity and depth into the market... all necessary structures and processes have been put in place to ensure the success of the initiative and reduce likelihood of infractions’

FBN Securities, Greenwich Securities and CSL Stockbrokers.

Under the operating rules, stocks in the market making basket are allowed to witness maximum daily change of 10 per cent as against the maximum daily allowable percentage change of five per cent for the general market. From the initial 16 stocks that started the programme, NSE has continuously added new stocks in line with the overall intention to roll stocks trading above nominal value into the market making programme within six months.

Forty-three stocks are in the market making basket. They are Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Royal Exchange Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Oando, Unity Bank Plc, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, United Bank for Af•Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

28

ISSUES

Market making: The gains, the risks •Continued from page 27

rica Plc, Access Bank, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc, Presco Plc and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

Others are International Breweries, Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Academy Press, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Redstar Express Plc and Ashaka Cement Plc. Other market-making stocks are Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, UAC-Property Development Company, Custodian & Allied Insurance, Sterling Bank Plc, Prestige Assurance Company Plc and FBN Holdings.

There are also DN Meyer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Diamond Bank, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Fidelity Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria, National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Airline Services & Logistics Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and UAC of Nigeria Plc.

Advancing market development Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, said the introduction of market making was a major landmark aimed at bringing back liquidity and depth into the market. He pointed out that all necessary structures and processes have been put in place to ensure the success of the initiative and reduce likelihood of infractions.

He explained that stockbroking firms that were selected as market makers went through a rigorous process and met the minimum net capital requirement of N570 million, while the NSE also examined their compliance history and their operational capabilities.

To further safeguard the efficiency of the market's price discovery system, the basket of stocks for each market maker was enacted through a blind draw. Besides, operational guidelines for market making require market makers to disclose any corporate involvement, such as directorships or substantial shareholding above five per cent in companies in whose securities they engage in market making activities.

"Market makers are required to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed, taking into consideration the nature of market making business, to prevent the misuse of material non-public information. Market makers must not exercise voting rights in the companies in whose securities they make markets, nor intervene in the management of the company concerned, or exert any influence on the company to buy back such shares or back the share price," the guidelines stated.

But there are also privileges for market makers. Although all market participants are allowed to sell short, only market makers are allowed in the meantime to execute a short sale transaction, provided that they have borrowed the securities or have entered into a bona-fide arrangement to borrow the securities which will be available on the date of delivery. All other dealing mem-

bers must have borrowed the securities before executing a short sale transaction.

"No dealing member other than a market maker may execute a short sale transaction on the basis of a bona- fide arrangement to borrow the securities," the guidelines indicated. Short selling or short sale is the sale of a security that the seller does not own, or any sale that is completed by the delivery of a security borrowed by the seller.

“On the extreme, naked short selling refers to the practice of seeking to profit from an expected fall in the price of an asset by selling shares one does not own without borrowing, or making arrangements to borrow them. Naked short-selling is prohibited on the NSE.” Head, Broker-Dealer Regulation, NSE, Olufemi Shobanjo, said the operational guidelines are meant to provide market participants with a guide on acceptable conduct in relation to the new initiatives, adding that operators are still required to conduct their transactions in line with all relevant rules and guidelines of the Exchange and SEC. He warned that any contravention of the subsisting rules and regulations, as well as the new guidelines, would be sanctioned.

Improving liquidity Many operators and investment experts said market making has impacted considerably well on the market situation. Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Atedo Peterside, said the introduction of market-making initiative has helped to boost liquidity in the equities market. He pointed out that daily trading band has doubled at the capital market.

Managing Director, GTI Securities, Tunde Oyekunle, said the market makers will assist the market, as they could provide additional liquidity to ensure that stocks are priced appropriately.

According to him, the stock market needs all efforts to jumpstart its recovery to win both domestic and foreign investor confidence.

Similarly, investment advisor and economist, Sterling Capital Markets, Mr Sewa Wusu, described the introduction of market makers as commendable. He pointed out that they would increase competitiveness and efficiency of the stock market.

Building bubble?

up

another

But there appears to be growing concerns about the operation of market makers. Investors, especially minority shareholders who are still struggling in the aftermath of the recent meltdown and market pundits, are worried that the pricing trends for mar-

•DG, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh

ket-making stocks could be laying the foundation for another steep decline.

General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr Adebayo Adeleke, is worried that the operations of market makers could lead to another bubble and undermine the long-term recovery and stability of the capital market.

According to him, the operations of the market making appeared to be unduly influencing the market values of selected stocks.

Adeleke, who sits on the board of many quoted companies and serves on several statutory corporate committees, noted that market-making operations could lead to another burst due to what he described as lack of consideration for fundamental strengths of some companies.

He said by allowing some select stockbrokers to be "pushing share prices" of selected companies, the market making function could undermine the price efficiency function of the market forces.

"It's more of a manipulative process; they should allow market forces to dictate the share prices, not market makers. They are inflating the balloon again, and we must sound the alarm before any burst," Adeleke said.

Another shareholders' group leader, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, expressed concerns that some stockbrokers might be hiding under the guise of market making to arbitrarily increase prices of stocks without any visible fundamental changes.

Citing a particular stock that recorded nearly 350 per cent gain within a short period of being designated as a market-making stock, Olatokunbo said the steep price movements were not justifiable and called on market regulators to take closer look at the market

•CEO, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema

making programme.

"Now is the time to review the operations of market making so far and apply some cautions.

Some share price movements are questionable and both SEC and NSE should investigate how ethical and fundamentally sound were some price gains," Olatokunbo said.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane, weighed in with introspective caution of an analyst and market insider.

He cautioned that traces of pumping and dumping are raising doubts about the true impact of market making, reiterating concerns that had been expressed by several stakeholders.

"Market making activity must be closely watched to ensure an asset bubble is not built up again," Rewane said.

He, however, ruled out any immediate threat of assets bubble due to share pricing mechanism so far. According to him, though there were echoes of asset bubble, Nigerian equities are still far from any such depression given the earnings outlooks of companies.

Forestalling the risks The NSE appears also not to be unmindful of the inherent risks in unbridled market-making.

Few days to the expiration of the stated six-month period for rolling al stocks trading above nominal value unto the market-making basket, NSE has only included some one third of eligible stocks. For a market that had been bedeviled with share price manipulations and criminal collusions, market making exposes the market to subtle maneuvering unless there is adequate and efficient regulatory framework to forestall pos-

‘Although all market participants are allowed to sell short, only market makers are allowed in the meantime to execute a short sale transaction, provided that they have borrowed the securities or have entered into a bona-fide arrangement to borrow the securities which will be available on the date of delivery’

sible abuses.

The management of the NSE said it was ready to apply the maximum sanction as deterrent to erring market maker.

Onyema has warned that the NSE may withdraw the operating license of any erring market maker. Besides, the NSE would deduct 10 per cent of total value of transaction engaged in by a defaulting market maker in the case of a less-impact breach.The Exchange has also expressed willingness to learn from the process and review the modus operandi as the dynamics dictate.

"We are going to roll out over a six months period. During that period, we are going to learn a lot," Onyema said.

But the investment profile of the market and the market makers also portend higher risk of externally-induced meltdown.

While the large stake of foreign investors, averaging some 60 per cent of turnover, indicates attractiveness of the market to foreign investors, this could also exacerbate decline in case of negative counterbalance effect from global economic challenges especially from the United States of America and Greece-induced Eurozone.

Rewane cautioned that there might be little headroom for the market to manoeuvre if United States debt ceiling is not avoided this month and Eurozone crisis comes flooding back. With foreign investors accounting for nearly two-thirds of turnover on the NSE, slight or massive sales orders from foreign portfolio managers and investors-either due to profittaking or deficit financing and rebalancing, would have corresponding effect on the market.

"However, a strong dominance by foreign investors will make the local market susceptible to volatility from the global financial market space. Our bond and equity markets direction may then be strongly influenced by global events," Managing Director, Investment One Financial Services Limited, Mr Mr Nicholas Nyamali said.

Some of the most active brokers and market makers have foreign affiliation or ownership. In the event of a downtrend, market making, which has orchestrated the uptrend with its 10 per cent headroom, could also exacerbate the downtrend. Market authorities need to show greater sensitivity to these subtle undertones and take necessary steps to reassured nervous investors.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

29

INSURANCE

NIA begins distribution of motor insurance e-readers

T

HE Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has kicked off the deployment of electronic device aimed at eliminating fake motor vehicle insurance and other unethical practices in the issuance of motor vehicle licence in the country.

Last week, the association handed over about 25 units of the motor insurance electronic readers to the Ogun State government.

NIA’s Head, Corporate Affairs and Human Resources, Davis Iyasere, in a telephone interview, said the units were given to the state Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) in Abeokuta, adding that

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

discussions are on with the Lagos State Government.

He said: “We have given 25 units of the phones to the Ogun State Government, through the VIO, the distribution is according to demand. If they need more, we would give them.

The 25 is just for them to start with Abeokuta metropolis.”

He noted that the association decided to start with Abeokuta, because historically, insurance in the country is traceable to the city, adding that the state also is one of the first to indicate interest in the project.

“We are discussing with the Lagos State government. We have had meeting with the Commissioner for Transportation and we are also working out ways to reach other states,” he said.

He said insurance companies have continued to upload their data to the database, adding that much success has been recorded.

The industry’s database project, which was conceived in 2010, to help develop robust information on insured vehicles, was launch on June 26, 2012.

The NIA, at the launch, promised to deploy over 500,000 electronic card readers to security

agencies to verify genuine vehicle insurance licenses.

The project, according to NIA, would eradicate fake insurances and minimise instances of fraudulent claims, provide real time information that would address issues raised by all stakeholders: market players, law enforcement agents and regulators.

NIA said the project woulx also serve as a source of historical data for analysis and benchmarking, thereby providing qualitative analysis of industry performance.

It is believed that the initiative will enhance transparency and

accountability to its stakeholders thereby restoring confidence in the insuring public, create the basis for scientific management of operations in the industry and it would enable the tracking of transactions in the industry.

Present at the handing over were Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Ogun State, Bayo Otuyemi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, in the state, Mr Kayode Ademolake; Council member, Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr Sakiru Oyefeso and Director-General, Mr Sunday Thomas.

‘Weak enforcement, culture hamper insurance penetration’

W

EAK enforcement of policies and poor insurance culture among Nigerians have been identified as some of the factors inhibiting insurance penetration in the country.

The Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communication and Brand Management, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr Segun Bankole, lamented that had the compulsory insurance policy of the Federal Government been implemented, it would have gone a long way at chnaging the fortune of the industry for the better.

Bankole, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, added that poor insurance culture also formed a major stumbling block against the success of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiatives (MDRI) otherwise referred to as Compulsory insurance. He said under the circumstance, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has done well but observed that there has not been proper monitoring to ensure its success.

The programme, which started two years ago, had Group life Insurance in line with the Pencom Act 2004, Employers liability in line with the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1987, Buildings under construction-section 64 of the Insurance Act 2003,Occupiers liability insurance – section 65 of the Insurance Act 2003, Motor Third party Insurance –section 68 of the Insurance Act 2003 and Health care Professional indemnity insurance-under section 45 of the NHIS Act 1999.

Bankole said these policies are by law compulsory and they come with sanctions. He said if those

charged with enforcement in the insurance industry are empowered as their counterparts charged with monitoring money laundering or those charged with tax collection, the situation will not be what it is today. He said it is not proper to blame NAICOM as the regulator is doing all within its power to ensure the success of the industry.

Insurance is primarily for the good of the insured, he said, wondering why people should be forced to do what is good for them.

Still speaking on enforcement, he said if sanctions are implemented the way it is done abroad, it will go a long way in instilling the discipline of voluntary obedience.

He said the premium required is usually very small compared to the benefits when due. He said if people know that that if they flout the insurance law, they will be heavily sanctioned as it is done abroad, they will do what they are supposed to do for their own good.

On poor insurance culture, Bankole said it is sad to observe that a Nigerian can load up to N3,000 on his phone and waste it in a matter of minutes, but cannot invest that amount in a year in an insurance policy that can fetch him up N1 million if the policy materialises.

He said there are policies Nigerians can invest with as little as N1,500 premium in a year and can have a benefit of over N600,000 if it falls due.

He said for a third party motor insurance where the law demands just N5,000 premium for a year, if the sanction is as much as N100,000 on violators and are implemented, people will sit up.

Anchor mulls agency system to boost operations

A

NCHOR Insurance Company Limited has said it will re-invent the agency distribution system to deliver sales targets, improve efficiency and service delivery.

Its Managing Director, Ademayowa Adeduro, who spoke at the agency’s retreat in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said the strategy would afford the company the opportunity to reflect on its activities and consolidate on certain areas.

He said the re-invention would further help the company to develop and publicise its service charter in line with the ongoing reforms.

Adeduro promised that the company would continue to render world-class services to meet public expectations and also contribute towards the up-liftment of the quality of risks mitigation in the country.

The company’s Head, Brand Management and Corporate Com-

munication, Mr Kehinde Olaniyi, stressed the relevance of e-business in the industry, saying only about six per cent of the country’s population was insured.

He said the firm is targeting the uninsured youths who are technology inclined through e-insurance.

A Technical Consultant to National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Yemi Soladoye, said the agency aspect of insurance in the country, is not developed, and that it is only the brokering channel that has taken root. The brokers focus on the wholesale market, the government’s and the corporate accounts, he added.

He said the retail market is hardly touched, warning that it is this market that holds the key in Nigeria and that when all chips are down, any insurance company that is not quickly expanding into the retail marketing, would find itself centuries behind because the wholesale market is very small and volatile.

•From left: Head, Flight Maintenance, National College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Mr Christopher Manshop; Rector, Capt. Chinyere Kalu and Director, Business Development & Strategy, A&G Insurance Plc, Mr Dotun Onipede, during the handing over of TAMPICO TB9 aircraft owned by NCAT.

‘How to restore confidence in industry’

T

HE Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Dr George Onekhena, has urged operators to restore confidence in the industry.

Onekhena gave the advice at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) seminar in Lagos.

He said the operators should resolve the unethical practices in the industry in line with efforts put in place by the regulators to reposition the industry.

According to him, operators

must decide to pay every premium and claims promptly.

“This alone, if we can stand on it, can restore confidence in the industry and bring about its growth in the country,” he said.

According to him, unfavorable tax regime and delay in payment of premium are some of the challenges confronting the industry.

Onekhena identified inadequate budgeting for insurance by the government as another challenge.

He said a dialogue between insurance operators and the

government was necessary to proffer solutions to these problems.

According to him, operators should strengthen their skills, adding that if this improves, some insurance businesses taken away from the industry would be returned.

CIIN President, Dr Wole Adetimehin, said it was high time the operators reviewed their strategies as the nation’s risk bearers in line with growing customers’ needs, product design and revaluation of products and services value chain.

‘Court rulings ‘ll empower NAICOM to implement HE National Insurance premium payment’ less premium was paid in advance.”

Commission (NAICOM) has The second quoted case by the

T

said it will take advantage of court’s rulings to implement the new premium regime.

In a circular entitled: Settle court case on partial/instalment/non-payment of insurance premium, signed by its management, the commission noted that the settled Appeal Court cases on insurance premium are clear indications that anything short of full payment at the commencement of an insurance contract renders such transaction null and void.

It said the Provision of Section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 which states: “The receipt of insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk, unless the premium is paid in advance”, is indeed

in the interest of the insured going by decided cases on the issue by competent court of law.

The Commission quoted case one as Court of Appeal in Ajaokuta Steel Co. Limited V. Corp. Insurance Limited where it was decided that the fundamental purpose of an insurance contract is to give cover for an insurance risk. Thus, a law, such as Insurance Act, which says that there is no insurance cover unless premium was pre-paid, is, in fact, saying that the contract is void if no premium was paid.

The Commission said: “By virtue of Section 50(1) of the Insurance Act, No 2 of 1997 (as amended), the receipt of insurance premium is a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there can be cover in respect of an insurance risk un-

Commission in the circular was the case involving Leadway Assurance Company Limited Limited V. J.U.C. Limited (2005) 5NWLR 539 at 543: “By virtue of Section 50(1) of Insurance Act, 1997, the receipt of an insurance premium is a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance, and there is no cover in respect of an insurance risk unless premium is paid. In other words, a valid insurance contract is made when premium for the insurance is paid.

“Case 3, in IGI Company Limited V. Adogu (2010) INWLR pt 337 at 357 the Court held that the premium paid must be full and stated that: Section 50 of Insurance Act 2003 does not contemplate installment payment of premium in an insurance contract.”

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

30

MONEY LINK

RenCap cuts Ecobank’s revenue growth forecast

R

ENAISSANCE Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm, has slashed Ecobank Transnational Incorporated’s (ETI’s) revenue growth forecast for fiscal year 2013 to 16 per cent, from initial 19 per cent. The forecast is, however, higher than management’s 15 per cent revenue growth target for the year.

RenCap, in an emailed report obtained by The Nation, said even if there is little improvement in the bank’s Net Interest Margin (NIM), management’s revenue-growth target implies a slower progression in non-interest revenues than it had previously assumed.

It said though the bank’s management has been guided to higher deposit growth of 20 per cent, its biggest

mine the pan-African proposition.

The research firm said with targeted revenue growth of 15 per cent this year, cost growth will have to be kept below low double-digits to deliver a Cost to Income Ratio (CIR) of 72 per cent or below. It said the bank’s proposed entry into its remaining five target markets – Ethiopia, South Sudan, Angola, Mozambique and Madagascar - remains a risky venture.

“We exclude the $200 million of one-off expected income from the disposal of Oceanic Bank’s non-core assets from 2012 forecasts. Uncertainty around the timing of these disposals means this capital could come in over a longer period than initially indicated.

“We have lowered our fiscal year 2013 forecast for net earnings to $251

•Urges lender to raise capital Stories by Collins Nweze

constraint is not lack of liabilities, but capital. It said that all indicators suggest that the group, if inhibited from raising more Tier 1 capital by existing shareholders, will have to raise nonconvertible Tier 2 capital.

“Following guidance from management at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated’s (ETI) capital markets day in January, we conclude that our previous forecasts were too positive.

As a result, we have lowered our expectations for earnings growth in fiscal year 2013, which has implications for our 2014 and 2015 forecasts,” it said.

RenCap said it reduced its forecast

for the bank’s 2003 loan growth to 10 per cent from 25 per cent, on the back of management guidance, which it considered conservative, adding that there could be upside risk.

Although ETI states it provides a pan-African banking solution, RenCap is doubtful its operations incountry competes effectively with the dominant local banks in all its markets.

However, market-share data suggest the group has no trouble competing in countries, such as Ghana, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, where it is the leading bank. It said the lender’s sub-optimal operations in east and southern Africa under-

CBN advocates reforms to stabilise economy

T

HERE is need to carry out radical reforms in the financial system of the country to achieve stability in the economy, Central bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Suleiman Barau, has said.

Speaking at this year’s EuroFinance Conference in Lagos at the weekend, Barau, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Banking Supervision, Steve Nwadiuko, said such the restructuring was the only way to avoid

massive corporate failure witnessed during the financial crisis of 2007 to 2009, which exposed the weaknesses in many banks.

He said reforms were needed to strengthen the stability and resilience of the global financial system and prevent the reoccurrence of systematic crisis.

He said chief finance officers of banks across the globe need to design strategies that would adequately address possible hitches in the financial system.

N

citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The pick up was largely driven by industrial growth, with the non-oil sector expanding 8.2 per cent and accounting for 87 per cent of all output, the bank said.

Agricultural “areas adversely affected by the floods during the second half of 2012

He said in Nigeria, the CBN has carried out reforms that are aimed at achieving financial system stability and instituting sound corporate governance. These, he said, has ensured that the financial system thrives to add needed support to the real sector and the economy.

He said the reforms are anchored on enhancing the quality of banks, establishment of financial stability and ensuring that the financial sector contributes to the economy.

L

EADERS of the African Development Bank (AfDB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank Group have pledged close collaboration to support development and growth.

In a statement, the institutions said there is need for coordinated efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, which aim to end poverty and hunger, increase access to education and health care, improve gender equality, and ensure environmental sustainability.

“Nothing could be more important than ensuring young people get the right start in life. We aim to make 2015 the year in which children no longer negotiate access to basic education, mothers to the most

were yet to recover fully from the impact.”

The fiscal deficit of the country rose to N420.8 billion or 3.9 per cent of economic output, in the fourth quarter. That compares with a targeted deficit of N284.1 billion for the period and a gap of N489.5 billion in the previous three months, the bank said.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

PRESTIGE UNITYBNK WEMABANK ROYALEX OANDO ASHAKACEM CONTINSURE CONOIL MAYBAKER CUTIX

O/PRICE 0.71 0.84 1.08 0.78 13.89 23.00 1.00 24.00 2.41 1.81

C/PRICE 0.78 `0.92 1.18 0.85 14.98 24.38 1.05 25.20 2.53 1.90

CHANGE 0.07 0.08 0.10 0.07 1.09 1.38 0.05 1.20 0.12 0.09

Current Before

AIICO ACADEMY AIRSERVICE TRANSCORP MANSARD ETERNA NEIMETH NEM WAPIC CUSTODYINS

O/PRICE 1.10 2.50 5.21 1.62 2.25 3.99 1.05 0.89 1.34 1.97

C/PRICE 0.99 2.25 4.69 1.47 2.14 3.80 1.00 0.85 1.28 1.89

Rate (N)

Date

350m

150m

150m

155.2

2-7-12

350m

138m

138m

155.8

27-6-12

350m

113m

113m

155.7

22-6-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP NGN EUR

239.4810 212.4997

244.0123 207.9023

245.6422 209.2910

-2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

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

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Parallel Market

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

LOSERS AS AT 1-3-13

SYMBOL

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 1-3-13

SYMBOL

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

basic health care, households to water and sanitation, or girls to the most fundamental opportunities for schooling, work, or voice in their communities. And we aim to ensure these gains are permanently sustained in the post-2015 era” Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank said.

Also, the leaders pledged strong support for and collaboration with the UN-led process of defining the Post-2015 Development Framework. They voiced support for an approach that integrates concepts of economic, social and environmental sustainability. Noting that even recent gains in social indicators are at risk in the absence of a long term financing plan, leaders pledged to work together to develop options for long term investment to strengthen the foundations of growth.

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

million from $368 million; and 2014 forecast to $374 million from $502 million. We have rolled our forecasts forward by one year, to include 2015.

We forecast 2015 net earnings of $524 million,” it said.

World Bank, AfDB, others advocate coordination on global devt

Nigeria achieves 7.1% growth in Q4 IGERIA’S economy grew by 7.1 per cent in the fourth quarter, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

Growth was 6.9 per cent in the previous three months and 7.7 per cent in the same period the previous year, the bank said in a report on its website,

• Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 137.30 147.01 0.80 1.13 1.02 100.00 1,000.00 1,756.93 14.66 1.39 1.87 10,616.45

9.08 1.00 136.89 146.64 0.78 1.13 1.00 100.00 1,000.00 1,753.94 13.95 1.33 1.80 10,305.95

• KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.11 0.25 0.52 0.15 0.11 0.19 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.08

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

31

MONEY MARKET REPORT

Naira firms up on reserves, forex sales T

HE naira recovered from a bearish run last week after foreign reserves hit $47.3 billion and $350 million foreign exchange was sold at the wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS).

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) moderated WDAS saw a $150 million forex sale on February 25 and another $200 million on February 27. The gross external reserves at the end of the fourth quarter of 2012 stood at $43.85 billion, indicating an increase of 7.9 per cent above the $40.64 billion recorded at the end of the preceding quarter.

The currency had appreciated by 0.1 per cent to N158.25 per dollar last Friday, but had a cumulative 0.5 per cent retreat for the week, according to data obtained at the CBN website.

Analysts said the WDAS and International Oil Companies (IOCs) forex sale was an intervention to boost dollar supply and ease pressure on the local currency. The CBN stepped in last week by increasing foreignexchange sales as capital inflows from outside the country reduced amid a more riskaverse global environment in February, Samir Gadio, an emerging-markets strategist at Standard Bank Group Ltd told Bloomberg news.

The banking watchdog held the benchmark interest rate at a record high 12 per cent for an eighth straight time on January 21 to control inflation and stabilise the naira. The nation’s inflation rate fell to nine per cent in January from 12 per cent in December.

The yield on the Nigeria’s 16.39 per cent domestic bonds due January 2022 fell one basis point to 10.60 per cent, according to Friday’s data compiled on the Financial Markets Dealers Association website. Yields on Nigeria’s $500 million of Eurobonds due January 2021 fell seven basis points to 4.434 per cent on Friday.

CBN’s income The apex bank announced its audited financial statements for the year ended 31st December, 2011, which saw its income drop by 44.6 per cent to N311.2 billion when compared with 2010 performance. In a circular pasted on its website, the banking watchdog said the decline in income largely reflected the significant fall (-88.4 per cent) in income from realised gains on foreign currency. Similarly, operating cost declined by 23 per cent, bringing the operating surplus before provisions to N80.2 billion, compared with N46.5 billion in 2010.

It said that in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 (1) and (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, N64.1 billion was due to the Federal Government, while the balance accrued to general reserve.

However, the size of CBN’s balance sheet increased in 2011 as total assets/liabilities grew appreciably by 66.6 per cent to N11.3 trillion. The assets position reflected a growth of over 3,000 per cent in investments, driven largely by the bank’s investment in Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds and Bank of Industry Debenture, as loans and advances fell by 52.9 per cent.

E-Form ‘M’ Banks’ full compliance with the automation of electronic Form ‘M’ (e-Form ‘M’) as mandated by the CBN will enhance audit trail in the financial system, Musa Batari has said. Speaking at the a customers’ forum organised by Access Bank, Batari, who is CBN Director, Trade and Exchange, said the e-Form ‘M’ as it is commonly known is completed by importers while bidding for foreign exchange for importation of goods.

Speaking on the topic e-Form ‘M’ and its significance in management of trade in Nigeria, he said before now, Form ‘M’ was manual, which made it difficult for banks to process forex transactions for their customers. “Prior to the automation, there were delays in handling forex transactions. There were lots of challenges in tracking transactions done by banks, audit trail,” he said.

AfDB’s $300m loan The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, a loan of $300 million to finance the Nigeria’s transport sector and the Economic Governance Reform Programme; and the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) from 2013 to 2017.

The loan aims to support the Federal Gov-

Official reserves ($)

•Sources: CBN, FBN Capital

By Collins Nweze

ernment to accelerate reform implementation in the areas of transport sector governance, and public expenditure management.

Reform measures include the establishment of a Federal Road Authority, National Road Maintenance Fund, Road-Tolling Policy, and Axel Load Control Policy.

In the areas of public financial management reform, it said the programme involves the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), Internal Audit Modernisation Plan, Treasuring Single Account (TSA), Government Integrated Public Financial Management (GIFMIS), and Transparency and Compliance in Procurement and Audit Practices.

KYC The apex bank also outlined implementation strategy for banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFIs) on its three-tier Know Your Customer (KYC) policy. In a circular to banks and OFIs, CBN Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Nwaoha I.T said banks are to start full implementation of the policy on July 1 and should conduct on-site compliance monitoring to ascertain the take-off stage.

He said the new directive followed earlier circular introducing the policy for adoption by financial institutions under its regulatory purview.

Nwaoha explained that there is need for proper implementation of the policy to ensure its success as an improved KYC regime would not only promote financial inclusion, but increase the effectiveness of its requirements. It will also improve the quality of KYC information obtained by the financial institutions from their customers.

ICAN vs CIBN The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has said its members can practise taxation unhindered without being members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

In a statement, ICAN President, Adedoyin Idowu Owolabi, said the Appeal Court judgment on February 15 between the institute and CITN does not mean that its members cannot practice taxation. “To set the records straight, we wish

to state that the court’s judgment did not restrain ICAN members who are not CITN members from practising taxation in Nigeria,” he said.

He said a declaration that it is illegal for any ICAN member, who is not a member of CITN “to practice or hold himself out to practice as a tax administrator or practitioner for or in expectation of reward in Nigeria” was set aside.

Also set aside was an order restraining members of the ICAN who are not members of CITN from practising, representing or holding themselves out as tax administrators or practitioners.

Cashless The CBN has concluded plans to extend the cash-less policy to Rivers and Ogun States from July 1. The decision to extend the cashless project to these states was made at the last Bankers’ Committee Meeting held in Abuja. The CBN had earlier announced that the policy will take off from July 1 in four additional states after the Lagos pilot scheme. The states are Kano, Anambra and Abia States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) .

CBN’s Head, Shared Services, Chidi Umeano said the states and the FCT were chosen because of the large volume of cash transactions in some of their major cities such as Aba, Kano, Port Harcourt and Onitsha, among others.

The cashless policy, whose implementation began in Lagos in January, last year, is aimed at reducing the dominance of cash in the system. The policy specifies penal charges for individuals and corporate organisations that want to withdraw or lodge cash above prescribed limits. Under the policy, the CBN pegged the daily cumulative cash withdrawal or deposit limit for individual accounts at N500, 000 per day and N3 million daily for corporate accounts.

Remittances The Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Finance, Dr. AbdulMumin Jibrin, has extolled CBN for prompt and consistent remittance of operating surpluses into the Federal Government treasury.

In a statement, the CBN said Jibrin spoke

The currency had appreciated by 0.1 per cent to N158.25 per dollar last Friday, but had a cumulative 0.5 per cent retreat for the week, according to data obtained at the CBN website.

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

at the public hearing on 2009 to 2012 Federal Government Independent Revenue Generation held last Monday at the National Assembly. He said plans are underway to bestow award of recognition on the CBN for such consistency.

He reiterated that certificate of commendation to well-deserving government agencies would serve as a lesson to agencies that have over the years shown reluctance in complying with this statutory obligation to the nation.

ECOWAS single currency Irregular cash flow among the six African countries working on achieving single currency for the region has affected the realisation of the project this year, FBN Capital, an investment and finance firm has said.

In an emailed report obtained by The Nation, it insisted that the West Africa currency union (the Eco), is faltering in difficult circumstances. It said a technical meeting of the six member-states of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) in Abuja indicated that none of them met the four primary macro-convergence criteria as at June 2012.

Rather, the performance of the zone on its convergence scale had deteriorated sharply from 79.2 in June 2011 to 62.5. Inflation, one of four primary criteria, averaged 12.6 per cent in June 2012, compared with 11.6 per cent one year earlier and the objective of no more than five per cent.

It said the latest deadline for the launch of the single currency in WAMZ is 2015, 12 years behind initial target. Also, a second stage would see the inclusion of the nine other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Bank to bank report Fidelity Bank Plc has said that it is financing the multi-million naira aluminum can project in Aba, Southeast. In a statement, the bank said the factory, which would be ready soon will take off with an initial production capacity of 1.2 billion cans yearly.

This, it said, surpasses the Agbara Can Manufacturing Factory that took off with an initial production capacity of 600 million cans per year, thus making the new plant the largest aluminum can factory in Africa.

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has introduced a reloadable prepaid card that offers customers financial control, convenience and security. In a statement, the bank said the prepaid card, which is available in Nigeria and 18 African countries where the bank operates is accepted at all VISA acceptance points, on over one million Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), 30 million Point of Sale (PoS) /merchant terminals in over 179 countries across the world.The card, it said, gives users full control over personal finances as it is not linked to any bank account.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

32

THE CEO Emeka Ene is the Managing Director, XENERGI Nigeria Limited and Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). In this interview with EMEKA UGWUANYI, Assistant Editor (Energy), he speaks on the need to support independent oil producers, the dearth of funds and high lending rate by the financial industry. He stresses the importance of local content fund and stakeholders’ support to ensure security in the Niger Delta region, among others.

• Ene

‘Cost of finance is high in Nigeria’ I

T seems indigenous firms have taken over control of the service sector?

I don’t think it is a take-over. When you say takeover, it seems the glass is half full and filling up. The fact is that hydrocarbon energy is a continuous process and the developed economies of oil sectors of the world, such as the United States have their own position on the search for hydrocarbon.

Everybody has his own position. What has happened is that we have seen a transition where the hope of emergence of the Nigerian independents are truly coming into life and that gives the impression that there is some kind of takeover. The fact is that it is even in the interest of the major multinational companies to have independents exist because in areas and assets where they cannot produce them efficiently, they actually can farm out these areas to independents who can do them quicker, faster and cheaper. So I think what is happening is a transition to the emergence of the Nigerian independents, which I think, can co-exist side by side with the major multinationals.

The local firms were some time ago asked to partner with the multinational oil companies. How has the partnership worked?

The concept of partnership is when two parties bring something to the table. What has happened is that Nigerian companies suffer from major liability, which is access to long term low-cost capital. That has been a major millstone limiting the growth of these companies. Most of these first generation companies were started by people who were technocrats but they lacked the funding to do it. There are some factors that had militated against some of these partnerships from taking off. One of them is that the contract cycles are very short. For instance, you borrow $100 million to buy a vessel and two

years later, you lose the contract. That puts you out of the limb and it has been a major factor behind all the partnerships from surviving the test of time. The fact is that many of them were designed to fail because they were not bankable.You cannot borrow money that you cannot recover within the period of a contract and expect that company to last the test of time. What has happened is that with the Nigerian Content Law, it is given a wider scope for companies to build economies of scale, which is what we need for the oil and gas business. You cannot do it by running a hand to mouth operation. You may start that way but the opportunities to grow your business have to be there. What happened is that we have gone beyond the partnership that started this process and expanded to developing capacity by ramping up collaboration. People are now collaborating without necessarily merging into one.

You identified funding as a major problem and we have seen the recapitalisation and consolidation in the banking sector; didn’t the policy have positive impact on

funding issue?

Banks have money to lend, but the thing is that the banking sector was driven by trader mentality; that is, buying and selling mentality. But the oil and gas business is not driven by buying and selling mentality, it is driven by the mentality of a process that you invest and watch that business grow over time. Some banks play in this industry on short term basis. And where a man doesn’t have an option, he borrows the money anyway. But, of course, at the end of the day, he ends up working for the bank. What is happening is that banks have started to lend for longer term and have started to see single digit lending rate, dollar base and longer term. The Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has also stepped in to provide succour through the Nigerian Content Fund where you can get much lower interest rates and much longer tenures. That is the only way because if I need to put up a factory, it cannot be for a two-year contract, it should be a 15 to 20year fund. But no bank can lend you money

‘The fact is that many of them were designed to fail because they were not bankable.You cannot borrow money that you cannot recover within the period of a contract and expect that company to last the test of time. What has happened is that with the Nigerian Content Law, it is given a wider scope for companies to build economies of scale, which is what we need for the oil and gas business.

You cannot do it by running a hand to mouth operation’

for that long because it wants to make the bankability of the project work. But what happens is that the NCDMB, working with PETAN, is trying to create the basis for lending money longer term so that people can build real capacity in the country and not just masquerading as a Nigerian company when it is actually not producing anything.

There is the tendency of local firms going for foreign technical and funding partners.

Why can’t your members go for such partners?

In fact, it is happening but maybe it is not being publicised. There is a lot of foster partnerships going on and even with the International Oil Companies (IOCs). We need to encourage what we call virtual partnership where they give an alliance contract to a number of Nigerian companies to contribute the equipment that they have to create a larger entity. This is something that is happening. But people can easily say partner, merge but partnership and merger are natural cause of events. I think it will be tragic to see a Nigerian company that has invested a lot of money into a fabrication plant and that plant is idle and there is another company that doesn’t have the ability to meet the demand. What we are trying to do is cluster them. Within the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), we are trying to do what we call Technical or Technology Interest Groups (TIGs). What happens is that people in the same type of business within PETAN, cluster them together in such a way that when opportunities come we encourage them to work in an alliance, so that their capacity is larger than the individual capacities.That is something that we think that we can take to the industry and make it •Continued on page 33

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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SUPPLEMENT ON JOB CREATION

PART 1

Job creation: The Journey So Far It is often said and rightly so, that the nation is not short of policies, but what is lacking is implementation. Over time, especially during electioneering campaigns, politicians are quick to reel out promises most of which are never implemented when they assume office. But there are exceptions. Some state governments, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo for instance, have taken strident steps to match words with action in the area of job creation. The Governors- Dr Kayode Fayemi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Abiola Ajimobi, have on assumption of office, initiated concrete programmes that have validated their electioneering campaign promises. In this first outing on job creation, SIMEON EBULU, Deputy Business Editor, presents the programmes and achievements of these troika. The second part of the supplement will be published soon.

A

LL over the world, unemployment has become a critical issue. Long queues of job seekers are common features in nearly every city of note. No sector is spared, nearly every discipline is affected, be it health, engineering, the humanities, in construction and agriculture, just to mention but a few.

In the last United States’ Presidential election, the topic was in the front burner throughout the campaigns. It is no less an issue in Nigeria. Across the length and breadth of the country, unemployment remains a central theme of discussion.

Given its importance and centrality, all tiers of governments, the local councils, states and federal, as well as the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), have initiated various jobs and employment creation programs to address the challenge.

Many states have evolved different employment creation schemes to tackle the problem. While some have leveraged on the transportation sector, others have concentrated on agriculture, training and establishment of Small and Medium Enterprises to find accommodation for the large pool of unemployed youths.

At the federal level, financial grants and special employment creation schemes have been fashioned out to encourage self-employment. A few notable individuals have also taken the initiative to partner with relevant government agencies and financial institutions to explore job creation avenues to address the issue.

These programmes or projects are undertaken by a government of a nation to assist unemployed members of the population in securing employment, especially common during time of high unemployment. They may either concentrate on macroeconomic policies in order to increase the supply of jobs, or create more efficient means to pair employment seekers with their prospective employers.

Interestingly, rather paradoxically, no nation is spared this scourge - be they rich, developed nations, or poor, developing, or under-developed countries. Although more prevalent in poor underdeveloped thirdworld nations, unemployment remains a visceral challenge all over the world.

In recent time, due to the global economic meltdown, a large section of Europe has fallen victim of the scourge. Greece, Italy and Spain are a few examples. In Africa, migrant workers are a common feature in the horn of Africa, especially those taking flight across the Sinai, with its attendant risk, to find solace in the Jewish State-Israel. There’s hardly any country in Africa that can offer any solace to this challenge. South Africa used to be a hub for its neighbours, but not any more.

For years, Nigeria has played the role of Big-brother to its neighbours on this critical issue. Because of its share size, resources and accommodating disposition, adjoining nationals have always made Nigeria their first choice when in search of lobs. How much of that the nation is able to offer, given its own challenge, is another matter.

At the moment, unemployment is staring everybody on the face. The educated, the illiterate, skilled and unskilled, there is no exception. The gap between graduates and job placement, is widening by the day, the rate of absorption of job seekers into available openings, is shrinking faster than imagined.

If nothing is done quickly enough, the pool of the nation’s unemployed could become a dangerous threat, not only to the social fabric of the country, but also to its unity. The signs are already manifesting.

The Solution

The answer to this hydra-headed monster, lies with what the various arms of governments have done, or are doing to provide the needed jobs. Like in other countries, there’s not one-line approach to solving the problem. It is addressed in a multifaceted

• Dr Fayemi

• Senator Amosun

• Senator Ajimobi

‘Job creation and empowerment are of paramount importance to the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in Ekiti State. Consequently, the government has created more than 10,000 jobs since inception in 2010.

The administration has used various components of its eight point agenda’

‘At inception, the present administration recognised the wisdom in an old wise statement, “An idle hand maketh use the devil”. Consequently, the idea of massive youth employment and meaningful empowerment became imperative as one of the policy thrust of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’

‘The Oyo State Agency for Youths Development has the mandate to guide, mobilize, encourage and empower youths in the state with a view to preparing them socially, physically and productively in order to integrate them into the main society.’

manner. Jobs are not in one clime. Just as we have paid-employment, so also we have selfemployment. They are all recommended, depending on the individual’s preference.

How some countries addressed the challenge

Great Depression. Departments like the Civil Works Administration, Public Works Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps and most prominently, the Works Progress Administration created thousands of jobs for the unemployed. Successor governments have always lashed on these subsisting initiatives to sustain the tempo.

ing, joinery/paintings, electrical repairs, hotel management and computer repairs, amongst others. The establishment of the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme is another avenue created by the state to further boost its job creation initiative. Under the scheme, specialised training and credit facilities have been extended to participants.

In Ogun State, the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has lived up to his electioneering promises of creating jobs. In attending to the issue, government distributed employment forms to all the 20 Local Governments, and on the state’s website. The response got from the exercise threw up 67,000 applicants under the State Rapid Employment Generation Scheme.

The essence of the policy thrust is to foster youth employment generation and access to decent living, as well as design a social policy that organises youths into groups and cooperative societies in order to expose them to skill acquisition and entrepreneurship.

Diverse processes and methods of youth employment generation were made use of.

While some of the teeming unemployed got direct offers, others were empowered with skilled acquisition in vocations of interest with provision of tools and capital on graduation, thus, becoming self-employed. Also, some others were re-channeled for absorption by various collaborating partners and agencies.

So far, over 5,550 have been engaged directly, while the government, through the Bureau of Employment Generation, facilitated the employment of close to 400 youths into some private firms and industries.

Canada

In Canada, many job programs have been created for many groups at both the federal and provincial levels. There are job creation programs for students, fishers, and visible minorities. The government’s Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) agency, subsidises organizations that offer eligible participants opportunities to maintain or enhance job skills. Through these work terms, which can last up to a year, participants gain recent work experience and network with other people. This increases the participants’ chances of finding long-term employment.

China

In the case of China, it has leveraged substantially on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), to absorb a large pool of its labour force that would have been otherwise, idle.

It is said that China is one of the world’s largest recipients of FDI, and has arguably benefited from foreign multinational enterprises in various respects. Part of the positive effect of job creation in foreign firms in China is the fact of their access to export markets.

United States

The first large scale job creation programmes in the United States were introduced as part of the New Deal during the

Tackling The Challenge

Job creation and empowerment are of paramount importance to the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in Ekiti State. Consequently, the government has created more than 10,000 jobs since inception in 2010. The administration has used various components of its eight point agenda – agriculture, tourism, industrial development, education, and human capital development to create the jobs.

The administration has used different strategies to achieve this. One of such flanks is the Job Creation and Empowerments Agency (JCEA), which is designed to combat mass-unemployment, articulate policies aimed at developing work programmes and maintain a databank on employment and vacancies, amongst other objectives.

Apart from the JCEA, there is the Ekiti Project Volunteer (EPV) Scheme. This is designed as a ‘Quick Win’ approach to address unemployment. Besides provision for paid employment, steps have been taken in to pursue self and gainful engagement for many. The Ekiti State Enterprise Development Agency is created to address the issue.

Under the agency, over 200 youths have been trained in different vocations-such as auto-mechanics, metal fabrication/rewind-

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THE CEO

‘Cost of finance is still high in Nigeria’ •Continued from page 32

more of a norm and practice as well.

We have seen a trend where service providers, such as PETAN members re integrating exploration and production, for example, Nestoil.

How would that actually impact on their capacity and capability to excel in the two areas given the huge funding demand in E&P? There is what we call high bill financing model, which was pioneered by one of the marginal fields’ operators called Energia.

Coming from a service background, although from a technical point of view, you have to keep it an arm’s length. The fact that you have some components within your integrated portfolio enables you have access to services that you may not ordinarily have had access to by giving you low cost. Oil price has been moving around $100 per barrel for years. All businesses have been busy worldwide and equipment is in short supply. So when you have companies such as Nestoil and others, upward integrate as it were, they also have competitive advantage to provide some of the services because they are readily available. It is really like a worldwide web, things are opening up, and those who are on ground are those who are taking advantage of it.

Some of the service companies complain about poaching of skilled manpower. How are you managing this trend?

This is a major concern. PETAN companies and other Nigerian companies have invested a lot of money in training people from scratch and what happens is that they come and they are poached.

Not even poached in a sensible manner because we have a PETAN member whose 25 members of staff were poached from one department

and he had to shut that department.

He started that department almost 15 years ago and most of the people poached are not put into productive use after all. So, as far as we are concerned, it was a predatory competitive move to take out the competition. What we are trying to do through the NCDMB is to encourage the free movement of labour and also impose an obligation on companies, particularly international service companies to make investments that are commensurate that match up how much they are taking out of the economy and what they are putting in. In other words, they should start pupilage and internship programmes so that for every one person you have poached, you have trained 10 of them, so that you are not just creaming up the top and crippling Nigerian companies and preventing them from developing. We are not stopping free flow of labour rather we are encouraging it but the industry should develop. We don’t want to recycle the same people. We want to give opportunity to fresh people to learn from the job but not at the expense of PETAN companies or Nigerian companies but at the expense of the technology companies, which need to invest in that respect also.

What is your association doing to make the government and National Assembly pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)? Or are there enough jobs for your members?

The Nigerian Content law has opened up the playing field, but I can tell you that we are still far from Uhuru. We have a new phenomenon, for example, people dressing up in coat of many colours as it were and masquerading as Nigerian companies. We don’t have a problem of people investing here

‘We are not stopping free flow of labour rather we are encouraging it but the industry should develop. We don’t want to recycle the same people. We want to give opportunity to fresh people to learn from the job but not at the expense of PETAN companies or Nigerian companies but at the expense of the technology companies, which need to invest in that respect also’

• Ene

in Nigeria. What we want to do is to create real jobs and capture know-how so that the economy can open up. This is something that we will certainly attack in a collaborating manner. In other words, the IOCs are actually champions of trying to develop the Nigerian Content in the sense that they want to see real Nigerian Content.They want to see efficient services, technology available when they need it and executed in a straightforward manner at a minimum cost. This is what every business man wants.

What we are trying is to ensure real investment, real jobs being created, and real know-how being transferred rather than just masquerading.

Some of the challenges that didn’t allow local content to come up early enough, such as technical challenges, finances, which are being tackled. Are they creating commensurate value in-country?

I can only speak for quite a number of PETAN companies.

Banks have started to understand the life cycle of oil and gas business a bit better.They are beginning to match the funding to the life cycle. But that is not to say that we are competitive. Our banks are not competitive because they are competing against other global players. For instance, you cannot compare them to a Norwegian bank that can lend less than two per cent interest rate and Nigerian companies are borrowing money at 30 per cent in real terms even in dollars.

Although they say it is 10 per cent, by the time you add up all the bank charges and others they call country risk, it is quite enormous. However, we have come a long way from where we were 10 years ago.

In terms of value addition, I can tell you that the comment I had from a banker at this conference is that when they started to fund oil and gas business and started seeing the returns, the treasurer called and asked where the money was coming from? Is it drug money, he asked. Because he has not been seeing such returns because the money was going somewhere and now they are lending the money to oil and gas. The returns are coming through the banking system and into significant way, in dollars, which they were unable to get in the past. So, it is a win-win for the banking system, the service and operating companies because you now have the funding circulating in the local economy. Even the little food canteen operator by the road side feels the impact when a Nigerian company is operating.

It is so because where the Nigerian company operates, workers walk across the road to have their meals whereas if it is not a Nigerian company, they package the meals from abroad to feed the workers. It helps the economy and employs Nigerian nationals who have relatives in the village. So, it has ripple effect. The impact is much more when the investment is through the country rather than looking for the cheapest things.

The NCDMB said it is carrying out a pilot scheme with some of PETAN member-companies to see how the content fund works. How is the scheme playing out? Also, is PETAN collaborating with NCDMB on building industrial parks in the Niger Delta states to enhance the skills of their workforce?

In case of the pilot, it is a pilot financing from the Nigerian Content Fund. It has been a slow process, slower than we anticipated simply because they have been educating the banking industry on the unique structure of oil and gas projects. We wanted to get it right from the first time but essentially it is on track.The NCDMB is partnering with PETAN to see how this can be rolled out. We expect

• Ene

‘So it is a win-win for the banking system, the service and operating companies because you now have the funding circulating in the local economy. Even the little food canteen operator by the road side feels the impact when a Nigerian company is operating’ that the pilot will be in place by the end of March and from there other companies can tap into the Nigerian content try some contracts and be able to fund their contracts with lower cost finance. The industrial parks initiative that was announced by the Executive Secretary, I think it is directed at the grassroots entrepreneurship and grassroots manufacturing and the idea is to force some of the investments at the grassroots where it matters. For instance, simple nuts and bolts, most of them are imported. I believe 100 per cent of them are imported, but the technology for manufacturing nuts and bolts is not rocket science. So, by going to the grassroots and creating these industrial parks, the idea is to create that enabling environment. However, PETAN’s position is that for such initiative, NCDMB needs to to carry along those such as PETAN because with private sector involvement, it would work better because we know where it pinches. Whatever is the good intention, you find out that for sustainability you need to give it to private sector to drive, otherwise, it would only work for the opening ceremony and after that it ends there.

In spite of the enablement from the Nigerian Content Law, your members complain about the long contracting period. How is your association engaging the government on that?

This is a big challenge for us. We have some of our members who bid for work in 2002 and they were given the contracts in 2012 and they are being told to use the same price they offered 10 years ago. We have heard this story over and over again. Now, the reality is that the contracting cycle needs to be shorter for a simple reason that the industry worldwide is busy. Therefore, you will have the service at a decent price if you begin to allow it to go out of hand. It has not been a good decision and it is systemic problem. Systemic in the sense that between the IOCs and the government and other stakeholders, there is nothing that has not been said to remedy the situation. NIPEX has

done a lot to streamline that process but I think PETAN as a group is advocating both at the NIPEX, government and the IOCs’ levels. Not just in terms of processing contracts shorter cycle, but also in terms of having longer cycles in specific areas. So, why do you need to have two-year contract on major projects and why don’t you have five-year contract, which will allow investors so that you can build real capacity? It is a challenge for the industry and one that everybody faces. Nobody is comfortable with it.

What is your organisation doing to integrate the ex-militants into the industry to stem insecurity?

PETAN member-companies and Nigerian oil and gas service companies are on the frontline. We are the people that are first to be kidnapped, but it is very interesting that when the heat was on throughout the militancy period, it was PETAN companies and others that saved the day. Many times even the oil companies were helpless but they would approach the service companies and say that zone there is no-go-area but if you can go there and do a job, we give it to you.

PETAN companies went there and managed the process because at the end of the day you find out that everybody has the same aspiration – have a good life, provide for your family and move on and train people coming after you.

Sometimes odds are against people and they go with the options they have. We recognised that and felt that a lot of things were as a result of absence of knowledge and expertise. If you don’t have skills, there is not much you can do. To a large extent, that should be the spearhead of NCDMB to ensure expertise goes through.

When you have a skill and the tools, you will not put your life at risk everyday. You will find a productive way to live. It is absence of all these that led to creation of militancy. There are some issues in your question that are outside the scope of PETAN to answer, but we can only do so much. However, all stakeholders have to come to the table to agree.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 1-3-13

First Registrars deploys electronic voting for general meetings

S

HAREHOLDERS at their general meetings can now ensure seamless and more accurate voting as First Registrars Nigeria Limited broke new ground in innovation in the share registration industry with the operational launch of its electronic voting (e-voting) system.

First Registrars showcased the trail-blazing e-voting device at the extra-ordinary general meeting of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. The devices could be used for all voting at any general meeting including approval of resolutions, election of audit committee, board members election and other opinion polls.

Several shareholders, shareholders’ associations and corporate executives have commended First Registrars for the innovation.

Speaking on the initiative, managing director, First Reg-

By Taofik Salako

istrars Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, said the company was innovation driven and it would continue to pioneer market-based solutions that will give shareholders and client companies unparalleled advantages in the share registration industry.

According to him, worldclass technology and excellent customer services are the differentiating factors that position First Registrars as the leading capital market registrars company in the Nigerian capital market.

He noted that against the previous constraints of manual voting, the advent of e-voting and telephone devices voting and poll processes at corporate meetings are now done seamlessly in a jiffy with the election results being projected live at such

meetings.

“We benchmark only the international best practices while setting the pace for others to follow in the Nigerian capital market – we are indeed the leader but will never be complacent,” Olugbemi said.

The e-voting devices not only capture the head counts of voters, they also capture the number of units owned by them and in the case of shareholders with multiple share accounts; they can be linked to a single voting device. Poll results are displayed on the screen instantly after every poll for transparency while accurate reports are also available for audit purposes.

Chairman, Honeywell Flourmills Plc, Dr. Ayoola Oba Otudeko commended the efforts of First Registrars in transforming the share registration industry through ground breaking innovations.

Investors stake N298b on bonds, equities

I

NVESTORS staked about N298 billion on equities and bonds as the equities market grappled with negative swings. Investors staked N24.63 billion shares on 2.28 billion shares in 28,170 deals last week. On the Over-theCounter (OTC) bond market, where the Federal Government’s bonds are traded, investors staked N273.31 billion on 219.02 million units through 1,158 deals.

The overall pricing trend was negative with the two main

indices dropping by 2.10 per cent each. The All Share Index (ASI), the value-based index that tracks prices of all equities, slipped to 33,183.20 points while aggregate market capitalization of all listed equities dropped to N10.618 trillion.

The financial services sector was the most active during the week, accounting for 67.70 per cent of total turnover with 1.54 billion shares valued at N14.42 billion in 15,660 deals. The conglomerates sector followed with 275.094 million shares

worth N554.361 billion in 1,530 deals, representing 12.07 per cent of total turnover. The consumer goods sector placed third with a turnover of 138.015 million shares worth N7.719 billion in 4,820 deals.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Zenith Bank Plc were the three most active stocks with the three stocks pooling a turnover of 642.568 million shares worth N8.085 billion in 5,325.

The retail bond market on the NSE recorded a turnover of 1,887 units of FGN bonds valued at N2.314 million in 20 deals.

Dangote Cement recorded the highest loss during the week with a drop of N12.01 to close at N147.99.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 1-3-13

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4 , 2013

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Amid report of safety milestones by its upstream operations and the just concluded N55 billion rights issue, Oando appears to be driving a resurgence in the oil and gas subsector. But how will the record safety achievements, improving upstream and downstream operations and recapitalisation impact on shareholders' earnings and future valuation?

TAOFIK SALAKO reports that the market consideration appears to overlook the future comprehensive earnings

O

IL and gas stocks headlined resilient stocks last week. Against the bearish milieu in the market, oil and gas stocks formed the bulwark of contrarian stocks.

The overtly bearish market was punctuated by the negative returns by most indices at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks prices of all quoted equities, posted a weekly return of -2.10 per cent. The NSE Insurance Index, which serves as barometer for the insurance sector, recorded a loss o -3.59 per cent. Also, the NSE 30 Index-which tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE, recorded a return of -1.89 per cent.

Similarly, the NSE Consumer Goods Index recorded a weekly change of -1.26 per cent.

The NSE Banking Index showed marginal gain of 0.63 per cent. Oil and gas stocks witnessed considerable resurgence with the NSE Oil and Gas Index rallying with a weekly gain of 1.83 per cent.

Last week's performance reflected the above average performance of oil and gas stocks in the past two months. While average year-todate return opens today at 18.18 per cent, oil and gas index indicated average return of 24.99 per cent. The NSE Insurance Index also presents a robust performance with a year-to-date return of 25.16 per cent. Banking index indicated average return of 21.33 per cent while consumer goods index and top 30 index posted average return of 15.51 per cent and 18.67 per cent.

Oando has been one of catalytic stocks behind the oil and gas sector's performance.

While most equities stumbled to lower prices last week, Oando's share price rose by seven per cent to N14.98. Conoil also posted a gain of 9.09 per cent to close at N25.20. Against equities' average return of 18.18 per cent, Oando opens today with a year-to-date return of 21.3 per cent. But the current value is still a significant discount from Oando's recent pricing history. It had peaked at a high of N79.97 per share in 2011. But the company's strategic decision not to distribute dividend for the 2011 business year and to deleverage its balance sheet upset the company's share pricing trend. However, robust earnings and dividend outlooks and increasingly efficient and safe operations appear to be attracting return-savvy investors.

Safely drilling for earnings Directors of Oando are counting on excellent operations of its upstream segment to improve group earnings. One of the upstream subsidiaries, Oando Energy Services (OES) recently announced that OES Passion, one of the three rigs drilling for various international oil companies, has achieved a safety milestone of one year drilling operation without loss time injury (LTI). With this announcement, all three swamp rigs in operation have now achieved this safety feat, with two of them, OES Integrity and OES Teamwork recording three years of uninterrupted drilling campaigns without injury-bearing incidents capable of resulting in a downtime.

LTI is an industry Key Performance Indicator (KPI), which measures adherence to safety requirements by evaluating the number of injury-bearing incidents capable of preventing a worker from performing or continuing with a task.

Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Services (OES), Mr Bandele Badejo, said the safety feat has further demonstrated to the industry that indigenous drilling services providers with the right people and attitude are capable of sustaining safe, efficient and incident-free operations.

"We are pleased with this very significant and commendable milestone for all our stakeholders. Operating the rig for 1,096 days without a lost time injury is a demonstration of the emphasis we place on environment health, safety, security and quality processes in the company, as well as the commitment of our people to these processes," Badejo said.

The oil and gas industry requires the highest standards of safety requirements due to the volatility of crude oil production and the flammability of petroleum products. It is a key performance indicator for any operator, especially in the upstream sector, as the strictest adherence to the safety and environment requirements of the industry remains critical to changing the perception of being a nuisance to the environment. While the international oil companies (IOCs) have demonstrated leadership in terms of evolving processes and procedures to mitigate incidents; and have invested in tech-

•Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu (right) and Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Services (OES) Bandele Badejo on board of one of the OES's drilling rig... recently.

What prospects for Oando? nologies to limit carnage in the event of an accident, the feat by OES reinforced confidence in the capacity of indigenous firms to work within the strictest safety requirements.

OES has four swamp rigs, out of which three rigs are executing contracts for IOCs in the Niger Delta. The fourth rig has completed a comprehensive refurbishment and is now set for deployment. The safety achievements of OES strongly positioned the yet-to-deployed rig for immediate award of a drilling contract.

Generally, the Oando Group has instituted robust policies and procedures covering product quality, safety, environment, health, security and emergency readiness to ensure that all operations meet international safety requirements. Guided by its "14 life-saving rules", the group runs a dynamic environment, health and safety framework for its employees that include training, regulatory certifications and a "stop work" policy, which empowers employees to halt an operation on the account of unsafe work conditions.

Predicting the earnings As stockbrokers and collecting agents begin to file returns for the just concluded N54.58 billion rights issue of Oando Plc, which closed penultimate week, the board of the integrated energy company is optimistic that excellent upstream and downstream operations, injection of new equity capital and good outlook each business segment of the group would harness substantial returns for all stakeholders in the years ahead.

According to the board, Oando could haul about N151.5 billion in profit before tax over a four-year period between 2012 and 2015.

A four-year forecast report, which was jointly signed by chief financial officer and Executive Director, Oando Plc, Mr Olufemi Adeyemo and Company Secretary, Oando Plc, Ms Ayotola Jagun, also indicated that about N46.9 billion could be distributed to shareholders as cash dividends within the period. The forecast estimated that there would generally be steady growths in sales, profit and dividend payouts throughout the period, although profit and dividend are expected to witness marginal declines in 2015 due to expected increase in cost of sales.

According to the report, profit before tax is expected at N19.2 billion for the 2012 business year and would subsequently rise to N31.4 billion in 2013 and N56.6 billion in 2014 before slowing to N44.3 billion in 2015. Profit after tax is also expected to follow the same curve from N11.74 billion in 2012 to N15 billion in 2013 and N30.05 billion in 2014 but adjusted slightly downward to N28.82 billion in 2015.

Shareholders are expected to receive about N3.2 billion for the immediate past business year ended December 31, last year, which results are being awaited. Gross dividend is expected to more than double to N8.83 billion in 2013 and N17.83 billion in 2014. Shareholders are projected to receive about N17.06 billion in 2015.

With dividend per share estimated at N1.40, N1.29, N2.61 and N2.50 for the four years, av-

erage dividend yield within the period is expected at 16.26 per cent based on the rights' price, a substantial estimate that enhances the attraction of the rights issue. Dividend yield is expected at 11.7 per cent, 10.75 per cent, 21.75 per cent and 20.83 per cent for the four years.

The board of the company had projected that total sales would increase gradually from N638.28 billion in 2012 to N708.25 billion in 2013, N797.25 billion in 2014 and N804.32 billion in 2015. However, disproportionate increase in cost of sale relative to sales growth in 2015 would impact on the bottom-line.

The promise Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr Wale Tinubu, said the successful injection of new equity funds would position Oando to increase value for shareholders in the upstream through focused portfolio growth in production, cash margins and improved returns on capital deployed.

According to him, the board and management of the company have put in place strategies that would enhance shareholders' value.

"Going forward, our forecast sees us paying 50 per cent of our earnings as dividends. It is therefore a wise thing for investors to take advantage of our share price, which is grossly undervalued. Our downstream assets would begin to yield significant earnings and this will impact our performance going forward," Tinubu said during a recent presentation of underlying facts of the group to the investing public.

He pointed out that the company would continuously improve on shareholders' value through optimisation of its balance sheet, reduction in debt and improvement in earnings.

With expected double-digit dividend yields, substantial earnings and distributions in the period ahead could underpin sustained rally for Oando's market consideration. This prospects appears to be the overriding factor in the interplay of dynamics shaping the market valuation.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

36

DUE DILIGENCE

N

NESTLE Nigeria Plc showed a well-rounded performance with stronger underlying fundamentals impacting on actual earnings and returns. Nestle Nigeria combined appreciable growth in sales with more efficient cost management and substantial deleverage of its balance sheet to deliver its most impressive results in recent years.

Audited report and accounts of Nestle Nigeria for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed significant reduction in financing charges and improved cost management accentuated top-line growth. Total sales grew by 19 per cent but pre and post tax profits rose by 38 per cent and 28 per cent respectively.

With 28 per cent increase in net earnings per share, the board of the food and beverage multinational has recommended increase in cash payout by 59 per cent. The company is distributing about 75 per cent of net earnings for the year, gradually moving back to Nestle Nigeria’s traditional payout policy of almost distributing net earnings to shareholders. Besides, net assets improved by 47 per cent, underlying increase in equity funds due to improving retained earnings.

The balance sheet position of the company emerged stronger with better financial structure and improved liquidity.

Financing structure Nestle Nigeria’s total assets increased by 14.5 per cent from N77.73 billion in 2011 to N88.96 billion in 2012. Long-term assets had increased by about 13 per cent from N55.5 billion to N62.61 billion. Current assets rose by 19 per cent to N26.36 billion as against N22.21 billion in previous year.

Total liabilities remained almost flat at N54.78 billion in 2012 compared with N54.52 billion in 2011.

Current liabilities stood at N25.18 billion as against N24.82 billion while long-term liabilities slipped from N29.70 billion to N29.60 billion. Paid up share capital remained unchanged at N396 million while shareholders’ funds grew by 47.3 per cent from N23.21 billion in 2011 to N34.19 billion last year.

With zero immediate gearing ratio, the proportion of equity funds to total assets improved from 30 per cent to 38 per cent. The proportion of long-term liabilities to total assets dropped from 38 per cent to 33 per cent while current

Nestle Nigeria: Improving fundamentals

By Taofik Salako

liabilities amounted to 28 per cent of total balance sheet size in 2012 as against about 32 per cent in 2011.

Efficiency Average cost efficiency improved during the year as the company reined in relative cost of sales. Average cost of sale per unit of sale decreased in 2012, providing early headroom for profit growth. Overall outlook suggests improved productivity alongside the improvement in cost efficiency. However, there were no data to determine actual productivity level in relation to average cost per human capital. Total cost of business, excluding finance charges, dropped slightly from 78 per cent in 2011 to 77.7 per cent in 2012.

Profitability Nestle Nigeria recorded appreciable improvements in both underlying and actual profit and loss items. Substantial growths in sales and profit translated into equally significant increase in cash distributions to shareholders. The congruence between outward profit and loss items and key indices indicated a major rebound for a company that had struggled with higher costs and declining margins in the previous year.

Total turnover rose by 19 per cent from N97.96 billion to N116.71 billion. Cost of sales increased by 16 per cent from N57.37 billion to N66.54 billion, providing impetus for 46 per cent increase in gross profit from N40.59 billion to N59.17 billion. Total operating expenses however rose by 27 per cent from N19.08 billion to N24.18 billion.

With about 72 per cent reduction in interest expenses from N3.32 billion to N939 million in 2012, profit before tax rose by 38 per cent from N18.2 billion to N25.05 billion. After taxes, net profit increased by 28 per cent from N2.08 billion to N2.67 billion.

Earnings per share stood at N26.67 in 2012, representing an increase of 28 per cent on N20.81 recorded in 2011. Gross dividend increased by 59 per cent from N9.95 billion for 2011 to N15.85 billion for 2012, representing dividend per share of N20 for 2012 as against N12.55 distributed for 2011. Net assets per share also improved by 47 per cent from

Fiscal Year Ended December 31 Nmillion

2012 12 months

% change

N29.28 to N43.13.

Beyond the surface, underlying profitability indices improved considerably. Gross profit margin increased from 41 per cent to 51 per cent. Profit before tax margin also improved from 18.6 per cent to 21.5 per cent. Return on total assets stood at 28.2 per cent in 2012 as against 23.4 per cent in 2011. Return on equity however dropped from 71 per cent in 2011 to 62 per cent in 2012. Sustainable dividend outlook diminished slightly with a dividend cover of 1.3 times in 2012 as against 1.7 times in 2011.

Liquidity Nestle Nigeria emerged with stronger liquidity, signposted by positive working capital and better financial coverage for immediate liabilities. Current ratio, which measures the financial agility of a company by relating current assets to relative liabilities, improved from 0.90 times in 2011 to 1.05 times in 2012. Working capital/turnover ratio stood at one per cent in 2012 as against negative rate of 2.7 per cent in 2011. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 70.8 per cent in 2012 compared with 76.1 per cent in 2011.

Governance and structures Nestle Nigeria is a member of the Nestle Group, which holds about 62.76 per cent equity stake

2007

2011 12 months

mainly through its Ghana-incorporated Nestle CWA Limited. There were no major changes in the board and management of the company.

Chief Olusegun Osunkeye still chairs the board while Mr Martin Woolnough, an Austrian, directs the executive management team.

Nestle Nigeria subscribes to many international codes as well as Nigerian code of corporate governance for public companies. The annual report also contained corporate governance report detailing key principles, methodologies and actions. The highest-priced stock at the Nigerian stock market, Nestle Nigeria has also been hailed several times as the icon of good corporate governance. It has usually been the first quoted company to submit its audited report and accounts well ahead of due date and its forecasts are mostly reliable.

Analyst’s opinion The performance of Nestle Nigeria is commendable. Recent expansions have continued to stimulate the top-line while increasingly efficient cost management strategy appeared to be providing additional impetus.

Balance sheet restructuring, with attendant reduction in financing charges, had removed a major

2008

2009

•MD, Nestle Woolnough

Nigeria,

snag that had undermined the overall return outlook in previous years.

The company appears to have found the right mix. Stable cost management strategy, deleveraged balance sheet and aggressive sales growth strategy should provide impetus for future growth. The company should remain focused on this three-prong strategy. Against the background of its market valuation, which had moved closer to historic six-digit level, Nestle Nigeria needs to justify investors’ confidence with higher earnings and dividend yields.

Overall, there is reasonable basis to assume that the company would sustain its positive performance outlook.

2010

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2011

2012

2012 %

2011 %

38.4 33.3 28.3 0.0

29.9 38.2 31.9 11.5

50.7 21.5 28.2 61.8 1.3

41.4 18.6 23.4 71.1 1.7

NA NA 77.7

NA NA 78.0

1.05 1.0 70.8

0.90 2.7 76.1

Financing structure Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

116,707 116,707 66,539 59,169 24,180 0 939 25,050 21,137 2,667 15,853 2,000 4,313

19.1 19.1 16.0 45.8 26.7 -100.0 -71.7 37.6 28.1 28.2 59.4 59.4 47.3

97,961 97,961 57,368 40,593 19,080 24 3,315 18,199 16,496 2,081 9,948 1,255 2,928

Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

62,160 62,607 13,457 26,356 88,963

13.0 12.8 22.5 18.7 14.5

55,018 55,518 10,983 22,210 77,728

Efficiency

19,003 0 25,180 29,598 54,778

31.7 -100.0 1.5 -0.4 0.5

14,426 2,659 24,815 29,703 54,518

396 34,186

0.0 47.3

396 23,210

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

Martin

JOBS THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

37

• Base station and Vsat

For a worker to be promoted, he needs certain skills to excel. What are these skills? A Information Communication Technology (ICC) security expert, Tim Akano, proffers tips on such skills, which can bring a pay rise or a new job. LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

W

HEN the issue of unemployment crop up, what readily comes to mind is the large pool of graduates that are unemployable because they lack the requisite skills to guarantee performance. This trend is reversible with the window of opportunities opened by the liberalisation of the telecoms sector.

One area of the telecoms sector, which promises to be the cash-cow for the economy is the software development sub-sector. Banks, telecoms, manufacturing organisations in search of competitive edge, are looking for information communication technology (ICT) practitioners that can develop and customise software that will differentiate them in the market.

ICT graduates that are good in Android,

ICT still holds the ace Java, Oracle, Microsoft will not remain in the employment market in 2013. They will also be the first to be promoted in their workplace. Those with sound skills in software maintenance will also continue to be sought after.

Another area of growth opportunity is in mobile applications (apps) development.

According to reports, over 60 per cent of the world’s seven billion population is embracing mobility. In the ‘80s, Microsoft Window Apps held the ace. But today, the game has changed with the evolution of Mobile Apps.

Android, CX code, iOS will steal the show in

that order.

Website (Web) development is another area which the unemployed could tap into.

Everyone, every business, every church, every government wants to be online. This is why skills in web development will continue to grow. JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), HyperText Markup Language (HTMLS), electronic or e-Commerce and AJAX programming, are interrelated web development techniques used on the clientside to create asynchronous web. These are growth-drivers in the telecoms sector.

IT security holds enormous opportunities

for people seeking stable employment.

Even while the global economic recession held sway, the only ICT practitioners whose income grew in disproportionate degree to others, were the IT-security practitioners.

Thus, EC-Council skills in Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), ECCouncil Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) and the new skills on Secured Computer User Certification (SCUC) will remain the industry standard for a long time to come.

Because we are living in a networked society, in the year, more things that have power will be networked. The need for Network Engineers- most especially •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

38

JOBS

ICT still holds the ace •Continued from page 37 wireless network engineers will grow. Skills, such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Data Base management will sell like hot cake. Nobody has this in Africa or Asia as at last month. The first set of individuals to acquire this will make a kill. Other CCIE professionals in areas such as security, voice will continue to experience exponential growth.

Service management is another growing area of job opportunities.

For smooth running and seamless integration of ICT process and effective cost management, skills in Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Projects in Controlled Environments 2 (PRINCE2), Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT), ISO20K, and ISO27K Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) will rule in the year.

Since organisations and governments have no choice but to embrace virtualisation if they desire to bring down their operating expenditure (OPEX) and capital ex-

penditure (CAPEX), professional competence acquired in this area will sell like no other. Described as ‘’transcendent of optimisation,’’ virtualisation is the ‘master key’ to future growth and competitive edge in business. The reigning king in this space is Visual Media Works (VMW). Skills in VMW will sell like hot potatoes this year and years to come.

Another growing are is database area of job creation. This is an era of information, therefore, data is gold, it is blood, it is oxygen and indeed it is life! Now that data is growing exponentially, there is data overload. Therefore, skills in Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) will be in hot demand in the years to come.

Acquisition of business skills will also make a job seekers relevant In the ICT age. Skills in EC-Council Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Business Intelligence Professionals (BIP), Certified Business Professionals (CBP) will get plenty of space in the labour

• Akano

• Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu

market.

Last, but not the least is finishing.

Recent survey has shown that those ICT professionals that combine

Finishing skills in speaking, composure, manners and others, stand 300 per cent more chance in getting the job than those who only

have pure ICT skills. Therefore, with your ICT skills, it is advised you go professional to crown it ‘’Finishing Skills.’’

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

IFC names VP for Latin America, Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa

T

HE International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has appointed Jean Philippe Prosper as Vice President of subSaharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. He will be based in Johannesburg after a short transition.

Prosper, according to a statement, will oversee IFC’s Investment and Advisory Services operations in 79 countries, where IFC has a combined investment portfolio of $17 billion and Advisory Services programmes worth $286 million across the two regions.

Prosper said: “Our activities in Latin America and the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa are critical to IFC’s global business and we will build on our success in

these regions to have a more significant impact on poverty elimination through private sector development.

“Our focus in Latin America and the Caribbean is to promote inclusive economic growth, regional integration, innovation to improve competitiveness and climate change mitigation.

He added: “This region accounts for the largest share of IFC global commitments – 24 per cent in fiscal year 2012, with $5 billion in financing for 134 new private sector projects. Through its Advisory Services IFC executed 79 projects worth $82 million at the end of the last fiscal year. IFC carries out its business in LAC from 16 offices.

“In Africa IFC is a major regional investor. We will further grow our

Investment and Advisory Services, especially in fragile and conflict affected states and through regional and national projects that have potential to positively transform development in Africa.” According to the statement, during IFC’s 2012 fiscal year, its investments grew 44 per cent to $4 billion and saw major inroads in its priority sectors of infrastructure and agribusiness.

Nearly all of IFC’s 123 Advisory Services programmes worth $204 million in Sub-Saharan Africa the statement explained, were carried out in the region’s poorest countries and more than a quarter of it in fragile and conflict-affected states. IFC executes its business in Sub-Saharan Africa from 21 offices.

Until his appointment, Prosper was IFC’s Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. From July 2008 to August last year, he was the Director for Eastern and Southern Africa and a co-director of the Africa department. During his tenure with the Africa department, IFC’s investment grew from $140 million in fiscal year 2003 to $4 billion in fiscal year 2012.

Prosper has been recognised for his leadership skills at IFC. He received the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award in 2010 and the Good Manager Award in 2011, two of the most prestigious awards of the World Bank Group.

Before joining IFC, Prosper was the Regional Co-ordinator for Mexico, the Andean Countries, Central America, and Panama for

the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) of the InterAmerican Development Bank.

Between 1986 and 1990, he worked at SOFIHDES, a private development finance company in Haiti, where he became Managing Director. During this period, Prosper was also a professor of mathematics, statistics, and managerial and corporate finance at the State University of Haiti. In the early 1980’s, he worked as Advisor to the Minister of Haiti on Financial, Economic, and Industrial Affairs.

Prosper holds a degree in Mathematics and Civil Engineering and an MBA. A Haitian national, he is fluent in Creole, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and has a working knowledge of Kiswahili.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

G

O out and do a Google search on how to conduct job searches, and you’ll come up with literally a billion different articles and pieces of advice… with a lot of the ideas out there contradicting each other. One person says, “Do it this way,” and then the next person has a different take on what you need to do.

Whatever, you improve your job search, motivation and energy doing all or some or any of the following:

Be nice to everyone “Nice guys finish last” doesn’t jive with me in job search situations. If you are kind, thoughtful, caring, and supportive – people remember that as your personal brand.

We are, in essence, more motivated to do things to help others who treated us well, while we are less inclined to even give people (who burned us previously) the time of day.

Have a polished, accomplishmentsdriven resume If you cannot own your accomplishments and demonstrate value to a prospective employer, how on earth do you expect to convince

Effective pep-ups for job search

By Olu Oyeniran

them to hire you? Drawing up a resume to get you “any job” is not smart.

Don’t hide behind your computer ...

Between a consultant and a client: “ I have emailed my resume to no less than 76 different job openings, but hadn’t heard anything back.

“How many did you contact personally or network with?”

“Zero.”

Unfortunately, hitting “send” 64 times isn’t going to do it, especially in this job market where everyone else is out there pulling strings, making contacts, and cultivating powerful referral networks. An excellent resume is important, yes, but if you don’t have anyone interested in receiving it, you obviously are missing the critical component of a job search.

Never, give up hope Believe in yourself. Remember, you are driving this bus ... and

while the job search can be incredibly defeating when you get rejection after rejection, but once you give up hope in yourself, all is lost.

Sure, you have have the occasional pity party, but then you need to grit your teeth and get back on that horse again. Keeping the job search in action is the only way you’ll have a chance of snaring something.

Manage your personal brand Think about this quote (author unknown): • Watch your thoughts; they become your words.

• Watch your words, they become your actions.

• Watch your actions; they become your habits.

• Watch your habits, they become your character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Keep the faith; never give up, and remember your biggest recipe for job search success boils down to having a focused job search,

polished resume, and networking, networking, and networking. And having patience.

Get out daily Visit your local library, and yes, the local unemployment office.

Being unemployed doesn’t mean you need to be in seclusion, facing the uphill battle all on your own.

Don’t overlook transition assistant programs for those who’ve left the military, the resources provided from local employment centers, and the benefits that result from just talking with people.

Here’s another “insider tip” that few use: Visit your Chambers of Commerce. You’d be amazed how wonderful the people are who man these offices… and wow, what a terrific resource they can be. These people are so helpful, and I guarantee you won’t leave your Chamber’s office unsatisfied.

For example, they can provide details on upcoming business networking events (great for meeting professionals in your area), provide you with a membership directory (packed full of local companies, addresses, and sometimes,

contact names), and on occasion can provide job leads.

Grab a drink and curl up with a good book Never overlook the calming effect of just sitting still and taking time for yourself. If you feel guilty stepping away from your job search, opt for a self-help book to brush up your time management skills, or whatever skill you wish to improve upon, or go with something like the following: • What Colour is Your Parachute written by Richard Nelson Bolles (Great read!)

• Who Moved My Cheese written

by Spencer Johnson (Funny stuff!)· JobsearchGuru’s JOB HUNTING MANUAL- Just published for purposeful job hunters in Nigeria.

You may be jobless, but you are never, never useless or worthless.

And don’t you forget it.

•Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates & author.

Jobsearchguru’s Job-Hunting Manual. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com,ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

39

International Business

IMF to cut growth forecasts for U.S.

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it will likely cut its growth forecasts for the United States and the global economy if automatic U.S. spending cuts take effect this week warning that the U.S.’s biggest trading partners would be hardest hit, Globe and Mail reports.

IMF spokesman William Murray said if the cuts are fully implemented, the IMF would likely shave at least 0.5 percentage point off its current forecast of two-per-cent growth for the U.S. in 2013.

The IMF’s warning about the impact of the spending cuts on the U.S. and the rest of the world comes as Europe continues to struggle with the effects of a debt crisis and as growth has slowed in emerging economies, such as China, India and Brazil.

“We will see what happens this week but everybody is assuming that sequestration is going to take effect,” Mr. Murray said at a regular news briefing. “What it means is that we are going to have to reevaluate our growth forecasts for

the United States and other forecasts.”

President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders have yet to reach a deal to avert $85-billion (U.S.) worth of spending cuts.

The revised IMF forecasts will be reflected in the Fund’s World Economic Outlook due out in midApril. The IMF’s last batch of forecasts in January put global growth at 3.5 per cent this year, increasing to 4.1 per cent next year.

The Fund has long urged the United States, the world’s biggest

economy and a key trading partner of other economic giants, to reach a deal to avoid sharp spending cuts that could destabilize a fragile global economic recovery and possibly disrupt financial markets.

“Certainly 2013 will be affected,” Mr Murray said, “We have to see how far this sequestration is implemented, I don’t think that is clear to anybody … because it isn’t an immediate implementation of all spending cuts and we have to see how that political process plays out.

Argentine bonds suffer

A

RGENTINA’S debt insurance costs and bond yields soared last week, after a U.S. appeals court hearing intensified fears that the country is heading for its second default in little over a decade, Globe and Mail, reports.

Argentina’s lawyers faced tough questions during last week’s hearing, the latest in a long-running battle between the country and “holdout” investors who rejected two exchanges of defaulted bonds to seek full repayment in the courts.

“The consensus from all the analyses of yesterday’s hearing is that the ruling will go against Argentina and exchange bond-holders and that is the main takeaway ... that this is headed for technical default,” said Kevin Daly, a portfolio manager at Aberdeen Asset Management in London.

It is not clear when the U.S. appeals court will give its verdict on whether to uphold an order for Argentina to pay some $1.3billion (U.S.) to the holdouts at the same time it repays creditors who took a steep haircut on their bonds in the two debt swaps.

That has raised fears of a default on the $24-billion worth of restructured bonds because Argentina’s fiery left-leaning president, Cristina Fernandez, has repeatedly refused to pay the holdouts, whom she calls “vulture funds.”

A lawyer for Argentina stood by the government position that the holdouts should not be paid, and indicated that the country could ignore a court order requiring payment.

The holdouts, led by Elliott Management affiliate NML Capital Ltd. and Aurelius Capital Management, say they are simply attempting to hold Argentina to its obligations and that the government can easily afford to pay them.

Investors fear that default could come as early as March 31, when Argentina is due to make a $180million coupon payment on a Par bond, if the U.S. court rules against it before that date. Argentina has said it will take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if the appeals court verdict goes against it.

•People queue outside a government employment office in the centre of Madrid last week. Eurozone data shows unemployment running at record highs while inflation falls sharply, highlighting the weakness of consumer demand.

Caterpillar to cut 1,400 jobs in Belgium

C

ATERPILLAR Inc., the world’s biggest maker of earth-moving equipment by revenues, plans to cut 1,400 jobs at its Belgian plant, making it the latest large U.S. company over the past 12 months to shed hundreds of jobs because of the euro-zone crisis, Globe and Mail reports .

The global manufacturer said on Thursday that it was forced to make the job cuts at its Gosselies plant near Charleroi, which employs 3,700 people, because of the troubling state of the European economy and rising costs.

Caterpillar’s move reflects a broader trend in Europe, which has seen high-profile U.S. groups either shed thousands of jobs or shut plants all together as the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis has turned the old continent into a less attractive place to invest and do business.

Among the most distinguished groups to have announced closure or shed jobs are: Ford Motor Co., which announced the closure of its Belgium plant leaving 4,300 people unemployed; General Motors Co., which closed its Opel plant in Germany shedding more than 3,000 jobs; ArcelorMittal, which plans to

slash tens of hundreds of jobs at its steel plants in France and Belgium; and Dow Chemical Co., which announced the closure of operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and the U.K. “Europe is going to be slowgrowth for a long time,” Jeff Immelt, chief executive of General Electric, said last year at a conference in New York. “If they allow a bank to bust like what happened here in September 2008, it could be worse. So count on Europe being slow,” he added.

GE said last year that most its $2billion (U.S.) planned cuts across all operations would occur in Europe because of the weak economic environment.

Several detailed studies examining the impact of the sovereign debt crisis that led Europe into the worst economic crisis since the 1930’s Great Depression indicated that companies have lost trillions of dollars and shed millions of jobs.

Grant Thornton, a U.S. consultancy that interviewed more than 12,000 executives in 41 countries, said that companies have lost about $2-trillion since 2009 because of the eurozone crisis, while unemployment has reached record levels with

China factory growth fizzles as demand wanes

C

HINA'S factory growth cooled to multi-month lows last month as domestic demand dipped, weighing on firms already hit by slack foreign sales and underlining the patchiness of the country's economic recovery, Globe and Mail reports.

But the bigger-than-expected retreat in two purchasing managers' indexes (PMIs) on Friday does not signal China's economy is slipping into another slowdown, analysts said. Instead, they show China's recovery this year would be mild, as widely expected. Separate data from China's bank regulator that showed banks weathered their worst economic downturn in 13 years last year without any rise in bad debt ratios

could further assuage investors worried about the health of the world's Number economy.

An official PMI from the National Bureau of Statistics eased to 50.1 after seasonal adjustments in February, the weakest reading in five months and just above the 50-point level demarcating growth from contraction monthly. January's reading was 50.4.

A second PMI issued by HSBC fell to a four-month low of 50.4 after seasonal adjustments, off January's twoyar high of 52.3 and in line with a flash reading in late February.

"Today's data point to a stabilization of economic activity in coming months, not a strong recovery in growth," said Jian Chang, a Barclays

analyst.

Unlike recent months when lethargic foreign demand for Chinese goods was the Achilles' heel for factories, domestic demand was surprisingly soft in February and an additional challenge for firms already fighting weak sales abroad.

The official PMI survey, the larger of the two surveys with a sample size of 3,000, showed growth in new orders fell while export orders contracted from January.

New orders hit a four-month low of 50.1 while new export orders dropped to a five-month low of 47.3.

In the HSBC survey, the new orders sub-index fell to 51.4 from January's two-year-high, while export orders was little changed above 50 points.

nearly 19 million unemployed.

However, the economic crisis is not the only reason why global companies are quitting Europe. The burden of costly regulation as well as the high cost of labour and taxation is forcing many to look for better opportunities in emerging markets.

“It currently costs less to import machines to Europe from some other Caterpillar locations than to produce them in Gosselies,” the company said.

RCMP to find Griffiths bribery cash

T

HE RCMP are on the hunt to recover cash and shares stemming from an international bribery scandal, but some of the proceeds have already been spent - some on a house, investments, and a car for a teenager, Globe and Mail reports.

Griffiths Energy International Inc. pleaded guilty to corruption charges in January, and now authorities are after the proceeds of the crime.

According to court filings, Griffiths Energy paid Nouracham Niam, the wife of Chad's former ambassador to Canada, $2million (U.S.) in cash after the company secured oil and gas licences in the African country.

Griffiths Energy also sold her socalled founders shares, now worth about $10million, for a fraction of a penny each.

Authorities have made progress, this week executing a search warrant and seizing Griffiths Energy shares from law firm Norton Rose, which was holding Ms. Niam's and an associate's shares, according to court documents. And authorities know where some of the money was spent.

Ms. Niam said about $1million of the $2million cash payment went to pay off the matrimonial home, according to an interview she did with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, the law firm that conducted an investigation of the company's payments. "Niam indicated she had title to the home and the Ambassador had no interest in the property," says an affidavit sworn by RCMP Constable Chad Babin.

Mahamoud Bechir, the former ambassador, said in an interview with Kris Robidoux, the Gowlings lawyer who spearheaded Griffiths Energy's internal investigation, that he is "indirectly getting the benefit" of Ms. Niam's success and "enjoying it," according to another court document. He said, for example, he did not have to buy a car for one of his teenaged sons because Ms. Niam picked up the tab.

Griffiths Energy paid the $2-million to Chad Oil Consulting LLC, a company owned by Ms. Niam, in February, 2011. The former ambassador said his wife set up a second company, Nourmac LLC, to avoid "all eggs being in one basket," one of the documents says.

Brent crude slips toward $111 a barrel

B

RENT crude is slipping toward $111 a barrel , weighed down by concerns that oil demand will be hurt if China's economy continues to sputter, the euro zone remains weak and automatic spending cuts are enacted in the United States, SABC reports.

China's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was 50.1 in February, the government said today, missing market expectations for a reading of 50.2 as overseas demand for.Chinese goods remained tepid.

It was the lowest reading for the index since September 2012.

The data, released by the National Bureau of Statistics, showed that new orders, particularly new export orders, were weaker than in January.

"The problem at the moment, is that while we are seeing some signs of the economy clawing its way out of the basement, this is still not translating into demand for oil, whether in China or the US," said Carl Larry, president of Houston-based Oil Outlooks and Opinions.

Brent crude for April delivery eased 28 cents to $111.10 a barrel by 0151 GMT, after ending the previous session at the lowest close in six weeks. That capped a monthend sell-off that has seen prices

drop by almost $8 in two weeks.

US oil fell 37 cents to $91.68, adding to a drop in February that snapped three straight monthly gains.

The front-month contract is just off its $91.43 low for the year, hit earlier in the Asian day.

Further pressure on prices has come from the political gridlock between the White House and Republicans who have struggled to reach a deal to avert $85 billion in cuts across the federal government agencies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday it would shave at least 0.5 per cent points off its 2013 US economic growth forecast of two per cent if the cuts are fully implemented.

"It is frustrating for all of us trading the market, and that is just going to weigh on prices in the short term at least," said Larry.

"We have an overhang of oil in the market at the moment as well, so on a fundamental level the market is weak, but that could change as we look into the next quarter," he added.

US crude inventories rose 1.13 million barrels last week as imports increased according to weekly government data from the Energy Information Administration.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

At 80, Chief Tony Anenih has returned as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he lost in controversial circumstances in 2007. AUGUSTINE AVWODE examines its implications for the ruling party.

PDP BoT chair: Anenih’s second coming C

AN the man acclaimed in political circles as “Mr Fix It” fix the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now that he has bounced back as the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman?

The need for continuous electoral success, desire to stem the spate of distractions coming the way of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially, those coming from within the ruling party and in particular, the need to create a conducive environment for the President deliver on his campaign promises are some of the reasons adduced for the dramatic return of Chief Tony Anenih as the BoT chair.

A PDP chieftain from Edo State and member of the Southsouth Elders Forum, Chief Richard Lamai, told The Nation that the party needs to be focused and only an experienced and courageous individual like Chief Tony Anenih can bring his deft political experience to bear on it.

“At certain times in the history of nations, especially now in Nigeria where all efforts must be focused on the betterment of the common man and how to ensure security, the government of the day requires no distraction, in particular, distractions that are coming from within the party.

“Therefore, a tested, experienced and courageous person is needed to pilot the affairs of the party. And, because the BoT is the conscience of the party, we can’t settle for anything less. His emergence clearly shows that Mr President is desirous of putting the square pegs in square holes while he redoubles his effort in delivering on his transformation promises”, he said.

Six years ago, Anenih was outwitted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a fierce struggle for the coveted position. But the former President prevailed as he rode into the BoT chairman’s office, courtesy of a controversial provision in the constitution of the party. The law paved the way such that only him was qualified for the position. Instructively, because of popular outcry against the provision considered obnoxious by many members of the party has since been expunged form the party’s statutes. Obasanjo later stunned party members when he resigned from the position on April 3, 2012.

The former President said the decision was to allow him more time to “give some attention to mentoring across the board nationally and internationally in those areas that I have acquired some experience, expertise and in which I have something to share.

“By relieving myself of the responsibility for the chairmanship of BOT of PDP, I have a bit more time to devote to the international demand on me,” he added.

Party discipline Apart from the desire to win elections, Lamai said Anenih’s second coming is to create a platform for better rapprochement between the legislative and executive arms of government.

“Now that Chief Anenih is back as BoT chairman, the level of rancor between the executive and legislature will be a thing of the past. Going by his antecedents, I can assure

you that all factions within the party, wherever they exist, will be fully looked into and resolved and our great party will become more formidable, go into elections as a united family and come out victorious”.

Another chieftain of the party from Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, also lauded Anenih’s return, saying it will benefit the party, given his experience in party management.

“The coming of Chief Tony Anenih as the chairman of the BoT of the party is a good one and we welcome it because the party is sure to benefit immensely from it. If his experience in party management is anything to go by, then, you can be sure of what I am telling you. Being one of the founding fathers of the party, he is expected not only to bring back most of the founding fathers to the party, but also to bring back the vision of the founding fathers of the party and reposition it for the great battle ahead. The 2015 general election is already generating enormous heat; for the party to win it, great minds must be galvanized wherever they are in the party to play crucial roles and he fits the bill perfectly.”, Princewill said.

Uphill task But there seems to be an uphill task for the old man. The popular view that the Uronmi, Edo State born politician, will unite and instill discipline in the party has been faulted by another PDP chieftain from Ogun State.

Speaking to The Nation on condition of anonymity, he claimed that Anenih’s return poses more challenges for the party. He argued that, apart from the question of age, the idea of recycling the same set of people in a party that is brimming with young and highly creative minds is a minus.

“These people have a way of doing their things. But it is too early for anybody to sing haleluyah. I agree that Papa Anenih is a man of strong character. I also agree that he is a founding member of the party and therefore, very familiar with the vision of the founding fathers for the party. But where there are young, highly creative and digital-driven people, it is a minus for us to recycle the same set of people.

“It is wrong to always think that the older you are, the more results you can get for an organisation. At 45, 50 or 60 years today, people of my age bracket can lead this party effectively and get results.

“But beyond the question of age is the fact that all the positions in the party seems to be going to only one region or zone in the country. The President is from the Southsouth, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is from the same zone, at least for now, even if his own people want him out. The chairman of the newly formed PDP Governors Forum is from the same zone. And a day later, the BoT chairman is coming form the same zone. The rest of the country is watching. The other zones, mark you, have the number and politics is a game of number”, he said.

The politician said that the reemergence of Anenih could spark a revolt in the party.

“It could be unhealthy for the party because, come to think of it, the per-

• Anenih

‘Where there are young, highly creative and digitaldriven people, it is a minus for us to recycle the same set of people. It is wrong to always think that the older you are, the more results you can get for an organisation. At 45, 50 or 60 years today, people of my age bracket can lead this party effectively and get results’ son in question was only few months ago appointed as chairman of a lucrative board. Are the other regions lacking gifted people for such positions? We are in it together; we wait and see how this pans out”, he added.

Princewill, however, dismissed talks of implosion in the party as speculative. He said, with the party’s BoT now fully repositioned, all political opponents, including the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC), should get ready for the battle.

“Those speculating about explosion or backlash in the party are just afraid of what Chief Anenih is capable of and stands for. With the repositioning of the PDP’s BoT under the chairmanship of Chief Anenih, all opposition parties, including the APC, should be ready now for the battle of their life, which is the 2015 general election”, he said.

But the source form Ogun State expressed reservation about the electoral value of the new BoT chair, arguing that in time past, Anenih could be said to be a formidable political force that could be depended upon to win elections, but not in the last five and a half years.

“We must not delude ourselves again. The gentleman was a formidable force in those days, but since the opposition led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole arrived Edo State, we all know his electoral value.

The party has been defeated for the second time running in the state. The last one was even more disgraceful.

So, on what ground do you want me to agree with you that some people think that with him we will continue to win elections. If he failed at home, how would he win abroad? Well, I don’t share their optimism that now we are back to winning ways. The party has been winning elections where they are in control. You saw what happened in Gombe council election last week. The party is on ground there. But for you to tell me that because somebody has been made the BoT chairman and so the party will fair better in places where there has been infighting and rancor is not true”, he said.

In the last governorship election in Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s ACN defeated the PDP in a landslide. The result was said to be a final proof of the decline in electoral value of Anenih, as the candidate of the PDP was trounced in both the candidate’s ward and Anenih’s home town.

2015 calculation When Anenih’s name surfaced among the aspirants jostling for the position last year, many people quickly dismissed him as a weak contender. For one, he had been the BoT chairman before. Besides, analysts felt the Southeast should be given the opportunity to fill the position or in the alternative, the Southwest which has considerably lost very important positions in the party, especially

since the 2011 general election. When in December 2012, President Jonathan appointed Anenih as the chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board, many aspirants heaved a sigh of relief thinking that the Uromi chief has been meaningfully engaged for good.

But last week, the party, in dramatic fashion, settled for the usual consensus way of picking the BoT chairman.

In January, the position was to have been decided by election, but for one reason or another not unconnected with the struggle to control the machinery of the party, the election could not hold.

It was said then that the chairman of the BoT would play a very crucial role in the party’s resolution of the already contentious issue of presidential nomination for the 2015 general election.

In a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party said that Anenih’s unanimous election as the Chairman was a step towards ensuring peace and harmony within the party. Metuh that, with Anenih’s antecedents as a mobiliser and consensus builder over the years, he would contribute a great deal to ensure the stability of the party.

“Chief Anenih’s tireless participation and critical role in the formation of the PDP places him in good stead to provide wise counsel and direct the influential Board of Trustees to follow the noble ideals of the founders of the Party.

“His wealth of experience and acclaimed reputation as a democrat and consensus builder are assets that the Party needs at this critical point in our democratic evolution”, he stated. He went ahead to describe Anenih’s unaniomous election as the BOT Chairman as “another signal that the PDP is ever united and ready to overcome all perceived obstacles in our drive to provide focused leadership and service to the good people of Nigeria”.

A committee headed by Professor Jerry Gana to restructure the membership of the Board of Trustees submitted its report on Monday and sources said one of the clauses given for membership of the BOT was that any member of the Board that had defected to another political party between 1999 and now, automatically loses the privilege to be a BOT member.

Gana, while speaking to journalists in Minna last week, said of the new BoT: “The BoT is a body of learned, experienced and trained people. They act as the conscience of the party so that they can give advice without bias or fears.

“We want to assure Nigeriansthat having men and women of integrity and honour and being led by a very experienced and courageous person like Anenih , the partywill enjoy a lot of focus, stability and mobilisation”.

With Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman, Anenih as the Chairman of the BOT and Governor Godswill Akpabio as the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, it is being alleged that it is all about the politics of 2015.

Also, with Obasanjo’s men roundly trounced in the battle for the soul of the party, President Jonathan can be said to be in firm control of the party machinery.

And a good lesson for those who think he could not bark, let alone bite.

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

POLITICS ‘Why I want to rule Anambra’

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LAGOS-based medical doctor, Patrick Nwike, has joined the governorship race in Anambra State. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP chieftain and Medical Director of Mount Camel Medical Centre said that he is driven by service, urging the people to support power shift in the state.

He told reporters in Lagos that the time is ripe for Anambra State to return to the mainstream politics so that it can fully reap the dividends of The 54 years old politician also revisited the generational shift argument, stressing that old actors should leave the stage for younger ones.

Nwike said: “My aspiration is borne out of my desire to serve my people.

It is high time we younger generation started to give back to the society what the society had once given out to us.”

The 54 years old aspirant, who is the younger brother of the former deputy governor of the state, Chief Chudi Nwike, flaunted his credentials, saying that he has what it takes to govern the state. He also expressed optimism that the PDP will rule the state in 2014.

He said: “I am the next governor of Anambra State. With all modesty, aside that I am eminently qualified for the office of the governor, I also have the required prerequisites to occupy the exalted position. Wide consultations are ongoing. In a few weeks time, after the consultations, I will unfold my programmes, which are people-centred”.

NNPP urges Uba to join race

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HE New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has urged the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil and Gas Ltd, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, to contest the Anambra State governorship on its platform.

The party described him a man of impeccable character, noting that his recent clearance by the police and the court oncorruption allegation has affirmed the party’s belief in his worth as a credible person.

In a staement by the party leader, Dr. Anaebonam, the party said that Uba’s clearance was premi on his transparent activities in the oil industry, which has been a subject of scrutiny in recent times.

The party said: “ Dr. Uba’s clearance was well deserved and hopes it would spur the oil magnate and politician to further contribute to the progress and development of our dear country.

“Having watched with keen interest his activities, we believe that Dr. Uba shares certain principles with the NNPP, which is placing the people first. The party therefore, is urging Dr. Uba to contest the next governorship election in Anambra State.”

ACN wins by-election in Lagos

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has won the bye-election conducted by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) into the Ward A Council of Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The councillorship seat became vacant, following the death of the ACN councillor, Mr Abayomi Akintokun, on September 3, last year..

LASIEC Returning Officer, Mr Akin Agbaje, announced that Mrs Buki Wilson of the ACN scored I,965 votes out of 2,365 total votes cast. Seven political parties contested in the election, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which scored 339 votes, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alliance for Democracy (AD), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The election, which held in 39 polling units, kicked off at 9am and ended at 3pm.

Reacting to the result of the election, the PDP Chief Collation Officer, Chief Sunday Kudehinbo, faulted the election, saying that the exercise violated the due process. He said: “The election process was faulty. Accreditation was done along with voting, which should not be so.

“I will report to my party for their final decision on it”.

LASIEC Secretary Mr Yinka Jeje told reporters at the collation center that the commissioon was impressed with the conduct and turn out for the election. On why the election took place on a working day, he said that “election can hold any day”.

Jeje added: “Fixing this election on a working day has not affected the outcome in any way” LASIEC Electoral Commissioner Mr Olalekan Mabinuori described the

• Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd)

election as violent-free. He said: “We had some complaints over identification, but we moved in swiftly and resolved it”.

The Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Akionla Obadia, commended LASIEC for conducting a successful poll. He said: ““This may be a ward election, but we hope LASIEC will maintain the good work it has done today in future elections”.

Obadia however, explained that INEC’s deregistration of over 30 registered parties affected the number of parties that contested the ward election.

The Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Popoola Ajayi, said: “LASIEC has done well. The election was peaceful and the entire process was good.”

Former Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning Mr. Clement Ofuani spoke with OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE on the agitation of of the Anioma people for the zoning of the governorship to the ethnic group.

‘It’s Anioma’s turn to produce Delta governor’

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N Anioma person has never governed Delta State since the creation of the state in 1991. Do you think power can shift to the ethnic group in 2015?

The issue of whether an Anioma person can become the governor of Delta State or not is an issue of interest. I think, based on our constitution, there is nothing that prevents us from getting to that position. They have every right to aspire to it. What is more important is that they also have the human potentials to give sound leadership to the state in a way that the state will be the better for it. Where you come from is merely much of a symbol; the key is the substance of the person and his ability to get the job done. Incidentally, by the sheer nature of the demography of Delta State, judging from the tendency of election in Nigeria to go along primordial lines, we now find a situation where ethnic the distribution in the state does not allow any ethnic group or senatorial district to determine what happens. So, there has to be a meeting of minds; a kind of consensus must be reached to say this is the best way to go .That is what we are working towards. I don’t see any problem in that aspiration being realised in 2015.

Last year you made a public declaration of your intent to contest the 2015 governorship election.

Don’t you not think that the decision was hasty and may affect your chance?

I did not make any public declaration at any time. I think it was a matter of interpretation of some statements. If I recall, it was an interview on the NTA where I was pointedly asked about running for the governorship position. I said I have served in the public office before and I said that, if our people want me to serve in another higher capacity, then, I will be more than happy to oblige theM. That was what I said.

When you say “we”, who are you referring to in this circumstance?

We in this circumstance refers to all Anioma people without exception and all progressive Deltans, irrespective of their ethnic origin because it is in the long term interest of the stability of the state and its even development. It is not just an aspiration for the people who happen to trace their origin to a geographical area known as Anioma, but indeed, every progressive Deltan who believes in equity and fair play, and the fact

• Ofuani

that for us to live together, there must be a sense that everyone is treated fairly.

Will the Anioma nation be able to arrive at a consensus, given the sheer number of formidable contenders warming up for the position?

A management expert has made a statement that unanimity of opin-

‘In the context we are talking about, where our passion to see somebody from a senatorial district that has not yet produced the governor, it becomes more critical for some people than the quality of the person who are put in there or even, if you have the best person from another group, you will say let’s find the second best, at least, because this particular ideal thumps the other one’

ion is neither desirable nor an essential necessity for progress. What you have is that people will debate issues and see where the majority train is going. That is what will happen. Even, if we look at our own history, at those who have emerged from our senatorial district in the past, none emerged as a result of consensus. Remember that when primaries are held for each of the political parties, it will not be delegates from Anioma alone who will pick the candidates.

During the general elections, Anioma votes alone will not determine who will become the governor. So, the issue of whether Anioma can come up with a consensus candidate does not really arise and it is not the most important issue.

What will you consider the most important issue?

What I will tell you, in terms of common sense, is that as people begin to throw around ideas and vision, the clarity of their vision and ideas they bring to the table, their quality as persons would begin to influence a general decision in a particular direction and before you know it, someone will emerge.

What do you think can be done to deepen democracy in Nigeria?

Winston Churchill once said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried. It holds great promise and that promise is predicated on the freedom of choice.

Therefore, to deepen democracy, the capacity to chose, the freedom to chose and your choice being respected are critical ingredients.

Now, it also presupposes that when you chose, you make the right choice. But that may not necessarily be so because the right choice is subjective. In the context we are talking about, where our passion to see somebody from a senatorial district that has not yet produced the governor, it becomes more critical for some people than the quality of the person who are put in there or even, if you have the best person from another group, you will say let’s find the second best, at least, because this particular ideal thumps the other one. So, to deepen our democracy, we need to educate our people so that they can make informed choices. We need to empower people because the more they can survive outside of government and make a decent life in every legitimate pursuit they can engage in, the better will our democracy be.

MPPP expels national secretary

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HE Mega Peoples Progressive Party (MPPP) has expelled the suspended National Secretary of the party, Hamisu San Turaki, following the investigation into the allegation of anti-party activities levied against him.

The Chairman of the 10- member Disciplinary and Arbitration Committee of the party, Professor Chinedu Adiele, announced the expulsion at a news conference in Lagos.

Professor Adiele said the suspended secretary had been given the opportunity to show-up and defend himself, but he failed to do so.

He added: “When the allegations were mentioned to his hearing, the suspended secretary failed to put up any defence to the allegation”.

Professor Adiele claimed that Turaki had failed to convince the party members on the need to sustain the confidence reposed in him.

He said Turaki usurped the position and responsibilities of the chairman on many occasions and has therefore, violated Articles 20 and 21 of the party constitution.

•From left: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Ganiyu Owolabi; President, Ekiti State Elders Forum, Chief Ehinafe Babatola; and Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, at the inauguration of the Elders Advisory Forum, in Ado-Ekiti... at the weekend.

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MOTORING THE NATION

MONDAY, MARCH 04, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

The V10-powered 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo might be the little brother to the V12-powered Aventador supercar. But it would be wrong to see the Gallardo as a major step down from all-out road-going supremacy because in some ways it is actually better than the Aventador, and not just in terms of performance. Writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition

•Lamborghini Gallardo

Here comes the new Lamborghini Gallardo T

HE 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo's performance is just as otherworldly as one would expect from any exotic sports car.

The V10 power plant shrieks off the line as the revs climb toward redline. Compared to the 458 Italia from archrival Ferrari, the Gallardo is slightly less nimble. It is, however, perfectly at home blasting down the highway and carving through high-speed sweepers. The LP570-4 models represent a further refinement of the Gallardo's capabilities, as these lightweight special editions are perfect for those who want to squeeze every drop of excitement possible from this lithe Lamborghini.

New front- and rear-end styling debuts for the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo, but only for the 560-4 coupe and Spyder roadster. An LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica also replaces the outgoing Trofeo Stradale edition.

In all likelihood, the Gallardo will turn just as many heads as any supercar. It is also a valid assumption that the so-called baby Lambo will deliver similar thrills behind the wheel, unless one has regular access to a racetrack. Where it figuratively pulls away is in how it behaves under normal conditions. With a smaller footprint, better visibility and conventionally hinged doors, the Gallardo is comparably easy to live with on a daily basis.

Much of this can be attributed to parent company Audi, which managed to exorcise many of the demons of Lamborghinis past without diluting the potent solution that makes Lamborghinis so wildly desirable. This year sees only a few changes, as rumours point to a replacement model for 2014. The Gallardo line-up receives a styling update to the front and rear of the LP560-4 models, and last year's Trofeo Stradale special edition has been replaced by the LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica.

For auto freaks with a quarter-million dollars to spend on a car, there is no reason to overlook the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo.

Even as it approaches the end of its production, it is just as desirable as the Aston Martin Virage (or for that matter, almost any Aston), Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Mild exotics like the Audi R8 and higher-end Porsche 911 models provide comparable thrills, but are notably less distinc-

tive.

Body Styles The 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo is a midengine exotic sports car that is offered as the LP550-2 coupe and Spyder roadster, LP5604 coupe and Spyder roadster and LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica coupe and LP570-4 Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica roadster. The "-2" indicates rear-wheel drive while "-4" indicates all-wheel drive.

Standard equipment on the LP550-2 and LP560-4 models includes 19-inch wheels, an automatically extending rear spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, power-folding outside mirrors, a nose-raising suspension for curb clearance, dual-zone automatic climate control, power seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a multimedia driver interface similar to Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) system and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player. The Spyder has a full power-operated soft top, while coupes receive a transparent engine cover and LED accent lights.

Options include upgraded alloy wheels, faux suede upholstery, fitted luggage, heated seats, a navigation system, a rear-view camera and upgraded audio with iPod integration. Available packages include the Travel package (which adds a cupholder, a luggage net behind the seats and a small storage compartment near the steering wheel) as well as a pair of interior Carbon packages. The latter bathe the cabin in carbon-fiber trim - you get less with one package and more with the other. Lamborghini also offers its "Ad Personam" customisation program, which gives the buyer extensive input into exterior and interior colour combinations.

Powertrains and Performance Powering all 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo models is a midmounted 5.2-liter V10. A sixspeed manual transmission is fitted to the Gallardo LP550-2. All other Gallardos receive a six-speed, single-clutch automated manual transmission (known as "e-gear"); it is optional on the "550" models.

The Gallardo LP550-2 models produce 550 horsepower and 397 pound-feet of torque and send all power to the rear wheels. More power is available with the LP560-4, which makes

•Interior of the car

560 hp and 397 lb-ft of torque that powers all four wheels. Lamborghini estimates that these models will reach 60 mph in the mid-3-second range.

Finally, the LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica coupe and Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica squeeze even more power out of the 5.2-liter V10, with 570 hp and 397 lb-ft of torque on tap. All that thrust should be enough to get the car up to 60 mph in the low 3-second range.

EPA-estimated fuel economy checks in at 12 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined with the traditional manual and 13/20/16 with e-gear. Spyder models with the manual transmission drop by about 1 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Standard safety features on all 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo models include antilock brakes, stability control and side airbags with head protection. A rear-view camera is optional.

Interior Design and Special Features The Gallardo provides a fairly liveable

cabin. Leather and soft-touch materials adorn much of the interior, as one might expect, and the switchgear, gauges and multimedia driver interface are essentially pulled from the Audi parts bin. Some might bemoan this dilution of Lamborghini's traditional Italian character, but most will be thankful that everything actually works. Further advancements can be found in the fundamentally sound driving position and the comfortable and supportive seats.

The aforementioned multimedia interface leaves something to be desired, however, as the control knob and accompanying buttons are placed next to the screen rather than near the shifter, requiring altogether too much driver attention given the Gallardo's fearsome capabilities. Furthermore, storage space is negligible, and only the most limber drivers will find ingress and egress an easy task.

The latter is par for the course in this segment, perhaps, but some competing models provide supercar performance without requiring contortionist antics to get behind the wheel.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 04, 2013

46

MOTORING

•Kaduna State Governor Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (second left) and some members of the State Executive Council listening to the General Manager Commercial, Alh. Umar Abubakar Abdulsalam when the former visited the stand of PAN Nigeria Limited at the ongoing 34th Kaduna International Trade Fair

•From left: Adepinye; Group General Manager (Aftersales) Mr Vasant Reele; Mrs Chijioke-Okeke; Mr Samuel and Miss Onyemelukwe

Toyota to unveil new Generation Rav4

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OYOTA (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) has promised to showcase the new Generation Rav4 soon.

TNL Chairman Chief Michael Ade.Ojo said this during the Ninth Toyota Awards at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Thursday.

Chief Ade.Ojo added that some new models in their line-up will also be launched this year.

He said the introduction of key models into the market last year was successful.

“While we increased our model portfolio by introducing the Fortuner in the fabric seats and leather seats versions, we also brought in the Hilux automatic transmissions to complement

C

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

the Hilux model range. Similarly, the Avanza also underwent a full model change. All these are aimed at meeting the expectations and yearnings of our valued customers. It is a thing of joy to inform you that both models have since claimed top spots in their respective sub segments,” he said.

The TNL boss said the company has expanded the scope of their operations to satisfy the customers through the completion of the first world class Body and Paint Training Centre in Lagos.

According to him, the ultra-modern facility is a place where dealers’ technical staff will be receiving training on

Body and Paints.

Chief Ade.Ojo admitted that the company faced lots of challenges last year.

He said: “The year began on a nervy note with the fuel subsidy crisis, followed by flood disasters in many parts of the country. Security and sundry fiscal challenges made the economic landscape quite unfriendly for smooth business operations. ...By dint of hardwork and dedication, we managed to finish the race reasonably well.”

He thanked their customers, dealers and motoring journalists for being active parts of the company’s success story over the years especially the year under review.

Coscharis Motors rewards staff

OSCHARIS Motors has rewarded its three staff that made the company proud at the Ford Service Excellence World Cup held recently in South Africa.

Two of the staff came first in different categories while the third staff came second in another category.

The Ford Service Excellence World Cup Competition, a keenly contested competition with participants from the various Ford dealerships, worldwide, was aimed to get the best Service Advisors, Service Technician and Parts Counterperson.

Mrs Amaka Chijioke-Okeke came first in the Service Advisor category; Mr Felix Adepinye emerged first in the Service Technician category while Miss Ifeyinwa Onyelemelukwe came second in the Parts Counterperson category.

Speaking at the Company’s Head Office, Lekki, to honour the staff, the

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Mr Josiah Samuel hailed the staff for putting up an excellent performance and making the company proud at the competition.

He described the success as a pointer to the fact that the organisation is blessed with some of the best trained and qualified personnel in the automobile industry, not only in the Sub Sahara Africa region but in Africa as a whole.

Samuel said the company’s belief in training also accounted immensely in the victory and challenged them to continue to develop themselves.

He urged them to strive to surpass their records, pointing out that the company cannot rest on its oars in meeting targets in the highly competitive automobile industry.

He enjoined them to bring their

skills to bear in the discharge of their daily duties to serve the company’s customers with the highest level of professionalism, meeting and even exceed their expectations.

The Group Managing Director urged other members of staff to emulate them, bearing in mind that the company rewards hard work.

He expressed belief in the vision of the company as an organisation that would be timeless in its relevance while re-iterating that the reward is to show appreciation to the staff and an indication that the Management of the company values excellence.

Mrs Chijioke-Okeke and Mr Adepinye received 1000 US dollars and a plaque each while Miss Onyemelukwe was given 500 US dollars being the awards provided by the Ford SSA, the organizers of the Service Excellence World Cup.

Mobile Court convicts 45 road traffic offenders

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HE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Akwa Ibom said 45 persons were convicted for various road traffic offences by its Mobile Court in Uyo between February 26 and 28.

Its Public Relations Officer, Mr Godsgift Uwen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday that a total of 49 road traffic violators were arrested during the period under review.

Uwen explained that eight persons were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, 37 were also convicted but were given options to pay fines, while four persons were discharged.

He said the offences of the convicted motorists ranged from drivers’ licence violation, dangerous driving and overloading to light signs and seat belt violation.

He added that “some of them were sentenced for dangerous driving and they have to serve from two months to six months jail terms to serve as deterrent to other traffic offenders.

“We have been preaching to motorists on safe driving but to no avail.

The Mobile Court is meant to complement our regular enlightenment campaign programmes and patrol.

“The court is a routine exercise for us to check the excesses of vehicle owners and their drivers to ensure safety on our roads,’’ he said.

Uwen advised drivers in the state to ensure that they obtain their licences through the proper process and warned against patronising touts.

According to him, to acquire a genuine drivers’ licence, one has to pass through a driving school, tested by the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) before presenting himself/herself to FRSC for bio-metric capturing.

Transport Awards holds in April

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IGERIA’S foremost Transport newspaper, Transport Day Newspaper, is set to host the maiden edition of the Nigeria Transport Awards (NTA), scheduled to take place in April in Lagos.

Managing Director of the Lagos Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, according to the organisers, is to present a paper on Multi-Modal Transportation: the Lagos Example, during the awards.

Managing Editor of Transport Day, Mr. Frank Kintum, said the Award is meant to recognise players (companies and individuals) in the Nigerian Transport Industry, covering all modes of transportation.

The award which is being backed by journalists, transport analysts and communications experts is being supported by the Nigeria Transport Round Table, a pressure group in the Nigerian transport circles as well as some media houses.

SAFE DRIVING

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RECENT report by the Federal Road Safety Commission re-

vealed that Alcohol is responsible for most accidents in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

Without any iota of doubt, Alcohol isone of the potent psychoactive drugs and its social acceptance has made it penetrate all the Classes of Nigerians. The question however is, why is drunk-driving still common despite the various campaigns against alcoholism? Why is it that less people drink poison? Why is it that it is only those that are desperate to die that drink poison?

The answer is not far-fetched. People are convinced about the reality of the consequences of drinking poison while there is less conviction as to the immediate and long-term consequences of drinking alcohol. There are lots of advertisements allowed in the print and electronic media telling the whole world the reasons why people need to drink alcohol. The pressure on people to drink alcohol is more than the information on why people should abstain from it.

When an alcohol producing Company is sponsoring a Government Agency to run a campaign on alcohol and driving, will the Agency not be biased in the choice of language against alcoholism?

Government and some relevant Agencies are also playing hide and seek game so as not to offend the Alcohol Manufacturers or hider the inflow of income from them through Taxes.

Sometimes, popular and influential

Celebrities are used to advertise different brands of alcohol thereby encouraging people and sadly, the youth to drink alcohol as a socially acceptable drug. There is even a particular brand of alcohol that is being promoted as ablood booster while another one is being promoted as an energizer for men. As long as these activities continue, the drinking of alcohol will continue, not minding the effects on driving and even in the workplace.

The same reason is responsible for the regular accidents involvingarticulated vehicles. The Drivers are not exposed to deep training programmes on the effects of the Principles of Kinetic Energy, Inertia, Centrifugal Force, Centripetal Force, Circular Motion, Road Banking, and Hydroplaning among other Forces thus making them fall prey wherever they encounter any of the above forces in their driving.

All categories of Drivers (Private and Commercial) and vehicle Owners must be exposed to trainingprogrammes that will make them understand and be convinced that driving goes beyond the movement of a vehicle from onepoint to another. A lot of factors interplay in the process of driving which they must know and apply effectively.

One of the solutions to alcohol and driving is to be factual about the real consequences of drinking alcohol with casestudies to prove it. For example, when information about HIV/AIDS came into the country, a lot of people did not believe that it exists but when the evidences or case studies started manifesting, majority of Men and Women now, young

Alcohol and driving and old, either abstain, remain faithful to their Spouses or use Condom to avoid being infected.

For the benefit of those who have not known, and as a reminder to those who already know, I will briefly mention the effects of alcohol- drinking and the hangovereffects on driving.

• Alcohol slows down the body mechanism. This is the reason why you hardly see a drunk person that walks fast,straight or talks clearly and fast.

Because driving is a complex activity that involves the simultaneous use of many organs of the body (Brain, Legs, Hands, Ear, Nose, Eyes etc) Alcohol will slow down the rate of co-ordination of the organs thereby exposing the drunk drivers to hazards on the road.

There is no one that can drive normally as usual after drinking alcohol no matter how little andno matter how much you fake your look or pretend to be unaffected. Alcohol surely reduces a Driver's ability to drive safely.

• Alcohol is a depressant and it affects most areas of the human brain thereby having wide- ranging effects on the body system. The brain is the control panel of the human body and it is not only the tetrahydro-canabinol in Indiam Hemp that distorts the normal functioning of the brain.

Alcohol also distorts the normal functioning of the brain and consequently the other organs of the body on which safe driving largely depends upon.

• Alcohol slows down the reaction time. For example, if there is an emergency, a drunk driver will be slow in reacting or taking safe decisions.

• Alcohol can fuel drowsiness in adriver thereby exposing him to the dangers of micro sleep.

• Alcohol impairs the judgment skill of the driver, making it difficult for him to correctly judge self-speed, the speed of oncoming vehicles (when trying to overtake), the following distance, and hazard perception.

• Alcohol makes the Driver fearless and have false confidence that his driving is the best. A drunk driver is not afraid to take risks that can lead him to untimely grave. A drunk man can trek to anywhere by 2am without the fear of armed Robbers even at gunpoint. Alcohol makes people put on the garment of fools.

• Alcohol distorts the co-ordination skills of a Driver. It makes it difficult for a driver to effectively co-ordinate the use of gear, horn, turn indicators, brake, etc.

• Alcohol reduces the attention of a Driver. It makes him pay less attention to other road users, traffic signs, road markings and the road.

• Alcohol causes blurred vision thereby making the Driver to see double or not see the road and road furnituresclearly while driving.

• Alcohol aggravates fatigue and allied problems.

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

• Alcohol has other devastating effects on the health of human beings and it is expedient for anyone that drives to be exposed to the above effects and more so that he or she will be able to choose wisely between life and death.

• Alcohol also has hangover effects which can adversely hinder safe driving. Hence the inappropriateness of the campaign that says"don'tdrink when you drive and don't drive when you drink". After taking alcohol, it takes a relatively long time to sober-up and become normal again contrary to people's believe.

Result-oriented and comprehensiveprevention education coupled with uncompromised enforcement should be employed to attack this monster of drunk-driving in Nigeria.

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87th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

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he usual meeting of the Kano State Executive Council was held Today Wednesday 27th February 2013 (17thRabi'ulThani, 1434AH) under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Nine (9) MDAs submitted fifty nine (59) memoranda for deliberation by the Council of which forty (40) were approved for execution with twenty three (23) of them having financial implications to the tune of N1,681,912.30 while the remaining seventeen (17) were on policy issues as presented in summary below:

1 . OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted thirty-two (32) memoranda for deliberation by the Council on behalf of other MDAs of which sixteen (16) were approved for execution. Thus; a. Request for funds to procure and allocate four (4) brand new Honda Pilot vehicles for the four (4) newly appointed High Court Judges:The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) requested through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, as conveyed by the contents of this memorandum, for the release of the sum of N47,600,000.00 to enable the procurement and allocation of four (4) brand new Honda Pilot vehicles to four (4) newly appointed High Court Judges. Provision of the vehicles is among the pre-requisite condition applicable to all States as stipulated by the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

Considering the policy of the present administration of providing the necessary requirements and enabling environment for the State Civil Servants, Council approved the procurement of the vehicles at the sum of N47,600,000.00. Council recalled that of recent 14 brand new Honda Pilot were distributed to their seniors costing the State over N166 million. b. Presentation on Stakeholders' Interactive Forum pertaining to the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, held on 13th November, 2012 at Abuja:The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism submitted a report on the stakeholders' interactive forum meeting on Nigerian Sugar Master Plan held on 13th November 2012 at Abuja.

The forum attended by the representatives of the State reported that a ten (10) year Master Plan was developed and geared towards achieving self-sufficiency in production and raise local production of sugarcane in the country. Other aims were to curtail importation and smuggling of refined sugar, creation of job opportunities and contribute to the production of ethanol and generation of electricity.

The Master Plan also contains a 'Backward Integration Program' (BIP), which bans the importation of refined sugar and encourages domestication of sugarcane products.

Again, the report maintains that a monitoring framework was set up to involve farmers/out growers and other stakeholders in all stages of implementation of the Master Plan. Likewise, it was reported that Kano State is collaborating with Dangote Sugar Refinery to revitalize Kauran Mata Sugar Processing Plant to assist out-grower groups with inputs, credit facilities and market for their produce.

Council was informed that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism is awaiting response from Dangote Sugar Refinery for the proposed lease of Kauran Mata Sugar Processing Plant while the Ministry and KNARDA have extended registration of sugarcane out growers to all sugarcane potential areas across the State to enable farmers benefit from the BIP incentive.

Council appreciated the presentation of the report and its contents. c. Request for funds to enable the payment of furniture allowances to 91 Shari'a Court Judges:This administration since inception has taken the welfare of its staff with all the seriousness it deserved. The Government inherited demoralized judiciary staff, whose rights and privileges were denied. In fact, the last administration stopped the payment of furniture allowances to the staff of the Shari'a Court of Appeal started by this administration during its first term.

However, with the return of this administration, the Shari'a Court of Appeal submitted a request, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, for the release of the sum of N10,750,000.00 to enable the payment of furniture allowances to 91 Shari'a Court Judges.

Council deliberated and approved the release of the required sum to the relevant authorities for disbursement to the respective beneficiaries. d. Presentation on Mary-Elika Foundation and Request for Information in the Areas of Waste Management System, Effective Water Supply and Channels, Road Networking, Government's Policy on Environmental Sanitation and Use of Open Space Greenery/Clean Streets:Contents of this memorandum presented the Mary-Elika Foundation as an organization under the Chairmanship of Professor Jerry Gana (a former Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria). The organization/foundation works in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and support of the Office of the President of the Senate. The Foundation is organizing an Award Ceremony in honour of States that are committed to excellent environmental management and sustainability in Nigeria. Awards will be presented by his Excellency Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday 30th April 2013 by 4:00pm at the International Conference Center, Abuja.

The Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted to the Council the Foundation request for data about environmental projects and programs embarked upon by the State Government, especially in the areas of Waste Management System, Effective Water Supply and Channels, Road Networking, Government's Policy on Environmental Sanitation and use of open space for greenery/clean streets.

Council in consideration of the numerous outstanding accomplishments of this administration in the environment sector, directed the Special Assistant on Urban Beautification to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment/REMASAB; Ministries of Land and Physical Planning; Works, Housing and Transport to furnish the organizers of the Award Ceremony with the required Information/Data. e. Presentation on the Brand New Luxury Taxis Acquired by the State Government:Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE on Road Transport submitted a suggestion to the Council, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, on the desirability of establishing a Limited Liability Company or an Agency to take over ownership of the Luxury Taxis recently acquired by the State Government.

The benefits derivable from the initiative include the following, among others; i. The proposed Incorporated Company will shield the legacy from future political storms. ii. The Company will have authorized Share Capital equal to the value of assets (vehicles) it is holding at present, with either the lesser; Government noted as owners/shareholders. iii. The Company or Agency will provide a sound management structure to manage the drivers and the vehicles. iv. The Incorporated Company or Agency will have potentials to grow the fleet over time through re-investment of proceeds. v. The proposed Incorporated Company/Agency will be capable of generating more jobs in the future.

Considering the multivariate potentials of the proposed Incorporated Company and its future prospects, Council approved its establishment and called it "Amana Leasing Company". f. Request for funds to facilitate the purchase and allocation of seven (7) operational vehicles for the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission:The Office of the Secretary to the State Government reported to the Council that the newly appointed members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission have assumed Office and are making all necessary arrangements for a successful conduct of the Local Government elections.

The Commission requested for the allocation of seven (7) units of Toyota Hilux Double Cabin as operational vehicles.

Council approved the procurement of five (5) Toyota Hilux Double Cabin at the sum of N34,750,000.00 for utilization as operational vehicles by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission. g. Request for funds to procure two (2) units of 20 feet Containers for safe keeping of products and other valuables at the Ministry of Science and Technology:Council was informed, through the contents of this memorandum, of the fact that 220 and 440 youths were trained in football and chalk production respectively by the Ministry of Science and Technology under the present administration's Youth Empowerment initiative. So far, the participants from the 44 Local Government Areas in the State had produced 373 high-quality footballs and 17,085 cartons of chalk. All the stocks are currently in the custody of the Ministry of Science and Technology where their storage is a problem. This made the Ministry of Science and Technology request for the release of the sum of N863,156.00 by the Council to enable the purchase of two units of 20 feet containers to safely keep the stated products pending finding a market for them.

The request was approved for the Ministry of Science and Technology to procure the containers for the stated purpose. h. Presentation of support/commendation letters to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE on the establishment of the second Governor's College at Jakara Quarters:Office of the Secretary to the State Government presented support/commendation letters received from six (6) Associations to the Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE on the establishment of the second Governor's College at Jakara Quarters. The associations are: vi.

Birni Citizens Association vii.

Lumana Development Association viii.

Bakin Kasuwa Students Association ix.

Majalisar Kula da Harkokin Addinin Musulunci da Kewayen Kano State (Ikhiwanussafah) x.

Jakara Community members, and xi.

Kungiyar Matasa Mazauna Jakara da Kewaye The unreserved support and commendation for the present administration under the capable leadership of Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE was expressed by each Association, which the Council acknowledged with appreciation. i. Request for funds to facilitate the payment of Outfit Allowances to the Staff of Kano State House of Assembly:The sum of N21,789,000.00 was approved for release by the Council, as requested to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Kano State House of Assembly for disbursement as outfit allowance to its Staff. Thus;

SN i. ii. iii. iv.

Profile Senior Staff Junior Staff Staff on posting Casual Staff Total

Amount (N) 15,475,000.00 1,950,000.00 4,060,000.00 304,000.00 21,789,000.00

j. Request for funds to enable the payment of furniture allowances to the seven (7) members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC):The statutory provision in the remuneration package for Public, Judicial and Political Office Holders of the report of the Revenue Mobilization Commission, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (Law 2007), states that the Commission members are entitled to the payment of 300% of their Annual Basic Salary as Furniture Allowance.

This amounts to the sum of N26,513,647.20 for the seven (7) members, which the Council approved for release to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for disbursement according to the details presented on each respective beneficiary. k. Request for funds to enable the payment for the Weekly Placement of Executive Council Decisions in Four (4) National Dailies for the 1st Quarter (January-March) of 2013:Resolve of the present administration to execute its programs and conduct dispensation of its policies/services transparently made the Government to publicize its decisions usually made on the Wednesday of every week during the Kano State Executive Council Meetings.

Such decisions are published by four selected National Dailies. The total sum of N29,725,319.00 was requested for the settlement of the weekly publication.

Council approved the release of the requested sum of N29,725,319.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for disbursement to the four selected National Dailies. l. Presentation on the 10th Meeting of the National Economic Council held on 11th December, 2012 and that of 1st Meeting for 2013 held on 24th January, 2013:The National Economic Council conduct meetings regularly every year to discuss, analyze, assess and proffer solutions to problems as presented by stakeholders in the nation's economy. Contents of this memorandum presented the salient issues discussed at the two most recently held meetings of the National Economic Council as submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The most important issue raised was contained in a paper presented by the Manufacturer's Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Multiple Taxation across the Country at various levels and its negative effects on Manufacturing Sector's Productivity. The issues raised include the slow growth of the Nigerian Economy due to some challenges arising from un-coordinated tax

administration leading to what is referred to as "Multiple Taxation".

Council noted, considered and directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to forward the issue to the Board of Internal Revenue for perusal and advice pending resolution by the Governors' Forum. m. Presentation of the Monthly Report from the Public Suggestion Box Committee for the Month of December, 2012:The Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted summary of the report containing suggestions proffered by some concerned public-spirited citizens on essential issues that border on socio-economic situation/ development of the State. The major suggestions were on the following: xii. Shortage of Secondary Schools' Teachers xiii.

Need to renovate College of Agriculture Dambatta. xiv.

Need to renovate Unguwar Tunga Road, Dorayi. xv.

Modernization of Dawanau Grains Market.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

xvi.

Need to establish Fisheries/Poultry Board. xvii.

Need for the construction of perimeter wall fence at Dan Marke, Hotoro Primary School. xviii.

Need for the relocation of some Government Ministries to Rural Areas. xix.

Need to address the over flooding of Burji Pond at Bichi LGCA. xx.

Need to revive Kano Printing Press. xxi.

Need to renovate the bridge linking Dawakin Kudu town to Ladin Makole (Dawakiji) town.

Council noted, considered and promptly responded to each suggestion as follows; i. The Executive Secretary KSSSMB was instructed to look into the issue of shortage of Secondary Schools' Teachers and submit a report for Government consideration. ii. The Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education was mandated to look into the issue of renovation of Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta and submit report for consideration. iii. The Hon. Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning was mandated to handle the appeal on road renovation at Tunga, Dorayi and report back for consideration. iv. The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport was mandated to examine the issue of Dawanau Grains Market and submit recommendation(s) for consideration. v. The Office of the Secretary to the State Government in liaison with the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources were mandated to look into the likelihood of establishing a Poultry/Fisheries Board and submit recommendations for consideration. vi. The Chairman SUBEB was mandated to handle the issue raised on the need for the construction of a perimeter wall fence at Dan Marke, Hotoro Primary School and report back for consideration. vii. The Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties was mandated to examine the likelihood of relocating some MDAs to Rural areas and submit report for consideration. viii.

The Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments was instructed to direct the Interim Management Officer (IMO) Bichi LGCA to look into the flooding problem at Burji Pond, act appropriately, and report for consideration. ix. The State Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture was instructed to look into the likelihood of reviving the Kano Printing Press and proffer recommendations for consideration. x. The State Ministry of Education was instructed to examine the issue on the provision of modern equipment at Murtala Muhammad Library and submit recommendations for consideration. xi. The Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments was mandated to look into the likelihood of renovating the bridge that link Dawakin Kudu town to Ladin Makole (Dawakiji) town and submit recommendations for consideration. n) Presentation on harmonization of marketing activities of Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo Cities:The Marketing Committee on the sale of houses at Kwankwasiyya, Amana, Bandirawo cities submitted the report of an adhoc Committee formed to harmonize marketing activities of houses at the three (3) Cities. The aim of the harmonization initiative is to provide approved prices and other required information on the houses to prospective buyers. The report highlighted the challenges associated with the projects, objectives of the ad-hoc Committee, steps to be adopted in the implementation of the sale/allocation of the houses, etc. Based on contents of the report, Council approved the adoption of the following: i. 20% upfront payment to be made by applicants while 80% to be paid quarterly (i.e. 20% x 4) within one calendar year of first payment. ii. That the Housing Corporation and KSIP should produce and sell their respective application forms under the mutual agreement to assist each other in selling them (forms). iii. That the Terms and Conditions of Sales of the houses in the three (3) cities are to be included in the sales agreement which is to be articulated by the Legal Departments of KSIP and Housing Corporation. iv. That the ad-hoc Committee plays supporting role in the sale and allocation of the houses at the three (3) cities. v. That the construction and selling price at the three cities are o Kwankwasiyya City 5-Bedroom Detached Duplex N35,664,570.16 4-Bedroom Detached Duplex N33,598,743.31 3-Bedroom Detached Duplex N19,457,533.83 2-Bedroom Detached Duplex N15,194,561.50 * Amana City 5-Bedroom Detached Duplex N33,336,050.42 4-Bedroom Detached Duplex N32,540,497.25 3-Bedroom Detached Duplex N18,092.514.61 3-Bedroom semi Detached Duplex Terrace House (block of flats) N67,846,150.51 2-Bedroom semi Detached block of 6 flats (ditto) N65,304,756.10 3-Bedroom semi Detached block of 6 flats (ditto) N66,469,146.22 2-Bedroom semi Detached Bungalow N12,504,898.15 * Bandirawo City 3-Bedroom Terrace Houses (Block of flats) N65,291,506.54 4-Bedroom Detached Bungalow N16,735,896.05 3-Bedroom Detached Duplex N31,218,593.94 3-Bedroom Detached Duplex N32,243,497.25 3-Bedroom Block of six flats N67,549,150.54 3-Bedroom Detached Bungalow N13,996,802.13 2-Bedroom Semi Detached Bungalow N24,847,796.35 2-Bedroom semi Detached block of 6 flat N65,574,756.00 4-Bedroom Detached Duplex N31,411,742.43 3-Bedroom Detached Bungalow with Car Park N16,881,566.43 2. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE The Office of the Head of Civil Service submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation, which were approved for execution by the Council as follows; a. Request for funds to enable the implementation of CONTISS 15 for lecturers and principal officers of Tertiary Institutions popularly referred to as migration:The vision of this administration is to restore the lost glory of the service in general and in the education sector by removing traits that militate against committed public servants. This Government is always ahead in implementation policies that are pro-workers. Few of these are the upward review of workers' salary to N18,000.00 and the disposal of Government Quarters to the occupants etc.

This memorandum presented by the Office of the Head of Civil Service reminded the Council of its approval granted on 15th February, 2012 on the implementation of CONTIS 15 to the staff of tertiary institutions, which the immediate administration refused to implement. The period approved for the adjustments covered 2009 to 2011 sessions (i.e. three years) for which some qualified officers were inadvertently omitted. Such omitted Officers were collated as cases involving ninety (90) academic and non-academic Staff, which if brought on board will lead to a monthly implication of the sum of N5,142,723.64 according to the details presented to the Council.

So, approval for the monthly release of N5,142,723.64 was requested from the Council by the Office of the Head of Civil Service in order to handle the backlog on adjustments in the salaries of the 90 officers (Academic and non-academic) to ensure full implementation of the popular "Migration" policy in the tertiary Institutions. b. Request for funds to enable payment of allowances to 64 Medical Officers currently undergoing Residency Courses for the Year 2013 Academic Session:The Government has since inception made a commitment to the people of the State through Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso's public utterances that every effort will be made to delivery services to the citizenry especially through the provision of better healthcare facilities. This explains the contents of this memorandum for the training and payment of allowances to sixty-four (64) Medical Officers undergoing various Residency Courses for the Year 2013. Council was informed that the officers, who are staff of the Ministry of Health are as the law dictates bonded to serve the State after their training period.

Therefore, the Office of the Head of Civil Service requested the release of the sum of N23,808,000.00 by the Council to enable the payment of allowances to 64 students currently undergoing Residency Courses for the Year 2013 Academic Session.

Council approved the release of the requested sum of N23,808,000.00 to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for disbursement to the bonded Medical Students/Officers in view of the significance of their services to the State. c. Presentation on the Wrongful Conversion of an Access Road into Plot (NO.Com/98/89) along Zaria Road:The contents of this memorandum reminded the Council of the wrongful conversion of an access road into Plot (NO.Com/98/89) along Zaria Road on which a Committee was constituted by KNUPDA in August, 2012 to identify the staffs that were directly linked to the unprofessional conduct. The Committee completed its assignment and recommended appropriate disciplinary action against the three staff involved in accordance with relevant provisions of the Civil Service.

The Office of the Head of Service submitted the case of the third and most senior officer involved in the professional misconduct for Council deliberation as the other two serving Officers were compulsorily retired. Council agreed with the recommendation of the Head of Service for the retirement of the third officer to set example to others in the Service to be up and doing and responsible in their work. d. Request for approval to accept the conferment offer as "Best Performing Head of Civil Service of the Year 2012" and the release of funds to enable attendance of the Conferment Ceremony on Friday 1st March, 2013:The Organizing Committee of the National Excellence and Leadership Recognition Award nominated the Kano State Head of Civil Service, Umar Shehu Minjibir, F. Inst GLT (Garkuwan Minjibir) for the award of best performing Head of Civil Service in the Country for the year 2012. The Conferment Ceremony was to hold at Merit House Abuja on 1st March, 2013 at which there will be the presentation of recipient's citation and profile presentation. Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Maitama Sule, OFR under the distinguished Chairmanship of H.E. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR, will deliver a lecture.

Accordingly, the Head of Civil Service requested for approval for him to accept the offer and the release of funds to enable him and three (3) Officials from his Office attend the Conferment Ceremony. The sum of N645,000.00 was requested for the purpose. Details on how the money is to be expended were presented which the Council considered and approved. e. Presentation in respect of Mu'awiyya Ilyasu a Staff of Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta:Contents of this memorandum presented the case of Mu'awiyya Ilyasu a Confidential Secretary (Con. Sec) serving with the Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta. The Officer secured admission to read Bsc Information Technology (Specializing in

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013 Computer Networking and Server Security), at Mahatma Gandhi University, Ghana Campus.

Office of the Head of Civil Service submitted to the Council that the course is relevant to the officer's current job who claims to be capable of bearing the responsibility of paying for the course and other charges provided Government would continue the payment of his monthly salary only. As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the officer for two (2) years on Salary option with effect from July, 2013.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested.

3. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments submitted three (3) memoranda for consideration by the Council. Thus: a. Presentation on Stakeholders Meeting held with Management Consultants, Contractors, Resident Engineers and Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on the progress of work on 5 Kilometer Road Projects in the 44 LGCAs of the State:Council recalled the award of 5 kilometers road to be constructed at the 44 Local Governments of the State at the estimated sum of almost N100 billion. This is one of the major projects ever executed in the rural areas of the State, which will modernize and transform the Local Government Headquarters. This explains the contents of this memorandum. The Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments presented the outcome of the meeting mentioned above to the attentive Council through contents of this memorandum. Salient among the issues/problems discussed comprised eight (8) items which include changing scope of works, payment of compensation, relocation of public utilities, non-completion of soil tests, review of cross-sections and drains, advanced payment to contractors exhaustion, mobilization of contractors to site, technical issues that could hamper further progress of work relating to respective projects.

Ultimately, the following resolutions were reached at the meeting; i. The Consultant is to review projects designs for early possible completion. ii. All Compensation issues are to be resolved within the shortest possible time. iii. Relocation of Public Utilities to be handled by Specialists. iv. All advanced payments guarantees covering first payment to be re-examined. v. All soil and burrow pits tests results to be submitted by the Consultant immediately. vi. All completed earthworks must be approved before any Contractor can go into priming or asphalt laying. vii. That the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments shall visit, all project sites to ascertain the progress. viii. Scorecard will be introduced to initiate competition among the Contractors for both quality and speed in the execution of works. ix. Stakeholders Meeting is to hold monthly with a view to reviewing progress of work and solving emerging problems. x. Contractors handling Warawa and Dawakin Kudu LGCAs projects are to revert to the initial concept of dual carriageways. xi. That there shall be no technical problem that can lead to abandonment of site by any Contractor.

In fact, the outcome of the meeting was considered fruitful and Council appreciated the effort as very important in the course of streamlining the execution of the State/LGCA 5KM road projects in the State. b. Presentation on the need for the Local Government Councils to sponsor candidates with 5 credits and above for WAEC and NBAIS Examinations in 2013:The Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments amply reminded Council, through contents of this memorandum, of its resolution of Wednesday 19th December, 2012 approving sponsorship of students with 5 Credits and above in the SSCE qualifying examinations without a credit in English or Arabic by their respective Local Government Councils for SSCE for the year 2013. As such, the aggregate sum of N161,314,500.00 was requested to be approved for the sponsorship of the qualified students. The money will be disbursed thus; i. SSCQE=17,850 Candidates x N8,300 for WAEC =N148,155,000.00 ii. TAHFEEZ/SAISQE= 1,698 Candidates x N7,750 for NBAIS =N13,159,500.00 Total =N161,314,500.00.

Details of the financial commitment per Local Government Council area for both WAEC and NBAIS Examinations were presented along with the number of candidates involved. Approval was granted by the Council for the release of the sum of N161,314,500.00 by the 44 Local Government Councils to facilitate the sponsorship of candidates with 5 Credits and above for WAEC and NBAIS Examinations in the Year 2013 so as to curtail delay or non-compliance experienced in previous Years. c. Presentation on Progress of Work on the Approved Projects on the construction of Ventilation Improved Pit-Latrines and Solar Powered Boreholes at 74 Rural Markets covering 38 LGCAs in the State:Contents of this memorandum maintained that approval for the execution of the projects mentioned above was granted to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development on 20th June, 2012.

Accordingly, a Joint Monitoring and Inspection Committee was set up with members drawn from Ministries of Local Governments, Rural and Community Development and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA). The Committee is working hard towards ensuring the overall success of the project. The following were reported as highlights on the progress of work. vi. Forty (40) boreholes have been drilled by the Contractor. vii. 30% of the total contract sum was released to the Contractor as mobilization fee while another 30% of the provision for logistics was released to RUWASA. viii.

The construction of VIP Latrines will commence soon as the water points are now being ascertained. ix. An interim report by the Technical Sub-Committee on the pump test and water analysis of twenty-five 25 boreholes drilled indicate that 18 are certified while six (6) have to change site and the remaining one (1) at Garu is yet to be completed. x. Issuance of Contract Award Letters for the construction of the VIP Latrines has commenced for certified locations.

Council acknowledged and appreciated the presentation.

4. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION The Ministry of Higher Education submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by the Council. a) Request for funds to facilitate the construction of 300 capacity/Seats Students' Lecture Theatre at Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta:The Ministry of Higher Education reminded the Council through the contents of this memorandum of its directive to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the vetting of the Bill of Quantities for the construction of a lecture theater prepared by the Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta. The Bill was vetted down to the lower sum of N29,994,379.55 from N35,012,504.31.

The Ministry of Higher Education requested for the award of a contract for the construction of a 300 capacity/seats lecture theater at the sum of N29,994,379.55.

Considering the priority position given to education by the administration, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N29,994,379.55 to the Ministry of Higher Education to enable the construction of the 300-Seater Students' Lecture Theatre at Audu Bako College of Agriculture Dambatta. b) Request for funds to facilitate the furnishing of the newly constructed Library at Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil:The Ministry of Higher Education informed Council, through the contents of this memorandum, of the fact that one of the most important achievements recorded by the present administration at the KUST, Wudil, is the completion of the Ultra-modern Library Complex of the Institution, which was abandoned by the previous administration.

Meanwhile, the project is virtually completed requiring furnishing for optimal utilization for which the Ministry of Higher Education requested for the release of the sum of N85,499,600.00 by the Council to enable furnishing of the Library Complex at KUST, Wudil.

This project is entirely a legacy of the first and second incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE and Council did not hesitate to approve the release of the requested sum of N85,499,600.00 to the Ministry of Higher Education to facilitate the procurement and installation of befitting furniture at the Ultra-modern Library Complex of KUST, Wudil.

5. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Three (3) memoranda were submitted by the Ministry of Education for deliberation by the Council as follows; a. Request for funds to facilitate the completion of expansion work started on a School Building donated to Government by a philanthropist at Unguwar Gini:Contents of this memorandum politely reminded the Council of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N16,758,102.98 to enable the execution of the project mentioned above. The meeting was held on 27/06/2012 while the approval was conveyed via Council Extract Number SSCA/CA/EX/11/1/112.

Further, Council was alerted of an erroneous omission of the cost of construction of an L-Shaped Storeyed Block of four (4) classrooms at the cost of N10,174,140.47, which makes the total cost of the project to be N26,932,243.45.

As such, the Ministry of Education requested for the release of the sum of N10,174,140.47 to facilitate the payment of the shortfall and enable the construction of the L-Shaped Block of four classrooms at the School building Complex donated by a philanthropist at Unguwar Gini, Municipal LGCA. After concerned deliberations, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N10,174,140.47 to the Ministry of Education to enable the completion of the expansion work started on the School building complex. b. Request for funds to enable the payment of Registration and Accreditation Fees for WAEC, NECO, TAHFEEZ/TAJWEED (NBAIS) and female Internal Examinations for 2013 Session:Examinations are standard measurements conducted periodically but regularly both internally and externally so as to assess performance and award Testimonials and Certificates to the students that went through an Educational Curriculum.

WAEC, NECO, NBAIS are external examinations conducted every year for students that went through the six years of complete Secondary (Junior and Senior) Educational Curriculum while the BECE and SSCE qualifying examinations are internal examinations conducted by the Kano Education Resource Department (KERD) and Arabic Islamic Education Department (AIED) for JSS III and SSS II Students. Expenditure is usually incurred every year to facilitate the conduct of these examinations.

The demand for the year 2013 instigated the Ministry of Education to request for the release of the aggregate sum of N276,276,150.00 to enable the payment of Registration and Accreditation Fees for WAEC, NECO, TAHFEEZ/TAJWEED (NBAIS) and female Internal Examinations as presented by contents of this memorandum which could be summarized as follows; * Total payment to WAEC N153,835,400.00 * Total payment to NECO N8,750,000.00 * Total payment to NBAIS N69,263,750.00 Therefore, total payment due to WAEC, NECO, NBAIS sums up to N231,849,150.00. And, * Total payment for KERD female Internal Examinations N31,155,500.00 * Total payment for AIED female Internal Examinations N13,271,500.00 Therefore, total payments due to KERD and AIED for female Internal examinations sums up to N44,427,000.00.

As such, the total demand adds up to N276,276,150.00 as the requested sum for release by the Council to the Ministry of Education to enable the conduct of the stated examinations for 2013 Session.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N276,276,150.00 to the Ministry of Education for onward payment to both the external examination bodies (WAEC and NECO) and (KERD and AIED) as internal examination bodies to facilitate the conduct of the stated examinations for the year 2013.

6. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT This Ministry submitted seven (5) memoranda for consideration by the Council as follows; a. Request for funds to facilitate the completion of the construction of the Design Centre situated at the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport:The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport conveyed its sincere gratitude to the Government for its visionary Leadership headed by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Approval for the employment of some professional youths was recently granted to the Ministry. This has improved the quantity and quality of the workforce available at the Ministry, which is important as required for effective discharge of the numerous duties in the delivery of public oriented projects. More office accommodation is required at the premises of the Headquarters of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. This made the Ministry to alert the attentive Council of an existing uncompleted office block meant for the Civil Engineering Department.

The construction project was started few years ago and abandoned. As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N22,252,405.50 by the Council to enable the completion of the abandoned office complex.

Council approved the request and the release of the requested sum of N22,252,405.50 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport. b. Request for funds to facilitate the installation of streetlights along Kofar Mata Road from Gidan Radio Junction to Kofar Mata Junction totaling one Kilometre (1.0KM):Provision of streetlights along the major roads in metropolitan Kano is among the laudable achievements of the present administration. This has enhanced security and beautified the locations that benefited. The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in this memorandum requested the release of the sum of N22,409,063.00 to enable the installation of streetlights along Kofar Mata Road from Gidan Radio Junction to Kofar Mata Junction; a distance of one Kilometre.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N22,409,063.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the execution of the project. c. Request for funds to facilitate the installation of streetlights from Masallacin Tudun Murtala to Bella Hospital (Ring) with New Poles(2.5Kilometers):All nooks and crannies of metropolitan Kano are targeted for beautification and upgrading of aesthetic value and enhancement of security by the present administration. Consequently, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested the release of the sum of N56,435,950.00 to enable the installation of new streetlights from Masallacin Tudun Murtala to Bella Hospital (Ring) with new poles for a distance of 2.5KM. Importance of the project to the provision of security along the road identified prompted the Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N56,435,950.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to undertake its execution. d. Presentation on request for Variation Works in respect of the construction of two (2) Faculty Buildings at the Permanent Site of Northwest University, Kano:Council recalled the award for the construction of two faculties at the permanent site of the Northwest University at the cost

55 of over N1 billion per block. In the process of awarding, the contract a Consultants was engaged for the project, who unfortunately failed woefully to perform his expected roles leading to the reasons behind the submission of this memorandum. Contents of this memorandum respectfully referred the Council to an Executive directive issued to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to study the variation/additional works under non-fluctuated contract at the cost of N1,004,225,180.00 per each project (block) and offer professional advice with a view to addressing the related issues.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport reported that a joint meeting was held with all stakeholders after which the following observations/advices are proffered; xi. That the pre-contract documentation was haphazardly conducted by the Consultants. xii. That from inception of the projects the haphazard approach led to total omission of an entire floor slab per block. xiii.

That other variations encountered are due to change of designs, scope of works (e.g. introduction of Laboratories) and adjustment of topography of the sites. xiv.

That the Consultants submitted the cost implication of the variation in the total sum of N471,955,486.80 for the two blocks which the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport vetted down to the sum of N438,306,128.04 making a saving of N33,649,358.76.

Considering the fact that all stakeholders including the Consultants were present at the series of meetings held on the issues, Council approved the adoption of the vetted sum of N438,306,128.04 for the two projects (blocks) as submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport which saves Government the sum of N33,649,358.76 e. Presentation on request for permit on the land use of Railway Corporation Right of Way:Attention of the Council was drawn to an application to the Nigerian Railway Corporation by the Kano State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requesting for permission on the Land use of Railway Corporation Right of Way in the execution of the construction of two (2) Flyovers in the State, which cross over Railway level crossing at Kofar Nassarawa.

Clearance and approval were received from the Railway Property Management Company Ltd. for the Land use subject to the payment of N4,500,000.00 as Land use charges and N2,500,000.00 as charges for Civil Engineering Works (i.e. removal of affected rails).

The payments are expected to be in Bank Draft payable to Railway Property Management Company Ltd. and the Nigerian Railway Corporation respectively.

Council noted, considered and directed usage of the initial Contract Funds of the Project to the aggregate sum of N7,000,000.00 by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for onward payment to the stated authorities as statutorily required so as to ensure the execution of the project.

7. MINISTRY OF FINANCE The Ministry of Finance submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by the Council. Thus; a) Presentation on the need for improvement of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the Local Government Council Areas of the State:Revenue generation is among the policy thrusts of the present administration, which has recorded tremendous improvement.

Presently, State revenue has increased substantially unlike that of the Local Governments. Local Governments are faced with the failure of generating revenue through taxes/levies due to lack of executive capacity in tax administration and system leakages.

To address these lapses, the State Board of Internal Revenue was mandated to ensure optimum revenue collection/generation to improve the entire revenue generation in all the 44 LGCAs. The Board took over all revenue collection/generation activities in the LGCAs with a view to improving the collection performance.

The Ministry of Finance requested approval by the Council on the following; o The establishment of a State Joint Revenue Committee with functions outline in details as contained in this memorandum. o The establishment of Local Government Revenue Committee with the Local Government Chairman/Interim Management Officer as Chairman. o The establishment of an ad-hoc Committee under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Commissioner for Finance with other members as presented in this memorandum. o The procurement and allocation of two (2) Toyota Hilux double cabin vehicles for the smooth operation of the Committees stated Council appreciated the presentation and decided that a sensitization seminar should be conducted for the staffs of the Local Governments on IGR. b) Request for the provision of ICT facility and the release of funds to facilitate the repair of Network Component at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters:The requested aggregate sum of N6,748,800.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the following: * Purchase of forty two (42) Desktop Computer Packs including Printers for distribution to the MDAs that are involved in the new financial reporting system at the cost of N6,148,800.00. * Purchase of Component and cost of repair of inverter machine at the cost of N480,000.00. * Rectification and streamlining of switches of all 9 Patch panels connected to the saver machine and the interface between MOPB and the treasury directly at the cost of N120,000.00 TotalN6,748,800.00 Taking cognizance of the current electronic era in the application of financial management and administration gave credence to the approval granted by the Council in this case. c) Request for approval to adopt the New "Final Accounts Procedural Manual":The Ministry of Finance Introduced the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) to the attentive Council through the contents of this memorandum. The System was deployed by DFID (SPARC) as part fulfillment of the ongoing reform process to entrench transparency, accountability as well as responsiveness in the management of Government Resources.

The Reform process supported by DFID/SPARC in collaboration with relevant stakeholders had developed a practical guide for the users of the IFMIS for accounting process leading to the production of "Final Accounts" and other Financial Reports.

The "Final Accounts Procedural Manual" and its functional application was fully explained to the Council, which considered and approved its adoption as part of the requirements for the ongoing Financial Reform Process supported by DFID/SPARC. d) Request for refund of deducted unremitted monies into the State Government's Vehicle Loan Account:Contents of this memorandum substantiated the existence of a Vehicle Loan Scheme for the State Civil Servants that operated over the years with a ceiling of N50,000,000.00, which was reviewed upward during the first incumbency of Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE to N300,000,000.00, which is still in effect.

Nevertheless, the Scheme faced serious problems in the last five (5) years in which there was non-review of rates and nonremittance of the revolved amount of money, which incapacitated the Scheme's ability to reach wide spectrum of prospective beneficiaries.

Analysis conducted by the Government Treasury revealed that the revolving sum of money was withheld in the State's FAAC account with no indication of transfers to the Scheme's account. The periods of non-remittance were the months of March to December, 2009 and the amount of money involved is in the tune of N217,553,298.93. However, the Scheme was re-launched by this government with a fresh release of the sum of N200,000,000.00 in the early 2012.

Considering its concern for workers welfare, Council approved the release of the sum of N300,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Finance to be injected into the Vehicle Loan Account in the following manner; i.

N200,000,000.00 for State Civil Service ii.

N100,000,000.00 for Primary School Teachers This was another laudable feat of the present administration in addition to other comparable welfare schemes. e) Presentation on the merger of Dala Building Society Plc (DBS Plc) with Sun Trust Savings and Loans Limited:The Executive Committee on the recapitalization of Dala Building Society (DBS) submitted its report to the Council through the Ministry of Finance. The report centered on the merger between DBS and Sun Trust Savings and Loans Ltd. Discussions between the two parties were held with a view to ultimately merging the two businesses to meet the minimum capital requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). DBS Plc is a Public Limited Liability Company, which means that certain requirements of SEC involving disclosure and ascertainment of facts by professionals have to be met in addition to other merger requirements.

Nevertheless, the following were reportedly achieved: i. The CBN has already issued a "Consent Letter" stating that it has no objection to the merger of DBS and SSL. ii. Aminu Ibrahim and Co. has completed the due diligence exercise assigned to it on DBS and SSL. iii. The joint appointment of professional parties to the merger, as directed by CBN and SEC has been made.

Further details were presented to the Council, which were considered and deliberated upon before approval was granted for the merger to be concluded.

8. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Request for funds to facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive Database Structure at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism:Complying with an Executive directive issued via a communication numbered SSG/AGS/A/5/T.IV/222 dated 27th December, 2012 received from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, which requested for advise on the issue mentioned above, the Ministry of Science and Technology submitted the following for Council's consideration; i. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism is desirous of establishing a comprehensive database structure for the standardization of its Management Information System. ii. The first phase of the implementation covers the procurement of the necessary hardware. iii. The second phase covers the development of complementary software to drive the hardware. iv. The State Executive Council approved the release of N4,900,000.00 for the procurement of the hardware. v. Presently, Council was requested to consider approving the release of the sum of N2,409,750.00 only (VAT inclusive) to facilitate the completion of establishing a comprehensive database structure at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism.

Approval for the release of the requested sum of N2,409,750.00 was granted by the Council to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to enable the completion of establishing a comprehensive database structure at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism through the Ministry of Science and Technology.

9. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Council was reminded of its directive to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources on the resuscitation of Farm Centre KASCO retail stores. The store was appraised and confirmed to be in good condition and awaits stocking with agricultural inputs required by farmers for sale. A Committee comprising six members was proposed to the Council to conduct the procurement exercise of the inputs identified to be in high demand by the farmers at the aggregate sum of N103,608,250.00.

Council approved the release of the sum of N50,000,000.00 to facilitate the purchase of appreciable quantities of the agricultural inputs for sale at the Farm Centre KASCO store by the six (6) approved Committee.

Nevertheless, the N50,000,000.00 is loan, which is expected to be paid back by KASCO. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 87TH EXCO SITTING 1. KANO PILLARS FOOTBALL CLUB Council acknowledged the recent success of Kano Pillars Football Club and the trip the Club will embark upon for the second leg of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition match at Central African Republic with FC Olympic De Bangui.

Council wished them success, reiterated its commitment, and resolves to continue supporting team to bring glory to Kano state and the country in general.

2. 37TH MICRO FINANCE BANK MEETING Council acknowledged the opening of the 37th Micro Finance Bank meeting in Kano and formally welcomed the representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders. Furthermore, Council hoped that the stakeholders meeting would create an opening towards the improvement of Nigerian economy.

3. CONDOLENCE MESSAGE On behalf of the people of Kano State, Council extended its condolence message to the families and the entire nation on the death of Kano State Mobile Police Force Squadron 9 commander, SP Dahiru Musa Majia, who was shot to death by unknown gunmen on Monday evening at his residence in Kano. May his Gentle Soul rest in Jannatul-firdaus.

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF TENURE SYSTEM FOR PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND DIRECTORS IN THE STATE CIVIL SERVICE Following the recent signing of Kano State Pension and Gratuity (Amendment) Law 2013, Council acknowledged the release of a circular from the Office of the Head of Civil Service on the implementation of tenure system for Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the State Civil Service. The adoption of the tenure system by the present Government will re-invigorate the State Civil Service and create more opportunities for upcoming officers to aspire for greater heights. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Civil Service Rules, which prescribe 60 years of age or 35 years of service for mandatory retirement, the appointment of Permanent Secretaries shall hence forth be for a period of four (4) years subject to re-appointment for a final term of 4 years, while Directors shall serve for a single term of 8 years with immediate effect.

5. SIGNING OF A BILL ON COMMUNITY REORIENTATION COUNCIL Council witnessed the endorsement of a Bill changing the name of Community Reorientation Committee to Community Reorientation Council.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Contact (KAROTA) for: Breakdown of Vehicle, Traffic Congestion, Accident, Illegal / Wrong Parking through the following number. - 08091626747. State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. State Fire Service may also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

For further information on Government activities visit us at: www.kano.gov.ng/new

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

NEWS

•Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi with Liberian President, Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during the inauguration of President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone for a second term in Freetown

•Wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Folu Adeboye, (right) cutting the tape to dedicate a Maternity Centre in Ibafo and the foundation laying of the new headquarters of Ogun Province 8 at Asese, Ogun State. With her from left are: Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of the Province, Pastor Lawrence Olunifesi; National Secretary Pastor James Olowolayemo; Regional Pastor-in-Charge of Region 12, Pastor Gbadebo Lawal; and Pastor Margaret Bankole.

•L-R: Former Methodist Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Abiodun Omodunbi, Lay President, Lagos diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Ajayi and Mr Olusegun Sofunkke at the 51st Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos tagged: “Golden Jubilee Plus One Synod” held at the Lagos Diocese, Olorunda Methodist Church, Surulere, Lagos.

•Managing Director, Wastepoint Ltd, Mr. Muyiwa Adeniyi (left); Sales/Marketing chief, Trailed BV, Netherlands, Mr. Bart Willemse; Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ola Oresanya; Chairman, Wastepoint Limited, Mr. Sesan Ogunro; an engineer with Trailed BV, Mr. Martinus Bennenbroek and General Manager, Technical Service, LAWMA, Mr. Olubori, after a two-day working visit of Willemse and Bennenbroek to LAWMA on how to obtain maximum efficiency and effectiveness of its welting floor trailers used

by LAWMA and its PSP for bulk disposal of solid waste

•From left: Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Malam Yusuf Usman, presenting a gift to the leader of Chinese delegation to Nigeria, Deputy Director-General, Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcasting, TV, Press and Publication, JIAO Yunhua when the delegation visited the National Museums, Onikan, Lagos... on Wednesday. With them is Cheng Peng.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, Chief Kareem Daramola, at the celebration of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s 2,100 days at the Blue Roof, LTV, Ikeja PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

•Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyor (NIQS) President, Agele J. Alufohai (sixt right)with new Fellows of the Institute at the Awards Nite and Presidential Dinner at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Victorial Island, Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

59

NEWS

Yobe begins demographic, health survey in 12 councils

T

HE National Population Commission (NPC) in Yobe State has begun the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in the state.

The Federal Commissioner of the NPC, Alhaji Mahdi Bukar, yesterday told a news conference in

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

Damaturu that the survey would be carried out in 12 of the 17 local governments, saying that security has been tightened for the safety of the data collectors.

He said 12 data collectors have been engaged for the

exercise, stressing that it has begun in Gujba Local Government.

Alhaji Bukar enjoined ministries and organisations to take advantage of the data provided by the NPC. He said NDHS has assisted the government in planning for the future.

Answering questions on

the difficulties the workers would face, especially in getting information about HIV/AIDS, fertility, family planning, maternal and child-health from the people, Alhaji Bukar said the team comprises men and women who can channel their questions to either man or woman.

Beware of sycophants, lawmaker urges Wada

•Wada

T

HE Minority Leader in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Yori Afolabi, has urged Governor Idris Wada to beware of political sycophants, who do not have the interest of the state at heart.

Capt Wada returned to his position recently as the governor after two months of medical treatment following an accident he had last De-

cember.

Afolabi, an All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) member representing Ijumu Constituency, said sycophants have nothing to offer, adding that they are only after their selfish interest and are ready to turn enemies as soon as there are changes.

“Wada should be pragmatic in governing the state by ensuring the judicious use of its resources, both capital and human. He should be careful of sycophants, who are interested in what they will gain,” he added.

On the return of the governor to the state after the accident, Afolabi said: “We are happy that the governor is back. Nobody is immune to accident. Only an insane person will be happy that his fellow human being is involved in an accident.”

The Minority Leader, who

From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

spoke with reporters at the weekend, said: “We thank God his return will give him another opportunity to serve humanity and have more faith in God. The accident should remind leaders that power is transient.”

The legislator said the ongoing renovation of Hassan Katsina Road in Lokoja is a quality job.

“I hail the governor for this.

The people are asking for more of this,” he added.

Afolabi also lauded Governor Wada for pursuing youth empowerment programmes, which he said has reduced thuggery.

Said he: “One other thing I would commend him for is reducing thuggery.”

Afolabi noted that Wada’s

Ilorin family absolves suspect of terrorism

T

HE family of Abdullahi Berende, one of the suspected terrorists paraded by security personnel, has testified to his character.

The suspect is a scion of the Afonja clan in Idiape, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The family accused the Director of State Security Service (DSSS) of framing him up.

The DSSS, two weeks ago, paraded Berende and two others for allegedly engaging in espionage for foreign terrorist organisations.

The family said if the confession was true, the video of the confession should have been shown.

Speaking with reporters at the weekend at the family home in Ilorin, the Chairman of the Afonja Descendants Union, Alhaji Jimoh Amosa, said: “The accused can never be a terrorist because of his rich knowledge of the Holy Qur’an.”

Amosa, who is about 100 years old, added: “Abdullahi is my son. I taught him the Holy Qur’an. Before he attained 10, he had finished learning the Holy Qur’an.

“He also has a rich knowledge of western education.

With this background, he has

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

never exhibited any trait of violence. He is not a violent person. The way I taught him is the way he teaches his followers.

“When he returned from Iran, we thanked God for his life because he did well. He was recommended and recognised to be the best. He does not have violence or terrorism in his blood. He is innocent of the allegation levelled against him.”

Also speaking, the suspect’s younger brother, Yakubu, said: “The allegation that he has received thousands of dollars from Iran is not true because if he had that kind of money, every member of the family would have felt his impact.

“It is not true because when we checked his accounts in banks, we could only find N10,000. We can prove this.

His ATM cards are with us.

His account numbers are with us. If anybody wants to verify these, we can go to his banks.

“We challenge them to produce any evidence they have against him in court. The allegation of his involvement in

terrorism is sad and a surprise to everybody in the family.

“We don’t know where the allegation came from. The socalled confession is far from the truth because this case has been in the Federal High Court, Ilorin and Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Abuja. When the incident occurred on December 17 last year, the family went to the DSSS and asked why Abdullahi is being arrested. DSSS did not yield, then the family headed for the court. Since then, the matter has been in the Federal High Court, Ilorin. The family served the DSSS a letter from the court. That was what prompted the DSSS in Abuja to take him to the Magistrate’s Court in Wuse, Abuja.

“On the self-confession, it is a lie because on February 20, there was a hearing in the Federal High Court, Ilorin.

There was another one at the Magistrate’s Court, Wuse, Abuja.

“The Magistrate’s Court asked the DSSS to take the matter to the Federal High Court since the case is above its jurisdiction. It gave them a maximum of two weeks starting from February 20 to take the matter to the Federal High Court or else he should be released.”

Kaduna announces tax holiday for investors

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S part of its efforts to encourage investors to invest in the state, Kaduna State Government yesterday said it was considering tax holiday for investors, while taking steps to discourage multiple taxation in the state.

Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero, who said this at the closing ceremony of

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

the 34th Kaduna International Trade Fair, added that the state economy was recently granted a B+ by Flitch Rating agency, reflecting that it had a stable financial performance and gradually developing local taxes.

The governor also said the rating confirmed that the key economic parameters in the

state were very strong, with bright economic indicators that created a favourable environment for investment.

He promised that the government would cut down on its spending, while utilising a larger percentage of its budget to develop critical infrastructure as apparent in the 2013 budget, which was recently signed into law.

initiative in agriculture was worth praising.

“One could see how the banks of River Niger are being utilised for the cultivation of rice and other crops.

This is good for our youths and farmers. Local governments should be encouraged to do same,” he said.

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) would end poverty and bring development to Nigeria and Kwara State, the Kwara South chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said.

It spoke after a meeting of stakeholders at Ajase.

The group, in its resolution signed by the Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Raheem Jimoh, said: “The current move to bring an alternative platform that will check the excesses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country is a right step not only in the right direction but a wake–up call long expected.

“For instance, in Kwara, we have a government that has gone to sleep. Developmental projects that have direct bearing on the people have been neglected. Government is embarking on white elephant projects.”

It said APC would rescue the indigenes from neglect, poverty and high-handedness at the corridors of power.

“It is a common knowledge

‘APC is solution to Kwara’s problem’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

that the new paradigm in development encourages the bottom-up approach. That is, the people are at the centre of development. The case is not so in Kwara State as the government thinks for the people. The few projects where billions have been sunk have no semblance of development for the people,” the Kwara South ACN said.

It said it would mobilise people in the seven local governments constituting the Southern Senatorial District to vote for the APC. It added that the rerun in Offa Local Government would be a litmus test.

The group urged the Offa people to keep faith with the party, vowing to give purposeful leadership, while people-oriented projects would not cease.

‘Mainstreet MD not sacked’

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HE Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mainstreet Bank Limited, Mallam Falalu Bello, has denied the claim that the bank’s Group Managing Director, Mrs. Faith Tuedor-Matthews, was suspended over alleged misappropriation of funds.

The chairman, in a statement made available to our correspondent, said there was no board crisis, adding that Mrs Tuedor-Martins remained the lender’s chief executive officer.

A newspaper report had said that the board of Mainstreet

Bank had suspended Mrs Tuedor-Matthews over alleged misappropriation of funds.

The report alleged that she transferred funds into her private accounts abroad.

But the chairman said: “There is no iota of truth in the report that our GMD, Ms Faith Tuedor – Matthews, has misappropriated any funds of the bank and it is also not true that she transferred any funds of the bank into her private account abroad.

“That both the Board and Management of MBL are working harmoniously and building

a great institution - the result of which will be seen by the Nigerian public very shortly and Ms Faith Tuedor- Matthews is and remains the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of MBL.” He added that “the management of the bank has demanded a full retraction of the false, malicious and defamatory story, failing which necessary legal action will be taken by the bank.”

Mrs Tuedor-Matthews and her management team were appointed in August 2011, following the nationalisation of Afribank Plc, Bank PHB and Spring Bank Plc.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

60

FOREIGN NEWS Vatican envoy: no one T knows who next Pope is

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HE Vatican Ambassador to Nigeria, Most Rev Augustine Kasujja, yesterday said nobody knows the race or continent where the next successor to Pope Benedict XVI would come from as the selection of a Pope is not based on human perception but on divine direction and Canon Law. Pope Benedict XVI; who was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927 in Bavaria - Germany, bowed out on February 28 to live as a pilgrim. By midMarch 118 Cardinal - electors would enter the Conclave to elect Benedict’s successor.

There were expectations and speculations, at least on the African continent, that the resignation of Pope Benedict may open the chances of an African descent becoming the next Pope.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, 64, (Ghana) and Cardinal Francis Arinze(Nigeria) are two of the several black Cardinals who may be run-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ning for the office of the Papacy at the Vatican, Rome.

But yesterday, Kasujja who is on Apostolic visit to the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta said during a Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church College in Abeokuta, that the emergence of whoever would succeed Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI rest with the “Holy Spirit” and free from human influence.

He noted that the doctrine of the Catholic and who ever occupies certain position has always been done through the Canon Law and as such nobody can say either an “African, Asian or American is going to be Pope”.

Kasujja said: “to be a Pope, Bishop or Priest, the emergence is not according to human perception or thought or because you are good looking or black or you are white, but whoever the Holy Spirit appoints.”

Netanyahu gets 14 more days to form govt

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SRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given two more weeks to form a new government, following January’s inconclusive elections.

The extension of the initial 28-day deadline was announced after he held talks with President Shimon Peres.

Mr Netanyahu’s rightwing Likud-Beitenu bloc emerged as the largest grouping in parliament, but with a much reduced number of seats in parliament.

Mr Netanyahu has been

unable to make a deal with potential coalition partners.

His TV address on Saturday smacked of frustration as he described what he called “boycotts” by certain parties.

He earlier offered to work with the new centrist Yesh Atid party, which surprised observers by coming second in the elections.

But the party - headed by popular former TV presenter Yair Lapid - entered into a powerful pact with the rightwing Jewish Home.

Coup foiled in Benin republic

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ENIN said Sunday that authorities have thwarted an attempt to oust President Thomas Boni Yayi and install a military regime in the west African nation.

In a statement read to journalists, state prosecutor Justin Gbenameto said a colonel and businessman were arrested for plotting “to block the head of state from returning to Cotonou after his trip and to institute a military regime.”

Yayi, who recently completed a one-year term as chairman of the African Union, had travelled to Equatorial Guinea last month for a summit with South American leaders.

Gbenameto said Colonel Pamphile Zomahoun and prominent accountant and businessman Johannes Dagnon were in custody and investigations were continuing.

The prosecutor urged citizens to “have confidence” in the authorities.

Alleged plots against the government are not new for the small west African nation that borders Nigeria.

Last year, businessman Patrice Talon, the president’s niece and others were arrested after being accused of scheming to replace the president’s heart medication with poison.

U.K cannot rule out arming Syrian rebels

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RITAIN cannot rule out providing arms to the Syrian opposition in the future, Foreign Secretary William Hague says.

The situation in Syria now is “too dangerous to the peace and security of that entire region, and thereby to the world, to ignore it”, he said.

His words come after Syrian President Bashar alAssad accused Britain in the Sunday Times of bullying and naivety over the conflict in his country.

Mr Hague described Mr Assad’s interview as “delusional”.

About 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian uprising that started almost two years ago. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled to neighbouring countries.

The foreign secretary is due to announce to Parliament this week an aid package to assist those fighting against the Syrian government.

Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme, Mr Hague said the package would be given “directly to the opposition” and would include “more equipment to help save lives”.

HE toll of more than 1,000 dead after Kenya’s last election makes today’s presidential vote the most important in the country’s 50-year history.

A slate of new races and a presidential candidate who faces charges at an international court also make it Kenya’s most complicated.

Voters on Monday will cast ballots in a host of regional races, many of which could turn contentious and potentially violent. But it’s the presidential race that pits multiple tribes against one another, each of which desperately wants to win the country’s top political prize.

Kenyans have spent the last five years trying to understand how a nation seen as too educated and economically advanced for civil war spent weeks on the brink of it. Political leaders never convened courts to try those responsible for ordering the vicious tribe-ontribe attacks, so The Haguebased International Criminal Court has indicted four top Kenyans for inciting the violence.

One of those is Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu, son of Kenya’s first president and one of two leading presidential candidates. The other top candidate is Prime Minster Raila Odinga, a Luo whose father was Jomo Kenyatta’s vice president before he was forced out, the latest rivalry in a long-running rift between Kikuyus and Luos.

Adding to the tensions, a raft of Kenyan polls show Odinga and Kenyatta each have support in the mid-40percent range. Kenya has eight presidential candidates, but to win the presidency one must receive more than 50 percent of the vote, making an OdingaKenyatta run-off in April likely, a situation that will

Kenya goes to the poll Falana urges voters to shun violence, rigging

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ORMER West African Bar Association (WABA) President Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Kenya Electoral Commission to conduct today’s election in a manner that reflects voters’ wishes.

He urged the Kenyan government and Western embassies in Kenya not to interfere in the democratic process in any manner.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Falana said Kenyans should be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice without threat or intimidation.

He recalled that the general elections were marred by official manipulations which provoked large-scale violence in several parts of the country in 2007.

The post-electoral violence reportedly led to the killing of over 1,000 people and displacement of 500 others.

The statement reads: “Notwithstanding that the electoral crisis was instigated by the Mwai Kibaki administration and the Kenya electoral commission, no public officer was recommended for sanction or prosecution.

Falana said: “Hence, the endorsement of such official impunity and the trial of both Kenyatta and William Ruto by the International Criminal Court have been questioned by some human rights organisations.

“Though the presumption of innocence inures in favour of all suspects standing trial before the International Criminal Court, Western diplomats in Kenya have rejected the Kenyatta/ increase tribal frictions.

“This is a close election, so there is some nervousness and tension that there may be those who won’t accept the results,” said John Githongo, a former adviser to President Mwai Kibaki on ethics and governance who resigned and then exposed government corruption.

“I think that fear is a real and understandable one, but I’d like to think that we’ve learned painfully from history.”

Githongo notes that both Odinga and Kenyatta have pledged to concede defeat if the votes don’t go their way.

Kenya’s business and tourism communities want to

We killed Algeria hostage mastermind, says Chadian military •...50 rebels, third French solder killed

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HADIAN soldiers in Mali have killed Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the al Qaeda commander who masterminded a bloody hostage-taking at an Algerian gas plant in January, Reuters has reported, quoting Chad’s military.

The death of one of the world’s most wanted jihadists would be a major blow to al Qaeda in the region and to Islamist rebels already forced to flee towns they had seized in northern Mali by an offensive by French and African troops.

“On Saturday, March 2, at noon, Chadian armed forces operating in northern Mali completely destroyed a terrorist base. ... The toll included several dead terrorists, including their leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar,” Chad’s armed forces said in a statement read on national television.

On Friday, Chad’s president, Idriss Deby, said his soldiers had killed another al Qaeda commander, Adelhamid Abou Zeid, among 40 militants who

died in an operation in the same area as Saturday’s assault - Mali’s Adrar des Ifoghas mountains near the Algerian border.

France - which has used jet strikes against the militants’ mountain hideouts - has declined to confirm the killing of either Abou Zeid or Belmokhtar.

In Washington, an Obama administration said the White House could not confirm the killing of Belmokhtar.

Analysts said the death of two of al Qaeda’s most feared commanders in the Sahara desert would mark a significant blow to Mali’s Islamist rebellion.

“Both men have extensive knowledge of northern Mali and parts of the broader Sahel and deep social and other connections in northern Mali, and the death of both in such a short amount of time will likely have an impact on militant operations,” said Andrew Lebovich, a Dakar-based analyst who follows al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

By Joseph Jibueze

Ruto joint ticket on the ground that they have been arraigned for crimes against humanity.

“The United States (U.S.) which has bluntly refused to ratify the Rome Statute has hypocrically asked Kenyans to reject Messrs Kenyatta and Ruto at the polls slated for March 4, 2013.

“So far, the people of Kenya have made it abundantly clear to the international community that the outcome of the elections will be freely determined by them.

“Therefore, the government and the Western embassies in Kenya should be warned not to interfere in the democratic process in any manner whatsoever.

“Since Kenya is a sovereign nation, the people should be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice without threat or intimidation.

“All the political parties and their candidates are enjoined to ensure that the elections are devoid of violence, thuggery and rigging.

“In particular, the candidates should be prepared to accept the election results. Those who may be dissatisfied with the results of the elections should be prepared to approach the election petition tribunals for redress.

“However, since the success of the democratic exercise largely depends on the credibility of the process, the Kenya electoral commission should conduct the elections in a manner that reflects the wishes of the Kenyan voters.”

maintain peace. But Kenya has seen violence surrounding every election since 1992, and there are many reasons violence could revisit this election cycle: If Kenyatta wins, he has pledged to attend court sessions at the ICC, meaning

Kenya would have an absent president. Kenyatta’s running mate, William Ruto, also faces charges related to election violence at the ICC. If Odinga wins and Kenyatta refuses to go to the ICC, Odinga may have to order his arrest, an explosive tribal situation.

LENTEN TALK Rev. Henry O. Adelegan

Storm cannot stop you. Part lI Text: Mark 4:35-42 ESUS Christ’s presence in the boat ought to be the needed Insurance against any storm. In the story from our text however, a storm occurred despite His presence.

Consequent upon His presence, the storm was rebuked and made of no effect. It would have been terrible if Jesus was not in that boat or to be invited to the boat when they were in the midst of the storm.

Beloved of God, is Jesus in the boat of your life or outside?

Jesus said that “in the world there shall be tribulation…..”(John 16:33). Solomon buttressed this is Ecclesiastes 11:8 “ if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many.” Prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 43:1-2 about the certainty of passing through waters, rivers and walking through the fire at particular times as part of expected life experiences.

The good news however is that when Jesus is in the boat of your life, the storms will rage but shall not overcome you. It is will however be a terrible experience if He is in not in the boat of your life when the day of evil comes.

Are you passing through a storm now and asking “Why me?” or is life difficult for you as a Christian; is your marriage going down and strength is failing you or are you believing God for the fruit of the womb and asking “ Has God forgotten me?”

Jesus promised that you should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world and Isaiah said God will be with you when you think He is not there, He will ensure that the rivers do not overflow you and the fire does not burn you. Halleluyah!

Do you know that because Daniel was a redeemed of the Lord, the lions that were his friends, broke the bones of his accusers (Daniel 6:18-24), the Red Sea that cooled the sweat of the Israelites was the graveyard of the Egyptians armies ( Exodus 14:26-31) and the fire that destroyed the yokes of the 3 Hebrews such that they were fellowshipping with the Son of God inside the fire, was the sepulchre of the people that cast them inside the fiery furnace ( Daniel 3:19-20).

Are you a redeemed of Christ? Is Jesus Christ truly in the boat of your life? This season of Lent is the best time to invite Jesus Christ into your life so that when the storm comes, He can speak for you through His word deposited inside you and grant you victory in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Father, come into the boat of my life and never allow the storm of life to capsize my boat in Jesus’ name

J

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THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

NEWS

Fed Govt floats N3b special grant for Nollywood

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HE Federal Government has designed a special programme, tagged: ‘Project Nollywood’, to facilitate a N3 billion grant for the industry and assist it to raise its level of success.

Speaking at a dinner held at the State House, Marina, Lagos at the weekend in honour of Nollywood stars to mark the 20 years of the industry, President Goodluck Jonathan said the grant was in continuation of his administration’s assistance to the industry, which he said could surpass the oil and gas industry as the nation’s highest source of revenue.

He said the special programme would be launched in the first week of next month, adding: “I assure you that this administration will give Nollywood support to take the movie industry to

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

a greater height.

“I invited the private sector to this dinner because I believe they can also support the efforts to develop the overall value chain of the industry.

“Encouraged by the feedback we have received from you on our administration’s support for Nollywood, we have designed a programme known as ‘Project Nollywood’ to support the key components of the industry’s value chain through a dedicated grant totalling N3billion.

“It will include capacity development fund and funds to support the industry’s infrastructure. The scheme, which will be launched in the first week of April, will

be managed by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism.”

President Jonathan said he has asked NEXIM Bank and the Bank of Industry to redouble their efforts in assisting the industry to access loans.

Stressing that Nollywood has achieved great success in its 20 years of existence, he urged stakeholders not to rest on their laurels.

He went on: “It is always said that getting to the top may be difficult, but remaining there may be more challenging. Our producers, script writers, actors, actresses and others, who work in the movie industry, must continue to work with zeal to improve on the quality and content of their pro-

duction.”

According to him, Nollywood stars, musicians and sportsmen have been putting the nation on the global map through their hard work.

Describing the three groups as the nation’s global brand, Jonathan said they unite Nigerians and bring them joy, irrespective of religious or tribal differences.

Speaking earlier, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State announced the endowment of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Prize for the Best in the Movie Industry.

He said N50million would be committed into the award.

Akpabio urged the leadership of the industry to come up with a committee that would coordinate the award.

Said he: “I am the chairman of the newest forum in poli-

tics, the PDP Governors’ Forum. The first set of disciples of the President. We felt we must come together and rally support for the President, especially for his uncommon transformation agenda.

“Nollywood has come of age at 20. When the history of the success of Nollywood is being told, President Jonathan’s name will be mentioned.

“No leader in the country has supported creativity as done by President Jonathan.

There is no way you can ever fail because you never discriminate.

“We won the African Cup of Nations during your tenure. You may end up winning two World Cups because the boys will be improving.

Dignitaries at the event in-

•Dr. Jonathan

cluded the wife of the President, Patience, wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark, some members of the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, stakeholders in the entertainment industry, traditional rulers and media managers.

Governors Theodore Orji of Abia State, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State and Usman Dakingari of Kebbi State also attended.

‘Only 12.5% of women are in senior positions’

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Non-Government Organisation (NGO), Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), has said only 12.5 per cent of women are in senior positions in the public and private sectors.

It noted that the success rate of female entrepreneurs was low compared to men entrepreneurs.

The Chairperson, WIMBIZ, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, spoke at the weekend at the group’s first media parley held in

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Lagos to inform the public of the organisation’s activities for this year.

She said having identified this defect, WIMBIZ was working towards strengthening women and positioning them to be in charge since evidence has shown that women are steadier, honest, diligent, prudent and bring stability in organisations.

The chairperson said the organisation, which started 12

years ago, has recorded successes as it has impacted positively on the lives of many Nigerian women in the business and corporate world.

In attendance at the event were the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eventful Limited, Mrs. Yewande Zaccheaus; CEO, Terra Kulture, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters; CEO, Do.II Designs Limited, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, among others.

Mrs. Azeez said the NGO

is aimed at educating and challenging women to maximise their potentials as well as rise up to the life challenges they face; create a platform for networking and building value-added business relationships; elevate the attraction and retention of women in the workplace to a business issue as well as a social and gender-related issue; and improve the success rate of female entrepreneurs and increase the proportion of women in senior positions in

corporate organisations.

She said WIMBIZ also engages in mentoring young women and giving them tips on how to be successful in their careers and families.

She lamented a situation whereby many young marriages are crumbling.

Mrs. Azeez said: “Young women need mentoring.

Many young women are getting married and their marriages are crumbling. So, WIMBIZ is here to let them know that they can have it all.

We are all successful women

in our careers, businesses and we still have our families intact.

“We know it is not easy to have it all going, but it is possible to achieve all without compromising. We are not a pressure group, but we raise awareness so that government and the corporate world can understand and appreciate the values women bring to the table. We also draw attention to the underrepresentation of women in the board rooms.”

NEWS Gunmen kill Kwara Police Commissioner Continued from page 4

on telephone yesterday said the IGP described Asadu’s killing as a most unfortunate incident.

Mba quoted Abubakar as describing the death as painful, particularly at a time the Federal Government and the security agencies are working very hard to improve the security situation in the country.

Mba said: “While sending his condolences to the family of the slain Asadu, the IGP has vowed to bring the killers to book promptly.

“He has already directed the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State to commence investigation into the killing with the view to apprehending the persons behind the dastardly act.

“The IGP has also directed a special squad unit under him and the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) to join in the search for the killers to ensure that the murder is resolved and the perpetrators brought to justice.

“According to the IGP, those who murdered Asadu will have no peace until they face the wrath of the law”.

Enugu Police spokesman Amaraizu described the attack as “very unfortunate”.

He said the CP was on a private visit to his home in Enugu when the incident occurred.

A police source in Enugu said: “The CP was driving into his personal residence in Amorji Nike after dropping a visitor. He was with a po-

lice orderly and his driver.

Just about 100 metres from his house, they noticed that a bus was trailing them behind and before they could know what was happening, the gunmen opened fire and killed the CP instantly. His orderly and driver were also shot and they were seriously wounded.

“The gunmen ran away in their bus before the CP’s escort team that was inside his compound noticed what was happening. When the escort team and sympathisers rushed to the scene, they met CP Asadu and his orderlies critically injured. They were rushed to the National Orthopaedic Hospital where doctors confirmed the CP dead. The other two policemen are on admission at the hospital. “ Amaraizu said the police would do everything possible to fish out the assailants as investigations into the bizarre incident have already commenced.

Enugu State police Commissioner Tonye Ebitibituwa was said to have directed his men to launch a manhunt for the gunmen.

Asadu hailed from Onuiyi Nsukka and his family compound is directly behind Onuiyi Haven, the residence of Nigeria’s First Republic President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Residents of Onuiyi Nsukka have been in a mourning mood since the news of his death was broken.

Shell threatens shutdown

•Sunmonu Continued from page 4

We are in a crisis as a country, because this is something which is beyond the capacity of any individual company or beyond the capacity of a country to solve.

“We really need concerted efforts locally, nationally and internationally to actually get this under control. It is really going to cause a big devastation, but I really worry about crude oil theft. Frankly speaking, my worry is not about the economy per se; the economy itself is huge, but I worry more about the devastation.

“The devastation for the people of Niger Delta, the destruction it will cause to the social and environmental aspects of the people of the Niger Delta and to Nigeria as a whole. We are in a crisis and I cannot as MD of SPDC, in all good conscience, just continue to put my head in the sand.

“This is really getting to the crunch, I must say. It is getting to the crunch, that rather than allow people to continue to attack my pipelines and devastate the environment, I may actually consider shutting-in the pipeline completely. So, it is getting to that crunch point and I hope

that every hand will really join us in actually getting this under control.”

Sunmonu lauded the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to tackling crude oil theft in the Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria.

The illegal bunkering points are said to be close to JTF’s outposts. At such places, stolen crude oil is refined to produce mostly diesel.

All the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta are said to be losing thousands of barrels of crude oil and huge revenue.

In Nembe creeks in Bayelsa State, Krakrama and Awoba in Kalabari axis of Rivers State, as well as areas close to coastal Bonny, also in Rivers State and other parts of the Niger Delta, the illegal bunkerers and oil thieves are having a field day.

SPDC, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Chevron, Mobil, Addax and other companies are badly affected by the activities of the criminals.

JTF spokesman Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu denied its operatives’ involvement in the crime. He said Operation Pulo (oil) Shield had been combating oil theft and illegal bunkering.

Most hit by the illegal bunkering is SPDC’s Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL), resulting in frequent production shutdown and massive oil spills.

Between February 22 and 25, 12 Shell’s flow stations producing into the NCTL, were shut down by safety systems three times, due to oil theft. Each in-

cident resulted in deferment of 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Investigations also revealed that 95 per cent of the revenue from each barrel of crude oil goes to the Federal Government. The continuous theft has an immediate impact on the economy, with the activities of the criminals being a serious attack on the people, the economy and the environment.

The NCTL was replaced in 2010, at $1.1 billion, but the new line has been repeatedly targeted by crude thieves. This forced a shut down for one month in December, 2011, following a spill caused by two failed crude theft connections.

When the NCTL was reopened in January, last year, it also suffered multiple trips, caused by pressure drops, resulting from illegal off-take. The trunkline was eventually shut down on May 2, last year to allow for the removal of more than 50 crude theft points.

It was also gathered that last month, thieves drilled a hole on SPDC’s gas pipeline, which was buried underground, some two kilometres from Soku gas plant in Rivers State. It was shut down for repair, with force majeure declared on gas supplies to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company in Bonny on February 5.

In 2012, sabotage and crude oil theft were the causes of 24,500 barrels spilled from SPDC facilities from almost 140 incidents, accounting for about 95 per cent of the total spilled volume during the period.

The spokesman of the security outfit in the Niger Delta also

said: “JTF is fighting a good fight in combating the hydraheaded menace of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. This is evident in the number of successful interceptions and arrests that we have made, not only in the immediate past year (2012), but even in the two months that we have spent in this year.

“Last year alone, 7,585 antiillegal bunkering patrols were conducted. 18 vessels and 1,945 suspects were arrested; 4,349 illegal crude oil distilleries were destroyed. Also destroyed were 133 barges, 1,215 open-wooden boats (Cotonu boats), 187 oil theft tanker trucks, 178 illegally-distilled fuel dumps and 5,574 surface tanks.

“In addition, 36,504 drums of distilled petroleum products, 638 pumping machines and 326 outboard engines were seized.

JTF is not relenting. So far, in 2013, we have arrested 260 suspects, eight vessels, nine barges and 90 open-wooden barges. We have scuttled 452 distilleries/cooking spots of stolen crude oil.

“It is, therefore, quite difficult to reconcile the upsurge spoken of, given these achievements.

Our patrol troops have often times reported incidents of ruptures on the pipelines, whenever they find one and, as we speak, there are still a good number of those ruptures left unclamped in Dasaba and Mekakiri creeks.”

Lt. Col. Nwachukwu added that the JTF did not have the manpower to put operatives permanently on over 6,000-kilometre pipelines, mostly in the mangroves.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

62

SPORT EXTRA Olympian Konyegwachie returns after 24 years

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Kano Pillars qualify for second round

•Ex-boxer works in London train station

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984 LOS ANGELS Summer Olympics Silver medallist, Peter Konyegwachie has finally returned to the country after a 24-year sojourn in the United Kingdom.

The Ogwashi-Uku born former pugilist told NationSport that his decision to stay back in London was not deliberate, but a fate he has come to accept as his, destiny.

“I left the country and have been living in London for the past 24 years and I am coming for the first time, but I will be returning soon. So it is good to be back home.

After the Olympics in 1984, I left for the UK to pursue a career in boxing but it didn’t work out the way I expected so I ended up staying there.

I attended a University there and got a Bachelors degree in Banking and Finance.

Actually you never know you have stayed this long until you are told. I have since settled in the UK with my wife and three children.

I actually wanted to become

By Innocent Amomoh a boxing champion but my dream of achieving this was dashed,” he said.

Though he now works with a London underground train station, Konyegwachie is, however, not happy with the decline in boxing in Nigeria, a development he described as a sad situation.

“I was very sad when I learnt about the level of decline boxing had dropped over the years. At the last Olympics I watched how the Nigerian boxers all lost out very early into the competition. I was very angry within me. I asked myself what happened because we used to have four to five boxers in the semi finals of the Olympics in the past. In fact that was one of the reasons why I returned to ask questions on why boxing has declined so fast.

“I also went to the National Stadium in Surulere and I discovered the boxing gym and other facilities were dilapidated, no

•Hold Olympique Real de Bangui to a goalless draw •Face AC Leopards in next stage

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•Peter Konyegwachie improvement has been made. Nigeria is not doing anything meaningful to help boxing grow. The sports will grow if the right things are done. There should be regular competitions and the boxers should be exposed, then of course the right people should be allowed to

run the sports, by so doing the game will grow,” he said.

Konyegwachie turned professional in 1986 and won his first 15 fights prior to getting stopped by a journeyman in 1990. He retired after the bout at 151-0.

Abdullahi: London Olympics flop a blessing •Reiterates commitment to grassroot sports development

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T a time when Nigerians are still trying to come to terms with the dismal performance of their contigent at last year’s Olympics in London, Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi has said it is a blessing in disguise.

According to him, the outcome for Nigeria at the world’s biggest sporting fiesta presented the unique opportunity to rebuild and redirect attention to grassroots sports development.

Represented by Adewunmi Idowu,at the Greenspring Sport Forum held at the School’s premises in Lekki at the weekend, Abdullahi said the outcome of the forum has continued to inspire sports policy-makers in designing proactive management policies for solving emrging sporting problems in both academical and elite sports.

“Like I have always mentioned winning medals at the Olympics

By Innocent Amomoh is about spending money. It is not a coincidence that the medal table at the London Olympics reflected the level of economic development of such countries. But having the resources is one thing, making the right strategic investment is another.

“Every medal to be won must be clearly projected and carefully planned for both in financial and technical terms over a sustained period of time. Only years of intensive , unrelenting training and preparation can win medals. There is no shortcut.

“Medals are won by people who have worked hardest, not by those who have prayed hard. We can only win medals by building systems that are capable of producing medallists and champions not by selecting

athletes that we hope can win medals.

“Olympics are a lifetime commitment. The champion is in the child. Ye Shiwen, the 16year old Chinese girl, who shocked swimming world by setting a new world record and Lizzie Armistead, who won the

Team Great Britain’s first medal at the 2012 Olympics with a silver medal in Cycling, got her first bicycle at age 4,” he explained.

Abdullahi the said that the rebuilding process in Nigerian sport had already begun, while charging the reconstituted NASCOM board to stick to the top priorities in the process.

IGERIA’S CAF Champions League representatives, Kano Pillars held Olympique Real de Bangui of Central African Republic to a goalless draw yesterday in the CAF Champions League second leg preliminary game at the Boganda Stadium to qualify for the second round of the competition on a 5-1 aggregate.

The Pyramid side defeated Olympique Real de Bangui 5-1 in the first leg at the Sani Abacha Stadium in a fortnight ago.

The game which kicked off at 3pm on Sunday was disrupted by heavy downpour and the match had to be stopped by the referee for thirty minutes in the 53rd minute of play before it was continued.

The coach Baba Ganaru tutored side will face Confederation Cup defending Champions, AC Leopards of Congo in the second round. The second round first leg will be played in Kano on March 16, while the return leg will be played in Congo on April 6,.

Leopards qualified on a 2-1 aggregate against CF Mounana of Gabon. Leopards won the first leg of the preliminary round 2-0 while CF Mounana won the returned leg 1-0.

The club media officer, Idris Malikawa told NationSport on telephone that the match was played under heavy security with the stadium filled to capacity.

Malikawa also informed that thousand of Nigerians living in Central African Republic trooped out enmasse to support Kano Pillars yesterday at the Stadium.

LAGOS POLO INT’L TOURNAMENT

Ibah emerges Dansa Cup winners As Trojan retains Lagos Open Cup

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DDO ISMAIL scored three of his side’s goals as Kano Ibah upstaged Lagos Ericsson 8-5 to win the Dansa Cup at the Lagos Polo International Tournament.

The last final of the doublephased tournament which will resume on Wednesday, saw

By Stella Bamawo Tavia Trojan beat Goodfellows/ Ark 5 -4 to retain the Lagos Open Cup with Santiago Cernadas produced a Man of the Match performance for the Trojan.

Defending champions Ericsson rallied from a goal deficit to lead

2-1 after Damien Duncan replied twice following Murtala Aliyu’s opening goal from a 40yard penalty.

Duncan broke away from the roll-in of the second chukka but could not connect his shot at the vital area thus allowing Aliyu to clear. Tade Oyinlola made a last-ditch effort to clear Ismail’s goal-bound shot on goal but it was given as it has already crossed the line as Ibah drew level at 2-2.

By Taofeek Babalola “It was a nice game and we thank Almighty Allah for the success in the preliminary stage.

The rain affected the game because it was a heavy downpour. The stadium was surrounded by both the military personnel and policemen. The Nigerians here gave us maximum support since our arrival here on Thursday and they were present at the stadium yesterday to give support to Pillars. They came to the stadium with Nigerian flags and singing songs to encourage the team,” Malikawa said.

The Kano State Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Prof. Umar Farouk Jibrin commended the players for their efforts. He promised them of the state governments financial support and whatever they need to aid their success in the competition. Jibrin also thanked Nigerians living in Central African Republic for their support to the team.

The team left the Central African Republic immediately around 7pm yesterday night on IRS chartered flight and they touched down at the Aminu Kano International airport, Kano around 10pm last night.

NationSport gathered that the team was given a day break to rest and they are expected to resume training on Tuesday morning.

The Nigerian ambassador to the Central African Republic, Prince Roland Omowa was among the Nigerian dignitaries that watched the match.

Bale helps Spurs beat Arsenal 2-1

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ARETH Bale stole the spotlight yet again as the Tottenham star inspired his side to a crucial 2-1 win over Arsenal that piled on the misery for their north London rivals on Sunday.

Bale has been in sublime form of late and the Wales winger produced a typically clinical finish to break the deadlock in the first half at White Hart Lane before Aaron Lennon doubled Tottenham’s lead just moments later.

Per Mertesacker’s goal early in the second half set the stage for a tense finish, but Andre VillasBoas’s team, now unbeaten in their last 12 league games, held on to move above Chelsea into third place in the Premier League and within two points of secondplaced Manchester City.

Spurs have had eight managers since they last finished above Arsenal in 1995, but Villas-Boas could be the one to end that barren stretch as his side sit seven points clear of fifth placed Arsenal, who face a major struggle just to qualify for the Champions League.

“It was a very, very important win,” Villas-Boas said. “The motivation now is different, we are extremely confident and Arsenal are at a low.

“But we still have to fight hard, we have big weekends to come and we need to keep doing our job. There is so much to go still.”

Arsenal’s first defeat in six league games left them five points behind Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish and added to the sense of a club in crisis.

THE NATION MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

63

WHO SAID WHAT

‘Our country is one of the best in the world. I know we don’t have electricity; we don’t have this; we don’t have that, but efforts are being made.’

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 8 NO 2,418

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

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O FAR, it is the photo of the year. Even if you give allowance for partisan posturing, you cannot miss out on the significance of its poetry. The headlines could come in many incarnations. Eleven governors visit Borno State. Scratch that. Eleven Governors walk the streets of Maiduguri.

Scratch that. Eleven Governors beat Jonathan to visit Maiduguri. Scratch that again. Eleven Governors defy…

They did not dab across a street in the hurried frenzy of a rabbit. They did not don shorts and tee shirts. No bullet-proof clothing as far as the eye could see. They filled the street, apparently wide enough to take a football team and then some.

They waved their hands at the inhabitants, most of them, even if you were as tall as the Governor of example, Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN) in his cap and buba and sokoto, which was the most anti-athletic attire to don if you wanted to dodge a bomb. Or a small man like Adams Oshiomhole, or a smallish man like the grassroots governor, Rauf Aregbesola, whose bouncy physique undermines his fiftyish years. Or the cerebral Kayode Fayemi who knows a thing or two about military strategy and the vulnerabilities of the powerful.

It was billed as the meeting of the governors of the All Progressives Congress, but it was easy to play the coward. They could have burdened the streets with the braggadocio of power: armoured vehicles rumbling, sirens fluting arrogantly, military men in heady and defiant gear, guns threatening, the governors themselves nestled in a bubble and invisible from outside.

That was exactly the picture of the last visit from the number two citizen, Namadi Sambo. All markets were shut down, schools ironically fulfilled the Boko Haram agenda by shutting down, an unofficial curfew and restriction of movement darkened the city of Maiduguri. It was shut down not by the terror of the Islamic group but by the presence of the purveyor of peace and conciliation, the government from Abuja.

But unlike that dreary scene, these governors walked the streets, and they also visited a girls’ school and sat with the pupils. Is that not what the people had wanted from their president since he ascended the throne?

Yet the reports had it that the Presidency and the SSS did not want the governors to go. The reason: a report that the new terror group known as ANSARU was going to attack them. The directors of SSS in the states visited the governors and asked them to refrain from the visit. But the governors understood that leadership is not about fear, but about action.

They acted like Charles de Gaulle who would not shrink from a public ceremony because security reports hinted that his assassination was afoot. As Frederick Forsythe

RIPPLES IT’S NOT MY FAULT, says man who slept with daughter

Whose fault? Sure it’s THE DEVIL as usual

show that he loves them? If it is love, after how many markets razed and reborn, churches blown apart and restored, lives lost without hope of resurrection at least in this life? After how many mosques and police stations atrophied and schools out of joint?

Did he not flee to Brazil once when one of the northern cities burned?

Who does not think that Jonathan’s visit is about politics and not empathy? He wants to win enough northern states to cancel out his expected losses in the Southwest. He wants, as it is speculated, to endear himself to enough northern votes so he can defuse the new switch of politics: APC. When he does visit, will it be a visit, or an occupation? Will it be like Napoleon’s army in Moscow? The French general expected a royal entry like Jesus but found a deserted wilderness. Will he follow the magnificence of the governors and wave his presidential hands, not to an arranged crowd, but to a street of habitués and to a market? Will he pay visits that will show that he came out of love and not out of cynicism?

Even when he visits places like Lagos, the city capsizes with traffic bedlam and schedules fall into anarchy. The day belongs only to the President and the city dwellers sacrifice the day like a lamb.

Governor Shettima does not have the power that President Jonathan possesses over Maiduguri. As the commander in chief, he deployed the soldiers and the police that have kept charge. Governor Shettima is the chief security officer of the state, but neither the head of the army nor the commissioner of police reports to him. Yet, he has the cour-

age to work the schools, do the roads, preserve the hospitals where the slain go to like a ritual.

Yet, the President who controls all of the armed forces has not even sniffed the region to buoy the spirits of the men in uniform.

The Borno and Yobe examples are a grand mockery of our federal system. President Jonathan has made this mockery even more emphatic. Was President Bush not flayed for not visiting Katrina when the flood ravaged Louisiana? Did Obama’s fortune not change because of prompt responses to Hurricane Sandy? Did both men not endear their hearts to their countrymen and women by their visits to Iraq and Afghanistan?

Yet he preens when it is to corral PDP governors to Aso Rock and bully them with video clips and hectoring menaces about how to oust Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

Why is it taking the President now to visit, or could it be that he has been planning this for a long time? Maybe the schedulers are to blame. You laugh. How far is Yobe from Abuja when Governor Ibikunle Amosun could fly a world away from Abeokuta?

When prose stylist Joseph Conrad writes about a long journey, he chooses a long short story titled Youth, and it is about a 20-yearold who steers a ship from England to Bangkok. The journey takes long, but it is not for lack of trying. T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi valorises an epic walk over a long distance by those who know where they are going and won’t yield.

The people who live in Maiduguri, according to the testimony of one of the governors, have too much love of life to allow the rite of violence to refrain them from the routine glories of their days. They eat, love, play and work daily. That was what the eleven governors affirmed from the picture.

But if the president is visiting now, when politics has suffused the polity, his move has lost all innocence. Where were you, Mister President, when they wanted your love?

Like the play by Friedrich Durrenmatt called The Visit, the President’s sojourn to Maiduguri will come away as a move to extract a debt rather than exude a love. If the President wants to exalt his coming, he must play a high act that even his foes will call gracious. It must match, if not exceed, the act of the eleven governors.

If not, he would be fulfilling the words of the inimitable Oscar Wilde, who wrote that “when one visits, it is for the purpose of wasting other people’s time.” Let his visit be a photo and not a photo op.

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •NMMA Columnist of the Year

The visit

•Jonathan recorded it, the French leader defied and triumphed over the day of the jackal.

So, they flew their planes and left their homes to what many now see as a war zone.

Their host, the debonair Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno State, had thrived like Daniel Webster’s black birds through the cumulus clouds of Boko Haram.

The Jonathan SSS did not want the governors to go. They wanted to unitarise fear. If they had disdain for true federalism, they had to impose fear on the governors too. The governors federalised courage and good sense by defying a self-serving report.

A President who cannot hold ceremonies of state outside the Presidential Villa wants to corrode the states with the spirit of cowardice. But it was after the governors’ visit that the Presidency has now let it out that the President will visit Maiduguri. So what is the purpose of the President’s visit? Is it to

DALHATU TAFIDA

Obasanjo pontificates on leadership

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F all the subjects Chief Olusegun Obasanjo normally speaks on, leadership is rarely one of them. The reason is not strange. Though he presided over the affairs of Nigeria twice, from 1976-1979, and 1999-2007, and has accumulated more than 11 years’ experience in leadership, it is a topic that makes him extremely uncomfortable. But finally, last Saturday, he has broken the ice and spoken zestfully on the subject, and even applied it to the Nigerian case.

Speaking during the African Regional InterCollegiate Debate on Human Security held last Saturday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), the former president pontificated on the interconnectedness between poor leadership and underdevelopment, and argued that it was necessary to arrest the situation if Nigeria’s and Africa’s development was to be assured. As he put it, “In Nigeria, with due respect, there are not many good leaders; we have many Nigerians and not good leaders, which can be extended to Africa; and leadership problem is something we have to correct because we cannot continue the way it is.”

The former president did not expatiate on how the problem of poor leadership could be remedied, perhaps because the forum was

inappropriate for such deep discourses. More realistically, however, he probably realised he was not best placed to declaim on the topic, no matter how grandly he regularly postures as a former president. Nigerians remember him as sometimes playing the role of a critic, his words often wounding his victims, many of them his successors. He lampooned Alhaji Shehu Shagari, skewered Ibrahim Babangida, excoriated Sani Abacha, needled Umaru Yar’Adua, and disemboweled Goodluck Jonathan. Hardly anyone escapes his ill-humoured attention. And he sometimes ladles out his criticisms with tons of bucolic humour and wisecracks. It hardly matters to him that his criticisms are full of contradictions or even completely misplaced. Nor does it ever bother him when his panaceas are exposed for their puerility. But on the whole he wisely sticks to criticising only rather than proffering solutions.

In his Saturday bombast, there was nothing to indicate the exact time he realised poor leadership had become the bane of Nigeria’s development, or at what point he felt alarmed that the situation could not be allowed to continue. Only in 2007, and through the instrumentality of the worst election ever conducted in Africa, he foisted the Umaru Yar’Adua presidency on Nigeria, knowing

full well the late president was hobbled by terminal disease. For someone concerned about poor leadership, it was passing strange that at the same time, he threw in Jonathan as Yar’Adua’s sidekick, even when he recognised that the former Bayelsa State governor suffered from poor judgement. Indeed, it would have been interesting for reporters to ask the sanctimonious Obasanjo whether he included himself in the categorisation of incompetent leaders that brought Nigeria low. For after all, in spite of his pretensions to the contrary, foisting inept successors on the country is a reflection of his own unflattering limitations.

But notwithstanding the reactions of Nigerians to his pontification on leadership, Obasanjo is unlikely to be fazed. He will keep doing what he does best – inundating his victims with self-righteous rage. He is satisfied he is head and shoulders above his peers, and no opinion or unassailable fact to the contrary can ruffle his feathers. And if you were to bring Einstein himself to prove to him with mathematical exactitude that any object travelling near the speed of light would increase in mass, he would pooh-pooh the notion on the excuse that the image he carved for himself was not only immutable, but that it defied both the principles of logic and the laws of science.

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