The Nation March 13, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News PDP set to pick Bamanga Tukur as consensus candidate P2 Sport Blackburn fans scream: Yakubu Aiyegbeni is hot!

P24 Business Oil giants frustrating gas monitoring, says DPR P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2063 TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Petrol: NNPC, Oando, others to import 4.8b litres

By Emeka Ugwuanyi, Asst. Editor (Energy)

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HE Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has shortlisted 42 oil marketing firms to import 4,794,075,000 litres of premium motor spirit (petrol) for the second quarter of this year.

In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Reginald C. Stanley, the agency said the 42 companies include all members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Oando, Total, Mobil, MRS, Conoil, Forte Oil (formerly African Petroleum) as well as prominent independents such as Aiteo, Capital Oil, Folawiyo, IPMAN, Nipco, Sahara Energy, Integrated, and Ascon Oil. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was also shortlisted.

The companies were found to be efficient, the PPPRA chief noted, adding that issuance of import allocations would be based on performance.

Stanley said: “In line with the statutory mandate of the PPPRA, as provided for by the PPPRA Act No. 8 of 2003, which is to, among others, regulate the supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide, the PPPRA has issued permits to 42 eligible marketers for the supply of a total quantity of 3,575,000 MT (4,794,075,000 litres) of premium motor spirit (PMS) for the second quarter of 2012.

“The volume to be supplied into the system for second quarter 2012 is based on marketers’ performance in the past, and their ability to secure the needed financing.”

Continued on page 2

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (third right), his Deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (second right), Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaye (second left), former Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice and Chairman of the Committee Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN) (right), Director, Legislative Drafting, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Tola Akinsanya (third left) and former Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters and member of the Committee, Mr. Akeem Olajide Bello (left) during the inauguration of Lagos State Law Reform Committee at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja ... yesterday.

Jos death toll hits 19 Stations shut as Boko Haram kills policeman in Kano Defence chief Petinrin: we’ll device anti-violence strategy

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•Air Chief Marshal Petinrin

OS was struggling yesterday to regain its rhythm, after Sunday’s bombing of St. Finbarr’s Church.

In Kano, Boko Haram, the fundamentalist group believed to be responsible for the suicide bombing in Jos, struck in Kano, attacking a police station and killing a policeman.

The police authorities shut down some stations.

Seven more bodies were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) yesterday.

One of the injured in the hospital also died, taking the death toll in Sunday’s suicide bombing and the subsequent reprisal attacks to 19.

There was tension in the city as

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano and Yusufu Aminu Idegu Jos

Christian and Moslem youths spoiled for a fight.

Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin visited the site of the blast.

Many residents of Tinna Junction, Fillin Ball and Duala were in panic as security men shot into the air to disperse two youth groups who were advancing towards each other for a showdown.

A source said the tension followed the disappearance of some people believed to have been killed. Another version said a bus conductor was attacked somewhere in the town

and when the injured driver, who escaped, reported to his people, they mobilised for a confrontation. But security men saved the situation.

JUTH Chief Medical Director Dr. Ishaya Pam said seven more bodies were taken to the hospital yesterday.

He also said one of the injured on admission died in the morning.

The Chief Medical Director of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Dr. Bitrus Matawwal, confirmed that 10 bodies were in the hospital’s morgue.

Air Chief Marshal Petinrin was accompanied by the Commander of the Special Task Force (STF), Major Gen. Ibrahim Mohammed and Deputy Inspector General of Police John

Haruna on his visit to the bombed church. He was also at the Government House to see Governor Jonah Jang.

The Defence Chief promised that bombings would soon stop.

“These are people who are bent on getting different communities to be at each other’s throats so that it will look as if there is no security. We are now going to devise a strategy to stop it and you will see the effect,” he said.

Kano police spokesman Magaji Musa Majiya said six gunmen on motorcycles shot at a police station that had already been attacked twice this year.

Continued on page 2

•CITYBEATS P8 •SPORTS P23 •PROPERTY P25 •MARITIME P44 •POLITICS P45

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

NEWS

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi welcoming the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during his visit to the Government House in Ibadan ... yesterday. With them is Chief of Staff to the Governor Mr Adeolu Akande.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

•From left: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi; Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr Ahmed Ali Gulak; Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and Governor Dambaba Suntai of Taraba, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja ... yesterday

Jos struggling to regain form as death toll hits 19 Continued from page 1

The police said they shot dead six suspected Boko Haram members training at a camp in the northeastern town of Mubi.

The crackdown came after Sunday’s suicide bombing of St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church in Jos. Following persistent Boko Haram attacks on police divisions in Kano, the State Police Command has closed down all police divisions and posts in flash points.

The action was taken, according to police sources, by Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Idris to ensure better security and effective monitoring of the affected formations. The attacks

by Boko Haram have become more regular lately, with police formations as targets.

Not less than eight divisions of the Police in the state have been sacked through bomb attacks carried out by the sect. In the past four days, there have been gun confrontations between the police and the sect members.

The attacks left unspecified number of victims, mostly policemen, in their wake. Kano police confirmed yesterday’s attack on its men but denied that it lost any of its men.

In a statement, it said: “The Kano State Police Command confirm the incident, but no ca-

Petrol: NNPC, Oando, Total, others to import 4.8b litres

Eight killed in Nasarawa

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HE Nasarawa State Police have confirmed the killing of eight persons by unknown gunmen, who attacked Tse Yaji Village near Kadarko Town in the Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Sunday night.

Its spokesman Cornelius Ocholi, confirmed the killing in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia yesterday.

NAN recalls that a similar attack occurred on March 8 in Kadarko, where nine persons were killed in the village market by suspected herdsmen.

The Nasarawa State correspondent of Daily Trust Newspapers, Mr Hir Joseph, was almost killed during the attack on the market, when a vehicle he boarded from Keffi on his way to Makurdi ran into an ambush mounted by the gunmen along the Lafia-Makurdi road.

sualty recorded and no arrest made. A group of armed men in vehicle, a Lite Hiace bus, advanced on foot at Mandawari Police station. The police on duty successful repelled the attack and pursued the hoodlums into the neigbourhood, with a view to making an arrest.”

Police helicopters were hovering over the city yesterday, in continuation of its aerial surveillance, which began since the January 20 multiple explosions.

An attack on two villages in Vwang district of Jos South Local Government resulted in the

According to Ocholi, the latest attack left a retired Army officer, Ajohol Adoonkor, and seven others, including an indigene, whose name could not be ascertained, dead.

He said when the news of the attack reached the police, they thought the attack was on Kadarko town and mobilised to the area only for the attackers to invade Tse Yaji Village.

Ocholi said, however, that the Police were on top of the situation, putting up measures to forestall further attacks.

The area has been engulfed in incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen, which prompted both the Nasarawa and Benue State Governments to set up a 10-man peace committee in June 2011.

The committee has been working towards ensuring the restoration of lasting peace among various ethnic groups in the area.

death of two members of the community. Three others were injured.

Eye witnesses said the attack was carried out at about 8pm on Sunday when the attention was on the suicide bomb attack at St. Finbarr’s Church.

Abut 10 suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded the village with guns and cutlasses.

“We know some of them; they lived with us before,” said Bala Bitrus.

Two brothers, Peter and Dauda Bala, aged 25 and 30, were gunned down by the at-

tackers.

The names of the wounded from the attacks in Dogo Gaba village of Vwang District, Jos South, were given as John Pam Mwanta, 22, Sati Gyang, 29 and Danjuma Yakubu, 21.

They are receiving treatment at the Vom Christian Hospital.

Tension is building up in parts of the city as a result of the renewed attack.

But for the Special Task Force (STF) troops, Muslem and Christian youths of Nasarawa Gwong and Angwa Rukuba would have clashed.

•Stanley Continued from page 1

Stanley also warned marketers to heed all regulatory requirements for importation of fuel and evidence that the products were discharged and distributed in the country.”

He said: “The title of the permit resides with the beneficiary company and shall not be assigned to third party

under any circumstance whatsoever. All imports at the point of tendering notices of arrival and readiness (NOA &NOR), must be accompanied with letter of credit, proforma invoice and Form M, among several requirements. Any volume discharged in excess of the approved volume for the quarter shall not be considered for payment under the scheme, except within the usual operational tolerance of plus or minus 10 per cent.

“The agency decided not to hold marketers responsible for the poor performance in the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012 supplies at about 33 per cent, as it was occasioned by a force majeure in the operating environment. However, from second quarter of 2012, failure of a company to deliver the approved volume shall render the company liable for exclusion from the scheme for two successive quarters or more, aside from the payment of appropriate reengagement fees to the agency.”

PDP set to pick Bamanga Tukur as consensus candidate

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ECOND Republic Governor Bamanga Tukur looks good to become the next national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tukur, 76, governor of the now defunct Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba states), is the President of the Economic body, African Roundtable. He is among the eight aspirants bidding for the position, which is zoned to the Northeast geo-political zone.

Other aspirants are: former Ambassador to the United States Dr. Hassan Adamu (Adamawa); former Minister of Petroleum Resources Prof.

Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); former Minister of Commerce, Amb. Idris Waziri (Taraba); former Minister of Agriculture Shettima Mustapha (Borno); former National Chairman of the

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) Gambo Lawan (Borno); former Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe).

The PDP National Convention is slated for March 24 in Abuja.

Tukur was at the Presidential Villa yesterday for a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. He was accompanied by Governors, Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

The Political Adviser to the President, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, was also at the parley.

Senate President David Mark, House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha were at the presidential Villa to see the President for what is not unconnected with the PDP national convention.

After the meeting, Nyako said: “The question is who the President wants. Whoever the President wants, we should support. Just like in my state, they should concede to me who I should like to see in the leadership of the party.

“The person should be somebody who is electable, who is marketable, somebody who can be voted for.”

Asked if Tukur fits the bill, he said the President is in a better position to know.

“Ask Mr. President; it is his decision. Why are you asking me? I’m a small man from Adamawa? We understand that the party hierarchy is interested in having a consen-

sus chairman,” Nyako said.

He also supported the idea of a consensus candidate, saying: “It is only better than to go and get two-third majority. It adds to the unity of the party. It is easier for us and less costly.”

When reminded that the party threw the position open to Northeast candidates and people collected forms, he said: “If they want to contest, they can contest; it doesn’t mean that will make you the candidate.”

Tukur said he is not too old to take up the position. He said: “PDP leadership is not a job for the children. It is a job for the daddies at the moment.”

On whether his visit to the Villa is a proof of presidential backing, he replied: “Our party will take a decision at the Eagle Square with people voting.

He added: “Of course, the President is a member. I campaign for their support - the President, the governors, president of the Senate - all of them.”

Tukur also feigned ignorance of the move to have a consensus chairman, noting that competition is healthy for the party.

He said: “It is competition.

It is good, the more the merrier. We want to deepen democracy. Everybody who believes they have the solution or improvement for our party, let them come.”

In Makurdi yesterday, Tukur expressed regrets over the dwindling fortunes of the PDP which he said requires a surgery.

Speaking during a visit to Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam at the Government House, he likened the party to a house with a leaking roof

that should be mended. He boasted that he would mend the umbrella party.

He observed with bitterness that the party lost the entire Southwest, saying the PDP needed commitment and discipline.

He sought the state’s support, promising to be a team player for the growth of the party.

“I am a team player and I like competition because it brings out the best in me and I want to be the best,” Tukur said.

Suswam described Tukur as a statesman, who possesses the qualities to restore the party’s lost glory.

He said the PDP needed an experienced person to reconstruct the party.

“We have over 100 delegates and we assure you that all the votes will be yours on March 24,” Suswam promised Tukur.

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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NEWS

Jonathan’s govt by task forces, committees Yesterday, the Goodluck Jonathan administration inaugurated two committees on Doing Business and Investor Care, thus increasing the number of committees set up to help solve one problem or the other. Many see this as further burden on the government, writes LEKE SALAUDEEN

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s first major act, on becoming Acting President, was to constitute a Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) of 26 members headed by Gen. Theophilius Danjuma (rtd) to advise on policy issues.

PAC, after deliberations, urged Jonathan to reduce the size of government so that money can be saved for the development of infrastructure.

Initially, the President gave the impression that he was averse to a bloated and wasteful government.

But nine months into his administration, the opposite seems to be the situation. The number of committees/ task forces that have so far been set up calls to question the sincerity of the administration to genuinely cut down the cost of governance.

Rather than conserve resources and plug all the leaking holes in the system, the government is opening up more leakages that are bound to impact negatively on the economy.

It has piled up over 20 extra ministerial committees, in addition to the huge number of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Only yesterday, two committees were inaugurated. One is on Doing Businesses and Competitiveness and the other on Investor Care.

In the wake of the oil subsidy removal discourse, two committees were hurriedly assembled by the presidency. They are: Oil Subsidy Removal Negotiation Committee headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria Alfa Belgore and the Christopher Kolade-led Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme. Before they settled down for business, Petroleum Minister Mrs Deziani AllisonMadueke announced the establishment of the Task Force on Refineries headed by a former Minister of Finance Dr Kalu Idika Kalu and the Nuhu Ribadu Task Force on Oil Sector Revenue.

The plethora of committees and task forces include: the Ibrahim Bunu Projects Assessment Committee, Presidential Advisory Committee on Constitution Amendment, Security Challenges Committee (a.k.a.

Boko Haram Committee), Committee on Expenditure Review, Committee on United Nations Environment Programme, Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, Project Assessment Committee, Police Reform Committee, Electricity Supply Committee, Restructuring of Government Agencies Committee, Passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill Committee , Committee on LASSA fever, Pension Fund Reform Task Team and the Task Force on Management Control within NNPC. Many Nigerians feel that the resort to committees is not only duplicitous but it is also a waste of resources.

Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) Moshood Erubami said : “The idea of proliferating committees is not a problem-solving one, nor is it a well-intentioned devise to alleviate the past frustrations of Nigerians from the policies of the past administrations. The idea is more of a smart way of diverting the attention of the masses from the consequential ordeal that naturally accompanies the burdens associated with the anti human policies of the government.

“What can you make from a government (president) that promised reinvestment of expected revenue from the withdrawal of oil subsidy and has started retracing its step without implementing the promise?

This is after his Minister of Petroleum, and Coordinator of the Economy had told the world that only the withdrawal of subsidy could take the Nigerian people to the Promised land vide the deregulation of the downstream.”

Erubami said it was not by accident that the present administration is bent on deregulating the lives of the downtrodden by empanelling committees to prove its points. It is also a purposeful design to create opportunities to recycle old hands from the past, failed governments.

According to him, most of the members of these committees have been in one or more committees in the past. “But, which of their reports have been used to change the situation that gave rise to the setting up of the committees?” he asked.

He added: “For instance, Kolade was chairman of a panel of inquiry set up by the Obasanjo regime to probe contracts awarded to some unscrupulous contractors in the past; what is the outcome of this committee? What guarantees that his SURE committee will not be consigned into the dustbin of history like its predecessors?”

Of Ribadu’s Task Force on Oil Sector Sector, Erubami said: “ It as another step in the wrong direction, a mechanical response to the citizen’s protest against subsidy removal. The appointment of Ribadu and his Task Force, to say the least, is a veiled strategy to hide the inexplicable high level of mismanagement, misapplication of funds , huge corruption and monumental frauds and economic crimes being exposed by the ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives in the oil sector, which has unjustified the removal of fuel subsidy.”

To former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) , Jonathan’s resort to ad-hoc system of tackling challenging issues is an indication of panic and lack of ideas.

Akeredolu said: “Concerned citizens have been complaining that the cost of governance is too heavy; that the cabinet is over bloated. He (Jonathan) also admitted that the government is too heavy, but now

• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Alhaji Mustafa Bello; Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim at the inauguration of committees on “Doing Business and Competitiveness” and “Investor Care” in Abuja ...yesterday

Fed Govt inaugurates committees on investment

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ECRETARY to the Government of the Federation (SGF)Anyim Pius Ayim yesterday inaugurated two committees to facilitate trade and investment.

The committees are: Doing Business and Report Monitoring Review Committee and Investor Care Committee.

Members of the committees include: Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Power Prof.

Barth Nnaji and all Heads of Parastatals under the Ministry of Trade and Investment. Both committees are chaired by Aganga.

Anyim said the committees were inaugurated because the recently released 2011 Global Competiveness Index of the World Economic Forum ranked Nigeria as 127th of 129 countries.

The SGF said: “Nigeria ranked poorly in all the 12 indicators known as pillars of competitiveness, except with respect to its marked size and business sophistication. Nigeria was ranked 137th of the 128 countries that were ranked in the 2011 Doing Business Report of the World.

“In its 2010 World Investment Report, the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development UNCTAD also ranked Nigeria as 93rd out of 209 countries in inward FDI performance which is evident in the downward trend

From Franca Ochigbo and Frances Ajewole, Abuja

in inward FDI inflow from US$6, 814 million in 2008 to US$5,851million in 2009.

“The cardinal objective of government in reconstituting these committees is to achieve a high level of competitiveness in doing business within and outside Nigeria as part of an effort towards the realisation of vision 20:2020, which is to make Nigeria one of the top twenty players in the world economy.”

He said the mandate of the two committees are: to monitor, review and recommend improvement on existing policies and legislation governing the act of doing business in Nigeria. The committee on investors care is among others to receive and appraise complaints on business, investment environment from investors.

“The membership of the two committees is drawn from ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies which have critical roles to play in meeting the objectives for which these committees are reconstituted to achieve,” he said.

Aganga said the committees goal is to make the country hub for investors.

Jonathan is creating jobs for the Former Senate Minority Chief Whip Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora has described committees set up by the Jonathan administration as jobs for its loyalists and sympathisers.

He spoke to LEKE SALAUDEEN HAT’S your view on the committees set up by the government to tackle specific national problems?

Mr President, by the virtue of the executive powers conferred on him by the constitution has a wide latitude as to how best he deems fit to run the country. However, whatever form he decides must be prudent-oriented.

Unfortunately, what we have now is proliferation of agencies, committees and ad-hoc measures to tackle issues which is giving cause for alarm.

Mr President will require a lot of money in running the committees contrary to our collective desire that the cost of running government should be reduced. I don’t think creation of committees is the right thing

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to do considering the fact that we have various Ministries/Departments/ Agencies (MDAs). The cost of recurrent expenditure and the over bloated presidency have taken large chunk of the budget.

At the inception of his administration, President Jonathan set up a panel headed by General T.Y. Danjuma with a mandate to look at the cost of running government which is prohibitively. The panel’s report strongly advised government to cut down drastically the cost of governance. We must begin to redefine the style of administration with a view to bring down the cost.

The new approach to governance in setting up committees to do the jobs of MDAs is not in the best interest of the economy.

Do you think setting up the Justice Alfa Belgore Constitutional Review Committee is necessary given the fact that the National Assembly is empowered to amend it?

The Justice Alfa Belgore Committee is the least desirable among the committees. As far back as 1999, the National Assembly has embarked on constitutional amendment exercise.

There was a committee composed of representatives of each political party in the Assembly that took a look at the constitution and came up with a report gathering dust somewhere now.

Under the Obasanjo administration, we had a National Conference which ended abruptly. Despite there was a report to that effect. In essence, between 1999 and 2007, various con-

see the contradictions. He has set up various committees for matters that could be conveniently handled by the existing bureaucratic structures.

To me, setting up these committees is absolutely irresponsible.”

It was the same Jonathan that set up a committee headed by the former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye, to prune oversized bureaucracy. That committee’s work seems to have been overtaken given the systematic expansion going on in the system. Besides, some of the committees are assigned to do what

other panels had completed.

Investigations reveal that Parry Osayande, chairman of the Police Service Commission, once headed a panel which submitted the most comprehensive report on Police Reform some years ago. Government had set up various sub-committees to find funds for implementation of that report. But today, the same Osayande as PSC chairman is heading another panel to reform the Police.

Public affairs analyst and spokesman to former military President

Ibrahim Babangida, Kassim Afegbua, said: “There is no basis for the creation of new platforms in addressing our developmental problems when there are already existing bureaucracies to handle such challenges.”

Afegbua added: “Granted that the bureaucracies have become red tape, what we need to do is carry out holistic reforms that would provoke new ideals to confront such persistent problems.

“I am yet to understand the rationale for the numerous committees

b

the

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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NEWS AT A GLANCE •Task Force on Oil Sector Revenue •Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment Programme •Task Force on Refineries •Projects Assessment Committee •Presidential Advisory Committee on Constitution Amendment •Security Challenges Committee •Committee on Expenditure Review •Committee on United Nations Environment Programme •Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission •Project Assessment Committee •Police Reform Committee, Electricity Supply Committee •Restructuring of Government Agencies Committee •Passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill Committee •Committee on LASSA fever •Pension Fund Reform Task Team •Task Force on Management Control

•Ribadu

•Kolade

•From left: Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo and his wife during the renaming of Works Road, GRA, Ikeja after the former Military Governor of old Western State. With them are: Secretary to Onigbongbo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Mrs. Olufunke Bruce (right) and officials of the LCDA

•From left: Governor Kayode Fayemi, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Alawe of Ilawe Oba Ajibade Alabi; Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Delight Hotel and Suites, Mr. Sola Adewumi and Director-General, Ekiti Enterprise and Economic Development Agency Oska Aiyeleso during the inauguration of the hotel in Ado-Ekiti... yesterday

boys, says Mamora

•Mamora

stitutional review committees were set up by the National Assembly. We went round the country to seek people’s opinion on the areas that needed to amend. Even the last Assembly also amended the constitution and there were changes.

Now, we have a template. It should that are springing up everyday at a time the Jonathan-led government is thinking about running a slim government and save for the country.

“The committees are in clear terms creating unnecessary bureaucracies .I am yet to know how the Nuhu Ribadu and Idika Kalu committees would operate as extra-ministerial bodies that would be reporting to the Minister of Petroleum.

“With over forty hefty men in just two committees amongst several other committees being set up in other sectors of the economy, it does

not be difficult for other amendments to be done. We should prop up those documents and get the things we really need and put in place what the people desire e.g. true federalism and control of resources among others.

We just have to extract from those reports and put the position forward for approval. Setting up of a committee by the executive for the purpose of constitution review is a waste of resources.

Some say the president is using the proliferation of committees to find jobs for his loyalists, sympathisers and as well placate the critics of his government?

It is not far from the truth that Mr President is using the new method of governance to create jobs for the ‘boys’. That’s unusual. It has become the order of the day. Creating extra bureaucratic structures in order to find jobs for the boys is common in all tiers of government. We have to be very careful because it does not add any value to governance. It is an extra burden on the cost of governance.

appear that the government is at sea with respect to finding permanent solutions to economic wastages.

“These committees will set up their own offices or operational bases and recruit ad-hoc staff that will also draw some remuneration. They will procure vehicles for mobility and also enjoy some sitting allowances amongst other financial considerations.”

Time will surely tell if critics are just making mountain out of a mole hill or they are right in condemning the turn of event.

•From left: Mrs. Betty Abah of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Campaign for Democracy (CD) President Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin and Mr. Fidelis Mbah of the BBC at a news conference on the International Women’s Day organised by ERA at its office in Lagos...yesterday

•Director, GIBS Center for Dynamic Markets, Dr Lyal White Group CEO, Notore Chemical Industries Limited, Jite Okoloko and President, ICT, Educomp, Soumya Kanti at the at the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum Africa, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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NEWS CP Akure LP, PDP leaders, supporters Oyo is very volatile,tellsoutgoing successor O N join Ondo ACN

OTABLE leaders of the ruling Labour Party (LP) and members of the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State at the weekend dumped their parties for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Sunshine State. The defectors are mostly from wards two and five in Akure South Local Government Area.

They include unit chairmen, women and youth leaders, as well as members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).

Association spokesman Mr. Michael Ojo said the rid-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ers defected from the LP because the government has not impacted positively on the lives of the citizenry in the past three years.

Besides, Ojo said they were aligning with the move of the states in the Southwest towards integration.

He said the LP administration had concentrated huge resources on Adesida/Oyemekun road in the past two years without completing the projects. It continues to litter the Akure metropolis with bus stops, Ojo said.

He went on: “I cannot imagine how a government has been busy for more than two years building market stalls, town halls and motor parks and completely deviated from his constituted duties.

“We cannot continue to tolerate a government that has refused to employ our graduates. The number of unemployed graduates in the state is alarming.”

He described as regrettable that Ondo, an oil producing state, has nothing to show for it.

Ojo said the defectors

were in solidarity with a former Mimiko aide, Saka Lawal, who is now a governorship aspirant on the ACN platform.

He described Lawal as the “brain box” of LP and a person of high integrity.

Among the defectors from ward five are: Michael Olusola Ojo, Tosin Jacob, Faleye Damilola Dotun Omoyajowo, Fashoranti Dapo, Aluko Adewoye and Bamikole Olayide.

Those from ward two are: Women Leader Yusuf Modupe, mini-ward chairman Ajulo Bankole, Sanni Sarafa, Chief Omoloye and coordinator Boye Glory.

Why Ogun rationalised tertiary institutions, by Amosun

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OR the umpteenth time, the Ogun State Government yesterday defended its recent decision to merge the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode with the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye and reduce the number of state-owned polytechnics.

The governor said its administration’s policy on TASUED and the four Information Communication Technology (ICT) Polytechnics was aimed at arresting focus drift, loss of direction, inadequate funding, lack of control and ineffective management which were the hallmark of the affected schools under the last administration.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun made the clarification while declaring open the 21st Annual Synod of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Remo at Irolu, in Ikenne Local Government Area.

Represented by his Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, the governor said TASUED has derailed from its mandate of being the training ground for teachers in secondary schools.

According to him, TASUED runs only 40 per cent of education related courses, adding that the latest government position was designed to conserve resources with the need to ensure standard and quality in line with the

best practices anywhere in the world.

Amosun bemoaned a situation where TASUED had to obtain N500 million loan to pay arrears of workers salary stressing, “such step won’t do either the varsity or its stakeholders any good.”

He said it would cost the State Government about N10 billion per year to cater for the salaries and allowances of both teaching and nonteaching staff of the institution.

“Government would require at least N10 billion annually for it to meet overheads on salaries and allowances of both teaching and non teaching staff of the university and we don’t have

•Amosun

such money when we can avoid it,” Amosun explained.

In his welcome address, the Bishop of Remo Diocese, Methodist Church, Rt. Reverend Abiodun Babatunde Taiwo , said that God would do a new thing in the life of whoever believes in him.

He said the prevailing situation in the country notwithstanding, God has promised to shower His blessings on the entire citizenry.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right), with his deputy, Mrs.Titi LaoyeTomori and some senior citizens at the maiden interactive session between the government and elderly persons at the Local Government Service Commission, Osogbo... yesterday

We’ll resist imposition of party officials, Ogun PDP vows

M

EMBERS of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday vowed to defend the outcome of the Wards and Local Government congresses conducted sequentially on March 10 and 17.

They said the congresses were carried out to “enthrone internal democracy and not selection” within the party.

Also from its meeting in Ijebu-Igbo, in Ijebu North Local Government of Ogun State, the party rose with a resolve to “resist imposition of persons” on the party by any individual or group.

The party had on February

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

6 through the former presidential spokesman in the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Doyin Okupe, raised the alarm that a minority group controlled by his erstwhile boss was scheming to usurp the legitimate office of the Chief Dayo Soremiled executive council to pave the way for the emergence of their favourities as party leaders.

Okupe, who was Obasanjo’s on Media and Publicity between 1999 and 2003, alleged that the former president has not only “erred politically,” but may equally jeopardise

the survival of party’s and its electoral fortune in future polls in the Gateway State, if his (Obasanjo) “leadership style” remains unchallenged.

But at yesterday’s parley at the Ijebu - Igbo home of the Prince Buruji Kashamu, chieftains of the party vowed to employ every legitimate means, including recourse to the judiciary, to “resist any attempt to usurp the office of the Dayo Soremi-led executive council” regarding the state congresses.

At the meeting were Soremi, the party secretary, Chief Adepegba Otemolu, Okupe, Kashamu (host), Kayode Amusan, Alhaji Semiu Sodi-

po, Titus Eweje and the Mr. Segun Sowunmi.

Soremi told reporters after the meeting the congresses met the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) standards.

Besides, the party chair said the congresses were undertaken to “implement the dictates of the law and the party’s constitution.”

Soremi said the purported attempt by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to suspend the congresses was not only belated but also a ridiculous move, akin to “attempting to terminate a pregnancy after a child has been delivered.”

UTGOING Police Commissioner Oyo State Mr. Moses Onireti yesterday described the state where he had served for about a year as very volatile.

Onireti, who has been moved with his deputy, Mr Mohammed Ladan, however expressed delight that he left the state with his head high.

He said the command under his supervision, reduced crime rate to the barest minimum.

Onireti has been moved to Yobe State in the massive redeployment of senior officers, while Ladan will resume in Bauchi State.

Speaking yesterday with newsmen, the former Oyo police chief said he received the news of his transfer with mixed feelings as he would miss many good people in the state.

He, however, said transfer was not a new thing in the police institution.

According to him, when he met Oyo state in a turbulent form with high crime waves when he resumed, but tackled the rising waves with the dedication of officers and men of the command.

His words: “My transfer is part of the job. Nothing is permanent in the world. There is no place I have not worked in the country. I am leaving with my head high. I receive it with mixed feelings as I will miss many of my good people in this state.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

“There has not been any adverse report about me since I came in here. There has not been any upheaval and so I thank God for this”.

On his advice for his successor Tambati Mohammed, Onireti said: “My advice for him is that he should be very firm if he should succeed because Oyo state is very volatile. I pray that he also enjoys the peace, harmony and tranquility we are currently enjoying in the state.”

Ladan, (a former Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, now a Deputy Commissioner of Police), had earlier described his stay in Oyo as eventful.

He said: “Oyo state is calm.

The environment is tolerable as crime wave is no more alarming. People are now sleeping with their two eyes closed. Although there is no society wherein one can say is absolutely crime free.

“There must be crime here and there. But the rate of transborder robbery as was witnessed some years ago has been drastically reduced.

“Robbers were coming in from the Republic of Benin, Niger and the rest. But this has been curtailed due to hardwork on the part of our men.”

Poaching: 34 Fulani herdsmen, 24 hunters, others arrested

N

O fewer than 61 people, believed to be itinerant Fulani herdsmen, have been arrested for poaching by the Old Oyo National Park at its OkeOgun forest reserves.

The park is one of the seven National Parks in the country created in 1991.

Addressing newsmen in Oyo town, the conservation officer in charge of the park, Mallam Ibrahim Musa Goni, gave the breakdown of those arrested as 34 Fulani herdsmen and 24 hunters, while the remaining five were apprehended for plucking nonforest timber products.

Goni stated that the poachers, especially the herdsmen

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

fell trees, and in the process of loping set ablaze the habitats.

He added that they also trampled on the habitats, a development that could trigger surface run off or erosion.

Goni said: “These Fulani herdsmen were found to be creating problems not only to the forest rangers, but farmers surrounding the park reserve areas.

“Also, the hunters were arrested for killing some of the animals in the forest, such as cobs, baboons, grass-cutters, and dui kens. All the arrests were made between January and now.”

Ondo PDP tackles CJ over injunction on interim committee

F

OR granting an ex-parte order restraining its transition committee from participating in last weekend’s congress, the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has joined issues with the Chief Judge, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi.

The party’s director of publicity in the state Mr. Ayo Fadaka said in a statement that such decision was expected from the Chief Judge.

The statement reads: “We were not caught unawares of the ruling of the Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Sehinde Kumuyi on an ex-parte motion he assigned to himself against our Party.

“We equally take due cognizance of the fact that in an earlier matter still before him instituted by some people in June 2011, he granted another injunction against the party and till date even after the matter was amicably settled by the parties.

“His court was approached to enter the terms of the settlement, but he never sat on the

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

matter and the injunction he so granted then is still in force till now.

“This we consider a gross abuse of privileges and a perpetration of injustice which is against his oath of office.”

But the party noted that the injunction granted the judge has been technically rendered ineffective, since many of the party officers being restrained had earlier in the week resigned their positions.

PUBLIC NOTICE OLALEKE I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLANIKE BENICE OLALEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLANIKE BENICE SANUSI. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and the general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OKEKE

I, formerly know and addressed as Miss Nneka Joy Okeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnena Joy Ikwuka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Hafeez Bamigbade

7

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

NEWS PDP youths want ex-FCT minister as chairman

Bombings: Activists advise Jonathan to sit up or resign

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) youth groups under the ageis of PDP Transformation Movement have declared support for the candidature of Ibrahim Bunu as the party’s new chairman.

The youths spoke at a ceremony in Abuja over the weekend.

National Coordinator of the youth movement, Usman Ibrahim, said Bunu would help the party actualise the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ibrahim said: “ Ibrahim Bunu comfortably blends politics with professionalism; an astute administrator, a distinguished technocrat and a successful businessman well equipped to take PDP to the disired level.”

Ibrahim added: “Buni is the only FCT former minister who never allocated land or awarded contract to himself, business and family”.

Secretary of the Movement, Isaac Agunloye, said Bunu stands out as one of the most loyal party men who never left the party for any reason. He urged delegates to the March 24th convention of the party to choose Bunu.

Agunloye said: “Delegates are enjoined to vote for this man of integrity. He has shown during his time as FCT minister that he can be trusted with bigger national assignment. We are sure he will instil discipline in the party and take the party to level yet unattained. The party will be doing itself a lot of good by leavint its affairs in the hands of Bunu.”

Bunu said he was overwhelmed by the show of support. He said Nigeria stood a good chance of overcoming its challenges, if the youths were allowed to have a say in the affairs of political parties.

He said the PDP has the potential to make Nigeria one of the most developed nations in the world with the right leadership, adding: “ I believe the delegates will give me the mandate to actualise this dream of total transformation of Nigeria.”

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

H

•Ashipala-Musavyi ... yesterday

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

‘African countries should do business together’ •Namibia High Commissioner visits The Nation

H

IGH Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria Selma Ashipala-Musavyi yesterday decried the level of African countries partnering in the area of business.

Musavyi said African countries prefer to do businesses with Europe.

Speaking in Abuja when she visited The Nation ‘s office, Ashipala-Musavyi said the development may disrupt business development in most African countries.

She said: “We want to market Namibia and the sector of the economy we are looking at is bilateral relationship. We are looking at tourism and we want Nigerians to come to Namibia . Today we have been over focusing on Europe . Tourism is not just a business is also a means of promoting cultural relations.

“We in Africa are not always doing business with

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

one another we are always looking beyond our sours.

We have a well established mining sector. We in Africa seem to overlook the potential of our own economy in doing business with each other. Nigerians are mostly in trading in Namibia, the majority of Nigerians in terms of cooperation are teachers. There are also many Nigerians who come to Namiba to study. Nigerians are very good and nice. “ Quantity of trade between Namibia and Nigeria is very low. No religious crises in Namibia and 99 percent of Namibians are Christians. We have challenges. We look at challenges as an opportunity to do more. We have put in place what we call Vision 20: 30, it is a development blueprint and by the year 2030 we want the living standard of Namibians to be comparable to those in the developed world. ”

UMAN Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday advised President Goodluck Jonathan to either protect life and property of Nigerians or quit office.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the Director of National Media Affairs, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, said the inability of the President to stop the bombings was worrisome.

The statement reads: “The rights group demanded effective sanction from the Federal Government for Military Commanders and Commissioners of Police in whose commands successful bombing operations take place to serve as effective deterrent and make them to wake up to their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property of Nigerians.

“He charged President Jonathan to buy the current technology from the western powers that are capable of automatically detecting improvise explosive devices before they are planted by the perpetrators of terrorism.

“The rights group further called for foreign military assistance for Nigeria from the USA, UK, Israel and Saudi Arabia to stop the ongoing widespread bombing campaign by terrorists allegedly targeted against innocent Southerners and Christians largely.

“The rights group warned that Nigeria is sliding into bloody civil and religious war if the current Federal Government keeps doing nothing concrete to stop the perpetrators of bomb attacks from successfully detonating their weapons of mass destruction against unarmed and innocent civilians all across Nigeria.

“HURIWA also cautioned President Jonathan as the Commanderin-Chief of Nigeria Armed Forces to fish out and sanction all high ranking military and police officers with known links to the terrorists that are currently waging the ongoing war of attrition against the Nigerian State and people.”

Terrorism casts pall over Nigeria’s progress

I

BRAHIM Geidam, governor of the northeastern Nigerian state of Yobe where the extremist and murderous Boko Haram movement had its origins, told me in a recent interview that the situation is now “under control.”

He pointed to the recent arrest of its spokesman and the way he was cooperating with his interrogators.

He also told me of the splits that had developed in the movement.

Terrorism was in the news again last week when two foreign hostages were killed in the town of Sokoto in northwestern Nigeria.

Boko Haram or an affiliated sect is suspected, although Boko Haram has denied involvement.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in a rare one-hour interview before the hostages were killed, told me Boko Haram still has plenty of destructive power. “Who is to know if they have infiltrated major institutions, even here in the presidential compound. It might be a cook, a cleaner or a driver, waiting for their moment to explode a bomb.”

In his opinion, the movement gets support in both ideology and arms from Al Qaeda’s North African affiliate and the Islamic extremist movement in Somalia. However, when I talked to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, he told me that the evidence for that was not watertight.

Toronto Star, in its yesterday’s edition, says Nigeria’s fight against terrorism may not be ‘under control’ as the government is painting Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Laureate for Literature, has said that the situation is not dissimilar to the one that existed during the civil war of the 1960s when oil-rich Biafra in the east attempted to secede from Nigeria.

He points to the years of insurgency, the recent blowing up of the UN mission and the more than 160 who were killed in the city of Kano in January by gunmen who sprayed their weapons at Muslims and Christians alike, including women and children. Indeed, the leader of Boko Haram has said they are targeting Muslims as well as Christians, which is decidedly odd since they say they are fighting on behalf of Islam and the strict implementation of severe Sharia law.

But President Jonathan demurs: “It is not the same as the civil war.

We knew the enemy and where he was. Now we don’t.”

Defeating it is a tricky business, to say the least. The police have often used violent tactics. This has led to a backlash, recruiting more members for the movement. They even allowed the head of Boko Haram, whom they had arrested, to escape from jail. Jonathan recently replaced the Nigerian police chief.

‘

Once the principle of buying off is established, the blackmail will continue and other radical groups like Boko Haram will demand the same

‘

Some observers compare this with the insurgency that until recently terrified the people of the Niger delta, including expatriate oil workers kidnapped for ransoms.

The fighters made themselves rich by stealing oil. Jonathan and his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, managed to win a truce and awarded the fighters handsome

“scholarships” so they could train for skilled work. For the most part it seems to have worked.

But Obasanjo decries this. “Once the principle of buying off is established, the blackmail will continue and other radical groups like Boko Haram will demand the same.”

Jonathan disagrees. “One cannot compare the two movements,” he argues. “The delta militants had to be part compensated for the large amounts they were making from oil bunkering.” “Buying off” will not be used with Boko Haram, an ideological movement, not a gangster one.

Most of Nigeria is unaffected by the movement. Despite the departure of frightened Christians to the south, most of the country is not perturbed. When killings have taken place in the north, Muslims moved to protect churches and Christians reciprocated by sending people to protect mosques.

Neighbouring countries have also helped. Cameroon has been a haven for the militants to escape to.

Now it, Chad and Niger are cooperating with the Nigerian police.

Besides this, the Americans have sent bomb disposal experts and are

clearly prepared to do more if asked.

The Muslim north is much poorer than the Christian south, held back for over a century by conservative clerics and leaders. Education is poor, health clinics are scarce and youth unemployment is high. One does not find the rip-roaring economic progress prevalent in the south. Without the drag of the north, Nigeria would have a double-digit economic growth rate.

This poverty has contributed to the rise of Boko Haram, although the president makes the valid point that there are many countries with dire poverty, including Muslim ones, where there is no political violence.

It will take years to defeat Boko Haram, just as it did to defeat the insurgency of the delta. The country is already judging Jonathan by his ability (lack of it, critics say) to get on top of the situation. It will certainly test the metal of the president who otherwise is making great strides with his domestic economic and social policies.

•Jonathan Power, an international affairs writer and author of Conundrums of Humanity: The Quest for Global Justice, wrote this piece for Toronto Star

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

8

CITYBEATS

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Passenger killed while boarding train at Agbado A

PASSENGER was killed and another broke his legs while rushing to board a moving and overcrowded train at Agbado train station, yesterday.

The mangled body of the victim was pulled out from the wheels and placed beside the rail track, while the man with a broken leg was taken to a nearby hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the two victims slipped and fell off while trying to board the moving train.

"The man that died rushed to board the train while on motion, he would have succeeded, but was blocked by passengers hanging at the entrance," it was learnt.

Regular train passengers blamed the accidents on overcrowding and the attitude of passengers who blocked the entrance of the coaches, preventing other passengers from boarding the train.

An official of the Nigeria Railway Corporation at the station, who

pleaded anonymity, said the incidents had been reported to the NRC headquarters at Ebute-Metta for proper action.

He said the railway police command had always warn passengers against hanging on moving trains, adding that offenders would be charged with attempted suicide.

Meanwhile, a trader at Agbado station, Mrs Ronke Ogunlade, has appealed to the NRC to increase the number of shuttle services and attach more coaches to accommodate traffic on the route.

"The number of passengers on this route is increasing on daily basis; I think more shuttles and more coaches would solve the problem," she said.

She said that people would continue to hang on the train because there were not enough coaches for the ever-increasing passengers on the route.

9ice time on Flytime showcase

By Ovwe Medeme

• Nice

T

AILORED after the secondhalf of his latest album which has, perhaps the highest number of musical collabos in Nigeria, Cecil Hammond's Flytime Entertainment yesterday, hosted 9ice in a show dubbed Bashorun Gaa and Versus (BGV) concert.

For the first time, the multipleaward winner and former MTV Base African artiste of the year headlined his own major concert.

"It was a clash of the titans, a night dedicated to the celebration of 9ice

and all that he stands for in the music industry.

It was a night his fans had a firsthand taste of the undiluted music of 9ice. It's a night dedicated to all his fans and colleagues who have over the years supported his career," that wa how 9ices's Manager, Oladehinde Fajana, summed up the.

Fajana added that the show was a special one, as the artiste squared up against all the musicians he collaborated with in his Bashorun Gaa Versus album.

Leading the pack was the African Queen crooner; 2Face Idibia, PSquare, Tiwa Savage Banky W, Duncan Mighty, Terry G and Whizkid. Others are Lord of Ajasa, Dammy Crane, Davido, Modenine, Yemi Sax, Seriki, YQ, DJ Zeez and the Ajayi brothers.

Shuga dramatises love, despair and hope

A

S second series of Shuga (Shuga: Love, Sex, Money) reels in, living with HIV, stigma and high risk sexual behaviours are just some of the important topics covered in the, the new six-part drama series about sexand-relationships amongst contemporary African youth.

Kenyan actress Nancy Wanjiku Karanja, 24, features in a controversial storyline about rape in which her character Baby is attacked by a trusted older relative, while real-life Kenyan musician Avril (Miss B'have) appears as part of a heart-breaking love triangle involving Dala (Brenda Wairimu) and Leo (Nick Mutuma).

Kipepeo (Shireen) plays a young

By Ovwe Medeme

singer from Malindi who - finding herself adrift in the city - decides to use her physical charms to further her career. Other actors involved in the heartfelt drama include Sharon Olago (Violet), David Omwange (Skola), Antony Mwangi (Kennedy), Valerie Kimani (Sindi), Nick Ndeda (Angelo), Edward Nyanaro (Rayban), Christopher Otieno (Slim) and Wairugi Mutero (Njoki).

Nigerian artists Banky W and WizKid both play themselves in the series, performing during emotionally hard-hitting club scenes while Kenya-based Nigerian musician Ikubese Emmanuel, a.k.a 9con, plays the role of Femi.

•A train

FILE PHOTO

Police deny complicity in distributor’s death

T

HE police in Lagos have denied that the late distributor with Rites Foods Limited one Ademola Adedeji died in its custody. The said man allegedly died of food poisoning.

Police spokesman, Mr Jaiyeoba Joseph, a Superintendent, said yesterday that the report in one of the weekend national dailies is false and a calculated attempt to blackmail the police command.

He explained that the police is still waiting for the final autopsy report on the deceased by medical experts before it will come out with a statement on the exact cause of death.

By Jude Isiguzo

Meanwhile, the company management has also washed its hands clean concerning any involvement in the death of Adedeji.

At a press briefing at its corporate head office at Adebowale House, Opebi, the Personal Assistant to the Managing director, Mr Adeniyi Obafemi said the deceased was arrested by the company following his refusal to pay a N10, 339,613.17 debt he owed.

He noted that there was a specific request for a credit facility increment last year to help him participate in the Redeemed Christian Church of

Subsidy protest: Council set to immortalise victim

By Paul Oluwakoya

• Ademola

T T

HE Chairman of IfakoIjaiye Local Government Area, Oloruntoba Oke, has said the slain Ademola Abe will

HE chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, has disbursed N2.7 million to 69 community development associations to fight flood in the LCDA. Bamigbetan charged the CDAs to use the grant to embark on desilting their environment. He said this becomes necessary because the council is prone to flood.

He added that the disbursement of the grant is one of the proactive steps taken by the council to curb the menace of flood during the raining season."As the raining period is approaching,we need to protect ourselves from flood and as such,we have designed a programme where

be immortalised. He stated this yesterday at a rally organised by the council.

Ademola Abe, allegedly shot and killed by Segun Fabunmi, the then DPO attached to the Police Divisional Headquarters, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos State, on January 10, will be buried tomorrow.

According to the Council Chairman, Abe’s burst will be unveiled and erected at Yaya

STATE AGENCIES 4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 080-75005411; 080-60152462 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) 080-23111742; 080-29728371 Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 080-23909364; 080-77551000 070-35068242 01-7904983 080-79279349; 080-63299264

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No:080-33706639; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-34346168; 01-2881304

Abatan roundabout, the scene of the incident, in Ogba before the burial.

Oke who described the initiative as necessary said the 26-year was a hero and not a victim of the antifuel hike protest. He assured the family of the slain and entire Nigerian youth that the council would not rest until justice prevail.

"I want to assure the family of Mr. Ademola Abe, aged 26, shot dead by the former Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of PenCinema, Mr Segun Fabunmi, that

Council gives CDAs N2.7m to

By Yinka Aderibigbe

each of the CDA will be given the sum of N40,000 to clear drainages around them", he said.

Bamigbetan said: "When you receive the money,take the photograph of the gutter or drainage you want to desilt,before the exercise, take the photograph while you are desilting, and also take the picture after the exercise,these three pictures will serve as evidence that you have actually utilised the money to improve your environment,” he charged.

The chairman, while admitting

LAGOS EMERGENCY LINES 1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 080-23321770; 080-56374036.

God and Deeper Life Church convention. '"After the convention, to our surprise the deceased did not honour the terms of the agreement, claiming that all the customers and the churches had not paid him. He had issued four different dud cheques totaling N7,918,150 and the original cheques are available. Consequently a customer care staff and an account personal were assigned to follow him to his customers and the churches to verify his so called alleged debts claims. All the customers and churches in his presence debunked his claims", he said.

070-55462708; 080-65154338 767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

that Ejigbo is one of the dirtiest council in the state, addedthat the people cannot continue to live in a dirty environment.

He said the council will begin a night patrol of the area begining from Thursday and anyone caught disposing refuse into the drains will be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterent to others.

At the ceremony, Bamigbetan also inaugurated the newly elected executive members of the Community Development Committee(CDC), charging them to see themselves as representatives of the people. He said they should use their position to bring development to their communities.He stated that the CDA is the fourth tier of government and for this reason it must always come up with ideas and suggestions which are in tanderm with the policies and programmes of the local government.

The council chief, while acknowledging the positive role played by members of the CDAs during the last local government election which ushered him to power

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

9

CITYBEATS

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Lagosians get 125m gallons of water daily

Lagos begins free medical screening for teachers

By Miriam Ndikanwu

F

ROM the Managing Director of Lagos State Water Corporation, Mr Shayo Holloway, come a revelation that its 51 water works across the state could only produce 125 million gallons of water daily.

He also admitted the figure is grossly inadequate for a state with an estimated population of over 18 million. He said the short fall accounted for residents’ resort to sink private boreholes to procure their water needs.

Holloway however said said with the strategies being put in place by the government, the corporation would produce about 745 million gallons per day by year 2020.

Holloway said the corporation has 51 water works spread across the state with the major ones in Adiyan, which supply 75 million gallons daily, and Iju, which supplies 45million gallons. Another 4million gallon, which serves as a support for the two main ones comes from Ishasi. He stated that the other 48 mini water works have a capacity of one million gallons per day.

These were the findings of members of the Committee on Environment of the Lagos State House of Assembly when it visited the corporation on oversight functions.

Vice chairman of the committee, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola however advised that in order to avoid wastage of what is being supplied presently, the corporation should there will soon be an arraignment of the suspect DPO in the court.

He told the family that the Acting Inspector-General of Police Abubakar is directly in charge of the case. He said his prosecution would serve as a deterrent to other overzealous police officers, who are fond of extra judicial killing.

"There is no way this case can be swept under the carpet. It is not a local government issue, it is a national issue. Everybody is aware of what happened and the whole world is watching,” Oke said.

Oke said he has approved the naming of Yaya Abatan junction (the exact place where the incident took place) after the late Ademola Abe.

fight flood for a second term in office, promised to always carry them along as he tries to give the people the dividend of democracy.

Speaking on behalf of the CDC executives,the chairman of the body, Chief Sharafadeen Alimi, stated that the reelection of Bamigbetan is a clear endorsement of the giant strides recorded by him during his first term in office and urged him not to relent in his efforts towards transforming Ejigbo.He assured him of their unalloyed support and cooperation.

Mr. Awolaru Eniola,a director in the ministry of Rural Development,Lagos State who attended the ceremony,urged the CDAS to justify the grant given to them by the council.

The ceremony which was spiced with entertainment by lady Omotala the saxophonist and Aloma theatre group was well attended by members of all the CDAS,traditional chiefs,Action Congress Of Nigeria(ACN) chieftains in the council area, Members of the local government executives and councilors as well as officials of the council.

• A micro water works

By Oziegbe Okoeki

introduce pre-paid metres to consumers.

She said the introduction of prepaid metre would assist the corporation to know the people who actually pay taxes to the coffers of

the State.

According to her, "the "Pay-AsYou-Go" method will minimize the water wastage."

Adebimpe also advised the corporation to improve their services by ensuring that water is available in all homes in the State.

Another member of the committee, Hon. Abdul-baq Balogun said the water co-operation must not put the cart before the horse by increasing water tariff without first improving on the supply and efficient service delivery to the 18million people in Lagos State.

Dowry tears marriage apart

A

MOTHER of two, Mrs Kemi (surname withheld) has prayed the Customary Court, Mushin, Lagos for the dissolution of her over 13 years old marriage with her husband, Sheriff on the ground that he has allegedly refused to pay her dowry.

Her prayer is contained in a petition she filed by fore the court.

Kemi, whose children are of ages 13 and seven, told the court yesterday that her husband was always threatening her, subjecting her to emotional torture and disrespecting her parents.

By Chukwuemeka Adeyemo

She also accused her husband of not showing care to her and her children, and allegedly refusing to formalize their marriage as required under their custom by paying her dowry.

Kemi however said she could change her mind should her husband be humble enough to visit her father in Ogbomoso, Oyo State; make peace with him and pay her dowry. The husband, in his evidence, accused his wife of abandoning her home for about eight months now. He said Kemi allegedly left home without

L

•Fashola

Lagos Fire Service chief gets award

"We need new laws that guide and control how people live in these urban areas. We need to constantly review these laws to keep pace with the present realities ``he added.

Lawmaker bags Nkrumah leadership award

T

HE 64th edition of Kwame Nkurumah Leadership Award on peace advocate and community development has been conferred on a Lagos lawmaker Hon. Abdouldaq LadiBalogun.

Ladi-Balogun who represents Ajeromi/Ifelodun1 constituency at the Assembly is being honoured by the West Africa Students Union (WASU) for his total commitment to intra-religious, grassroots egalitarianism and educational advancement.

His award is coming immediately after that of the Nigerian legal icon, Chief Afe Babalola who was the 63rd recipient.

Speaking at the event which was held at Ikoyi on Saturday, the recipient, Ladi-Balogun said that

By Oziegbe Okoeki

the award was predicated on the fact that there is always reward for hard work, adding that whatever is done today would be equally rewarded.

He said: "Honestly, when the nomination form came to me, I received it with great surprise and I asked myself what did I do to deserve the award, and again I started recounting what I have done in the private sector when I was not a public figure that could have earned me this award? I later concluded that whatever you do in life, so many people are watching and it will be rewarded in the future and it will still manifest in one's life time.

"The award is from West-Africa Students Union (WASU), the body

By Yinka Aderibigbe

THE Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Dosun Holloway, has restated his Ministry's determination to tap the state's tourism potentials. He said his Ministry is committed to enhancing the growth and development of the money spinning sector.

He also reiterated the administration's desire to create two tourist destinations in the state. He added that government is set to provide enabling environment for private stakeholders willing to invest in the sector.

Holloway gave this assurance during a courtesy visit by the Director-General, National Institute on Tourism and Hospitality, Alhaji Munzali Dantata to his Alausa, Lagos, office.

Noting that the economic potentials of Tourism if properly harnessed will not only help reduce unemployment, the commissioner said the state's aquatic potential could generate revenue close to what the country makes from oil.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

committee was part of government’s efforts at ensuring that the state’s laws reflect the changing needs of the society.

He noted that the developments in the state and the country in general has made some of the laws obsolete and ineffective, saying the situation had affected administration of justice.

"Our laws have lagged behind the developments that have taken place in the society. For instance, we face the challenges of urbanisation; more and more people are moving into the urban areas.

‘Lagos ‘ll tap tourism potentials’

his consent and took along their children.

Sherriff, who was questioned by the court's President, Dr Abayomi Ipaye, accused his wife of taking their children to another man, whom he said he suspected was her new husband.

On how he intended to take care of his children, Sheriff pledged to provide N5,000 monthly for their upkeep and welfare, following which Dr. Ipaye said he should be grateful to God that another person, to whom he was not related by blood, had catered for his children before now.

Fashola inaugurates Law reform committee AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Monday inaugurated a threeman Law Reform Committee. The committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing all the laws of the state.

The committee is chaired by former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Supo Sasore. Other members are Mrs Tola Akinsanya, a Director in the Ministry of Justice and Mr. Hakeem Bello, a law teacher at the University of Lagos.

Speaking at the brief ceremony at the State House, Alausa, Fashola said the constitution of the

LAGOS State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Allevation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, have commenced Medical Screening exercise for Teachers and staff of Teacher's Establishment and Pensions Office.

The development was as a result of a directive issued by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Joke Orelope-Adefulire, to enable the teachers and staff opportunity to access free medical care. The Medical Screening exercise is a continuation of last year's screening which was rescheduled for this year. The screening exercise covers diabetes, blood test, cervical and breast cancer, for all public school teachers in the six Educational Districts of the State.

Commenting on the screening, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Risikat Akiyode said the screening was necessary to allow teachers in the State to be aware of their health status, advising that they should actively participate in the exercise for their own benefit.

which I respect so much because it is a credible body and the nomination normally comes from the representatives of the students union.

When the nomination came, they did background check and security check on me and they found me worthy based on my achievements in the past such as creation of employment for the people, grassroots development among others. When I was doing all these, I didn't know that the reward will easily turn out like this and I want to believe that these are what the people of my constituency saw when they propelled me to vie for a seat in the Lagos state House of Assembly to represent them. In a nutshell, the award came as a result of what I have done in the past", he said.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

THE MOA Excellent Media has honoured the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Adedayo Ajose, with an award as the best responsive state director of the Year 2011.

The award was presented at the Conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

Chairman Editorial Board of MOA Excellent Media Ltd, Dr Emeka Nwanevu while presenting the award said the fire service Director was nominated among several others and observed for a period of six months before emerging as the best responsive director of the year 2011.

He said the award was part of the activities to commemorating the first year anniversary of the publication, while commending the Service for working together as a team with their Director to achieve the recorded success.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

10

NEWS 4,000 join Edo ACN

Youths vow to return Oshiomhole

F

OUR thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Uromi and Irrua.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who addressed the defectors, among them John Obazele and Lawrence Usman, said his sole purpose in government is to change the fortunes of the state.

He said the present administration has distinguished itself through developmental projects.

The governor said ACN has come to change the “face” of politics in Edo State for the better, and urged the people of Esan, particularly the youths to resist those who are out to oppress them.

He hailed the defectors for taking the right decision to join the ACN, saying that they will be carried along.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Ships damaged in Rivers From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

A

TANKER-SHIP, ABULA, has hit the Nigeria Marine Police jetty at Abonnema Wharf in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, .

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam said three police gunboats, two of which were fitted with one machine gun and one general purpose machine gun each, sank.

He said two Federal Inland Waterways Authority’s (FIWA’s) boats and three exhibit boats sank.

Ugwuegbulam said: “Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Marine Police swiftly led a team that impounded the ship.”

•Oshiomhole

E

DO South Youths and Edo Youth for Good Governance have resolved to return Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14 governorship election.

They said Oshiomhole has proven that good govern-

ance was possible.

The youths spoke when they visited the governor yesterday.

Their spokesperson, Osaghea Collins, said the election will be a straight win for Oshiomhole.

Collins said they would mobilise 5,000 volunteer youths as monitors to prevent rigging, ballot stuffing and coercing of the electorate.

The governor said the election was not about him or his opponents but about development of the state.

He said his administration was determined to use state resources to secure the future of the youths as well as develop the state.

“I believe that tomorrow

belongs to the youth. I thank you for endorsing this administration.

“We believe that government must set a standard in design and specification of projects. Our opposition cannot change the evidence on ground.”

Oshiomhole said Nigeria will develop at a faster pace when the citizens are able to engage their leaders on issues relating to governance.

According to him, “you are very concerned about what is happening in the state and have engaged us on a number of issues bordering on good governance.

“To be honest, good governance cannot take place if the citizens cannot engage their leaders. Nigeria cannot make progress if we don’t have a citizenry that is ready to engage the leaders on is-

sues bordering on good governance.

“The youths as ever vigilant members of the society owe the people a duty to be objective to secure their own future,” he added.

The youths, who declared their support for the governor’s second term bid, gave him an award of excellence as the Best Governor.

They said Oshiomhole has proved that good governance is possible in Edo State.

“You have proved that good governance is possible in our state, that is why the youths are behind your administration.

“We will mobilise our friends across the state for your cause,” Collins noted.

The youths said the governor has changed the face of schools and the health sector.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Pipeline vandalisation presents the single biggest threat to the smooth operation of the petroleum industry in the country. If the menace is left unchecked, Nigeria would wake up one day to discover that pipeline thieves have taken over the country.

-Austen Oniwon, GMD, NNPC

Naira falls on buying pressure

CBN cautions on fraudulent institutions

T

HE naira weakened against the United States’ dollar on the interbank market yesterday, on strong demand by some banks filling their customers’ needs for dollars, as dollar liquidity gradually dries up in the market, traders said.

The naira closed at N157.90 to the dollar compared with the N157.30 to the dollar on Friday.

Traders said the naira eased to N158.35 intraday before it finally settled at the N157.90 level, at the close of the market, on buying pressure from banks meeting their customers’ demand for dollars.

A trader said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was not meeting all demand for dollars at the auction, while more customers were resorting to the interbank to fill their needs.

The naira according to Bloomberg news, has performed well against the dollar since the start of the year, largely driven up by offshore investors into local debt instruments, which currently offer attractive yields.

“We expect that the naira will rebound this week as speculation is that there’s a plan by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to sell around $300 million to fill the market,” another dealer said.

At the bi-weekly auction, the apex bank sold $150 million at N156.06 to the dollar, compared with $150 million sold at N156.01 to the dollar at the previous auction on Wednesday.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/ 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 -N6.503 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

Chuks Udo Okonta

T

•From left: Toyin Nnodi, Senior Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited; Austin Ufomba, Marketing Director; Matthieu Seguin, National Commercial Director, Nigeria Bottling Company; Banky W, Promo Ambassador; and Host Mapondera, Franchise Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, at a press conference on the Coca-Cola ‘Open & Win’ promotion, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

IOCs frustrate gas monitoring, says DPR T

HE Department of Pe troleum Resources (DPR) yesterday accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) of frustrating the Federal Government’s efforts at installing equipment to monitor the production and utilisation of gas.

Deputy Director, Technical Services of DPR, Mr Dozie Irrechukwu, stated this at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Gas in Abuja.

The equipment used to monitor the quantity of gas produced at any particular time is an electronic device called Gas Real Time measurement.

Irrechukwu said contract for the device awarded in 2009 has only attained 8.3 per cent

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

completion.

He said the IOCs including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron and Mobil are using some techniques to slow down the installation of the real time units that would give accurate measurement of gas production and utilisation.

Irrechukwu said it was obvious that the companies do not want to shut to allow the contractors survey and design the appropriate technology to be used.

He noted that the IOCs are

still using manual measurement, which, he said, is far below the level of gas being produced and utilised.

Irrechukwu, however, noted that the project has not failed as some processes have been completed with the exception of installation of the real time units.

The Managing Director of Riverman Technologies Limited (the contractor handling the project), Kingsley Itoro, told the committee that efforts to access the facilities of the IOCs have continued to meet brick wall.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, expressed concern over the

inability of DPR to ensure that the contract was executed.

Nwaogu accused the DPR of not living up to its policing role in the oil industry.

She noted that it was appalling that four years after the Federal Government separated gas from oil production to generate additional revenue, the project has not seen the light of day.

Nwaogu lamented that of the 166 terminals that required real time measuring equipment, only 10 representing 8.3 per cent have been completed.

The committee later mandated the DPR staff to make available to it the details of the contract, showing how they have policed the IOCs and what they want to do to bridge the time lag.

Fiscal Commission decries inconsistencies in budgetary processes W

ORRIED by the late approval and p o o r implementation of the nation’s yearly budgets, the Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Dr. Aliyu Jibril, has decried the inconsistencies of the Federal Government in its budgetary processes.

He revealed that the Federal Government, which spends 48 per cent of the country’s resources, has been the sole observer of the Fiscal Responsibility Framework (FRF).

He made the remark yesterday during a town hall meeting organised by the Actionaid and Citizens Wealth Platform (CWP) entitled: 2012 Budget and the economy, in Abuja.

He decried the inconsistencies in the country’s budgetary preparation, approval and implementation, stressing that it often affects the execution of the nation’s capital projects.

His words: “In Nigeria, we practice ‘broken budget’.

Budgets are prepared late,

From Austine Ehikioya and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

approved late and implemented late. For example, for the past seven years, budget approval came over three months after the commencement of the budget year.

“Only the Federal Government, which receives about 48 per cent of the nationally shared resources, implements the FRF.” He expressed doubt if the 2012 budget would be approved until April 2012.

Jibril, who was represented by the Commissioner of Policy and Standards, Sylvanus Mordi, explained that fiscal responsibility is about balancing the budget and eliminating wastefulness in government’s spending.

He noted that the nation is not realistic in its budgeting, adding that, in most cases, a particular amount is often presented as the

‘We are not realistic in budgeting. You submit 4 billion and you see 4.5 billion, where does it come from?’ nation’s budget, but thereafter, reflects an additional sum.

“We are not realistic in budgeting. You submit 4 billion and you see 4.5 billion, where does it come from?

“The budget often deviated from the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, and the legislature, through amendments and supplements vary the budgets beyond plus or

minus five per cent. Of course the execution of the capital budget was often extended three months into the following year,” Jibril added.

Speaking on the compliance with the FRF, he said the states spend freely without any monitoring.

However, he advised state governments not to award contracts when it is 12 months to complete their tenure except they are buoyant to execute the projects.

In his remark, the Country Director of Actionaid, Dr. Hussaini Abdu condemned the late approval and implementation of the 2012 budget.

He said the budget has been withdrawn from the National Assembly twice and Nigerians are concerned on how it is being prepared.

Abdu noted that there was need for change in the budgetary processes in order to drive the nation’s development.

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has urged the investing public to be wary of institutions that promise unattainable returns on investment.

Deputy Director, Banking Supervision, CBN, Mr Mudashiru Adegbite, made this call in Lagos yesterday at a workshop on Personal Financial Planning and Investment organised by Royal Exchange Finance and Investment Limited.

He noted that the apex bank has continued to intensify efforts to stem the activities of individuals who set up institutions to defraud innocent people of their hard earned income.

Adegbite called on the public to report any institution that promises questionable returns, adding that the CBN in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is poised to weed out fake institutions from the financial sector.

He urged the public to engage in investigation to ascertain whether organisations seeking their funds have evidence of certification from CBN and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

He said: “Events in the past, especially the menace of wonder banks, has called for caution when investing.

Investors should now be wary of individuals who promises returns that are unattainable. In the past we have seen institutions that promised investors 150 per cent returns, this throws up the question on what type of business they would engage to realise such returns.”

FIRS orders D’Rovans Hotel directors’ arrest From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

T

HE Federal High Court, Ibadan has or dered the arrest of four directors of D’Rovans Hotel in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The order followed an application for a bench warrant by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) due to failure of the accused persons to appear in court over charges of an allegedly unpaid tax.

The FIRS dragged the hotel to court for allegedly failing to remit a total of N44.10 million tax to the agency.

The four-count charge against the hotel are: nonpayment of Company Income Tax of N11.41 million and non-remittance of Education tax on staff training totalling N756,800.

The third count was the non-remittance of Value Added Tax totalling N31.93 million while the fourth count was Evasion of Tax. The accused refused to appear thrice before the court.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

13 (8)

Power of the Commissioner to give directives to the Boards.

The Commissioner may at any time give to the Boards, general or specific directives as to the policy to be followed in the exercise of their powers and the performance of their functions under this Law.

(9)

Functions of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

to the provisions of this Law, the Christian Board shall have the general duty of providing efficient and Magistrates’Subject Court Law effective services to residents of the State proceeding to or returning from designated Holy sites to perform the Holy Pilgrimage and shall be responsible for – (a) organizing annual pilgrimages for Christian pilgrims in the State; (b) protecting and safeguarding the interests and welfare of Christian pilgrims from the State on Holy Pilgrimage; (c) making suitable arrangements for inoculation, transportation and accommodation of Christian pilgrims; (d) providing necessary assistance in matters relating to the health of pilgrims from the State, within and outside the country; (e) providing necessary logistical arrangements and contact with appropriate Federal Government agencies on issues of immigration and foreign currency for pilgrims from the State; (f) the establishment and maintenance of an adequate information system, including the publication of literature or audio visual films for the purpose of educating the pilgrims; (g) conducting and coordinating all appropriate government agencies on issues of welfare and provision of necessary health care for pilgrims; and (h) doing such other things as are necessary and incidental to the discharge of its functions under this Law.

LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY INVITES

ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO A PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO ESTABLISH THE LAGOS STATE CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM PILGRIMS WELFARE BOARDS. DATE: VENUE:

TIME:

10. Functions of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Subject to the provisions of this Law, the Muslim Board shall have the general duty of providing efficient and effective services to residents of the State proceeding to or returning from Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj or Umra and shall be responsible for: (a) organizing annual pilgrimages for Muslim pilgrims in the State; (b) protecting and safeguarding the interests and welfare of Muslim pilgrims from the State on Holy Pilgrimage; (c) making suitable arrangements for inoculation, transportation and accommodation of Muslim pilgrims; (d) providing necessary assistance in matters relating to the health of pilgrims from the State, within and outside the country; (e) providing necessary logistical arrangements and contact with appropriate Federal Government agencies on issues of immigration and foreign currency for pilgrims from the State; (f) the establishment and maintenance of an adequate information system, including the publication of literature or audio visual films for the purpose of educating the pilgrims; (g) conducting and co-ordinating all appropriate government agencies on issues of welfare and provision of necessary health care for pilgrims; and (h) doing such other things as are necessary and incidental to the discharge of its functions.

THURSDAY, 15TH MARCH, 2012 LOBBY OF THE HOUSE, ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, ALAUSA, IKEJA. 10.00A.M. PROMPT

RT. HON. ADEYEMI S. IKUFORIJI SPEAKER LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

11. Qualification and duties of the Secretary of the Boards.

(1)

The Secretary to each of the Boards may be appointed from within or outside the civil service and shall be: (a) the administrative head of the Board, subject to the general control of the Board; (b) responsible for the implementation of the decisions of the Board; and (c) shall perform such other functions as the Chairman or the Board may assign to him.

(2)

The seal of the Boards shall be in the custody of each of the Secretaries and they shall cause such to be affixed to documents at the direction of the Chairman.

(CHIEF HOST)

MEMORANDA SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE OFFICE OF THE ACTING CLERK ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY, 14TH MARCH, 2012.

SIGNED:

HONOURABLE LAWAL K.O

12.

The Boards may, subject to the approval of the Commissioner, appoint or employ such other professional or nonprofessional members of staff as may be required or second or transfer such required staff from the public service of the State.

13.

(2) The funds of the Boards shall consist of (a) grants or subvention from the State Government; (b) such sums as may be charged by the Boards as commission, fees, or dues for its services; (c) such sums as may be borrowed in accordance with the provisions of this Law; (d) bequests, gifts and donations; and (e) all such sums or assets that may accrue to or be vested in the Boards in respect of any matter incidental to its function.

LSHA.......above the common standard of excellence

14. Operation of Bank Accounts.

(1) The Boards shall operate Bank accounts and undertake financial transactions only in accordance with existing financial regulations of the State.

A LAW TO ESTABLISH THE LAGOS STATE CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM PILGRIMS WELFARE BOARDS (........................)

(2) The Boards shall keep proper accounts and records in relation to its funds and expenses in accordance with the financial regulations of the State and other financial guidelines that may be issued by the Accountant General of the State.

The Lagos State House of Assembly enacts as follows:

1.

Establishment of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (1) There is established the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board referred to in this Law as “the Christian Board”.

(2) The (a) (b) (c)

2.

3.

4.

The Boards shall prepare and summit to the Commissioner, a budget of its income and expenditure for inclusion in the Ministry’s budgetary provision not less than four months to the end of each year.

16. Audited Accounts.

The objective of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board shall be to ensure an efficient and effective pilgrimage operation for all Christians in the State.

(2)

The auditors appointed shall be from a list of Auditors approved by the Auditor-General of the State.

Membership of the Christians Pilgrims Welfare Board.

17. Borrowing Powers.

(1) The Christian Board shall consist of seven (7) members, including: (a) a Chairman; (b) a Secretary; and (c) five other members.

The Boards may from time to time with the approval of the State Executive Council borrow money for the performance of their functions under this Law.

(2) All the members of the Christian Board shall be of the Christian faith, and shall be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Commissioner, provided that they are persons of integrity who are well versed in the Christian religion.

The Boards shall no later than three (3) months after the conclusion of pilgrimages in a financial year, prepare and submit to the Governor through the Commissioner a report on the pilgrimages for the year.

(3)

19. Proceedings of the Boards.

The members of the Christian Board shall be paid such remuneration as the Governor may determine.

18. Board Pilgrimage Report.

Establishment of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board

The proceedings of the Boards are contained in the Scheduled to this Law.

(1) There is established the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board referred to in this Law as “the Muslim Board”.

20. Disqualification of intending pilgrims.

The (a) (b) (c)

Muslim Board – shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a Common seal; may sue or be sued in its corporate name; may hold, acquire and dispose of movable or immovable Property and enter into any contract for the purposes of this Law.

Objective of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Membership of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

(1)

The (a) (b) (c)

Muslim Board shall consist of seven (7) members, including: a Chairman; a Secretary; and five other members.

The Boards may, if satisfied that a person has committed an offence or a misconduct specified by the Boards in the regulations made pursuant to this Law disqualify such a person from undertaking the pilgrimage organized or supervised by the Boards, and such disqualification shall have effect for such periods as the Boards may specify.

21. Repeal.

The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Law, No. 13 of 1982 (CAP L9) 2003 and the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Law (Cap P7) 2003, are hereby repealed.

22. Interpretation.

In this Law unless the context otherwise refers, ‘Boards’ means the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

‘Commissioner’ means the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture or any member of the State Executive Council for the time being in charge of holy pilgrimages.

(2) All the members of the Muslim Board shall be of the Muslim faith, and shall be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Commissioner, provided that they are persons of integrity who are well versed in the Islamic religion.

‘Governor’ means The Governor of Lagos State.

‘State’ means Lagos State

(3) The members of the Muslim Board shall be paid such remuneration as the Governor may determine.

7.

Budgetary Estimates.

Objective of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

The objective of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board shall be to ensure an efficient and effective pilgrimage operation for all Muslims in the State.

6.

15.

(1) The Boards shall cause their accounts to be audited not later than three (3) months after the end of each financial year to which theaccounts relate and the audited account shall be submitted to the Governor through the Commissioner.

(2)

5.

Christian Board – shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a Common seal; may sue or be sued in its corporate name; may hold, acquire and dispose of movable or immovable Property and enter into any contract for the purposes of this Law.

Funds of the Boards.

(1) The Boards shall establish and maintain separate funds, from which their expenses shall be defrayed.

(CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURE, TOURISM AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS)

A BILL FOR

Other members of staff of the Boards.

Tenure and Removal of members.

(1)

Members of the Boards shall operate on a part-time basis for a term of two years and may be eligible for reappointment for a further term of two years only.

(2) The Governor on the recommendation of the Commissioner may suspend or remove any member(i) on grounds of misconduct; (ii) for prolonged inability to perform the functions of the Office; or (iii) for any other reason, including low productivity and incompetence.

(3) The Governor on the recommendation of the Commissioner may fill any vacancy in the membership of the Boards, provided that a person appointed under this Section may only serve the unexpired term of the person in respect of which the vacancy arose.

(4) The Commissioner may co-opt representatives of relevant ministries as ad hoc members to support the Boards in the performance of their assignment under this Law, provided that such co-opt members shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted as part of the quorum of the meeting of the Boards.

23.

Citation and Commencement.

This Law may be cited as the Lagos State Christian and Muslim Pilgrims force on the…………..day of…………… 2012.

…………………………………………….

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN Governor of Lagos State

Welfare Boards Law, and shall come into

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

HEALTH

Health Public health financing abysmally low, says CMD Tourism With • ‘Govt spends N4,500 per patient yearly’ T HE Federal Government spends N4,500 on a patient yearly, a medical practitioner has said.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Prof Akin Osibogun, made this known at a workshop for health reporters in Lagos.

Comparing health financing in the United States to Nigeria’s, he said public expenditure per head on health care in the US is $7,681 while that of Nigeria is below $30.

“Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head is $1,000 while in the US it is $22,000.”

He said the yardsticks for measuring health care are indices of health outcome such as infant rates, death of under-five and maternal deaths. He said patients should pay for treatment, because health care is expensive, and the government cannot do it alone.

On the saying that prevention is better than cure, he argued: “Preventive medicine should be em-

By Wale Adepoju braced as curative medicine is expensive and unattainable by the poor especially.”

According to him, the quality of health care that people want is capital intensive and the government cannot do it alone. “Whenever you match quality against equity, quality must suffer.”

To achieve the best practices, he noted that technology is needed in health care, but “it is quite expensive, as it has to be managed and in some cases replaced.”

Osibogun said: “Health is not merely the absence of diseases, but a complete state of physical and mental well-being. This requires a lot of things.”

He said whereas private hospitals can charge N1million to enable them to replace the equipment they use, adding that government hospitals can’t charge that high amount and may not be able to re-

place the items used.

He said technology advances the ability of experts to conduct diagnosis and detect diseases. This, he said, brings to the fore some of the challenges in defining health.

He said health is viewed from five Ds – death, diseases, disability, discomfort and dissatisfaction.

Osibogun said technology must be funded as it had economic implication to it. “An x-ray can perform limited functions, but a CT scan can do more while a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can pick more information than the CT scan,” he added.

He said further that defining disease is not also easy as economy and technology deployed have roles to play. “For example, on breast cancer some of the lumps can be benign, others may be malignant. You can diagnose with immunograph or biopsy. Technology can help make better diagnosis but it is expensive,” he said.

New hypertension treatment unveiled

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OUTH Africa has inaugurated a new technology and treatment for highly resistant hypertension patients at Chris Hani Academic Hospital’s Cardiology Unit in Johannesburg.

The initiative, known as Renal Denervation, is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

A cardiologist at the hospital, Dr Chris Zambarkide, said three patients with highly resistant hypertension have passed through the procedure at the hospital. The procedure, he said, was shown to be effective, safe and durable.

“With renal denervation, we will be able to do extra for patients in or-

der to control their blood pressure, thereby decreasing their risk of serious complications, including death.

“Patients with resistant hypertension experience high blood pressure, despite being on different classes of anti-hypertensive drugs.

“Treatment options in these patients are largely limited to increase the dosage or the number of anti-hypertensive drugs, often leading to unwanted side effects,” Zambakide said.

He said renal denervation procedure was not a first-line therapy, saying,” it was currently only used in patients who met the criteria and were highly resistant.”

He described hypertension as a

major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing and developed countries.

“Epidemiological studies have shown that there are large percentages of hypertensive patients that are not diagnosed. Even more alarming is that less than 50 per cent are treated to target blood pressure levels,’’ he said.

The renal denervation is a procedure whereby the renal nerves are disrupted using radio frequency.

This procedure involves a guiding catheter being inserted via the groin into the femoral artery; the guiding catheter is then advanced up to the aorta and the renal arteries.

• Director, Enforcement, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mr Garuba Mcdonal; Director Narcotics and Controlled Substance, Mr Ubale Hashim Yusuf and Director-General Dr Paul Orhii, at a conference in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

‘Over 200,000 illegal drug stores in Lagos’

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HARMACISTS have raised the alarm over the proliferation of illegal drug stores in Lagos State, alleging that there are over 200,000 of such outfits in existence.

They are operating without restraint, the Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Branch, Mr Felix Anieh, said.

Speaking at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, Anieh said the business is thriving because of the patronage from the public. “So, whether we like it or not, the health of the people is in danger,” he said.

He attributed the rise to pov-

By Wale Adepoju

erty in the country, adding: “Nigerians are known to break every existing law. And our people in government know how to circumvent the law to enrich themselves at the detriment of our members.”

He blamed the deplorable condition of the sector on the appalling state of Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee (PIC), saying it became moribund many months ago. “PIC is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that only registered pharmaceutical stores operate in the state but it was comatose almost a year

ago,” he added.

He described the activities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as one-off. “Although NAFDAC has shut some stores, its activities can be described as sporadic,” he added.

Anieh said suburbs of Lagos State, such as Okokomaiko and Ikotun are places where illegal drug business is high. “There are serious threats coming from Okokomaiko and Ikotun. They hawk drugs there freely in all the streets. They hawk drugs as if they are selling tomatoes. You will see learned people wearing tie stopping to patronise them,” he said.

Dr Dheeraj Bojwani e-mail: indiasodel@gmail.com

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Back pain surgery

RAUMA, aging, improper body mechanics, and normal wear and tear can all injure your spine. Damage to any part of your back or pressure on the nerves in your spine can cause back pain and other symptoms. If you have ongoing back pain, maybe you’ve wondered — could back surgery help? If you are experiencing back pain, see a doctor who can determine the cause. If the pain spreads down your leg or is accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness, see a doctor immediately.

The spine, or backbone, is made up of a column of 33 bones and tissue extending from the skull to the pelvis. These bones, or vertebrae, enclose and protect a cylinder of nerve tissues known as the spinal cord. Between each one of the vertebra is an intervertebral disk, or band of cartilage serving as a shock absorber between the vertebrae. The types of vertebrae are: • Cervical vertebrae - the seven vertebrae forming the upper part of the spine • Thoracic vertebrae - the 12 bones between the neck and the lower back • Lumbar vertebrae - the five largest and strongest vertebrae located in the lower back between the chest and hips • The sacrum and coccyx are the bones at the base of the spine. The sacrum is made up of five vertebrae fused together, while the coccyx (tailbone) is formed from four fused vertebrae.

The causes of back pain can be complex. Some causes of back pain include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Depending on the diagnosis, surgery may either be the first treatment of choice - although this is rare - or it is reserved for chronic back pain for which other treatments have failed. If you are in constant pain or if pain reoccurs frequently and interferes with your ability to sleep, to function at your job, or to perform daily activities, you may be a candidate for back pain surgery.

Almost everyone has back pain at some point in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain is the second most common neurological disorder — only headache is more common. If you have back pain, the first step is to be properly assessed by your primary care provider. Back pain has many causes, from muscle strain to more serious conditions such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylosisthesis, osteoporosis, or a tumor, so it’s important to find out what is causing the back pain.

Back pain surgery Most people with back pain will have it resolved with the use of conservative treatments and therapies. If you happen to be one of the few who have suffered with back pain that will not respond to any of the many conservative treatments available to you, you may need to decide if surgery is the next logical step to take on your road to relieving your back pain. The goal of surgery should always be to relieve pain, prevent any further degeneration of the spine and allow the pa-

tient to live a more normal life.

Back surgery might be needed: • If you have a condition that compresses your spinal nerves, causing debilitating back pain or numbness along the back of your leg.

• In some instances when you have bulging or ruptured (herniated) disks — the rubbery cushions separating the bones in your spine. However, many people with bulging disks have no pain.

• If you have broken bones (fractured vertebrae) or other damage to your spinal column from an injury that leaves your spine unstable.

• If you have vertebral fractures and an unstable spine related to osteoporosis.

• If you’ve first tried conservative measures and they fail to relieve your back pain or other symptoms.

Back pain surgery in India helps patient in their back pains related treatments by packaging their medical trip to India and it also offers a full complement of surgical as well as physiotherapy services exclusively to International Patients combined with their post - discharge recuperative holidays.

Spine surgeons are physicians who receive special training in the diagnosis and treatment of the spine, which include problems with the neck (cervical spine), mid back (thoracic spine) and low back (lumbar spine). We are proud to say that India has produced some of the best world renowned Spinal Surgeons and our associated Senior Spinal Surgeons working for their respective JCI Accredited Hospital are always eager to extend a supporting helpful hand to your back problems.

Back pain surgical procedures In the most serious cases, when the condition does not respond to other therapies, surgery may relieve pain caused by back problems or serious musculoskeletal injuries.

Surgical procedures can include: • Discectomy • Foraminotomy • IntraDiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET) • Nucleoplasty • Radiofrequency Lesioning • Spinal Fusion • Spinal Laminectomy Some surgical procedures may be performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia, while others require hospitalisation.

When your back is in chronic pain, an approach that heals the mind as well as the body is needed. Patients need to understand that everyone gets back pain, and it’s largely a function of conditioning within our spine. The spine and the muscles and all of our attachments — ligaments, joints — constantly need to be in motion to remain in good condition. When they’re put to rest or overused, they tend to get irritated.

So often back pain is a function of overusing or underusing, and conditioning will help.

Dr. Bojwani is the Chief Executive of Forerunners Healthcare Consultants Pvt Ltd, India’s Pioneer Medical tourism organisation.

Local contact: 07042394040, 07090830097, 08191462542, 07037065779, 08023051420

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Defending the defenceless •Lagos’ search for justice for victimised citizens commendable HE true test of any government is its preparedness to move outside its comfort zone when circumstances dictate that it should do so. The Lagos State Government lived up to this dictum when it announced last week that it had finalised preparations to sue the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police and a former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for alleged human rights abuses perpetrated during the anti-fuel subsidy removal protests which took place last January.

The Babatunde Fashola administration is seeking N200 million in damages for the murder of Mr. Demola Abiodun, who was allegedly shot by the ex-DPO, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, and N100 million each for three other individuals who were injured when the police allegedly fired at them. The state’s attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, has been directed to take up the case, which will be handled by the state’s Office of the Public Defender (OPD). The OPD is apparently waiting for the autopsy report on the deceased to be released to it so that it can commence legal action.

In a country where the police have often been used as the coercive instrument of governance, the decision of the Lagos State Government is a timely reminder that the primary purpose of government is the protection and advancement of the interests of the citizenry. The state government has had good working relations with the Lagos State Police Command and has in fact contributed substantially to improving its effectiveness over the years, but it has correctly understood that

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she was assaulted by the escort of a senior naval officer in 2008. Now that it is taking up what is arguably its greatest challenge, the OPD must treat the matter with all the importance that it deserves.

Given the obvious need for agencies like the OPD in other parts of the country, it is surprising that the Federal Government has not seen it fit to set up a similar body to deal with the provision of costeffective legal services to the populace on a nation-wide basis. The nearest equivalent is the National Human Rights Commission, but its powers of investigation and prosecution are limited. Perhaps the positive developments in Lagos will encourage a change of heart in this regard.

upholding the rule of law takes precedence over such considerations.

It marks a welcome departure from situations where the police and other security agencies would regularly get away with gross violations of human rights under the guise of maintaining law and order. Dozens of Nigerians have died at the hands of over-zealous security forces that have used deadly force on unarmed protesters and very few of them have ever been prosecuted for their actions. By bringing the might of the state government to bear on an alleged human rights infraction as opposed to leaving it in the hands of civil society groups, the state government is helping to change attitudes regarding the rights and obligations of the Nigerian citizen.

As the prosecuting agency, the Office of the Public Defender is clearly in the spotlight in this landmark case. It must ensure that it constructs a watertight case which will not be vulnerable to the legal technicalities so often beloved of defence counsel. The diligence with which it pursues the matter will not only ensure justice for those who have been wronged and appropriate sanctions for those who may be found guilty, but it will also help to positively affect the attitudes and behaviour of the security agencies and the populace.

Fortunately, the OPD has garnered an enviable record of competence since it began operations. It has handled a wide variety of cases, ranging from debt-recovery to murder, and has worked on over 4,000 petitions. One of the more notable cases was that of Miss Uzoma Okere, who won N100 million in damages after

‘In a country where the police have often been used as the coercive instrument of governance, the decision of the Lagos State Government is a timely reminder that the primary purpose of government is the protection and advancement of the interests of the citizenry. The state government has had good working relations with the Lagos State Police Command and has in fact contributed substantially to improving its effectiveness over the years, but it has correctly understood that upholding the rule of law takes precedence over such considerations’

Unacceptable!

• Boko Haram going too far by attacking innocent pupils

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ITH about 10,000 pupils forced out of school due to the activities of the Boko Haram, the dangerous sect seems to be sending a message true to its name, ‘Western education is sinful’. Since its emergence, the sect has never hidden its disdain for Western education and the democratic system of government. But it had largely restricted its attacks to state security institutions, until late last year when it widened its targets.

In recent times alone, Boko Haram had dispatched many people to untimely graves, including those killed on Christmas day last year at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla in Suleja, Niger State, where many people perished in an early morning bomb attack. Ten more people were killed elsewhere in bomb blasts that hit churches in Jos, Plateau State, and Gadaka, in Yobe State.

Perhaps the most audacious attacks by

‘Their attack on schools, especially in a part of the country where people are literally being persuaded to go to school, can only set the hands of the clock back several years. The implication is that many pupils of school age would now be roaming the streets and they could be forced to engage in social vices which will not augur well for the society’

the sect included the suicide bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja. The attack, last August, which killed 25 people, drew global attention to the terrorist sect. There were other attacks on the police headquarters, Abuja, an Air Force base in Borno and an SSS office. Just last Thursday, two foreigners, Christopher McManus, a Briton, and Italian Franco Lamolinara, held captive by the sect since May last year, were killed during a raid to free them by a joint Nigerian and British team.

Now, the sect has taken its activities to schools and at least 12 public and private schools have been set on fire in attacks launched mostly under the cover of the night in Maiduguri, which has been plagued by violence for nearly two years. Some of the schools attacked were Budun Primary School, Kulo Gomna Primary School and Abbaganaram Primary School, while a private school, Maiduguri Experimental School was also destroyed and Gomari Costain set ablaze. The onslaught affected five more schools burnt in what appeared to be coordinated attacks. These included Gwange 1 Primary School, Success Private Secondary School owned by a Ghanaian and Sunshine Private School. The Boko Haram sect said the attacks were in retaliation for the raids of local Islamic schools by security men.

To describe the sect as a festering sore is putting its atrocities mildly. But its attacks on schools should not be taken lightly. In the first place, it was due to their lack of good and functional educa-

tion that the Boko Haram members became easily available for recruitment into the sect. If they have had the benefit of functional education, they probably would also have had some more worthwhile jobs to do, so, chances are they would not have agreed to serve as cannon fodder in whatever war they see themselves as fighting now. Their attack on schools, especially in a part of the country where people are literally being persuaded to go to school, can only set the hands of the clock back several years.

The implication is that many pupils of school age would now be roaming the streets and they could be forced to engage in social vices which will not augur well for the society.

This would be tragic for the country because, as events of recent years have shown, no part of the country can claim to be healthy when one part is chronically ill. Wherever they may be, Nigerians are now worried about when and where the next bomb will go off. Now they are forced to factor in Boko Haram before deciding which functions to attend.

Things cannot continue like this. Security of lives and property is the primary function of any government. A situation where a cantankerous sect would hold the entire nation to ransom is not the best.

The government must intensify its fight against Boko Haram. There must also be coordinated efforts to give the teeming jobless youths in the country something meaningful to do to keep them off crimes.

The Boko Haram challenge has festered for far too long. Theirs is a misguided war that should not be condoned.

On Iran, patience and power

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RESIDENT Obama has made a compelling case for his policy of diplomacy backed by military might.

It’s not clear that Israel is convinced, but President Obama deserves credit for his forceful argument that the Jewish state shouldn’t precipitously attack Iran’s nuclear program. He has also effectively rebuked American politicians, including his Republican rivals, for “beating the drums of war.” At the same time, Obama has committed the United States to a “military effort” to block a nuclear weapon — a newly muscular formulation of his long-standing commitment to take no option off the table.

In a speech to a pro-Israel lobbying group, in discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and at Tuesday’s news conference, Obama has sounded three themes. One is that non-military pressure on Iran needs time to work but is already beginning to show promise. The second is that the United States is committed to Israel’s security. (“I have Israel’s back,” he told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.)

And third, that a war with Iran, whether launched by Israel or the U.S., would have catastrophic human costs. That reality needs to be acknowledged by Republicans who, in Obama’s words, have been “popping off” about a military confrontation.

Israel’s anxieties about Iran’s nuclear program are certainly understandable. The regime in Tehran rejects the Jewish state’s legitimacy in hateful language and has for years provided aid to both Hamas and Hezbollah. Nor is it surprising that Israelis agonize about whether the United States really appreciates its position. For many Israelis, an Iranian nuclear weapon would constitute the proverbial existential threat, a potential second Holocaust. For the United States, a nuclear-armed Iran would pose more diffuse dangers, such as a nuclear arms race in the region or the possibility that Iran’s nuclear weapons would fall into the hands of terrorists. There also are disagreements between the U.S. and Israel about whether Iran is, in fact, committed to building a bomb.

Despite these different perspectives, Obama presented Israel with a strong case for patience. Sanctions, he said, are “slowing the Iranian nuclear program and virtually grinding the Iranian economy to a halt.”

They also may have drawn Iran back to the negotiating table; on Tuesday it was announced that negotiations would be resumed between Tehran and the U.S., France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany.

It is far too early to give up on diplomacy — or, as Obama said at his news conference, “this notion that somehow we have a choice to make in the next week or two weeks, or month or two months, is not borne out by the facts.”

– Los Angeles Times

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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HE recent meeting of the northern leaders to find solution to the wave of insecurity in the northern part of this country is untimely, wasteful and unnecessary to say the least.

The initiative by this so-called leaders should have come before now.

They should be held responsible for the fate that has bedeviled the north at present; what we are seeing is the consequence of lack of purposeful leadership. The North has been at the back seat since the demise of the likes of Sardauna, Ahmadu Bello and the late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and host of others

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Meeting of nothern leaders too late who gave the north leadership it required at that time.

The menace of insecurity affecting the region could be attributed to factors like imbalance in educational sector, unemployment, injustice, lack sustainable leadership and above

all nepotism and mistrust amongst various segments of the entire North. These are to be found in religion, tribe and ethnicity. These factors were unknown during the first republic when the late Sardauna held sway as the leader in the entire north without any

form discrimination.

The unity of the first republic that saw the entire North speak with one voice and also going to war to keep the unity of this country together is missing at present. The entire north is so balkanised that even the so-called Northern

Plea bargain, a necessary evil

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T is surprising that so much issues are being made of the need for plea bargaining. For a while now, the EFCC has been asking the government for special courts across the country to give it a quick answer to unnecessary delays in prosecuting guilty people on economic and financial criminals to no avail.

Now the EFCC is involved in plea bargaining to allow both parties in a trial avoid the lengthy prosecution which may fast track justice and deliver conviction to any accused person within a short time lag. At this point, I think we need to educate ourselves on the meaning of plea bargain.

A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor. This may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to a less serious charge or to one of several charges, in return for the dismissal of other charges; or it may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to the original criminal charge in return for a more lenient sentence.

The idea behind plea bargaining is to let the EFCC achieve the main

aim of its establishment. Through it, the guilty can be sentenced and punished without the delays they are expressing with most of the cases court. Although, plea bargaining may not give the accused long but they are still punished, some of what stolen is recovered and they end up with a convict tag to their names.

If we also look at this carefully, we will see that it is not only the EFCC that will benefit from it. It is

a quick way for the courts to dispose of cases, which could otherwise have been very long drawn, time consuming and with potential for erroneous judgments.

For the prosecution, plea bargaining gives them the opportunity of securing convictions particularly in instances where a conviction is highly desired, yet the outcome of a full trial is unpredictable or tricky. “ Considering all these, I consider

it expedient that the EFCC be made to continue with this unique and novel legal arrangement. This is all that we need to decongest our courts of all cases that have been there for years. The EFCC is sure to deliver more on this and our criminal justice system will be the better for it.

•Rachel Fola Lagos

Governors Forum is not united.

Now that the leaders have converged, what were the roles they played at the initial stage of the emergence of the dreaded Boko Haram? They all kept mum. Now that the situation is about to consume them, they are now running from pillar to post, deceiving themselves that they are with the north in this time of their needs.

One finds it difficult to appreciate their desperate move to initiate such meeting at this time when many lives have been lost without the leaders making bold calls for the stoppage of such acts when it first reared its ugly head.

Its behoves on them to be sincere in the projects of finding lasting solution to this menace of insecurity that has consumed innocent lives, both from the North and other parts of the country. The Boko Haram issue has thrown the entire north socially, economically and politically many years back. It would take a miracle to bring the region back to the same level with other parts of the country.

•Bala Nayashi Lokoja, Kogi State

Sovereign National Conference, no magic

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HE Nigerian intelligentsia never fails to amuse me for following the bandwagon each time an issue of national concern is on a front burner. I found it quite farcical seeing a number of Nigerians who lay claim to belonging to the intelligentsia subscribing to a position not popularised or arrived at by any process of critical scientific reasoning but by the bare fact of such position or thinking merely wearing a tinge of novelty.

Now to the acclaimed elixir called Sovereign National Conference. While it is conceded

that the agitation for Sovereign National Conference has been with us for some time now, in recent time, there has been a renewed resonance in the agitation. While the fact cannot be gainsaid that there is nothing wrong for a people to hold regular talk among themselves in a bid to forge ahead, it is however, worrisome to begin to regard such avenue for discussion as an end in itself. For whatever Sovereign National Conference may be worth, it will be quite delusional to think that it is the magic wand we all need to get ourselves out of the systemic

decay we have found ourselves.

Pray, as lofty as the idea of the Sovereign National Conference may appear in concept, certain questions beg for answers: by what means would the participants for the conference be selected? Through the same procedure that our socalled elected representatives emerged? Who implements the decisions that may be arrived at by the participant at the conference?

The same present government saddled with the responsibility of implementing the plethora of findings of the numerous panels of inquiry and fact-finding committees

whose graves litter the shelves of all the government ministries, departments and agencies in our polity?

It is high time we come down to the brass to tell ourselves a few home truths rather joining the bandwagon in the agitation for sovereign national conference: until the hydra headed monster called corruption is fought head on and wrestled to the ground, we will just be creating another playground for the beneficiaries of the existing order to up their antics.

•Chris Edache Agbiti Esq Abuja.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION Zik, Ojukwu and Ndigbo (March 6)

R

epublican ipples

money. – A. I. Olisadebe, +2348033119751.

Good morning. When last did you read a true American running down his president the way you do? When will the West (Yoruba) respect and tolerate their leaders, knowing that no one is perfect? Even, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the man you praise in death today, was widely written off by your “pen-happy” wild, wild, west writers. When last did you see a Hausa writer run down a president from the North?

Please respect President Jonathan. Don’t run down our leaders. – Moses Eskor, Akwa Ibom, +2348093042407.

fter reading your opinion, I’m still amazed that other tribes in Nigeria still believe that the Igbo care about who rules or want to be politically relevant in this country. It is our charlatans that are after power. We, the Igbo people, don’t Olakunle care. Come to the East and sample opionions. - +2348037128310. lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola Ripples: It is not about caring or not.

It is about equal opportunities systemically entrenched by the principles of justice, equity and fair play. Even if your generation does not care, can you say same of your children’s generation?

Feedbac k eedback Informative write-up, balanced analysis and brilliant conclusions. Having Two years to the centenary of Lugard’s amalgamation, the Nigeria debate rages. Long gone, it appears is the read Emeka by Fredrick Forsythe, Renorthern hegemony. But the “power shift” to the South West after the June 12 imbroglio produced more of less of luctant Rebel by A. Banjo, Why We Struck the same stifling centralisation, though the Yoruba political elite would insist the beneficiary of that shift was a Teslim who? (February 14)

by A. Ademoyega, I cannot agree more. prodigal, of use to neither the northern and military elite that installed him nor to the Yoruba he was supposed to Why won’t Folarin describe Fact is: those factors that made Majors compensate. Now, in Goodluck Jonathan, the South-South take their slot. But his presidency has been uninspir- on-going efforts at regional inC.K. Nzeogwu, E. Ifeajuna and A. ing, leading to some hard soul-searching in the polity. The Lugardian order has failed. But what is there to replace tegration in the South West as a Ademoyega to strike in 1967 are very ruse? Members of his party are it? The readers have their day today. It is a republic rippling with anything but optimism. Enjoy! much with us in 2012, if not worse. If reactionary politicians aka we continue talking down our need to mainstreamers. They lack ideas. We will continue to disalmakes Nigeria a country of anything goes!

How can a country jaw-jaw, what is the guarantee that a “master-sergeant” or so endowed as Nigeria, and a people so resourceful as Nigeri- low them from ruling the South West. – Alhaji Adeboye Lawal, perhaps the Nigerian “harmattan” will not wipe off our ans rely on a roadmap prepared by characters like self-con- Felele, Ibadan, +2348053218316. “natural disasters” from the face of the earth? I have my Your piece, “Teslim who?” is a masterpiece by all standfessed fools? Therefore, those opposed to the structural politireservations for the departed Ikemba (his frailties are gone ards. The analysis is impeccable. It is a way forward. – Dr. cal re-engineering of the country are actually opposed to the now, save for history) but I want to remember him more as unity and progress of Nigeria. Except we are a country of Brown, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, +2347039420467. a man who threw away opulence for servitude, all for his Re: Teslim who? The South West governments should preidiots ruled by fools, it is either we sit down to jaw-jaw or we people. – Kayode, A, Abeokuta, +2348073821313. stand up to war-war! It is that tough! – Kayode A, pare an integration blueprint for immediate implementation.

Who is afraid of integration? (February 28) That is the best way to shame those who may share the same +2348073821313.

I asked, after reading your article, “Who is afraid of inteJust finished reading your article today. But must we remain ideas with Folarin. Enough of the gatherings of who is who gration?” Why did the Yoruba fight the civil war, if in Yorubaland, where the latest cars and dresses are exhibin this accursed union by force? - +2348037144300.

Aregbesola, as you claimed, said the Yoruba fought a civil ited. It is time for action! – Foster Adeleke, +2348033208546.

Jonathan can’t get it (February 21) war to ensure fair play and federalism and throw off Ibadan Ripples today hit the nail on the core of its “medulla”! SenaThank you for your write-up, “Jonathan can’t get it”.

I agree imperialism? Was it because, as it is said, the Yoruba are tor Teslim Folarin’s fulminations, to me, are tantamount to a with your clamour for regional federalism.

In my opinion, chameleons? It is also said: you can’t trust a Yoruba man! this could be achieved not necessarily through sovereign na- second degree shock being experienced by a man of power Kawu may be apprehensive of the Yoruba agenda tional conference (SNC). The National Assembly can handle who went to bed at night and woke up to the irreconcilable +2348033424343. that. All those clamouring for true federalism should submit reality that he had been stripped of power and other attendRipples: Ethnic profiling is strictly a lazy-thinking turf I their memoranda to the National Assembly for consideration. ant perks. That, I understand, except the part where a man would rather not play. But it is a democracy. Whoever has SNC will further heat up the polity. It will also waste time and with means and way meant nothing to the people, suddenly agenda, let them bring the agenda out. Let ideas contest came back from “boozeville”, believing he would mean much and whichever wins on the strength of logic, let it triumph. to people, even without the means or the way. Talk of selfThat is the spirit of democracy, not paranoid insinuations delusion! The Yoruba “omo-oko” have been elected over the ‘If we continue talking down our need to without logic or facts.

Yoruba “omo-ale”; and we are beginning to enjoy some peace, Re: Who is afraid of integration? Nigeria was founded on progress and tranquil the former illegitimate rulers are alien jaw-jaw, what is the guarantee that a ‘masfraud, managed in fraud and held together by force! A bito; and will naturally make some distractive noise against. ter-sergeant’ or perhaps the Nigerian cameral chamber of divergent characters mostly united by As for Iroko, what I see is that his political “sun” is about selfishness, repugnantly and indecorously rubber-stamp‘harmattan’ will not wipe off our “natusetting at dawn for no fault of anybody’s but his. . – Kayode A, ing anti-people policies, advanced by a clueless and reclu+2348030780589. ral disasters” from the face of the earth?’ sive executive, with an obviously pliable judiciary in tow

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S if we expected anything different, the so-called Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) –through which the federal government had sought to channel the so-called accruals from the removal of subsidy on petrol seems to have fallen apart even before take-off.

The first indication of trouble for SURE was given by President Goodluck Jonathan himself at his party’s 58th National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

The media reported the President telling the party big wigs: “As I came in, I saw this SURE book being distributed; we are withdrawing it. This is the old one. We developed this with the expectation that we were going to completely deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry after the 100 percent removal of subsidy”.

That was on February 20.

Although he didn’t then, the President could well have added: sorry folks – since Nigerians stopped me from withdrawing fuel subsidy, I am also withdrawing my SURE! A week earlier – on February 13, the President had, at a very elaborate ceremony in Abuja, inaugurated the Christopher Kolade-led board for SURE. There was no mention of scaling back the SURE programme. Rather, it was packaged, presented and sold as the administration’s flag-ship programme designed to turn-around the infrastructure situation, the sure answer to the job situation.

However, in not a particularly surprising twist, the National Economic Council, NEC, barely three weeks after the fanfare of that launch pronounced the programme organdead. Addressing State House correspondents after the council meeting of March 5, Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama stated that “when the subsidy re-investment programme was drawn up, the projects that were selected to be implemented were based on the assumption that we are going to have complete deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector and the announcement was made for the complete deregulation of the price of petrol, which went as high as N141 and that was taken for a fully deregulated price”.

Time for lamentation from the federal government: at N97 a litre, earlier global projection of N1.34 trillion was no longer realisable. Instead, the total accrual came to N478 billion of which the federal government only gets a paltry N180 billion for SURE. Why not scrap SURE then. Point is – we may never fully know why a government which had elected to spend a whopping N4.648 trillion in a budget year would rather stake its faith on an ad hoc programme like SURE. We can only hazard a guess as to why a programme very much like the defunct Petroleum Task Force would find attraction for our President in a constitutional environment: although it is expected to run parallel with the national budget, it was not expected to be subject to the strictures of institutional

Debate Nigeria

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Splintered governance oversight!

I guess it boils down to what I once described as outsourced Presidency – a phenomenon now indisputably Jonathan trademark. It is defined by power without responsibility. Check out the record number of committees charged with running the economy; add that to the scores of multifarious of task forces charged with all manners of activities some of which border on the ludicrous. From seaports to maritime security, from the fraud-ridden upstream petroleum sector to its rentinfested downstream wing; there is just enough task force to go round in the familiar tale of motion without locomotion, the unending circus we call governance.

Welcome to Jonathan’s legacy of splintered governance.

The issue isn’t just that the Jonathan Presidency has come to confuse hollow activism with governance; it has somehow managed to deflect attention from its lack of strategic insight on one hand and its lack of capacity to take on the nation’s problems on the other. As if to compound its blinkered vision of performance, the citizens have been reduced to servings from those noxious cocktails of alibis in place of real fruits of effective governance. Mendacity has no other name than a government which believes it can fool all the people all the time.

But then, I merely use SURE to underlie a deeper problem.

Today, the greatest single problem facing the nation is lack of strategic thinking within the corridors of government. What is advertised as weekly executive council meetings have since taken on the character of talk-shops with add-ons in photo-op sessions served on prime-time TV – the latter in turn complete with the announcement of the latest contract in town! As for our public finance system, that too, has also regressed to a huge bazaar in which costs have long been severed from any notion of benefits. Rather than rigour and national interest combining to dictate policy, we are seeing policy driven more by brainwaves than anything else!

How about this; a minister of power would not commit to any deliverable target on electricity. Nigeria must be the only

country in the world where project costs are divorced from expected benefits. When the power minister says that Nigerians would know when they see proof, what he means is that his proof allows for moving targets. That is why December target becomes next quarter, and next quarter becomes another ad infinitum. In this however, the minister merely amplifies the voice of his principal on a subject that has become a big national embarrassment.

Today, three years after a record $5 billion was warehoused for the completion of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) by an implementation committee chaired by this same President, the same old excuses – of logistics and gas supply are still being recycled to explain the comatose state of the power sector.

I cite one other example to illustrate the miasma of dissonance afflicting this government. Earlier in the month, the Federal Executive Council reportedly approved the setting up of 100 large scale integrated rice mills across the country. The idea, according to the prime mover, Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina was that the project would give fillip to the federal government policy of self-sufficiency in rice production in 2015.

Hear the minister, “those mills will mill 2.1 metric tonnes of rice Thai grade quality. This will allow Nigeria, for the first time in its history, to have the full milling capacity for all the rice it currently imports”.

Now, if you ask me, the idea behind state-owned (and possibly state-run) rice mills dotting the landscape isn’t exactly my idea of good thinking. Indeed, I had thought that the federal government was done with running such businesses!

‘Check out the record number of committees charged with running the economy; add that to the scores of multifarious of task forces charged with all manners of activities some of which border on the ludicrous. From seaports to maritime security, from the fraudridden upstream petroleum sector to its rent-infested downstream wing; there is just enough task force to go round in the familiar tale of motion without locomotion, the unending circus we call governance’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION FRICANS have a way of saying a lot in few words which only the deep could comprehend. With just a few words in 1987, Biafran leader, General Emeka Odumegu Ojukwu described Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had just passed on as the best president Nigeria never had, and it stuck with the late sage, even now after more than two decades in the grave.

Not a few agreed with Ojukwu then as friends and foes alike attested to the sterling qualities of Awo, but not a few were also surprised at the outpouring of praise for the man by those who contributed in no small measure to his not winning the Nigerian presidency. If you read what was said and who said what about Awolowo then, one would be left with no other option than to conclude that we are a nation of hypocrites.

I wouldn’t want to go into that now, but the death of Ojukwu recently and kind of superlatives people have been deploying to praise him to high heavens have reinforced one’s belief that the greatest problem we have in Nigeria is telling the truth; saying it the way it is.

It is a fact of history that Nigeria went through a thirty-month civil war between 1967 and 1970 with then Colonel Odumegu Ojukwu leading the rebels that wanted to leave Nigeria and live as Biafra.

For thirty months he and his people tried and failed as federal troops over ran Biafra and re-united the eastern region with the rest of Nigeria as Ojukwu took to his heels.

For the fact that he couldn’t achieve the objective of Biafra, Ojukwu was a failure to some people, while he remain a hero to some others for standing up for the rights of his ethnic group in the face of seeming persecution and genocidal killings in northern Nigeria, the outcome of the war notwithstanding. But for daring to take up arms against the state, the late leader of Ndigbo worldwide was public enemy number one in Nigeria and was so treated until his pardon by the Federal Government in the second republic, but remained so in the eyes and minds of still, some other Nigerians.

This was the story of the adult life of Ojukwu; a hero, a traitor, a rebel, a leader

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Hypocrites, all of you hypocrites and champion of an ethnic cause. He meant different things to different people and must be so recognized and acknowledged. But listening to what had been said about Ojukwu since his death, one begins to wonder whether they are talking about this same man or another person.

When I heard voices from the north praising the man for his courage and saying they would do the same thing given what Ojukwu and the Igbos were facing in the run up to the civil war, I was annoyed, knowing these were fake voices playing to the gallery. Why did they fight against and stop the Biafra project? When the people in the west described him as a rebel with a cause, I just laughed. Why didn’t they support him to achieve Biafra?

When I heard voices from across the southsouth eulogizing the Eze Ndigbo Gburugburu, I asked myself; were these not the people that let in the federal troops from the rear and exposed Biafra?

Across the rest of Nigeria and even in Biafra, people worked against the project and little wonder it failed. I can imagine how painful this must have been for Ojukwu and the rest of the Biafran soldiers.

More painful to them and particularly Ojukwu, in death, I am sure is the crocodile tears being shed by those (or their representatives) who truncated the Biafran project. Why praise the man in death when you worked against him when he was alive? Why didn’t they speak their mind

HE Nigerian space is today filled with heightened cynicism and scepticism. Doubts are not only expressed also the basis of the country’s existence is under furious and hostile questioning. After over 50 years of independence, it is still convenient in some quarters to describe Nigeria as a ‘lie’ or “a mistake of 1914” as though life has been stagnant ever since all because she was created by the British and its current Constitution written under military rule. Even some hither-to arch-nationalists have turned sponsors and promoters of agenda of regional integration, either as an expression of their disappointment with pace of national development, or desire to accelerate collective fortunes. The recent hosting of regional agenda for integration- not cooperation with much gusto and the trenchant and fervent calls for sovereign national conference cannot pass without alarm and suspicion.

Like a soul-less affair, we hear that President Jonathan is “falling on the trap of self-deception by setting up the Belgore committee instead of engendering a process that would lead to a truly peoples Constitution.” While the unity of the country is said to “be taken for granted’, we are reminded that there was nothing sacrosanct about the country as it was in fact the only one still existing among the three amalgamated by the British – others being India and Sudan which had since separated.

Certainly the impression that the country’s survival depends only on restructuring is wrong. Perhaps the among the country’s problems today the littlest is its structure. There was a time especially before 1967 when lopsided structure was a serious threat to the corporate existence of the country but no longer so today having been whittled by state creation.

The failure to evolve an appropriate ideology of development and to cultivate development –oriented elites with the right values and attitude to drive development to all nooks and crannies of the country is the greatest bane. This is where we need reforms or re-orientation and it explains the heavy leakages including corruption, mismanagement of resources which are responsible for poverty and under-development in our society.

Let’s search our soul deeply: if we had used even a quarter of our resources effectively and honestly, Nigeria would have been among the best countries in the world today. Without the right men a million thousand SNC or regional integrations will make little or no difference. This is the lesson of history especially of nation building.

The developmental role of the elites in nation-building cannot be over stressed. As Prof Adebayo Williams demonstrates, there are slave nations and master nations.

Perhaps Singapore is of special relevance for its cultural / ethnic diversity, colonial background and recentness of efforts in nation-building. Without any preparation or warning she

about Ojukwu and Biafra truthfully and not what the people, particularly Ndigbo would want to hear? Why were they suddenly being politically correct? Could this be an attempt to woo Ndigbo votes in 2015, particularly by the north? To me this is plain hypocrisy, and that is our major problem here.

Why not tell the truth about why Biafra and particularly Ojukwu failed, instead of pulling the wool over our eyes? The man would remain who he was and history would judge him as such without this elaborate attempt so to speak to re-present him in the eyes of history.

I listened to an argument among some of my friends recently on the place of Ojukwu in Nigeria and they were sharply divided.

When I chipped in to say that the man would only be remembered for his attempt to break up Nigeria, it didn’t go down well with them especially the Igbos among them. When in an attempt to understand why Biafra failed, I asked them what the Biafran soldiers were doing at Ore, in Yoruba land, western Nigeria, if the objective of the war was to create a separate country for Ndigbo and others in eastern Nigeria, I was told not to go into that area.

I then convinced myself that we are not ready for the truth in Nigeria.

Is it not the same thing happening in the north now that pushed Ojukwu to take the war option then? Going through the Aburi documents, was it not the same issues causing trouble then that is at the heart of

Integration, sovereign conference and Nigerian elite

By John I. Abhuere was sent out of the Malaysia federation in 1965 with little chance of survival because she lacks natural resources. Rather than crying over spilled milk, she resolved to forge ahead to build a multi-racial society that would give equity to all citizens regardless of race, language or religion. Through hard work, vision, appropriate ideology of development, shared sacrifice, the ruling elites were able to make their country to leap from “poverty to prosperity-from the third world to the first world within three decades”. This is what Nigeria needs - a group which can make her work effectively.

It should be noted that Nigeria once worked. Though tribes and tongues differ Nigerians lived in brotherhood and enjoyed reasonable degree of trust and faith in their country. The civil service worked fine, the private sector boomed, and the politicians were up-right, visionary, hard working and public spirited as exemplified by Zik, Awo and Bello who were respectively Premiers in each of the three regions.

What went wrong? The problem has been largely the human factor-the disappearance of good people with the right soul from the political scene. It explains the lull- a prolong period of darkness in our national history but we have started seeing some light around which offers hope and makes the renewed call for sovereign national conference redundant. It gives the impression of a state of perpetual fear and distrust and a life without evolution since 1914.

With regard to regional integration Idowu Akinlotan writes that some “outsiders” tend to “confuse the effort to reboot the western region with unfounded intention to secede”. There are grounds for suspicion. What about the regional flag or anthem story? By dint of their education, the Yoruba are highly cultured, civilized and sophisticated group which every move should be carefully evaluated.

The current action in the west is neither new nor peculiar to her. Other regions have been on the same suspicious path with little or nothing to show for it other than a reflection of elites’ unwillingness to let go some old habits and fears. Since 1967 when the four regions were re-structured to 12, the North under the umbrella of the Northern Governors’ Forum or such cultural groups as Arewa Consultative Forum has been observing and promoting regional integration. The same is true for the South-east zone with its governors meetings and Ohaneze group activities. The South-south forum has recently

our troubled federation today? The people that stopped Biafra then, are they not the ones fighting against the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to discuss our flawed federation now? All they want is a new revenue sharing formula without discussing the other problems plaguing Nigeria holistically. And these are the same people praising Ojukwu in death?

This shows the hypocrisy in all of us.

Everybody is talking from a parochial point of view just to score cheap political points, leaving the substance and chasing shadow.

Until the issues that led to Biafra are properly addressed and truth about how the war was conducted on both sides are revealed no amount of sweet talk or hero worship of Ojukwu and General Yakubu Gowon when his time comes (wishing him long life) would change history.

The problems with our federation must be addressed before we can move forward.

There are no two ways to achieving this. It is not just about amending the 1999 constitution as the National Assembly would want us to believe. It is more than that and we all know this. The truth about the civil war must also be revealed, else we will continue to have frictions among ourselves and move in circles. But the starting point should be telling ourselves the truth always. We should stop this culture of hypocrisy.

‘Until the issues that led to Biafra are properly addressed and truth about how the war was conducted on both sides are revealed no amount of sweet talk or hero worship of Ojukwu and General Yakubu Gowon when his time comes (wishing him long life) would change history.

been formed for similar reasons –all with embarrassing outcomes –mass poverty, under-development, illiteracy, unemployment, bombing, kidnapping, armed robbery etc all over the places. Even at the international level, the current Greece experience within the EU does not speak well of regional integration.

It seems what advocates of integration decry at the centre – centralization is what they are seeking to promote at the regional level. While the local governments are there to effect developments at the grass roots, regional integration could even slow the pace down due for instance to priority differences. Going by the report from the National Assembly, integration agenda seems to be against the tides of the time as many people are obviously more interested in having their own state. As we write, the demand for more is swelling with over 40 cases reportedly with the National Assembly including some from regions with even same language or cultural identity.

Still as an attempt to recapturing the past glory of the old western region for more growth and prosperity, the integration move is welcome. No doubt there are some economic and cultural gains in regional integration but political consideration will not allow it to bear much fruits.

How convenient for instance will it be for Ekiti or Ondo to return to Ibadan or Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers to fuse into one or Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto to collapse into one given the hilarious reception that greeted their creation some years back.

There are many reasons to discourage sovereign national conference today. Apart from waste of time, resources, most of the issues being canvassed for it can be solved administratively. The pre-event atmosphere is too emotionally charged for any meaningful discussion. A careful review of relevant comments will show that the call has not been based on sincerity, trust and mutual desire for a better nation but on pride, fear, insincerity, bitterness and melancholic desire to call the bluff.

No constitution is perfect. Arrangement can always be made to amend where necessary not because it was written by few Nigerians but because such amendments can advance better the cause of the country. The American constitution was written by not more than 70 citizens and has been amended several times. Let’s trust the National Assembly with the task of constitutional review. There is never a time all the over 150 million Nigerians will sit to hold one pen to draft a constitution for the country. It will always be done by a group of people. If the content of their draft is unsatisfactory, we send it to the right institution for further action. Otherwise how do we nurture our institutions if not given tasks to perform, opportunity to make mistakes and learn lessons?

• Abhuere, Ph.D, FNIM writes from NYSC NDHQ, Abuja. .

Utaka back to his best

Pg. 41

Venlo confirms interest in Nwofor Pg. 41

Nation PAGE 23

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Yak is hot!

BLACKBURN FANS SCREAM Pg. 41

Nigerian gets 100% of their votes

Brazil, Eagles to clash in Abuja Pg. 24

Guinness brings Brazilians in September FIFA window NFF confirms Peru friendly in June in Lima

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NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Brazil, Eagles to Utaka back his best to clash in Abuja M

Eagles in training

Guinness brings Brazilians in September FIFA window NFF confirms Peru friendly in June in Lima

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ATIONSPORT can confirm this morning that a major high profile international friendly between Nigeria's senior team, the Super Eagles and their Brazilian counterparts, the Samba Boys will hold in Abuja in September under the auspices of Guinness Nigeria plc.

NationSport learnt further that the game

Anyaoku, others pay tributes to Adefope

Amadi laments Eaglets' poor goalkeeping

By Ade Ojeikere will be played in the FIFA-free window, although details have been kept under wraps by the organisers and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) eggheads.

Interestingly, NationSport also gathered from those who should know at the

GlassHouse on Sunday night that the Super Eagles will confront Peru in their capital city of Lima in the FIFA-free window of June 2012 in an away game as part of the NFF's plans to keep the team busy, and to ensure that the team's chief coach, Stephen Keshi has top quality matches to blend the home-grown lads with the better exposed Nigerian legion in Europe.

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ORMER Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku has urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of the late Gen. Henry Adefope.

The late Adefope served as Minister of Sports, Labour and External Affairs in the 1970s. He was President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and a long-standing member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

He died on Sunday at the age of 85.

Anyaoku spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), shortly after paying a condolence visit to Adefope's family in Ikeja, Lagos on Monday.

He described the late Adefope as a patriot and selfless-serving gentleman who served Nigeria with distinction. ``The late major-general was a great patriot who served the country with distinction in the army and also as a foreign minister,’’ Anyaoku said.

He called on Nigerians to imbibe

the legacy of the late minister who, he said, was a dedicated and committed Nigerian.

Also speaking during a condolence call, Prince Aderemi Sijuwade, son of the Ooni of Ife, described the deceased as a father to Nigerians. ``He taught us to be diligent, honest and truthful. He was a true gentleman and many of us, who are youths will really miss him,’’ he said.

Mr Niyi Adefope, son to the late major-general, described his father as a God-fearing man who was committed to hard work. ``He was an upright man who believed in God and honoured the Lord. He served the nation for several years, Nigerians should learn from his uprightness. ``His greatest achievement was when he was the Minister of Sports, when he brought the All-Africa Games to Nigeria,’’ he said.

The late Adefope served as the Church Warden of the Anglican Church of the Ascension, Opebi, Ikeja.

BLACKBURN FANS SCREAM

Yak is hot!

OLDEN EAGLETS’ goalkeepers' coach, Emeka Amadi has decried the poor form of goalkeepers that turned up for the team's screening exercise.

The former Nigerian junior safehands informed SuperSport.com that only careful training can boost the production of a new generation of goalkeepers.

"At the moment, I’m not yet satisfied with the standard exhibited by some of the goalkeepers we have seen at this screening exercise.

"It’s not as if they were totally bad but they would need serious coac hing to be able to reach the standar d that will give the rest of the players the desired confidence.

"The problem has to do with the fact that there are few goalkeepers’ trainers at the grassroots and in almost all the academies in the country.

"Some of the goalkeepers we have seen so far lacked the basics. They can’t control their defence, can’t organise the wall and some can’t even handle the ball very well. That is not good enough," Amadi lamented.

He reasoned that there must be a careful approach to deal with this problem which he showed by conducting a clinic on the margins of the screening exercise to the delight of all.

"We used to have quality goalkeepers all over the country in the past and some of us were lucky to have learned from some of these experienced hands.

"When I was 16, I had the legendary Emmanuel Okala as my trainer and you can imagine the type of training I was exposed to as a teenager.

"Such is no longer the case but we are going to train those eventually picked and push them to the level we want.

"We are going to correct all the flaws we have noticed, after all that is the reason I’m employed," assured the former goalkeepers’ trainer at German side, SV Nienhagen.

Nigerian gets 100% of their votes

By Ade Ojeikere with agency reports

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LACKBURN ROVERS FC of England's fans have voted 100 per cent in support of Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni as the club's best buy and greatest performer in recent times.

Writing in the club's Twitter page on Monday, the fans were asked to vote using the following criteria; hot; not or needs more time.

The fans all voted Yak as very hot adding that: "Was it ever in doubt? After signing on an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be around the 1-1.5 million pound mark, Yakubu has been a raving success at Ewood P a r k , knocking in 14 Premier League g o a l s , playing as the lone target man.

"Whilst other clubs splashed around 50 million pounds on a striker, our bargin (sic) signing has lived up to his tag line... 'Feed the Yak and he Will Score'.

The votes are in and have b e e n counted as follows: Hot 100%; Not 0%; Needs More Time!

0%."

In fact, one f a n , Sasma n wrote in Blackburn's website on Monday at 12: 23 am that: "Too easy for the Yak! Now let’s get back on the score sheet, it’s been while!”

AFTERMATH OF VIOLENCE

Unruly Heartland fan arrested SuperSport.com can report that one of the fans that allegedly attacked the match officials after the Heartland versus Enyimba game in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) on Sunday has been arrested.

The arrested fan identified simply as Ifeanyi, whose surname could not be ascertained, was arrested by the policemen on duty at the venue, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu after the match.

Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola confirmed the

arrest but could not give further detai ls on the devel opment.

"It is true that a fan o f Heartland w a s arrested yesterday ( o n Sunday) but I don't have the details now until the matc h commissioner sub mits his report,"

score goals for this team as they gave me a chance after the disappointment of leaving Portsmouth, but I still follow Pompey's results.

"We had a good team down there but it all went wrong. We had players like Boateng, Kanu and Dindane and we still went down. It was disappointing but I am enjoying my time here, hopefully it will continue until the end of the season.”

John Utaka

CBN JUNIOR TENNIS

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The late Henry Olufemi Adefope

ONTPELLIER's John Utaka has revealed his delight with his impressive form this term, which has taken his team up to second in Ligue 1. The former Portsmouth winger has been one of the stars of their campaign along with Premier League targets Olivier Giroud and Younes Belhanda.

Utaka, who scored the winner against Bordeaux last week, said: "I am very happy with my season so far and we will try and go for the title. I am happy to

Babalola told SuperSport.com.

The match commissioner, Ben Agarry also confirmed the arrest and referred our correspondent to the Enugu State FA, which played host to the south east derby between Heartland and Enyimba.

"The Enugu State FA will be in a better position to give information on the matter, as I'm aware of the arrest," Agarry said.

Venlo confirms interest in Nwofor

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HE President of VVV Veno, Hai Berden, has hinted that Uche Nwofor could be moving to Russia in the near future. The top scorer at the last African Under 20s is being linked with a summer move to 2005 UEFA Cup winners CSKA Moscow. ''We put a lot of trust and energy into our youth academy and naturally we hope to get something in return.

Nwofor is a great example, because he is growing in our club, he has a lot of

talent and a lot of big sides are interested in signing him,'' said the Dutch club’s boss to sports.ru.

Berden added: ''We have a good relationship with CSKA – they are aware of Nwofor, but have not yet made an attempt to sign him. It is still too early. But I wouldn’t exclude the possibility of a future multimillion deal.''

Nwofor, 20, has scored 5 goals in 18 appearances this campaign for the Pride of the South.

Indian tennis whizkid roars to victory

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ERRY DAS, the 10 a n d u n d e r champion from last year, played a near perfect match in the finals of the boys 12 to beat Saheed Oyekan from Abeokuta 9-0 in the pro set.

Das, who moved up to the 12s this year, made only three unforced errors and produced some strokes mostly seen at profesional levels as he roared to victory. Das then went straight to the airport enroute Portugal where he is booked to attend a two-month tennis camp. "I think he played really well. He was really good," Jerome Das, his father, who shed tears of joy, said.

"That is one of the best performances I have seen at any level and I have seen quite a bit," Godwin K i e n k a o f t h e International Tennis Academy, organisers of the tournament, said. "It was like watching Novak Djokovic or Nadal at their best. The boy's decision making was amazing and he was able to produce the strokes to match the decision. I am sure India which has done so well in doubles can look forward to a top 20 player in the near future."

Other winners at the tournament were Moses Michael who beat his CoFoundation team mate Christian Paul 9-7 in the Futures category and leftie Emmanuel Pyagbara from Port

Harcourt who beat Christian Itodo of the Co-foundation 9-3.

Fortune Aniso from Port Harcourt whitewashed Ruth Adeyemo of Ibadan 9-0 while Sylvester bested Michael Michael in another Co-Foundation sweep of the boys' 16 event.

The finals which had Odein Ajumogobia, immediate past minister of external affairs, as special guest of honour, also featured awards to outstanding junior players, sponsors and player developers. Nneka Okoro, Biola Akewula, Lolia Kienka, Kalada Terry Kienka, Tamina Kienka, Moses Mic hael, Onyeka Mbanu and Christian Paul got outstanding players award "for bringing the aims and vision of the ITA Junior Circuit to fruition by their performances at senior level." Dr Bart Van Der Grinten and Dr Svetlana Okwueze got the outstanding player development award for their work at the Co- foundation and the Gentle Hearts Global Harvest respectively.

Awards for the outstanding junior tennis s p o n s o r s category went to the NNPC, C B N a n d Chevron while an outstanding support award was given to Engr Sani Ndanusa for "exceptional support of private initiatives to develop the game of tennis in Nigeria."

Ajumogobia in his remarks said that such comprehensive junior tournaments held the key to the nation producing world-class players and thanked the CBN for investing in the game at this level. The CBN represented by Mallam Mohamed Abdullahi, a director in the governor's office thanked all the dignitaries who attended the event and implored the junior players to use the experience garnered from the tournament to excel at the senior level.

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE

NPL deny call for emergency congress Nwofor

T

HE attention of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board has been drawn to a recent call for an emergency congress by a group of individuals parading themselves as club owners. For the avoidance of doubt, the amended statutes governing the league board no longer recognises the so-called Club Owners in view of the fact that virtually all the clubs in the Nigeria

Premier League are owned and financed by State governments with the exception of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football Club of Ilorin that is privately owned.

The said Club Owners’ forum was formed way back in the days of privately-owned clubs like Iwuanyanwu Nationale , Abiola Babes and Leventis United to mention but a few. With virtually all the clubs in

the Nigeria Premier League owned by state governments, the review of the statutes became necessary to curb the excesses of some desperate individuals that use the forum to disrupt the peace and progress of the Nigerian League even when they don’t represent the interest of any club.

The league board only recognises the chairmen of clubs ably represented on the NPL board by the chairman of chairmen,

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes *Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

Ahead of rains, states adopt anti-flooding measures •A flooded Lagos road

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) prediction was dire. Rains will be heavier this year in Lagos State than last year. The prediction got not only Lagos, but other states thinking on how to prevent floods. Through its Emergency Management Agency, Lagos inaugurated Drainage Maintenance Officers (DMO) in its 57 local development areas. The DMOs are to ensure sustained drainage maintenance, clearing and dredging. Other states have also adopted similar measures in readiness for the rains.OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports.

•CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

•Group canvasses access to cheap land, finance - PAGE 26

•Rio+ 20 summit: Stakeholders seeks Green Economy - PAGE 39

•‘Network of roads has made Lagos liveable’

- PAGE 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

26

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

• Mr Bello (in blue jeans) with officials of the Ministry inspecting one of the canals in Lagos.

F

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

States set to battle floods

OR the states, the prediction got them cracking. Even those hitherto not threatened by flood are busy preparing for the coming rains to stem their scourge.

The prediction was a wake-up call of sorts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). It specifically focused on Lagos State, but other states are not ready to take chances by ignoring the prediction.

According to NIMET, Lagos State will experience heavier rainfall this year than last year.

In anticipation of the downpour, the government through its Emergency Management Agency on January 21, inaugurated Drainage Maintenance Officers (DMO) in the 57 councils.

The mandate of the DMOs includes sustaining drainage maintenance, clearing and dredging. The state also intensified its war against cart pushers in waste management.

Cart pushers, according to the government, dump refuse at unauthorised places blocking the drainage channels.

The government also banned street trading and hawking, clos-

ing down some markets for offences ranging from filth, blocking of drain and the absence of sanitation. Markets such as Ladipo, Mile 12 and Ketu had once been shut for uncleanliness with the government, insisting its actions were for the good of the people and to check the menace of flooding when the rains come.

The Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello said the state had taken measures to checkmate the rains by opening up channels and de-silting its six systems.

He said: “We have system one to system six. System one is from Iya Alaro and comes all the way from Agidingbi, passes through Opebi to Maryland on to Gbagada while another comes from Shomolu to join it, to discharge into the Lagoon. System two connects the whole of Shomolu and discharges into the University of Lagos. System three incorporates the whole of Ebutta Metta, Sabo and adjoining areas and discharges into the Lagoon.”

Furthermore, he said system four incorporates the railway com-

‘We have system one

to system six. System one is from Iya Alaro and comes all the way from Agidingbi, passes through Opebi to Maryland on to Gbagada while another comes from Shomolu to join it, to discharge into the Lagoon’ pound and all the areas going through Surulere, Alaka discharging at the National Theatre. While system five and six take care of Babs Animashaun which goes as far as Badagry Creek and Tin Can Island.

However, he warned that those living along the flood plain of Ogun River will have themselves to blame if they fail to relocate before the rains as no drainage channel can stop flooding in the areas.

Some of these places are in Mile 12,

Ketu.

Ordinarily, those places are wetlands that should be preserved for the future of the state, Bello said, hinting that the state would have no choice but to remove illegal structures on drainage channels while stepping up actions to ensure the strict implementation of town planning laws and regulations.

Bracing up for this year’s rains against the backdrop of the massive destruction in Oyo State last year, Governor Abiola Ajimobi said the government would ensure strict implementation of town planning rules and regulations.

He threatened to remove all illegal structures, enact new environmental laws to implement the noconstruction law within 150 metres of water ways. He warned people to desist from dumping refuse at unauthorised places and illegal construction. Ajimobi said blocking of drains is a major lift to flooding as water must find its level.

In Sokoto State where flood destroyed farm produce worth N1 billion and displaced thousands, the government has embarked on pub-

lic enlightenment to stem the effects of flooding on the people and ensure best practices.

In Cross River State where houses were submerged, the government is not only educating the public on proper disposal of waste but also clearing the drains.

In Abia State, the government said it would embark on channelisation of drainage systems in Aba, the commercial city, to starve off massive flooding during the rains. It appealed to residents to learn to dispose of their waste properly and not to empty them into the channels while the government works assiduously to de-silt them to have free flow of water during the rains.

Ondo State government has also undertaken the manual and mechanical channelisation of its drainage channels.

As a state prone to flooding if not checked, its Environment Commissioner, Mr Shola Ebiseeni, said they would, once again, fault the predictions of the metrological institute that has always predicted massive flooding in the state.

Group canvasses access to cheap land, finance

T

HE International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Africa President, Mr Chudi Ubosi, has said the housing gap in most African countries could only be filled by government’s deliberate action to ensure that developers have access to cheap land and finance.

The association, a global umbrella body, has yet to make inroads to the African continent.

He said his priority as the African chapter president is to grow membership from 10 countries to enable them benefit from opportunities that abound in the sector by carrying out enlightenment on what FIABCI stands for.

Ubosi regretted that Nigeria has not

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

been able to attract investment into real estate sector because of unstable policies and in security. He noted that rather than mortgage finance what the nation boasts of are commercial loans which negate viable real estate development.

On the way forward, he said an international seminar on mass housing was in the offing to afford experts the opportunity to come up with policies and best practices to encourage developers to embark on mass housing to move the sector forward.

He underscored the need to address challenges such as access to land and

finance.

On the lull in construction, he said it was a mirror of the economy and the perception of the public on what the real estate market should be like.

Ubosi noted that top-end property that range from N60 million and above are not doing well in the market as the buoyancy was no longer there for those who could afford it some years back. The top- end buyers are few.

He said: “The real estate market is like a pyramid, at the base you have the widest market for the lowest priced market and the base with huge demand, for instance if a bungalow is selling for N5 million in Lagos it will sell.”

Ubosi identified Ikoyi as the prime location for real estate because of the demand informed by perception.

According to him, embassies and other expatriates believe Ikoyi as the safest place to live so they are always willing to pay so much to reside there, others are the central part of Abuja including Wuse, Maitama, Garki and Asokoro. On the cost, he said property costs so much in Ikoyi because of the cost of land which is as high as N20,000 per square metre. Others are sundry costs such as re-regularisation of titles which range between N25and N30 million and tax which is in the region of N10 million. He said there may not be an end to exorbitant pric-

•Ubosi

ing of houses in those prime areas as developers or landlords will always pass the cost to the end-user.

27

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Never in the country’s judicial history has so many committees been set up over one man. There were five – as of the last count, last week. Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan acted swiftly in suspending the Court of Appeal President, based on a National Judicial Council (NJC) recommendation. Now, why is the President not willing to act fast in recalling him, following a reported recommendation to that effect? JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, ERIC IKHILAE, ADEBISI ONANUGA and JOSEPH JIBUEZE examine the issues and the fate of a judge many have described as “incorruptible” and “courageous”.

• Justice Musdapher

Salami: An upright judge’s fate

• Justice Katsina-Alu (rtd)

• Justice Salami

The man Justice Salami Justice Salami, who hails from Ganmo, Kwara State, is described by many as a man of tremendous courage who delivers judgments regardless of whose ox is gored in the process.

He studied Law at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and was called to the Bar in 1968. He later worked in the Ministry of Justice in his home state, rising from one level to the next until he joined the Bench.

On the Bench, he remained unheard of and unseen, except mainly in court chambers and in his judgment, until December 2009 when President Jonathan, then Acting President, appointed him President of the Court of Appeal at the retirement of Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

•See story on page 28

Inside: Checking Sectarian violence in Nigeria- P.35

Lagos Assembly pledges to propagate ADR- P.29

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

28

LAW COVER CONT’D • Continued from page 27

L

IKE a rudderless ship, the leadership of the Judiciary has effectively taken the crisis that almost annihilated the third arm of government on a full circle. Yet, it seems bent on evading the truth.

The disagreement between the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, no doubt, hit hard at the foundation of judicial integrity.

About seven months after the Judiciary chose to wash its “judicial linen” in public, the National Judicial Council (NJC) seems unwilling to confront the rot in the system that culminated in what has now become the Katsina-Alu/Salami saga.

Rather than toe the path of honour by admitting error of judgment and recalling the suspended PCA, the leadership, after the last meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC), chose to constitute a reconciliatory committee on the issue, thereby replicating a similar action under its predecessor.

The NJC, critics argued, has by this action chosen to engage in rigmarole. This is because rather than accepting the recommendation of the Justice Muhammadu Uwais Committee that Justice Salami be recalled, the Justice Dahiru Musdapher-led NJC has constituted another committee.

Under Justice Katsina-Alu’s leadership, and at the initial stage of the crisis, the NJC set up a similar committee, headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin, but its recommendations were not accepted by the constituting authorities.

This antecedent, observers argue, buttresses the skepticism as to whether the current leadership of the Judiciary is willing to confront the truth by recalling Justice Salami as recommended by the Justice Uwais Committee.

• Justice Uwais

• Justice Abdullahi

• Justice Auta

• Justice Muktar

How it all began Indications that all was not well between the then two senior judicial officers became public February last year when the media reported a purported move to “elevate” Justice Salami to the Supreme Court.

The report was confirmed by a February 4, 2011 letter by Justice Salami to Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, rejecting the “unholy” promotion.

Justice Salami said:“I regret to say that I am not taken in. I am contented with being the President of the Court of Appeal. Indeed, it is common knowledge that I had even, on a more auspicious moment, declined for good reasons to be appointed to the Supreme Court.”

To stave off further moves by the CJN in that regard, Justice Salami headed for the court. In a suit he filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, he prayed the court to, among others, stop his planned elevation, naming the CJN, FJSC, NJC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.

Justice Salami was to later disclose the root of what, according to him, informed the CJN’s decision to influence his unprecedented and unsolicited elevation. Justice Salami, in his deposition in an affidavit supporting the suit, stated that he fell out of favour with the CJN following his refusal to do his (CJN’s) bidding on the Sokoto State gubernatorial election petition tussle.

He accused the CJN of, among other weighty and damaging allegations, asking him to pervert the cause of justice in respect of the Sokoto governorship case involving Governor Magatakarda Wamakko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).

Justice Salami averred that the CJN’s bid to promote him to the apex court was to “facilitate him (CJN) to plant his own stooge as the President of the Court of Appeal to do his biddings as and when needed.”

Bothered by the turn of events and its negative implication on the image of the Judiciary, other members of the NJC urged Justice Salami to withdraw the suit he filed against his promotion. The NJC also set up a five-man Reconciliation Committee which had Bolarinwa Babalakin, A.B. Wali, Anthony Iguh and Emmanuel Ayoola, all retired Justices of the Supreme Court, and Justice Akanbi, as members to reconcile the two top judges.

On February 15, Justice Salami served notice of discontinuance of the suit. He said: “Following the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the justice sector, I hereby apply to discontinue this suit.”

In its March 8, 2011 report, the Justice Babalakin panel gave Justice Salami a clean bill

Salami: An upright judge’s fate The way forward Stakeholders are of the view that the most effective way of resolving this dispute is for the leadership of the Judiciary to work towards ensuring peace by recalling Justice Salami and putting in place mechanisms to check the abuse of powers by judicial officers as per the Uwais committee recommendations.

Senior lawyers, who spoke under condition of anonymity, blamed the delay in the recall of Justice Salami, as recommended by the Uwais committee on ego and political considerations.

They advised the Aloma Mukhtar committee not to deviate from the path identified by the Uwais committee. To them, acting otherwise will confirm insinuation that the delay is aimed at effectively keeping Justice Salami away at all cost. of health, but found that Justice Katsina-Alu acted beyond his powers in interfering in the Sokoto case that was then before the Court of Appeal.

It indicted the CJN over his interference in the work of the Sokoto Election Panel and declared that there is no case of misconduct against the President of the Court of Appeal in the petitions purportedly written against him by two lawyers.

On the CJN’s role, the committee held that “the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) has no power to interfere with any proceedings in any court as was done in this case.”

Curiously, the NJC refused to act on this report, rather it constituted another committee headed by Justice Umaru Abdullahi, the immediate past president of the Court of Appeal, to re-examine the issue.

In the outcome, the committee indicted Justice Salami for perjury over his claim that the CJN tried to compel him to tinker with the

course of justice in the Sokoto Appeal panel.

The panel also stated that the CJN acted outside his powers in arresting a judgment that was not before his court. In what appeared a decision aimed at not rocking the boat, the Abdullahi committee refrained from making recommendations.

The NJC later constituted another three-man panel, headed by Justice Ibrahim Auta, to review the Abdullahi committee’s report and come up with recommendations. The panel cleared the CJN of any wrong doing.

It upheld Justice Salami’s indictment and recommended, with a seven-day ultimatum, that Justice Salami should tender an apology to the CJN and NJC, a directive he ignored, but chose to challenge the decision in court.

On August 15, last year, Justice Salami sued.

He challenged the report of the Justice Ibrahim Auta panel at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

He prayed for 15 reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the NJC from acting on the reports of the Umaru Abdullahi Fact-Find-

ing Committee and the Auta Review Panel.

He argued that both panels lacked the powers to determine whether or not he was guilty of perjury as they had imputed in their reports, noting that they are administrative panels that could not assume the status of a court.

Besides, he claimed that the Auta Panel never gave him a right to fair hearing before making a pronouncement of guilt on him. He insisted that a panel of the NJC, headed by Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin, had cleared him of any misconduct on the same matter investigated

by Abdullahi and Auta committees.

Named as respondents in the suit are KatsinaAlu, then the Deputy Chairman of NJC now CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher; members of the NJC’s Fact-Finding Committee- Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Hon. Justice Dominic Edozie; Hon. Justice Michael Akpiroroh and Mrs. Rakia Sarki Ibrahim.

Others include members of the NJC Review Committee -Hon. Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta; Hon. Justice Kate Abiri; and Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi. Court processes in respect of the Justice Salami’s suit were served on the respondents on August 16, 2011.

Despite the service of the processes, including the motion for interlocutory injunction on the NJC, it held an emergency meeting on August 18, and dwelt extensively on the issue that formed the res (subject matter) of Justice Salami’s suit. At the end of the meeting, the NJC recommended Justice Salami’s suspension and his retirement. It later communicated this to President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement signed by the council’s Deputy Director (Information), Soji Oye, issued after the August 18, meeting, NJC said after deliberating on the two separate reports of its committees on the allegations levelled against the CJN and some Justices of the Court of Appeal, it found “That the allegation made by the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Salami, that Katsina-Alu instructed him to direct the Sokoto Gubernatorial Appeal by Democratic Peoples Party Democratic Peoples Party Democratic Peoples Party of Nigeria, is not true.”

Rather, the NJC said it found that the CJN acted in good faith and was motivated by the apparent urge to protect the administration of justice and avoid breach of the peace when he directed that the judgment in the Sokoto gubernatorial appeal be ‘put on hold’ pending the investigation of the petitions he had received on the matter.

The council further maintained that what Salami did constituted a gross misconduct, contrary to Rule 1(1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Consequently, it decided that Salami “be warned for such unethical conduct which eroded the public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary; and apologise in writing to both the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of National Judicial Council, Katsina-Alu, and National Judicial Council within a week.”

It also absolved the Justices of the Court of Appeal, Musa Dattijo Mohammad, Paul A. Galinje, John Inyang Okoro, Mas’oud Oredola and Regina O. Nwodo, who served on the Sokoto State Governorship Appeal Panel of any complicity in the matter and therefore had no case to answer.

President Jonathan’s role While many were still at a loss over the NJC’s decision, President Jonathan confounded all with the haste with which he upheld the NJC’s recommendations, accepted Justice Salami’s suspension and appointed Justice Dalhatu Adamu, the next in rank, as the Acting President, Court of Appeal.

In justifying the President’s decision, his spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, in a statement, said he merely intervened in the crisis to save the Judiciary from itself and avoid a vacuum that would have been created with the NJC’s recommendations as they relate to Justice Salami.

The statement read: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in receipt of a correspondence dated 18th August, 2011, from the National Judicial Council (NJC), recommending the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, for misconduct in accordance with the provisions of Section 292 (1) (a) (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Rule 1 (1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, President Jonathan, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 238 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, has approved the acting appointment of Hon. Justice Dalhatu • Continued on page 29

29

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

LAW COVER CONT’D

Lagos Assembly pledges to propagate ADR • Assures LMCH of support

T

HE problems of congestion in court and delay in justice dispensation will persist until other mechanisms of dispute resolution are accepted by the people. This could only be achieved if litigants are made to realise the benefits of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms by applying them.

This formed the kernel of deliberations last week during the visit of members of the Lagos House of Assembly’s Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petition to the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMCH), located at the state High Court building, Igbosere.

At the event were the Attorney General of Lagos, Ade Ipaye, his predecessor, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Chair, LMCH Governing Council, Justice Opeyemi Oke, other members, Justices Olutoyin Ipaye and R. I. B. Adebiyi and Chair, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Adebamigbe Omole.

Members of the House Committee include the Chair, Sanai Agunbiade, Funmilayo Tejuosho, Kabir Lawal and Muyiwa Jimoh.

Justice stressed the benefits of the multi-door court room concept and how the course of justice will be better served should litigants and the society de-emphasise their pref-

By Eric Ikhilae

erence for litigation as the only dispute resolution mechanism.

The multi-door concept, which provides dispute resolution mechanism options, she said, will ensure faster dispute resolution in a process devoid of undue technicality and hatred among parties.

She explained that the LMCH, being a multi-faceted dispute resolution centre, provides a comprehensive approach to dispute resolution within the administrative structure of the state’s courts.

Justice Oke said the concept is not intended to supplant litigation, but to supplement it by providing additional options for speedier, cost effective and user friendly access to justice.

She explained that the court has extended its services to the resolution of commercial disputes involving banks and other players in the financial sector. She said modality was ongoing to extend the LMCH case management programme development for the stock market in 2010 to the maritime sector.

She sought the support of the visiting lawmakers in the areas of appropriation and legislative framework aimed at aiding the activities of the LMCH. Agunbiade, who described ADR

• From left seated: Prof Osinbajo (SAN), Justice Adebiyi, Mr Ipaye, Justice Oke, and Hon. Agunbiade with LMCH and House officials.

as a perfect mechanism for dispute resolution, pledged his committee’s continued support to the LMCH. He noted that the delay and animosity associated with litigation could be easly avoided with ADR. He assured that members of his committee will help propagate the ADR idea in their constituencies and on the floor of the Hosue of Assembly increase awareness

Salami: An upright judge’s fate • Continued from page 28 Adamu to perform the functions of the office of the President of the Court of Appeal pending when all issues relating to the office of the President of the Court of Appeal are resolved.”

The Presidency’s swift acceptance of the NJC’s recommendations, observers noted, further confirned the speculation that the entire drama was a product of a highly contrived plot aimed at easing out of the untrammeled Justice Salami from his vantage position as the head of the Appeal Court.

Justice Salami, they argued, was seen as a serious threat in view of his antecedent and the fear that he would not be amenable when he would be required to play the Presidency’s card at the hearing of the petition by the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) against President Jonathan’s election.

This prompted observers to query why President Jonathan appointed a new PCA when the suits instituted

by Justice Salami were still pending in the court. They also called to question the legality of the announcement of the appointment of the Acting PCA on a Sunday by President Jonathan.

They also wondered why it was so imperative for the Presidency, which claimed respect for the rule of law, to side-step the requirement that such recommendations should be tabled before the Senate.

The suspicion that the Presidency is uncomfortable with Justice Salami in the saddle has been further confirmed by the recent development arising from the seeming reluctance of President Jonathan to honour the request by the incumbent CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, that Salami be reinstated.

Observers are also not sure if the body language from the Presidency, the recent suit by former Governor Segun Oni seeking Justice Salami’s prosecution for perjury and the NJC’s failure to adopt the recommendations of the Uwais committee are mutually exclusive developments.

Incidentally, Justice Musdapher is allegedly the lone witness who gave evidence which exonerated the immediate past CJN. He was reported

to have given evidence that he was at the meeting with Justice Salami and Justice Katsina-Alu, and the directive to disband the tribunal was not given at that meeting.

It was allegedly based on that evidence that the National Judicial Council (NJC) reached the conclusion that the former CJN did not give the directive. Incidentally, again, this lone witness, as the current CJN, has asked President Jonathan to restore Justice Salami to his position, but the President seems to be foot-dragging.

Observers wonder why the Presidency is not willing to deploy the same haste with which it accepted the NJC’s recommendation of last year in acceding to the request to restore Justice Salami to his position.

Another question is: whether the refusal of the NJC to adopt the Uwais committee’s recommendations at its last meeting, the setting up of a fresh reconciliatory committee headed by Justice Aloma Mukhtar and the sudden activism of Oni are not meant to give the President a reason to further delay the implementation of a constitutional prerogative of the NJC.

Justice Salami in the eyes of the people Despite his travails, Justice Salami is seen by most people as a very principled person, who can not compromise standard.

A former President of the Court of Appeal and ex-chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said in a media report: “I know that when he was in the ministry. He was a strong force, competent, hardworking, loyal and very selfless. Salami is a no-nonsense man.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olaolu Ali, said he knows Justice Salami very well and can describe his private and professional life with confidence.

“Justice Salami is a no-nonsense jurist, a profoundly intelligent person. He is a very courageous

person and on the bench, he is one of the brightest that Nigeria has ever produced. To appear before him, you must be prepared because he knows his onions.

“Back at home, he is an elderly and friendly person around here.

He is very respectful too. He gives you your regards, young as you may be. He’s an easygoing person; very, very easygoing,” the Ilorinbased lawyer said in a recent interview.

Ali said he could vouch for Salami’s discipline where money is involved: “Justice Salami is a very thrifty person. I don’t know his bank account but I know he is a very simply person who cares little about money and the things money can buy. He lives a very frugal life.”

Former Attorney General (AG) of Rivers State, Okey Wali (SAN) said: “Salami’s landmark judgments and decisions were very bold especially in the election cases. Some of them are the source of the problem he is having today.”

Nigerians await the return of this man to the Court of Appeal where he has made monumental contributions to the nation’s democratic growth.

about its many benefits.

Agunbiade, who is also a lawyer, blamed the low patronage being recorded by the LMCH to the poor understanding of its activities by the public and the need for culture change among lawyers and litigants.

He stressed that need for lawyers to be made to imbibe the culture of ADR and realize that they will record high turnover in cases with

‘Justice Salami is a no-nonsense jurist, a profoundly intelligent person. He is a very courageous person and on the bench, he is one of the brightest that Nigeria has ever produced. To appear before him, you must be prepared because he knows his onions’ tice Salami.

Ogbara said: “I see no impediment in recalling the man. However, those still benefitting from corrupt practices on the Bench would not like to see him back. There are some election petition cases still going on across the country and we know that the president of the Court of Appeal plays a very prominent role in the determination of these cases.

“So, as long as the man is out of the Bench, the few corrupt elements will continue to have their way and enjoy the loot of corruption. They will continue to enjoy the benefits.”

Omole said recalling Justice Salami means restoring confidence in the judiciary.

“I don’t know why they have kept setting up one committee after the other. The previous com-

The way forward Senior lawyers, who spoke under condition of anonymity because of what they described as “the sensitivity of the matter,” said the delay in the recall of Justice Salami, as recommended by the Uwais Committee, is attributable to ego and political considerations.

They advised the Aloma Mukhtar Committee not to deviate from the path identified by the Uwais Committee. To them, acting otherwise will confirm the insinuation that the delay is aimed at effectively keeping Justice Salami away at all cost.

Others, including a former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu branch, Nurudeen Ogbara and Chairman NBA Ikeja, Adebamigbe Omole also stressed the need to recall Jus-

ADR and by extension make more money.

“Our committee will advocate for more funding. This is because we believe that if this ADR centre is able to impact the court’s docket, the delay experience in the normal court will be eliminated.

“We have come to ask for your cooperation and seek areas of collaboration to enable us perform our role better,” he said.

mittees acquitted the man of any wrongdoing, so what is the problem?

“Majority of the members of NJC have expressed desire to have the man back in his position, but a few powerful minority in the NJC do not want the man back and reinstated.

“One expects that at this point in time, we would allow decency to rein.

“Decency suggests that the man should be recalled reinstated and restored back to his position. That is the only way we can equally restore confidence in the judiciary and earn the respect of the common man.

“The powerful minority do not want him back but the best thing for the judiciary is to bring him back and restore him to his position,” Omole said.

LEGAL DIARY

NBA holds conference Thursday

T

HE NBA Conference on the review of the performance of election petitions tribunals in the country will hold from March 15 to 16 at the Homeville Hotel, Benin City, Edo State.

A statement from the Chairman of the committee, Augustin Alegeh (SAN), said: “Given the importance of the conference to NBA’s cardinal objective of contributing to the enthronement of a virile democracy in Nigeria, the President Goodluck Jonathan, shall be the Special Guest of Honour and shall declare the conference open.”

A keynote address is expected to

• Alegeh

be delivered by Bishop Matthew Kukah.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

30

COURT LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Southeast and regional development

T

• Sheriff Adedeji Mukaila

• Sheriff Ade Adewale

Court sheriffs recount ordeals in the hands of hoodlums and land speculators

I

T is a common knowledge for court sheriffs to enforce orders and judgments of the courts without any harm being unleashed on them.

But when sheriffs in the course of carrying out their legitimate duties are being attacked for trying to enforce the judgment of a Lagos High Court, Badagry, then it calls for serious concern.

This explained why the court sheriffs at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja are asking for the intervention of the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Inumidun Enitan Akande to intervene and bring to book those who attacked them and caused them bodily harm while enforcing a court judgment on a disputed land at Onireke Village, opposite the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, along the Lagos Badagry - Expressway last month.

Maybe if anybody had told sheriffs of the Lagos High Court, Messrs Ade Adewale and Adedeji Mukaila what was lying in wait for them that day, Tuesday, February 14, 2012, they would probably have come up with one excuse or the other to stay away from work.

On that day, they and their colleagues were beaten black and blue and injured by hoodlums and land speculators at the place they had gone to enforce a court judgment on land matters delivered in 2007 by Justice E.A. Adebajo of a Lagos High Court, Badagry and revalidated on February 8, 2012 . It was an experience they would never forget in a hurry, as they have never experienced such brutality since they have been enforcing court orders.

Justice Adebajo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Badagry had on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 in a suit No BD/55/2005 between the claimants, Sowemimo Motors Nigeria Limited and Chief Adisa Sowemimo and the defendant, Mr. Jones Onadeko, delivered a judgement for possession of land covering (1.452 hectares) five plots in favour of the claimants , including a sum of N300,000 as damages for trespass and for the use of the land by the defendants over a period of time.

When Kanem (Nigeria) Limited filed an application on September 5, 2008 to set aside the judgement and to be a joiner in the earlier suit, Justice Adebajo again on June 8, 2009 dismissed the application, revalidated the judgement and awarded N5,000 as cost in favour of the judgement-creditor.

Justice Adebajo citing various related and decided cases of the Court of Appeal ruled that the joiner, Kanem Nigeria Limited was a stranger to the suit adding “that he

By Adebisi Onanuga

now adorned the robe of a person affected by the judgment does not entitle him to set aside the judgment”.

He also said that “the options open to a person against whom order was made or judgment was given is to apply to the court to discharge the order or to appeal against the judgment that it might be set aside”.

On December 7, 2011, the claimants through their counsel, J.N. Igunbor filed a motion on notice brought pursuant to Order II Rule 10 of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules in which the court was asked to renew the life of its ruling of November 7, 2007.

Justice Adebajo again granted the prayers of the claimants. On February 8, 2012, Justice Adebajo struck out the defendants application dated September 23, 2009 for want of diligent prosecution, a judgement which revalidated his earlier judgment giving possession of the land in dispute to the claimants.

Armed with this judgment and the warrant for possession of the landed property, the court sheriffs led by Idowu Abiodun and Oloruntimilehin Owoseni, left the premises of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Febnruary 14, 2012 for Sowemimo Estate at Onireke Village, opposite the International Trade Fair Complex, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, to enforce the court order and take possession of the property in favour of the claimants, but first, they made a stop at the Lagos Police Command, Ikeja where Inspector Henry was assigned to lead a team of police officers to accompany them. On getting to Onireke Village, Sherrif Abiodun said they booked their arrival at the Onireke Police station at 10.35 a.m. with entry number 392 before proceeding to Sowemimo Estate.

Adewale said work had commenced at the scene of the execution of the court judgment when one Mr Bonaventure Adogu appeared on the scene to force them to stop executing the judgment.

Abiodun claimed that to his consternation, Inspector Henry, instead of offering them protection, approached him and suggested that they vacate the scene as the defendants were bringing hoodlums to attack them but that they persisited.

Shortly after, he said the DPO of the Onireke Police station also came to talk them into leaving the scene but that they insisted on carrying out the judgment. He alleged that the DPO and the main defendant, Chief John Adogu, who had been served with a copy of the possession document went back to organise some hoodlums who attacked them with differ-

ent kinds of dangerous weapon like guns, matchets, broken bottles sticks and charms and chased them out of the land. He said they were beaten mercilessly while they lost a lot of items like money, handsets, wrist watches, shoes and five wallets containing money among other items, to the hoodlums who also tore their uniforms.

He said rather than give them protection, the policemen took to their heels as a result of which they followed suit and ran in different directions for their lives. He said from his hiding pl;ace, he made series of attempts to get the DPO on phone but that he refused to pick the call. He said they escaped by the whiskers but not until some of the sheriffs had been matcheted. Among those injured in the attack are Ade Adewale and Mukaila .

Abiodun said when they eventually found their way back to the Onireke police station, they were surprised to meet the main defendant, Chief John Adogu, Bonaventure Adogu and the hoodlums who attacked them, in discussion with the DPO. He said that even after they identified the hoodlums, who were still carrying the weapons used on them, as those who attacked them, the DPO did not arrest any of them. Rather, he claimed that the DPO ordered them out of the station. In order to avoid being attacked again, he said that they had to pull off their uniform as they made their way back to Iyan Iba through foot paths, more so that the police officers that went with them from the state Police Command have since abandoned them and went back to the command.

Abiodun said on the second day, they visited the state police command to report the events of the previous day but they didn’t know that more surprises was awaiting them. According to him, the Deputy Commissioner of B Operations, Mr Tunde Sobulo, instead of granting them audience ordered his subordinates to chase them out of the command without giving them any opportunity to lodge their complaints. He said it was even more surprising that the same Deputy Commissioner of Police who assigned officers to follow them to Onireke village turned round to accuse them of enforcing a fake court judgment.

Abiodun accused the police of complicity in the matter and in their failed attempt to enforce the court judgment. He argued that the conduct of the police at Onireke Village and at the Command was a pointer to the complicity of the police in the whole matter.

HE South East Development Agenda (SEDA), I guess, must be in the works as I write this. It has to be. But if such a propellant is not already afoot, then the political and intellectual leaders of the Southeast with all due respect must make haste; as the bell tolls unceasingly for a re-ordered Nigeria. Indeed, if for any reason any of the six geo-political zones is yet to set in motion plans for regional economic integration and productivity, then such a region must be suffering from political delirium. For emphasis the rent racketeering economy, falsely represented over the years as a national economy has run its life span.

The mask has since been removed, and the un-initiated are now in the secluded masking arena.

So unless the changes come fast, the recent prognosis for civil servants in Niger State to be trained to bear arms to defend themselves may become applicable to every government official and the so called middle class. Now as you drive by in a snarling traffic, young men bang at your side glass in broad daylight demanding that you hand the loot over to them. When they finish with one offender they leisure around for the next culprit, as they examine ‘their receipts’. From their disposition they have no doubt that these seemingly well to do ‘ruffians’ must have contributed to their quandary, and they have no qualms stealing and scaring the day light out of their lives. With the people coming to terms that what passes as governance is substantially bare faced stealing; mobbing the barricaders is now seen as legitimate.

The South West in my view is showing the way for the necessary economic interrelatedness within their zone. The recent forum involving their legislative, executive and technocratic leadership, whereat the legislative and political correctness and methodology for a regional economy was discussed is a necessary ground work for that inevitable road to Nigeria’s future. To hope and plan otherwise may result in the Southeast allowing their people to be taken unawares as in 1966/67. Then Ndigbo as presently had invested heavily across Nigeria, with their greatest gift to Nigeria, the great Zik of Africa eventually spread thin in his effort at propagating and living out his nationalism. Taking a cue from their leader, the people easily turned victims when at short notice the tribal fuse imploded.

Presently, the Southeast state Governor’s forum under the leadership of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State appears to have a good relationship. If they have not succeeded as much as they should, the forum has at least been very energetic in their support for President Jonathan’s presidency. While such support may serve some political interests, what is of paramount importance is for them to create opportunities to build regional economic scenarios for the future. That can be done if they prod and support political and intellectual examination of quality plans, policies and schemes for economic corporation. Scenarios for common source of power and energy, inter state road, water and railway transportation, agriculture and agro allied industries, common legal process, inter state policing and security, commerce and industrialisation among others should be devoted serious energies.

The Southeast political and intellectual leadership I pray would appreciate this new surge in regionalism across Nigeria. This is the case from the Northeast, to Northwest, to North-Central, to Southeast, to Southsouth, and Southwest. What may be different is the approach to venting it. While the regional Risorgimento in Nigeria has created violence in some zones, there is a state of helplessness in others; while yet others are working round the clock to set the pace. Those clamoring and arguing otherwise are those who are temporarily benefitting from the status quo, and are foolishly living a lie that it would last forever. The unending violence across the land interestingly is, however, pushing for a clearer thinking.

Last week, I received an unverified and unverifiable mail (because of the opacity in the oil industry) on the ownership of the oil wells in Nigeria, worth billions of dollars. The mail, which claimed to have been a product of enormous research, showed that the top northern military and political leadership obviously has a disproportionate share of the oil wealth of the country. The trust of the article was that though the northern elites through military fiat owned much of the national oil and allied wealth, the region remains the poorer compared to the southern part of Nigeria. I have also subsequently seen articles arguing that President Jonathan must review the ownership structure of the oil wells, otherwise there would be a problem.

Of course the Southsouth’s stand-by enforcer called MEND has re-started their military insurgency to draw attention to their quest for more resources. One newspaper article even said that the 13 per cent derivation means 87 per cent deprivation, in answer to the clamour for a review of the revenue sharing formula by the Northern Governors and the House of Representatives caucus. In the core North, the Boko Haram is furthering their argument for regional authority with their AK 47 rifles and other incendiary materials. The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, a trained Islamic scholar is also advancing his regional interest, as he argues that the revenue formula is skewed against the North, and is a major cause of the militancy in the region.

As the struggle for the sharing of the legendry national cake hots up among the regions, there is the need to spare some thoughts on the expansion of regional wealth base. Notably the atomisation of Nigeria’s federating units started as a war strategy in 1967 has served its purpose; and it is time for functional federating units to enable a resurgent national economy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

31

LEGAL OPINION

Constitution amendment, challenges of election petitions The recent interpretation of Sections 285 (5-8) of the Constitution as ammended by the Supreme Court, no doubt, brought a lot of election petitions and cases before the courts to an abrupt end. In this article, STEVE UNACHUKWU examines the purport of the amendments, IES consequences on cases before the courts, particularly election Tribunals and our legal system.

• Continued from last week

T

However, convincing and plausible as this argument may sound, there is the other side of the situation which is that the recent amendments to our Constitution and the Electoral Act,2010 are targeted at a particular mischief which becomes extant upon a community reading of section 285(5)-(8)of the 1999 Constitution and paragraph 12(5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

In appeal Nos. SC/1/2012 and SC/2/2012 A N P P v ALH. MOHAMMED GONI &ORS (consolidated appeals) judgment delivered on February 17, 2012, the Supreme Court reiterated its conviction on this issue when the court stated Per Bode Rhodesvivour at page 5 of His Lordship’s concurring judgment as follows: “In SC 476/2011, I explained what gave rise to the provisions as follows: Suits Nos. SC 361/2011 and SC 362/2011 OGBORU & ORS v Uduaghan, Judgment delivered on November 17, 2011 by this court.

This was a petition that was filed immediately after the 2007 Gubernatorial Elections in Delta State. The petition was still being heard on appeal after the 2011 Gubernatorial Elections.

I observed that a case where a petition lasted more than four years for a four-year gubernatorial term is scandalous, unthinkable and beggars belief… A respondent who apparently won an election would have finished his four year term and left office while the petition is still in the court. If the petitioner eventually wins he would have nothing but a worthless victory. A victory that cannot be enforced. Indeed, several similar cases were seen in the courts”.

Paragraph 12 (5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which the legislature had intended to be the roller that would coaster home the new consciousness towards prompt determination of election proceedings in Nigeria, provides that: “A respondent who has an objection to the hearing of the petition shall file his reply and state the objection therein and the objection shall be heard along with the substantive petition There is no controversy as to the fact that the provisions of paragraph 12 (5) is mandatory since the word “shall” was used twice in couching the requirements of the said section. The mandatory requirements in the provisions of the said sub paragraph are two-fold. First, a respondent who is objecting to the hearing of a petition must in file his reply to the petition state his objection therein in the reply.

These provisions in the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended seems to suggest that any objection to the hearing of a petition which is not incorporated in a respondents reply is incompetent and may not be heard. Secondly, where an objection is incorporated in a respondents reply, it has crossed the hurdle of qualification, is fit for hearing but must be heard

along with the substantive petition. When the history of the amendment that gave birth to paragraph 12(5) of the first Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended is put into perspective, it is easily understandable that the obvious intention of the legislature in making the amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2010 was to abolish interlocutory determination of election petitions upon preliminary objections so as to ensure speedy determination of cases. The amendments, however introduced a new hurdle into election proceedings as the said amendment of both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2010 introduced limitation clauses in respect of time for determination of election petitions and appeals into both the constitution and the Electoral Act that were not there before. This particular issue was driven home by the Supreme Court in the case of FELIX AMADI & ORS v INEC ORS, Appeal No S.C.476/2011 (unreported) judgment delivered on 3/02/2012 wherein the Supreme Court stated per Bode Rhodes– vivour JSC in reference to section 285(7) of 1999 constitution (as amendment) that: “A point worth mentioning is, why was limitation periods for hearing election matters drafted into the constitution?. It is important I address this point because in 1999 when this constitution came into force, section 285 titled “Election Tribunals” had only four subsections, now it has eight subsections…, consequently in the 2003 and 2007 election petitions, there was no time limit for hearing election petitions. Counsel employed all types of tactics to delay the hearing of petitions, all for one hidden agenda or the other. A classical example is the consolidated suit Nos SC 361/2011 and SC/362/2011 Ogboru & Ors V Uduaghan, judgment delivered on 17/11/2011 by this court. This was a petition that was filed immediately after the 2011 Gubernational Elections in Delta State. The petition was still being heard on appeal after the 2011 Gubernatorial Elections”. .election proceedings, it was expected that the administration of justice as regards election proceedings would have advanced so much from the said provisions, particularly, paragraph 12 (5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended. The reverse was however the case at the tribunals and courts leading to the frustration of many election petitions .The question therefore arises: What went wrong to bring us to where we are today?

At the background of the whole issue of speedy trial of election petitions are section 285 (5)- (8) of the 1999 constitution (amended) and section 134 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). Both statutory provisions were mounted as statutes of limitation to curb the practice of election proceedings lasting beyond the term of office to which they relate. It is therefore imperative that election petitions must be concluded within 180 days from the date of filing while an appeal from the decision of the election tribunal must be heard and de-

• Senate President David Mark

termined within 60 days from the date of judgment in the case at the Election tribunal.

Unfortunately, inspite of these lofty provisions, some judicial officers saddled with the duty of adjudicating in election proceedings still proceeded in their duties as if these provisions were not intended to regulate their conduct. It is worth mentioning that the derailment that attended the proceedings some of the tribunals, (particularly, the first panel that came to Anambra State, among others) went beyond the ordinary. The said panel struck out almost all the petitions that came before it upon preliminary objections and refused to heed arguments to the contrary, until the panel itself was struck out after allegations of corruption was leveled against it. The dangers inherent in the indiscretion exhibited towards the said election proceedings is underscored by the fact that long after the mandatory 180 days limited for hearing election petitions have been declared over, more than 90 per cent of the petitions in which retrial were ordered on appeal after their unmerited interlocutory determination are still pending at the election tribunals and have become time barred. The implications of this scenario cannot be lost on the polity, particularly, upon a place like Anambra State which is always replete with

• Unachukwu

election petitions, far beyond what obtains elsewhere, either because the people are bad losers or that persons charged with conduct of elections in that place have time and again refused to stay away from those things that taint electoral processes.

IS THERE A CONFLICT THEN BETWEEN SECTION 140 (4) OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, 2010 AND PARAGRAPH 12 (5) OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE ELECTORAL ACT, 2010 It is submitted, most respectfully that this question should be answered in the affirmative. Both the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 seem to be contradictory to each other to the extent that Paragraph 12 (5) of the First Schedule to the Act makes it mandatory for a respondent intending to raise objection to the hearing of a petition to raise same in his reply and have it heard along with the substantive petition. By the intendment of the said provision, there would be no room to hear and determine a petition on technicalities without a hearing on the merits of the petition.

It is a cardinal principle of interpretation of statutes that where the wordings of a statute is clear and unambiguous, the law does not need interpretation. The words

used by the legislature in Paragraph 12 (5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) are clear and the court need not to have recourse to anything else in the interpretation of the said provisions except to declare the law in accordance with the intention of the law makers, which are borne out by the words used therein. See Global Excellence Communications v. Duke (2007) 16 NWLR [pt. 1059] 22 at 47 – 48, A.G Lagos State v. Eko Hotels Ltd (2006) 18 NWLR [pt. 1011] 378 at 458. Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Osalon (2006) 5 NWLR [pt. 973] 361 at 415.

On the other hand, Section 140 (4) of the Electoral Act,2010, as amended, allows a respondent to file a motion timeously to have the petition struck out in limine. None of the two sections of the Electoral Act, 2010 is made subject to the other. It becomes difficult to determine which provisions of the said Act that would override the other.

It is imperative, in order to determine a way out of seeming contradictory positions in both provisions, to weigh the circumstances surrounding each provision, particularly the argument in favour or against each provisions.

• To be continued

• From left: Mrs Funmi Falana, her son Folarinde and husband, Femi Falana after Forarinde’s call to the Nigerian Bar

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

32

LAW & SOCIETY

Nigerian Law School 1984 class holds reunion dinner

F

OR members of the Nigerian Law School, 1984 set, penultimate Saturday remains one of the happiest days in their lives.

It was a day members of the class gathered at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, for a reunion activity of the class, which left the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, 28 years ago.

The occasion was full of excitements, hugging, backslapping and occasional kisses.

The most interesting aspect of the event was the usual Jokes among classmates, though some members of the class are already blessed with the wisdom hair, grey hair, their classmates still addressed them as this boy, or this girl as the case may be.

Assembled in the hall as members of that class were top civil servants, high ranking politicians, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, judges, magistrates, administrators, and so on.

Journalists were also grace the occasion. Members of the class grouped themselves in very convenient groups discussing their lives and affairs in the past 28 years. They took time, one after the other, to introduce themselves and inform the class of their activities in the years. Some even boasted that they are now grand parents.

One common feature in that assembly was that each member of the class was happy with the reunion and wished that they hold it regularly.

The Director-General, Nigeria Law School, Dr. Mamman Tahir, said: “This is a wonderful outing, the basic purpose is to bring this set together, having not being in touch for the past 28 years, we felt that we need to know ourselves, know what has been happening to each and every one of us’’.

“As you can see them, these are people who have held and some of them are in strong positions and have contributed their own quota to our national life, in the judiciary, in government service, private sector and other top positions.”

On how the class intends to give back to the society what it contributed to their lives, Mamman said: “We are going to have some philanthropic projects. That is part of what we are going to discuss later. Those of us who are in positions of authority will be encouraged to make endowments, wherever possible, to offer assistance and support to some of these critical areas.

On the role of alumni associations on the development of the Nigerian Law School, Mamman said: “The alumni of the Nigerian Law School can help the institution in very many ways in terms of infrastructural support. They can do that in terms of intellectual support; they can do that in terms of helping to nurture the practice of networking generally speaking.

“The Law School and the coun-

By John Austin Unachukwu

cil of legal Education will be 50 years next year, 2013, so the Alumni of all these years, from 1963 till date, will have to play a major role.

“The alumni associations are major instruments of development anywhere” both government and

Mike Igbokwe (SAN) said: “This is a very good outing. It is the best so far. This is the third outing we have had so fair. A friend of mine, one of our classmates at the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Adesegun Akin Olugbade met me at an event early last year and mooted the idea of having this reunion because he got to know that I have been the president of the University of Lagos Law Faculty Class of 1983 and he thought that I could be useful in getting this done. I told him that it is going to be a very difficult task, but if he was prepared, we could get it done because it is not something that any one person could do.” There and then, he agreed and three of us: Mr Akin Olugbade, Justice Roli Harriman and I contributed money and on June 16, last year, three of us had the first reunion in his house.

“I brought Roli in because she also had come up, having learnt that I was President of the UNILAG Law Faculty class of 83. So, I called her to join us because she had also wanted me to organise a similar thing. That was how it all started.

“We set common goals at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt last year, which was hosted by Mr Okey Wali (SAN).

“Dr Mamman Tahir had always indicated his interest and had done his best to encourage this class and this reunion. So, at the Lagos reunion last year, three of us were asked to be the co-ordinators and alongside Dr Tahir, we coordinated this one. They set up a Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Abuja to organise this and take care of the logistics. That is how we got here.”

mates, many of them you’ve not seen for the past 28 years, you can imagine.”

“We are all very, very excited and we are really hoping that this will continue and we will have an impact on the society being very senior lawyers now.”

Chief Godwin Obla said: “Well, I feel very happy. I have not seen some of my classmates in the past 28 years.You can see the feelings and level of excitement among us.

“Incidentally, some of us, from the introductions made here are already grandparents. So, it has really been a long time. You can also see that the director-general of Nigeria Law School is our classmate, too.”

“We have seen a lot of improvements in some of our mates. There are High Court Judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Captains of Industry, high ranking politicians and so on among them “We are thanking God for elevating some of us.

“We also feel obligated, over our alma-matar, the Nigerian Law School, which has actually given us a platform to progress in life.

“This is time for us to put heads together and see how to give back to the society that made us what we are’’.

1983, 1984. Some of them, you have not seen again after the leaving the Law School in 1984. It is such a pleasant experience for us to be here.

“Wali said: “There are very many people here that one had not come across over the years, but didn’t know that we were classmates. So, I am excited to be here.”

For Mr Theophilus Emuwa: “It is a wonderful thing. It is a thing of joy.We have just started. This is one of the early meetings. I am sure that as we move and continue in the reunion, we shall continue to appreciate what it means to reunite with old friends. Then it will become easier and easier to maintain those connections.

AT THE MENTORING PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY STERLING PARTNERSHIP LEGAL PRACTITIONERS FOR STUDENTS OF NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL, AT THE LAW SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, LAGOS

• From left: Deputy Director, Nigerian Law School, Lagos campus, Olanrewaju Onadeko, Funke Adekoya (SAN) and Babatunde Aribido

Ibrahim Zailani said: “Firstly, we give glory to God because, for some of my classmates, I am meeting them for the first time after 28 years. Honestly, I am highly elated. I must congratulate the initiators of this reunion.”

“We have come of age; we must regularise and ensure that this reunion is reinforced and held every six months or quarterly because after 28 years at the Bar, whether we like it or not, we have colleagues who are in the Court of Appeal. We have colleagues all over the sectors of the economy.

So, we must redirect what is happening in Nigeria by making our contributions so that on issues concerning our welfare, unity, moving forward, we must have and present a strong voice.”

• From left: Babajide Ogundepe, President Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Boma Ozobia and General Counsel, Total, Chidi Momah

• Justice Olubunmi Oyewole (left), and Tunde Busari

Stella Peters : “What we all come together to do as members of 1984 set is to know ourselves and reunite with ourselves.

“It is an exciting experience for all of us, it has been such an exciting experience to be with your class-

Okey Wali (SAN) said: “It is indeed a wonderful opportunity to see your classmates, people you sat with in the same classroom as children, very young persons of

• From left: Paul Oki, Isreal Aye and Wale Busari

33

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION NBA, IN AKURE, ONDO STATE

• From left: General Secretary, NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, former president, NBA, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and NBA President, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN).

• From left: Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and National Chairman, LP Dan Nwanyanwu

• From left: Chairman Eastern Bar Forum, Kemasuode Wodu, former President, NBA, Lanke Odogiyan and Jibrin S. Okutepa (SAN)

• Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), left and Femi Falana

• From left: Okey Wali (SAN), former NBA President, Olisa Agbakoba and Chief Afro Fayokun

• From left: Welfare Officer NBA, Sule Usman, Dele Adesina (SAN) and former General Secretary, NBA, Ibrahim Eddy Mark

• From left: Col. Bello Fadile (rtd), Chief John Ochoga and Emeka Ngige (SAN)

• From left: Former Public Secretary NBA, Abdulrasheed Murtala; Chairman, Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu and former NBA Ikorodu branch, Nurudeen Ogbara

• Elachi Agada (left) and Chairman NBA Ikeja branch, Adebamigbe Omole

• Augustine Alegeh (SAN), left and Secretary, SBL, Olu Apata.

PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

34

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY ROUND TABLE ON LEGAL PRACTICE AND ENTER PRENEURSHIP ORGANISED BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES (NIALS) AT ITS AKOKA UNILAG CAMPUS, LAGOS

• Director-General, NIALS, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) (left) and Paul Usoro (SAN)

• Director of Research, NIALS, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye (left) and Institute Secretary, James Bathna

• Acting Institute Librarian, Ufuoma Lamikara and Prof Paul Idornigie

• Prof Yinka Omoregbe, former Chairman, NBA Section on Business Law (SBL), George Etomi and Chairman NBA SBL, Gbenga Oyebode

• Nnamdi Oragwu and Chairman, National Energy Regulatory Commission, Dr Sam Amadi

• Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), left and Chief Adegboyega S. Awomola (SAN)

• Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) and Nnamdi Oragwu.

• Olufunso Olagoke and Miriam Uzoka

• Dr Tochi Okwor and Dr Chinyere Ani

• Nyingi Bonie (left) and Oluyemi Adewale.

PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

35

LAW & ECONOMY

Checking sectarian violence in Nigeria T

HE latest suicide bombing in Jos that killed four people and injured 30 is once again a stark reminder of the inability of the Nigerian state to address the spate of violence that has engulfed the country in the recent past. On February 26, 2012 the Christian community in Jos was thrown into mourning when a suicide bomber drove a car bomb into a church, killing four people and injuring about 30. This is only the latest attack targeting Christians since the Christmas bombing that killed 44 people in Madalla in 2011.

The aim of the perpetrators seems intended to trigger retaliation and provoke more sectarian violence in the country. Sadly, and most often, many people take the bait all too easily and call for reprisals. For them, it would appear, there is no difference between Boko Haram and law-abiding members of the Muslim community. And, indeed, given Nigeria’s complex mix of religious and ethnic interests, and the competition for scarce services and resources, it can be hard to identify the true enemy.

The reality on ground is that Nigerians are tired of the inability of the state to provide responses to this scourge such as effective policing and dealing with its root causes.

Every day seems to bring one story or another of audacious attacks by Boko Haram and the inability of the state to check these attacks.

People are increasingly losing faith in the capacity of the state to protect them. Much of the approach adopted by the government has yielded disappointing results. It does appear that the government is unable to articulate a comprehensive and coherent policy for dealing with this challenge.

Little wonder, then, that frightened citizens come to believe they will have to defend themselves, or whip up divisive sentiments that can offer an illusory sense of security. It is not obvious what is driving this crisis. Rival narratives are being spun by different groups and the picture is getting distorted by all the sectarian sentiments.

Nigeria has experienced fractured interreligious and ethnic relations since its creation. Various constitutional and political efforts have gone into trying to address that fracture. While cosmetic progress has been made, the underlying mistrust between religious/ethnic groups lingers. Jos is a good example of the damning consequences of unresolved social fractures. The attack in Jos becomes quite obvious for what it is meant to achieve: triggering further violence between Christians and Muslims.

Attacks on places of worship are routinely blamed on Boko Haram but facts are gradually emerging to suggest that other elements are riding on the notoriety of the sect.

These facts seem to be lost on Nigerians. My interactions with

By Udo Jude Ilo

youths and various groups from the South seem to suggest a perception that Boko Haram cannot necessarily survive without some tacit support from mainstream Islam. This kind of perception is borne out of ignorance. The ignorance of the adherents of both groups has reinforced stereotypes and mistrust.

Thus Christians feel that their silence and practice of peace is being unduly exploited. Yet, instead of targeting their anger at bad governance and the activities of Boko Haram, they blame the Muslim community who, themselves, are victims of insecurity. On the other side, Muslims complain that the punitive and scatter gun security operations in the north intended to target Boko Haram are also being illegitimately targeted at Muslims.

Misinformation and truth-spinning are booming and things are getting out of hand. As much as Boko Haram poses a great threat to Nigeria, sectarian violence across the nation could as easily destabilize the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto placed the narrative in proper context when he said that there is no war between Christians and Muslims but rather a war between good people (Nigerians) and bad people (Boko Haram). The important question is, how far has this message travelled?

Interestingly, the comments from other religious leaders appear to paint a different picture that supports the theory that Christians and Muslims are at war. This is the message that goes out from the pulpit in both religions to the faithful. This message is then further amplified by international media and some provocative local media. It is not fashionable to be seen as a moderate who looks for the underlying drivers of the crisis. In certain parts of the country, trying to counter the language of hate puts one directly under physical threat. Even worse; the government is not doing enough to counter the hate speech that is being stoked around the country. Interestingly, the best counter-measure to all this would be adequate security capable of preventing further attacks. From what we have seen so far, this is not going to happen anytime soon.

Countering sectarian violence is not the exclusive job of government, particularly not a government overwhelmed with myriad of challenges. Nigerians must be part of the solution. We have to start talking across the religious aisle.

Christian leaders and Muslim leaders should sit down and frankly exchange ideas on how best to address these challenges. The interreligious initiatives in Kano, Kaduna, Niger and Abuja to mention but a few are illustrative the capacity of ordinary citizens to

build bridges. The violence being rained down by Boko Haram and others has ulterior motives. We need to identify the agenda of the instigators and perpetrators of these provocative actions. A frank exchange will help us identify basis for working together.

Our energy as a people should be focused on holding government accountable to its duties. Insecurity and violence cannot be separated from failure of governance and poverty. We should identify our common enemy and focus on dealing with that challenge.

Since such a discussion needs an environment of trust, each group should give the other the benefit of the doubt. We need to express our fears, disappointment but we also need to create the conditions for hope to thrive. In moving the discussion forward, it is important that we educate each other and begin to debunk stereotypes that have made it difficult for us to forge healthy relationship. Christians should be able to differentiate between Boko Haram and Muslims while Muslims should be able to differentiate between political views of Christian hardliners and the genuine desires of the majority of Christians to live peacefully in a Nigeria they can call home. It is important that the pulpit is a platform for education and peace building.

Coverage by the media, including the international press, should try to get to the bottom of the story and identify the real drivers of the violence, rather than pumping out sensational and superficial stories. For example, sectarian sentiment cannot be blamed on religion alone. There are fundamental legal and social inequities that have also helped to widen the social/religious fractures in our country. We need to confront those with progressive social and legal policies aimed at restoring balance and equity to the concept of identity in the country. As we work towards such reforms, a progressive Christian/ Muslim dialogue offers us an opportunity to build bridges and put structures in place that enable us to confront our common enemies as one people As such, an inter-faith dialogue is a good starting point for a broader national dialogue. Good enough such initiatives are being developed around the country and would require our collective support.

The risks of unchecked sectarian hostility are not so difficult to imagine. The signs are already there.

Exodus of Southerners from the Northwest and Northeast and of northerners in the other direction is illustrative of the simmering crisis and loss of trust amongst groups. When and how is this is going to end? If we leave the answer to these questions to the voices that seem intent on worsening the tensions, Nigeria will be the worse off.

• Udo writes from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa

• From left: Fernard Agu; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Prof Anya O. Anya at last Dinner/Gala night organised by Otu Oka-Iwu at the Metropolitan Club, Lagos.

Alleged N80m fraud: AG Moeller boss’ trial begins May 9 • Defendant granted N10m bail

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FEDERAL High Court, Lagos has fixed May 9 for the trial of the Managing Director of AG. Moeller Limited, Mr Adeloye Olukemi.

The police charged him with five counts of fraud and transacting financial business without valid licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Olukemi pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke last Wednesday granted him bail for N10million, with one surety in like sum.

His lawyer, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), urged the court to grant him bail because he had been in detention for three months, and because the offence is bail-able.

According to him, for Olukemi to lease 40 vehicles to a company, a transaction over which he was charged, it means that “he is a man of substance” and, therefore, would not jump bail.

He said his client reported to the police on his own, and asked for bail on liberal terms.

“Having been in custody for three months, he would have suffered unduly if he is later found innocent of the charge if he is not granted bail,” Ogunba said.

But police prosecutor, Nkem Raphael, opposed the application, saying the defendant would run.

He said one of the charges attracts a maximum of 20-year jail term and a minimum of seven, showing the enor-

By Joseph Jibueze

mity of the alleged offence.

“There is likelihood that he will jump bail if the application is granted,” Raphael said.

Ruling, Justice Okechukwu Okeke said every person charged with an offence is presumed innocent.

He noted, however, that it is imperative to ensure that an accused person attends court and not frustrate prosecution.

He said Olukemi’s surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 14 in the Federal or Lagos State Civil Service, or own a landed property in Lagos Island or at the Government Reservation Area, Ikeja.

The surety must swear to an affidavit of means, to be verified by the police, the judge said.

The defendant was accused of obtaining N80million from Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Cross Country Limited, Bube Okorodudu “with intent to defraud” between March 2007 and January 2010.

The prosecution said the sum was in excess of the capital of N140million advanced to Okorodudu, through a contract of finance lease facility “induced by false pretence.”

The alleged offences contravene Section 517 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, 2004; Section 59 (6) (b) of the Banks/Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), Cap B3, 2004; and sections 1(3) and 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud/ Related Offences Act, 2006.

Law firm admits sixth partner

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LEADING corporate commer cial law firm, Messrs. Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I), has made two changes in its partnership structure.

It has appointed Mr Ken Etim as its Managing Partner. He succeeds Asue Ighodalo.

Ms Stella Duru was admitted into partnership. The appointments took effect March 1.

A statement from the firm said Etim, who heads the Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group, also has considerable experience in corporate commercial law. He joined the firm in 1993 and was admitted into Partnership in 2000.

It said Duru joined the firm in 2001 and has been an invaluable member and team leader in the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources as well as its Corporate, Securities and Finance Practice Groups.

Duru joins Mr Femi Olubanwo, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Mr. Kenneth Etim, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu and Mrs. Ayotunde Owoigbe in the B&I Partnership, which turned 21 on February 1.

“Banwo & Ighodalo is constantly ranked as one of the top five Nigerian law firms in Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Project Finance, Foreign Investment & Divestment, Securities & Capital Markets, Merg-

• Etim

ers & Acquisitions; as well as Energy & Natural Resources, Litigation & ADR and Intellectual Property Law. “The firm currently has over 40 lawyers, who are experts in their various fields and are frequently called upon to serve as resource persons at local and international seminars and workshops.

“B&I undertakes work for public and private companies, governments, Nigerian and foreign investors, financial institutions, foreign law firms and international consultancy firms,” it added.

• From left: M.U. Ibrahim (Jam Jam); former President of NBA, OCJ Okocha (SAN), Nnenda Okocha, Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, Mrs Ebele Okocha and former General Secretary NBA, Ibrahim Mark at the party organised in honour of Nnenda Okocha at Chopstick, Abuja after her call to the Nigerian Bar

36

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

LAW PERSONALITY

Corrupt judges, lawyers to blame He is a chip off the old block, Alade Babatunde Kasumu is the first son of the well-known and erudite Professor of Law,Alfred Bamidele Kasumu. He has put in 19 years in the profession. In this interview with ADESISI ONANUGA, he speaks on law, his family and other matters. Excerpts:

W

HY did yoy study law?

Well, as I said before, mine is a family of lawyers. Almost everybody in my family, my niece, my father, all my sisters who are lawyers are in that picture and we also don’t do anything else but law. Since I grew up that is the only thing I have ever thought of doing. I remember when I used to follow my father to courts, my impression of lawyers was about how they were dressed. I tell people that one of the first lawyers that made an impression on me was Chief G.O.K. Ajayi (SAN) and I remembered him when I went to the Lagos High Court before Justice Ajose Adeogun. I was with my father, carried his bag and I just saw this man, immaculately and impressively dressed, with a gold chain hanging out of his pocket. He was making submissions and he had one leg on the chair and after making submission and the judge was writing, he would pull out his gold watch from his waist coat, flick it open, look at it, shut it and put it back in the waist coat pocket. I remember when I started practising myself, I wanted to get the exact attire with the same gold chain and watch. But all that is history now.

Will it be proper for us to say then that your father dragged you into the legal profession so that you could carry on after him?

No,no. He encouraged me. I wouldn’t say he dragged me. As I told you, lawyers had always made an impression on me. I remember when we were growing up at the University of Ife, I remember the late Chief Williams, who was my father‘s uncle. He would come over and I think they used to have these political meetings with Chief Awolowo in those days. I remember him always coming over to the house. And I remember my father when we left Ife, his relationship and working with the late Chief Williams. He made a larger than life image on me and as a lawyer, I look up to him, I mean I have always wanted to be a lawyer. So, there has always been so much influence of lawyers around me, from Chief Williams to my father. So, my father didn’t just encourage me. It was just very convenient that law was there.

Has there ever been occasions when your point of view is different from that of your father when you are handling cases?

Of course, there are a lot of time that we don’t agree and I should mention again that that is another good attribute of Prof. We all call him Prof. And Prof., when we have our meetings when there is a problem, we would always discuss the issue and since we are lawyers, he would try to seek everybody‘s opinion and we all argue, we all discussed and once we don’t agree with him, he would let it go and that is the attribute of a good lawyer, to be able to take criticisms and walk away. He would probably walk away and see how he can blend all our views together. I remember just a few days ago, we had an issue. I was going to the Court of Appeal and somebody has failed to take a step in the matter coming up in the court and that was the first time of my going for the matter. So, when they gave the file to me, I was reading the file for the first time and when I read it, I had a different view on certain issues which had been raised and he was out of Lagos. So, I called him. I just said this file, I had a different view of submission, and he said no, no, and we disagreed on the matter. We dis-

cussed it, we argued and finally, he agreed with me. The following day, we had discussions and I was upset because I was now going to argue the appeal and I thought a reply should have been filed and certain issues should have been raised. Fortunately for me, when I got to the Court of Appeal the following day, the court did not sit. Of course, the first person that called me after the court was Prof and he wanted to know how the matter went and I told him. He said when you get back to the office, you can amend that brief in accordance with your views and opinions.

Your first day in court. What was it like?

Well, I wouldn’t say my first day in court. I would tell you my first experience at the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal was at Bourdillon and two galleries were prepared. I like telling people this story because my first day at the Court of Appeal was not a pleasant one. Of course, my father‘s name is Alfred Bamidele Kasumu and I am Alade Babatunde Kasumu. So, I got to the Court of Appeal that day, I filled the counsel‘s list and I wrote A.B. Kasumu. As it was the practice then, they would take the counsel‘s list in for review before the judges come out of their chambers.

The late Clement Akpamgbo, of course, was one of the most senior lawyers in court then. So as the judges filed out, they told the registrar to call Prof. Kasumu‘ s case first. So they called his name and there was this young lawyer standing up to announce his appearance. And I look at the judges and I saw them, they were all discussing and then they said, “who are you?” and I said, I am A.B. Kasumu. They said no, no, no. They said “who filled this counsel‘s list?” and I said “I filled the counsel‘s list.”

They said, “are you A.B. Kasumu ?” and I said “Yes”. They said “no” and that next time, when I filled this form, I should write my name in full or add “junior” at the back of my name, that I confused them that morning. So, you can imagine, that was my first time in the court. I was sweating and I thought I had done something wrong.

Eventually, they called the case but for a very long time, I was scared of going to the Court of Appeal.

In your 19 years of practice, which case did you find most challenging?

It was when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said anybody who must operate in the capital market must be registered and lawyers, unfortunately, were lumped into that group of capital market operators. Fortunately, there were guidelines issued by SEC and it included lawyers and accountants as capital market operators. I remember at that time that we were appointed solicitors to a company that wanted to do rights issue. So, when our name was submitted, SEC said we should not act for them. So, we decided to challenge SEC and that law which says lawyers must be registered was at the Federal High Court. We went to court and filed an originating summon and the court agreed with us that lawyers are not to be registered or that they are not capital market operators. The case went to the Court of Appeal and the court affirmed the decision of the lower court. For me, it was a capital victory because as I said, it was a case in which our law firm was involved in and it was a victory for lawyers.

When you are in court and you find yourself against these law giants, how do you feel? Don’t you feel dwarfed in their presence?

I think it is an experience every law-

• Kasumu

yer should aspire to have. Every lawyer should aspire to face the Afe Babalolas, the Olanipekuns and the other big names in the legal profession. But one thing I have learnt is that as long as you know what you are doing, you would not be threatened. Absolutely, there is no challenge you cannot face. All you just need to do is understand your own case, marshal your own point, because I remember coming up against a senior advocate in my early years of practice, and I remember one incidence in particular, though I cannot remember the name of the lawyer right now. He came to court, he knew I was a new wig, but he under estimated me in terms of my call to bar and age. But he should not have underestimated my integrity. He should have realised that all I need is to have been well briefed and tutored. It was in those days that we were not filing written addresses. We had anticipated every argument and I had a response for everything and by the time I finished and made submissions, I remembered it was before the late Dr. Kessington. When I made submissions, he looked at the bar and said, “you see yourself”; he said “it is Prof.

Kasumu talking and not the A.B. Kasumu you see in front of you’. That was what he told the lawyer.

How do you see the judicial system under the current dispensation?

I remember the days when you go to court, you have to argue your motion and the judges had to take everything down in long hand. There has been tremendous change from the way the rules operate then and the new rules as we look at it now. Things are much better now. But the difference for me, is the judges we have. I think the judges that were before, even before I started practising up till the time I started practising, I think they had a more difficult task than the judges of today. I think we had better and quality judges then, but they were just working under very strenuous conditions then. To me, the way they are now has really helped the dispensation of justice. But, honestly, I must admit that I think we had better calibre of judges then than now.

Apart from the welfare of judges and the conditions under which they work, what other reforms would you like to see in the judicial system?

As I said, I need to go back to the rules. The rules of the court now have made things easy. But even when you had the rules, we have human beings.

The judges are human beings. The lawyers too are human beings. The delays that we experienced in court are caused by human factor. The rules

are just there for one to apply. But if the judges are lazy, the lawyers are lazy, the rules would not work. There are lots of adjournments which are either due to the courts are not sitting or lawyers are asking for adjournments. I think one of the ways they can improve the judiciary is how to manage time. You wake up on a Monday morning, you go to court and tell you the court is not sitting. I can understand a situation if the judge falls ill during the weekend and he cannot sit on a Monday. Of course, I don’t expect a judge who is ill to sit. But when they tell you the judge has gone for a conference, obviously the judge did not just know that weekend that he or she would be going for a conference. That conference must have been fixed a week or two before that day. So, they should also have the decency to also let lawyers know that the court would not sit.

Often times, lawyers are accused of bringing frivolous motions to the court just to drag a case, especially when they know that they are likely to lose a case.

Yes, lawyers file frivolous applications but once the laws allow you to file the application, there is nothing frivolous. You have the constitutional right to file any application in court.

But, of course, you look into that application and you decide whether it is meritorious or not. My problem is that judges are not proactive enough and at times, I do not blame them because they had a lot of work to do.

There are certain applications, when I go to court, and they come up, instead of the court to deal with that application, you can find that the court was already look into the time they are going to spend to take on that application, the ruling they are going to write. Meanwhile, it is a simple straight forward application. There are some applications like somebody brought one for interlocutory injunction. If you are a lawyer or a judge, and you have practised well enough, the principle are all the same. I can remember, I went to the Court of Appeal once to argue an application for an injuction, the judge just said, Mr Kasumu, address us on this issue.

He said you are asking for an injunction, why should we grant you an injunction? Address us on this issue, address us on that issue. Likewise at the high court, if you have an application which is frivolous, and you look at it as a judge, you should be able to dispose of that application quickly. You look at it and deal with it and make a ruling. Instead of that, the judges would allow you to argue, they have not even read the file, so they don’t

even know what the application is all about. Yea, if you look at it and address it on the basis of the law the judge would know whether he was going to grant it or not. But if you haven’t even read your file, how can you deal with that application. But is true that lawyers do bring a lot of frivolous applications, but it is for the court to deal with that application and immediately dispose of it.

A lot is being said about corruption in the judiciary and about corrupt judges. The Chief Justice said at a conference by SERAP recently that corrupt judges are dangerous to the society. What is your take on this?

Well, my father would always say which one would you prefer, an ignorant judge or a corrupt judge. Some people would tell you that it is better to have an ignorant judge because you can always educate that judge. Ignorant, in the sense that he does not know the law or that he misapplied the law because that is the limit of his knowledge. But a corrupt judge is a judge who knows the right thing but has muddled up the fact for whatever gain or benefit that he wants to make.

That is a more dangerous person and those kind of judges should not be on the bench.

How do you think we can deal with and curb the activities of corrupt judges?

You would find out that these judges that you said are corrupt, it is not just the judges but it is the lawyers who are aiding these judges. I do not believe judges just become corrupt. Somebody had to have access to them. Lawyers have become willing tools in the hands of the politicians, businessmen. They use them to influence the judges.

Of late, there have been talks about Sovereign National Conference (SNC). But I noticed that the issues are not clearly defined. What is your take on this?

Well, the issue of a sovereign national conference is not new. Right from the time I was young, I mean from the time of Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, it has been a recurring decimal. I remember during Shagari regime, it was a recurring decimal. During Obasanjo‘s regime, it was also a recurring decimal. I do not think there is anybody who would say the time is not ripe for a sovereign national conference. It is an issue that cannot be swept under the carpet. When the issue of this SNC even started, we don’t have these deep rooted problems that we now have.

So, you can now imagine that we now have this magnitude of problems all over Nigeria. We are having Boko Haram, the militants in the Niger Delta, people are still asking for creation of states. Instead of sitting down to dialogue with them as to their problems, sometimes, I sit down and wonder whether we even need these 36 states. We really need to sit down and discuss valuable things about our resources, our geographical issue, about how we divide our wealth, whether this presidential system even works.

Even though I remember the President saying there was no need, I can understand perfectly why he would say so and I don’t expect him to say otherwise because it is a very touchy issue. Having been the president of Nigeria, if he says otherwise people can take it to mean he belong to a particular faction. I don’t want to say he was not sincere. I think he was just being cautious. You see, history would judge every one of us. I do not value or revered those people who at a time should make a difference but they did not make that difference. This is what happened to a lot of our Politicians.

When they now leave office and two or three years down the line, they grant an interview, they now start telling us about their problems and difficulties, things they should have voiced out at that particular time and let people judge you and know that this is what you stood for. And not three, four years after, you now say we should have SNC, that these are the problems, these are the issues. But most importantly, I think it is ripe for us to have a sovereign national conference.

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

DISCOURSE

Law as a tool for regional development Continuation of the text of thelecture delivered by Mr Adeyinka Ajayi, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, at the first Legislative Summit on Collaborative Development Agenda (Southwest and ACN states), organised by Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspaper, on February 15 and 16, for federal and state legislators and Executive Council members.

Continued from Friday

Teasers and food for thoughts on regional development initiative for Southwest Nigeria: The rule of law as the driving force to strengthen internal democracy within the region

F

IRST, constitutionalism is a necessary foundation for the rule of law. It must be emphasised that one core meaning of the rule of law is “limitation;” that is, law has to place certain limits on what the government can do and prescribe how the government conducts its business. How are limits placed on the government?

The only time-tested way is through a constitutional structure that includes separation of powers, checks and balances and judicial independence. Constitutionalism, as a system of institutional arrangements designed to empower and limit the government at the same time, forms an institutional foundation for the rule of law. In particular, the constitutional mandates of separation of powers, checks and balances, independent constitutional review and an independent judiciary provide the institutional basis for judges to find and articulate laws independently, for laws to place meaningful constraints on government behavior, and for established procedures to be followed.

The various legislative houses within the region must be equipped to cordinate very wideranging policy initiatives, including legal and technical matters, management of legislative and political consultation and co-ordination procedure. The necessary human and financial resources as well as administrative structures must be ensured, for example through the application of the principles of fiscal federalism in the sharing of revenue between the states and their various local governments.

Multi-level governance within the region must be guided by mutual co-operation and interaction between the state and local authorities, with due regard to the respective roles, functions, competences and activities of each level.

Former schemes are about to be abandoned in favor of a solutions-oriented approach of cooperation. A clear delineation of power for subordination issues is a prerequisite for sound and successful multi-level governance.

The region’s legislative bodies must exercise fully the power to establish legislation with regard to the organisation and management of their competences in their region. In addition, their economic, administrative and structural requirements need to be met in order for them to be able to operate effectively and efficiently. Once this is the case, the region with legislative powers is able to regulate and manage a share of public affairs in the interests of their population.

Review and harmonsation of various existing and subsisiting Land Use Acts within the region to drive agriculture and sub-sector development Every person in a nation has imperative stake in the country’s land problems and its proper utilization and the attachment of peasants to their land is not just a mythical one. In Nigeria, the typical villager recognizes land in its entirety and shares it with the entire biotic complex. To him, land is a home and workplace. The land is to be “owned” as a symbol of wealth, power and prestige.

It serves a social security function to most people. Any policy on land ownership and use must recognise that the very existence of some people rests on their having access to a piece of land and any attempt to squeeze this from them is not only Punitibe but are usually strongly resisted.

The traditional tenure system placed major constraints upon the achievement of efficient agricultural production and physical development, which led to land use act – promulgation by the government in 1978. This land use act promulgation by the government 30 years ago failed to take into sufficient consideration the modifications that have taken place in the traditional tenure system by treating land as a free good.

Most elements of the Act are disregarded by the majority of the land owners. Sale of land, forbidden by the Act, has been recurring undiminishingly. The Act has not mitigated land speculation; rather it has driven it underground or exacerbated it.

In western Nigeria, the Land Use ACT (LUA) has served to increase the marginalisation, dislocation and fragmentation of small agricultural holdings and has also rendered access to land more difficult to the teeming agrarian population. It has not improved security of land tenure.

Scope and content of the Land Use Act Defects in the existing Land Reform Act: The major flaws in the Land Reform Act include: • Inadequate addressing of the land administration matters.

• Incomplete tackling of administrative and procedural guidelines to facilitate effective land titling and lease administration.

• Government monopolistic possession of all aspects of the land reform issues since the government is the land trustee, an investor and the administrator with the citizens having limited interests in land.

Importunate unequal land administration practices across the states.

Solutions to the problems include: • Initiation of a regional programme to appraise the state of affairs regarding land administration in all the states making up the southwest region; • Harmonisation of existing systems across the states of the region; • Government’s isolation of the act from the national constitution as it affects land for a review; and • Formulation of a comprehensive regional land policy and production of common land administration guidelines for the entire region.

For the crusade to embrace agrarian reform that once drove the region to its pre-independence Olympian heights, the regional agricultural development programme should have a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework, institutional development and capacity building, a systematic and transparent land registration plan, civic and human rights education, civil participation and self development, capacity for land management and sustainable development.

Basic human rights must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expedient attempts to correct past, and perceived, inequalities, granted that unequal distribution and access to land resources are barriers to peaceful, sustainable development within the southwest sub-region.

For combating corruption in the public sector at all level of governance in the region: Corruption in the public sector increases the cost of public transactions which, in turn, is shouldered by taxpayers. This is especially critical in the situation of scarce resources that require a higher optimisation of public spending.

Corruption cases generate a decline in confidence in public institutions which are fuelled by well-publicised scandals. Furthermore, corruption affects other sectors, and in the long run undermines trust in government.

Therefore, efficient and effective public services within the sub-region individual governments with an inherent culture of integrity are the key pillars of sustained social and economic development. Fighting corruption is essential to ensure the good functioning of public services and to provide best value for money.

The legislative arm of the government must enact laws and institute policy frameworks aimed at fostering integrity in public service. It has been suggested that this is expressed through the Integrity Framework which combines integrity instruments, processes, structures, conditions for the implementation and dynamic development in public organisations.

According to OECD report, these legal instruments for enhancing integrity and preventing corruption in public governance are broken down into the following areas: • Guidelines for managing conflict of interest in the public service; • Principles for transparency and integrity in lobbying; and

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• Principles for enhancing integrity in public procurement.

Human nature, as it is, makes it very difficult to completely weed out from the society people who use fraudulent means to acquire wealth.

Greed, selfishness, and the desire to show off riches that one did not toil for, will always push people with such character traits to engage in nefarious activities.

In other words, economic malfeasance can never be totally eradicated because of human nature. The ability to detect and to fully prosecute this evil that has made most of the countries in Africa poor and always depending on the world’s economic powers for aid is the only deterrent to corporate and individual fraud.

Such investigation should not be used as a witch-hunt to go after perceived or real enemies.

Rather, wherever there is suspicion regarding an economic activity that will lead to the loss of money to the state, the investigative arms of the state should pursue the case disregarding political affiliations.

Some politicians and some political appointees firmly believe that occupying high offices entitles them to openly flout the laws of the state for economic gain or to personally help friends and relatives to be rich.. This unconscionable behaviour is very unpatriotic and can never serve or redound to the good of the development of the region where it is condoned.

It is a great honor to be elected or appointed to high office to use one’s expertise or knowledge to help the region.

In the area of revenue generation Financial autonomy is a key factor for adequately tackling the present economic crisis be-devilling the region member states. Going cap-in-hand to the center for aids or relying on the ridiculously meager monthly allocation from the centre is an anathema for sustainable development among the member state of the regions, because, the current (un)-federalist architecture of the Nigerian nation will continue to skew revenue allocation unfavorably to the centre at the expense of the states and the local governments.

The budgetary and fiscal decisions taken via regional legislative measures can ensure that taxation imposed on the population is fair, reasonable and, above all, adequate to the regional economic and social context. In addition, the public budget spent within a given area, namely the regional context, is better controlled and visible by the population of the area concerned.

Revenue can be defined as all tools of income to government such as taxes, rates, fees, fines, duties, penalties, rents, dues, proceeds and other receipt of government to which the legislature has the power of appropriation.

For the purpose of this paper, emphasis is laid on how an effective and functional taxation system backed by an institutionalized legal framework provided by the rule of law can go a long way in covering the rules, policies and laws that oversee the tax process, which involves charges on estates, transactions, property, income, licenses and more by the government.

Taxation also includes duties on imports from foreign countries and all compulsory levies imposed by the government upon individuals for benefit of the state.

The area of tax law is exceedingly complex and in constant flux largely due to two reasons.

The first is that the tax code has been used increasingly more often for objectives other than raising revenue, such as meeting political, eco-

‘When the independence and integrity of the judiciary is compromised, the citizen is left at the mercy of a system which does not guarantee protection against the offences of power by the state...Corruption in the judiciary negatively affects the implementation of the principles of fair trial and erodes the rule of law. Without an independent institution responsible for administering justice, a culture of human rights cannot prevail’

nomic and social agendas. The second reason is the manner in which the tax code is amended.

Identifiable challenges of the current tax systems within the region Unpredictable tax due to lack of tax database has made tax collection in local governments a challenge.

Poor collection skills have made local government to collect easy taxes like fees and trading licences and poor collection of other taxes due to low capacities.

Taxation system in the local government is not progressive, for example trading license is not paid for according to capacity of the taxpayer business and is rather a flat fee.

Poor monitoring of decentralised taxes within the member states which can lead to and sustain corruption and embezzlement Powers given to local government to fix some fees has also caused problems of districts putting up unreasonable fees by increasing rates to get more taxes(multiple taxation), hence hindering the flourishing of small business enterprise.

The taxable base devolved to the local communities is narrow in that tax revenues are essentially collected from fixed rates and fees imposed on small-scale economic activities.

Reversing the trend The following must be done to improve the taxation system in local governments within the region and improve the working of small business enterprises from informal to formal economy within the region, with the individual State’s House of Assembly making up the southwest region, enacting laws that would become the blueprint for the Executive arm of the government to implement in order to comprehensively boost the revenue generation drive of the region exponentially: •Develop a clear and comprehensive local tax policy that is progressive but allows for sufficient revenue generation by local authorities.

• Develop a comprehensive legal basis which includes a modern and efficient property tax law and business license law.

• Improve administrative procedures in local government and establish clear links between local government and the revenue authorities.

• Collective tax awareness by both state government and local government, by making Tax Advisory Councils (TAC) more effective.

• Create a strong partnership between Local Government, Private sector and State’s Revenue Authority, for example information sharing and dialogue strategy between all institutions to improve compliance e.g Tax issues forum (TIF).

• Strong capacity building of Local Government staff by both central and Local Government to eradicate the problem of limited capacities.

• Creation of The Fiscal Decentralisation Task Force (FDTF) to help and improve the capacities of local governments within the region.

• Putting in place strong monitoring and evaluation strategies in Local Government, for example tax administrative manuals, audit manual and enforcement manual to help local government collect the tax effectively.

• Categorising taxpayers who belong to local government and state government and providing incentives to business people who have managed to move from informal economy to formal economy. E.g. Government Tenders to be awarded to only formal business people.

To drive and empower an impartial and independent judiciary Law, the courts, and the judiciary are essential elements of legitimacy for all governments. The legitimacy of any governments must be rooted in the consent of the governed, law and the judiciary is especially critical to undergird regime legitimacy.

When the independence and integrity of the judiciary is compromised, the citizen is left at the mercy of a system which does not guarantee protection against the offences of power by the state. Ultimately citizens’ trust in the democratic institutions of the state rely on the knowledge that if need be, they are entitled to a fair trial; recognised by all major human rights treaties as a fundamental, non-disputable right.

Corruption in the judiciary negatively affects the implementation of the principles of fair trial and erodes the rule of law. Without an independent institution responsible for administering justice, a culture of human rights cannot prevail. While any attempt to hierarchically assess fundamental rights is pointless as different rights are mutually enforced, the right to fair trial can be seen to carry a specific importance as it is the legal instrument through which other rights can be secured.

In recent years the notion of access to justice has gathered increasing attention, especially in regards to judicial reform. Processes of judicial reform around the world have strengthened judiciary’s role in creating transparency, holding governments accountable for their decisions as well as guaranteeing the separation of powers between the different branches of the government.

To be continued

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

38

MOTORING

How to tackle Apapa – Oshodi traffic, by Lagos commissioner

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HE Lagos State government is seeking the help of stake-

holders on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway to decongest traffic usually caused by tankers and trucks.

This is to ensure motorists drive with ease.

Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa said this while on an inspection tour to ascertain other causes of traffic usually witnessed on the road.

He said the government would soon convey a stakeholders meeting.

Opeifa said the stakeholder meeting is necessary because of the multifaceted snarls faced by motorists on the road.

The Commissioner said heavy presence of trucks and the time drivers spend at the Ports contribute to damaging the federal roads. Roads such as Creek Road, Commercial Road and Wharf Road among oth-

ers, become impassable for other road users.

Opeifa called on the Federal Government to repair these roads to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

He urged the management of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) and Tin Can Island Port to devise means of ensuring that only those trucks that are programmed to offload at the ports at a particular time and that such trucks are attended to imme-

diately.

Opeifa added that NPA should also provide adequate space within the ports to accommodate as many trucks as possible.

Opeifa also implored the Police to remove those vehicles arrested at Area B Police Station, Apapa which were parked on the roads to occupy the bus stop, to a safer place which would not hinder human and vehicular movement.

The Commissioner who praised the efforts of the officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for doing a good job in Apapa, especially at Trinity Bus stop, said the government would continue to do its best in ensuring that Lagosians have easy access to their homes and the drainages which were usually blocked by the tankers and truck drivers are cleared.

Toyota, Leventis, others for Lagos Motor fair

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• Samuel (middle) with the plaque. To his right is JLR Operations Director, Mr Nigel Clarke

Coscharis is Best Importer

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OSCHARIS Motors has won the Landrover Importer of the year, 2011 Award in sub-Saharan Africa a ceremony held recently in Canal Walk, Cape Town, South Africa.

No fewer than 40 dealers and importers from sub-Saharan Africa were in attendance.

The Group Managing Director, Coscharis Motors, Mr Josiah Samuel received the award.

About 33 dealers from the home region competed for honours but the focus was on sub-Sahara

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Africa and on three of the region’s representatives in particular.

Zimbabwe’s name was up in lights as Premier Auto took the sought-after Jaguar Importer of the Year honours while Coscharis Motors of Nigeria scooped the Land Rover Importer of the Year accolade. Not to be outdone, Tanzania, represented by CMC Automobiles, won the award for Most Improved Dealer of the Year.

While congratulating the

awardees, the Managing Director, Jaguar Landrover, Mr Kevin Flynn, thanked them for their exceptional efforts and on-going commitment and dedication to both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Flynn promised to ensure all JLR customers receive a superlative ownership experience which could be achieved through the passion and hard work of everyone within the JLR dealer network.

ETERMINED to delight Nigerian automobile customers with new products from their stables, some of the nation’s reputable and dependable automobiles, lubricants, accessories and financial companies have booked stands for the seventh edition of the Lagos Motor Fair and Autoparts Nigeria Expo, in April at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos.

Announcing this in a chat with journaslits week, Chairman Organising Committee Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, said the list of companies heading to TBS include Toyota Nigeria Limited, Leventis Motors, and BriscoeFord Motors.

Others are Boulous Enterprises Limited; Mobil Oil Nigeria, Oando Plc and GT Assur (Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc).

According to Agwu, who doubles as Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions Limited, organiser’s of the event “these companies have resolved to showcase the best and the latest in their stables.

“They have resolved to keep faith with their potential and existing customers as they have packaged offers that include: budget vehicles at good prices, special fair rebates and promotions, responsive customer care services and lots of supporting-benefits for the existing customers and prospects.

Agwu said more foreign equip-

•Agwu

ment manufacturing firms have equally booked to take part in the event.

According to him, the number is now above 115 and more are indicating interest.

“For our teeming visitors, this is the place to access the major automobiles, spare parts, accessories and lubricants. Visitors have the unique opportunity of acquiring these at special rates which they cannot get elsewhere. Special discounts, packages and gifts have been lined up for them by the participating companies,” he said.

Firm trains pupils on accident prevention

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IGERIANS have been urged to protect children from hazards and look out for a secured future for them.

This call was made in Lagos by the Managing Director, CFAO CICA Nig. Ltd, Mr Regis Tromeur at the kick-off of the Lagos State leg of a children charity initiative where more than three 300 Secondary School (JSS) pupils were inducted into the Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC) Children Accident Prevention Initiative (CAPI) programme.

Tromeur said:“Our kids are the future generation and leaders of tomorrow, so we must do everything to protect them from today’s hazard as well as look for a secured future for them.

There is the need to protect the pupils from reckless and impatient drivers.

My company is in active support of this initiative because of its importance and we hope in the nearest future, all schools in Lagos State will benefit

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

from it,” he said.

Chairman of CFAO Nigeria Plc Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas described the initiative as good in projecting the image of the company.

“They are just kids, oblivious to the danger on our roads and so we think it’s necessary that we protect them by being pro-active. The government can not do everything at the same time, so it’s our little way of saying that we care for the children,” he said.

National Co-ordinator of the FRSC Accident Prevention Initiative (CAPI), Elder Steve Akujobi said pupils accounted for 42 per cent of the overall road mishaps in Lagos.

Akusobi said pupils are the most exposed among road users, therefore, it’s imperative for the FRSC to assist them because most, if not all of them are quite oblivious to road signs.

Representative of the Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr. G. D

•Chief Okoya-Thomas congratulating one of the pupils. With him are Umweni (left) and Tromeur Umweni, said the issue of road safety is the responsibility of all.

Umweni said the children are not conversant with the various road languages; adding “...schools need

to employ capable hands that will help the children in the area of road safety, while the government too must strive to make sure all major roads in front of schools have zebra

crossing”.

He praised CFAO for donating the materials to the pupils, and expressed the hope that other bodies will emulate the gesture.

DRIVING TIPS

Aftermath of fuel subsidy strike (3)

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HE Subsidy Re investment and Empowerment (SURE) Committee set up by the Federal Government and headed by Dr. Christopher Kolade is a good step but not in the right direction.

To accomplish the set goals and for transparency and accountability, the PTF approach should be adopted. The fund should be

handed over to the committee to use for the target projects instead of the committee to monitor the government officials that may become another group of cabals again.

In the same vein, the proposed Road Agency and Road Fund must be implemented using the same PTF strategy. Make the Committee or Agency independent and

commit the fund into their hands.

They are to plan and implement the projects directly while consulting with the Federal and state governments where necessary.

Lest I forget, I also want the Federal Government and the National Assembly to clearly define the roles of the State Vehicle Inspection Officers, Police and the Federal Road Safety Commission

(FRSC) as touching driving schools administration, driver training, traffic management and allied issues. The silence by the Federal Government and the National Assembly and the silent wars between the State VIOs, police and FRSC could become counter-productive if left uncontrolled.

•To be continued next week

Jide Owatunmise

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

39

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Firm introduces Q-railings into the market

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ESIGNERS, specifiers of railings for use in the interior or exterior of buildings can now get steady supply of quality railings with the introduction of Q-railing into the market.

Steady supply is guaranteed because it is not based on dealership but on affiliation. Q-railing is a German brand with partnerships in several countries including Nigeria.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Q-railing Nigeria, Gbenga Babington, “Q-railing is a multinational company based in Germany and has offices and warehouses in countries across the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Australia, Sweden, and now they are trying to extend it to Africa.”

The Q-railing Africa, he said, came into existence about two years ago and was instituted in South Africa and Q-railing Nigeria as the second in Africa. “Q-railing Nigeria was inaugurated publicly in Dizedof, Germany in December 2010 at the Dizedof exhibition. In October, this year, Q-railing Ghana will also be launched.

Nigeria has the franchise for Qrailing West Africa, but we are starting with Nigeria and will spread to all the axis of West Africa. The company is into stainless steel railings for balcony, stair cases, among others, and balustrade. In devel-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

oped countries, they are used in aesthetic finishing of balcony of highrise buildings and others.”

He said it was unfortunate that in Nigeria it is only the elite/highly privileged people who are able to import these materials because the firm producing it had not established an office here. “But now that Q-railing Nigeria is here, the products will be available for everybody who desires it.”

Q-railing Nigeria, he said, did jobs with the parent body worth 850,000 euro in 2010 and “when they looked at the books they wondered and they believed that they had a market here and that is the reason they decided to make their presence known in Nigeria and the company was launched in Germany and, now we want to do the formal

launching in Nigeria.

The launch, he said, coincided with the meeting of the Association of Consulting Architects of Nigeria (ACAN).

“These are decision makers in the architectural industry and they have the job of specifying the products for use by their clients. The Group Chief Executive Officer of Qrailings world-wide is also expected to grace the event and do presentation.”

The company, according to him, produces everything in stainless steel and that the difference between Q-railings and other companies is that all its products are prefix. “So, you don’t need to overlabour yourself once the artisan has basic technical knowledge, he can fit the products.”

He said there is stainless steel as the body of the railing and wood finishing on top. It can also be com-

‘The glass façade is a little higher because the glass will be thick and toughened so that if it breaks the pieces will not fly around and injure anyone like the windscreen of a vehicle’

bined with glass fittings as used in some multi-national corporate offices.

The product will not only be available to architectural firms but also provide employment for artisans in the country. “With the Qrailing, job is already there because there is no building that will not have staircase if it is more than a bungalow.”

The job is already there in highrise buildings. Nigerians will be trained and given the Q-railing Certification, which will make them independent and be able to source for jobs and procure material from Q-railing Nigeria to do the job and if there is any client that is not satisfied with the job they have done then, they risk losing patronage of Q-railing.”

On capacity building for installers and artisans, Babington said they have not only procured tools, kits , crash helmets and safety boots for covering, but also will ensure that they are trained to precision and details in tandem with German technology and standards.

He said all sorts of sub-standard products are imported into the country unchecked. “Not because the agencies meant to do this job are not there, but because our borders are porous and some foreign companies believe that Nigerians love cheap things and that is the reason they give us poor quality goods. Q-railing is going to check-

•Babington

mate this because when people see good quality and the price is also moderate, I believe thing will start changing and the orientation will start changing,” he added.

He said the good thing about Qrailing is that it has a big warehouse with a lot of goods. “Time of delivery of the goods is not a challenge.

It will be like paying cash and carrying the goods. A standard stair case railing can cost between N300, 000 and N500, 000.

“The glass façade is a little higher because the glass will be thick and toughened so that if it breaks the pieces will not fly around and injure anyone like the windscreen of a vehicle.”

Rio+ 20 summit: Stakeholders seeks Green Economy

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TAKEHOLDERS have advocated green economy as a panacea to sustainable development.

They spoke at a preparatory workshop organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Federal Ministry of Environment to the Riot+ Summit.

The concept of green economy focuses primarily on the intersection between environment and economy and the eradication of poverty.

The summit is about the sustenance of the environment through development. It emphasises not just strong economic performance, but rests on integration and balanced consideration of social, economic and environmental goals in both public and private decision-making.

In her opening remarks, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia said the objectives of the event is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development , address new and emerging challenges,assess progress and gaps in the implementation. She asked that participants endeavour to produce a national report that would take stock of the progress made so far and propose action plans to advance sustainable development, particularly in the context of green economy.

In his address, Deputy Country Director (Programmes), Janthomas Hiemstra, asked participants to influence how environmental decision making for the greater benefit of Nigeria for poverty reduction and economic transformation.

He said it presents an opportunity to define a roadmap for greening the country’s economy, taking advantage of clean energy and greener technologies which would lead to green blue print the nation’s future economic development.

He urged the consideration of the peculiar vulnerability of the nation to the threat of climate change to develop an integrated approach to tackling climate change while empowering local livelihoods.

Hiemstra promised that UNDP is committed to providing the needed strategic support on capacity development and institutional strength-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

ening for the establishment of an enduring framework for sustainable development in the country.

A don from the Ahmadu Bello Univeristy, Zaria, Department of Geography, Mr Emmanuel Oladipo, said adverse economic crisis, climate change and natural hazards are putting unprecedented impact on the quality of social, economic and environmental conditions.

He called for support in the promotion of green economy as it involves sound economic analysis of current trends, risks and opportunities as well as taking stock of national experiences in applying more integrated policy tools effectively.

On the way to achieve it, he said it can only be implemented by having access to finance, capacity building and technology transfer.

A facilitator at the summit, Prof.

Anthony Imevbore, in his presentation argued that sustainable development can only be achieved in a green economy if communities are compensated for preserving nature.

According to him, a green economy is where economic progress is made without depleting the environment for the future.

He said: “The nation must look at some relationship and ensure that management decision taking must be holistic and in tandem with nature while considering the long and short term implications.

“How on earth can government give out licences to businessmen to log timber and export and with no plans for sustainability, this process negate the concept of green economy”.

He called for concerted integrated water resources management and land resources so that land is not degraded as land is under constant pressure as the number of people per square metre has increased over time.

He urged policy makers to ensure that growth is not at the expense of the economy as nations are moving towards green jobs, green accounting, eco–friendly and sustainable environment.

•Falomo Roundabout

NESREA seals borehole on dumpsite in Abuja

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HE National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed a borehole on a dumpsite at Gwako Agaba Village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The agency claimed that the borehole, which is also close to a toilet, could lead to an outbreak of cholera in the community.

Leading the officials of NESREA to seal the borehole, the Head of Environmental Sanitation and Compliance Monitoring, Lateef Olatokunboh, said: “This is an issue of a borehole constructed on a dumpsite. We have written our report and we are sealing off the place.

“We are doing this for the purpose of the community so that their health won’t be put in jeopardy.

Apart from the issue of dumpsite, you can also see toilets are very close to the taps. This is not healthy

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

at all. There will be a very high risk of cholera outbreaks here when the community starts using water from this borehole,” he stated Even as the agency alerted the Environment Department of the Gwagwalada Area Council of its discovery and the need to stop construction of the borehole over two weeks ago, the Area Council could not do anything about it because of lack of cash.

Head of the Environment Department of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Hajiya Mainunat Abubakar, said: “There was no enough cash backing since the last time you came. But the Development Control equipment will be brought in this evening. We are planning to start by tomorrow or next tomorrow because the Chairman, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi, has released the needed funds.”

“I asked the owner, Mr Shola Ola,

to come so that we can get the water for analysis test to know if it is safe for drinking. But we have not seen him since then,” she added A resident in the community, Mrs. Omolara Dada, said: “We don’t like the borehole on this dumpsite. We just saw it spring up overnight. It is the Etsu that sold the land. There is nothing we can do about it because we are visitors here. It is not deep enough and water from it is very dirty.”

Speaking on the issues at his palace, the Etsu of Gwako Agaba Village, Zakari Kaura, said: “The borehole was constructed because of the suffering here. We don’t have supply of water in this community.

“That land belongs to my forefathers and I gave it out free in order to solve the problem of water scarcity in this village. The dump site has remained because those that wanted to clear it charged the borehole owner N100,000 to do the job.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

40

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Building Issues

How to buy a second home

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•Amen Estate, Lekki, Lagos

Attractions •Tastefully finished

•Busy Main Road

•Competitive Price

‘Network of roads has made Lagos liveable’

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AGOS State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat has described the road construction efforts of the Fashola administration as one designed to make the city more liveable.

Hamzat, who spoke during a tour of some of his ministry’s projects in Ikorodu, said construction of roads must compliment living and driving.

He said projects in Ikorodu were well conceived and will relieve pressure areas within the growing town.

He said the completion of the Alh. Ganiyu Alejo/ Rotimi Odusanya/ Engr. Adeuyan/ Haruna Streets network of roads with the newly awarded Sulaimon Soderu road will decongest the Ikorodu roundabout because they provide the necessary alternative routes. The development, he said, is part of the administration’s commitment to develop inner road network and relieve major traffic bearing roads.

Responding to questions about the newly awarded 153 road contracts, Hamzat said the projects will not totally eradicate road issues but will substantially address them. As long

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst Editor

as there are communities growing across the state, there will be a need to construct new roads as well as maintain or rebuild existing ones.

Hamzat, who noted that the government has demonstrated a capacity for utilising available funds effectively, said the limitation of available resources explains why all roads in the state have not been done.

On completion dates, the Commissioner said persistent Climate Change and its impact affect the delivery time-table. He added that he will rather have high quality road that is a little delayed than one badly done and delivered on time.

At the 16,000 square metre standard Mega jetty being developed at Ipakodo area of Ikorodu, he reiterated the commitment of government to ensure intermodal transportation is adequately developed for the state, which has vast waterways.

According to him, when fully operational, the jetty has a capacity to hold 250 cars parked along with BRT buses and to handle over 900 people in the sitting area.

The Commissioner said: “Ipakodo Jetty was one of the three jetties awarded in 2008 and has a capacity to hold a traffic volume of over four million and has such features as an arrival and departure lounge, ticket booths, shops, eateries, and offices at the upstairs and banking hall on the ground floor all fully air- conditioned.”

He said Ipakodo Jetty with facilities such as: park and ride, Lag Bus/ BRT Buses, publc toilets 33KVA transformer, 500KVA generating set to ensure 24 hours uninterrupted power supply is ready to kick start its operation but would have to wait for the other two in Badore and Osborne to completely reap the benefit of water transportation..

Hamzat also stated that with growing utilisation of the waterways by the citizens, the state government will continue to promote the policy of intermodal transportation.

Projects in Ikorodu Local Government Area visited include Ipakodo Jetty, Ibeshe road, Alhaji Borokini road, Awolowo road, Owutu road, Ikorodu combined High & Magistrate Courts, Oba Ayangburen Palace among others. .

Fed Govt committed to report on oil spills, says He said the agency is exploring avNOSDRA boss HE Federal Government is enues of enlisting the support of the committed to the implemen-

T

tation of the report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the clean up of communities affected by spillage in Ogoniland, Rivers State, Director-General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Sir Peter Idabor has said.

Instead of immediately implementing the report when it was released, the Federal Government had set up a Presidential committee to review it.

This action raised suspicions among the stakeholders who doubted the sincerity of the government to implement the report.

But while receiving the representatives of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Prof Ben Naanew, the Chairman of Provisional Council of MOSOP, and His Royal Highness Suanu T. Y

•’Ogoniland will be cleaned up’ From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Bariidam, the Gbenemene Bangha II and a member of the Provisional Council of the association in Abuja, the NOSDRA helmsman assured that the report would be implemented.

In a statement, the Head, Public Affairs of NOSDRA, Henshaw Ogubike, said as manager of all oil spills, the agency had played a major role in the Presidential Committee to understudy the execution of the UNEP report.

Stressing that the agency had carried out a thorough research on the implementation plan of the Ogoniland clean up project, he said it was robust and that the steering committee would involve monarchs from the area and other stakeholders.

Presidential Committee on the Implementation of the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta to enable the agency to train some Ogoni youths on spill management.

According to him, NOSDRA, in the meantime, was collaborating with the Rivers State government to implement the eight-point emergency measures arising from the UNEP report to ameliorate the plight of oil polluted Ogoni communities, including provision of clean water and relief materials and carrying out of medical survey to identify those suffering health problem as a result of oil pollution.

Earlier, he noted that their mission to NOSDRA was to ascertain the plan and level of commitment of the Federal Government on the execution of the report, stressing that the Ogoni in the country and Diaspora were very anxious about the project.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie UYING a second home Asst Editor shows a measure of success in one’s life. It really does not Find a registered real estate come cheap because owning a house agent; you don’t want to fall into is a desire that most people don’t the hands of cheats who will advermeet in their life time no matter how tise phony houses. When you deal hard they try. First home usually with a real professional you are rest come with some challenges and assured that he has a name to promistakes because the buyer is usutect and will play funny with you. ally so excited that about the whole A second home buyer must know idea that some details are left out. that doing his own legwork may be But in most cases as soon as the eudesirable and essential too, but hirphoria of owning a home the realing an experienced professional can ity sets on with some regrets here make the search easier. An agent and there with the owner that if he who specializes in home purchases ever had another chance he will try will make the time you spend and make good, putting into conhouse-hunting much more efficient sideration those things he thought and pleasurable as he will make didn’t matter. available more options and house In any case people are known to types to chose from. buy a second home for many reaLove everything about the secsons, including finding that perfect ond home you buy. It's important spot for the current status of the famto choose a location, type of home ily, a family vacation, investing in a and lifestyle that you can personrental property, and looking to the ally enjoy for years to come. Even if future for retirement. Whatever your second home is intended as an your motivation, here are some tips investment property, keep in mind that will help you make the purmarket fluctuations and the fact that chase the right fit for you with little you may have this home if no one stress and possible zero regret after else wants to rent it or buy it. the purchase.

Issues relating to The first instruction climate change have ‘Real estate is is to be thorough and also presented a chaldetailed enough by not just about lenge in terms of compiling a list of location, it's also flooding and other potential locations, natural disasters, it and then invests your about investing in will good also to time and not necessarlearn from the expethat lifestyle. ily your money at the riences of residents onset. It helps to start Single-family or landlords in this with places you have vicinity if they have homes require dreamed of living. such challenges that From there move more maintenance are exacerbated by up to visiting locathe weather. but offer more tions that interest you, When choosing spend a couple of a location, consider privacy, while days or weeks there, hobbies. preferably in a home condominiums your Whether you enjoy rather than a hotel, to the sun, warm really experience the take care of main- weather, a cold clilifestyle. You can also tenance issues mate, sporting actry and be more adtivities or just relaxand offer less venturous by taking ing will play a huge out time to go out at privacy’ part in selecting the night to experience geographical locathe night life if you are such a person tion of your second home. Additionthat hangs out at night. ally, you have to also consider the Research or study the area. This can size of your family in the present and be done in a couple of ways begin- the future, your acquired taste, nearning with the locals. Ask around to ness to place of worship, recreation, find out why they live there and what school, clinic, mall etc makes the location worth its while.

Above all take into account the Consider the type of second home time, distance and mode of transporyou would like to buy. Now you tation you're willing to endure to get need to decide the lifestyle you de- to your second house. Remember that sire. Real estate is not just about loca- it will be foolhardy to make the same tion, it's also about investing in that mistake the second time. Usually lifestyle. Single-family homes require when people buy their first home it more maintenance but offer more is usually a reaction from where they privacy, while condominiums take are coming from. So think well and care of maintenance issues and offer get it right! less privacy.

Finished space can add resale value

I

F you’re fortunate enough to have a basement in your home, you may have the potential for a substantial amount of additional living space right below your feet. But if you’re thinking of converting that cold and unappealing area to a warm and cozy new space, there are several things you’ll want to take into consideration first.

Is it safe?

One of the very first things you want to look at with any basement conversion is safety, and that can take a lot of different forms.

Is there convenient and safe access from inside the house in the form of a stairway that meets current building codes, or is there an exterior entrance that works for what you want to use the space for? Is there a sufficient amount of headroom? Would structural supports for the upper floors be in the way, and if so, can they be moved or altered to allow for the necessary space? If you’ll be

creating a sleeping room, is there safe and legal egress?

Is it dry?

Now we get down to what’s a big issue in a lot of basements, and that’s moisture. Newer homes are often designed with the proper drainage systems and exterior waterproofing to keep the basement areas dry and ready for building, but many older homes had basements — “cellars” — that were designed for cool storage and were never really intended to be occupied.

If you have a basement with ongoing or seasonal moisture issues, you need to consult with an experienced excavation contractor before you get started on a conversion project.

See what it would take to have a drain installed and have the exterior walls properly waterproofed, and perhaps have the exterior grade adjusted to change the flow of water runoff around the exterior of the home.

•Contributions, questions? e-mail: quichi3cities@yahoo.com

FIXTURES Bayern.M v Basel Inter Milan v Marseille

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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MARITIME Stakeholder faults ship repair policy

By Oluwakemi Dauda

A STAKEHOLDER in the maritime industry has faulted the Federal Government’s policy on ship repairs.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the operator Mr Funsho Badmus, said the government has not offered special incentives for the sector to promote and enhance efficiency in shipping-related services and make the country a hub.

He said ship building is capital intensive and urged the Federal Government to make special provision for capacity building in the industry.

He said local ship owners face difficulties in raising funds to facilitate improved business prospects.

Badmus said the facilities at the existing shipyards were highly inadequate when compared to what is required at the international level.

He said ship repairs business is highly competitive and should be supported by national policies and subsidies, adding that without government’s support, the growth of the industry would be difficult, adding that for the sector to grow, there should be incentives, such as lower taxes to offset the costs

NPA introduces vessel trackers

By Uyoatta Eshiet

•From right: Mrs Abba-Ibrahim; her colleague, Mr Uzoma Nkem Abonta and the Executive Director, Marine & Operation, NPA, Mr Sotonge Otomi, at the event.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Reps flay Calabar Port concession

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HE House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation has condemned the deplorable state of Calabar Port despite its concessioning five years ago.

Speaking during a visit to the port, the committee Chairman, Mrs Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, said it painted a bad picture of the port concessioning and privatisation programmes.

She said the panel would not allow the terminal operator to violate the agreement because “the concession was done to better the lives of Nigerians.”

She said: “With the presentation from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), it shows some of the terminals are in breach of the agreement they signed with the Federal Government and that is not acceptable to us.

It shows that the concession-

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

aires are not serious. ‘‘The breach in the agreement shows that in the last six years, there are jobs loss, revenue loss and no meaningful improvement in the terminals.”

The agreement stipulates projects to be executed in each of the terminals yearly.

Mrs Abba-Ibrahim urged the terminal operators to improve on their performance to avoid sanctions.

She urged the Federal Government and NPA to embark on immediate dredging of the port to accommodate bigger vessels and remove all wrecks on the waterways to boost maritime activities in the region.

Earlier, the management of Ecomarine Terminals Limited, Shoreline Logistics Nigeria Limited and Integrated Logistics Services, told the

panel that the government refusal to award the contract for the dredging of the channel to about 9.5 metre draught to accommodate bigger vessels is the bane of the port.

The operators complained about the low activities at the port and the shallow vessel approach draught of 6.4 metres, which they said is the most critical factor in harnessing the channel’s potential.

The General Manager of one of the terminals, who craved anonymity, accused the government and NPA, of paying lip-service to the port’s upgrade.

The Nation learnt that since the channel became operational over 20 years ago, the government has spent N11.7 billion on its dredging.

The first dredging was in 1996 for N3 billion and the second in 2006 for $56 million (N8.7 billion).

Navy seeks collaboration

• Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar

Two contractors, sources said, handled the N8.7 billion job.

While one was paid $26 million to dredge Km 0.46, the other allegedly collected $30 million to excavate Km 46-84. The contractors, the source alleged, abandoned the project in December 2007.

3,000 NPA retirees seek Jonathan’s intervention

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O fewer than 3,000 re tired workers of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, seeking his intervention in the payment of their pensions and gratuities.

The retirees, who sent the President a similar petition last year, left service 21 years ago.

They had gone to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to pursue the payment of their pensions and gratuities. The courts entered judgments in their favour, but NPA has yet to obey the verdicts.

By Taiwo Disu

The retirees also approached the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services for help. The attorneygeneral and the senators directed NPA managing director to comply with the May 2007 Supreme Court judgment.

In their letter, the retirees said: “Your Excellency, sir, it is an understatement to state that many of us have died in the course of the struggle to claim our statutory rights from a statutory entity in Nigeria and those of us who are still living are

doing so at the extreme grace of God. “Your Excellency sir, we must report to you that the managing director and his board are still challenging the jurisdiction and competence of the decided Authorities of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja. Our case was decided by Justices Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu, Niki Tobi, Ikechi Francis Ogbuagu, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad and Francis Fededo Tabai.

“We cannot continue to rely on the Nigeria Ports Authority management on its verbal statement since they are insincere in this matter.

They informed us that they will publish for verification exercise in the various national newspapers and payment, up till now nothing has been done. Nigeria Ports Authority is lying to us.

They want all of us to die so that they will pocket our money.

“We are law-abiding and well-disciplined citizens of Nigeria. That is the main reason we cannot be violent with the NPA management over our long sufferings since June 10, 1991.Our patience should prove our respect to NPA management and the nation at large.”

NPA to revive Koko port

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HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is studying how best the channels leading to Koko port in Delta State can be utilised, its Managing Director, Mr Omar Suleiman, has said.

He told The Nation that NPA is collaborating with the

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other investors to turn Koko port round.

NPA, he said, is committed to making the ports the preferred destination for cargoes for West and Central Africa by

providing the required infrastructure for their operations.

He said the dredging of the Escravos channel which leads to Warri Port was included in this year’s budget, adding that when approved, it would attract merchant ships into the

TO curtail insecurity, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has introduced a Vessel Tracking System (VTS) at the Calabar Ports.

The agency’s General Manager, Public Affairs Department, Chief Michael Ajayi, explained that it is aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic and protecting the marine environment. It will also protect adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from the adverse effects of maritime traffic.

On how the device works, he said it can interact with the traffic and respond to traffic situations in its area of operation.

He said the device is of two categories divided into three levels.They are port or harbour and a coastal while the services are information service, traffic organisation service and navigational assistance service.

Delta port.

“We are going to do everything possible to revitilise the Koko port. It is one of our priorities and we are determined to achieve it by the time our budget for this year is approved, “ he added.

THE Nigerian Navy has called on other government agencies operating in the maritime sector to collaborate with it in the war against incessant attacks by pirates on the nation’s territorial waters.

Outgoing Flag Officer commanding Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Real Admiral Emmanuel Obort, made the call last week at a send off party organised in his honour at the Naval Base in Apapa, Lagos.

He expressed displeasure at the high rate of pirate attacks, adding that this is the greatest challenge facing the Nigerian Navy. He said it can confront pirate attacks if all the agencies work together. He also said the collaboration could be named OP Prosperity, which would be used to checkmate the activities of pirates on the country’s waters and Benin Republic.

He further said with full co-operation, a lot could be achieved as long to checkmate piracy.

Real Admiral Armil replaced Obort at the command.

Port to establish court TO sanitise its environment, the management of Tin Can Island Port Lagos has concluded arrangement to establish a mobile court at the complex.

Sources close to The Nation said the move by the management is to curb the activities of miscreants, illegal traders, and illicit drivers in the port environment.

He said the move is to try those arrested immediately without keeping them in detention till the following day, before their appearance in court.

Also, noting that those that would be convicted without the option of fine will be taken to Kirikiri Prison and those with option of fine pay and let go.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Cross River State Resident Electoral commissioner speaks with Correspondent NICHOLAS KALU on the innovations that went into last month’s governorship election in the state and the next steps that should be taken before the next elections to guarantee credible polls.

‘There is need to take electoral reforms further’ ‘A situation now when H even the highest court in

OW would you assess the conduct and the outcome of the election you just conducted in Cross River?

We cannot judge ourselves, it is best that we leave the judgment of our performance to other stakeholders most especially the electorates, contestants, local and international observers who should be the best judge. The best criterion for judging the outcome of an election is the acceptability of the election results by the electorates as a true reflection of their votes and the perception of such acceptance by objective observers.

Nonetheless, what we are keen about is the process, improving it constantly in accord with our oath of office and oath of allegiance. For this latter reason, we have introduced some new approaches to improve on the process, such as improved training of election purpose staff and increasing the internal capacity of our full time staff, through needs analysis and purpose specific training and deployment. By this, I mean that we assess our staff and from this assessment we deploy them according to areas of strengths and weaknesses depending on the goal the commission wants to achieve and that is a credible and acceptable election.

What would you say accounted for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the governorship election Cross River?

First, there has been some measure of increased confidence in the commission following the outcome of the 2011 election. It is on record here in Cross River that unlike previous years, it was the first time that INEC property was not vandalized or people killed, thus no deaths were recorded, unlike in nearby states.

We still have no record of death or properties destroyed on account of the 25th Governorship election.

My interim observation is that it may be possible to conduct future election here in this state with minimal presence of police if the umpire remains absolutely neutral.

In addition, one of the underlying causes of crises and conflicts stem from party primaries, in this connection, the parties here have embarked on a fairly free and rancour free primaries. On that we must commend the political class for heeding our strident call on the need for internal democracy that led to a situation where there were no party primaries disputes in court prior to the election, this is very commendable. Also, the promptitude with which we dealt with offenders in the last election may have dissuaded potential offenders, showing that when people know that violations will be strongly sanctioned, they will obey rules.

What is novel in your preparation strategy for the election?

Basically we are building on what we did last year in the General Election by introducing new measures. The first was to embark on retraining of staff, such as EOs and AEOs, some of whom have been in these positions for as long as 20years, yet a needs analysis before the training showed that some of these staff are still grappling with the procedures and processes outlined and explained in the legislative framework for elections, that guides the outcome of acceptable election. And as stated earlier, after the training, posting was done to fit the organizational goals and vision of the evolving INEC in line with strategic Human Resources development as it relates to the state office. INEC is also working on other things that will improve the reliability of the ballot and results in future, but since such innovations require legislative approval, their feasibility has to be assured before they can be brought to the public domain. But the public can be rest assured that to safeguard their votes, the commission is not resting on its laurels.

How correct is the assertion that the outcomes of the 2011 and the recently conducted guber elections adjudeged by Nigerians, local and foregn monitors are a reflection of the disposition of the president and the leadership of your commission?

That is a statement of fact given the chequered history of elections conducted since 1959 up until 2007, except for the 2011 election under the lead-

the land, the Supreme Court in a string of cases appears to have no remedy for those who approach it for justice is worrisome and portends grave danger for our democracy, in that people who may have been found wanting for manipulating the electoral process have now been emboldened to do more in the future’

• Igini

ership of president Jonathan, a contestant who demonstrated exemplary statemanship by rising above partisan interest of non interference in the works of INEC. The pre independence election was influenced by the departing umpire, Britain to get a pre- determined outcome, the 1964/65,1978,1983 elections supervised by the then ruling parties and the military, dictated to the umpire the direction that the electoral outcomes should go.

But the 2011 election was a marked departure where a sitting president appointed a man like the current chairman, accepted and applauded by majority of Nigerians . The president himself declared that the choice of who becomes the president in the election should be decided

by Nigerians, that the loyalty of those appointed into INEC should be to Nigerians and not to himself as a president. He also warned that people should not rig nor kill to win election for him because his ambition was not worth the blood of any citizen.

These were profound and landmark statements that not only restrained overzealous supporters but defined the moral tone of the 2011 election, unlike the elections under successive leaders before him who saw and regarded the commission, be it FEDECO, NEC, NECON OR INEC as a department under their control and direction.

Now he has entered into our electoral history books as the first president of Nigeria who never interfered with the electoral process as a sitting president and a contestant.

Even when the commission in Cross River had issues with his party over congress election and he and other aspirants needed the votes of those delegates for the presidential convention, he never interfered.

It means that at the time of announcement of your appointment you had some doubts over independence of INEC and whether you should accept to serve?

Yes indeed, l had my worries given the long history of very respected people who accepted to serve, but came out with little or no reputation left because of lack of independence of the system then. Infact, INEC job was a graveyard of ruined reputations, if you don’t have certain core values and principles that you stand for as a person and should defend on behalf of the people. Those who occupy positions of trust, who think that money is everything in life because our value pyramid is upside down, who have no sense of shame, would obviously do everything to subvert the will of the electorates for money.

However, our willingness to serve; our motivation and the sincerity expected of us is for a higher collective desire to have a sustainable democracy rooted in free, fair and credible elections. But and as l have said earlier, the president sounded very re-assuring publicly that INEC would do its job without interferences

and that was why l accepted and all through, he kept faith with the promise. We urge him to maintain this attitude in order to deepen our democracy through improved periodic elections.

You were reported to have said that you are not happy with the judiciary. What exactly is the issue?

Frankly, like very many other Nigerians, I am very sad and worried over the way and manner the courts have handled election matters in the last few years particularly election petitions that emanated from the 2011 elections.

Electoral laws should be interpreted strictly in order to bring sanity to electoral process in this country. A situation now when even the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court in a string of cases appears to have no remedy for those who approach it for justice is worrisome and portends grave danger for our democracy, in that people who may have been found wanting for manipulating the electoral process have now been emboldened to do more in the future.

What is now the essence and benefit to our electoral dispute resolution, the amendment of the constitution to make the Supreme Court the final court when the final court will not act finally and resolve questions of doubtful mandate and legitimacy? May the judiciary not be the weak link in the line of defence of the rule of law, electoral due process and democracy that we risked so much to fight for and for which many died when its journey and prospect was less certain in this country.

Also, you directed all electoral officers to open official INEC LGA accounts as a condition precedent before receipt of electoral funds? what has been the situation?

I found it strange a practice when l came here, that public funds meant for elections were paid through the private accounts of electoral officers, because of this practice, the work of the commission in a local government was almost jeopardized when an electoral officer fell seriously ill and made election funds in his account inaccessible, that was how the practice came to my attention.

I found it most unusual because private funds and public funds must not mix. Commendably, the Headquarters of the Commission at all times can know what funds are available in the state INEC accounts, why should this not be the same with its local government offices? Cheerfully, this is now the case at least in Cross River state.

Why was election not conducted in Bakassi?

The guiding principle for conducting election anywhere is that elections are conducted where people were registered, and registration is done where people reside and vote using a legitimate voter register for the place in context. For the general election of 2011, INEC conducted registration in three ward Settlements of Ikang in Akpabuyo local government the upland settlement of some Bakassi people, Dayspring I,II and Qua Island, these areas are the un-ceded part of

Bakassi local government were people live, and as a follow up, elections , namely the state House of Assembly, National Assembly and Presidential elections of 2011, were conducted in those places, but the people at Ikang where the upland settlement of Bakassi is located, have continued to insist that the people in these islands be compelled to come to the settlement an existing local government of Akpabuyo to conduct elections.

By implication; they are compelling INEC to recognise the three wards of Ikang in Akpabuyo local government area as the only part of Bakassi LGA in line with the state law no 7, which is not the reality on the ground and in law, because the extant INEC delineation of polling units, a compendium of all the constitutionally recognized constituencies in Nigeria does not recognise this law. Unfortunately, local politics and multifarious motivations are so impelled by interests that they are unwilling to abide by existing template and they keep coming up with all forms of subterranean machinations to undermine these realities. For INEC, the law is sacrosanct.

After the last general election there was a strange related court judgement, in June 2011 which did not take into account these constitutional realities that INEC has appealed against.

Early signs of these crises first occurred at the Peoples Democratic Party primaries, which led to the exclusion of 30 delegates from Bakassi LGA from the primaries, on account of non conformity with this delineation reality.

It is, therefore, surprising that they hoped to carry this over to the elections. In any case the vaunted law No 7 and the boundary adjustment made to the Ikang area remains inchoate with regard to section 115 which states; ‘’where the boundary of any state constituency established under....this constitution are altered...that alteration shall come into effect after it has been approved by the National Assembly...’’ Until the National Assembly receives a return on the state boundary constituencies altered and a consequential order made, law No.7 and alteration remains inchoate until it meets the constitutional proviso, even though l believe that in a true federal system, l do not think that a desire by the people of Cross River or other states to either create LGAs or to adjust boundary should require the consent of a man from Delta state who is at the National Assembly. But for now, that is the position of the constitution.

What would you say about corruption of INEC officials like RECS and E.Os who are accused of manipulation of elections for millions?

Just as it is often said that a corrupt judge is the greatest danger to the society, so also are corrupt election managers the greatest danger to democracy, because an election umpire is like a judge, he performs a quasi judicial function, he presides over those who compete for power, who in turn preside over the values of society, therefore such people should not be involved in corruption, in fact the mere perception that such persons are corrupt is damaging to public confidence on the electoral process.

Here in Cross River State, there is already a post election evaluation on the integrity of all staff who participated in the elections, if anybody is found wanting, though we have found none yet, such a person will never be an election manager in this state under our watch because the full consequences would be visited on such staff or persons. We must show the direction of the law and define the moral tone by example. Therefore, if I am similarly found wanting, I should respect the office and resign, in fact I propose a five year jail term for those found with incontrovertible evidence of betraying public trust. This point underscores the importance of the Uwais Committee recommendation that a special Electoral Offenses Commission be set up, so that in cases where the electorates have evidentiary proof of election offenses on anyone, it should be dealt with expeditiously with its own procedures, and avoid the long procedures of our tribunals.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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POLITICS TOWARDS PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION Who succeeds Alhaji Abubakar Baraje as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) national chairman. The question will be answered on March 24. The process leading to the national convention started with the ward congresses on March 3. Last Saturday, in all the 774 local government areas, congresses were held to elect or return party leaders, thus preparing the way for Saturday’s state congresses. The local government congresses have shown how the state executives will emerge. Who are the strongmen in the states? Our Correspondents review the local government congresses and preview the state congresses, pointing out the state of the PDP nationwide.

Sarakis hold sway in Kwara

Osun: Oyinlola, Omisore, Ogunwale set PDP on fire I

N the last one week tempo has been heightened for prepara tion ahead of the state congress of the Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, where the executives to manage the affairs of the party would be elected on Saturday. Since the caretaker committee led by the former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly in the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration, Hon. Adejare Bello, is winding off to handover to a democratically elected executive this weekend, there have been intrigues and skirmishes within the party.

No fewer than four members initially registered their interest to run for the chairmanship of the party zoned to the Osun Central, comprising 10 local government areas. Few days to the state congress, the situation grew worse as five others joined the initial four candidates making race highly competitive. The Elders Caucus of the party in the state, according to an informed source, moved to save the situation as they sensed that some money bags in the party were trying to sponsor candidates, who they expect would do their biding. The elders called two meetings in Abuja and resolved that all interest groups should allow their candidates to be screened by the Elders’ Council.

Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was said to be the sponsor of a former senatorial aspirant in Osun Central, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo.

Senator Iyiola Omisore is godfather of a former chairman of Olorunda Local Government Area, Hon. Gani Ola-Oluwa while Senator Felix Kola Ogunwale is also in the race.

It was gathered that the nine candidates made their presentation before the elders, who eventually voted 16 against nine for Kayode Idowu and Gani Ola-Oluwa. It was

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

I

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

said that Idowu was articulate, versatile and communicates smoothly and top the list as the preferred candidate, unlike Ola-Oluwa, who is said not to be proficient in the use of the English language.

Elders like the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, former national deputy chairman South, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, former national vice chairman South West PDP, Senator Yinka Omilani, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, Senator Olu Alabi, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, former Osun State Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade and former Minister of Youths and Sports, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, met on the matter.

Others at the meeting were current national vice chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Ademola Landero and many others.

It was decided that elders who had shown preference for candidates should consider the party’s interest before their individual consideration. The elders argument was that if all the candidates were to face election, those who lost were likely to be aggrieved and work against the party.

While all the candidates agreed to be bound by the outcome of the meeting, it was said that only Gani Ola-Oluwa came out to say he had to report to his supporters before he could go with the elders’ decision.

•Oyinlola

A prominent supporter of Gani Ola-Oluwa, a former governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, faulted the decision of the Elders Council, saying he did not see the few on the council representing the wishes of the majority members of the PDP in the state. He said some of the elders supporting the candidacy of Kayode Idowu were out to impose him. Odeyemi queried the criteria used by the elders to drop one candidate for another.

“When they say Gani Ola-Oluwa could not speak English language, are they saying he is not qualified to lead the party. In Oyo State, Dejo Afolabi successfully led the PDP in the state despite the claims that he does not speak English. Gani OlaOluwa was the best chairman of PDP in the local government administration during his time. What some elements within the elders caucus of Osun State PDP are doing is undemocratic.”

He described the allegation that Gani Ola-Oluwa is in the race to help Omisore’s future political ambition as false. He wondered how an aspirant like him would work for Omisore’s ambition. He insisted that their candidate, Gani OlaOluwa, is set for the poll.

On Felix Kola Ogunwale’s ambition for the chairmanship seat, it was said that many people in the

•Omisore

PDP see him as Rauf Aregbesola’s agent while some say he could not be trusted because his frequent defection from parties suggest that politically he is not reliable. Some allege that he is too ambitious and might use the party’s chairmanship seat to prepare for his governorship ambition which he lost to Olagunsoye Oyinlola at the 2007 governorship primary.

In Osogbo Local Government, Senator Olu Alabi petitioned the party’s secretariat and prayed that the election was never held when he noticed that he had been sidelined and programmed to lose.

However, his petition was ignored and delegates have been elected. In Iwo Local Government, to win the national delegate election with 220 votes against Senator Sunday Fajimi’s 60, the old political warhorse, Chief Abiola Ogundokun had to expend all his resources Also, in Ayedade Local Government with 11 wards, only six wards participated and Senator Yinka Omilani was forced to kiss the dust, though petitions have trailed the exercise.

Saturday will bring out the worst or the best of the PDP in the state.

With the shadow of Governor Rauf Aregbesola seen in all parts of the state, and with egos of key leaders bruised by the selection of leaders at the local level, it is not yet clear if the party’s centre can still hold.

T is now one way traffic in nthe Kwara state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and this played out last weekend as party executives emerged through consensus.

The last election had polarized the party between Senator Olusola Saraki and former Governor Bukola Saraki. However, after the victory of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, a protégé of the former governor at the poll, both camps closed ranks.

In Kwara South and North Senatorial districts, the congresses were hitch-free. From Ifelodun to Baruten, Kaiama to Irepodun, Offa to Edu and Ekiti to Patigi local government areas the congress went on smoothly.

At the Ilorin South Local government the congress took place at Pake in the metropolis, the Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Adam, was unanimously returned for a second term.

The party secretary and the vice chairman in the council, Oba Suleiman and Saadu Ahmed were also returned.

The congress at Ilorin–South was held alongside the presentation of cars to the former ward chairman of Okaka ward 1 and ii by Lanre Daibu for exemplary leadership and performance.

The Chairman of Ilorin East, Dr Abubakar Ishola, “this is the first time leaders in the local government worked as a team in order to achieve the same goal.”

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Alhaji Mohammed Atolagbe said the attitude of the people the congress was indicative of that their support for the new executives.

The Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Transport and Utility, Alhaji Bibire Ajape expressed confidence that the executives would further advance the cause of the party.

Also speaking, ex- chief of staff to the then Governor Bukola Saraki, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Cook-Olododo urged the new executives good representation.

He said they should imbibe the virtue transparency as exemplified by Senator Bukola Saraki.

Longest serving state chairman bows out

T

•Governor Murtala Nyako, (right) and the Chairman of Local Governments Congress Committee for Adamawa, Mrs Vivian Anazodo (left), during the congress election at the party secretariat, Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area.

HE longest serving Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) state Chairman, Dr. Abdulmumini Vaki has bowed out.

He has occupied the seat in Taraba State for 11 years, becoming the longest serving state chairman of the ruling party in Nigeria.

His contribution has also given the PDP an unbroken four-term hold on power in Taraba, since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.Vaki came in 1999 as deputy chair, and contested and won the chairmanship in 2001. He was returned in 2005 for another term. The Turakin Gashaka (his chieftaincy title) officially stepped down last Saturday, ahead of the forthcoming state congress, for a new chairman to take the saddle.”It is time to quit and pave the way for others to try their luck”, Vaki said after the congress. Reading out his achievements, Vaki said.

He had presented candidates for the Taraba governorship elections three times and all his candidates won the polls.”I am looking forward to the

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

day I would present somebody, who would run for the presidency and win”, he added. Despite everything, Vaki’s political associates want him to contest for another term. But he said: “I am only interested for the party’s position in the North East zone or at the national level. But I am willing to accept any post at that level.”

• Vaki

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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POLITICS TOWARDS PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION

Anambra PDP crisis grows T

HE crises that have torn apart the Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State is yet to abate.

There are fears of fresh litigations following the ward and local government congresses as some of the heavyweights claim to have been sidelined.

Saturday’s state congress will be held as when the current chairman, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, still holds sway.

The problem in the party has been blamed for the loss it suffered against in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the governorship election of 2010.

Also, in the 2011 state and National Assembly elections, PDP which used to be unchallenged in the state, surrendered many seats to APGA, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Accord and Labour Party (LP).

For the Senate, though the party claimed two senatorial seats, till date, the Anambra North senatorial seat has not been settled as the seat remains vacant, while the South Senatorial zone’s seat remains in contention as a re-run was ordered by the Appeal Court in Enugu on December 22 last year.

The re-run will be between Chuma Nzeribe of APGA and Dr. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, both of PDP claiming to be the party’s candidates.

During the ward congress and last Saturday’s local government congress, those that matter in the party did not show up in the state as the exercise was alleged to have been abandoned by members of the party for the Uba family.

From what The Nation observed, only the faction of the party led by Chief Benji Udeozor was moving round the state for the congress,, while some of the party’s big shots were watching from Abuja .

The National Executive Council of the party (NEC) had appointed a seasoned politician and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Kanayo as chairman of the Congress Committee.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

The state chairman, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, described the congress as a nullity.

He said that there is a subsisting court ruling that the chairmanship seat of the party is not vacant.

Emeakayi said that the tenure of the current executive of the party in the state headed by him will last four years, with effect from October 26, 2010 when it was elected.

However, the chairman of the state congress committee, Hon. Enemo, told The Nation that the congresses were peaceful, adding that whatever anybody claims is the person’s opinion.

He said by Saturday, a new PDP chairman would emerge in the state adding that the tenure of Benji Udeozor had since expired.

Enemo said, “there is no court ruling in favour of anybody whatever anybody claims is not tenable, this move by the national body of our great party has been applauded by all and sundry. So, I do not know where that claim is coming from.”

Other leaders of the party are preaching unity. Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme said that people working at across purposes would not do any good to the party, adding that Anambra State belongs to the party and not any other, irrespective of the shortcomings.

Former governor of the state, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, said if the national body of the party had ordered for a congress in the state, it should go ahead to conduct it Mbadinuju did not fault the idea as he said it would equally give the party the room to come together.

The party is torn between those loyal to Chief Chris Uba and those opposed to his politics and leadership.

His opponents say his intention is to hijack the party by producing all the officers from ward to the state executive including being the king maker to the elected

•Uba

•Metuh

office holders in the state.

From what is playing out, now, the former chairman Chief Ben Udeozor seems to be the only candidate interested in the chairmanship of the party through this congress lineup while many others, including members of the national Assembly had been sending congratulatory messages to Emeakayi as the new chairman.

Bayelsa to build new PDP

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EADERS of the Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP in Bayelsa State have commenced moves to reconcile the various factions in the party.

The Ward and LGA Congresses took place amidst camaraderie as members came together to pick consensus leaders to pilot the affairs of the party at the local level.

In the past, such activities were met with sharp disagreements.

Elated with the peaceful outcome of the LGA Congress elections, Governor Seriake Dickson noted that his administration will take

From Isaac Ombe,

great pains to lay the foundation for a new PDP by building bridges of unity.

Dickson, who spoke shortly after Mr. Oyinkuro Bekeowei, emerged as the winner of the Sagbama Council Area PDP, his Council, also urged the new chairman to consolidate upon this foundation by bringing everybody in the party together.

“We are building a new PDP by laying blocks of unity. The party umbrella is big enough for every-

• Bayelsa State Governor, Seriaka Dickson (left) congratulating Mr Oyinkuro Bekeowei (right) shortly after winning the chairmanship election of the PDP local government congress in Sagbama.

body. We made efforts to bring back all those who left the party in annoyance and, today, they are back to the fold. So, you have a duty to promote unity and better understanding among members within and outside the local government area by bringing everybody together”, the governor maintained.

Also speaking in the same vein, the state chairman, Mr. James Dugo, pledged that the party would present the best persons to pilot the affairs of the party. “We are bringing credibility, consensus that nobody will be left out. We don’t want complaints of being left out, no. Even the little man must be given recognition”, said Dugo who noted that the outcome of the last Local Government Congresses in the state has shown that lasting peace will reign in the state PDP, stressing those past mistakes will be used to correct the future.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Fred Agbedi, noted that the party has been peaceful in its internal affairs.

The Political Adviser added that “ before now when an exercise like this is to hold, you would have seen lots of crisis, quarrels, attacks, fighting and all that, but the new government under Dickson has used its position to preach peace and understanding and collaboration.”

Uduaghan’s, Clark’s men split PDP in Delta From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government congress in Delta State has continued to generate controversy following allega tions of widespread malpractices.

As was the case during the ward congress, the party has split into several factions following the congress.

At the heart of the controversy was the election of the ward executives who are supposed to be delegates to the local government congress.

Many in the PDP fold have questioned the validity of the elections into executive positions at the ward and local government levels raising the spectre of inter-party wrangling.

A faction led by Chief Edwin Clark faction complained that it was schemed out , suggesting that some persons hijacked the reconciliation and harmonization process to promote personal interest, thus leaving out the traditional supporters of Chief (Clark)” The tenuous peace that existed between the major factions led respectively

by Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Clark appears to have snapped with the inconclusive ward congress.

The mutual suspicion occasioned by the conduct of the ward congress had implications for the local government congresses as the factions resorted to parallel congresses.

The Nation gathered that election of the local government party executive members was flawed after several violation of the party’s constitution including the non-dissolution of the present party executives.

This engendered a situation where the incumbent party chairmen in the various LGAs across the state participated in elections in which they were candidates.

The incumbent chairmen sold forms and screened aspirants for the congress in their respective L.G.A. The PDP local government congresses were held in more than one polling centre, resulting in the emergence of two or more candidates.

The congress in Ethiope West, Sapele, Oshimili South L.G.A witnessed the emergence of two candidates, forcing many party faithful to reject the results of the congress.

In Oshimili South L.G.A Chief Chibuzor Uwajeh emerged winner with another candidate emerging from a parallel congress.

In Ethiope West Isaac Ulebor was declared winner, another faction held a parallel congress with Chris Ogala declared winner A stakeholder in the party who spoke on condition of anonymity accused the present party executives in Oshimili South L.G.A of being in breach of PDP constitution by not relinquishing party positions prior to the congress.

According to him, the present executives should have been dissolved and a caretaker committee set up to oversee the local government congresses.

The source complained that the five-man team mandated from the party’s National Secretariat to conduct the congress has been hijacked by the State PDP leadership.

With the unfolding scenario, it appears the Governor Uduaghan’s faction has the upper hand with his loyalist emerging, but what is unclear is the outcome of the State Congress where a Chairman will be elected.

It is unclear was lies in stock for the incumbent PDP State Chairman, Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi.

Although Governor Uduaghan has reiterated that reconciliation efforts among the factions have been fruitful, observers say the days of Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi is numbered.

Many have singled out his return to the Clark faction as unpardonable and expect Uduaghan to exact retribution.

Wamakko in full control in Sokoto From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

T

HOSE who expected former Transport Minister Yusuf Sulaiman and Senator Gada to contest control of Sokoto Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the ward and local government congresses with Governor Aliyu Wamakko must have been disappointed. It was a clean sweep for the governor.

Governor Wamakko described the PDP as the ‘’ most organised party in the country.

He said: “I am extremely happy with the orderly and peaceful behaviour of all the members and delegates of the party.”

In the same vein, leader of the five-man delegation from the PDP national headquarters to supervise the exercise, Sergeant Awuse said,” we are only here to assist you as you had finished the entire job.

“Sokoto is the home of the PDP and we are proud of this. The party is united and intact,” Awuse said.

The state chairman, secretary and Treasurer, Alhaji Tukur Waziri, Alhaji Aminu Bello and Alhaji Muntari Maigona all attributed the unity and strength of the party in the state to the” dexterity and humility” of Wamakko.

Metuh moves for national office From Chris Oji, Enugu

O

UTGOING national vice chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East zone, Mr Olisa Metuh, has declared his inten tion to run for the position of the national Publicity Secretary of the party in the coming convention.

Metuh, one time zonal youth leader of the party told reporters in Enugu that having served the party faithfully for close to 11 years, he chose to specialise in party administration.

“Having served the party in various capacities, as ex-officio member of the party, as zonal youth leader as the acting national auditor and now national vice chairman I have decided to run for the national publicity secretary,” he said.

He said he was running for the position primarily because it is one of the offices zoned to the South east by the national working committee.

He said his performance as leader in the zone had prepared him for the task. He said, he was able to do that in the South East as “we have stable party in the South East, especially in Abia, Enugu , Imo and Ebonyi. We had turbulence about two years ago but we were able to surmount it and present the party in good light and in peace, unity and harmony.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

48

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Hunk (4) 3. Border on (4) 5. Fiend (3) 6. Standard (4) 9. Recedes (4) 12. Age (3) 14. Cereal (4) 15. Informal Course (7) 18. Hermaphrodite (2) 19. Consumed (3) 20. About (2) 22. Employs (4) 24. Part of Feather (4) 26. Wandered (5) 27. Examine (4) 28. Path (4)

1.Remit (4) 2.Lusterless (3) 3.Imitate (3) 4.Trial (4) 7. Green Area (5) 8. Edible Grass (3) 10. Snake (3) 11. Nobleman (5) 13. Illuminated (3) 16. Bricklayer (5) 17. At No Time (5) 18. Youths (4) 21. Ward off (4) 23. Period (3) 25. Fuss (3)

MINI-SUDOKU

Fill in the blank spaces in the grid such that every column, row and 2 by 3 box contains the numbers 1-6.

SHowBiTzz

Eddie Murphy May Host 2012 Oscars

POETRY Always there for you You are friendly, kind and caring Sensitive, loyal and understanding Humorous, fun, secure and true Always there... yes that’s you.

Special, accepting, exciting and wise Truthful and helpful, with honest eyes Confiding, forgiving, cheerful and bright Yes that’s you... not one bit of spite.

The decision will be announced soon after a meeting of producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer and Academy of Motion Pictures President Tom Sherak, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Rumors of Murphy’s nomination surfaced on a Web site that covers black comedians and entertainment.

The reasoning behind Murphy as host is to return to the more popular single-comedian host format. The recent two-actor or two-comedian duos haven’t been as successful with viewers.

However, Murphy has not been featured live on stage in about 25 years and his film career hasn’t been on fire as of late, aside from voice work in the “Shrek” series.

Other names being considered for the role include Billy Crystal and Jerry Seinfeld.

Pep Talk

Jack decided to go skiing with his buddy, Bob. They loaded up Jack’s station-wagonand headed north. After driving for a few hours, they got caught in a terrible blizzard. They pulled into a nearby farmhouse and asked the attractive lady of the house if they could spend the night.

“I’m recently widowed,” she explained, “and I’m afraidthe neighbors will talk if I let you stay in my house.”

“Not to worry,” Jack said, “we’ll be happy to sleep in the barn.”

You’re one of a kind, different from others Generous, charming, but not one that smothers Optimistic, thoughtful, happy and game But not just another... in the long chain.

Nine months later, Jack got a letter from the widow’s attorney. He called up his friend Bob and said, “Bob, do you remember thatgood-looking widow at the farm we stayed at?”

Appreciative, warm and precious like gold Our friendship won’t tarnish or ever grow old You’ll always be there, I know that is true I’ll always be here... always for you.

- Angela Lee Hillsley

“Yes, I do.”

Do you know....

1.Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner. What’s her famous name?

2.In the wake of the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1990, a classic U.S. motion picture made its debut in the Soviet Union under the title, “Unesennye Vetrom.” What is the English title of the film?

3.In April 1989, student demonstrations in Beijing were brutally suppressed and lead to hundreds of deaths. What were students protesting at the rallies that resulted in the Tiananmen Square massacre of June 3 to 4?

4.In 1984, two bodyguards assassinated this prime minister who they were assigned to protect.

Answers

1.Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Born in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia 2.The English title is “Gone With the Wind.”

3.They were mourning the death of Hu Yaobang. Yaobang had been ousted as the Communist’s secretary two years earlier.

4.India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1917-84) was assassinated by her bodyguards. In 1991, Mrs. Gandhi’s son, Rajiv Gandhi, suffered a similar fate, albeit not at the hands of his bodyguards

Eddie Murphy has emerged as a top candidate to be the master of ceremonies for the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood, event officials say.

HUMOUR FARMHOUSE WIDOW

“Did you happen to get up in the middle of the night, go up to the house and visit with her?”

“Yes, I have to admit that I did.”

“Did you happen to use my name instead of telling her your name?”

Bob’s face turns red and he said, “Yeah, I’m afraid I did.”

“Well, thanks! She just died and left me everything

Man on Deathbed As he lay on his deathbed, the man confided to his wife, “I cannot die without telling you the truth. I cheated on you throughout our whole marriage. All those nights when I told you I was working late, I was with other women. And not just one woman either, but I’ve slept with dozens of them.”

His wife looked at him calmly and said, “Why do you think I gave you the poison?”

Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than before. - Polybius

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

Gov. Jang: The cleric, iconoclast as servant-leader

By Chris Gyang

H

E has brought a rare mix of personal integrity, vision and, most significantly, rectitude to bear on the art of governance. This, in a country where leadership is routinely seen as the easiest means to personal wealth and aggrandizement. To Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, his foray into politics was anchored on his strong desire to utilize it as a platform to further his calling as an ordained pastor.

And when he was elected governor, he saw the leadership position it conferred on him mainly as his pulpit for propagating the Word while at the same time meeting the material needs of the people. Viewed from that perspective, the governor has set a very outstanding record for having made the most phenomenal impact on the physical landscape of the state. Ranging from the magnificent Gada Biyu fly-over to the myriads of dualized highways and breath-taking bridges all round the state, the governor’s revolutionary agricultural projects have even become a key reference point for the Federal Government in Nigeria’s quest to attain self-sufficiency in food production. In fact, the Federal Government has on many occasion expressed the desire to adopt the system the state has applied through the Agricultural Services and Training Centres which is gradually, but surely, transforming agriculture into a highly lucrative venture in the state.

Once described by a former national chairman of the PDP as ‘recalcitrant’, for his principled and dogged stand on issues pertaining party disciple, Governor Jang is not one to brook immorality, vice and corruption. Neither has he been known to walk away when confronted by injustice. He would gladly say the truth not minding whose ox is gored and suffer for the truth no matter how many people are on the other side. Which is why his image as an iconoclast has gained wide currency within and outside the country, especially in the wake of the recurring Jos crises. The governor believes that as a cleric and servant-leader, he owes God and the people he leads the responsibility of being forthright in order to serve as a worthy role model and committed shepherd.

For instance, while the state’s detractors would want to hoodwink the world into believing that Governor Jang is the cause of the Jos crises, the patriotic citizens of the state know otherwise. The truth is that the crises would have long since snowballed into a major national conflict had someone else not possessing Jang’s rare qualities been governor. The people were unequivocal in this belief and proved this by massively voting to give him a second tenure. As a matter of fact, but for Jang, the minority tribes that own Jos would have been dispossessed of it through the machinations of certain interests - which, in any case, would have been yet another cause of crisis in itself.

Furthermore, while other leaders would naturally prevaricate or pontificate in accordance with standard political correctness, the governor is legendary for his directness once he is fully convinced that his cause is right, just and in the interest of his people and fatherland. It was, therefore, the patriot in him that inspired him into becoming one of the most vociferous proponents of the total removal of fuel subsidy when the national debate on the matter raged.

Bitter as the removal would have been, he saw in it long term benefits that would far outweigh the perceived benefits derivable from continuing with it. And from the mind-boggling revelations we have so far heard from the probes of the fuel subsidy by both arms of the National Assembly, there is little doubt that the so-called subsidy has chiefly been a monumental fraud by which the nation’s commonwealth has been audaciously diverted into making a few Nigerians outrageously rich. No doubt, Nigerians are anxiously awaiting the outcome of those probes.

Then we shall truly know whether or not people like Governor Jang were on the side of truth, and the suffering masses of Nigeria.

Of course in an environment where moral rectitude and leadership are essentially viewed as strange bed-fellows, it is only natural that men of Jang’s convictions will come against stiff resistance from entrenched forces that had milked the state before his advent. However, determined to cleanse the Augean Stables and set the state on the path probity and accountability, during his first tenure, he blocked the major drainpipes through which corruption had thrived and streamlined the administration of the state’s finances in line with laid down laws. The governor was doing this in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to the people of the state. While on the hustings before the 2007 gubernatorial elections, he promised Plateau people that, rather than personally pocket and share out the remnants of the state’s resources to a privileged few, he would dutifully gather the monies and conscientiously plough them into meeting the enormous socio-economic needs of the people of the entire state.

But even before the end of his first tenure (and in spite of the persistent crises that rocked Jos and neighbouring areas), the fulfillment of that pledge had become self-evident. Not only had the physical landscape of the state been dramatically transformed in an unprecedented manner, a new consciousness was beginning to take root in the minds of the people. Where the relationship between the leadership and the led had hitherto been akin to that of master and slave (with the attendant suspicions and distrust), Governor Jang clearly demonstrated that democratic governance is basically at the ordinary people’s behest, it could be trusted and partnered with and, to boot, is meant to practically serve them in a way that should have a far reaching and wholistic impact on their very lives. At the root of this is his passionate belief that the true leader must positively slave for the people, make sacrifices in order to change their conditions of living and, where necessary, even make the supreme sacrifice on their behalf.

Well aware that that imminent consciousness sweeping across the state could only flourish and prevail if it is sown on fertile ground, the governor envisioned a unique and futuristic plan of strategically making youth the fulcrum of his administration. Today, they are at the vanguard of policy formulation as they make up the largest part of political appointees. And at every step and opportunity, he has ensured that they are given positions of responsibility and, or, empowered. The reasoning here is that the youth should be comprehensively mentored in order to effectively equip them for the onerous challenge of stepping into the shoes of the governor’s generation who will soon be quitting the stage. To be sure, only a selfless and foresighted leader would have the wisdom and courage to even contemplate this.

More than anything else, it is the uncommon wisdom, foresight and courage that we celebrate as the Governor Jang celebrates, on March 13, his 68th birthday – only two years before he attains that biblically ripe age of three score and ten. Yet, the very depth and quality of that wisdom, foresight and courage are the preserve of sages and come rare in Jang’s peers. Happily, this means that in the years to come, the people of Plateau State and indeed Nigerians as a whole will still have much, much, more to relish from the bounties of this refreshing fountain because, like vintage wine, it gets better with age.

Happy birthday, Baba Jang - the ‘construction wizard’. *Gyang is the Personal Assistant to Governor Jang. He can be reached at Gyel25@yahoo.com

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-3-12

NSE index returns to 21,000 basis point T HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) AllShare-Index at the close of business yesterday returned to the 21,000 points after the brief drop recorded on Friday to close at 2,091.36 points.

Specifically, the index improved by 141.34 points while the market capitalisation of listed equities also appreciated with N44 billion to close at N6.656 trillion, representing an increase of 0.67 per cent each However, market analysts tied these performances to improved gains by heavy weight stocks such as Nestle Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria and Zenith Bank. This made the lead indicator; ASI to

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

record a quick recovery, breaking through the 21,000 psychological points, the third time within five days.

On the gainers table, Guinness led with a price gain of N11.50 to close at N241.50 followed by Dangote Flour, with N0.22 to close at N4.62. Also on the table were Nestle’s gain of N22.07 to close at N463.61 and Conoil’s N1.22 to close at N25.72.

Other stocks that instrumentally boosted activities’ log in terms of market value were Oando, UBA, Lafarge Wapco, NAHCO, GT Bank, Access Bank and Dangote Flour.

On the losers’ table,

Berger paint led with a drop of N0.40 to close at N7.60 followed by Dangote Sugar with a price drop of N0.19 to close at N3.61. Also on the table were Live stocks, Presco, Okomuoil palm, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, Union Bank and Gold Insurance.

Total transacted volume dropped to 288.96 million, valued at N4.46 billion in 4,165 deals, compared with 596.76 million shares, worth N4.74 billion in 4,015 deals posted on Friday. The volume and money spent, dropped by 51.6 per cent and 5.9 per cent respectively.

Zenith Bank topped the activity chart. It traded 99.22 million shares valued at N1.36 billion in 686 deals. United Bank for Africa, Nigerian Breweries, Access Bank and Goldlink Insurance were other equities that recorded significant volume.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-3-12

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

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MONEY LINK

‘Confidence in banking sector rising’ T

•Rewane: CBN will keep rate unchanged

HE confidence in the banking sector is rising by the day, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Bismarck Rewane, has said.

Speaking at the March Breakfast Meeting at the Lagos Business School, he explained that after the banking reforms that increased banks’ adherence to sound risk management practices, more confidence is building in the sector.

He explained that the February inflation will rise to 13.5 per cent and that the revised budget will be passed in April.

Rewane said the Central Bank of Nigeria may keep interest rates un-

Stories by Collins Nweze

changed again in March, which would push the naira to N156 to the dollar in the official and N159 to a dollar in the parallel market.

The subsidy removal, he argued, has led to a disproportionate reduction in income and nominal macrolevel reduction of five to 10 per cent of personal income, indicating that negative income effect of the removal is magnified.

Rewane said Nigerians are facing

billion in the first quarter, while external reserves rose by 5.5 per cent to $34.7 billion over the December figure.

He explained that misery index, which captures inflation and unemployment is 36.5 per cent, while unemployment rate alone is at approximately 23.9 per cent but global report suggest that poverty is declining globally.

He said a number of people in the world living in abject poverty has declined by 50 per cent since 2005, with China making the greatest strides

increased budgetary constraints, resulting in consumption substitution at micro and macro-levels. He said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth data for the first quarter is not available but would be reduced by the strike , by an estimated 5.5 per cent to six per cent. Money supply growth is estimated to increase by five per cent to 14 per cent, while the net outflow from CBN with Open Market Operation will be N199.2 billion.

Rewane said foreign exchange sales went down by 11.56 per cent to $1.697

through moving 660 million of its 1.3 billion population out of poverty.

Rewane said inflation spiked to 12.6 per cent on the back of 49 per cent increase in fuel price, while food inflation rose sharply to 26.7 per cent from 8.6 per cent in December.

“The reduction in subsidy has restored sanity to the petroleum importation market, adding that this will lead to a reduced pressure on the naira in the forex market and appreciation of the local currency. The retention and possible accretion of reserves, due to high oil prices, to over $40 billion unanticipated fiscal revenue growth of 10 per cent in 2012 to N3.6 trillion,” he said.

Banks lure merchants with free PoS customer.

The Nation learnt that merchants and retailers at strategic business environments are being targeted by banks to ease implementation of their e-payment policy.

An official of one of the banks, who spoke under condition of anonymously because is not authorised to speak on the matter, said banks have included marketing of merchants as part of their intelligent marketing schemes.

“You know e-payment is where everybody is going and banks have to ensure that they are not left behind in the ensuing competition.

They are also aware that merchants are critical to the success or otherwise of their e-payment initiatives,” he said.

In terms of infrastructure, the Bankers’ Committee said the apex bank is working with the Nigeria Communication Commission

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

T

HERE is intense competition among banks to get merchants subscribe to their Point of Sale (PoS) Terminals free of charge. The banks are not only scheming to install the PoS at no costs for the merchants, but are promising to drastically reduce the 1.25 per cent transaction charge per

devices do not hold the money,” it said.

To make the platforms secure and reliable, the Committee said all PoS must have a minimum of two SIMs from telecommunication operators, even as there is minimum of 24 hours battery life, and sometimes, car charges are at-

(NCC) and telecommunications operators to ensure there are dedicated communication links for PoS system in the country. It said PoS is key to successful implementation of the cash-less banking initiative, while assuring of its security. “If the PoS or mobile phone is stolen, the money for the user is safe as the

Firm adopts Equator Principles

A

TERIOS Capital, a young financial services company, has formally adopted the Equator Principles. Launched in June 2003, the Equator Principles commit financial institutions to ensure that the projects they finance promote socially responsible development and reflect sound environmental management practices.

A statement from the firm, said,

the broad objectives of the Equator Principles are a complete fit with Aterios Capital’s drive to lead responsible investments in infrastructure and agriculture.

“We believe that the potentials in these two sectors can be unlocked to drive development in Nigeria while maintaining the highest standards of corporate citizenship,” says Olabode Abikoye, CEO of Aterios.

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

OBB Rate Call Rate

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 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GUINNESS DANGFLOUR NESTLE CONOIL JBERGER UBA NAHCO UPL CONTISURE UAC-PROP

O/PRICE

230.00 4.40 441.54 24.50 24.93 2.64 6.95 3.30 0.88 10.45

Current Before

C/PRICE

CHANGE

241.50 4.62 463.61 25.72 26.17 2.77 7.29 3.46 0.92 10.90

11.50 0.22 22.07 1.22 1.24 0.13 0.34 0.16 0.04 0.45

O/PRICE

BERGER DANGSUGAR LIVESTOCK PRESCO OKOMUOIL CCNN UBN GOLDINSURE IKEJAHOTEL ASHAKACEM

8.00 3.80 1.21 8.93 22.00 5.30 5.76 0.65 1.56 10.99

C/PRICE

CHANGE

7.60 3.61 1.15 8.49 20.92 5.04 5.48 0.62 1.49 10.50

0.40 0.19 0.06 0.44 1.08 0.26 0.28 0.03 0.07 0.49

Date

150m

150m

150m

155.8

29-2-12

138m 113m

138m 113m

138m 113m

155.8 155.7

27-2-12 22-2-12

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) 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)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

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% 12.6%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 1,177.37 99.76 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,666.70 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,137.57 193.00 1.67

9.08 1.00 1,160.06 99.49 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,663.73 7.84 1.33 1.80 6,953.84 191.08 1.62

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND FIDELITY NIGFUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE

LOSER AS AT 12-3-12 SYMBOL

Rate (N)

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

Parallel Market SYMBOL

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 12-3-12

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

After barely 15 months in business, Aterios Capital’s private equity fund is acquiring assets in the agricultural sector across Nigeria, including fruit concentrate manufacturers, silos, oil palm plantations, grains farms and livestock breeders.

All these assets will be managed in full compliance with the Equator Principles as is expected of all the Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs).

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

tached.

The Committee disclosed that the literacy required in operating the PoS is minimal as many Nigerians can use a mobile phone needed to make mobile payments. Besides, biometrics is being installed in some ATMs and PoS to further check fraud in the industry.

• KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

• AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

NEWS Edo council boss denies defection

T

HE Transition Committee Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government in Edo State, Anslem Agbabi, has denied reports that 4,000 members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Agbabi told reporters yesterday that the supposed ACN defectors were members of the PDP. He alleged that the defec-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

tion was planned by former Commissioner for Agriculture, Tunde Lakoju, to show PDP leaders that the party would win the locality in the July 14 governorship election.

According to him, “nobody has left the ACN to the PDP. It was PDP that paid its members to pose as ACN members.”

‘Shell, compensate us’ From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

A

GROUP, Concerned Youths for Niger Delta Development, has urged the federal and state governments to prevail on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to pay compensation for the damage caused by the oil spillage in Oviri-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government of Delta State.

The group said since the spill occurred on August 31 last year, the community is yet to recover from the damage.

It said 33 ponds and over 20 acres of farm land with crops were destroyed.

The group, in a statement by its President, Henry Omoko, Secretary Vincent Akpos and Spokesman Omokete Stanley, said Shell has not compensated the community.

DPO dies in Rivers

T

HE Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ozuoba in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Abdul Hussain, has died in a road accident.

It was leant that Hussain attended a meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess at the old Government Reservation Area (GRA), near the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday evening.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

The DPO was returning home, when his driver, a policeman, lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle reportedly hit a tree. Hussain died instantly, it was learnt.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam confirmed the incident and said: “I am still awaiting the details.”

PUBLIC NOTICE CHRIST’S PROPHETIC INTERNATIONAL CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under the part C of Companies and Allied Matters Acts, CAP 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Afolabi Segun Timothy - General Overseer 2. Sister Afolabi Amudat Motunrayo - Member 3. Ajibike Francis Ajinde - Secretary 4. Pastor Oke Titus Olukayode - Member 5. Afolabi Ayooluwa Elijah - Member 6. Faniyi Femi Moses - Member 7. Mr Okunlola Sijuwade Emmanuel - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

To propagate the gospel of the kingdom of God 2.

To embark on personal and mass evangelism 3.

To help the poor and needy 4.

To bring deliverance and healing through preaching and revivals.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to Registrar – General Corporate Affairs Commission, P.M.B. 198, Plot 420, Tignis Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Steet, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed by: BARR. M. O. AGBOOLA Christ the Advocate House, Osogbo.(07065610383)

PUBLIC NOTICE LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OCCUPANCY

OF

LAGOS STATE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY NO. 83/83/1988L dated 20th October, 1988 issued in the name of the University of Ilorin covering Plot 927/928, Block XXXIIIA Omole Residential Scheme II, is hereby declared missing.

All enquiries, useful and relevant information should please be directed to the solicitors, Messrs ROTIMI SANNI & CO. of Suite 951, 9th Floor, A Wing, Western House, 810 Broad Street, Lagos.

Tel. 0803 -3375363

Or 0805 -5977412.

Five killed in renewed cult clashes in Bayelsa A STUDENT of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa State, has been killed in a renewed cult clash.

Four persons, including a woman, were also killed in another attack.

Sources said the NDU student was killed at a restaurant on Azikoro Road at about 5pm on Sunday.

They said when he was being taken to a hospital, there were sporadic gunshots which led to the death of four others.

There was confusion and most business outlets in the area hurriedly closed.

Those who knew the victim said he matriculated on Sat-

• Govt sets up committee

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

urday.

It was gathered that he had earlier argued with his attacker in a hotel.

He reportedly left for the restaurant after the scuffle and was said to have been shot later.

Another report said there was a shootout between the convoy of an ex-militant and a cult group that attacked the NDU student.

Four persons, including a woman, were killed during

the attack.

Police spokesman Emokpae Eguavoen, however, said only two persons were killed.

He said six persons had been arrested.

“The state command has launched a manhunt for cultists involved in the clashes and we would soon get them,” said the spokesman.

The community appealed to the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and mobile police authorities to establish a base in Amassoma.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Daniel Iworiso Mackson, said the government would set up a security task force.

The statement reads: “Government is set to unveil its Task Force on Security.

“Our Task Force on Security will comprehensively enforce this policy to the letter.

“It is pertinent to state clearly the willingness and firm resolve of this administration to confront the various security issues thrown up by cult groups and militants.”

The statement said 15 cult members had been arrested earlier in clashes by cult activities.

Lecturer’s son arraigned for alleged kidnapping

T

HE Akwa Ibom State Government is to arraign the son of a university professor, Kubiatabasi Ibanga, for alleged kidnapping, it was learnt yesterday.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Assam Assam (SAN), told reporters that Ibanga’s gang was one of the deadliest in the state.

His words: “This was one of the deadliest gangs that operated in the state.

It was involved not just in kidnapping but robbery.

“It allegedly masterminded major robberies in the state, including the

•Court to try policemen Prison controller for security council

A

KWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akpabio has approved the inclusion of the State Controller of Prisons as a member of the State Security Council.

Akpabio announced this when the Assistant ControllerGeneral of Prisons and Zonal Coordinator, Mike Nweze, visited him.

The governor said this was to enable the Controller of Prisons to assist in the administration of justice in the state.

He commended the state prisons service for assisting to change the lives of inmates and pledged to set up skills acquisition centres in the prisons.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

robbery of the Equatorial Trust Bank worker on Abak

Road and a deluge of kidnappings in the state.

“It is most unfortunate that Kubiat Ibanga is the

son of a professor and with his brother, who is now at large, has terrorised this town for years.

“This state is determined to get to the root of this matter. Because when enquiries were being made about these men, it was said that the government was witchhunting their father because he wanted to be the vice chancellor of the University of Uyo. “But these young men allegedly killed two bankers, two policemen in one day and on another day killed two bankers and two policemen.”

The attorney-general said 14 kidnap cases were reported, of which nine were in court and the others awaiting opinions and assignment.

Justice Eno Isangedighi of an Uyo High Court is to begin an accelerated trial of two policemen accused of kidnapping next Wednesday.

The government had last week sued the policemen for alleged kidnapping.

CPL. Saturday Okori and CPL. Friday Udoh were said to have allegedly collaborated with six others to kidnap Mohammed Umaru a.k.a Alhaji Umaru Barkindo at Mbikpong village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government on November 25, last year.

All the accused were also alleged to have kidnapped Dr. Ini Enang on August 1, last year, at No 7, Medical Avenue, Afaha Ube Itam, in Uyo. The other suspects are: Walter Udo, Udo Etim, Etido Nyong, Edem Okon, Udo Akpaetuk and Umoh Ukpong.

Nyong is said to be at large while Ukpong reportedly died in police custody.

Nyong was granted bail but fled after his bail conditions were met.

At the resumption of hearing, Justice Isangedighi struck out the names of Nyong and Ukpong for accelerated hearing.

The judge adjourned the matter till March 21.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

57

NEWS Obasanjo in India FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo is in India on a five-day visit. He arrived in the Asian country yesterday accompanied by a ninemember delegation, including prominent businessmen.He is expected to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and deliver a speech on “IndoAfrican Partnership in Development” organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs.

Obasanjo’s visit is also to encourage greater bilateral economic synergy, a statement by the Indian External Affairs Ministry yesterday said. In 1997, India bestowed the “Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development” upon Obasanjo. He was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2000.

EFCC gives N34.6m to families of dead officials

W

ITH a heavy heart, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday presented over N34.6 million terminal insurance benefit cheques to the families of four dead officials.

He said the commission owes the deceased, who died between June 2010 and January, last year, an obligation to ensure that their death was not in vain.

The list of the dead and the accruing insurance benefits are as follows: Alhassan Mathew (N10,047,306.43); Nandir

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

Daniel(N4, 673,962.02); Sunday Owai (N13,182,438.50); and Enoma Orishemola(N6, 720.598.80).

The EFCC chairman, who was emotionally overwhelmed, at the cheques presentation to the next of kin of the deceased, said: “This is a solemn occasion; I will not be able to entertain any question.

Please, bear with me gentlemen of the press.”

He said the widow’s mite was meant to alleviate the

hardship of their loved ones.

Lamorde said: “If I had a choice, I would have wished that the circumstances of our meeting were different.

“This event is sad reminder of the fact of our mortality; of the road everyone must travel. If it were within our powers, I am sure each one of us would have liked to control the circumstances of his or her passage.

“However, death is one fact of our existence and sojourn on earth, which lies totally beyond our control. And because of –or in spite of- its inevitability, death often leaves

in its wake so much grief, in addition to the irreversible permanence of the loss and other consequential outcomes.

“Even if we wanted, wished and prayed for our dear departed colleagues to still be with us today, the fact unfortunately is, they have left us at their appointed time and we can only pray to Almighty God to grant them eternal peace and rest.

“While there is nothing any of us can do about death, there is something we can -and duty charges us to- do for our departed colleagues.

“We owe the families they

Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi, others for book presentation

By Joseph Jibueze

PHCN official killed THE Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company has announced the death of its Assistant General Manager (Human Resources, Admin and Services) Michael Bamidele Obadimeji.

Obadimeji was killed during an attack by robbers on March 3, at Papo Village, on the outskirts of Ibadan metropolis.

His ash colour Toyota Avensis salon car with registration number FGN 994 P41 was taken away by the robbers. The Oyo State Police Command has begun the probe into the robbery.

The late Obadimeji, who is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management is survived by an aged mother, a wife and children. Funeral arrangement will be announced by the family.

Niger Delta group plans protest From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

AN environmental rights group, Agape Birthrights will today stage a protest in Abuja over environmental degradation and pollution of oil, bearing communities in the Niger Delta by multinational oil companies.

At a news conference, the group’s President, Ms. Annkio Briggs said the cries of the Niger Delta people against the “careless and heartless ways the oil companies and the Federal Government have handled issues of destruction of the Niger Delta environment was well known.”

According to her, the group would continue to condemn and agitate against the violations of human/ environmental rights of the oil-producing communities and demand for social justice.

“If there is anything new about what we are expressing, it might just be that this is the very first time the peoples of Niger Delta are marching on the streets of their nation’s capital to draw attention to the death sentence they face as a result of the environmental racism and terrorism perpetrated by oil companies, tacitly supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria”

left behind, our widow’s mite to help alleviate whatever hardship they may face over the loss of their loved ones.

“And beyond that, we owe it to their memory, and indeed, to all Nigerians, to make sure that their deaths will not be in vain. We will not rest until the course of justice is fully served.

“Today in addition to the duties we have continued to discharge as individuals and as an organisation, we are making a formal presentation of the terminal insurance benefits of our departed colleagues to their families.”

F

•Lamorde (right) presenting a N10 million cheque to Danladi, one of the deceased’s son…yesterday. With them is EFCC’s Director, Organisation Support Mr. Bolaji Salami

Fed Govt: our foreign policy ‘ll be tit for tat 88 ambassadorsdesignate inducted

T

HE Federal Government yesterday challenged its ambassadors on the protection of Nigerians abroad.

It was at the induction course for 88 ambassadorsdesignate in Abuja.

Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru said their (ambassadors’) primary duty is to protect Nigerians in their country of assignment.

South Africa stirred the hornet’s nest on March 1 and 2 by deporting 125 Nigerians on their arrival at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg over allegation that they carried fake yellow fever cards. Nigeria retaliated immediately by sending back 131 South Africans.

But the row has been settled with the South African government apologising for the action of its immigration officials.

Ashiru said Nigeria will henceforth not hesitate to apply reciprocity principle against any country that trample on the interest and welfare of Nigerians either residing or on transit in the country.

His words: “I must emphasise that your primary duty is the protection of Nigerians in your countries of accreditation. As you all know, there is no Nigeria without Nigerians. You must therefore adopt an open door policy to

Senator demands review of policy

T

HE Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi, yesterday demanded a review of the nation’s foreign policy.

He said it is time to adopt a reciprocal foreign policy towards African nations.

Adeyemi, who made the recommendations while speaking with reporters against the backdrop of last week’s diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa , said the era of big brother politics in Africa is gone.

He said Nigeria should evolve a foreign policy based on the principle of reciprocity to enhance the image of the country in the comity of nations.

Adeyemi said: “There is need for a review of our foreign policy because our brothers in Africa do not appreciate the enormous contributions and sacrifice of Nigeria towards the political and economic emancipation of Africa .

“It is inexplicable for a nation like South Africa , with the enormous resources that Nigeria put into the liberation struggle, to be displaying a lot of hostilities against our nationals.

“Even before the deportation of 125 Nigerians, there had been stories of maltreatment of Nigerians in South Africa . We have also had similar cases of deliberate provocation and From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Nigerians on transit or resident in your country of assignment.”

“You should encourage Nigerians to register with your Missions so that we could develop a credible data base of professionals for ease of access by the Government and the private sector.”

“Encourage interaction with resident Nigerians and

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

hostility against Nigerians by some West Africa countries.

“The time has come for us as a nation to make a radical review of our foreign policy as it affects African countries.

“We cannot pretend that some African countries, perhaps out of envy or sheer hatred, have been hostile to the Nigerian mission even at international fora where African solidarity required has been betrayed.

“There had been reported betrayal of Nigeria

by African countries that had benefited from its both human and material resources.

The Senator praised the President for insisting on apology from South Africa over deportation of 125 Nigerians.

He added: “I wish to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for demanding unreserved apology from South Africa .

“This development should be the starting point of a review of our foreign policy so that African countries that do not appreciate our contributions in time past and those whose economic survival depend largely on Nigeria will be made to acknowledge our worth.

“We need a tactical withdrawal from the blanket big brother politics towards African nations.

We should change our foreign policy and make it reciprocal.”

ensure effective Consular duties including visitations to Nigerians in distress situations. We should demand at all times and anywhere that Nigerians at home and abroad who seek service or assistance at any Embassy/ Mission or Consulate must be treated with dignity.”

Warning that Nigeria is ready to take reciprocity measures against any country, the minister said: “As a Government, we will not hes-

itate to apply strict reciprocity, a cardinal principle in diplomacy, in our relations with all countries especially where the interest and welfare of Nigerians are concerned.”

He also declared that Nigeria cannot afford to be absent in global governance and that it will continue to canvass with renewed vigour for a permanent seat for Nigeria at the United Nations Security Council.

INANCE Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and their counterparts across Africa are expected at the Knowledge Exchange and Roundtable on Global Trends in Financial Stability.

The forum will discuss the role of institutions in the recent financial crisis, its global aftermath, and how to avert a recurrence.

It is sponsored by the law firm of Olaniwun Ajayi, and will be held in Lagos on Friday, a statement by the firm said.

As part of its contribution to the global regulatory landscape, the book: Troubled Asset Resolution, written by Ajayi, will be presented at the event.

Sanusi will speak on CBN’s intervention in preventing systemic risk in the banking sector, and the establishment of the Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) as a resolution vehicle for the absorption of toxic bank assets.

Other speakers are Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Malaysia, Donald Jaganathan; Director of Financial Markets, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Dolika Banda and Senior Partner, Clifford Chance LLP, UK, Malcolm Sweeting.

Executive Director of the World Bank, Dr Mansur Muhtar, will present the book.

“This book, a second in our series on the financial market, focuses on the resolution of the banking crisis through the implementation of the AMCON Act, one of the many achievements of our government.

“Having led the legal team in drafting the AMCON Act and establishing the corporation, Ajayi shares in the 600page book the inception of the financial crisis in Nigeria, the birth of AMCON as a resolution vehicle, its legal implications, the structure and governance of the Corporation and its overall effect on the Nigerian financial system,” the statement added.

•Chief Ajayi

58

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

NEWS Youths beg ex-ANSIEC chair to withdraw court case From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

A

YOUTH pressure group, the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), yesterday appealed to the former Chairman of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), Prof. Titus Eze, to withdraw his court case against ANSIEC, to enable the council elections hold.

In a statement, TNM State Coordinator Obi Ochaije said: “We understand that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)led government and its representatives are using the court case as an excuse not to conduct the overdue council elections.

“We are begging Eze to withdraw the case, even though it is his right, so as to give way for council elections to hold in the interest of the masses.

“Please Prof., without these elections holding, it would be difficult for those at the grassroots to enjoy the dividends of democracy. Please, kindly withdraw the case.”

Anambra gets task force on fake drugs From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday inaugurated a sevenman task force in Anambra to rid the state of fake drugs and unwholesome products.

The task force is headed by Mr. Alphonsus Muogboh.

At the ceremony in Awka, the state capital, NAFDAC Director of Narcotics and Substance Control Alhaji Hashim Yusufu said the task force is the 17th to be reconstituted.

He said the Bridge Head drug market in Onitsha would be a great challenge to the task force and urged it to be focused.

Yusufu, who is also the head of the Federal Task Force on Fake Drugs, said: “The existence of fake and counterfeit products has denied Nigerians of quality medicines and other processed foods, and caused many deaths.”

PUBLIC NOTICE DOOYUM DIO FOUNDATION This is inform the general public that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration of her incorporated trustees under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Ernest Dio 3. Mr. Msoo Dio 2. Mr. Vershima Dio 4. Mrs. Ngunan Ende AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: i. To develop the youth through education and skills acquisition ii. To assist the destitute attain a better living standard iii. To provide personal development opportunities to the youth iv. To provide a conducive and competitive environmental for educational development.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded in writing to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: MSOO DIO & CO., LAWYERS, 56, Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. +234 8069634351, msoo@msoodio.com

PUBLIC NOTICE THE BRIDGE NETWORK CHURCH INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above-named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act

•Three of the suspects ...yesterday

Umeh urges Ndigbo to embrace MASSOB

T

HE National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has urged Ndigbo to support the agitation of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Umeh spoke on Sunday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nnewi, Anambra State, after the thanksgiving service for the successful burial of the late Chief Dim Odimegwu-Ojukwu.

He said MASSOB is the only organisation that has vigorously pursued the Igbo agenda, after Ojukwu.

Umeh said the Movement was instrumental to the Federal Government’s participation in Ojukwu’s burial.

Explaining that other zones have militia groups that agitate for their interests, he said: “I am an active

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES a) To propagate the ministry of Christ on Earth. b) To help mankind come to the knowledge of salvation.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, P.M.B 198, Garki Abuja, Nigeria, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Tade Ipadeola Chambers

PUBLIC NOTICE

NEHEMIAHS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FOUNDATION, OGUN STATE

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

member of MASSOB and I am proud to belong to the group.

MASSOB has fought to ensure that the Igbo are not further marginalised; they have agitated for the freedom of Ndigbo.

“Their activities should be embraced by well meaning Igbo. It is time Ndigbo identify with MASSOB as our identity and instrument of liberation.

“In the North, they have the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). In the West, they have the Odua People’s Congress (OPC); in the Southsouth, they have the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). Ours in the Southeast is MASSOB and we should openly support it.”

Umeh described MASSOB

leader Chief Ralph Uwazurike as “a true son of Ndigbo”, adding that he deserves his recent conferment with the highest title in Igboland.

Also at the weekend, MASSOB members apprehended four suspected members of a five-man robbery gang that has been terrorising Onitsha residents and handed them over to policemen at Awada Police Division.

The suspects are Uchenna Nweke, Chijioke Ale, Okoronkwo Chinedu and Morgan Anayoh.

It was gathered that MASSOB members got a tip off on Saturday night that the gang was robbing commuters on the Onitsha-Owerri road and attacked them.

Three of the suspects were apprehended that night and another member of the gang

was taken on Sunday at Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area.

Sources said the gang operated with motorcycles and specialised in snatching motorcycles and ladies’ hand bags.

MASSOB Regional Administrator Chief Arinze Igbani said locally made pistols, money and charms were recovered from the suspects.

He said Ale confessed that he had been with the gang for six months.

Igbani said: “With this development, we are sending the message of MASSOB re-branding to Ndigbo and Nigerians.

Henceforth, injustice and crime would be rooted out of Onitsha and the Southeast, so that we can live the dream of our founding father, Ojukwu.”

He said the Movement would work with the police through joint patrols to curb crime in the state.

Abia blames workers’ pay delay on treasurers

T

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1.

Pastor Francis Madojemu 2.

Mrs. Ajuma Daphne Madojemu 3.

Dr. Tunde Adegbola

•Movement seizes four robbery suspects in Onitsha

HE Abia State Government has said it will sack any treasurer or head of service in the 17 local government areas who fail to submit their council’s wage bill on or before the 12th of every month.

It said any worker found to be aiding and abetting fraud through the padding of staff salaries would be dismissed.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. I. Ochu, who spoke with reporters in Umuahia, the

From Ugochukwu, Eke, Umuahia

state capital, was reacting to allegations that the government is owing council workers January and February salaries.

Ochu said the workers have been paid January salary, while that of February is in the bank awaiting the clearance of their wage bills by the local government auditor-general, when they are sent by the treasurers.

He said: “The delay in the payment is the fault of the council treasurers and heads of service, as they have

refused to submit their wage bills between the 10th and 12th of every month as expected.”

The permanent secretary said Governor Theodore Orji has directed that workers should be paid on the 20th of every month, but those in charge of workers’ salary do not make the wage bills available to the auditor-general on time.

He said in January, only nine local governments submitted their wage bill and only six did in February.

Ochu said: “As I am talking to you, Bende local

government has not submitted its wage bill for January. We have decided to deal decisively with all erring treasurers and their heads of service, as we can no longer allow them to continue destabilising the plans of the government for workers.”

State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Eze Idima said the delay in the preparation of the wage bill was because some treasurers, who were suspended by the government, had just returned to their duty posts.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Non Governmental Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

‘N40m bribe’: Anambra A-G threatens to sue businessman

THE TRUSTEES ARE – 1.

Mrs. Adebisi Ololade Gamu 2.

Revd. Bola Taiwo Babalola 3.

Mr. Babasola Olaniyi Oyebanjo 4.

Mrs. Teniola Olabosipo Adewuyi 5.

Mrs. Olubola Adesola Akintayo 6.

Mr. Sunday Adeboye Adebiyi 7.

Pastor Abiodun Ademuyiwa

NAMBRA State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Emmanuel Chukwuma has said he will sue a businessman, Chief Godwin Okeke, a.k.a. GUO, for accusing him of collecting a N40 million bribe to discharge a kidnap suspect.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in his office in Awka, Chukwuma said the allegation was false and aimed at defaming his character and that of the State Director of

- (Chairperson)

- (Secretary)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE – 1. To help the cause of the less priviledge 2. To revive and promote patriotism 3. To inculcate right attidudes in citizens of Ogun State in particular and in Nigerians in general.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: AYOOLUWA ST. EMMANUEL ESQ. (SOLICITOR)

A

Fron Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Azu Okeke.

Okeke was kidnapped in Onitsha on August 23, 2009, by a nine-man gang.

The suspects were later arrested by the Police and charged to court, but Chukwuma, in a letter, told the magistrate to release one of them, who was found to be innocent.

The magistrate obliged him, based on Section 151 of the

administration of Criminal Justice of Anambra State, 2010.

Chukwuma said Okeke accused him and the DPP of deliberately delaying the prosecution of the suspects.

He alleged that Okeke also petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan; the president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA); Governor Peter Obi; and the House of Assembly speaker, among others.

The attorney-general said: “It is unfortunate that Okeke

has continued to defame me, my office and that of the DPP. I will sue Okeke for libel after the investigation of the House panel on the matter.”

He said the Acting Inspector-General of Police has concluded investigation on the matter and found out that he did not discharge the alleged kidnappers as alleged.

DPP Azu Okeke: “We have a working procedure. GUO’s allegation of collecting N40 million gratification is unfortunate.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

59

NEWS

Bomb ‘found’ in ex-council boss’ home A

N object suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was yesterday morning found at the W15, Gangara Road, Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Kaduna home of Auwal Ali Tafoki, an excouncil boss in Kaduna State and one-time special adviser to former Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi.

But the police said the object was a bag containing papers and other documents.

They said men of the antibomb disposal unit have taken away the bag to analyse its content.

Eyewitnesses told The Nation that the discovery of the object sent residents scampering for safety.

It was learnt that the object, which was neatly

‘When I came out and saw the object, I asked my family about it, but they said they knew nothing about the bag.

I then directed that nobody should go close to the object, while I called the police’ From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

wrapped in a bag, was discovered by the ex-council boss who immediately informed the police.

Tafoki told reporters that he saw the object inside his compound when he came

out of his room and questioned his family about it before reporting to the police.

He said: “When I came out and saw the object, I asked my family about it, but they said they knew nothing about the bag. I then directed that nobody should go close to the object, while I called the police.”

He said the police antibomb squad later came.

The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Aminu Lawan, told The Nation on the phone that the bomb disposal unit was analysing the content of the bag to find out if there were IED materials inside it.

Boko Haram vandalises Passport Office

S

USPECTED Boko Haram members have allegedly vandalised the Passport Office in Damaturu, Yobe State, stealing six e-passport booklets.

Spokesman for the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Mr. Joachim Olumba said the establishment is still searching for the passports.

His words: “The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs. Rose Uzoma, has directed us to inform the public that the under-listed six pass-

•Steals six e-passports From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

port booklets have been declared missing as a result of the vandalising of the Passport Office by suspected Boko Haram members.

“They are:•A02915421 •A02915422 •A02915423 • A02915428 •A02915472 •A02915473 “I am further directed to advise the public that who-

ever wants to acquire e-Passport should go to the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Offices spread across the states’ capitals.

“The management of the NIS wishes to warn the public that any person found in possession of any of the above missing e-passport numbers will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

21 charged with cerficate forgery in Bauchi

A

BAUCHI Chief Magistrate’s Court presided over by Isah Mohammed yesterday granted bail to 21 suspects charged with certificate forgery at the Police Training School (PTS), Yelwa, a suburb of Bauchi, the state capital.

A team of detectives from the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) Special Task Force, partnering the Bauchi State Police Command Monitoring Unit, arrested the 21 suspects

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

undergoing training at the PTS, for alleged certificate forgery.

They were said to have used fake certificates to gain admission into the Police Training School, contrary to Sections 96 and 179 of the Criminal Code.

The accused were charged to court separately by the police prosecutors, Inspector Baba Mohamed and Sergeant T. Mohammed. They were represented by more than

eight counsels who applied for bail on their behalf.

Though the bail was opposed by the prosecutors, the chief magistrate granted it at the cost of N200,000 with sureties who must be resident in Bauchi.

He said the sureties must also have landed property and must swear to an affidavit.

The matter was adjourned till March 28 and 29 for further hearing.

Northern youths back IBB, others’ move COALITION of coalition, Aminu Ibraon security the youth groups in the him Abubakar, “we hope

A

North yesterday backed the move by elders of the region to confront insecurity and poverty.

Last Saturday, northern elders, including former heads of state Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar and former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar met in Abuja and resolved to tackle the multiple woes facing the region.

The coalition, under the aegis of the Arewa Youth De-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

velopment Foundation, described the move as a bold step towards exposing the intrigues surrounding the security threat and ending it.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Kano, the coalition said youths suspected a conspiracy in the recent security situation.

According to a statement signed by the coordinator of

this move by the northern elders will finally expose the conspiracy against the North and its people.”

The youths hailed the earlier moves, urging others to dissolve into the elders’ initiative to form a stronger front.

They said the North has come of age and warned that they would resist any move to scuttle the recent effort made by the concerned groups.

Police pension scam: Why cabal is after me, ment of pension funds, manipHE Chairman of the

by Maina ulation and falsification of Pension Reform Task

T

Force, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, said yesterday that a “cabal” within the nation’s pension system was out to discredit him for reporting cases of graft to the anti-corruption agencies.

He described as defamation of character, an allegation that he opened a bank account in his brother’s name.

According to him, Danjuma Zubairu, a worker with the Fidelity Bank Plc, is from Kabba in Kogi State and is

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

not his brother. “I am from Biu in Borno State.”

Maina told reporters to expose members of the task force found culpable.

He said: “These problems that have brought misery to the retirees occurred not because there was no adequate funding, but because of the large scale corruption through the diversion and mismanage-

data, non-improvement in the pension administrative structure and bureaucracy with poor, unreliable and inefficient accounting system.

“We have tried our best and clinched landmark achievements. But there are media comments and accusations by the Senate Committee on Establishment that the pension task force did more harm than good. In what way? Is it a crime to fight corruption in this country?”

60

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

NEWS Ogun APCs ready for collection

M

ONTHS after they were supplied, the Ogun State Government will on Friday collect five of the 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) it ordered to strengthen security in the Gateway State.

The APCs were kept on the tarmac of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

According to the government, President Goodluck Jonathan has signed all documents to pave the way for the release of the APCs by the airport authority and other security agencies.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, had in November, last year, expressed his readiness to procure 10 APCs to combat robberies.

He demonstrated his resolve in this regard by inaugurating Security Trust Fund (STF) on December 23.

The former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Colonel Kayode Are chairs the STF’s Board of Trustees.

Breaking the cheery news at a meeting with the Bank-

JAMB Registrar worried over security

•Jonathan okays release From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta ers Committee, the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the APCs could not be delivered on time because the President had to authorise them.

Mrs. Adeosun expressed the hope that five of the APCs, which were the first batch, would arrive in the state “hopefully” by Friday.

Mrs. Adeosun said: “I can tell you that the APCs that we have ordered, we brought them in by air freight. As I’m speaking to you now, five of them are on the tarmac in Lagos.

What is our problem?

“It must have end users certificate which is only signed by the President. I can tell you that the President signed last (Sunday) night. And it was at the personal intervention of the Ministry of Finance.

“Now the end user certificate has been signed by

the President; the Ministry of Finance sent a text (SMS) to Governor Amosun this morning and said, come and collect your certificate. So, we are hopeful that before the end of this week, those five will be brought.

“I want to assure you that we are working, it’s not that we are not doing anything.

I can’t tell you some of these things we have bought because we are not even supposed to discuss it. ” She noted that the kind of APCs procured by the state were unique unlike what obtained in some states where anti-ballistic vehicles are deployed to combat armed banditory and other vices.

Her words: “When you see them, you will see they are different from any other one that other state has.

I’m sure you saw in some other states where the people were rejoicing – those were the kind of APCs that won’t be accepted here. But they don’t have the challenges we (Ogun) have.

•10,000 civil defence men to monitor exams From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

•Ojerinde

J

OINT Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde has urged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide adequate security during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

He spoke yesterday at a meeting with the NSCDC High Command led by Suleiman Bello, a Deputy Commandant-General.

Ojerinde said NSCDC members are expected to report at examination centres at 6.45am, as they would be expected to accompany officials.

He said: “In the course of examination, the surveillance role of NSCDC ordinarily is not supposed to enter examination halls but however when called upon or

when supervisors are seen to be compromising their positions, they can do the needful.”

The Registrar challenged the corps to guide against late coming to centres. Bello presented a prepared package on the operational guidelines for the assignment.

He said about 10,000 members of the corps have been mobilised for the assignment across the country. To avoid possible clash with the Police, the Civil Defence chief requested a letter to the Police specifying the role of the corps.

Osun ACN condemns Oyinlola’s letter on Salami

T

HROUGH its Osun State chapter, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday condemned the open letter written by former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against the re-instatement of Justice Isa Ayo Salami as the

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

President of the Court of Appeal.

In a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, the party described the action as an attempt to invalidate the landmark judgment that restored the stolen mandate of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as despicable.

The party said the attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to misuse the court process to regain power will be an “exercise in futility.”

It described Prince Oyinlola’s action as a political move to smear the integrity of Jus-

tice Salami, which has been severally upheld by the various panels that investigated the allegations of the PDP. The statement reads: “Prince Oyinlola should have known that he stands no chance whatsoever to succeed where Oni and the PDP failed in the attempt to discredit Justice Salami and regain victory through the back door in Ekiti State.

“Oyinlola’s attempt to do similar thing in Osun State will also “fail woefully. Prince Oyinlola would be living in a fantasy world if he is hoping to come back to Government House in Osogbo by hook or crook, as is the tradition of the PDP in the Southwest and other states of the federation.”

April 13 date for SNG’s suit

By Adebisi Onanuga

J

USTICE Stephen Adah of a Federal High Court, Ikeja has fixed April 13 for definite hearing in the suit brought by the Save Nigeria Group(SNG) against President Goodluck Jonathan and five others for allegedly violating its fundamental human rights over the January protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.

Joined as co-respondents are the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the Attorney General of the Federation, Bello Adoke.

The SNG sued Jonathan over the deployment of soldiers to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos to stop its protest and for violation of its rights.

In a Motion on Notice filed at the Federal High Court, Ikeja, the group asked for N100 million as general, special and exemplary damages from the President for what it described as unlawful, arbitrary and illegal violation of its fundamental rights as guaranteed in Sections 34, 35(1(, 39(!), 40, 41(1) and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Articles 5,6,9,10 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People1s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, LFN 2004.

Court dismisses Deji Abiola’s application

J

USTICE Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja yesterday dismissed an application brought by Deji Abiola, the son of the late business mogul, Basorun M.K.O. Abiola, seeking to quash the onecount charge of stealing preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He had also prayed the court to discharge him of the said count.

The Judge held that the complainant has the prosecurial power to charge the applicant, contrary to his claim.

Justice Onigbanjo also held that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the case.

Deji Abiola, had in a Motion on Notice dated September 13, last year brought pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the Constitution, told the court to quash the charge against

By Adebisi Onanuga

him.

He prayed the court in the Motion filed by his counsel, Mr. O. A. Fasugba, for any other order that the court deem fit.

Fasugba averred the fulcrum of the application was predicated on the grounds that the complainant lacks the prosecurial power to file charges against the defendant as the charge of stealing is a state offence that cannot be prosecuted by the commission.

He had also argued that there is no proper complainant before the court and therefore the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case.

Opposing the application, counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Omeiza Adebola told the court to dismiss the application as it is premature and incompetent.

Justice Onigbanjo, however, adjourned the matter till May 7 when trial is expected to begin.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

61

FOREIGN NEWS 100 killed in South Sudanese attacks

A

N estimated 100 people have been killed in South Sudan in the latest of a series of ethnic clashes and cattle raids, officials

say.

Jonglei state Law Enforcement Minister Gabriel Duop Lam told the BBC that at least 200 people had been injured.

The BBC's James Copnall, in Khartoum, says these figures suggest the attacks were on a very large scale.

Cattle raids and revenge attacks have killed thousands of people in South Sudan since independence in 2011.

BBC's correspondent says the fighting involved rival groups from Jonglei state, who clashed over the border in Upper Nile state.

Young men from the Murle ethnic group

stormed several cattle camps on Friday, the local authorities said.

Thousands of cattle are also reported to have been stolen in the raids, which targeted eight areas north of the town of Akobo.

Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang told the BBC that 100 people had been killed.

In January, hundreds of Murle were killed in Jonglei by a force of about 6,000 fighters, mainly from the rival Lou Nuer ethnic group.

Thousands of Murle fled their homes as a result of the attacks, which came in response to a massacre that left at least 600 people dead in August 2011.

The Murle and the Lou Nuer have a long history of stealing each other's cattle, often prompting a spiral of violence.

Ozone pioneer Rowland dies at 84

T

HE death has been announced of Sherwood Rowland the United States chemistry professor who first suspected that the Earth’s protective ozone layer was being depleted by man-made chemicals.

Prof Rowland published a paper on the dangers of the t h e n - p o p u l a r chloroflourocarbons - CFCs in 1974.

His ideas were derided at the time by other scientists and

especially the chemical industry.

But 20 years later, Sherwood Rowland won a Nobel Prize for his work.

The University of California at Irvine (UCI) researcher - who was known as Sherry - shared the award with Mario Molina of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Paul Crutzen of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany.

“We have lost our finest friend and mentor,” said UCI

Physical Sciences dean Kenneth Janda.

“He saved the world from a major catastrophe; never wavering in his commitment to science, truth and humanity, and did so with integrity and grace.”

Rowland’s and colleagues’ calculations had led in the late 1970s to some restrictions being placed on CFCs, which were then widely used as refrigerants, propellants in spray cans, solvents, and blowing agents to make foams.

Syria crisis: 47 killed in fresh Homs attacks

A

CTIVISTS believe as many as 47 people have been killed in an attack by progovernment militia in the embattled Syrian city of Homs.

Women and children are among those reported to have been tortured and killed on Sunday night in the neighbourhood of Karm el-Zeytoun.

The Syrian government acknowledged the deaths, but blamed “armed terrorists”.

The attack happened hours after United Nations-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan

ended his two-day mission to Damascus.

Homs has been under assault for weeks as government forces have tried to root out rebel fighters. Parts of the city are devastated.

Syria is being discussed at a meeting of UN Security Council foreign ministers in New York.

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the Security Council had so far failed in its responsibility to the Syrian people “in the eyes of the overwhelming majority of the world”.

NATIONSPORT TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

62

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

PORTUGUESE T/TENNIS LEAGUE Aruna Quadri lifts Toledos to play-offs

No pressure on CSKA,says Musa L N I G E R I A international Ahmed Musa has maintained that his Russian club CSKA Moscow are not under pressure going into a UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match at Real Madrid.

The first leg in Moscow ended in a 1-1 draw with Musa in action for over an hour in his Champions League debut.

The former Kano Pillars and VVV Venlo of Holland winger told MTNFootball.com that CSKA are the underdogs at the Bernabeu tonight.

“We did our best in the first leg and that was why we got a draw. We are not going to play the second leg under any pressure because we are the underdogs,” Musa told MTNFootball.com He continued: “Real Madrid will be under pressure to win because everybody expects them to win, but we are going there to do our best and upset them.

“I learnt that CSKA Moscow have never lost to a Spanish opponent. I hope we continue with that against Madrid.”

The overall winners of this

tie will advance to the quarter finals of Europe’s money-

spinning annual club competition.

AST year's All Africa Games bronze medalist, Aruna Quadri has helped his

AFTERMATH OF ENYIMBA/ HEARTLAND VIOLENCE

I was stoned,punched,says ref

C

ENTRE referee in Matchday 13 Oriental Derby between hosts, Heartland and Enyimba, Gabriel Adigwe has admitted an attack on his person after the clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

The titanic clash ended 3-2 in favour of the visitors, Enyimba.

Adigwe told SuperSport.com that he was attacked by suspected Heartland supporters but not brutalised as reported in some media.

"I and my colleagues were attacked immediately the whistle ended the game by fans who were clearly supporters of Heartland.

"Stones and similar objects

were freely thrown at us including punches but there is no mark or injury on my body.

"I wasn't brutalised or beaten to a pulp as being reported.

"For a moment I thought I was in Kano, I was really scared, I ran to nowhere in particular, hidden by good Samaritans who ferried me to safety," he said.

By Innocent Amomoh Portuguese side, GDSR Os Toledos to qualify for the play- offs of the Portuguese Table Tennis League.

The London 2012 Olympics-bound ping ponger, who confirmed his rating as the number one player in the Portuguese League, has, in his first season, single-handedly helped his former team A.R. Novelense to play in its first play-offs of the elite league.

At the weekend, Quadri was once again in spectacular form when his team confirmed their place in the last four by thrashing another club Juncal, that pays the bills of Quadri’s compatriot Bode Abiodun, to top the table with 52 points from 28 matches.

Quadri said after the feat: "I feel so great for making it to the play-off semi final again in the Portuguese league, I think it’s another great opportunity for me to claim the league title I narrowly lost last season and I pray that my desire will be fulfilled this season.

“It really shows how capable I am. In my former club, I always had to win two matches before taking the team to play-off semi final and final respectively but this season, the stress has been reduced a little bit because we also have quality players in this new team. It was not that easy to make the play-off this season but the stress is reduced compared to the last season".

Asked if there are European clubs seeking his signature for next season, Quadri said: "My plan for now is to move to a higher league in France, Germany, Spain or Italy, but the Portuguese league title is also important to me.

“At present, a club in the Spanish Super League is showing interest in me, but I am yet to agree terms with them because I am trying to put things in good position before signing with the club, provided they present a good offer.”

On his preparedness for the World Championship slated for Germany and the Olympics in London, Quadri said:"I am a little bit prepared on my own since there are no plans from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for the world championship. So, I am really preparing on my own for the great event coming up at the ending of this month in Germany.

“For the Olympics, we are yet to commence preparation because for us to prepare well it must be in terms of a training tour of Europe, and I believe preparation will begin very as soon as the National Sports Commission (NSC) is ready.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012

63

www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

VOL. 7

NO.2,063

‘If any lesson must be learnt from the recent face-off between Abuja and Pretoria, it is that Nigeria must review, as a matter of urgency, the now archaic philosophy of Africa as the centre piece of its foreign policy’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE Nigeria union is mired in dysfunction.

Not since the crisis precipitated by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election has that been so painfully obvious. Not since then has there been such animated and sustained call for a conference to discuss that troubled union, the goal being, as I understand it, to make it much less dysfunctional.

It used to be only “the North” that was happy with the arrangement and was resolutely committed to preserving it at all cost.

Everyone thought this could only be because “the North” had cornered a much larger chunk of the federal cake than it was objectively entitled to, and was quite happy with the way things were.

This perception was, if anything, reinforced each time some persons presuming to speak for “the North” branded any proposal for a conference to review existing arrangements as a conspiracy against “the North,” their North.

Lately, it has emerged, per Central Bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Niger State Governor Dr Mu’azu Babandiga Aliyu, Talban Minna, that “the North” is just as unhappy with the present arrangement as those clamouring for restructuring.

My colleague Sanya Oni captured this development brilliantly in the title of his February 28 column for this newspaper: “Now, the North wants more.”

This quest conveniently ignore, to cite just one of the numerous inequities in the present set-up, the fact that Kano State, which officially has roughly the same population as Lagos State, has three times as many Local Government Areas, each drawing hefty subventions every month from the federal exchequer.

But there is much more to the stirrings from “the North” than a desire for bigger allocations. One of its most pertinacious spokespersons says “the North” is sick and tired of being portrayed as a burden on Nigeria union when it has in fact been underwriting the cost of maintaining the union.

He went on to warn darkly that if its sacrifices continued to be greeted with disrespect and ingratitude, “the North” might as well endorse the demand for a national conference, and watch the agitators rue their folly.

Those who presume to speak for “the North” they are so fond of invoking never make clear just what it consists in – whether it is a geographical expression, a cultural monolith, or a sentimental archaism. Its very elasticity helps in framing the argument, but the usage is also delusional, implying as it does a solidity that is more apparent than real.

I have it from an unimpeachable source that, in the wake of the Boko Haram bombing of a church in Madalla, near Abuja, last Christmas, some outraged elements in “the

RIPPLES

NFF STINKS OF CORRUPTION-Senate

The whole country STINKS...especially ABUJA

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

A time to talk

•Aliyu

•Sanusi

North” were debating earnestly whether the time had not come to revisit the Gideon Orkar formula to put an end to all the bloodletting.

In practical terms, that would mean expelling some states in “the North” from Nigeria.

Wiser counsel prevailed.

Whether that recourse is feasible or not is beside the point. What counts is that it was mooted by Establishment “Northerners.” The killing of some 15 worshippers in two bombing incidents just two days ago in the Plateau State capital, Jos, is sure to make that option more appealing.

Although “the North” now appears to subscribe to the staging of a national conference – even if the purpose is only to ask for more, to borrow Sanya Oni’s expression, the path towards that goal is still far from assured.

President Goodluck Jonathan says there is nothing wrong with the status quo that cannot be fixed by a handpicked committee reporting to another handpicked committee, which will in turn report to the National Assembly, which will enact the recommendations of the committees.

At one point, he indicated that he was planning to send as many as 53 constitutional amendments to these committees, including a self-serving proposal to change the tenure of a

‘If a national conference is foreclosed until the system has broken down, what purpose will it serve except to bury the system? The time to talk is now’ president from two four-year terms to a single term of seven years.

What is at issue, Mr President, is the Constitution of Nigeria, not the constitution of the PDP. A constitution that requires 53 amendments in one fell swoop is a constitution that ought to be scrubbed altogether. And a document that emerges from the devious and labyrinthine process Dr Jonathan has chosen does not deserve to be called a national constitution.

Those demanding that the conference be invested with sovereign powers are reminded rather severely that there can be only one sovereign in place at a given time, and that it is already in place in the form of National Assembly comprising duly elected representatives of the people.

The people taking this line conveniently forget that a federation, even a poor imitation of one like Nigeria’s, is in a sense a derogation of the concept of sovereignty, implying, as it does, shared authority and responsibility. In whatever case, the claim that members of the National Assembly represent the electorate is open to challenge. For the most part they have been looking out for and taking good care of themselves, and the electors

HARDBALL IGERIAN media managers were deeply mortified last week as foreign media organisations showed clear superiority in reporting the botched effort to rescue British and Italian hostages held by a splinter faction of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in Sokoto.

The effort, the whole world now knows to our dismay, failed miserably for reasons largely provided by the foreign media, especially British press. The inability of Nigerian media to get to the bottom of the story was so obvious that they relied on the foreign media’s blowby-blow account – the so-called anatomy of a fiasco. Other than the terse statement issued by the Nigerian authorities, no scoop, original or fake, came from the Nigerian press. Happily too, since the local media were kept in the dark, and since there was little or no appetite by Nigerian security agencies to put the local media in the picture, there was nothing of the highsounding and sanctimonious condemnations of media excesses.

From some reports, it turned out that the foreign media, which seemed to know so much about the combined Special Forces effort to rescue the two hostages, appeared to have been embedded with the British Special Boat Squad that planned the operation. Predictably, nearly all the foreign reports have tried to exonerate the British contingent. The Nigerian soldiers, they said, swooped on the Mabera district of Sokoto armed to the teeth and with some fanfare. Some reports even said the Nigerians lit

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be damned.

As I understand it, the conference being canvassed will be sovereign only to the extent that its decisions will be subject only to confirmation in a national referendum. While the conference is in session, the National Assembly and the President and other state institutions will carry on their duties as prescribed by the extant Constitution.

Then there are those who claim that a sovereign national conference will be parlayed into an opportunity to dismember Nigeria. If that is indeed the goal of its protagonists, why would they need a platform where no outcome is assured – a platform that could well promote compromise and conciliation rather than disintegration?

There are also those who are fixated on procedural issues. They ask: How will the delegates to a national conference be selected?

They will be selected based on a formula that distils the best practices from the conferences that preceded Nigeria’s independence and those that have been held subsequently. We can also borrow from other countries that have passed through epochal transitions, especially our neighbour Benin Republic, and apartheid-era South Africa.

Finally, there are those who say that a national conference is indicated only when the existing system has broken down completely and there is no other way forward.

Nigeria cannot afford to bask in the illusion that it has not reached that point, what with the seething discontent across the land. The once-magical term “dividends of democracy” has vanished from the national discourse, and democracy itself is fast turning into a nightmare, with costs grotesquely in excess of delivery where any service is delivered at all.

Impunity thrives at all levels, confident that it will attract only minimal sanctions at the worst. For the teeming population of educated young men and women, hope has become a scarce commodity To these must be added the massive traffic in sophisticated arms – traffic the authorities seem incapable of stemming. Just this past weekend it was reported that a cargo of explosives from South Africa was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos.

It doesn’t get more brazen than that. How much lethal cargo has passed through that port and others undetected is anyone’s guess.

If a national conference is foreclosed until the system has broken down, what purpose will it serve except to bury the system?

The time to talk is now.

Carpe diem.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Sokoto fiasco and Nigerian media disused tires and hurled them into the building where the hostages were kept in order to smoke the terrorists out. If this wasn’t ridiculing and humiliating enough news, the world was also told that the Nigerians flew helicopters noisily over the target building and took all of one hour to breach the defences of the terrorists, gaining entrance only when the terrorists ran out of ammunition.

Worse, the foreign press added, for an operation that should have lasted a few minutes and which should have been executed with clinical precision, the Nigerians went in loudly and peppered the building with bullets and other high calibre weapons. The foreign press easily exculpated their Special Forces, adding that since they were whites, there was no way they could have led the operations without being recognised. Then they finally did what no Nigerian media establishment managed – they produced both artistic illustration of the building and indicators showing the ill-fated assault, complete with the reconstructed and presumed positions of the terrorists and hostages. There was little left for the Nigerian media to write about, and even much littler insight into the planning and execution.

The Nigerian Special Forces should be left alone to lick their wounds and to rebuild their

capacity and confidence. It is also clear that the British Special Forces made torrents of mistakes which no amount of gloss from their media can extirpate. For instance, there was nothing to compel them to carry out the assault in daylight. But if they must, they could have painted their faces black. It was also unwise to airlift their contingent down to Nigeria some two weeks before D-Day. They could get rusty while they waited. Overall, it is hoped they would also learn their own bitter lessons.

For the local media and the Nigerian government, surely the Sokoto fiasco should tell them it is time for the two to partner if Nigeria is to earn respect in the world. The government has been especially too contemptuous of the local media to trust and partner with them.

Moreover, media professionals are routinely harassed and humiliated in the discharge of their duties by imperious bureaucrats and security agents who do not appreciate that the treatment they mete out to the press is a reflection of their own backwardness and barbarity.

This must stop. We expect that the government possesses the common sense to know that if the local media are not allowed to tell the Nigerian story, indeed as no other media can, the foreign media would tell it with contempt, with bias and with vexatious embellishments.

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